Saturday, April 10, 2010

Male Common Yeast Infection - Treatments Appropriate For Men

By Elliott Berry

Oral yeast infection among male patients would possibly not be as common as penis thrush or thrush in infants, but it still wishes treatment and must not be taken for granted. Except for the pain it can cause, it may also lead to more serious oral conditions that can cause a large amount of Problems health-wise.

Thrush in male adults

Although newly born babies are the ones often in danger from oral Candidiasis, this condition can also affect adults. Both female and male can suffer with oral Candida infection. Among male adults, people who have weakened immunological defenses are the likeliest to develop this condition. Diabetes patients, cancer patients, asthmatics, HIV-positive individuals, smokers, unwarranted beer drinkers, people who wear dentures and those with tongue piercings are also at risk from thrush.

Signs of thrush

Oral Candidiasis is caused by Candida yeast fungi. It usually has effects on the tongue, the roof of the mouth and the throat. Thrush in adults is also called moniliasis. Male patients who have this condition have curd-like deposits on mucosal membranes. The tongue and other areas of the mouth might also appear red and inflamed. An individual who has thrush can suffer from a burning feeling on the mouth that can cause uttermost pain.

Treatment for oral yeast infection

Some of the handiest cures for thrush are made from natural and easy ingredients. One of the most typically used one is vinegar mixed with water. It can be employed as a mouthwash at least twice per day. This could help reduce the burning feeling and alleviate pain.

Another popular natural remedy is a mixture of citric acid and baking soda. This can be swabbed on the tongue and gums and other areas of the mouth influenced by thrush.

Coconut oil is an alternative choice that natural cure enthusiasts might wish to explore. A small spoon of this oil constantly can help stop oral Candidiasis. If the patient has a dislike for the thick feel of oil on his tongue, then employ a cotton ball and swab the guts of the mouth to alleviate the discomfort. Another highly-favored natural cure is garlic. Crush some pieces of garlic and dab it on the area affected of the mouth and the itchiness and tenderness will disappear.

Male oral yeast infection is not as common as penile thrush or Candidiasis in other parts of the body. However , this should not be used as an excuse to ignore the condition. The earlier treatment is utilized, the better the possibilities of a patient to get better.

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Friday, April 9, 2010

All About Sleeping Aid And Where To Buy Sleep Aids Over The Counter (OTC)

By Chandrasekaran Rajamani

People care more about nutrition than about sleep though both nutrition and sleep are vital for our overall health.The body's metabolism works non stop,whether it is day or night whether you are awake or asleep.In fact some metabolic functions happen only during sleep such as 'human growth hormone' release.

If you have sleep disorders,you are not alone.Throughout the world the number of people suffering from the sleep disorder insomnia is increasing by the day.Loss of sleep may hasten the onset and increase the severity of diseases like hypertension,memory loss and diabetes.

What exactly is over the counter (OTC for short) sleep|sleeping aids?Over the counter or OTC sleep|sleeping aids mean as the name itself suggests that it aids sleep.That it is easily available over the counter without any restriction.It means that any body can purchase it without prescription.

Over the counter or OTC sleep|sleeping aids' purpose is as it's name suggests is to aid the body get proper amount of sleep by inducing it.It is usually in the form of pills but sometimes sold in liquid form too.

OTC (over the counter) sleep|sleeping aids benefit-1 is that sleeping aids help the body to get the much needed sleep.This increases the capacity of the body to repair it's worn out cells there by invigorating the body.

OTC (over the counter) sleep|sleeping aids benefit- 2 is that the usage of sleep aids relaxes the body and mind by inducing sleep leading to reduction in mental stress.This in itself increases the quality of life.By reducing stress the body's immune system is strengthened.After a good night's sleep we feel refreshed and invigorated.

OTC (over the counter) sleep|sleeping aids benefit- 3 is that sleep aids fight weight gain caused by inadequate sleep.Lack of sleep increases the appetite causing avoidable food consumption leading to weight gain.It is found that adequate sleep reduces appetite there by contributing to weight loss.By inducing sleep,the sleep aid helps control blood pressure which in turn improves heart condition.

Benefit no.3 of using OTC sleep|sleeping aids by making sleep possible help refresh the brain leading to increased memory power.Also during sleep,the repair of skin tissues damaged by ultra violet radiation of the sun during day time takes place improving skin health.Sleep aids also indirectly cause release of 'human growth hormone' which can be released only during sleep.

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Thursday, April 8, 2010

Hormone Replacement Therapy May Not Be For You

By Adriana Noton

For many years hormone replacement therapy was considered the medical norm to give to women who were going through menopause. Now known as hormone therapy, was a therapy that they thought not only treated the symptoms of menopause but may have also had a factor in lessening the threats of heart disease and osteoporosis.

