Mens Health Blog. Medical Blog

posted by admin on May 21

• if wheezing, cough or shortness of breath persist or become worse despite medication;

• if inhalations are needed more often than every 3 or 4 hours, or one or two inhalations do not immediately make the child better;

• if the child is unable to exercise or play normally, or cannot keep up with other children;

• if sleep is disturbed because of coughing or wheezing;

• if medication requirements are increasing;

• if medication is needed immediately upon waking in the morning or cannot wait until after breakfast;

• if you do not have a clear asthma management plan for the child.

Remember that most children with asthma can lead perfectly normal lives. The aim of treatment is to prevent attacks from occurring in the first place, and if they do occur, to treat them aggressively. If you have any questions about your child’s asthma, make sure you ask his doctor.

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posted by admin on May 19

As I said earlier, the HTLV-IH virus is related to, but does not cause, AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and the related disease ARC, AIDS-Related Complex. Both involve the weakening of our immune system. There is still no cure. It is the moral responsibility of anyone who has sexual contact with persons at risk of carrying the AIDS virus to be tested for the AIDS antibody. Persons who are immunopositive, who are tested carefully and with verification, should not exchange bodily fluids during sex until such time as they are proven to be no longer infectious. There is no safe way to have sex and exchange bodily fluids with an infected person. There are, as you have read, many ways to be intimate, to be sexual, including touching, holding, caressing, rubbing, self- and partner masturbation, and sharing of fantasy and sexual imagery. AIDS can be deadly, but it is still relatively hard to catch.

AIDS cases have increased 59 percent in 1986. There are now almost thirty-three thousand verified cases in seventy-four countries, according to the World Health Organization, representing an increase of twelve thousand cases since the beginning of 1986. Cases could increase tenfold in the next five years. I believe that enhancement of our natural immunity, emphasis on sexual intimacy and commitment over time, the use of condoms when sexually active with a new partner or partner who may have been exposed to the AIDS virus, and support, help, and understanding for AIDS patients are all important elements in the battle to survive this health crisis.

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posted by admin on May 18

I wish it could feel as good as it does when I am going to come, after I come, but the better it is, the shorter it is. By the time 1 get to feeling really good, there’s not much time to enjoy it.

HUSBAND

“I know when he says he’s coming, that’s about the time he’ll be going.” The wife frowned as she expressed her marriage-long frustration with her sexual relationship. Her husband busied himself straightening the books on the table next to his chair, as if looking for some quick retort to save his self-esteem.

The wife continued, gaining momentum from her newfound freedom to express her concerns openly. “He seems to be trying to get something accomplished. I call him pelvically hyperactive. When they talk about going all the way, I’d really love to, but it’s just that I don’t think he can last long enough to go even halfway.”

The husband laughed at his wife’s sarcasm, but his smile masked the pain evident in his clenched fist. He shuffled his feet on the floor, much as a little boy caught stealing cookies once too often. He smiled at me awkwardly, as if appealing for some form of universal male empathy for our failure to explain to the opposite gender the nature of our sexual enigma. Why does it seem that the better it feels, the sooner it’s over? If we are not coming too soon, we are having trouble coming at all. Why does it seem that we enjoy so little of what we talk about so much? When we come, it sometimes feels that we haven’t been very far at all, not really been anywhere.

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posted by admin on May 18

Apart from friendly bacteria, there are other “friends” which live happily in our bodies. Medical science calls them parasites. Their activity in a healthy body is limited to the intestines, which is, strictly speaking, outside the body proper.

In particular, humans are hosts to the “human intestinal fluke” (fasciolopsis buskii). Fluke means “flat” , because it belongs to a family of flatworms. If you eat meat and other animal products, you could have many more parasites like for example Eurytrema, the pancreatic parasite of cattle.

These parasites have to go through certain stages to multiply. A pure and healthy body can predict these stages, expel the eggs before they have time to hatch, and therefore we could live in symbiosis with our “friends”, because their population is limited.

However, very special processes occur if we have certain toxins in our body, called solvents. Examples of solvents are: benzene, all types of alcohol (propyl, wood alcohol), toluene, xylene etc..

