Search Results

Thyroid is a minor gland that is located in the lower part of the neck and is responsible for producing hormones that help in balancing the metabolism as well as energy levels. The elementary or primary thyroid hormones include triidothyronine, thyroxin and the thyroid-stimulating hormone.

Thyroid imbalance occurs in the human body either when the thyroid produces too less or too many of the above-mentioned hormones. When the thyroid produces too many hormones, the condition is called hyperthyroidism. In such a situation, the victim may suffer from symptoms that range from anxiety, palpitations to weight loss and muscle intolerance. When the thyroid produces very few hormones, the condition is called hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid. This condition is far more common than hyperthyroidism.

When the thyroid refuses to produce enough hormones for the bodys metabolism to work in a stable manner, the victim suffers from weight gain, dry skin, hair, fatigue constipation, hair loss, muscle ache and weakness, swelling of the face, heavy menstrual cycles, depression, brittle nails and hair and cold intolerance.
Medical experts all over the world have sought the perfect way to devise a therapy that can easily replace the thyroid hormone and it is called natural thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Some of the options in thyroid replacement natural that are available for victims of thyroid problems are as follows:

Armour thyroid

This completely nature hormone replacement is available for both T3 as well as T4 levels. It does not include corn or gluten. There is no fixed time that it takes to start working and the results depend from person to person.

Nature-thyroid

This is the only hypoallergic thyroid replacement option that treats T3 as well as T4. It is produced through the porcine thyroid under strict conditions. As far as the side effects are concerned, this thyroid replacement therapy option has hardly had any.

Wes-thyroid

This thyroid is created by the creators of nature-thyroid and can treat T3 and T4 hormones. This is also created from porcine thyroid like many others. As far as the success of this replacement theory is concerned, very few cases of people having side effects has been confirmed so far.

Nutri meds

As is generic in the knowledge of people across the world, the only over the counter medicine for treating thyroid high and lows are provided by Nutri meds. These are created from porcine thyroid glands and are not quite regulated. This should always be consumed only after consulting the doctor.

The thyroid glands, located right at the bases of the neck are considered extremely essential for maintaining overall normal body functions. They play a pivotal part in body temperature regulation, growth, protein synthesis and the ability of the body cells to absorb oxygen. Problems might arise due to overactive as well as underactive thyroid glands. Underactive thyroid glands can give rise to problems such as chronic fatigue, muscle cramps, sleeplessness, brittle nails, constipation, joint aches etc.

Natural Ways to Increase Thyroid Function – Helpful Remedies

Although under-activity of thyroid glands may seem like a herculean task to deal with at first, there are several remedies available which can help in its effective management. Thyroid malfunctions can be easily managed with the help of natural remedies and a balanced diet.

To begin with, you need to abstain from substances like polyunsaturated oils and certain chemical pollutants which are found in water. These are known to block the thyroid glands and disrupt normal functions. In addition, you could also consider switching to coconut oil as an effective cooking medium. The triglycerides present in coconut oil help in weight management and also improve thyroid function.

Unrefined and natural sea salt which is rich in iodine, is also a cogent remedy. Vegetable juices should also be included in your daily diet. Stay away from oily and fatty foods, refined flour, sweetened preparations etc. Caffeine is also considered bad for thyroid function.

Medicinal properties of certain herbal formulations are also known to improve thyroid functions remarkably. One of the most prominent one is Shilajeet or Asphaltum Puniabiunum, which is an herb of Indian origin. It is a highly effective medication for several ailments including thyroid malfunctions. Packed with the goodness of 85 minerals, Shilajeet is often termed as the wonder herb in Indian naturopathy.

Other effective herbs which can be used for treating thyroid related problems include licorice extracts, bladder wrack and purple mountain ebony. Whereas licorice helps in striking a balance between the energy built up and the thyroid glands, bladder wrack is an excellent source of iodine which helps in nourishing the thyroid glands.

Treating thyroid is all about developing a holistic perspective. You need to make useful lifestyle changes and stick to healthy eating habits. These positive maneuvers along with the inclusion of natural medicinal herbs are bound to impart a positive impact. However, medicinal treatments for low thyroid function are available as well. In case the problem seems to be growing by the day, you should be consulting an endocrinologist without delay, who can put you under effective medication therapy. The faster you start off with treatment, the better.

Low thyroid function usually comes across as an unsuspected illness. Often, when sufferers of low thyroid go for a blood test, the diagnosis or even the existence of such a disease might not get detected. The accurate treatment for low thyroid depends on the existence of certain symptoms such as low energy, fatigue, weight gain, depression, facial swelling, headaches, brittle nails, dry skin, fluid retention, irregular menstrual cycles, constipation, fertility problems etc. While there are many people who wish to seek conventional medication, the good news is that any patient who is suffering from low thyroid can easily find natural treatments to it.

