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Respiratory Diseases are ailments and conditions that impair our respiratory system. The respiratory system is responsible for proper delivery of oxygen throughout the body, removal of carbon dioxide and toxic waste, ample regulation of the body temperature and the stabilization of the body’s pH level. Respiratory diseases are those that affect the lung, bronchial tubes, pleural cavity, trachea, upper respiratory tract and all muscles and nerves involved in the breathing process.

There are many reasons why respiratory diseases occur. They could result from an infection, accident or from inhaling some toxic products. It could also be genetic or a byproduct of unhealthy habits such as smoking. Genetics also play a part in contributing to the occurrence of respiratory diseases.

Types of Respiratory Diseases

There are several types of respiratory diseases. Let us briefly define them and look at some examples of each type.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Lung diseases that result from a severe obstruction of airflow Mto the lung are termed as a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. These diseases would damage and narrow the airway and block airflow in the lungs.E.g.: Emphysema

Obstructive Lung Diseases

This is a form of lung disease that occurs when the airflow in the bronchial tubes get narrowed, restricting airflow to the lungs.

E.g.: Asthma, Silicosis

Restrictive Lung Diseases

Lung diseases of this form occur where there is a reduction in lung volume either because they cannot stretch enough to alter its volume according to the pressure applied, or due to diseases affecting the pleura or chest wall.

E.g.: asbestosis, Sarcoidosis and pulmonary fibrosis

Respiratory Tract Infections

Upper respiratory tract infection

Essentially, these are infections that occur to the upper portion of the respiratory system. Some examples are common cold, sinusitis, tonsillitis, otitis media, pharyngitis and laryngitis.

Lower respiratory tract infection

The most common example of an infection affecting the lower portion of the respiratory tract is pneumonia.

Respiratory Tumors

Respiratory tumors are either malignant or benign. While the benign ones such as pulmonary hamartoma rarely cause respiratory diseases, lung cancer caused by malignant tumors pose a significant health problem. Lung cancers accounts for 15% of all cancer reports and 29% of all deaths due to cancer.

Pleural Cavity Diseases

Pleural cavity diseases occur when fluid gathers in the pleural cavity during pleural effusion or when a hole in the pleura, called pneumothorax causes the affected lung to collapse.

E.g.: Emphysema and Mesothelioma

Pulmonary Vascular Diseases

Diseases are regarded as pulmonary vascular diseases when they impact the pulmonary circulatory system of our body. They could occur from a pulmonary embolism, pulmonary arterial hypertension, pulmonary edema and damage to the capillaries in the lung that results in blood leaking into the alveoli.

Symptoms

Respiratory diseases can be detected with some of these many symptoms. One should definitely seek medical consultation and help if they find themselves suffering from one or more of these symptoms.

1. Shortness of Breath with or without exertion
2. Breathing Difficulties or Dyspnea
3. Rapid Breathing
4. Dizziness and Fainting
5. Chest Pains
6. Accelerated Heart Rate of more than 100 beats per minute. This is also known as Tachycardia.
7. Fatigue
8. Loss of Appetite
9. Weight Loss
10. General uneasy feeling
11. Bluish discoloration of the lips, tongue and/or fingers, also known as cyanosis.

Risk Factors

There are many factors that could contribute to the increase in occurrence of respiratory diseases. Constant exposure to these factors could increase the chances of respiratory diseases occurring.

1. Tobacco smoke
2. Indoor air pollutants such as those that could come from open stoves, mold, dust mites, and pollen.
3. Outdoor air pollutants that can arise from exhaust fumes from cars and factories, smoke, dust and smog.
4. Allergens that can comes from pets, pollen, dust mites, mold, smoke, formaldehyde and volatile organic Compounds (VOC).
5. Occupational hazards such as exposure to toxic fumes, chemicals and harmful substances
6. Unhealthy Lifestyle such as smoking.

Tests and Diagnosis

To determine if one is suffering from any type of respiratory disease and to determine which type, several tests could be ordered by the physician. The type of test that would be administered on a patient depends on their medical history, family history, symptoms and the diagnostic procedure physicians are expected to follow.

Some of the tests are

1. 1. Chest X-Ray

Chest X-ray is a radiograph projection of the chest that helps physicians analyze and diagnose respiratory diseases. It uses ionizing radiation to create images of the chest. X-rays are used to determine conditions that involve the chest wall, thorax bones, lungs and heart. The occurrence of pneumonia is commonly determined through an X-ray.

2. Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs)

The most common PFT that is used to measure lung function is spirometry or the measurement of breaths. This is a tool that is used to create pneumotachographs that can be used to determine respiratory conditions like asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

3. Computed Tomography Scan

Also known as a CT scan, this is a medical imaging procedure that uses tomography to create a three-dimensional image of the body part. High resolution computed tomography scan is used to diagnose respiratory diseases like emphysema and fibrosis. A general purpose image reconstruction technique is sufficient to check for pneumonia and cancer.

4. Examination of microorganism cultures derived from secretions like sputum

A microbiological culture is created when microbial organisms are allowed to multiply in a controlled environment and then tested to determine the cause of an infectious disease. In some cases, a chemical test is conducted on the culture to determine and eliminate certain causes of infection or diagnosis and could be vital information to determine the form of treatment that needs to be administered to the patient.

5. Bronchoscopy

This technique allows the insides of the airway to be viewed. Bronchoscopy also helps to provide therapeutic relief. The bronchoscope is inserted into the airway through the nose, mouth or a tracheostomy. It helps physicians analyze the airways for abnormalities like blood, tumors and inflammations.

6. Biopsy of the lung or pleura

This medical test involves the examination of cells or tissues that are removed from the patient. These are examined through a microscope by a pathologist and could be chemically analyzed.

7. Ventilation/Perfusion Lung scan (V/Q lung scan)

This form of medical imaging that uses scintigraphy to assess the blood and air circulation within the lungs. The ventilation part of the scan allows on to determine how air reaches all parts of the lung and the perfusion part assesses how blood circulates within the lungs.

8. Ultrasound

Ultrasounds are especially useful to determine the effect of pleural effusion. Pleural effusion occurs when excess fluid gathers in the pleural cavity of the ling. This could limit the expansion of the lungs and affect their breathing ability. The four types of fluid that could accumulate and cause pleural effusion are serous fluid, blood, chyle and pus.

These tests would help determine the exact type of respiratory disease that has occurred and would allowed doctors to determine the type of treatment that needs to be administered.

Treatment Options

Many factors affect the type of treatment that would be administered for respiratory diseases. These factors are the type of respiratory disease, its intensity and the medical history of the patient in concern. Here are some possible treatment options that would be suggested to help manage one’s respiratory disease.

1. Medication

Patients could be prescribed with corticosteroids, bronchodilators, antibiotics, anticoagulants, cancer chemotherapy and immune suppressants to help them with their respiratory diseases.

Side effects of these medications vary from one medicine to another. All patients must ensure that doctors know their full medical and family history to determine which form of medication is the safest and would be most suitable for them. Patients would also be warned of any specific side effect that could occur from the consumption of the medication and they should understand them clearly and comply as needed. Cost of these medications would vary based on the location, availability of medical facilities and how the insurance of the patient covers the medicinal cost.

2. Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is most used when one has had a pulmonary surgery or has been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, COPD or pulmonary fibrosis. Physiotherapy helps clear lung secretions and certainly help those who have suffered from respiratory diseases.


3. Oxygen Therapy

This is helpful when one is unable to inhale in sufficient oxygen due to the respiratory disease that their body is suffering from.

This form of treatment is primarily administered when patients suffer from emphysema, pneumonia and any respiratory disorder that impacts the oxygen intake of the body.

This form of treatment is flexible and can be administered in the hospital, at home and could be made portable as well.

4. Mechanical Ventilation

This process involves the mechanical replacement of the natural breathing process with ventilators. This method involved a ventilator and a trained individual who compresses the bag as required. This could be used as a short term measure during an operation or for chronic illnesses as well. Possible side effects are complications such as pneumothorax, injury of the airways and alveola, and ventilator associated pneumonia.

5. Radiotherapy

This process utilizes high energy rays to kill some or all cancer cells. In early stages of cancer, it could completely remove the cancer. In other cases, it can be supplemented with chemotherapy or surgery. In more advanced lung cancer, radiotherapy treatments could keep the illness under control by shrinking the cancer cells, providing some symptomatic relief for the patient.

6. Surgery

Surgical procedures like lobectomy and pneumonectomy could be performed to remove the cancer. Pleurodesis is a procedure that artificially eliminates the pleural space. Lung Volume Reduction Surgery where the damaged portions of the lung could help with COPD and emphysema patients. A patient’s damaged lung could be partially or completely replaced through lung transplantation. Surgery also allows for an artificial lung to be implanted into the body.

Home Remedies to Treat Respiratory Diseases

While there are many treatment options, there are some natural home remedies that one could take to control their respiratory diseases. These natural remedies could be consumed to provide relief from the symptoms of the respiratory diseases, cure the diseases to some extent and keep them in control. Needless to say, these natural remedies do not replace the doctor’s advice and prescription. When one intends to undergo a strict natural regimen, they should consult their doctor and do it as a supplement to the medications and treatments that is being administered to them.

Ginger

Ginger is a perennial herb that belongs to the rhizome family. The medicinal values possessed by gingers have been recognized for a long time by ancient Indians, Chinese and Greek physicians. Ginger is also used as a spice in many cultural dishes. The vitamins and minerals found in ginger are phosphorus, calcium, iron, carotene, thiamine, vitamin C, niacin and riboflavin. Ginger provides a great remedy for coughs and colds. When consumed with honey, ginger could provide relief from dry cough. Ginger tea is also a great remedy for colds and fever.

Fever resulting from influenza could be reduced from a mixture consisting of ginger juice, fenugreek and honey. It also works as an expectorant in asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough and tuberculosis.

Chicory

Chicory is a perennial herb that has long tap roots, round stems and several light or dark green leaves and pale blue flowers. This herb is native to the Mediterranean region and was known to the ancient Greeks and Romans. Its ability to create better skin was discovered a long time ago. Chicory is helpful for asthma and hay fever recovery. Juices of chicory, carrot and celery after eliminating starches and sugars help with these respiratory conditions. Powder derived from the dried chicory roots mixed in honey is a great remedy and expectorant for chronic bronchitis.

Celery

This salad plant consists of green leaves, stem and bulbous roots. The celery roots and seeds are popular in Unani and Ayurvedic treatment and medicines. The Chinese and English have used celery as a medicine since the fifth century B.C. Celery contains a well balanced proportion of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Its antispasmodic properties help in treatment of respiratory diseases like asthma, bronchitis, tuberculosis and pleurisy.

