Cold Sores

Posted by Joy-O | skin problem | Monday 31 March 2008 12:01 pm

At last my research about cold sores is now successful after experiencing such viral disease and healed it. I found a reliable source of information on the site to where I found all the answers about UTI. Read it seriously guys for you to be alerted. Here it goes;

Cold sores are caused by a viral infection that attacks the skin and nervous system. Cold sores are small, painful, fluid-filled blisters on the mouth or nose.

Cold Sore Causes

Cold sores are caused by the virus known as herpes simplex type I (HSV-1). After the first episode of the disease, the virus lies dormant in the nerves or skin around the original area until something sets the virus off into another eruption. Colds, flu, and even stress can cause you to have an outbreak of cold sores. Why you have an outbreak at one time of life and not another is not clearly understood.

* HSV-1 is different from herpes simplex type II (HSV-2), which is the virus that causes the sexually transmitted disease known as genital herpes.

* HSV-1 is a very common virus. It is thought that 90% of adults have been exposed to the virus during their lifetime.

Cold Sore Symptoms

* the first symptom that may appear during an outbreak of cold sores may include tingling, burning, or itching in the area around the mouth or nose. This first portion of the outbreak is known as the prodromal stage or period.

* Within a few hours to days, the area may become reddened and develop small fluid-filled blisters. Several of these small blisters may even come together and form one large blister.

Cold Sore Treatment

Self-Care at Home

The blisters of HSV-1 contain the virus that causes cold sores. Without proper hygiene, this virus can be very contagious. This is why it is important if you have cold sores to wash your hands often, especially after you may have touched your face. Do not share cups or utensils with another person.

Medical Treatment

Because cold sores are caused by the virus herpes simplex I, there is no cure.

* In some severe cases, the doctor may prescribe a drug called acyclovir (Zovirax), which may help shorten the length of the outbreak.

* Also, good hand washing when a sore is present will help prevent the spread of the infection and will also help prevent the sore from becoming infected with bacteria, which may make the sore last longer.

Prevention

You may not always be able to prevent an outbreak of cold sores. The blisters and ulcers you get when you have an outbreak of cold sores are highly contagious, until they heal completely.

The best prevention is to wash your hands frequently and avoid close contact with others. If you see your doctor while you are in an early stage of the disease, the doctor may be able to prescribe medications that can shorten the length of the outbreak.

My Skin Problem

Posted by Joy-O | health journal,personal,skin problem | Friday 28 March 2008 11:05 am

Something happen in one part of my face. Below my lips, there was a small and tiny outbreak that really bothers me. I kept on touching it out of consciousness. Until one day I noticed it was already reddened with itching, tingling and burning sensation feeling. I was so bothered and I am even ashamed to go out with that yucky thing on my face. I don’t know what to do and what to think. Where did it come from? Why I got it? What is the reason I got it the fact that most of the time I am only staying at home? What is it? I’m getting paranoid.
According to my hubby maybe that was a cold sore. I don’t have idea what is cold sores and I really hate and felt so bad about it. Does my skin reacting with the new climate of the new country we’re in? Am I allergic to cold or whatever sudden changes of weather here? I am not used to have skin problems while I’m still the Philippines.
My hubby bought a cream and told me to try it. I was freaking out when I read the label of it. It’s an Eczema & Psoriasis Cream called Nourish. It is said to be for symptomatic relief of mild to moderate Eczema, Psoriasis and Dermatitis. A gentle formula suitable to use on the face and body. Temporary relief from itchy, dry and sensitive skin. I was convinced to use it knowing that it contain Aloe Vera juice dry powder. I know that aloe Vera is effective in different types of skin problems.
After 4 days of using the cream the cold sores was healed. According to our friend who visited us last Easter Sunday, it was really a cold sores and it will gone in due time even if you will not make an action to get rid of it. But I am really conscious and ashamed so I want to get rid of it that quick! Thanks God I’m okay now. Feeling better and face back to normal. No more hiding and covering.
I am now working with my research about cold sores and I will post it soon to help and give my readers some idea.

Urinary Tract Infection

Posted by Joy-O | UTI | Saturday 22 March 2008 6:26 am

I did mention with my previous post about my problem in UTI. I am working with my research just to get more information about it. What is UTI, what causes UTI and the possible treatments? Now, I am successful with my research and found the answers that are related to how I felt. The treatments and the things to avoid. I found the answers in http://www.emedicinehealth.com/


A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection involving the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. These are the structures that urine passes through before being eliminated from the body.

