Medical blog

Gay's meeting in hyderabad

2008-11-26T21:02:00.000-08:00

Today i came to my home town (warangal) from my college ... After coming here i saw a strange new in tv that is "gays meeting in hyderabad" may be its normal in other westren cultured countries ... But its strange and wondering in india ... Hyderabad is capital of andhrapradesh (a state in india) .. Here gayism is not encouraging nor accepted ... But gayism (attraction of a male towards a male) is natural thing so no one can stop it ... According to the news this gay meeting was held to aware the gays about aids n hiv as the "WORLD AIDS DAY " a head ... Most of the ppl belive hiv/aids is spreading mostly by sex and that to by gay sex more ... So this meeting is going to held in hyderabad with name "DARPAN" .... According to news this meeting was hosted by some famous ppl like politicians,film actors etc etc and they expecting 3 thousand gays will attend in this program .... According to me such an programs should be held ... Yes they are also humans like you n me ... They never wantedly went into gayism its natural thing because of hormoe defency even though there is no correct reason for it but they never wantedly doing this ... Im not encouraging nor telling it is bad .. But they should also have some proper education about sexually transmitted diseas ..... I appriate the organisers who hosting such an wonderfull program to aware the gay ppl about aids/hiv

world aids day is ahead

2008-11-23T02:49:00.000-08:00

ADIS ALL OVER WORLD

Today i would like to tlak something about aids and its awareness , as we all that aids is the most important problem in throught out the world more in indai .... what we ca do to stop this adis ? there is no solution for it ? There is a great saying . "prevention is better then cure " this suits excatly for aids .. the main aids tranmission are done by illegal sex {unsafe sex }, unsterilised needles for injections,from mother to kids these are the main cuases of aids ... in india as the sex workers dont encourage for condom use this aids became more in india ... the most wired thing for me is orphans whos parents lost in this adis mishap .. The drug users who use same needles for injecting drung also causes this .... yes i know we all know about it .. even the persons who are getting efectd by aids also know all this but unfortunately they never used any safe methods .... mostly the lory drivers from india getting effected with this aids as they travell milles and milles and state to state they atay at diff place and do sex with diff sexworkewers without using condoms ... 5 years backs there was a women lived beside my house , her husand passed way when she having a small child.. after her husband passed way she have to give daily bread to her son so she became as sex worker as she dont know any other work ... im not critising her here because she doing every thing only for her kid ... but the mistake thing she did unsafe sex .... after some years she attacked with aids ...then she also deaded with aids when her kid is 4 years old ... if she went into prostution proffesion only because of her kid why she cant do safe sex only for kid ? now who will take care of her kid ? the persons who did sex with her after she got infection will probably efffect with it .... so who will take care of there kids ?

Tje reason why she did unsafe sex is because she is aware of adis and sexually tranmissted deasies .... in india ppl feel shy or feel disgusting talking about sex related thigns .. thats the reason most of the ppl aware of such things ... so the government should do more programs to educate ppl about STD

Already they introduced lots of programms but most of them not reaching up tot he normal person ..... but why shoould always government do such things ?? why cant u and me to join in this ? yes thats the problem comming here every onr htinking why should i join .. im not effected .. we are humans we are not animals so thats the reason we should help others ... the pic above showing there are some educated ppl how educating other sex workers.

my ideas to prevent adis are as follows

1.using condoms

2.educating sex workers

3.sex education in colleges and school

4.stop usage of unsterilized needles in hospitals and other places

5.testing the blood before blood transmition

6.providing condoms every where like shops, bustands,railway stations etc etc ..

Weird Animals

2008-11-15T09:27:00.000-08:00

Weird Animals

Blue whale babies weigh up to 7 tonnes at birth.

A female cod can lay up to 9 million eggs.

Snakes can see through their eyelids.

Elephants spend 23 hours a day eating.

Vultures sometimes eat so much they can't take off again.

The Amazon 'Jesus Christ lizard' can run across water.

The biggest Antartic inland animal is a wingless fly measuring about 60 mm long.

Fleas can jump up to 30 cm, twenty times their own body length.

Bluebottle flies can smell meat from distances 7 km away.

Many birds migrate, but the Arctic tern travels furthest. It flies from the Arctic to the Antarctic, and back again, a trip of 32,000 kilometers.

Some animals can regrow parts of their bodies if damaged. Starfish can grow new 'arms.' Slow-worms can regrow broken-off tails. Lizards can grow new tails.

One golden poison-dart frog could kill up to 1500 people with its poison.

The giant squid has the largest eyes of any animal. They can be 39 cm across, which is 16 times wider than a human eye.

The peregrine falcon can spot its prey from more than 8 km away.

The sleepiest mammals are armadillos, sloths and opossums. They spend 80 per cent of their lives sleeping or dozing.

A mayfly only lives one day, but a tortoise can expect to live 100 years.

Stegosaurus was one of the most famous of the dinosaurs and was an impressive 9 metres long. But its brain was the size of a walnut.

Dragons do exist!

2008-11-15T09:23:00.000-08:00

Dragons do exist!

The Komodo dragon is the world's largest flesh-eating lizard and living reptile. This amazing creature is only found in the wild on four small Indonesian islands, where they are vulnerable to disease, volcanic activity, and competition with feral dogs and man. It lives on the islands of Komodo, Rinca, Padar, and Flores.
The Komodo is an endangered species and there are only about 5,000 of them in existence around the world, including a small number kept and bred in zoos.

This giant lizard can grow to 3 meters (10 feet) long, and has an average weight of 70 kg (155 pounds). Komodo dragons are dangerous predators with sharp serrated teeth more like a shark's than a reptile's. Swift runners, they can swim and climb trees, and they can use their tail as a weapon and swing it like a club. They find most of their food by smell. Like shakes they 'taste' the air with their tongues, which are deeply forked and collect scent molecules from the air. They have an acute sense of smell and can detect the scent of decaying remains from up to 5km (3 miles).

While Komodos like to eat dead things, they also prey on wild pigs, water buffalo and deer. They have a huge capacity for food, often eating up to half of their body weight in one meal. They are also cannibalistic, sometimes eating their own kind. They eat almost all of a carcass, consuming flesh, skin and even bones. A large Komodo can swallow a whole wild pig; their jaws expand like a snake's.

Their bite is often lethal because the bacteria in their mouths is so poisonous that wounds often do not heal, and their victim, if it manages to escape, dies in a day or two.

Although often regarded as pests, Komodos are not a serious danger to humans. In order to protect the dragon, the Indonesian government has made the islands of Padar and Rinca into nature reserves for both the lizard and its prey. Commercial trade in specimens or skins is illegal under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

The Komodo dragon can live up to 40 years. Although often regarded as pests, Komodos are not a serious danger to humans. In order to protect the dragon, the Indonesian government has made the islands of Padar and Rinca into nature reserves for both the lizard and its prey. Commercial trade in specimens or skins is illegal under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Vampires that drink blood!

2008-11-15T09:21:00.000-08:00

Vampire bats really do drink blood. They feed on the blood of birds, cattle, horses, and pigs ... and the occasional sleeping human.

They need to consume a few tablespoons of blood every day. If the vampire bat doesn't eat for more than a few days it will starve. They can only be found in Central and South America.

Irish writer of horror tales Bram Stoker was so fascinated by these bats that drink blood, that he incorporated them in his book 'Dracula.'

