Author Archives: Annaliza

Understand Hypotension Symptoms

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Hypotension or also known as low blood pressure is medical condition that can be life threatening. However, majority of people strive to have a normal blood pressure, but a low blood pressure can cause hypotension symptoms that may harm the person.

Generally, blood pressure varies from each person, in some cases; a reading of 90 systolic and 60 diastolic may mean low blood pressure. However, those who have constant high blood pressure, a reading of 100/60 may give symptoms of low blood pressure.

Considerably, if the low blood pressure does not give any alarming signs like dizziness, it is not considered low blood pressure. However, when symptoms like dizziness or fainting develops, hypotension may be the culprit.

There are various reasons for hypotension but the most common cause is dehydration. The causes for hypotension are can be treated, though, it is important that the main cause is known by the patient, in order to avoid serious problems later on.

What are the Hypotension Symptoms?

Hypotension symptoms can be a sign that there is underlying serious health problem. Especially if the sudden drop of low blood pressure is observed along with several symptoms. Some of the symptoms of hypotension may include:

  • Dizzy
  • Feeling of lightheadedness
  • Lack of focus
  • Thirsty
  • Blurry vision
  • Rapid pulse rate
  • Nausea
  • Tired
  • Anxiety
  • Cold clammy skin
  • Fainting

Symptoms of hypotension are generally ignored by majority of people as they dismiss it is non-serious. However, if symptoms of low blood pressure affect you in several occasions, it is recommended that you see your health care provider. Your doctor may run some routine exams to rule out serious causes.

What are the Causes of Hypotension?

Currently, the ideal normal blood pressure is equal or lower than 120/80 while majority believe that 115/75 is the most ideal. The blood pressure of a person varies from one person to another. The measurement of blood pressure is affected by different factors.

Factors that affect the measurement of blood pressure may include:

  • Physical condition
  • Foods and drinks
  • Breathing rhythm
  • Activities
  • Stress level

However, studies show that blood pressure is normally low at night and increases upon waking up in the morning.

Hypotension seems go unnoticed at times and may not cause alarm if it does not exhibit symptoms, however, if low blood pressure develop symptoms, it may need medical attention.

Your physician should know the possible causes of your hypotension. Some common causes of hypotension may include:

  • Pregnancy is one common cause of hypotension. A pregnant woman may observe that during the first twenty-four weeks of pregnancy, the diastolic pressure as well as the systolic may drop. This will normally return to its normal measure after giving birth.
  • Heart problems may also be the reason for hypotension. Heart conditions like heart valve problems, heart failure and heart attack may result to low blood pressure.
  • Endocrine problems can be another reason for hypotension. Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can cause low blood pressure.
  • Other medical conditions like diabetes, hypoglycemia and Addison’s disease can also lead to low blood pressure.
  • Blood loss due to major injury or internal bleeding lessens the amount of blood in the body thus leading to sudden drop of blood pressure.
  • Dehydration can also lead to hypotension. Severe dehydration may even lead to death.
  • Anaphylaxis or severe allergic reaction may cause severe breathing problems, hives, itchiness and hypotension.

Aside from medical conditions, medications can also cause hypotension. Some medications that may affect the measurement of blood pressure are:

  • Beta blockers
  • Diuretics
  • Medications for Parkinson’s disease
  • Some kinds of antidepressants

 

What are the Treatments for Hypotension?

Some treatments for hypotension may include:

 

1. Drink water

Water is recommended to let the patient hydrated. Water increases the blood volume that is needed to normalize the blood pressure. 8 – to 12 glasses of water is recommended, and if you have hypotension, you may consider drinking more.

 

 

 

 

2. Use compression stockings

Elastic stockings are recommended to relieve the swelling of varicose veins. This may help in reducing the pooling of supply of blood in the legs area.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Medications

Medications are given to normalize the blood pressure and to prevent the sudden drop of the blood pressure.