Tumeric

Tumeric is a perennial herb that has short stems and raised branches. This rhizome has been used by those who practice Unani and Ayurvedic medicine since ancient times. The antiseptic properties of turmeric make it a good remedy to treat chronic cough and infected throats.

When fresh turmeric powder is mixed in warm milk, they make a good remedy concoction that would help increase the discharge from the nose and provide relief from cough and cold. It is also used as a great in house remedy for bronchial asthma.

Prevention Tips

One could prevent the occurrence of respiratory diseases by adhering to at least some of the prevention tips that are mentioned here. While these prevention tips may not entirely eliminate the chances of suffering from a respiratory disease, they would at least reduce the chances of respiratory diseases from occurring. It could also help with the healing process and ensure that the infectious respiratory diseases do not spread across the population. These measures are also good for general health of all within the family and society.

1. Do not smoke. If you are, work on quitting soon. Smoking would damage your lungs and the lungs of those surrounding you, especially close family and friends. Smoking is the primary cause for many respiratory diseases and you and your loved ones are succumbed to.
2. Educate the young children about the hazards of smoking. It would be better to educate them at an early age to ensure that they can stay protected from this unhealthy habit and protect their lung health.
3. Avoid inhaling second-hand smoke. Being a passive smoker by inhaling smoke also affects your lungs and increases your chances of being affected by a respiratory disease.
4. Be more proactive and protect your family from passive smoking. You could divert from smokers who are in your way. You could also instruct visitors to your home that smoking would not be tolerated.
5. Always be clean and thoroughly wash your hands. Fight germs by maintaining your hygiene. The spread of infection reduces when everyone does their part to remain clean and germ free.
6. Cover your coughs and sneezes to prevent the spread of flu, cold and other lung diseases.
7. Contribute to limiting outdoor air pollution. Do your part to ensure that everyone breathes in cleaner air.
8. Find out how you could reduce the amount of indoor air pollutants within your house.
9. Ensure that you exercise regularly to build stronger lungs and immune system.
10. Avoid occupational hazards such as inhaling toxic fumes from chemicals, paints and other solvents. If needed wear a protective mask and ensure that good air quality is maintained at your work place at all times.
11. Ensure that you have taken the necessary vaccinations to protect yourself from respiratory diseases that are prevalent in your area.

Conclusion

Respiratory diseases come in many forms and severities. Learning more about them, how they occur, how they can be treated and prevented would certainly help us manage our lung health better. This is vital information whether you or a loved one is currently managing a respiratory disease.

What is a Urinary Tract Infection?

The system inside the body responsible for making urine and exporting it out of the body is known as the urinary tract. It is made up of the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. If germs or bacteria get anywhere into this system, and infection can occur, known as a urinary tract infection.

Acute cystitis is the most common type of urinary tract infection, and it is the inflammation of the bladder. These urinary tract infections are often referred to as bladder infections. Urethritis is the inflammation of the urethra, and is another type of urinary infection. Pyelonephritis is an infection of the upper portion of the urinary tract or kidneys, and is a more serious type of urinary tract infection. If a bladder infection is not properly treated, it can often lead to a more dangerous kidney infection.

Women are more likely than men to get urinary tract infections, possibly due to shorter urethras or the fact the urethra is closer in proximity to the anus, which makes it easier for germs to get to the bladder.

However, it is not impossible for a man to suffer from a urinary tract infection as well, and many elderly men are prone to these infections, possibly due to enlarged prostates.

What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?

There are quite a few symptoms of urinary tract infections. Some of the more common symptoms include the need or feeling to frequently urinate, although there may not be much urine that empties the body when you do, or dysuria, which is a burning sensation when urinating.

Urine may also look cloudy or possess a foul odor. Blood and bacteria in the urine are also possible symptoms of urinary tract infections. It is also possible that your belly will feel some tenderness or pain as well. Pain on one side of your back underneath your ribs can also indicate an infection, as this is where your kidneys are located. Fever or chills may also be present.

Often with acute cystitis, pelvic pressure, abdominal discomfort, frequent, painful urination, and a low-grade fever may be found. With pyelonephritis, upper back and side pain is common, as well as high fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. For those suffering from urethritis, burning while urinating is the main symptom.

What are the causes of a urinary tract infection?

Urinary tract infections usually occur when germs or bacteria somehow enter the urethra and continue through the urinary tract by multiplying. The multiplying of the bacteria can cause an infection in areas of the urinary system. One specific type of bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections is Escherichia coli (E. coli), which can be found normally in the gastrointestinal tract.

Since the urethra is so close to the anus, it is easy for E. coli to enter the urethra and travel up the urinary tract. Improper wiping after using the restroom can contribute to this as well. Women should always wipe front to back, not back to front.

Sexual activity is also a major cause of urinary tract infections. Spermicide and diaphragm use may also contribute to urinary tract infections. Women should try to urinate after sexual intercourse to lessen the likelihood of an infection. Some may even go as far as to shower immediately following intercourse to prevent infections. Some sexually transmitted diseases like herpes, gonorrhea and chlamydia have also been considered as causes of urinary tract infections.

What are the risk factors of a urinary tract infection?

Being female is a risk factor contributing to urinary tract infections. It is approximated that at least half of all women will have a urinary tract infection at some point in her life, and many women have more than one. The female anatomy and shortness of the urethra are leading reasons for females having more infections.

Women that are sexually active are also more prone to urinary tract infections. The urethra can be easily irritated during sexual intercourse, leading to infections. Also, those women using diaphragms and spermicides are more likely to get urinary tract infections.

Pregnant women also have an increased chance of infection, since they are at higher risk of developing asymptomatic bacteriuria, which can turn into urinary tract infections. Some women have even found that using feminine hygiene products that contain deodorants cause them to develop urinary tract infections. Women going through or past menopause may also be at increased risk for infection. This may be due to the fact that the loss of estrogen has thinned the tissue of the urinary tract, allowing for bacteria to harbor more easily.

Men & UTI’s

For men, although it is less common to develop urinary tract infections, it is still possible, especially for those that have problems with their prostate gland. Also, men with an uncircumcised penis may be at higher risk for infections. Men that have intercourse with a woman that has some sort of vaginal infection may develop a urinary tract infection, as well as men that engage in anal intercourse. Infections from HIV can also develop into urinary tract infections.

In both men and women, those with kidney issues, diabetes, or that have the use of catheters in their bladder may also be at increased risk. It is even possible that not drinking enough fluids can lead to urinary tract infections. The more fluids that a person drinks, the more times that person will urinate, which decreases the bacteria in the urinary tract. Some have even suggested that hereditary factors may lead to an increase in urinary tract infections.

What are some ways to prevent urinary tract infections?

Numerous tips are available to help prevent urinary tract infections. First, it is important to drink a lot of liquids, specifically water. This will cause you to urinate frequently, which will rid the urinary tract of bacteria. It is also important to urinate when you need to, and not to hold it. Drinking cranberry juice has also been shown to help prevent urinary tract infections. Some choose to take cranberry capsules instead, which seems to work well too. Avoiding constipation can also prevent urinary tract infections.

Specifically for women, you should always wipe front to back when using the restroom. This will help keep bacteria from the anus from entering the urinary tract. Urinating immediately following sexual intercourse is also helpful in preventing infection.

Drinking a large glass of water following intercourse can also flush out bacteria. Changing sanitary napkins often and not using feminine products with certain deodorizers can also help minimize infections.

Men need to make sure to keep the tip of his penis clean, especially if he is uncircumcised.

The foreskin area of the penis can easily trap and be a haven for bacteria, which can then travel into the urinary tract, thus causing infection. By keeping this area clean, it will minimize on the likelihood of bacteria harboring there.

What are some test and diagnosis considerations?

If you or your doctor suspects that you have a urinary tract infection, he or she will most likely take a urine sample. You will first be instructed to clean your genital area and then submit a sample. The laboratory will then analyze the urine sample, which is called a urinalysis. This simple test will show whether or not you truly have an infection.

If you suffer from recurrent urinary tract infections, other tests may be done to determine the cause of these infections. An abdominal or pelvic ultrasound may be used to produce a picture of the upper abdomen or pelvis to look for causes or problems.

A voiding cystourethrogram may be used as well. It is an x-ray that is taken while you are urinating that can detect issues and problems. A cystoscopy may also be used, which allows the doctor to look inside the bladder and urethra. An intravenous pyelogram is an x-ray test that takes pictures of the kidneys and urinary tract, which can also help diagnose problems.

What are some treatment options for urinary tract infections?

For those suffering from urinary tract infections, the typical method of treatment prescribed by doctors is a dose of antibiotics. Some of the common antibiotics used for urinary tract infections are Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox), Nitrofurantoin (Furadantin, Macrodantin), Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), Levofloxacin (Levaquin), and Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim).

The amount of dosage depends on many factors, and some may only have to take the medicine for three days, while others may continue for a week or more. The doctor may also describe some type of pain management medication for those who are suffering from painful or burning sensations during urination. These treatment options are affordable, and have generic options to keep the cost low.

There are several over-the-counter solutions to pain and burning during urination available at large pharmacy chains like CVS or Walgreens and local pharmacies. AZO Urinary Pain Relief® Maximum Strength tablets contain 97.5 mg of phenazopyridine hydrochloride, a urinary tract analgesic, and a 2-day supply can be had for around $10. Some pharmacies also offer their own generic versions which can be had for about half the price.

If the antibiotic does not seem to help the infection, further evaluation by your doctor may be needed. It may be possible the infection has spread to your kidneys, and would now be considered a kidney infection. There could also be some issues with your immune system that would need to be looked at. There is no surgical option for the treatment of urinary tract infections.

Home Remedies

There are however, many at home remedies for relieving a urinary tract infection. Drinking a lot of water and cranberry juice are probably the most common at home methods. Both of these options are very cost effective and easy to do. Using a warm heating pad on either your back or abdomen may also help with pain management, as well as taking a warm bath or a long shower, which may help as well. It has also been suggested that adding a teaspoon of baking soda to a glass of water and drinking it will neutralize the acidity in the urine, which will ease the pain and symptoms of the urinary tract infection.

Blueberries may also be a natural way to treat, prevent and fight urinary tract infection, as they can fight bacteria much like cranberry juice does. Cranberry juice cocktail has also been shown to work, if you don’t like the taste of pure cranberry juice. Some even choose to take cranberry pills or ActiFruit Max Cran chews instead. Pineapple has also been suggested as a food you can eat to help prevent and minimize infection. Making sure you are getting enough vitamin C is also important, as vitamin C helps keep the bladder healthy and keep bacteria out.