Doctors started questioning the validity of this therapy after a clinical study in 2002 that produced evidence that hormone replacement therapy may not be as healthy as once thought that it was. Parts of the clinical testing revealed that this therapy actually might be causing more health hazards than preventing. Once doctors started studying the results of this particular test, they started changing their minds about whether or not their patients should be on this therapy long term.

The treatment takes estrogen and combines it with the man made hormone progestin. Given to patients who had trouble with handling the symptoms of menopause like hot flashes and other symptoms that come a long with menopause. This therapy use to be a long term therapy that lasted over a period of years. Because of the test however; long term use is rarely used as compared to its more common short term use presently.

Doctors have discovered that if the Bioidentical Hormone Replacement therapy is given short term, some of the health benefits can still be achieved. Doctors are discovering that with short term use, the threat of osteoporosis is lessened, heart disease with short term use might still be lessened but the therapy should be administered to the woman when they are in the early stages of post menopause. When used in moderation it is possible that the therapy can lower the risk of colorectal cancer.

If a woman has entered menopause, it is really important that she seriously consider whether or not she wants to risk taking the therapy over a long extended period of time. If they feel that the extent of their menopause is too much for them to handle as compared to the possible hazards, they might want to see if their doctor will put them on the therapy to help make menopause more tolerable.

Women and doctors both need to consider the risks seriously. It is now suspected that with long term use of hormone therapy it might actually increase the risk of heart disease. Long term use of hormones might also increase the risk of breast cancer. The increase in strokes has also been linked to the long term use as well as more false positive mammograms.

With women who have only taken estrogen for therapy it was discovered that they did not seem to have an increase in heart disease, but they still had an increase in strokes, an increase in blood clots of the legs and there seemed to be more mammograms that tested positive when they were negative.

Should a woman strongly believe that the symptoms she is suffering during menopause is far too life disrupting and they feel the risks are small compared to the menopause it would be advisable for them to contact their doctor and sit down and discuss the possible implementation of hormone therapy. Other things that might influence a woman to take the therapy is if the doctor has discovered that the woman is suffering from bone loss. Another reason might be if the woman began menopause before the age of 40.

If you happen to be suffering from any of the symptoms mentioned above, then trying the hormone therapy on a short term basis, might be able to help you with your problems. It will be up to your doctor however; to decide whether you should be put on long term versus short term.

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Wednesday, April 7, 2010

The Stages Of Malignant Mesothelioma Determine Outcome

By Sally Clapper

When a patient is first diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) or with pericardial or peritoneal mesothelioma, the first step a doctor will take is to try to determine the stage of the disease. Staging helps to determine if the tumors have spread beyond the pleural, peritoneal, or pericardial cavities.

First Origins of Cancer Staging

Before the 1940's, systems for classifying stages of cancer did not exist. The first interest in creating a staging system originated soon after with the desire to find a way to assess different levels of breast cancer. Having such a system would allow doctors to make targeted treatment plans, have a better idea of survival times, and speak a common language when referring to cancers.

Butchart, et al was the first to propose a formal system to be used with mesothelioma that divided it into four different stages. There have been numerous changes made to Butchart's model yet the four stage descriptive approach has stayed the same.

Another system that is sometimes used to define stages is the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging system. This measures the tumor size, node involvement, and degree to which the cancer has spread to other places in the body.

Current Mesothelioma Stages

Mesothelioma is most often divided into four stages, like most other types of lung cancer. Generally speaking, stages are determined by the size of the tumor and the degree of metastasis, or degree to which the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Both systems mentioned above divide mesothelioma into four stages. Stage I refers to tumors that are relatively small and localized. Stage II means the tumor has grown, and although it has not spread into surrounding tissue, may have entered into the lymph nodes. Stage III means the cancer is even larger, has spread to nearby lymph nodes, and is starting to spread into surrounding tissues. Stage IV is when the tumors have begun to spread to other body organs, commonly referred to as metastasized.

Metastasis is measured by the degree to which the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Generally, the higher the number, the more severe the mesothelioma is.Knowing the stage of mesothelioma is important because it can help doctors make a prognosis and determine which treatments would be most effective. Most advanced stage cancers have much lower survival times and less treatment options than those in Stage I and II.

Determining the Stage of Mesothelioma

A variety of tests can be used to determine the stage of mesothelioma cancer: chest X-ray, CT scan, surgery, magnetic resonance image (MRI) or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Your oncologist specialist will recommend which is best depending on your individual circumstances.