 

 

 

 

 

4. Quit alcohol

Quitting alcohol is necessary since alcohol can cause dehydration and can cause sudden hypotension. Avoiding alcohol may lessen the symptoms of hypotension.

 

 

 

 

 

5. Have a healthy diet

A healthy diet which is composed of variety of foods may give you the all the nutrients your body needs. A variety of fruits, vegetables and fish is recommended for those who have hypotension.

 

 

 

 

 

Hypotension is a manageable health condition. However, if severe hypotension symptoms like fainting spells are observed, you have to visit your physician to rule out other serious conditions.

 

4 Ways to Take Care of Colic Baby

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Your baby maybe affected by colic if he or she cries the same time each day and whatever you do to give comfort does not seem to help. Colic is characterized as crying for over three hours, more than three days up to three weeks that affects a healthy and well-fed baby.  If you observed your baby to cry with no apparent reason, it is recommended that you visit your pediatrician. Only a qualified healthcare provider can diagnose if your child is colic baby or not.

Colic seems to affect one out of ten babies. It is usually observed when the baby is usually few weeks old. Crying associated with colic may not seem ordinary since it is characterized with screaming, purple face and flailing arms. The fits normally happen during in the afternoon and evening.

This may affect your baby from six weeks and may improve when your child reaches 3 to 5 months. Parents of colic baby find it hard to handle the situation as parenting skills may be questioned by those who do not understand the condition.  However, keep in mind that this stage can be outgrown by your child.

What are the Symptoms of Colic?

Crying is normal for babies but what set them apart to be colic are some general symptoms. Some symptoms of colic may include are:

  • Changes in posture are observed with colic baby. Infants with colic normally curled their legs, clenched their fists and tensed abdominal muscles are observed.
  • Crying episodes are normally predictable. A baby with colic will cry at about the same time each day. The episodic crying normally happens in the afternoon and evening. The crying with screaming may start even the baby is not hungry.
  • Crying is extreme and high-pitched. Infant may have flush face and may not accept any comfort from you.
  • Infant may pass gas after episode of crying.

What are the Causes of Colic?

The exact reason of colic is not really known. There are various studies taken but still the possible reasons are unclear. However, various factors may affect colic. Some of these are:

  • Infant may have developed milk allergies. Milk allergies and milk intolerance are the first possible reason for non-stop crying.
  • The digestive system of a baby is not full develop and may cause unusual strong contractions that may be uncomfortable to infants.
  • Presence of intestinal gas
  • Hormone changes
  • Temperament
  • Maternal anxiety
  • Different ways the baby is comforted

Being a first time parents is not really related to colic. Even those experienced mothers may have colic baby. Likewise, the foods, a breastfeeding mothers eat do not really cause colic.

Formula milk is not really the culprit of colic, though, there are certain formulas that may relieve the symptoms of colic. Your colic baby may have lactose intolerance and will somewhat be relieved if their milk is lactose free.

However, the exact reason why colic babies have crying fits is not clearly known but as a parent, you may take time to study your babies. Your colic baby may be telling you something. Some of the things your baby is trying to say something may include:

  • May feel hungry. Your baby especially new born needs to be fed every few hours. Respond immediately when the baby shows signs of hunger.
  • The diapers may be wet. An ordinary infant without colic may cry due to dirty diapers but a colic baby may have screaming episodes if it have soiled diapers. To avoid this, you have to check your infant diapers from time to time to make sure that is not wet.
  • Your baby may want to have sound sleep. Avoid waking up your baby with unwanted noise as this may create colic episodes.
  • Your infant may want to feel your presence. Most of colic baby respond immediately when hugged or cuddled by their parents.

What are the Treatments for Colic?

