Dry skin

When the sebaceous glands produce too much oil, it can get trapped under the skin, combine with dead skin cells, and clog the pores. When this happens, bacteria can build, and cause inflamed, puss-filled bumps known as pimples, zits, or acne.

Teenagers are prone to pimples because of their overactive hormones during puberty. And women are more likely than men to get pimples because of the hormonal changes that happen during menstruation, and pregnancy. But these unsightly bumps can affect children as young as 10, and adults well into their forties.

There is no single cause for pimples; this skin condition can be the result of many combined factors. Some of these zit-causing reasons include hormones, exposure to oils, stress, using the wrong skincare products, and pressure from wearing helmets or chinstraps. Medications such as those containing lithium, iodides, steroids, and bromides can also contribute to pimples, and worsen existing breakouts.

Pimple breakouts can range in severity, and since everyone’s skin is different there is no one size fits all method for zapping zits. A combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and natural home remedies can be used to clear existing breakouts and prevent new ones from occurring.

Drug Treatments for Pimples

Over the counter creams, cleansers, and gels that contain benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are the most commonly used topical medicines for treating mild breakouts. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxyl acid that promotes rapid shedding of the skin cells. This acne-fighting ingredient also neutralizes bacteria, and constricts pore diameter to reduce pore blockage. Salicylic acid can cause irritation, dryness, peeling, burning, and stinging of the skin. Using other acne-fighting ingredients with salicylic acid can increase burning.

Benzoyl peroxide is an organic compound that acts as a peeling agent to increase skin turnover, clear pores, and reduce bacteria count. The most common side effect of benzoyl peroxide is irritation, and drying of the skin. After a week of using products that contain benzoyl peroxide, the skin builds a tolerance and the drying, and irritation will usually subside.

Less common side effects of benzoyl peroxide include burning, swelling, itching, and peeling. This acne-fighting ingredient can bleach hair, and clothes, so it should be applied with care. Although creams, gels, and cleansers that contain salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are available over the counter, pregnant women, and women who are nursing should consult a doctor before using them on their skin.

Simple Breakouts and Antimicrobials

Unfortunately, severe pimple breakouts are not easy to get rid of with over the counter medicines. These types of breakouts usually require the help of a dermatologist. A dermatologist will evaluate the skin, and determine the best way to heal current breakouts, prevent new ones from forming, and reduce the risk of scarring.

Dermatologists commonly prescribe topical antimicrobials, topical retinoids, or oral antibiotics to treat pimples. These medications can be prescribed alone, or in several combinations to improve their effectiveness.

Topical antimicrobials inhibit the population of the p.acnes bacteria, and promote healing of breakouts. Common types of antimicrobials prescribed by dermatologists include:

Azelaic acid

Azelaic acid occurs naturally in the skin and is used to treat both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne. Side effects of this drug include dryness, and lighting of the skin.

Clindamycin

Clindamycin is a semi-synthetic antibiotic that treats acne. Side effects of this drug include skin dryness, and irritation. Since clindamycin is a topical antibiotic, there is a chance of bacterial resistance if it is not used as directed.

Erythromycin

Topical erythromycin is an antibiotic that is usually combined with benzoyl peroxide to increase effectiveness. Side effects of this drug include drying of the skin, and irritation. Use erythromycin as directed to reduce the risk of bacterial resistance.

Sodium sulfacetamide

Sulfacetamide is usually used to treat inflammatory acne. This drug opens clogged pores, and kills bacteria. The smell, and grittiness of products containing sulfur is strong, and may not appeal to users.

Benzoyl Peroxide

Although benzoyl peroxide can be found in drug stores, dermatologists may find it necessary to prescribe stronger concentrations of this medicine to treat pimples.

Topical retinoids are a derivative of vitamin A. These retinoids work to unclog pores, and prevent pimples from forming. Commonly prescribed topical retinoids include:

Tazarotene

Tazarotene is a synthetic retinoid that should not be used by pregnant women due to the increased risk of birth defects. Side effects of this medication can include skin irritation.

Adapalene

Adapalene is a synthetic retinoid that acts as an anti-inflammatory. Side effects of this drug include skin irritation, and dryness.

Tretinoin

Tretinoin is a natural retinoid that can effectively unclog pores. This drug is very harsh on the skin. Side effects include dryness, irritation, redness, burning, itching, and scaling. Some of these side effects can be minimized by reducing the amount of medication applied to the skin.

Oral Antibiotics

Oral antibiotics are effective at treating persistent acne. When taken orally, antibiotics reduce the p.acnes population, and reduce inflammation to promote healing of pimples. Antibiotics are not typically prescribed for more than six months; if overused, these drugs can cause resistance to bacteria. Commonly prescribed oral antibiotics include:

Erythromycin

When taken internally, erythromycin can cause irritation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Tetracycline, Doxycycline, and Minocycline

These drugs are effective at reducing inflammatory pimples. Tetracycline, and derivative drugs affect the development of bones and teeth, so they should not be used by children under the age of eight, and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Doxycycline is especially effective at treating inflammatory acne. In addition to skeletal damage in children, doxycycline can cause sun sensitivity.

Sometimes pimples can start deep in the skin, and form cystic acne. Cystic acne is the most difficult type of breakouts to treat. If cystic pimples are not treated properly they can become severely inflamed, rupture, and cause permanent scarring of the skin. In cases such as these, dermatologists may need to administer inter-lesional corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Skin doctors can also drain, and extract puss from large cysts to speed healing.

Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin is a man-made retinoid used to treat cystic acne that does not respond to other medications. This drug is taken in pill form up to twice a day for 16 to 20 weeks, and the results can last for years. Isotretinoin is used hesitantly due to the long list of serious side effects. One such side effect includes the possibility of severe birth defects in developing fetuses.

Women who use isotretinoin should use two forms of birth control for one month before starting the drug, during the entire treatment, and one month after treatments end. Women should not breastfeed while taking isotretinoin, and they should talk to a doctor to get an all clear before getting pregnant after taking the drug.

Other Side effects of Isotretinoin Include:

• severe chest pain
• severe abdomen pain
• blurred vision
• dizziness
• severe headaches
• bone pain
• joint pain
• nausea and vomiting
• rectal bleeding
• diarrhea
• depression
• skin dryness
• dryness of the eyes
• dryness of the nose
• hair loss

These topical retinoids, topical antimicrobials, and oral antibiotics are approved for use in the United States, and may not be regulated for use on pimples in other countries.

Oral contraceptives regulate hormones, and keep oil glands under control, so they may also be prescribed as a way to reduce breakouts in women. Oral contraceptives may not be appropriate for women over the age of 35, those who have blood clotting disorders, and women who smoke.

