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Diagnosing Sleep Apnea

September 15th, 2006 | Add a Comment

If you suspect you may be suffering from sleep apnea, the only way to be certain is to visit your doctor. If, after careful examination of your nose, mouth and throat for signs of large or swollen tissues and a series of questions regarding your medical history in order to form a framework for the symptoms you’re experiencing, your doctor determines sleep apnea is a possibility, the next step will likely be a sleep-recording test. This kind of test is usually performed in a sleep laboratory or sleep center. In most instances, patients are required to spend the night at the sleep center while the test is being performed, though in some instances the sleep-recording test can be done at home. A polysomnogram (often abbreviated to PSG) is the most commonly administered … Read entire article »

Filed under: Sleep Disorders

Five Kinds of Skin Cancer

September 14th, 2006 | Add a Comment

There are five different kinds of skin cancer. All of them are dangerous, though some are of more concern than others. The most common type of skin cancer is Basal cell carcinoma. Over a million Americans develop this cancer each year.  Seventy five percent of all skin cancers treated are of this variety. It’s believed that Basal cell carcinoma is the result of spending too much time in the sun. Which explains why this form of skin cancers tends to be found on those areas of the body that receive the most sun exposure. These include the face, scalp, and upper torso. Basal cell carcinoma often begins as a shiny bump, then takes the form of a sore that doesn’t heal, or that heals and then appears unhealthy again. At least two … Read entire article »

Filed under: Cancer

Reiki Basics

September 13th, 2006 | Add a Comment

Reiki is a spiritually guided life force energy used to relieve illness and other maladies. The word Reiki is formed from two Japanese words, Rei which means “God’s Wisdom or the Higher Power” and Ki which is “life force energy.” It’s a technique that involves the laying on of hands to administer healing. Reiki is based on the idea that there is a hidden life force or energy within us all which causes all living creatures to have life. If the life force or energy is low, then you’ll become ill or feel low and depressed. If the life force is high, then you’ll feel in optimum health. Because it’s such a simple and yet effective technique, Reiki can be used by anyone. It’s a natural form of spiritual healing which works … Read entire article »

Filed under: Alternative Medicine

Chlamydia Check

September 12th, 2006 | 1 Comment

What is chlamydia? It’s a sexually transmitted disease brought upon by Chlamydia trachomatis, a bacterium which can damage the reproductive organs and is very common among women. Although it usually affects women, men can also get chlamydia. The symptoms are mild and in some cases, absent. That’s why it’s referred to as the “silent disease.” But the damage can be horrendous, so much so it can even cause infertility. In 2002, there were about 840,000 chlamydial infections reported to the CDC from all over the United States. Anyone who is sexually active can contact chlamydia. If you’re promiscuous, you’re increasing your risk. To test for chlamydia the doctor will screen you for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis. This is a very specific and accurate test, since chlamydia can sometimes be mistaken as … Read entire article »

Filed under: General Health

Cigarette Addiction

September 11th, 2006 | Add a Comment

Cigarettes’ most common ingredient is nicotine. Many experts consider nicotine to be more addictive than heroine. Aside from heroine, doctors ranked nicotine ahead of alcohol and cocaine in terms of dependence. In fact, research has shown that smoking four cigarettes a day can induce a life-long addiction to nicotine. Contributing to the addiction is the psychological pleasure or satisfaction a smoker gains when puffing on a cigarette. Smokers often describe smoking as a “pat-on-the-back” after a hard day’s work. Many smokers confess that it’s not the taste of the cigarette that keeps them smoking, but the sense of satisfaction they feel. Studies have also shown that depression is twice as common in people who smoke as opposed to those who don’t. Nicotine triggers the smoker’s brain to be more efficient in processing … Read entire article »

Filed under: Health Tips

Detecting Prostate Cancer

September 10th, 2006 | Add a Comment

Prostate cancer is one of the top three cancers in the United States. 1 out 6 American men contracts prostate cancer during his lifetime. Fortunately, as we’ve become better at treating the disease, the mortality rate has dropped to approximately 1 out of every 34 men diagnosed with prostate cancer. In its earliest stages, prostate cancer is often uncovered by testing the level of PSA or prostate-specific antigen in the patient’s blood. PSA is a substance produced by the normal prostate gland and is found primarily in the semen. However, a small amount of PSA can also be found in the blood. Normal levels of PSA in the blood of men are under 4ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter). Prostate abnormalities can cause the level of PSA to rise to as much as … Read entire article »

Filed under: Cancer

Arthritis Myths

September 9th, 2006 | Add a Comment

Arthritis is a strange condition: it has been well documented for hundreds of years, yet it is shrouded in mystery. With over 100 forms of arthritis currently being diagnosed, there is a wealth of oft-repeated myths that continue to be floated around. Arthritis continues to be studied and new therapies are constantly being developed. How much do you know about arthritis? Test your knowledge about arthritis with this primer on myths and facts about arthritis. Myth #1: Arthritis is an older person’s condition. It only affects the elderly. Fact: This is patently false. It’s true that arthritis commonly affects older individuals. But did you know that roughly half of all people afflicted with some form of arthritis are under the age of 65? Rheumatoid arthritis can strike even the very young. Moreover, … Read entire article »

Filed under: Arthritis

Parkinson's Doesn't Age Discriminate

September 8th, 2006 | Add a Comment

Often thought of as an age-related illness reserved for the elderly, many people are surprised to hear that Parkinson’s disease can strike the young as well. It’s estimated that Parkinson’s affects about one percent of the population over the age of 50, although some studies bump this figure to one percent of people over the age of 65, and two percent over the age of 70. On the lower end, the Journal of Family Medicine suggests as high as five percent of Parkinson’s cases have been diagnosed in people under the age of 40. “The average age of onset is 60 years of age, although 5% of patients are under age 40,” the Journal’s Matthew Stern has written. “The precise cause of Parkinson’s disease is not yet clear, but the disease … Read entire article »

Filed under: Parkinson's

Creating A Menopause Diary

September 7th, 2006 | Add a Comment

There are some things in life that are simply difficult to go through. Menopause is one of these things.  Some women are more positive about it than others, but most women dread the bothersome symptoms that accompany menopause. One way you can choose to get through the “change” is by creating a menopause diary. There are several reasons this can be a great idea for you. A Legacy If you are a mother, then there will likely come a time in your life when you’ll want to pass your female wisdom down to your daughter or granddaughter. While this wisdom may cover everything from falling in love to having children, as the females in your life begin to age, you’ll probably also want to address menopause. Creating a diary of your journey through … Read entire article »

Filed under: Menopause

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