There are no specific treatments for colic. You just need to handle your infant with more outmost care and comfort. Some ways that may help you deal with colic are:

1. Feed your baby

Feeding your baby may improve the symptoms of colic. It is just important to hold the baby the right way when you are feeding and burp your baby more often. This will avoid unnecessary fussiness on the part of your baby

 

 

 

 

2. Cuddling your baby

Cuddling your colic baby may soothe them immediately. The warm hug from the parents has a lasting effect on your baby. Do not worry that holding them much will spoil them. Sometimes, colic babies just want to feel the presence of people who love them.

 

 

 

 

3. Diet change

A lactose free diet may greatly improve the symptoms of colic. Some babies cannot tolerate the lactose present in their diet thus resulting to milk allergies.

 

 

 

 

 

4. Massage

Soft massage around the tummy may give relief to your crying baby. This may also reduce the tightening of muscles around the abdomen when they have fits.

 

 

 

 

For parents, it is important to understand that colic is for short term only. You colic baby will surely outgrow it when they reach around five months. Work closely with your pediatrician to make sure that your baby is healthy.

4 Helpful Narcolepsy Treatment

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Narcolepsy is a chronic condition of sleep disorder wherein an irresistible daytime drowsiness and abrupt attacks of sleep takes place.  This will result to serious distraction in daily activities.  People who have narcolepsy frequently find it hard to stay awake for an extended period of time in spite of situations.  Narcolepsy is not associated to depression, fainting, seizure disorder, lack of sleep or other conditions that may cause irregular sleep patterns.

Unfortunately, narcolepsy has no cure.  But there are medications and lifestyle changes that can be consider as narcolepsy treatment that may help people affected with narcolepsy to deal with the symptoms.

What are the symptoms of narcolepsy?

For the first few years, symptoms of narcolepsy may get worse and persist for life.  Symptoms of narcolepsy may include the following.

  • The first symptom to come out in people affected with narcolepsy is an excessive daytime sleepiness.  An overwhelming drowsiness and an unmanageable need to sleep throughout the day are the main characteristics of narcolepsy.  People affected with narcolepsy fall asleep anywhere and anytime without even warning.  Like for instance, people with narcolepsy may unexpectedly fall asleep while working or talking with friends.  They may sleep just for a minute or up to half an hour before awakening and may feel recharged.  However, they may eventually fall asleep again.  There is a feeling of reduced attentiveness all through the day that may cause difficulty to focus and function completely.
  • There is an abrupt loss of muscle tone and is called cataplexy.  This can lead to physical changes like garbled speech to full weakness of the largest part of the muscles that may last for a few seconds to minutes.  Cataplexy is a condition that is unmanageable and is frequently cause by an extreme emotions like excitement or laughter, surprise, fear or anger.  Cataplexy occurs to some people affected with narcolepsy with one or two episodes in a year while some have several episodes in a day.
  • People affected with narcolepsy experience sleep paralysis.  This is the impermanent incapability to speak or move while falling asleep or upon waking.  These incidents are typically brief that last for one or two minutes but it can be terrifying.  People with narcolepsy may have knowledge of the condition and does not find it hard to remember it later on.  However, not everyone experiencing sleep paralysis is affected with narcolepsy.  There are a lot of people without narcolepsy encounter some events of sleep paralysis particularly during the young adulthood.
  • People with narcolepsy may experience hallucinations called hypnagogic hallucinations that take place when falling rapidly into sleep or upon waking.  As you begin dreaming, you may be half awake and experience the dreams as reality that it may appear distinct and scary.

What are the causes of narcolepsy?

The exact factors causing narcolepsy is not yet known.  Medical research considers genetics that may have a vital role.  Stress, illness or exposure to toxins may contribute to the occurrence of narcolepsy.

  • In narcolepsy disorder, there is an absence of non-rapid eye movement phase of sleep. They rapidly go into rapid eye movement phase of sleep both through the day and at night.  This is the reason why there is a sudden lack of muscle tone, vivid dreams and sleep paralysis for it is the characteristics of REM sleep.
  • Low level of hypochretin in the spinal fluid may contribute to the development of narcolepsy.  Hypochretin is the vital chemical present in the brain that helps to control the wakefulness and the REM sleep.  However, the reason causing the loss of cells producing hypocretin in the brain is not known.  But medical experts believe that it’s due to an autoimmune reaction.

