Cholecystectomy (Removal of the Gallbladder)

What is a cholecystectomy and why is it necessary?

Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder, which is located in the abdomen beneath the right side of the liver. Gallbladder problems are usually the result of gallstones. These stones may block the flow of bile from your gallbladder, causing the organ to swell. Other causes include cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) and cholangitis (inflammation of the bile duct).

Details of the procedure

What do I need to do before surgery?

Please contact your insurance company to verify the coverage and determine whether a referral is required. You will be asked to pre-register with the appropriate hospital and provide demographic and insurance information. This must be completed at least five to ten days before the surgery date. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for the procedure.

What happens on the day of surgery?

You will report to a pre-operative nursing unit, where you will change into a hospital gown. A nurse will review your chart and confirm that all the paperwork is in order. You will be taken to a pre-operative nursing unit where the anesthesiologist will start an IV. Before any medications are administered, your surgeon will verify your name and the type of procedure you are having. You will then be taken to the operating room. After the appropriate form of anesthesia is administered, surgery will be performed.

What type of anesthesia will be used?

You will have a pre-operative interview with an anesthesiologist, who will ask you questions regarding your medical history. Gallbladder removal is performed under general anesthesia, which will keep you asleep during surgery.

What happens during surgery, and how is it performed?

If your surgery is performed laparoscopically, your surgeon will make three to four small incisions and insert tube-like instruments through them. The abdomen will be filled with gas to help the surgeon view the abdominal cavity. A camera will be inserted through one of the tubes to display images on a monitor located in the operating room. Other instruments will be placed through the additional tubes. In this manner, your surgeon will be able to work inside your abdomen without having to make a larger incision.
Your surgeon will perform the gall bladder removal with the laparoscopic method unless other factors require open surgery. If the performed with the open method, a larger incision will be made in the abdomen.
Once inside, your surgeon will separate and remove the gall bladder.

What happens after the surgery?

Once the surgery is completed, you will be taken to a post-operative or recovery unit where a nurse will monitor your recovery. It is important to keep your bandages clean and dry. Your physician may prescribe medication for pain, nausea and vomiting which are not uncommon with this procedure. You will be scheduled for a follow-up appointment within two weeks after your surgery.

How long will I be in the hospital?

Although some patients may stay overnight, most go home the same day.

What are the risks associated with gallbladder removal?

As with any surgery, there are risks such as bleeding, infection, or an adverse reaction to anesthesia. Other risks include bile duct or bowel injury. Your surgeon will inform you of the risks prior to surgery.

What should I watch out for?

Be sure to call your doctor if any of the following symptoms appear:
• Fever
• Worsening pain
• Redness or swelling around the incision
• The incision is warm to the touch
• Drainage from the incision

Will there be scar(s)?

If the procedure is performed laparoscopically the incisions should heal well, leaving small discrete scars. If the open method is used, a larger scar will be present.

When can I expect to return to work and/or resume normal activities?

This varies among patients. There are no restrictions after laparoscopic gallbladder removal. You will be encouraged to return to normal activities such as showering, driving, walking up stairs, light lifting, and work as soon as you feel comfortable. Some patients can return to work in a few days, while others prefer to wait longer. You should not engage in heavy lifting or straining for six to eight weeks after open surgery. If you are taking narcotic medications for pain, you should not drive.

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9 Great Tips To Losing Weight Fast

Our bodies store 2 types of fat; visceral fat and subcutaneous fat. Visceral fat is fat that builds up around our tummies, bums and thighs and is closely related to the development of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.
Subcutaneous fat is found all over the body beneath our skin.

More disturbingly Visceral Fat (VF) can release chemicals that can damage the arteries around the heart leading to heart disease and increase your risk of getting cancer. VF also sits very close to the liver and releases chemicals that can get into the liver easily interfering with its ability to clear insulin from your blood which in turn can lead to type 2 diabetes.

A thicker waistline can be a good indicator of VF but the good news is VF some of the first fat you lose when you start to lose weight.

Many of us assume that the quickest easiest way to lose weight is to skip meals there by cutting down calorie intake.

1. Don't skip meals

This is what happens when you skip meals; research suggests that we are biologically driven to crave certain types of food when we are hungry. If you skip breakfast and you get really hungry your brain tries to compensate by urging you to crave high calorie foods – a dieting disaster! That's because your brain is responding to a powerful signal that comes from a hormone called ghrelin.

When our stomachs are empty ghrelin sends a message to our brains that says ‘fill me up now' and that triggers a powerful urge to eat high calorie food to compensate.

So the first tip to losing weight is DON'T SKIP MEALS because our brain has a really primitive response to this making us crave high calorie high fat foods to compensate and will power may not be enough to fight it!

2. Change your plate size

A simple trick to add to your diet is to change your plate size, down from a 12-inch diameter plate to a 10-inch plate.

Various experiments have been done with this eg. in one study a cinema audience was given 2 different size tubs of popcorn; small and large and were asked to eat as much popcorn as they wanted during a film. Both sizes of container were large enough so the audience could eat their fill but large enough so that they were unable to finish the tubs.

The audience who were given the larger tubs ate more than those who were given the smaller tubs not because they were any hungrier but just because they were given more to eat.

When more food was available to them they couldn't stop even when they were full, they just kept on eating more. Experiments like this show that if you increase your portion size by using a larger plate or bowl you'll tend to each much more. So the 2nd simple tip if you want to stop eating when you are full is to simply reduce your plate or bowl size. If you put less food on your plate you could end up eating up to 22% less food overall.

