The Benefits of a Maternity Air Bed

There are many different benefits of a maternity air bed. This particular bed allows a pregnant female to rest in many comfortable positions, including on her stomach. Generally, there is a doughnut type hole built in the bed where an inflatable pillow rests. This particular pillow is generally adjustable to fit to the size of the expanding stomach throughout the pregnancy.

Many women who are pregnant find that they experience a lot of pain and pressure in the back area. Maternity air beds were created in an effort to provide comfort to the women that experience this complication. Throughout this article, you will be introduced to the benefits associated with using a maternity air bed. If you have trouble getting comfortable, and are in need of some sound rest, you may find this to be very helpful. Continue reading "The Benefits of a Maternity Air Bed"

Alzheimer's Disease Affects Quality Of Life In Old Age

Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, is characterized by a gradual onset and progressive decline in mental functioning serious enough to affect daily life. Early stages begin with memory loss, patients have difficulty learning new information and retaining it for more than a few minutes. As the disease progresses, patients experience a further decline in their ability to learn, use language and judgement, recognize people and places, and calculate numbers. Their older memories diminish.

New Lens Implants Can Correct Astigmatism after Cataract Surgery

Cataracts are a clouding of the natural lens in the eye. The lens becomes yellow or opaque preventing light and images from reaching the retina. They most frequently affect older patients, but may appear in younger individuals as well. While the most common type of cataract is age related trauma, oxidative stress caused by drugs, poor diet, environment, and disease or congenital issues may precipitate lens opacities in younger folks. Over the years, surgery to correct this common vision problem has evolved in several dramatic ways.

Spinal Cord Arthritis: An Extremely Painful Problem!

Spinal cord arthritis is also known as spinal stenosis. It is characterized by narrowing of backbones which then compress and stress the spinal cord, nerves and nerve roots causing excessive pain and numbness.

Spinal cord arthritis usually affects three separate parts of the spine which are spaces between the spinal bones, nerve passages and the tubes in the central area of bones. The narrowing of the bone may include a small portion of the spine or a larger area of the spine. Often the patients having spinal cord arthritis feel numbness in the legs, shoulders, and neck as initial symptoms.

Treating Sleep Apnea with an Adjustable Air Bed

Many individuals who have sleep apnea are starting to discover relief with an adjustable air bed. Sleep apnea is a condition in which the sufferer is noted to stop breathing for a period of at least ten seconds or more during the standard sleep cycle. The severity of the condition depends on the amount of times each hour that there are complications with breathing. There are many different reasons why an individual may suffer from this sleep disorder. Obstructed airways, narrow airways, having a large uvula, enlarged tonsils, and even adenoids that are larger than normal may lead to the onset of sleep apnea. In addition to this consuming alcohol, ingesting certain medications, sleep positions, and even being overweight may lead to the onset of this disorder which you may find an adjustable air bed will help.

Raw Food Diet : The Royal Road To Health

You can expect profound changes in the way you look, feel and think when you start to eat more raw food, says Vicki Peterson, popular health and fitness writer in her book "Strategies of the Champions."

Why should we eat food raw rather than cooked? Vicki Peterson quotes three compelling reasons why :

* All raw vegetables and fruits enhance the immune system and are effective anti-cancer agents

A Swiss research discovers an interesting but rather odd action when we eat cooked food. White blood cells, the leucocytes, perceive the food as an 'invader' and race to the intestine to deal with the attack leaving the rest of the body largely undefended. When raw food is eaten this reaction does not happen and the body is saved the effort of a defensive action. The white blood cells don't mobilise and race about, even when a cooked meal is eaten soon after. The motto " Eat raw food first. Eat fruit before breakfast and at least two or three raw vegetables before lunch and dinner," is a helpful guide.

* Raw foods are packed with enzymes

Enzymes in fruits and vegetables play an essential role to support the hardworking internal enzymes. Plant enzymes are vulnerable to hot and cold and are completely destroyed by cooking. Fruit juices which have been heat treated are useless. Vegetables even if lightly steamed lose their enzymes.

What Causes Vertigo?

