Symptoms and Causes of Environmental Illness

 

The world is full of potential dangers that we are often unaware of. Sometimes, things that seem like errant health complaints can actually be the result of exposure to what are called environmental toxins. These include a variety of unpleasant substances that we come into contact with in the course of our daily lives. From tainted drinking water at one’s place of employment causing gastrointestinal issues, or a leaky furnace causing a homeowner headaches, environmental toxins are a real threat.

 

What Is Environmental Illness?

Environmental illness is a blanket term that refers to any number of different health complaints with roots in exposure to an environmental toxin. Environmental illness can range from mild to severe and exposure can occur in the home, on the job, or even regionally. While many environmental illnesses are more irritating than dangerous, there is potential of severe, long-term health risks associated with continued exposure to certain environmental toxins.

 

What Are the Symptoms?

The symptoms of this can be very widely varied. From things like headaches and rashes, to more serious issues like paralysis and respiratory problems, the potential symptoms from environmental illness are incredibly varied. Some of the most common causes of environmental illness, black mold and unsafe water, display symptoms similar to those of common illnesses. If you and those in your household suffer from chronic allergies, you should have your home inspected for mold. Chronic flu-like symptoms could indicate the presence of unclean drinking water, according to an expert from Brothers Plumbing Ltd. If you suspect your drinking water may be unsafe, have it tested immediately—contaminated water could lead to serious health complications.

 

Who Is At Risk?

Anyone can potentially be at risk for an environmental illness. Those whose jobs or homes leave them exposed to any number of well-known environmental contaminants will be at an increased risk for an environmental illness. Workers in mines, heavy industry, who are exposed to chemicals, and more, will be at a much higher risk of health problems that result from long-term exposure to environmental toxins.

 

Long-Term Implications

We all know of “black lung” and other types of diseases that notoriously effect those from certain industries and vocations, the number of different dangerous chemicals we are exposed to has dramatically increased in recent years, and the long-term effects of some of these chemicals, like asbestos, have only become well known after workers began to suffer from the related health problems.

 

Whether it be exposure on the job or in the home, long-term exposure to dangerous environmental toxins can cause a wide variety of potentially negative health effects. Being aware of the potential dangers, risk factors, and symptoms, can better help one protect themselves from potential dangers, or even identify the root cause of a lingering health complaint. Environmental illness is a general term for health complaints associated with exposure to certain environmental toxins, and taking heed of the information provided here is a way to stay in the best of health possible.

 

Categories: Causes, drinking water, environmental illness, environmental toxins, health complaints, health problems, Long term, potential dangers, Symptoms, term exposure, toxins nbsp

6 Causes of Head Trauma and how you can Prevent Them

 

We are hearing a lot more about the seriousness of head and brain trauma in the news recently. This is due in large part to the amount of concussions being sustained by NFL players and the new protocols the NFL has introduced to examine players who are suspected of suffering a concussion. It might surprise you to learn that a person suffers a traumatic brain injury in the United States once every 20 seconds. Every year, 1.5 million people in this country suffer injuries to their head. Of this total, more that 75,000 of these injuries cause damage that is permanent.

 

Experience makes a difference when it comes to preventing head trauma. Let’s take a look at some of the various causes of head trauma and what you can do to prevent them from happening to you:

 

1. Motorcycle/bicycle accidents

When a person suffers a fatal bicycle accident, 80 percent of the time it is because the person suffered injuries to their head. Only 20 percent of American children wear a helmet when they are riding their bicycle. Every year, 130,000 children suffer head trauma in bike accidents. Motorcyclists who do not wear a helmet are three times more likely to suffer head trauma than those who wear helmets. To prevent these injuries, you obviously need to wear a helmet that fits properly.

 

2. Falls for babies

To prevent a child from falling, never leave them unattended in the shower. You should also install baby safety gates in front of all stairways. Have window guards installed in your home and make sure windows are opened from the bottom.

 

3. Falls for seniors

Seniors should perform exercise on a regular basis to maintain their strength. Handrails and grab bars should be installed around the home, especially in the shower.

 

4. Sports

The best and most effective method of preventing head trauma while playing sports is to wear head gear. As with bike and motorcycle helmets, it is important that the head gear fits properly, otherwise it will lose some of its effectiveness.

 

5. Car accidents

Every person should wear a seat belt while in a car, even if they are in the back. Since this is the law in most states, this should not be a problem. Always put children in the back when they are riding in a rear facing car seat. An infant should never be placed in the front seat for any reason.

 

6. Falls due to ice

If you live in a cold climate and you frequently have ice form on your driveway or walkways, put down salt on a regular basis to melt the ice and allow you to maintain your traction and prevent falls from happening.

 

Categories: Causes, head trauma, prevent

Plantar Fasciitis

 

 

Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain, and yet much of the general population is unaware it even exists. This condition istriggered by irritation or inflammation of the band of tissue connecting your toes to your heels, the plantar fascia. Since this ligament stretches through the length of your feet, it can make every step painful. Plantar Fasciitis doesn’t happen overnight, as it often takes years of strain to even become noticeable. This podiatric problem can be made worse by running and jumping, as well as lower impact activities like walking and standing for long spans of time. Without treatment, you can experience chronic heel pain that can disrupt the way you walk and your knees, hips, and back.

 

 

Symptoms:

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis include pain in the heel or bottom of the foot. More specifically, pain commonly occurs upon doing the following:

 

• Waking up, within the first few steps


• Standing for a long period of time


• Running or other repetitive, high-impact exercise


• Rising from a sitting position

 

 

Causes:

There are multiple factors that can be causing your plantar fasciitis. Extra weight caused from pregnancy or an unhealthy lifestyle can cause extra stress on your feet and result in heel pain. Age also plays a role in plantar fasciitis, as the most common age group of people affected is 40 to 60. Another cause of Plantar Fasciitis is a high level of physical activity, particularly while on your feet. Athletes who run on different terrains, high inclines, and who run without properly warming up can be at risk for heel pain.

 

 

Prevention:

While Plantar Fasciitis is becoming increasingly common, it is possible to prevent it.  Managing your weight and adopting a healthy lifestyle helps keep extra tension off your heels. Athletic persons are encouraged to diversify their routine In addition, you can ward off the accompanying pains by simply taking proper care of your feet. It is recommended that footwear with structural support be worn as much as possible, so don’t invest only in fortified sneakers; there are plenty of indoor slippers, high heels and sandals that include arch support that will relieve symptoms.

