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Archive for July, 2009

What Is the Best Arthritis Pain Relief?

13 Jul



There are a number of options when it comes to arthritis pain relief, from simple home remedies to powerful anti-inflammatory drugs. The effectiveness of these rheumatoid and osteoarthritis treatments depends on the nature and severity of the condition. It’s important to find out how you can treat your painful symptoms, and the advantages and disadvantages of each remedy.

Arthritis in its various forms affects millions of people, and is one of the most common age-related health conditions. The three most common varieties are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout, all of which are accompanied by symptoms such as inflammation, stiffness, redness and joint pain.

Until very recently, the most commonly prescribed medications for arthritis were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, a relatively new class of drugs that could effectively reduce inflammation and the associated painful symptoms. However, it was discovered that prolonged use of these medications could increase your chances of having a heart attack and stroke. One of the most popular NSAIDs, Vioxx, was actually recalled due to these findings. Ever since, people have been looking for arthritis pain relief in other forms.

Alternative rheumatoid and osteoarthritis treatment options do exist, and many people have had success with various natural treatments, some concocted at home, others in the form of herbal supplements available for sale. Osteo is the most common form, marked by the wearing away of cushy cartilage covering the bones. This breakdown causes the bones to rub together, resulting in swelling and inflammation.

In addition to various dietary changes which can help reduce inflammation, two of the most well-researched supplements to treat osteo and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are glucosamine and chondroitin. Glucosamine, an amino sugar dervied from oyster and crab shells, aids in the repair of connective tissue in the body by stimulating the proteins involved in the process. It can offer arthritis pain relief by slowing down the degeneration of cartilage.

Chondroitin, derived from shark cartilage, has been shown to decrease the activity of the enzymes involved in breaking down cartilage. These two substances together are the one-two punch in most of the popular osteoarthritis treatment supplements.

Some of the other very popular remedies include MSM, a natural sulfur compound with anti-inflammatory capabilities, bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapple that inhibits tissue destruction and boswellia, an herbal extract with powerful anti-inflammatory capability.

When it comes to treating rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and those of osteoarthritis, make sure you consult your physician first. He or she will be explain your options, which may include a combination of conventional and alternative treatments. There are many effective natural arthritis pain relief supplements out there, it’s just a matter of discovering what works for you.

You can read more about gout, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis treatment on our site.

 
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Equine Influenza

12 Jul



It’s flu season and you feel a little under the weather. Did you know that your horse can get the flu too? That’s right! Just as the flu spreads quickly through groups of people, equine influenza spreads quickly through groups of horses as well! But don’t worry, while your horse may need to lay low for a few days, most horses recover without complications, and very few die.

So how do you know if your horse is dealing with a bout of the flu? A fever in the range of 101 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit is usually the first sign. When your horse gets the characteristic cough, however, you can be pretty sure (but don’t bet the farm quite yet!) that he has the flu. The cough usually comes on following the fever, and is dry and hacking at first. Within a few days the cough will become less frequent and moister, and will last a few weeks.

That being said, it’s not a good idea to diagnose your horse yourself. Why? Because the symptoms for flu can mirror other, more dangerous conditions, like viral rhinopneumonitis and viral arteritis. Call your veterinarian, who will run blood tests and take nasal discharge in order to conclusively diagnose equine influenza.

How long will symptoms last? While the temperature should subside within three days or so, other symptoms your horse might exhibit if he has the flu include nasal discharge, weakness, stiffness, loss of appetite, and lack of energy. Do these symptoms sound familiar? They are usually what humans get when they have the flu! It is normal for these symptoms to persist between two and seven days. If they persist much longer than this, a repeat call to your vet is definitely in order.

How does the flu spread? It is basically spread through the air, and passes from horse to horse when they inhale the infective material. A horse with the flu who coughs easily passes his infection to surrounding horses, which is why the equine flu spreads so quickly in areas where there are lots of horses!

While there is no medicine that will “cure” the flu, horses with the flu need to rested until the cough has fully subsided to allow the respiratory epithelium to completely heal. Rest your horse in a well-ventilated, clean stall and be sure that exercise is strictly limited.

