Showing posts with label Common Problems. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Common Problems. Show all posts
Friday, August 1, 2014
Thyroid Problems
Signs
and Symptoms
Thyroids:
1. Mild to severe pain in the
front of the neck.
2. Pain during swallowing or
when turning your head.
3. Fever.
Hyperthyroidism:
1. More rapid heart rate.
2. Rise in blood pressure,
nervousness, and excessive perspiration.
3. Weight loss despite an
increase in appetite.
4. Trembling hands.
5. Bulging, watery eyes.
6. More frequent bowel
movements.
7. Lighter and less frequent
menstrual periods.
8. Sometimes a goiter-swelling
in the front of the neck.
Hypothyroidism:
1. Unexplained weight gain.
2. Lethargy, slower mental
processes.
3. Increased sensitivity to
cold, with tingling or numbness in hands.
4. Dry, thick, flaky skin and
hair loss.
5. Constipation.
6. Heavier, longer menstrual
periods.
7. Sometimes a goiter-swelling
in the front of the neck.
When
to call a doctor
1. If you have symptoms of
thyroiditis.
2. If you feel increasingly
cold, drowsy, and low on energy, and you gain weight. You could have an
under active thyroid gland.
3. If you feel nervous, tremble
(especially your hands), lose weight, and have a rapid pulse. You could
have an overactive thyroid gland.
Sleep Disorder
Signs
and Symptoms
Narcolepsy:
1. Falling asleep suddenly and
uncontrollably in the daytime for periods of five minutes to over an hour.
2. Sudden loss of muscle
control triggered by strong emotion or fatigue.
3. Vivid hallucinations when
falling asleep or waking up.
4. Fatigue.
Insomnia:
1. Trouble falling asleep.
2. Early waking.
3. Daytime sleepiness.
4. Poor concentration.
Obstructive sleep apnea:
1. Loud bursts of snoring and
snorting while sleeping on back.
2. Morning headaches.
3. Daytime sleepiness with
difficulty concentrating.
4. Personality changes, such as
unusual irritability in the daytime.
What
to do now
Narcolepsy:
1. Try to have one or more
daytime naps at regular times.
Insomnia:
2. Establish a soothing bedtime
routine.
2. Do things that soothes you
such as listen to soothing music, or read a book.
3. Drink warm milk.
4. Use your bed only for sleep
or sex, not for working or watching TV.
Obstructive sleep apnea:
1. Take attempts to keep from
sleeping on your back.
When
to call a doctor
1. If you have symptoms of
obstructive sleep apnea or narcolepsy, particularly if you are sleepy all
the time.
2. If you have had insomnia for
more than two weeks.
How to
prevent it
1. If you can’t get to sleep,
get up, drink a glass of milk, and read and relax for a while until your
feel sleepy.
2. Rise each morning at the
same time, no matter when you went to bed.
3. Avoid caffeinated drinks for
at least five hours before bedtime.
E Don’t drink alcohol or smoke for at least three hours before bedtime.
E Don’t drink alcohol or smoke for at least three hours before bedtime.
4. Exercise regularly, but not
within two hours of bedtime.
5. If you are overweight, take
steps to lose weight.
Lyme Disease
Signs
and Symptoms
1. A rash often with a pale
center, that develops where a tick bite occurred two days to a months
before. The rash may last two to four weeks or longer. (Some victims,
however, don’t remember having a rash).
2. Headache, fever, chills,
sore throat, fatigue, and aching muscles and joints.
3. After several weeks or
months, paralysis of the face, stiff neck, irregular heartbeat, and
fainting sensitivity to light.
4. Joint pain and swelling.
What
to do now
1. If you find a tick on your
skin, remove it immediately with tweezers: Grasp it as close to the skin
as possible; pull gently and steadily to remove the entire tick. Avoid
squeezing or twisting the tick’s body, since this may spread bacteria into
your skin or blood.
2. Put the tick in rubbing
alcohol to preserve it for analysis.
3. After removal, disinfect the
bite with alcohol, wash your hands in soap and water.
4. Don’t use kerosene,
petroleum jelly, or a lighted cigarette or match to dislodge a tick, all
of these are ineffective techniques.
When
to call a doctor
1. If you’ve been bitten by a
tick, and you have symptoms of Lyme disease.