According to the "Natural Remedies Encyclopedia," vertigo is caused by an "impaired sense of balance and equilibrium and is generally due to an inner ear disorder (labyrinthitis)." Other causes are anemia, high or low blood pressure, psychological stress, brain tumors, lack of oxygen or glucose in the blood, nutritional deficiencies, middle-ear infections, excess wax in the ear, or blockage of the ear canal.

Persons who have vertigo have these symptoms : Dizziness, faintness, or light-headedness. The person may feel that he is falling or sinking or that the room is moving around him, sometimes even spinning. There may be ringing in the ears. This sensation is usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, perspiration, headache, or hearing loss.

Diet And Acne

Acne is a distressing skin condition which is caused by hormonal changes which accompany adolescence. Although there are foods that may aggravate acne, they are not responsible for this condition, said Dr. H. Winter Griffith in "The Complete Guide to Symptoms, Illness & Surgery."

What Is The AARP Life Insurance Company And How Can It Help You?

Protecting those you will one day leave behind when you pass is crucial to you. You don't want to leave behind your loved ones without knowing that they will be cared for. You want the security of knowing that they will be comfortable, long after you have gone.

Even if you are older than 50, you can still have a good life insurance package from the right insurance company. The AARP Life Insurance organization, formerly known as American Association for Retired Persons, can assist you in giving the protection you want to your loved ones after you die. This company supports the retired client in their needs.

What Causes Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a mental illness characterized by hallucinations, delusions, thought disorder, and disorders of movement. It affects about 1 percent of every 100 people.

Scientists have long known that schizophrenia runs in families Research shows it is seen in 10 percent of people with a first-degree relative ( a parent, brother, or sister) with the disorder. People who have second degree relatives (aunts, uncles, grandparents, or cousins) with the disease also develop schizophrenia more often than the general population. Research also idiscovers that identical twin of a person with schizophrenia is most at risk, with a 40 to 65 percent chance of developing the disorder.

5 Ways For A Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis In Men

Although urinary incontinence affects more women than men, it does not mean that men do not suffer from this condition either. Urinary incontinence refers to the inability to control bladder functions, such that embarrassing leakage of urine is experienced involuntarily. It can be very distressful and may mean that you have to wear adult diapers. For a definite diagnosis, your doctor may use one or a combination of the following five ways to determine if you have a urinary incontinence:

Lead Poisoning

Lead is a sweet-tasting highly toxic metal that can cause brain damage, affect a child's growth, damage kidneys, impair hearing, as well as cause vomiting and headaches. We read that even small amounts of lead can have disastrous effects especially on children.

Children who are poisoned by this metal may have no outward appearance of illness except in their behavior. Researchs have shown that children who are lead toxic have learning and behavioral problems. There are recorded cases where a child's behavior such as bullying and poor perormance in school are directly linked to high lead exposure. In adults, lead can increase blood pressure and can cause digestive problems, nerve disorders, sleep problems and mood changes.

Major cause of lead poisoning in homes is deteriorating lead-based paints and the dust inside and outside homes caused by such paint. Other sources could be air, drinking water, food and contaminated soil. Airborne lead can enter the body when you breathe or swallow lead particles or dust. Lead can also leak into drinking water from plumbing materials such as lead pipes, copper pipes with lead solder and brass faucets.

Lead can also be found on printed walls at homes. It can also be deposited on floors, windowsills, or in the soil outside the home. Emmissions of leaded gasoline account for high level of lead in the soil.

A Solution for Refractive Surgery Overcorrection

The refractive surgical procedure, PRK involves debrading, or scraping the top layer of the cornea, thereby exposing the inner layers which are then treated with a laser. In doing so, the cornea can be reshaped, and this will improve the vision of the patient. Ideally, the patient will wear a bandage contact lens for several days post operatively while taking anti inflammatory and antibiotic eye drops. Most often the patient's cornea will heal properly and the corrected vision will be stable, and good.

Selecting Moccasin Slippers for the Elderly and Disabled

Moccasin slippers are a popular choice among people when it comes to comfortable house shoes. However, when it comes to the elderly and disabled, it is important that you take the time to select the most appropriate shoe for their needs. Recent studies concluded that nearly 40% of all falls, slips, and injuries as a result of these things were attributed to wearing slippers that did not provide sufficient grounding for balance.