A horse will need at least three weeks, and sometimes as long as several months, to get better. Keep in mind that older and younger horses get hit by the flu harder than other horses, and should be given special consideration. If you have a very young or very old horse, ask your vet about giving the horse antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infections.

There are basically two types of viral flu, and there are vaccines that can protect your horses against both of them. Ask your veterinarian, especially if your horse is one of many horses kept together in close quarters, if an equine influenza shot should be used.

 
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Cat Flea Allergy – A 2 Steps Treatment Approach

12 Jul

See your cat scratching and biting on its fur frantically?

See inflamed, irritated and infected skin on your cat?

If yes, your cat may be suffering from cat flea allergy!

Cat flea allergy, or commonly known as flea allergy dermatitis in cats is one of the most common single cause for consultation of a vet. This is cause mainly by the bites from fleas when they feed on the blood of the cat.

For a normal cat, it would only feel minor irritation to the fleas bites. Even in the presence of dozens of fleas, these cats will not be greatly affected and they feel little itch. On the other hand, if a flea allergic cat comes in contact with even a single flea, they can have severe itch reaction to the flea bites. Very often, such allergic reaction may continue for days to weeks causing intense itch and discomfort to the cat.

To treat cat flea allergy, there is a 2 steps approach to it.

Prevention:

Cat develops flea allergic dermatitis because of the presence of fleas on them. As such, the only way to prevent the occurrence of this dreaded, tormenting skin disorder in your cat is to prevent the contact of your cat with fleas. No Fleas, No Bites!

Flea control for cats is therefore an absolute necessity. To get rid of cat fleas completely, your choice of a flea treatment product is very important.

The need to treat the surrounding environment, both indoor and outdoors, are often ignored leading to re-infestation after you succeed in eradicating the fleas on your cat.

Treatment:

Cats affected by flea bites allergy is usually in great discomfort. Their constant scratching and biting may lead to inflamed and infected skin.

Keeping the skin clean is therefore important to prevent secondary infection. Bathing your affected cat with a medicated shampoo may be necessary. Antibiotic and steroid cream may be prescribed to relief the itch and inflammation.

Visit the section on Flea Bite Treatment where you can find out more about the reaction and symptoms of cat flea allergy and what you can do to alleviate the pain and discomfort of your flea allergic cat.

 
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Posted in Allergy And Sinus

 

Wonder Drug of Dreams Set to Sweep Gold in 2012 Olympics of Sleep

11 Jul

Those in the know are forecasting a sweep of the gold for the Swiss pharmaceutical company Actelion in the coming 2012 Olympics of Sleep. Their candidate, Almorexant, has been in serious training since his discovery in 1998. He is expected to take gold medals in all of the following events:
Prescription for Insomnia Enhancer for Dreams Catalyst for Memory Stimulant for Creativity Accelerant for Performance Depressant for Obesity No single country, nor any sleep medication currently available has come close to winning in all categories. Most have left participants sluggish, depressed, agitated, confused, and complaining of muscle aches during the day.

Almorexant, already in Phase III testing and development, will probably take home the gold in the competition for sleep in 2012. The testing now is to determine low dosage levels, effects of increasingly higher dosage levels, and side effects compared to currently used sleep medications. Amorexant, was discovered and developed by the Swiss pharmaceutical company, Actelion. Imagine the worldwide market for a drug that will help insomnia victims, that will improve REM sleep and therefore enhance your dream state, that will act as a catalyst to improve memory consolidation, that will stimulate your creativity through reorganization of memory parcels, that will accelerate performance, and will also depress the brain’s feeding regulation and therefore depress obesity. The drug has already shown that it can improve all of the above. Orexin, a neuropeptide produced by the hypothalamus affects the body’s sleep-wake cycle as well as feeding regulation or appetite. Almorexant’s main ingredient acts as an antagonist to the orexin receptors in the brain.

