Cerebral Palsy - Case study - preventive care and cure

 Bob is now 25 years old. From birth, CP affected the muscles of the right side of his body. At several months of age, he was evaluated at a children's hospital and seemed to be developing normally except for his right-sided weakness. He learned slowly, however, and his parents were guided by physicians, physical therapists, and other specialists on what to expect, how to help him develop, and how to prevent muscle deformities through daily exercises. He went to a school for the handicapped and received intensive help in speech and in feeding and clothing him.

He was found, in evaluations by a psychologist and vocational counselor, to have some aptitude for mathematics and was enrolled in an accounting course. It took him longer than average to complete his training, but he did become an accountant, now holds a job, and goes to school at night with the hope of becoming a certified public accountant. 

Families of children with Cerebral Palsy are under great strain. Parents unconsciously may feel guilty about the birth of a child with CP. This can be a tremendous emotional burden, and help from a doctor, social worker, psychologist, or psychiatrist can do much to alleviate it. Cerebral palsy never resulted from bad thoughts, quarrels, lack of willingness to have a child, or even attempted abortion.

A family may hinder, rather than help, development of a child with CP through overprotection. Like other children, the CP child must learn through experience. Encouraging a Cerebral Palsy child to do things, rather than doing everything for him, will get him over many hurdles and help him to achieve a certain degree of self-confidence. For example, climbing stairs may seem well-nigh impossible at first to some CP children and their families. 

Yet if the child is not allowed to try and try again until he learns to manage stair climbing, he will be at a disadvantage. Setting realistic goals for a youngster with CP is important for his mental development and eventual ability to care for him.

A realistic but optimistic view about what can be done is most helpful. It is best when goals are set collaboratively by professionals, family, and the child him- self. An optimistic view is justified. The outlook for the person with CP is much brighter than it has ever been, and further gains seem most likely.

BREAST DISEASES symptoms causes treatment medicines preventive care

BREAST DISEASES 

The breast is an important part of the female reproductive system. And, like internal reproductive organs, it is dependent to an extent on the level of hormone activity. This is exemplified by changes in size and consistency of breast tissue during the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy as hormonal levels change. The breast is made up of glandulartissue arranged in a complicated pattern of lobes. The milk ducts lead into the nipple at the approximate center of the lobes. The breast is subject to a number of disorders that are difficult to differentiate by physical examination alone, since they most commonly take the form of a lump or mass. 

The lump may be a benign growth, a cyst, or a cancer.

Since primary prevention for any of these conditions is limited, early detection of a lump and identification of its nature are an important preventive measure. Self-examination of' the breasts at least once a month, at the end of the menstrual cycle (after the monthly flow) when the breasts are normally soft, is an excellent means of early detection. Women who feel that they cannot adequately perform self-examination can make arrangements with their doctor for a brief monthly examination. The technique of self-examination is described. Of course, examination of the breast is an important part of a regular physical examination. In many cases, when a mass is found, the physician can determine if it is benign through history and examination.

Among other things, he will consider the age of the patient; breast cancer is rare below age 20 and quite uncommon until the 40'S. Any painand fluctuation in size of the lump usually indicate that the cause is benign cystic change of glandular tissue. Some women are prone to recurrent breast cysts, a condition referred to as chronic cystic mastitis or benign cystic disease (see below). Nipple discharge, with or without a lump, is almost always indicative of a benign growth. 

The physician also will consider the consistency of the mass, whether it is well demarcated, and whether there are skin changes over the area. In most cases, when there is any doubt as to the nature of the suspicious mass, the physician will remove it for microscopic examination. This will resolve doubts and fears of both doctor and patient. The surgery is minor even though it is usually done under general anesthesia. 

Chronic Bone Infection - Scoliosis - symptoms causes treatment preventive care

When bone has been severely weakened by chronic infection, it may be necessary to provide support for it with plates and pins or bone grafts in order to avoid repeated fractures and to allow normal function. Scoliosis mean abnormal curvature of the spine. A minor degree of it is present in a large proportion of all people, in whom it is usually barely noticeable and does not interfere with posture and function.

 Two important causes of severe scoliosis in the past-polio and tuberculosis-have been minimized in recent years. Polio may lead to scoliosis if muscles on one side of the body are weakened to a greater extent than on the other side. When this occurs, the stronger muscles pull harder on the spine than the weaker ones, leading to curvature. Tuberculosis may affect the spine, leading to an imbalance of the bony spinal column. Scoliosis may be the result of a congenital defect, such as absence of half of a vertebra. It may develop for unknown reasons, usually between the ages of 5 and 15, and most often in girls. Sometimes, unequal leg length or faulty function of a hip joint can unbalance the spine, leading to curvature. 

