Archive for the ‘anemia’ Category

« Older Entries

Assessing Your Hypertensive Patient for Renal Disease

Comments: 0September 2nd, 2010 by admin



Because your hypertensive patient has an increased risk of developing renal disease, monitor his laboratory results for the following.

Stage I: Diminished Renal Reserve

* reduced kidney function with no accumulation of metabolic wastes

* mild elevation in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels

Stage II: Renal Insufficiency

* mild accumulation of metabolic wastes

* elevated BUN, creatinine, uric acid, and phosphorus levels

* anemia

* mild hyperkalemia

* reduced ability to concentrate urine

Stage III: End-stage Renal Disease

* excessive accumulation of metabolic wastes

* severely elevated BUN, creatinine, potassium, and phosphorus levels

* decreased sodium and calcium levels

* decreased hemoglobin level and hematocrit

* fluid retention

A physician uses renal ultrasonography, excretory urography, and renal arteriography to diagnose renal disease. Renal ultrasonography helps the physician visualize renal structures to evaluate the integrity of tissues and vessels. This procedure is safe for patients with renal insufficiency because it doesn’t use contrast media.

A physician uses excretory urography to identify the absence or presence of lesions, areas of restricted blood flow, and areas of vascular occlusion. He also may use renal arteriography to evaluate renal blood flow. Excretory urography and renal arteriography require the use of contrast media, placing your patient with renal insufficiency at risk for worsening kidney function.

Treatment for Peripheral Vascular Disease

The treatment of peripheral vascular disease may include drug therapy, surgery, or both. If your patient has peripheral artery occlusive disease, the physician may prescribe pentoxifylline, which is the only effective drug for treating the condition. Pentoxifylline increases erythrocyte flexibility and reduces blood viscosity, thus increasing the oxygenated blood supply to the ischemic muscle.

The physician may prescribe an antihypertensive drug to control your patient’s blood pressure. If your patient undergoes arterial bypass surgery for peripheral vascular disease, his physician also may prescribe aspirin and warfarin to maintain graft patency.

To treat peripheral vascular disease, a surgeon may perform patch graft angioplasty. In this procedure, the surgeon opens the occluded artery and removes the atherosclerotic plaque. Then he places a patch over the opening to widen the vessellumen.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in anemia

Augmented Arpeggios

Comments: 0September 2nd, 2010 by admin



Augmented arpeggios are a really useful tool that you can use to jazz up your solos and improvisations. They have a really nice fusion type sound to them and if you use them correctly they will really add interest to your music. This arpeggio is made up from three notes, the root, third and sharp fifth. Jazz and fusion musicians regularly use the augmented sound to play over dominant chords and to create interesting jazz lines in their solos.
The intervals are:
1 3 #5
One interesting trick to note is that you can build other augmented arpeggios off of the three notes. For instance the C augmented arpeggio contains the same notes as the E augmented and G# augmented. To see what I mean, take a look at the examples below.
C augmented arpeggio
C E G#
E augmented arpeggio
E G# C
G# augmented arpeggio
G# C E
You can find three augmented arpeggios within the melodic minor scale. For instance in the C melodic minor scale you will find an Eb, G and B augmented arpeggio.
Below I have written it out in all 12 musical keys to help you out.
C
C E G#
C#
C# F A
D
D F# Bb
Eb
Eb G B
E
E G# C
F
F A C#
F#
F# Bb D
G
G B D#
Ab
Ab C E
A
A C# F
Bb
Bb D F#
B
B D# G
I hope you enjoy learning the strange and wonderful sounds that the augmented arpeggio can produce. Try playing the augmented sound over dominant and dominant 7#5 chords.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in anemia

Premature Labor Signs and Symptoms, Prevention and Care

Comments: 0September 1st, 2010 by admin



Premature labor is also called as preterm labor. Onset of labor after 28 weeks but before 37 weeks is called as Preterm labor. The infant will weigh less than five and a half pounds at birth as it is a premature labor.

The percentage of preterm labor is around 5-10% this is the rough approximate. It can be caused by various factors. Idiopathic is known as spontaneous preterm labor.