Some of these natural treatments for low thyroid are

It is crucial for low thyroid patients to follow certain dietary regulations stringently. Avoidance of intake of refined edibles, sugars, saturated fats, white flour products etc. is highly advisable to stabilise the thyroid function. If the patient is suffering from serious low thyroid problem, it is best to refrain from eating cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli, peaches, mustard greens, pears etc. This is because they have anti-thyroid elements in them that might worsen the thyroid problem.

List of must-eat foods include food items that are rich in Vitamin A, like, carrots, eggs, dark green and yellow vegetables, nuts etc. Try to get M.U. Tene, which is concentrated Beta-Carotene, as a part of your diet as it is known to be a very potent antioxidant.

A balanced diet plays a key role in restoring over-all good health. Fifty percent of the diet should have food that is fresh and organically grown. This will help to establish a better metabolism. Science has proven that the enzymes from fresh food help the body to generate a steady metabolism. Edibles that help in healing include salads, thermos, raw vegetables, sprouts etc.

Include edibles that are rich in Iodine as they help to nourish the thyroid. These include dulse, kelp, arame, wakame, kombu etc. Furthermore, seaweeds also help a great deal in nourishing the thyroid glands.

Copper and zinc are quintessential for the body to make the thyroid hormone. Some of the foods that include zinc are oatmeal, beef, chicken, dried beans, seafood, tuna, bran, seeds, nuts and spinach. Foods that are rich in copper include eggs, organ meats nuts, yeast, legumes, raisins etc.
To put it concisely, you must consume a lot of vegetable juice along with water as it will purify your blood and help in maintaining a steady metabolism, which is elemental in reducing the problem of low thyroid.

When your thyroid is not able to produce the required quantity of thyroid hormone, you develop a disorder called Hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid. This results in the slowing down of your bodys metabolic rate causing weight gain, puffy eyes, hoarse voice, tiredness, sleep disorder, hair loss, brittle nails, problems with memory and depression. This problem develops gradually and often this thyroid disorder goes unnoticed. But if you suffer from any of the symptoms mentioned above, you must immediately seek medical advice and ensure that you undergo proper treatment. Most doctors suggest taking thyroxine sodium tablets first thing in the morning. However, some efficacious natural cures for underactive thyroid have proved to address the root cause of this problem, thereby curing the disorder and normalizing the thyroid function.

Effective natural cures for underactive thyroid

You should increase the intake of iodine in your diet. Iodine is essential for the proper functioning of thyroid. Therefore, include cooked beans, baked potato and canned tuna in your diet as they are good sources of iodine. Other natural sources of iodine are sea vegetables such as kelp, nori, hijike, arame and kombu. Foods such as cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts and mustard greens are also extremely useful in balancing the thyroid hormones.

Deficiency of selenium is also one of the causes for underactive thyroid. Selenium plays a vital role in conversion of T4 into T3 form, thereby assisting in the normal functioning of thyroid. Foods that are a good source of selenium are garlic, grains, asparagus, mushrooms cod, shrimp and salmon.

Minerals such as zinc and copper also help in the normal production of thyroid hormones. Hence, including foods rich in these two minerals can also prove to be one of the effective natural cures for underactive thyroid. Foods such as sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, jowar, bajra and wholegrains are rich in zinc. Beans, peas, kiwi fruit, onion, strawberries and tomatoes are rich in copper.

Irish moss, primrose oil and coconut oil also strengthen the thyroid functioning. Taking vitamin B complex regularly is extremely helpful in treating all kinds of thyroid conditions including an underactive thyroid.

Stress in a major factor that causes malfunctioning of the thyroid gland, resulting in low production or no production of the thyroid hormone. You must resort to stress busting methods like yoga, tai chi or meditation to eliminate thyroid problem naturally. A holistic treatment comprising of a healthy diet, exercise and lifestyle changes is imperative to bring about desirous results.

In addition to the above mentioned male urinary tract infection home remedies, men should wear underwear made from cotton material as it allows breathing space and prevents the growth of unhealthy bacteria. Besides, it is equally imperative to ensure personal hygiene, vital for prevention of male urinary tract infection. However, if the infection persists for over two days, it is advisable to seek medical help from a doctor.

Fungal infection in the finger and toenails may not be a very simple problem to deal with and in most cases, it can assume chronic proportions. This type of infection is also highly contagious in nature. It can be contracted through direct and indirect contact. There are two distinct facets of treatment for fingernail infection. First, you need to cure the infection from the roots. Second, you would also have to prevent it from spreading. Along with effective natural and medicinal treatments, hygienic habits would go a long way in imparting effective cures.

How to Get Rid of Fungus on Fingernails – Medicinal and Natural Cures

Some of the most common medicinal and natural remedies for keeping fingernails free from fungal infection would be:

• Common vinegar, which contains around 5% acetic acid, is considered highly effective in dealing with fungus on fingernails. You can mix it with water and apply it on the nails, after washing and drying.

