Archive for May, 2010



Leukemia is one type of cancer that affects the blood. This disease is characterized by a significant increase of the leukocytes, popularly called white blood cells.

The first symptom is a large number of these cells in the blood marrow or even in the circulation. Leukemia is a result of a genetic malfunction, a mutation that happens inside the bone’s marrow. This disease has several types. It is classified taking into consideration the type of the white blood cells that are involved and also the way in which the disease is progressing.

Leukemia can derive from the bone marrow and it is called myelogenous or granulocytic leukemia and also lymphocytic leukemia when it involves the lymph nodes.

Leukemia disease can either be chronic or acute. It all depends on the kind of white cells that are affected. The chronic one is named chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The CLL in pets like dogs and cats has a lot of similarities with the human disease but still some major differences too.

The ALL, or acute lymphoid leukemia is a disease that progresses quite rapidly. A few of the symptoms include fever, anemia, random bleeding, loosing the appetite, swollen lymph nodes, panting, anxiousness, vomiting, pale gums, shifting limb lameness, lack of coordination, some infections that appear because of the week immune system. All these symptoms can cause death if the disease is not treated.

At a clinical examination, if the dog has fever or a bigger than usual spleen or liver, it is a good sign of the disease. Many mature animals develop the acute lymphoid leukemia rather then the young. This is a difference from the human disease which is quite common in children. Another important fact is that this disease can cause some ocular lesions in dogs.

The chronic leukemia has many cancer white cells that are affecting the body’s ability to fight the infections. The disease progresses slowly and it is fatal. It suppresses the immune system and then the bone marrow fails to function. The bag cells then infiltrate the other organs. The disease easily spreads into the blood, the lymph nodes, liver or spleen and into the central nervous system. The disease doesn’t create solid tumors or other solid masses. The death can be quite painful.

Discovering the leukemia can be done ding a simple blood examination and then, if there are suspicions, a bone marrow analysis.



Oxygen In The Body

The tissues of the body have to have oxygen to live. When the supply of oxygen is inadequate the condition is called “anoxia.” The shortage of oxygen may be apparent in the circulating blood. The red cells of the blood may be inadequate in amount or in the red coloring matter necessary to carry oxygen. Anything that blocks the circulation will also block the oxygen supply. Sometimes the cells of the body are unable, because of changes, to take up the oxygen that reaches them.

Since all parts of the body must have oxygen, a shortage will affect all of them. However, some tissues of the body are much more dependent on oxygen than are others. Most sensitive of all are the tissues of the nervous system. Sudden lack of oxygen to the nervous system results in impairment of judgment, lack of co-ordination of movements, and a condition which, in general, resembles that of a person who is drunk. After the lack of oxygen has persisted the person becomes fatigued, drowsy, inattentive, and unable to respond to ordinary stimuli.

If lack of oxygen to the brain persists, death will result from inability to breathe. A failure of sufficient oxygen to reach the liver and the muscles where foods are broken down to their ultimate condition for use by the body, results in acidosis and is therefore also incompatible with life. The increase in red blood cells and hemoglobin in response to anoxia may begin gradually and continue for weeks. At high altitudes the total increase may reach 40 per cent above the usual.

Cyanosis And Argyria

The word “cyanosis” means blueness, but in medicine it is restricted to the kind of blueness that follows a reduction in the amount of hemoglobin or red coloring matter in the blood. A condition called “argyria” which is due to deposit of silver in the skin gives a silvery-blue appearance. Blueness due to lack of oxygen in the blood is best seen in the lips, the white of the eye, the fingernail beds, the ears and the area over the cheek bones.

Certain poisonous substances including drugs may lead to cyanosis, by changing the nature of the hemoglobin or red coloring matter of the blood. Among these drugs are the nitrates which are sometimes used to dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Also hydrogen sulfide and acetanilide may have this effect. When people are poisoned by carbon monoxide gas, the blood develops a cherry-red color rather than blue. Occasionally people who take sulfonamide drugs get bluish blood due to a chemical change.