The kidneys are a pair of small organs that lie on either side of the spine at about waist level. They have several important functions in the body, including removing wastes and excess water from the blood and eliminating them as urine.
The ureter, a narrow tube about 10 inches long, drains urine from each kidney into the bladder.
The bladder is a small saclike organ that collects and stores urine. When the urine reaches a certain level in the bladder, the muscle lining the bladder contracts to expel the urine.
The urethra is a small tube connecting the bladder with the outside of the body. A muscle called the urinary sphincter, located at the junction of the bladder and the urethra, must relax at the same time the bladder contracts to expel urine.

Urinary Tract Infection Causes
The urine is normally sterile. An infection occurs when bacteria get into the urine and begin to grow. The infection usually starts at the opening of the urethra where the urine leaves the body and moves upward into the urinary tract.

The culprit in at least 90% of uncomplicated infections is Escherichia coli, better know as E coli. These bacteria normally live in the bowel (colon) and around the anus.
These bacteria can move from the area around the anus to the opening of the urethra. The two most common causes of this are poor hygiene and sexual intercourse.
Usually, the act of emptying the bladder (urinating) flushes the bacteria out of the urethra. If there are too many bacteria, urinating may not stop their spread.
The bacteria can travel up the urethra to the bladder, where they can grow and cause an infection.
The infection can spread further as the bacteria move up from the bladder via the ureters.
If they reach the kidney, they can cause a kidney infection (pyelonephritis), which can become a very serious condition if not treated promptly.
The following people are at increased risk of urinary tract infection:

People with conditions that block (obstruct) the urinary tract, such as kidney stones.
People with medical conditions that cause incomplete bladder emptying (for example, spinal cord injury or bladder decompensation after menopause).
People with suppressed immune systems: Examples of situations in which the immune system is suppressed are AIDS and diabetes. People who take immunosuppressant medications also are at increased risk.
Women who are sexually active—Sexual intercourse can introduce larger numbers of bacteria into the bladder. Infection is more likely in women who have frequent intercourse. Infection attributed to frequent intercourse is nicknamed “honeymoon cystitis.” Urinating after intercourse seems to decrease the likelihood of developing a urinary tract infection.
Women who use a diaphragm for birth control.
Men with an enlarged prostate: Prostatitis or obstruction of the urethra by an enlarged prostate can lead to incomplete bladder emptying, thus increasing the risk of infection. This is most common in older men.
Uncircumcised males – This risk is still relatively low, but it is higher than in circumcised males.
Males are also less likely to develop UTIs because their urethra (tube from the bladder) is longer. There is a drier environment where a man’s urethra meets the outside world, and fluid produced in the prostate can fight bacteria.

Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms
Lower urinary tract infection (cystitis): The lining of the urethra and bladder becomes inflamed and irritated.

Dysuria – Pain or burning during urination
Frequency – More frequent urination (or waking up at night to urinate)
Urgency – The sensation of not being able to hold urine
Hesitancy – The sensation of not being able to urinate easily or completely (or feeling that you have to urinate but only a few drops of urine come out)
Cloudy, bad smelling, or bloody urine
Lower abdominal pain
Mild fever (less than 101°F), chills, and “just not feeling well” (malaise)

Urinary Tract Infections Treatment

Because the symptoms of a urinary tract infection mimic those of other conditions, you should see your health care provider if you think you have a urinary tract infection. A urine test is needed to confirm that you have an infection. Self-care is not recommended.
You can help reduce the discomfort by taking the following steps:
Follow your health care provider’s treatment recommendations.
Finish all antibiotic medication even if you are feeling better before the medication is gone.
Take a pain-relieving medication.
Use a hot-water bottle to ease pain.
Drink plenty of water.
Avoid coffee, alcohol, and spicy foods, all of which irritate the bladder.
Quit smoking. Smoking irritates the bladder and is known to cause bladder cancer.

Regular drinking of cranberry juice seems to reduce the recurrence of urinary tract infections in women. This is the conclusion of a study published in the British Medical Journal (June 29, 2001).
Cranberry juice definitely helps cure urinary tract infections (UTIs). It changes the acidity of the urine, which makes the urine less hospitable to the infection bacteria. Whether it “cures” it depends on how serious the infection is when you start taking it. If you already have a raging UTI, you might not be able to drink enough to TOTALLY get rid of it without an antibiotic. If you are prone to UTIs, a better strategy is to get in the habit of drinking a serving of cranberry juice as a preventative.