The active ingredient, orexin-RA-1, when given to rats, was found to stimulate sound sleep and peak performance in maze tests the following morning. They outperformed all of the rats given conventional sleep medications, suggesting improved memory capacity. “Measurements of muscle tone and brain activity revealed an increase in the dream phase of sleep. The dream phase of sleep is when memory is hardwired in the brain,” says Actelion CEO Jean Paul Clozel.

Shahrad Taheri, at the University of Bristol, believes that blocking the orexin system would result in a decrease in appetite and therefore a decrease in obesity.

Studies have shown that the orexin neurons of the brain are active during waking hours and that they are silent during sleep. The orexin antagonist, orexin-RA-1, has been proven to be much more effective than melatonin, benzodiazepines, opiates, and histamines in brain penetration, increasing total sleep time, REM stage sleep time, acceleration time to fall asleep, and it does not cause motor impairment like the other sleep medications.

Isaac Kobrin, M.D. and previous Head of Clinical Development at Actelion and now Chief Medical Officer at Actelion, concluded in Medicalnewstoday.com attests to almorexant’s positive affects on both REM and non-REM sleep. He believes it results in better next day performances than benzodiazeprine medications.

So far there have been no reports of adverse effects or safety issues in the tests that have been completed. With over 80 million Americans suffering from sleeplessness and 25 million or more of those with chronic insomnia, almorexant is poised to take the gold medals expected in 2012 and to become one of the top ten drugs of the future. According to drugs.com, in 2008 the most popular sleep aid, Ambien CR, was #43, recording $865,719 in retail sales and a decrease of 1.2% from 2007. The second most popular sleep aid, Lunesta, was #47, recording $771,019 in retail sales and an increase of 8.2% from 2007. Just to compare #’s, the #1 prescribed drug in 2008 was Lipitor, the cholesterol depressor, which recorded $5,880,128 in retail sales, and that was a decrease of 4.6% from 2007. Ambien CR and Lunesta can both have serious side effects such as sluggishness, depression, memory problems, agitation, rapid heartbeat, confusion, decreased coordination and muscle aches, and more.

Almorexant, after testing and approval, will become the 2012 Olympic Champion of Sleep, the Wonder Drug of Dreams, and its name will become as familiar on television as Michael Phelps. The millions of sleep deprived people in the world will finally obtain the “good night’s rest” they deserve as well as the sweet dreams to improve memory, creativity, and performance.

 
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Posted in aids & hiv

 

Doctor, I Am Treated With Rituxan For Rheumatoid Arthritis. What Is This Serious Brain Side-Effect?

10 Jul



The United States Food and Drug Administration issued an alert on December 19, 2006, regarding the use of rituximab (Rituxan) in patients with certain arthritic conditions. This was based on two reports of fatal progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who had received rituximab therapy.

PML is a rare, generally fatal demyelinating disease of the central nervous
system similar to multiple sclerosis. It is caused by reactivation of JC polyoma virus infection. Exposure to JC virus is endemic meaning that approximately 80% of healthy adults have been exposed to the virus and actually still carry the virus around. However, PML is rare (approximately 1 in 200,000 persons), and is almost always seen among very immunocompromised individuals, for example AIDS patients and organ transplant patients receiving strong immunosuppressive drugs.

There have been approximately 20 cases of PML reported in the medical
literature among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) not receiving rituximab. More than 85% of patients reported were receiving one or more immunosuppressive drugs and/or high dose corticosteroids. The outcome was fatal in approximately two thirds of cases. Although rituximab has not yet received regulatory approval for use in SLE, it is estimated that approximately 8,000 SLE
patients worldwide have received therapy with rituximab to date.

The symptoms of PML include paralysis, thinking difficulty, memory lapses, and
problems with coordination.

Diagnosis can be difficult. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings consistent with PML include multiple spots in different parts of the brain with the lesions limited to the white matter. The presence of JC virus in the central nervous system (CNS) can be established by a test called the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on samples of cerebrospinal fluid. Biopsy of brain tissue also will be abnormal. Measurement of the viral load of JC virus in the blood can also be done.