3. Choose lower calorie food versions of the food you eat

But losing weight is not all about plate size you also need to know what to put on your plate.

Did you know that you can actually eat more and still lose weight! by understanding what you should eat. A series of small changes to your diet can make a massive difference to your waistline.

Simply choose lower calorie versions of the food you already eat. For example take your daily intake of coffee.  A black coffee without sugar is around 10 calories whilst a cappuccino is about 100 calories. So 3 black coffees a day and you've already saved 270 calories.

Toast at breakfast for around 125 calories rather than a pastry at 270 calories. Lunch; a grilled chicken and salad with vinaigrette @ 250 calories verses the same salad with added mozzarella cheese and croutons and cream dressing for 450 calories.

A couple of apples a day you'll eat 120 calories rather than that bar of chocolate for 300 calories. Pizza and cocktails at super, a thin crust cheese and tomato pizza at around 850 calories verses a deep pan and pepperoni pizza can add up to a whopping 1400 calories. Oh and that cocktail could surprise you when you choose a tasty Bloody Mary for around 125 calories instead of that pinacalda which can add up to a shocking 280 calories.

If you choose the low calorie meals and drinks, by the end of the day you will have eaten half the calories, 1500 calories verses 3000 calories and already you are starting to lose weight.

A series of small changes in your diet can make a massive difference to your waistline. If you know which calorie laden foods to avoid you'll be able to eat well without putting on weight.

4. Be mindful of how much you eat

But what about those people who eat all the right things and still don't lose weight. Could it be that these people simply have a slow metabolism and no matter how carefully they eat they'll never be slim.

Your metabolic rate is simply the rate at which your body burns calories. Just being alive, breathing heart pumping, brain ticking over. Experiments have shown that many people actually eat more calories than they think they are consuming. When asked to record food diaries as much as 50% of people actually under record how much they have eaten.

Statistics for the general population show that we all under report by as much as 50%, so why should that be?

Many of us forget about the snacks and drinks we consume throughout the day and crucially many of us think that the healthy foods we eat such as a fruit salad somehow don't count.

So many of us are unknowingly consuming far more calories than we actually need to maintain a lower weight.

Don't blame your metabolism just count your calories even of healthy foods. It maybe hard to accept that if you are over weight you have simply eaten more than your body needs and it has stored the excess as fat.

At any one time in the UK around 10 million people are trying to lose weight and most of them fail and that's usually because they can't stick to their diets but science has now come up with some simple ways to make dieting less painful. One of the simplest ways to losing weight is not to let your self get hungry.

5. Don't let yourself get too hungry

The key to losing weight and keeping it off is not to let your self get too hungry and there is some fascinating research in this territory.
It turns out that there are certain foods, which are much better than others at staving off the hunger pangs.

So what kind of foods will keep you feeling fuller for longer?. Hunger pangs happen when your stomach is empty and shrinks back down in size after your last meal. This then triggers the hormone ghrelin to send a message to your brain that you want more food.

But there are some clever ways you can fool your brain and damp down those hunger pangs and one way is simply to eat protein. Scientists have known for many years that protein rich foods such as lean meat, eggs and fish keep you feeling fuller for longer but until recently nobody really understood why.

As little as an extra 10% protein in your breakfast meal can stave of hunger pangs for longer and therefore you are much more likely to eat less at lunchtime.

So what is it about protein that keeps you feeling fuller for longer? Scientists have recently discovered one key way in which protein controls hunger pangs. When any food travels through your digestive system it triggers the release of a hormone PYY into the blood stream and when PYY reaches the brain it suppresses any hunger signals.

So you stop feeling hunger pangs and feel full. But scientists have now discovered that of all food types protein triggers far more of this PYY hormone than anything else flooding the brain with signals that you are now full and thereby suppressing hunger pangs for longer.
That's why protein makes you feel satisfied or sated for longer than any other food type. So this really is the Holy Grail for dieters.

6. Soups
How to control hunger pangs and lose weight? Soup is one of the best kept secrets of dieting. So why does soup keep you feeling fuller for longer.

If you eat a solid meal with a cup of water the water will briefly expand your stomach and then travels straight through just leaving the solid morsels of food to be digested leaving far less volume and thereby shrinking down the stomach.

But when you blend the exact same meal with a cup of water into a thick soup it increases the overall volume of the meal which stays in the stomach for longer because this blended mass can't drain out of the stomach quickly.

7. More food choices available - the more you are likely to eat
Our bodies instruct us to seek out variety in our foods where and when ever we can and that can affect how much we eat.

Scientists now believe that this response to food is somehow hard wired into our brains to seek out variety which is what our ancestors would have done 100's/1000's of years ago.

They were simply scavengers and it was very important to them to seek out a wide variety of food, as no single food was plentifully available. When faced with a wide variety of foods to choose from you are likely to eat 30% more than when you have a relatively limited choice of foods from which to choose from.

So variety triggers your instincts to try everything and that can lead to over eating.

So a buffet type situation can be very dangerous! The wider the choice the more you are likely to eat or can lead to over eating.

8. Exercise

What about exercise? A man walking on a treadmill moderately exercising for 90 minutes approx 4 miles/hour at a 5% incline will burn approx 19 grams of fat which is about a bag of crisps!

But scientists have now discovered an amazing effect of exercise, which is called after burn. A lot of the fat you burn during exercise is actually burnt after you exercise and not during the exercise session. So why do people burn fat at a higher rate after exercising?