TOP 10 MEDICAL COLLEGES IN INDIA

2008-11-15T09:08:00.000-08:00

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi
Address : Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029
Phone: 91-11-26588500, 91-11-26588700, 91-11-26589900
Fax : 91-11-26588663, 91-11-26588641
Website: http://www.aiims.edu/
Website: http://www.aiims.ac.in/

Christian Medical College, Vellore
Address : Vellore 632 004, Tamil Nadu, India
Phone: 91-416- 2222102, 2223603, 2222722, 2223977, 2225535, 2222716
Website: http://cmch-vellore.edu/

Armed Forces Medical College, Pune
Address : Pune 41104
Website: www.afmcpune.com

JIPMER, Pondicherry
Address : Dhanvantri Nagar, Gorimedu, Pondicherry - 605 006, India
Phone: (0413) 2272380 - 90 (11 lines)
Fax : (0413) 2272067 (Director), 2272066(Dean), 2272735(M.S.)
E-mail : director@jipmer.edu
Website: http://www.jipmer.edu/

Lady Hardinge Medical College
Address : Bhagat Singh Road, Pin - 110001
New Delhi
Phone: 23343984

Lady Hardinge Medical College
Address : Connaught Place, New Delhi 110 001
Phone : 3363596

Kasturba Medical College Chennai

Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi
Address : Bahadur Shah Jafar Marg, New Delhi - 110002
Phone: (011) 23239271/ 72/ 73/ 74/ 23231478
E-mail: deanmamc@vsnl.net
Website : http://mamc.ac.in/

Grant Medical College
Address : B25 (ESIS Hospital Quarters)
Mulund (W), Mumbai-400080
Phone: 022-25680861

St John's Medical College, Bangalore
Address : Sarjapur Road
Bangalore - 560 034
Phone: 080-22065000
Fax: 080-25530070
E-mail: sjmch@vsnl.com , stjohns@blr.vsnl.net.in

Bangalore Medical College
Address : Fort, Bangalore – 560 002
Phone: 080-26704342
Fax: 080-26704342
E-mail: bmc-bng@vsnl.net

LIST OF MEDICAL COLLEGES IN ANDHRA PRADESH

2008-11-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

LIST
OF GOVERNMENT MEDICAL COLLEGES IN ANDHRA PRADESH

Sl. No.	Name of the Medical College	No. of Seats to be filled up
1.	Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam	200
2.	Guntur Medical College, Guntur	200
3.	Siddartha Medical College, Vijayawada	100
4.	Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad	200
5.	Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad	150
6.	Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada	150
7.	S.V. Medical College, Tirupathi	150
8.	Government Medical College, Anantapur	100
9.	Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal	150
10.	Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool	150

LIST OF PRIVATE MEDICAL
COLLEGES IN ANDHRA PRADESH

S.No	Name of the Private Medical College	Total Seats
1.	Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad	150
2.	Mamta Medical College, Khammam	100
3.	Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Narketpally, Nalgonda	100
4.	Sri Venkata Sai Medical College, Mahaboobnagar	100
5.	Narayana Medical College, Nellore	100
6.	Alluri Seetha Ramaraju Academy of Medical Sciences, Eluru.	100
7.	MNR Medical College, Fasalwadi, Sangareddy, Medak	100
8.	Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Naganur Road, Karimnagar	150
9.	Mediciti Institute of Medical Sciences, Ghanapur, Medchal, R.R.Dist	100
10.	PES Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Kuppam, Chittoor	150
11.	Katuri Medical College & Hospital, Chinakondurupadu, Guntur	100
12.	Churches of South India Association, Medak Diocese, Dichpally, Nizamabad	100
13.	GSL Educational Society, Rajahmundry	150
14.	Siddhartha Academy of Geni & Tech Education Gannavaram	150
15.	Sri. Rama Educational Society, Vizianagaram.	100
	Total ::	1750

Osteoporosis drugs may prevent future bone growth

2008-11-15T08:54:00.000-08:00

eventually stop regimens of a common class of osteoporosis drugs called bisphosphonates may be unable to benefit from parathyroid hormone (PTH), which can rebuild bone mass lost due to advanced stage osteoporosis. PTH has been proven to increase the volume and strength of the honeycomb-like bone infrastructure, the inner mesh that begins to diminish in old age.

Bisphosphonates, the active ingredient in widely prescribed osteoporosis medications such as Fosamax, Actonel, and Boniva are currently taken by more than thirty million Americans.

"These medicines work by preventing further bone loss," explains Dr. Warren Levy, president and CEO of Unigene Laboratories, Inc. "However, recent reports suggest that some patients using bisphosphonates may be unable to repair or replace older or damaged bone. Furthermore, it has been reported that the prior use of certain bisphosphonates may blunt the effects of PTH, which could render the only currently available bone growth drug ineffective. Since bisphosphonates typically deposit in the bones for years, the use of a bisphosphonate could compromise the ability to grow new bone later in life when it is most needed."

Estrogen alternatives have grown in recent years, including calcitonin, a naturally occurring hormone involved in calcium regulation and bone metabolism. In third-party clinical trials, calcitonin demonstrated a 62% reduction in the incidence of new vertebral fractures for a subgroup of women over seventy-five years of age, one of the most significant reductions demonstrated by any current osteoporosis therapy.

"Calcitonin has a proven, thirty-five-year record of safe human use with virtually no significant side effects and can be taken simultaneously with other medications," said Dr. Levy. "Since it is rapidly cleared by the body, it does not build up in the bone and may allow the patient to effectively employ PTH therapy in subsequent years if necessary."

Although, PTH injections have been shown to reduce the incidence of fractures by restoring bone, the treatment can be very costly and requires daily injections. Unigene and GlaxoSmithKline are jointly developing a low-cost, orally administered PTH treatment, and Unigene is currently performing a Phase I clinical study in the U.S. Twenty-four healthy postmenopausal women are enrolled in the study, which is designed to assess product safety and measure PTH blood levels.

The tablets being tested utilize the improved Enteripep? oral delivery technology. "One pill a day to treat bone fractures would be ideal for patients who need to take this medicine for life," adds Dr. Levy.

http://www.unigene.com

A new method to control bleeding in hemophilia

2008-11-15T08:47:00.000-08:00

Investigators at Children's Research Institute, BloodCenter of Wisconsin's Blood Research Institute and the Medical College of Wisconsin have discovered a new way to help the blood clot by having the missing clotting factor packaged in the patient's own platelets.

In the October 2008 edition of Blood, investigators describe how a gene-modified bone marrow transplant can be used to initiate clotting in hemophilia. This type of approach may work in the 30 to 35 percent of hemophilia patients that have developed inhibitory antibodies against the missing clotting protein.

The bone marrow is removed from the patient and stem cells are treated with Factor VIII, a clotting factor, which is placed in the platelets. The marrow is given back to the patient, who then retains the essential clotting mechanisms to stop bleeding that otherwise would lead to complications.

For people suffering from hemophilia, this research means the potential relief of a constant, burdening disease. People who have hemophilia previously had to be treated every time they bled. Currently, they can receive treatments three times a week, but these are very costly and time consuming. The results from this study provide hope that people with hemophilia could potentially lead a disease-free life.

The scientific community once believed that hemophilia would be treated successfully by gene therapy. Research then showed that gene therapy typically resulted in the patient not retaining a substantial amount of clotting factor, which is integral in preventing serious bleeding.