The liver, kidneys, and other blood purifying organs in our body are overloaded with requests to process the above solvents, together with other toxins you take with your food, and they are unable to detect and kill tiny little stages of parasites, thereby allowing them to circulate around the body with the bloodstream. In addition, the existence of solvents forces thousands of parasite eggs to hatch prematurely. Flukes in various stages grow and multiply everywhere around the body, attaching themselves to any organ where favourable conditions exist.

Some of the possible consequences are listed below:

propyl alcohol : accumulates in your liver. Adult flukes occupy the liver, but eggs and other stages circulate and grow everywhere around your body, producing excessive amounts of powerful cell growth hormones, forcing your organ cells to divide. This is exactly what our Medical science calls cancer. 100% of cancer patients have propyl alcohol in their bodies.

wood alcohol (methanol) : accumulates in your pancreas and in the eyes. The favourite spot for adult flukes becomes the pancreas. Their activity causes diabetes. 100% of people with diabetes have wood alcohol in their pancreas.

benzene : this extremely toxic solvent (comparable in toxicity* to a radioactive uranium) accumulates in your thymus gland, gradually damaging it. Adult flukes colonise the thymus gland, which, by the way, produces T-cells, identified by our Medical Science to be related to the functions of our immune system. Fluke activity gradually reduces the capacity of the thymus gland to produce T-cells. When the thymus gland cannot produce enough T-cells, our immune system can fail completely. The condition of low T-cells count is what the medical profession calls AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). 100% of all AIDS patients have benzene in their thymus gland. If you have the tiniest amount of benzene accumulated in you thymus, your immune system is impaired and you get sick more frequently.

toluene and xylene: they go to your brain. Adult flukes colonise your brain and you develop Alzheimer disease.

Solvents in prostate: Adult flukes colonise the prostate and you develop chronic prostatitis. In the case of uterus: in the presence of adult flukes you develop endometriosis etc., etc..

The above are just a few examples of the many diseases caused by the existence of various toxins in our body, after our parasite friends have taken advantage of it.

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posted by admin on May 15

Any new or exotic disease is sure to catch the headlines and usually, of course, cause worry and concern.

Legionnaires’ disease is no exception. It sounds exotic and conjures up thoughts of desert sands and waving palm trees.

It is now well known in Australia because of recent publicity, yet it is rare and poses little threat to the community.

In 1976, in Philadelphia, the American Legion held a conference. This is an organisation of ex-servicemen, similar to our RSL.

More than 180 members, staying at the same hotel, developed an acute and severe illness, and 29 of them eventually died.

Initially, the cause of their illness was obscure. Poisoning by food or some other agent, was suspected.

We now know what they had was Legionnaires’ disease, a form of pneumonia, or infection of the lung.

Of course, the American Legion is not happy with the name.

And I suppose, had this illness first occurred in Australia under similar circumstances, our ex-servicemen would not be happy if it was known as the “RSL disease.”

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posted by admin on May 15

Once the drugs were in clinical use, it was found they could lower the blood pressure in those who were suffering from hypertension or high blood pressure.

This lowering of pressure usually does not occur in those individuals whose blood pressure is normal. When used in high blood pressure, it can reduce the level to normal, yet, in bigger doses, does not drop it too low.

Beta blockers are particularly useful in sexually active men with raised blood pressure because they do not inferfere with male sexual function as do some of the other drugs.

Side-effects are common with all drugs and the hypotensives are notorious for their many different and unpleasant side-effects.

Beta blockers are not themselves free from side-effects. They do not work in all cases of high blood pressure but neither do all other drugs. A major side-effect that limits the use of these drugs is their action on the lungs.

In asthma, there is constriction of muscle in the walls of the bronchial tubes. This bronchospasm causes the wheeze and the difficult breathing. Adrenalin and related chemicals can reverse this spasm and overcome the problem.

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posted by admin on Apr 28

Home care

A child with mono needs rest, aspirin or paracetamol, and a general diet as tolerated. Although mono is contagious, it’s not necessary to isolate the child and it’s unlikely that other family members will contract the disease. The child can return to school as soon as the weakness and fatigue disappear and the child feels well enough. If the spleen is enlarged, however, the child’s activity should be restricted. An enlarged spleen protrudes beneath the ribs, which normally protect it, and is susceptible to injury or rupture. In this situation, the child should not take part in contact sports or other energetic activity until the spleen returns to its normal size; this can take weeks or months.

