Addressing abdominal surgery is quite challenging because of the broadness of the term. It can refer to operations that are undertaken to find the cause of a problem in your abdominal area (exploratory surgery), or it may be targeting a specific organ or growth.
You have to keep a balance between not stressing out your abdominal area in order to facilitate healing and protect your stitches, and making sure your abdomen does not become stiff and refuse to work properly once you have recovered. After all, your abdomen is much more than a showcase for a decorative six-pack or washboard stomach. Incorporating your abdomen into your breathing can be very helpful, especially if you have bronchial asthma or another obstructive lung disease, as well. It is important that you will be able to use this once your stitches have been removed.
Of course, you will have to be very, very careful in the beginning. You might be advised not to breathe into your abdomen, and to confine inhalations and exhalations to your chest and upper airways first. This can be quite difficult, especially if you are used to abdominal breathing. Some patients might compensate for this by hyperventilating, a practice which carries negative side effects. You might stress out your system more, ironically tiring yourself out, all while lying in bed and “recovering.” In that case, breathing exercises may be made part of your post-op therapy.
There is a more serious danger associated with post-surgical recovery. You will probably be lying on your back for several days, if not weeks, and your lungs will not be able to expand properly. You might catch pneumonia if you do not do special exercises to keep your lungs working. This might even be a problem if you have chosen to recover at home. The point is that this kind of lack of mobility is bad for your lungs, and must be addressed while still avoiding over-stressing your body or straining your wounded areas. Pneumonia is a serious sickness, and should not be taken lightly just because you are in a hospital and have easy access to medical help. The fact that you have just recently had surgery might limit doctors’ options for treating you. For example, medicines that would have helped your pneumonia might have to be ruled out because they might interfere with medicines you are already on.
Furthermore, proper breathing exercises can help to keep your immune system functioning well. This is quite important, since many patients can catch illnesses in hospitals. They might be exposed to other patients with a contagious illness, or a doctor or nurse might bring the infection in while going from one patient to another. Hospital ventilation systems might also play a part in the spreading of diseases among patients. As far as immunity goes, it is good to keep your shields up to maximum-unless you have just had an organ transplant and fear organ rejection.
For all of these reasons, do not forget to attend to your lungs after you have had your abdominal operation.
Archive for June, 2009
Respiratory Exercise – Essential For Recovery After Abdominal Surgery
Common Signs of Arthritis in Dogs and How You Can Ease Your Pet’s Discomfort
Unfortunately, arthritis in dogs is about as common as it is in people. It may range from mild to moderate or severe. If your dog is overweight, the extra pressure on joints can exacerbate the problem. And, as with humans, there may be joint cartilage damage.
Fortunately there are some dog arthritis medications, both over-the-counter and prescriptions, as well as nutritional supplements, that can help make your dog feel better. There are also some physical aids that can assist your arthritic pet in getting around.
Common Signs of Arthritis in Dogs
You dog may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
Difficulty in getting up Limping, especially after exercise Walking slower than normal or a change in gait Difficulty in jumping or climbing stairs, or a hard time squatting to do his business.
Treating Dog Arthritis: Arthritis Medication and Aspirin for Dogs
It is always best to see your vet to get a proper diagnosis. He or she may prescribe one or more anti-inflammatory medications or pain relievers. You can also get special non-prescription canine aspirin for dogs with arthritis to help relieve their joint pain. Canine aspirin can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
Glucosamine and Other Arthritis Supplements for Dogs
Some people have found success in reducing their dog’s discomfort and improving their mobility by giving them supplements of glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM. Fatty acid supplements can also be helpful in reducing inflammation by helping to lubricate the joints and improve joint health.
Help Your Dog Lose Weight
Arthritis in dogs, as with people, can be exasperated by extra weight. If your dog is overweight, help him lose excess pounds by reducing calorie intake and giving him low impact exercise such as leash walks and swimming.
Physical Aids for Your Arthritic Dog
An elevated dog feeder can help your dog so he doesn’t have to bend over to eat or drink. A pet ramp can help your dog get into the car or on the bed A dog harness versus a collar is gentler on the neck and back An orthopedic bed provides even support and reduces pressure on joints.
With a little extra care, your arthritic dog can still live an active life.
Flu Shot Complications
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, commonly referred to as the CDC, advises that the best way to lower your chances of getting the flu is to get an annual flu shot. Complications and allergic reaction to flu shot vaccinations are considered rare and “worth the risk” for some people, particularly elderly people who live in nursing home situations.