Scoliosis can progress rapidly, particularly the type that affects young girls. Therefore, it should be brought to a physician's attention as soon as possible. The physician is most concerned about whether the curvature is progressing, and if so how fast. If the cause of the scoliosis is unequal leg length, treatment may require nothing more than use of a shoe lift for the shorter leg. Most cases of scoliosis are minor and require little if any treatment.

But when treatment is needed, it should be supervised by a specialist in bone problems, an orthopedist. X-ray studies of the spine with careful measurement of the degree of curvature is an important step in evaluation of the scoliosis. If the scoliosis is of the type which, if unchecked, may progress to become a serious deformity, it may not only interfere with normal posture and gait but also lead eventually to compromising of lung function, since the chest wall on one side may be compressed. Treatment should be begun without delay.

 The further the spine is deformed, the longer corrective measure will be needed. Recent advances have made treatment of scoliosis more effective and less inconvenient as well. The Milwaukee brace, a device designed to gradually reposition the curved spine, is particularly effective. It is essential that an experienced technician measure and fit the brace and an orthopedist supervise the wearing. Another method of treatment is to cast the spine so as to gently nudge it into normal position. Most children adapt readily to several months of treatment with brace or cast. Surgery may be avoided in this way. 

With age, the spinal column becomes less pliable and bracing or casting may be insufficient to correct a deformity. Several surgical procedures are of value. One of the most outstanding is the insertion of special rods, called Harrington rods, in the back muscles, one on either side of and connected to the spinal column. One rod pushes up on the shortened side of the spine while the other pulls the longer side.

Once the spine is correctly aligned, surgical fusion ofbones of the spine secures the alignment.   Sometimes, however, as in many fractures of hip, forearm, and upper arm, extra support may be needed to insure that the bone knits together. Such support may be provided by operative placement of plates and screws or nails, or occasionally by bone grafts. Simple fractures can often be treated by a general practitioner. But most fractures should be evaluated and treated by an orthopedist, who will decide on the need for operative or non-operative measures.

Bone requires six or more weeks to heal, and during this time proper alignment is maintained by a plaster cast. Although the fractured bone must be immobilized if it is to heal properly, muscles that normally move the immobilized part must be kept limber and strong. Special exercises achieve this. Doctors also pay close attention to the cast itself, making certain it is neither too snug nor too loose. Too tight a fit can lead to compression of theblood supply to the extremity. 

Fingertips and toes are left uncovered by a cast so the physician can judge the status of blood supply from skin color. Too loose a fit of the cast can allow movement of the fractured bone and misalignment. X-rays after application of the cast can be used to check proper alignment. As mentioned earlier, prolonged immobilization weakens bone andmuscle. Therefore, return to normal functioning as soon as possible is encouraged. 

Appendicitis and preventive care

There are still 15,000 to 20,000 deaths a year in this country from appendicitis and its complications. Naturally, it is of the utmost importance to reduce the possibility that an inflamed appendix will rupture. There- fore, if symptoms are equivocal after 8 to 12 hours of observation, the physician will be inclined to operate rather than risk rupture. 

The patient's role in preventing rupture is important. Delay in diagnosis or improper treatment greatly increases the risk. The guidelines are simple:

1. Do not treat any abdominal pain lasting for 3 to 4 hours with cathartics, enemas or local heat. Laxatives and enemas increase contractions in the large intestine and cause pressure to develop in the appendix, increasing the chance of rupture. With each dose of laxative, the risk of rupture and death increases greatly. Local heat may obscure symptoms and may also hasten rupture.

2. Consult a physician as soon as possible.

3. Do not eat or drink anything. Recurrent attacks of acute appendicitis are uncommon but can occur. Chronic appendicitis-that is, appendicitis causing pain for weeks or months-does not occur; this type of pain is indicative of other medical or surgical problems.  

 It most frequently affects the joints of the fingers, wrists, knees, ankles, and toes, alone or in combination, although all joints may be involved. One hallmark of the disease is that usually both sides of the body are affected; that is, both hands and both ankles, for example, are involved at the same time. 

PREVENTIVE CARE OF THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

PREVENTIVE CARE OF THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM 

It has been said that we are what our glands make us. That, of course, is an oversimplification. Other factors enter the picture-but the glands do, indeed, have a vital role, influencing structure, function, and personality. What everyday care is required to prevent disease of the endocrine system? Everything that contributes to good general health contributes to good health of the endocrine glands. 

That includes sound nutrition; it includes proper exercise and other physical activity, which have a stimulating effect on many of the glands; it includes the avoidance as much as possible of excessive stress and strain, which may debilitate glandular functioning. If you suspect at any time that you may have a glandular problem, don't toy with the idea or attempt self-treatment. 

Let your physician consider the problem, make any necessary tests, arrive at an informed diagnosis-and then, using the constantly growing knowledge of endocrinology and growing stockpile of therapeutic aids, provide treatment.

