1st Health Care News

The mere presence of a plethora of drugs designed to alternate wake up and put to sleep those who would purchase them will tip you off to the fact that as a society the idea of restful sleep and productive waking hours a thing of the past. Even though so much is written about relaxation, there appears to be precious little to be going around. Subsequently, the sight of those self-medicating with caffeine laden beverages, pills, supplements, and other ingestible materials that offer quick pick-me-uppers is commonplace. Yet hand in hand with this phenomenon goes the experience of being consistently tired, exhausted, and worn out, thus simply not able to deal with the challenges of life.

You will be wise if you take a good look at your lifestyle. Are you burning the candle from both ends? In other words, are you staying up too late and getting up too early? If so, you will need to force yourself to make some lifestyle changes. Perhaps delegating some tasks that are keeping you up late will help. Similarly, shifting your schedule to get that extra hour of sleep could work wonders. You may also be able to work in 30 minutes in the middle of the day for a power nap. Experiment with a change in schedule and see if it helps.

After these changes, it is a good idea to visit your physician. Ideally you will submit to a complete physical to rule out any problems with anemia, abnormally low blood sugar, and even a thyroid that is slightly out of whack. This can all be ascertained with the help of a simple blood test and you will appreciate the peace of mind that you will experience in addition to the knowledge you require to fix any health problems you might be undergoing.

Chinese medicine can help when exhaustion overtakes you; this kind of treatment complements beautifully your Western medical approach! In Chinese medicine the whole body is seen as an interdependent unit through flows your life force, the qi; when the flow is interrupted, Chinese medicine seeks to correct it with a plethora of modalities. In addition to visiting your physician you may also consider setting up an appointment with a practitioner of Chinese medicine who will have the opportunity to evaluate your exhaustion.

She or he may suggest acupuncture and also massage to manipulate the pressure points of your body. These are highly effective methods which have shown to offer excellent results to those suffering from exhaustion but without any presentation of physical ailment. The practitioner may also suggest a revamping of your nutritional choices. Even if at the onset this may sound odd, do not discount it! Try the diet for a while and see if things turn around. You may be surprised to find that the combination of pressure point manipulation and a change in diet you will find the energy to make it through your day. If you also add some lifestyle changes that promote good sleeping patterns, the odds are good that your days of feeling worn out are finally behind you!

Children, teens, and adults have more tooth and gum disease if they also have diabetes.  With children, tooth and gum disease becomes obvious around puberty and grows worse as they age.  Previous research already proved that children and teens with diabetes had more problems with their dental health.  Scientists wanted to know more about this statistic and studied nearly 350 children and teens.  They were evenly divided between children with diabetes and with those who didn’t.

All the children were given the same health and dental exams and questioned about their dental health.  Those with diabetes were asked about their type and other diabetes related questions including whether they took insulin to control their disease.  The children were chosen from a mostly Hispanic neighborhood that didn’t have ready access to health and dental care.  The following results may vary among a different population.

They discovered the children with diabetes had higher plaque and gingivitis levels than children without diabetes.  They also discovered other serious dental problems with children with the disease.  They also found, there was no difference in cavities between the two groups.  The study revealed that being overweight or obese was linked with dental problems such as tooth and gum disease, especially among the teenagers. 

This study shows that diabetes causes tooth decay and gum disease to start earlier than had been believed.  It’s important for children, teens, and adults with diabetes to practice good dental health. 

How does diabetes hurt teeth and gums?  The build up of plaque coats the teeth and bacteria grows faster due to high blood sugar levels.  The gums can get red, sore, and you may have bleeding when you brush your teeth.  These are the first signs of gum disease and can lead to an infection of the gum called periodontitis.  If you have diabetes, you should have your teeth and gums checked regularly by a dentist and call immediately if you have any of the following symptoms.

• A bite that feels different
• Teeth look longer than usual
• Bad breath
• Sensitive teeth
• Loose teeth
• Red, sore, swollen, and bleeding gums
• Dentures that aren’t fitting well

You can help your teeth and gums stay healthy by closely controlling your blood glucose levels.  Brushing your teeth regularly and flossing at least once a day will help prevent plaque buildup on your teeth.  Using a gentle motion with a soft brush, use a circular motion to brush each tooth. 

Smokers are more at risk of tooth and gum disease, and having diabetes adds to that risk.  Advise your dentist if you smoke and talk to your doctor about ways to quit smoking.  If you experience any of symptoms, contact your dentist immediately.  If you have a problem, take care of it as soon as possible.  Your dentist should be told if you have soreness from dentures as well.  You can still get gum disease even if you have had your teeth pulled and replaced with dentures.