Among AIDS patients, antiretroviral therapy has resulted in a decreased prevalence of PML, indicating that improved immune function can improve outcome. It is not clear whether discontinuation of immunosuppressive therapy might improve the outcome in other conditions. Several anti-viral agents have been tried in patients with PML (interferon, cidofovir, cytarabine), but only cytarabine, which penetrates
the central nervous system poorly, has shown activity against JC virus.

PML has been reported among patients with rheumatic diseases, including SLE
and Wegener’s granulomatosis. There are a handful of reports of PML among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. No cases of PML have been reported to date
among RA patients treated with rituximab. Among patients with
immunodeficiencies, patients with AIDS have a greater prevalence of PML
than those with other immune deficiencies.

PML is a rare condition. So far two cases of PML have been described in
patients with SLE treated with rituximab. The overall and long-term risk of
PML in patients with rheumatic diseases treated with rituximab is unknown.
Patients should be counseled about the potential risk. As with any
treatment, the potential risks must be weighed against the potential
benefits of therapy.

 
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Posted in Arthritis

 

Secrets of the Chesapeake Bay Revealed

10 Jul



The Upper Chesapeake Bay has been receiving a lot of notoriety over the last few years due to the improved catch rates and overall weight increases reported in the tournaments. While the true river rats have known of this bass fishing hotbed for some time now, the recent success is attracting clubs from all over Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and even as far away as New York. Most of this pressure has converged on the Elk River, and the Tyding’s Park area in Havre de Grace, Md., since these areas provide more than adequate launching and parking facilities that are necessary to hold the tournaments. Many of the smaller club tournaments also start from the Northeast and Elk River areas. With this influx of angling pressure, many of the traditional hot spots have become increasingly crowded during the weekends, and have forced anglers to make longer and longer runs in search of untapped bass waters. Many of these anglers have now discovered that the 20-30 minute drive through sometimes rough and unsafe water, to the Sassafras River, has been well worth the effort.

Ramp and Launching Locations

The following locations and patterns, have not only produced tournament winning limits, but have produced over 100 bass in the 5-6 pound range, over the last 5 years, from this river. These are true “Trophy” bass for a Northeastern River system.

The Elk River, via Elk Neck State Park, is probably the most popular, due to it’s more than adequate parking facilities, and close proximity to the Sassafras. This is only a 10-15 minute drive from the Sassafras.

Tyding’s Park and Marina, located In Havre De Grace, Md., is the farthest, and most difficult drive to access the Sassafras River. We launch from this area only when we have located good numbers of bass on the Susquehanna Flats or in the nearby coves or docks of the Northeast. The drive from here can be dangerous in the early morning fog and heavy boat wakes in the Spring and Summer. At 55 mph, it takes about 25 minutes to reach the first starting point on the Sassafras. The best area to launch in the Sassafras is in Duffy Creek, located right behind the Granary Restaurant, on Sassafras Street, in the town of Galena. This is a private marina, with average parking facilities, and a good ramp. It is a pay per use facility, and charges a daily fee of $5.00.

The second area to launch is the public boat ramp on Sassafras Street, right before the restaurant. This is a small boat only ramp, but it is adequate for launching most any bass boat at the proper tide. In low tide situations, this can be a tricky ramp, so great care should be taken during these times, as it is extremely shallow, and has ruined many a boat prop and hull. The next spot you can launch is a “permit only” ramp located in Turner’s Creek. This area has the most parking, and offers a middle of the river launch site.

When and Where To Go – Turner’s Creek

Although the Sassafras offers excellent fishing all times of the year except the winter, the Early Spring is the best time to start. Spring on the Sassafras is similar to any other body of water, in the respect that the bass’s life revolves entirely around the spawning process, and the locating of spawning areas. The Sassafras normally hold bass in almost every area of the river, but at this time of year, it suddenly shrinks to a few, and eventually, two major creeks.

In the early pre-spawn, largemouth can found in the emerging grasses and the wood cover, in locations such as Hall’s Creek, Freeman, McGill, Turner, DuPont, and Lloyd’s. As the spawn gets even closer, they make their way to Turner’s and Lloyd’s almost exclusively.

