Arthritis: is a degenerative joint disease that affects the majority of people at some point in time. Very few people have progressive disabling symptoms. This type of arthritis is part of the normal aging process and most often affects those joints that receive the most "wear and tear" over the years, such as the knees, back, hips, neck, and fingers. The condition is characterized by stiffness and pain, and occasionally redness and heat. Laboratory studies are usually not abnormal. Treatment is focused on the relief of symptoms since degenerative changes within the affected joints cannot be repaired. TREATMENT: Try to stay as active as you are able. Plan your schedule to allow for periods of rest, especially during acute phases when the pain is at its worst. Eat a well-balanced diet. If you are overweight, find a weight lose program that is right for you. Application of heat to the affected joint may be beneficial for the relief of pain. Heat can be applied by use of hot towels, hot tubs, heating pads or lamps, or some lotions, for 20 minutes several times a day. If the pain is severe, the use of a physical therapist may be indicated for ultrasonic treatments, whirlpool treatments, or diathermy; the heating of body tissues. Massaging the muscles around the affected joint may help to decrease the pain. If the knees are involved, a protective bandage may be needed. If it is the neck area that is involved, a traction device may be prescribed. Different mattresses seem to help different people if it is the back that is affected, some seem to benefit from extra-firm mattresses.. Try either for several nights before buying. One form of treatment for the relief of pain associated with osteoarthritis is the injection of corticosteroids directly into the affected joint. Consult a Doctor for that.
Cholesterol: The “LESS AND MORE” principle: 1) Eat less cholesterol: -Organ meat, frankfurters, eggs, margarine -TFA’s, shrimp) 2) Eat more Cholesterol-friendly foods: -Soluble Fiber (Oatmeal, beans, Psyllium husk) -Good fats (Omega 3 FA, Nuts- E.g. walnuts) -If you love butter: benecol spread 3 x’s/day -Soy & Soy lecithin -Dietary supplements: E.g. Red yeast rice extract .
Constipation: It exists when there is excessive hardness of the stools, infrequent bowel movements, a sense of incomplete emptying of the rectum, or small size of the stools. Constipation may result from poor bowel habits, failure to respond to natural signs that a bowel movement is needed, or overuse of laxatives with resulting dependence on them. Constipation may also be a sign of other disorders such as anal fissure (ulcer), irritable colon syndrome, emotional disorders, general debilitating disorders (causing loss of strength), hypothyroidism (thyroid deficiency), diverticulitis (inflammation of an intestinal pouch), hyperparathyroidism (overactivity of the parathyroid glands), and congenital disorders (an abnormally large colon). Constipation also may result from the effects of certain medications. When constipation is due to one of the causes listed above, treatment is directed toward the underlying disorder. If constipation is caused by poor bowel habits, the treatment is to "re-educate" the colon so that it will respond more normally. It is important to note that a daily bowel movement is not necessary for normal health, although most people think that they feel better if they have one. As a matter of fact, it is possible to go a week or two without a bowel movement and suffer no harm. TREATMENT: Develop a physical fitness program and eat a well-balanced diet with supplements of fruit juices or stewed fruits and plenty of raw and cooked vegetables. Schedule time aside for unhurried bowel movements. STOP taking laxatives. Add a fiber supplement to your diet. Fibercon can be bought over-the-counter; start with two pills per day and work up to six per day. The use of a disposable Fleet's enema may be indicated, if no bowel movement occurs within three days. This information is brief, incomplete and is not intended as specific individual advice.
Gall bladder colic: The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located beneath the liver, which serves as a storage place for bile. When the gallbladder is inflamed or has stones in it, it cannot function normally. Symptoms can include: upper right abdominal pain, nausea, belching, indigestion, heartburn, and intolerance of some foods. It is believed that spasms of the last part of the gall duct (bile duct) can imitate these symptoms also. Laboratory tests, Ultrasound and x-rays will determine the location and extent of the disease or stones. Surgery may be indicated to remove the infected gallbladder or the gallstones. Treatment for any of the above conditions is the same, if surgery is not indicated. TREATMENT: Avoiding fats is important. Avoid foods which are fatty, greasy, oil, fried, or buttery. Avoid whole milk and dairy products. Eating six small meals a day instead of three large meals. Cut the foods and beverages containing caffeine (colas, coffee, etc) out of your diet. If you are overweight, find a weight lose program suited to your individual needs. NOTIFY FOR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING: Fever above 100.5 F.; Yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes; Dark brown urine; Vomiting; Severe abdominal pain, especially in the upper right portion. This information is brief, incomplete and is not intended as specific individual advice.