This is why it is important to take the time to search for the perfect moccasin slipper. If you are elderly or disabled, or if you are purchasing for a person that fits into one of these categories, it is important that you know and understand the many different precautions that should be used to purchase a slipper that is moccasin based. Here, you will learn some of the things to look for. Continue reading "Selecting Moccasin Slippers for the Elderly and Disabled"

Toddler Sleep Problems - Causing Major Disruptions

Toddler sleep problems are said to have a very negative impact on the entire household. Obnoxious toddlers are created through sleepless nights. The parents feel disappointed beyond imagination due to this. It does not help in getting known that you haven't perpetuated the bad habits of your toddler. Rather, the reasons behind your inability of changing them need to be known. In most of the cases, the reason turns out to be your own exhaustion.

Compare Hospital Prices for Medical Procedures

Do you need to have major surgery or a medical procedure soon? Do you have any idea what it is going to cost or what hospital you will go to?

If you have selected a hospital already, do you know what its' safety and success record is for the surgery that you are having?

Self Adjusting Air Bed | Giving your body the best night of sleep possible

Self adjusting air beds are becoming more and more popular everyday. Many people are urning to this type of bed to gain a better nights sleep. The more traditional type of bed can cause us to become restless in our sleep and even cause pains in our bodies, especially our backs. For this reason, the self adjusting air beds are highly sought after. They are a great way for us to rest comfortably and eliminate the situations that cause these back problems that occur during sleep.

Taking Note of the Various Signs of Pregnancy

There are some basic signs by which you can recognize whether a person is pregnant or not. A person can detect pregnancy in its early stages with the help of some common symptoms. Even with the towering advancement in science, pregnancy still remains a mystery. Often even home pregnancy tests are not very reliable.

Gene Therapy to Restore and Improve Vision

Reduced vision, or even blindness my exist for an individual for a number of reasons. Treatment will depend on what the cause is, and how effective the treatment will be. Conventional, non invasive treatment has always been eye glasses, or contact lenses to correct visual problems. Over time, improved eye glass lenses and contacts have evolved that reduce glare, eliminate unwanted wavelengths of light, improve depth perception, and address many environmental issues.

Play games and stay fit

Sometimes it can be very hard to stay motivated to exercise. There are so many health benefits to daily exercise, including better cholesterol control, blood pressure, blood sugar management and not to forget weight loss.

There is a new game system that will help with motivation issues by turning exercise into a game.

Air Bed Mattress Set | The perfect combination for a great nights sleep

Air bed mattress sets are growing in popularity with each passing day. These beds once were just used as temporary accommodations for guests to use. Now in todays times, there are many more people that use these beds as their primary source for sleep comfort. Many people use these air bed mattress sets to help relieve back pain. The use of the more traditional type of mattresses with wire springs can leave many people with problems in their back. For this reason, many physicians might suggest using one of these mattresses temporarily.

AMO Complete MoisturePlus Recall: Many Missed the Memo...

The problem with a product recall is that it's only as effective as the communication between the manufacturer, and the end user. In the case of James Millard Wilson, he didn't get the message. The young art student from Baltimore had been having trouble with his eyes, and had no idea that his AMO Complete MoisturePlus Contact Lens solution had been recalled.

That voluntary recall happened in May of last year, after an investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta linked the AMO product to a rare, but serious eye infection known as Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). That recall was reclassified to a Class 1 recall in late July of that year, tagging the AMO Complete MoisturePlus as having a reasonable probability that serious adverse health consequences, or death was possible, according to the Class 1 parameters. It has been reported that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had alerted health care professionals, and users of soft contact lenses about the recall. However, lawsuits have claimed that Advanced Medical Optics (AMO), based in Santa Ana, California failed in its responsibility to adequately notify consumers and retailers about the problem.

ReNu Lens Solution: Two Years After Recall, Lawsuits Keep Coming

Imagine if someone poured sand into the front of your eye, then massaged your eye with a thousand tiny needles, then squeezed the eyeball. That's how one person described the pain associated with Fusarium Keratitis after using ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution from Bausch & Lomb.

The product was recalled in 2006, but there are still lawsuits emerging from use of the product around the time of the recall, and even beyond. Any consumer not in the habit of paying close attention to the news of the day could be forgiven for not knowing about the recall, and may have continued using the solution stocked at home, up to and including the best before date on the bottle.

