Thefastpharma. Health news blog
Jul 22
If you are a gay man or lesbian who is already in a partnership at the time of your injury, reestablishing a sexual relationship with your partner involves the same issues as those for heterosexual couples. If you are single, finding a new sexual partner depends on your self-esteem, social skills, communication skills, opportunities to [...] [...more]
Posted: under Healthy bones Osteoporosis Rheumatic.
If you are a gay man or lesbian who is already in a partnership at the time of your injury, reestablishing a sexual relationship with your partner involves the same issues as those for heterosexual couples. If you are single, finding a new sexual partner depends on your self-esteem, social skills, communication skills, opportunities to meet people, and ability to cope with stigma. To the best of our knowledge, virtually no research has been done on sexuality issues specific to gays and lesbians with spinal cord injury. We can speculate that sexual adjustment might be somewhat easier because gays and lesbians are more comfortable with sexual acts other than genital intercourse.If you live in an area with an organized gay community, you may be able to get informal support and information on these issues. If you feel a need for psychological or relationship counseling, many mental health referral services can recommend professionals who work with gay and lesbian issues.
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Jul 16
In complex partial seizures, as with absence seizures, the child stops, stares, and is unaware of his environment. But here, in addition, there is often a period of confusion after the child stops staring. Also, during the spell, he may get up and wander around the room, pick at his clothes, and fail to respond [...] [...more]
Posted: under Epilepsy.
In complex partial seizures, as with absence seizures, the child stops, stares, and is unaware of his environment. But here, in addition, there is often a period of confusion after the child stops staring. Also, during the spell, he may get up and wander around the room, pick at his clothes, and fail to respond appropriately. These “peculiar” episodes are likely to be misunderstood by the other children in the classroom and by his teacher. As with absence spells, it is important that the teacher understands what is happening. The teacher needs to realize that if your child is wandering around and someone tries to restrain him, the child may lash out or even become highly agitated. Providing gentle guidance and supervision at such times is far better than trying to make him sit down. The teacher needs to be able to be comforting and reassuring both to the student, who is not aware of what is happening, and to the other children, who may be confused by the behavior. It is important that the teacher alert you to changes in your child’s performance. You can then alert your doctor.As with other recurrent seizures, your child needs to understand what is happening during these episodes when he is not aware. He may remember the beginning of the seizure, when he felt the aura (for example, fear, rising feeling in the stomach), and he may be vaguely aware of people responding to his behavior during and after the seizure. Or he may only be aware that something happened and that now things are different from what they were a few seconds or minutes ago. Since these spells usually follow a pattern, let him know what has been going on so that he will be less upset and confused. If he does have an aura, point out that it can be a useful warning. Encourage him to pay attention so that he can avoid harmful situations.*185\208\8*
Jul 07
What if you’re one of those “lucky” people who seem to be able to eat everything from eggs Benedict to ice cream and still maintain a surprisingly low blood cholesterol level? Well, you may not be as lucky as you think. As we just learned, research shows you could still be headed for (or may [...] [...more]
Posted: under Cardio & Blood- Сholesterol.
What if you’re one of those “lucky” people who seem to be able to eat everything from eggs Benedict to ice cream and still maintain a surprisingly low blood cholesterol level? Well, you may not be as lucky as you think. As we just learned, research shows you could still be headed for (or may already have) quite a bit of atherosclerosis anyway. Here’s the prevailing thought on why.After you’ve eaten a meal that’s high in fat, your body produces lipoprotein carriers called chylomicrons to aid in the transport of the ingested fats and cholesterol through your bloodstream. These carriers, like low-density-lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol) carriers, are thought to become highly atherogenic: According to theory, once they are partially broken down and become enriched with dietary cholesterol, chylomicron remnants are able to deposit their cholesterol directly onto your arterial walls. But because chylomicrons appear only for eight to ten hours after a high-fat meal, they do not show up on a fasting cholesterol test. Even if serum cholesterol is measured four to six hours after a high-fat meal (when these chylomicron remnants are present), it will be increased only slightly.So how do you avoid the hidden threat of dietary cholesterol? The obvious answer, of course, is to watch what you eat! Remember that all the cholesterol you eat is excess, so if you don’t limit your daily cholesterol intake, anything containing cholesterol – even low-fat poultry or fish – can threaten your arteries, because eating excess cholesterol is significantly related to long-term risk of coronary heart disease – no matter what your serum cholesterol level may be. For most people, consuming no more than 100 milligrams of dietary cholesterol a day (roughly the amount found in 3 1/2 ounces of fish, lean poultry, or lean meat) is reasonably safe. And that is exactly our “prescription.”*13/345/5*
Jun 29
Genital warts can also be very persistent and the only way to rid oneself of these undesirable and unpleasant skin eruptions is to use the dietary management described above, and take Petasan and Chelidonium. The latter is a fresh herb preparation for the cauterisation of warts and wart-like growths. It can be used internally, three [...] [...more]
Posted: under Skin Care.