The mere presence of a plethora of drugs designed to alternate wake up and put to sleep those who would purchase them will tip you off to the fact that as a society the idea of restful sleep and productive waking hours a thing of the past. Even though so much is written about relaxation, there appears to be precious little to be going around. Subsequently, the sight of those self-medicating with caffeine laden beverages, pills, supplements, and other ingestible materials that offer quick pick-me-uppers is commonplace. Yet hand in hand with this phenomenon goes the experience of being consistently tired, exhausted, and worn out, thus simply not able to deal with the challenges of life.

You will be wise if you take a good look at your lifestyle. Are you burning the candle from both ends? In other words, are you staying up too late and getting up too early? If so, you will need to force yourself to make some lifestyle changes. Perhaps delegating some tasks that are keeping you up late will help. Similarly, shifting your schedule to get that extra hour of sleep could work wonders. You may also be able to work in 30 minutes in the middle of the day for a power nap. Experiment with a change in schedule and see if it helps.

After these changes, it is a good idea to visit your physician. Ideally you will submit to a complete physical to rule out any problems with anemia, abnormally low blood sugar, and even a thyroid that is slightly out of whack. This can all be ascertained with the help of a simple blood test and you will appreciate the peace of mind that you will experience in addition to the knowledge you require to fix any health problems you might be undergoing.

Chinese medicine can help when exhaustion overtakes you; this kind of treatment complements beautifully your Western medical approach! In Chinese medicine the whole body is seen as an interdependent unit through flows your life force, the qi; when the flow is interrupted, Chinese medicine seeks to correct it with a plethora of modalities. In addition to visiting your physician you may also consider setting up an appointment with a practitioner of Chinese medicine who will have the opportunity to evaluate your exhaustion.

She or he may suggest acupuncture and also massage to manipulate the pressure points of your body. These are highly effective methods which have shown to offer excellent results to those suffering from exhaustion but without any presentation of physical ailment. The practitioner may also suggest a revamping of your nutritional choices. Even if at the onset this may sound odd, do not discount it! Try the diet for a while and see if things turn around. You may be surprised to find that the combination of pressure point manipulation and a change in diet you will find the energy to make it through your day. If you also add some lifestyle changes that promote good sleeping patterns, the odds are good that your days of feeling worn out are finally behind you!

Ingestion of toxins in the body seems to be inevitable. Substances which contain toxic materials such as alcoholic beverages and others are almost everywhere. Toxins enter the body via various avenues but they are also excreted in different forms like urine, feces, sweat and the like. However, when the body overloads with toxins, it cannot eliminate all of them at once. Providing an outlet to all these toxins can help you achieve a cleansed toxin-free body. One such way is through detoxification.

Detoxification is the way to eliminate toxins and other harmful elements inside the body. These elements are able to enter the body through environmental factors like pollutants in the air and the food we eat. One of the most comfortable ways to eliminate these toxins, providing a passageway for them is through using a detox foot patch.

A detox foot patch is a square shaped adhesive patch that pulls out different toxins from the body. It provides an outlet for the waste products that normally cause stress, fatigue, sudden weight loss or gain, and other related problems. In fact, because of its great effects, the number of people using it in Asia also increased. Asians believe that the feet are an effective channel for harmful substances to be pulled down from the body and released. For this reason, you may want to know the secret behind these amazing foot patches.

Detox foot patch, which contains natural ingredients, detoxifies and aids in healing certain diseases. These patches can eliminate large amounts of toxin in the body, thus, leaving you refreshed, relaxed and restful. It also helps in curing minor health problems. The detox foot patch is very comfortable to use. It does not only cleanse the body but also brings relief. In addition to this, cleansing of the body helps in achieving a stress-free and healthy life.

The detox foot patch is also convenient to wear. Aside from it being non-messy, it can also be used any time of the day. Whether you are sleeping, working or doing other activities, there’s no need to worry. You just have to stick it under your foot, no ointments and other liquids needed. It also does not contain invasive chemicals that may harm the body. It only pulls out excess toxins from the body making you feel relieved and refreshed. Moreover, it’s not only user-friendly but also affordable. In fact, most often you can purchase them at no more than 30 to 40 dollars per box.

Using a detox foot patch can make you have wonderful body detox experience. What are the other advantages? They are really safe to use. Wearing it will not affect the way you do your day-to-day activities. If you feel the detox foot patch is for you, then go get one. It can really be worth trying. Detox foot patch is just one of the many ways to get detoxified. There are many other ways. You just have to be wise in choosing the treatment that is best for you.  