Digitek Manufacturer Cited for Quality Controls Two Years Ago

The recent recall affecting all lots of Digitek digoxin (digitalis) due to a manufacturing defect raises a whack of questions as to just how a double-thickness tablet can get by the quality-control department. Pills that are twice as thick as normal, and therefore potentially carrying twice the dosage of digoxin, pose a serious health risk for patients that could lead to death.

Actavis Totowa LLC initiated a Class 1 nationwide recall of Digitek (digoxin tablets, USP, all strengths) for oral use on April 25th. The products, manufactured by Actavis, are distributed by Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. under the "Bertek" label and by UDL Laboratories, Inc. under the "UDL" label. Reference was made to a manufacturing problem. Information was updated May 9th with an FAQ released by the company, but there was little new information beyond a listing of symptoms and side effects related to the consumption of double-strength digoxin tablets.

MRI Health Risks: The Danger in the Discovery

The largely man-made disease most closely associated with the use of gadolinium-based contrasting agents in MRI procedures is just a little more than 10 years old, and is a horrific affliction--called NSF or NFD--that is characterized by the thickening, and the hardening of skin--effectively entombing the victim.

When Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD) was first discovered in 1997, it was thought to affect the skin, and underlying tissues only. But that was before a patient, who died 11 months after the onset of NFD, was found to have sustained hardening of tissues and organs deeper down. Autopsy revealed fibrosis and calcification of the psoas muscle, renal tubules and testes. What's more, microscopically most of the diaphragm had been replaced by fibrous tissue with extensive vascular and extravascular calcium deposit.

Pretty serious stuff. From that day in 2003 forward, NFD (also referred to as NSF)was updated to Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis to reflect an updated understanding of the disease process.

Living an Acupuncture Life

The Chinese term "Chi" goes back to the culture of the ancient Chinese who believed it to be the only source of energy for the body. In addition, they believed that numerous energy paths and lines crisscrossed and led to this "Chi". Acupuncture therapy was developed around this concept of "Chi", so it can be said that "Chi" is what acupuncture is all about.

Chinese culture blames the "Chi" for causing any pains in the body. Acupuncturists trace the energy paths to the "Chi" and place needles at the most precious spots. By so doing, many Chinese believe that the body realizes what is going on within it in order to respond. They feel that acupuncture can actually change how the body perceives itself.

Merck and ERISA: Did Vytorin Constitute a Violation?

Merck's role in the alleged delay of the ENHANCE study that ultimately revealed the truth about Vytorin, may have served to mislead more than the drug-buying public. The two-year wait for the truth about the anti-cholesterol drug may have also served to pull the wool over the eyes of those Merck employees, and investors in various Merck employee savings plans and 401(k) plans incurring huge losses.

In so doing, Merck may have breached its fiduciary duties according to ERISA guidelines.

For two years Merck and its Vytorin partner Schering-Plough were aggressively marketing Vytorin as the gold standard of cholesterol drugs. Vytorin was the combination of Schering-Plough's Zetia, and Merck's Zocor--a statin--that had come off patent two years prior.

Prozac, A Cure For Lazy Eye?

Amblyopia, or lazy eye is reduced vision in one eye as a result of a sustained period of visual neglect in childhood, resulting in neither eye glasses nor medical treatment improving the vision in that Amblyopic eye. During infancy, an infant's neurological system is very flexible, and can easily adapt to changing environmental stimuli. As such, during these formative years our visual systems learn how to function. If during that time one eye does not get adequate visual stimuli it will not develop to the same level as the other eye.

How much sleep did you get last night?

We are all so busy. It seems like we wouldn't be- with all the technology advancements we have today that streamline our daily activities. Just to name a few:

Our cell phones keep us connected, avoiding unnecessary trips back to the store for forgotten items.

Computer services that allow instant connection, less wasted time trying to get ahold of someone.

More efficient cars that don't require a whole lot of maintenance-less trips to the dealer.

Digital video recording that allows us to watch our tv programs in about 33% less time since we can skip right through the commercials.

So why is it that we aren't getting enough sleep. A sleep deprived nation could be a major factor in development of disease and illness.