Stages Helps Determine Treatment and Survival Times

Stage I mesothelioma has the best prognosis as the tumors are localized and are more apt to be able to be removed surgically. Once mesothelioma has spread to lymph nodes on the same side as the tumor, or to the lining of the chest or heart, it has progressed to Stage II. Therapeutic interventions and survival times are always better if mesothelioma is diagnosed at these earlier stages.

Stage III mesothelioma refers to when the tumors have spread beyond the lining to the chest wall and to lymph nodes outside the chest or on the other side of the chest. With each advancement in stage, survival times and ability to treat is much lower. In Stage IV mesothelioma, the cancer has spread to distant organs, tissues and/or lymph nodes. Prognosis is extremely poor and treatment focuses on palliative interventions intended to ease pain versus slowing disease progression.

Mesothelioma is an Incurable Cancer

Currently, there does not exist a cure for mesothelioma. However, many clinical studies are dedicated to finding ways of catching mesothelioma at earlier stages and before it has progressed too far. Research such as this may one day help to not only lengthen survival times and increase treatment times, but also find a cure.

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Tuesday, April 6, 2010

How to Pass a Kidney Stone Information - Safe Natural Treatment For Fast Relief

By Marco N. Sanchez

Why should kidney stone surgery have to be the first choice when looking for a way of getting rid of painful kidney stones? You will get more details about kidney stones symptoms here.

Of what importance is kidney stone surgery? What other alternative treatments are available to tackle these stones?

Kidney stones are solid particles of material which form through the crystallization of excreted substances found in the urine.

This process allows the deposit of stone-like particles in the urinary tract or kidneys.

A lot of pain is generated from the presence of these serrated "stones".

The pain is especially severe when the stones pass through the Ureter. This is why kidney stone surgery is sometimes recommended for the removal of the stones.

It's worth giving this method of natural treatment a chance to work first in getting rid of the stones. It would help you avoid surgical procedures.

This is why natural treatment is so good. The removal process for natural treatment is quite simple and harmless.

Its time to first look into kidney stones symptoms. This will make us better understand how serious this is. Below are some symptoms:

1. Color changes: There is sometimes a change in the color of urine produced.

2. Swellings and infections: The stones sometimes inflict damage in the system which then leads to infections and swellings.

3. Abdominal pains: One of the really common signs is severe pain in the abdomen.

4. More urinary problems: Sufferers of this health problem complain of noticing an increase in urine frequency. They also complain about having problems holding back urine.

5. Pains with urine: Some people complain of feeling bad pains while urinating.

6. Traces of blood: In some cases signs of blood can be noticed in the urine.

7. Chills: Chills and fevers become more frequent for people going through this. Nausea also crops up quite often.

The kidney stones symptoms just enumerated above are just a few of the many symptoms. It's important to do something fast so the problem doesn't escalate.

Many people now like the natural ways of treating this problem. This is worth trying out before going for surgery.

Natural treatment leaves your organs safe. It will cost you very little and it is quite painless.

Kidney stone surgery doesn't have to be the first choice you make. Natural treatment is a good first step to take.

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Monday, April 5, 2010

You Can Keep Your Hearing

By Sophia Wood

Life in today's world has become considerably louder with the increase in the number of cars and lorries on the roads, more powerful sound systems in the home, cinemas and theaters and the constant sounds from industrial plants and electrical equipment. The increase in volume is part of the reason why the number of deaf and those that suffer from hearing loss now stand at 28 million Americans.

The good news is that it is possible to prevent completely or delay many types of hearing loss. Vast improvements have been made in the technology used in hearing aids and medical treatments for hearing loss.

The increase in damaging levels of sound has meant that more and more young people are being diagnosed with hearing loss. Every day, 30 million Americans are believed to be exposed to damaging noise levels and 10 million live with irreversible damage to their hearing.

The age groups most likely to suffer from hearing loss is between the ages of 45 and 64 with men having a 356% loss and women having an 85% loss of hearing. Thankfully the majority of hearing loss from noise levels and ear infections including middle ear infections in children is preventable.

Starting at birth, regular hearing tests can prevent a lot of unnecessary hearing loss. Now it is possible to diagnose any problems with a newborn baby's hearing using otoacoustic emissions. By diagnosing any hearing problems early a baby can have the best opportunity to develop its language skills which are developing even within the first six months of its life.

Our ears allow us to hear by channeling the sound in the air from the outer ear to strike the eardrum, causing it and the tiny bones present in the inner ear to vibrate. Hearing occurs because nerves transport electrical signals to the brain from cells that vibrate inside the cochlea. It is not possible for these cells to be repaired if they are damaged or if they die.