• Similarly, apple cider vinegar is also known for its anti-fungal properties. You could mix it either with water or one part of hydrogen peroxide and apply on the affected fingernails. The results will be visible for you to see in a matter of days.

• You can also consume some lactobacilli powder internally, in order to inculcate some good bacteria into the system. Good bacteria are known to provide effective defence against bad bacterial and fungal infection.

• If your infected nails look really ugly to the eye, you could consider using undecylenic acid for improving the appearance considerably.

• Tea tree oil is also known to possess antifungal properties which can be used to your benefit. Especially, if the nail has completely peeled off, you could consider applying a thin film of tea tree oil on the affected parts. This process must be repeated at least twice or three times in a day. You need to repeat this till the new nail completely grows out. This might take up to 6 months.

• Vicks Vapour Rub, which is commonly used as a cure for colds and related symptoms, can also be used for treating fungal infection in finger nails. You should apply the rub evenly on the nails and leave it on overnight. The aromatic oils used in this compound are known to thwart the growth of fungi.

Medicinal treatment would include internal consumption of anti-fungal drugs. However, most of them are known to possess toxic side effects which can damage the system. Therefore, natural remedies are most suited as a cure.

Turning Blue – The Main Symptom of Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease

When the blood that has pure oxygen blends with venous blood, cyanotic congenital heart disease takes place. When infants are affected by cyanotic congenital heart disease, the usual symptoms are that the nail beds and the lips will start becoming blue. This is because there is very less amount of oxygen in the blood. The other problems faced because of cyanotic congenital heart disease is that a force begins bypassing the lungs and then the blood is delivered in a venous nature that is deoxygenated blood. This is done from the right side of the heart and to the arteries, and from there the circulation of blood to the rest of the body is done.

Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease An Upsetting disease

Cyanotic congenital heart disease comes in different forms and it is more complex and troublesome than the acyanotic ailments. The general examples of cyanotic congenital heart disease are tetralogy of fallot, transposition of the great vessels, total anomalous pulmonary venous return, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Cyanotic congenital heart disease is an illness that exists from birth and causes damages to the heart that eventually results in deoxygenated blood. When the heart is defected, the blood flow around the heart and lungs become very abnormal and this causes deoxygenated blood.

The common symptom of cyanotic congenital heart disease in children is that their skin becomes blue as well as their lips, fingers, toes, and even when the child performs some exercise. Immediately after birth cyanotic congenital heart disease can prove to be a complex issue, though at other times it is not something to bother about.

There is no necessity that cyanotic congenital heart disease must only affect the heart. This disease also affects the other organs. However, most of the time congenital heart disease is acyanotic.

Most of the time congenital heart disease treatment is surgery, however, in some other cases treatment itself is not required. On the brighter side, the patients suffering from congenital heart disease can live a very normal life irrespective of whether they have undergone treatment.

Do you know.. for some men and women, their heart disease can start off when they are children. They might have a congenital heart defect and it can go unidentified until they get older. There are various symptoms of a congenital heart disease. Among these several symptoms, there are some that are visible and a few that are not visible. One of the many symptoms is shortness of breath while doing some activity.

In other words, shortness of breath occurs as a result of an activity that is not normal to that level of activity. The other symptom is the presence of a bluish tint on the skin, lips, as well as fingernails. This indicates deoxygenated blood. This means that the heart is not pumping oxygen into the blood in the way it should that could be an indication of congenital heart disease. The other symptoms include fatigue, poor blood circulation, as well as lightheadedness after rising from a seated position.

The Tests And Preparations That Have to be Done

Several tests can be done to check if congenital heart disease surgery is needed for an individual. ECHO tests can be performed on a child from when he/she is in the mothers womb and through all the stages of his/her life. Theses tests give a clear view of the hearts chambers to indicate if congenital heart disease surgery is necessary.

The other test that could help in the diagnosis is electrocardiogram monitoring that basically checks the heart rate during the day. The other test that is available is the tilted table test. This measures the blood pressure and heart rate of a person during the tilt of the table from horizontal to vertical.

When it is diagnosed that the child has to undergo congenital heart disease surgery, the parents can take many simple steps to ensure that their child takes it easy and make it less stressful for the child. The idea of a hospital is very scary for the child. This persists until they are taught what certain sights and sounds meant, as well as a few procedures of surgery.

Several hospitals provide preoperative classes for the children where they explain what they can expect and permit them to ask questions to the person conducting the class. The other general way of preparing a child for congenital heart disease surgery is to take the child around the hospital and let him/her play with several hospital supplies like the surgical caps.