- Age: less than 18 yrs and greater than 40 yrs.
- Low socio economic status: Maternal and paternal education levels both father and mother if well educated can take care during pregnancy.
- Behavioral Factors: Smoking, tobacco chewing, cocaine, poor nutrition and mental stress
- Medical Factors: anemia, liver disease, asthma, PIH, renal disease, cardiac disease, TB, hyperthyroidism etc.
- If your blood sugar is high, it leads to an increase in the fluid content of your amniotic sac and eventually premature labor pain may set in.
- Obstetric risk factors: Past history of previous preterm labor. If you’ve a past history of, there’s a slightly higher chance of you having another premature birth, second trimester abortion, h/o recurrent abortion, cervical trauma.
- Infections: acute appendicitis, gastroenteritis, bacterial vaginosis, Intrauterine infection by viruses, protozoa.
- Miscellaneous factors: Trauma during any fall or accident, drugs such as quinine.

Signs And Symptoms Known As Warning Signals:

The signs and symptoms will be almost same as normal labor; in case of a preterm labor you may experience a low back pain with or without contractions

Some other signs which a woman can observe herself while the onset of a preterm labor are:

1. Menstrual like cramps
2. Low dull backache
3. Abdominal cramps
4. Feeling of pelvic pressure or heaviness in vagina
5. Increase/change in vaginal discharge: bloody or mucoid
6. Fluid leaking per vagina

Although these signals are not so specific pregnant should never avoid such symptoms as you should be given immediate care as soon as these symptoms are confirms as the warning signals of a preterm labor so you should visit the hospital as soon as you notice these!

General Prevention of a Preterm Labor

1. Improve your lifestyle
2. Be physically active
3. You should have proper knowledge about the pregnancy i.e. should always take pre-pregnancy counseling
4. Always go for a routine medical check up!

Natural Prevention

Looking after yourself can help reduce your risk of having a premature baby you should avoid chewing tobacco, alcohol consumption, stop smoking.

Diet: you should be very strict about your diet. Follow a sugar-free diet to keep your blood sugar in control. If you are on insulin, get your blood sugar level checked at least three times a day.

Maintain your blood pressure: maintain your blood pressure by regularly visiting your doctor and keeping a record at home! This really helps!

- Limit sodium (salt) in your diet do not eat salt more than required as it increases the blood pressure.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking has a serious side effect!
- Avoid high alcohol consumption
- Maintain an appropriate body weight because both high and log weight can cause preterm labor.

Lower the stress levels by nay of the below means -

1. Breathing exercises
2. Meditation
3. Eat properly
4. Popper exercise
5. Improve your dietary habits have green vegetables, fresh fruits proper nutrition and a good balanced diet

Medical Care

The doctor will react to the first signs of premature labor by ordering strict bed rest and a drip to maintain the fluid balance.

Copyright © Ryan Mutt, All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your website or in your ezine, make all the urls (links) active.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in anemia

Kidney and Heart Disease – Consequences

Comments: 0August 30th, 2010 by admin



Heart disease itself is a serious medical concern. When kidney and heart disease occur in combination, the challenge is even greater.

Kidney and heart disease may begin separately, and then progress together, becoming one disease. Heart disease may also spark the beginning of kidney disease. Whichever occurs first, kidney and heart disease affect each other’s progress.

Since kidney and heart disease are so closely related, anyone who has heart disease, or is at risk for developing it, should ask his or her physician to order urine and blood tests that are designed to identify kidney disease.

Kidney Functions

Most people know that the kidneys remove wastes and fluids from the body. In addition to these functions, kidneys also perform other important jobs. Among them, several are vital to heart health.

* Regulate water in the body

* Regulate blood chemicals: calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium

* Remove drugs and toxins from the body

* Release hormones that regulate blood pressure and create red blood cells.

Kidney Disease Consequences

Kidney disease that is uncontrolled can become chronic kidney disease (CKD). As CKD worsens, the kidneys can not adequately regulate water in the body. The blood may become too thick, placing an increased work load on the heart.

At the same time, blood chemicals will go unregulated. If the heart lacks the important electrolyte chemicals, it cannot function efficiently.