Allergic reaction to flu shot vaccinations can be caused by any of the ingredients in the shot, but most often occur in people who are allergic to eggs. The shot contains dead influenza viruses that were grown in chicken eggs. It is believed, at least by the CDC, that most flu shot complications occur in people who have an allergy to chicken eggs.
The CDC advises that the signs of allergic reaction to flu shot vaccinations can include breathing problems, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, accelerated heartbeat, or dizziness and if they occur, it will be within the first few hours following the flu shot. Complications, other than the common side effects (redness or swelling at the injection site, low grade fever and body aches), should be reported to a doctor right away and the doctor should file a “Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System” form. A severe allergic reaction to flu shot vaccinations can be life threatening and anyone who has had an allergic reaction to flu shot vaccinations in the past should consult a doctor before taking the annual flu shot.
Those people who are allergic to mercury or thimerosal may have an allergic reaction to flu shot vaccinations. Thimerosal is used in the manufacturing process of all flu vaccines and is used as a preservative in most. While the CDC states that there is “no convincing evidence” that thimerosal can cause severe flu shot complications, many doctors and researchers believe that mercury presence in flu shots can lead to autism and Alzheimer’s. The evidence concerning the link between mercury in flu shots and autism was convincing enough for New York state to ban vaccines containing thimerosal that are intended for use in pregnant women and children. But, even those flu shots which are labeled preservative free still contain trace amounts of mercury. It is generally not believed that these trace amounts can cause flu shot complications.
One of the flu shot complications that occurs rarely is a condition called Guillain-Barre syndrome. It is not considered an allergic reaction to flu shot vaccinations, but it may be associated with them. Guillain-Barre syndrome symptoms include fever and muscle weakness and sometimes results in paralysis and permanent nerve damage. The CDC advises that anyone who has had Guillain-Barre syndrome in the past, regardless of whether it was linked to flu shot complications, should consult their doctor before taking the annual vaccine.
Because severe allergic reaction to flu shot vaccinations are rare, the CDC believes that the benefits associated with the vaccine outweigh the risks associated with possible flu shot complications. The vaccine is considered to be 70-90% effective in preventing influenza in healthy persons under 65, 30-70% effective in preventing hospitalization due to influenza in elderly persons living outside of nursing homes, 50-60% effective in preventing hospitalization from influenza in elderly nursing home residents and 80% effective in preventing death from influenza in elderly nursing home residents.
Symptoms of Wheat Allergies
An allergy to wheat can be extremely frustrating. Since there are so many foods that contain wheat, it seems like your life could never be the same. Don’t worry; this is far from the case. The first step is understanding the wheat allergy symptoms.
Allergy to wheat symptoms include chest pains, dizziness and nausea, vomiting, bloating and skin rashes. It’s also common to experience changes in mood, swelling of the tongue, eye irritation, coughing and a stuffy nose. One lesser known symptom of a wheat allergy is frequent urination. It’s usually triggered when you eat foods that are high in gluten.
If any of these symptoms occur you need to determine exactly what foods are triggering the allergic reaction. A daily food journal will help you keep tract of exactly what you’re eating. After you figure out what’s causing the unpleasant symptoms, you only need to stop consuming that type of food. It’s also a good idea to consult a doctor. He’ll be able to perform allergy testing that will pin point the foods you’re allergic to.
Treatment is usually fairly simple; you just stop eating the foods you’re allergic to. There is medication available to help with the symptoms; however it’s usually just better to avoid the foods. The good news is that now there are many alternative food options available that do not contain wheat. You can choose from wheat free bread, pasta, or cake if you like. Many times they’re so good you won’t even be able to tell the difference.
4 Best Tips to Beat the Flu
Many people suffer from the flu or the common cold during the winter season. It is usually difficult to predict when and where one was infected with the virus, but it is possible to prepare yourself against the bug. Vitamins, proper nutrition, and plenty of sleep, are just a few of the ways to avoid getting sick.
The first step towards a healthy winter season is attained by getting a flu shot. This shot is usually offered from October until December. It is important to note that this particular vaccine protects us only from the flu, not from the common cold. The common cold is easily spreadable and it has many different causes therefore it is more difficult to develop a vaccine for it.
Another way to protect yourself during the winter months is by washing your hands. Colds and the flu can be easily passed around through coughing, sneezing, and touching. An infected person can simply sneeze on their hand and place their hand on a commonly used doorknob. Therefore, it is important to wash your hands very often during this season. Another way to avoid the flu and cold is to limit your exposure to infected people. Viruses spread easily that is why it is better to avoid people who have been infected. However, if you have to be around infected people, it may be wise to protect yourself by taking extra vitamins.