Turner’s Creek offers a huge amount of diverse cover for bass. There is a narrow entrance to this creek where the main river channel runs right along a wood laden bank with a steep drop-off. Pre-spawn bass lay along this drop at depths from 2-18 feet, all of which is loaded with laydowns and emerging vegetation. Directly next to the entrance is a small bay loaded with lily pads and several varieties of emerging grasses, on a slow tapering bank, that eventually levels off into the main river channel. This area at the entrance to Turner’s Creek, is one of the 2 major staging areas for largemouth in the Sassafras. The Western shoreline of this creek is totally covered with what are emerging lily pad root systems, that are mixed in with several varieties of vegetation, including Milfoil and Hydrilla. Many bass choose these root systems to spawn. The Eastern shoreline offers a hard sand and rock bottom, along with vegetation, that mixes in with a number of large boat docks. The bass use the docks, and standing and decaying pilings to hold on, and eventually make their beds on, to escape the current and predators which are prevalent in the river.

Lure Selections and Strategy

When targeting pre-spawn bass at the entrance of the creek, spinner baits are our weapon of choice. Terminator spinnerbaits in the 3/8 and

 
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Causes and Flu Treatments

10 Jul



What is flu?

Influenza, commonly known as flu, is an acute febrile highly contagious viral disease that is caused because of the flu virus. You must get flu treatment and complete rest before the condition becomes too complex. Flu is a highly contagious respiratory illness which can be spread either by the coughing and sneezing of an infected person or from an infected person if you come in close contact with them or even touch them. Flu viruses hit or attack our body by spreading through the respiratory tract. Many of the infected people get better and recover in 1 to 2 weeks, but few people develop serious and critical medical complications like pneumonia. The infected person can spread the flu infection before they are aware of the fact that they are infected. There is no perfect cure for the flu but you can get relief from flu infection with the help of flu treatments. Flu treatment can be obtained with the help of herbal remedies, homeopathic remedies and natural remedies.

Causes of Flu

You may at times wonder about the causes of flu. Flu Infections are usually caused by airborne transmission. To understand details on causes of flu you must first understand the basic flu facts. Knowing about the causes of flu can help you in preventing yourself from getting the flu and its symptoms. So, its very important to know about causes of flu and how they affect you and your loved ones.

The flu is very different from a cold. A cold can be caused because of 100 different viruses but flu is caused only by the influenza virus. Later, we will give details of the types of influenza viruses, which is the only cause of this contagious disease.

Firstly, flu is spread by inhaling a respiratory droplet from a flu infected person. The flu virus gets an opportunity to enter into other individual’s bodies when they breathe in infectious droplets expelled by the infected person while coughing or sneezing.

Secondly, flu is spread by indirect contact with a contaminated object. The virus gets on the hands of the uninfected person while touching any object, which was earlier touched by an infected person. The flu virus enters into the body of an uninfected person by touching eyes, ears, nose, and mouth making him/her ill.

Flu can also be caused by the items infected with respiratory secretions.

Influenza virus attacks your respiratory tract that as a result causes soreness and rashes. These viruses frequently change with time. Because of the constant change in viral RNA, it is able to avoid the resistant system in our bodies.

Symptoms of the Flu

Before you go for the flu treatments check the symptoms of flu. Some of the flu symptoms are exactly the same as cold symptoms. Symptoms like stuffy nose, sore throat and cough are found in a cold as well as the flu. Symptoms which are found only in a flu infected person are:

• High temperature: Usually 100 F-103 F in adults and at times much higher in children

• Shivering and sudden onset of chills

• Severe headache

• Complete Body pain

• Fatigue, weakness

• Nausea, vomiting

• Diarrhea

Symptoms of flu may continue for about a week or two but cough and weakness may persist for a long period.

Flu Virus Characteristics

Flu virus was first identified in 1930s. From that time onwards scientists have started classifying flu viruses into three categories namely Type A, Type B and Type C. These flu viruses are sorted into different categories on the basis of their protein composition.