CKD will also allow drugs, toxins, and other wastes in the blood to build to high levels. These high concentrations of toxic materials can take a toll on the whole body, including the heart.

High blood pressure and anemia (low red blood cell count) can be linked to failure of the kidneys to release necessary hormones.

Kidney and heart disease will then become a combined concern.

How to Prevent the Lethal Combo

Early detection of kidney and heart disease is important. Both can be treated more successfully if detected in their early stages.

Ask your physician about these three simple tests: blood pressure, serum creatinine test, and urine test.

If you have high blood pressure, be sure your physician tests for kidney disease. If you have kidney disease, insist that your physician test for high blood pressure. One can cause the other.

The kidney and heart disease combination is most likely to hit those with diabetes, hypertension, and a family history of kidney disease. If you are African American, Hispanic, a Pacific Islander, a Native American, or a senior citizen, you are at greater risk for kidney and heart disease.

Kidney and heart disease do not always go hand-in-hand, but if you have one or the other, you increase the risks of both.

CAUTION: The author is not a medical professional, and offers the information in this article for educational purposes only. Please discuss it with your health care provider before relying on it in any way.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in anemia

Testing For Herpes

Comments: 0August 28th, 2010 by admin



Sometimes, one does not know what one is looking for. This is a general truth for just about anything, from something as superficial as shopping, to matters of person and public health. That is to say, with STD testing sexually active persons do not always know what they are looking for. Visits to the clinic for screenings can be spurred by symptoms or as a part of a routine. Herpes is one of the most commonly checked for STD. in fact, it is thought that nearly half of all sexually active adults in the United States are likely to have herpes antibodies.

What is Herpes?

A herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is marked by a cluster of small painful blisters on or near the skin of the genitals, or in some cases, the mouth, urethra, rectum and or tissue lining the throat or nose. There are two types of herpes simplex viruses, HSV1 and HS2. HSV1 is most commonly know as cold sores or fever blisters. Located on the lips, HSB1 is usually transmitted though kissing or sharing eating utensils with someone having an outbreak. HSV1 can cause blisters around the genitals.

HSV2 is referred to as genital herpes, since the blisters grow on and or around the vagina or penis. But, HSV2 can cause mouth sores, as a result of unprotected oral sex. Additionally, pregnant mothers with genital herpes can infect their unborn babies if delivered vaginally.

Testing

Typically, medical professionals perform HSV tests by examining the blisters located on the genitals. However, since there are cases of HSV infecting other body parts, including the eye and brain, a test can be completed using samples of blood, urine, or tears. Before visiting a health care provider and being tested, a patient might find it helpful, maybe even empowering, to understand how many tests are available, how they work, and which most fits his or her needs. Being informed, observant, and unafraid to ask questions can make the experience of sharing personal information, like ones sexual history, might make the testing experience more productive.

Herpes Testing Four Ways

To determine if sores or blisters present on a sexually active person are caused by HSV for types of tests can be performed. The best method of identifying a genital herpes infection is by taking a culture sample. This is done by swabbing cells or fluid from a afresh blister. As effective as this test is, some patients receive false-negative results. For added security an antigen detection test can be performed along with a viral culture. An antigen requires scrapping cells from a fresh blister and examining them under a microscope. Since herpes has a dormant period, when no blisters are visible, another testing option is a polymerase chain reaction test. While, a PCR test can be used on cells, urine, spinal fluid, or fluid from a blister work equally as well. PCR looks for the DNA of HSV and can differentiate between HSV1 and HSV2. This test is particularly useful for the rare instances when herpes infects the brain. A fourth and less accurate test is an antibody test. Antibodies develop in the immune system to fight the infection. However, it takes time to develop antibodies and patient may not have a positive test if infection recently occurred.

