Seems sore eyes are going around in Cebu right now so its a good time to write about the causes, precautions, and treatment.
References for above and more reading
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
WHEN TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM (ER)
WHEN TO GO TO ER
Wondering whether an illness or injury warrants a trip to the emergency room is a common quandary. With severe, life-threatening conditions, call 911. Here are some other symptoms experts say require an ER visit:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure lasting two minutes or more
• Severe persistent abdominal pain
• Loss of consciousness, or sudden dizziness and weakness
• Sudden changes in vision or difficulty speaking
• Confusion or changes in mental status
• Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• Severe sprain or suspected broken bone, usually involving more pain and swelling than a minor sprain, which doesn't merit emergency care.
• To avoid unnecessary tests and procedures once you get to the ER ask lots of questions:
• Is this the best test or treatment?
• What are its costs, benefits, and risks?
• Are there alternative tests that are cheaper or less risky?
• Why do I need this test now, and what would happen if I don't get it now?
Source: The American College of Emergency Physicians Foundation and other sources
Wondering whether an illness or injury warrants a trip to the emergency room is a common quandary. With severe, life-threatening conditions, call 911. Here are some other symptoms experts say require an ER visit:
• To avoid unnecessary tests and procedures once you get to the ER ask lots of questions:
Source: The American College of Emergency Physicians Foundation and other sources
What every patient should ask (and tell) the doctor
CLICK THE HEADLINE BELOW TO READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Great useful Online Medical sites
From sitejabber.com
webmd.com This site helped me figure out how to relieve some really bad cold and flu symptoms. It is a good way to take care of yourself w/o having to speak to a real professional. Good site. RELIABLE.
mayoclinic.com Point your browser here: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/symptom-checker/DS00671 - for "Symptom Checker" page. The Mayo Clinic has for a long time established itself as one of the most trusted names, and facilities, for medial care.
Friday, July 30, 2010
What Do You Lack? Probably Vitamin D & The Miracle of Vitamin D: Sound Science, or Hype?
Vitamin D promises to be the most talked-about and written-about supplement
of the decade. While studies continue to refine optimal blood levels and
recommended dietary amounts, the fact remains that a huge part of the
population - from robust newborns to the frail elderly, and many others in
between - are deficient in this essential nutrient. CLICK HERE to Continue reading the
complete article here Published: July 26, 2010 NY Times
More reference links here, click to read
Vitamin D
The Miracle of Vitamin D: Sound Science, or Hype?
Vitamin D Deficiency Affects Billion Plus – Are You One Of Them?
of the decade. While studies continue to refine optimal blood levels and
recommended dietary amounts, the fact remains that a huge part of the
population - from robust newborns to the frail elderly, and many others in
between - are deficient in this essential nutrient. CLICK HERE to Continue reading the
complete article here Published: July 26, 2010 NY Times
More reference links here, click to read
Vitamin D
The Miracle of Vitamin D: Sound Science, or Hype?
Vitamin D Deficiency Affects Billion Plus – Are You One Of Them?
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
5 Must-Have Medical Tests
1. Cholesterol/Lipid Profile Screen
When you go to the doctor to get blood tests, they check for HDL, LDL and total cholesterol. HDL (High Density Lipoproteins) are healthy cholesterol that should be at high levels in the body—55 or greater for women and 45 or greater for men. On the other hand, LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins) are bad and should be kept at levels under 100. Added together, the HDL and LDL levels equal one's total cholesterol, which generally should be low.
2. Blood Pressure/Obesity Screen
High blood pressure is one of the most important, and yet preventable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. It’s often called "the silent killer" and can harm a person’s body for years before actual symptoms develop, which is why it’s even more important to get your blood pressure tested.
3. Fasting Blood Sugar Screening for Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the most common health problems in the country. Many experts agree that a fasting blood sugar level above 100 mg/dl is abnormal, between 100 and 125 mg/dl is a warning sign that you may develop diabetes, and levels above 125 mg/dl are highly suggestive of diabetes.
