Archive for Symptoms and Causes
November 18, 2009 at 11:16 am
· Filed under Symptoms and Causes ·Tagged reduce smallpox scars, relieve smallpox itching, smallpox information, vaccinia virus smallpox
Smallpox is a very serious contagious disease caused by the variola virus. In the course of human history, this disease has caused millions of deaths, since around 30 percent of infected people die. Unfortunately, there is no known medical treatment for the disease, which can leave survivors with permanent scarring due to the large number of bumps (called pustules) that are a characteristic of smallpox. Many patients who recover from this condition may lose their eyesight too.
Stages and Symptoms of Smallpox
Typically, the symptoms of smallpox appear in several stages. At first, there is an incubation period of one to three weeks after exposure to the virus, where the patient appears completely fine. This is followed by a high fever that lasts for 3-5 days, accompanied by body aches and nausea. This is followed by a rash of small, red spots, which are usually present in the mouth. These develop sores that burst, spreading the virus and making this the most contagious stage of the disease. Within a few hours, the rash spreads to most parts of the body. In a few days, small bumps appear that soon become pustules, which scab over and fall off in a matter of weeks if the patient survives.
Over the centuries, many remedies were used for smallpox, though most only help to reduce the symptoms and cannot cure the disease. Isolating the patient is important, since smallpox is highly contagious. Once the pustules are formed, baths in warm water with oatmeal can help to relieve itchiness. A few drops of tea tree oil can also be used as a preventative measure against secondary bacterial infection of the skin. Once the pustules fall off, applying aloe vera gel could help to reduce the scarring effects of smallpox.
In the last century, a successful vaccine was developed using live samples of vacinnia, a virus related to the variola virus but does not cause smallpox. Successful vaccination programs soon helped to remove smallpox from the human population and the last reported case was in the 1970s. During that same time, the U.S. declared smallpox to be eradicated and vaccinations were stopped. However, certain research institutions still have samples of live smallpox, which has raised fears of accidental or purposeful release (bioterrorism) of the virus to the general population. In the last decade, the government has started stockpiling vaccines for any such national emergency, and some defense personnel are already being vaccinated if they are judged to be in a high risk environment.
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November 18, 2009 at 11:02 am
· Filed under Symptoms and Causes ·Tagged bipolar mood swings, symptoms of manic depression, types of bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder, also sometimes referred to as manic depressive syndrome, is a psychological condition in which the patient experiences wild swings in mood and behavior. Typically, these range from a ‘manic’ phase, where the individual appears extremely upbeat, to the lows of ‘depressive’ behavior. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are extremely varied, depending on the phase the patient is experiencing. In the manic phase, the individual may exhibit high risk behavior, unusual levels of energy and activity, restlessness, and constantly shifting focus in thought and activities. At the other end of the spectrum, the same person will have low levels of energy and interest, problems in concentration, loss of interest in work and activities, and reduced ability to make decisions. Perhaps the most serious complication of bipolar disorder is the tendency to have suicidal thoughts and behavior during this depressive phase. In fact, some studies indicate that almost 30 percent of bipolar people attempt suicide at least once.
In most cases, there is usually a period of so-called ‘normal’ behavior in between the manic and depressive phases. However, bipolar patients exhibit various combinations of such changes in mood, which is why it is classified into several sub-types, including Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Rapid Cycling. This makes it even more difficult for a successful diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder, making it important to refer to a mental health professional at the earliest. Since bipolar disorder contains elements of various other psychological conditions, it is difficult to understand the exact cause of the disorder. Most instances are linked to genetic factors along with environmental conditions. Treatments available for bipolar patients vary, depending on the sub-type and intensity of symptoms. Some cases may need hospitalizations and supervision, while others may need long-term medication. However, a few cases can also be treated with the help of psychological counseling.
Bipolar Disorder – Manic Depression Treatment
There is no medically-approved home treatment for this serious psychological condition. Perhaps the only effective ‘remedy’ for an individual is to be able to understand the gravity of the problem and seek expert care. A few cases can benefit from maintaining a healthy lifestyle that minimizes mood swings and helps to reduce the intensity of the depressive phases. This can include regular exercise, meditation, and a well-balanced diet rich in natural, fresh foods. All of these help to relieve stress and increase the mind’s ability to deal with depression. Some people report positive benefits from a diet containing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, but studies have yet to confirm this.