This research was a collaborative effort that included investigators Qizen Shi, PhD, MD; David A. Wilcox, PhD; and Robert Montgomery, MD.

http://www.chw.org/

copyrites of the blog

2008-09-12T06:22:00.000-07:00

copyrites of the blog:

MOST OF THE ARTICLES POSTED IN THE BBLOG ARE TAKEN FROM DIFF BLOG/WEBS , I DONT HAVE ANY LEGAL COPYRITES OF THE ARTICLES POSTED IN THE BLOG , I JUST TAKEN THEM FROM OTHER BLOG/WEBS ONLY FOR MY BOLOG USERS EASY BROWSE . IF ANY ONE (THE AUTHOR OF THE ARTICLE) THINKS I SHOULDNT POST THERE ARTICLE IN MY BLOG PLEASE MAIL ME WITH THE ORGINAL URL AND THE URL IN MY BLOG OF UR ARTICLES TO DR.DINNY@GMAIL.COM , I PROMISE I WILL DELETE THE POST WITH IN NO TIME

THANK
BEST REGARDS,
DINNY

Smoking: The Thoughts Of Smoking

2008-09-10T22:48:00.002-07:00

Smoking: The Thoughts Of Smoking

We see the affects of it on television commercials, read about it in magazines, see it on bulletin boards, and even hear it on the radio; yet we still manage to find a place for these disgusting "butts" in our daily lives. The very thing that robs our pockets, threatens to kill us, and forces us in a sense to put a gun to our own head, is the very first thing that we run to when the stresses of life knock at our door. Why do we subject ourselves to this slow death, or in even more dramatic terms, prolonged suicide? It is no secret that for every cigarette we put to our lips, our lifespan is shortened. Many people who have tried to quit smoking, but simply can't. No, it is not their fault that they can't stop; but it is their fault for starting the habit after being warned after how many times?

The majority of us do many things that we know we shouldn't; consciously aware of the affects and consequences, but why? If quitting smoking were as simple as not lighting anymore cigarettes, which it is, then why is it so hard to not light anymore? There are countless stories about people who have finally decided to quit, but can't seem to get past that "very last cigarette." The ones who do make it to finally quitting are then introduced to a new struggle--cravings.

Nicotine is definitely part of the problem to be blamed; but after awhile, the addiction to the Nicotine will subside. Some people experience withdrawal symptoms due to nicotine. Some of these include:

Dizziness

Depression

Anger and Frustration

Sleep disturbances

Restlessness

Irritability

Headaches

Tiredness

Increased appetite and weight gain

What about the people who have not smoked for quite some time, yet they still can't keep their mind off wanting to smoke? Could there be something deeper than addiction that keeps a person connected to the stick of death? Of course there is!

A large percentage of people today are stressed to the point where they would rather find ways of not having to deal with their problems, as opposed to tackling them head on. Things such as alcohol and cigarettes are then used as forms of instant stress relief. When a person quits and is use to masking their problems with smoking; a sense of emptiness is most likely felt. Their bodies became dependant on this comfort, and now that it is no longer available, they begin to panic. The problem that most people who quit have is finding a way to fill that void.

The feeling can be closely related to that of a small child who is suddenly left alone in the middle of a huge city. A person often feels lost and doesn't know where or how to start when it comes to dealing with their now uncovered issues. Say for instance they get into an argument with their girlfriend/boyfriend, what do they have to turn to now? Advertisers are always finding brilliant ways to sell us this disillusioned happiness. They have a way of targeting unsatisfied people who are searching for more in life. "When life buries u deep, have cigarette and forget about it!" It may sound corny, but to some people it may trigger something inside, suggesting why not give it a try.

There are benefits to quitting and to some it provides a source of inspiration. Some of these benefits are:

A persons heart rate and blood pressure drops after 20 minutes of quitting

Former smokers live a longer life than continuing smokers

Women who stop smoking before pregnancy reduce their risks of having a low birth weight baby to that of women who never smoked.

The health benefits of quitting far exceed any worried regarding the ten pounds or less weight gain that follows quitting.

Twelve hours after quitting, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.

Circulation improves and lung functions increase two weeks to three months after quitting

Coughing and shortness of breath decrease one to nine months after quitting

The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker 's .

Your smoke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker five to fifteen years after quitting

Ten years after quitting, the lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smokers.

Fifteen years of quitting, the risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker 's .

There are also immediate visible rewards of quitting. It helps to stop the damaging affects of tobacco on a person 's appearance, which include:

Premature wrinkling of the skin

Bad breath

Stained teeth

Bad smelling clothes and hair

Gum disease

Yellow fingernails

A brave soul is a strong soul.

Health Hazards of Smoking

2008-09-10T22:48:00.001-07:00

Health Hazards of Smoking

Health is the most precious thing a person can have. But we start to value something only when it is lost. When in old age you feel ache of bones and the whole body, regrets about the damage youвЂ™ve made to own health in youth come to light of your mind.

Before the age of 35-40 smokers pay no attention on the harm they do to their body. Young vigorous constitution easily deals with another incoming portion of cigarette smoke, dangerous tar and nicotine, but passing ages give us no new strength. In addition, nicotine and attendant poisons, in time, multiply their concentration, that makes the work of our body more difficult.

This article is a warning to everyone who is still smoking. Stop it! It has to be done today, because tomorrowвЂ¦ what is going to be tomorrow?

Researches, performed in USA, showed that 25% of smokers had never lived so long to celebrate their 70вЂ™s birthday, because of nicotineвЂ™s influence. In highly developed countries smoking causes death of more people, then alcohol, drugs and suicides altogether.

It is said, that two packs of cigarettes contain lethal dose of nicotine. However smokers never receive this dose at once, it is divided into portions, and the fatal effect stays unnoticed. People die not of the nicotine itself, but of the diseases, arising from its influence. Smoking in its cruelty is close to AIDS, they both open the doors of the organism to many diseases.

First of all tobacco smoke attacks the oral cavity. The dental enamel is getting worse, oral mucosa is irritated, activity of salvia glands gets low, bringing down the protective function of salvia, and in addition the bad breath appears. Besides, the cases of lip cancer are not a rarity now. It takes place when smoker holds the cigarette in his teeth, instead of using hands.

Then smoke goes through bronchus, causing their spasm. That leads to breathlessness, and hyper secretion of protective mucus in bronchus. Its mission is cleaning of the incoming air and protecting pulmonary tissue from pathological microorganisms, but the superfluity of protective substance will not improve the cleaning process; on the contrary, it can be stopped at all.

This is the stage, where your body loses another protective barrier.

Smoking decreases the inflow of fresh air. In addition blood hemoglobin connects with carbon of tobacco smoke, and can no longer transport oxygen. Hypooxygenemia develops, causing harm to all systems of vital importance, especially to cardiovascular system.

When smoking, the spasm of the blood vessels happens, this leads to increase of blood pressure. This condition multiplies the load on the heart. As a result, people, who are not giving up smoking raise their risk of a heart attack by 8 times.

Smoking increases the production of stomach juice. Such a run free work leads to ulcer and gastritis.

And in the end вЂ“ awful statistics: only one cigarette a day makes you 7 steps closer to cancer. Smoking more then one pack a day a person makes this distance twice shorter.

What will happen to your organism if you stop smoking?

At the beginning, your body will experience stress вЂ“ dizziness, vomiting and total weakness will be a hard test for you, but in a month things will get better. You will notice your breathing to be easier, memory and muscle tone to come back to norm, the color of your skin and teeth will surpass all expectations. In six months bronchus and the pulmonary tissue will be cleaned from heavy pitches and tobacco dust. In a year the cardiovascular system will be restored. Five years of nonsmoking will totally erase all signs of this bad habit.

Everything that was told is possible only if your diseases are not chronicle yet, if it is so, then smoking cessation is the first thing you should do.

Remember вЂ“ itвЂ™s never late to stop smoking!

About the Author

Stop-Smoke.org website is a seller of Nicocure - effective quit smoking herbal remedy. You are allowed to distribute this article with an active hyperlink to http://www.stop-smoke.org/ only.