Natural Remedies for Pimples

Drug treatments are not the only way to manage pimples; natural treatments can also be used for mild cases. Natural treatments may take longer to work, but they are cheaper than medication, and less likely to cause adverse side effects. Here are some home treatments that can be used to banish pimples from the skin.

Tea tree oil “ tea tree oil has antiseptic properties that can reduce acne-causing bacteria and clear acne blemishes. Tea tree oil should not be used at full strength. Instead, mix 5 percent tea tree oil with 95 percent water. You can also purchase premixed ointments from health food stores, or online vendors.

White vinegar and garlic juice mix “ vinegar regulates PH levels in the skin, and garlic has antibacterial and antimicrobial proprieties that kills infections, and helps repair skin. Use a juicer or cheesecloth to extract the juice from two cloves of garlic, and add two tablespoons of vinegar. Use a cotton ball to apply the mixture to affected areas. Let the vinegar, and garlic sit for 20-minutes, and rinse it off with warm water.

Steam facials “ steaming the face three times a week for 15-minutes per session can unclog pores, and release oil, and dirt form the skin.

Oatmeal facial “ oatmeal tones the skin, soothes irritation, and pulls impurities from the pores. Use a blender to crush oatmeal into a fine powder. Add a little warm water to the oatmeal powder, and mix. Apply the oatmeal to the face, let it dry, and then rinse it off with warm water.

Grapefruit seed extract “ grapefruit seed extract has antiviral and antibacterial properties that can kill bacteria, and heal acne. Mix three drops of grapefruit seed extract with one tablespoon of water. Apply the mixture to pimples with a cotton ball.

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Pimples:

Although there is no single cause of pimples, lifestyle factors can play a role in breakouts. Here are some things you can do to reduce the likelihood of clogged pores, bacteria, and oil buildup.

Keeping Your Face Clean

Wash your face twice a day with a soft washcloth, and a mild cleanser. Avoid using harsh scrubbing sponges on the face because this can cause irritation, and injury to the skin.

Keep your hands out of your face. Popping or picking at pimples can transfer dirt and bacteria, increase inflammation, and worsen breakouts. On those rare occasions when you have to touch your face with your hands, wash them first.

Washing Pillowcases

Keep pillowcases, and sheets washed regularly to keep dirt, bacteria, and oil from building up, and transferring to your face. Wash hair regularly, and don’t use oily products on the hair.

Exercise

Exercise for at least 30-minutes a day. Regular exercise can decrease breakouts by reducing stress, and regulating hormones. Sweating also slows down the production of oil in the glands, and reduces the likelihood of pimples.

Make Up & Cosmetics

Switch to cosmetic products labeled, Noncomodegenic or Oil-Free. These types of cosmetics reduce the likelihood of allergic reactions, and clogged pores.

Use clean makeup sponges to apply makeup. And wash makeup brushes regularly to prevent the transfer of bacteria.

A face full of pimples can cause you to shy away from social situations. But having zits is not the end of the world. With the wide range of medicines and natural treatments available, embarrassing breakouts can be effectively managed.

When fungi infect a nail, the result can be an infection of nail fungus called onychomycosis. A white or yellow spot appearing under the tip of the nail may be the first sign of a nail fungal infection. The nail may become discolored, thickened and develop brittle crumbling edges as the fungus goes deeper into the nail. The condition is usually not painful and often has no other symptoms, but it is unsightly and can be painful for some people. If the nails become very thick, wearing shoes may be uncomfortable unless you trim down the thickness. However, you must use great care when trimming the thickened nail, because excessive bleeding may occur if you cut into the quick.

When a nail is infected, a condition called onycholysis may also develop, which causes the nail to separate from the nail bed. Onycholysis may cause pain in fingertips or toes and produce a faint odor. Toenail fungus can also cause serious complications for people with diabetes or for people with suppressed immune systems.

Toenail fungus infections are often hard to treat, because it is difficult to reach the infection that embeds itself inside the nail. Nails may clear up for a time after treatment only to have the condition recur later. However, there are various home remedies as well as medications available to treat nail fungus. A complete cure of the condition may take as long as a year and sometimes longer.

Symptoms

• Nails with distorted shapes
• Thickened nails
• Nails with crumbly, ragged or brittle edges
• Nails with a dull appearance
• Debris build up under the nails causing them to become discolored or to darken

After a fungal infection gets started in a nail, it will usually remain indefinitely unless it is treated, so begin to treat the condition at the first sign of nail fungus.

Risk Factors

• Living in a warm climate
• Working in a damp or humid location
• Shoes and socks that do not absorb perspiration and that hamper ventilation
• Walking in damp public shower rooms, gyms and swimming pools without shoes on your feet
• Heavy perspiration
• Family history of the condition
• Older age
• Being in poor health
• Having athlete’s foot or psoriasis
• A weak immune system, poor circulation or diabetes
• An injured nail, injured skin or an infection

Older people usually have reduced blood circulation, and their nails grow slower and get thicker as they age, causing a greater risk for infection. Men tend to be more prone to toenail fungus than women, especially if they have a family history of the condition.

People with immune systems weakened by AIDS, leukemia, cancer treatments or other medication and those who have diabetes or have had an organ transplant should see a doctor immediately if they have symptoms of nail fungus. These infections can spread to other areas of their bodies and cause serious problems. Diabetics frequently have an impaired nerve supply to their feet because of poor blood circulation and have a greater risk of developing a serious skin infection called cellulitis. Even a seemingly minor injury or nail fungal infection can cause potentially serious consequences for people with diabetes.

Even people who do not have weakened immune systems may experience pain and permanent damage to their nails from fungal infections.

Causes

Molds and yeasts or a group of fungi called dermatophytes can cause nail fungal infections. These fungi are microscopic organisms and can survive without sunlight. The warm, moist environments in showers and swimming pools are ideal places for these microscopic organisms to live, and they can attack your skin even through invisible cuts or a tiny separation between your nail and nail bed.

They typically cause infections only when your exposure to warmth and moisture is continuous. Toenail fungus occurs more frequently than fingernail fungus, because shoes provide a perfect warm, moist environment for fungi to flourish, and the blood does not circulate in the toes as well as it does in the fingers, so your immune system does not fight against the infection as effectively in the toes. People over 60 years old usually have a slightly weakened defense against the invasion of fungi, so they are more prone to develop toenail fungus as they age.