The final step towards avoiding the a cold is to practice healthy lifestyle habits. Healthy nutritional habits, plenty of sleep, and regular exercise can all help you reduce your chances of becoming infected with a virus. A healthy lifestyle along with all of the other tips provided earlier in this article can help you reduce your chances of becoming infected this winter season.
Influenza Medicine Effectively Addresses the Underlying Causes and Treats the Symptoms of Swine Flu
The virus that causes swine flu is rapidly spreading all over the world and there is serious cause for concern that it could become an epidemic. Read on to know more about the symptoms of this life threatening disease and how it can be treated with Tamiflu.
Symptoms and causes of swine flu
Commonly known as swine flu, the H1N1 type A influenza is an infectious human disease that is easily contracted from other people. However, the disease was nicknamed so because the virus that causes it was originally passed on to humans from swine. This virus is a combination of genes from the bird, swine and human flu viruses. In the past, this disease generally affected people who came into direct contact with these animals. But the current outbreak of swine flu is said to be caused by a new breed of the swine flu virus and has been reported even amongst people who haven’t had any kind of contact, direct or indirect, with swine.
Some of the common symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of the regular influenza and include cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat, headache, body ache, fatigue and chills. Many people suffering from swine flu also experience symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Everyone who has had flu, experiences at least two of these common symptoms. However, the above mentioned symptoms can also be caused by other conditions. This means that your doctor will be unable to diagnose the disease on the basis of symptoms alone. Many healthcare professionals offer a quick swine flu test, but a negative result does not necessarily mean that you haven’t got the disease. The accuracy of this test generally depends on the method of sample collection, the quality of the test, as well as the amount of the viral sample being tested.
Tamiflu UK
Tamiflu is a prescription medication and should be taken as per your doctor’s recommendations. Tamiflu UK is available at any pharmacy near you. You can also visit online pharmacies or internet clinics that have a panel of doctors who will issue a Tamiflu prescription based on your symptoms and diagnosis. Buying Tamiflu online in the UK is an easy and convenient way of taking swine flu treatment.
Consisting of the active ingredient oseltamivir phosphate, Tamiflu is a prescription drug used in the treatment of influenza. Tamiflu targets this deadly virus and prevents it from spreading inside your body. Unlike other influenza drugs that only treat the symptoms, Tamiflu addresses the underlying causes of the disease by attacking the virus that actually causes it. Tamiflu can successfully treat this disease if it is taken as soon as the symptoms appear. It can also lower the risk of infection in people who have been exposed to an infected individual and thereby prevent a swine flu outbreak.
The initial recommended dose is a single 75mg pill twice a day for a period of 5 days. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dose on the basis of factors such as your age as well as the other medical conditions you suffer from (if any). If you are taking Tamiflu to prevent rather than treat influenza, the drug should be taken for at least 10 days. Tamiflu dosage for children will depend on their body weight. Tamiflu is a well tolerated treatment for swine flu as well as for the common flu. However, it cannot be a substitute for vaccination and should not be used as such.
5 Things You Should Consider Before Purchasing an Under Sink Water Filter
The water that we get from our kitchen faucet is probably the most important in the whole house. This is the water that we drink and cook with. Do not assume that it is “pure” just because you have municipal water or your well passed the “test”. For very little effort and money you come be enjoying healthier and better tasting water for less than 10 cents a gallon. You may be a candidate for an under sink water filter.
Reverse Osmosis vs Carbon Filtration
Reverse Osmosis systems lack efficiency. They typically use a 3 step process which removes sediment, dirt, algae, volatile organics, minerals, lead, inorganic compounds, salt and some others. Some of these minerals improve the taste of the water and are needed by our bodies. After this process is complete the water is stored in a tank. And of course this tank requires extra space. This process is also slow. It takes a little more than an hour to produce a gallon of water
Only activated carbon filters can remove smaller substances such as pesticides, herbicides, and chlorine. They also allow the important needed minerals to stay. Water flows through these systems and there is no storage tank.
Cost
Points of use systems are very economical. You should be paying less than 10 cents per gallon. And you can stop buying that bottled water And use a reusable bottle so you can keep those plastic bottles out of the landfill. The initial cost of the system should be under $200.
Ease of Installation
These types of systems are easily installed by the homeowner. The entire project should take you less than a couple of hours before you have clean, tasty water.
Space and Maintenance
Under the sink water filters take very little space. And they require very little maintenance.
Recovery Time or Speed
The carbon filters run as fast as your water basically. So you should always have pure water when you need it.