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November 3, 2009 at 1:11 pm
· Filed under Symptoms and Causes ·Tagged celiac disease symptoms, celiac free diet, celiac remedies, symptoms of celiac disease
Celiac is a genetic and hereditary disease of the small intestine caused by gluten (a type of wheat protein) intolerance. The patient of celiac cannot absorb gluten. So when he consumes anything that contains gluten, it tears down villi, a substance found on the surface of small intestine and which makes the small intestine absorb other nutrients. So, essential nutrients like calcium, vitamins, and minerals are not absorbed by the person’s system leading to malnutrition. Celiac disease has some very apparent symptoms. The patient suffers from gases and sudden bloating along with experiencing abdominal pain along with diarrhea or constipation and vomiting. Some more symptoms of celiac disease include rapid weight loss, anemia, joint pain, mood swings, skin rash, fatigue, mouth sores, tingling and numbness in hands and feet, and also foul smelling stool. However, getting a medical test to get the right diagnosing is important. Though the disease is hereditary, a severe case of gastroenteritis during childhood, an accident, Down’s Syndrome, and Turner’s Syndrome can also lead to celiac.
Celiac Disease Diet Tips
Unfortunately, there is no medical treatment for celiac and its only remedy is stopping the consumption of products with gluten content for the rest of the sufferer’s life. Food products that have high content of celiac are wheat, barley, rye, rice, and grains. So, the sufferer must avoid these and other wheat based products like pasta and breads. Fast foods are almost like poison for a celiac patient. Processed and canned food, salad dressing, fillers like ketchups and sauces, yogurt, ice creams, coffee, and sausages must be avoided by the sufferer. While choosing for foods, the patient needs to keep an eye on the gluten content in the product. Such a stringent diet makes it a difficult condition for a patient to deal with.
Since the patient cannot absorb the nutrients in food, he or she needs to ensure that the food is chewed really well before swallowing. Consuming olive leaf extract is also beneficial for the patient as it strengthens the immune system and prevents any further damage. The patient must consult a doctor or a qualified nutritionist about his or her diet, and care must be taken to stick to the diet because celiac can lead to severe ailments like osteoporosis, seizures, and intestinal cancer if not taken care of. The long term effects of also includes infertility, and weak teeth and bones. The sufferer must drink lots of water to avoid gases and constipation.
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August 19, 2009 at 5:36 am
· Filed under Symptoms and Causes ·Tagged alzheimer's symptoms, alzheimer’s disease, signs of alzheimers, stages of alzheimers
Alzheimer’s disease, or simply Alzheimer’s, is serious and incurable form of dementia that mostly affects people above the age of 60. It is caused by the gradual degeneration of brain cells, and causes severe impairment of mental faculties. It is believed that Alzheimer’s is genetic in nature. It has also been observed that a vast majority of those who suffer from Down’s syndrome are also affected by this disease if they survive till middle age. Chronic high blood pressure and accidental head injuries incurred in adult life may also predispose a person to Alzheimer’s. It is easy to confuse the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s with the usual manifestations of the natural process of ageing. Occasional instances of forgetfulness may be the earliest symptoms of this condition, especially if this involves frequent and regular difficulty in recollecting names of people, places and objects. Routinely misplacing objects, inability to concentrate on any subject for too long, and getting confused about official paperwork such as filling up forms and following instructions may also be early indicators of Alzheimer’s. Sometimes, the patient may also feel temporarily lost even in familiar surroundings and fail to remember entire conversations or events that took place in the recent past. An inability to organize thoughts and grasp abstract concepts may also be pointers to the first stage of this disease.
Stages Of Alzheimer’s Dementia
Gradually, the patient also begins to suffer from difficulties in framing and understanding complex verbal structures, and begins to become less fluent in the use of both the written and the spoken word. S/he may also find it increasingly taxing to learn new ideas and concepts, and may slowly lose implicit memory, which enables a normal person to coordinate day-to-day activities such as tying shoelaces, using cutlery while eating, and handling ordinary electronic gadgets. This makes the person feel clumsy and consequently leads to feelings of withdrawal and depression. After this stage, the patient’s language capacity begins to deteriorate progressively, as they start making frequent incorrect word substitutions and find it extremely difficult to read and write. At this stage, even long-term memories, relating to events in the distant past, are slowly lost, making the patient irritable and aggressive. Frequent and sudden mood swings are common at this stage, and must be handled under professional medical supervisors. In the terminal stage of this disease, the patient loses practically all linguistic and cognitive abilities and is entirely dependent on external help to even carry on routine activities necessary for survival.
