Tag Archives: diseases

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

TEN DISEASES THAT ACTUALLY HAVE WARNING SIGNS (GUEST POST)

Diseases that actually have warning signs.  Sent by Elisabeth Wright, of  http://www.vitaminsandminerals.net/blog/category/vitamins/ 

When broken down the term disease is quite self-explanatory.   Dis – ease.  A body that is healthy is one that is at ease; however when symptoms occur that disrupt this natural ease there is the probability that these are warning signs that something is wrong.  After all, we expect children to run and play until they fall asleep eating their supper!  If that is ever interrupted and they begin to play less, cry more, and will not fall asleep readily at the end of each day, then it may be time to take them to see a professional.

This isn’t only true for children, but adolescents and adults as well.  It is a sad fact, but a true one none the less, that disease has no regard for gender or age.  Familiarizing ourselves with some basic knowledge of the symptoms of diseases may be the best education we can ever obtain.

Unless we have been adopted and know little to nothing about our heritage, we should be able to judge the likelihood of contracting some diseases by looking at what our families have had to deal with in our family tree.

My mother was a diabetic who also had heart disease.  Not that I went looking for either, but I and my physician, armed with this knowledge, have taken extra notice with each symptom I have had that could point to either disease.  My father had by-pass surgery when he was 65.  A fact of life is we grew up on a farm where we slaughtered and processed our meat, and a greater percentage of everything we ate was fried.  Even though he died in March 2011, at the age of 102 with his mental faculties still intact, the fact that he had some heart irregularities has added extra precaution to my care as I get older. 

So what symptoms should you look for that could be indicative of a disease? 

1. Heart problems – These may vary among women and men, however any discomfort in the chest area that is not taken care of by Tums or an anti-acid should be taken seriously.  One factor is the same, however, in both men and women, and that is a history of leading a lifestyle that includes abuse of the heart, such as smoking, obesity, and lack of exercise, to name a few.  One who has had a blatant disregard for their lifestyle with an attitude of “I’ll live and enjoy life until I die” may end up not having much of a life to enjoy after a few years of living without regard to the future consequences of his lifestyle choices.  Whoever said, “If I had known I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself”, was not jesting but speaking the truth too late.

2. Alzheimer’s – This is another disease with warning signs.  What has been referred to as dementia for many years is now recognized as Alzheimer disease.  The difference between the two is the fact that Alzheimer’s is a disease, where dementia has symptoms that are similar, but are related to the aging process, like memory loss, and a decline in thinking and reasoning skills.  Dementia is not caused by Alzheimer’s disease; however the severity of the symptoms would merit a visit with a doctor who specializes in Gerontology, or the study of the aging process.

3. Parkinson’s disease – Parkinson’s is diagnosed in an average of 50,000 patients each year.  Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease typically begin appearing between 50 and 60 years of age.  They develop slowly and often go unnoticed by family members, and even the individual who has the symptoms.  Some individuals only have symptoms on one side of their body that never progress to the other side.

The most common symptoms include tremors or shaking of the hands, arms, or legs.  When awake, sitting, or standing, the tremors may subside when the person moves the affected part of the body. Stiff muscles (rigidity) and aching muscles are other common symptoms.  One of the most common early signs of Parkinson’s disease is a reduced arm swing on one side when the person is walking that is caused by rigid muscles. Rigidity can also affect the muscles of the legs, face, neck, or other parts of the body, and may cause muscles to feel tired and achy.

4. Cancer – Cancer is a group of diseases that can cause almost any signs or symptoms. The signs and symptoms will depend on where the cancer is, how big it is, and how much it affects the organs or tissues. If a cancer has spread (metastasized), signs or symptoms may appear in different parts of the body.

5. Thyroid – Your thyroid is a gland in the front of your neck. It controls your metabolism, which is how your body turns food into energy, and it also affects your heart, muscles, bones, and cholesterol.

When the thyroid secretes too much thyroid hormone, it is referred to as Hyperthyroidism.  By producing too much your body may speed up on many of its functions, like weight loss, rapid heartbeat, sweating a lot, or becoming moody and out of sorts.  On the other hand, there is also hypothyroidism, which shows the thyroid is not producing enough, or any, thyroid hormone.