New Apple-Derived Treatment Improves Hair Growth Without Side Effects

2008-09-10T22:34:00.001-07:00

New Apple-Derived Treatment Improves Hair Growth Without Side Effects

Japanese researchers have discovered a substance from apples, apple polyphenols or procyanidin B-2, that is effective for regrowing hair. After studying over 1,000 botanical extracts and conducting clinical trials with double-blind studies, the results were quite conclusive.

Of all the substances tested, only two showed positive results. One comes from chardonnay grapes, called proanthocyanidin, and the other from apples, procyanidin B-2. It was this product from apples that was the most effective.

* 78.9% of subjects showed an increase mean value of hair diameter.
* The number of terminal hairs and total hairs was "signficantly increased" compared to the control group.
* The research team concluded that "topical proycanidin B-2 is safe and effective in curing male pattern baldness."

The product has been studied worldwide. One study discovered that procyanidin B-2 nearly doubled the hair growth of minoxidil (Rogaine). The conclusions of another study state, "Procyanidin B-2 shows promise as a cure for male pattern baldness."

More important perhaps is the absence of harmful side effects. In over 80 studies, no side effects have been observed.We've all heard about the benefits of an apple a day, but who knew that apples would also grow hair?

Procyanidin B-2 blocks the production of TGF Beta, a degraded form of DHT. It is actually this TGF Beta that causes the hair follice to shrink and the hair to fall out. TGF Beta is not needed in sexual function. This makes procyanidin B-2 a safe solution for hair loss without the sexual side effects that can occur with other products.

Let 's look at the scientific studies further to better understand what makes procyanidin B-2 so different. The prestigious British Journal of Dermatology concluded that procyanidin B-2 acts to diminish protein kinase C isozymes. These are important in the hair growth cylce.

Your hair follices actually have three cycles: anagen (the active growth phase), telogen (the resting phase), and catagen (the shedding phase). Ideally, you want to prolong the anagen or growth phase and shorten the resting phase. This is was reported in the British Journal of Dermatology. The end result, of course, is increased hair growth.

Up to now the only documented methods to combat hair loss have been minoxidil (Rogaine) and Propecia. Unfortunately, they have a range of unpleasant side effects, including sexual dysfunction. Minoxidil was originally developed as a blood pressure medicine. The product is still absorbed in the body even though applied topically into the scalp.

There are a number of so-called natural treatments, some of which actually contain minoxidil. Unfortunately, many have no proof other than anecdotal claims.

Tsukuba Research Laboratories in Japan conducted a new study that is important. They did a 12 month clinical trial, and several conclusions should be noted.

* No side effects were observed in any subjects.

* After 12 months of use, 71% of the subject showed an increased number of hairs in the designated scalp area relative to pre-trial measurements.

* Procyanidin therapy shows promise as a potential cure for male pattern baldness.

Finally there is an option for those who want a proven substance to grow hair and without side effects.

About the Author

Robert Lansburg has prepared a compilation of the scientific studies about hair growth at http://www.applepoly.com/hairrex.

Hair Transplant Surgery - What Options Do You Have When Considering Hair Transplant Surgery?

2008-09-10T22:34:00.000-07:00

Hair Transplant Surgery - What Options Do You Have When Considering Hair Transplant Surgery?

by ViennaMilley
Hair Transplant surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures chosen by men today.

A hair transplant is when hair in an area that is not prone to balding (such as the sides and back of your head) is taken and transplanted into the balding or thinning areas. This hair then continues to grow throughout your lifetime and can give you a full head of natural looking hair.

A hair transplant is the only real permanent solution for hair loss and balding. However it is a big decision to make and you should have all the facts before deciding to have hair transplant surgery.

So just what are your surgery options? Here 's a brief review of the different types of procedures offered by hair transplant surgeons. (Note that not all surgeons offer all options.)

Options For Hair Transplant Surgery:

In general there are 2 types of transplantation surgery: The FUSS and the FUE method.

Not all doctors perform the FUE method as it is fairly new and much more time-consuming (as well as expensive for the patient).

Some surgeons also offer scar repair surgery (which is surgery to improve the look of a previous hair transplant scar) as well as hair transplant repair (for example to fill in density on a formerly poor transplant or to redo the hairline, etc.) Again, not all surgeons perform this type of surgery so you might have to look around for specialists in each area.

Whichever procedure you choose will also depend on the extent of your personal needs. Your doctor can inform you of the risks, advantages and disadvantages of each method.

#1) FUSS - Follicular Unit Strip Surgery

A narrow strip of hair is taken from the back of your scalp (where you aren't prone to thinning). The grafts are then implanted into the balding area and most will continue to grow throughout your lifetime. The donor area is closed up with sutures or staples. These will be removed in several days or absorbed.

Depending on several factors (including the skill of your surgeon), only minimal scarring will occur in the donor area and approximate downtime can run from 1 week to a month, depending on the situation.

One of the main advantages to FUSS is that it allows many grafts to be transplanted in one session (i.e. up to 4000) so the results can be dramatic. While your surgeon can recommend which method is best for you, in general, the FUSS method works well for medium to large areas of balding.

#2) FUE - Follicular Unit Extraction

This is a new technique that a few surgeons are starting to offer. It mainly consists of harvesting each hair follicule separately from the back and sides of the head (that aren't prone to thinning). Then each follicule is transplanted into the balding area. There is no scalpel cutting or any deep surgery with this method.

The scarring tends to be less when compared to the FUSS method. Also, according to some surgeons, the recovery time can sometimes be shorter with the FUE method (because there isn't the deep surgery as with the FUSS).

While your surgeon can recommend which method is best for you, in general, the FUE method works well for those people who do not wish to have a scar, don't need a lot of grafts, or who want to wear their hair very short.

3) Other Procedures - Scalp Reduction

This surgery is much less common and fewer surgeons still offer it. A scalp reduction is where areas of balding are surgically removed with the rest of the scalp skin pulled together to eliminate the balding skin. Depending on the size of the balding area, this is usually done in stages.

This is probably the most expensive procedure and can run you into the tens of thousands of dollars. Plus there 's also risks like tightness of your scalp leading to thinning of the skin and improper scarring.

Conclusion:

Whatever you decide to do, it 's important to talk to your doctor before making any decisions about your health. Hair transplant surgery is always evolving and improving so it 's also important to interview as many surgeons as you can to get a good idea of what each can do for you.

Keep in mind that doing your research beforehand can ensure you get the most amazing, natural results that you want.

Get rid of cellulite

2008-09-10T22:26:00.000-07:00

How to Get Rid of Your Cellulite Problem

The usually unsightly condition known as cellulite is suffered by woman around the world and is universally hated; the thighs and buttocks might be the main areas that experience this but it can actually be found anywhere.

Most women carry excess fat in thighs and buttocks, but this problem is not confined just to the overweight; women who are naturally slim can also suffer with this unsightly problem.

Cellulite forms just below the surface of the skin in the thighs and buttocks region, where areas of fat collect and force themselves against the tissue creating a puckered look to the surface of the skin.

Health experts have been trying to discover the cause for some time as it is not a condition that affects every woman but they believe it does have some connection to the way the fat cells are made and possibly how toxins enter and are stored within the body.

This problem usually comes naturally with aging and similar to wrinkles that form in the face, it is actually the result of lower levels of collagen and elastin in the skin.

The condition is almost exclusive to women and has been attributed to hormonal changes that take place as a woman gets older as the fat in the thighs and buttocks of men is the same as fat found in other parts of their bodies.