 The sooner any endocrine disorder is discovered and properly treated, the more likely the prevention of debilitating conditions and complications. Some specific things to do : To protect the islets of Langerhans so they will secrete insulin normally, two items are important. First, keep your weight normal; obesity promotes diabetes. 

Second, use as little refined sugar as possible. We urge, too, that you read our section on diabetes and make certain that at your periodic medical checkups tests for diabetes are included. To protect the thyroid gland, use iodized salt, especially if you live away from the seacoasts. To protect the ovaries and testes against venereal disease, see our discussion of gonorrhea (page 580). 

To help assure the health of the adrenals, get reasonable amounts 'of physical activity which can provide normal stimulation for these glands. There is no primary protection for the pituitary, parathyroids, and other endocrine glands. See the Index for listing of diseases of these glands and what can be done for secondary prevention. 

HICCUPS - SINGULTUS - PREVENTIVE CARE- foul smell

HICCUPS (SINGULTUS) 

Hiccups are short, sharp inspiratory coughs involving spasmodic lowering of the diaphragm. They may be due to indigestion, overloaded stomach, irritation under the surface of the diaphragm, alcoholism, and many other possible causes. There are many home remedies, anyone of which may work in simple cases: warm applications to the diaphragm region, protrusion of the tongue, holding of the breath, drinking water, applications of cold to the spine, exhaling and inhaling into and from a paper bag. In severe persistent cases, medical attention is required.

PREVENTIVE CARE

 It goes almost without saying that the most common respiratory problem -in fact, the most common disease in the world-is the common cold. You will undoubtedly want to read the special discussion of this. Other conditions, as well as the common cold, may produce nasal congestion. They include hay fever and other allergies, chronic infections, nasal polyps, sinusitis, and a deviated or crooked septum. Enlarged adenoids may also be a cause of nasal congestion in children. 

Your physician, or a specialist to whom he may wish to refer you, can do much now not only to provide relief for such problems but very often to use preventive techniques that will avoid recurrences and possible progression to more complicated problems. Ozena is a disease of the nose involving the turbinates and mucous membranes. It is accompanied by considerable crusting and discharge and a very offensive odor. 

It should have medical attention as soon as possible. Actually, a persistent, foul-smelling discharge in children is much more often caused by some foreign object such as a bean or pencil eraser lodged deep in a nasal passage. Always have a physician take care of this.

An occasional minor nosebleed is no cause for alarm. It may stop by itself-and often does. Cold compresses to the nose and back of the head, and pressure on the soft portion of the nostril on the bleeding side for five minutes, may help. Or the bleeding may stop if the affected nostril is plugged with sterile cotton. Frequent nosebleeds deserve medical attention. 

They may simply mean that a particular small blood vessel in the nose is at fault, and the physician may be able to attend to it in a few minutes. On the other hand, nosebleeds in children sometimes may indicate rheumatic fever. They may also herald onset of typhoid fever. Contrary to a popular notion, they rarely stem from high blood pressure. If your nose bleeds frequently without apparent cause, your physician will try to determine exactly what is involved and then use suitable treatment. 

Should an unsightly nose be changed by plastic surgery?,perhaps. This is a matter to talk over with your physician. If the advises an operation for cosmetic reasons, he will refer you to a surgeon specializing in this type of surgery. Surgery may be appropriate, too, when an abnormal situation.

vacations help to destress and give relaxation to your muscles and brain

Still others benefit by arrangements that allow them to enjoy a series of four-day or five-day vacations, taken perhaps four times the more each year. 1f it is possible for you to have such flexibility, it could be well worth-while. 

Before You Go on Vacation It's a good idea to see your doctor before you go off on an extended vacation-so you won't have to see him after it is over. In fact, just before a vacation can be an especially suitable time for having your regular periodic checkup.

For one thing, your doctor can tell you how much and what kind of exercise you should undertake. If he finds you are not in condition to climb mountains or play tennis, you can select a place where you won't be tempted to engage in such activities. You will have more fun perhaps lying on a beach or sitting in a boat pulling in fish. 

Deciding where to go on your vacation can be important if you have a health problem such as hay fever, for example. Your doctor can advise about avoiding certain places at certain seasons. If you have a heart or lung problem, he can advise about altitudes and their possible effects.

Tell your physician not only where you plan to go but how you will get thereby train, plane, ship, or car. If you have any tendency to motion sickness, your physician can prescribe medication to help prevent it. Depending upon where you plan to go and the availability there of medical facilities, your physician may suggest that you take along a first-aid kit. 