How do Migraine Treated?

Posted by Joy-O | headaches | Tuesday 18 March 2008 11:07 am

A 1995 National Health Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that 13 percent of Australians have visited a doctor about headaches, but 50 percent of those affected by migraine do not consult a GP. It’s wise to see your regular doctor if you frequently suffer from migraines or tension headaches because effective treatment often begins with the compilation of a daily diary to eliminate many of the most well-known triggers.
Most people with a moderate migraine take over-the-counter painkillers such as aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen. These should be taken quickly because digestion can be disrupted during a migraine attack and medication may not be absorbed. If symptoms are severe, prescription medication such as trip tans, ergotamine and anti-nausea drugs can help.
One of the biggest dangers of continued self-medication is the rebound effect. According to Dr. David Williams, director of neurology at the John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, “Medication overuse is estimated to be responsible for 30 percent of chronic headaches and accounts for 60 percent of patients attending specialist medicine clinics.”
This is not regarded as drugs dependency, says Dr. Williams, but withdrawal from any medication should be supervised by a doctor. In the UK, Dr Anne McGregor, director of clinical research at the City of London Migraine Clinic, even called for a national campaign last year to warn people about the risks or overusing certain painkillers; more than 20 percent of the patients attending the clinic were suffering from rebound headaches.
Another surprising weapon against headaches and migraine is Botox. The same serum that relaxes wrinkles also stops the muscle contractions of migraine, says Dr Nasser, who uses the remedy herself and recommends it to an increasing number of clients. “The injections go wherever you feel the pain–typically the forehead, temples and neck. Following treatment, many patients are migraine-free or the pain is considerably lessened for three to four months. Nearly all the patients that have been treated with Botox say that $300-$600, two or three times a year, is a small price to pay for such effective relief.
In addition to Botox, other therapies which look very promising are occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). ONS involves surgically implanting a small device under the skin which delivers electrical impulses to the occipital nerves at the base of the skull. These connect to the top of the spine with key nerves that can trigger migraine pains. The electrical impulses block the pain signals. TMS is a non-invasive method which involves holding an electromagnet against the back of the skull. The painless magnetic impulses are transmitted through the skin to the brain and help to naturally reduce the electrical stimulation in the brain that leads to migraine attacks.
Natural therapies are also popular; Aromatherapy is one option, with lavender being a preferred essential oil to ease headaches. Feverfew is also basking in the spotlight: its active ingredient, parthenolide, reduces pain and inflammation and prevents mast cells (in the immune system) from releasing histamine. Feverfew is taken in dried or tablet form, but it is not recommended for pregnant of lactating women. Vitamin B6 and calcium, magnesium and iron are also prescribes by doctors.
With the World Health Organization defining migraine as among the world’s 20 leading causes of disability, the search for new treatments continue. But in the meantime, you can reduce pain using old methods that have stood the test of time. A cold compress to the forehead while lying quietly, applying pressure oil to the temples and – believe it or not – visualising a peaceful scene, are simple remedies still recommended by many doctors.

What Triggers Migraine?

Posted by Joy-O | headaches | Saturday 15 March 2008 4:29 am

Many migraines and headaches can also be triggered by diet. “In one study of headache sufferers, reported in the British medical journal The Lancet, more than 90 percent of patients showed relief of from symptoms by eliminating allergenic substances from their diet. Maybe We should always stop eating trigger foods for at least two weeks.
But there’s no use eliminating one set of triggers (such as dietary ones) while continuing to expose yourself to stress and noise. Overtiredness, dehydration, skipping meals, caffeine, loud noise and bright flickering lights can also spark a headache or migraine. It is recommended to eat small meals and snacking on fruits such as cherries and pineapple, vegetables and herbs such as parsley. This is said to help stabilise blood sugar levels, which can trigger migraines if they fluctuate too much.

Migraine

Posted by Joy-O | headaches | Thursday 13 March 2008 5:21 am

Cluster headaches, tension headaches, meditation overuse…it’s enough to give you a migraine!

What is the common neurological condition in the developed world? There’s no need to rack down your brains or you could be in danger of developing one. The answer is, of course, migraine. The incidence in the US, UK and here in Australia is estimated at 10 percent of the population–that’s two million Australians, of which 1.5 million are women. Hormonal factors are partly responsible for this imbalance, with more than 50 percent of women identifying menstruation as a key trigger.
Another major culprit is genetics. “If one parent suffers from migraines,” says Dr Alia Nasser of the Clinic in Sydney, “there’s a 50-percent chance their children will also suffer too. If both parents get regular migraines, the odds climb to 75 percent.” In fact, since the 90′s Australian researchers at Griffith University’s Genomics Research Centre on the Gold Coast have discovered the first three genes specifically linked to the disorder – a world breakthrough.