Avoiding caffeine and alcohol will also help minimize the risk of urinary tract infections. Both of these items act as irritants in the bladder, which make an infection more likely. Even using cotton underwear as opposed to other fabrics may help to prevent infections. In case of urinary tract infections, over the counter non-prescription pain relievers will also help with pain management.

All of these home remedies will cost very little and are easy ways to start fighting or preventing urinary tract infections. If you find the at home remedies are not helping, you should see a doctor and consider using antibiotics instead.

What is Obesity?

Obesity is a disease that is overwhelming the American population. Obesity is defined as an excess proportion of body fat to size, more particularly a weight more that twenty percent above the normal weight. Another measure to determine obesity is the body mass index, or BMI. BMI is calculated by multiplying your weight in pounds by 705 and then dividing by your height in inches twice. A healthy BMI is 18.5-24.9. One that is 25-29.9 indicates that you are overweight and a BMI of over 30 is considered to be obese.

Causes of Obesity

Generally, obesity is caused by eating more calories than you burn. In most cases, this is a result of purely eating too much while not exercising enough. While many people believe this to be the only cause, there are many other causes for obesity. The following are causes of obesity in addition to over eating:

Age

When your body ages, your metabolism slows down. This decline means that your body no longer needs as many calories to stay healthy. If you continue to eat the same amount of calories at age 30 as you did as a teenager, weight gain will be inevitable. The best way to avoid this is to lower your caloric intake and remain active throughout your life.

Gender

Females, on average, have slower metabolic rates than men do. Because of this, women tend to be more overweight than men do. In addition to this, menopause causes an additional decrease of metabolism. Men have a faster metabolism thus require far more calories than women do. Because of this, obesity in men is much rarer than in women but it does happen especially with age as the man’s metabolism begins to slow.

Genetics

Believe it or not, many studied have shown that obesity is genetic. Obesity and thinness both tend to run in families. Studies on adopted children have provided evidence for this theory. When studied, children who were adopted tended to have a closer weight to their biological parents than there adoptive parent. Even more shocking, the environment tended to not alter the trend. On average, if your biological mother is obese there is a 75 percent chance that you yourself will be obese as well. This same statistic applies to mothers who are thin as well. However, you can prevent becoming obese even if you are genetically determined to become so.

Your Environment

While genes are indeed a heavy influence on obesity, environment plays an important role as well. Environmental factors include several things. The most important of these is lifestyle behaviors such as how much you eat and your activity level. Also, busy lifestyles can lead to weight gain as well. It is much harder to prepare a healthy meal when there is no time in the day. In these situations, simply avoiding fast food can help significantly in maintaining weight.

Physical Activity

The amount of physical activity an individual receives is a major factor in obesity. Physical activities not only burn calories but also decrease appetite, especially in obese individuals. In addition to this, activities also make the body burn fat as an energy source. The majority of obesity in the world today is a result of decreases physical activity.

Psychological Factors

Psychological factors greatly influence ones eating habits and weight gain. Negative emotions such as being sad or boredom tend to cause people to eat.

Many people who are obese feel that they cannot control how much they eat and feel helpless. In these cases, an individual often partakes in binge eating in which they eat large amounts with no control.

Illness

There are indeed several illnesses that can lead to obesity. One of the most common of these illnesses is hypothyroidism. This is a condition in which the thyroid does not properly secrete the hormones needed.

Thyroid hormone, the main secretion of the thyroid gland, regulates the metabolism.

When this hormone is not secreted at high enough levels, the metabolic rate slows greatly putting the individual at risk for obesity. Depression can also lead to obesity because of hormone imbalances as well.

Medicine

There are certain medications that can lead to obesity. Steroids very commonly cause weight gain among individuals. In addition to steroids, antidepressants seem to have that effect as well.

Risk Factors for Obesity

There are many factors that do indeed place you at a higher risk for becoming obese. As mentioned earlier, genetics can lead to obesity. As well as heredity, gender plays an important role as well. Females are at a much higher risk for developing this disease due to the slower metabolic rate. People who work varied work shifts are also at a higher risk for developing obesity. This is because of the constant change in schedule of eating times as well as the lack of time to prepare a healthy meal. Smokers who are trying to quit are also at a high risk.

While weaning off of the nicotine, the body may crave food in order to replace the drug. You can help to prevent this by lowering your caloric intake during this process. Also, your age greatly affects your weight. People that fall in the age range of 20 to 55 are at the greatest risk for obesity. Your race or ethnic group also plays into the risk factors associated with this illness. The White population has the lowest risk followed by African Americans and Hispanics having the greatest risk.

Diagnosing Obesity

There are several measurements used to diagnose obesity. One of the most common measurements is the body mass index. As mentioned earlier, this is a measurement that tells you your proportion of body fat to your height. A BMI above 30 indicates obesity In addition to Body mass index (BMI) this measurement, waist circumference is another measurement used in diagnosis.

This measurement is taken in inches. In this test, you simply measure how many inches your waist line is. In females, the waist circumference should be less than 35 inches and males should be less than 40 inches. Any measurement above these values may indicate obesity. If either of these values are above normal, you should visit a doctor to have things further investigated.

Preventative Measures for Obesity

It is much easier to prevent the onset of obesity than it is to loose weight after words. The best preventative measure for this illness is to develop healthy eating habits as well as follow a daily exercise routine. Healthy eating habits are best developed by first being knowledgeable about healthy foods and also by keeping a food diary.

Keeping a food dairy will help you to see everything that you have eaten throughout the day and see what you need to modify. Exercise routines do not have to be a vigorous trip to the gym. Rather, participating in a daily walking routine can prove to be sufficient. The following are a few tips to help maintain a healthy lifestyle:

1. If you are not hungry, do not eat. Many people eat when they are bored. This can pack on extra calories in a hurry.
2. Limit the amount of fast food that you eat. If going through the drive through is un-preventable, try to order one of the healthier items such as a salad or chicken.
3. When going out to eat, order small amounts. If you over order, you are more likely to over eat even if you are no longer hungry.
4. Eat slowly. While eating, it takes the stomach a while to recognize that it is full. By eating slowly, you will give your stomach time to tell you that you are full before you have over eaten.
5. Limit the amount of time that you spend on the TV, computer, or video games. During these activities you are not only sedentary but you are also likely to eat.
6. If you are in a family situation, setting up fun activates to do together can increase activity. For example, going in the backyard and playing basketball or throwing a ball can encourage physical activity for the entire family.
7. Keep healthy snacks such as fruits and vegetables in your cabinets at all times. While doing this, also avoid processed foods while grocery shopping. This will reduce the temptation to grab an unhealthy snack.

Treatment for Obesity

There are many different routes that you can take to treat obesity. The least evasive way is to exercise and begin a strict diet. The usual recommendation for exercise is 30 minutes a day. The generic diet prescribed is a low fat, high complex carbs (not simple), and high fiber diet. When taking this route for treatment, social support from your friends and family is key. Another route for treatment is taking medication. Because of the severe side effects of the medications used for this purpose, generally they are only prescribed when life style modifications fail to be successful.

One of the medications used is Phentermine. This particular medication is only allowed for short term use. Increased blood pressure is a side effect of this medication and it should be used with caution and with medical monitoring. Orlistat is another medication prescribed for this purpose. The medicine works by blocking the absorption of dietary fat. Unlike Phentermine, this drug can be used for a longer duration. The side effects of using this medicine include greasy stools and fat-soluble vitamins will need to be supplemented in your diet.

Surgery

As a last resort treatment, surgery can be done to help cure obesity. A gastric bypass is the most common operation done for this purpose. What this procedure does is reduce the size of the stomach and allow food to bypass part of the small intestine. By reducing the size of the stomach, you feel fuller much quicker than if it were at its original size. This alone reduces the number of calories that you intake in your meals. In addition to this, by bypassing part of the small intestines, the amount of calories absorbed is decreased as well. This method of treatment is by far the most successful. While is it indeed the most successful, this procedure should be done at an institution that specializes in this treatment.

There are many risks associated with gastric by-pass surgery and special care is needed to observe for those risks. These risks include infection of the incision, leakage from the bypass created, and pulmonary embolism. Many people also experience gallstones or some other nutritional deficiency such as anemia.

Along with the risks associated, many modifications are required in the way that you eat after surgery. Only ounces of food can be ingested at a time because of the size of the stomach. Also, food must be chewed very thoroughly or pain can result. In addition to this, you are not allowed to drink any fluids 30 minutes before you eat, during your meal, and 30 minutes after you eat. This is because there is no longer enough room to hold both solid foods and liquids. Foods such as simple sugars may need to be avoided because with the bypass, they pass though to quickly causing complications such as diarrhea and increased heart rate.

Dandruff is the commonly-given name to the shedding of skin from the scalp that grows out of control. Dandruff actually occurs in everyone, but it is hardly noticed because it is so discrete.

Dandruff is simply when this natural process of skin shedding increases to the point where it leaves flakes of dead skin on the shoulders and collars of clothing. This is not an actual medical problem, but it is somewhat socially embarrassing. For this reason, an entire industry has grown up around making and selling products in order to stop dandruff. Many of these products actually aggravate the problem instead of solving it.

Dandruff Background

The technical name for dandruff is pityriasis simplex capillitii. Other names for dandruff are seborrheic dermatitis or seborrhea. These are actually two types of dandruff, which are characterized by inflammation of the scalp and an oily skin surface, respectively.

The trick is to remember which of the two names refer to which kind of dandruff. What’s more, many healthcare professionals refer to seborrheic dermatitis as the cause of dandruff, instead of a specific kind of dandruff.

The name dandruff first appeared in the English language in 1545; the first part comes from an obscure source, while the second comes from an East Anglian dialect.

Dandruff has been in common parlance for hundreds of years. Today, it is used to refer specifically to dead skin cells appearing on the head and shoulders of an individual.

Symptoms of Dandruff

The most obvious symptom of dandruff is white flakes suddenly appearing on the shoulders and collar without warning. These are dead skin cells that have been shed by the scalp. These flakes can range in size from the size of the head of a pin to the size of a very small button. The flakes can be any color from white to yellow; it is very rare for them to be black, green, etc.

Another symptom of dandruff is a persistent itchiness over the whole area of the scalp. Scratching the itchy areas often causes a stream of dead skin cells to fall from those areas. The itchiness is obviously linked to the appearance of flakes. The itch can appear anywhere on the scalp, from the top of the head to the sides and back. It is often accompanied by a slightly painful sensation as the itchiness is very intense.

The scalp may even be inflamed and start to swell. This condition is particularly serious because it means that the skin on the scalp is probably infected. If the scalp is swollen and itchy, this indicates the presence of infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses or even fungi. Bacteria and fungi are present on the head through natural processes anyway, but through some conditions they can grow out of control, resulting in the skin trying to fight them off.

