Disease | Floridians For Patient Protection

What is a Migraine?

September 19, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

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A migraine, once thought to be a headache, is now considered to be a neurological disease. Migraines can be caused by many factors and have many symptoms. People taking regular headache medicine for a migraine can make the pain worse and more intense.

Symptoms of a migraine include sensitivity to light, mind-numbing pain, seeing spots and difficulty speaking. There are many factors that can trigger a migraine. Something as simple as a weather change can bring on a migraine in some, while in others it could be the menstrual cycle pattern. Food could play a part in someone getting a migraine. Certain foods may trigger the disease to activate.

These disabling headaches are most likely caused from problems with nerves and blood vessels in the head. Certain chemicals in the brain (dopamine and serotonin) may also cause migraines. These neurotransmitters may cause blood vessels to act abnormally if there are too many of them. Five phases of migraines have been identified: Prodome, Auras, Headache, Headache Termination and Postdrome.

Prodome is a series of warning symptoms that a migraine is coming on. Some may experience tiredness or tense muscles before a migraine arrives. Auras are common in people about to experience a migraine. Some see patterns, hallucinations or even have blind spots before a migraine occurs. When experiencing the Headache phase, many people feel pain on both sides of their head. Throbbing pain, nausea and vomiting may occur during this phase, which can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours. Headache Termination can occur even if the person does not have their migraine treated. If able to fall asleep, that will get rid of the headache symptoms. The Postdrome phase occurs and may make a person feel ill and not up to their usual self. Being tired and having problems thinking are common in this phase.

Filed Under: Disease, General, Insurance, Medication, Patient Tagged With: Headache, Health, Migraine, Neurological disorder, Vomiting

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

September 17, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a disorder in which the patient has extreme fatigue that doesn’t get better with rest. This disorder often worsens during physical or mental activities and the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is still unknown.

There are nine symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome: extreme tiredness, less of memory, enlarged lymph nodes, sore throat, muscle pain that cannot be explained, muscle pain that moves around, headaches, unable to sleep, and general fatigue. Other symptoms have also been reported, such as diarrhea, dizziness, earache, chills and shortness of breath.

The cause of chronic chronic fatigue syndrome is still a mystery, but many people think it may have a link to other disorders such as depression, allergies, hypotension, hypoglycemia or an immune system dysfunction. Chronic fatigue syndrome is common for people in their 40s and 50s, and more women are more likely to be diagnosed with this disorder than men. Chronic fatigue syndrome can lead to depression, missing work and social isolation, as well as other factors.

When seeing a doctor for this condition, make sure to write down any symptoms you are experiencing so that the doctor can better diagnose you. Also write down any questions you may have for the doctor. In order to be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, you must have unexplained fatigue for six or more months, and must also be suffering from four of the nine symptoms outlined above.

There is no specific testing done for chronic fatigue syndrome, so the doctor must rule out what else the problems could be from. Once diagnosed, there is no specific treatment other than a combination of treatments and lifestyle changes. You will need to learn how to reduce your fatigue by eliminating negative factors in your life such as stress. You will also want to make sure you get plenty of sleep and exercise. Keep your diet healthy and try not to overdo anything. Only you know how much your body can handle.

Filed Under: Disease, General, Health Care, Medication, Patient Tagged With: Chronic fatigue syndrome, Fatigue (medical), Headache, Health

What is Claustrophobia?

September 13, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

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Claustrophobia is a disorder in which a person suffers anxiety over the intense fear of being in enclosed or confined spaces. Symptoms of claustrophobia include shaking, nausea, dizziness, fainting, sweating, increased heart rate and hyperventilation.

People suffering from claustrophobia will immediately walk into a room and scan the area for the nearest exits. They will be less likely to take an elevator or even walk into a basement or closet. A claustrophobic attack can also occur when in a crowded room. Claustrophobia can be treated and able to be managed through therapy. A person suffering from claustrophobia should visit a psychologist in order to determine the best treatment possible.

Many people suffering from claustrophobia had a traumatic experience in their life that associated danger with small spaces. They experience fear at not being able to escape or breathe, which then causes anxiety and triggers a number of symptoms. There are many treatments available for those with claustrophobia.

Medicinal drugs are an option for those with this disorder. While they may have unwanted side effects, they will work to help control the anxiety that occurs with claustrophobia. However, these types of drugs only mask the symptoms. They do not solve the underlying problem about what is causing claustrophobia. Natural remedies are also available which will help soothe the symptoms of anxiety. Many herbs have a calming effect and can reduce overall anxiety. These natural remedies can be taken with no risk of negative side effects.

Relaxation techniques are also useful in treating claustrophobia. Learning meditation, deep breathing or even relaxing your muscles can greatly benefit a person in times of need. Meditation helps clear the mind of all unwanted fears and anxieties.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the most common way to treat claustrophobia. It involves slowly putting one’s self in the fearful situation. A person suffering claustrophobia may be asked to put themselves in a situation that makes them fearful or anxious. This may seem like the worst route to take, but a person will gradually adapt to these situations and may overcome their claustrophobia.

Filed Under: Disease, General, Health Care, Medication, Patient Tagged With: Claustrophobia, Health, Mental health

Tumors

August 18, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

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Pre-malignant tumors or neoplastic cells are those which do not spread to non-adjacent or surrounding tissues but remain withing the existing architecture of the organ affected. These are more synonymous to cancer and thereby pre-malignant in that they can possess the trait of cancer associated with the aggressive growth of cells. If left untreated pre-malignant or carcinoma in situ (CIS) can evolve into malignant neoplasia.