Someone who has been exposed to dangerously high levels of noise can end up with a constant high pitched ringing noise in their one or both of their ears known as tinnitus. Many people including most of the 40 million Americans who have tinnitus are able to get on their lives.

Some people describe their tinnitus as not too much discomfort. Others are literally driven to madness. Tinnitus cannot be cured but instead relief is available for around 80% of the 10 million severe cases.

William Shatner who played Captain James T Kirk in the Star Trek television series was almost driven to suicide due to the constant torment caused by severe tinnitus. The cause of his condition may have been the loud explosions that he was exposed to during the filming of the TV series.

There are many ways to stop hearing loss from occurring. In many situations you should wear protective earplugs. Temporary hearing loss can be caused by noise over 90 decibels for a long period of time and this can be from house hold equipment such as lawnmowers. Unless protection is worn the sound from some work machinery can cause damage to a persons hearing in 15 minutes if the sound is over 100 decibels. Permanent hearing loss can occur from anything over 110 decibels such as concerts and industrial machinery.

Hearing damage can be caused by ear infections if they are not treated early. Occasionally some ear infections are present without any pain. No other symptoms apart from a loss of hearing may be present. If you ever have any loss in hearing you should immediately see a doctor to get a test done.

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Sunday, April 4, 2010

Important Questions: How Long Does The Flu Last?

By Trevor Johnson

"How long does the flu last" is an often asked question. However, this is not as easy a question to answer as many would hope or expect. The flu, or influenza, is extremely infectious and affects many thousands each year. With symptoms including nausea and entire bodily aches, it can be a debilitating period.

Sufferers can expect to have symptoms for up to a week or more, though some people can get over the illness within a day or two. This duration varies according to the severity of the strain of the flu as well as other factors.

So how long do people remain infectious? The period of time you are infectious does not necessarily correlate to the time frame in which the symptoms are felt. A person can spread the virus a day before any symptoms are felt, whilst the virus can still be present a few days after symptoms have ended.

This is the case with a healthy adult of child bearing age. However for groups such as the young or elderly, infection can last longer and be more severe.

In such cases serious health issues, connected to the flu - though not as a direct result of it - can further complicate matters. If you are in any doubt, obviously you should consult your doctor as soon as possible.

In such vulnerable groups, there is a risk that further complications may arise, resulting in serious chest infections which can in turn result in more serious illnesses and even death.

The virus spreads amazingly quickly; being able to be passed through saliva in a sneeze or cough, and through bodily contact such as kissing and a simple handshake. Which means that it is difficult for you to guard against catching it, short of quarantining yourself for the season.

In essence then, one of the most often asked questions across the world, "How long does the flu last", cannot succinctly be answered. But to do everybody around you a favor, be hygienic and only come into contact with those people that it is vital for you to.

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Saturday, April 3, 2010

Consider a Menopause Natural Treatment to Relieve Your Menopause Symptoms

By Roselyn Moitasten

Nowadays many women are educating themselves on the best menopause natural treatment that does not involve the commercially-made hormones that are so regularly prescribed. Although hormone replacement therapy is still used widely in the U. S. to cut back the negative symptoms related to menopause, many ladies are getting increasingly scared about this form of treatment that has reported side effects which include cancer.

The excellent news is that many of the alternative menopause natural remedies work well and do not have reported negative side effects and can be purchased from the privacy and convenience of your house.

The most well liked forms of menopause natural remedies are herbal. They can be presented in aromatherapy treatments, creams, oils, gels, teas, tablets or ointments. They are effective because they mimic the body's own hormone production of estrogen and can cut back the fluctuation in hormone levels that cause menopause symptoms such as night sweats, low libido, insomnia, hot flashes, brain fogginess and mood swings to name a few. Most herbal formulas include maca root, dong quai, red clover or black cohosh.

In addition to these herbs being able to mimic female hormones such as estrogen, they also have their own unique qualities that are particularly advantageous as a menopause natural treatment. For starters, black cohosh has had wonderful results in reducing the intensity and frequency of night sweats, hot flashes and vaginal dryness.

Furthermore, it appears to work miracles with evening out the temperament and reducing mood swings. Maca root is famous for bringing back a healthy libido. Dong quai works really well together with black cohosh and fights sleeplessness too. In addition, red clover has been known to cool down night sweats and enhance the cardiovascular system. Another herb that is growing in popularity with its useful benefits as a natural menopause treatment is clary sage. It is understood to have a regulating result on hormones and is most often used in combination with geranium. Some experts claim that clary sage also helps menopausal headaches, nausea, tearfulness, moodiness, distension, indigestion and depression.