 

 

Treatment:

When you begin to treat your plantar fasciitis, the doctor might suggest that you take an over-the-counter pain killer. This may be enough to ease your pain if you are only experiencing mild symptoms. Your doctor may also recommend icing and stretching if the pain persists.You may also be advised to upgrade your footwear with orthotic insoles.

 

In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend you wear a boot cast for about 5-6 weeks or until your symptoms subside. Additionally, wearing a night splint can help speed up this process. As a last resort to treat your plantar fasciitis, more serious measures can be taken. Steroidal shots temporarily reduce the pain until you can have surgery to detach your plantar fascia from your heel. Most patients experience results from other treatment procedures, but if you continue to experience chronic heel pain, these more invasive treatments are available.

 

Conclusion:

Plantar fasciitis causes heel pain that ranges from mild discomfort to chronic pain. It can be caused by weight, age, or high physical activity. Symptoms include heel pain that is triggered by an array of factors such as standing for too long, high-impact exercise, or standing after a long period of sitting. Preventative measures can be taken to keep your feet healthy and free from pain. Plantar fasciitis can be easily treated, but patients will experience the best results from handling earlier rather than later. Consult your doctor if you suspect you may have this condition so a plan of action can be set to prevent the worsening of your condition.

 

Categories: Causes, plantar fasciitis, Symptoms

5 Main Causes of White Spots on Tonsils

There are moments when the tonsils develop with spots on them. You will not be able to determine this if you are not really going to look into your tonsils. But you will also be able to determine that you are experiencing this because of the symptoms that come with it. Usually, these white spots are the reasons for the pain when you swallow and it can also come with fever. And most of all, there is a feeling of discomfort in the throat even when you are not really swallowing. When you feel these symptoms, it would be advisable for you to check your tonsils.

 

The white spots in your tonsils are not actually caused by a single condition. There are different things that may cause this. In order for you to learn more about this, here are the possible causes of the white spots in your tonsils:

 

• Tonsillitis. This is the most common cause of pus or white spots in the tonsils. This is caused by a bacterial or a viral infection. When you are experiencing this condition, it will be accompanied by difficulty in swallowing. Aside from that, you will also be having fever. But the treatment that will be given to the patient who has tonsillitis depends on the cause of the problem. If the infection has been a result of bacteria, the doctor will be recommending antibiotics. For those who are experiencing this problem very often, a surgery called tonsillectomy is available.

 

• Tonsil Stones. The other possible reason for the white spots in the tonsils is the condition when there are hardened particles that are deposited in the area. These particles may be dead cells, food or mucus that were formed and solidified in the area. You can figure out that you have this type of condition when you experience bad breath and you also have earaches. You can find solution on how get rid of Tonsil Stones by means of surgery. But this is only recommended if the condition is something that is already causing permanent discomfort.

 

• Strep Throats. This is another condition that is caused by bacteria. But this time, the infection occurs on the throat. Few of the most common symptoms are intense pain whenever you are swallowing, the feeling of itch on the throat and a very high fever. When experiencing this condition, you have to go to the doctor right away in order for you to get the exact dosage of antibiotic that you need.

 

• Mononucleosis. This is a condition that is usually experienced by adolescents. This is caused by virus that makes it possible for pus to be developed on the tonsils. There are different symptoms that make you know that you are experiencing this condition. You may feel tired and feverish. You can also have headaches that are accompanied by rashes all over the body. Consulting your doctor is the best way to get rid of this.

 

• Viral Pharyngitis. This is the type of infection that is affecting your tonsils and your pharynx. And this is one of the main reasons why there are white spots that are developed in your tonsils. Virus or bacteria can either cause this and the doctor will be the perfect person to give you the treatment that you need.

 

Now that you already know the different causes of the infection that may result to the formation of pus or white spots on your tonsils, you should consider going to the doctor’s office whenever you experience it in order for you to get the best treatment.

Categories: Causes, condition, nbsp, spots, tonsil stones, tonsils, tonsils nbsp, White, white spots

The 5 Most Common Causes of Lung Disease & How to Avoid Them

 

Lung disease, whatever form it takes, is an insidious condition. Diseases which affect the lungs take a long time to manifest, then take an equally long time to make a person very ill. With the exception of obvious causes like smoking, most people aren’t even aware they’re inhaling toxins into their lungs. The best way to protect yourself from lung disease is to be educated about the causes of lung disease and what you can do to avoid them:

 

1. Smoking

This is easy. The damage smoking causes to the lungs (among other organs) has been well-documented and discussed for ages. Fortunately for those who smoke, the damage can be almost completely undone after quitting. For smokers, ten years without tobacco usually reduces the risk of lung cancer to that of a non-smoker.

 

2. Black Mold and Other Airborne Pathogens

Black mold is a common household annoyance. If the infestation is light, a homeowner can remove the black mold themselves. If it’s heavy, a professional might need to be called in. In the worst cases, the house may become uninhabitable. This is what happened to many houses after Hurricane Sandy. Adam Robertson, a specialist from The Cleaner Image Dryer Vent Services, says that while most black mold and airborne pathogens can be removed with routine housecleaning, certain pathogens require special venting of the infested home’s vents.

 

3. Radon

Radon is a tasteless, odorless and colorless gas which is a byproduct of the breakdown of uranium. Radon can seep up from the ground into a crawlspace or basement and, from there, leak into the house. A homeowner who believes they have a radon problem should have the home tested. If the radon is above a certain level, it can be removed by a professional radon abatement service. But, if radon levels are fairly low, sometimes all it takes is giving the house a good airing out by opening doors and windows and turning on fans.

 

4. Asbestos

Exposure to asbestos can lead to a rare cancer of the lining of the lungs called mesothelioma. It can also lead to asbestosis, a slightly less serious lung disease. Asbestos was banned as a building material in the United States in the 1980s, but some older homes may still contain asbestos. It can be found in paint, insulation, roof shingles or flooring. It’s harmless as long as it’s undisturbed, but a homeowner who wants to do a renovation and suspects they may have asbestos in the home should call in an asbestos professional first.

 

5. The Flu

The flu, though often seen as only slightly worse than the common cold, has the potential to damage a person’s lungs permanently. Seniors, children, and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk of developing lung disease from the flu virus. Those in the at-risk groups should be sure to get a yearly flu shot to minimize their chances of catching the flu.

 

These five causes can wreak havoc on a person’s body, inflicting permanent damage and putting them at risk of lung disease. All of these causes, however, can be avoided or corrected through precautionary action and professional assistance.

