KNOWING HEPATITIS C

<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">By </span><b style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">Deden Sura Agung</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The liver is one of a number of the most important organs in the human body has about 500 functions vital to the sustainability of the process of metabolism. It is therefore unlikely that a man can maintain his health without the presence of liver. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some of the functions include: </span></div> <ol start="1" type="1"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Changing toxins, residues of drugs, alcohol and harmful substances produced by the body into elements that can be received by other organs to be removed through the kidneys and intestines. Many types of drugs should be digested in the liver before it works perfectly. </span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Red blood cells break down old and changed hemoglobin (the substance that carries oxygen in red blood cells) into bile, and then channeled into the gallbladder for later purposes. If required, this bile is excreted into the intestine to help absorb vitamins and lipid emulsion is needed from food consumption. </span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Produce, store and distribute glucose to all parts of the body. Besides also oversees cholesterol levels in the blood, process and produce as many as needed. </span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Process the protein, as required to produce high levels of blood viscosity, to send nutrients to other organs and partly serves to produce immunity on infection. </span></li> </ol> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Other functions are: </span></div> <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Processing carbohydrates, fats, protein and alcohol </span></li> </ul> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Digest and produce bilirubin (from red blood cells), cholesterol, hormones and medications. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hepatitis C is a type of virus that attacks the liver. When these viruses multiply, the virus kills liver cells and provoke the immune system to fight back. This reaction can be fatal attack on the liver as inflammation and / or scarring / fibrosis of the liver. If this continues to be allowed to happen without treatment can result in the occurrence of serious liver damage such as cirrhosis (hardening of the liver due to scarring) or liver cancer. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Most people who are infected with hepatitis C virus progress to chronic hepatitis C. The infection becomes chronic (chronic) because the immune system is no longer able to fight this virus. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You might think these conditions will make you increasingly feel the pain over time. But keep in mind, for most people, hepatitis C are asymptomatic, which means they do not feel any symptoms for years after infection with hepatitis C. No one can be sure whether these symptoms will occur at a later time. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do not feel the symptoms of hepatitis C virus does not mean not being damaging your liver. The virus can linger in your body without giving a definite symptom. In fact, many people who do not feel the symptoms until severe liver damage occur. That is why it is very important to test and consult with your doctor about the treatment of hepatitis C. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV = hepatitis C virus). Hepatitis C virus entry into liver cells, using the genetic machinery of the cell to duplicate the Hepatitis C virus, and infect many other cells. 15% of cases of Hepatitis C infection is acute, meaning that the body automatically clean and there are no consequences. Unfortunately 85% of cases, hepatitis C infection becomes chronic and slowly damages the liver for years. In that time, the liver can be broken into <b>cirrhosis</b> <i>(hardening of the liver),</i> end-stage liver disease and liver cancer. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Diagnosis of Hepatitis C</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Early diagnosis is through a simple blood test to detect the presence of Hepatitis C virus or the amount of virus present in the body tissues. If a virus is detected in your body this means you have Hepatitis C. Then the doctor will check the health of your heart. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The most common way used to examine or liver problems is through a liver function test, a blood test that checks the chemicals in the body that is produced by the liver to perform its functions work: </span></div> <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - an enzyme which, when under normal circumstances inside the liver cells and in the blood. When liver cells damaged, these enzymes leak into the bloodstream, causing levels of ALT (SGPT) increased. Test ALT (SGPT) is only done once can not necessarily indicate how severe the destruction that has occurred and often people with chronic hepatitis C have levels of ALT (SGPT) normal. Other liver enzymes are usually measured through blood tests are AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase / Alanine Aminotransferase), GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase), and alkaline phosphatase.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bilirubin</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - a yellow pigment that is channeled into the heart when the red blood cells burst. If the liver is not working properly then the levels of bilirubin in the blood will rise.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Albumin -</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> a protein that is produced by the liver. Albumin may reflect a decrease in the number of poor liver function.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Prothrombin time</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - When it is damaged, the liver will fail to produce blood clotting substances in sufficient quantities. This test measures the clotting ability of blood. On impaired liver function Prothrombin Time (PT) compounds.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Complete blood count -</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> complete blood count can help detect common conditions / whole liver. </span></li> </ul> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If necessary your doctor may also perform a liver biopsy is a procedure that is done by taking a small piece of liver tissue using a biopsy needle, which is then analyzed under a microscope by a pathologist. Liver biopsy is usually recommended for diagnosis of heart abnormalities or to determine the severity of liver abnormalities. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"> <b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Transmission of Hepatitis C</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hepatitis C virus is a virus contained in the blood, meaning the virus is spread / transmitted through blood and blood products. Mode of transmission generally include: </span></div> <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Needle puncture wound in health circles. </span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Blood transfusion before mid 1992 (after the 1992, blood banks began screening strictly for Hepatitis C by applying an effective way of checking).</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Injecting drug use (eg, use of the same syringe alternately). </span></li> </ul> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Other modes of transmission include: </span></div> <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Acupuncture and piercings on the body with needles that are not sterilized or cleaned as appropriate.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tattoos using a needle that is not sterilized or contaminated ink.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Use of personal care items alternately (eg. razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers) and household appliances that have been exposed to blood.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cocaine use suction by using a straw or other similar device alternately between users. Use a straw to suck cocaine can lead to blood contact through cuts or scratches on the nose. </span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sexual activity that causes bleeding or blood contact between an infected partner and are not infected (eg. through an open wound). </span></li> </ul> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hepatitis C virus is not transmitted through casual contact such as hugging, sneezing, coughing or sitting close to people with Hepatitis C. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hepatitis C is rarely transmitted through sexual activity. However, there is a tendency for those who have multiple sexual partners also have a higher risk for hepatitis C virus infection </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One - the only way to protect yourself is to avoid risky sexual behavior, such as sexual intercourse with multiple partners or with a partner that health status is not clear. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Although rare, Hepatitis C can also be transmitted from mother to child during childbirth. Most research has estimated that the risk of transmission in this way increased by 8%. Breastfeeding has not been found to be associated with the transmission of hepatitis C virus<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you or your partner suffer from Hepatitis C, and you (if you're a wife) or your wife (if you are a husband) is pregnant or you and your partner are planning to have children, you should consult with your doctor about the precautions necessary performed. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A person who is infected with Hepatitis C can infect other people 2 weeks after infection on her. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By knowing the mode of transmission, then we can try to prevent contracting Hepatitis C.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>