Genital warts can also be very persistent and the only way to rid oneself of these undesirable and unpleasant skin eruptions is to use the dietary management described above, and take Petasan and Chelidonium. The latter is a fresh herb preparation for the cauterisation of warts and wart-like growths. It can be used internally, three times a day, ten drops in a little water, but it is also very helpful to dab some of this fluid with a piece of cottonwool on the affected area. The worst case of genital warts I have been asked to treat took almost twelve months to clear. It can be a very difficult and persistent condition, but one should never give up hope. Apart from dabbing with Chelidonium, one can also use Molkosan. In its pure extract form this is very helpful for genital warts, although occasionally it may be too strong, in which case it may have to be diluted slightly.
This brings me to the problem of warts. These must be treated quickly to prevent the onset of a fast-spreading and possibly prolonged condition. Thuja is an excellent homoeopathic remedy for internal use, and if this does not resolve the situation, there are various other herbal remedies that can be used. Warts can be readily transmitted between people and can appear on any part of the body. They sometimes disappear voluntarily, but to prevent spreading, immediate action should be taken. Other homoeopathic preparations that may be used under such circumstances are Calcium Carbonica or Sepia, but dabbing with Chelidonium will always be helpful. Castor oil can also be used for gentle dabbing on the affected areas and occasionally I have found this to be a useful alternative in the treatment of warts, as well as in the even more persistent, wart-like condition, veruccae.
A verruca is a type of wart, caused by a virus infection of the skin. It may occur anywhere on the body, but is usually found on the feet or hands. Verrucae are extremely contagious and you may become infected by going barefoot where someone else with a verruca has walked. This could be a swimming pool, a changing room, or a gymnasium. It may take several months for the infection to show. A virus is far too small to be seen with the naked eye, but you will certainly not miss the effects of the verruca virus on the skin. If one is lucky it may be contained to a single verruca, yet it is equally possible that there will be a patch of them.
Because the virus infects the cells of the skin, whichever treatment is selected, some skin cells may require to be destroyed in the process and this may cause some discomfort for a period of time. No two infections are the same and the most effective treatment to suit you will be selected by your chiropodist. Occasionally he may even decide that the verruca does not require treatment. Trust his judgement. If your chiropodist decides that treatment is required, he can decide on any of the following methods:
Cryosurgery
This involves holding a very cold probe against the verruca for a time varying from one to three minutes which may be in two spells. You may be given a local anaesthetic injection near the verruca. If not, the freezing will hurt somewhat. Expect the verruca to throb for two or three hours after the treatment. You may even develop a blister or a blood blister within the first week. If this is uncomfortable, let your chiropodist know and he will deal with this. Otherwise you need take no precautions and your feet are allowed to get wet. It is customary that your chiropodist asks you back for a check-up after approximately four weeks.
Electrosurgery
This method involves burning or cutting away the verruca, using electrical power. With this treatment method you should always be given a local anaesthetic in the area near the verruca.
Excision
This treatment consists of cutting away the affected skin, also after having received a local anaesthetic.
When the injection wears off, the site may be a little tender and there may be some bleeding. You will be asked to keep the foot dry for two or three days, or until the bleeding has stopped. Keep the verruca covered for this time. If there is a lot of bleeding, you must let the chiropodist know. Under normal circumstances he will ask you to see him again in one week’s time for a checkup.