Categories: airborne pathogens, asbestos, avoid, black mold, Causes, common, Disease, long time, lung, lung disease, nbsp, radon

How to Prevent Your Partner from Talking in Their Sleep

You may love your partner more than life itself, but when you wake up in the middle of the night because of their incessant sleep talking; loving your partner becomes a little bit harder. Sleep has a very close connection to your wellbeing, being related to your physical and mental health. Plus, if your partner is keeping you from your much-needed eight hours a night, the wellness of your relationship could also be at stake! So, how do you get your partner to keep sch-tum when you’re sleeping?

 

When your partner suffers from somniloquy, or sleep talking, they have no control over what they say and can say things they wouldn’t otherwise when conscious. When you tell you partner about it, or the things they’ve said, they can often be quite shocked as they don’t remember doing it, may have used different voices or language to that which they usually use. This sleep talking may have been spontaneous, or induced by something you’ve said. Though it does no harm to your partner, you may be at risk of sleep deprivation, as well as the emotional impact of having someone you love say unusual things, or even yell out during the night.

 

Sleep talking can be caused by a number of factors, including stress, depression, fever, sleep deprivation, daytime drowsiness, medications and alcohol. There may be a hereditary element involved, but often it’s external factors that seem to stimulate the behaviour. Underlying sleep conditions, such as sleep apnoea, make your partner more prone to talk in their sleep because they often fail to sleep soundly. Sleep talking rarely requires treatment, but your partner should seek medical attention if the episodes become very frequent, emotional, aggressive, abusive or dramatic. Your partner should keep a sleep diary, so that the doctor can see their sleep patterns over the course of two weeks. The diary should include bedtimes, the approximate time your partner fell asleep and woke up, any medicines your partner takes and when they’re taken, working hours, stress levels, exercise undertaken, and any drinks consumed.

 

Here are a few techniques that can keep your partner’s lips zipped after bedtime:

 

1. Get enough sleep. Your partner is more likely to sleep talk if they’re sleep-deprived.

 

2. Develop a relaxing pre-sleep habit. Your partner could try having a warm bath or a light bedtime snack before bed, drinking warm milk, listening to soft music or reading for 10 minutes.

 

3. Listen to your body. Your partner should only go to bed when they feel sleepy.

 

4. Avoid things that will interrupt your sleep. Your partner should avoid TV, smoking, heavy meals, caffeine and alcohol at bedtime.

 

5. Create the right environment. Your bedroom needs to be set up in a way that endorses sleep, so make sure it’s as quiet and cosy as possible.

 

6. Reduce stress. Practising simple exercises, stretches or yoga poses on a regular basis can help your partner to reduce daily stress levels, and sleep better as a result.

 

7. Stick to a routine. Your partner should maintain a regular schedule for meals, medications, chores, and other activities.

 

8. Eat the right foods. Tryptophan increases your body’s level of serotonin, which helps you to feel good and get to sleep more easily. Therefore, your partner should eat plenty of tryptophan-fuelled foods, such as wheat germ, cottage cheese, milk, eggs, and almonds.

 

9. Avoid taking sleeping pills. While sleeping pills may help with the odd episode of restless sleep, most doctors avoid prescribing them for periods longer than three weeks.

 

10. Block out the distractions. You can help your partner sleep better and talk less by getting them some earplugs, or something to create white noise, such as a fan. Just in case these tips don’t work, you might want to invest in some ear plugs for yourself too!

Categories: bedtime nbsp, Causes, nbsp, partner, prevention, sleep, sleep deprivation, Sleep Talking, sleeping pills, Stress Levels, talking

Are You at Risk of Premature Menopause?

Some women suffer the menopause before the age of 40, putting them in the category of women going through a premature menopause. The same symptoms which are attributed to a natural menopause still occur, such as emotional problems, hot flushes, vaginal dryness and a lower sex drive. However, for some women going through this early in life, the symptoms can be even more severe. Studies also suggest that women who have a premature menopause also seem to get weaker bones faster than those going through this at a later stage in life. This increases the risk of osteoporosis and bone damage. There are a number of reasons why women go through premature menopause, from genetic causes to unexpected results from surgery. Defects in the woman’s chromosomes could be a cause, such as in women with Turner’s syndrome who are born without a second X chromosome. This causes the ovaries to not develop properly, leading to menopause earlier than expected. Likewise, women who have a family history of early menopause are more likely to experience it early themselves.

 

Researchers have found that autoimmune diseases can also trigger this process – the body’s own immune system mistakes part of the reproductive system to be a threat and attacks it, damaging the ovaries and preventing them from producing female hormones. In women who have had surgery to remove the ovaries, known as a bilateral oophorectomy, menopause occurs straight away. This means she will no longer have periods and her hormone production will decrease at a rapid rate. She may also experience menopausal symptoms immediately too, such as hot flushes and a lowered sexual desire. Chemotherapy can also cause ovarian damage, leading to a premature menopause. It’s common for women who are undergoing chemotherapy to stop having periods, suffer fertility issues and even lose their fertility. It may take a few months or it sometimes happens straight away. This cause of early menopause depends on the type of chemotherapy you have, the age you are when you have it, and how long the treatment lasts for though, so you will need to discuss this with your GP. The younger you are when you undergo the chemo, the less likely you are to go through the menopause early.

 

If you think you’re suffering from premature menopause, your GP will probably ask you if you’ve noticed any changes that are commonly associated with menopause, such as vaginal dryness, irregular periods and problems sleeping. Menopause is usually only diagnosed when a woman hasn’t had a period for over twelve months. There are cases where these normal signs won’t be relevant with premature menopause diagnoses, though. This means you may have to have a blood test which measures the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) which can determine if you’re going through a premature menopause. Your ovaries use this hormone to produce oestrogen, so when they stop making this your FSH levels rise. If your levels of this hormone are higher than normal, it’s likely that you’ll be diagnosed with premature menopause. There are many resources available to offer advice on this topic, as well as your GP being your first port of call for any questions you may have. Women going through the menopause can take hormone replacement therapies to combat the effects of a lowered hormone production, as well as ways to resolve issues with your sex drive. Speak to your GP if you would like to discuss medication and treatments to help you through this stage.

Categories: Causes, early menopause, hormone production, hot flushes, Menopause, Premature, premature menopause, Sex Drive, vaginal dryness, Women

Daddy Depression: How Men Can Develop the Baby Blues

You may think that postnatal depression (PND) is a condition reserved for female wellness, but recent research has shown that PND can occur in men, often as the result of the man’s partner suffering from it. Coping with your partner’s depression can have a huge impact on your own mental health, causing you to feel overwhelmed, isolated, and even stigmatised. This can take its toll on other aspect of your life, including your work, your relationship and your parenting, so it’s incredibly important to get yourself checked out, and get the help you need, if you think PND may be an issue for you.