A minimum one, under some conditions, might include the following items, and your physician can provide prescriptions for those that require them: Aspirin-for headache, fever, muscle aches and pains Antiseptic, such as hydrogen peroxide, tincture of iodine, or benzalkonium chloride Skin lotion-to protect against sunburn and windburn Anti-Nauseant for motion sickness Antacid-for mild stomach upset Sedative for emotional upset, overstimulation, or nervous upset Broad-spectrum antibiotic-effective against a wide range of bacteria, in case of serious illness; to be selected by your physician and used precisely as he instructs container of small bandages Sterilized gauze squares Roll of adhesive tape, one-half inch wide A pectinkaolate compound such as Kaopectate, or paregoric, or Lomotil for diarrhea and "tourist trots" 

Weight reduction

IS A DOCTOR NECESSARY? 

Weight reduction on a sound basis calls for the special knowledge of a physician. He will make certain that you do not lose your health while losing excess weight; that you do not reduce too rapidly and thereby put a strain on your heart and circulation; that you do not find yourself with a cosmetic problem because you have lost weight but have not regained skin tone and end up with flabby masses of pendulous skin. He will suggest proper exercise. 

He will also prescribe vitamins, minerals, and other substances, if necessary, to prevent weakening of bones and organs and to maintain resistance to disease. For example, if you use a "no-calorie" salad dressing made of mineral oil, your doctor may want you to take some vitamins, because mineral oil lends to prevent adequate absorption of some of the vitamins your diet would ordinarily provide. Moreover, it helps considerably if you can have your diet suitably adjusted to your eating habits.

You may be one of those who will be miserable if deprived of a bedtime snack. You may prefer a substantial dinner and be willing to cut down on lunch to have it. A physician can help you establish a sound diet and one best suited to your needs. He may, if necessary, prescribe sedatives for your use during the toughest phase of dieting; the psychological aspects of a relationship with a sympathetic, encouraging physician also can be of great importance during dieting and later on in maintaining low weight. A doctor's encouragement and praise of a patient's efforts in reducing, we have found, can be of major value.

PILLS AS PROPS

 Should you take drugs to reduce? Without a doctor's supervision, never. If, in an individual case, a physician feels that an anti-appetite drug as a temporary prop is justifiable, he will prescribe it-and it should be taken exactly as prescribed. Most physicians, however, prefer to have a patient Weight Control / 67 rely on willpower and determination rather than on drugs and to adjust the diet so this is feasible. In the past, medicines for weight reduction generally were based on amphetamine and so stimulated patients that physicians were reluctant to use them. Now, a number of appetite-reducing agents are available, free of the side effect of overstimulation.

These apparently safer agents are available only on prescription. Over-the-counter reducing preparations are big business. At worst, they can be risky business because of the possibility of side effects; at best, the money is foolishly spent because in and of them the medicines are not to be relied upon for effective permanent weight reduction. The problem with even safe reducing agents is that they are only supports that help temporarily. 

It makes much more sense-s-and has far greater chance of permanent success-to regulate your diet by a healthy change in eating habits which, once desired weight reduction is achieved, can be continued with some upward shift in calorie intake, to maintain you at proper weight. 

WHAT SCIENCE STILL DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT FOODS? SPECIAL DIETS

SPECIAL DIETS 

Special diets can be of value for certain specific health problems. For example, a protein-free diet may be prescribed in some cases of severe kidney damage; a high-protein diet in some cases of hepatitis; a high- residue diet in cases of atonic constipation; a low-fat diet in certain diseases of the liver and gallbladder; a low-purine diet in gout; a low- sodium diet in high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and toxemia of pregnancy; a bland diet for ulcer, gastritis, and hiatus hernia; a gluten- free diet for celiac disease and cure. 

Special dietary treatment is also an important part of the overall therapy in many cases of diabetes. Whenever a special diet may be of value, it should, of course, be prescribed by a physician on the basis of the patient's individual needs.

WHAT SCIENCE STILL DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT FOODS 

Every physician and scientist concerned with nutrition knows well that despite all that has been learned, much more remains to be. At any time, some fundamental new finding-of a previously unknown vitamin or other essential nutrient-may be made. 

At the risk of being repetitious, we would like to emphasize again that every advance to date has underscored the one fact: except in special instances, the best and healthiest diet is a balanced and generously varied diet. Nature distributes her largesse. We can be most certain of benefitting from it by making use of many rather than limited numbers of foodstuffs. Almost certainly, if we do this, we will be enjoying the values of still-undiscovered vital elements.

WEIGHT CONTROL 

WHILE THERE are nutritional diseases due to deprivation-rickets, scurvy, and others-by far the most common nutritional disease in this country is one that results from abundance. Overweight, affecting one in every five Americans, is a mammoth, chronic, frustrating problem. 

It can be called, justly, the number-one health hazard of our time. It's a remediable problem-but not, unfortunately, the way most of us choose to go about attacking it. To a much lesser extent, underweight constitutes a health problem. And the correction of both is an important function of preventive medicine. 