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August 6, 2009 at 1:20 pm
· Filed under Symptoms and Causes ·Tagged causes of cold sore, cold sores treatment, cure cold sores, get rid of cold sore, remedies for cold sores
Cold sores, the shingles and chicken pox are all diseases that are caused by a type of virus called the herpes virus. This virus is so virulent that it can spread by the action of a droplet infection in chicken pox, by discharge in cold sores and shingles, and by sexual contact in the case of genital herpes. Being a virus, there is no antibiotic equivalent to deal with the virus but there are some antiviral drugs that have been developed recently to control the extent of infection.
Cold Sore Causes
Cold sores are an infection that is caused by the herpes virus. The infection could have been caused by contact with another infected host or could also be from a re-infection by a dormant herpes virus in the body – a result of a previous infection. The symptoms of cold sores are the appearance of of red inflamed sores around the mouth, raised and inflamed blisters. Usually, by the time these sores are visible, it is the time in the virus’ life cycle to shed. Shedding is a stage in the virus lifecycle when the virus is at its most infectious. Viruses cannot reproduce on their own, and require the action and cellular contents of another cell replicate. Sometimes, the host cell can be a bacterial cell but it can also be an animal cell – or a human cell. When shedding occurs, the virus bursts out of the cells of its host and is ready to infect another host. In the case of the cold sores and most herpes diseases, the pox or sores are filled with the virus and should they break and come into contact with a new host, that person would be infected as well. Once this phase of the virus is over, the virus then retreats in the myelin sheaths of nerve cells and lies dormant until a trigger reactivates it to move through the spine to another area of infection. If you have already had an attack of herpes, there is a possibility of recurrence within a year of infection and sometimes with as many as four attacks in a year. The use of antiviral treatments can prevent recurrence.
Cold Sores Remedies
Dealing with the cold sores cannot be done purely by the home remedies and requires the use of synthesized drugs. One of the most used drugs to deal with herpes infections is a drug called acyclovir. This works by inhibiting some of the cellular processes of the virus thereby stopping the activity of the virus until the immune system moves in. To bolster acyclovir’s action, you can also apply tea tree oil to the sores that has shown some promise in dealing with the virus.
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August 6, 2009 at 12:08 pm
· Filed under Symptoms and Causes ·Tagged get rid of ringworm, ringworm remedies, ringworm symptoms, ringworm treatment, treat ringworm
Ringworm is actually quite a misnomer of a name and a more accurate description of ringworm would be a fungal infection of the skin, usually on the hands. A ringworm infection is quite commonplace among individuals with a high exposure to damp environments and public areas that are damp. A ringworm infection is quite closely related to Athlete’s foot and jock itch, though the species of fungus might differ. It is in fact not very uncommon to have a fungal infection spread from one part of the body to the other, as is sometimes the case in Athlete’s foot. Treating the condition is really quite simple but the more important point to note is that the problem stems from bad hygiene and this is the first thing to start rectifying.
Ringworm Causes
A ringworm infection is typically caught when you have had some kind of contact with an individual who already has ringworm, either directly or indirectly. This can involve direct contact with the skin of a ringworm-afflicted person or by coming into contact with a shared surface like a towel. Therefore, it is of extreme importance that you avoid coming into contact with shared surfaces when in a public place, with a moist environment like a public pool, showers and locker rooms. If one is unfortunate enough to acquire a ringworm infection, then the progress of the infection begins with the spores of the fungus germinating on the skin. The fungus will then start to grow under the skin of the afflicted person where it targets the keratin-rich layer of the skin, as keratin is the main nutrient source of the fungus. Keratin is a protein that is created in the skin, and is also a constituent of hair and nails. It is created within the skin as a layer of cells that is waterproof and water absorbent as well. As the infection starts to gain ground, the skin will appear raised, in the form of a circle, and will be inflamed. There might be some irritation that follows, which is manifested in an itch. The medical diagnosis of ringworm is usually confirmed by a scraping of the wound analyzed for the presence of the fungus.