A good way to check for dandruff is to discover if the skin on the top of the head is greasy or not. If the skin is greasy, it means that the skin is suffering from a particular form of dandruff. When it appears in infants, this disorder is known as ‘cradle cap’. Many individuals misinterpret dandruff is happening due to a dry scalp, but such is not the case. Often, a greasy scalp is responsible for excessive shedding of the skin.

Causes of Dandruff

There are many reasons why the skin on the scalp can suddenly shift gears and start shedding profusely. Many people suffer allergic reactions to certain hair products like shampoos, conditioners, etc. These reactions create resistance in the skin to the chemicals in these products. Once this happens, to eliminate what the skin sees as toxic materials, it will increase the renewal rate of producing and discarding skin cells. When the skin cells shed, they carry the chemicals away with them. When the skin perceives that there are no more chemical elements left, the rate of renewal is decreased back to normal levels.

There is a certain fungus, actually a type of yeast, present on the scalp that normally helps get rid of dead skin cells. It’s called malassezia, and it ordinarily does not grow out of control. When it does, it is not fully understood why. This fungus growing uncontrollably irritates the scalp, which can result in inflammation and intense skin shedding as the scalp tries to rid itself of the new ‘enemy’. Under normal conditions, the fungus works in tandem with the skin to destroy dead, discarded tissue. The fungus may itself by irritated by the allergic reactions some people have to hair care products, as noted above.

There are also psychological factors associated with dandruff. When a person is under great stress, the body ‘overclocks’ itself to deal with the incredible demands placed upon its physical system. This creates increased bodily cycles, which means that skin all over the body is shed at an increased rate. The cause of dandruff may simply be stress in some people. Stress combined with either of the two causes already mentioned can produce great quantities of skin cells, which could go a long way towards explaining the mystery surrounding dandruff’s appearance in people.

Risk Factors Associated with Dandruff

Dandruff, for all of its confusing causes, does show definable patterns of occurrence in the population at large. These patterns can be used to identify risk factors associated with the appearance of dandruff. Please keep in mind that these factors do not necessarily count as causes, but many of them do double as causes under certain circumstances. Risk factors are best used to identify likelihoods that dandruff will appear in a certain individual. It cannot be predicted when the dandruff will appear, only that it will appear. The risk factors for all types of dandruff, averaging out all irregularities due to lifestyles, habits, hygiene, etc. are as follows:

• Age: Dandruff most commonly occurs upon reaching puberty and continues throughout adult life. Middle-aged people as well as senior citizens can get dandruff, as well. Older adults are afflicted with it just as much as younger adults are.
• Gender: Males are much more likely to get dandruff than females. Current research focuses on the hypothesis that male hormones play a role in regulating the skin cycle, which could explain why men have dandruff more than women. The oil-producing glands on the head are also larger in men than in women. This could explain why men’s scalps are greasier than women’s.
• Hygiene: Not showering or bathing regularly enough results in a build-up of oils on the scalp. Malassezia, the yeast fungus mentioned earlier, feeds on this oil. Consequently, the fungus rapidly grows, which irritates the scalp and results in inflammation, itching and massive shedding as the scalp attempts to control the fungus from spreading any further.
• Diet: Poor nutritional and dietary habits result in dandruff because of a lack of nutrients. To function properly, the scalp needs vitamins and minerals such as zinc and B vitamins. The scalp actually needs certain types of fats in order to properly lubricate the hair on the head as well as shed dead skin effectively. A diet lacking in well-balanced meals deprives the body of nutrients it needs, and consequently the scalp.
• Illness: Adults with illnesses, specifically neurological diseases like Parkinson’s disease suffer from massive dandruff. Why this is so is not understood at all. People are also more likely to get dandruff if they are recovering from stressful conditions like heart attacks and strokes. Compromised immune systems also contribute to dandruff. For example, patients suffering from AIDS are eighty-five percent more likely to get dandruff then the general population.

Dandruff Prevention Tips

To prevent dandruff from occurring, it is necessary to take care of oneself, in both the hygienic and health senses of the phrase. Eating healthy and on a regular basis is the best way to take care of the nutritional side of the equation. Washing one’s hair frequently and thoroughly is the best way to handle the hygienic side. There are other ways to prevent dandruff, as well that do not necessarily involve either diet or hygiene, but nonetheless play a huge role in stopping dandruff before it starts.

• Shampoo frequently. Shampooing on a regular basis, for example every three or four days, helps prevent oil build-up and keeps the skin on the scalp moisturized. If the skin has enough water content, even dead skin cells do not dry out, and consequently they do not form into dandruff-like white flakes or clumps. This prevents the biggest reason for dandruff, dry skin, from even happening. It is also important to avoid medicated shampoos as this may accidentally aggravate the scalp and make the dandruff worse, not better. Even purported ‘anti-dandruff’ shampoos fall into this trap more than their marketing campaigns would like to admit.
• Avoid chemical treatments of hair. This is perhaps the biggest way to prevent dandruff from occurring. Not only does this help dandruff, but it also adds to the overall health of the person. Avoiding exposure to chemical-based hair products is the best way to keep allergic reactions from occurring on the scalp. Some people have reactions that are so severe, their hair even falls out upon contact.
• Avoid stressful situations. Stress is never a good way to live, even under the best of circumstances. Avoid worrying about things that cannot be controlled. Make a concerted effort to be happier about things. Happiness is the best antidote to stress, since stress can be defined as a certain intensity of events that one is not happy about. Stress depresses the body, which is why so many people look frazzled after living under stressful conditions for too long. Stress can result in hair starting to fall out, as well, which does not help an already poor scalp condition.
• Get plenty of sunlight. For some reason, dandruff does not appear as much in the summer as it does during the winter. This suggests that getting outside and exposing to sunlight is an excellent way to prevent dandruff from happening. In particular, this could mean that vitamin D, which is produced by the skin when it comes into contact with sunlight, plays a vital role in preventing dandruff from occurring.

Testing for Dandruff: Diagnostic Considerations

There really is not a need to test for dandruff, since it is so easy to spot. Diagnosing it, however, can be a problem due to the myriad of causes of dandruff. It could be due to any one of the causes mentioned above. The most common causes are the yeast fungus growing out of control and allergic reactions to hair care products. It is easy to identify these two causes by some simple observation: look at the scalp. If it looks as if something were growing on it, chances are that’s probably the fungus. On the other hand, if the scalp is red and even bleeding from some areas, it’s inflamed, which could also mean that the fungus is the culprit, but more likely means the patient is suffering an allergic reaction to something.

Dandruff Treatment

Most cases of dandruff may require nothing more than shampooing more frequently. Severe cases can be helped by anti-dandruff shampoos and using them on a regular basis. A visit to a dermatologist may be required in some instances. Since dandruff is not properly characterized as a disease, treating dandruff is actually left best to at-home remedies. Following the tips outlined above is the best way to treat dandruff. If none of them seem to be working, see a dermatologist and try to discover what the problem is.

Pyorrhoea is an advanced form of gingivitis and the symptoms can be very similar. Pyorrhoea is the world’s second most common dental problem following simple tooth decay and gingivitis.

Gingivitis is a mild and common form of gum disease that if left untreated or ignored can become the more severe pyorrhoea. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums. Because the condition can be so mild, an individual may not realize they have a problem. The cursory signs of gingivitis is swelling and bleeding of the gums.

The most common reason for gingivitis is poor oral hygiene so it is important to establish daily oral hygiene routine and periodical checkups with a dentist. Gingivitis is the only one of the seven periodontal diseases that can be reversed or eliminated. The other six categories are considered destructive and permanent.

Form of Gingivitis

Pyorrhoea is the more severe form of gingivitis. Pyorrhoea or periodontitis occurs when the gingivitis condition worsens and there is bleeding and pus-like discharge from the gums. The discharge is from the root of the teeth and gum, which leaves a bad odor in the mouth. Pyorrhoea eventually leads to inflammation and infection of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth.

The result can be a devastating loss of the alveolar bone around the teeth and if unchecked, can lead to the loosening and loss of teeth. The bone loss is irreversible and gums begin to pull away from the teeth or disintegrate entirely. It is the number one cause of adult loss of teeth. The gum disease is caused by microorganisms adhering to and growing on the surface of the tooth. Many times, the individual has an antagonistic autoimmune response against the microorganism.

The primary cause of pyorrhoea is an accumulation of a bacterial growth at the gum line called dental plaque. If untreated, this microbic dental plaque forms a hardened surface to form calculus or tartar, as it is s familiarly known.

Tartar above and below the gum line must be removed by a dentist or a dental hygienist. This common procedure is a first-line defense against pyorrhoea and its resulting loss of bone and tissue surrounding the teeth.

Underlying Conditions

It is important to note that some underlying medical conditions lend themselves to the propagation of plaque and tartar leading to the periodontal diseases. Diabetes, Down’s syndrome, genetic defects and autoimmune disorders can lead to pyorrhoea in the individuals afflicted with these disorders.

Symptoms

Symptoms of pyorrhoea are well documented and easy to recognize.

• Bleeding. This may appear even with the gentlest pressure applied to the gums. It may also appear in the interspaces between the teeth.
• Breath odor or halitosis. This odor is distinct and may leave a metallic taste in the mouth.
• Gums that take on a dark purple or red hue.
• Gums that appear to have a shiny surface.
• Gums that are painful when touched but otherwise are painless.
• Gums that are swollen or pulling away from the tooth surface.
• Loose teeth. Loose teeth refer to teeth that are shifting or gapping in the mouth but otherwise appears stable.
• Pain in biting on hard foods such as nuts.
• Pain and sensitivity when eating very cold or frozen foods.

Complications

Untreated, pyorrhoea can lead to several debilitating conditions for the person suffering from pyorrhoea.

• Abscess of a tooth, a painful pus-filled pocket around a tooth.
• Facial cellulitis, an infection or abscess of soft tissue
• Osteomyelitis, an infection of the jawbone
• Tooth shifting, a gradual movement that may lead to gaps and spaces between teeth.
• Tooth loss
• Trench mouth, ulcers and swelling in and around the gums.

Pyorrhoea and its complications may lead to the onset of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke. It can also lead to the development of some cancers.

Diagnosis

A dentist or periodontal specialist diagnoses pyorrhoea through a clinical examination. The dentist will examine the gum line using X-rays to look at the surface below the gum line and the alveolar bone surrounding the teeth. Examination of the mouth and teeth by the dentist will determine the depth of deposits of plaque and calculus, which may be visible at the base of the teeth.

Oftentimes, there are enlarged pockets in the gums, which can be analyzed by the dentist with a probe specifically designed for that purpose.

Dental Treatment

The goal of treating pyorrhoea is to reduce the inflammation of the gums, eliminate the gum pockets if possible, and treat any underlying condition that may be an aggressive force in the acceleration of the pyorrhoea.

