| |
     |
|
|
2003 Articles
APRIL 2003 - Allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction of the lining of the nose. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is also called hay fever. Allergic rhinitis occurs when the nose and usually also the ears, sinuses, and throat come into contact with allergy-causing substances. The allergy-causing substances are called allergens. The most common allergens are pollens, molds, dust, and animal dander. Click here to read more...
NOVEMBER 2003 - Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction. It starts soon after you are to exposed something to which you are severely allergic. You may have swelling, itching, or a rash. Some people have trouble breathing, a tight feeling in their chest, dizziness, and they feel anxious. Other people have stomach cramps, nausea or diarrhea. Some people lose consciousness or “pass out.” Click here to read more...
By Roland Larrabee, M.D.
DECEMBER 2003 - Antibiotics are medicines that fight (or prevent) infections that are caused by bacteria. Antibiotics can't fight viral infections such as colds and the flu. When bacteria are repeatedly exposed to the same antibiotics, after a while the antibiotics can't fight them anymore. Antibiotics kill many bacteria, but they don't usually kill all of them. The ones that are left after you finish taking the antibiotic are strong enough to resist the antibiotic in the future. Click here to read more...
DECEMBER 2003 - Anxiety is a feeling of uneasiness, apprehension, or tension you may feel in response to stressful or threatening circumstances. Some people feel more anxiety than others. Anxiety can either be mild or so intense that you feel panic. Normally anxiety is temporary, but when it lasts a long time or occurs without some kind of stress or threat, it is considered an illness. Click here to read more...
DECEMBER 2003 - Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common mental health problem in children. Children with ADHD often have problems with attention span, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. It is often called by an older name, attention deficit disorder (ADD). Between 3% and 7% of all school age children have ADHD. Click here to read more...
FEBRUARY 2003 - Assisted living is a long-term care alternative for relatively independent older adults who require more assistance than is available in a retirement community, but who do not require the medical or skilled nursing care provided in a nursing facility. Click here to read more...
By Roland Larrabee, M.D.
DECEMBER 2003 - Bathrooms are a particularly dangerous part of the home. Common bathroom accidents include scalds, fainting from heat, falls on slippery floors, and head injuries from falling against bathroom fixtures. In the elderly, this is a common site where fractures occur, such as fractured hips. Click here to read more...
FEBRUARY 2003 - Weakness and slumping on one side of the face are common features of Bell's palsy, a condition in which the nerve controlling the face has been injured. Click here to read more...
By Alan Peterson, M.D.
AUGUST 2003 - Several large-scale human studies have associated diets high in meat with greater risk for colon cancer. Never the less, it has proven difficult to determine if this increase in risk is a direct result of meat consumption or due to other factors that often accompany diets high in meat, such as low consumption of vegetables and fruits, inactivity, obesity or smoking. Click here to read more...
By Roland Larrabee, M.D.
JANUARY 2003 - Bronchiolitis is a lung infection caused by a virus. The average age of children who get bronchiolitis is 6 months. They are seldom older than 2 years. Click here to read more...
JUNE 2003 - A cane is an aid to help you walk when you have a problem with your leg or foot. Canes come in different styles and are usually made out of wood or metal. You need to choose a cane that best suits your type of condition and the amount of support you need. Click here to read more...
AUGUST 2003 - Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve. This is the nerve that goes through your wrist. The median nerve can become pinched in the carpal tunnel, which is a small canal, or space, near the base of the palm of your hand. Click here to read more...
MARCH 2003 - If you have an eating disorder, you are very concerned about the way that your body looks, and you use food to control your emotions. You want very much to be thin and are afraid of becoming fat. Click here to read more...
By Alan Peterson, M.D.
AUGUST 2003 - Recently the American Institute for Cancer Research published in its Summer 2003 ScienceNow, “A Primer on Fiber.” They mention that in September of 2002, the National Academies’ Institute of Medicine published the first-ever recommendations for fiber intake. These guidelines stem from research showing the protective effect of a high-fiber diet against heart disease. Click here to read more...