Our bodies use different foods to give us energy; carbohydrates and fats. During exercise our muscles use mostly carbohydrate because they are easier for our bodies to burn and are a quick source of energy.
So after exercising your bodies store of carbohydrates has been largely used up and it will take approx 22 hours for your body to replace them. So in the meantime your body is forced to burn fat from your fat stores just to keep you going, walking, talking and even sleeping.

9. Become a little more active

You don't need to join a gym to burn off extra calories just by making your day just that little bit more active will help.

Small changes in your daily routine can significantly increase the number of calories you burn but remember not to eat more because you are that little bit more active.

Moderate changes to your daily activities such as getting off the bus to work one stop earlier, walking up an escalator instead of riding it, moving around more during the day can burn as much as an extra 240 extra calories a day being burnt and over a year that could mean you losing up to 12kg, that's just under 2 stone!

Uncovering nine of the simplest ways to lose weight can really help you shed those pounds; soup really helps to keep you full and protein staves off hunger pangs and exercise can work in mysterious and marvellous ways.

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Posted in Diet and Weight

Tips for Dealing with Back Pain Caused by pregnancy

There are many things associated with the wonderful experience of pregnancy.  Unfortunately for many women back pain can be a very real challenge.  Back pain can be common both during and following child birth.  If you or someone you know is experiencing back pain you are invited to continue reading for helpful suggestions.

Although there are some modifications necessary for safety and comfort, massage and chiropractic can be very helpful during and following the pregnancy process.  The chiropractic focuses on taking pressure off of the nerves by aligning the lumbar spine and hips.  Complementing the chiropractic or manipulation are various types of massage that can provide muscle balance and increased range of motion.  Both forms of therapies are natural and safe under the supervision of a licensed massage therapist or Doctor of Chiropractic.

Another effective therapy for dealing with back pain and pregnancy is aquatics.  Being able to do simple stretches and movements in the water allows for pain reduction and increased mobility without the challenges of much gravity or weight bearing.  Consult a doctor regarding appropriate length of time and exercise protocols as well as recommend temperatures to assist in both pregnancy and post pregnancy presentations.

An exercise ball can be very helpful in the decrease of back pain for everyone.  Similar to aquatics the ball allows you to stretch and move without the effects of gravity which can create more motion and decrease pain.  This therapy is now commonly taught in pregnancy classes.

The last technique for low back pain and pregnancy is simply that of relaxation.  The mind can be a very powerful force if harnessed correctly.  Due to the body's constant changing during pregnancy, hormonal imbalances can occur creating added stressors.  By being aware of some of these changes in advance and learning to keep calm, this can reduce the chance of muscle tension and back pain.  Relaxation techniques typically involve breathing and meditation to relax the mind and body.

It is important to research all available information especially for natural pain relief.  Obviously, there are significant limitations for medications during pregnancy and although post child birth affords more options for medications, it does not cure the underlying problem which is likely a structural and muscular imbalance.

It doesn't matter if this is your first child or not, don't think that it is normal to experience this type of pain. 

Common, yes far too many women just put up with the pain before and after childbirth as part of the responsibility of motherhood, but it doesn't have to be that way.  You are welcome to click below for additional information.  Congratulations in advance for your expecting or just completed miracle of birth…now do something for yourself, stop the back pain and get some rest…you deserve it.    Best Wishes.

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Posted in pregnancy health

WHAT IS WHEY PROTEIN?

Are you concerned about taking care of your body before and after strenuous activities or workouts? Do you try to avoid supplements that contain additives and possible side effects? I am very particular about what I am putting into my body at all times. I hate the idea of eating or taking something that I am not sure about what it is suppose to do or what side effects may be caused.

If you are interested in better health and improved physical fitness you have surely heard that bodybuilders and other athletes are turning to a simple, natural supplement called whey protein. Whey is the only supplement I take besides my daily multivitamin that I feel safe taking. So lets cover a few questions or concerns many women have about taking protein.

WHY DO ATHLETES USE WHEY PROTEIN?

Protein levels are depleted through exercise. Muscles require amino acids to prevent deterioration, give endurance and build mass. Proteins supply these amino acids to the muscles which is why athletes use whey protein. If you want to gain muscle you have to make sure you have the building blocks for it. Women need protein the same ways that men do so do not be afraid of it.

WHAT IS WHEY PROTEIN?

Commercial whey protein comes from cow's milk. Whey is the by-product of making cheese and was usually thrown away as a waste product. Now researchers know that whey protein is high quality, natural protein that is rich with amino acids essential for good health and muscle building. It is naturally found in mother's milk and also used in baby formula. It is being considered for use as a fortifier of grain products because of its considerable health benefits and bland flavor.

Although protein is also found in other foods such as meat, soy and vegetables, whey protein is proven to have the highest absorption (digestion) levels in comparison to all others.

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER USING WHEY PROTEIN?

Whey protein has many health benefits including immune support, bone health, sports health, weight management and overall well being. And as women, we need all the help we can get to keep out bones strong and supportive. Plus overall health is not a bad thing either. The better nutrition you have in your life the less likely that the flu or other bugs will come knocking on your door.

Because amino acids are 'building blocks' for the human body it is sometimes used by patients to speed up the healing of wounds or burns.

The high quality protein that comes from whey makes it a recommended choice for those who need optimal benefits from restricted diets including diabetics, those on weight management diets and even ill patients not able to consume enough protein in their diet to assist with healing.

CAN WHEY PROTEIN BE DANGEROUS?