Herpes is incurable and while medication can relieve symptoms, reducing blister outbreaks and relieving pain, medicine cannot cure the infection. Those who test positive should know that the recurrence of infection depends on but is not limited to stress, fatigue, sunlight, or other infections like the cold or flu.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in anemia

Red Blood Cells & Anabolics

Comments: 0August 26th, 2010 by admin



Every bodybuilder worth his or her salt knows that steroids affect muscle tissue in the body. However, many overlook the simple and seemingly obvious fact that anabolic steroids also affect other body tissues. Heart, liver, prostate, brain, kidney, and other organs and systems of the body are also affected by steroids. Changes to these organs are commonly known as side effects, the unintended consequences of drugs which are manifested in the body’s composition and behavior exhibited. Most users are aware of the obvious side effects of steroids – water retention, acne, increased aggression, and others. But many users are unaware of the effects that anabolic (and androgenic) steroids have upon the blood, particularly red blood cells.

Side effects on red blood cells

Steroids exert a positive influence on red blood cell production by increasing their production speed and volume. A higher red blood cell count allows the blood to carry more oxygen to the various parts of the body, including muscle tissue, heart, circulatory system, and brain. Endurance during exercise and other strenuous exercise is improved. Remember the cyclists who “doped” with blood to increase biking endurance? The key processes are the same. Blood with increased levels of red blood cells makes for better endurance, hence one of the great unknown effects of steroids. Enhanced aerobic capacity could mean 1-2 more reps per set, and 20-30 more minutes of cardio, which can lead to an edge in competition results.

How does it work?

Key receptors located in the kidneys are stimulated by steroids and thereby spurn increased levels of red blood cell production. Further details go beyond the scope of this discussion, but bodybuilders should recognize that even when not in pre-contest or diuretic-consumption/water deprivation mode, the kidneys are indeed affected by steroids at all times. Some trainers with kidney problems believe that off-season use and abuse of steroids has no risk to their renal function, as they’re drinking plenty of water and not engaged in the risky pre-contest diuretic use. That is untrue. Any anabolic or androgenic agent administered to the body does affect kidney function.

Advantages of one steroid over another?

No steroid has any particular measurable advantage over another in terms of red blood cell production acceleration. Other agents, such as EPO, exist which greatly expand red blood cell production, but bodybuilders do not commonly use them, as they have no meaningful effect upon muscle-building or fat loss. The key concept to understand is that steroids affect many systems in the body, including blood production.

Posted in anemia

The Use of Muscle Relaxants for Lower Back Pain

Comments: 0August 23rd, 2010 by admin



The muscle relaxing properties of “muscle relaxants” arise not from direct activity at the muscular or neuromuscular junction level but rather from an inhibition of more central polysynaptic neuronal (nerve cells that end in synapses) events. These agents have also been shown in some studies to demonstrate superior analgesia to either acetaminophen or aspirin.
Muscle relaxants are often prescribed in the treatment of acute low back pain in an attempt to improve the initial limitations in range of motion from muscle spasm and to interrupt the pain-spasm-pain cycle. Limiting the muscle spasm and improving the range of motion will prepare the patient for a therapeutic exercise.

Soma is a muscle relaxant used to relieve the pain and stiffness of muscle spasms and discomfort due to strain and sprain. It blocks signals between nerves in the brain and the spinal cord. However, its action is not completely understood— Soma does not directly relax tense skeletal muscles and its action may be related to its sedative properties instead. So for many patients, the reduction of muscle spasm associated with lower back pain brings considerable relief. The outcome is favorable such as pain is being reduced, the body relaxes and their ability function normally is enhanced.

Soma comes in a 350 mg round white tablet. Its onset of action is rapid, and its effects last for 4-6 hours. The usual dose for one 350 mg tablet is 3 times a day. It is also important to be aware of the side effects of Soma; moreover, this is to ensure about safety and to avoid any adverse reactions.

Soma is a sedative and it can cause: drowsiness, dizziness, vertigo, agitation, irritability, headache and insomnia. Occasional allergic reactions are known to occur, including a skin rash and itching. Like all medications, there can be rare idiosyncratic reactions as well. A word of precaution—avoid taking Soma when drinking alcohol for it will increase the sedative effect of the medication, when driving or operating machinery.

