Mens Health Blog. Medical Blog

posted by admin on Mar 24

Until now, the most common method of diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease was by eliminating all other possibilities. Some studies indicate that doctors may misdiagnose between 10 to 20 percent of those patients. Most doctors agree that what is needed is a test which will accurately diagnose the disease in its early stages.

According to researchers at SIBIA Inc., of San Diego, they may have developed just such a test. If the new test proves to be both effective and accurate, it would allow patients to plan for long-term care. It would also allow for earlier treatment of Alzheimer’s disease which has been diagnosed in over 4 million Americans.

Researchers are also working on the development of a new test to determine those people who are most vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease. According to initial findings, a little known substance called beta amyloid protein may form the brain plaques which are responsible for the disease.

Scientists speculate that beta amyloid protein buildup over an individual’s lifetime could make him or her more susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease: If researchers are successful in developing a “susceptibility test” they may also then be closer to uncovering ways to reduce the risk of having Alzheimer’s disease.

The Alzheimer’s Disease Society can provide more information about Alzheimer’s disease and the latest scientific developments.

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posted by admin on Mar 24

A recent study of the possible side effects of many common drugs found that at least 40 percent of all patients experience some kind of negative reaction to the prescription medication they are taking. The study also indicates that the majority of side effects are not serious and most don’t last very long. Here are some of the most common side effects and the drugs which may cause them:

1) Diarrhea— this is one of the most commonly experienced side effects of drug treatment. Many drugs, including antibiotics and anti-cancer drugs, which can affect the lining of the intestine, can cause diarrhea.

2) Drowsiness— antidepressant drugs, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, narcotic painkillers such as codeine and morphine, anti-anxiety drugs, anticonvulsant drugs, and any other drug that has a depressant, can cause drowsiness.

3) Rash— this type of a reaction indicates an allergy to the drug being taken. The reaction can be caused by almost any drug. Drugs used to treat infection, such as penicillin, ampicillin, and the sulfonamides, are commonly associated with this side effect.

4) Nausea and vomiting— opiates, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, anticancer drugs, and hormones are just some of the many drugs which can cause these side effects.

5) Dizziness— some drugs such as streptomycin, quinine, and aspirin can affect the part of the inner ear that controls balance and cause this side effect.

6) Headache— this side effect is associated with a wide range of drugs including nitroglycerin, which is used to widen blood vessels in the heart.

7) Wheezing or difficulty breathing— this side effect is caused by drugs which create a narrowing of the small airways (bronchioles). An allergic reaction to aspirin can cause wheezing and some beta blockers can cause wheezing in people who have respiratory disorders.

Hives— this side effect is characterized by itchy, raised white patches of skin, surrounded by red inflamed skin. The condition, as a side effect, is most commonly due to an allergic reaction to a specific drug. Many drugs can trigger such an allergic reaction.

9) Itchy skin (Pruritus)— this is a common side effect of narcotic pain killers such as codeine. It may also be associated with rash, caused by an allergic reaction to a drug.

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posted by admin on Mar 24

Almost all hair problems are caused by harsh hair products, the chemicals used for permanents, and overheating caused by blow-drying, heated rollers, or exposure to the sun. You can cut down on the risk of damaging your hair if you choose the right shampoo. Here is what one experienced hair stylist recommends as the two best shampoos: 1. Faberage Organics and 2.Pantene.

You should take special care when buying shampoos. Some contain harsh ingredients that can damage your hair. The shampoos that contain more natural ingredients are the best.

Zinc Deficiency Linked To Hair Loss

Low levels of the mineral zinc have reportedly been associated with an unexplained loss of hair. If you’ve had such a hair loss, you may want to check for a zinc deficiency. To get more zinc in your diet you can eat more meat, particularly organ meats such as liver, or take a zinc supplement.

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posted by admin on Mar 24

This is an arthritic-type condition developing from excess uric acid in the tissues. Most gout patients tend to both overproduce and under-excrete uric acid.

While gout can attack any joint or combination of joints, doctors say that in 9 out of 10 gout victims the big toe is affected. It usually causes inflammation, swelling, redness, and severe pain. Usually such an attack of gout will occur suddenly, progress rapidly, last several days and then disappear. It may recur at intervals of weeks, months or years.

If you are a middle-aged man who is somewhat overweight and have a family history of the affliction, you’re a likely candidate for gout. However, in almost every case the disease can be treated and controlled. Here are some medical experts’ suggestions for dealing with gout:

1) Rest and elevation— the intensity of the pain during an acute attack of gout can be excruciating. Doctors recommend that you elevate the throbbing joint and try to rest.

2) Use a painkiller— the excessive pain you feel during an attack of gout is caused by inflammation around the afflicted joint. A painkiller that can reduce inflammation, such as ibuprofen, can give you some relief. If you use such a pain killer make sure you follow bottle directions. Don’t increase the directed dosage without first talking with your doctor.

Painkillers such as aspirin and acetaminophen should be avoided because aspirin will most likely make the condition worse by inhibiting the excretion of uric acid, and acetaminophen’s ability to reduce inflammation isn’t strong enough to have a significant effect on gout.

3) Make it cold— applying cold is a good idea only if the affected joint is not too tender to touch—which it often is. If you can stand to touch the joint, you can try applying a crushed-ice pack. Leave the pack on the affected joint for about ten minutes. You can cushion it with a towel or sponge. Repeat the treatment as often as needed, or as often as the tenderness will allow.

4) Avoid high-purine foods— increased levels of purine which is a product of DNA, can raise the level of uric acid in the blood. While a strict low-purine diet is not necessary, victims of gout should avoid foods that are high in purine, such as liver and other organ meats, poultry, and legumes.

5) Drink plenty of water— always a healthy idea, drinking lots of water can help people with gout by flushing excess uric acid from the system before it can be too harmful. Herb teas can also be helpful.

6) Avoid alcohol— if you are susceptible to gout, you shouldn’t drink alcohol. For someone who is prone to gout, alcohol consumption can trigger an acute attack.

7) Slim down— if you are overweight and prone to gout, it is essential that you gradually lose your excess weight. People who are overweight tend to have higher uric acid levels. Don’t try to lose a lot of weight in a short time. The weight loss should be gradual.

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posted by admin on Mar 24

Here’s an insider method for achieving a flatter stomach in less than one month:

1) Maintain a low-fat diet. Consume little or no red meat and dairy products.

2) Drink lots of water. At least eight glasses of water a day are recommended.

3) Eliminate sodium from your diet. Sodium can cause bloating and puffiness.

4) Try to strengthen the abdominal muscle you use to pull in your stomach. You can find this muscle by placing your thumbs on your navel and interlocking your fingers, and then flattening your stomach with your palms. Once you’ve flattened your stomach, cough— the in and out movement you feel gives you the location of the abdominal muscle upon which you need to focus . You’ll need to practice pulling in and tightening that muscle until it is trained to tighten automatically.

5) Do the following exercises:

Lie on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Put your hands behind your head, cradling your head in your hands. Then, bring in your elbows toward the sides of your head. Contract your abdominal muscle, and then bring your shoulders up just a bit— two counts forward and two counts back in tiny lifts.

6) The next exercise begins in the same position as that already described, but with your knees drawn in closer and your ankles crossed. Keeping your abdominal muscle tight, gently lift your backside toward the.ceiling— two counts up and two counts down.

In order to be effective, you should perform at least 50 repetitions of these two exercises every day. It’s also a good idea to perform other exercises, such as walking or running in combination with the low-fat diet and the two exercises described above.

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