Good Article » Health

What is Low Vision?

admin — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:49:57 +0000

Everyday Tasks Are Challenging

Low vision means that even with regular glasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery, people find everyday tasks difficult to do. Reading the mail, shopping, cooking, seeing the TV, and writing can seem challenging.

Millions of Americans lose some of their vision every year. Irreversible vision loss is most common among people over age 65.

Not a Normal Part of Aging

What is Low Vision?Losing vision is not just part of getting older. Some normal changes occur as we get older. However, these changes usually don’t lead to low vision.

Source:NIH

What agencies and organizations provide people who have low vision with help and information?

Many agencies and organizations in the community provide assistance and information to people who have low vision and to their families and caregivers.

State agencies for the blind and visually impaired can make referrals to a variety of organizations that provide assistance. Such services include vision rehabilitation, recreation, counseling, and job training or placement.

National Eye Institute
National Institutes of Health
2020 Vision Place
Bethesda, MD 20892-3655
301-496-5248
E-mail: 2020@nei.nih.gov
http://www.nei.nih.gov/

American Academy of Ophthalmology
P.O. Box 7424
San Francisco, CA 94120-7424
415-561-8500

American Foundation for the Blind
11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300
New York, NY 10001
1-800-232-5463
(212) 502-7600

American Optometric Association
243 N. Lindbergh Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63141
1-800-365-2219

Council of Citizens with Low Vision International
1-800-733-2258

Lighthouse International
111 E. 59th Street
New York, NY 10022
1-800-829-0500
212) 821-9200
212) 821-9713 (TDD)

What is gestational diabetes?

admin — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:24:24 +0000

Gestational (jes-TAY-shun-ul) diabetes is diabetes that is found for the first time when a woman is pregnant. Out of every 100 pregnant women in the United States, three to eight get gestational diabetes. Diabetes means that your blood glucose (also called blood sugar) is too high. Your body uses glucose for energy. But too much glucose in your blood can be harmful. When you are pregnant, too much glucose is not good for your baby.

What causes gestational diabetes?

Changing hormones and weight gain are part of a healthy pregnancy. But both changes make it hard for your body to keep up with its need for a hormone called insulin. When that happens, your body doesn’t get the energy it needs from the food you eat.

Source:NIH

What is Heart Failure?

admin — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:21:43 +0000

In heart failure, the heart cannot pump enough blood through the body. The heart cannot fill with enough blood or pump with enough force, or both. Heart failure develops over time as the pumping action of the heart gets weaker. It can affect either the right, the left, or both sides of the heart. Heart failure does not mean that the heart has stopped working or is about to stop working.

In most cases, heart failure affects the left side of the heart when it cannot pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. When heart failure affects the right side, the heart cannot pump enough blood to the lungs, where it picks up oxygen.

What are the resources for finding out more about heart failure?

More detailed information on heart failure is available at www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci

Source:NIH

What is multiple system atrophy?

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:38:22 +0000

Multiple system atrophy is a progressive brain disorder that affects movement and balance and disrupts the function of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls body functions that are mostly involuntary, such as regulation of blood pressure.

Researchers have described two major types of multiple system atrophy, which are distinguished by their major signs and symptoms at the time of diagnosis. In one type, known as MSA-P, a group of movement abnormalities called parkinsonism are predominant. These abnormalities include unusually slow movement (bradykinesia), muscle rigidity, tremors, and an inability to hold the body upright and balanced (postural instability). The other type of multiple system atrophy, known as MSA-C, is characterized by cerebellar ataxia, which causes problems with coordination and balance. This form of the condition can also include speech difficulties (dysarthria) and problems controlling eye movement.

Both forms of multiple system atrophy are associated with abnormalities of the autonomic nervous system. The most frequent autonomic symptoms associated with multiple system atrophy are a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing (orthostatic hypotension), urinary difficulties, and erectile dysfunction in men.

Multiple system atrophy usually occurs in older adults; on average, signs and symptoms appear around age 55. The signs and symptoms of the condition worsen with time, and affected individuals survive an average of 9 years after their diagnosis.

Source:NLM

What is Brody myopathy?

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:37:34 +0000

Brody myopathy is a condition that affects the skeletal muscles, which are the muscles used for movement. Affected individuals experience muscle cramping and stiffening after exercise or other strenuous activity, especially in cold temperatures. These symptoms typically begin in childhood. They are usually painless, but in some cases can cause mild discomfort. The muscles usually relax after a few minutes of rest. Most commonly affected are the muscles of the arms, legs, and face (particularly the eyelids).

In some people with Brody myopathy, exercise leads to the breakdown of muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis). The destruction of muscle tissue releases a protein called myoglobin, which is processed by the kidneys and released in the urine (myoglobinuria). Myoglobin causes the urine to be red or brown.

Source:NLM

What is cyclic neutropenia?