VEGETARIAN DIETS AND NATURAL FOODS

VEGETARIAN DIETS 

There are three types. The strictest excludes all animal products as well  animal flesh and organs. The second allows use of such animal produce milk, cheese, and eggs. The mildest allows fish and shellfish in.

Some people adhere to them and may be lean, but there is no scientifically discernible special virtue in vegetarian diets. There are vegetarians who attribute their long life and healthy old age to their diet, but there are equally healthy old people who credit daily meat eating. One possible hazard in vegetarian diets, particularly the strictest, may be lack of sufficient protein. We learned recently of a 78-year-old physician-patient who developed a huge enlargement of the liver, estimated to weigh 15 pounds instead of the usual 3. Biopsy showed cirrhosis.

 He had never used alcohol but from the age of 10 had never eaten meat and had reduced other sources of the complete proteins (see page 49). Specialists in liver disease who were called in finally concluded that the many years of a diet inadequate in rich, complete proteins had caused damage to the liver. The prescription: beefsteaks, filet mignonette, roast beef. The patient is having the time of his life at meals.

NATURAL FOODS 

Many health food and natural food stores in the country offer a wide range of "unprocessed" or "organic" foods. The foods, for the most part, are good and nutritious. They often cost more than foods available at regular food stores and supermarkets. Claims made in their behalf are that they are grown in soil that has not been impoverished and they are not spoiled by processing. As arguing against the idea, that generally available foods are grown in poor soil. nutritionists’ note that commercial agriculture in this country treats soil as a precious commodity and keeps it rich through crop rotation and fertilization.

Even if soils were widely impoverished, they add, this would not necessarily mean that foods grown in them would be nutritionally inferior. Infertile soil may lead to reduced yield per acre but no inferiority in the makeup of the plant grown. Many nutritionists also observe that the nutritive value of a given crop, such as corn or wheat, is influenced more by the kind of seed planted than by the fertility of the soil. 

Thus, corn can be bred to contain more niacin or more starch, tomatoes to contain more vitamin A or vitamin C, through development of new strains and seeds. As for food processing, leading nutritionists argue that commercially canned and frozen foods-in terms of practical nutrition if not of taste -are not inferior to fresh. 

How much and What foods we have to take?

Cereals and breads

4 servings of enriched or whole grain cereals and breads

One serving equals 1 slice of bread; 1 small biscuit or muffin; 1 cup of potatoes, pasta, or rice; 3/4 to 1 cup of flaked or puffed cereal; or 1/2 cup of cooked cereal.

Fruits and vegetables

4 servings, including one of citrus fruit or tomatoes and one of dark green or leafy vegetable

One serving equals 1/2 cup of canned or cooked fruit; 1 fresh peach, pear, etc.; 1 cup of fresh berries or cherries; 1/2 cup of cooked vegetables; or 1 cup uncooked leafy vegetables.

Meat and protein rich foods- 2 servings of meat, fish, poultry, eggs, or cheese

 Occasionally nuts, dried beans, peas may be substituted for the meats. 

One serving equals 3 oz. of lean, cooked meat; or 3 eggs; or 3 slices (ounces) of cheese. Foods selected each day from each of the four groups provide balance; and by varying the choices within each group, you can expect to achieve a desirable averaging of intake of trace elements as well as other essential nutrients. 

For the same reason, it is a good idea, we suggest, for you to sample unusual foods whenever you can-internal organs such as liver, kidney, heart, sweetbreads, sea-foods, Italian and Chinese vegetables, and other national dishes. 

WHAT IS A BALANCED DIET?

Understanding Balanced Diet

Nearly 50 nutrients; including amino-acids (the constituents of proteins), carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals are now known to be essential for health. A balanced diet is one that can supply all the essentials. It is almost certain that as time passes still other essential elements in foods will be isolated. This is added reason why a balanced and varied diet makes sense; if it is balanced and varied, it can supply all known requirements and others still unknown. 

The currently known essential nutrients have their specific functions. Briefly, because muscles, heart, liver, kidney, and other organs are composed chiefly of proteins, proteins are needed for development and growth of these organs during childhood and adolescence. After growth is over, body tissues, which are continually being worn out, must be   replaced by new materials, So ample dietary protein is essential at all times. 

Meat, fish, milk, and eggs are among the main sources of protein. Bones are composed chiefly of mineral substances such as calcium and phosphorus which are required both for original bone formation and for maintenance. Milk-fresh, canned, dried, skim, or whole-is a major source. Calcium also is supplied by American and Swiss cheese, molasses, turnip tops, dandelion greens.

And cereals, meat, and fish contain phosphorus. 