Cellulite often goes unnoticed for the majority of the time for most people and is only seen when a person has their thigh muscles compressed in the case of squatting for example or when the skin is pinched in the thigh area and the puckered skin becomes apparent; when the fatty tissue can be felt but most women suffer with this.

Many factors can influence the buildup; ranging from the sex of the person to their age, genetic make-up, skin type and skin thickness, all have a part to play in its formation.

Currently there isn't one single treatment that can rid a person of this condition because the cause has remained elusive despite considerable research into the area. One method that hides the cellulite quite well by puffing the skin is deep massage and an increasing number of clinics are now offering this therapy.

Perhaps the most drastic therapy is liposuction where fat is literally sucked from the body or the more expensive procedure of injecting certain chemicals in a process called mesotherapy.

Liposuction is rarely that effective with surface based fat like cellulite and is more proficient at removing deeper fats from the body which are not trapped in the cells but none of these treatments offer anything but short term relief only.

There isn't one single therapy or treatment that can rid someone of these fat deposits and even special burning creams provide dubious results; however most of the cream products that are available seem to just hide the effects or offer a temporary fix.

Many people believe that the only realistic way to reduce the amount of fatty tissue a person has is to follow a controlled diet plan and exercise regularly which will gradually burn off much of the body fat including that found in the tissues of the thighs and buttocks.

Many toxins that accumulate in the body can be flushed out with regular amounts of water which some believe is still an effective way to keep the body free of harmful substances including the toxins which help with the formation of cellulite.

How to improve your IQ

2008-09-09T12:14:00.000-07:00

The IQ test is controversial because it supposedly measures how intellectually bright you are in comparison with the rest of the population. The first IQ (Intelligence Quotient) test originated in France and was the work of Alfred Binet who sought to find a way to differentiate between normal children and children who were struggling at school. It was later revised by Lewis Terman in the US and the Stanford-Binet IQ test was born.

Many people misunderstand the IQ scoring system which works on the principle that a score of 100 is average. A higher score means you are above average in comparison with the rest of the population and a score of less than 100 indicates that you are lower than average. It is reckoned that about half of the population will score between 90 and 110 on a standard IQ test. As a rough guide, the following scores indicate your score in relation to the rest of the population.

• Over 130 – Extremely bright, only 2% of the population achieve this score
• Between 120 and 130 – Very bright, probably around 7% of the population
• Between 110 and 120 – Bright, 16% of the population
• Between 90 and 110 – Average, makes up about half the population so 50%
• Between 80 and 90 – Low average, 16%
• Between 70 and 80 – Borderline, 7%
• Lower than 70 – Extremely low, about 2%

A word of warning however, IQs may be a measure of something, even if it’s only one’s ability to sit IQ tests, but are they a true reflection of intelligence per se? Probably not! Intelligence depends on many factors such as environment, community, genetics, background etc. It is worth remembering that Einstein himself was not considered “intelligent” by any standard whilst at school.

Even if we cannot accurately measure intelligence with 100% accuracy, we do know that we can improve it and at the same time increase our potential as a human being. Here’s how.

Give your brain the right fuel

Our brains rely on essential fatty acids to function effectively, particularly Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which is found in oily fish and fish oil. If we don’t get enough EPA then we will rely on inferior fuels that will clog up our brain engine and perhaps even cause it to malfunction. Eating a varied and balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables helps too, along with regular exercise to keep our bodies and our brains in good working order.

Indulge in music

Psychologist Frances Rauscher and her colleagues discovered over 10 years ago that listening to Mozart appeared to improve nerve signalling in the brain leading to increased mental ability. Other research has shown that children who received music lessons scored a few points higher on an IQ test than children who didn’t. If nothing else, music can help you to relax and de-stress which in itself can make you feel better and help your brain to work more efficiently.

Exercise your mind

Keeping your brain active on a regular basis will naturally improve your ability to process information. For example, quizzes, puzzles, even bingo can keep your mental faculties tuned up and in good working order. Some studies have shown that mental workouts can increase IQ scores by up to 8%.

Get enough sleep

Regular good quality sleep is essential for effective brain function. No one can operate to the best of their ability if deprived of sleep for any length of time. Sleeping allows your brain to process information, solve problems and tidy up the mess left behind by all those seemingly insignificant and fleeting thoughts that pass through your mind throughout the day. It is said that Dmitri Mendeleev, the Russian chemist, dreamt the answer to the periodic table of elements one night after spending hours trying to work out the problem during the day so make sure you get enough sleep.

Finally - think positive

Your brain will listen to the messages you give it and take action. If you are telling yourself you are incapable, tired, anxious, fearful, you will fail that test or not get that job and so on, your brain will act accordingly and send out all those signals to your body to perpetuate your state of mind. Imagine then what you could do if you told your brain to send out different messages? Thinking positive works, try it.

Bizarre Diseases

2008-09-09T06:14:00.000-07:00

Bizarre Diseases

We have all heard or read about of incidences of rare diseases, conditions and disorders that are horrific or shocking to say the least and we are naturally, desperately compassionate for anyone who has the misfortune to actually suffer from them.

However, some conditions seem particularly bizarre and which thankfully, are so rare, that most of us will probably never have heard of them. The following represents just some of these strange afflictions.

Alice in Wonderland Syndrome

This syndrome is also known as Micropsia. Individuals appear to have a malfunction in the way their brain processes visual information despite the fact that there is nothing wrong with their eyes. Objects, humans, parts of humans and animals etc. are perceived by the sufferer as being much smaller than what they actually are in reality. For example, imagine looking at your pet dog and seeing it as the size of small mouse or looking at another human who may in fact be six feet tall but who looks tiny and in no way a reflection of their actual size. Strangely, the perception persists even when the sufferer has their eyes closed. Some scholars believe that Lewis Carroll (who wrote Alice in Wonderland) may have suffered from this condition himself.

Jumping Frenchman of Maine Disorder

This is an extremely rare disorder first described by G. M Beard in 1878 and is believed to have been first observed in French Canadian Lumberjacks. Sufferers have a sudden and an abnormal reaction to stimuli. For example, when given a sudden command in a loud enough voice the individual will carry out that command instantly and without a thought, even if you tell them to hit out a loved one, or throw an object. Also, on hearing unfamiliar or foreign phrases they will often repeat them over and over again uncontrollably. Other symptoms include extreme jerky movements whenever a loud noise is heard, hence the “jumping” aspect to this disorder.

Walking Corpse Syndrome

People suffering from this condition may believe that they have lost parts of their bodies or even their souls and some might go as far as to really believe that they are already dead and are indeed a walking corpse, even maintaining that they can smell their own rotting flesh and can feel the worms eating at them. It has also been associated with psychosis linked to drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine and to schizophrenia.

Fish Odour Syndrome

A rare disorder where the body cannot produce a substance known as FM03 or monooxygenase 3 and as a result, its ability to break down Trimethylamine is impaired. The result of this is most unpleasant as it causes the person’s sweat, urine and breath to give off a very strong and fishy odour or a smell like that of rotten eggs.

Alien Hand Syndrome

This unusual neurological disorder is where one hand appears to take on a personality all of its own and acts in such a way that is completely out of control in relation to what the person wants to do. For example the alien hand may unbutton shirts or remove clothing whilst the other hand is trying to button up or get dressed. Sufferers will often attach a personality to their alien hand and will try to punish it for disobedience.

Capgras Syndrome
People suffering from the extremely rare Capgras Syndrome believe that a loved one or a significant other person in their life is being impersonated by an impostor. This can even lead to the sufferer attacking the perceived impostor. Sometimes it extends itself to the sufferer themselves who believe that when they look in the mirror it is not their own reflection staring back at them but the image of an impersonator.

