Medicine.org - General Health Resources

You Can Survive Your Kidney's Death; But Not Well

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:03:22 -0500

Do your kidneys ever die, independently of the rest of your body? Yes, and it happens frequently. It is estimated that 26 million people in America have kidneys which are dying (or chronic kidney failure). This is almost 13% of all Americans. This number represents a significant increase over the past 10 years. It is anticipated that the number of people with diseased kidneys will continue to rise in the future: The data system predicts that by 2020 nearly 785,000 people will be receiving treatment for kidney failure, costing $53.6 billion.

Acetaminophen Overdoses

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 11:13:06 -0500

Your liver is one of the most important organs in your body, and the largest in your abdomen. Its reddish color is due to its ability to contain a pint of blood at any one time. Every time we eat, breathe, drink or absorb anything, the liver is responsible for detoxifying, integrating, secreting, storing, digesting and many other processes to provide a homeostasis or balance to the rest of your body.

Don't Wait for a Crises to Plan for Your Aging Parents

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 10:14:13 -0500

In our mind, we see our parents as not only surviving, but thriving. They will always be there to look over us. Yet, the facts belie our imagination: currently 1.6 million Americans reside in Nursing Homes (this excludes Assisted living and other caretaker arrangements). Statistics indicate that in the future, 1 out of 4 Americans will require Nursing Home Care.

Most of don’t plan for the inevitable outcome, until our parents are in a crises state, precipitated by a fall, a minor car accident, a financial scam, a visit to the emergency room, a potential suicide (yes, it’s true; older Americans are more likely to attempt suicide than anyone else). Wouldn’t it have been better to have planned ahead? And, for those readers who are unable to envision their parents in a debilitated state, or requiring additional assistance; they too can plan for the inevitable, knowing of course, it won’t happen to their parents.

Cancer Can Be Prevented

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 14:11:29 -0400

Cancer. The very word strikes dread in our hearts. When the word comes from our doctors vis a vis a diagnosis; most of us accept it as an automatic death sentence. So, news that there are several things we can do to prevent cancer, aside from smoking, should motivate all of us to ‘sign-on’.

Following the steps below may prevent 30% of cancers. Additionally, the actions identified are good for anyone who would like to adapt a healthy lifestyle.

Parent's Role Essential In Teaching Kids Health Habits

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:36:21 -0400

Parents have a critical role as teachers for their children learning healthy habits. This particular extends to nutrition. What foods are good? What snacks are healthy? What are Oral Hygiene skills and how to brush their teeth? Not only do parents teach their children through instruction, but even more importantly, as role models. An old adage wrongfully advices to "Do As I Say; Not As I Do". This has never worked well in the past, and still doesn't today.

How-To's of Snacking Smart and Healthy Teeth for Kids

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:29:38 -0400

How can you snack smart? Be choosy! This will help with weight control, and promote healthy bones and teeth. The list below identifies several choices for healthy snacks.

Pick a variety of foods from these groups:
• Fresh fruits and raw vegetables
(1) berries
(2) oranges or grapefruit
(3) melons
(4) pineapple
(5) pears
(6) tangerines
(7) broccoli
(8) celery

Even Seniors Benefit Through Exercise

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:17:02 -0400

Even after years of being a couch potato, senior citizens can improve their health and longevity with a few simple exercises.

Whatever exercise program a senior chooses, it should comprise 3 main components:

• Aerobic exercise: Aerobic exercise is meant to improve your cardiovascular system. Thirty minutes every day of moderate exercise are encouraged. This can be as simple as walking, to as expensive as joining a gym and swimming, running treadmills, or jazzercise. As long as you are at a level of exercise which allows you to not have major symptoms, but yet does not allow you to talk in long paragraphs, you are probably at the correct intensity. However, if you are just starting off, or are overweight, perhaps even obese, even moderate walking, or a daily stroll will be of value. Researchers have shown that aerobic exercise decreases blood pressure, improves or even prevents Diabetes Type II, reduces certain types of cancer, and just makes you feel better all around.

