Daily Dose - The Official Blog of AskTheDoctor.com

Ask The Doctor’s Guide To A Healthy Thanksgiving.The...

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 09:45:00 -0500

Ask The Doctor’s Guide To A Healthy Thanksgiving.

The season of temptation has arrived. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine shows the average person puts on a pound during the holidays and never loses it. Over the years this can add up to some serious weight gain for people. We here at AskTheDoctor.com have put together a few tips to help you stay healthy this Thanksgiving and throughout the holidays.

1. Avoid the skin on the turkey. Skin has saturated fat and contributes to high cholesterol. The best thing you can do is serve yourself the turkey breast or other white meat without the skin

2. Don’t use butter in stuffing. Avoid adding butter to your stuffing and cook with low-sodium chicken broth instead. Skip adding the sausage and use some low fat chicken instead.

3. Use low fat milk for mashed potatoes. Instead of using butter and salt, use some low fat milk when making your mashed potatoes.

4. Control portion size on desert. If you can’t skip that pecan or pumpkin pie, opt for a very small piece and don’t eat the crust.

5. Eat veggies as appetizer. The best thing you can do is avoid all the deep fried appetizers and go for the chilled shrimps, veggies or fresh fruit instead.

6. Make low calorie egg nog. Again use low fat skim milk and honey and avoid the heavy cream and sugar.

7. Control alcohol portion. If you are going to drink, take small sips and really nurse that glass of red wine.

8. Plan a healthy activity the day before, the day of and the day after. Get your family together for 3 days and plan a physical activity such as a nice walk, playing a sport, whatever it maybe. Those 3 days of activity will help keep your metabolism going.

50 Fiber Rich Foods By Dr. Oz Did you know a diet rich in fiber...

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 17:45:00 -0500

50 Fiber Rich Foods By Dr. Oz

Did you know a diet rich in fiber could be one of your best cancer prevention weapons? Researchers have found that both soluble and insoluble fiber reduce the risk of breast cancer, especially for women consuming upwards of 30 grams a day. A large study revealed that women who ate a high fiber diet (38-77 grams/day) had a greater than 20% reduction in their risk of ovarian cancer compared to those with low fiber intake. Fill your cart with these foods.

original source:...

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 12:00:20 -0500

original source: http://ahealthykitchen.com/healthy-recipes/healthy-breakfast/healthy-juices/dr-oz-green-drink-oprah/

If you watch Oprah (and who doesn’t), then I know you’re familiar with Dr. Mehmet Oz and his famous “green drink”. Dr. Oz says he drinks it just about every morning and if you look at Oprahs weekly meal plan, you’ll see that she too is drinking it every morning. Me too — Me too!! Yummo!

Dr. Mehmet Oz’s Green Drink Recipe – SERVES 3 to 4

2 apples (cored, but leave the skin on them)
2 BIG handfuls of spinach
1 medium cucumber
3 ribs/sticks of chopped celery (if you’re using Vita-mix, you only need to cut the celery rubs into thirds)
1/2 inch or teaspoon ginger root, peeled
1 bunch parsley
Juice of 1 lime
Juice of 1/2 lemon

After everything is combined in a blender (I highly recommend Vita-mix), this recipe makes 28 to 30 ounces — about three to four servings. After Oprah tried this on the show, she was pleasantly surprised and exclaimed “It’s a glass of fresh!”

If you’re not used to green drinks, you may find them a bit “earthy” in the beginning. An easy solution is to increase the fruit content until you get used to the earthy taste. I betcha one day you’ll be craving green drinks just like Dr. Oz’s recipe (I do). But in the beginning (and for as long as you want), feel free to increase the apple, or add a banana, or add in my favorite … fresh mango or cooked sweet potato!

This isn’t a race, it’s a lifestyle.

Want to Ask The Doctor your own question about diet or anything else, then click here.

BLUEBERRIES ARE ONE OF THE HEALTHIEST FRUITS Did you know that...

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 20:19:58 -0500

BLUEBERRIES ARE ONE OF THE HEALTHIEST FRUITS

Did you know that blueberries are one of the healthiest fruits on this planet? They are rich in antioxidants which can help fight against cancer and macular degeneration. The best part of blueberries is they can also help against getting urinary tract infections. Recent studies have also shown that blueberries can help fight against belly fat.

Our doctors recommend having a handful of blueberries as a snack 7 days a week or even at least 3-4 days out of the week.