Prevention

It is always better and easier to prevent an infection than to attempt to cure it, so here are a few tips to help prevent toenail fungus:

• Always use good hygiene, keep nails clean and wash your hands after touching a nail that has infection to prevent spreading it to other nails.
• Keep nails trimmed short and straight across, and file thick areas of your nails.
• Dry your toes well after swimming or bathing.
• Wear synthetic socks to draw moisture away and to help keep your feet dryer than they would be if you wore wool or cotton socks. During cold weather, you can wear wool or cotton socks over the synthetic socks to keep your feet warm. If your feet perspire, change your socks frequently. Remove your shoes periodically, and wear open-toed shoes occasionally.
• Do not cut or tear the skin around your nails to help prevent germs from invading.
• Wear shoes or flip-flops in public showers and around pools.
• Treat your feet and the insides of your shoes with anti-fungal powder or spray.
• If you get pedicures, either bring your own instruments, or ensure that your nail salon sterilizes their instruments before using them on your toes.
• Do not trap moisture on your nails by wearing polish or artificial nails.

Tests and Diagnosis

Psoriasis, contact dermatitis, yellow nail syndrome, nail bed tumor and other conditions can appear to be a nail fungal infection, so your doctor will need to scrape some of the debris from under your infected nail and analyze it to identify the cause of your infection. Your doctor can examine the debris under a microscope or culture it in a lab. Yeast and bacteria microorganisms as well as fungi can infect your nails, so your doctor can decide on the best treatment when he or she knows what is causing your infection.

Cures and Remedies

Pharmacutical remedies

Toenail fungus is usually hard to heal, and it often recurs after healing. You can get non-prescription ointments and creams to treat it, but they usually are not very successful in curing the infection.

Prescription Lacquer

If your infection is not severe, your doctor may prescribe ciclopirox, an anti-fungal nail polish called Penlac, for you to apply to your nails and skin every day for about a year. You should apply the polish daily for a week, and then use alcohol to wipe off the layers of Penlac and start the process again, keeping it up for a year. It has been effective in clearing some toenail fungus infections when used as directed, and it is usually more effective when used in combination with topical urea cream. Ciclopiroxolamine and butenafine are also used to treat nail fungus and are effective when used every day for a year or longer.

Topical Medications and Lotions

Your doctor may advise you to use other topical anti-fungal medications, and apply them along with a non-prescription lotion that contains urea, which helps them absorb faster. Your doctor may decrease the amount of infected nail to treat with a process called debridement – filing the surface of your nail. That process may increase the topical medications effectiveness. Topical medications normally do not cure the toenail fungus unless you use them in combination with oral medications.

Oral Medications

Your doctor may recommend an oral anti-fungal medication like terbinafine – Lamisil, or itraconazole, – Sporanox. Studies show that these products are the most effective for treating toenail fungus. When you take these medications for six weeks to three months, you should grow a new nail without infection, taking the place of the infected nail. It may take more than four months to get rid of an infection with these medications, and the infection may return if your feet remain in a warm, moist environment. When you use terbinafine in conjunction with amorolfine nail lacquer, it can be more successful and produce more cost effective results.

Oral medication is frequently recommended for people who experience pain or discomfort due to a nail infection, have diabetes or cellulitis and for those who dislike the appearance of their infected toenails and want an effective treatment for it.

Side Effects

Possible side effects of anti-fungal drugs can be as minor as skin rashes or as severe as liver damage. Consequently, doctors may advise people who have liver disease, congestive heart failure or are taking certain medications not to take anti-fungal drugs.

Surgery

If you have a very painful or acute nail infection, your doctor may recommend surgical removal of your nail. You will probably grow a new nail to take its place, but it may be a year long process for it to completely grow back. After removing the infected nail, your doctor may treat the nail bed with ciclopirox to help prevent recurrence of the infection.

Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy involves using a laser to irradiate the nail after treating it with an acid. The laser light source kills fungus in the nail bed. Physicians have been using a Noveon-type laser for some types of cataract surgery, and it is now proving to be quite effective at treating toenail fungus with no pain. Even common laser pointers can aid the appearance and growth of an infected nail when they are pointed close to the nail for a few minutes each week.

Home Remedies

Some people prefer to treat toenail fungus with home remedies because they are less expensive, and the medical treatments are not always effective. These home remedies have no controlled clinical trials to prove their effectiveness, but some people have reported that they helped or cured their nail fungus. As with all toenail fungus treatments, it can take a long time six months to a year for any remedy to work, so do not become discouraged and stop the treatment too quickly. If you are persistent, you may find relief for your condition.

Vinegar

Studies have shown that vinegar hampers the growth of certain bacteria. Experts recommend that you soak your feet in a solution of one part vinegar to two parts warm water for 15 to 20 minutes every day. After soaking, rinse and dry your feet well. If the vinegar soak causes irritation, make the solution weaker, or soak for a shorter time or less frequently.

Vicks VapoRub

People with toenail fungus have reported that applying Vicks VapoRub to the affected area has helped with the condition. Your doctor can advise you about how to use this remedy to gain the most benefit from it.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Some people have reported that applying hydrogen peroxide to infected nails daily helps the condition to some extent. The peroxide helps to control the excessive bleeding that occurs if you trim a nail too closely.

Bleach

You may be able to cure toenail fungus with household bleach diluted in water and applied to the toenail.

Use toenail clippers to trim your nails as short as you can without cutting into the quick. This assures that the bleach will reach more of the fungus. File the toenails down from the top, using care not to go through the nails. There are several different methods for treating toenail fungus with bleach.

• Mix one part of bleach with ten parts of water and apply to your infected toenails with a cotton swab. Leave the mixture on your toenails, and apply a fresh coat of the solution twice a day.
• Use a bleach pen to apply bleach to your toenails after bathing, and do not rinse it off.
• Mix one part of bleach to ten parts of water and soak your feet in the solution for 15 to 20 minutes every day. Thoroughly rinse and dry your feet after soaking.
• You may soak your feet in the mixture for 30 minutes one time a week if your condition is less severe, or to eliminate the possibility of recurrence after a cure.

Keep soaking your feet for at least three months to be certain that your fungus is completely eliminated. If you do not see improvement in a few months, continue the treatment for at least a year before giving up. If you are not consistent with the treatment and let it lapse, the fungus may get stronger, and you will have to start over.

HERBAL REMEDIES

Some natural ingredients are successful in helping to heal fungus, but they may not work very quickly or be as effective as you would like them to be. However, there have been some very effective products developed recently, and they seem to produce successful results rather quickly. The following products were tested and proved to remove toenail fungus and improve toenail appearance dramatically.

ZetaClear has proved to be effective in treating toenail fungus with all natural ingredients. The product proved to be 100% effective in tests, and most users reported improvement in about two weeks. Their toenails were free of fungus after about three months, but some people kept using the product for a while longer to ensure that the infection would not recur. They reported clear, shiny healthy looking nails after using the product. ZetaClear uses natural oils in its formula and is extremely potent, but it does not cause skin irritation.