Treating the condition is really quite simple and all you need to do is to apply an antifungal topical ointment. People sometimes, mistakenly, tend to apply hydrocortisone ointment to the area of a ringworm infection. This will only reduce the inflammation and make the raised border disappear. A more appropriate therapy is the constant application of tea tree oil or crushed garlic to the site of infection. You could use any kind of essential oil even lavender oil and sandalwood oil. Most of these are available in the form of body washes and soaps.
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August 6, 2009 at 11:50 am
· Filed under Symptoms and Causes ·Tagged common menstrual problems, menstrual cycle problems, menstrual pain relief, problems with menstrual cycle
Menstrual problems include three basic problems, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, and the loss of iron from the body as a result of the heavy loss of blood. Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for the cramps and pain that are associated with menstruation or a period. Menorrhagia is the condition in which there is excessive blood flow beyond the normal amount or if the period lasts longer than seven days.
A menstrual cycle starts during ovulation with the uterine lining called the endometrium being prepared in anticipation of pregnancy. If an egg does not develop as a natural result of fertilization, then the process begins to shed the endometrium. To do this, the uterine muscles start to kill the cells of the endometrium by choking off the blood supply to the endometrium. This also causes an inflammation by which the cells of the endometrium are also destroyed. Subsequently, the endometrium is detached from the uterine wall and pushed out of the uterus through the vagina and out of the body. It is the inflammation, hypoxia of the uterine muscles and the pushing out of the endometrium that are the causes for the pains during a period otherwise known as dysmenorrhea. During the period of menses, the amount of blood that is estimated to flow out of the body is estimated to be almost 80 milliliters over the course of seven days. Menorrhagia is considered to have occurred if the bleeding continues for longer and if the amount of blood loss is more than the stipulated amount. Another result of this amount of blood being lost is iron deficiency. A severe case of menorrhagia can causes the symptoms that tend to resemble anemia. Some of these symptoms include tiredness, fatigue, and numbness in the extremities to name a few.
Menstrual Cramp Relief
There are no cures for these problems as these are all part of the normal menstrual cycle of a woman. However, the larger discomfort from menstrual problems can be prevented by the simple intake of essential minerals like iron, zinc, magnesium, omega fatty acids, and vitamin E. Dysmenorrhea is a problem that could occur irrespective of the amount of supplements taken. If menstrual cramps are too severe then painkillers are a good option to allow one to resume normal activities. You could also use the age-old therapy of applying a hot water bag on your stomach. There is also some evidence to believe that some forms of yoga that concentrate on the pelvic area is of substantial benefit for women. This is probably because of the exercises to strengthen the muscles near the uterine muscles.
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August 4, 2009 at 12:35 pm
· Filed under Symptoms and Causes ·Tagged causes of hysteria, hysteria home remedies, hysteria natural cure, hysteria symptoms
Hysteria is a very severe mental disorder that arises when a person is under an intense amount of anxiety and will usually constitute the lack of control over ones emotions and actions as well as sudden seizures of unconsciousness and emotional outbursts. While the condition is known to exist n both sexes, studies have shown that there are more incidences in women between the ages of fourteen and twenty five. Most cases, however, have shown to peak between these ages while becoming relatively less frequent and, at times completely absolved, by the age of 25. The condition has a number of noticeable symptoms and can cause a person to cry without any logical cause; deep sighing; cramping of the limbs; mild rumbling in the belly; a sense of constriction in the throat or an almost conclusive laughter. Some other symptoms can be classified into 2 degrees. The first of which may cause the patient to notice a heaviness in the limbs, severe cramps and ascending abdominal restriction amongst others, while in the second degree, the patient may experience wild and painful cries; a substantial swelling of the neck; frequent spitting as well as involuntary muscle contraction.
Some of the most common causes of hysteria include sexual repression or excess or perverted habits of thought and idleness. Heredity, as always, is also a significantly contributing factor and the condition is known to run through bloodlines. Most cases attribute the cause of the condition to a traumatic psychological experience – which is why most victims of the condition tend to use psychiatric treatment as an option. Studies have shown that the treatment has proved successful in a majority of the cases.
Hysteria Remedies
To aid the treatment, there are a few home remedies that one could use. Bottle gourd is known to be extremely effective when dealing with hysteria. Try applying some macerated fresh pulp of the vegetable topically over the head of the patient to treat the condition. The patient should also be made to follow an all fruit diet for several days, splitting the intake over three meals over each day including fruits like grapes, oranges, apples and papayas. After the initial seven days, the patient should be made to follow an exclusive milk diet for about a month to help build better blood and nourish the nerves. After that, the patient can move on to a well balanced diet of seeds, nuts, grains and fruits.