 

As your partner has had the child living and growing inside of her, she has a deeper inborn connection to the child and so can devote her whole focus on that, instead of on you. Up until now, it has only been the two of you and so not getting used to the lack of attention can be a contributing factor in male PND. Plus, you may have been looking forward to more physical intimacy after the pregnancy, but giving birth lowers your partner’s sex drive considerably, as does the strain of being a new mother. This can make you feel rejected and unwanted, and even blame your new baby for the distance between you and your partner. You may also experience PND after seeing the immense pain and trouble your partner went through during the delivery.

 

In men, PND can present with a wide range of symptoms:

• Feelings of isolation or rejection


• Mood swings


• Lethargy


• Panic attacks


• Loss of sex drive


• Irritability


• Hopelessness


• Lack of motivation


• Difficulty in concentration


• Lack of bonding with the new born


• Somatic complains, such as headaches and stomach pains


• Work-related problems


• Substance abuse

 

In order to deal with PND, you need professional help as well as the support of your family members. For this reason, it’s important that you let your family know if you think your well-being is affected by PND, as otherwise they may become to wrapped up in your new baby and its mother. Your partner should make sure that you are just as involved in the child’s welfare and upbringing as she is, and you should also strive to make time for each other so the “couple you” doesn’t become lost in the “parent you”. Consult a doctor for more information.

Categories: Baby, Causes, Child, lack, men, nbsp, partner, Postnatal Depression, Sex Drive

Hot Flashes: The Causes, Triggers and Who Gets Affected

Menopause doesn’t just affect your sexual health; it also wreaks havoc on your wellness with a draining condition known as hot flashes. Sure, hot flashes may not seem like such a big deal. but they can really take their toll on your wellbeing. Brette Sember, author of The Infertility Answer Book, points out, ‘Hot flashes can make your body feel like it has somehow become a raging furnace. The heat you experience during a hot flash is often overwhelming; it really does feel as if it’s taking over your body. Clothes can suddenly feel too heavy to wear. The bed covers feel as if they’re suffocating you, and you’re often drenched in sweat. Hot flashes are often associated with chills – the chills are typically the result of sweat drying on the surface of the skin.’

 

You might find you have hot flashes on a regular basis, or they may occur randomly. These flashes may be over in two minutes, or they could last as long as half-an-hour. The key thing to know is that hot flashes are a condition that a vast number of people worldwide deals with – 85% of all women will experience them at some point – so you’re not alone. You may think that your hot flashes are caused by fevers, illness or even burning desire, but, according to Sember, you would be wrong. In fact, the real culprit is your fluctuating sex hormones. Sember explains, ‘If these hormones are suppressed, such as during treatment for certain types of cancer or if the ovaries are removed, this can cause blood vessels to dilate. The dilated blood vessels allow more blood to rush through the body. This sudden increase in blood flow brings with it more heat – typically to the body’s upper half.’

 

While this all sounds a bit dangerous and alarming, you don’t really have anything to worry about with hot flashes apart from the discomfort you feel. Still, even though there’s no danger involved, you should speak to your doctor if you’re experiencing hot flashes – especially if you’re too young to be going through menopause. The underlying cause of your hot flashes may be hyperthyroidism or one of several types of cancer, and so it’s always wise to be sure. However, more often than not, the cause of hot flashes will be something simple like pregnancy, perimenopause (the phase before menopause) or menopause itself. Let’s take a closer look at the factors at play in your hot flashes.

 

Sember notes, ‘Women’s hormone levels can fluctuate greatly during a typical lifetime…In fact, hot flashes are the most common symptom of menopause. Hot flashes can also be triggered or amplified by environmental factors. Similar to migraine pain, outside factors such as alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, spicy foods, exercise, fat and chocolate can all trigger a hot flash. Climate – such as a hot room, medication, sleep deprivation and stress – can also be to blame.’ So, if you are suffering from hot flashes, eliminating some of these environmental triggers can be helpful in reducing your discomfort. It might be a good idea to keep a diary of your hot flashes, detailing exactly what happened prior to the hot flash, so you can avoid this trigger next time.

 

However, it’s not only women who are fanning themselves due to hot flashes; men also need to watch out for triggers and potentially visit a doctor. Sember comments, ‘Men can experience hot flashes, too. Obviously, menopause is not the reason. Men deal with hot flashes when they experience a drop in testosterone. This can be caused by ageing, but is most often due to a surgical removal of the testes or due to medication that impacts testosterone production. If a man is experiencing hot flashes, he should definitely consult a doctor. Testosterone deficiency is often the reason, and a simple blood test can verify this.’

Categories: Blood, blood vessels, Causes, experiencing hot, feel, flashes, hot flash, hot flashes, Menopause, sember

Dyspareunia: Why Do You Find Sex Really Painful?

Sex isn’t always smooth-sailing, but when it’s downright painful your wellbeing may be at risk of dyspareunia. This is the clinical term for painful sex, which can cause a burning, sharp, searing or cramping pain in your abdomen, pelvic region or vagina. The pain can also affect you externally, but why does dyspareunia have such an impact on your wellness?

 

The exact number of women whose sexual health is affected by dyspareunia is unknown, but, back in 1986, Masters, Johnson, and Kolodny discovered that roughly 15% of adult women have painful intercourse on at least a few occasions in a given year, but 1-2% suffer more often than that. Then, in 1990, Spector and Carey reviewed the literature on dyspareunia and reported incidence ranging between 8% and 23% percent across studies. The cause of each case may be due to any number of given factors, or the precise cause may not be identifiable at all. As with most cases of sexual dysfunction, the causes of dyspareunia can be classified as either organic (physical or medical factors such as illness, injury or drug effects) or psychosocial (including psychological, interpersonal, environmental and cultural factors).

 

As a woman, your dyspareunia may be caused by dozens of underlying physical conditions – basically anything that leads to poor vaginal lubrication. Commonly, drugs that have a drying effect – such as antihistamines, certain tranquilizers, marijuana – and disorders such as diabetes, vaginal infections, and oestrogen deficiencies can cause discomfort during intercourse. Still, the buck doesn’t stop there. Other causes of dyspareunia include:

 

• Blisters, rashes and inflammation around your vaginal opening or vulva


• Clitoral irritation or infection


• Disorders of the vaginal opening, such as scarring from an episiotomy, intact hymen or remnants of the hymen that are stretched during intercourse, or infection of the Bartholin’s glands


• Disorders of the urethra or anus


• Disorders of the vagina, such as surgical scarring, thinning of vaginal walls (be it due to ageing or oestrogen deficiency), and irritation due to chemicals found in contraceptive materials or douches


• Pelvic disorders such as infection, tumours, abnormalities of the cervix or uterus, and torn ligaments around your uterus

 

There are also psychosocial causes of dyspareunia. These may be as frequent and varied as organic ones, but it’s harder to see the clear link between such factors and the condition itself. According to many authorities, developmental factors – such as a troubled parent-child relationship, a negative family attitude towards sex, a traumatic childhood, a traumatic adolescent sexual experience and a gender identity conflict – may all predispose you towards developing a sexual dysfunction. When it comes to dyspareunia, if you’ve been brought up to believe that sex is wrong or will cause you pain, you’re more likely to feel pain with intercourse as an adult. Similarly, a one-off painful sexual experience may make you expect painful intercourse in the future.