Fungisil is another highly effective product and produces the same results as ZetaClear, but it may take about a month longer for some people to eliminate toenail fungus. Fungisils success rate is also 100% and leaves users with healthy nails after treatment.

Another natural treatment for toenail fungus is Nail-Rx by Native Remedies. It has a 90% rate of success and provides excellent results for most users. The fungal infection was completely gone after only three months of use for 80% of those tested.

ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES

The following remedies have no scientific verification, but have been effective in treating toenail fungus for some people.

• Some people report curing toenail fungus with Australian tea tree oil, but there is no verification of its effectiveness.
• Some studies show that Thyme oil has the potential to be effective in treating toenail fungus.
• Some people believe that grapefruit seed extract is a natural antimicrobial, but studies show that the antimicrobial activity in the extract may be due to contamination with synthetic preservatives that were probably not made from grapefruit seeds.

Cost of Treatment

• The cost of laser treatment can be from $1000 to $2500, and insurance policies usually do not cover the procedure.
• Oral medication may have a cost of around $1000.
• Natural remedies can cost from about $100 to $200, and many of them are highly effective.
• Non-prescription creams and ointments are fairly inexpensive sometimes costing less than $20 – but are usually not very effective.
• Alternative remedies usually cost less than $50, but there are no studies proving their effectiveness.
• Home remedies are very economical and usually use products that you already have in your kitchen.

It does not seem to matter whether you use prescription medication, natural products or home remedies to treat toenail fungus it takes at least a minimum of three months to cure, and sometimes the process takes over a year. Depending on the method of treatment you choose, it can also be quite expensive. Whichever remedy you decide to use, be patient and persistent, use good hygiene and common sense and then finally say good-bye to toenail fungus.

Alternative names

• Hyperuricemia
• Asymptomatic Gout
• Acute Gout or Gouty Arthritis
• Interval and Intercritical Gout
• Chronic Tophaccous Gout

Symptoms

There are two different types of gout, primary gout and secondary gout. Primary gout is inherited, which consists of the over production of the uric acid in the blood, a decrease of uric acid in the urine, or both.

Secondary gout occurs when the medication causes the increase of uric acid in the blood. Diuretics can cause this. Kidney failure or the increased destruction of cells, such as cancer patients going through chemotherapy, are also attributed to secondary gout.

You will have redness of the joint accompanied by stiffness, inflammation, and extreme pain. Many will suffer from podagra, a condition where gout forms in the big toe, but you can also contract gout in other joints such as ankles, wrist, fingers, or elbows. 75 percent of first attacks start in the big toe.

Any type of pressure on the affected area hurts. Something as light as a bed sheet or your sock can cause extreme pain. Gout attacks can get better within a few days, even without treatment.

Four Stages With Different Symptoms:

• Asymptomatic (without symptoms) Hyperuricemia are elevated levels of uric acid in the blood with no symptoms.
• Acute Gout or Gouty Arthritis is when deposits of uric acid crystals form in the joint spaces. Sudden onsets of pain will follow, along with swelling, heat, and tenderness.
• Interval or Intercritical Gout is the period in between attacks where there are no symptoms.
• Chronic Tophaccous Gout is the most severe and disabling of all stages of gout. It develops over years, causing permanent damage to any of the joints that are affected, and in some cases, the kidneys.

Causes

If there an increased production in uric acid and your kidneys are doing what they need to do to eliminate the acid, it will build up in the blood, a condition called Hyperuricemia. The uric acid forms tiny crystals the size of the point on a needle in the joints or soft tissue. The crystals can also form into kidney stones.

Risk factors

• Genetics makes up about 20% of all people who suffer from gout.
• Gender and Age: Gout is more common in adult men between the ages of 40 and 50, with a peak age of 75,
  are more likely to contract gout than woman, children, and young adults.
• Weight: Being overweight increases the risk contracting gout. The more you weigh, the more frequent the attacks. Having the extra weight makes it harder for the body to do its job. Losing the weight gradually willbe a benefit to those who have high levels of uric acid, even though being on a diet can trigger an attack.
• Alcohol: People that drink too much alcohol can contract gout as well. The more alcohol you drink, the more the blood is not able to remove the uric acid, the rest crystallizes. Gout attacks happen because the major consumption of alcohol impairs the kidney function.
• Lead: Some studies have concluded that there’s a strong connection between gout and lead poisoning.
• Other risk factors that can cause gout are certain foods such as anchovies, asparagus, beef kidneys, dried bean or peas, game meats, gravy, liver. There are so many others, but these are definitely the foods that gout sufferers should watch out for.
• The kidneys that possess an inability to eliminate waste products.
• People that suffer from high blood pressure.
• People who have had organ transplants.
• Hypothyroidism, or under active thyroid.

Prevention tips

• Medications: Non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, help with the pain and inflammation, oral
• Colchicine in small does to prevent future attacks. Zyloprim and Benemid are medications that are used for the treatment of Hyperuricemia.
• Zyloprim can help in the management of uric acid, but it won’t stop an acute attack of gout that is already present. It can, however, reduce your symptoms when taken over the course of several months.
• People that use medication for high blood pressure and high blood triglycerides find that these meds can be used for the treatment of gout. Cozaar, a high blood pressure medication, and Tricor, a triglyceride lowering medication, are the two that have been found to help aid in the treatment of this condition.
• Lifestyle Changes: Controlling your weight keeps the body from having to work harder break down the bodily waste.
• Drinking large amounts of water removes uric acid from the body.
• Avoid diets that have a low-carbohydrate intake. When you’re not taking in a substantial amount of carbohydrates, the body can’t burn fat completely.
• Eating foods that are purine free is key to reducing the frequency of gout attacks. Purine free means that foods that don’t have a nucleus such as an egg. The yolk is the nucleus. They can’t be avoided completely because purines are released when the body recycles dead cells. These foods are egg whites milk and milk products like cottage cheese mozzarell and whey protein, and pulp-free fruit juices.
• When you have an attack, it is important to avoid excessive exercise, don’t starve yourself, and don’t reduce you calorie intake. The body will continue to break down body tissue and not getting the proper intake of calories per day, the body will compensate by accelerating the breaking down process.

Test and diagnosis considerations

To confirm a diagnosis, a doctor will inject a needle into the inflamed joint and pull a sample of the liquid that lubricates the joint called synovial fluid to analyze. If there are uric acid crystal found in the joint spaces, then you have gout. X-rays don’t work in the early stages of gout, only when the disease is in its later stage, will you see parts of the joint that have been worn away or eroded.