Does your child suffer from halitosis? Bad breath in children is not a common complaint, but according to some anecdotal medical reports, it has is becoming more common. Chalk this up to the foods kids eat this day, or the growing prevalence of airborne particulates that are producing more respiratory problems in today’s children.

Halitosis in Children – When Bad Breath Comes to Your Little One

Although bad breath in children is not very common, it is becoming more common. If you notice that your child is suffering from halitosis on a regular basis, the first thing you should do is to try to uncover the root of the problem. A child’s bad breath can be caused by any number of things. These include food choices, dental issues, or an underlying medical problem. As you begin to investigate the source of your child’s bad breath, you should also take note of how long your child has been suffering from bad breath. Is it a relatively recent problem, or is it a long-standing chronic condition?

What Could Be Causing Your Child’s Bad Breath?

There are many potential causes for bad breath, which makes it that much more difficult to pinpoint the real cause. In general, there are five basic causes for cases of bad breath. The first and most obvious reason why your child may suffer from bad breath is eating foods that are particularly pungent, such as those common culprits garlic and onion. Another very common reason for bad breath is lack of saliva flow at night. This is the culprit when it comes to morning breath. Another common cause for bad breath is bad dental hygiene. Poor dental care in general has been known to cause bad breath. In children, one of the most common causes for bad breath is sucking a child sucking on their thumb. In other cases, the culprit may be an underlying medical condition, such as sinus infection or tooth decay.

How Can You Help Your Child Battle Bad Breath?

There are many things you can do to help your child battle bad breath. The first step is to make sure that your child is practicing good oral hygiene. This includes making sure that they are brushing properly and thoroughly. Most dentists advise that your child brushes for a full two minutes at least twice a day. Use a fruit-flavored toothpaste to make brushing a pleasant part of their oral hygiene routine. Make sure that your child brushes the surface of their tongue as well. Also, make sure that your child visits a dentist regularly. Often, bad breath is caused by such underlying dental problems as cavities. In many cases, your child’s bad breath can be prompted by your child sucking his or her thumb or some other object such as a toy or blanket. Most of the time, the problem can be resolved simply by stopping this habit. However, if your child is over 4 years old and still sucking on their thumb or on a favorite object, consult your doctor to find ways to discourage this habit, as it can cause more serious problems later on.

Deciding to start a family is a serious decision. This is because a lot of tender loving care must be given the moment the baby comes out until he or she grows up to become an adult.

There are many reasons why babies cry. This could be because it is hungry or sometimes it is just cranky. But when it cries a little longer than before, this means that the infant is colic.

What is colic? This is a term given to a baby who cries for more than three hours in a given day.   This is normal in newborns, which may begin from 3 weeks until four months of age.

Parents who are unaware of this will panic. A good doctor can reassure the legal guardians that this will go away gradually over time.

There are many reasons why a baby is colic. Since there is not a single reason, which can be attributed to it, the parents should stop thinking about this and focus on the more important task of making it go away.

There will be times late at night when the parents wake up because the baby is crying. The infant will not understand the concept of being told to be quiet so the father or the mother will have to carry the infant and rock it back to sleep.

The baby could be hungry so maybe it is time to feed it again. The mother should make sure to make the infant burp because this could be the cause of the colic behavior a few minutes or hours from now.

If this is the behavior of the baby during the day, maybe it is time for both to go outside. Sometimes taking the newborn on a carriage ride will help. Giving the newborn a pacifier can also remedy the situation.

A warm bath is sometimes what parents need to relax after a stressful day at work. Studies have shown that doing the same thing for the baby can also stop the colic behavior. The parents should make sure that the water is not too hot for the child.

Grownups get cranky when disrupted by noise. A baby does not know that yet and will cry in order to be noticed. The parents can play some music in the room of the baby so he or she will not suddenly wake up.

The food that the mother eats could produce gas, which causes the baby to feel discomfort. It will be a good idea to consult with the doctor regarding the proper diet so this can be prevented. If this still happens, maybe using Simethicone drops can work.

One way to check on the baby from time to time will be to have a monitor nearby that with one unit in the room and the other carried around the house. The parents should take shifts to avoid feeling exhausted.

The biological clock of a baby is very different from a child or an adult. It will still take time to develop and until that happens, the parents will have to deal with this situation.  After all, a baby with  colic is normal since it is part of the growing phase. This means that this is not a disease or a disorder so there is nothing to worry about.

