Health Issues is a general health based blog concentrating on multiple health topics.

BACKACHE – AFFECTING MOST PROBLEMS

Author: admin

Let me make it plain that there is no such thing as a “slipped” disc, although patients and some doctors still use this term.

I think it is wrong, because it is not a proper explanation of what is happening and gives rise to the impression that something “slipped,” can be “put back.”

Most problems that affect the back involve the lower portion.

There are five lumbar vertebrae in the small of the back and these join to the sacrum, a triangular bone just above the buttocks, consisting of five vertebrae fused together.

Most back problems arise from the discs between the fourth and fifth lumbar and the fifth lumbar and first sacral vertebrae.

Prolapse of the disc can occur when the back section of the elastic outer disc ruptures and allows the inner core and portions of the elastic tissue to move backwards and press against the spinal cord or the nerves which come from it.

Some recent work in Australia shows that minor tears in the surrounding elastic tissue can allow the fluid portion of the inner core to leak out. This fluid is highly irritant and can cause inflammation of the nerves as they come out from the spine.

*216/71/1*

Tags: General health
May 15th, 2009  |  Posted in General health  |  No Comments »

LAPAROSCOPY: ONE WAY TO DIAGNOSE ENDOMETRIOSIS

Author: admin

Laparoscopy is a fairly simple procedure that yields excellent results when done correctly.

When the modern and very versatile laparoscope was invented in Sweden about twenty years ago, it was the culmination of a long medical quest to look into and observe the living human body. It is fiber optics, or cold light, that made the laparoscope possible and practical to make. The laparoscope is a long rigid tube equipped with thin glass fibers (along which light travels to “spotlight” organs) and a periscopelike attachment that allows doctors to see into the pelvis and

abdomen. Lightweight and flexible (it can be maneuvered into various positions), the laparoscope not only makes it possible to see into the abdominal cavity but can also be used along with surgical instruments, if necessary, for further medical procedures. Therefore, laparoscopy—the technique that employs the tool—can be performed for either a diagnostic or a therapeutic procedure.

The most frequent candidates for laparoscopy are women with fertility problems, but the number of women who are suspected of having endometriosis and are undergoing the technique to confirm it is growing apace. Laparoscopy, it has been found, benefits women with either problem (or both) in this way: since the technique allows a visual inspection of pelvic organs and subsequent diagnosis, it can avert major surgery. For patients with persistently misdiagnosed and undiagnosed pelvic pain, it may finally provide an answer. Doctors can look for signs of endometriosis in its varying stages—from a reddened inflamed appearance of organs to the existence of pepper spots to greater gluelike adhesions to more massive chocolate cysts and tumors. Laparoscopy allows the sighting of such conditions, but remember, it is surgery, though on a lesser scale.

Currently, laparoscopy, familiarly called the Band-Aid procedure, is considered by most doctors to be the only absolute method of detection for endometriosis. Would that it were absolute! As it turns out, laparoscopy is only as good as the practitioner doing the viewing and diagnosing. Endometriosis is sometimes difficult to identify. Endometriosis that is growing on the ligaments behind the uterus or hidden inside tissue can be difficult to spot. To locate such growths, a doctor needs skill and dexterity. The scope must be positioned well below the uterus to catch sight of hard-to-see implants.

Unfortunately, some physicians either are inexperienced or may not fully understand the procedure or the female anatomy, or both. Because of these shortcomings, a number of complications can occur during laparoscopy. If it is not conducted under proper sterile techniques, the procedure can lead to abdominal and pelvic infections. Internal bleeding is a possibility from an incorrectly placed laparoscope; the device can lacerate, perforate, or traumatize the organs. Laparoscopy can cause serious problems like these in the hands of an unskilled physician. Then again, he may be knowledgeable enough about the procedure itself, but lacking as a diagnostician.

Cases of women undergoing this procedure and being told they are free of the disease when, in fact, they are not are not uncommon. One reason, as mentioned, is the surgeon’s skill in detecting it. Another is that the endometriosis may be microscopic and not visible to the eye. This means that evidence of the disease may not be revealed with laparoscopy, although it exists. Otherwise, the disease is officially described at four different stages of severity (I, II, III, and IV), as recently classified by the American Fertility Society.