A dentist or the hygienist will first employ a method called scaling. Scaling is the use of instruments and devices to removed calcified deposits from the teeth. They will also use a method called planing to smooth rough teeth and any dental appliance must be fitted or repaired if needed.

The dentist will instruct and demonstrate a vigorous and meticulous home care program. This protocol will include brushing, flossing and rinsing techniques, all designed to stop the destructive progress of pyorrhoea. Patients who suffer with periodontal diseases are encouraged to have more than two dental cleaning and scaling treatments per year.

If the pyorrhoea is advanced, a dentist may recommend surgery. In the actual surgery itself, gum pockets may be opened and scaled of all plaque and tartar. There are numerous procedures that can be performed based on necessity.

Types of Surgery

• Bone grafts. This surgical procedure used fragments of natural bone (either the patient’s own bone or from a donor) or synthetic bone to replace bone lost to pyorrhoea. The grafts act as a platform for alveolar bone to regrow and establish a stable environment for the teeth.
• Bone surgery. In bone surgery, the shallow craters in the bone itself are smoothed and reshaped to decrease the size of the craters. This makes it difficult for the tartar or plaque to reform in the newly shaped bone craters.
• Flap surgery/guided tissue regeneration. These two procedures are often done in conjunction with one another. First, the gums are lifted and tartar removed, then the tissue of the gum is placed smoothly against the tooth surface. The guided tissue regeneration is then employed to stimulate bone and tissue growth by inserting a mesh-like fabric between the bone and the tissue. This mesh flap allows connective tissue and bone to grow together rather than tissue growing where bone should appear.
• Soft tissue grafts. In this procedure, grafted tissue is stitched in place to fill gaps left by the degeneration of pyorrhoea. Most oftentimes, the tissue is grafted from the roof of the mouth, with little or no rejection by the patient. This reinforces thin gums or fills in places where gums have receded.

Patient who undergo scaling, plaque removal or tissue and bone surgery may experience bleeding and tenderness in the gums which gradually recedes over a one to two week period.

Homeopathic & Home Remedies

There are actually a myriad of homeopathic and home remedies that block or arrest the development of pyorrhoea.

Home Remedies

Several home remedies are available to help stop the spread of pyorrhoea.

• Squeeze the juice of one lemon and rub it directly on the gums. It causes a tingling sensation but it helps relieve bleeding.
• Cut a raw guava into four pieces. Sprinkle a little salt on each slice of guava. Eat the fruit. This applies Vitamin C directly to the teeth.
• Brush the teeth daily with a mixture of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and goldenseal powder. This combination cleans teeth thoroughly and fights further infection.
• Apply aloe vera directly to the guns to relieve pain and inflammation.
• Gargle with a mixture of one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in 6 ounces of water.

Naturopathic treatment

If the cause of pyorrhoea is a dietary deficiency, a daily supplement of CoQ 10 is recommended. Mouth rinses containing zinc or folate solution can be used as a mouthwash twice daily,

Preventions

The number one prevention method for pyorrhoea is good daily oral hygiene. The second is dietary considerations, which have a long-term impact on stopping the spread of pyorrhoea.

Proper Brushing

Teeth should be brushed twice a day for two minutes, allocating the time in 30-second intervals of upper teeth, bottom teeth, and each side. Move the jaw slightly to one side to reach the sides of the back molars. Change the toothbrush every month because bacteria can collect on the brush and cause a recurrence of an infection. Lightly brush the gums and angle the brush to reach up under the gum line.

Some studies show that dry brushing for the first minute and a half with no toothpaste can eliminate 67% of bacteria alone. Therefore, some dentists recommend dry brushing first, followed by the same regime for 30 seconds with a wet brush and toothpaste.

If a person is in a situation where they are unable to brush, a simple rinse of water can remove up to 30% of bacteria.

Flossing

Teeth should be flossed once a day taking care to floss between all interspaces of the mouth. Use a long length of flossing thread, using a clean area of the thread between each set of teeth.

Antiseptic Mouthwashes

A dentist may recommend a mouthwash that helps stave off further deterioration. There are two that clinical research shows are effective against plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth.

Chlorhexidine is available by prescription only. The reduction of plaque can be as high as 55% and it reduces gingivitis by 30% to 45%. It is recommended that the rinse be used twice daily.

However, it is important to note that Chlorhexidine binds to tannins, so people who regularly drink tea, coffee and red wine should be aware of the possibility the mouthwash may cause staining. Patients using this wash should wait 30 minutes after brushing before rinsing. Certain toothpastes can deactivate the mouthwash, rendering it ineffective.

Listerine

Listerine is an oral rinse comprised of essential oils. It should be used as a rinse for 30 seconds twice daily. It does have a high alcohol content so for individuals concerned with alcohol content, full disclosure should be made. Newer Listerine products contain the same essential ingredients with lower alcohol levels and a more pleasant taste.

Periodontal trays. Provided by the dentist, these trays maintained prescribed antibiotic medications at the source of the decay. A tray is fitted to the upper or lower arch to deliver medication to the teeth and gum tissue. The tray is constructed from moldable material that conforms to the shape of the teeth and gum line. A seal surrounding the tray keeps the medication directly on the teeth and gum tissue. This forces the medication onto the tooth surface and into pockets where tartar and plaque can accumulate.

Diet & Lifestyle

Dentists recommend a whole foods diet rich in dietary fiber, fresh fruits and vegetables. Foods high in Vitamin C should be consumed daily to maintain healthy gums. Calcium and magnesium supplements may be taken to augment calcium intake.

Flavonoids provide a powerful protection against pyorrhoea and are found in a variety of fruits and vegetables. Flavonoids are known for their powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Fruits high in flavonoids include pomegranates, blueberries and cranberries. Great sources of this beneficial antioxidant can be found in vegetables such as onion, lettuce, brussel sprouts and asparagus. Herbs that can be used include dill, basil, coriander and thyme. Effectives teas made of chamomile or peppermint leaves can help prevent pyorrhoea.

Avoiding the Bad Stuff

Foods high in sugar, processed foods, white bread and grains are infamous for their contribution to the formation of plaque and tartar. These foods should be eaten as little as possible. If these foods are eaten, it is wise to wait 15 minutes before brushing because the combination of sugar and toothpaste may actually destroy tooth enamel.

Drink Water

Drinking seven to eight glasses of water a day increases the production of saliva. Saliva has been found to dilute toxins created by plaque. Water will also help reduce inflammation caused by pyorrhoea. Saliva produces nitrates, which convert to nitric oxide, helping to prevent the survival of bacteria in the mouth. Increasing water intake is particularly important as one ages, when less saliva is produced.

Tobacco Use

Smoking cigars, cigarettes and pipes is discouraged because tobacco can deplete the body of essential vitamin C.

Practice Proper Hygiene

With proper dental hygiene, regular visits to the dentist and proper food and vitamins, prevention of the spread of pyorrhoea can preserve the natural balance needed for healthy teeth and gums.

Hair loss is a common condition in which a person permanently sheds his hair. Hair can be lost from the head or other parts of the body. Unlike elective removal of excess body hair through shaving, waxing, etc., hair loss and baldness is often unwelcome and can be psychologically damaging to the person experiencing it.

Hair loss is such a common problem that a billion dollar industry has developed selling products and services aimed at helping those people who are concerned about their thinning hair to either grow it back or preserve what is remaining. In most cases, hair loss is a harmless part of the natural aging process, but at other times, hair loss can signal an underlying medical condition.

Alternative Names

In medical terms, baldness and hair loss are broad sections of a medical description called alopecia. Hair loss can occur anywhere on the body where hair is normally found. This includes the head, arms, legs, groin, and arm pits. Hair loss that is limited to one area is called alopecia areata.

Sometimes, as in the case of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, the whole body sheds its hair in a condition known as alopecia universalis. The most common type of hair loss is referred to as male pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia.

Although the name only specifically makes reference to males, females can also suffer from male pattern baldness. In men with male pattern baldness, hair loss is noticeable in a recognizable patter, starting on the temples and gradually thinning out to the crown of the head. In women with male pattern baldness, the whole head sees a thinning of the hair, although total baldness is rare.

Hair and Its Growth Cycle

What exactly is hair? Hair is a growth of strand like cells that contain a protein called keratin. These strands grow out of a special structure on the skin called a follicle. In humans, the hair on the body is in a continuous cycle, with each follicle of hair being in one of three phases.

These phases of growth are the anagen phase, catagen phase, and the telogen phase. Human hair has a lifespan ranging from 3 years to 7 years, depending on its location and health. In the anagen phase, cells in the base of the follicles begin to divide and produce new hair. The anagen phase is the growth phase for human hair. Depending on how long a hair follicle stays in this phase determines how fast the hair grows. In catagen phase is the resting phase in which the hair follicle detaches itself from the hair strand, effectively cutting off the strand’s blood supply.

The hair is then pushed upwards. The final stage of the hair cycle is the telogen phase, which lasts from 1-4 months depending on a variety of factors. In this phase, the hair is dormant and not growing. Eventually, the anagen phase will start again and push out the old hair, resulting in normal hair loss, or shedding. For normal adult humans, 85% of the hairs on the body are in the anagen phase at any given time, while 10-15% are in the telogen phase. In people with permanent baldness, the telogen phase is not followed by a normal anagen phase to produce new hair growth.

Causes and Risk Factors

Male pattern baldness has numerous genetic and environmental causes. Genetics is thought to play a primary role in the development of male pattern baldness. Research has shown that an androgen called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) may play a pivotal role in developing baldness. An androgen is any number of hormones that causes the development of male characteristics in the body. Some men have a genetic trait that makes their hair follicles sensitive to DHT.

When the follicles come into contact with DHT, over time, they can begin to shrink which can shorten their lifespans and lead to an early cessation of hair renewal. Genetic research into the genes that control sensitivity to DTH has show that although a number of genes may be responsible for male pattern baldness, the primary cause occurs on the X chromosome, the component contributed by a person’s mother. High levels of the hormone insulin in the blood can also play a role in baldness.

Low levels of a protein called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) are often found in people with diabetes. SHGB binds with testosterone and prevents it from turning into DHT, which can cause hair loss.

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is a condition in where baldness occurs on one specific part of the body. While there is evidence of a genetic basis for alopecia areata, it is thought to be primarily an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases are conditions in where the body’s immune system turns on itself and attacks the body’s own healthy cells. In a normal immune response to a foreign body such as a virus or bacterium, the body detects these invaders and sends out cells to destroy them. In an autoimmune disorder, the body gets mixed up and wrongly targets its own cells for destruction. The autoimmune response that causes alopecia areata is thought to be caused by things like extreme stress and a virus or bacteria.