If you select a menopause natural treatment instead of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), be sure that you are aware of the origin of the herbal remedies. Not all herbs available are comparable in purity, effectiveness or concentration. Take the time to review where the herbs come from when possible, review the warranties and return policies of the manufacturers that provide them and the unbiased opinions of people who have tried them.

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Friday, April 2, 2010

Find a Cure For Snoring

By Betty Teal

Before you can consider any cures for snoring you have to look at some of the underlying causes first. Depending on the cause of your snoring, you will be able to use the best solution to resolve it.

If you are married to someone who snores, then you realize how infuriating it can be when the snoring commences, it just seems to get louder and louder. You nudge him, you ask him to change his position and it stops for a short time and then it begins again!

A call to our doctor and some medication, and I was able to sleep again! In reality our doctor believes that we were very lucky to find a cure so easily. The solution for snoring which involves taking medication barely has a 25% success rate - but just 3 short months later, the snoring returned.

Why is there such little success with medication?

It appears as though people are more happy with trying medication both prescribed or over the counter as it's easier to deal with. It's convenient and snorers and/or their partners believe it's going to solve the problem, and guess what - after a short while, the problem returns. The main reason is that pills tend to treat the symptoms and not tackle the root cause.

Lifestyle issues.

Snoring like most illnesses usually has a lifestyle element linked that is a main contributing factor. That is why it is sensible to sit down with your doctor and/or partner and try to isolate environmental and or possible physical causes.

For example, if you are 5'10" and weigh 250 pounds there is a serious chance that being overweight is a key factor. The same is true if you are a smoker. These are factors because the chief cause of snoring is an obstruction of the palette and/or nasal channels when the muscles loosen as you sleep. If you are obese then these passages clog up the airways causing the snoring sound. In this case, dropping your weight would help alleviate your snoring problem. In the long run, medication won't keep this problem from returning.

You should also consider environmental factors. If you're breathing bad quality air throughout the day, there's a good chance that it's contributing to your snoring.

In fact, air conditioning might be a chief culprit as it dries up the sinus and the throat passages which emphasises the snoring which can be so easily fixed.

Allergies.

A lot of people nowadays are also living with allergies and most of these allergies can produce serious concerns mainly to the sinus. So look at the possibility of allergy triggers that might be in the bedroom like pet hair, or even some pillows. By getting rid of some of these possible causes of allergies, one of the main culprits in producing a snoring problem may be lessened or eradicated.

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Thursday, April 1, 2010

Identifying, Watching Out For And Identifying Poison Ivy

By Becca G Taylor

Poison Ivy is a very unpleasant plant to come in contact with. Although seemingly harmless, one brush against its leaves can leave you itching and scratching for days with giant red welts. This is actually an easily avoidable plant. All you need to learn to do is figure out what it looks like and avoid it. Another thing one should do with this ivy is learn how to treat it just in case some of your friends come into contact with this itchy plant.

"Leaves of three, let them be!" is the old and well known rhyme. Although it is an old rhyme, it is actual very factual as well as an easy fact to remember. A plant with three grouped leaves is usually a poison ivy plant. This plant is more resembling a vine than a bush or a tree. It has a rope like curve. Although there are three groups of leaves together, be aware that sometimes there are nine or so leaves grouped together.

The color of this dangerous ivy varies from green in the summer to red in the fall. The leaves are two inches or four inches long. The tips of the leaves are usually pointed. It does contain a waxy, berry type of fruit. The color of this fruit is a gray color.

There is not really any hope for you to get rid of all of the poison ivy in the woods, but there are steps you can take if you find it in your backyard. You can pull it out by hand, for starters. Make sure to wear gloves if employing this method. Be sure to remove the entire root since the plant could easily grow back from the leftovers.

If your plant is hiding inside or wrapped around a tree, there is a little more work involved to kill it. Cut off the vine from the tree. Then put an herbicide on the stems at the point you cut them so there is no more growth.

Touching the painful plant is bad enough, but do not make the mistake of touching anything, especially another body part. The itching and painful blisters come because of the oil from the plant. The plant possesses an oil of a sticky nature that is transferred by touch. Be especially careful not to anything that may have been in contact with poison ivy, such as a dog.

If you believe that you have come into contact with poison ivy, be sure to immediately wash the contaminated area with soap and water. Be sure that you use cold water, because warm water will make the poison enter the skin easily. Although a rash may still result it will not be nearly as painful or as penetrating. If you still suffer symptoms from the plant, contact your doctor to discuss treatments.

Poison ivy is actually easy to keep away from if you know what to do. Look out for leaves of three and stay out of range from touching those who get it. Get it out of your property and always cover your legs when you go hiking. It is easy to stay poison free.

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