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July 31, 2009 at 10:11 am
· Filed under Symptoms and Causes ·Tagged female infertility causes, female infertility remedies, female infertility treatement, home remedies to boost fertility, increase female fertility
One of the most desired experiences for almost any woman in the word is to get pregnant and give birth to a child. However, for some women, this could be quite a distant dream owing to a number of possible medical conditions preventing them from conceiving. Female infertility could be caused by a number of possibilities such as ovulation problems including hormonal imbalance, thyroid gland problems, obesity, extremely short menstrual cycles, stress, eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia or even a tumor or cyst. Sometimes infertility may be directly caused as a result of damage to the fallopian tubes or the uterus because of an infection, chronic medical illness, polyps present in the uterus or even a birth defect. Some of the other common causes of infertility include the consumption of an unhealthy diet or unhealthy living conditions. When faced with the problem of female infertility, the woman should make a conscious effort to abstain from alcoholic drinks, strong tea or coffee, fried, greasy and fatty foods as they can make the symptoms worse. Most of the time, the condition and its underlying cause will only be detected after many attempts have been made to conceive, all of which will have ended unsuccessfully. At this point, the enthusiastic couple would visit a medical professional to understand the problem. The presence of the condition is likely to be detected solely by medical tests such as urine and blood tests.
Home Remedies To Increase Fertility
Some of the most trusted and effective home remedies to help boost the fertility in a woman include mixing the powdered dried root of the banyan tree with some milk and consuming it in the nights after the menstrual periods are over. Repeat the treatment for 6 months to a year for best results. Some of the most recent studies have shown that certain yoga postures are very helpful when treating fertility levels. To name a few of these postures, one should try Sarvangasana (shoulderstand) and Salabhasana (locust pose). A diet rich in Vitamin C, E and minerals like Zinc will help boost the fertility levels significantly. The use of Winter Cherry has also known to be extremely beneficial when dealing with female infertility. Take about 5 to 8 grams of the winter cherry powder before going to bed at night. Following this routine for about 5 to 7 days after the menstrual periods will help a woman get pregnant. Make sure that your body remains free of stress and tension as these could be the primary factors preventing conception as well.
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July 31, 2009 at 9:38 am
· Filed under Symptoms and Causes ·Tagged cracked lips home remedy, dry chapped lips remedies, dry cracked lips, dry cracked lips remedies, get rid of dry cracked lips
A number of people will experience dry lips during the course of their lives. Quite a large percentage of these will either be unaware of the problem or may even not really be bothered by the occurrence while some may want to get rid of the condition. But, owing to their lack of knowledge of the cause, are unable to do so. The cells that make up the lips are the same as those that make up your skin. These cells require a significant amount of moisture to stay healthy. While a lot of us take significant steps to make sure that our skin is well moisturized at all times, we generally tend to ignore the lips – which means that the lips will largely depend on secretions from the mouth to attain the required levels of moisture. When they do not receive sufficient lubrication, they tend to dry up and crack. However, the condition could also be caused by a number of other factors such as allergic reactions. Sometimes, the dry cracked lips are also accompanied by a significant amount of pain. A low amount of water intake is also likely to be a cause of the condition as this will leave your body with very little water to spare after it has utilized most of it for the higher priority internal functions. Some of the other factors that could trigger the condition include an excessive exposure of the lips to cold or hot temperatures, a frequent use of soaps and other chemicals as well as a deficiency in essential Vitamins like vitamin A,B and C. Smoking is known to be a significant contributor as well. If this is the primary cause of your condition, you would be best advised to abstain from smoking before the condition gets any worse.
Home Remedies for Dry Cracked Lips
There are a number of effective and trusted home remedies that could help you deal with the condition. One such home remedy is the application of the juice extracted from margosa leaves over the lips. Using an unflavored lip balm whenever you go out in the sun will help protect your lips against any further damage. The application of other healing substances like Aloe Vera gel, margosa leaf extract or cucumber juice is also known to be extremely beneficial. Cracked lips are also known to be extremely prone to infection. As a result, you should be careful to apply some kind of over the counter antibiotics to avoid any further medical complications.
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