Precautions

• If your child is being treated with antibiotics for a strep infection but the condition does not improve within 24 to 48 hours of starting the medication, inform your doctor. The doctor will order tests for mono.

• If the child’s spleen is enlarged, contact sports and other strenuous activity should be avoided.

Medical treatment

Your doctor will examine the child thoroughly, paying special attention to the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen. The doctor will also take a throat culture. If the throat culture reveals a strep infection, the child will be given penicillin or another antibiotic. Although most cases of mono can be treated at home with proper rest, diet, and a medication such as aspirin or paracetamol, some severe cases require hospitalization. This would be the case where the child needed to be given fluids intravenously or other types of supportive care.

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posted by admin on Apr 23

Eczema is an itchy dermatitis that is usually allergic in origin and occurs in families. It usually starts with patches of dry, itchy skin which in babies and young children (the commonest sufferers of the condition) are behind the ears and knees, in the body creases at the elbows and the neck, on the face and on the trunk or scalp. When the eczema is bad the skin is red, raw, weeping and crusted and may become infected.

Eczema is not infectious and most babies grow out of their infantile eczema. For a few, though, allergic eczema can persist throughout life. About three children in a hundred suffer from it and many of these have a family history of eczema, asthma, hay fever or other allergies.

What causes it?

• There is no doubt that there is a familial susceptibility.

• As eczema is much more common in bottle-fed as opposed to breastfed babies there is little doubt that an allergy to cows’ milk plays a part in many children. Some children are allergic to other foods too.

• Scratching makes it worse, so it is best to avoid wool and nylon next to the skin because these make the skin hot and sweaty.

• Feathers, down and wool bedding make it worse.

Prevention

• The single greatest preventive measure is undoubtedly to breastfeed a baby right from the very start and not to give him or her even one bottle of cows’ milk. This will need very careful supervision because it is still the practice in many maternity hospitals to take babies away from their mothers at night and to feed them the odd bottle of cows’ milk formula.

• The way round this is to talk to your family doctor and midwife before the baby is due to ensure that everyone knows that you have a baby that is ‘at risk’ and is to be totally breast-fed from birth. If eventually you find breastfeeding impossible (which is rare with good advice) then you will have to use a soy-based milk. There are several on the market.

Aim to feed your baby breast milk exclusively for at least four months and preferably longer. The protective effect is greater the longer you continue but after about six months you should add in other (non milk-containing) foods.

Unfortunately, even this way of feeding a baby may not prevent all eczema. This comes about for two reasons. First, the child may be allergic to some other allergen, such as the house-dust mite; and second, antigens in the mother’s diet may be transmitted to the baby via her milk. Recent research suggests that eating large quantities of certain allergens during pregnancy can sensitize a susceptible child in utero. The answer here is to take all foods in moderation during pregnancy, especially foods that are likely to induce allergies in children. These include cows’ milk and all its products, eggs, wheat, nuts, fish, tomatoes and colourings and preservatives. If you have a family history of allergy, and especially of eczema, it makes sense to avoid these foods as much as possible during pregnancy and breastfeeding, or at least certainly never to binge on them. Don’t worry about the calcium you will be missing-it can be eaten in other forms, and you can take zinc and calcium supplements (Sandocal effervescent tablets are good) which more than compensate for the calcium loss in dairy products. Start weaning your solely breast-fed baby at about 5-6 months and be sure to breastfeed after each meal until the end of the first year of life. Introduce vegetables and fruit first of all and then add milk-free margarine. Over a few weeks add in foods that are ‘safe’ (not on the above list of common culprits) and see how it goes. If ever a food seems to precipitate eczema stop giving it and don’t try it again until the child is 2. If a child is allergic to eggs he or she might also be allergic to chicken, so beware.

• Having done your best to prevent eczema at source dress your child with soft cotton next to the skin-never wool or nylon. These latter will make him or her hot and sweaty, which makes any early eczema likely to progress further than it otherwise would. Choose loose clothing styles that keep the child neither too hot nor too cold.