Approximately eight in every one thousand children experience congenital heart disease. A few of the babies who are diagnosed with congenital heart disease are prone to have some serious issues that surgery becomes a necessity in their lives at some point specifically during the first year in their life. For others only certain precautions and medications will have to be taken since the congenital heart disease diagnosis is not that grave in their case. During the congenital heart disease diagnosis, doctors mainly look for signs of congenital heart defect.

The Symptoms That Help Making a Diagnosis

Some of the congenital heart defects cannot be diagnosed. This is because it is difficult to identify certain symptoms that make show only during a failure. Some symptoms are more obvious and the doctors can easily make a congenital heart disease diagnosis for such congenital heart defects.

Rapid breathing is one such symptom where an individual breathes faster than he/she should normally. The other congenital heart defects that help in the congenital heart disease diagnosis are the bluish tint on the lips, skin, as well as fingernails of the patient.

Fatigue is another symptom, but this is tough to identify in babies, as babies normally sleep for long periods during the first few months of their life. Poor circulation of blood that eventually leads to experiencing numbness is another symptom.

Doctors who are trying to make a congenital heart disease diagnosis on a child can hear a heart murmur. This is not a good way of making a diagnosis, because many people have this murmur even when they do not have any problem with their heart.

The children who are older and the adults have certain other symptoms like fluid collection in the lung, fatigue, etc. Congenital heart disease diagnosis includes several other methods.

One of these several methods is echocardiogram that helps the medical professionals to have a better picture of the structure of the heart. This test is useful to the doctor in a couple of ways like keeping tract of the heart for a specific range of time to ensure it does not get worse. In order to find out if there is a problem with the chambers there is an EKG that shows the hearts electrical activity in congenital heart disease diagnosis.

A persons health can be measured from his/her appearance, but there are are other ways of finding out. One such method is by measuring a persons weight. Doctors use “Body Mass Index – BMI” to find out how healthy a person is. BMI relates a persons size to his weight, and concludes a BMI of 18 to 25 is healthy. This measure is not totally dependable as a muscular person can have a BMI of over 25.

BMI is not dependable for people less than 16 as the potential for growth is high in such cases. In such cases a measure using the relation between height and weight becomes irrelevant. However the shape of a person can be a better indicator of good health. People with flat body shape can be said to be of better health. People who are obese can be associated with heart attacks, high Blood pressure or Cholesterol. Therefore one has to be watchful of the waist line.

Another health indicator would be the Skin. Tanning or exposing the skin to too much of sun may result in Skin Cancer. If you have odd-shaped moles then get the advice of a Dermatologist. Gums that bleed while brushing indicate bad health. This may be due to vitamin deficiency. Ill-health of gum may indicate Cardio-vascular problem or Gingivitis. If you spit and blood oozes then it indicates your bad state of health. Good and nutritional intake will help arrest this problem.

Gum problem may also indicate heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Also women giving pre-mature births may have more severe gum problems than other women. People with gum problem are prone to heart diseases at twice the rate, and to stroke three times than the people without the gum problem.

Dry lips can also be an indicator of health. It is due to dehydration, which may lead to head ache and fatigue. Finger nails, if yellowish, crumbling, or with white spots then your nails are not healthy. Unhealthy nails can indicate infection or abnormal levels of oxygen in the blood or kidney disease or thyroid disease. Therefore we can conclude we do not require six pack abs. Simple signs are available to tell our health condition.

Chemotherapy, one of the foremost treatments for breast cancer, uses strong drugs to destroy cancer cells in our body. It is a systematic treatment as it affects the total body system. Usually given after the surgery, it annihilates any cancer cells left in the body or have moved into the parts of the body. It can be applied before the surgery to diminish the size of the tumors.Chemotherapy is very efficacious because it attacks cancer cells which are in disarray and divide themselves and are unstable. They dont have the fuel to repair themselves. Before planning for chemotherapy the doctor examines the qualities of the type of cancer the size of the tumor and if it has spread to other parts of the body or not from the original area.

In chemotherapy different drugs are combines according to the individual situation, as different drugs will react with cancer in different ways. The aim of this therapy is to give the most effective treatment at the beginning stage. Either it can be administered intravenously or through pills. It is an out patient facility ranging between four to eight times from three to six months.

The side effects of this powerful treatment have been reduced considerably but one cannot avoid certain reactions like hair loss, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, sores in the mouth, diarrhea, aching muscles and joints, menopausal symptoms, and hazy memory. The nurses and care givers will give ideas to deal with the problems. They will be anxious that you understand what is happening in your system.The problem starts from the fact that certain parts of our body have healthy and quickly dividing cells. This is our natural immune system. Chemotherapy acts on these cells and hence the side effects on the mouth, hair, nails, vagina and intestines. After chemotherapy is completed they become normal.In some exceptional case chemotherapy causes infertility. Have an open and frank discussion with your oncologist for an over all treatment plan. There is much progress in chemotherapy to make it as comfortable as possible for the cancer patient.