Perhaps not surprising, adolescents and even those who suffer from adult acne will look high and low for ways to rid their complexions of the unsightly blemishes. While mild cases may be covered up with make up, the more severe ones actually do require intervention. Several pills and tinctures are now available that have produced passable and even amazing results, but unfortunately there is also a high price to pay: in some cases the use of these medications will lead to birth defects in the unborn while in other cases severe allergic reactions make the person’s visage look and feel worse than before! What is more, once the medications are stopped, the acne will most likely return within a short period of time.

While there may be not hard and fast rule of how to make acne go away and stay away without jeopardizing a baby’s health or run the risk of irritating your skin to the point of outbreak, alternative ways of healing are now looked at with the hopes of discovering the silver bullet.

Fighting acne with Chinese medicine by many is considered this approach and even though there is no guarantee that the mix of lore, herbs, and lifestyle change will help, those who have tried it, swear by its effectiveness!

§ Acne, in Chinese medicine, is believed to be an expression of a disharmony within with qi, the life force that moves freely throughout the body. This lack of harmony is thought to have been created by heat and also humidity.

§ Heat may be seen either spiritually as someone who is subject to anger and fits of rage, or physically as a way of pinpointing someone who is constantly pushing the body to the point that it overheats and sweats.

§ The latter leads to the issue of humidity, where the body is storing or subject to too much liquid. This may also refer to an insufficient water intake that keeps toxins within the tissues rather than flushing them out. At the same time, working in an environment where the person is exposed to humidity or engaging in a lifestyle where humidity is embraced, such as visiting saunas, all fall under this umbrella.

§ Fighting acne with Chinese medicine will require the heat to be cooled with special nutritional combinations that are to be eaten or avoided. Herbal supplements may assist with extracting toxins from the body and also permitting retained water to be released, thus curing the body of the humidity that is causing the skin eruptions.

While there is precious little scientific evidence that this approach will work, there are plenty who have tried it and attest to its efficacy. It is wise to discuss this form of treatment first with your physician to ensure your body is up to it and that herbs and supplements will not interfere with any medications you take. Consult an experienced practitioner of Chinese medicine next to find out which herbs to use and how often, and then give it a try! Who knows, you may find that your lifestyle changes will result not only in clearer skin but a healthier mind and body!

Television commercials have brought a previously lesser known disorder to the limelight and the discomfort adults feel when faced with Restless Leg Syndrome.  However, what is not as well known is that children also live with RLS, though make up a smaller number and tend to be more regularly misdiagnosed.  RLS is primarily a clinical diagnosis, or focuses on the history of symptoms.  While adults visit their doctor with a list of symptoms and concerns, children are not able to put a name to their symptoms and in turn may not be seen in the same way.  One drawback is RLS is seen as an Adult disorder and do not think about it affecting children, though all too often is seen only as “growing pains.”  Unfortunately, some 1.5 million children do have the disorder – and what is now being seen as a beginning to understanding how adults acquire the disorder.  It is known now that adults with RLS had symptoms as a child, at the time being called “hyperactive,” and “fidgety,” as there was no other explanation according to doctors and knowledge at that time.

Children are often misdiagnosed due to the fact that they will show symptoms such as conduct problems including aggression, inattention, hyperactivity and sleepiness because of a lack of sleep.  The result of RLS can often be unsatisfactory school work, trouble with social development and other social interactions.  Looking at these symptoms, on their own doctors will be more likely to diagnosis children with a psychiatric illness, mostly commonly ADD/ADHD, leaving many to wonder if past diagnosis of ADD/ADHD may have actually been restless leg syndrome. 

The greatest number of children thought of have RLS are between the ages of 8 and 17, with many presenting severe symptoms.  This static alone should bring awareness to doctor and parents alike that the possibility of RLS could be part of an overall picture, if only a secondary condition, though occurring more often than diabetes or epilepsy – when considered a primary disorder. 

Some may feel young children may not be able to completely vocalize their discomfort, and since there is no blood test available to rule out the disorder, if the child is able to answer some basic questions about their feelings and how they sleep, referring them for the further examination and necessary treatment with a pediatric neurologist.  An important use of info for the doctors is the report of family history, since studies have shown that most young patients will have at least one parent with RLS, with a less amount having both parents with the disorder.   Now according the researchers there has been a discovery that RLS when a primary disorder, could be due to an autosomal dominant disorder and have located a gene that is associated with RLS.  This information solidifies the idea that RLS is a genetic condition, and opening the pathway for further research and proper diagnosis when it comes to the discomfort of restless leg syndrome in children.