By  Deden Sura Agung The liver is one of a number of the most important organs in the human body has about 500 functions vital to the sus...

Elliptical Trainer

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">By </span><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Deden Sura Agung</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The trend these days is to lose weight fast, a drastic action that brings the numbers down and let you start fresh, but we all know that you need to keep working out and keeping an eye on what you eat if you want to maintain what you have earned during your diet.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The elliptical trainer is an excersice equipment that is an developed and upgraded kind of gym machine, it is built with the purpose to stimulate the muscles involved in aerobic excersice like running or walking but is planned in such a way that it eliminates the pressure usually placed on different joints in the body so that only the muscles are working and the pressure is not involved, this eliminates the risk of damage to the joints or injuries as a result of this activity.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The huge benefits for the elliptical trainer user is that this machine is perfect for cardiovascular excersice and will not only help workout with a significant decrease of injury risk but also help to focus on the part you are interested in developing. The elliptical trainer is designed to develop the upper and lower body of the person using it, by using a special movable upper body trainer installed.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Most of the elliptical trainers on the market are planned to increase heart rate more than they are directed at developing muscle mass and power, much like the treadmill these machines have been found to have superior ability in increasing the users fitness and are also very effective in calorie expenditure, which means that the elliptical trainer is one of the most practical machines you can use if you want to loss weight and workout as you do it. The uniqueness of the elliptical trainer is that it is almost without risk of any orthopedic injury, and you avoid the risks involved in pressure on any parts of your body.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The market has many different models of the elliptical trainer and it is very important to decide on what features you need before you even start shopping, there is also a wide range of prices for the elliptical trainer, but we can confidently say that overall this is not a cheap machine to buy.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Some elliptical trainers have an electric option to them, adding a lot of more options that you may want to use, if you plan to use the trainer a lot you may want to consider purchasing one that has some advanced features like setup programs and work different groups of muscles, as well as monitor your advancement over time.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> If you are interested in just getting some kind of workout machine for your home you probably need a less sophisticated machine, but it is a shame to buy something you are going to use on a daily basis only to discover that other models have features that you could have benefited from with a moderate addition to what you spent, and this is the prime reason you should research this market before buying a machine.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> So do your homework, decide on what features are important to you, make sure your purchase is covered, and enjoy your elliptical trainer.</div>

By  Deden Sura Agung The trend these days is to lose weight fast, a drastic action that brings the numbers down and let you start fresh, bu...

OVERVIEW OF MALE MENOPAUSE

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">By </span><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Deden Sura Agung</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Utter the word menopause, and most people immediately picture the middle aged woman. It's very unlikely that any American woman will reach her 40s without some knowledge of menopause lurking in her future. Pharmaceutical and herbal companies are wooing the woman, seeing her as a soon-to-be customer. She cannot help but be aware that she will experience at least some of the well known symptoms of menopause: hot flashes, moodiness, depression, insomnia, night sweats, thinning hair, vaginal dryness, and loss of libido. For all the attention given to women and their experiences with menopause, there is very little literature or advertising aimed toward the middle aged man. But men often do experience changes between the ages of 40 and 70 that are part of a phenomenon called andropause.<br /><br />Like his female counterpart, the "menopausal" man may experience mood swings or irritability, thinning hair, loss of bone density, sleeplessness, weight gain due to shifting metabolism, and various sexual problems like decline in libido, difficulty achieving or maintaining erections, less than rigid erections, and decreased sensation. Yet, for a couple of reasons, male menopause has not received the same attention as female menopause, nor has help dealing with the symptoms been as easy to come by. When a woman experiences menopause, the most obvious sign of her fertility / her monthly cycle ceases. This is obvious and measurable. Also, women are typically more open about discussing problems and willing to seek help from professionals and from peers. Men's symptoms, on the other hand, are usually subtle and less noticeable. In addition, men are often expected to maintain a stoic attitude about problems they may be having. Men are less likely to consult with their physicians about symptoms that don't seem life-threatening. It's unfortunate that male menopause isn't addressed with doctors, since there are steps a man can take to make his transition into his golden years more comfortable.<br /><br />If people are aware of male menopause, that is, andropause, they are likely to believe it's caused by a decline in testosterone. While the decline in testosterone levels is part of the problem, the whole situation is much more complicated than that. There is a mix of hormones and proteins in the male system that must be kept in balance for sexual health and optimal functionality. It's the disruption of this balance as the man ages that is responsible for the symptoms of male menopause. For this reason, simply treating the menopausal man with testosterone may not be enough. Experts recommend that men dealing with shifting hormones should exercise, adhere to a healthy diet, monitor alcohol intake, and refrain from smoking. In addition, there are certain formulas men can take to readjust the balance of hormones necessary for well-being. Some of these treatments are by prescription only, while others are more along the herbal lines of treatment, and may be gotten without a doctor's prescription.<br /><br />A menopausal male should follow the same plan of attack as women have for decades: he should take care of himself, familiarize himself with what is going on inside his body, confide in friends who are experiencing the same symptoms, and consult a professional for advice on medication or supplements to address the imbalance in his aging body. Then he will be able to sail through his own change of life knowing that he has done all he can to help himself.</div>

By  Deden Sura Agung Utter the word menopause, and most people immediately picture the middle aged woman. It's very unlikely that any A...