Though not as common as basal and squamous carcinomas, malignant melanoma is much more serious. Here the tumor develops from the deeper layers of the skin that have pigment producing cells called melanocytes. They gather together and form moles on our skin. Though most moles are benign fifty percent of them are connected to moles. These oddly shaped moles are called dysplastic nevi and fore runners to skin cancer.

Melanoma can start with an oddly shaped mole as well as with a brown or black freckle type spot on the surface of the skin. The colors could be red, white or blue. The spot on the skin will be changing.The four types of melanomas, mainly, vary from one another in their characteristics. Superficial spreading melanoma the most common type affects women often and is about two things of all melanomas diagnosed. It can surface as a new spot or the existing one will grow irregularly. It is asymmetrical generally.

The second is Acral lentiginous melanoma with dark skinned people the spots having a flat dark surface with raised bumpy dark brown or black spot. They are all on the soles of the feet, the palms of the hands, the mucous membranes, or the nail beds of the toes or fingers.When the underlying skin tissue is affected first without surfacing on the skin, it is Nodular Melanoma. It is more frequent in men than women. The lumps or lesions on the skin will look like blood blisters, with varying white and blue black colors This cancer can metastasize and spread to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body.

Lentigo maligna melanoma shows lesions on the sun exposed areas of the body like the face, ear or neck. This is because of a very long exposure to the sun and occurs rarely before the age of fifty. A non cancerous lentigo maligna appears before it and warns us of its attack. Women are more affected with this than men.

Over exposure to the suns UV rays causes malignant melanoma. There is also high risk when exposed to tanning booths. Essentially these rays spoil the genetic material that generates cells causing tissue damage. The cells repair system is changed making it vulnerable to cancer of the skin.Genetic factors cause vulnerability as the cells lose the power of repairing themselves. They have greater than the average number of mole and run the very high risk of contracting skin cancers. Finally early detection, awareness and treatment are the key factors always.

When you concentrate on diet and nutrition you can make sure you look good overall including having healthy skin and nails to your weight and health as well. Nevertheless, it is tough to start off and the knowledge of where to start of from.

You must keep away fro fad diets and start learning to have certain healthy and positive lifestyle modifications that will prove to be fruitful for many years to come. The latter part of this document deals certain ways to learn about diet and nutrition to live a long and happy life.

Learn About Diet and Nutrition

When you talk to a doctor you will get to know about the facts of diet and nutrition. There are certain healthy cooking classes that can prove to be vital with regards to your health. A doctor is well aware about healthy living and can suggest a lot when it comes to diet and nutrition.

Books on Diet and Nutrition

The one way of acquiring knowledge on diet and nutrition is through books that you will easily find at a bookstore or library. The point is to look into books that offer information on diet and nutrition and not advices on fats because you need things to be as basic as possible so that it becomes easier for you to diet. When you get aware of the food and its benefits, you can then go in for getting advices and looking into philosophies. However, you must be strong with your basics on diet and nutrition.

The Internet Another Good Source of Information

On the Internet you can get loads of information on diet and nutrition from blogs, social networking sites, etc. You need not just focus on recipes but can also connect with different people this way.

Prostate cancer is one the most widespread diseases affecting more of the mens population in the US. When a cancerous tumor develops in the prostate glands cells then a person is diagnosed to have prostate cancer. Moreover, prostate cancer is considered the second top disease that is proving to be fatal to ones health but the number one position goes to lung cancer of all cancerous diseases.

A person suffers from cancer when his/her cell genes are marred and they consequently split and slowly multiply which can pose many health hazards. But the worst part of the whole thing is that when a cancerous process is taking place in a persons prostate glands he is not aware of it for years because it does not show any symptoms or manifestation of prostate cancer.

Treatments Can Stall The Problem For A While

Prostate cancer springs up gradually, over a period of time and for sure does not happen all of a sudden. The main cause of prostate cancer can be linked to the ever changing structure and activities of the cells. According to statistics, African Americans have all the probability to contract this type of cancer when compared to other ethnic groups. Those who have a family history of prostate cancer are at a greater chance to develop the disease, much before their fiftieth birthday celebration.

The prostate cancer treatment is personalized according to the patients requirement and the severity of the condition. The treatment differs from person to person because of the fact that the therapy reacts in different way with different people. But you can always rely on antibiotics and even non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and at times muscle relaxants as well as chronic pain relievers can be of some help.

It is always advised to get the right treatment for prostate cancer as soon as one discovers the problem. This is because people can increase their life expectancy and get the best pain relief to live a better life. Unfortunately the treatments cannot eliminate this health problem completely but with the right treatment option for prostate cancer one can lead a healthy sex life. Although the treatment process is not distressing the patient may suffer from diarrhea or dry skin and may also have trouble urinating for a while after undergoing prostate cancer therapy.