The fuel of life-what the body burns for energy-is sugar. Carbohydrates, which include both sugars and starches, provide the fuel most readily, for in the body starches are quickly converted to sugar. Fats and proteins also supply the fuel for metabolism-not as quickly, but they can be stored by the body as reserves, for use as needed. Vitamins help to convert foodstuffs into body tissues-skin, bones, muscles, nerves. Although required only in minute amounts, their role is obviously vital, and it is suspected that trace elements and perhaps still other materials yet to be isolated may perform similar functions.

A well-balanced diet-for young and old, active or sedentary, tall or short-can be supplied daily from four basic food groups: Milk and milk products- 2 servings for adults; 3 to 4 for children; 4 or more for teen-agers. One serving equals an 8-oz. glass of whole or skimmed milk; 1 oz. (1 slice) of hard cheese; or 1/2 cup of cottage cheese. 

How much is drug overdose? How to measure medicine intake?

With many common sleeping medicines, it is possible to get a 3/4 grain size as well as 1-1/2 grain so

that one of each may be used. For Amy talit there is also a 1 grain size, which many women find is just the right amount. Some men like to take two of the 1 grain capsules and find that this dosage gives them a pleasant night's sleep. 

Delicate assaying of dosage is often possible with liquid medications -for instance, tincture of belladonna, an old standby for stomach cramps and indigestion. Some doctors say, arbitrarily, take 15 or 20 drops.

The expert therapist uses a different approach. His instructions to a patient may go something like this: "1 want you to get the full effect, which is just short of the beginning of toxic symptoms which are dryness of the mouth and blurring of vision. 

So start with 15 drops just before each meal and at bedtime. Then, each day, increase by 1 drop so Ih.,1 you will be taking 16 drops four times a day the second day, 17 A Special Word About Medicine Taking / 41 drops the third day, and so on. Keep increasing until you notice one of the toxic symptoms.

Then drop back by 1 drop each day until there are no toxic manifestations. You may settle on 18 drops or you may need 22, or some other amount. The strength of the tincture may vary slightly from drugstore to drugstore, and sometimes the size of the drops varies too. 

Once you have standardized the dosage you need, keep it and use the same bottle and get the prescription refilled by the same• drugstore." Thus, what seemed like a simple prescription turns out to be some- thing of a scientific experiment. But for you, such experimenting to find exactly the right dose you as an individual need may mean the difference between having and not having disagreeable dyspeptic symptoms. 

Modern medicines and Health Issues

Modern medicines serve a purpose and very often can provide relief for minor problems. In themselves, they are generally safe as long as the dosage recommendations on the package are not exceeded. It's important to keep in mind, however, that such medications, as any others, may produce undesirable effects in relatively small numbers of people who happen to be particularly sensitive to them.

So if you notice any such side effects as rash, nausea, dizziness, visual disturbances, or others, which seem to follow use of a particular medication, you may well have sensitivity to that particular medication, and no matter how popular it is with other people, it is not for you. If in doubt, you should check with your physician. Absolutely vital when you prescribe for yourself is the need to keep in mind that you may be making a mistake in diagnosis, treating the wrong illness, or masking minor and superficial symptoms while an underlying serious problem gets worse.

For example, a "simple" head cold may really not be simple when there is fever, sharp pain in the chest, sputum discoloration, rapid breathing, or nausea; it may, in fact, be a serious bronchial infection or pneumonia. If you do treat yourself, never continue to do so for more than a day or two unless you are certain there is steady improvement-and if your symptoms get worse or change, don't wait even that long before consulting your physician. 

Persistent Cough may mean Infection, Obstruction, accumulation of fluid, or in lungs

Coughing may indicate only a minor temporary throat irritation. But a persistent cough may mean infection, obstruction, or accumulation of fluid in the air passages or lungs, and so it deserves medical attention.  

 The Promise and Nature of Preventive Medicine 50 does a cough that developed during a respiratory infection but then persists long afterward. 

Urinary changes: We have already noted that blood in the urine re- quires investigation. Frequent urination may be the result of infection or, in some cases, nervous irritability of the bladder. Frequent and voluminous urination may be an indication of a relatively rare type of diabetes, diabetes insipidus. In older men, the need to get up several times a night for urination may indicate an enlarging prostate.

Difficulty in starting urination may indicate sufficient prostate enlargement to require treatment to prevent backup of urine and impairment of kidney function. Actually, any marked change in the urine-in its volume, color, or number of times it must be passed-calls for medical study. 

Nausea may stem, of course, from a gastrointestinal disturbance, but it may also arise from an infection almost anywhere in the body or from disturbance of the balance mechanism in the ear. If the nausea is mild, you can delay a little before consulting a physician, for it may disappear in a short time and not return. But severe and persistent nausea, or nausea that keeps recurring, calls for medical attention.

Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin, may be due to a viralinfection and is especially likely to be seen in younger people. It may signal gallstones, and this is especially likely to be the case for middle-aged women. In older people, it sometimes is due to cancer of the pancreas or to cancer that has spread into the liver from elsewhere. The safe rule is always to regard jaundice as a signal calling for immediate medical attention. In some people with sallow complexion, jaundice may not be readily discernible on the basis of the appearance of the skin; in such cases, look at the whites of the eyes-if they are distinctly yellow, jaundice is present. 

How Supplementary Tests are useful along with Blood tests to determine and eradicate diseases?

A chest x-ray to disclose abnormality of the lungs is commonly made. X-ray studies are also used, when considered necessary, to check on heart size and, with the help of barium' either taken by mouth or given by enema, to study the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. In addition, with the aid of injections of special dyes, x-rays today can be used to study the chambers within the heart and the condition of blood vessels. There is a method of using x-ray, after injection of a dye into an artery leading to the brain, to detect a brain tumor; this technique shows the blood vessel architecture of the brain and where tumor growth has pushed one or more vessels out of normal position. Blood studies have many values.

For a blood count, blood is drawn from a vein in the arm or fingertip, mixed with a diluting fluid, placed in a glass chamber so the number of red and white blood cells can be counted. Red pigment (hemoglobin) in the blood can be determined by comparison with color standards. The proportion of red cells in relation to the rest of the blood can be established by whirling the blood in a centrifuge so that heavier red cells settle in the bottom of a small measured tube called a hematocrit.

 Any departures from normal-such as too little hemoglobin indicative of anemia, too few white cells indicative of inability to combat infection, too many white cells indicative of body response to an infection not otherwise apparent-can are noted quickly.

Blood, usually taken from a vein in small amounts, also may be checked for sugar content as a test for diabetes and for the level of a substance, uric acid, as a test for gout. And sophisticated new blood tests often are valuable for heart problems, supplementing the information provided by the electrocardiogram. The electrocardiogram, a record of the electrical activity of the heart, is useful for analyzing any disturbances of heartrhythm, detecting inflammation, showing damage to the heart muscle, and making other determinations. An electrocardiogram, taken in good health, is of value because it provides a baseline for the future; it establishes what is normal for the individual and allows better interpretation of any changes that occur later. When a heart attack occurs-and many heart attacks are silent-an electrocardiogram will show that it has occurred. But it may not show accurately how much of the heart has been damaged. 

How Blood Pressure Determination helps to find and Prevent diseases?

 

Measuring blood pressure is an even more important part of the medical check today than it was in the past. For one thing, we know now how common elevated pressure is, affecting at least 17 million Americans. For another thing, we know now that high blood pressure, or hypertension, is an important factor in stroke, heart disease, and kidney disease. And best of all, hypertension today almost invariably can be controlled. Blood pressure is simply the push of blood against the walls of the arteries. It is highest when the heart contracts and pumps blood into the arteries and this peak pressure is called systolic. It is lowest when the heart relaxes between beats, and this lower pressure is the diastolic.

To measure pressure, a basically simple, though not simply named, device, the sphygmomanometer, is used. It's an inflatable cuff attached to mercury or other type of meter. When the cuff is wrapped around the arm above the elbow and inflated, the inflation does two things: it drives the mercury column up to near the top of the gauge and it compresses an artery in the arm so no blood flows through. With his stethoscope placed on the artery, the physician listens as he gradually lets air out of the cuff. At some point, as the air is released, the pressure of blood in the artery will begin to exceed the pressure of air in the cuff, and the blood will begin to flow again in the artery.

The beginning of flow produces a thudding sound the physician can hear through the stethoscope, and at this point the mercury gauge shows what the systolic pressure is. Then, as more air is released from the cuff there comes a point when the thudding sound no longer can be heard, and at this point the mercury gauge shows the diastolic pressure. It is normal for pressure to vary somewhat from day to day, even minute to minute. It goes up with excitement, which is why in an examination a physician may wish to take your pressure several times. In some people, however, the blood pressure is nearly always higher than it should be. 

Heart Attack And Other Problems - Percussion Examination

PERCUSSION

Percussion-a simple procedure to Know heart problems in which the physician lays one hand flat on the chest and raps on it with fingers of the other hand-can provide useful information about some internal organs. With it, the approximate size and shape of the heart may be established, for example. The chest is largely occupied by the lungs which, because they are filled with air, produce a hollow sound when the chest wall above them is tapped. 

Over the heart, which is filled with fluid, the sound has changes to a dull note. The physician can begin percussion at a point on the chest known to be over the lungs, moving in the direction of the heart until a dull sound tells him he has reached it. That establishes one point of the heart's position. Other points can be determined by starting the percussion else- where on the chest and moving in toward the heart again. 