When there is any interference with the flow of blood through the skin the color may seem blue or a pale bluish-gray. Such difficulty may come from a weak heart, an obstruction of the flow of blood or simple exposure of the skin to severe cold. Some people suffer constantly with cold and bluish hands and feet because of poor circulation in the extremities.

The doctor must determine whether the difficulty is due to the heart, or the lungs or some trouble in the blood itself. By special signs such as clubbing of the fingers, the duration of the condition in relationship to employment, examinations of the heart and lungs, and chemical and physical studies of the blood, he can make the distinction.

Too Many Red Cells-Polycythemia

Doctors put together names of diseases frequently out of portions of words. “Poly” means multiple or too many; “cyth” refers to cells; “emia” means the blood. An alarming increase in the number of red blood cells might also be called an erythrocytosis, which merely means a condition of the red blood cells. An excess number of the cells may develop as a result of an insufficient oxygen supply, such as occurs at high altitudes, or as a result of an excess manufacture, producing a disease the cause of which is not known. This true polycythemia is also called Osler’s disease and Vaquez’s disease after physicians who first noticed it.

Polycythemia comes on gradually and persists for ten or twenty years. The person with this condition has constantly a deep red flush which may have a bluish appearance. Usually the spleen and the liver are enlarged. The blood clots easily. Hemorrhages in various parts of the body are not uncommon. Whereas the blood count ordinarily is around five to six million, the count rises in this condition to nine to twelve million cells in each cubic millimeter of blood. Among unusual causes of secondary polycythemia, in addition to residence at high altitude, are disturbances such as silicosis, which interfere with receipt of oxygen by the lungs; abnormalities of circulation of the blood through the lungs; cases which occur in infants that have been unable to get a good oxygen supply before birth; and even certain tumors of the brain and failure of the adrenal glands. Among methods of treatment now used to control excess production of the cells are X-ray of the bone marrow, giving of radioactive phosphorus and use of the nitrogen mustards.



Usually when a couple decides to start a family, they just go about it and then inform family and friends within few months that they are expecting a baby. However, there are some couples who keep trying to start a family but in vain. If you are one of those couples, do not feel dejected. You can increase your chances of conception by understanding the reproductive system better.

It is important to figure out when the woman is most fertile. This just happens for a few days each month, when ovulation takes place. It is important to know when the egg is released from the ovary. But usually it is difficult to know exactly when the egg is released. So, most people try to conceive 2 to 3 days before ovulation. The sperm stays viable for 72 hours in the uterus while an egg is viable just for 24 hours after it is released by the ovary.

With the advancement of science and technology, there are now ovulation testing kits that allow you figure out approximately when the ovulation is going take place. Basically these kits measure the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in the urine as there is an increase in the amount of hormone just before the egg is released. The egg release usually occurs two weeks after your period end and that is why it is important to know your menstrual cycle, which varies from 28 to 34 days.

When using an ovulation testing kit, make sure you follow the instructions. In addition, you will have to ensure that you test your urine sample on the same day every day. If the kit shows a high level of Luteinizing Hormone, then ovulation will take place within the next 48 hours. And when the level of LH is high, this is the time to have intercourse as the chances of conception increase dramatically.

There are many women who are uncomfortable with using ovulation testing kits. For them, measuring the basal body temperature is a better alternative. In this method, you have to measure your body temperature as soon as you wake up, without getting out of bed. You have to keep measuring your basal body temperature and just because ovulation is going to take place, there is a significant drop in the temperature. And this time is perfect to have intercourse.



There are a number of reasons and conditions that might just trigger a low platelet count or an increase in the breakdown of blood platelets.

Some possible causes are as follows:

Blood Poisoning – this is usually caused by severe bacterial infections which will leaad to a low platelt count and subsequent blood platelet destruction.

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome – This is a rare disorder that causes the platelets to plummet. This is also accompanied by destruction of the red blood cells and damage to the kidneys. Sometimes this occurs when the person has contracted a severe bacterial infection such as E.Coli (Escherichia coli), which can be acquired from eating uncooked or undercooked meat, such as hamburger.

Pregnancy – Sometimes and in some unusual circumstances when the body is pregnant it destroys some of its own platelets.

Which can cause a mild case of thrombocytopenia (bruising).