Baldness

Baldness may be caused by an underlying medical condition. Thyroid problems such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can both cause hair loss. Also diabetes and the autoimmune disease lupus can cause hair loss in humans. Fungal infections of the follicles and scalp are responsible for hair loss in some people, but can be alleviated with anti-fungal medications. Anemia caused by an iron deficiency can also lead to baldness. Correcting any underlying medical condition may reverse the hair loss, although some may be permanent.

Finally, baldness can be caused by trauma to the head or body. Putting too much strain on the hair, such as in elaborate hairdos or pulling of the hair, can result in baldness. For people undergoing chemotherapy, baldness is one of the most common side effects of the treatment. Stress can also cause hair to fall out. Once the traumas and stresses on the body are removed, hair growth will usually start again.

Cures and Remedies

Male pattern baldness is a medically harmless process, but to the person experiencing it, baldness can have damaging psychological consequences. In modern society, hair is thought to be a symbol of youth, beauty, and vitality. Losing one’s hair can be a sign of frailty and weakness.

A multi-billion dollar industry has grown over the last few decades offering services and products that help people to prevent hair loss. Many of these products claim to help a person grow hair or prevent old hair from falling out, but results for some of these products are mixed at best. However, some medications have proven effective for many people and are available with a doctor’s prescription.

Finasteride

Finasteride is a first line drug used in an effort to preserve current hair and cause regrowth. In the United States, finesteride is sold under the trade names Propecia and Proscar, which are manufactured by Merck. Originally developed to combat prostate gland conditions, Finesteride is a DHT inhibitor that works by binding with an enzyme in the body called 5-alpha-reductase, which is responsible for converting testosterone to DHT.

Finesteride works well for approximately 50% of its users. In studies, 48% of men regrew hair and 42% were able to maintain their current hair with no further hair loss. Finesteride works on all areas of the scalp, but works best on the crown of the head. Its effects will last for as long as a person takes the drug, however once treatment is stopped, hair loss will continue as before after several months of being off the medicine. Finesteride has not been shown to work well in women, however doctors sometimes prescribe it to them.

Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant cannot take finesteride as it may cause birth defects. Sexual dysfunction is the major side effect of finesteride, occurring in up to 18% of those taking it. Finesteride treatments can be expensive, with 30 day supplies costing several hundreds of dollars depending on the strength.

Minoxidil

Like Finesteride, Minoxidil was a drug used originally to treat another disease rather than hair loss. Minoxidil is a drug that belongs into a larger class of drugs called vasodilators. Vasodilators are medications used to treat high blood pressure by making arteries and veins open wider, allowing for easier blood flow within them. While it was being developed, researchers discovered that Minoxidil had the side effect of causing hair growth and darkening in some people.

Minoxidil used for high blood pressure comes in the form of pills, but when it was discovered to have hair growth properties, a topical foam was created to take advantage of this side effect. This foam was marketed around the world under the brand name Rogaine, which is today synonymous with hair growth products. Scientists do not fully understand how or why minoxidil works. One hypothesis says that since minoxidil is a vasodilator, it increases blood flow to hair follicles.

When this happens, the hair follicles enter the telogen phase prematurely, causing old hair to fall out and new hair to grow in its place. Several studies have been done to show the efficacy of minoxidil. What they show is that minoxidil can increase hair count by nearly 30% in those taking it, in contrast to almost no hair growth in placebo groups. Minoxidil is sold in a topical solution of 5% for men and 2% for women. It works best on the crown of the head, although it can cause hair growth on all surfaces of the scalp. It also works best for small spots rather than large areas of baldness.

Application of Minoxidil

Minoxidil, when applied to the scalp must be left on the hair for a long period of time and applied once or twice daily. An hour is the minimum, with recommended times of up to 4 hours. Once treatment is stopped, the effects of minoxidil wane and baldness will occur again. Side effects of topical minoxidil are relatively mild, consisting of itchy scalp and dandruff. Patients treated with minoxidil may also experience hair loss as part of the shedding process in the telogen phase, however, the manufacturers of minoxidil do not guarantee that new hair will replace it. Costs of minoxidil vary widely, depending on the manufacturer and the strength of the solution.

Scalp Reduction

There are two surgical methods of correcting hair loss. One is called scalp reduction and the other hair transplantation. Scalp reduction is a painful procedure in which a bald area of the scalp is surgically removed. The remaining hair covered areas are then sutured together to cover the hole. Hair transplantation involves moving hair follicles from one spot on the body to another. It is generally done by means of taking small grafts of 1 to 4 hair follicles and transplanting them to areas that need hair. This method provides natural looking results. Hair is harvested in two different ways.

The first method involves the surgeon cutting a long strip of scalp with hair attached to it, from which many grafts can be taken. The second method involves cutting tiny plugs out of the scalp and harvesting hairs individually. They can then be placed in the desired location via small cuts to the area. Hair transplants can be very expensive, with costs ranging from $3 to $12 per graft. Depending on how many grafts are done, prices can therefore reach into the tens of thousands of dollars very quickly, as the typical transplant surgery requires approximately 6000 grafts to be removed and implanted.

Side Effects

Side effects include pain, itching, swelling, and bleeding at the site of the operation. Also, risks associated with general surgery are also present. These include infection and possibly death. Hair transplants usually last for several years, but over time, they may also fall out, leading a patient to have more grafts implanted.

Impact of Your Diet

Diet can have an impact on hair loss in people with a genetic predisposition to male pattern baldness. It has been show that high insulin levels, like those found in type 2 diabetics and people with metabolic syndrome may exacerbate hair loss. High levels of insulin in the blood can cause the levels of SHBG to fall. SHBG is a protein that binds to testosterone, preventing it from being converted into DHT. Diets that maintain strict glycemic control can therefore help to prevent hair loss.

Maintaining control of insulin in the blood is dependent on controlling the amount of glucose in the blood. Glucose is a simple sugar that the body uses for energy. For those wishing to combat hair loss with diet, it is important to eat foods low on the glycemic index, such as while grains and vegetables. Eating omega 3 fatty acids may also help to prevent hair loss. These fatty acids are found in foods like salmon, tuna, and flax seeds.

Natural Remedies

Several natural remedies have been touted to help combat male pattern baldness. These herb and supplements can be found in health food stores and specialty nutritional centers.

Iron

Iron is an important mineral for preventing anemia due to an iron deficiency. Anemia is a medical condition where there is a drop in the number of oxygen-carrying red blood cells. One of the symptoms of iron deficient anemia is hair loss. Iron can be taken in pill supplements or obtained from ingesting iron rich foods such as broccoli and organ meats.

B Vitamins

B vitamins may also help in preventing hair loss. B vitamins, particularly biotin, are necessary for producing hair and maintaining its health. 3 mg of biotin per day is adequate for aiding in hair loss and health.

Zinc

Zinc may help to reduce the amounts of DHT in the blood. It is important to take only the daily recommended value of zinc, because taking too much may cause the formation of dangerous free radicals and a copper deficiency.

Saw Palmetto & Green Tea

The herb saw palmetto has been the subject of much research. Like finesteride, it has been shown to help with certain prostate conditions. Because of this, scientists believe it may also have similar effects on hair growth.

Green tea has been shown in studies to increase levels of SHGB, which can bind with testosterone and prevent it from being converted into hair damaging DHT. Green tea also has powerful antioxidants and anti-cancer properties.

Conclusion

While hair loss may be a traumatic experience for many people, it need not be. Images of beauty change constantly and in modern years, a shift towards accepting that bald can be beautiful has been occurring. Balding men now routinely shave their heads and proudly display their bald heads, taking control of the situation and making the best of it. For those who are uncomfortable with embracing their baldness, they can try wigs or hats to disguise their hair loss.

Medical advancements have made it possible to regrow or at least salvage what is left of a person’s hair, but treatments need to be continuous or the hair loss will return. These treatments can be time consuming and expensive, and in the case of hair transplantation, painful. Fortunately, for people suffering from baldness, there are choices. In the end, it comes down to personal preference and a person’s self image.bat

Urticaria is commonly known as hives, uredo or needle rash and is a type of allergic reaction that causes the skin to welt into red blotches. The welts are extremely itchy and can cover large areas of the human body including arms, legs, face, stomach and back. The cause of urticaria can be related to an immune response to food, other allergens or contact with an allergenic substance. Urticaria can also be related to excess stress. Urticaria can also present after a viral infection like mononucleosis, German measles or hepatitis.

Closely related to urticaria is a type of swelling called angioedema, which causes welts that are embedded deeper in the skin, particularly near the lips and eyes. Most of the time urticaria and angioedema will resolve without treatment in a short period of time, but there are cases that can be life threatening, especially with angioedema if the throat and/or tongue swell enough to block the airway. Angioedema and urticaria can occur at the same time and can be severe.

Angioedema can be caused by food allergies, medications like aspirin and latex allergies. Hereditary angioedema is related to a C1 inhibitor deficiency or lack of normal blood protein.

Different Types of Urticaria

There are basically four types of urticaria including acute, chronic, drug induced and physical. Acute urticaria comes on rapidly after touching an allergen. It can last as long as several weeks to as little as a few hours. Allergies to food and certain product ingredients fall into the ‘acute urticaria’ category. Common allergies to food include nuts, eggs, fish, shell fish, food dyes and acid derivatives. Common allergies to products include many different types of ingredients used in perfumes.

Chronic urticaria is a case of hives that lasts six weeks or longer. There are cases reportedly lasting as long as 20 years or more. There is no real known cause of chronic urticaria and it is often referred to as idiopathic in nature because of this.

Drug induced urticaria is serious and can result in cardiorespiratory failure. One of the main drugs known to cause drug induced urticaria is the anti-diabetic suphonylurea glimepiride or Amaryl®. This drug is documented as to causing severe allergic reactions, which appear as urticaria. Penicillin, aspirin, ACE inhibitors, sulfonamides, anticonvulsants and NSAIDs can also bring on or exacerbate angioedema and chronic urticaria.

Depending on cause, physical urticaria can be categorized into several categories including:

• Cold reactions like cold air, water or ice.
• Cholinergic reactions to exercise, after a hot shower or body heat
• Aquagenic reactions to water (extremely rare)
• Delayed pressure after standing for long periods of time, or to items like belts and bra straps
• Dermographism from skin scratching
• Heat reactions to hot objects or hot food
• Vibration
• Solar reaction to sunlight
• Adrenergic reaction to noradrenalin or adrenaline

Risk Factors For Urticaria and Angioedema

The risk factors for urticaria and angioedema increase if a person has experienced either in the past, has allergic reactions, suffers from disorders like lymphoma, thyroid disease or lupus, has a family history of angioedema, hereditary angioedema or hives.