Different Types Of Pregnancy Test

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">By </span><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Deden Sura Agung</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> If you believe yourself to be pregnant and are interested in using a test to determine the results factually, know that the tests sold over the counter that use urine to detect the pregnancy hormone are incredibly effective. Unlike in days gone by when the only reliable way to determine whether you are indeed pregnant was to visit your primary health care provider's office, these home tests allow you to determine whether or not you need to see a provider. Keep in mind that if you test positive for any type of home pregnancy test, you should be sure to immediately schedule an appointment with your primary health care provider. This is essential due to complications like an ectopic tubal pregnancies, where the egg lodges in the Fallopian tube and can cause a great deal of pain and medical issues if left untreated. A test will still determine that you are pregnant, although the pregnancy may not be normal or necessarily healthy.<br /> <br /> There are two main types of pregnancy tests, those that use urine and those that use blood. Both tests are designed to detect the hormone known as human chorionic gonadotropin. Commonly known as hCG, this hormone is produced when the placenta begins to develop once the embryo successfully attaches to the uterine lining. Although blood tests tend to have less false readings, the presence of this hCG hormone can easily be found in a urine based test. Generally, doctors will perform a blood test in order to determine whether or not you are pregnant. In addition to testing for the presence of hCG, a doctor may wish to run another panel to determine your overall health and levels of vitamins or nutrients. This will provide your physician with a base line for which to prescribe prenatal vitamins and medications that will ensure both mother and child are kept healthy.<br /> If you purchase a urine based pregnancy test, there are two main options available. The first option sees the woman urinating in a cup and then inserting a special stick into the cup for a given period of time. This test generally has more accurate results since the instructions are more likely to be followed. Usually, if you visit a clinic and they issues you a urine based test, this is the type of test that you will receive. However, the most popular method of pregnancy tests available over the counter are those that require the woman to hold a special stick in a stream of urine for a certain amount of time. These tests tend to be the most popular since there is less mess and clean up required in this method. There are even versions of this test that can detect the hCG pregnancy hormone almost immediately after the embryo has implanted in the uterine wall.<br /> <br /> For those individuals who are far too anxious to receive the news than the necessary waiting period required for even the earliest versions of the urine tests, a blood test should be used. Blood tests can be administered up to seven days after a possible conception, so they are a favorite among couples that are experiencing infertility problems. Furthermore, a blood test can more accurately measure the level of hCG found in a woman's body so that potential problems or complications with the pregnancy can be immediately identified. However, keep in mind that you must visit a doctor's office in order to have a blood test to determine whether or not you are pregnant. This will often cause you to incur costs associated with the visit and the testing fees. If money is a concern, many women's clinics provide pregnancy testing for a minimal cost. </div>

By  Deden Sura Agung If you believe yourself to be pregnant and are interested in using a test to determine the results factually, know tha...

Diet Tips For Busy Women

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">By </span><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Deden Sura Agung</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Staying on your diet can be a challenge for anyone, but for a busy working mom the challenges can be especially tough. A busy lifestyle can make it impossible to get to the gym for a daily workout, prepare your meals ahead of time, or even to remember to pack your lunch for work each day. Being in a rush can make it difficult to stick to your diet when it's so easy to grab something at the drivethrough. Here's a collection of hints and tips from other busy women that will help you stay on your diet despite all the temptations.<br /> <br /> Don't try to 'save time' by eating on the run, or snacking at your desk while you work. No matter how rushed you are, take the time to eat like a civilized human being, to quote my mother. Set the table, put your food on a plate and have a meal. You'll eat less and feel fuller - and not feel the urge to snack because you 'haven't eaten anything all day'.<br /> <br /> Cook just what will be eaten. Ignore all those homemaker articles that suggest that you 'cook for tomorrow' to save time. Cook one portion per person at each meal. That way you'll avoid the temptation to finish off the leftover - and teach your family healthy eating habits.<br /> <br /> Get up early enough to eat breakfast at home. The morning rush to get ready may make it tempting to grab something on the way to work, or skip breakfast entirely. Don't do it. You'll end up eating up all that saved time - and a lot more calories - with midmorning trips to the snack machine, or fight off the blahs all morning long. Stock up on easy breakfast foods. A piece of fruit, a container of yogurt and a slice of toast are a healthy, balanced start for your day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> Most diets suggest that you drink at least eight 8 ounce glasses of water a day. If the thought of drinking a half gallon of water makes you queasy, there are ways to make it more appealing. Stock up on flavored bottled water in the fridge at work and keep one icy cold on your desk. At home, float mint sprigs or lemon slices in a crystal pitcher. There's no added calories, but oh what a difference in presentation and flavor!<br /> <br /> Trying to lose baby weight can be frustrating. You want to take it off as quickly as possible - but your body may not be cooperative. Keep in mind that your body is designed to nourish a child for up to a year after you give birth. Putting it on a starvation diet will kick it into survival gear, making it even harder to lose the extra weight. Instead of fighting your body's natural tendency to store up nutrition for the baby, eat healthy portions and increase your activity level. And if you're breastfeeding, remember that your body needs up to 1000 more calories a day than usual. Don't skimp - you'll just convince your body that it's starving.<br /> <br /> Employ the buddy system for moral support. Making a pact with a friend to exercise together makes it easier to stick to your resolution. Instead of meeting with friends for lunch, challenge friends to a tennis game, or take a brisk walk in the park together.<br /> <br /> Remember that a healthy, active lifestyle and a nutritious diet are the true keys to losing weight permanently. By choosing a diet that makes sense for your lifestyle, you'll make it easier on yourself to lose weight, and keep it off for good.<br /> </div>

By  Deden Sura Agung Staying on your diet can be a challenge for anyone, but for a busy working mom the challenges can be especially tough. ...