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) – A blood disorder in which your immune system mistakenly identifies platelets as a threat to the body and creates antibodies that attack the platelets.

Other autoimmune diseases – These range from rheumatoid arthritis, some cancers and even lupus. A lot of these conditions lead to destruction of the platelets because the immune system has malfunctioned.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) – This is a rare, sometimes genetic, life-threatening condition. This happens when small blood clots spontaneously occur throughout your body, causing a large number of platelets to be spent in the process. In most cases of TTP the cause is unknown. In some of the cases it might be related to experiencing an infection or a chronic disease.

Drugs and medications – It is acknowledged by the medical community that certain drugs and medications can low platelet production by confusing the immune system and causing it to destroy platelets. Some examples include sulfa-containing antibiotics, heparin, quinidine, quinine, some oral diabetes drugs, gold salts and rifampin.

Thrombocytopenia induced by Heparin, has been known to cause excessive blood clotting instead of bleeding. This increases the risk of clot forming blood clots deep within a leg blood vessel. This can be lifethreatening and very dangerous as the blood stream may carry the clot to your lungs.

Trapped platelets in the spleen – The spleen normally functions to fight infection and filter unwanted waste material from your blood. It is an organ about the size of your fist and is located on the left side of your abdomen just below your rib cage. Sometimes and enlarged spleen, which can be caused by any number of disorders, may hold on to too many blood platelets, thereby causing a low platelet count in the blood.

These are just a sampling of possible causes of a low platelet count. If you have signs of a low platelet count please consider looking into natural means to build up your blood platelet levels.



Swimming pools are a great outlet through which one can accomplish many fun things. Having your own pool when you come home from your daily routine will helps you put a smile on your face. Pools are a wonderful source for you to put your feet up, relax and lounge after a tiring days work. Secondly if you are suffering from any health condition or are just in need of solid exercise you should consider doing water workouts in your above ground swimming pool. In today’s increasingly busy and competitive world everybody is so busy in their own daily “grind” whether that is at work, or with family people tend to neglect their health and allow ample time for relaxation. By purchasing an above ground pool you can multi task. You can spend time your above ground swimming pool relaxing with your friends and family as well as using it as a platform for exercise. You must realize that the swimming in your own pool a few times a week you will achieve positive mental and physical healthy

Getting a good swimming pool installed at your house can be a really tough job if you do not work with a good swimming pool dealer. Blue world pools are one of the most renowned swimming pool dealers operating in United States. Getting your swimming pool or hot tub installed and fitted through this dealer you can safely assume that you will get the best. There are several options in the market and understandably it becomes very difficult to choose the one dealer that you can trust blindly. Here you must be cautious and make sure that you get the swimming pool installed only through reputed dealers like Blue World Pools.

There have been many instances where customers have reported to have been duped or they have been subject to fraud by unscrupulous swimming pool dealers. With blue world pool fraud is one aspect you will never have to worry about. All the work that is done by blue world pools is above board so there is absolutely no chance of encountering with any kind of fraud or some other scam. Purchasing a pool is an important financial decision for any family and making sure that you choose the right pool from the right dealer is of vital importance. You are investing money in putting up a pool which will benefit you and your family in the long run, so you will naturally want to deal with genuine dealers like Blue world pools. Choosing your vendor properly will enable you to enjoy your pool and be hassle free so you can relax in your pool. Choose blue world pools for your pool purchase and get ready to start your enjoyment.

If you have little kids at home you can install a swimming pool which is specially made for kids. In this swimming pool which you can get installed from blue world pools you can teach your child to swim from an early age onwards. Children love to play with water and if you provide them with the source to fulfill their wishes of playing in water. If a child develops the habit of doing physical exercises in swimming pool during childhood chances are very high that the child will lead a healthy lifestyle.

Loss of sleep is something which is reported by many people these days. Do you know that hot tubs and spas can in fact aid in process of inducing sleep in a person. Swimming pools and hot tubs installed by Blue World Pools can server many uses for you at once.