Patients will often seek medical attention thinking that finding the gout in its early stages will prevent it from getting worse later. Sometimes symptoms of gout can be confused with another form of arthritis. One form is called pseudogout. It resembles all the symptoms of gout, but instead of having uric acid crystals that form in the joint spaces, it calcium phosphate. In this case, pseudogout.

Treatment options

1. Home treatments

• Warming the joints with a foot bath and heating pad can help relieve joint pain.
• Increasing the amount of water that you drink will increase your urination, which decreases the amount of
  uric acid in your blood. According to the Institute of Medicine, men should drink approximately 13 cups of
  water per day, women should drink approximately nine cups, whether it’s in food or drink.
• NSAIDs, with the help of other prescribed drugs, are used to treat gout. Aspirin should not be taken
  because it can aggravate the condition.
• Corticosteroids can relieve pain and inflammation of gout in the joint by injecting it right into the joint if
  the pain medication that you have at home doesn’t work.
• Doctors have been advising patients who suffer from gout to take Vitamin E, B-complex, and folic acid to
  replenish the body’s supply.

This should be done under supervision of a physician, but a solution of half of a teaspoon of baking soda dissolved into a glass of water on an empty stomach. If the stomach is full, the combination of the stomach acid and the water/baking soda solution will turn the water into carbon dioxide gas.

The gas will increase stomach pressure, causing injury. Do not exceed more than seven 1/2 teaspoons or three 1/2 teaspoons if you’re over 60, in a 24 hour period. Don’t exceed the maximum dosage for more than two weeks.

Herbal Remedies

In folk medicine, eating or drinking cherries in various forms has shown to reduce the inflammation caused by gout. They have been promoted to the preventing or treating of the condition.

Other herbal remedies that people tend to use instead of conventional medicine are things like celery seed
oil, cherries or cherry extract, turmeric, artichoke extract, garlic, and various Chinese herbs.

Some people have found that swallowing a teaspoon of celery seed oil gives relief for people suffering from gout. It has been used as a herbal remedy to help with conditions where inflammation is a symptom and rheumatism. Turmeric is known in many countries for its health benefits. In Pakistan, it is used as an anti-inflammatory.

The herbal remedy Flamasil, which is turmeric based, it helps with the degeneration of cells, which is 70 percent of all uric acid production, enhances liver and kidney function, and blocks the enzyme that produces uric acid. With any home remedy or experimental drug, there will be opinions and criticisms about how well or if it works.

Side Effects

The side effects of oral colchicine is usually nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, or diarrhea. These side effects make it difficult for the patient to continue using the drug. Corticosteroids cannot be used for every attack you have. If used over time, it can cause deterioration of the joints. It can also decrease the ability for the body to fight off infection and may make these infections harder to treat. You might also notice an increase or decrease in appetite, nervousness, restlessness, problems sleeping, and indigestion.

If you’re using a corticosteroid, via inhalant, you’re more likely to suffer from dry throat as well as headaches, nausea, bruising and/or thinning of the skin, unpleasant sense of taste. Nasal sprays can also irritate the throat, and ointments or gels can cause skin irritation.

Probenicid, or Benemid, is not a good medication to treat acute gout attacks. They can aggravate the inflammation if used in the beginning stages of the attack. It can also cause kidney issues such as renal colic and increased levels of uric acid that can turn into uric acid stones, or kidney stones. Zyloprim side effects are included, but not limited to, an acute attack of gout, nausea, diarrhea, and certain skin reactions such as a rash.

All gout medications have side effects that range from nausea to stomach cramps. Although, there are new medications being developed in clinical trials that will substantially increase the elimination of uric acid and the lowering of uric acid in the blood stream. Researchers are also working on medications that will stop chemical messages that are causing the gout inflammation.

Chinese Research

In China, researchers have invented a medicine that compliments, the Weicao Capsule, that helps relieve gout, therapeutically. This is still in its trial phase, but it has been shown in a study that the capsule has increased urination, which lowers high levels of uric acid and improves kidney function.

Gout can become extremely serious if not treated in it’s earliest stages. There are some people that will dismiss the condition, but gout is very serious and has the capability of interfering with the simplest of everyday things.

Resources

National Institute of Health
Cdc.Gov
MedicineNet.Com

Frequent Urination Condition

Frequent urination simply means urinating more often than usual. Its a symptom rather than a condition. Most people empty their bladders between four and eight times a day; frequent urination is therefore defined as voiding urine more often than eight times a day with the implication that this increased rate is not strictly volitional.

Frequent urination does not always signify an underlying health problem.

You may be drinking too much fluid, or possibly you need to modify your food and beverage intake: alcohol, caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea and even some foods such as celery, watermelon and parsley are natural diuretics increasing the amount of urine you would normally excrete.

Underlying Problems

But frequent urination is often a sign of an underlying medical pathology, most often a urinary tract infection or cystitis (an inflammation of the bladder) that can affect either sex although it most common in women.

Frequent urination can also be the first symptom of diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, as the body mobilizes the urinary system to rid itself of excess glucose.

Frequent urination is linked to prostate problems in men and to pregnancy and pelvic inflammatory disease in women. The symptom is also a common side effect of obesity and abdominal radiation treatments.

Even when frequent urination is not connected to an underlying pathology, it can be a disruptive and embarrassing condition. When you have to go, you have to go no matter what else is happening around you.

When frequent urination forces major changes in lifestyle habits or is accompanied by fever, pain, nausea and vomiting, increased or decreased appetite, genital discharge or changes in the appearance of the urine itself, it’s time to consult a physician about the condition.

Alternative Names

There are several different conditions which are closely associated with frequent urination:

Urgent Urination, Urinary Urgency

A sudden, compelling need to urinate linked to a burning sensation or pain, often a sign of an underlying urinary tract infection.

Urge Incontinence, Urinary Incontinence, Overactive Bladder Syndrome

A sudden, irresistible need to urinate due to bladder spasms. Symptoms include urinary frequency, urinary urgency, and sometimes leaking urine before you can get to a toilet.

Stress Incontinence

Involuntary urination that occurs during an activity such as coughing, sneezing or laughing, generally caused by an underlying anatomic weakness to the bladder.

Nocturia

Frequent urination at night involving waking up several times to use the toilet.

Polyuria

The production of excessive volumes of urine for an adult, over 2.5 liters in 24 hours.

Depending on the underlying cause of your urinary frequency, you may experience some of these symptoms as well.

Physiology

Urination is the process by which urine is eliminated from the body, a function which in healthy humans is partly under voluntary control.