Many people use the terms “migraine” and “headache” interchangeably buy they are very different problems. Migraine is a chronic disorder which occurs when the brain stem becomes hyperactive, triggering a drop in the chemical serotonin in the brain. The blood vessels surrounding the brain swell up and cause pain lasting anywhere from four to 72 hours. Migraines affect only one side of the head and accompanying symptoms include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and noise, lethargy and an aversion to food.

The term “cluster headache” is often bandied around but the condition is much rarer than migraine, affecting only one percent of the population. Five times more men than women are affected. Attacks build up rapidly and last from 15 minutes to three hours, and sufferers can experience several attacks over a 24-hour period. The pain is severe and affects one side of the head, starting near the eye. Other symptoms include reddened eyes, a blocked nose, sweating and skin sensitivity.

Tension headaches are the most common category: it is estimated that up to 90 percent of adults have experienced one. Affecting the whole of the head, a tension headache can be an ache or a sensation of tightness which varies in duration and intensity. Some people develop tension headaches on a daily basis while others succumb only at times of high stress.

Raising Healthy Kids

Posted by Joy-O | children's health,healthy food for kids | Wednesday 5 March 2008 5:43 am


Raising kids is not an easy task. What more if your spouse is working abroad? There are bills to pay, work to attend to, and a home to maintain. The good news is, not all things in life are hard to do, like keeping your children healthy.
Your children’s future is important. That’s why you need to take care of their health so that they grow up bright and strong. This can only be achieved with a healthy diet. Eating food with Zinc and Iron is a good way to start.
Zinc is an important nutrient in keeping the skin smooth and healthy. It speeds up the healing of wounds so they don’t develop into scars which are perfect for kids, because they enjoy running and playing outdoors.
Zinc also keeps the body healthy inside out. It helps in the production of white blood cells which fight all forms of infection in the body, making it stronger.
Iron, on the other hand, is one of the most important nutrients our body needs, especially the young ones. This is so because it carries oxygen to help in energy production, so children become alert.
What’s more, Iron sharpens the mind as it helps distribute oxygen throughout the body. Lack of iron (which means little oxygen in the brain) could result to a slower thinking process.
With the range of benefits you can get Zinc and Iron, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t make your kids get these nutrients. One source of Zinc and Iron is eating red meat like beef. As you always have, continue taking care of your children. Make them healthy and strong, so they can really enjoy their childhood.

Asthmatic Darling

Posted by Joy-O | health journal,personal | Monday 3 March 2008 1:36 am

I thought when we moved here in Australia our youngest won’t suffer anymore with his asthma because the country has less pollution and not humid. It’s been a long time since he doesn’t have the attacked but today my goodness it started again. At first it was just a simple cold but then followed by cough and now problem with breathing. Not really that bad but the whizzing sound in his breath bothers me a lot. So what I did, I brought out this apparatus…
nebulizer

The medicine

I was hesitating to use it because he seem like scared and he’s running away from me when he saw it but when I tried to talk to him nicely he just hold it and put the mask on his face facing the mouth and his nose.
The first time we tried to use the nebulizer on him back from the Phil’s we almost tied him because he is fighting and he really doesn’t want it especially it makes him perspires too much. We are holding him tight and he is crying so bad till the nebulisation done. It is hard to take care asthmatic kids. All of my three sons have it and they inherit it with their dad and the family. I don’t believe before that sickness can be inherited but I was opting to because of experienced. I was just glad that my two sons didn’t experienced asthma attacked again when their age reach 3 and I must say they are healthy. I suspected the freaking cold weather last week caused our baby asthma attacked. He doesn’t want to wear sweater and don’t use blanket at night. Sometimes I find it hard to dress him up because he doesn’t want it. We will fight first. But when I get tired I just let him roam around the house naked. He is so strong that I can’t force him. Very strong honestly.


This is Mjay our asthmatic Darling and Daddy’s boy. He like his daddy than me. When he wake up without his dad and saw me first he is in the bad mood.

For now we are observing his condition and we hope that this will get better with the help of the nebulizer which is always the first option when asthma attacked.