Symptoms and Triggers of Hives

Hives commonly develop as an allergic reaction. Triggers can come from the food you ate, the pollen that you are sensitive to or the dust mites your foot comes in contact with. You can develop hives on just any part of your body. However, you do not usually find them growing on the soles of your feet and palms of the hands as the skin located in these areas tend to be tougher. Hives can also occur at any time of the year. It is a common affliction. For some, hives can be a chronic condition.

Tomato Salmonella: Cases Remain at 228, Cause Still Unknown

Of the 228 cases of Salmonella Saintpaul poisoning in this latest outbreak involving tomatoes, one person has died. A Texas man in his sixties who had been suffering from cancer was found to have had an infection with the outbreak strain at the time of his death, and officials acknowledge it may have contributed to his death.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, the number of cases of salmonella remains unchanged at 228 since figures were released June 12th. Texas is seeing the most number of cases at 68, followed by New Mexico (55) and Illinois (29). In total, 23 States have been affected. While no deaths of have been officially attributable to the outbreak, at least 25 people have been hospitalized with what is described as a relatively short-lived but nasty illness--an illness that could have dire consequences for children, elderly patients, and those with weakened immune systems.

Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada: More Revelations

As lawsuits continue to mount with respect to the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada and the Hepatitis C outbreak linked to the facility, new questions are surfacing as to just how much malpractice insurance Dr. Dipak Desai, the majority owner of the clinic, carried for the Center.

It has been reported that inquiries up to this point have revealed a mere $3 million in coverage which, averaged out over the 40,000 patients of the Center thought to be at risk for Hepatitis C, would amount to $75 per patient. True, it would be somewhat beyond the realm of possibility that all 40,000 patients with a link to the Center would sue for damages, especially those who test negative for the blood-borne virus. Still, there would be those so emotionally traumatized by the mere possibility that infection might have occurred, together with the estimated $275 cost of the test, that a lawsuit would be considered.

Over The Counter Medication Complications

Over the counter remedies are all thought to be very safe; since a doctor's prescription is unnecessary. That however, is not true. All medications, whether they are prescribed or not, have side effects, and can react with other pharmacological entities. In some cases, these effects could have very detrimental consequences. As an example, drinking grapefruit juice when taking cholesterol lowering medication affects the metabolism of the medication, and can create a toxic environment. Further, milk neutralizes the antioxidant affect of tea, and facial creams can raise eye pressure.

Dangerous Asthma Drugs: Short-Term Relief, Long-Term Death

Take our dangerous asthma drug. Please. It will relieve your symptoms. Oh, but it could also worsen your asthma, which could kill you. But you'll die happy. Have a nice day.

Give us a break.

Are you as sick as the rest of us with the 'drugification' of America? They make drugs for everything, and more than half the time the drugs are worse than the symptoms you are suffering from. Witness the ads on TV, where it takes the announcer three times as long to rattle off the adverse affects, the dangers and the limitations of Drug XYZ, than it does to reveal the benefits.

MRI Health Risk: Entombed by Your Own Skin

There isn't a man or woman alive who doesn't want to feel comfortable in his or her own skin. It's become a catch phrase for emotional well-being. However, beyond the metaphor nobody gives a thought to the skin we are in. It's there, it fits, it's soft and pliable. You can move in it. But what if you couldn't? What if your skin was so hard, it felt like a tomb? And what if that MRI you had, caused an MRI health risk?

Most people equate MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, as the life-saving process that peers inside your body and highlights life-sapping tumors and other maladies that the surgeon will deal with later. Beyond the X-ray, which detects abnormalities with your bone structure, the MRI looks at soft tissue.

But not before, in most cases, an image contrasting agent is injected into the body in order for the MRI technician to see a clearer, more defined picture. More often than not these are gadolinium-based agents, five of which are approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in this country.

Keeping Your BP In Check

Health experts have warned that hypertension or high blood pressure is now a global epidemic , risking the health of over a billion people worldwide. Although great strides have been made in the development of pharmacological therapies, the prevalence of high blood pressure still continues to rise. If not controlled, high blood pressure affects vital organs : the brain, heart, kidneys and blood circulation in lower extremities, health experts warned.