Whey protein is a food and so it does not  have the risks associated with other supplements. That said, too much of anything carries risks. Extremely high use of whey protein can overload the liver which can cause serious problems. Moderation is always recommended.

If you are lactose intolerant you might try whey protein isolate which has less than 1% lactose and should be tolerable for most users.

Whey protein is a natural and healthy way to bring protein into your diet and increase well being.

WILL WHEY BULK ME UP?

No, women lack the hormones that men have that allow them to get those large bulky muscles. Women will get an overall toned appearance without looking like the Hulk. Those women you see in body building competitions more often than not achieve their unusual frame by injecting additional hormones or supplements into their body. But no, with the use of whey you will not look like these women.

SOME TRICKS WITH WHEY

If you buy the powder you will be able to do a lot more than just simple shakes. But for shakes be create.
Mix the whey with milk and maybe add some strawberries or blueberries to make the best shakes around!
When you bake cookies scoop some whey in for a power cookie
If you drink coffee but some chocolate whey in to make a great mocha

The possibilities are endless, get your creative juices going!

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How to help my spouse with depression panic attacks?

How to help my spouse with depression panic attacks? If you have been asking that question lately, you are hardly alone.

Panic attacks related to, or in addition to depression affects around 20 million Americans at any given time. If you have a husband or wife suffering from these panic attacks, read on to find out some simple ways you could help them.

While depression and anxiety are not the same, it seems that they go hand-in-hand in many cases. A person who has had panic attacks for a long time often becomes depressed when thinking about living with anxiety any longer.

Likewise, a person with depression may have many of the symptoms of an anxiety disorder, and may or may not have full-blown panic attacks on a regular basis.

So, if your husband/wife has panic attacks brought on by depression or simply brought on by an existing anxiety disorder, there are some things that you can do to help your spouse through this tough time in their life.

Become knowledgeable about anxiety:

Getting as much information as you can about anxiety and panic attacks will really benefit the both of you very much. Although it is your spouse who must make the ultimate change to conquer anxiety, if you understand what he/she is going through and are understanding, you stand a better chance at defeating the disorder as a team.

If your wife or husband often changes plans to accommodate their anxious mood, you may become agitated, but knowing why this happens is crucial to understanding that they don't mean to be this way, they just can't help it many times.

Anxiety sufferers often don't think the same way as you may think about a given situation, and although it may be tough for you, you will help them a lot by simply understanding that their thought process is simply different from that of a non-anxious person.


Be supportive:

It can be really frustrating living with someone who has an anxiety disorder, but the worst thing that you can do as a spouse is to criticize them for their behavior.

Encouraging healthy behavior to an anxious person is a really simple, and great thing that you can do for them. Something as simple as going to an event, whether it be a family outing or a simple dinner can often times be a very big move on their part.

If a small step is taken by your spouse to try to live anxiety-free, encourage that behavior and be proud of what they have accomplished. There's no need to over-do it by any means, just be supportive of anything they can do that is positive.

On the same token, you need to avoid criticizing them for the times when they do avoid certain situations.

A person who suffers from anxiety and panic attacks often thinks that if they had a panic attack doing a certain thing, or being in a certain place that they are more prone to having further attacks by doing that specific activity again.

While you know this does not make much sense, in the mind of an anxious person this is perfectly rational behavior, and patience with them is needed to overcome their anxiety.

Helping them through a panic attack:

If you find yourself right in the middle of your spouse's panic attack, just be patient and re-assuring to them. A person in the middle of extreme panic does not process thoughts the same as a calm person, so they may need to go off by themselves for a few minutes.

If this is the case, do your best to help them through the attack, and try to remember that they didn't choose a panic attack to happen to them. They feel bad enough just being anxious, so there is no need to make them feel worse by blaming them for ruining your good time or criticizing them for a disorder they can not control.

Most sufferers find that someone who understands what they are going through is enough, and since panic attacks don't last for hours on end, you will help them greatly by being patient with them while they are feeling anxious.
So my friend, if you have been asking the question; "how to help my spouse with depression panic attacks ", you could follow the advice I gave above which will help your spouse a great deal to start with.

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Posted in psychological health

Anemia – The RBC Deficiency and Pregnancy

Anemia is a term derived from the Greek ‘anaimia’ meaning the lack of blood. Anemia is actually the lack of RBC – red blood cells or the lack of hemoglobin in the blood. The hemoglobin is found inside the RBCs and it carries oxygen to the tissues from the lungs. As the quantity of hemoglobin decreases, there is a lack of oxygen in the organs – a condition called hypoxia. The varying degree of anemia has different consequences.

The most common disorder of blood is anemia, and it is of several kinds caused due to various underlying reasons. Anemia can be mainly categorized into deficient RBC production, excessive blood loss and excessive blood cell destruction.

The low count of red blood cells causes a variety of signs and symptoms and can make any other underlying medical condition worse. Anemia symptoms may include weakness, light-headedness, paleness, fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations while severe anemia symptoms may be dizziness, passing out, chest pain, rapid heart rate, angina or heart attack. Presence of anemia may be felt due to symptoms like change in stool color, low BP, jaundice, spleen enlargement or rapid breathing.

Anemia during pregnancy is a common occurrence among women as the demand for vitamins and iron increases in the body. It is necessary for a mother to increase the production of RBCs in the body which is also used by the placenta and the fetus. The body starts producing more RBCs and plasma but the increase is not proportionate. The plasma amount is disproportionately greater than the RBCS and hence blood is diluted. As the RBCs are lesser, there is a fall in hemoglobin concentration. In such cases, medical products like iron supplement pills and medical tests like serum ferritin is the best way to keep a check. Iron deficiency may also be caused due to a low-iron diet, lack of folic acid in the diet or loss of blood due to bleeding from piles or ulcers.