Fibromyalgia: formerly called fibrositis, is a muscular pain that originates in the connective tissue of the body (muscles, tendons, or ligaments). Because of where this condition originates it is classified as a type of rheumatism rather than arthritis (which originates in the joints). Patients with fibromyalgia usually have a great deal of pain, stiffness, and discomfort, but still normal x-rays and laboratory tests. These patients may even have been told that their discomfort is "psychosomatic" since all their tests are normal. This, however, is untrue. Fibromyalgia is a very real disorder, which in previous years was called fibrositis (indicating that inflammation was part of the process). This is now thought to be untrue - fibromyalgia is now thought to be caused by abnormally tight muscles which result in pain and tenseness. A good comparison to fibromyalgia are the tension-type headaches that occur in some people. Tension headaches occur due to pain or spasms developing in the muscles of the back of the neck or in the scalp. The pain is then increased by spasms or pressure on the blood vessels that supply blood to these muscles. Clinch your fist tightly for 30 to 60 seconds and you will notice a discomfort start to spread up the forearm - this discomfort is the pain of muscular contraction and mimics the pain of Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is typically caused due to tiredness or fatigue, and can be provoked by stress or tension. The tightening of the muscles can often continue through the night, disturbing sleep, and causing you to wake fatigued and tense. Unconscious clinching jaws or grinding of the teeth throughout the night can also cause you to wake with jaw pain. TREATMENT: Treatment of fibromyalgia usually encompasses a variety of different modalities. Anti-inflammatory medications such as Motrin, Naprosyn, Clinoril, Indocin, Tolectin, Feldene, or aspirin , Ecotrin, Bufferin, Anacin, etc; may be beneficial in relieving the discomfort. Tranquilizers or muscle relaxants taken at bedtime may be beneficial to help tightened muscles to relax. Local injections into the tender muscle areas and heated water such as whirlpools are also helpful in getting the muscles to relax. Body and muscle building exercises can cause the discomfort of fibromyalgia to become worse, but there are exercises that are designed to help muscle relax. We may recommend that you have a thorough examination to rule other causes of your pain and discomfort before deciding that it is fibromyalgia. If fibromyalgia is your final diagnosis, remember that it is a very real condition that can be controlled with various types of treatment. This information is brief, incomplete and is not intended as specific individual advice.
Hypertension: Hypertension is a persistently high blood pressure. This diagnosis should be based on a series of no less than three readings over a period of time. The rise in blood pressure is generally caused due to an abnormal resistance to the blood flow through the body's vessels. A patient is said to have Essential hypertension when the underlying cause of this increased resistance in unknown. Essential hypertension affects 25 percent of the population and can exist for years without any noticeable symptoms. Symptoms of high blood pressure can include fatigue, dizziness, nervousness, sleeplessness, weakness, headaches, and eventually even heart failure or strokes. There are two components in measuring blood pressure; systolic (the blood pressure when the heart muscle contracts and pushes blood out to the body), and diastolic (the blood pressure when the heart muscle is relaxed and filling with blood). The most common way to read blood pressures gives two figures - systolic blood pressure over the diastolic blood pressure in millimeters of mercury (example; 120/80). Treatments focuses on the control of the hypertension with few side effects, as this will reduce symptoms, prevent the complications of hypertension, and prolong life. TREATMENT: Try to stay as active as possible. Develop a physical fitness program for yourself and follow it. Eat a diet that is low in salt content, as an increased amount of salt will make your body retain fluids and will increase your blood pressure. Restrict the carbonated beverages, sodium bicarbonate, beer, salty broths, and canned foods. If you smoke, STOP! Avoid use of alcohol and do not use any mind or mood altering drugs. Attempt to straighten up any areas of conflict in your life. Moderate your activities. Work towards balancing the demands on your life. NOTIFY FOR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING: 1. Severe headache; 2. Severe dizziness; 3. Arm or leg weakness; 4. Chest pain; 5. Persistent cough; 6. Increasing shortness of breath; 7. Noticeable increase in heart rate. This information is brief, incomplete and is not intended as specific individual advice.
Irritable bowl syndrome: - is a condition that is characterized by altered bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation), abdominal pain, and usually occurs without any evidence of an organic disease process. The condition does not indicate the presence of cancer and is most generally associated with a lack of dietary fiber, emotional problems, poor bowel habits, irregular eating habits, abuse of laxatives, infections, food allergies, or medications. TREATMENT: Try to stay as active as possible. Develop a physical fitness program for yourself and follow it. Eat a well-balanced diet that is high in fiber. Foods that are high in fiber are: brans, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grain cereals and breads. You may need to supplement your diet with a Fiber substance such as Fibercon tablets or Konsyl powder. Avoid caffeine as this will often trigger the symptoms. NOTIFY IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING HAPPENS: 1. Fever above 100.5 F; 2. Bowel movements that appear black or tarry, or passage of bright red blood; 3. Continued vomiting. This information is brief, incomplete and is not intended as specific individual advice. Insomnia: -Sleep before midnight. -Use bedroom only for sleep. -Avoid stimulants such as caffeine -Avoid heavy dinners at night -Unwind one hour before attempting to sleep -Engage in light exercise in late afternoon or early evening
Influenza: - is an acute viral disease of the respiratory tract. There are several different types of influenza viruses. All three types (ABC) of influenza have similar symptoms including fever, chills, headache, sore throat, cough, and GI disturbances. Treatment generally focuses on relief from the symptoms. Since the condition is not caused by a bacterial agent there is no medication or antibiotics that will cure the virus. There are laboratory tests that will diagnose the influenza virus, but they tend to take several weeks for verification. Therefore treatment is usually started based on the presenting symptoms. TREATMENT: Bedrest and isolation from family members is indicated until the fever is gone to prevent the spread of the infection. Routinely check your temperature. It is important to try to eat a well-balanced diet and increase the fluids in your diet, this will promote healing and thin out your lung secretions. Wash eating utensils stringently. A medication that can prevent the spread of influenza in the body is called Amantadine and should be started as soon as possible (after 24 to 48 hours the effectiveness decreases drastically). NOTIFY FOR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING: 1. Fever above 104 ° F; 2. Difficulty breathing, chest pain, or blood-tinged sputum; 3. Dusky blue or purple color in the finger or toenail beds; 4. Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; 5. Nose or ears develop a persisting yellow or green discharge.
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