Heart Attack and other Issues in Heart are well explained in the following posts, Please follow all the posts to know about the heart and the problems arising. In this modern days pollution and Global Warming create many issues and the human body cannot tolerate the modern day diseases. Though EBOLA is not a heart related virus directly, We could avoid EBOLA if we were followed some principles and hygienic procedures in Our life. In the same way we can avoid heart issues by adopting certain methods and exercises to avoid the issues in Heart. 

Please follow your physician's instructions in the matters and any suggestion given given here is subject to verify your physician.      

Patient History and Physical Examination can be Physician’s tool to Prevent Diseases

Patient History and Physical Examination can be Physician’s tool to Prevent Diseases

One patient who experienced a slight change in urination-dribbling a little during the night- passed it off as a joke, kidding with his wife that somehow, though he was still a young and vigorous man, he had entered second childhood. He had actually developed an enlargement of the prostate gland. A year of delay made the operation he needed more difficult and led to a complication, kidney infection, caused by backing up of urine. In reporting symptoms to the doctor, don't grope for medical words; use simple English. Many diseases have strong psychological aspects, and symptoms may recede the moment you are in the doctor's office. Still, tell the doctor you have the symptoms even though it may seem silly to talk about them when they are not immediately present. You can be certain the doctor will understand the phenomenon.

THE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION 'Even as he shakes hands with you, an alert physician may pick up some clues. Are your hands warm and moist, with a fine tremor? These characteristics may suggest over activity of the thyroidgland. If the hands are cold and the skin is coarse and puffy, the thyroid could be under- active. Red fingertips may signal some abnormal flow of blood in the heart; flushing of the nail beds in time with the heartbeat may indicate another type of heart problem called aortic regurgitation. As he observes the body, the physician can learn a great deal. The color of lips and ears may indicate possible anemia.

The Promise and Nature of Preventive Medicine

 One leg is slightly shorter than the other-enough in some cases to account for a backache problem. He may note leg swellings traceable to a heart problem, and any enlarged glands, tumors, or abnormal pigmentation resulting from internal disease. In his examination, the physician will be looking to see if the body is symmetrical. Lack of symmetry is almost always a sign of some dis- ability or disease. If the left side of the neck looks different from the right, it may be because of a tumor which is pushing out on that side. If the thyroid is not symmetrical, it may be because of a benign tumor which has enlarged one lobe ofthe gland. In the retina at the back of the eyes, small blood vessels-arteries and veins-lie are almost naked, devoid of covering material.

And there, very quickly, with an instrument called the Ophthal-mo-scope, the physician by looking through the pupil of the eye can detect any blood vessel changes which may provide clues to diabetes or kidneydisease. Women need a breast examination for any tenderness, abnormal lump, or nipple discharge. During a vaginal examination, a smear of cells for the "Pap" test is usually taken; this is a test to detect early cancer in the area. Both men and women should have a rectal examination to detect any local disturbances. With an instrument, the Sigmoido-Scope, the physician can see and check the lower portion of the colon for any growths.

As a patient, you can help greatly by insisting that the physician do a thorough inspection, by reassuring him that you have no squeamishness. Some doctors feel that patients’ are resistant to rectal andgenital examination and omit these vitally important checks. 

How does a preventively minded physician function? Follow 1000 posts in the series

You can expect that in working with you he will get to know you thoroughly-past medical history, family medical history, job, working habits, living habits-so he can weigh any possibility that you-as a member of a specific group based on heredity, environment, age, sex, color, personal habits-may face certain specific health hazards.

In his regular periodic examinations, he will follow your health progress in general and will be alert for the slightest early indication of anything wrong in any area of special risk for you. He may, in fact, from time to time use special tests to make certain all is going well in a special risk area.

During your visits, he will be concerned, of course, with any physical complaints and also with any mental or emotional problems (job, marital, and others), since these can affect health.

He will be interested in any changes in your habits and their possible effects, for good or ill, on your health. From time to time, he may have suggestions for an alteration, perhaps minor, of diet, exercisepattern, sleep, relaxation, etc.

As he regularly checks you, alert for earliest indications, even pre-indications, of possible trouble, he will be prepared to intervene without delay. Rather than wait, say, for obvious symptoms of diabetes to develop-especially if you belong to the group with greater than average probability of developing the disease-he will intervene to try to correct, if they appear, the very first changes that could possibly lead to diabetes.

As medicine has been practiced generally to now, it has been the patient who, in effect, has turned up after making a self-diagnosis. It has been the patient who has decided, "I think I am or may be sick or becoming sick," and then has sought help.

How it will be the preventively minded physician who increasingly will be able to tell the patient, "You are about to become sick and we are going to take a few measures in advance so you won't actually develop the sickness."