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:36:42 +0000

Cyclic neutropenia is a disorder that causes frequent infections and other health problems in affected individuals. People with this condition have recurrent episodes of neutropenia during which there is a shortage (deficiency) of neutrophils. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that plays a role in inflammation and in fighting infection. The episodes of neutropenia are apparent at birth or soon afterward. For most affected individuals, neutropenia recurs every 21 days and lasts about 3 to 5 days.

Neutropenia makes it more difficult for the body to fight off pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, so people with cyclic neutropenia typically develop recurrent infections of the sinuses, respiratory tract, and skin. Additionally, people with this condition often develop open sores (ulcers) in the mouth and colon, inflammation of the throat (pharyngitis) and gums (gingivitis), recurrent fever, or abdominal pain. People with cyclic neutropenia have these health problems only during episodes of neutropenia. At times when their neutrophil levels are normal, they are not at an increased risk of infection and inflammation.

Source:NLM

Thyroid Diseases

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:34:53 +0000

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, just above your collarbone. It is one of your endocrine glands, which make hormones. The thyroid helps set your metabolism – how your body gets energy from the foods you eat.

Millions of people in the U.S. have thyroid diseases. Most of them are women. If you have a thyroid disease, your body uses energy more slowly or quickly than it should. A thyroid gland that is not active enough, called hypothyroidism, is far more common. It can make you gain weight, feel fatigued and have difficulty dealing with cold temperatures. If your thyroid is too active, it makes more thyroid hormones than your body needs. That condition is hyperthyroidism. Too much thyroid hormone can make you lose weight, speed up your heart rate and make you very sensitive to heat.

There are many causes for both conditions. Treatment involves trying to reset your body’s metabolism to a normal rate.

Source:NIH

Health: Germs and Hygiene

admin — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:26:05 +0000

When you cough or sneeze, you send tiny germ-filled droplets into the air. Colds and flu usually spread that way. You can help stop the spread of germs by

Covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough
Cleaning your hands often – always before you eat or prepare food, and after you use the bathroom or change a diaper
Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth

Hand washing is one of the most effective and most overlooked ways to stop disease. Soap and water work well to kill germs. Wash for at least 15 seconds. Disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers also work well.

Source:NIH

College Drinking Problem: Social media may help identify college drinking problems

admin — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 23:41:43 +0000

College students who post references to getting drunk, blacking out, or other aspects of dangerous drinking on social networking sites are more likely to have clinically significant alcohol problems than students who do not post such references, according to a study supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Washington, Seattle, examined public Facebook profiles of more than 300 undergraduate students at those universities. The researchers divided the profiles into three categories: those that had no alcohol references; those that had alcohol references but no references to intoxication or problem drinking; and those that included references to “being drunk,” “getting wasted,” or other problem drinking behaviors. They also invited the profile owners to complete an online version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, or AUDIT, a screening tool that clinicians use to measure problem drinking.

“We found that underage college students who referenced dangerous drinking habits, such as intoxication or blacking out, were more likely to have AUDIT scores that indicate problem drinking or alcohol-related injury,” says first author Megan A. Moreno, M.D., assistant professor of adolescent medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. An AUDIT score of 8 or higher indicates an individual is at risk for problem drinking. The three groups in the study had average AUDIT scores of 4.7, 6.7, and 9.5, respectively.

Dr. Moreno and her colleagues note that, because many students do not seek routine or preventive health care at student health centers, innovative approaches are needed to identify college students who are at risk for problem drinking.

“Underage college students and adolescents frequently display references to alcohol on Facebook,” says Dr. Moreno. “Our study suggests that parents and college health care providers who note references to problem drinking on the Facebook profiles of adolescents should consider discussing drinking habits with their children and patients.”

“This interesting finding indicates that social networking sites may be a useful tool in the ongoing search for ways to identify and intervene with college students who are at risk for alcohol use problems,” adds NIAAA Acting Director Kenneth R. Warren, Ph.D.

A report of the findings appears online in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, part of the NIH, also provided support for the study.

Reference: Associations Between Displayed Alcohol References on Facebook and Problem Drinking Among College Students Megan A. Moreno, et al. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (October 3, 2011)

Source:NIH

Good Information For Lactose Intolerance Sufferers

admin — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 02:31:22 +0000

By Jena Richlee

Having suffered with a lactose intolerant digestive system for over fifteen years, I wanted to pass along a bit of information that I think will be helpful to many lactose intolerance sufferers.

Lactase digestive enzymes are essential:

When the right kind and the right amount of a particular digestive system enzyme called lactase is present in the digestive system, the sugar in milk (called lactose) can be easily digested with no lactose intolerance symptom.

To digest lactose without a digestive problem such as bloating, cramps, gas, pain, diarrhoea etc. requires the lactase enzyme to be present in the digestive system in sufficient quantity to break down all of the lactose. Whether generated internally or taken as a supplement, lactase digestive enzymes are essential in the digestion of untreated dairy products.