 

Then you have personal factors at play in dyspareunia, such as anxiety or fears or pregnancy, intimacy and rejection. These feelings, and others, may block your brains’ pathways of sexual response, and instead cause you to feel pain. Dyspareunia can also result as a consequence of relationship problems or interpersonal conflicts, including power struggles, hostility towards your partner, preference for another partner, distrust, poor communication and lack of attraction to your partner. Other personal factors involved in painful sex include feelings of guilt, depression and poor self-esteem. That said, it is not always clear which came first, the feelings or the dysfunction. If you suffer from dyspareunia, this can cause you to feel depressed or unconfident, and so identifying a problematic feeling does not always mean it caused the dysfunction.

Categories: Causes, Dyspareunia, feel pain, Pain During Sex, painful, painful intercourse, painful sex, personal factors, sexual dysfunction, sexual experience, vaginal opening

Is Delayed Ejaculation Damaging Your Relationship?

Delayed ejaculation is one of those sexual health issues that couples really need to discuss. Also referred to as impaired ejaculation, delayed ejaculation is a condition in which it takes an extended period of sexual stimulation for a man to reach sexual climax and release semen from the penis (or ejaculate). Sometimes, delayed ejaculation can really impact your sexual wellbeing, making it impossible for you to ejaculate at all. While this problem can affect your wellness temporarily, it can also be a lifelong problem, which is why you and your partner need to take steps to deal with this issue.

 

If you experience delayed ejaculation, this may be because you have an underlying chronic health condition, you’ve recently had surgery or you’re on some sort of medication. Other causes of delayed ejaculation include substance abuse and mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety or stress. Often, delayed ejaculation is due to a combination of physical and psychological concerns. It’s important to understand the cause of your delayed ejaculation because this will determine the type of treatment you receive. That said, it’s perfectly normal to have delayed ejaculation at some point in your life. The only time you need to be concerned is if the problem is ongoing or causes stress for you or your partner – again, this is where communication is crucial.

 

Physical causes of delayed ejaculation include:

• Birth defects that affect your reproductive system


• Injury to the pelvic nerves that control your ability to orgasm


• Certain infections


• Prostate surgery, including transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or prostate removal


• Heart disease


• Prostate infection or urinary tract infection


• Neurological diseases, including diabetic neuropathy, stroke or nerve damage to your spinal cord


• Hormone-related conditions, including low thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) or low testosterone

 

Psychological causes of delayed ejaculation include:

• Depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions


• Relationship problems. This may be due to stress, poor communication or other concerns


• Anxiety about your sexual performance


• Cultural or religious taboos


• Differences between the reality of sex with your partner and your sexual fantasies

 

But what exactly do you go through with delayed ejaculation? Some men with the condition find that it takes at least 30 minutes of sexual stimulation to have an orgasm and ejaculation, while others suffer from anejaculation, or the inability to ejaculate at all. More often than not, when you have delayed ejaculation it means you can’t reach orgasm during sexual intercourse, but will be able to ejaculate through oral or manual stimulation of the penis. Some men find that masturbation is the only thing that helps them ejaculate. It’s important to understand the symptoms of delayed ejaculation as this will help you determine which type of the condition you have:

 

1. Lifelong vs. acquired: Acquired delayed ejaculation occurs after a period of normal sexual functioning, while lifelong delayed ejaculation is present from the time you reach reaches sexual maturity.

 

2. Generalized vs. situational: When you have generalized delayed ejaculation, the condition isn’t limited to certain sex partners or certain kinds of stimulation. Situational delayed ejaculation, on the other hand, occurs only under certain circumstances.

 

It’s important to find the category in which your delayed ejaculation falls, as this will help in diagnosing an underlying cause, and determining what might be the most effective treatment. You should go to see your GP as and when delayed ejaculation becomes an issue for you or your partner, you have another known health problem that may be linked to delayed ejaculation, you take medications that could be causing the problem, or you have other symptoms along with delayed ejaculation that may or may not seem related.

Categories: Causes, delayed, delayed ejaculation, depression anxiety, Ejaculation, ejaculation include, Mental Health, nbsp, sexual, sexual stimulation, Symptoms

Low Sperm: Do You Have an Underlying Medical Condition?

Having a low sperm count not only affects your sexual health, it can really take its toll on your emotional wellness. However, the best thing to do is to try to determine what’s causing your low sperm count, so that you can protect your wellbeing against any underlying medical factors that may be depleting your sperm. So, what has made your guys stop swimming?

 

1. Varicocele: Pronounced VAR-ih-koe-seel, varicocele causes your veins to swell and this drains your testicles. As a result, your testicles can’t cool as they normally would, leading to reduced sperm count and fewer moving sperm.

 

2. Infection: Infections lower your sperm count in two ways; either they interfere with the production or health of sperm, or they cause scarring which blocks the passage of sperm. Infections to get tested for include sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea – prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate), mumps orchitis (inflamed testicles due to mumps); and other infections of the urinary tract or reproductive organs.

 

3. Ejaculation problems: Some conditions and medications cause your semen to enter your bladder during orgasm instead of emerging out of the tip of the penis (retrograde ejaculation). Causes of this include diabetes, bladder surgery, prostate surgery, urethra surgery, spinal injuries and blood pressure medications (alpha blockers).

 

4. Sperm-attacking antibodies: These immune cells make the mistake of identifying your sperm as harmful invaders, and attempt to destroy them in order to protect your body. These well-meaning but misguided antibodies are more common in men who have had a vasectomy.

 

5. Tumours: There are many ways in which having a tumour can alter your sperm count. Whether it is cancerous or non-malignant, a tumour can directly affect your reproductive organs, or they can tamper with the glands that release hormones related to reproduction (such as the pituitary gland). On top of this, your fertility may be affected by the surgery, radiation or chemotherapy used to treat your tumours.