4. Cardiovascular Screening with Exercise Stress Test
According to the American Heart Association, an estimated 785,000 Americans had a new heart attack in 2009 and about 470,000 will have a recurrent one. Even more powerful is that every minute an American will die from a coronary problem such as a heart attack, which is why it is important to get a cardiovascular screening with a stress test. If you have two or more cardiovascular risk factors such as a family history of heart disease, then get the screening done before vigorous exercise.
5. Colon Cancer Screening with Colonoscopy and FOBT (Fecal Occult Blood Testing)
Colorectal cancer becomes more common as you age, so doctors usually screen people for colorectal cancer when they turn 50 and older. Screening should begin earlier if you have risk factors that make you more likely to get colorectal cancer at a young age such as a family history of colon cancer.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Stroke study finds neck stents safe, effective & Five foods that love your heart
Friday, January 29, 2010
The safest and most effective Generic painkillers
Ache? Pain? Sprain? Which pill works best for what ails you? With more than 75 percent of us taking over-the-counter painkillers at least once a month (per a Self.com poll), it's key to know the safest and most effective choice.
Acetaminophen (found in Tylenol)
Best for:
Fever
Mild to moderate musculoskeletal pain
Mild to moderate back pain
Mild to moderate headache
Pain-signal reducer
How it functions isn't well understood, but acetaminophen may block COX-3, a protein that helps send out the body's pain signals. It's not as potent as some other OTC painkillers such as naproxen and ibuprofen, so it's typically effective only for low-intensity aches. If you've had alcohol in the past 24 hours (or plan to), hit the brakes: Too much acetaminophen and alcohol can damage the liver. An advisory committee to the FDA has proposed lowering the maximum daily dose from 4 grams (which may be too much for some people); watch these pages for the new limit. If you feel weak or "off" after use, see a doc, stat.
Acetaminophen (found in Tylenol)
Best for:
Fever
Mild to moderate musculoskeletal pain
Mild to moderate back pain
Mild to moderate headache
Pain-signal reducer
How it functions isn't well understood, but acetaminophen may block COX-3, a protein that helps send out the body's pain signals. It's not as potent as some other OTC painkillers such as naproxen and ibuprofen, so it's typically effective only for low-intensity aches. If you've had alcohol in the past 24 hours (or plan to), hit the brakes: Too much acetaminophen and alcohol can damage the liver. An advisory committee to the FDA has proposed lowering the maximum daily dose from 4 grams (which may be too much for some people); watch these pages for the new limit. If you feel weak or "off" after use, see a doc, stat.
Aspirin (found in Bayer and Anacin)
Best for:
Mild toothache
Moderately sore muscles
Mild to moderate back pain
Mild to moderate headache
Blood declutterer
Aspirin eases pain and inflammation by slowing the production of prostaglandins, molecules that activate pain receptors. The active ingredient, acetylsalicylic acid, also makes blood platelets less sticky, which is why people at risk for heart attack take aspirin to help prevent clots. In many people, acetylsalicylic acid reaches toxicity faster than do ibuprofen and naproxen (the maximum daily dose is 4 grams), so regular use has a higher risk for side effects such as gastric irritation. Thus aspirin is useful for mild to moderate, but not severe or chronic, pain. If you just had or are about to have surgery, steer clear.
See our tips: 10 secrets to staying pain-free!
Ibuprofen (found in Advil) and naproxen (found in Aleve)
Best for:
Acute muscle injury
Arthritis
Joint pain
Lower-back pain
Moderate to severe headache
Moderate to severe menstrual cramps
Anti-inflammatories
Like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen inhibit prostaglandin production to stop inflammation and pain. But they can also disrupt H2, a gut histamine, stimulating the overproduction of gastric acid and leading to stomach upset and even bleeding, warns Rollin M. Gallagher, M.D., of Philadelphia, past president of the American Academy of Pain Medicine. If you have a history of stomach problems (like ulcers), these might not be for you. Call your doc if you have stomach pain, vomiting or black stools or if you cough blood after taking one. The max daily dose for ibuprofen is 1,200 milligrams; for naproxen, 600 mg.
