Tag Archives: allergy

PRIVATE SCREENING TESTS FOR YOUR FAMILY’S HEALTH (GUEST POST)

April 19, 2013 pat brownlee

Whether you are too embarrassed to ask your primary care physician to run a test for something specific such as a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or you simply do not have time during office hours to fit in an appointment, you can now find out if you have a long list of different health issues by ordering the screening tests privately at home. If a lab visit is required, the tests will be performed by a qualified healthcare facility that is not affiliated with your doctor’s office, and they can even keep the results out of your medical records.

Which Screening Tests Should My Family Get?

Regardless of whether you use a private service or go directly to your doctor for assistance, you should definitely focus on getting health screenings on a regular basis. For example, if you have your heart and cholesterol checked at least once a year, you can avoid dealing with the serious ramifications of a related health issue that spirals out of control.

It is also a good idea to utilize disease detection testing to ensure that you have not developed a serious health condition such as cancer. Keep in mind that most debilitating diseases do not present noticeable symptoms until after damage has already been done to your body. By signing up for regular disease detection screenings, you will have an important medical head start if you develop an issue.

The Importance of STD Screenings

Anyone who has ever been sexually active without using protection is at risk for contracting an STD and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has indicated that STDs are a rampant problem in the U.S. that is currently very under-diagnosed. Unfortunately, a large percentage of individuals who have a STD are not even aware of their condition because many of these diseases do not cause symptoms, especially in the early stages. Therefore, if you do not get tested, it is definitely possible that you could be unwittingly passing on an STD to anyone who you have sex with.

Thankfully, you can now get a screening for STDs confidentially without having to deal with the embarrassment that is associated with asking your regular physician to run these important tests. Most people agree that STD testing should be private. However, if you choose to go to a local doctor or clinic they are required to put your test results on your permanent medical record. Luckily, there are labs like those at www.healthtestingcenters.com that do not have to do this and will send you the results directly.

Other Screenings

Men understandably detest going through the process of a prostate exam, but now they have the option to order a screening test online and go directly through the lab. Other options include allergy screenings, fertility tests and even drug screenings for teenagers and at-risk family members. Although you cannot get a screening at home for every possible medical condition, the technology is continuously expanding to include additional tests.

With the combination of discreet home screenings and your primary care physician, there is no reason to neglect your health. After all, an early diagnosis is the best way to prevent a minor condition from turning into something that will threaten your life. By taking advantage of the available confidential screening tests, you can have peace of mind and the privacy that most people desire.

Researcher Shelby Warden posts this article for those who like the idea of easy and confidential health screening.

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

BE WISE WHEN IT COMES TO EXTRACTION OF WISDOM TEETH (GUEST POST)

February 5, 2013 pat brownlee

By Chris Grasso

Common surgical procedures like wisdom tooth extractions don’t usually lead to medical complications. In some cases, though, individuals have suffered severe pain because of dental procedures that they didn’t even need. The unnecessary removal of wisdom teeth can bring about its own set of complications, which are completely avoidable by being informed. Before letting a dentist operate on you, make sure you understand the risks of extractions and related procedures.

Know Your Reaction to Anesthesia

Some people have a sensitivity or allergy to general anesthesia drugs. This can cause them to experience a stroke or heart attack during surgery. It’s absolutely crucial to be aware of potential allergic reactions to specific drugs and to understand the alternative options. Accidental injuries related to anesthesia have been on the rise in the past 10 years. In fact, the death rate for people under full anesthesia has risen in recent years. According to German researchers, seven out of one million patients die during anesthesia. That might sound like a low number, but it’s nearly twice the number of deaths during the 1980s.

Know What Causes Dry Socket

Patients also risk medical problems while recovering from tooth extractions. Between two and five percent of people who have their wisdom teeth extracted get dry socket, an extremely painful condition that requires additional medical attention. In most cases, patients can prevent dry socket by keeping their mouths clean. Not all dentists, however, provide proper instructions for people who have a high risk for getting dry socket, including those who smoke or use certain birth control pills.

Nerve Damage Caused by Botched Extractions

Given the large number of nerves clustered in and around the mouth, it’s not surprising that some patients experience extensive nerve damage that can leave them handicapped for life. In some cases, dentists have accidentally severed nerves, causing loss of feeling or numbness in the mouths of patients. They can also damage nerves while pulling on wisdom teeth or cutting impacted areas. This nerve damage can affect the lips, tongue, and cheeks. Some patients even lose their sense of taste.

Tooth Extractions Can Damage Existing Dental Work

Wisdom teeth don’t always come out easily. Dentists often have to pull, tug, and cut them out. Patients don’t feel this when they are under the effects of general anesthesia. Violent extractions, however, can damage existing dental work. That often causes long-term pain, not to mention the additional expense of getting crowns, implants, and other dental work replaced.

The truly unfortunate thing is that not all people who have their wisdom teeth removed actually need the procedure. It has become a rite of passage that nearly all people undergo. Keeping the existing dental work in tact is very important and costly thing to do, CuperoLaw.com recognizes that dentists have a responsibility to protect their patients from unnecessary pain and expense. If you think that an oral surgeon has taken advantage of you, then it’s important to get the right legal representation before confronting the doctor as doctors know their rights and you should know yours.