CLICK HERE TO ASK THE DOCTOR YOUR OWN QUESTION

OBAMA VS. ROMNEY - THE MAIN DIFFERENCES ON HEALTHCARE ask your...

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 10:54:00 -0500

OBAMA VS. ROMNEY - THE MAIN DIFFERENCES ON HEALTHCARE

ask your own healthcare question by clicking here

Ask A Doctor

Keys to a healthy breakfast by AskTheDoctor.com - The 6-6 rule...

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 12:39:05 -0400

Keys to a healthy breakfast by AskTheDoctor.com - The 6-6 rule to follow

1. Avoid bacon, sausage and any fatty meats. Replace with lean ground turkey slice or chicken breast

2. Consume at least one egg or some protein

3. Get one of the following in at breakfast: nuts and nut butters, ground flax seeds, extra virgin olive oil, avocados

4. Consume some fruit that has deep, bright colors and look for seasonal items

5. Consume one cup coffee or green tea, have it with skim milk or black. Avoid any sugar or sweetener.

6. Get some whole grains and fiber into your system such as brown bread or oatmeal, etc.

If you are able to commit to these 6 steps above at least 6 days a week (the 6-6 rule) you will find yourself with a faster metabolism and you will feel a lot better.

Want to ask a doctor your own question? Please Click here for medical advice

Keys to a healthy lunch by AskTheDoctor.com 1. Avoid eating the...

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 13:29:24 -0400

Keys to a healthy lunch by AskTheDoctor.com

1. Avoid eating the typical lunch sandwich. Most people have a sandwich in between two slices of white bread

2. Consume one serving of meat that is grilled or baked from an animal that has 2 legs or less (ie. chicken or fish)

3. Drink at least 2 cups (16 oz.) of water before having lunch. This will get you hydrated and prevent you from overeating.

4. Have at last one dark green vegetable during lunch. Look at the size of your fist and that is the amount of green veggies you should be consuming during lunch.

5. Have something whole grain with lunch. Not too much, but just a little.

6. Eat one little tiny sliver of dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is good for you and this will kill your craving for more sweets.

Follow the above steps at lunch time to maintain a very healthy lifestyle.

"People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams,..."

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 13:16:29 -0400

““People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within””

- sponsored by Ask The Doctor (via inspirationtemple)

Why is a substance that kills 10,000 Americans each year not...

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 12:30:12 -0400

Why is a substance that kills 10,000 Americans each year not banned?

Click Here to learn more about this disease from our doctors

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes skin redness...

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 20:01:05 -0400

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes skin redness and irritation. Most people with psoriasis have thick, red skin with flaky, silver-white patches called scales.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Psoriasis is very common. Anyone can get it, but it most commonly begins between ages 15 and 35.

It is not contagious. You cannot spread it to others.

Psoriasis seems to be passed down through families. Doctors think it probably occurs when the body’s immune system mistakes healthy cells for dangerous substances. See also: Inflammatory response

Usually, skin cells grow deep in the skin and rise to the surface about once a month. In persons with psoriasis, this process is too fast. Dead skin cells build up on the skin’s surface.

The following may trigger an attack of psoriasis or make the condition more difficult to treat:

Bacteria or viral infections, including strep throat and upper respiratory infections
Dry air or dry skin
Injury to the skin, including cuts, burns, and insect bites
Some medicines, including antimalaria drugs, beta-blockers, and lithium
Stress
Too little sunlight
Too much sunlight (sunburn)
Too much alcohol

In general, psoriasis may be severe in people who have a weakened immune system. This may include persons who have:

AIDS
Autoimmune disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis)
Cancer chemotherapy

Some people with psoriasis may also have arthritis, a condition known as psoriatic arthritis.

Symptoms

Psoriasis can appear suddenly or slowly. Many times, it goes away and then comes back again and again.

Symptoms include:

Irritated, red, flaky patches of skin
Most often seen on the elbows, knees, and middle of the body
Red patches may appear anywhere on the body, including the scalp

The skin may be:

Itchy
Dry and covered with silver, flaky skin (scales)
Pink-red in color (like the color of salmon)
Raised and thick

Other symptoms may include:

Genital lesions in males
Joint pain or aching
Nail changes, including thick nails, yellow-brown nails, dents in the nail, and nail lifts off from the skin underneath
Severe dandruff on the scalp

Psoriasis may affect any or all parts of the skin. There are five main types of psoriasis:

Erythrodermic — The skin redness is very intense and covers a large area.
Guttate — Small, pink-red spots appear on the skin.
Inverse — Skin redness and irritation occurs in the armpits, groin, and in between overlapping skin.
Plaque — Thick, red patches of skin are covered by flaky, silver-white scales. This is the most common type of psoriasis.
Pustular — White blisters are surrounded by red, irritated skin.