Malaria is one of the most widespread tropical diseases in the world and there has been nothing so far to truly eradicate the disease from existence. Mosquitoes infected from parasites transmit malaria to unsuspecting blood meals like humans. These malaria-ridden mosquitoes can be found all over the world in tropical and sub-tropical places like Africa, Mexico, Central and South America, Asia and more.

The symptoms of malaria are varied and often mimic other tropical diseases. Fever, chills, night sweating and body aches are some of the symptoms. Headaches, general malaise, vomiting and nausea are other symptoms that people may have with malaria. It can take up to ten days after the bite from an infected mosquito before symptoms may appear. If you are traveling and develop a fever within the first week, it is not likely indicative of malaria. However, fever in the second week of travel may be a precursor.

There are four different types of protozoa that cause malaria. The protozoan plasmodium falciparum is particularly nasty as it can cause jaundice and anemia in malaria victims. This could lead to renal failure, coma and death if not promptly treated. It is also important to re-mention that malaria may take up to a year to occur. Therefore it is important to remember to mention your travels to your doctor as it could help with a definitive diagnosis.

If you plan to visit a country where malaria is endemic, even in just rural areas, it may be wise to seek the advice of a doctor who specialized in travel medicine. They will give you advice on the proper precautions to take while traveling and also prescribe anti-malarial drugs that you will have to start taking before you leave for your trip. There are several different types of anti-malarial drugs and the area you are traveling to will dictate which medication the doctor prescribes.

The United States has high standards when it comes to approving and manufacturing drugs. Other countries are not so stringent. Therefore, it is not a smart move to purchase your anti-malarial drugs in another country as they may not be full-strength, they could be laced with another drug, or they could even be placebo pills and therefore totally ineffective. In addition, there are some anti-malarial drugs produced overseas that could have harmful side effects like Halfan.

Prevention is obviously the best solution to avoid malaria altogether. If you have to travel to a country with this endemic disease, stick to populated urban areas. While there are mosquitoes in urban areas, they are not as prevalent as they are in the rural, country areas. In addition, there are fewer infected people with malaria in the cities and towns than there are in the rural areas.

In addition, always wear insect repellant with DEET as this ingredient is most effective at repelling mosquitoes. Be sure to apply sunscreen before the insect repellent. You may also use insecticide treated mosquito netting for sleep areas and even over a hat to protect your face while long sleeves and pants protect the rest of your skin. Following simple precautionary measures should get you home malaria-free.

Elderly depression is when an individual in later life (65 or older) suffers from depression. Depression in the elderly individual typically goes hand-in-hand with other medical diseases or disabilities. Depression in the elderly is often made worse by loss of a support system when life changes such as a death of a spouse, or siblings and friends and also events like retirement or relocation can lead to a decrease of individuals available to support them mentally, emotionally or with daily tasks.

The elderly are at higher risk for severe depression and suicide due to the fact that most depression in older adults goes unnoticed by medical staff or family and friends.

Individuals aged 65 or older with depression are considered to be a major public health problem by the National Institute of Mental Health.

Out of the 6 million Americans who are aged 65 or older and depressed only 10% of them will seek treatment.

Long-term illness, prevalent in this age group is a common trigger for depression. Typical long-term illnesses in the elderly are Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, cancer, chronic lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease and stroke.

19% of all deaths by suicide are from depressed elderly individuals.

Elderly patients being treated for significant intensity of depression have approximately 50% higher healthcare costs than non-depressed elderly individuals. The elderly at most risk for depression are those who are on certain medications such as those for hypertension which can have a side effect of depression; those elderly individuals who have other illnesses; those who live alone because they were unmarried or widowed or are otherwise isolated; those who have suffered a recent bereavement; those who suffer from chronic pain; those who have suffered a physical loss (amputation or loss of body part); those who fear death, have a family history of depression or past suicide attempt and those who abuse substances.

Elderly patients being treated with antidepressants may experience side effects and should be counseled by the doctor and or pharmacist so they know what to expect in advance of taking the medication. There may also be reactions with other medications that they are taking. Many pharmacies today are able to track these reactions as long as they are given the correct information regarding all of the medications as well as any herbal therapies that the individual is taking. Antidepressants such as amitriptyline and imipramine can cause a drop in blood pressure or a sedating effect. Antidepressants may also take longer to work in elderly individuals because doctors usually need to start out at a lower dose in order to accommodate medication sensitivities usually occurring in elderly individuals.

Along with medication psychotherapy is usually added to the treatment plan in order for the elderly individual to learn coping mechanisms. Another important aspect of treatment is the growth or establishment of a support system.