• Type A or Influenza A virus: This is the most prevalent type of flu that attacks every year. Influenza A virus is further divided into subtypes HA and NA, which is based on the two surface protein structures of the virus. Currently there are about 16 HA and 9 NA known. Recent subtypes of Influenza A viruses found in humans are H1N1 and H3N2.

• Type A or Influenza A flu virus is found in human beings and many different animals like:

Ducks – Chickens – Pigs – Whales – Horses – Seals

Influenza A is the most dangerous in comparison to the other two flu types.

• Type B or Influenza B virus: This type of flu virus mostly revolves around us humans and is less severe than Type A influenza. Both Type A and Type B are responsible for the seasonal epidemic of flu. It can be a serious health hazard but basically most of the cases are mild. Type B is not divided further into subtypes or subcategories.

• Type C or Influenza C virus: This type of flu virus is common and is only found in humans, pigs, and dogs. Type C or Influenza C virus causes mild respiratory infections. People normally don’t become extremely ill from influenza type C viruses.

Various flu vaccines and shots are available to protect you from the Type A and Type B viruses. For the Type C flu virus no treatment or shots are available.

Who are at greater risk of getting infected by flu virus?

People with chronic diseases, poor immune systems, elders and small children are at a greater risk for coming in contact with the flu. In a majority of cases flu is mild but unpleasant. If the flu symptoms worsen then it can cause serious complications. Below are those that are most susceptible to severe consequences of the flu and flu complications:

• If you are an elderly person (above 50 years of age)

• If you are a new born baby or a young child

• If you are pregnant

• If you are suffering from heart or cardiovascular disease

• If you are suffering from Asthma or bronchitis

• If you are suffering from kidney disease

• If you are a diabetic

• If you are using steroids

• If you are taking cancer treatment

• If you are anaemic

• If you are a HIV positive

• And last but not the least, if your immune system is poor

Basic tips which you must remember when infected with the flu

When you are infected with the flu, along with flu treatment you must also take extra special care of yours. We all know that flu is caused by a virus, so antibiotics won’t help us in recovering from viral infections. If you have a headache, body ache or muscle ache then you can take a painkiller, it may help you get some relief.

Some basic things which should be done when infected with the flu are:

• You must stay at home until and unless you have fully recovered

• Avoid coming in contact with anybody

• Get plenty of rest

• Cover and keep yourself warm

• Drink lots of liquids, like water, chicken broth, and other fluids

• Avoid alcohol

• Avoid Smoking

• Avoid Tobacco

• Eat light food

• Wash your hands at least three times a day

• Use alcohol based hand sanitizer to get rid of germs

• Take a Sauna or hot bath

• Wear the flu mask to prevent yourself from catching flu infection or to prevent spreading the virus to others when you’re sick

Flu Treatment

Prevention is the first step in flu treatment. You must take certain precautions so that you may avoid the flu infection. There is a famous saying ” prevention is better than cure” so we must take preventative actions like

• Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing. After using the tissue throw it away and wash you hands with warm water and soap for at least 15 seconds.

• Use antibacterial cleaners to clean hands and surfaces. You can also use alcohol based hand sanitizer.

• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, and mouth without cleaning your hands thoroughly and ensuring that your hands are germ free. Dirty hands can easily transmit the virus from your hands into your body.

• Get your yearly flu shot, especially those people who have poor immune system and other serious complicated diseases.

After taking all the precautions, if you still become ill then you must begin flu treatment. There is a long list of basic flu treatment, which you can take along with the physicians’ advice.

• The most important step for treating yourself is getting a lot of rest. Flu takes all your energy and you become weak and tired. Resting can help you in boosting up your immune system.

• Drink lots of fluids. Your body becomes dehydrated when you fall ill, so consuming a lot of fluids is essential.

• Take Antibiotics. It will help you in treating as well as preventing yourself from the bacterial infections and other flu complications.

• Take a painkiller if you have severe headache or body ache. Painkillers help you get some relief from the aches.

• Antiviral flu treatment:

Tamiflu – Relenza – Flumadine – Symmetrel

With the help of these antiviral medications you can decrease the duration of the illness and their symptoms. Medicines are taken for improving symptoms of flu.