Signs and tests

Your doctor or nurse can usually diagnose this condition by looking at your skin.

Sometimes, a skin biopsy is done to rule out other possible conditions. If you have joint pain, your doctor may order x-rays.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to control your symptoms and prevent infection.

Three treatment options are available:

Skin lotions, ointments, creams, and shampoos. These are called topical treatments.
Pills or injections that affect the body’s immune response, not just the skin. There are called systemic, or body-wide, treatments.
Phototherapy, which uses light to treat psoriasis.

TOPICAL TREATMENTS

Most of the time, psoriasis is treated with medications that are placed directly on the skin or scalp. This may include:

Cortisone creams and ointments
Creams or ointments that contain coal tar or anthralin
Creams to remove the scaling (usually salicylic acid or lactic acid)
Dandruff shampoos (over-the-counter or prescription)
Moisturizers
Prescription medicines containing vitamin D or vitamin A (retinoids)

SYSTEMIC (BODY-WIDE) TREATMENTS

If you have very severe psoriasis, your doctor will likely recommend medicines that suppress the immune system’s faulty response. These medicines include methotrexate or cyclosporine. Retinoids such as acitretin can also be used.

Newer drugs called biologics are used when other treatments do not work. Biologics approved for the treatment of psoriasis include:

Adalimumab (Humira)
Alefacept (Amevive)
Etanercept (Enbrel)
Infliximab (Remicade)
Stelara

PHOTOTHERAPY

Some people may choose to have phototherapy.

Phototherapy is a medical treatment in which your skin is carefully exposed to ultraviolet light.
Phototherapy may be given alone or after you take a drug that makes the skin sensitive to light.
Phototherapy for psoriasis can be given as ultraviolet A (UVA) or ultraviolet B (UVB) light.

OTHER TREATMENTS

If you have an infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics.

AT HOME CARE

Follow these tips at home:

Oatmeal baths may be soothing and may help to loosen scales. You can use over-the-counter oatmeal bath products. Or, you can mix 1 cup of oatmeal into a tub of warm water.
Sunlight may help your symptoms go away. Be careful not to get sunburned.
Relaxation and antistress techniques may be helpful. The link between stress and flares of psoriasis is not well understood, however.

The common cold usually causes a runny nose, nasal congestion,...

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 20:00:50 -0400

The common cold usually causes a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. You may also have a sore throat, cough, headache, or other symptoms.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

It is called the “common cold” for good reason. There are over one billion colds in the United States each year. You and your children will probably have more colds than any other type of illness.

Colds are the most common reason that children miss school and parents miss work. Parents often get colds from their children.

Children can get many colds every year. They usually get them from other children. A cold can spread quickly through schools or daycares.

Colds can occur at any time of the year, but they are most common in the winter or rainy seasons.

A cold virus spreads through tiny, air droplets that are released when the sick person sneezes, coughs, or blows their nose.

You can catch a cold if:

A person with a cold sneezes, coughs, or blows their nose near you
You touch your nose, eyes, or mouth after you have touched something contamined by the virus, such as a toy or doorknob.

People are most contagious for the first 2 to 3 days of a cold. A cold is usually not contagious after the first week.

Symptoms

Cold symptoms usually start about 2 or 3 days after you came in contact with the virus, although it could take up to a week. Symptoms mostly affect the nose.

The most common cold symptoms are:

Adults and older children with colds generally have a low fever or no fever. Young children often run a fever around 100-102°F.

Depending on which virus caused your cold, you may also have:

Cough
Decreased appetite
Headache
Muscle aches
Postnasal drip
Sore throat

Treatment

Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids.

COLD MEDICINES

Over-the-counter cold and cough medicines may help ease symptoms in adults and older children. They do not make your cold go away faster, but can help you feel better.

Over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines are not recommended for children under age 6. Talk to your doctor before giving your child any type of over-the-counter or nonprescription cough medicine, even if the label says it is made for children. These medicines likely will not work for children, and may have serious side effects.