Healthy Pregnancy Tip: Supplements To Avoid

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">By </span><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Deden Sura Agung</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Prenatal vitamins are an important source of folate and other vital nutrients during pregnancy. And many women, with the popularity of herbal medicine, take other herbs during pregnancy. Some of these herbs they may have been taking before, for an existing condition. Others, they may take to help cope with some of the physical difficulties that go with pregnancy. The following supplements and food additives should be avoided during pregnancy to avoid potential problems with the health of the baby.</div><ol style="text-align: justify;"><li>Quinine: Quinine is found in many drinks like tonic water, and these are popular as a result of their slightly bitter taste. But it was found that one woman who drunk more than 1 liter of tonic water a day whilst she was pregnant had a baby that was suffering withdrawal symptoms when it was born. It had nervous tremors within a day of being born, which disappeared two months later. Germany's BfR (Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) recommends that pregnant women treat quinine drinks, no matter how small the amount of quinine in them, as a medicinal product, and avoid them as a precaution during pregnancy.</li> <li>Ginseng: One of the more than 20 active constituents of ginseng was found by researchers at the Chinese University of the Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital to be a possible cause for concern for pregnant women. These researchers were measuring the effect of this active principle on fetal development in rats. And they found that, relating to the dose, rat embryonic development was affected. Higher doses meant a higher level of abnormalities, according to the markers of development their study used.</li> <li>Now, this study was one done on rat embryos, and so may not translate into similar effects on humans. And it only studied the effects of one of ginseng's active constituents, which was a ginsenoside called Rb1. Ginseng actually has over 20 ginsenosides, and other studies have found that these each have different actions. One of the difficulties with studying active constituents in herbal medicine is that the whole herbal extract may have a very different overall effect than a single constituent. This is because of the way active principles both work together and counteract each other. These two aspects, the fact that the study was not done on humans, and does not measure the overall effect of the whole ginseng extract, mean that its results should be treated cautiously. As a safety precaution, at this time it is best to at least avoid ginseng supplements during the first trimester, as the authors of the study suggest, and probably for the whole of the pregnancy. But ginseng should certainly not be branded dangerous as a result of this research as it is only a very preliminary finding in the overall picture, and more points the way as to where further research needs to be done.</li> <li>Ginkgo Biloba: Ginkgo biloba is another supplement that is best avoided whilst pregnant. Researchers at Wayne State University in Detroit found one of the constituents of ginkgo biloba in the placenta of women who had taken ginkgo supplements. This particular constituent, an alkaloid called colchicine, can be fatal in high doses, though medicinally, it has great anti-inflammatory effects. Other research has found that cochicine can harm a growing fetus. The potential problem with taking ginkgo supplements regularly whilst pregnant is that colchicine can build up in the womb, like caffeine when taken in excess of the recommended maximum amounts. The researchers did stress that there was no link established in the study between ginkgo and complications in the pregnancy, the study only looked at levels of colchicine in the womb. </li> </ol>

By  Deden Sura Agung Prenatal vitamins are an important source of folate and other vital nutrients during pregnancy. And many women, with th...

Tips For Curing Acid Reflux

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">By </span><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Deden Sura Agung</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You have just enjoyed a heavy, delicious meal and are looking forward to relaxing. Suddenly, you encounter a painful and burning sensation in your throat. This is called acid reflux. If you experience this frequently, you will be unable to enjoy your meals. Persistent acid reflux (or heartburn) can also lead to permanent damage of your esophagus. When this problem occurs more than twice a week, you should consider it serious. If you are suffering from this problem, do not worry. Here are some tips to cure this problem.<br /> <br /> What is acid reflux?<br /> Acid reflux disease occurs when the acid from your stomach enters your esophagus repeatedly. This is due to the weakness and relaxation of the sphincter muscles that lie between the esophagus and stomach. Since the acid does not encounter any barrier, it returns again and again to the esophagus.<br /> <br /> What causes acid reflux disease?<br /> High fat foods are the culprits that give rise to this problem. They weaken the muscle temporarily.<br /> <br /> How do I treat the acid reflux problem?<br /> <br /> There are some simple methods to treat this problem.</div><ol><li>Since high fat foods are the primary cause, control your intake of such foods.</li> <li>Change the position of your bed. Sometimes, you might get immediate relief by raising the head of the bed. Keep 4 to 6 inch blocks below the bed bedposts. This keeps the acid away from the esophagus due to force of gravity. But it does not work in all the cases.</li> <li>Use antacids. But use this as a short-term method or if you suffer from the problem rarely. If you use antacids for a long time, the acid in your stomach decreases, giving rise to other problems.</li> <li>Change your lifestyle habits. Quit smoking if you are a smoker. Reduce or quit drinking. Include more fiber in your foods. Eat small and more frequent meals to ensure that your stomach does not get totally full. Eat more complex carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Cut down on your intake of fatty and fried foods. Include herbs like ginger in your meals. This is the best, healthiest and a long-term solution.</li> </ol><div style="text-align: justify;">If you are having acid reflux problem for a long-time then it is advised to consult a physician. </div>

By  Deden Sura Agung You have just enjoyed a heavy, delicious meal and are looking forward to relaxing. Suddenly, you encounter a painful a...