The doctor generally suggests a prostate cancer surgery to cure the diseases. Even those who hesitate to undergo surgeries make the maximum benefit from a prostate cancer surgery option.

The good news is that prostate cancer is not destructive at all times and only a few below fifty are influenced by the disease. One must understand that prostate cancer is completely different from other types of cancer because it plagues at a snail’s pace. Despite the fact that there are a few cases where the caner has killed many people, it can be said that prostate cancer is not a deadly disease.

Many people start sweating at the mere mention of male prostate exam and develop inhibitions to talk on the subject. Majority of men have no idea why a male prostate exam is important. One should realize that this is a crucial medical procedure that a person should undergo in any case before 50 years of age to check ones health condition. Male prostate exam is the simplest and quickest method to find out the prostate health. This test is significant in a mans life just like the mammogram performed for women.

Know Why A Male Prostate Exam Is Important

Are you aware of the fact that you may be suffering from a mysterious disease that does not show any symptom of growth but is slowly eating all your parts from within? This is where a male prostate exam comes into play which makes it easy to identify these hidden diseases. When the cells present in the prostate gland get infected or damaged it forms cancerous lumps and slowly grow day by day. Finally the cancerous infection multiplies affecting the nearby organs and tissues. If the condition is not identified and treated in its initial stages the caner grows bigger plaguing other vital organs and also enters into the circulatory system and next into the lymph node system. The process taking place in side the body may be at a snails pace but when the condition is left untreated it can cause permanent damage and finally lead to death well ahead of their actual expiry time.

But male prostate exam makes things easier for men to find out the health of their prostate which otherwise cannot be discover. Men who have crossed 70 years of age are very much susceptible to prostate cancer and show 80% risk of death due to this disease. However, aging is one of the major factors that contribute to the development of prostate cancer and also help in its growth. Dietary habits, genes and ethnic group of a person are considered as the major factors that decide whether the individual is likely to contract the disease or not. Even though the right diet and a decent lifestyle can prevent the development of the disease, the earlier the condition is detected the higher are the chances to survive a quality life.

People can forbid such prostate cancerous growths with the help of many effective and easy to do methods. One of such prostate prevention techniques is to keep a check on the diet which should contain foods that are rich in vitamin A, vitamin E and provitamin A. Researches even believe that the number of ejaculations is directly related to the occurrence of cancer in a person though this theory is just a belief and has not yet been proved.

The main aim of a male prostate exam is to identify the problem as early as possible and then recommend the right treatment on time. Since the number of mortality rates due to prostate cancer is growing high it is advised to get a male prostate exam done as soon as a man turns thirty five years of age and get the best of the treatment options to lead a healthy life.

Palm-Hand Infection. Infections deep within the palm, or under the thumb are very serious. They are usually started by perforating injuries from needles, pins and other sharp objects. About a day after the perforating injury, the palm becomes thickened, hot and painful and red streaks are often seen ascending the arm as a danger signal that infection is spreading.

These deep palm infections can be extremely serious and should be treated without delay. The physician might start antibiotic therapy, hot, wet dressings, or might recommend an immediate incision and drainage of the infection.
Finger and Nail Infection. Infection around the nail border, called a paronychia, often develops from a hangnail or small cut on the finger tip. It might present a boil-like appearance along one side of the nail, or occasionally spread around the entire nail, and undermine it with pus.

Prevention of nail infections means reasonable hand protection,

Fig. 151. Finger infections about the nail, or deep in the finger portion, may ascend into the hand and arm. They should always be attended early to afford relief from pain as well as spread of infection.

prevention of digging or pulling at hangnails and the intelligent cleaning and covering of small, unimportant cuts on the fingers. Once a paronychia is started, the physician usually recommends warm water soaking, and avoidance of all possible trauma to the infected site. With the appearance of a boil-like head, with obvious pus underneath, a sterile incision and drainage is in order, but the possibility of a spreading infection in this region demands that no one but the physician perform this operation. The pain, almost always present, is usually bad enough to encourage the patient to visit the physician.

Infection in the pad of the finger tips, looking like a deep-seated boil is caused by pin sticks and other perforating injuries about the ends of the fingers. They are called felons and are excruciatingly painful, very disabling, and serious.

Treatment of a felon infection demands surgical incision and drainage of the pus from its enclosed casing within the fingertip. They occasionally respond to the physician’s conservative treatment of antibiotics and warm water soaking, but neglect of such an infection, or crude attempts at home operation, often result in serious life long damage to the finger or entire hand.

The Upper Extremities

Examination of the Upper Extremities

Examination of the shoulders, arms, forearms and hands requires that the upper extremities and chest be unclothed, and that an adequate, stationary mirror and light be used.

1. Examine the movements of the hands and fingers. Note the joints with soreness or limited motion in flexing and extending the finger joints and wrist joints. Observe also any joint swelling or deformity about the finger joints, frequently indicating degenerative arthritis.