As most lactose intolerance sufferers already know, lactase digestive enzyme supplements are the only way to ensure a pleasant experience with dairy products that have not had the lactose removed. What you might not know is that you may not need to take as much, or as high a dose, depending on the kind of dairy product you are consuming. This is useful, as lactase digestive enzymes can get very expensive over time.

Lactose intolerance levels vary in individuals:

Lactose intolerance levels vary widely from individual to individual. Some lucky folks can get by with having a little milk in a cup of tea, or having a slice of cheese now and then without it causing a digestive problem, while others become terrified at the mere thought of accidentally ingesting even a small amount of dairy product, because of the fear of suffering through the unpleasantness of a lactose intolerance symptom.

The lactose content of dairy products varies widely:

It might interest you to know what the approximate lactose content is for certain common dairy products. This can be helpful in many ways. For instance, you may be able to avoid taking quite as many lactase digestive enzymes (supplements) as you normally do, or you might be able to reduce the strength (potency) that you would normally take when consuming dairy products. This can add up to some fairly significant savings over time, and, if you are like I was, lactose intolerance can be a very expensive digestive disorder to deal with over time.

What is the lactose content in common dairy products?

By far the most Lactose is in plain old skim milk, followed by regular milk and chocolate milk. So these are the items that should concern you the most.

Next up, is ice cream and certain kinds of cheeses, although it should be noted that there is a vast difference between different cheeses which I’ll get to in a moment. Butter, believe it or not, comes in rather low on the lactose content scale.

Given the following portions in these foods, the approximate lactose content in grams (g) is:

1 cup Skim Milk 12-14 (g)

1 cup Whole Milk 11 (g)

1 cup Chocolate Milk 10-12 (g)

1 cup Low-Fat Milk 9-13 (g)

1 cup Vanilla Ice Cream 9 (g)

1 cup Low-Fat Cottage Cheese 7-8 (g)

1 cup Regular Cottage Cheese 5-6 (g)

1 cup Orange Sherbet 4 (g)

1 oz Cream Cheese 0.8 (g)

1 oz Colby Cheese 0.7 (g)

1 oz Blue Cheese 0.7 (g)

1 tablespoon Half and Half 0.6 (g)

1 oz Cheddar Cheese 0.4-0.6 (g)

1 oz Processed Swiss Cheese 0.4-0.6 (g)

1 oz Processed American Cheese 0.5 (g)

1 oz Camembert Cheese 0.1 (g)

2 pats Butter 0.1 (g)

Lactose content in common cheeses:

The younger and least ripe of the cheeses pose the highest problems for lactose intolerance sufferers. The older the cheese, the less lactose it contains. Therefore parmesan and very old cheddar contain relatively little lactose. Here is a list of some relatively Low-Lactose Cheeses: Swiss, American, Roquefort, Provolone, Parmesan, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, Gouda, Colby, Cheddar, Brick, Blue, Caraway, Gruyere and Fontina.

Relatively high on the lactose content list are cheeses like: Sapsago, Ricotta, Cottage, Mysost and Primost.

Yogurt is usually quite tolerable for the lactose intolerant:

While this isn’t true for everyone with this digestive problem, it does appear to be true for most lactose intolerant people. They can usually tolerate yogurt quite well. I think the trick is to make sure that you only consume yogurt which contains active bacterial cultures. It appears that the live cultures (beneficial bacteria) in yogurt can play an important role in the breaking down of lactose. Therefore, if you can consume yogurt easily, do it often, as it’s widely recognised as one of the best foods for an overall healthy digestive system.

As incredible as it sounds, I no longer need to worry about the lactose in dairy products, lactase digestive enzyme supplements, a lactose free diet and the attendant misery, extra cost and hassle of this unfortunate digestive disorder.

It’s true, I no longer suffer from lactose intolerance. You probably think I’m just trying to sell you something, or that it’s only temporary, or that I’m just lying. I assure you that I no longer suffer from lactose intolerance.

I would never have believed this to be possible myself, a few years ago, and I’d resigned myself to a lifetime of trying to manage the digestive problem with as much of a lactose free diet as possible and lactase digestive enzymes with every meal that I wasn’t 100% sure about.

While I’m not saying that what happened to me will be true for everyone, I now strongly believe that for a large percentage of the lactose intolerant population, Lactose Intolerance can be beaten with a simple reconditioning of the digestive system.

Once the digestive system is reconditioned, the body will produce enough of the lactase digestion enzymes on it’s own, and, as has been my experience, permanently prevent lactose intolerance symptoms without the need for a lactose free diet or expensive lactase digestive enzymes.

Jena Richlee.

About the Author: Jena Richlee. – Ordinary Regular Person. Ecstatic EX Lactose Intolerance Sufferer. At Last, A One time Solution to Lactose Intolerance. Reconditions the Digestive System. Clinically & Medically Proven over 10 years, 100% Natural. Money Back Guarantee. http://www.I-Can-Drink-Milk-Again.com