A pregnant woman will generally not have anemia symptoms except when the hemoglobin is below 8g/dl. Starting with paleness and tiredness, the mother may experience palpitations or chest pain if anemia is severe (hemoglobin drops to 6g/dl). Pregnant women should take care about anemia by emphasizing on varied diet, consulting the doctor about food and supplements intake during pregnancy, intake of good sources of iron and supplements of iron, vitamins and especially folic acid, so that the child does not suffer from the problem of spina bifida. Pregnancy is a fragile condition and one should be very careful and alert. Rest and proper food always proves to be good for the child.

By Jennifer C Stone

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Posted in pregnancy health

AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome)

AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the final stage of HIV disease, which causes severe damage to the immune system.

Causes

Important facts about the spread of AIDS include:

• AIDS is the sixth leading cause of death among people ages 25 - 44 in the United States, down from number one in 1995.
• The World Health Organization estimates that more than 25 million people worldwide have died from this infection since the start of the epidemic
• In 2008, there were approximately 33.4 million people around the world living with HIV/AIDS, including 2.1 million children under age 15.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes AIDS. The virus attacks the immune system and leaves the body vulnerable to a variety of life-threatening infections and cancers.
Common bacteria, yeast, parasites, and viruses that ordinarily do not cause serious disease in people with healthy immune systems can cause fatal illnesses in people with AIDS.
HIV has been found in saliva, tears, nervous system tissue and spinal fluid, blood, semen (including pre-seminal fluid, which is the liquid that comes out before ejaculation), vaginal fluid, and breast milk. However, only blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk generally transmit infection to others.
The virus can be spread (transmitted):

• Through sexual contact -- including oral, vaginal, and anal sex
• Through blood -- via blood transfusions (now extremely rare in the U.S.) or needle sharing
• From mother to child -- a pregnant woman can transmit the virus to her fetus through their shared blood circulation, or a nursing mother can transmit it to her baby in her breast milk

Other methods of spreading the virus are rare and include accidental needle injury, artificial insemination with infected donated semen, and organ transplantation with infected organs.
HIV infection is NOT spread by:

• Casual contact such as hugging
• Mosquitoes
• Participation in sports
• Touching items previously touched by a person infected with the virus

AIDS and blood or organ donation:

• AIDS is NOT transmitted to a person who DONATES blood or organs. Those who donate organs are never in direct contact with those who receive them. Likewise, a person who donates blood is not in contact with the person receiving it. In all these procedures, sterile needles and instruments are used.
• However, HIV can be transmitted to a person RECEIVING blood or organs from an infected donor. To reduce this risk, blood banks and organ donor programs screen donors, blood, and tissues thoroughly.

People at highest risk for getting HIV include:

• Injection drug users who share needles
• Infants born to mothers with HIV who didn't receive HIV therapy during pregnancy
• People engaging in unprotected sex, especially with people who have other high-risk behaviors, are HIV-positive, or have AIDS
• People who received blood transfusions or clotting products between 1977 and 1985 (before screening for the virus became standard practice)
• Sexual partners of those who participate in high-risk activities (such as injection drug use or anal sex)

Symptoms

AIDS begins with HIV infection. People infected with HIV may have no symptoms for 10 years or longer, but they can still transmit the infection to others during this symptom-free period. If the infection is not detected and treated, the immune system gradually weakens and AIDS develops.
Acute HIV infection progresses over time (usually a few weeks to months) to asymptomatic HIV infection (no symptoms) and then to early symptomatic HIV infection. Later, it progresses to AIDS (advanced HIV infection with CD4 T-cell count below 200 cells/mm3 ).
Almost all people infected with HIV, if not treated, will develop AIDS. There is a small group of patients who develop AIDS very slowly, or never at all. These patients are called nonprogressors, and many seem to have a genetic difference that prevents the virus from damaging their immune system.
The symptoms of AIDS are primarily the result of infections that do not normally develop in individuals with healthy immune systems. These are called opportunistic infections.
People with AIDS have had their immune system damaged by HIV and are very susceptible to these opportunistic infections. Common symptoms are:

• Chills
• Fevers
• Sweats (particularly at night)
• Swollen lymph glands
• Weakness
• Weight loss

Note: Initial infection with HIV may produce no symptoms. Some people, however, do experience flu-like symptoms with fever, rash, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes, usually 2 - 4 weeks after contracting the virus. Some people with HIV infection stay symptom-free for years between the time they are exposed to the virus and when they develop AIDS.

Exams and Tests

The following is a list of AIDS-related infections and cancers that people with AIDS may get as their CD4 count decreases. In the past, having AIDS was defined as having HIV infection and getting one of these additional diseases. Today, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a person may also be diagnosed as having AIDS if they have a CD4 cell count below 200 cells/mm3, even if they don't have an opportunistic infection.
AIDS may also be diagnosed if a person develops one of the opportunistic infections and cancers that occur more commonly in people with HIV infection. These infections are unusual in people with a healthy immune system.
CD4 cells are a type of immune cell. They are also called "T cells" or "helper cells."
Many other illnesses and their symptoms may develop, in addition to those listed here.
Common with CD4 count below 350 cells/mm3:

• Herpes simplex virus -- causes ulcers/small blisters in the mouth or genitals, happens more frequently and usually much more severely in an HIV-infected person than in someone without HIV infection
• Tuberculosis -- infection by tuberculosis bacteria that mostly affects the lungs, but can affect other organs such as the bowel, lining of the heart or lungs, brain, or lining of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
• Oral or vaginal thrush -- yeast infection of the mouth or vagina
• Herpes zoster (shingles) -- ulcers/small blisters over a patch of skin, caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox
• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma -- cancer of the lymph nodes
• Kaposi's sarcoma -- cancer of the skin, lungs, and bowel associated with a herpes virus (HHV-8). It can happen at any CD4 count, but is more likely to happen at lower CD4 counts, and is more common in men than in women.