 

6. Undescended testicles: When you’re a foetus, your testicles descend from the abdomen into the sac that normally contains the testicles (scrotum). However, sometimes this doesn’t happen during foetal development – either to one or both testicles – and this can lower your sperm count and cause decreased fertility.

 

7. Hormone imbalance: In order to create sperm, your hypothalamus, pituitary and testicles need to produce hormones. However, when these hormones are altered – for whatever reason – your sperm production may become impaired.

 

8. Sperm duct defects: Your sperm ducts are the tubes that carry sperm, but illness or injury can damage these ducts. You may have been born with a blockage in the part of the testicle that stores sperm (epididymis) or a blockage of one of the tubes that carry sperm out of the testicles (vas deferens). In fact, if you have an inherited condition like cystic fibrosis, you may be born without sperm ducts altogether.

 

9. Chromosome defects: Your reproductive organs can develop abnormally if you have an innherited disorder such as Klinefelter’s syndrome. This means you’re born with two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome instead of one X and one Y. Other genetic syndromes associated with infertility include cystic fibrosis, Kallmann’s syndrome, Young’s syndrome, and Kartagener syndrome.

 

10. Celiac disease: Although this gluten-sensitivity digestive disorder can cause male infertility, you may be able to up your sperm count if you adopt a gluten-free diet.

 

11. Certain medications: There are a lot of medications that can impair sperm production and decrease your fertility. These include – but are not limited to – testosterone replacement therapy, long-term anabolic steroid use, cancer medications (such as chemotherapy), certain antifungal medications, and some ulcer medications.

Categories: carry sperm, Causes, cystic fibrosis, low sperm count, nbsp, reproductive organs, sperm, sperm count, sperm ducts, sperm production, Underlying Conditions, underlying medical

The Secret Life of Fibromyalgia: What Causes This Disease?

If the truth must be told, right now no one really knows what causes fibromyalgia. Some medical experts believe that it’s a type of autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells. Other people theorize that microscopic tears in the muscles are what cause the pain and stiffness of the disease. These tears are caused by even the mildest sort of exercise, or even everyday activities and don’t affect other people. Other professionals believe that fibromyalgia may have a genetic component, which means it may be at least partially inherited. And some people develop symptoms after a trauma or after an illness.

 

Who Gets It?

Most of the sufferers of this mysterious disease are women of middle age. They not only suffer from pain in the “tender points” of their bodies but also suffer from insomnia, headaches, dysmenorrhea, numbness, and tingling in their extremities, cloudy thinking, mood problems, memory problems, and stiffness in the mornings. But even these symptoms can flare up and then become quiet for months. These women often find themselves going from one doctor’s office or clinic to another to find a remedy for fibromyalgia. The disease as yet has no cure, but it can be managed.

 

Women who do have autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, are more at risk for getting fibromyalgia. They also seem to be more at risk if they suffer from depression, anxiety, and irritable bowel syndrome.

 

How Is It Diagnosed?

There’s no definitive test for fibromyalgia, but it can often be inferred by the tender points that cause the patient pain if pressure is put on them. These are places that start on the neck, and migrate down to the legs. They’re found on both sides of the patient’s body. One good thing about fibromyalgia is that it doesn’t lead to complications, or other life-threatening diseases. It is simply painful, and frustrating to endure.

 

How Is It Treated?

The nature of fibromyalgia can make it difficult to treat, though medical supplements can be given to the patient to ease the discomfort and the stiffness. Some doctors prescribe NSAIDs like ibuprofen or other pain relievers such as acetaminophen or Ultram. Antidepressants can also help to elevate the patient’s mood, and at least help her to get a good night’s sleep. Some doctors have found that prescribing drugs for epilepsy sometimes help. Vitamin C, which helps the body produce collagen, as well as Vitamin A and the B complex vitamins also help.

 

Though the causes of this disease remain elusive, it’s hoped that ongoing research will one day find both the cause and the cure.

Categories: Causes, Disease, fibromyalgia

Why Ovulation Problems Occur and How to Prevent Them

Just to make sure we’re all on the same page in terms of sexual health, here’s a quick sex ed lesson: every month, your ovaries are meant to release an egg from the follicles as part of the reproductive cycle, and this is known as ovulation. The ever-changing balance of your hormones – such as oestrogen and progesterone –  is the trigger behind ovulation. However, for many women this doesn’t always go to plan, which can have a negative effect on your entire wellbeing. But why does it go wrong for some women?

 

If your diet is largely made up of processed and highly refined fats and carbohydrates, your ovulation wellness suffers. Moreover, there are hormones the mimic oestrogen, known as xenooestrogens, which are also thought to interfere with normal oestrogen functioning. This is especially the case with the synthetic xenoestrogens found in chemical-based cleaning, hair- and skincare products, and fertilisers and pesticides used in conventional farming. Additionally, soya products, such as soya milk and tofu, are high in phytoestogens, and so should be eaten with caution. While these plant oestrogens are good for you in moderation, you should not eat soya products more than a couple of times a week. However, eating the right foods can be a great complementary wellness tool for improving your ovary health.

 

1. Wholegrains: Foods such as barley, rye, spelt, freekeh, brown rice, millet and amaranth can bolster your ovary wellness, partly due to their high-chromium content. This leads us nicely onto…

 

2. Foods high in chromium: Aside from wholegrains, this means foods like sweet potato, corn, seafood, apples, oranges, bananas and veggies such as tomatoes, broccoli, onion, spinach, garlic, basil, lettuce, chilli, green capsicum, beetroot and mushrooms. Chromium makes up a key component of your ovary health, as is helps your body to fight insulin resistance and control sugar cravings.

 

3. Dark leafy greens: Spinach isn’t just high in chromium, it’s also packed with calcium, vitamin C, folate and magnesium. Other nutrient-full dark leafy greens to watch out for include Asian greens, beet and turnip greens, rocket, kale and parsley.

 

4. Quinoa: Although it was known as “the mother grain” to the Incas, quinoa is not actually a grain but a seed from a herb that grows at very high altitudes. However, while that’s very nice to know, the only thing you need to remember is that quinoa is chock-full of protein, calcium and fibre. If you’re new to quinoa, simply use it as you would rice.

 

5. Flaxseeds: These seeds have anti-inflammatory properties, meaning that they act as an antidepressant and even aid you in weight loss. When it comes to ovulation, however, flaxseeds really shine, providing your body with hormone-balancing lignans and phytoestrogens (plant sources of oestrogen). These components help to stabilise your ratio of oestrogen to progesterone, which helps regulate the ovulation process.