2. Examine the elbow motion. Observe any painful inability to straighten the elbows completely, or to completely twist the wrists. Such inabilities again point to possibilities of arthritis.

3. Examine the movement of the shoulder. In a standing position slowly raise the straightened arm outward from the
thigh to the horizontal position. Swing the arms forward to join in front and then backwards as far as possible. Note any pain in the shoulder joints during this action, as a probable finding of arthritis or bursitis.

4. Observe the degree of steadiness of the hands. Note especially any tremor of the fingers when held in a relaxed position, and also in a stiffened spread-out position. Tremors of the hands and fingers may mean neurological diseases,
such as Parkinsonism.

5. Examine the reflexes present in the hands. Place each hand in cold running water for a few minutes, then withdraw it and observe any severe continuous blanching of the skin, with a long delay in return of color to the hands. Severe blanching may indicate Raynaud’s Disease. Now determine the strength of the grip in each hand by squeezing the
opposite wrist in turn. A great discrepancy of strength be tween the right and left grip could be a first indication of
neurological disease.

6. Examine the hand for infection. Squeeze the palms and the back of the hands for painful swelling or redness of the skin in this region, or in the web of the thumb. These are the sites for serious hand-palm infection.

7. Examine the fingernails for infection. Observe any infected boil-like areas alongside the fingernail with any redness, swelling or pain in the fingers. Possible infections in the fingertips and about the nails are felons or nail infections.

Fig. 146. Arthritis in the hands and fingers may produce the gnarled and weakened appearance so typical of long-standing rheumatoid arthritis extending into later years of life.

Ingrown Toenail. In later years the toenails may become hardened, thickened, and sometimes very irregular. This, however, does not constitute an ingrown toenail. The ingrown process occurs only after the nail has been trimmed back too far, and then grows forward against the skin in front of it. The nail grows into this skin much as a needle would, and the penetration of skin in a contaminated region like the toe, often results in a painful infection, accompanied by pus formation and bleeding.

Ingrown toenails can be prevented by allowing the end of the toenail to grow beyond the end of the toe. Once a toenail has been cut too short, and it starts growing into the skin in front of it, the nail must be mechanically elevated from the skin, by cotton packing or other measures. These relief measures are undertaken frequently in an infected area, and should be attempted only by physicians or foot specialists trained in the treatment of ingrown toenails.

Hip Fractures. One of the unfortunate calamities of later years is fracture of the hip, incurred through accidental falls. The

BROKEN HIP

Fig. 144. The broken hip is the most feared fracture of later years. This is because of the brittleness of the bone and the fact that most falls are onto the hip area.

Fig. 145. Surgical repair of a broken hip is effective with the use of a “nail” pinning the bone together across the fracture line. This is a most satisfactory treatment in an otherwise very difficult fracture.

hip can be broken at any age, but is more liable to occur during later years when the bones become weaker. Youthful bones are tough and strong; they bend slightly and are hard to break. In age, however, the bones acquire a glass-like brittleness and shatter easily. The hip joint’s outer position makes it absorb considerable punishment in falls, and is therefore, a likely spot for a fracture. A broken bone at this site of course, means the entire leg is useless, since its sole body support must come through the hip joint itself.

Hip fractures can be nearly painless if the broken bones are rammed together and held impacted in a correct position. However, the usual broken hip renders the patient entirely helpless, because the bones are separated and there is severe pain in any kind of motion.

Treatment of a fractured hip, as in any fracture, requires the broken bones to be put together and held in place. There are several ways of doing this, but the most desired method today is nailing the bone fragments together. To do this, a special nail is driven down the inside of the bone through the bone marrow and through the line of fracture, threading the bone fragments together. This treatment has allowed many patients considerable relief of pain with early leg motion, and quicker return to normal activity. It must, of course, be undertaken by a physician with experience in repairing fractures.

In an ideal situation, all the people will be able to get the right food, eat right and stay healthy all through their life. Unfortunately, in real life situation the scenario is different and what we get today is fast foods, junk foods, and all other unhealthy options that can prove detrimental to our overall health.

With the fast food with in reach at arms length, many women tend to go for it and eventually spoil their health. Women in order to secure and maintain health, they should take various women’s health supplements without fail.

Out of the various identified women’s health supplements, calcium is considered as an important one. Women need calcium in their regular diet for healthy and strong bones, nice nails and healthy teeth. To make the job easy for women, calcium is made available as women’s health supplement in many ways.

Calcium taken as a Vitamin

The most easiest and convenient way of women taking calcium as women’s health supplement is taking it in the form of vitamin. It is easy to get calcium supplement in the form of vitamin from medical stores or even from supermarkets and through this relatively less expensive calcium vitamin women can fulfil their daily requirement of calcium in their diet. However, a word of caution is that women should consult the doctor before resorting to intake of any extra calcium to avoid any unanticipated risks.

