Note To Readers

This Site is a work of reference only and should not be regarded as a source of individual treatments. Readers should consult qualified doctors for treating specific complaints.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Addison's Disease

Addison 's disease is a rare disorder caused by a deficiency of the c o r t i c o s t e r i o d hormones.

These hormones are produced by the outer part of the adrenal glands and affect the body's use of nutrients. Symptoms develop gradually over months or years and include tiredness, weakness and weight loss. There is no cure, but the deficient hormones can be replaced by regularly taking c o r t i c o s t e r i o d drugs.

The Reasons for Hair Loss

Reason:-

  • The most common form of a l o p e c i a is hereditary and usually affects men.
  • The precise cause of a l o p e c i a is not known, but us sometimes follows an emotional upset.
  • Occasionally, a l o p e c i a may follow a severe illness, emotional trauma or an operation. Again this cures itself within two or three months and does not need treatment.
  • The hairs themselves may be damaged by bleaches, perms or hair dryers. This damage can cause a dramatic hair loss as all the hair snaps off. Fortunately the roots are unaffected and the hair soon regrows.
  • As women get older, especially after the menopause, they tend to lose hair. If this occurs at an early age, it should be investigated but only very rarely is a cause actually found.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Do and Don't For Acne

Acne is a common complaint, particularly amongst teenagers. It can bring terrible distress at a time when self-confidence needs all help it can get.

The sebaceous glands. which lie under the skin, continually produce an oily substance called sebum. During adolescence the levels of s e x hormones in the blood rise, causing the sebaceous glands to secrete more sebum. Spots form when the ducts, which take the oil out onto the surface of the skin, become blocked with dead skin cells and oil. Blackheads form when the sebum and dead cells o x i d i s e and if they become infected the typical red and swollen spot appears. The spots are usually concentrated on the face, neck, back and shoulders. There is no simple solution to acne. It's impossible to stop sebum being produced and the more you try to wipe the oil away, the more the sebaceous glands will produce. You can, though, ensure the pores do not become blocked by cleaning frequently with an anti-bacterial cleanser, using a rough flannel or special cleansing sponge like B u f-p u f. If this is ineffective you may have to try a special product which will unblock pores.

DO:-

  • Wash your face regularly. This will help to prevent any acne spreading.
  • Discuss the problem with your doctor, especially if you have noticed spots have noticed spots have got worse since going on the pill.
  • Drink Plenty of water.
  • Eat a healthy, balanced diet, with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
DON'T:-

  • Wear too much pore-clogging make-up. Avoid cosmetics that are oil-based.
  • pick spots - they may become infected and leave scars on your face.
  • Allow long hair to become greasy and fall over your face.
  • Over-stimulate skin with strong products for greasy complexions, as the sebaceous glands will just work harder and produce more oil.

Types of Abortion

The type of abortion given depends on how far your pregnancy has progressed. The further advanced your pregnancy is, the more difficult and dangerous the procedure. When counting the weeks, start from the first day of your period.

UP TO 12 WEEKS a Vacuum Aspiration can be performed. It's the simplest and safest form of abortion and can be carried out in a clinic or out-patients' department with a local or general a n a e s t h e t i c. A flexible tube is inserted into the uterus through the cervix and the uterine lining is sucked out. This takes about five minutes.

AT 12-16 WEEKS a Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) can be performed. It can be done under local or general a n a e s t h e t i c depending on the duration of the pregnancy and can be done on an outpatient basis, although it may mean staying overnight. The operation takes about 30 minutes. The cervix is dilated and a vacuum tube is inserted into the uterus. The tube is connected to a pump which sucks out the womb lining and the f o e t a l material. You may be given drugs to help the uterus contract, and may experience stomach cramps after-wards.

AFTER 16 WEEKS an abortion involves an induced labor which is painful physically and emotionally. A saline solution or the hormone p r o s t a g l a n d i n is injected into the amniotic sac through your tummy. You then have to wait for labor to begin, which can take anything up to 24 hours. You will experience painful contractions as if you were in a normal labor and o x y t o c i n may be given or cervical rods used to speed up labor. A Dilation and Curettage (D&C) may then be given to make sure there's nothing left in the uterus and you will probably have to stay in hospital for about three days.

Abortion

An abortion is the premature termination of pregnancy either by spontaneous means (commonly known as miscarriage) or by a medically induced expulsion.

Medically induced abortion is available legally in the united kingdom up to 24 weeks, but the vast majority of terminations are carried out in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The further the pregnancy has progressed, the more risky the procedure and the more difficult it is to obtain.

Under the 1967 Abortion Act you need two doctors to certify that a termination is necessary or medical or psychological reasons. The operation will be carried out at a National Health Service hospital, at a clinic run by a charity like the British Pregnancy Advisory Service or privately.

The Decision to have an abortion is always a difficult one. Women need abortions for a number of reasons -- financial or personal, or because the f o e t u s is abnormal. Amniocentesis, the most commonly used test for f o e t a l abnormality, cannot be done until at least 14 weeks after the first day of your last menstrual period. The results take 2-5 weeks to come through, forcing parents to take a g o n i s i n g choice of having having a baby born with an abnormality or going through with a late abortion. C h o r i o n i c villus Sampling is a possible alternative to amniocentesis in some cases. It can be performed as early as eight weeks into the pregnancy and can give results in 5-12 days. It does have some risks, but it gives the woman the choice of an abortion in the first three months.

How to get an Abortion:-

If you think you may be pregnant and you're unsure whether you want to have the baby, it's important to have a pregnancy test as soon as possible. The new do-it-yourself tests are very reliable and some can actually be used as early as the day you missed your period. If you are pregnant, the first step is to visit your GP(General Practitioner). She will conform your pregnancy and discuss your options with you. If you decide on an abortion, she will arrange for you to see another doctor to certify that the termination is necessary. If you'd rather not visit your family doctor, you can go to your local Family Planning Clinic.

After an Abortion:-

You will probably feel very relieved after the abortion and be glad it's all over. You will be told at the clinic or hospital not to have intercourse for at least three weeks after the abortion and you shouldn't use tampons for about a month. You may experience some light bleeding but it's important that you see your doctor immediately if bleeding is heavy or you experience abdominal pain, vomiting or discharge. Physically, you should be over an early abortion after about a week. For a later termination, physical recovery will take about two to three weeks. You will be asked to return for a check-up after six weeks. Emotional recovery will take longer. You may feel depressed and weepy for weeks or months. If you find it hard to cope, contact the clinic or hospital. They will be able to help.

Active Birth To Your Child

Active birth is the term used to describe childbirth when the mother-to-be is active throughout her labor rather than static and lying in bed.

Over the past few years, more and more women have been adopting this method of childbirth because they claim it's more natural and comfortable than the practices which are widely used in hospitals today. Indeed, the conventional image of a woman confined to bed and lying on her back is something that only came into fashion at the beginning of this century.

Many women also claim that active birth has the added advantage of helping to eliminate pain, and this reduces the use of painkillers which could be potentially harmful to the unborn child. The key to active birth, is to be relaxed and to understand your body so that you can give birth naturally.

Active childbirth can easily be practiced at National Health Service hospitals, as well as private clinics. You should make arrangements early in your pregnancy, and start attending classes weekly. By embarking upon a specially designed exercise program during your pregnancy, you can prepare yourself for the event and ensure that everyone involved is aware that you want to follow this method.