Some important flu treatments with the help of home remedies and natural cures are:

• Flu treatment using Long Pepper:

Take half teaspoon of the powder of long pepper. Mix it well with two teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of ginger juice. Take this mixture three times a day; it will help you alot if you take it in the initial stages of your illness. It also helps you to avoid severe complications.

• Influenza treatment using Garlic

Garlic has an antiseptic property which is used as a superb remedy for flu.

• Influenza treatment using Turmeric

Take a teaspoon of turmeric mixed well in a cup of warm water and religiously take it three times a day. It helps a lot in boosting your immune system, activating liver when it become sluggish and also prevents complications of flu.

• Influenza treatment using Onion

Onion is a useful solution for flu. Mix equal amounts of onion juice and honey, and take this solution three times a day.

• Influenza treatment using Ginger

Ginger is the best remedy for flu. Take a teaspoon of ginger juice and mix it with a cup of fenugreek decoction, if required add honey for taste. This solution helps a lot and increases sweating which reduces fever.

• Influenza treatment using Grapefruit

Grapefruit is a useful remedy as it tones up your body and the digestive system.

• Influenza treatment using Basil Leaves

Basil Leaves are also a useful remedy for flu. Boil one gram of leaves with ginger in about half a liter of water until half of the water is left. This solution provides immediate relief.

Conclusion

The flu symptoms can be cured with the help of vitamins, herbs, homeopathy, and some other foods. Natural flu remedies and other flu treatments can help you in reducing pain and suffering that comes along with the flu infection.

 
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Sulfa Allergy – Discover The Tell Tale Signs Of An Allergy To Sulfa

08 Jul



When someone is diagnosed as having a sulfa allergy it means that they have an allergic reaction to a group of drugs known as sulfonamides. In this article we take a closer look at this allergy.

There are two types of sulfonamides these include antibiotic sulfonamides and non-antibiotic sulfonamides. Sulfa antibiotics are most likely to cause an allergic reaction in an individual with a sulfa allergy.

Approximately 3 out of 100 people suffer an allergic reaction after taking sulfa antibiotics, the same amount of people suffer an adverse reaction to penicillin. It has been noted that some people have a higher chance of having a sulfa allergy, such as people who suffer from problems with their immune system.

The most common symptom of a sulfa allergy is a skin reaction these include hives rashes, photosensitivity and Stevens – Johnson syndrome which is a life threatening condition. Other common symptoms of an allergic reaction to sulfa medications include:

Liver and Kidney damage: Some people develop a form of hepatitis as a result of their adverse reaction; this in turn can lead to kidney failure.

Blood Problems: Sulfur allergy is capable of reducing the amount of white and red blood cells as well as platelets, which can cause all sorts of problems.

Breathing problems: An allergy to sulfa can also worsen asthma and cause symptoms similar to those suffered by people with pneumonia. This is due to its effect on the lungs.

Usually an allergy can be diagnosed by the use of skin or blood tests, however these can not be used to diagnose a sulfa allergy. The diagnosis is based purely on the symptoms that are displayed by the individual.

Once it has been established that an individual is allergic to sulfa the next step is to treat this allergy. The first thing a sufferer will be told to do is to stop using the sulfa medication. The symptoms of the reaction are then treated.

There are some cases where an individual that is allergic to sulfa medication has no choice but to use this type of medication. When this happens the individual has to be desensitized to this type of medication. This can be achieved by giving the individual small amounts of the medication and gradually building up this amount over a period of time so that the body can tolerate it.

Furthermore not everyone who suffers from a sulfa allergy is advised to stop taking medication, sometimes it is better for them to keep taking it cautiously under supervision despite its side effects.
Outlined below are some the medications that contain sulfa, these should be avoided if you suffer from sulfa allergy:

These include sulfa antibiotics, celebrex, diuretics, and zonisamide amongst many others.
If you suffer an allergic reaction to a sulfa based medication or any form of medication you are strongly advised to seek medical help. This is the only way you will be able to reduce your chances of having another allergic reaction in future.