What is the narcolepsy treatment?

The cure for narcolepsy is not yet known but there are medications that can help to deal with the narcolepsy symptoms and they are the following.

1.     Stimulant drugs.

The most important narcolepsy treatment is the stimulant drugs which stimulate the central nervous system.  It helps people affected with narcolepsy to keep wide awake all through the day.  Health care providers frequently try modafinil as first medication for narcolepsy treatment because it is not addictive as other stimulants.  Side effects of modafinil are not common but it may include, dry mouth, headache, anorexia, nausea and diarrhea.  It may also tend to increase blood pressure particularly at high doses.  Some may need narcolepsy treatment with methylphenidate or a variety of amphetamines.  Even though these medications are efficient, they may also cause side effects like heart palpitations, nervousness and can also be addictive.

 2.     Selective serotonin or norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.

Doctors frequently recommend these medications to inhibit REM sleep, to help to lessen the cataplexy symptoms, hypnagogic hallucinations and sleep paralysis.  Some of these medications are fluoxetine, atomoxetine and venlafaxine.  Reduced sexual desire and delayed orgasm are the most frequent side effects of these medications.

 

 

 

3.     Tricyclic antidepressants.

Antidepressants like imipramine and protriptyline are medications that are very useful in cataplexy.  Some of the side effects are constipation and dry mouth.

 

 

 

 

4.     Sodium oxybate.

Sodium oxybate is the mostly recommended by doctors for severe cataplexy.  This medication helps the nighttime sleep to get better that is frequently poor in people with narcolepsy.  This medication may also help to manage the daytime sleepiness in high doses.  However, it can have severe side effects like bed-wetting, nausea and can make sleepwalking get worse.

 

 

 

 

These are the medications that can help to control the narcolepsy symptoms.  Ask your doctor of what specific medications can be effective as narcolepsy treatment for your present condition.

 

 

 

Guide to Nut Allergies

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Nut allergies are a common sickness especially in children. Medical studies show that nut allergies happen when the body abnormally reacts to something that is not harmful. In the case of nut allergies, the body thinks that the nuts are harmful. In reaction, the body fights off the nuts by releasing antibodies.

The antibodies affect the respiratory system, skin and even the gastrointestinal tract. The symptoms of nut allergies may be characterized from a minor irritation to more severe reaction like anaphylaxis.

People with nut allergies may develop allergies when they eat all types of nuts and foods that contain nuts as ingredients. However, people with nut allergies are also advised avoiding foods that are also processed in machines that uses nuts.

You may also consider avoiding the nut trees as well because majority of people who have allergic reaction to foods with nuts, also develop allergies to nut trees.

What are the Symptoms of Nut Allergies?

Symptoms of nut allergies may develop within a couple of minutes after exposure. Some of the symptoms nut allergies may include:

  • Hives
  • Swelling
  • Itching feeling in the mouth
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Heaviness of the chest
  • Wheezing
  • Runny nose

 

Severe nut allergies may result to anaphylaxis. This medical emergency requires medical treatment immediately. Some of the symptoms of anaphylaxis associated with nut allergies are:

 

  • Breathing problems
  • Swelling of the throat
  • Increased pulse rate
  • Lightheadedness
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Anaphylactic shock

When are the Causes of Nut Allergies?

Nut allergies develop when the body identifies the nuts mistakenly as harmful proteins. To fight off the allergens, they release chemicals into the bloodstream.  The exact cause of nut allergies are not known but exposure to nuts that can cause allergies may include:

  • Direct contact to the nuts may develop nut allergies. Direct contact includes eating the nuts or eating foods that contain nuts. Skin contact may also trigger nut allergies.
  • Cross contact to nuts may also trigger nut allergies. Cross contact includes foods that are exposed to nuts during food processing.
  • Inhalation can also cause nut allergies. Inhalation of peanut oil or flour may also cause nut allergies.