Cellular metabolism generates nitrogenous waste products that must be eliminated from the bloodstream. These wastes are filtered out of the bloodstream by the kidneys. There are two kidneys in the body, each made up of microscopic structures called nephrons that act as filtering units removing most of the water, salt and waste from the blood that passes through them.

The resulting liquid waste product called urine is transported through anatomic structures called ureters to the bladder where it is stored. The anatomical structure of the ureters and bladder do not allow urine to back up towards the kidneys under most circumstances.

Bladder Muscles

The bladder has two sets of muscles controlling its opening. Only the external sphincter is under voluntary control. Both the internal sphincter and the smooth muscle in the wall of the bladder are under the control of the parasympathetic nervous system. As your bladder fills with urine, the smooth muscle stretches by means of small contractile waves to accommodate the extra volume of urine. When urination occurs, the bladder’s outer layer of muscle (called the detrusor) contracts to help push out urine.

Urine is excreted from the bladder through the urethra, a process called urination. The average adult bladder can hold between 300 and 500 cc of urine. Urine is sterile when it is excreted from the body: it contains fluid, salts and waste products, but it is free of bacteria, viruses and other pathogenic organisms.

Causes of Frequent Urination

Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder is a condition associated with a sudden, irresistible urge to urinate, resulting from involuntary contractions of the musculature of the bladder wall.

Overactive bladder is particularly common among middle-aged and older adults, and some medical experts estimate that one out of ever 11 adults in the United States suffers from some form of it. Untreated overactive bladder can lead to an increased incidence of urinary tract infections and skin infections from the corrosive effects of urine on the delicate skin of the urogenital area. But treatment success rates are high: with behavioral modification techniques and medication, 80% of people are able to bring their symptoms under control.

Overactive bladder can be brought on by abnormalities of the nervous system such as spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, strokes, Parkinson’s disease and diabetic neuropathy; by urinary tract infections; and by blockages to the urinary system such as those caused by kidney stones or an enlarged prostate. But in many cases, there is no underlying pathogenic cause to overactive bladder.

Medical History

Medical history plays an important role in diagnosis: urinary frequency, urinary urgency, stress incontinence and urinating more than three times a night are all suggestive of overactive bladder. A pelvic exam for women (to rule out pelvic inflammatory disease) and a prostate exam for men (to check for enlargement) are generally indicated. Ultrasonic measurement of the post-void residual (the amount of urine left in the bladder after urination) can further help determine whether symptoms are due to muscle spasms or some other cause.

If underlying pathology is ruled out then treatment for overactive bladder focuses on:

Improving the Tone of the Surrounding Pelvic Muscles

Doing Kegel exercises (also called pelvic floor exercises) for five minutes, two to three times a day, can markedly decrease incontinence in both women and men. Occasionally Kegel exercises are used in conjunction with biofeedback and electrical stimulation of the floor of the pelvis.

Behavioral Modification

Behavioral techniques called bladder training can teach you to resist the urge to urinate, gradually increasing the interval between trips to the toilet.

Medications

Several medications that block the effects of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine have proven successful in the treatment of overactive bladder. They share common side effects including dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and in the elderly, confusion.

• Oxybutynin (Ditropan): Oxybutynin suppresses spasms in the smooth muscles of the bladder wall. Additionally it relaxes the detrusor.
• Tolterodine (Detrol, Detrol LA): Tolterodine suppresses spasms in the smooth muscles of the bladder wall. It does not cause the mouth to dry out as much as Oxybutynin.
• Solifenacin (VESIcare). Similar to Tolterodine, but with a longer half-life.
• Tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine (Tofranil) and doxepin (Sinequan, Adapin) have also been used to treat overactive bladder with some success. Their mechanism of action is not clear.

Natural Treatments

If you are suffering from the symptoms of overactive bladder, there are a number of remedies you can try at home without seeking medical attention. Regulate your fluid intake. If you smoke, stop. Consider eliminating coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages and foods: caffeine is a known diuretic.

Foods such as chocolate, spicy cuisines, alcohol and carbonated drinks can also irritate the bladder. If you are even a few pounds overweight, consider going on a diet: middle-aged people tend to put on weight in their abdomen, and all that extra avoirdupois exerts extra pressure on your bladder.

Constipation, similarly, also exerts extra pressure on your bladder so consider increasing the amount of fiber in your diet if you suffer from it.

Some naturopathic doctors believe that overactive bladder is linked to food sensitivities, particularly to wheat and dairy products.

These foods, it’s speculated, cause a systemic inflammation that manifests, among other things, as an inflamed bladder. By cutting out one food group for a period of time and observing how your symptoms respond, you can pinpoint the dietary culprit.

Mineral Supplements

A number of botanicals and mineral supplements have also been used to treat overactive bladder with some success.

Pumpkin

Native Americans have used pumpkin seeds for centuries to improve bladder and prostate health. Pumpkin is also one of the few natural remedies to be tested in clinical trials: in one six-week study of postmenopausal women suffering from overactive bladder, almost 60% of participants showed marked improvement.

Magnesium

Clinical trials have also proven the efficacy of magnesium, particularly among patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease. It thought to control smooth muscle spasms.

Saw Palmetto

Palmetto is commonly used throughout Europe to treat the symptoms of benign enlarged prostate. Its precise mechanism of action is unclear but it has anti-inflammatory properties and is known to reduce the activity of enzymes linked to prostate problems. Clinical studies have proved that it reduces urinary frequency. But palmetto has some mild estrogenic effects; for that reason, women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking birth control pills or undergoing hormone therapy should avoid it.

Stress Incontinence

Stress incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine due to a sudden pressure on the abdominal muscles secondary to physical activities like coughing, sneezing or laughing.

While its symptoms and many non-invasive treatments are similar to those for overactive bladder, its underlying cause is quite different: it due to a weakening of the pelvic musculature which in men can occur following a prostatectomy and among women is a common aftermath to childbirth among women (exacerbated when estrogen levels decrease in the week before menstruation or following menopause.)

In addition to the treatments described under overactive bladder above, one non-surgical treatment that sometimes used for women suffering from stress incontinence is the insertion of a small ring-shaped medical device called a pessary into the vagina. The pessary reduces stress incontinence by compressing the urethra against the symphysis pubis bone. If a woman uses this treatment option, she must be carefully monitored by her physician to reduce the chance of contracting a vaginal or urinary tract infection.

Surgical treatment is only considered if other non-invasive treatments have failed and the exact anatomical site of the pelvic muscle weakness is known.

Nocturia

Nocturia is the medical term for frequent urination at night. It can be a symptomatic of a systemic disease process such as a kidney or bladder infection, diabetes or sleep apnea; in men, it is often the first sign of prostate enlargement. But even when its causes are relatively benign, nocturia can still be a difficult condition to live with because it interferes with sleep.