Making Calcium as an integral part of Women’s Health Supplement in Food

Various food sources are rich in calcium content and food items such as milk, dairy products like cheese and ice creams serve as very good source for calcium. But the tricky situation here is that many women are allergic to lactose found in milk and milk-products and in such case due to lactose intolerance, women could not consume these high calcium content food items. A good alternative is the vegetable source and vegetables such as broccoli are very rich in digestive form of calcium.

In order to find out whether a woman is getting her daily requirement of calcium, you can simply evaluate her fingernails, as nails are the first one to show off any calcium deficiency. Quick breaking nails are an indication of calcium deficiency and the woman should start taking more of calcium in her diet regularly. On the contrary, in case of healthy nails, still the woman should take a good amount of calcium in her diet for healthy maintenance of bones and teeth.

The Uniqueness of Calcium in Women’s Health

Unlike any other vitamin or minerals, calcium as women’s health supplement is quite different, as calcium is needed for women at all ages. Calcium requirement is very vital for women when they approach their menopause stage to avoid any osteoporosis complication resulting from hormonal imbalance. Further, the uniqueness of calcium is that it is available in ample quantities in easily available sources such as milk, ice creams, and vegetable source such as broccoli.

Due to the risk of osteoporosis, women who have crossed the age of 50 years should get the bone density scan done on them and to decide on the further amount of calcium as supplement. Never do the mistake of assuming your daily intake of milk or ice cream as suffice for your calcium requirement. Contact your doctor and follow the calcium prescriptions without fail for a better health.

[tags]Supplements, Calcium, Minerals, Osteoporosis[/tags]

This examination is best carried out lying on the back with the knees well bent and held wide apart. With good light and a large hand mirror, the external vagina and its component parts can be visualized easily.

Fig. 111. Much of the female genital system, excluding the vagina, is within the abdomen. Only the vaginal entrance is visible externally, without the aid of instruments.

1. Examine the skin of the vulva, the labia majora and minora, surrounding and enfolding the entrance of the vaginal vault. Note any irritation, redness, ulceration, or sore on these skin structures, along with areas of drying, leathery whitening or skin cracking. These possibilities may mean leukoplakia or cancer of the vulva.

2. Feel the labia themselves, and note any one-sided ball-like enlargement under the skin, creating a bulge which may possibly be sore. An enlargement here may be a Bartholin cyst.

3. Look closely at the condition of the urinary exit, the dimpled-like opening just inside of the entrance into the deeper vagina. Observe any polyp-like reddened or bleeding growth about it. The possibility here is a urethral
polyp or caruncle.

4. Examine closely the entrance of the true, or deep vagina. An irritated blanched and cracking skin, covered possibly with a coating of pus or streaked with blood, is the appearance of vaginitis when it occurs.

LABIA MAJORA
CLITORIS
LABIA MINORA
ORIFICE OF VAGINA
URINARY OPENING

Fig. 112. External female genitalia include only the unimportant skin folds about the vaginal entrance. The urinary tract exit is visible recessed into this region. Most diseases of the external genitals are not serious.

5. With a hand separating the labia on each side, strain with great effort as in child birth or at stool, and note any balloon-like or other structure from the vagina coming into view. Such structures may be a fallen bladder, called a cystocele, a fallen uterus, called a prolapsed uterus, or a fallen rectum, called a rectocele.

6. After gentle soap and water cleaning of the vagina and hands, insert one finger into the vagina and feel the rounded cervix, high in the vaginal vault. Normally, the tissue here is soft and smooth, and any grossly rough, ir
regular or bleeding areas may include the possibilities of cancer or cervicitis.

Keywords: Skin, Head, Eye, Ear, Cancer, Face, Lips, Teeth, Thyroid, Chest, Breast, Lungs, Heart, Nail, Asthma, Tongue, Neck, BP, Migraine, Scalp, Eczema, Shingles

Cancer of the Prostate Gland. Cancer of the prostate gland behaves exactly like non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, and is treated in essentially the same manner-removal of the gland. Cancer, however, which has a characteristic feel to the finger, and a distinguishing appearance under the microscope, can spread to other sections of the body, just like any other cancer.

There is divided opinion about the prevalence of pros-tatic cancer, but some authorities state that nearly one-half of all males over sixty develop cancer in the prostate, of a low degree of malignancy.

The treatment of prostate cancer in addition to its removal, includes the use of hormones effective in slowing these growths considerably. Obviously such treatment is very technical and can be obtained only through a physician familiar with prostatic diseases.

Keywords: Skin, Head, Eye, Ear, Cancer, Face, Lips, Teeth, Thyroid, Chest, Breast, Lungs, Heart, Nail, Asthma, Tongue, Neck, BP, Migraine, Scalp, Eczema, Shingles