Asthma is a disease that has been mentioned in medical history over and over again. So it can aptly be termed as an ancient disease. It is not right therefore to term it as a disease that is only a resultant of modern day lifestyle. But definitely there is an increase in number of asthma cases over the last few years. This is obviously attributed to the increase in number of pollutants in the atmosphere. The term asthma comes from Greek language, the original word panos meaning to pant or to breathe with an open mouth.

The Greek people respected the panos as they considered their condition to be a visit from Gods. In the first century AD Aretaeus, a Greek physician made an observation that the women were more susceptible to asthma than men. He said that the men had more chances of dying from it. And also, that the children had better chances of complete recovery from the disease. In the second century AD Galen, the consulting physician to many Roman emperors described asthma to be a seizure-like disease of the lungs. He also correctly observed that asthma was a disease caused by blockade of the bronchial tubes.

In 1552 Archbishop Hamilton of Saint Andrews, who was suffering with asthma for a long time was treated by a famous physician of his era. His name was Girolamo Cardano. He gave the Archbishop a complete new routine replete with exercise and diet. He also was known to have removed a leather pillow and large feather bed from the Archbishop’s bedroom. All this gave immediate relief to the Archbishop from his lifelong illness and gave much fame and acclaim to the physician. This hugely popular success story was perhaps the first reported case of usage of environmental controls in the treatment of asthma.

Van Helmont, the famous physician who suffered from asthma was the doctor who established a clear link between asthma and smoke and irritants. He compared asthma to epilepsy like attacks. He also wrote that asthma originated in the pipes of the lungs. Thomas Siddenheim compared the asthmatic condition to be a disease of the lungs wherein the bronchial tubes were all stuffed up. In the year 1830 Eberle made an observation of asthma being associated with heredity and infection. Eberle treated the patients with bloodletting, inducing vomiting with opium and instructing them to smoke stramonium leaves.

In 1835 when Laennec invented the stethoscope the research on asthma took a giant leap. The doctors could now clearly hear the classic symptom of wheezing. In 1850 Gerhardt mentioned in his writings that asthma can be triggered by chemical odours, strong perfumes and changes in temperature and humidity. Now the physicians were really making headway into the right directions in diagnosing and treating asthma. There were clear indications of the disease having a clear connection with allergens.

In 1864 Dr. H. Salter discovered that animal dander could trigger asthma. There were many more researches in this field of establishing asthma to be closely related to certain allergens. For many years then asthma was still an enigma for the doctors because sometimes it was evident that it had a clear genetic connectivity and on other occasions it was clearly indicative of being allergic in nature.

By 1900 it was also established that asthma and hay fever were closely related disorders. Since the confusion regarding the disease was still heavily prevailing, many doctors also started predicting the disease to be purely a psychosomatic disorder. Many of the studies of the earlier twentieth century were focussed on this. This kind of mindset was actually very hampering to the advancement in researches in the field. The discoveries that happened also were sidetracked because of this popular belief. It was much later that it was finally proved beyond all doubt that asthma was a physical illness that was totally governed by physical reasons and was not really a disease having its origin in the mind.

In the later part of the twentieth century there was considerable advancement in the field of research pertaining to asthma. This was possible because of multiple advancements in science and technology, including the progress in the field of genetics. With major discoveries in the field of allergies it was clearly established that asthma was triggered off in many allergic people because of allergens and not heredity.

The field of asthma research was finally reaching new horizons and various hoaxes associated with the disease were broken one after the other. Also with the advancement in technology came many more lifestyle diseases and some kinds of asthma were also established to be associated with the hazards of modern day living and occupational exposure to many kind of allergens.

Now the doctors have varied knowledge about asthma and can very effectively diagnose, treat and control the disorders in people from all age groups. This has given new hope to millions of people all across the globe who get diagnosed with the disease almost on a daily basis.



Get a flu shot every year. If you are experiencing any food allergies, don’t get a flu shot because flu shots have different reactions to different people. It makes you ill if you get the flu shots taken when you are allergic to some foods. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after eating, and also when you sneeze, cough etc. This prevents the spreading of flu causing germs and avoids you getting ill. Make sure that you wash your hands with hot water and soap.