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Tags: Women’s Health
May 8th, 2009  |  Posted in Women's Health  |  No Comments »

SKIN CARE: TREATMENT OF PSORIASIS

Author: admin

More recently a relatively new treatment for psoriasis, known as PUVA has been tried. This involves the taking of a photosensitizing drug, Methoxsalen, and following this by exposure to long-wave ultraviolet light (UVA) at 365 nm. This drug is thought to unite with DNA, forming cross linkages and hence reducing epidermal cell turnover. The treatment is usually given two or three times a week initially, and must be maintained from time to time. The advantages of this treatment are that it is usually very effective and has the bonus of providing the patient with a tan. The disadvantages, however, are that serious burns may result if the dosage is incorrect or if the patient does not protect himself from sunlight for eight to ten hours after taking the treatment. Furthermore cataracts have been reported in animals undergoing this type of treatment, and therefore patients must wear suitable goggles for treatment and for at least eight hours after treatment. More important still, it now appears that patients who have received this treatment for some period of time, particularly those who are also exposed to moderately large amounts of normal sunlight, are much more prone to developing skin cancers. Unfortunately these cancers are not always the relatively benign basal cell carcinomas, but are more commonly the malignant squamous cell carcinoma or even melanoma.

On a brighter note it is worth remembering that research la progressing and new treatments are being developed. One of the more exciting drug groups currently being investigated are the ‘retinoids’, which are based on vitamin A; these may have a great future.

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Tags: Skin Care
May 8th, 2009  |  Posted in Skin Care  |  No Comments »

NUTRITIONAL ASPECTS OF APPETITE CONTROL: CHOCOLATE

Author: admin

This food deserves special mention as it is commonly the typical object of food cravings. There is now some scientific evidence to explain the anecdotal need for a ‘chocolate fix’. Chocolate contains phenyiethylamine, an addictive substance that affects the brain to produce a pleasure response. This mild ‘high’ involves the same opiate chemicals or endorphins which respond to some illegal drugs. It is hypothesised that uncontrollable eating binges experienced by some individuals are triggered by an imbalance in the opiate system.

Preliminary experiments which have blocked the action of opiates point to sugar-fat mixtures as the predominant foods of desire. A chocolate addiction may also have something to do with its sensory (‘party in your mouth’) properties or its frequent use as a special gift or reward.

In line with the belief endorsed throughout this book that for success, lifestyle changes must be those that are enjoyable, there should be no suggestion that chocolate (or any food) be ‘banned’ from the diet of someone wanting to lose fat. On the contrary, if it is eaten, only the very best (and most expensive) chocolate should be eaten—and savoured—but in small quantities! However, keep in mind that clients who regularly binge on chocolate or other ‘bliss point’ snacks may require more specialised attention.

Myth-information. Appetite-control lozenges generally have an anaesthetic ingredient which numbs the tongue and throat. This makes eating uncomfortable. It does not suppress the appetite.

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Tags: Weight Loss
May 8th, 2009  |  Posted in Weight Loss  |  No Comments »

FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS IN CASE OF ENDOMETRIOSIS: SUE’S STORY

Author: admin

I’m out and about and then I get the standard question: ‘How are you?’. I give my usual answer: ‘I’m surviving, thank you’. A twitch of an eyebrow. Of course they were expecting and only wanted to hear: ‘Fine, thank you’. But, I don’t like to lie and I also don’t wish to give a ‘case history’, so ‘surviving’ is honestly how I feel. It is also somewhere in between feeling good (‘normal’) and being sick enough to justify being in bed — mind you, often I’d love to be curled up in bed!

Then, you get ‘Oh, but you look fine’. I almost scream with frustration. They’re fishing for an explanation. So, should I explain or not? Well…in the interests of helping them to understand (hopefully), here goes with the justification speech yet again! I spiel off: ‘Well, I’ve got endometriosis (only some know what it is and even less understand the implications) and it is caused by… and it makes you have…symptoms, etc. etc.’. I would usually like to add, but prudently don’t, ‘I look “fine” because…

I have become determined to beat it!’.

I have my outward “facade” on today, which is a fake expression, accompanied by make-up, that says “I’m fine, I have no pain or problems at all’”;

the fact is I don’t venture out when I’m really feeling dreadful so you don’t see the real evidence of endometriosis’, or

I’ve taken a painkiller!’

You come away feeling guilty because you don’t look sick enough for them to believe or understand.

*110\83\2*

Tags: Women’s Health
May 8th, 2009  |  Posted in Women's Health  |  No Comments »

TREATMENT OF ENDOMETRIOSIS: DANAZOL AND HOW DANAZOL WORKS

Author: admin

It is thought that Danazol eradicates endometrial implants in several ways. The net result is that the production of oestrogen is suppressed and the levels of oestrogen in the body decrease to the low levels found in women following the menopause. Hence, Danazol treatment is sometimes referred to as pseudomenopausal treatment because it mimics the hormonal condition of menopause.

The low levels of oestrogen mean that the endometrial implants are no longer stimulated to grow and break-down each month. Therefore, they become inactive and begin to gradually waste away.