Bone Up On Vitamin D

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">By </span><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Deden Sura Agung</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Weak, fragile bones and susceptibility to fractures-these are some of the painful consequences of the debilitating bone disease, osteoporosis. Currently, 10 million people suffer from osteoporosis in the United States and another 34 million are at risk of developing the disease. The Surgeon General has named osteoporosis a national health threat and estimated that by 2020 one in two Americans over the age of 50 will be at risk for fractures from osteoporosis or low bone mass.<br /> <br /> There are several risk factors associated with the development of osteoporosis, including inadequate levels of vitamin D, a nutrient essential to the body's absorption of calcium. Recent research has uncovered that over 70 percent of women over the age of 50 have low levels of vitamin D, and even women being treated for osteoporosis have low levels of the important vitamin. To address the need for greater awareness about low levels of vitamin D, Spirit of Women Hospital Network has teamed up with Dr. Marie Savard, an internationally recognized women's health expert, to launch a new vitamin D risk assessment.<br /> <br /> "Patients are frequently unaware of the importance of vitamin D in bone health and may not know they have low levels of vitamin D. Given its effect on calcium absorption, vitamin D inadequacy is an important medical concern for women, especially those over 50 or those who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis," said Dr. Savard.<br /> <br /> In 2005, The American Medical Women's Association issued recommendations that called for an increase in vitamin D to 800-1,000 IU daily. The risk assessment will enable women to actively address the adequacy of their vitamin D intake and will direct them toward a possible treatment option for osteoporosis to discuss with their doctors.<br /> <br /> "Women today want to be on top of their health to ensure their mobility and independence for a lifetime. The vitamin D risk assessment will help women recognize risk factors for osteoporosis and empower them to make important decisions about their bone health," said Tanya Abreu, national director of Spirit of Women Hospital Network. "By spreading the word about the importance of vitamin D, we hope that women would recognize one of the risk factors for osteoporosis and take ACTION to prevent osteoporosis by talking to their doctors."</div>

By  Deden Sura Agung Weak, fragile bones and susceptibility to fractures-these are some of the painful consequences of the debilitating bone...

How Anxiety And Depression Are Connected

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">By </span><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Deden Sura Agung</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Depression is a disorder that does not get nearly enough attention. Depressed people are often told to "cheer up" or to "look at the bright side" of things, and may spiral even deeper when they are unable to simply snap out of the mood that has such a hold on them. While depression can often lead to fatigue and listlessness, it has a close cousin by the name of anxiety. Anxiety causes the opposite effect, putting our bodies into the "fight or flight" mode that protected us in the wild.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anxiety attacks can feel like heart attacks, and even at more moderate levels, anxiety can have a dangerous and very negative effect on our lives and on our quality of living. Anxiety can also lead into depression, when a sense of worry and fear for the future leads into the sense of helplessness and hopelessness. That is a classic symptom of depression. Depression and anxiety are often seen together, and can sometimes lead into one another.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anxiety is a way of describing a certain way of feeling. It may represent a sense of fear, dread, or a sense that you are in immediate danger, even when you are safe and have no reason to feel this way. There are several different kinds of anxiety disorders, including phobias or irrational fears, situational anxiety, panic disorders, generalized anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorders among others.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">These disorders can lead to a state of almost constant high stress, and can affect your daily life much to the worse. You may be unable to function in certain situations, or you may come to fear leaving your own home, and if untreated, the symptoms of anxiety disorders can lead to many of the same problems as depression, including insomnia or a reluctance or fear to leave the house or to be around other people.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anxiety symptoms can also feel like heart attacks, with palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pains, and more. You might begin trembling and shaking, your mouth might go dry, and you might become dizzy from the stress of the situation. The body becomes "hyped up" by your reaction to the situation, and your senses go into a sort of overdrive that is unlike the depression of the system that happens when you suffer from clinical depression.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Depression disorder actually slows the body in some ways, making you feel sluggish rather than ready to run or fight, and hopeless rather than actively panicked or fearful. If you have been suffering from anxiety attacks, the attacks themselves may lead into depression because of the hopelessness that you feel at the hands of the attacks and because of the fears that are associated with possibly having another attack.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">If your anxiety symptoms have changed to include listlessness, a disinterest in things that used to engage you, or feelings of hopelessness and self-loathing, then you may now be suffering from depression disorder, and should be treated accordingly for your medical condition.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Depression is not a constant state of being, nor is anxiety. You might think that because you have a good number of "good days" that your depressive days are just bad moments that will pass, however depression can become worse over time if it is not treated and taken care of, and can lead to suicide if left untreated long enough.</div>

By  Deden Sura Agung Depression is a disorder that does not get nearly enough attention. Depressed people are often told to "cheer up&q...