 

6. Kale: Although it has already had a mention under the “dark leafy greens category,” kale is so good for your ovary health that it deserves a special mention. Not only does this superfood have more antioxidants than any other vegetable; it’s loaded with calcium, which plays an important role in the maturation of your eggs and follicle development in the ovaries.

 

7. Seeds: Sesame, sunflower and poppy are a great source of vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium and fatty acids. While that’s great for your general health and wellbeing, these seeds are also packed with zinc, which is known to aid reproductive health.

 

8. Liquorice root: High testosterone levels can be a sneaky culprit behind normal ovarian functioning, but liquorice root has been shown to reduce testosterone. However, you should avoid excessive amounts if you are on blood-thinning drugs or have any heart condition.

Categories: Causes, fighting foods, health, health nbsp, high, leafy greens, liquorice root, nbsp, ovary health, ovulation, Ovulation Problems, soya products

The Truth About the Reasons and Causes for Infertility

Infertility is a serious sexual and reproductive health issue. It is the word given for the inability to conceive a child within 12 months of normal sexual intercourse without using contraception. This can affect the wellness and wellbeing of both men and women.

 

Women are at their highest peak of fertility during their 20s, but continue to produce eggs (ovulate) until they go through the menopause – usually in their late 40s or their early 50s. Men, on the other hand, can remain fertile right up until they are in their late 70s, but the quality of the sperm does deteriorate over time.

 

There are also lots of other non-age-related factors which can affect fertility such as general health conditions including thyroid disease, uncontrolled diabetes and obesity. Psychological factors can also affect fertility, and this can include things like tension, stress and anxiety. Excessive smoking or drinking can also cause problems with fertility, as can some kinds of prescription medications.

 

Female fertility is caused by various things, such as a failure to produce eggs, failure of the ovaries in developing, endometriosis, inflammation of the reproductive organs, tumour in the womb, hormonal imbalances, blocked fallopian tubes, hostile cervical mucus and, in some rare cases, a reaction against their partner’s sperm.

 

Doctors can assess infertility by doing physical examinations and taking a detailed medical history of both partners, including things like exposure to sexually transmitted diseases and any menstrual problems. Blood tests can be carried out to look for hormonal imbalances, ad sperm tests can be done to make sure that there is enough healthy sperm. Various scans of the female reproductive tract can also be organised.

 

Infertility is treated in a number of ways, such as through weight management, recommendation of best times for sexual intercourse, surgery, fertility medicines and in extreme cases another method of fertilisation, such as IVF or GIFT.

Categories: affect, affect fertility, Causes, Fertility, hormonal imbalances, Infertility, nbsp, produce eggs, sexual intercourse, sperm

Top 5 Causes of Diabetes: Is There Liability?

According to the American Diabetes Association, there are currently more than 25.3 million people dealing with diabetes in the U.S., and a shocking 79 million more people are pre-diabetic. The estimated nationwide cost of medical care for these individuals is $245 billion, and the human cost is even worse. After all, having diabetes can greatly reduce your quality of life, and it can cause you to deal with a long list of complications such as blindness, amputations, kidney failure, nerve damage and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is important to take steps to protect yourself, including adjusting your diet, getting regular exercise and avoiding drugs such as Lipitor that can increase your risk of developing diabetes.

 

 

The Top Five Causes of Diabetes

 

1) Genetics - Sadly, anyone who has a family history of diabetes needs to be especially careful because they are much more likely to be diagnosed with this serious medical condition at some point during their life. However, research indicates that genetics alone are not enough to cause a person to become diabetic. Instead, you will also need to fall into at least one other risk category.

 

 

2) Smoking - The Korean Cancer Prevention Society conducted a study with smokers and non-smokers to determine the impact that smoking has on diabetes, and they discovered that nicotine can play a major role in the development of this disease. In fact, the more cigarettes an individual smokes each day, the more likely they are to end up dealing with diabetes. Therefore, if you have a family history of diabetes, it is imperative for you to quit smoking.

 

 

3) Obesity - Although there are millions of overweight people who will not develop diabetes, choosing to live a sedentary lifestyle will put you in the highest risk group. After all, approximately 80 percent of all diabetes cases involve patients who are overweight. However, even if you are genetically predisposed to have a larger body type, you can still reduce your odds of becoming diabetic by exercising on a regular basis.

 

 

4.) Prescription Medications - Unfortunately, some of the medications that are prescribed to combat other medical issues can actually end up causing diabetes. For example, Lipitor has been proven to cause diabetes in postmenopausal patients who take the medication to treat high cholesterol. Other medications that have been implicated in the diagnosis of diabetes include Advair, Deltasone, Trandate, Esidrix and Diuril. According to one lawyer for Lipitor cases, if you took these medications and were not warned of potentially dangerous side effects, you may even be able to get fair compensation.

 

 

5.) Abnormal Glucose Production - Some diabetes patients have a malfunctioning liver that does not produce the normal level of glucose in conjunction with their pancreas. Unfortunately, medical researchers have not yet been able to determine why this issue occurs, but they have conclusively determined that it can cause diabetes.

 

 

If you are dealing with diabetes due to taking a prescription medication such as Lipitor, you should contact an attorney to determine what your legal options are. After all, diabetes is a serious and expensive medical condition, and you should not be forced to deal with it without receiving financial compensation from the manufacturer of Lipitor.

 

 

Writer Melanie Fleury has a father with insulin dependent diabetes. She knows not only the physical drain it takes on him, but can see the financial issues slowly creeping up. If you have been prescribed lipitor, you can find a lawyer for Lipitor cases that specializes in getting help for those who have faced harsh side effects.

 

 

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ladytaz/1836553797/

Categories: Causes, Diabetes, diabetes nbsp, family history, genetics, lipitor cases, Medical Condition, nbsp nbsp

Does Your Child Have Lazy Eye? Get it Sorted Soon!

Although you might not realise it, having a lazy eye can have a big impact on family wellness. Also known as amblyopia, a lazy eye occurs when your child’s brain refuses to recognise one eye or use it for sight, either partially or completely. This often occurs in young children, and so the eye may not get a chance to fully develop. So what are the causes of amblyopia?

 

1. Heredity. If you or your parents suffer from the lazy eye disorder, your child’s wellbeing is more at risk.

 

2. Different power in each eye. If there is different power in each eye, your child may have issues fusing images together and so the brain gets confused and blocks one eye out completely to remedy the situation. The longer it takes for the child to understand that something isn’t right, the more severe the condition may become. This could lead to the need for vision therapy or even an eye patch.