Painkiller Complications

It may be a smaller percentage of people who are allergic or get sick from a painkiller given after a surgery, but would you want to find out after surgery. Being in immense pain after surgery is no time to find out that you may get sick after taking the pill given for you to deaden the pain. Others get very nauseous from these pills in addition to the pain being present. Know the feeling and effect you get from painkillers. This could save you from becoming ill and being in unnecessary pain.

Back Safety, Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Hearing Protection, Respiratory Safety

AUTUMN LEAVES CAN BREAK YOUR BACK!

October 25, 2010 pat brownlee

This is my favorite time of year, the leaves are falling, mornings are cool and crisp when Buddy and I go for our daily walk, football is underway, and THE TEXAS RANGERS ARE GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES! What more could one ask for?

But getting back to the subject, the leaves are falling off our pecan trees at a pretty fast pace now, and my husband isn’t looking forward to raking all of them. He takes care of the outside duties, such as mowing, gardening, and well, all of it, to be honest. I don’t know if he would listen to any of the safety tips for doing all this yard work, but hopefully, some of you will find this helpful.

Wait until all the leaves have fallen off the trees before you start raking them. If you overextend yourself at first, you may get tennis elbow or tendonitis. Be sure to stretch first and warm up about 10 minutes before beginning. You will need the right tools to make the job easier. First, a good rake is worth a few extra dollars. Be sure the rake is compatible to your height. Wear leather gloves that help you grip the rake, and shoes with slip-proof soles, because wet leaves can be slippery. When picking the leaves up, bend at the knees, not the waist to save your back. Overloading the bags with leaves will make it too heavy, so use more bags. If you suffer from allergies, wear a N95 dustmask. Many persons have allergies as severe in the fall as in the spring. Also, you might want to spray your clothing with some type of bug repellent.

Another fun fall project is pruning trees. Be sure to look over the area around the trees and be sure there are no power lines running through them before you position your ladder. Use the right tool for each job. If you are using power tools, you may want to wear earplugs to soften the noise. Also, watch for falling limbs, you never know when a big limb is going to come tumbling out of a tree.

Cleaning gutters is another job I’d rather not do. But for those who have to do this, be sure the ladder you plan to use is in good condition and set it on a level place. It is better to move the ladder as often as needed than stretch to reach something while you are on it. An extension ladder is good for checking the roof or cleaning gutters.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that there are more than 400,000 persons treated in emergency rooms annually that are victims of lawn and garden tool accidents. Whether you are working with a mower, wood chipper, leaf blower, or any power tool, use caution. Always wear safety glasses when doing yard work to protect your eyes.

There’s a lot to be said about the great outdoors, whether it’s your yard, somewhere you walk, or a favorite place you take your kids for an adventure. The best policy is to be safe and aware of your surroundings. There may be snakes that are hiding under leaves until they choose to hibernate. Just be sure you are safe wherever you are. One other tip, wildlife (such as deer) is more active during this season, so watch for them while driving.

Enjoy every minute of this fall, because one morning you’ll wake up, and there will be frost on the pumpkin!

Eye Protection, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety, Uncategorized, Weather Protection

ARE YOU SNEEZING YET?

September 30, 2009 Doug

With Fall approaching, several of us will have our fair share of either allergies or sinus problems. Ragweed and all kinds of pollen are floating around like crazy right now! It doesn’t really sound like a big deal, but either one can cause health problems. Allergy symptoms are often confused with a cold or flu. Allergies are the immune systems’ reaction to generally harmless substances and continue off and on, much longer than a cold. Animal fur, fabrics, smoke, fragrances (candles or perfume), and many outdoor plants are just a few of the culprits that bother those with allergies. (I’m getting choked up, just thinking about it!) Allergic reactions to certain foods can often have serious results.

Symptoms of allergies are:

Sneezing

Watery eyes

Repeated ear and sinus infections

Loss of smell, taste

Hoarseness

Coughing

Wheezing

Cold symptoms that last more than 10 days without a fever

Sinuses are air-filled spaces behind the forehead, nasal bones, cheeks, and eyes, with openings to the nose, and serve as conditioners that filter and humidify the air. If the sinuses become blocked, miserable headaches occur, as well as these other symptoms of acute sinusitis:

Nasal congestion

Greenish nasal discharge

Facial or dental pain

Eye pain

Night cough

Fever

Sore throat

Here are some suggestions if you are plagued by sinus or allergy problems:

Ask your doctor to prescribe the proper medication to keep allergy/sinus problems under control.

Avoid smoke and irritants that increase your chance of developing sinus/allergy difficulties.

Check the pollen counts in your area before you go outdoors.

Use a saline mist spray to keep sinuses healthy.

If you work in dusty environments, use a respirator.

If you are prone to allergies, protect your eyes with goggles or wraparound glasses.

Do not take antihistamines that could cause drowsiness while driving or working.

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety, Weather Protection

SPRING FEVER, “HAY FEVER” OR SINUS?

March 4, 2009 Doug

With the onset of Spring, several of us will have our fair share of either allergies or sinus problems. Blooming flowers and trees are great to look at, but the little blossoms that float in the air we breathe can cause health problems. Let’s look at these two common illnesses: allergies and sinus. Allergy symptoms are often confused with a cold or flu. Allergies are the immune systems’ reaction to generally harmless substances and continue off and on, much longer than a cold.