PARKINSON'S

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">By </span><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Deden Sura Agung</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is important to realize that not every person with Parkinson's develops all signs or symptoms of the disease. For example, some people experience tremor as the primary symptom, while others may not have tremor but do have balance problems. Also, for some people the disease progresses quickly, and in others it does not. The following are descriptions of the most common primary symptoms of Parkinson's disease.<br /> Tremor: In the early stages of the disease, about 70 percent of people experience a slight tremor in the hand or foot on one side of the body, or less commonly in the jaw or face. It appears as a "beating" or oscillating movement. Because the Parkinson's tremor usually appears when a person's muscles are relaxed, it is called "resting tremor." This means that the affected body part trembles when it is not doing work, and it usually subsides when a person begins an action. The tremor often spreads to the other side of the body as the disease progresses, but remains most apparent on the original side of occurrence.<br /> Rigidity: Rigidity, also called increased muscle tone, means stiffness or inflexibility of the muscles. Muscles normally stretch when they move, and then relax when they are at rest. In rigidity, the muscle tone of an affected limb is always stiff and does not relax, sometimes resulting in a decreased range of motion. For example, a person who has rigidity may not be able to swing his or her arms when walking because the muscles are too tight. Rigidity can cause pain and cramping.<br /> Bradykinesia: Bradykinesia is the phenomenon of a person experiencing slow movements. In addition to slow movements, a person with bradykinesia will probably also have incomplete movement, difficulty initiating movements and sudden stopping of ongoing movement. People who have bradykinesia may walk with short, shuffling steps (this is called festination). Bradykinesia and rigidity can occur in the facial muscles, reducing a person's range of facial expressions and resulting in a "mask-like" appearance.<br /> Postural instability or impaired balance and coordination: People with Parkinson's disease often experience instability when standing or impaired balance and coordination. These symptoms, combined with other symptoms such as bradykinesia, increase the probability of falling. People with balance problems may have difficulty making turns or abrupt movements. They may go through periods of "freezing," which is when a person feels stuck to the ground and finds it difficult to start walking. The slowness and incompleteness of movement can also affect speaking and swallowing.<br /> <br /> <b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">What causes Parkinson's?</span></b><br /> Why an individual develops Parkinson's disease remains unclear. The cause is probably a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and may vary from person to person. Although the cause of Parkinson's remains unknown, scientists have identified factors that contribute to Parkinson's in some patients. For example, people over age 60 have a two-to-four percent risk of developing Parkinson's disease, compared with the one-to-two percent risk in the general population. <br /> Below is information on the two factors that scientists think are most likely to cause Parkinson's disease. <br /> Genetics About 15 to 25 percent of people with Parkinson's report having a relative with the disease. In large epidemiological studies (studies that deal with incidence, distribution and control of disease in a population), researchers have found that people with an affected first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, have a two-to-three fold increased risk of developing Parkinson's, as compared to the general population. This means that if your parent has Parkinson's, your chances of developing the disease are slightly higher than the risk in the general population.<br /> The vast majority of Parkinson's cases are not directly inherited, but researchers have discovered several genes that can cause the disease in a small number of families. Some of these genes involve proteins that play a role in dopamine cell functions. Because genetic forms of a disease can be studied in great detail in the laboratory, and because understanding the rare genetic forms of Parkinson's disease may help to understand more common forms of the disease, genetic aspects of PD are currently the subject of intense research. <br /> Environmental Factors Some scientists have suggested that Parkinson's disease may result from exposure to an environmental toxin or injury. Epidemiological research has identified several factors that may be linked to PD, including rural living, well water, herbicide use and exposure to pesticides. Also, a synthetic narcotic agent called MPTP can cause immediate and permanent parkinsonism if injected. These environmental factors are not useful in diagnosing the cause of Parkinson's disease in individual people. In fact, there is no conclusive evidence that any environmental factor, alone, can be considered a cause of the disease. However, these environmental factors have been helpful in studying laboratory models of Parkinson's disease. Scientists are continuing to pursue these clues to establish more concrete linkages.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: orange;">Parkinson’s Medications</span></b></span><br /> People with Parkinson’s disease often take a variety of medications in different doses in order to manage the symptoms of the disease.  These factors, combined with the frequency with which one must take their medicines, can be confusing.  People with Parkinson’s and their caregivers should become familiar with their medications in order to use them most effectively and avoid possible interactions. Understanding a medication regime and sticking to it will provide the greatest benefit from the drug and avoid unpleasant “off” periods due to missed doses or confusion. <br /> Although there are general guidelines that doctors use to choose a treatment regimen, each patient must be individually evaluated to determine which drug or combination of drugs is best for them.  For some, a “first choice” drug might be one of the levodopa preparations, and for others, an initial prescription may be given for one of the agonists, an MAO inhibitor or an anticholinergic.  The choice of drug treatment depends on many variables including symptom presentation, other concurrent health issues (and the medications being used to treat them) and a person’s age.  And while the suggested starting dosages (as indicated by the package insert) are listed here, remember that they too can vary greatly depending on a person’s needs and metabolism.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: orange;">Surgical Treatment for Parkinson's</span></b></span><br /> Surgery for Parkinson's disease has come a long way since it was first developed more than 50 years ago. The newest version of this surgery, deep brain stimulation or DBS, was developed in the 1990s and is now a standard treatment. Although it is certainly the most important therapeutic advance since the development of levodopa, it is not for every person with Parkinson's. It is most effective - sometimes, dramatically so - for individuals who experience disabling tremors, wearing-off spells and medication-induced dyskinesias.<br /> During deep brain stimulation surgery, electrodes are inserted into the targeted brain region using MRI and neurophysiological mapping to ensure that they are implanted in the right place. A device called an impulse generator or IPG (similar to a pacemaker) is implanted under the collarbone to provide an electrical impulse to a part of the brain involved in motor function. Patients have a controller, which allows them to check the battery and to turn the device on or off. An IPG battery lasts for about 3 to 5 years and is relatively easy to replace under local anesthesia.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: orange;">The Role of the Patient</span></b></span><br /> Treating Parkinson's disease is not exclusively the doctor's job; there are many things a person with Parkinson's can do to contribute. Regular exercise, joining a support group, maintaining a healthy diet and taking part in a clinical trial are just some of the things you might consider.<br /> •    Exercise <br /> •    Support Groups <br /> •    Diet <br /> •    A Healthy Patient / Doctor Relationship <br /> •    Physical, Speech and / or Occupational Therapy <br /> •    Clinical Trials <br /> <b>Exercise</b>: For people with Parkinson's, regular exercise or physical therapy is crucial for maintaining and improving mobility, flexibility, balance, range of motion and for warding off many of the disease's secondary symptoms such as depression and constipation. PDF offers Motivating Moves for People with Parkinson's, a unique program of 24 seated and stimulating exercises that were created especially for people with Parkinson's. Copies are available for ordering through the website, or you can call or email PDF for more information. As with every aspect of your care, always consult your doctor before starting an exercise program.<br /> <b>Support groups</b>: For many people, support groups play an important role in the emotional well-being of patients and families. They can provide a caring environment for asking questions about Parkinson's, for sharing stories and advice and for creating friendships with people who have experienced similar problems. To find a support group in your area, please call or email PDF. In addition to in-person support groups, many people also find online groups and list servs helpful. For a listing of list servs that serve the Parkinson's community, please request our publication, Web Resources for People with Parkinson's Disease.<br /> <b>Diet</b>: Many people with Parkinson's lose weight because of poor appetite and inadequate food intake. It is recommended to maintain a full diet that contains all the daily nutritional requirements, including extra fresh fruits and vegetables for fiber to help prevent constipation and plenty of fluids to keep hydrated.<br /> Some people who take levodopa find that protein may interfere with the medication's effect. Limiting protein intake or staggering the medication dosing to avoid conflicts with meals can help this problem. However, adjustments in protein intake are only worthwhile for those very few people whose response to levodopa is indeed sensitive to dietary protein.<br /> People with Parkinson's who lose weight for no clear reason should discuss this with a physician.<br /> <b>A Healthy Patient/Doctor Relationship</b>: Making an accurate diagnosis of Parkinson's - specifically in its early stages - is difficult, but a skilled practitioner can come to a reasoned conclusion that it is Parkinson's. Every person diagnosed with Parkinson's should consider getting a second opinion from a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders and is up-to-date on research and approaches to therapy. <br /> Locating a qualified physician is a first step; next is considering whether the physician is the right one. A person with Parkinson's will work with a physician for many years. Consider these questions: <br /> •    Are you comfortable speaking with your physician? <br /> •    Do you feel respected by your doctor? <br /> •    Are questions answered to your satisfaction or do you come away from a visit feeling that you have not been taken seriously? <br /> •    Can you get in touch with the doctor between visits? <br /> To find a neurologist or movement disorder specialist in your area: <br /> •    Ask your primary care physician for a referral <br /> •    Seek referrals from other living with Parkinson's <br /> •    Contact your insurance provider for a list of neurologists or movement disorder specialists in your network <br /> •    Contact PDF for a referral. <br /> <b>Physical, Speech and/or Occupational Therapy</b>: These therapies can help Parkinson's patients control their symptoms and make daily life easier. Physical therapy may increase muscle strength and flexibility and decrease the incidence of falls. Speech therapy can increase voice volume and assist with word pronunciation. The Lee Silverman technique is a special speech therapy that can be very beneficial to people with Parkinson's - for further information see www.lsvt.org.<br /> Occupational therapy gives people alternative methods of doing tasks that they can no longer perform with ease. These options may provide a stronger sense of control when living with Parkinson's disease. A neurologist should be able to provide recommendations for these therapies and, if needed, a referral. These therapies may or may not be covered by insurance.<br /> <b>Clinical Trials</b>: Clinical trials (also called medical research, clinical research or a clinical study) help researchers answer specific questions about the safety and efficacy of new treatments by studying its effects in people. They are an essential and necessary component of the scientific research process. Simply put, there is no other way for research to show that a proposed treatment works. In addition to contributing to research, joining a clinical trial can provide a person with early access to potentially-helpful Parkinson's treatments and drugs that are not yet on the market.</div>