 

3. Crossed eyes. This is a completely different problem from a lazy eye, but it may lead to the eye turning lazy. If the eyes are misaligned, they are again sending mixed signals to the brain, which then may suppress the misaligned eye instead of getting double vision.

 

4. Cataract, eye diseases, glaucoma or droopy eyelids. These problems may be birth defects or they may develop later, so it’s vital that you keep a close watch on your child, and get their eyes checked if you notice anything wrong.

 

So those are the causes of amblyopia but what solutions are available to you as a parent? It’s best to have lazy eye treatments done on your child before the age of eight, but most treatments are still effective up until the age of 17. The treatment options include glasses (which, in mild cases, can fix the lazy eye if worn constantly), surgery (which may be the best option if the cause of your child’s lazy eye is a cataract or squint eyes), patches (which involves placing the patch with a sticky rim is over the ‘good’ eye so that the lazy eye is forced to work), and eye drops (which blur the vision in the good eye, but can come with certain side-effects).

Categories: amblyopia, Brain, Causes, Child, eyes, lazy eye, nbsp, Treatments, vision

Move Over, Boys: Female Sex Drugs Could Soon be Available

There’s a little blue pill to get the boys going, but what about your sexual wellness? Two new drugs may be on the horizon for female sexual health which, fingers crossed, will be getting you in the mood in just a few years time.

 

In the Netherlands and the US, a research company called Emotional Brain has been conducting clinical trials, the findings of which the soon hope to present to the FDA. According to the company, there are two main causes of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), which is one of the main diagnoses of low sex drive in women. The root of HSDD in women is more complicated that when the issue occurs in men, which is why it’s easier to find treatments for the lads. Henrik Rasmussen, MD, PhD, chief medical officer for the Emotional Brain study, notes that the two causes are:

 

1. Low attention to sexual cues, or a loss of interest in sex.

 

2. Maladaptive sexual inhibitory mechanisms. This means that you’re more inhibited, usually because you’ve had bad experiences in the past, and this has affected your sexual well-being.

 

Emotional Brain has created two drugs to tackle the two causes of HSDD, but both contain testosterone to boost libido. For women who have lost interest in sex there’s Lybrido, which also contains sildenafil. This is the drug used in Viagra which increases the blood flow to your genitals. Therefore, the use of testosterone and sildenafil treats the issue on both a psychological and physical level. Rasmussen explains, ‘Testosterone is probably the most potent driver of libido.’

 

However, if your problem lies in increased inhibitions, you may be able to find relief with Lybridos. This pill contains testosterone and buspirone, which is a drug used to treat anxiety. This may be crucial if your issues stem from bad experiences or sexual abuse. Rasmussen comments, ‘If you only gave [these women] testosterone alone, you increase libido but because of the bad experiences, they’ll block it. This way, they’re getting the full benefit of testosterone.’ Plus, as both pills start working between one to six hours after you take them, they allow you to boost your arousal (almost) exactly when you want it, without having to worry about any side effects from taking testosterone long term.

Categories: Causes, drugs, emotional brain, Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), nbsp, sexual, Testosterone, Women

What Every Parent Needs to Know About ADHD

If your child’s mental wellness is affected by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, the first thing you need to know as a parent is that it is not your fault. You are not a “bad parent”; your child simply has a mental health issue that is as non-preventable as any other health problem. Once you understand this, you can move on to improve your child’s behavioural and mental wellbeing.

 

So what is ADHD? The condition is believed to be caused by low levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which are responsible for carrying messages from one neuron to another, and particularly associated with attention, organisation and managing emotions. However, the causes of ADHD are still not fully known. The term ADHD describes three types of behavioural problem in children; overactive behaviour/hyperactivity, impulsive behaviour and difficulty in paying attention.

 

The difference between your child and other energetic, restless children is that your child also has a range of other problem behaviours that can make them very difficult to care for, manage and teach. However, an important thing to remember is that ADHD is in no way related to intelligence – children at all levels of ability can have ADHD. While some children may grow out of it, two out of five ADHD sufferers continue to have problems in adolescence and beyond. If your child does not receive help, they may still see their main symptoms of ADHD, such as attention difficulties, improve with age, but other behavioural problems like disobedience or aggression may get worse.

 

Therefore, it is important to get your child help as early as possible, to protect them from social and emotional problems later on in life. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help your child manage their behaviour. For example, you can attend a behaviour management programme. These are run by professionals to help parents learn ways of talking, playing and working with your child that can improve their attention and behaviour. You might want to bring other people along, such as other carers and friends, as these techniques are useful for everyone to know. You may also want to try stimulant medication for your child, as this can reduce your child’s difficulties.

Categories: adhd children, Causes, Parents

What Do You Need to Know About Aortic Stenosis?

When your aortic valve is too narrow, it causes an obstruction of blood flow. This is known as aortic stenosis, a problematic condition for the wellbeing of men. Usually, your blood passes from the left ventricle of your heart (or the left lower chamber), going through your aortic valve and into your aorta, which is the main artery of your body. However, when this valve becomes stenosed, or narrowed, less blood is able to flow through it and so your heart has to go like the clappers in order to pump enough blood to the rest of your body.

So that’s aortic stenosis, but whose wellness does it threaten? The condition is more common in men and, though it can be present at birth, it is most likely to occur in the elderly. When young people from developed countries do develop aortic stenosis, more often than not this is caused by a congenital heart abnormality. Rheumatic fever used to be a common cause of aortic stenosis, but now, in older people, it’s commonly caused by a build-up of calcium deposits on your aortic valve.

If you have a mild case of aortic stenosis, you may not even notice any symptoms at all, or you may have one, mild symptom, such as tiredness. Other symptoms may include chest pain and/or breathlessness during exertion, palpitations, dizziness and fainting, especially during exertion, if the stenosis is greater. You may even develop heart failure, which causes other symptoms such as tiredness, breathlessness and fluid retention in your legs.

If you have a streptococcal infection, this can increase your risk of rheumatic fever which, in turn, can cause aortic stenosis. To prevent either of the latter conditions from developing, it’s important to treat streptococcal infections with antibiotics. If you do develop aortic stenosis, you may find that you are advised to take antibiotics before some invasive investigations (such as bladder cystoscopy) and surgical procedures. These may take place to reduce your risk of heart valve infection, which is known as endocarditis, to widen your valve or to replace it altogether. Aortic valve stenosis is the most common heart valve disorder in the UK that requires valve replacement.

What Do You Need to Know About Aortic Stenosis?

Categories: aortic, Aortic Stenosis, aortic valve, Causes, develop aortic, heart valve, rheumatic fever, stenosis, Symptoms, valve