JUNE 2003 - Food poisoning is an illness that you may get after eating food contaminated by certain bacteria, parasites, and viruses. Bacteria exist all around you--on your hands, countertops, floor--everywhere. Eating a few bacteria usually won't hurt you. However, if you eat bacteria that are very harmful or large quantities of certain bacteria, you may become sick. Click here to read more...
NOVEMBER 2003 - Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a common digestive problem. Acid from the stomach flows backward and upward into the esophagus (food tube from the throat to the stomach). A muscle in the esophagus usually keeps stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus. If you have GERD, this muscle does not close to the correct amount, and acid from your stomach gets into your esophagus and irritates its lining. Click here to read more...
OCTOBER 2003 - Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Click here to read more...
MARCH 2003 - A chronic illness is a health problem that you have for a long time, such as heart disease, lung disease, arthritis, or cancer. People with chronic illnesses may need medicines or treatments that affect their sex life and they may not feel as interested in sex, or they may not enjoy sex as they used to. Click here to read more... | |
MARCH 2003 - Many scientists believe that using even a small amount of herbs in cooking might provide phytochemicals that can potentially fight cancer. Fresh herbs seem to be better because they are the most flavorful and contain the most phytochemicals, but dried herbs are still potent. Click here to read more...
APRIL 2003 - Homocysteine is an amino acid (a building block of protein) that is produced in the human body. Homocysteine plays many important functions when levels are normal, but may irritate blood vessels, leading to blockages in the arteries (called atherosclerosis), when levels are elevated. Click here to read more...
JANUARY 2003 - Influenza, or flu, is a virus infection of the air passages. Outbreaks of flu occur almost every year, usually in winter. Each season a different strain of flu virus may be responsible for the outbreak. In some years, the flu strain may be particularly severe and cause many deaths, particularly if pneumonia develops. Click here to read more...
OCTOBER 2003 - The influenza season is soon upon us, so it behooves you to protect yourself against this infection by receiving an influenza vaccine. Current supplies are adequate, but high-risk people should be the first to receive a vaccination in October. Beginning in November, all remaining individuals should be vaccinated. Click here to read more...
By Roland Larrabee, M.D.
JUNE 2003 - Insect repellents have been used on the skin for many years, primarily to prevent mosquito bites, which transmit malaria, West Nile virus infection, and various types of encephalitis (brain infection). With increased concern about Lyme disease in recent years, skin and clothing repellents are also recommended for protection against ticks. Click here to read more...
MARCH 2003 - Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common gastrointestinal problem that leads to abdominal pain or cramps that are often relieved or improved by having a bowel movement. Patients with IBS often have problems with constipation (infrequent or difficult bowel movements), diarrhea, or both. Click here to read more...
NOVEMBER 2003 - As we get into the cooler months and the heat starts to go in our homes, the air starts to dry out. Sometimes this can make our skin dryer and also more itchy. Many other things can make your skin itch. Dry skin, eczema, and hives can all cause itching over your body. Contact dermatitis is another cause for all-over itching. Click here to read more...
AUGUST 2003 - As most of you appreciate the medical profession and medical illness is usually a very serious endeavor, however, recently it has become well known that humor can also be a healer. In response to this “trying to keep up with the times,” I offer you the following bits of history as well as humor. Click here to read more...
MAY 2003 - There are several reasons why you could be losing your memory. Sorry to say, age is usually the cause. Information is stored in three different parts of your memory: the short-term memory, the recent memory and the remote or distant memory. Click here to read more...
JUNE 2003 - "Poisoning" from plants such as poison ivy, sumac, and oak is an allergic reaction that results when the skin touches these plants and their oils. Most people develop a rash, blisters, and itching after contact with them. Cases usually occur in the spring and summer. Click here to read more...