2. If your symptoms return
after treatment.
How to
prevent it
1. Wear light-colored clothing
when you’re in grassy or wooded areas to make ticks easier to spot. Wear
shoes (not sandals), long pants, and long-sleeved shirts. Tuck your pants
into your socks. Spray an insect repellent containing DEET on clothing.
Use sparingly on skin.
2. Cheek your skin, hair, and
clothing for ticks after an outing.
3. Make sure that your pet is
free of tick.
4. Clear away bush near your
home that might attract ticks.
5. Stack woods away from the
house, because woodpiles attract mice and the ticks.
Lupus
Signs
and Symptoms
1. Rashes shaped like
butterflies across the nose and cheeks.
2. Aching, swollen joints.
3. Numbness in the fingers and
toes.
4. Swollen abdomen and swollen
ankles (sometimes).
5. Chest pain when breathing
deeply.
6. Fever over 100 degrees.
7. Persistent fatigue.
8. Sores in the nose, mouth, or
throat.
9. Unusual bleeding or
bruising.
10. Dark urine.
11. Sensitivity to sunlight
that results in a rash after time spent in the sun.
12. Mental or personality
changes, including depression.
What
to do now
1. Get lots of rest if you’re
feeling tired. Take naps when you’re having a flare-up.
2. Put warm compresses on achy
joints.
3. For discomfort, take aspirin
or ibuprofen (after meals to avoid stomach upset).
4. Protect your hands from cold
or irritation by wearing gloves.
5. Avoid the sun during the
middle of the day. Thirty minutes before leaving home each day, apply a
sunscreen with an SPE of at least 15. Sun exposure alone cause a flare-up
in some people.
6. Eat healthfully-stick to a
diet that’s low in fat and salt, high in complex carbohydrates and
calcium.
7. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and
caffeine.
8. When the disease is in
lessening in its severity and you feel well, start a regular exercise
program. Swimming is one good way for people with lupus to keep their
muscles in shape.
When
to call a doctor
If your are experiencing the
symptoms of kidney disease:
1. frequent urination; nausea
and vomiting; pain in your chest and bones; swollen ankles; shortness of
breath; itching, bruising, or bleeding; mental confusion; loss of
consciousness.
Call for advice and an
appointment:
1. If you have symptoms of
lupus.
2. If you have been diagnosed
with lupus and your symptoms get worse or change.
Infections
Signs
and Symptoms
General signs and symptoms:
1. Fever higher than 100
degrees (oral thermometer reading).
2. Chills and sweating.
3. Headache.
4. Fatigue.
5. Muscle aches or soreness.
6. Swollen lymph nodes.
Respiratory infection:
1. Coughing and sneezing.
2. Sinus or chest pain.
3. Sore throat, congestion, and
excess mucus.
4. Watery eyes.
Infection of the mouth,
ears, or eyes:
1. Localized pain or
irritation.
2. Swelling, tenderness,
unusual redness.
Joint infection:
1. Tenderness, pain and redness
or inflammation in the joints, often in only one part of the body.
Intestinal infection:
1. Nausea and vomiting.
2. Abdominal cramps or gas
pains.
3. Diarrhea.
4. Dehydration.
5. Bladder infection.
6. Painful, burning, and
frequent urination.
7. Bloody urine.
What
to do now
1. Rest, drink lots of water,
and eat healthfully.
2. If you are younger than 65
and in good health, let a low fever (oral thermometer reading – below 104
degrees in adults, 102 in children, and 100.4 in infants under three
months) run its course. Low fever is usually not dangerous and may
actually speed recovery from the infection.
3. Give your body a chance to
recover.
4. Avoid alcohol and smoking.
When
to call a doctor
1. If your temperature rises to
104 or higher, or goes over 101 with joint pain; if a child’s body
temperature rises to 102 or higher; or an infant’s to 100.4 or higher.
2. If you develop symptoms of
severe infection, such as problems speaking, seeing, swallowing, or
breathing, or if you have difficulty moving.
3. If your skin has been
bruised by a human or animal bite.
4. If you have symptoms such as
diarrhea, vomiting, or a sore throat, that persist or worsen after one or
two days.
How to
prevent it
1. Eat healthy foods, drink
plenty of fluids.