So there you have it. 5 things to consider before you purchase an under sink water filter. I think that you will agree that the carbon filter systems are better. They have better filtration, cost less, are easier to install and maintain, and the produce more water in less time. So great tasting, healthy water can be yours for less than 10 cents a day. What are you waiting for?
Natural Allergy Relief For Oak Pollen
Oak pollen allergy sufferers are quite familiar with the huge amounts of pollen that oak trees produce and the allergy symptoms that occur when oak pollen is high. The oak pollen pods resemble little worms and they release their pollen to be carried by the wind, while the pods fall and accumulate on the ground, almost like orangish-brown fuzzy snow.
During the oak pollen season, the effects of the pollen are everywhere, with cars and windows covered with the orange-brown film the pollen creates. Even pavement where the spent pollen pods accumulate will get stained brown. Those suffering from oak pollen allergies can experience severe reactions. Massive sinus drainage, watery eyes, sneezing, and/or coughing will develop that can defy almost any allergy treatment available, at least until the oak pollen subsides.
Severe oak allergy reactions can motivate sufferers to turn to every remedy they can think of, including drastic measures like steroid injections. Some will decide to handle the situation once and for all by starting allergy shots, even though the needles are less than pleasant, without realizing that it often takes years to finally get results.
Many oak allergy sufferers will seek out natural relief from treatments like nutritional supplements, herbal remedies, homeopathy and/or acupuncture, and all of these forms of treatment will provide some degree of temporary relief for the majority of people. But what if there was a way to do more than just suppress allergy symptoms?
But what if there was another way to deal with allergies that gets rid of the problem long-term as seen with allergy shots, but gets results in days and doesn’t require getting stuck with needles repeatedly? Well, there actually is a way to do this, using “energy medicine” techniques.
The most widely-practiced of these natural allergy relief methods is NAET, which stands for Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Technique. Dr. Devi Nambudripad is a chiropractor and acupuncturist from California who accidentally discovered how stimulating specific acupuncture meridians while being exposed to the allergens one reacts to can reset the body so that it no longer reacts to those allergens.
Since NAET was first developed in the 1980′s, other similar techniques have been developed that are more streamlined, but NAET is still the most popular. All energy-based allergy elimination techniques are definitely strange and can seem like they are too good to be true, but in eight years of practicing Allergy and Sensitivity Elimination and Reprogramming Technique (ASERT), a newer, more efficient version of allergy elimination based on the underlying principles of NAET, I have found it to be extremely effective on even the most severe and chronic of allergy sufferers.
Because these techniques are so strange and because I practice in San Antonio, an area where a high percentage of the population is still extremely skeptical of alternative medicine, I do the allergy desensitization on people and let them experience the results before they pay me. I use the honor system with regards to the allergy elimination procedure I use in my office – I do the full allergy elimination procedure and patients pay me after the fact when they are satisfied that the treatment was effective for them. The vast majority send me checks or call me with a credit card number, which I think is a dramatic testament to the effectiveness of this technique.
The great part about these techniques is that the results occur quickly. In the case of seasonal allergies like those to oak pollen, symptoms may be severe for weeks at a time, so allergy sufferers seek out some form of natural allergy relief that takes effect quickly, rather than a treatment approach like allergy shots that can take years to be effective, and rather than treatments that have potentially serious side-effects such as steroid drugs. Energy-based allergy elimination provides relief within a day or two and does so without the risk of side-effects.
Better yet, the effects of energy-based allergy elimination last for several months to several years because these techniques actually get rid of the allergies, not just suppress allergy symptoms and inflammation. So, oak allergy sufferers can usually go through multiple oak seasons without any problems without ongoing treatment after going through the allergy desensitization.
Although NAET practitioners often claim that the effects of NAET are permanent, which they may be in some cases, it has been my experience that allergies can re-develop, particularly after somone is sick with a cold or flu, or suffers a major trauma during a high pollen season. It appears that the body may develop allergies in a “guilt by association” manner in which an activation of the body’s immune system and inflammatory response from something other than pollen may become associated with the presence of a given allergen, thus triggering a reaction to the allergen. In other words, if you catch the flu during a time when oak pollen is high, it is not unusual to develop oak allergies.
In any case, energy-based allergy desensitization is very much for real, and it offers fast, effective natural allergy relief for oak pollen allergies, as well as any other type of allergy (including airborne allergens, foods, and skin-contact allergies).
Holiday Exercise Tips for People with Arthritis
Exercise is one of the cornerstones of comprehensive arthritis treatment. Components of a good exercise program include non-impact aerobic, stretching, and strengthening. During most of the year it’s setting a regular program is doable. During the holidays it’s more difficult. Whether you exercise outdoors or indoors, there are some important principles to adhere to.