Teenagers and Alcohol: A Deadly Combination

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:11:05 -0400

Give me one for my baby, and one more for the road………..Although, having one more drink for the road used to be a commonplace ideology, things have changed. Drinking and driving don’t mix. So why do we continue to do it? Surprisingly, almost 13% of high school seniors said they drove after smoking pot, and 10% stated they drove after 5 drinks or more. The leading cause of deaths from driving under the influence; are teenagers. A governmental sponsored study indicated that drinking and driving (or smoking pot and driving) remained as a significant problem among teenagers, despite efforts from educators, the media and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Shockingly, almost 9.5 million teenagers admitted to driving under the influence of either drugs or alcohol during the past 2 weeks. Teenagers, when questioned, acknowledge that one should not drive while under the influence, yet they still engage in this high risk behavior. Why?

Cellulite: A New Technique May Help a Cheesy Problem

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 22:56:35 -0400

Cottage cheese thighs: everyone knows what cellulite looks like. Dimpling is only cute on a baby. Cellulite is the bane of many women. No matter how much weight they lose, or how much exercise they do, the cellulite is still present.

So what is cellulite? Cellulite is fat that is deposited in pockets just below the surface of the skin. It occurs around the hips, thighs, and buttocks. Because it is very close to the surface of the skin, cellulite leads to a dimpled appearance. It is estimated that 89% of women have cellulite to one degree or another. See the insert below to look at a picture of mild cellulite.

Figures Don't Lie: Some Interesting Statistics on America's Health

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 22:42:34 -0400

It’s always interesting to note what the health trends are in America. For the most part, most of us feel only good trends will be seen, as don’t we live in the richest nation on Earth? But that is not true, especially for the poor, ethnic groups, or the young. Witness the statistics from a very recent report from the CDC cited below .

FETAL AND PERINATAL MORTALITY

Compulsive Shopping Is Not Solely a Woman's Problem

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:29:43 -0400

Women have been stereotyped as compulsive shoppers. Comedy shows, comedy routines, and talk shows add to this stereotype. The figures don’t lie though: 1 out of 20 people are buyers, and there are an equal amount of men and women. Compulsive buying does not discriminate on the basis of sex.

Comedic overtures towards this valid disease do not do it justice. Apparently, much distress and suffering are associated with this disorder. In addition to causing themselves or family severe financial strain, the shoppers exhibit an inordinate amount of anxiety and/or depression. Although the compulsion to shop, and shop often, is part of this disorder, another sign or symptom is when the object bought is never opened, or put in the closet, never to be looked at again.

How Harmful Are Video Games for Kids? The Answer May Surprise You

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:22:17 -0400

There is no lack of hyperbole when it comes to the damaging effects of video games. Even politicians, of every color (red, blue and purple) have voiced their concern. Even researchers and some television pundits have entered the foray. Many times, the Virginia Tech killer has been referred to as an avid video player (yet, his college peers say they never saw him playing any video games). But, is this true? If you are an avid video player are you more likely to be violent in real life, or demeaning to women, or be a bully? The research findings provide an illuminating look at the real results.

Sleep Is Not a Passive Experience

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:00:50 -0400

Previously, we used to think that in sleep, particularly dream sleep, we learned to integrate memories which have occurred that day, a passive type of role. Although still controversial, scientists now think that part of the active learning memory, occurs in sleep. We have insights into what was not apparent during our wake cycle, are able to see the big picture which was hidden before, learn the subtle cues which were not observed while awake.

Ouch! Having a Bad Hair Day? Maybe You Need a Good Night's Sleep

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 11:58:00 -0400

All of us have had bad hair days; and some people have only bad hair days. Could it be that these people are sleep deprived? Scientists think so.

Participants in the study were purposely sleep deprived. Scientists knew that people who are sleep deprived had weakened immune systems, metabolic control and brain processes such as the ones for memory or learning. However, not much else has been scientifically verified.

MRSA: Can We Stop It?

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 11:21:56 -0400

MRSA, or staph bacteria resistant to penicillin, has been around for generations. However, it has been seen only in the hospitals. Now a new strain seems to be emerging which is located in the community. One teenager has already died as a result of complications from MRSA, and others are sick.

Is MRSA going to become an epidemic? It certainly has the potential. Can anything be done to prevent transmission? Several things, but number one is to wash your hands. The same action that decreases transmission of other bugs, including colds and flu, will decrease transmission of MRSA.