Ovulation and menstruation usually cease by the end of the second month of treatment though this may depend on the dosage being taken. The symptoms of endometriosis usually begin to decrease by the end of the second month of treatment and then continue to improve throughout the course of treatment.

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Tags: Women’s Health
May 8th, 2009  |  Posted in Women's Health  |  No Comments »

PROBLEMS AT WORK AND SCIATICA: A NOTE FOR EMPLOYERS

Author: admin

While meeting the requirements of the various regulations may at times be expensive, it obviously makes good sense for employers to do so because otherwise the serious ill effects of work-related disorders can also lead to high costs. The HSE points out that these costs can include:

Sick pay, loss of production due to poor performance, sickness absence and poor industrial relations; and

Possible compensation payments. Considerable sums have been won in civil claims and this may increase the cost of Employers’ Liability Compulsory Insurance.

To reduce the risk of work-related disorders, the HSE recommends that employers should:

Make sure that work systems cater for the differences in people’s size, strength and abilities. Wherever possible allow people some control over work speed.

Think about any possible risks when planning changes to work methods or when buying new machinery or equipment. Check with suppliers that ergonomic principles have been incorporated in the design of new equipment.

Consider a programme of ‘health surveillance’. This could include a system for keeping records of problems when they first appear and for prompt medical assessment to anyone reporting problems. Encourage early reporting of symptoms (a positive safety culture will help) and look at sickness absence records and staff turnover.

Look into the possibility of alternative work or job changes when someone cannot continue their current type of work or where this will aid the return to work of someone who has been off sick.

Monitor as frequently as necessary to check the effectiveness of your control measures. Look, for example, to possible adjustment of workstations and seating, working techniques, maintenance arrangements. Be alert to any increase in work-related ailments in the workplace, for example, after a change of process, speed or working technique.

Finally, review your arrangements periodically.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Safety at work is, of course, a vast subject. For more detailed information consult the following HSE books and leaflets which you can order from HSE Books on 01787 881165:

Seating at work; Lighting at work; Ergonomics at work; Working with VDUs; Lighten the load: guidance for employers on musculoskeletal disorders; Management of health and safety at work; Approved code of practice; Work equipment: guidance on regulations; Manual handling: guidance on regulations; Workplace health, safety and welfare: approved code of practice; Display screen equipment work: guidance on regulations.

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Tags: Pain Relief
April 29th, 2009  |  Posted in Pain Relief-Muscle Relaxers  |  No Comments »

ANTI-DEPRESSANT LIFESTYLE: WATCHING YOUR ALCOHOL INTAKE

Author: admin

Even if you don’t have a defined problem with alcohol, it is very important for a person who suffers from depression to pay careful attention to his or her alcohol intake. First of all, alcohol is capable of interacting negatively with any drug that affects brain functioning. Even though one study of individuals taking St John’s Wort suggested that the effects of alcohol on their co-ordination and ability to concentrate was no different from that seen in people on placebo, I would recommend moderation in alcohol consumption to someone on St John’s Wort as I would to a person on any other type of anti-depressant. In practical terms, this generally means no more than one (or at the most two) glasses of wine or single shots of alcohol per day, depending on an individual’s tolerance. As always, it is important to exercise judgement when driving or operating machinery under such combined drug influences.

Even in those who appear to handle their alcohol very well in the hours after drinking it, I have often noticed a ripple effect on mood in the days that follow. This sometimes occurs after a very small amount of alcohol (even a single glass of wine) and takes the patient quite by surprise when the association is finally recognized. As I mentioned, sometimes it is only by logging one’s mood on a daily basis that a person will come to appreciate that there is indeed a cause-and-effect relationship between drinking alcohol and becoming depressed.

*72\75\2*

Tags: Anti Depressants
April 29th, 2009  |  Posted in Anti Depressants-Sleeping Aid  |  No Comments »

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF EPILEPTIC SEIZURE: PARTIAL SEIZURES

Author: admin

The exact internal perception or external manifestations of partial seizures depend upon the site of origin of discharge of abnormal nerve cells. If these lie in the part of the brain called the motor cortex, a strip of brain concerned with movement, the initial manifestation will be a contraction of muscles in the opposite side of the body, as, through evolutionary events that are not entirely clear, one side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body. Cells in the motor cortex which supply the index finger and thumb, the corner of the mouth, or the big toe are most likely to be those in which a seizure discharge begins. There are more cells assigned to controlling these muscles, which are concerned with the fine tuning of manual skills and facial expression. Statistically, therefore, there is a greater chance of abnormal events occurring in these cells, but also experiments show that they are particularly easy to excite. The first evidence of such a partial seizure may be twitching of one corner of the mouth. As the seizure discharge spreads, the muscles around the eyes are next involved, as nerve cells supplying these muscles are next door to those supplying the mouth. Next involved are the hand muscles, and next the foot muscles. This march of events was described in the last century independently by Bravais, a French neurologist, and by Hughlings Jackson, an English neurologist whose wife had such attacks. This type of seizure is therefore often called a Jacksonian seizure. It may occur with no disturbance of consciousness whatsoever, as the discharge remains confined to the motor cortex. Partial seizures in which there is no disturbance of consciousness are said to be simple partial seizures.