6. Diabetes – Type 1 diabetes, which is insulin dependent, and type 2, which shows up in adulthood, are not diseases one can see in a mirror.  However there are certain symptoms that should cause enough alarm to have one checked by a physician.  Extreme thirst, excessive hunger, frequent urination, fatigue, and weight loss (rapid or sudden) can all be indicative of a diabetes problem.  Hopefully you can catch the onslaught of diabetes in time to correct it with a lifestyle change of diet and exercise.

7. Gum disease – Gum disease is also known as periodontal disease.  One out of every two adults has gingivitis and may not even know it.  Report to your dentist such things as bleeding gums, gums that are red, tender, or swollen, or gums that seem to be pulling away from your teeth.

8. Kidney disease –  Kidneys are designed to filter waste products and excess salt and fluids from the body, in addition to producing hormones that stimulate red blood cell production, control blood pressure, and strengthen our skeleton. Disorders that injure the kidneys result in the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD), a condition in which the normal functions of the kidney are impaired, which can, in turn, have a significant negative impact on the health and well-being of the affected person.

When the very process of filtering the toxins, excessive salt and fluids, and waste products from our body is hindered, our body gives off signals that something is not right.  Among the symptoms are blood in the urine, nausea, vomiting, weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, dry and itchy skin, trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, and poor school performance. As the kidney function worsens, one can experience weight gain from excess fluids, swollen feet and ankles, puffiness around the eyes, and high blood pressure. Anemia (low red blood cell count) often occurs and contributes to the feeling of fatigue, and nausea/vomiting may result in poor food intake and the development of malnutrition.

9. Gallbladder disease ­- After doing some research I learned the problem I once had with cramping that was so severe, a trip to the ER did no good was likely the result of gallstones. The following web site: http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_symptoms_of_gallstones, told me that about 90% of gallstones cause no symptoms. There is a very small (2%) chance of developing pain during the first 10 years after gallstones form.  It took several trips to the ER and one trip to my primary care physician, when I was in the middle of an episode, to see what my problem was.  There are symptoms to pay attention to and once diagnosed the problem can easily be taken care of.

10. Depression – Depression has received much more attention in the last 20 years than in decades prior.  It is not the mark of mental illness that it once was, largely because understanding the whys and wherefores of depression is better known.  In the mid-1900’s and earlier, people were placed in an insane asylum for being in a depressed state, especially women who were experiencing menopause.  I cringe at the thought of being placed somewhere where no help could be found, for I have had bouts of depression and often the help of medicine for a chemical imbalance made a world of difference in my outlook in only a few days.  Symptoms of depression may vary from men to women and even children, and the symptoms should not be ignored.  People have been known to have suicidal tendencies when the feeling of hopelessness lingers, and this feeling of hopelessness, like there is no way things can change tomorrow, and the feeling of worthlessness’ and like no one cares, are two of the most common symptoms.  Another common symptom is the feeling of uselessness and like you are no good for anyone, as well as wanting to sleep and being unable to do the little chores of a daily routine. Instead of ignoring these symptoms you should contact a doctor and get help. 

Take care of yourself, and if there is something out of the ordinary happening to your body, your skin, or in your mind, there is an answer. Getting to the right source for help may prolong your life. 

Elisabeth, these are wonderful explanations of signs that our bodies are giving us that things may not be just right!  Pay attention to these signs and seek medical attention.  pb

General Safety Issues

2011 NATIONAL INFANT IMMUNIZATION WEEK (NIIW)

Portions of the following article are from the Centers for Disease Control website.   National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), April 23 through 30), is observed annually to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrate the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities. Since 1994, NIIW has served as a call to action for parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers to ensure that infants are fully immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases.

This year’s NIIW will be held in conjunction with the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA). Hundreds of communities across the United States and throughout the Western Hemisphere are expected to participate in NIIW and VWA by planning community awareness, education, and media events to promote infant and child immunizations to parents, caregivers, and health care professionals.  Awareness and education events are being planned in conjunction with state and local health departments, PAHO, and the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission in sister cities sites along the U.S.-Mexican border. More than 40 countries throughout the Western Hemisphere are expected to work together on VWA to highlight the need for routine vaccinations for infants and children.