Common with CD4 count below 200 cells/mm3:

• Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, "PCP pneumonia," now called Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, caused by a fungus
• Candida esophagitis -- painful yeast infection of the esophagus
• Bacillary angiomatosis -- skin lesions caused by a bacteria called Bartonella, which may be acquired from cat scratches

Common with CD4 count below 100 cells/mm3:

• Cryptococcal meningitis -- fungal infection of the lining of the brain
• AIDS dementia -- worsening and slowing of mental function, caused by HIV itself
• Toxoplasma encephalitis -- infection of the brain by a parasite, called Toxoplasma gondii , which is frequently found in cat feces; causes lesions (sores) in the brain
• Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy -- a disease of the brain caused by a virus (called the JC virus) that results in a severe decline in mental and physical functions
• Wasting syndrome -- extreme weight loss and loss of appetite, caused by HIV itself
• Cryptosporidium diarrhea -- Extreme diarrhea caused by one of the parasites that affect the gastrointestinal tract

Common with CD4 count below 50/mm3:

• Mycobacterium avium -- a blood infection by a bacterium related to tuberculosis
• Cytomegalovirus infection -- a viral infection that can affect almost any organ system, especially the large bowel and the eyes

In addition to the CD4 count, a test called HIV RNA level (or viral load) may be used to monitor patients. Basic screening lab tests and regular cervical Pap smears are important to monitor in HIV infection, due to the increased risk of cervical cancer in women with a compromised immune system. Anal Pap smears to detect potential cancers may also be important in both HIV-infected men and women, but their value is not proven.

Treatment

There is no cure for AIDS at this time. However, a variety of treatments are available that can help keep symptoms at bay and improve the quality of life for those who have already developed symptoms.
Antiretroviral therapy suppresses the replication of the HIV virus in the body. A combination of several antiretroviral drugs, called highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), has been very effective in reducing the number of HIV particles in the bloodstream. This is measured by the viral load (how much virus is found in the blood). Preventing the virus from replicating can improve T-cell counts and help the immune system recover from the HIV infection.
HAART is not a cure for HIV, but it has been very effective for the past 12 years. People on HAART with suppressed levels of HIV can still transmit the virus to others through sex or by sharing needles. There is good evidence that if the levels of HIV remain suppressed and the CD4 count remains high (above 200 cells/mm3), life can be significantly prolonged and improved.
However, HIV may become resistant to HAART, especially in patients who do not take their medications on schedule every day. Genetic tests are now available to determine whether an HIV strain is resistant to a particular drug. This information may be useful in determining the best drug combination for each person, and adjusting the drug regimen if it starts to fail. These tests should be performed any time a treatment strategy begins to fail, and before starting therapy.
When HIV becomes resistant to HAART, other drug combinations must be used to try to suppress the resistant strain of HIV. There are a variety of new drugs on the market for treating drug-resistant HIV.
Treatment with HAART has complications. HAART is a collection of different medications, each with its own side effects. Some common side effects are:

• Collection of fat on the back ("buffalo hump") and abdomen
• General sick feeling (malaise)
• Headache
• Nausea
• Weakness

When used for a long time, these medications increase the risk of heart attack, perhaps by increasing the levels of fat and glucose (sugar) in the blood.
Any doctor prescribing HAART should carefully watch the patient for possible side effects. In addition, routine blood tests measuring CD4 counts and HIV viral load should be taken every 3 months. The goal is to get the CD4 count as close to normal as possible, and to suppress the amount of HIV virus in the blood to a level where it cannot be detected.
Other antiviral medications are being investigated. In addition, growth factors that stimulate cell growth, such as erthythropoetin (Epogen) and filgrastim (G-CSF or Neupogen) are sometimes used to treat anemia and low white blood cell counts associated with AIDS.
Medications are also used to prevent opportunistic infections (such as Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia) if the CD4 count is low enough. This keeps AIDS patients healthier for longer periods of time. Opportunistic infections are treated when they happen.

Support Groups

Joining support groups where members share common experiences and problems can often help the emotional stress of devastating illnesses. See AIDS - support group.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Right now, there is no cure for AIDS. It is always fatal without treatment. In the U.S., most patients survive many years after diagnosis because of the availability of HAART. HAART has dramatically increased the amount of time people with HIV remain alive.
Research on drug treatments and vaccine development continues. However, HIV medications are not always available in the developing world, where most of the epidemic is raging.

Possible Complications

When a person is infected with HIV, the virus slowly begins to destroy that person's immune system. How fast this occurs differs in each individual. Treatment with HAART can help slow or halt the destruction of the immune system.
Once the immune system is severely damaged, that person has AIDS, and is now susceptible to infections and cancers that most healthy adults would not get. However, antiretroviral treatment can still be very effective, even at that stage of illness.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have any of the risk factors for HIV infection, or if you develop symptoms of AIDS. By law, AIDS testing must be kept confidential. Your health care provider will review results of your testing with you.