ANTIBIOTICS

Antibiotics should not be used to treat a common cold. They will not help and may make the situation worse. Thick yellow or green nasal discharge normally occurs with a cold after a few days. If it does not get better within 10 to 14 days, then your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

OTHER MEDICINES

Newer antiviral drugs used to relieve flu symptoms do not help reduce cold symptoms.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

Alternative treatments that have been used for colds include:

Chicken soup
Vitamin C
Zinc
Echinacea

Chicken soup has been used for treating common colds for centuries. It may really help. The heat, fluid, and salt may help you fight the infection.

Vitamin C is a popular remedy for the common cold. Research shows it does not prevent colds in many adults, but people who take vitamin C regularly seem to have slightly shorter colds and milder symptoms. Taking vitamin C after your have a cold doesn’t seem to be helpful.

Zinc supplements taken for at least 5 days may reduce your risk of catching the common cold. Taking a zinc supplement within 24 hours of when you first feel sick may make your cold symptoms less severe and help them go away faster.

Echinacea is a herb that has been promoted as a natural way for preventing colds and the flu, and for making symptoms less severe. However, high-quality studies have failed to show that this herb helps prevent or treat colds.

Alternative treatments are safe for most people. However, some alternative treatments may cause side effects or allergic reactions. For example, some people are allergic to echinacea. Herbs and supplements may also change the way other medicines work. Talk to your doctor before trying an alternative treatment.

Expectations (prognosis)

The fluid from your runny nose will become thicker and may turn yellow or green within a few days. This is normal, and not a reason for antibiotics.

Most cold symptoms usually go away within a week. If you still feel sick after 7 days, see your doctor to rule out a sinus infection, allergies, or other medical problem.

Complications

Colds are the most common trigger of asthma symptoms in children with asthma.

A cold may also lead to:

Calling your health care provider

Try treating your cold at home first. Call your doctor if:

Breathing becomes difficult
Your symptoms get worse or do not improve after 7 to 10 days

Prevention

Here are five proven ways to help lower your chances of getting sick:

Always wash your hands: Children and adults should wash hands after nose-wiping, diapering, and using the bathroom, and before eating and preparing food.
Disinfect: Clean commonly touched surfaces (such as sink handles, door knobs, and sleeping mats) with an EPA-approved disinfectant.
Choose smaller daycare classes: Attending a day care where there are six or fewer children dramatically reduces the spread of germs.
Use instant hand sanitizers: These products use alcohol to destroy germs. They are an antiseptic, not an antibiotic, so resistance can’t develop. A little dab will kill 99.99% of germs without any water or towels.
Use paper towels instead of sharing cloth towels.

The immune system helps your body fight off infection. Here are six ways to support the immune system:

Avoid secondhand smoke: Keep as far away from secondhand smoke as possible. It is responsible for many health problems, including colds.
Avoid unnecessary antibiotics: Using antibiotics too often leads to antibiotic resistance. The more you use antibiotics, the more likely the medicines may not work as well for you in the future. That means, you have a higher chance of getting sick with longer, more stubborn infections.
Breastfeed: Breast milk is known to protect against respiratory tract infections in children, even years after you stop breastfeeding. Kids who are not breastfeed get about five times more ear infections than those who are.
Drink water: Fluids help your immune system work properly.
Eat yogurt: Certain yogurst contains “active cultures,” or beneficial bacteria that helps prevent colds.
Get enough sleep: Not getting enough sleep makes you more likely to get sick.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that...

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 20:00:58 -0400

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that affects millions of people all over the world. The condition of asthma causes the airways in the lungs to swell, throw out thick mucus, and over time spasm. The swelling that takes place will make the airways smaller, making it difficult to breathe. The first attack from asthma that you experience may include congestion, pain, wheezing, a shortness of breath, dryness in the mouth, coughing, and a feeling as if you have a fever.

From pollution and infection and to family genes, the causes of asthma can vary greatly. Learn how to pinpoint your triggers and avoid setting off your asthma symptoms.

Its always preferable to manage asthma symptoms naturally, without the use of steroid-based medications that can, with overuse, actually worsen rather than heal their condition. A number of vitamins and minerals are known by doctors to reduce the inflammatory effects of an asthma attack, and other holistic treatments can also be very effective in managing asthma.

Use the following natural asthma remedies to help relieve your symptoms and reduce the incidence of asthma attacks.