If you prefer non-surgical treatment for a verruca, dab the area with castor oil or Chelidonium. Again, Thuja may be taken. Allow me to point out once again that natural cures have much to offer and, as always, a good cleansing diet is important.
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Jun 16
Codeine or methylmorphine is a natural alkaloid of opium and is the most commonly used weak opioid drug. The side effects of codeine are qualitatively similar to morphine, but generally less severe. The exception is that it is more constipating. At doses above 60 mg 4-hourly, increased side effects tend to outweigh any improvement in [...] [...more]
Posted: under Pain Relief-Muscle Relaxers.
Codeine or methylmorphine is a natural alkaloid of opium and is the most commonly used weak opioid drug. The side effects of codeine are qualitatively similar to morphine, but generally less severe. The exception is that it is more constipating. At doses above 60 mg
4-hourly, increased side effects tend to outweigh any improvement in analgesia.
Codeine is available as tablets of either codeine alone or in combination with aspirin or paracetamol.
Dextromoramide-Dextromoramide is a strong opioid agonist. It is active orally or sublingually and its mechanism of action and side effects are similar to other opioid analgesics. The duration of action (2-3h) is short. It is reported, at least anecdotally, that tolerance may develop more rapidly to dextromoramide and it is not recommended as the primary analgesic for chronic cancer-related pain. It may be useful for breakthrough pain or painful procedures.
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Jun 06
The first time 1 had intercourse I was 17 years old. I was a senior in high school and I’d been going with a guy I really thought I loved. We had done just about everything else and it seemed kind of silly to stay a virgin any longer so one night we just went [...] [...more]
Posted: under Men's Health-Erectile Dysfunction.
The first time 1 had intercourse I was 17 years old. I was a senior in high school and I’d been going with a guy I really thought I loved. We had done just about everything else and it seemed kind of silly to stay a virgin any longer so one night we just went ahead. No big planning or discussion or lines, it just happened. I was nervous at first but it turned out really nice. From then on, we had intercourse two or three times a week and it was great sex. I have no regrets at all.
I was 16 the first time 1 tried to have intercourse. My girlfriend was younger but had done it before. I was so nervous I couldn’t get it in, and then when she tried to do it it went soft. We tried for hours but no luck. I was really down. A few days later, we tried again, and it was smooth as silk. I felt really good then, like everything was okay.
My first time was very unpleasant. The boy I was with rushed and fumbled around and then came so fast it was over before it started. I thought. “What’s so great about this?” For weeks afterward, I was afraid I had V.D. and had bad dreams about it.
The first experience of sexual intercourse can be a time of happiness, pleasure, intimacy, and satisfaction, or it can be a source of worry, discomfort, disappointment, or guilt as these descriptions show.
According to the available research data, the age of first sexual intercourse has declined in the last few decades, particularly for teenage girls. In 1953 Kinsey and his colleagues reported that only 1 percent of thirteen-year-old girls and 3 percent of fifteen-year-old girls were nonvirgins; by age twenty, this figure had only increased to 20. percent. In contrast, in 1973 Sorenson found that nearly one-third of thirteen- to fifteen-year-old girls and 57 percent of sixteen- to nineteen-year-old girls were nonvirgins. Jessor and Jessor noted that 26, 40, and 55 percent of girls in tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades were no longer virgins. Even more recently, Zelnik and Kantner found that the prevalence of sexual intercourse among never-married American teenage women increased by nearly two-thirds between 1971 and 1979.
Statistics concerning the age of adolescent males’ first sexual intercourse show less change over time. Kinsey and his colleagues reported that 15 percent of thirteen-year-old boys and 39 percent of fifteen-year-old boys were nonvirgins; by age twenty, this figure had increased to 73 percent. In 1973, Sorenson found that 44 percent of thirteen- to fifteen-year-old boys and 72 percent of sixteen- to nineteen-year-old boys were coitally experienced. According to Zelnik and Kantner, 56 percent of never-married seventeen-year-old males and 78 percent of never-married nineteen-year-old males were nonvirgins.