What is the Risk Factors Affecting Nut Allergies?

Nut allergies may develop to anyone but there are risk factors that increase the possibility of developing nut allergies.

Some of the risk factors of nut allergies are:

  • Age is one big factor in developing nut allergies. Studies show that infants and toddlers are more at risk of developing nut allergies.
  • Those who have history of nut allergies may also have another bout of nut allergies later on. Some children who have nut allergies may outgrow them but in some cases, nut allergies may recur.
  • If the person has, other food allergies may also develop allergies to nut.
  • If there are family members that have nut allergies, you are also at higher risk of developing nut allergies.
  • People with eczema may also develop nut allergies.

What are the Treatments for Nut Allergies?

1. Medications

A medication including antihistamines is the first form of treatment to nut allergies. It is used to lessen symptoms associated with nut allergies. It is normally taken right after the exposure to all types of nuts. However, antihistamines are not enough to stop symptoms of severe allergic reactions.

 

 

 

2. Injections

Injections are recommended to severe allergic reactions of nut allergies. You may ask your healthcare provider for auto injector since they may be used for emergency cases. However, auto injector should be handled with care. They should be carried with you at all times and likewise, make sure that they are not expired. Expired auto injectors may not work properly.

 

 

 

3. Visit the nearest hospital

Auto injectors may reduce the severity of symptoms but they may not really respond to severe cases of nut allergies. You have to visit your nearest hospital for severe reactions like anaphylactic shock.

 
 4. Avoid all types of foods that contain nuts

If you have previous allergic reaction to nuts, it is recommended that you avoid nuts and all foods that may contain nuts. Avoiding the allergen is the main treatment against nut allergies. Some of the foods that may contain nuts may include ice cream, cookies, energy bars, cereals and chocolate candies.

 

 

 

5. Read food labels

Do not assume that certain foods do not contain nuts. It is recommended that you read the food labels. Avoid foods that are also processed with nuts. If you are not sure whether the food does not contain nuts, you may avoid it all together to avoid possible exposure to nuts.

 

 

 

 

6. Let the teacher know

Let the teacher know that your child have nut allergies. This will help you monitor what your child eats and to avoid any episodes of nut allergies.

 

 

 

 

 

Nut allergies especially in children are one common reason for emergency trip to hospital. To avoid this, it is recommended that you monitor all the foods that your child eats to avoid any medical problems.

3 Effective Treatments for Testicular Cancer

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Testicular cancer develops in the testicles or testes, which to be found in the scrotum, a loose bag of skin under the penis.  The testicles are the one responsible in producing sperm and male sex hormones for reproduction.  Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that considered being uncommon.  However, testicular cancer is the most frequent cancer that affects American males that occurs in between the ages of 15 and 34.

Testicular cancer may have several treatments that may depend on the type and stage of it.  Testicular cancer is very much treatable even if the cancer already reaches beyond the testicle.  It is important to have a regular testicular self-examination to detect early development and the possibility for favorable treatment great.

What are the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer?

Testicular cancer usually affects only one testicle.  Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer are the following.

  • Enlargement or presence of lump in either testicle
  • Dull pain in the groin or abdomen
  • Feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
  • A rapid collection of liquid in the scrotum
  • Pain or soreness in the scrotum or the testicle
  • Tenderness or swelling of the breasts

What are the causes of testicular cancer?

It is not yet understandable of what really causes testicular cancer.  Health care providers know that testicular cancer develops when the healthy cells in a testicle changed.  Normally, healthy cells develop and divide in a systematic way to maintain the body functioning generally.  However, in unknown reason some cells grow abnormally resulting to cancer cells.  These cancer cells will keep on dividing even when new cells are not needed.   These accumulating cells develop a mass in the testicle.  Almost all testicular cancer starts in the germ cells.  Germ cells are cells in the testicles responsible in producing immature sperm.  The reason why germ cells turn out to be abnormal and become cancer is not yet known.