The most important rule
Listen to your body! An OTC pill that works well for one person may not help another, so trial and error can be your best pal. One caveat for pregnant ladies: Ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen can cause heart problems in the fetus, so consult your M.D. before you take any pill.
Tags: pills, pain killers, pain, medicine
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
New 3-D images technology gives 3-D views of arteries
Thursday, 28 January 2010 Manila Times Cardiologists could soon have 3-D images of patients' coronary arteries at their fingertips and better treat heart disease thanks to a new software unveiled by researchers on Tuesday. The technology, which has just been tested for the first time on people, remains in the early stages of testing, according to a feasibility study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions, an American Heart Association journal.
"This is very exciting technology that holds great promise," study investigator John Carroll, a professor of medicine and director of interventional cardiology in the Division of Cardiology at the University of Colorado in Aurora, said in a statement.
The study allows doctors to assess more accurately and rapidly the length, branching pattern and angles of heart arteries, as well as any blockages.
Cardiologists currently use two-dimensional X-ray images shot from different angles to visualize arteries inside the body.
They also inject contrast dye into a thin tube -- a catheter -- inserted into a patient's leg artery and threaded up to the heart to produce shadow images during a cardiac catheterization procedure.
Although it uses existing X-ray systems, the new software could reduce the need for several of the images, thus reducing patients' exposure to radiation and contrast dye while also decreasing the time doctors need to analyze the images, the study's authors explained.
The researchers compared standard 2-D images to automatically generated 3-D computer images of the coronary artery systems of 23 patients.
"This is the first in-human use," Carroll explained. "The next step is to test it in multiple centers around the world. In addition, we'll formally test it to see the impact on clinical care."
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the United States. It is responsible for 17 million deaths worldwide each year, according to the World Health Organization.
Philips Healthcare funded the study.
"This is very exciting technology that holds great promise," study investigator John Carroll, a professor of medicine and director of interventional cardiology in the Division of Cardiology at the University of Colorado in Aurora, said in a statement.
The study allows doctors to assess more accurately and rapidly the length, branching pattern and angles of heart arteries, as well as any blockages.
Cardiologists currently use two-dimensional X-ray images shot from different angles to visualize arteries inside the body.
They also inject contrast dye into a thin tube -- a catheter -- inserted into a patient's leg artery and threaded up to the heart to produce shadow images during a cardiac catheterization procedure.
Although it uses existing X-ray systems, the new software could reduce the need for several of the images, thus reducing patients' exposure to radiation and contrast dye while also decreasing the time doctors need to analyze the images, the study's authors explained.
The researchers compared standard 2-D images to automatically generated 3-D computer images of the coronary artery systems of 23 patients.
"This is the first in-human use," Carroll explained. "The next step is to test it in multiple centers around the world. In addition, we'll formally test it to see the impact on clinical care."
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the United States. It is responsible for 17 million deaths worldwide each year, according to the World Health Organization.
Philips Healthcare funded the study.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Top 20 Most Popular Health Websites | January 2010
1 | WebMD.com
2 | NIH.gov3 | MedicineNet.com
4 | MayoClinic.com
5 | Yahoo! Health
6 | RightHealth.com
7 | Drugs.com
8 | RxList.com
9 | RealAge.com
10 | MedHelp.org
11 | Healthline.com
12 | everydayHealth.com
13 | wrongdiagnosis.com
14 | healthgrades.com
15 | wellsphere.com
16 | FamilyDoctor.org
17 | QualityHealth.com
18 | HealthCentral.com
19 | Prevention.com
20 | Health.com
*21 | RevolutionHealth.com