Several important milestones already have been reached in controlling vaccine-preventable diseases among infants and adults worldwide. Vaccines have drastically reduced infant death and disability caused by preventable diseases in the United States. In addition:

  • Through immunization, we can now protect infants and children from 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before age two.
  • In the 1950s, nearly every child developed measles, and unfortunately, some even died from this serious disease. Today, few physicians just out of medical school will ever see a case of measles during their careers.
  • In March 2005, CDC announced that rubella is no longer a major health threat to expectant mothers and their unborn children, thanks to a safe and effective vaccine, high vaccine coverage.
  • In September 2010, CDC announced that childhood immunization rates for vaccines routinely recommended for children remain at or near record highs.

Yet without diligent efforts to maintain immunization programs in the United States and to strengthen them worldwide, vaccine-preventable diseases will remain a threat to children. As illustrations, it’s only necessary to consider the 2010 California outbreak of whooping cough where over 8,000 cases were reported in the state and where there were 10 infant deaths, or measles, which takes the lives of more than 100,000 children globally each year. 

We should all be thankful for the development of vaccines that protect our children from many childhood diseases.  Years ago, as kids, we all knew that when one of us caught measles, chicken pox, mumps, and other illnesses, we’d be next!  Prior to development of a vaccine for polio, most children who contacted the disease have been affected for the remainder of their lives.   Now, we have the advantage of knowing that our little ones will not have to go through several of these diseases.  That’s a good thing for both children and parents.    Don’t take a chance with your children’s health by delaying getting the required vaccinations at the proper time.  Also, encourage your friends to be diligent about having their children receive their innoculations.   Thankfully, we live in an age where we can take advantage of medical research and technology, in order to stay healthy.  Let’s start our little ones off right! 

This observance begins on Saturday, April 23, the day after Good Friday, continuing through April 30th.  We wish everyone a safe and happy Easter week-end!  

Source: Centers for Disease Control

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

AN AUGUST REMINDER FOR IMMUNIZATIONS!

August is designated by the Centers for Disease Control as National Immunization Awareness Month.  Dr. Anne Schuchat, Director of the CDC’s  National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases states, “Immunization is one of the single most important steps parents can take to help assure their children grow up to be strong and healthy.”  

Communities and cities are already reminding parents through the media such as newspapers, radio, and television  to take their children for the immunization shots now, to be ready for the beginning of school.  Because of the fact that so many people wait until the last minute, schools are announcing that children will not be admitted without proof that they have received the proper vaccines.  It is hard to understand why parents procrastinate about taking their children for these vaccines, when in many cases, there is no cost to them. 

Here is a list furnished by the CDC of preventable diseases for children, thanks to vaccines:

  • Diptheria
  • Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib)
  • Hepatitis B
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Influenza
  • Measles
  • Meningococcal Mumps
  • Pertussis (whooping cough)
  • Pneumonossis
  • Polio
  • Rotavirus
  • Rubella (German measles)
  • Tetanus (lockjaw)
  • Varicella (chickenpox)

Some adults think that vaccines that they got when they were children will protect them for the rest of their lives, but consider these factors:

  • Some never were vaccinated as children;
  • Newer vaccines were not available when they were children;
  • Immunizations may have faded over time;
  • With age, we become more susceptible to serious disease caused by common infections, (i.e., flu, pneumonia). 

It’s wise to remember that young adults to senior citizens can benefit from immunizations.  Vaccines are recommended to adolescents and adults based on factors such as age, health status and medical history.  Some vaccines are vital to most adults, especially senior citizens.  Others are not appropriate for persons with underlying health issues.  Your physician can advise you.  The following diseases can affect persons over 65 very seriously: diphtheria, Herpes Zoster (shingles), pneumonia, flu, and tetanus. 

If you plan to travel outside the United States, you need to visit with your physician at least 4 weeks prior to your vacation or business trip.  Certain vaccines take a period of time to become effective.  There are three types of vaccines in regard to travel – routine, recommended, and required.  You may be exposed to certain diseases in foreign countries that are uncommon in the U.S. 

If you have children, be sure all their shots are current.  Years ago, people died from diseases that are now preventable.  No one  enjoys getting stuck by a needle, but it’s a small price to pay for good health.