Jerusalem Syndrome

Affecting around 100 tourists a year, it is a form of religious psychosis sparked by a visit to Jerusalem and is not confined to any one religion. Sufferers may believe they are prophets or messengers from the Lord and indulge in behaviours such as parading around delivering their own sermons, obsessing about virtue and cleanliness and will often ask sinners to repent their sins. The syndrome invariably disappears after a few weeks or when the tourist leaves the area.

CONDOM ringtone

2008-09-07T06:22:00.000-07:00

As part of its work to fight the spread of HIV, the BBC World Service Trust has launched a novel ringtone in India designed to break down the social taboo of using condoms. The new advertising campaign, which features a 'condom a cappella' ringtone is also funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The strategy is to show social support for condoms, as this has a positive effect on use, and positions condoms as a product that men use to show they are responsible and care about themselves and their families. The creative idea of the ringtone winning approval from men and women of all ages reinforces that condoms mean good sense and those who know it are the real winners in life.

A advert showing the phone ringing out "condom, condom" at a wedding has been produced by the Trust.

Creative director of the BBC World Service Trust, Radharani Mitra, states, ''Ringtones have become such personal statements that a specially created condom ringtone seemed just the right vehicle to define its user as a sensible person. We have always had a strong interactive, response-oriented element in this ongoing campaign. This downloadable ringtone provides yet another opportunity for our target audience to translate the message into an action point.

The very act of downloading and using this ringtone would have a counter effect on the inhibitions and taboos that can be associated with condoms. And it adds an element of fun and comfort to it.''

This original ringtone can be downloaded in India by SMSing ''CONDOM'' to 56887 (download charges apply) or free from anywhere worldwide on the website www.condomcondom.org .if u have any problem in downloading from the above site as it is a flash site u can download the file from http://megashare.com/480719

The BBC World Service Trust is the international charity of the BBC, with an annual turnover of £17.6 million. Founded in October 1999, the trust works in 43 countries around the world using a variety of approaches including television and radio drama, advertisements and journalism training. The BBC World Service Trust focuses on health, governance and human rights, the environment and humanitarian response.

Impotence

2008-05-13T03:09:00.001-07:00

A man who cannot develop or sustain an erection to perform satisfactory sexual intercourse is termed 'impotent'. Unfortunately, this term has serious social consequences and should be used with caution and after due consideration of the complex process of male sexual function.

Besides the inability to sustain erection other factors like loss of desire or libido, inability to ejaculate at the right time, difficulty in achieving orgasms, all coexist in some individuals and contribute to the patient's loss of confidence and inadequacy. Erectile dysfunction occurs in 5% of all males above 40 years of age and this percentage increases with advancing age.

What happens during erection?

The penis consists of large open spaces confined within a tight capsule. These spaces contain blood. Erection is brought about by a complex method of influences that travel from the brain, originating in the hormonal system and acting through the peripheral nerves. These result in the filling up of the spaces with blood, and this blood cannot flow out. This engorgement of the spaces with blood makes the penis rigid. Once the influences are withdrawn, as after orgasm and ejaculation, blood drains out from the spaces making the penis flaccid.

What are the causes of erectile dysfunction?

The causes are most often psychological and may include performance anxiety, guilt, depression or a fear of failure. It is important to rule out the physical causes. Besides progressing age, other factors include diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. Smoking, excessive intake of alcohol and lack of physical activity can aggravate the problem. Persons with depression, anxiety, chronic stress and difficult relationships have a higher chance of having erectile dysfunction.

Other diseases that predispose to the condition include decreased thyroid function and kidney failure. Some drugs like anti-depressants, tranquillisers and medicines for high blood pressure may also lead to impotence.

How is it diagnosed?

The doctor will take a detailed medical history to determine whether impotence is due to an physical illness or due to psychological problems. Similarly, a detailed examination of the body including examination of the sexual organs will be done. Blood tests may be done to exclude diabetes or high cholesterol. Specialised tests may be done in specific instances to locate a problem in the structure and function of the penis.

How is it treated?

Erectile dysfunction due to a psychological problem is treated with much care. Usually the problem is due to performance anxiety, guilt, depression or a fear of failure. The patient is explained that this only worsens the problem. Sex education helps correct misinformation and ignorance about normal sexual practice. In married couples, discussing the problem with both partners may help the doctor to arrive at the root cause of anxiety or performance failure. These treatment sessions are usually time-consuming and slow.

The psychological treatment can be supplemented with the help of medicines that stimulate erection. These can be taken orally like sildenafil (viagra) or others that can be injected into the penis like papaverine or alprostadil, a synthetic prostaglandin. For men with low levels of male sex hormone, testosterone, this hormone may need to be supplemented. In some cases that do not satisfactorily respond to medicines, erections can be achieved with the help of appliances like vacuum devices or the insertion of implants into the penis by an operation.

Infertility

2008-05-13T03:09:00.000-07:00

What is infertility?

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after at least one year of intercourse while not using any contraceptive method. A normal fertile couple having regular sex and wishing to have a baby have a pregnancy rate of 50% in five months, 75% in 12 months, and 85-90% at end of 24 months.

Who is at fault?

The female partner is responsible for infertility in 40% of cases and the male in another 40%. In a few of the cases both are at fault. However, in 20% cases no cause can be found.

What are the causes of infertility in women?

The ovaries do not produce eggs, or these may be defective.
The fallopian tubes or the tubes that transfer the egg from the ovary to the uterus may be blocked or non-functional. This may happen in cases of infections like tuberculosis, endometriosis, or previous surgery of tubes or ovaries.
The uterus and cervix normally produce a thin discharge. If this mucous is excessively thick or contains substances that kill the sperms, then this prevents sperms from swimming through it into the uterine cavity and then to the tubes.
Distorted or partially blocked uterine cavity as in fibroids.

What are the causes of infertility in males?

Men normally produce at least 20 million sperm per ml of semen. If the sperm count is less than this it may adversely affect fertility.
Of the sperms present in the semen, 50% must be actively moving sperms for conception to occur. A lower percentage of actively moving sperms will be unable to swim through the cervix to meet the egg in the fallopian tube.
If more than 50% sperms are abnormal in shape and function, this can also lead to infertility.
If the testes do not produce sperms or these are unable to come out due to blockage of the vas deferens, the tube which carries the sperms from testis out.
Inability to perform normal intercourse due to difficulties in ejaculation, impotence or structural abnormalities of the penis.

How can the woman know her time of ovulation?

Ovulation is the time when the ovaries produce an egg that enters the fallopian tube. Just before ovulation, the mucous discharge from the vagina increases. In addition, there may be lower abdominal discomfort or pain for a period ranging from half an hour to 24 hours.

If one maintains a basal body temperature chart by taking a daily morning temperature, a rise in temperature by 0.5 degree centigrade around the thirteenth or fourteenth day indicates ovulation. Urine testing kits are also available which help in identifying the time of ovulation by showing a surge of a hormone which is associated with ovulation .

What tests are done for women?

The doctor first takes a detailed clinical history to ascertain the possible cause of infertility. If the problem lies in faulty sexual practice, this can be easily corrected. Structural abnormalities in the sex organs are looked for, and sometimes an ultrasound scan may need to be done. Blood and urine tests may be done to look for infection. A laparoscopy can also be performed for diagnosis, in which a telescope in inserted into the abdomen to visualise the internal organs including the uterus , ovaries and tubes.

The potency of the fallopian tubes is tested by performing a hysterosalpingography or HSG. In this a dye is injected into the uterus and X-rays are take which show the filling up of the tubes. No anaesthesia is required for this test and there is only minimal discomfort.

What tests are done for men?