One study sponsored by World Health Organization reveal that high blood pressure results in the highest mortality rate. The study explains, "High blood pressure, by itself, will not kill you. It is the damage that it produces which kills. We have plenty of time to prevent damage to the vital organs. That is why we have to control blood pressure." The study also explained that if the micro-vascular vessels, the smallest blood vessels that deliver blood to the tissues become affected, almost the entire body is affected.

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Choosing Womens Bathrobes for Those Who Have Sensitive Skin

Choosing womens bathrobes for those who have sensitive skin can prove to be a complicated endeavor. There are a number of skin complications that can occur. These include those that are directly related to circulation that is considered poor, sensations that are reduced, over-active sensory perception, psoriasis, allergies, and more.

When choosing a bathrobe for the woman that has skin that is considered to be sensitive, it is important to shop with the comfort of the wearer in mind. The type of material and the design of the material should not create damage, or add further complications to the medical conditions that are already being experienced. Here, you will be provided with some essentials when it comes to selecting womens bathrobes for women that have sensitive skin. Continue reading "Choosing Womens Bathrobes for Those Who Have Sensitive Skin"

Trasylol: Pivotal Study Could Have Happened Sooner

One of the lead authors of a pivotal Canadian study that most experts say will spell the end of Trasylol, has suggested that Bayer AG could have undertaken a similar study ten years ago. In that time, thousands have died.

Dr. Paul Hebert, a critical care physician at Ottawa Hospital in Canada's capitol city told the Wall Street Journal recently that "this study could have been done by the company five, to ten years ago," amidst previous reports linking Trasylol with heart and other problems--not to mention saving patients and the health-care system a ton of money, given the spread in cost between Trasylol and alternatives.

A dose of aminocaproic acid, widely felt as equally effective in mitigating bleeding during cardiac surgery but without the risks associated with Trasylol, comes in at about $4 per dose.

Useful Information On How to Get Rid of Warts

In order to have a better understanding on how you could get rid of warts, you should first understand how these warts occur and spread. Warts are basically small to medium lesions found at various parts of the body. The warts found in genital area are called as genital warts and this is in fact a growing issue throughout the world. However, the warts on the feet might be larger than any other body part. The human papilloma virus causes these warts and so they are very contagious.

Digitek: Little Room for Error

Elizabeth J. Starr was prescribed Digitek (digoxin) tablets for a heart condition and was taking her medication diligently. What she didn't know, however, was that the recalled tablets she was taking contained a double dose of digoxin, and she died May 5th. A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of her estate; one of many coming out of the woodwork after a manufacturing defect resulted in twice the levels of digoxin, as recommended.

Digoxin helps to strengthen the heart and is commonly prescribed for a host of heart conditions including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and heart failure. Digoxin helps the heart along in the beat department, and contributes to a more efficient contraction of the heart muscle.

There Is More Than One Kind Of Arthritis

No matter what type of arthritis people are actually talking about, they call it arthritis. What they don't know is that arthritis is actually a cluster of over 100 different diseases that cause joint inflammation, damage, and disability. Arthritis is a disease that most often strikes people after the age of sixty-five, but it can happen at any age. Each of the different kinds of arthritis has its own distinct cause.

When you first suspect you have arthritis, you need to see your doctor right away. You'll be doing yourself a favor if you get an early diagnosis and start treatment as soon as possible. Your doctor will be able to tell you which of the different arthritides (types of arthritis) you are suffering from. He will ask you how much pain you are having and where it is located. He'll want to know if you've been having any swelling and stiffness as well as which of your joints you are having trouble moving. Then he'll be able to determine the arthritide you're suffering form and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Common Allergy Symptoms and Treatment Options

Allergies affect a huge percentage of adults and children in the United States. They are considered the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in this country. The symptoms can lead to productivity loss and extended sick time taken from work or school.

If you struggle from an allergy, you may find symptoms getting in the way of your daily schedule. This causes you to miss doing things you enjoy.

Fear not! There is some good news. Many options are now available for you and with your doctor's help; your life can become more symptom-free.

Icy Hot: Hot Enough to Take Your Skin Right Off

People have bad dreams of running away from a fire, but not being able to run. Your legs are heavy and slow. You strain desperately to move but can't, while the flames get closer. Some have likened the Icy Hot pain patches to such a scenario. Not only have they been found to foster serious burns, but also the adhesive can make them difficult to remove.