2. Exercise regularly.
3. Get enough sleep.
4. Don’t smoke or use drugs.
5. Don’t drink alcohol. If
however, you must, don’t take more than 250 ml alcohol in any particular
day if you’re man. But if you’re a woman you shouldn’t take more than 125
ml. Don’t drink more than three times a week.
6. Wash your hands frequently,
and avoid putting your fingers in your mouth or rubbing your eyes.
E Be sure that meat is cooked is cooked fully and that food is prepared in a clean place. Do not share silverware.
E Be sure that meat is cooked is cooked fully and that food is prepared in a clean place. Do not share silverware.
7. Keep your immune system in
good working order.
8. Take steps to reduce stress
in your life; stress weakens the immune system. Try meditation, yoga, or
deep breathing.
9. Get a flu shot yearly.
10. Ask your doctor about
immunization against pneumonia.
11. Have your children
vaccinated against childhood diseases.
12. Menstruating women should
change tampons at least every six hours to avoid incubating harmful
bacteria.
13. Keep an eye out for changes
in your body-from inflammation around nicks and cuts to a runny nose or
genital discharge. Attend to symptoms promptly.
14. Practice safe sex: A sexual
relationship with only one person you know to be uninfected is safest. If
you have sex with more than one person, use latex condoms, even during
oral sex, and never reuse a condom.
15. Don’t have unprotected sex
with anyone whose sexual history you don’t know or who isn’t willing to be
tested for HIV.
16. Avoid anal sex; it
increases your risk because of the chance of bleeding.
17. Hugging, kissing (any part
of the body), message, and touching are safe activities.
Hepatitis
Signs
and Symptoms
Some forms of hepatitis produce
no symptoms. But in other forms of hepatitis, symptoms that occur in the
beginning are flu like:
1. Fever.
2. Nausea and vomiting.
3. Loss of appetite.
4. Abdominal pain.
5. Fatigue.
Other symptoms:
1. Dark urine.
2. Pale, clay-colored stools.
3. Jaundice- yellow eyes and
skin.
What
to do now
1. Don’t drink alcohol, if you
have symptoms of hepatitis. It increases the risk of liver damage.
2. Stay home and get lots of
rest. You don’t have to lie in bed, but you should lie down if you feel
tired.
3. Drink at least ten glasses
of water a day.
When
to call a doctor
1. If you have two or more of
the first symptoms listed or any of the less common symptoms, especially
if you have been exposed to someone with hepatitis.
2. If you are recovering from
hepatitis and you start to have symptoms again.
How to
prevent it
1. Get vaccinated for hepatitis
a if you are going to a foreign country where it’s wide spread.
2. Drink boilded water when
traveling abroad. Don’t eat unpeeled or uncooked fruits and vegetables.
3. Wash your hands often with
soap.
4. Practice safe sex: A sexual
relationship with only one person you know to be uninfected is safest. If
you have sex with more than one person, use latex condoms, even during
oral sex, and never reuse a condom.
5. Don’t have unprotected sex
with anyone whose sexual history you don’t know or who isn’t willing to be
tested for HIV.
6. Avoid anal sex; it increases
your risk because of the chance of bleeding.
7. Hugging, kissing (any part
of the body), message, and touching are safe activities.
8. Don’t drink alcohol. If
however, you must don’t take more than 250 ml alcohol in any particular
day if you’re man. But if you’re a woman you shouldn’t take more than 125
ml. Don’t drink more than three times a week.
9. Don’t use intravenous drugs.
10. When you like to have
piercing, or tattooing, or acupuncture be sure that sterilized needles are
used.
11.People infected with A or E
hepatitis, shouldn’t touch other’s food or prepare it. Their bedding
should be washed regularly.
Diabetes
Signs
and Symptoms
1. Frequent urination-sometimes
almost hourly.
2. Unexplained weight loss.
3. Increased and excessive
thirst.
4. Blurred vision.
5. Persistent fatigue.
6. In women, frequent yeast and
bladder infections, sometimes missed menses.
What to do now
1. Take advice from a doctor specialized in
Diabetes, if you know or suspect that you have diabetes.
2.
Follow your doctor’s advice about diet,
exercise, and monitoring your blood sugar levels.
When to call a
doctor
1.
If you feel weak and nauseous, excessively
thirsty, are urinating very frequently, rapid breathing, and have
abdominal pain.