Lower back pain tends to resolve on its own. Most patients feel significantly better one week after the first onset of pain. About 4-6 weeks, the pain will be completely resolved. As this drug is proven to be beneficial, many patients now prefer to order this medication from the online pharmacies.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in anemia

Press & Release Ironing and Quilt Blocks

Comments: 0August 21st, 2010 by admin



When I first started quilting and hearing comments from seasoned quilters, there were always comments made about pressing, ironing, pressing with steam, and finger pressing. All of this was confusing to a beginner. So going over the options here, this is what I have found to be useful in my quilting experience of the past 30 years.

First and foremost, the most important element in making a perfect block is to cut each patch from your PRE-WASHED and IRONED fabric to the exact measurements indicated on the pattern.

Second and just as important as the first step is to sew an exact

Posted in anemia

Anemia Signs and Symptoms

Comments: 0August 20th, 2010 by admin



Human blood consists of red blood cells, which transports oxygen from out our lungs to our tissues; white blood cells, which shield us against bacteria, viruses, and foreign substances, along with blood-clotting factors. In addition, nutrients, hormones, electrolytes, and waste products to and from every cell in the body are also transported by blood. If this carefully regulated system was to breakdown or suffer an imbalance, anything from fatigue, cerebral hemorrhage, and death can occur. Maintaining rich healthy blood is of vital importance to ones survival, and can be achieved by eating whole, pure healthy foods, drinking pure water, and breathing pure air.

The lack of vitamin B12 and a deficiency in the number or the hemoglobin content of the red blood cells are all causes of the most common types of anemia. Other types of anemia, which includes leukemia, sickle cell anemia, and hemophilia, are not represented in this article.

Symptoms of common types of anemia

When one has anemia involving the red blood cells various types of fatigue, weakness, headache, dizziness, fainting, thirst, irregular heartbeat, feeling cold, sleepiness, bad memory, paleness, backache, depression, loss of appetite, and constipation can be ubiquitous. If extreme blood loss is involved then one may experience shock. However, if one is suffering with pernicious anemia they may experience general weakness, numbness, or tingling of the extremities, soreness in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

The most common causes of anemia are a result of a poor diet, which includes a lack of vitamins, minerals, and protein deficiencies. Causes that are more common are acute and chronic bleeding. Anemic conditions can also be caused due to a blood transfusion, congenital or autoimmune disorders, or kidney disease. Unfortunately, if one is eating a proper diet and still experience setbacks with anemia, the body might be unable to absorb the adequate nutrients it requires.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in anemia

A Normal Cholesterol Level is Achievable Using Chia Seed

Comments: 0August 18th, 2010 by admin



The first time I heard about “chia” I was watching a commercial for the infamous chia pet being sold at the local drug store. Since that time I have learned there is a whole lot more to chia than the lively Christmas gift.

Like so many who fight a high cholesterol score, I have made a search for a healthy supplement that I enjoy using to help me get it under control. In my search to lower my cholesterol with a diet of healthy fatty acids, I quickly learned a lot about flax seed oil benefits, fish oil benefits and flax seed benefits. I also came across chia seed, once a food source used by the Aztec Indians. It was after a lot of research that I decided, for a number of reasons, that a daily supplement of chia seed was the way I wanted to go but I had also learned that the benefits of the bulk purchase seed carried by the health food stores isn’t the most effective in terms of vitamin and nutrient content.

My cholesterol levels are mostly inherited rather than because of a rich diet and I have all kinds of problems bringing it under control. For me, I really wanted to have a supplement as rich as possible in omega-3 fatty acids in the right proportions to omega-6 acids. When you can, take a minute to Google all the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, it is truly amazing all the good they do. Anyway, I am aware of the benefits of fish oil but I am just a little uneasy about possible heavy metal contamination and I don’t like taking pills or capsules. Similarly, flax seed and flax oil have a great many people who swear by it but, while it does provide relatively high amounts of omega3, flax doesn’t offer as much as chia.

I was determined to lower my cholesterol naturally, without prescription medication if possible, and keep it down. That said, once I decided that chia was the supplement for me, the next step for me was to find the product that offered me the best and highest levels of Omega 3 fatty acids, nutrients, fibers and antioxidants.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in anemia

« Older Entries