By  Deden Sura Agung It is important to realize that not every person with Parkinson's develops all signs or symptoms of the disease. ...

Meeting The Needs Of Chiropractic Offices With Chiropractic Digital X-Ray Systems

<div id="body" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">By </span><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Deden Sura Agung</b></div><div id="body" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div><div id="body" style="text-align: justify;">Chiropractic offices, like all medical offices of a certain vintage, started out with radiology rooms outfitted with film x-ray systems. Because the equipment is expensive, many medical facilities, especially smaller ones, have held onto that film equipment because the cost of upgrading to a digital x-ray system has been too cost prohibitive.<br /> All of that has changed, however, with the prices of all types of electronic and computer technology dropping in recent years. Because of this, many small and mid-sized medical offices can now consider adding Chiropractic x-ray in a digital format. It is also possible to take digital imaging equipment and use it to retrofit your existing film x-ray equipment, turning it into a digital unit, and thus saving your office money on purchase costs.<br /> Chiropractic DR digital imaging systems are popular for several reasons. This form of digital imaging offers the highest resolution of all types of digital images currently available, and they produce the images in the shortest amount of time. Furthermore, they expose patients and physicians to the least amount of radiation as compared to other types of imaging systems. For these reasons, many medical offices, including chiropractic centers, turn to DR imaging systems.<br /> For added features and flexibility in use, many chiropractic offices use their DR image acquisition systems with other digital imaging components, which can include a PACS system. The PACS is a software and hardware appliance that allows you to view, distribute and store your digital medical images on a personal computer. You will likely also want to invest in a diagnostic monitor, which is a high-end graphics monitor suitable for use with medical digital images.<br /> A PACS system can also be used as a router. What this means is that if you are connected to an online local area network, wide area network or even a virtual private network, you will have several physicians utilizing several clinical workstations at several different facilities. The router allows multiple users of the system to send and receive images, and the appliance will make sure that everything goes where it needs to go quickly and efficiently, and it enables the simultaneous use of the system by multiple users as well, so you only need one PACS system for numerous locales to benefit.<br /> You can visit a medical digital imaging distributor's website for more information about Chiropractic digital x-ray solutions that will work well for your specific medical office's needs.</div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td valign="top"><div class="sig" id="sig">Wayne Hemrick writes about-- <a href="http://www.dicomsolutions.com/" target="_new">chiropractic x-ray</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Wayne_Hemrick"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wayne_Hemrick </a> </div></td> <td><div style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 10px; padding: 5px;"></div></td></tr> </tbody></table>

By  Deden Sura Agung Chiropractic offices, like all medical offices of a certain vintage, started out with radiology rooms outfitted with f...