Symptoms of Urticaria

There are several symptoms associated with urticaria that include severe itching, stinging and burning. Hives emerge as elevated, erythematous or papules, plaques and linear streaks that are transient and usually encompassed by a flare or halo. The lesions are usually pale, particularly in the center. They can vary in size from several centimeters to a few millimeters.

Hives brought on by heat, exercise, changes in temperature or emotions and induced by acetylcholine appear as morphologically unique lesions that usually disappear in an hour or less. Lesions caused by trauma or scratching have a streaking linear appearance that is pronounced with a surrounding flare. In angioedema, pale areas of edema with diffused borders can be recognized on various parts of the body and face. If angioedema affects the larynx, dyspnea, stridor or hoarseness can occur and can be quite serious, even leading to death.

In cholinergic urticaria, induced by acetylcholine and triggered by emotions, heat, exercise or changes in temperature, the lesions are morphologically different and disappear in 30-60 minutes. Dermographic lesions, induced by brisk scratching or trauma, are linear streaks with a surrounding flare.

Symptoms of Angioedema

Angioedema, as noted, is quite similar to hives and recognized clinically as pale areas of edema deeper in the skin. Angioedema appears as firm, thick, rather large welts, skin swelling, blistering and pain. Angioedema mainly appears on the eyes and lips but can also present on hands, genitalia, feet, or inner throat. Involvement of the larynx may lead to hoarseness, stridor and dyspnea, and may be fatal. Hereditary angioedema is uncommon and more serious than common urticaria or angioedema. It is identified by rapid and severe swelling of various body parts, as well as abdominal cramping if the digestive tract is involved.

Visiting a Doctor For Urticaria and Angioedema

As mentioned, most hives and angioedema episodes are not life threatening and can be treated at home. But in more chronic and severe cases, an appointment with a doctor to determine the cause and offer treatment is highly recommended. As a general rule of thumb, see a doctor if hives or angioedema does not go away after a day or two or if a home remedy or over the counter treatment (see Treatments Section Below) does not work in relieving symptoms. If symptoms include breathing difficulty, swelling of the throat or fainting and/or a lightheaded feeling, go to an emergency room for immediate treatment.

A doctor will take a patient’s history to try to identify the cause of urticaria or angioedema. It helps if a patient brings notes to the appointment that include important information like signs and symptoms of urticaria or angioedema, how often the symptoms occur, how long they last and any medications, herbs or vitamins taken to relieve symptoms. A patient should also write down any questions he or she might have regarding tests, causes, symptoms, alternate approaches, and best course of action to take.

A doctor will ask questions like:

• When was the onset of symptoms first noticed?
• How did the urticaria or angioedema present in appearance?
• Have symptoms changed at all?
• What makes symptoms worse?
• Have any home remedies or over the counter medications been used?
• Have prescription medications been taken?

The answers to these questions will help the physician put together a complete history and proper diagnosis of the condition and how it might best be treated.

Following a complete history and evaluation, the physician may do a scratch or prick test to help identify any allergies to foods, insects, pollen, animal fur, medications, etc. The doctor may also do a patch test, which is an allergen placed on a patch and applied to the skin. If it causes a reaction, the allergen is identified and the appropriate treatment can be initiated.

Similarly, the doctor may do an intradermal test, whereby an allergen is injected into the skin. Intradermal testing is usually performed if the physician suspects an allergy to insects or penicillin. A doctor suspecting a patient might be suffering from hereditary angioedema, may request a blood test to evaluate levels and blood protein function.

Treatment Options For Urticaria and Angioedema

If treatment for urticaria or angioedema is recommended, standard antihistamines should help. Antihistamines will block the release of histamine, which causes the symptoms and discomfort of urticaria and angioedema. Over the counter medications include:

• Diphenhydramines like Benadryl
• Chlorpheniramines like Chlor-Trimeton
• Loratadine like Claritin and Alavert
• Cetrizines like Zyrtec

Some of these medications can cause drowsiness, so caution should be taken before medicating. For instance, a patient should not drive when taking antihistamines, unless the medication states that it does not cause drowsiness.

Prescription medications include:

• Desloratadine or Clarinex
• Fexofenadine or Allegra
• Hydroxyzine or Vistaril
• Levocetrizine or Xyzal

If the hives or angioedema are severe, a physician may prescribe a corticosteroid drug like prednisone to help bring down swelling and ease itching.

To treat hereditary angioedema, a physician may prescribe a long term treatment of androgens like danazol, which help maintain and regulate blood protein levels. There are also many new medications that are in clinical trials that might be recommended.

If the episode of hives or angioedema appears to be severe or life threatening, an emergency adrenaline injection may be necessary. This will require visiting an emergency treatment center immediately. If these severe episodes are frequent, a physician may recommend and prescribe adrenaline that can be used by a patient in an emergency.

After self injecting an adrenaline, a patient should go to an emergency room for further treatment if necessary.

Side Effects of Antihistamines

As mentioned, drowsiness can be a side effect of taking antihistamines for urticaria or angioedema. Other side effects include changes to the immune system. A patient should speak to a physician about side effects and complications of mixing antihistamines with other medications.

Side Effects of Corticosteroids

The side effects of corticosteroids can be serious affecting the joints and other parts of the body. That is why, when prescribed, they are used for a short period of time in hopes of alleviating severe symptoms of urticaria or angioedema. Most corticosteroids must be withdrawn gradually to avoid further complications.

Home Remedies and Lifestyle Changes To Help Relieve Urticaria and Angioedema

Rather than taking over the counter medications or prescribed medications, some patients choose to try home remedies and lifestyle changes to help urticaria and angioedema symptoms. To relieve itching and pain associated with urticaria and angioedema there are natural remedies and lifestyle changes that could help significantly. They include:

• soaking in oatmeal baths
• soaking in detoxifying baths
• rose water and vinegar applications
• mint and brown sugar drinks
• Turmeric powder
• the herb rauwolfia mixed in a cup of water
• applying anti-pruritic lotions.

Lifestyle changes include switching to an all fruit diet for five days, maintaining a balanced food diet of nuts, seeds, fruits, grains and vegetables and avoiding foods like coffee, tea, alcohol, and foods that are hard to digest.

Epson salts baths in hot water are claimed to be the most effect way to relieve outbreaks of urticaria or angioedema. The patient should soak in a hot bath treated with a cup of Epson salts for 20 minutes or more at least three times a week. Do not use soap as it may introduce harmful chemicals and prevent the positive effects and results of the Epson salts.

There is also a chemical free technique or Organic technique that is proving quite helpful for treating chronic urticaria. The theory is by wearing and using clothes and other items like sheets and bath towels that have not been exposed to laundry detergent chemicals, toxicity levels are greatly reduced in the body, and the immune system is boosted.

After about four to six weeks, urticaria and angioedema could disappear. To successfully carry out this technique, a patient must use chemical free, cold water methods to wash items they come in contact with. High levels of baking soda should be added to the long rinse wash cycle, and all items must be air-dried to prevent heat combustion that can cause chemical residue in a dryer.

Preventing Outbreaks of Urticaria and Angioedema

Active patient participation is important in preventing outbreaks of urticaria and angioedema. There are ways to lower the chances of outbreaks by staying away from known triggers like foods that seem to bring on hives or angioedema, medications or situations that provoke onsets. Situations can include anything from temperature changes, stressful environments and exposure to chemicals that could provoke an allergic reaction.

It is also highly recommended that patients keep a log of their outbreaks of urticaria or angioedema, noting what foods seem to cause reactions, what environment brought on a reaction like extreme heat or cold and what chemical (for instance, a certain component in a perfume) caused an allergic attack. By using these self-help techniques, many times a patient can identify and eliminate the cause or causes of their urticaria or angioedema attacks and avoid taking over the counter or prescription medications and the side effects that go along with them.

Conclusion

It is worth the time invested to research urticaria and angioedema to know the various degrees and forms of both conditions. In most cases, urticaria and angioedema are temporary and not serious, but there are rarer forms of urticaria and angioedema that can present serious and life threatening conditions.

Patients experiencing hives or mild angioedema should benefit by taking an antihistamine that can help relieve swelling and itching. In severe cases, corticosteriods may be prescribed for a short period of time. If a patient experiences any difficulty in breathing, swallowing or maintaining consciousness, immediate emergency treatment must occur. Some patients with severe reactions carry epinephrine injections and antihistamine pills to administer should a severe reaction occur.

Hereditary angioedema is not an allergic reaction. It is a genetic disorder that affects the immune system. It can be triggered by injury, infection or stress and the main symptom is swelling, particularly around the mouth and eyes. If swelling occurs in the windpipes, breathing can be inhibited and immediate attention is required. Certain treatments may relieve hereditary angioedema symptoms.

Endometriosis is an illness that affects women of childbearing age with debilitating pain and infertility. Endometriosis causes multiple symptoms that can be difficult to manage, diagnose, and treat. It is thought to affect 5-10% of pre-menopausal women in the United States.

Alternative Names for Endometriosis

The name endometriosis comes from the Latin form of the words “endo,” meaning “inner;” the portion of the word “metri” refers to the uterus or womb; and “-osis” means “condition.” Although the name describes the adverse condition of the uterus, endometriosis can also affect surrounding structures within the pelvis and abdominal cavity.

Endometriosis has also been called by other names that refer to the unusual results of the disease itself. It has been named adenomyosis, which is a type of endometriosis in which uterine lining implants and grows within the muscular walls of the uterus itself. Endometriosis may also be referred to as chocolate cysts or endometriomas, both of which are by-products of the disease.

Chocolate cysts are pockets of blood that are found growing outside the uterus within the pelvic cavity. Because the blood inside the cyst is old, it has a dark appearance, similar to that of chocolate. Endometriomas are another name for growth of endometrial tissue found in various locations throughout the abdominal and pelvic cavity.

Symptoms of the Disease

Symptoms of endometriosis are similar but may vary in severity. Some women may suffer from extreme pain and heavy bleeding with their menstrual periods. Other women may be unaware that they are affected by endometriosis until they receive a diagnosis of infertility. The following symptoms are indications of endometriosis:

• Pelvic pain
• Heavy bleeding with menstrual periods
• Spotting or bleeding between periods
• Pain with urination
• Pain with bowel movements
• Infertility
• Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea or constipation
• Pain with intercourse
• Fatigue

Pelvic pain is the most common sign for women experiencing endometriosis. Pain may be located within the pelvic area, near the uterus, or it may radiate to the back. Some women feel pain near the location of their ovaries; it may radiate into the abdomen, down the legs, or up into the shoulder. The pain can be a constant dull ache, sharp and intermittent, or a combination of both. The severity of pain varies with each woman, some experiencing acute pain that is debilitating. Others suffer from a constant, dull ache. A percentage of women experience no pain with endometriosis.