Drink lots of water. Water is one of the most overlooked natural asthma remedies. Suboptimal water intake can cause dehydration, resulting in higher blood levels of histamine which is associated with asthma symptoms. Water dilutes levels of histamine in the bloodstream.

Inhale steam. Just like steam can open the pores of your skin, it can also help open up tight airways. Try draping a towel over your head with your face over a bowl of steaming water, or take a hot shower.

Remember to take your vitamins. There are several vitamins that can help control asthma symptoms naturally. Vitamin C, for example, improves lung function; magnesium can help open up your lung’s air passages. 500 mg of magnesium, taken daily, can widen your bronchial tubes, facilitating easier breathing and reducing the chances of a severe asthma attack. Omega 3 fatty acids can reduce inflammatory responses in the body. Talk to your doctor about the vitamins that will work best for you.

Change your diet. Processed foods, meat, additives, preservatives and dairy foods have all been linked to asthma complications. Dairy products are a common allergen and asthma trigger for many people. Visit an allergist or try an elimination diet to pinpoint possible dietary triggers for your asthma.

Treat your asthma by using ginseng. This popular Oriental herb has anti-inflammatory properties. Since asthma is, by nature, an inflammatory disease, ginseng can be used effectively to help manage bronchial irritation.

Eliminate environmental triggers. These may include pet dander, dust mites, cigarette smoke, chemicals used in cleaning supplies and other indoor pollutants. Use a quality air filter in your home, use hypo-allergenic covers for beds and pillows, and sweep or vacuum your house regularly.

Exercise.Helps you strengthen your breathing muscles, boost your immune system and keeps a healthy body weight. All of these benefits can improve your asthma in the long run. The key to exercise - make sure your asthma is under control before you start. Protect yourself from asthma triggers like cold air, smog, pollen, etc. while you are exercising.

A few shots from an inhaler and some nebulization may help with the symptoms, but it doesn’t change the underlying causes. That’s where nutrition and healthy choices come into play.

[Courtesy of Sehat.com]

GLUTEN AND CELIAC DISEASE Question of the day: Dear Doctor: I...

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 17:26:00 -0400

GLUTEN AND CELIAC DISEASE

Question of the day: Dear Doctor: I have been doing a lot of research trying to find out information on gluten intolerance and after doing so, I have found that I identify with at least 10 of the common symptoms related to being gluten intolerant. So, as an experiment I have gone gluten free for 7 days now and I am already feeling a lot better. I ca definitely tell a difference. However, one of the main reasons I began to research gluten intolerance was because I have dealt with stomach bloating all my life. After I eat, my stomach swells so much that I look pregnant and it stays all day. I have noticed that it has not bloated as much from being of gluten for 7 days, but it still does a little bit. My question is, is it normal to have a little bloating after you eat? Is there a way to go through my day without having to experience bloating? and If it is a gluten intolerance, how long will it take to see the affects of not being bloated anymore? Thanks for your time.

ANSWER: t is indeed impressive and the credit goes to you for identifying and working towards treating you problem. Gluten Sensitivity is usually known as Celiac disease and is characterized by extreme sensitivity to gluten containing foods like barley, rye, oats and wheat. Typically it is more common in women and typically is characterized by symptoms like diarrhea, weight loss, bloating after eating, anemia, skin issues. Many of these symptoms are due to malabsorption due to the gluten sensitivity and destruction of the inner lining of he small bowel. The bloating is a sign of this condition and thus will gradually reduce as you follow through with your gluten free diet. In the event of worsening of symptoms it may mean that we will have to consider other diseases and thus you will need to see your family physician.

What is acute bronchitis? Air is pulled into the lungs when...

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 20:00:39 -0400

What is acute bronchitis?

Air is pulled into the lungs when we breathe, initially passing through the mouth, nose, and larynx (voicebox) into the trachea and continues en route to each lung via either the right or left bronchi (the bronchial tree - bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli). Bronchi are formed as the lower part of the trachea divides into two tubes that lead to the lungs. As the bronchi get farther away from the trachea, each bronchial tube divides and gets smaller (resembling an inverted tree) to provide the air to lung tissue so that it can transfer oxygen to the blood stream and remove carbon dioxide (the waste product of metabolism).

Bronchitis describes inflammation of the bronchial tubes (inflammation = itis). The inflammation causes swelling of the lining of these breathing tubes, narrowing the tubes and promoting secretion of inflammatory fluid.

