Sep 01

Earaches can result from a wide range of conditions, some as simple as the common cold and others more serious, such as brain or eye problems. Most of the time, it’s no cause for worry. However, many people find the discomfort distracting and look for ways to alleviate it, even temporarily. There are several ways to go about this and many have been proven effective, although not all are guaranteed to work for everyone.

Antibiotics are perhaps the most common of earache remedies. Naturally, they work best when the pain is caused by an infection of the ear or some other organ, such as the sinuses. But the reason many people find it effective is that they are often coupled with analgesics, or pain relievers. Using antibiotics for earaches can therefore get in the way of diagnosis. When you’re not sure what’s causing the pain, or if you’re already taking antibiotics for something else, you may want to find another solution.

Some people prefer home remedies to combat earache. These remedies vary greatly, and some are more scientifically sound than others. The simplest and least invasive is a warm compress. This can be as simple as pressing a warm cloth over the ear and surrounding area for a few minutes. Sometimes this will eliminate the earache altogether, especially if the cause is physical (such as pressure or impact).

If the ear is inflamed, garlic and mullein flower oil can be used to bring down the swelling. Garlic is known to …

written by madamejune

Jul 01

Changes to the breast are normal over the course of a woman’s life, and are usually no cause for concern. But sometimes, a thickening of breast tissue or skin can signal a more serious condition. If you’re fairly healthy and have no known history of breast disease, the chances are small—but a checkup can catch the problem if there is one and keep it from getting worse.

Breast thickening may be accompanied by a mild or sharp pain, or just general discomfort. Skin thickening may appear as a lump on the surface that’s easily felt, and may cause some itching. Tissue thickening can occur close to the surface or further in, the discomfort can increase when you move. It may feel like a lump that moves around, or just an area that feels denser than the rest of the breast.

Swollen lymph nodes can accompany breast thickening or be mistaken for it. Common reasons include reactions from breastfeeding, hormonal changes, or even just stress. If it persists, however, or of the pain gets more intense, you should see a doctor right away. Other possible causes include:

Fibrocystic changes: This refers to a change in your tissue due to hormonal shifts, which in turn can be caused by pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, or a new medication. These are common in women aged 35 to 50 and may be accompanied by tenderness and small, harmless lumps. Some women experience this every menstrual cycle.

Fibroadenoma: It sounds serious, but a fibroadenoma is just a …

written by madamejune

May 20

For decades, the battle against AIDS followed a forked road: one led researchers to seek ways to stem the transmission, and the other had them trying to treat those with HIV, who are more susceptible. Oddly, it took this long for someone to entertain the idea of doing both.

Anyway, it’s in the works now, and the results are nothing short of impressive. The HIV Prevention Trials Network, an organization funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, recently found in a series of trials that a treatment can both suppress HIV levels and stop the patient from passing it on.

The trial, known as HPTN 02, was carried out on 1,763 couples in which one partner was infected with HIV and the other was not. Ninety-seven percent of the respondents were heterosexual, and the remaining 3% were homosexual; they came from 13 sites across Asia, Africa, and North and South America. They were selected in a way that the infected partner did not display enough symptoms to qualify for conventional treatment, partly so that side effects did not cloud the results and partly to avoid spurning drug-resistant strains.

Half of the couples were given conventional treatment following current protocol. The HIV-infected partners were given drugs only if their condition began to develop into AIDS or if their conditions fell below critical levels, measured according to the presence of a particular cell in their blood. Infected partners in the other half were given the drugs right away. All were taught …

written by madamejune

May 19

denture_implantDenture implants may be the next logical step for many people who have lost teeth and have to use dentures. Just over 20% of people have oral problems due to lack of dental care, or through an accident that has led to the loss of teeth. Because of this, false teeth are used instead of dental implants because of the cost of dental surgery.

If you are located near Philadelphia, you should check out Philadelphia Dental Implants and ask for Dr. Digiallorenzo who can give you the appropriate advice for your situation.

The use of dentures is not only for cosmetic reasons, but simply to be able to live a normal life. Using dentures has its own set of problems. The mouth can become sore where the loose dentures rub against the gums. Just as dentistry has become more advanced, so have Denture implants.

Dentures can now be secured to a dental implant that prevents problems with the rubbing and abbrasion. This is because the dental surgeon secures the  dental implant to the jawbone, providing an anchor for the artificial teeth .

implant_mainYou will need to check your dental plan to make sure how much dental coverage you receive and the cost in relation to dentures. If you have missing teeth and are not happy with your current false teeth, denture implants will allow you more comfort and access to a wider range of foods.

You can find more information on dental insurance and denture implants by following the links …

written by The Scientist

Nov 04
Ways To Prevent Dry SkinUsually the fall and winter months are the months most people experience dry skin. You can plan ahead for the dry skin but most people do not. There are several good ways for prevention of dry skin.These are ways to prevent you from having dry skin. Or for treating it once it occurs.1. Wear protective clothing – Exposed skin to cold water will cause dry skin. Wear protective clothing to protect your skin. Especially on your hands and face.2. Avoid hot water showers – Consider taking warm baths instead of hot water showers. Hot water showers actually strip the natural oils from your skin that prevent dryness.3. Use mild soap – Use soaps that are mild. Soaps with harsh chemicals and abrasives can rip away the nature oils in your skin.4. Use lotions and moisturizers – Using lotions and moisturizers on a regular basic can help you prevent dry skin.5. Use bath oils – Adding bath oils to your baths is another way of maintaining oil in your body.Using these methods ongoing will help you to prevent dry skin before it occurs.About The Author:Leonard Garrett has been providing health news and home businessopportunities on the internet for over six years. Visit his sites at:http://www.ahealthweb.comhttp://wwwchronicfatigue.blogspot.comhttp://medicalbillingathomebusiness.blogspot.comhttp://www.workathomeopportunities.bizTags: | Edit TagsThursday April 5, 2007 – 05:35pm (EDT) Edit | Delete | Permanent Link | 0 CommentsThe Cause Of Dry SkinThe cause of dry skin range widely. However understanding what is causing your skin to be dry will help you to …

written by The Scientist

Feb 03

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease which affects around 1% of the world’s population. It is an inflammatory disease which affects many of the body’s organs and tissues.  The main area that rheumatoid arthritis attacks is the joints.

The joints of a person with rheumatoid arthritis will become inflamed and this usually progresses to destroying the cartilage in the joints and then causing stiffness of the joints.  This is very painful for the sufferer. As well as attacking the joints, rheumatoid arthritis can also produce inflammation in other areas of the body such as the sclera, lungs, pericardium, pleura and skin.  It affects the skin due to nodular lesions which form under it.  The cause is still unknown but is linked to the autoimmune system.

Women are three times more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than men and it often starts at around the age of 40 or 50 but people can be afflicted at any age.  It is a very painful disease and can create significant disabling due to loss of function and mobility of the sufferer.…

written by The Scientist