 
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Posted in Allergy And Sinus

 

Gouty Arthritis Can Be Helped With a Gout Treatment Diet

07 Jul



Gouty arthritis is very painful and cures for it are often sought after. The pain can be so bad at night that even the weight of a sheet on the area can be too much to tolerate. The pain can often be overwhelming. I am currently battling this problem myself.

In searching for gout cures I would like to inform you of what I have found. You may have gout and have dismissed it as something else. Do you have painful or swollen joints or skin that may be red or warm to the touch?Is the area itchy and does the skin sometime slough off in that area?

These could be symptoms of gouty arthritis. It can reoccur over and over if you don’t change your lifestyle. It can come back worse each time. Many people will try to do something about it when the pain comes back then go back to the same lifestyle after the pain subsides.

You can treat gouty arthritis this way. You need a cure that will continue to work for you and that is why you need a gout treatment diet. Most people will go see their doctor when they start having pain. Most doctors will prescribe you with an anti-inflammatory drug and this will help in the short term for the pain and swelling. However if you continue to live the way you have been you can expect to see your doctor again for the same problem.

You need to change your lifestyle. The only thing that you can do to cure your gouty arthritis for good is stay on a gout treatment diet. High purine foods are the first thing that you should eliminate from your diet. There is strong evidence that high purine foods are the main cause for gout.

This is how it works. Certain foods that you eat will produce purine in your body. You need it for the body to change it into energy. A byproduct of purine is uric acid. When your body is unable to flush this uric acid from the body it will crystallize and settle in your joints. This will cause gout and the pain that you feel.

Mostly males in the mid 40′s and beyond will have symptoms of gout. You can increase your risk of gout by being obese and living a sedentary lifestyle. Women also become candidates for this disease after menopause.

With a gout treatment diet you can prevent or alleviate gout symptoms. By using this information and changing the way you live now you can avoid this disease. By increasing your intake of water you can help to flush the uric acid from your body. You should drink at least 8 glasses of water a day and more if possible.

Do you drink a lot of sodas or coffee? These drinks dehydrate your body and it’s harder to flush out the toxins and uric acid. By changing just a few things in your diet you can help your overall health and avoid this disease. You have to keep it up and not quit when you start seeing improvement though. That is an important part of the gout treatment diet.

Red meat and some seafood have high purine levels. Other high protein foods do as well. You can limit those animal protein sources in your diet and replace them with beans and other vegetables. Vegetarians get all of the protein that their body needs from plant sources.

It can be hard to make a permanent change in your diet when you have been used to eating a certain way for so long. It is in your best interest to change your eating habits and stick with it if you want to lessen or get rid of the symptoms of gouty arthritis permanently.

 
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A Look at Diamond Dog Tags

07 Jul



Diamond dog tags are the cream of the crop, the best of the best, the most luxurious type of dog tag you can buy.

Diamond dog tags can cost up to $7500 or more. If you can afford such luxuries, a diamond dog tag is the perfect addition to your collection. Give your dog a diamond bone, heart, fire hydrant, or any of a limitless number of shapes and designs.

You can even buy dog-and-owner tag duos. Put one on your dog’s collar, and hang one as a pendant from your neck (or as a charm on your bracelet.)

A diamond dog tag deserves a great collar or necklace. You wouldn’t frame a masterpiece painting with cardboard, would you? The same principle applies to dog tags. Most retailers of diamond dog tags also carry luxury collars. Ask them about the selection. You can have diamonds on the collar (for maximum effect), rhinestones, crystals, sapphires, gold, silver, or any other precious stone. Perhaps a series of your dog’s birthstone would be the perfect touch.

Diamonds for dogs are about the same as diamonds for humans. They start at a few hundred dollars, and can go as high as tens of thousands of dollars, depending on size, cut, and supplier.

Where can you buy a diamond dog tag? There are many sources online. The award-winning pet accessories website animalstars.com is a great place to start. There you will find a wide selection of dog tags, and not only diamond, but also gold, silver, and pearl. You can even find cheap ones – great for use as a backup in case your diamond dog tag ever falls off your rambunctious pup.

 
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