Another type of partial seizure with movement is known as a versive (turning) seizure. In this the head and eyes turn to one side.

Usually the arm on the side to which they are turned is elevated and twitches. Sometimes the ‘version’ may continue so that the subject turns round several times on his own axis. Version is usually in the direction away from the discharging cerebral nerve cells—a left hemisphere focus causes turning to the right. Such seizures are therefore called adversive.

In the types of seizure described so far, there is an external manifestation-contraction of muscles driven by the discharging cerebral nerve cation-cells, so that this type of seizure is easily apparent to an observer.

Most people are right handed, the left hemisphere then being considered to be dominant. Language is very largely located in the dominant hemisphere. An aphasic partial seizure in which expression or comprehension of language is impaired may arise from a seizure discharge in the dominant temporal lobe.

Other groups of discharging cerebral nerve cells may not necessarily result in any external apparent event, only in a distorted internal perception. A focus in one parietal lobe (just behind the motor cortex) may only result in a transient disturbance of sensation, such as a perception of pins and needles in the opposite side of the face, arm, or leg. A seizure discharge in the anterior part of one temporal lobe may result only in the person perceiving a strange smell, unreal, often unpleasant, and yet often vaguely familiar. Similar hallucinations of distorted taste may also occur, which are usually perceived as unpleasant.

If the seizure discharge begins in a slightly different part of the temporal lobe, complex visual hallucinations may occur. A boy of 11 told one of us that he saw himself standing near a shower with another boy, whom he felt he knew yet could not name. This boy and he alternately put their feet under the running water, and this odd hallucination continued until the seizure ended.

Other seizures arising in the temporal lobe may cause a perception that events taking place have previously occurred in the person’s experience. This phenomenon is known as ‘deja vu’. Jamais vu is a phrase used to indicate that the person perceives familiar surroundings as unreal.

If such distorted perceptions occur they may disturb full consciousness—as defined by awareness of current events, interpretation of current events, and correct responsiveness to current events. All gradations of disturbance of consciousness may be seen. For example, the child or adult may respond appropriately to a question after a considerable delay, or he may respond inappropriately, or not at all. After the attack has terminated, people may say that they were dimly aware of ongoing real events, but this is not necessarily true, and the person may have no memory for all events during and for some time after the seizure. Partial seizures in which consciousness is disturbed are said to be complex partial seizures.

Sometimes seizures arising in the temporal lobe result in complex automatic behaviour — a so-called psychomotor seizure. The person may, for example, dress and undress repeatedly or drum his fingers on the table. Less complex, but more common manifestations, are repeated sucking or chewing or swallowing movements. The person will have no memory for these events after the attack.

Such automatic behaviour occurring during the seizure discharge must be distinguished from the common confusion following a grand mal attack, or following a prolonged temporal lobe seizure, for which the person will also be amnesic. This amnesia is, perhaps, analogous of the amnesia following a head injury, in which, for example, a young man will complete a game of rugby football after a collision resulting in a concussive head injury, yet afterwards he will be amnesic for this part of the game.

Emotional experiences are very frequent in partial seizures arising in the temporal lobe. These are often expressed just as ‘a horrible feeling’, but sometimes the sensation of fear is overpowering.

Sensations in the abdomen and chest often also occur. A common initial sensation is a vague feeling of discomfort in the upper abdomen, which rises rapidly into the chest and head. The abdominal sensation may be accompanied by contractions of the stomach and bowel resulting in audible rumbles.

Another frequent internal sensation is one of vertigo. People with seizures beginning in the temporal lobe may say that they are ‘dizzy.’ This word is used in different senses by various people, but some appear to perceive vertigo (a sense of dysequilibrium which may be rotational) as part of the seizure.

Any partial seizure may become secondarily generalized into a tonic-clonic seizure (grand mal seizure). Sometimes this happens so quickly that the partial (focal) onset is only apparent on careful analysis of an EEG recorded during a seizure.

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Tags: Epilepsy
April 28th, 2009  |  Posted in Epilepsy  |  No Comments »