It is a mistake, however, to regard the lower age of first sexual intercourse as a sign of teenage promiscuity because many teenagers restrict themselves to one sex partner at a time. In fact, many adolescents who are no longer virgins have intercourse infrequently. For some teenagers, particularly those who “tried” intercourse as a kind of experimentation, once the initial mystery is gone, the behavior itself is far less intriguing. As a result, they may
have little or no sexual intercourse for long periods of time — sometimes waiting to meet the “right person.” Teenagers in long-term romantic relationships are more likely to participate in coitus fairly regularly.
In the last few years, it has become apparent that among sexually experienced teenagers, a group is emerging who are disappointed, dissatisfied, or troubled by their sex lives. Given the name “unhappy nonvirgins” by Kolodny, this group includes an estimated 30 percent of adolescents who have had coital experience. In some cases, these are teens who had such high expectations of what sex “should” be that they feel like either failures or dupes when their actual experience is less than earth-shattering ecstasy. In other instances, these teenagers have experienced sexual dysfunctions that have prevented them from enjoying sex. Still others in this group enjoy sexual activity initially but become disillusioned when sex dominates their relationship (“That’s all he ever wants to do now”) or when their relationship breaks up and they feel that they’ve been used or manipulated. Many of these “unhappy nonvirgins” revert to abstinence as a means of coping, hoping that when they’re older — or when they meet the right person — things will be different. Others continue to be sexually active while deriving little, if any, enjoyment of sex.
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May 18
Doctors, nurses, paramedical workers and other staff who work in any health care setting are at the risk of being exposed to HIV infection. This may be through injury from contaminated needles or sharp instruments or through contact of the eye, nose, mouth or the skin with infected blood. The risk through contact with infected [...] [...more]
Posted: under HIV.
Doctors, nurses, paramedical workers and other staff who work in any health care setting are at the risk of being exposed to HIV infection. This may be through injury from contaminated needles or sharp instruments or through contact of the eye, nose, mouth or the skin with infected blood. The risk through contact with infected blood is greater when the health care worker has cuts or wounds in his/her skin.
Several studies have indicated that most exposures for health care workers do not result in HIV infection. The risk of infection varies with the type of exposure and three main factors:
a. The amount of infected blood involved in the exposure;
b. The amount of virus in the infected blood at the time of exposure; and
c. Whether any medicines for HIV infection are taken after the accidental exposure.
The risk of getting HIV infection after a pin-prick with an infected needle or superficial cuts with infected sharp instruments is reported to be about 0.3 per cent. The risk after exposure of the eyes, nose or mouth to infected blood is about 0.1 per cent. The risk after exposure of the skin to infected blood is estimated to be less than 0.1 per cent. This risk is present only if there are cuts or wounds on the skin. So far no case has been reported of HIV infection through intact skin.
Most injuries with needles can be prevented by practising standard precautions (such as not recapping needle by hand) and by disposing used needles in suitable containers. Protective wear such as gloves, eye and face protection and gowns can prevent accidental exposure to eyes, mouth and skin.
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May 10
ROCK WATER REMEDY: It is the only remedy out of the total 38 Bach Flower Remedies which is misnamed as a Flower Remedy because its origin is not from vegetable kingdom. It is water from natural springs located in places untouched by modern civilization and known for its power of healing the sick. Extreme self-discipline, [...] [...more]
Posted: under Herbal.
ROCK WATER REMEDY: It is the only remedy out of the total 38 Bach Flower Remedies which is misnamed as a Flower Remedy because its origin is not from vegetable kingdom. It is water from natural springs located in places untouched by modern civilization and known for its power of healing the sick. Extreme self-discipline, very rigid, inflexible views which suppress the natural inner needs and prevents the personality to develop in a natural unfethered way.
28. SCLERANTHUS REMEDY: Indecisive, uncertain, always changing, unsteady, procrastinating, unreliable. Always in ‘two minds,’ the person cannot make a decision, procrastinates decision-making, has a very uncertain mood. Sometimes happy and gay and the next moment sad and morose.