Prevention

• See the article on safe sex to learn how to reduce the chance of acquiring or spreading HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases.
• Do not use illicit drugs and do not share needles or syringes. Many communities now have needle exchange programs, where you can get rid of used syringes and get new, sterile ones. These programs can also provide referrals for addiction treatment.
• Avoid contact with another person's blood. Protective clothing, masks, and goggles may be appropriate when caring for people who are injured.
• Anyone who tests positive for HIV can pass the disease to others and should not donate blood, plasma, body organs, or sperm. Infected people should tell any sexual partner about their HIV-positive status. They should not exchange body fluids during sexual activity, and should use whatever preventive measures (such as condoms) will give their partner the most protection.
• HIV-positive women who wish to become pregnant should seek counseling about the risk to their unborn children, and methods to help prevent their baby from becoming infected. The use of certain medications dramatically reduces the chances that the baby will become infected during pregnancy.
• The Public Health Service recommends that HIV-infected women in the United States avoid breast-feeding to prevent transmitting HIV to their infants through breast milk.
• Safe-sex practices, such as latex condoms, are highly effective in preventing HIV transmission. HOWEVER, there remains a risk of acquiring the infection even with the use of condoms. Abstinence is the only sure way to prevent sexual transmission of HIV.

The riskiest sexual behavior is unprotected receptive anal intercourse. The least risky sexual behavior is receiving oral sex. Performing oral sex on a man is associated with some risk of HIV transmission, but this is less risky than unprotected vaginal intercourse. Female-to-male transmission of the virus is much less likely than male-to-female transmission. Performing oral sex on a woman who does not have her period has a low risk of transmission.
HIV-positive patients who are taking antiretroviral medications are less likely to transmit the virus. For example, pregnant women who are on effective treatment at the time of delivery, and who have undetectable viral loads, give HIV to their baby less than 1% of the time, compared with about 20% of the time if medications are not used.
The U.S. blood supply is among the safest in the world. Nearly all people infected with HIV through blood transfusions received those transfusions before 1985, the year HIV testing began for all donated blood.
If you believe you have been exposed to HIV, seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY. There is some evidence that an immediate course of antiviral drugs can reduce the chances that you will be infected. This is called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and it has been used to prevent transmission in health care workers injured by needlesticks.
There is less information available about how effective PEP is for people exposed to HIV through sexual activity or injection drug use. However, if you believe you have been exposed, discuss the possibility with a knowledgeable specialist (check local AIDS organizations for the latest information) as soon as possible. Anyone who has been raped should be offered PEP and should consider its potential risks and benefits.

References

Piot P. Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: A global overview. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine . 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 407.
Del Rio C, Curran JW. Epidemiology and prevention of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and human immunodeficiency virus infection. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases . 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 118.
Sterling TR, Chaisson RE. General clinical manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus infection (including the acute retroviral syndrome and oral, cutaneous, renal, ocular, metabolic, and cardiac diseases). In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases . 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 121.

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How to Live With Diabetes and Be Healthy

 Diabetes is a serious health condition,but you can make live normally with it. The disease can't be cured, but thankfully it can be successfully managed with the appropriate changes in lifestyle. If the disease is left untreated it invites many diabetic complications like heart stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, amputation, blindness and erectile dysfunction. If diabetes is diagnosed at an early stage the risk of diabetic complications can be reduced by the efficient management of the disease.
Diabetics can enjoy a healthy life by following these 10 steps:
Eat Well
Diabetics should enjoy healthy foods that are low in sugar, saturated fats and salts. It is recommended that they should consume a diet that is high in fiber. Examples of such foods are cereals, whole grain bread, vegetables and fruits. Diabetics should keep a close eye on the portion size of the food. You should try not to eat more than they consume, with the goal being to control weight gain. The vegetarian lifestyle is better overall for your health, as the vegetables are rich in fiber and they put a check on the weight gain.
Be Active
You should try to bring maximum physical activity to your life. Aim for at least for 30 minutes of exercise daily.
Stop Smoking
It is better to quit smoking. If it is difficult, one should consult a physician that can assist him.
Monitor Blood Sugar Level
The blood sugar levels should be regularly monitored. You can prevent the diabetic complications by keeping the blood sugar level in control.
Drink in Moderation
If you drink alcohol, either quit it or try to have it in moderation.
Weight Control
Keep a track of the waist size and the weight. If you are overweight it can make a reasonable difference in his blood sugar levels by losing some weight.
Annual Tests
Go regularly for the annual tests recommended for diabetics.
Foot Examination
Examine the feet well. Use well fitted socks and comfortable shoes. Be aware of any cut or injuries on feet.
Eye Examination
Have an eye examination annually by an optician.
Positive Attitude
Keep a positive attitude towards life
Changing your lifestyle with the help of the above mentioned steps can help you to keep diabetes in control. It will also enable you to live a happy and healthier life and enjoy all the benefits.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1943379

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What is cervical cancer?

The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb). It is sometimes called the uterine cervix. The body of the uterus (the upper part) is where a baby grows. The cervix connects the body of the uterus to the vagina (birth canal). The cervix is part of a woman’s reproductive system. It makes mucus that helps sperm move from the vagina into the uterus or keeps sperm from entering the uterus. Every month during your menstrual period blood flows from the uterus through the cervix into the vagina. During pregnancy, the cervix is closed to keep the baby inside the uterus. During childbirth, the cervix opens (dilates) so that the baby can pass through the vagina.