What is the risk factors affecting testicular cancer?

There are factors that may increase the possibility of having testicular cancer they are the following.

  • Men whose testicle never descended during their fetal development have a greater possibility of having testicular cancer than to those men who have testicle that descended normally.  Even if the testicle has been transferred through surgical procedure to the scrotum, still the risk of developing testicular cancer remains.
  • Irregular development of testicle like Klinefelter’s syndrome may have greater possibility of having testicular cancer.
  • If testicular cancer runs in the family, you may also have greater possibility of developing testicular cancer.
  • Testicular cancer mostly affects men whose ages are between 15 and 34.  But it can develop at any age.
  • Testicular cancer mostly affects white men than black men.

What are the treatments for testicular cancer?

There are choices in treating testicular cancer which varies on the stage and type of testicular cancer, your preferences and your health generally.  Treatments for testicular cancer may include the following.

1.     Surgical procedure.

Removing the testicle through surgical procedure is the main treatment for almost types and stages of testicular cancer.  There will have anesthetics during the surgical procedure.  The procedure will be done by making incision in the groin then extracts the whole testicle through the opening.  If you prefer, a prosthetic, saline-filled testicle can be inserted.  Removing lymph nodes in the groin can also be done through surgical procedure.  Making large incision in your abdomen is the way to remove the lymph nodes.  Surgical procedure may be the only treatment needed in the early stage of testicular cancer.

 

 

2.     Radiation therapy.

Radiation therapy is the choice treatment that is often used in men who have the seminoma kind of testicular cancer.  But radiation therapy can also be used in certain situations in men who have nonseminoma kind of testicular cancer.  This therapy makes use of high-powered energy beams like x-rays to kill the cancer cells.  Radiation therapy may have side effects like fatigue, skin redness and irritation in your groin and abdominal parts.

 

 

 

3.     Chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy treatment makes use of drugs to kill the cancer cells.  Chemotherapy frequently recommended by the doctor after having surgical procedure.  This can also be used before or after removal of the lymph node.  There are different side effects of chemotherapy drug depending on what being use.  The frequent side effects are nausea, fatigue, infertility, hair loss and increased possibility of having infection.  However, there are treatments and medications available that may help to lessen a number of the side effects of chemotherapy.

 

 

Regular testicular self-examination can be very helpful in early detection of testicular cancer.  Consult your doctor immediately if you observed any changes to the part or area of the body being concerned.

 

5 Treatments for Rotator Cuff Injury

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Rotator cuff is made up of tendons and muscles that are responsible for moving and stabilizing the shoulder joint. They also connect the upper arm bone to the shoulder blade. It also helps in holding the upper arm bone firmly in the shoulder socket. Continue reading →

7 Natural Remedies of Ulcerative Colitis

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Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease or also called as IBD that causes the long-term swelling the inside part of the digestive tract.  Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease that can be debilitating and at times may develop life-threatening complications.  Ulcerative colitis symptoms does not develop suddenly but frequently over a period of time. Continue reading →

5 Effective Tension Headache Treatment

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Tension headache is the most familiar type of headache in adults. This is also known as stress headaches. Tension headache can be described as episodic or chronic. It is characterized as episodic if it appears periodically in a couple of days per month. It is described as chronic if it is felt on a daily basis or if it is felt for regularly for more couple of days each month. Continue reading →

7 Pet Allergies Treatment

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Pet allergies can be a hindrance between you and your desire to take care of a pet but technically, you are not allergic to all animals. You may only be allergic to group of animals that have fur. Pet allergies develop when the body reacts to proteins that are normally present in animal’s urine, skin cells or saliva. Continue reading →