Chattem Inc, of Chattanooga Tennessee, initiated a voluntary recall of the Icy Hot Heat Therapy Air Activated Heat Patch for Back, Arm, Neck and Leg earlier this year after numerous adverse reports of first, second and third-degree burns to the skin--not to mention skin irritation and actual skin removal resulting from the use of the patches.

So how do they work, anyway?

Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada: More Hepatitis C Tests Positive

The largest patient notification in US history that centered around the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada continues to worry current and former patients of the facility, that they might be next to receive a positive test for hepatitis C.

The latest count is 84--that's the number of people who are suspected of contracting hepatitis C as the result of unsafe injection practices at the Endoscopy Center. Among the 50,000 current and former patients of the facility who have been contacted, and urged to get screened, about 400 have tested positive for hepatitis.

Cell Phone Use and Cancer: The Debate Continues

The recent discovery of, and surgery for a brain tumor located in the cranium of beloved Senator Ted Kennedy has refueled the debate over the link to cell phone use and cancer. Senator Kennedy's diagnosis of glioma relates to a tumor that critics have long associated with cell phone use.

The allegation has been dismissed by the American Cancer Society, and various other experts. Among the dissenters is Dr. Eugene Flamm, Chairman of Neurosurgery at Montefiore Medical Center, who referred to the alleged link as defying credulity.

Yeast Infections Can Occur in the Throat

Did you ever know that your throat probably contains yeast (Candida) which leaves it wide open for a yeast infection? Most people have never thought about having a yeast infection in the throat, but it can happen. About half the world's population has yeast present in their mouth and throat, although that in itself isn't enough to cause a problem. However, when the chemistry of the mouth or throat changes for some reason, it can make the areas more hospitable for the growth of the Candida mold.

The chemistry change comes about as the result of some other condition which causes damage to your immune system. Chemotherapy can bring about an imbalance, and so can illnesses such as diabetes or HIV/AIDS. Anyone who uses alcohol, drugs, or steroids to the excess is also altering the immune system and making themselves more likely to have a yeast infection.

MRI Health Risks Have Little To Do With Magnetic Personality

As important as the MRI is in detecting disease and abnormalities deep within the human body, the process carries certain risks that have only recently come to light. Risks from imaging agents such as gadolinium, and recent concern over the long-term impact of the magnetic fields associated with Magnetic Resonance Imaging, can pose serious health risks for some patients, sometimes resulting in death.

An imaging agent is a dye that is injected into the patient, in an effort to provide the best image possible for the doctor, or technician conducting the procedure. While gadolinium has been found to be toxic if it remains in the human body for an appreciable amount of time after an MRI scan, for most people the risk is mitigated as the dye is expelled by the kidneys.

Vitamin Supplements for Cataract Prevention, Proceed With Caution

In an effort to stay healthy, and prevent disease many of us have been taking vitamins. When examining the physiology of our eyes, it makes sense in certain instances to supplement our diets, and improve the metabolism of tissues. There are several problems that arise with that point of view. The first; is that many of these supplements have not been proven to be useful. The second; is that there can be drug interaction between the vitamins and other medications. Therefore care must be taken, and always inform your doctor of anything that you take.

The Many Pitfalls of the Duragesic Fentanyl Patch

When you're dealing with a medication 80 times more potent than morphine, you are entrusting your very life to the capacity of the Duragesic Fentanyl patch to dispense medication properly--because it could leave the user in severe distress, or dead. One coroner has said a lethal dose of fentanyl can strike so quickly, there isn't even time to call the EMS.

Earlier this year, various lots of the Duragesic Fentanyl patch were recalled due to a concern over the potential for a manufacturing defect inherent with some of the patches. A small cut, or tear in the internal reservoir risked the possibility that too much fentanyl might be released at one time, posing a hazard to the user, as well as a caregiver.

Study : Exposure To Lead Caused Brain Damage, Adult Crime

Two studies reveal that people with high level exposure to lead in early childhood cause permanent brain damage, and likely criminal behavior, according to the researchers at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio.