Unsteadiness in walking, in talking. In sickness the symptoms change—temperature fluctuates, pains change place, itching now here now there, diarrhoea and constipation alternate, as ravenous hunger and loss of appetite. Memory procrastinates in the examination hall, returns after the paper is over.
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May 05
Ligaments are strong bands of connective tissue that connect bones to bones and provide strength and stability. Ligaments give the knee the necessary flexibility to move in different directions without throwing the leg off balance. If a ligament is injured—if it is stretched out or torn—it will allow for excessive movement, which may make the [...] [...more]
Posted: under Healthy bones Osteoporosis Rheumatic.
Ligaments are strong bands of connective tissue that connect bones to bones and provide strength and stability. Ligaments give the knee the necessary flexibility to move in different directions without throwing the leg off balance. If a ligament is injured—if it is stretched out or torn—it will allow for excessive movement, which may make the leg feel wobbly. There are several tests for stability that may help your physician determine which, if any, ligaments may be injured. In each of these tests, your physician will move each leg in such a way that stresses a particular ligament and will compare one leg in relation to the other. She will straighten, bend, flex, and rotate the leg. If the leg has too much slack—for example, if it “gives” too much in either direction—or if the patient feels pain, it suggests that that particular ligament is injured.
Ligament injuries are called sprains and are classified according to degree of severity ranging from grade 1, the most benign, to grade 3, the most serious. In a grade 1 sprain, the knee does not move excessively, which means the ligament is still intact; however, the patient may be in pain. In a grade 2 sprain, the knee will open up less than 5 millimeters. In a grade 3 sprain, the ligament will open all the way to 1 centimeter, and the knee is wobbly.
There are several tests that are commonly used to diagnose specific ligament problems.
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)
The MCL prevents the leg from turning to the outside. To test the stability of this ligament, your physician will apply a force to the outside of the leg and gently tug. If the MCL is intact, the knee will not move. However, if it’s torn or damaged, the knee will feel painful, or it will swing out too far.
Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL)
The LCL prevents the leg from turning inside toward the other leg. To test the stability of this ligament, your doctor will apply force on the inside of your leg and pull it toward the other leg. If you feel pain or the leg rotates too much toward the other leg, it is a sign that the LCL may be injured.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
The ACL limits rotation and forward motion of the tibia. The Lachman test is often used to test the ACL. In this test, your doctor will put your leg in 10 to 15 degrees of flexion and then pull forward on the tibia, almost as if she’s trying to pull the tibia away. If the knee moves 3 to 5 millimeters or more from the other knee, it could signify a torn ACL.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)
The PCL limits the backward motion of the knee. The posterior draw test is used to test the PCL. In this test, your doctor will bend your knee 90 degrees and push the tibia back. If it moves more than 5 millimeters, it’s a sign of a torn PCL.
In the right hands, stability tests can be very accurate. However, they must be done by an experienced practitioner who is able to discern subtle movements in the leg—so minute they can be measured in millimeters—and equally subtle differences between legs that may be clinically significant.
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Apr 21
Nick had not realized it was going to be difficult to stop smoking, in fact, he was one of the ‘Oh, it’s easy, I can stop any time I like’ smokers. The reality of the situation was quite different; after two unsuccesful attempts he asked his doctor for Nicorette gum. He found this a great [...] [...more]
Posted: under Gastrointestinal.
Nick had not realized it was going to be difficult to stop smoking, in fact, he was one of the ‘Oh, it’s easy, I can stop any time I like’ smokers. The reality of the situation was quite different; after two unsuccesful attempts he asked his doctor for Nicorette gum. He found this a great help although when he used it the way the packaging suggested – keeping a piece in his cheek and slowly chewing on it from time to time – it gave him a sore mouth. This problem was solved by cutting the gum into quarters and chewing it normally with a piece of ordinary mint gum; it tasted better too. A cup of coffee and the gum after meals was his lifeline for two months, and then he gradually forgot about the Nicorette. He had a few panic attacks (this is not uncommon even after being symptom-free for about six months) but he revealed his ‘silly episodes’ to a friend and found he had had the same experience when he gave up smoking. He was very constipated and, in fact, dates his Irritable Bowel problems from that time.
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