Interventions to try at home include minimizing all fluid intake but particularly caffeine and alcohol for at least three hours before bedtime, taking medications that have a diuretic effect earlier in the day, and avoiding strenuous exercise and potentially stressful interactions before sleep. You should see your physician if nighttime urination is accompanied by fever, pain or discomfort, or if your urinary frequency is not affected at all when you cut down on fluids before bedtime.

Medical History and Testing

Since nocturia is frequently a symptom of an underlying systemic pathology, when you visit your physician, he or she will try to rule these out by taking a thorough patient history, performing a physical exam, and ordering diagnostic tests such as urinalysis, urine culture, blood sugar and BUN/creatinine clearance.

Nocturia can be a symptom of benign prostate enlargement, urinary tract infection, kidney failure, congestive heart failure, obstructive sleep apnea or diabetes.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)

Urinary tract infections are the second most common type of infection, resulting in 8.3 million visits to doctors offices every year. UTIs are named differently according to the primary site of infection:

• Urethritis is an infection of the urethra
• Cystitis is an infection of the bladder
• Pyelonephritis is a kidney infection

In addition to urinary symptoms like urinary frequency and urinary urgency, UTI symptoms can include low-grade fever, abdominal or back pain, and urine that appears cloudy and has an unusual or foul odor. With more serious infections that spread to the kidneys, symptoms may include a fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit with chills and night sweats, nausea and vomiting and more severe pain in the abdomen or lower back or referred to the flank.

In a significant number of cases, UTIs are asymptomatic. Indeed among the elderly for whom UTIs are a huge concern, the only symptoms may be confusion, combativeness or other changes in mentation.

UTIs occur when bacteria contaminate the urethra opening and begin to multiply. The most common contaminant is Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacteria which typically lives in the intestines and the most common source of infection in active individuals is fecal contamination following bowel movements. But any abnormality in the urinary tract that obstructs the free flow of urine a kidney stone, for example, or an external catheter can set the stage for infection.

Higher Risk Categories

Women are more prone to UTIs than men, possibly because their urethras are shorter and closer to the anus. Medical experts estimate that half of all women will experience a UTI at least once in their lifetime, and most of them more than once. Factors that increase a woman™s susceptibility to UTIs include sexual activity (because intercourse can irritate the urethra,) use of the diaphragm as a birth control device, and aging since the decrease in estrogen following menopause leads to more fragile urogenital tissues.

If the UTI involves mild discomfort but no fever, you can try to manage it at home. Your goal will be to flush the offending microorganisms by drinking lots and lots of water. Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea, alcohol and carbonated beverages as these will irritate your bladder. Since an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, for the future remember to wipe from front to back after a bowel movement (rather than the other way around), to urinate as soon as possible after sexual intercourse and (for women) to avoid potentially irritating feminine hygiene products.

Cranberry Juice

For more than a century, cranberry juice has been used as a natural remedy for UTIs. Cranberries contain substances called proanthocyanins which seem to prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract. Don’t use the highly sweetened cranberry juice you find in supermarkets for this purpose. Instead use unsweetened cranberry juice or cranberry extract tablets available from health food stores.

If you are running even a low-grade fever or your UTI is causing you significant discomfort, then you should opt to see a physician for treatment.

Definitive diagnosis will be made on the basis of a urinalysis done on a clean, mid-stream catch specimen of urine. Blood, pus and/or bacteria will be present in a urinalysis that’s positive for a UTI. Occasionally a urine culture may also be ordered to test for specific strains of bacterial infection. Other tests your physician may order if he or she thinks your infection may be more serious include blood cultures and a CBC.

Treatment Options

The first line of treatment for a simple UTI is antibiotics. Commonly used antibiotics include Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox), Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), and Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim). Symptoms often respond to treatment within 24 hours, but it is important to complete the antibiotic regimen even if symptoms have disappeared otherwise the implicated bacteria may develop a resistance to that antibiotic.

Your doctor may also prescribe medication called Phenazopyridine hydrochloride (Pyridium) to control the burning sensation you experience upon urination. One side effect of Pyridium is that it turns your urine bright blue!

If your UTI has made you extremely sick or you are incapacitated in some way that makes your doctor think you will be unable to adhere to the antibiotic protocol (as sometimes happens with elderly patients), your doctor may recommend hospitalization so that antibiotics and fluids can be administered intravenously

References:

• MayoClinic.Com
• National Health Institute

Angina, also known as Angina Pectoris which means squeezing of the chest in Latin, is a symptom of ischemic heart disease. The chest discomfort, pressure and pain are caused by the coronary arteries delivering an inadequate amount of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. The two main causes of angina are artherosclerotic plaque buildup and coronary artery spasm. If left untreated, angina can result in total blockage of the arteries and cause a heart attack.

The risk of heart disease and heart attack increases with the number of risk factors you have and their severity. Some heart disease risk factors can develop within the first ten years of life. Risk factors include hypertension, coronary artery disease, high blood fats or cholesterol, family history of premature ischemic heart disease, smoking, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. Angina occurs more frequently in men than in women. The most frequent cause of angina is coronary artery disease. The risk factors you cannot control are family history, age and gender.

Four Different Types of Angina.

Stable Angina

Stable angina is chest pain or discomfort that usually occurs with stress or physical activity. It begins slowly and intensifies before going away but reoccurs with additional activity or stress. The pain usually lasts from one to 15 minutes and is relieved with medication or rest. The frequency and severity of the pain does not change much.

Symptoms of Stable Angina include pain that occurs behind or slightly to the left of the breastbone and a feeling of tightness, pressure, squeezing or crushing pain in the chest. Stable Angina can be treated with medication, angioplasty or stenting. Medications require no recovery time and are much less expensive than angioplasty and stenting.

People who take only medications to relieve their angina may not have quick chest pain relief, but if you choose to take medications to treat your angina, it’s important that you take them exactly as your doctor instructs you so that you get the maximum benefit from your medications.

Angioplasty and stenting may have earlier and better symptom relief, such as reduced chest pain but research has shown the chest pain relief was about the same between those who have angioplasty and stenting and those who only take medication after five years.

Unstable Angina

Unstable angina is chest pain that occurs suddenly and gets increasingly worse. It is the most serious form of angina and requires immediate medical attention. The chest pain lasts longer than 15 – 20 minutes, may occur along with a drop in blood pressure or significant shortness of breath, occurs without cause and responds poorly to nitroglycerin.

Calcium channel blockers are extremely effective in preventing the coronary spasms of variant angina. These drugs, along with nitrates, are the most common treatment. If you have unstable angina, you most likely will be admitted to the hospital and given medicines, including heparin, aspirin and other antiplatelet medicines.