Here are some useful tips for you to follow…
1. Consult your physician at least once a year to make sure your physical condition is stable enough for exercise.
2. Set realistic benchmarks for the holidays. You may be used to exercising daily or 5 days a week. During the holidays your schedule will be disrupted. That’s OK. Do what you can and don’t get frustrated.
3. Remember, it all counts. If you find yourself doing more shopping and walking around the mall, that’s OK. While it’s not the same workout as running or working out on the elliptical trainer or stationary bike, it’s still exercise.
4. This is a good time to assess the best use of your time. Most people find it more convenient to have the exercise equipment at home. This helps you avoid those trips to the gym. Why fight the traffic?
5. You may have to alter your usual routine. If you’re used to working out in the late afternoon, you may want to get up early and exercise if you know the family has plans for later in the day.
6. Sometimes you may have to break up your exercise into blocks. Instead of doing 45 minutes all at one time, you might want to do 25 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes later in the day.
7. If you need to drop the kids off at an activity, use the time that you’re waiting for them to go for a run or a walk.
8. Pencil it in. If you use a planner (and everyone should), pencil in your exercise time just like you would any important appointment.
9. Reward yourself. If you are able to do an extra good workout, let yourself have that extra piece of pie. You deserve it. But just one extra piece.
10. Vary your routine. Just like the rest of the year, alternate your workouts. Ironically, it may be easier during the holidays because you may have to substitute mall walking for the treadmill.
11. Take time out to rest. Pacing yourself is important. If you’re sticking to your exercise program, don’t forget to take some down time in the form of meditation or even a good old-fashioned nap!
12. Target your heart rate. Your target heart rate is 60 to 90 per cent of your maximum heart rate. Here’s how to calculate it. Subtract your age from 220. Multiply that number by 0.6 and 0.9. Exercise while keeping your heart rate (beats per minute) between those two numbers.
13. If you like exercising outdoors, be sure to stretch and warm-up before you go out; use layers (inner layer for perspiration absorption and wicking away of moisture- use synthetics like polypropylene or silk [UnderArmour or Coolmax make good choices]; middle layer for warmth [fleece]; outer layer to break the wind and keep out the cold); cover your head and make sure your hands and feet are well insulated; avoid hypothermia.
When you have arthritis it’s important to be kind to yourself during the holidays. Take good care of your body and it will take care of you.
Installing an Under the Sink Water Filtration System
It seems we hear more and more each day from folks who are becoming dissatisfied with the taste and the cleanliness of their tap water. It is obvious that we all need clean water to drink. Unfortunately, it is up to us as consumers to take matters into our own hands to ensure that which flows from our tap is clean and free of chemicals or other harmful contaminates.
Many people have opted to buy bottled water as an alternative to consuming their tap water. This may seem like a wise decision, but in reality, the expense quickly adds up and ends up costing you more money than is necessary. Furthermore, plastic water bottles are not biodegradable, meaning they will never break down and be stuck in a landfill forever. Can you imagine all the plastic bottles we use and how harmful they will be for the environment? Purchasing water in plastic bottles for all your drinking and cooking needs will significantly add to your carbon footprint.
Luckily, there are solutions to our clean water frustrations. Water filtration systems are available that will clean our water supply and make it more desirable to drink. There are many water purification systems available, but for regular home consumption use, you’re most likely to enjoy the convenience of an under-the-sink filtration unit. Water filtration systems that fit underneath your kitchen sink are hidden from view making them aesthetically pleasing. Your guests will never know you use a filter, but your tap water will be clean and taste great.
Under-the-sink water filtration systems work by filtering the harmful chemicals out of the H2O, such as chlorine and other contaminates. They can be installed easily, either by an experienced plumber or by the household handy man, although if the handyman has no experience with plumbing, you may just defer to a professional to handle the task. In most cases, a total under the sink water filtration unit can be installed in less than 30 minutes. You can begin enjoying your a clean, filtered drink immediately.
The water filter will need to be changed every six months or so. The cost of these filters certainly rivals the cost of purchasing bottled water in bulk week after week. You’ll be happy to be saving money and you won’t have to carry those heavy packages of bottled water from the grocery store to your home.
Everyone should have clean, contaminate-free water supplied to his or her home. Unfortunately, this is not the case. While water treatment facilities do a great job with removing bacteria and viruses from our supply, there are still some contaminates that sneak through, making our tap water taste odd or appear cloudy. An under the sink filtration system will ensure that which comes out of your faucet is as clean and safe as possible, with a great taste that you and your entire family will be sure to enjoy.