Take foods that are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. These will elevate your immune system so that you are less prone cold and flu and if you get sick also you will be able to recover very soon. It is very important to keep your body hydrated. Drink plenty of water in a day. Minimum of 8 to 10 glasses of water is must. Prefer boiled water than cold one.

Echinacea is a very good immune booster that you can try if you are not allergic to it. Take early flu vaccines so that it helps your immune system to build up antibodies there by fighting against Flu type of activities.

Antibacterial wipes can be used to wash your hands and clothes. They will kill flu germs present on the cloth surface and other materials. Do regular exercises they boost your immune system and keeps flu away from you. And also they help to stimulate the white blood cells that ward off the flu infections.

Plenty of sleep is important since it recovers the body normal status from eliminating stress. It fights against the flu by restoring the body to its natural energetic state. Try to sleep 6 to 8 hours a day. Take vitamin D in the form of natural supplements or stay in sun for a while. Research says that vitamin D is more effective in boosting one’s immune system. Eat healthy diet and stay fit to fight against the Flu.



Drug abuse refers to the availing of a drug for purposes which the drugs are not intended to, or using a drug in excessive quantities. Drug addiction is a state of physical and psychological dependence on a drug. The physical addiction is often characterized by the presence of tolerance, such as needing more and more of the drug to achieve the same effect, and withdrawal symptoms that disappear when further medication is taken.

Almost all sorts of different drugs can be abused, including illegal drugs, such as heroin or cannabis, prescription medicines such as tranquilizers or painkillers and other medications that can be availed off the supermarket shelf, such as cough syrups or herbal concoctions.

This depends on the nature of the drug being abused, the person taking the drug and the circumstances under which it is taken. Some medications, like for example certain sleeping pills or painkillers are physically addictive. They have a specific effect on the body which leads to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Others may lead to a psychological addiction if people have a craving for the effect that the drug causes.

There has been some speculation that some people may be more prone to drug abuse and addiction than others. Research is being carried out into whether there may even be genes that predispose certain people to addiction.

The methods employed by Chinese traditional medicine practitioners is an effective example of just how effective herbal remedies could be for drug addicts. One famous herbal method used for addicts is moxibustion. Moxibustion is a variation sometimes employed, and is referred to as the slow burning on or over the body of special herbal “cones” , in which a stick or cone of burning mugwort or herb, Artemesia vulgaris, and is placed over an inflamed or affected area on the body. The cone is placed on an acupuncture point and burned. The cone is removed before burning the skin. The purpose of this therapy is to stimulate and strengthen the blood and the life energy, or qi, of the body.

There are also a number of herbs that have been researched to be effective in controlling the urges of drug addicts, as well as in helping them tone down their craving for more addictive opiates.

Homeopathic Opium – This herb is effective for minor hangouts, or sudden spells of dizziness or floating, and should be taken in the morning after.

Passion Flower – This herb can be taken as a tea or in a tincture, it also works as a bit of a depressant, though it has a mild narcotic effect.

Valerian – Valerian can be taken as a tea or in a tincture, This herb is from where Valium was derived from, and acts as a good sedative. It is also calms the nerves while in the process of detoxifying.

ScullCap – This herbal concoction can be taken as a tincture or a tea, and is effective for calming the nerves, nervous headaches & associated .

Social circumstances are important in drug abuse. Peer pressure, emotional distress and low self-esteem can all lead individuals to abuse drugs. Ease of access to drugs is another influence. People abuse drugs for many reasons. Understanding what the person’s motivation is helps to explain why that person is abusing drugs. Proper consultation with a herbalist and a psychiatry expert are needed whenever one tries to employ herbal remedies to the drug problem.



Drug and alcohol use can be traced back to 4000 B.C., in Egypt. By the 19th century, active substances were being extracted from the raw materials, and these psychoactive substances were being sold without any regulations. By the early 1900s there were an estimated 250,000 drug addicts in the United States. The anti-war upheaval of the 1960s brought with it a dramatic increase in drug use and increased social acceptance. The 1980s saw a decline in most drug use, with a slight increase in Cocaine use. Despite this overall decline, most Americans still regard illegal drug use as one of the nation’s most serious problems. Opinion polls show the public favors a variety of different approaches to the drug problem. In addition to strict laws, it is vital to effectively treat individuals already suffering from drug dependence and substance abuse, through education, therapy, medicine, and group support. Drug rehabilitation is a key component to a successful campaign against the use of illegal drugs.