NOVEMBER 2003 - Radon is a colorless odorless gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Radon causes more cases of lung cancer in America than anything except cigarette smoking. We can reduce our exposure to this gas, but the only way to do that is to know what the radon level is in your home by testing for it. Click here to read more...
APRIL 2003 - Overuse injury in a runner most often occurs because of a training error (running too far, too fast, too soon). With every mile that is run, the feet must absorb 110 tons of energy. Therefore, it is not surprising that up to 70% of runners develop an injury every year. You can decrease your risk of injury by following these recommendations. Click here to read more...
JANUARY 2003 - Seasonal affective disorder (also called SAD) is a type of depression that follows the seasons. The most common type of SAD is called winter depression. It usually begins in late fall or early winter and goes away by summer. SAD may be related to changes in the amount of daylight. Click here to read more...
JUNE 2003 - Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic (long-lasting) disorder of the large intestine (colon). It is the most common gastrointestinal disorder. It affects twice as many women as men and usually begins in early adult life. Although IBS can cause much distress, it does not lead to life-threatening disease. Another term for IBS is spastic colon. Click here to read more...
By Roland Larrabee, M.D.
OCTOBER 2003 - A stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA), happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly reduced or stopped. That part of the brain dies and no longer works. Blood cannot get to your brain when a blood vessel is blocked or bursts inside the brain. Click here to read more...
By Roland Larrabee, M.D.
OCTOBER 2003 - A taste disorder is a condition that causes a change in your normal sense of taste. Changes in your sense of taste, which is closely connected to your sense of smell, may be temporary or permanent. More than 2 million Americans suffer from some permanent smell or taste disorder. Most often, such disorders are not considered serious problems. Click here to read more...
MAY 2003 - A thyroid nodule is a lump in the thyroid gland at the base of the front of your neck. Almost 10% of adults have thyroid nodules. They are more common in women. More than 90% of all thyroid nodules are not cancerous. Some are actually cysts filled with fluid. Click here to read more...
MARCH 2003 - Every day, physicians are faced with the issues surrounding appropriate prescribing to older patients. Knowledge of the interplay between aging, chronic diseases and drugs will help the physician to help avoid potential adverse drug events as well as interactions between drugs and interactions between the drugs and the diseases that they are used for. Click here to read more...
APRIL 2003 - Viruses are the most common cause of acute infectious diarrhea (gastroeneteritis) in developed countries, and rotavirus is the most common virus causing this malady. In the United States, rotavirus affects mainly infants between 3 and 15 months of age. Peak incidence is in the winter months and early springtime. Click here to read more...
JANUARY 2003 - A viral sore throat is an infection of the throat caused by a virus. A viral sore throat occurs when a virus attacks the throat area. Many different viruses can cause a sore throat, including: flu viruses, common cold viruses, coxsackie virus and infectious mononucleosis ("mono") virus. Click here to read more...
Vitamin B-12By Alan S. Peterson, M.D. MAY 2003 - Vitamin B-12 is an important vitamin that you usually get from your food. It is mainly found in meat and dairy products. Vitamin B-12 helps make red blood cells and keeps your nervous system working right. If you have a very low Vitamin B-12 level, you might get anemia, depression, dementia, or a serious problem with your nervous system. Click here to read more...
WartsBy Alan S. Peterson, M.D. MAY 2003 - Warts are hard bumps on your skin. They can be as small as a pinhead or as large as a penny. You may have just one wart or many. Warts can develop anywhere on your skin, but they usually appear on the hands or feet. Click here to read more...
By Alan Peterson, M.D.
AUGUST 2003 - West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne pathogen whose main reservoir is birds. Last year (2002) it caused 284 deaths in the United States. Remember, the best ways to prevent exposure are: 1) to deny mosquitoes their breeding sites, particularly in populated areas, 2) to keep them from biting human beings. Click here to read more...
|