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What Is Sarcoidosis?

tonks — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:14:38 +0000

Sarcoidosis is the inflammation that can cause tiny lumps of cells in certain organs of the body. These lumps are referred to as granulose because the resemble sand or lumps of sugar. They can only be spotted when seen underneath the microscope.

The granulomas can clump and grow together to form several larger groups of lumps. If too many of formed in an organ it can seriously affect how the organ is used and can lead to symptoms of acidosis.

Sarcoidosis can occur in almost any part of your body - but usually starts in one of two places:

Lungs
Lymph nodes, especially the lymph nodes in your chest cavity.

However, it can also affect your:

Skin
Eyes
Liver.
Spleen
Brain
Nerves
Heart
Tear glands
Salivary glands
Bones and joints.

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Schizophrenia

tonks — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:33:22 +0000

Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic brain disorder that disables close to 1.1% of the U.S. who are over the age of 18 in one year. People who suffer from this disorder will hear strange voices that other people cannot hear and they believe that the people around them are broadcasting their thoughts for them to hear. They also become fearful that many people will harm them.

Because of these symptoms patients suffering from schizophrenia will be in a constant state of fear. They will with withdraw from people and become quite difficult when others try to help them and get close to them.

Symptoms usually develop in men in their late teens or early twenties and women in the twenties and thirties, but in rare cases, can appear in childhood. They can include hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking, movement disorders, flat affect, social withdrawal, and cognitive deficits.

This is a time of hope for people with schizophrenia. Although the causes of the disease have not yet been determined, current treatments can eliminate many of the symptoms and allow people with schizophrenia to live independent and fulfilling lives in the community.

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What Is Mono?

tonks — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:48:30 +0000

Mononucleosis - otherwise known as mono or the “kissing disease” - is infection that is caused by the Epstein Barr virus (EBV). It is very common in people who are exposed to the virus as children. However, not everyone who have been exposed to EBV will have any symptoms. Those who have been infected will suffer from mono their whole lives and may experience symptoms throughout different points in their life.

One common way to “catch” mono is by kissing someone who has been infected, which is how the illness got its “kissing disease” nickname. You can also get mononucleosis through other types of direct contact with saliva from someone infected with EBV, such as by sharing a straw, a toothbrush, or an eating utensil. Remember that just because you don’t have any symptoms does not mean that you cannot pass it on to others.

Symptoms: Symptoms will begin to appear 4 to 7 weeks after infection with the virus.

- constant fatigue
- fever
- sore throat
- loss of appetite
- swollen lymph nodes (commonly called glands, located in your neck, underarms, and groin)
- headaches
- sore muscles
- larger-than-normal liver or spleen
- skin rash
- abdominal pain

People who have mono may have different combinations of these symptoms, and some may have symptoms so mild that they hardly notice them. Others may have no symptoms at all. Consult your doctor if you have any of these symptoms so that they can properly diagnose it properly for you.

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Painkiller Turned Into Illegal Street Drugs

tonks — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:04:16 +0000

For two years a high number of deaths have been caused by the illegal street version of a painkiller we know as fentanyl. It has killed over 1,000 people according to the statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Many of the fatal overdoses occurred between 2005 and 2007 before the police were able to find many of the places that the drugs were being supplied from. That outbreak was the first time illicitly produced fentanyl was linked to such a large increase in deaths in the U.S., as opposed to fatalities from heroin or other drugs commonly sold on the street.

Fentanyl is a strong prescription painkiller that is manufactured by many pharmaceutical companies and is usually taken in the form of a lollipop or patch. It is often given to patients who are suffering from cancer or who have other severe and chronic pains.

It can be made by rogue chemists into a lethal narcotic powder that is much more powerful than heroin, said T. Stephen Jones, a consultant and former CDC official who was the report’s lead author. This illegal powder version can be sold mixed with cocaine or heroin or as a substitute for heroin.

A cluster of deaths in Camden, N.J., first brought the matter to officials’ attention. Health and law-enforcement officials then identified similar waves in Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, St. Louis and other areas, according to a report published Thursday. The report tallied at least 1,013 deaths, though its lead author said many deaths likely went unreported.

The 2005-07 outbreak largely subsided after officials shut down a fentanyl-producing operation in Mexico suspected as the main source. Still, the CDC report noted that painkillers continue to play a big role in fatal drug overdoses, and said deaths from unintentional drug poisonings doubled to 22,448 between 1999 and 2005.

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Acid Reflux Symptoms

tonks — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:50:21 +0000

Heartburn is a symptom to Acid Reflux (GERD). It is a burning feeling that travels up from the stomach to the chest and then the throat. It usually occurs when:

- you have eaten a large meal
- lifting heavy objects
- lying down on your back
-bending over

Studies show that three-quarters of patients who have acid reflux symptoms will experience them during the night and when this happens the symptoms are usually worse. The symptoms were similar to those who suffer from congestive heart failure and angina. The severity of heartburn does not necessarily indicate actual injury in the esophagus.

Up to half of acid reflux patients have dyspepsia, a syndrome consisting of:

- pain and discomfort in the upper abdomen.
- fullness in the stomach.
- nausea after eating.

Remember that just because you suffer from dyspepsia does not necessarily mean you suffer from acid reflux.

Regurgitation: the feeling of acid backing up in the throat. Sometimes acid regurgitates as far as the mouth and be experienced as a “wet burp.” Uncommonly, it may come out forcefully as vomit.

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