Endometriosis can cause excessive bleeding during a woman’s menstrual period, resulting in heavy flow. The period may last significantly longer than average, continuing many days or even weeks at a time. Menstrual flow may have large clots and be associated with severe uterine cramping. A heavy menstrual flow is difficult for many women to manage and can be extremely uncomfortable.

Timetable & Menstrual Cycle

The end of a menstrual period typically indicates that approximately a month will pass before starting another. For the patient with endometriosis, there may be spotting of blood or recurring bleeding similar to menstrual flow but lasting for a shorter duration. This occurs mid-cycle and may be associated with menstrual symptoms, such as cramps. This can be challenging to manage for many women, as they may be unprepared for breakthrough bleeding mid-cycle.

Some women with endometriosis experience pain with urination. Endometrial tissue may migrate from the inside of the uterus to the bladder or ureters and implant itself. The action of emptying the bladder can then cause pain during urination or during the sensation of having to void. There may be small amounts of blood that is seen in the urine.

Bowel Movement Issues

Pain during a bowel movement is an associated symptom of endometriosis, as the bowel and rectum become locations for the implantation of endometrial tissue. The pain and bleeding at these sites results in pain during movement of the bowels. A woman may also experience small amounts of blood in the stool.

Infertility & Female Issues

Infertility is closely associated with endometriosis. For women that do not experience pain or bleeding symptoms that are typical of the disease, infertility is often the source of diagnosis. There can be multiple sources of infertility for the woman suffering from endometriosis. The implantation of endometrial lining in various parts of the pelvic cavity leads to bleeding and scar tissue formation that can block the process of fertilization. For example, scar tissue build-up within the fallopian tubes can prevent a released egg from finding its way to the uterus for fertilization.

A hormonal imbalance is often associated with endometriosis, and in order to achieve pregnancy and successfully grow a baby to term, a delicate balance of hormones must remain in the body. Endometriosis involves an imbalance that may prevent implantation of a fertilized egg into the uterus, or the growth of the egg into a fetus, resulting in miscarriage.

Some women experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation. Lesions of endometrial lining may localize on the bowel or intestine, causing a change in bowel habits and producing loose stools or reducing the frequency of bowel movements.

Endometrial lesions may occasionally appear in or near the vagina or cervix of a woman, or they may deposit in the peritoneal cul-de-sac. The cul-de-sac is the area located between the back wall of the uterus and the rectum. Endometrial lesions found in these locations can cause pain during sexual intercourse.

Fatigue

Fatigue is the result of several symptoms of endometriosis, including management of chronic pain and blood loss. Any chronic disease that leaves a patient handling negative symptoms such as pain can become exhausting. The body utilizes some of its own resources to respond to pain, but after an extended period of time, the body’s energy may become depleted, resulting in fatigue.

Large amounts of blood loss through menstruation or internal bleeding from lesions can also result in fatigue. For women with exceptionally heavy amounts of bleeding, laboratory tests such as an iron panel should be checked for possible anemia.

The management of chronic disease also leads to the possibility of depression for women with endometriosis. Living with constant pain, as well as experiencing discomfort during typically normal activities can be exhausting. Infertility for a couple with a desire to have a child can be a heartbreaking event, leaving them hoping for a baby but feeling depressed because of the illness. Women diagnosed with endometriosis should consider the possibility of depression as a potential long term effect of the disease and seek treatment if necessary.

Causes of Endometriosis

There is not one exact cause of endometriosis, but several theories have developed, all of which have research to back up some of their ideas. The process of menstruation typically develops as a monthly episode where the body releases an egg from one of two ovaries located near the uterus. The ovaries are connected to the uterus with the fallopian tubes, each a passageway for the egg to travel as it moves toward fertilization.

During the time preceding ovulation, the uterus has built up a healthy amount of interior lining made of blood and tissue that will provide a place for a fertilized egg to implant and then grow into a fetus. Without fertilization, the egg is shed along with this endometrial lining approximately once a month during menstruation.

Ovulation

The entire process of ovulation through menstruation is managed by specific hormones within the body. Two common hormones, called estrogen and progesterone are responsible for many of these factors, such as the maturation of an egg before ovulation and the development of endometrial lining in the uterus.

Endometriosis occurs when some of the endometrial lining that is normally found in the uterus migrates to other parts of the pelvic cavity and implants itself on other structures. These endometrial lesions can be found on many parts of the body, including the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the bowel, the bladder, the ureters, or the wall of the peritoneum.

Lesions

In rare cases, lesions have been found on the diaphragm and even the lungs of some women. Although the lesions implant on areas outside the uterus, during the process of menstruation, the lesions bleed just as if they were still inside the uterus. It is this internal bleeding that causes pain and the multiple symptoms associated with endometriosis.

The reasons for the wandering endometrial tissue are unclear, but are thought to be related to one of the hormones affecting menstruation: estrogen. Increased amounts of estrogen have impacted the quantity of endometrial tissue found in other parts of the body, and is responsible for the monthly bleeding associated with the lesions.

Retrograde Menstruation

Another theory that may be a source of endometriosis is the concept of retrograde menstruation. In this situation, the body proceeds through the menstrual cycle as usual, but when it is time for the interior lining of the uterus to be shed, some of the blood and tissue travels up into the fallopian tubes and toward the ovaries where it exits into the pelvic cavity. This then allows some particles of the endometrial lining to attach to various internal organs and continue the process of endometriosis.

A genetic factor has also been attributed to the development of endometriosis. The risk of a woman developing the disease is ten times greater if she has close family member, such as a mother or sister, with endometriosis. The role of hormones in the process of heredity contributes to some of the changes that occur during the menstrual cycle, giving women that are direct relatives related menstrual symptoms, and therefore a genetic probability of disease development.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for developing endometriosis are related to some of the causes of the disease. Endometriosis is primarily a disease that affects women during their childbearing years, although it can also be found in post-menopausal women. Because of this, a woman of childbearing age (between menarche and menopause) is at a greater risk of developing endometriosis. Women that have a close female relative with the disease are also at greater risk. In addition, those women that take estrogen supplements are at risk due to the presence of the hormone related to the disease.

Prevention

There is little that can be done to prevent endometriosis, especially for women that are unaware that they have the illness. Endometriosis is a disease that is treated after symptoms appear. Awareness seems to be the highest form of prevention, as well as taking care of the body. Women should be aware of the risk factors associated with endometriosis and monitor their own body system for signs of the disease.

For women that suffer from heavy periods, vitamin supplements that contain iron may be effective in handling fatigue. The use of hormone supplements should be well monitored by a physician to determine if the body may be developing a hormone imbalance.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of endometriosis is definitively made only by surgery. A physician can recommend surgery if a patient presents with the symptoms of endometriosis that is not managed by pain control or if she desires a pregnancy. A doctor should take a complete history of the woman, including menstruation, number of pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and sexual history. The physician may ask about family members with endometriosis to find a possible genetic link. Lab work may be ordered to check for estrogen and progesterone levels.

If a woman is seeking treatment for infertility, a physician may attempt to treat the condition before performing surgery to rule out endometriosis. This typically occurs if infertility is one of the only symptoms. Infertility procedures, such as the administration of medications to induce ovulation, as well as intrauterine insemination may be performed in an attempt to achieve pregnancy first.

Hysterosalpingogram

A physician may perform a procedure called a hysterosalpingogram (HSG), which is a test to determine if the fallopian tubes are clear. If a woman is presenting with infertility and may have endometriosis, lesions may have appeared within the fallopian tubes, causing blockage or scar tissue that can prevent an egg from reaching the uterus for fertilization. During an HSG, a doctor administers a solution into the cervix of the patient where it travels up into the uterus, through the fallopian tubes, and into the ovaries.

The solution can be seen on x-ray and the physician is able to take radiographic images of the process to see the flow of fluid and determine if the fallopian tubes may be blocked. A blockage does not indicate definitively that endometriosis is present, but it can explain a reason for infertility, giving the doctor a reason to look for other possible signs of endometriosis.

Surgical Procedures

Surgical procedures to diagnose endometriosis include a laparoscopy to look for lesions in the pelvis. The doctor makes several small incisions in the abdomen and inserts a tube with a lighted camera on the end into the pelvic cavity. This enables the physician to look for lesions on organs and throughout the pelvis. If lesions are found, they can then be removed. The use of laparoscopy gives a physician a definite diagnosis of endometriosis and can help control some pain of the disease following the procedure.

Endometriosis is diagnosed according to stages, which depends on the severity of lesions, not the associated symptoms. Stage one is considered minimal, and there are very few lesions found outside the uterus. Stage two is referred to as mild endometriosis. There are more lesions and they are found deeper within the tissue.

Scar Tissue & Painful Side Effects

There is also the presence of scar tissue. Stage three is moderate endometriosis, which includes everything found in stages one and two, as well as implantations found on the ovaries. Stage four is inclusive of all stages, with large lesions and significant amounts of scar tissue. Stage four is considered severe endometriosis.

Pain and symptoms are not part of the diagnosis of which stage the disease is in. A woman may have severe pain, but with minimal lesions. Alternatively, a woman may present with only a diagnosis of infertility and no other symptoms yet have a diagnosis of stage four endometriosis with extensive scar tissue.

Treatment

Treatment of endometriosis is based on the stage of life of the woman and the severity of symptoms. For the childbearing woman who wishes for a future pregnancy, symptoms are treated through pain medication and other comfort measures. For example, pelvic pain can be helped with the use of anti-inflammatory medications and a heating pad to reduce discomfort. Surgery to remove lesions and scar tissue is also an option for the woman suffering severe symptoms but who still plans to have children. Surgery can reduce pain and bleeding associated with the disease and retains the internal structures needed for pregnancy.

Women that do not wish for a pregnancy have other options for treatment beyond comfort measures. The use of hormone therapy, particularly that found in oral contraceptives can reduce symptoms of pain and regulate menstrual bleeding. Progesterone is a hormone that can counterbalance excessive estrogen, the cause of many endometriosis symptoms.

Surgery Options

Surgery can also be an option for painful symptoms. Beyond laparoscopy to remove lesions and scar tissue, there is an option of removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. This provides relief from excessive menstrual bleeding and can help with chronic pain, but is an invasive option that is reserved for the woman with particularly difficult symptoms.

Endometriosis can be a difficult disease to detect and to treat. Millions of women suffer from this disease throughout their childbearing years, making conception difficult and monthly periods unmanageable. Through the help of a physician, women suffering from endometriosis can be accurately diagnosed, and depending on their stage of life and desires, can be treated and find relief from these difficult symptoms.