Unstable angina requires close monitoring and testing. If you are at high risk for heart attack and chest pain continues after the above treatment, your doctor may decide to perform coronary catheterization and plan for possible angioplasty and stent placement to prevent a heart attack.

Variant Angina

Prinzmetal’s or variant angina is caused by spasm of one of the coronary arteries. It is usually the result of severe coronary atherosclerosis in at least one major vessel. The spasm normally occurs very close to the blockage. It mostly occurs spontaneously and unlike typical angina, it nearly always occurs when a person is at rest. It doesn’t occur with physical exertion or emotional stress.

Attacks can be very painful and usually occur between midnight and eight a.m. Treatment helps to control chest pain and prevent a heart attack. Nitroglycerin is frequently used to relieve an episode of pain. Nitrates, beta -blockers or calcium channel blockers may also be prescribed.

The medication dosage can be gradually reduced after six to 12 months of treatment. In some cases surgery is used when blockages exist along with spasm.

Microvascular Angina

Microvascular angina is caused by inadequate blood flow through the tiny cardiac blood vessels. Microvascular angina symptoms include chest pain or discomfort, a crushing or burning sensation in the chest, and pain or numbness in the arms, shoulders or jaw.

Microvascular angina usually occurs during routine daily activities and times of mental stress. It may be more severe or last longer than other types of angina pain. Symptoms include shortness of breath, sleep problems, fatigue, and lack of energy.

Treatment for microvascular angina includes nitroglycerin, calcium channel blockers or beta blockers and lifestyle changes. Since microvascular angina is not caused by significant arterial blockages, it is harder to recognize and diagnose.

Diagnosis

Laboratory tests can help the physician identify angina and conditions that may contribute to its development.

Urinalysis may reveal underlying conditions such as diabetes mellitus or renal disease, both of which are associated with atherosclerosis.

A chest x-ray may show an enlarged heart or other signs of possible heart failure.

Blood tests may show elevated CPK (creatine phosphokinase) level. When heart tissue dies it causes the enzyme CPK to be released into the blood. Blood tests to check for inflammation, high cholesterol and glucose levels are also used to diagnose angina. Stress tests are commonly used to evaluate coronary artery disease.

EKG

During a stress test an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is taken before, during and after exercise on a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Patients who are at risk for a coronary event with exercise are given a drug to increase the heart rate instead of exercising on the treadmill. A normal ECG could indicate a patient’s chest pain is caused by something other than a blocked coronary artery.

A coronary angiogram consists of injecting contrast material into the bloodstream and taking x-rays of the coronary arteries. This enables the physician to see malformations, blockages, and stenosis in the vessels. In variant angina, spasm of an artery may be induced during angiography and would help confirm a diagnosis of that form of angina.

Echocardiography is a procedure used to evaluate the valves, function, and size of the heart. This diagnostic test uses soundwaves to take a detailed picture of the heart. A nuclear heart scan shows the level of blood flow to the heart by providing moving pictures of the blood flowing through the heart and arteries.

Medication Side Effects

All medications used to treat angina have similar side effects which should be reported to your physician immediately if they worsen or persist. They include headache, dizziness, flushing and restlessness. Blurred vision, dry mouth, nausea, pale skin or rapid heartbeat are serious side effects that should be reported immediately.

If the medication is working you will experience headaches which can be treated with aspirin or non aspirin pain relieve unless they become severe. Rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness or trouble breathing are signs of an allergic reaction to the medication and require immediate attention.

Natural Herbs can help control angina symptoms. The following herbs are the most commonly used to relieve the symptoms of angina.

Garlic

Garlic contains substances that discourage platelets from sticking together and helps prevent blood clots. It also lowers total cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL, the good cholesterol. Include one clove of garlic in your daily diet or take 10 milligrams per day.

Ginkgo

Ginkgo’s antioxidant properties neutralize harmful molecules called free radicals. It increases blood supply to the extremities and makes heart cells more efficient. It keeps platelets from sticking together and has a tonic effect on blood vessels. Take 40 to 80 milligrams of capsules three times per day.

Hawthorne

This traditional European herb used in treating heart disease dilates coronary arteries, which increases blood supply to the heart. Hawthorne improves oxygenation and energy metabolism and helps decrease lactic acid which is the waste product of exertion that causes heart muscle pain.

Hawthorne contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help strengthen artery walls and reduce cholesterol. Take 100 to 250 milligrams three times per day or drink one cup of tea three times per day. The tea can be made by simmering one teaspoon of dried berries or steeping one teaspoon of leaves and flowers in a cup of hot water for ten to 15 minutes.

Coleus

Coleus keeps platelets from sticking together, relaxes arterial muscles, and improves heart function. Take 50 milligrams two or three time per day. Use coleus carefully if you take blood pressure medication or if your blood pressure is already low. Coleus may also increase the effects of antihistamine drugs.

Khella

This herb improves exercise tolerance and normalizes heart rhythms in patients with angina. It also help to dilate coronary arteries. Take 250 to 300 milligrams per day. Reduce the dosage if you experience nausea, dizziness or decreased appetite.

Ginger

This aromatic herb works best if eaten fresh and on an empty stomach. It lowers cholesterol and keeps platelets from sticking together. Take 250 milligrams per day. At higher doses, ginger may cause upset stomach.

Lifestyle changes can also help to relieve and control the symptoms of angina. If heavy meals trigger angina then avoid large meals and rich foods that leave you feeling stuffed. Try to avoid situations that make you upset or stressed if that is what triggers your angina. Eating a healthy diet is also important and can help to prevent or reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol. Quitting smoking along with avoiding alcoholic beverages will also help to control angina and reduce the frequency of symptoms.

Heart Attack

Angina does increase your risk of a heart attack. It’s very important that you know how and when to seek medical attention. An emergency action plan is important and will improve the chances of surviving cardiac arrest.

The plan should include making sure you as well as your family members know the location of the nearest hospital that offers 24-hour emergency heart care. Make sure you know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, how to reach emergency medical services in your community and how to use aspirin and nitroglycerin when needed.

If your chest pain becomes severe, lasts longer than a few minutes, or is not relieved by rest or medicine seek immediate medical care. It can be difficult to tell the difference between unstable angina and a heart attack. Both are emergency situations, so you should call for an ambulance right away.

Prognosis

A diagnosis of angina at least gives you some warning that you have coronary artery disease. Undiagnosed angina can lead to a heart attack or sudden cardiac death. If you are at high risk for a heart attack, you need to find out early so that you can get the best treatment right away. Getting the appropriate treatment combined with lifestyle changes can result in living a normal, full and healthy life.