2.
If you experience extreme thirst, lethargy,
weakness and mental confusion; you may have dangerously high blood sugar
levels that could lead to coma.
3.
If a person known to have diabetes loses
consciousness.
4.
If you have noticeable sweet smelling
breath along with the symptoms listed above, you may have ketoacidosis-a
life-threatening condition.
Call for an immediate appointment:
1.
If you or your child develop symptoms of
diabetes.
2.
If you have diabetes and you get flu; flu
and some other illness can make your blood sugar levels go out of control.
How to prevent it
1.
There is no way prevent Type I diabetes.
To prevent Type II diabetes:
1.
Keep your weight within the healthy range
for your age, height and structure.
2.
Exercise regularly. It is very crucial in
preventing diabetes or managing it once it occurs.
3.
If you are over 40, and overweight, or have
a family history of diabetes, check up for diabetes every one to three
years.
Chronic Fatigue
Signs
and Symptoms
1. Fatigue that is not a result
of exertion and that interferes with daily activities.
2. Fatigue not relieved by
rest, and continues for six months or longer.
3. More than 24 hours of
weakness and fatigue after moderate exercise. Sometimes fatigue occurs one
or two days later.
4. Low fever (up to 101
degrees) or chills.
5. Headaches that feel
different.
6. Sore throat.
7. Painful lymph nodes.
8. Pains that spread to various
joints without causing swelling or redness.
9. Temporary problems with
vision and sensitivity to light.
10. Difficulty thinking or
concentrating, confusion, absentmindedness, irritability.
11. Difficulty sleeping.
What
to do now
1. Take painkillers such as
ibuprofen, for headaches and muscle aches.
2. Stay physically active, but
not to the point of becoming exhaustion.
How to
prevent it
1. There is no known way to
prevent chronic fatigue syndrome.
When
to call a doctor
1. If you have persistent
fatigue and other symptoms of CFS.
Anemia
Anemia
Signs
and Symptoms
General symptoms:
1. Weakness and fatigue.
2. Pale skin; paleness of gums,
nail beds, and eyelid linings.
3. Shortness of breath.
4. Headaches, dizziness, and
fainting.
5. Difficulty concentrating.
Vitamin B 12 deficiency anemia:
1. The symptoms mentioned above
and:
2. Sore mouth and tongue.
3. Tingling in hands and feet.
4. Problems with walking and
balance.
5. Memory loss and confusion.
Iron deficiency anemia:
1. The symptoms mentioned above
and:
1. Fragile nails.
2. Black or bloody stools
indicating intestinal bleeding.
Folic acid deficiency anemia:
1. The symptoms mentioned above
and:
2. Sore mouth and tongue.
3. Swollen abdomen.
4. Loss of appetite, nausea and
diarrhea.
What
to do now
1. If you suspect you have
anemia, talk to your doctor. Don’t take iron supplements without asking
your doctor first. Too much iron can cause symptoms similar to anemia and
may worsen your condition.
When
to call a doctor
If you have been taking iron
supplements and you have these symptoms:
1. Fever, vomiting.
2. Lethargy and/or seizures.
3. Bloody diarrhea.
4. If these symptoms appear you
my have iron overload, which can be fatal.
Call for advice and an
appointment:
1. If you have symptoms of
anemia.
2. If you are being treated for
a nutritional anemia and don’t get better in two weeks.
How to
prevent it
To have enough vitamin B 12:
1. Include meat, chicken, fish,
and/or dairy products in your diet.
To have enough iron folic Acid:
1. Eat plenty of citrus fruits
(oranges, grape fruit), green vegetables and dried beans. Eat liver, eggs,
and milk.
2. If you drink alcoholic
beverages, you shouldn’t take more than 250 ml alcohol in any particular
day, but if you’re a woman you shouldn’t take more than 125 ml. But to
keep your health good never drink more than three times a week. Alcohol
can interfere with the absorb or iron.
3. If you’re pregnant or
nursing, or if you have very heavy periods, discuss your diet with your
doctor.
To get enough iron:
1. Don’t drink coffee or tea
with meals. They contain a substance that makes it hard for your body to
absorb iron.
2. Eat plenty of iron-rich
foods, including potatoes, raisins, dried beans, oatmeal, and molasses.
Eat meat, liver, and shellfish.
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