Tumors, however, are by definition a swelling of a region affected by neoplasia. Certain neoplasia exists that would not fall under the same category as a tumor, in that it does not result in a solid lesion or swelling of the tissue. Thereby, tumors are more easily detected in that they produce a swelling or otherwise visually or manually detectable growth of tissue. Most neoplasms result in tumors but some do not, such as leukemia.

Most people often associate tumors with cancer. When we hear the word tumor, whether on TV or read it in the paper, it tends to be used synonymous with cases of cancer. This, however, is not the case. A tumor is an abnormal swelling of tissue as a result of neoplasia, or the abnormal growth of cells. Tumors can be benign, pre-malignant or malignant, whereas cancer, by definition, is malignant. Benign means that the three malignant properties of cancer are not present, meaning the tumor is not spreading to non-adjacent tissues, it is not invading nearby tissue and it is not growing in an aggressive style. One example of benign tumors is moles.
Pre-malignant tumors or neoplastic cells are those which do not spread to non-adjacent or surrounding tissues but remain withing the existing architecture of the organ affected. These are more synonymous to cancer and thereby pre-malignant in that they can possess the trait of cancer associated with the aggressive growth of cells. If left untreated pre-malignant or carcinoma in situ (CIS) can evolve into malignant neoplasia.
Tumors, however, are by definition a swelling of a region affected by neoplasia. Certain neoplasia exists that would not fall under the same category as a tumor, in that it does not result in a solid lesion or swelling of the tissue. Thereby, tumors are more easily detected in that they produce a swelling or otherwise visually or manually detectable growth of tissue. Most neoplasms result in tumors but some do not, such as leukemia.

Filed Under: Disease, Health Care, Medication Tagged With: Benign tumor, Cancer, Tumor

Cancer

August 17, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

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As of 2007, approximately 7.6 million people world wide died of cancer or suffered from cancer related deaths. Though billions of dollars have been tagged towards research and development towards a cure for cancer, none exists. Current treatment consists mostly of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as targeted therapy where certain drugs are able to act against molecular abnormalities typical of cancer and minimize damage to normal cells.

Cancer is caused as a result of abnormalities within the genetic material of the affected cells. There can be several reasons for these abnormalities, such as the introduction of carcinogens, which include tobacco smoke, radiation and chemicals. Other causes are less identifiable or predictable and may be due to errors in DNA replication or factors associated with heredity, whereby a person can inherit certain genetic abnormalities that may result in cancer. The severity or degree of treat-ability for various forms of cancer depend on the location or tissues affected and the stage in which the cancer is detected. If detected at an early stage of development than many types of cancer can successfully be treated and forced into remission.

Some preventative measures against cancer include avoiding known carcinogens, medical screenings, a healthy diet and exercise.

One of the most common and often deadly diseases to afflict mankind that remains incurable, though the number and options for treatment continue to increase, is cancer. Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth, or division of a group of cells beyond their normal limits. Cancer is unique from benign tumors in that it possess the capability to invade adjacent tissues and metastasize or spread to other parts of the body via the blood or lymph. Benign tumors are do not invade or spread to the rest of the body but are self-limited.
As of 2007, approximately 7.6 million people world wide died of cancer or suffered from cancer related deaths. Though billions of dollars have been tagged towards research and development towards a cure for cancer, none exists. Current treatment consists mostly of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as targeted therapy where certain drugs are able to act against molecular abnormalities typical of cancer and minimize damage to normal cells.
Cancer is caused as a result of abnormalities within the genetic material of the affected cells. There can be several reasons for these abnormalities, such as the introduction of carcinogens, which include tobacco smoke, radiation and chemicals. Other causes are less identifiable or predictable and may be due to errors in DNA replication or factors associated with heredity, whereby a person can inherit certain genetic abnormalities that may result in cancer. The severity or degree of treat-ability for various forms of cancer depend on the location or tissues affected and the stage in which the cancer is detected. If detected at an early stage of development than many types of cancer can successfully be treated and forced into remission.
Some preventative measures against cancer include avoiding known carcinogens, medical screenings, a healthy diet and exercise.

Filed Under: Disease, General, Health Care Tagged With: Cancer, Conditions and Diseases, Radiation therapy, Tumor

Human Papillomavirus

August 17, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

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Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are a reality and at times life threatening one, that all of us who become sexually active must confront at one time or another throughout our lives. Once the human body reaches sexual maturity, which tends to vary among individuals but generally occurs between 12 and 15 years of age, it is the responsibility of that person and his or her parents to become aware of the risks involved with sexual activity. Though certainly not all young teens become sexually active once their bodies reach that potential, it is important to note that intercourse involves other risks to their bodies well being and the future they anticipate for themselves beyond pregnancy.

There are a large number of sexually transmitted diseases in the world today, and a handful can prove deadly if left untreated, or treated improperly. One in particular, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), is of particular relevance today, as until only recently was an effective vaccine developed and made available for inoculations. Even though, HPV is one considered to be the most prevalent STD in the United States. Most people that are carriers of this disease are not even aware they have it. One can have HPV and display no symptoms, thereby spread the disease to one or several partners without ever being aware of having it.

In those cases where symptoms do occur, carriers of the virus may develop genital warts, while women in particular may yield abnormal cervical Papanicolaou (Pap) tests. These tests will reveal abnormal cell growth that if left untreated can develop into pre-cancer or cancer of the vagina, vulva and cervix. If abnormal cell growth is discovered, treatment includes removal of the affected area with a cauterizing loop or treatment via cryotherapy (freezing).

The best alternative for dealing with HPV is through prevention, and GARDASIL is the only human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine available and effective against four types of HPV.

Filed Under: Disease, Health Care Tagged With: Health, humanpapillomavirus, Sexually transmitted disease