Give the Gift of an Exotic Spa Getaway Without the Cost With Spa Gift Sets and Baskets

<div id="body" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">By </span><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Deden Sura Agung</b></div><div id="body" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div><div id="body" style="text-align: justify;">All things considered, it's amazing that more people don't suffer from shoulder muscle pain and joint problems.<br /> An Amazing Piece of Machinery<br /> In some ways, the shoulder is comparable to a mechanical universal joint. If you know anything about cars, you know that if it weren't for u-joints, your engine wouldn't be able to turn the wheels and you wouldn't be able to steer. A u-joint allows you to connect to shafts and allows them to rotate at any angle.<br /> The primate shoulder is similar; unlike most other animals, monkeys, apes and humans can have a shoulder joint that allows the arm to rotate in virtually every direction. Of course, our shoulder joint is much more complicated than a u-joint. It's a handy thing to have, and arguably, it is that incredibly flexible shoulder joint that, along with the primate's unique opposable thumb, allowed us to climb down from the trees and create something approximating civilization.<br /> However, it is the very complexity of this joint that causes shoulder muscle pain. Because the shoulder joint is very unstable, it requires an elaborate system of muscles and tendons to do its job. These muscles and tendons can easily get strained and injured from overuse, accident, and chronic stress. A lot of people internalize their stress and carry it in their shoulders. The use of a dominant hand also plays a part; for example, if you are right-handed, you are more likely to suffer from right shoulder pain, and vice-versa.<br /> Fortunately, you do not have to live with shoulder pain.<br /> Standard Treatments - And Alternatives<br /> Treating shoulder blade pain first requires diagnosis - and as you might imagine, with a complex piece of biological machinery like that there are a staggering number of things that can go wrong. Bones may be fractured or broken, arthritis may have set in, or it may be a simple case of muscular strain or a torn ligament.<br /> Although the use of analgesic drugs is common, people are increasingly rejecting this option. Acupuncture is another option, as is the use of heat and ice therapy. Recently, the use of magnetic energy, in combination with low vibration therapy, has shown to be highly effective in addressing the issue of shoulder blade pain as well as chronic pain related to a range of neuromuscular issues. These treatments are completely safe and have no side effects - so they are well worth investigating if you are seeking healthier alternatives to pharmaceutical chemicals.</div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td valign="top"><div class="sig" id="sig">Wayne Hemrick writes about-- <a href="http://www.mvtrelief.com/neck-shoulder-pain.php" target="_new">shoulder blade pain</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Wayne_Hemrick"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wayne_Hemrick </a> </div></td> <td><div style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 10px; padding: 5px;"></div></td></tr> </tbody></table>

By  Deden Sura Agung All things considered, it's amazing that more people don't suffer from shoulder muscle pain and joint problems....

Radiology Viewers For Multi-Physician Medical Facilities

<div id="body" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">By </span><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Deden Sura Agung</b></div><div id="body" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div id="body" style="text-align: justify;">If you work at a medical clinic that is home to several doctors, you are likely looking for a cost-effective way to share radiology medical imaging equipment so that it functions well for each physician, regardless of his or her specialization area, and thus provides excellent patient care for every patient. Several medical offices have found that having web-based radiology viewers in place gives them the equipment flexibility they need in a multi-physician medical facility without busting their budget.<br /> The web-based viewer works in conjunction with a PACS system. This is a software and hardware appliance that is used with personal computers to turn them into clinical workstations suitable for use in a variety of medical facilities, hospitals and imaging centers.<br /> The PACS systems also offers the additional benefit of allowing physicians to use the clinical workstations to not only view medical digital images, but also to distribute images via the Internet and to archive the images. This appliance will help your facility maintain compliance with HIPPA rules concerning disaster recovery and patient privacy, a definite benefit to the busy medical facility because many of these routine tasks can be automated through the workstation..<br /> The radiology viewing aspect of the web-based PACS serves several different purposes useful to the multi-doctor medical facility. Physicians will be able to use the same PACS viewer to view digital medical images taken from multiple modalities, which include ultrasound, CR and DR images, CT and MRI scans.<br /> Flexibility of the system comes into play in how physicians can view digital images, because doctors can use local- area networks and/or wide-area networks, or physicians can work completely offsite and use secure virtual private networks. Because the viewer is Internet based, physicians can access the system anytime and anywhere to provide superior patient care within a convenient system. This type of viewer also helps to enable consultations with physicians regardless of their location, and thus improves patient care in another way.<br /> Medical facility administrators will appreciate the cost savings that come from using a web-based viewer. Instead of a costly software installation needed on every workstation that is connected to your local, wide and virtual networks, everyone simply connects to the system online. This saves a great deal of money while making the viewer accessible to all physicians as needed, simultaneously.<br /> For more information about radiology viewers at work in multi-physician medical offices, visit web-based viewer manufacturing and distributor websites.</div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td valign="top"><div class="sig" id="sig">Wayne Hemrick writes about-- <a href="http://www.candelisimagegrid.com/all-products/imagegrid-radiology-viewer" target="_new">radiology medical imaging</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Wayne_Hemrick"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wayne_Hemrick </a> </div></td> <td><div style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 10px; padding: 5px;"></div></td></tr> </tbody></table>

By  Deden Sura Agung If you work at a medical clinic that is home to several doctors, you are likely looking for a cost-effective way to sh...