• Disposable nappies may irritate -use soft terry nappies. Change nappies frequently and clean the child’s bottom well. Avoid plastic pants if there is any sign of nappy rash. Never wash nappies in biological detergents because very allergic babies are allergic to the enzymes in them. Drying clothes out of doors helps destroy house-dust mites and bacteria. Avoid feather, down and wool bedding because these can irritate eczema. Use duvets filled with synthetic filler and cotton cellular blankets and cotton sheets. Change bedding twice a week at least, and damp-dust and vacuum the child’s room daily.

• Join a self-help group to help you cope with the day-to-day problems and prevent family discord. Having a baby or child with severe eczema can be exhausting for all the family and you will be grateful for tips on how to cope.

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posted by admin on Apr 21

As part of the full Immune for Life program. Nutria-Prevention can give your “Doctor Within” a big boost. But please, do not use vitamin and mineral supplements as a substitute for nutritious eating. Supplements are just that: something that’s added to your regular regimen. The FULFILLMENT, REJUVENATION, RESTORATION and REBIRTH programs help fill nutrient gaps and add strength to your “doctor within,” but they aren’t meant to replace everyday healthy eating. Be sure to eat plenty of Super Foods and other healthy foods.

In the right amounts, vitamin and mineral supplements can be extremely helpful. But too much of anything, even a good thing, can be dangerous. So please resist the temptation to double or triple your supplement levels.

I have to admit, however, that we doctors don’t always agree on how much is enough. The Recommended Daily Allowance will keep you out of the hospital. How much is it necessary to take for the best possible health? The debate is raging, and slowly a consensus seems to be emerging that we could benefit from higher levels of many vitamins and minerals. I believe that in the future we will see RDAs much higher than they are now.

Nobel laureatte Dr. Linus Pauling told an interesting story at the Second International Symposium o.n Stress Management, in 1979. Speaking to an audience of physicians and scientists, including four other Nobel prize winners, Dr. Pauling held up a glass test tube filled with white powder. He explained.that the test tube contained 13 grams of vitamin C powder, the amount of vitamin C a 150-pound jackass produces every day. Then he held up a second test tube that was empty. This, he said, represents the amount of vitamin C a human makes every day: none. Next he showed a third test tube, containing a tiny bit of powder. This is how much vitamin C the government says we need every day, he said.

He looked from one test tube to the next, comparing the amount of of vitamin C a jackass makes to the amount the government says humans need. Then, to the great delight of the audience, he smiled and said: “Wouldn’t you know it? A jackass knows more about vitamin C than our government does.”

It’s too bad we humans aren’t like jackasses, and just about every other animal. They can make their own vitamin C; we can’t. Our bodies don’t manufacture any vitamins and minerals in sufficient amounts. We’re at the mercy of our diet to provide these vital substances. So make sure that everything you eat has lots of the vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, fiber and other nutrients you need to build vibrant health and happiness.

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posted by admin on Apr 21

Anger, rage, bitterness, depression, self-doubt, feelings of helplessness and so on, are all negative forms of stress. Stress is the response of your body, mind, emotions or spirit to any demand made upon them. Your life is constantly changing and may be stressful because all of these elements have to continually adapt to new demands made upon them- Some stress is necessary and good. Cheering when your favorite team scores points is exciting and stressful, but it’s good stress. Good stress has been called the spice of life. Without good stress, life would be deadly boring.

The stress I experienced when I first kissed my wife-to-be over 30 years ago was good stress. It must have been—I immediately fell down some steps. (Talk about a powerful kiss!) It’s only when stress becomes distress that you have to start worrying. The stress promoted by angry, negative thoughts is distress. And where enough distress is found, disease is sure to follow.

Some stress, like, some facts, comes from outside of us, and we can’t do much about it. If you accidently drop a hammer on your toe, for example, it hurts and you’re distressed. Hammer-on-toe-causing-pain is a distressing fact. But you have a choice. You can get mad, yell and scream, and increase your distress. You can turn your feelings inward, seeing the accident as another example of how unfair life is, and thereby also increase your distress. Or you can limit your distress by accepting the pain and making it a point to be more careful in the future.

Medical researchers have looked at the way people tend to view potentially distressful events and have designated three general categories: Type A, B and C personalities. I like to call these groups Stress Seekers (Type A), Stress Phobics (Type C) and Stress Handlers (Type B).

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