Men are advised to undergo an analysis of their semen. For this, the semen is collected by masturbation. The man must have abstained from sexual intercourse for 3 to 5 days before giving the semen sample for testing. In semen analysis the sperm count is done and the structure and motility of sperms is assessed. If there is a doubt about the functional status of the testes, a biopsy is taken from the testes, usually under local anaesthesia for testing.

What is the management of infertility?

This depends on the cause of infertility. Every case may need a different approach depending on the nature of the problem and the underlying defect.

Problems with ovulation: If there is a problem with ovulation, certain drugs need to be given to induce ovulation or correct it.
Fallopian tube block: This is treated surgically by a laparoscope or by an open microsurgery technique. In this the blocked segment is excluded and continuity of the patent tubes is re-established. This is a technically demanding procedure. In cases were tubes cannot be corrected by this method, or the procedure fails assisted reproductive procedures (ART) such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) is undertaken.
Cervical Factor: If the problem lies in the cervix, this can be overcome with procedures such as intrauterine insemination (in which the semen is injected into the uterine cavity) or procedures such as IVF or GIFT (Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer ).

Problems in men: Minor problems will respond to medical treatment or to surgery. Intrauterine insemination can help in some of the cases. However, if the problem is not corrected by the above measures then assisted conception by IVF can be offered with considerable success. In cases with very severe sperm deficiency, until a few years ago, the treatment of couple had not been very successful. Micro-manipulation now can be offered to these couples.

Hydrocoele

2008-05-13T03:06:00.000-07:00

What is a hydrocoele?

A hydrocoele is an accumulation of fluid around a testicle on one or both sides.

How is it caused?

A hydrocoele results when fluid accumulates between the two layers covering the testes. Most often there is no cause found. Hydrocoeles can also develop as a result of injury or infection. It may sometimes accompany other problems such as chronic infections or the presence of a tumour in the testicle.

What are the symptoms?
An enlarged scrotum on one or both sides.
A bulging area within the groin.
The condition is usually painless, although sometimes it may cause a dragging sensation or mild pain.
How is the condition diagnosed?

Physical examination by the doctor reveals a non-tender mass within the two layers of the sac around the testes. The fluid in a hydrocoele is clear. A bright light from a torch shone through the scrotum indicates the presence of clear fluid (a process called transillumination). An ultrasound may be done to confirm the diagnosis.

What is the treatment?

Surgical treatment is recommended if:
A hydrocoele that was present at birth remains after the child has reached the age of one year.
It causes pain and discomfort due to its size and is not resolving.
Swelling increases and decreases (suggesting that the opening is big enough to allow fluid to flow freely back and forth between the area of the hydrocoele and the abdominal cavity.
In adults, a hydrocoele can be treated by a process called needle aspiration (a thin needle is used to withdraw the fluid). After this, the chance of recurrence of a hydrocoele is quite high. Another aspiration technique involves removing the fluid and then injecting thickening or hardening medications such as tetracycline, sodium tetradecyl sulphate, or urea to close off the lining of the scrotal sac and prevent reaccumulation of the fluid.

Surgery (Hydrocoelectomy) is the most common form of treatment. This procedure is done under general or spinal anaesthesia. There can be possible complications of surgery which include haematoma (blood clot formation), abscess or injury to the scrotal tissues. Hydrocoelectomy does not however affect sperm or hormone production of the testicles.

Hypertension (High blood pressure)

2008-05-13T03:03:00.000-07:00

What is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure (BP) is the force exerted by the blood on the walls of the artery which are the blood vessels carrying blood away from the heart.

The contraction of the heart pumps blood through the blood vessels. During the heart contraction, the blood is pushed harder against the walls of the arteries than during the interval between contractions. The pressure of the blood on the arterial walls is greater each time the heart contracts and is known as the systolic pressure. The diastolic pressure is the pressure during the resting phase between contractions and is lower than the systolic pressure. The blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) is measured by an apparatus known as the sphygmomanometer or simply the BP apparatus. It is measured in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg). Normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm hg where 120 is the systolic pressure and 80 is the diastolic pressure. High blood pressure known as hypertension and is defined as a BP greater than 140 mm Hg systolic or a 90 mm Hg diastolic.

High blood pressure is related to dietary intake of salt and fats. High salt intake leads to water retention and increases the volume of blood in the circulation. This leads to an extra load on the heart and it responds by increasing the pumping pressure. The saturated fats in the diet deposit in the blood vessels over time causing them to harden. The heart needs to exert extra pressure to pump blood through them, causing the blood pressure to rise.

What are the risk factors?

The risk factors for high blood pressure include:
Heredity
Obesity
Smoking
Age
Stress
Secondary causes include disease conditions that can result in high blood pressure. These are kidney diseases and hormonal diseases such as hypothyroidism and Cushing’s syndrome.
Use of oral contraceptives in women

How can high BP be controlled?
Stop smoking
Maintain a normal body weight – reduce if over-weight.
Eating too much salt makes high blood pressure worse. Low-sodium diets are prescribed to help control high blood pressure. These limit the amount of sodium in the diet to less than 2 grams per day (about half the amount of sodium in the average diet).
Eat a healthy diet containing soluble fibre, such as fruit and vegetables.
Avoid high fat foods.
Avoid coffee and colas
Do not drink excessive alcohol.
Exercise regularly to keep fit.
Reduce stress and relax after work.
Follow-up regularly with the doctor.

How can the sodium in the diet be reduced?
Use little or no salt to food. Develop a taste for low salt in food. Do not use table salt.
Avoid fast foods and restaurant foods as they use very high salt.
Avoid ketchup, pickles, olives, all sauces, commercially prepared or cured meats or fish, canned foods (eat fresh foods), salted nuts, peanut butter, chips, popcorn and snacks.

Diet suggestions:
Use herbs and spices instead of salt for seasoning. Use onions, garlic, lemon and lime juice and rind, dill weed, basil, curry powder, turmeric, cumin, black pepper, or vinegar to enhance the flavour and aroma of foods. Mushrooms, dhania, red chillies, green chillies, and dried fruits also enhance specific dishes.
Add a pinch of sugar or a squeeze of lemon juice to bring out the flavour in fresh vegetables.
Rinse canned vegetables with tap water before cooking.
Substitute unsalted, polyunsaturated cooking medium for butter or ghee

Haemorrhoids

2008-05-13T03:01:00.001-07:00

What are haemorrhoids?

Haemorrhoids or piles, are an enlarged bunch of blood vessels in and around the anus. They may be associated with pain, bleeding and itching.

What are the causes for their development?

Haemorrhoids are very common in men and women, especially after the age of 50. They are caused due to a raised pressure in the abdomen which may be because of:
a chronic constipation problem
a large uterus as in pregnancy
obesity
heavy lifting jobs

What are the symptoms?

Haemorrhoids are not dangerous and in most cases the symptoms go away in a few days. The most common symptom is fresh bleeding while passing stool. There may be pain and a bulge or lump around the anus. There may also be itching with bleeding.

What are the different kinds of haemorrhoids?

Internal haemorrhoids - are those that are formed inside the rectum. They are generally not painful and are often only noticed when they bleed.

Prolapsed haemorrhoids - are internal haemorrhoids that protrude through the anus when stool is passed or when a person stands or walks. They are usually painful.

External haemorrhoids (perianal haematoma) - are small, painful haemorrhages under the skin around the anus. They form a hard clot after 24 hours. When they resolve, they sometimes leave a small skin tag.

How is the problem diagnosed?