The part of the cervix closest to the body of the uterus is called the endocervix. The part next to the vagina is the exocervix (or ectocervix). The 2 main types of cells covering the cervix are squamous cells (on the exocervix) and glandular cells (on the endocervix). The place where these 2 cell types meet is called the transformation zone. Most cervical cancers start in the transformation zone

Most cervical cancers begin in the cells lining the cervix. These cells do not suddenly change into cancer. Instead, the normal cells of the cervix first gradually develop pre-cancerous changes that turn into cancer. Doctors use several terms to describe these pre-cancerous changes, including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL), and dysplasia. These changes can be detected by the Pap test and treated to prevent the development of cancer (see "Can cervical cancer be prevented?").
Cervical cancers and cervical pre-cancers are classified by how they look under a microscope. There are 2 main types of cervical cancers: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. About 80% to 90% of cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. These cancers are from the squamous cells that cover the surface of the exocervix. Under the microscope, this type of cancer is made up of cells that are like squamous cells. Squamous cell carcinomas most often begin where the exocervix joins the endocervix.
Most of the other cervical cancers are adenocarcinomas. Cervical adenocarcinomas seem to have becoming more common in the past 20 to 30 years. Cervical adenocarcinoma develops from the mucus-producing gland cells of the endocervix. Less commonly, cervical cancers have features of both squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. These are called adenosquamous carcinomas or mixed carcinomas.
Although cervical cancers start from cells with pre-cancerous changes (pre-cancers), only some of the women with pre-cancers of the cervix will develop cancer. The change from cervical pre-cancer to cervical cancer usually takes several years, but it can happen in less than a year. For most women, pre-cancerous cells will go away without any treatment. Still, in some women pre-cancers turn into true (invasive) cancers. Treating all pre-cancers can prevent almost all true cancers. Pre-cancerous changes and specific types of treatment for pre-cancers are discussed in the sections, "How are cervical cancers and pre-cancers diagnosed?" and "Treating pre-cancers and other abnormal Pap test results."
Pre-cancerous changes are separated into different categories based on how the cells of the cervix look under a microscope. These categories are discussed in the section, "How are cervical cancers and pre-cancers diagnosed?"
Although almost all cervical cancers are either squamous cell carcinomas or adenocarcinomas, other types of cancer also can develop in the cervix. These other types, such as melanoma, sarcoma, and lymphoma, occur more commonly in other parts of the body.

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Acne

Acne is a common skin disease that causes pimples. Pimples form when hair follicles under your skin clog up. Most pimples form on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders. Anyone can get acne, but it is common in teenagers and young adults. It is not serious, but it can cause scars.
No one knows exactly what causes acne. Hormone changes, such as those during the teenage years and pregnancy, probably play a role. There are many myths about what causes acne. Chocolate and greasy foods are often blamed, but there is little evidence that foods have much effect on acne in most people. Another common myth is that dirty skin causes acne; however, blackheads and pimples are not caused by dirt. Stress doesn't cause acne, but stress can make it worse.
If you have acne

• Clean your skin gently
• Try not to touch your skin
• Avoid the sun

Treatments for acne include medicines and creams.

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Keep Your Body Healthy At Home

To every organism in the world, body is of utmost importance. Without a healthy body, you can do nothing even you are a millionaire. Therefore, we should always try our best to keep our bodies healthy. However, as the world is having a faster and faster pace of life, it is more and more difficult for us to have a healthy body.
Junk food is flooding the food market and natural food is being put at the corner of the kitchen. Many part of our bodies, like the liver and stomach, are in danger.

In fact, if we want to stay healthy, we should protect our liver well. Liver is the major organ responsible for purifying our bodies. Besides, the intestines and kidneys are also important for eliminating toxins from our bodies. Without these organs, we could not survive.

In fact, if you want to keep your body healthy and have a very good system of internal organs, you can do something starting at home. These techniques are not difficult to learn, but they are very useful.

First, you could drink more water.
Then, you should try to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.
Also, you should try your best to avoid caffeine, alcohol and soda.
Moreover, you can drink more lemon juice instead of soft drinks.
Of course, you should do more exercises regularly.

Do not think that these techniques are useless. They are very effective in helping you to keep your internal organs clean and if you stick to these measures, the effect could be in long term. Of course, you should also try to take in different kinds of food in the correct proportion.

If you have problems like fatigue, flatulence, obesity, impaired digestion, bad breath, recurring headaches, irritability, constipation, food cravings, etc, it means that you are having toxins in your body. If you have more than one of these symptoms, you seriously need to do something to clean your body.

Apart from internal organs, another thing we need to take care of is parasite. Parasites exist naturally in our bodies. Some of them are good and harmless. However, there are some foreign parasites which would harm our bodies. Therefore, you should try to keep these parasites away from your bodies. There are several ways you can do to remove parasites from your body.

First, you can have cloves to prevent parasite eggs.
Second, you can take seeds of pumpkin to kill parasites.
Also, you can take garlic, which is a good anti-bacterial agent.
Moreover, you could take in more fibers which allow free movement of intestines and also prevents re-absorption of toxins.
Lastly, you can try some bitter vegetables, which are important in preventing the accumulation of toxins.

These are little things that you can do at your home. Of course, you should also do other things like keep your meals light and regular. Also, you should try to take organic food and prevent junk food. If you can bind to these ideas and try your best to do more exercises, you can have a very healthy body.

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