At its fundamental level, humans use substances such as alcohol and psychoactive drugs because these substances give the user a feeling of pleasure. Pleasure is a very powerful force. Our brains are wired in such a way that if you do something that gives you pleasure you will probably want to do it again. All drugs that are addicting can energize and enhance the brain’s pleasure circuit. Addiction is a chronic disease that affects ones brain, and ones behavior. Addicted individuals abuse drugs without regard to the consequences of health, relationships, money, work etc. It is a consuming disease that not only effects the individual directly, but others indirectly. If left untreated, this disease can lead to the social death, as well as the actual death of the inflicted individual. Proper management must be instituted immediately to return the individual to a life that is more manageable, and drug free. A program of drug rehabilitation best achieves this goal.

Drug rehabilitation is the process of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment for substance abuse. The goal of any drug rehabilitation program is to provide comprehensive drug treatment and alcohol rehabilitation services, and introduce individuals to a new lifestyle free of chemicals. Successful treatment of substance abusers depends upon the severity and nature of the addiction, as well as motivation. Some treatment programs use medicines that neutralize the effects of the drug. Acupuncture has also been successful in treating the cravings that accompany drug withdrawal. Comprehensive substance abuse counseling and education is another component for a successful plan. Evaluating the efficacy of any treatment plan is difficult because of the chronic nature of drug abuse, and the fact that the disease is usually complicated by personal, social, and health factors.

Statistics show that getting sober is easy; staying sober is the hard part, and the first year of recovery is the most difficult. It may take a number of attempts before success is achieved. Nobody chooses to become a drug addict or alcoholic, this disease cannot be wished away, it has to be treated.



How can you appear instantly younger and slimmer? No, we’re not talking about a rejuvenating cream but an exercise that guarantees even more dramatic results. Back extensions trigger the erector spinae group, strengthening the muscles that run the length of your spine so you stand taller and straighter. They also improve mobility in the upper and middle back, reversing a forward slouch. As you lift your chest and gently arch your upper back, you open the front of the shoulders to create an open, confident posture. The total effect is more youthful and slenderizing.

These three exercises provide a progression for mastering the proper form. For all variations, repeat 10-15 times.

Supported Back Extension: If you are not used to bending backward begin with this version, either standing or sitting up straight. To avoid any compression in the low back, lengthen through the spine by lifting the top of the head toward the ceiling before you start to arch.

Place your hands on your buttocks below your waist Take a deep breath and lengthen the torso Exhale and lift the chest up as you pull your elbows toward each other, causing the upper back to arch slightly Release back to center and repeat
Sun Salutation: This is a wonderful exercise to counteract tight, shortened muscles.

My 92-year old client loves this movement. Again, you can stand or sit up straight.

Interlock your thumbs and reach your arms overhead, keeping your ears between your elbows Inhale, lengthen through the spine. Tighten your hips, thighs and buttocks to protect your low back Exhale and reach up and back, maintaining the position of the head between the elbows. Raise your eyes to the ceiling, but do not allow your head to drop back. Release back to center.
Prone Back Extension: Attempt this exercise only if your low back is free of pain. The only sensation you should feel while performing it is the muscles of the low back tightening as they work.

Lie face down on a mat with a folded towel under your forehead to ensure proper alignment of the head and neck with the spine Bend your arms and rest your forearms on the floor, palms down Press your pelvis into the floor and tighten the abdominals to support the low back Lengthen the spine by reaching forward with the top of the head Draw your shoulder blades down and together Exhale as you lift your head and shoulders off the floor without pushing with your arms Keep your nose down Pause at the top, then inhale and slowly return to the start position without resting.

You can easily squeeze in these exercises during the course of your day – at your desk, watching TV or before you go to bed at night. Doing them frequently will help maintain good posture, keep length in the spine and improve your appearance. You’ll look better and feel better!