Presence of fresh blood in the stool requires thorough evaluation and diagnosis by the doctor. The doctor may examine the anus and rectum to look for swollen blood vessels, indicative of haemorrhoids. A hollow, lighted tube, known as a proctoscope, may be inserted into the anus to look for internal haemorrhoids.

What is the treatment?
Prevention is the best treatment in the case of haemorrhoids. It is important to get into the habit of answering the ‘call of nature’ so that stools are passed easily without much strain. A diet adequate in fibre, consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole-grain cereals and bran should be taken. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of fluid daily is advisable.

Gentle cleaning and wiping after each bowel action is recommended.

Special astringent ointments or suppositories may be used on doctor’s advice, to shrink the haemorrhoids.

If the problem persists, injections or surgery (haemorrhoidectomy) may be advised by the doctor in some cases. A number of methods may be used to remove or reduce the size of internal haemorrhoids.

Some of the techniques used for the reduction of the size of haemorrhoids are:
Sclerotherapy : a chemical solution is injected around the blood vessel to shrink the haemorrhoid.
Banding : a tight elastic band is placed around the stalk of the haemorrhoid.
Laser coagulation or infrared photo coagulation : In this case, special devices to block the circulation of haemorrhoidal tissues are used.
Haemorrhoidectomy : In this operation, the bunch of swollen blood vessels is removed. The operation is done under general or spinal anaesthesia. Following the operation, there may be pain on passing stool and some blood for a few days. But this usually resolves quickly. After the operation, constipation must be avoided.

Hernia

2008-05-13T03:01:00.000-07:00

What is a Hernia?

A hernia is a protrusion of an organ or tissue through a weak area in the wall (muscles or tissue) of the cavity that contains it. The commonest hernia is an inguinal or groin hernia. When there is a weak area in the muscles of the lower abdomen it results in the protrusion of fat, intestines or other tissue through this defect. This bulge may on examination be:
Reducible: the fat or tissue can be pushed back into the abdominal cavity and the hernia will flatten and disappear.
Non-reducible: the fat or tissue cannot be pushed back and the hernia will not flatten. This is a situation usually requiring early medical attention.
What are the types of hernias?

Depending upon the body part involved the most common types of hernias are:
Inguinal hernia - Inguinal or groin hernias are more common in males. Normally a tough layer of tissue called the fascia transversalis, surrounds the abdominal cavity. There is a small natural hole in this layer called the internal inguinal ring. If this hole enlarges, the intestines may bulge through the internal inguinal ring. The protruded intestines lie under the skin in a sort of bag, the hernias sac and contents are externally visible as a lump in the groin.

Hiatus hernia - A muscular diaphragm separates structures in the chest from those in the abdomen. The oesophagus, or food pipe, passes through an opening (hiatus) in the diaphragm to enter the abdomen and join the stomach. The stomach is mobile in the abdominal cavity and sometimes slides through the oesophageal hiatus to partly enter the chest. This condition is called a hiatus hernia.

Umbilical hernia - This occurs when protrusion of intestine (or other organs) result because the firm tissue in the navel becomes very thin resulting in a gap.

Incisional hernia - This can occur at the site of a scar from previous surgery. The fat or tissue pushes through a weakness created by the surgical scar. This can occur soon after or months or years after the initial surgery.

Femoral hernia – This presents as a swelling in the upper part of the thigh just below the groin crease. It is not a common hernia.

What are the symptoms?
A lump or bulge that appears when the patient stands or coughs and returns to its normal position with gentle pressure or by lying down.
In abdominal hernias there is a dull ache at the site of hernia.
In hiatus hernia, acid from the stomach may enter the oesophagus and the patient may feel a burning sensation in the middle of the chest. Acid in the oesophagus can cause oesophageal ulcers.
Who is at risk for an abdominal hernia?

A hernia can develop at any age. The following factors can increase an individual’s risk for developing a hernia:
Lifting heavy weights.
Chronic cough.
Obesity.
Straining during bowel movements or while urinating.
Pregnancy.
Persistent sneezing caused by allergies.
Poor muscle tone. All the first six cause rise of pressure in the abdominal cavity.

What can be done to prevent a hernia from worsening?
Lifting, pushing, or pulling heavy objects should be avoided.
Smoking should be stopped to prevent a smoker’s cough.
Eating a high-fibre diet that includes grains, cereals, raw fruits and vegetables and drinking lots of water help relieve constipation.
If allergies are a problem, medication to treat sneezing may help.
What are the complications of hernia?

Sometimes the hernia cannot be pushed back into the abdominal wall by pressure and the bulge may contain intestine that can be trapped, losing its blood supply, a condition called strangulation of the intestine. When this occurs the patient experiences severe pain and vomiting. If surgery is delayed it can lead to gangrene or death of the intestine thus emergency surgery is required.

How is a hernia diagnosed?
In most cases physical examination can easily detect a hernia.
Laboratory tests and X-rays may be asked for if an operation is planned.
What are the methods of treatment?

A supportive truss or belt is used only for those who are unfit for an operation. This is an elastic band that exerts pressure on the defect in the abdomen. Wearing a supportive truss can help stop a hernia from protruding but cannot cure it.

Surgery is the only definitive cure for a hernia. The operation may be done under general, spinal or local anaesthesia. Various operations can be done for hernia repair. The repair may either use the surrounding muscles and structures to strengthen the defect in the abdominal wall or a nylon mesh may be used for the repair.

The operation is quite safe and takes about an hour.

More recently, the hernia repair is being done by laparoscopy. This is a surgical procedure for hernia repair in which a viewing tube and special instruments are used to repair the hernia from within the abdomen through a small opening.

Gynaecomastia

2008-05-13T02:57:00.001-07:00

What is gynaecomastia?

Gynaecomastia is a condition in which firm breast tissues develop in males. The breast tissue is usually less than 1-1/2 inches across and is located directly under the nipple. Gynaecomastia may be present on one side or on both sides. This condition may make the breast tender. Some men and boys have fat on their chests that makes it look like they have breasts. This condition is called pseudogynaecomastia (false gynaecomastia). It is not the same thing as gynaecomastia.

What causes gynaecomastia?

Gynaecomastia is usually caused by changes in hormones at puberty or as part of ageing. Gynaecomastia may be caused by changes in the balance of two hormones, oestrogen and testosterone. In rare cases, gynaecomastia is caused by prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, illegal drugs, tumours or disease. Gynaecomastia is not a disease but a symptom of an underlying condition or problem. It occurs as a result of an increase in the ratio of oestrogens (female hormone) to androgens (male hormone) in men.

How is gynaecomastia diagnosed?

The doctor will ask questions about the symptoms, such as how long the patient has had the breast tissue, and whether or not the area is tender. The doctor will also ask about the illnesses the person has had in the past, the medicines taken, and other matters relating to health. Then there is a physical examination. Whether one needs tests depends on the age, medical history and physical examination. If one is a teenager, tests are not needed, since gynaecomastia is common in teenage boys.

What is the treatment?

In most cases, no treatment is needed. The doctor checks the size of the breast tissue every few months. In 90% of teenage boys, gynaecomastia goes away in less than 3 years. Sometimes the problem can be solved if one stops taking a medicine or an illegal drug that is causing gynaecomastia. Occasionally, medicines may be used to treat gynaecomastia, especially if tenderness is a problem. The medicine will make the extra breast tissue go away. Rarely, surgery may be necessary to remove the extra breast tissue. Treatment is necessary if gynaecomastia is caused by a disease or a tumour. If it is due to a disease, the disease itself will need to be treated.

Could it be cancer?

Breast cancer is very rare in males. The doctor will be able to tell whether the lump is cancer. Breast cancer feels different than the breast tissue of gynaecomastia.

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