A study tested pregnant women and their children living in Cincinnati neighborhoods who lived with lead-contaminated housing between 1979 and 1984. Researchers correlated blood-lead level data from 250 of the children to criminal arrest records. Findings showed those with high level lead before birth and during early childhood had higher rates of arrest than those with lower lead levels. Fifty-five percent of the now-grown children had at least one arrest, 28 percent involving drugs and 27 percent serious motor vehicle violations. Data suggests that lead does run in parallel with crime trends over the past several decades, researchers concluded.

" Lower income, inner-city children remain particularly vulnerable to lead exposure," Kim Dietrich said, who led one of the studies in the Public Library of Science journal PloS Medicine. " Although we've made great strides in reducing lead exposure, our findings sends a clear message that further reduction of childhood lead exposure may be an important and achievable way to reduce violent crime.

Dark Chocolate

Whenever you think of a healthy diet, you probably do not think of candy.

Many researchers keep uncovering the benefits of eating small amounts of dark chocolate every day. So, what exactly is dark chocolate supposed to be good for?

New Developments in Dry Eye Treatment

Dry eyes are a serious and growing concern for millions of individuals. The eye must be bathed in a continuous flow of a tear film that consists of several components. A healthy tear film contains lipids, aqueous, and mucin. The outer lipid layer prevents evaporation, keeping the inner layers intact. The aqueous component is a mixture of proteins, mucin and electrolytes. The mucin provides viscosity; enhancing the stability of the tear film. The mucin is in its highest concentration the deeper into the tear film one goes.

Digitek Defect: Twice the Size, Twice the Dose

The Digitek recall has gone to the dogs--literally. That's what happened when Georgia Vonk got the call from her pharmacist that Bailey P. Vonk's Digitek heart medication had been recalled for adverse reactions including nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, cardiac instability, and even death.

In a dog, it can also cause gagging. Bailey P. Vonk is a four-year-old Neapolitan mastiff with a history of heart problems. Needless to say, Digitek digoxin tablets are often prescribed to pets by their veterinarians. "I thank God my dog's okay," says Vonk, a catering manager from Sun City. "But I'm worried about the people who take this drug."

Indeed. While it is still unknown how the Digitek dioxin defect actually happened, there is concern that the recent recall of double-strength Digitek dioxin tablets by Actavis may not be reaching those affected, allowing Digitek users to continue using the product to their peril, posing the risk for adverse reactions

Discovering Dementia

It's frustrating when you meet someone who calls you by your first name and can't remember his. Or you remember his name, but try as you might, you can't utter it, until sometime later when you finally remember.

Health experts say these occasional lapses of memory are normal, and they can happen to anyone. But if you're the kind of person who keeps forgetting things, and there's no reason for you to do so, experts say, you could be suffering from a degenerative disorder called dementia.

Nevada Hepatitis C Cases Rise, CDC Slams Endoscopy in New Report

Since the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada was first linked to the hepatitis C outbreak, more than 80 cases have been confirmed, and a damning report released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta adds further fuel to the fire.

In a report summarized in the New York Times on May 17, 2008, the CDC has blasted the Endoscopy Center for routinely mishandling injection equipment and medication vials, not to mention the failure to adhere to basic hand hygiene. The latter is something that hospitals and the entire medical community are paying increasing amounts of attention to, in an effort to mitigate serious infections and improve patient care.

The staff at the Endoscopy Center failed miserably at this, according to the CDC report.

Asthma Drugs: No Cause for Asthma Sufferers to Breathe Easy...

It's been two years since the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last issued significant data, and updated product labels for asthma drugs Advair, Serevent and Foradil after concerns that the drugs, while lessening the frequency of wheezing attacks, could increase their ultimate severity. There has been little information since.

That wait could soon be over however, given the pending release of data from clinical studies requested by the federal drug regulator. Specifically, a meeting of the Pediatric Advisory Committee (PAC) in November 2007 outlined concerns regarding the ultimate safety of long-acting beta2 adrenergic agonists (LABAs) in pediatric patients suffering from asthma. The FDA made the formal request for data in January of 2008. The manufacturers of Serevent Diskus, Advair Diskus and the Foradil Aerolizer have indicated that while it would take several months to gather the data, they have signaled compliance with the request.