Acute bronchitis describes the inflammation of the bronchi usually caused by a viral infection, although bacteria and chemicals also may cause acute bronchitis. Bronchiolitis is a term that describes inflammation of the smaller bronchi referred to as bronchioles. In infants, this is usually caused by respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV), and affects the small bronchi and bronchioles more than the large. In adults, other viruses as well as some bacteria can cause bronchiolitis and often manifest as a persistent cough at times productive of small plugs of mucus.

Acute bronchitis is as mentioned above, is a cough that begins suddenly usually due to a viral infection involving the larger airways. Colds (also known as viral upper airway infections) often involve the throat (pharyngitis) and nasal passages, and at times the larynx (resulting in a diminished hoarse voice, also known as laryngitis). Symptoms can include a runny nose, nasal stuffiness, and sore throat. Croup usually occurs in infants and young children and involves the voice box and upper large airways (the trachea and large bronchi).

Chronic bronchitis for research purposes is defined as a daily cough with sputum production for at least three months, two years in a row. Chronic bronchitis is a diagnosis usually made based on clinical findings of a long term persistent cough usually associated with tobacco abuse. From a pathologic standpoint, characteristic microscopic findings involving inflammatory cells in seen in airway tissue samples make the diagnosis. When referring to pulmonary function testing, a decrease in the ratio of the volume of airflow at 1 second when compared to total airflow is less than 70%. This confirms the presence of obstructive airways disease of which chronic bronchitis is one type. Certain findings can be seen on imaging studies (chest X-ray, and CT or MRI of the lungs) to suggest the presence of chronic bronchitis; usually this involves an appearance of thickened tubes.

What causes acute bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis occurs most often due to a viral infection that causes the inner lining of the bronchial tubes to become inflamed and undergo the changes that occur with any inflammation in the body. Common viruses include the rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and theinfluenza virus.
Bacteria can also cause bronchitis (a few examples include,Mycoplasma, Pneumococcus, Klebsiella, Haemophilus).
Chemical irritants (for example, tobacco smoke, gastric reflux, solvents) can cause acute bronchitis.

What are the risk factors for acute bronchitis?

Bronchitis describes inflammation of the bronchial tubes. Smoking is a key risk factor for developing acute bronchitis. Any other illnesses that predispose to similar inflammation also increase that risk (for example,asthma patients and patients allergic to airborne chemicals).

Keeping the weight off for good Question of the day: Dear Ask...

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 11:43:00 -0400

Keeping the weight off for good

Question of the day: Dear Ask The Doctor: I cant seem to get rid of these 15 pounds I have gained. I just keep rising up and down. Is there a way I can keep the weight off for good?

Answer: The most important thing is to not think of losing weight in terms of dieting. The key is to make a concious lifestyle change where eating healthy and exercising become a regular habit. Pick a schedule which you can maintain and you will be able to keep the weight off.

Pneumonia facts Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be...

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 19:52:21 -0400

Pneumonia facts

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by different types of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Symptoms of pneumonia include cough with sputum production,fever, and sharp chest pain on inspiration (breathing in).
Pneumonia is suspected when a doctor hears abnormal sounds in the chest, and the diagnosis is confirmed by a chest X-ray.
Bacteria causing pneumonia can be identified by sputum culture.
A pleural effusion is a fluid collection around the inflamed lung.
Bacterial and fungal (but not viral) pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics.

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs which is usually caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Prior to the discovery of antibiotics, one-third of all people who developed pneumonia subsequently died from the infection. Currently, over 3 million people develop pneumonia each year in the United States. Over a half a million of these people are admitted to a hospital for treatment. Although most of these people recover, approximately 5% will die from pneumonia. Pneumonia is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

How do people “catch pneumonia”?

Some cases of pneumonia are contracted by breathing in small droplets that contain the organisms that can cause pneumonia. These droplets get into the air when a person infected with these germs coughs or sneezes. In other cases, pneumonia is caused when bacteria or viruses that are normally present in the mouth, throat, or nose inadvertently enter the lung. During sleep, it is quite common for people to aspirate secretions from the mouth, throat, or nose. Normally, the body’s reflex response (coughing back up the secretions) and their immune system will prevent the aspirated organisms from causing pneumonia. However, if a person is in a weakened condition from another illness, a severe pneumonia can develop. People with recent viral infections, lung disease, heart disease, andswallowing problems, as well as alcoholics, drug users, and those who have suffered a stroke or seizure are at higher risk for developing pneumonia than the general population. As we age, our swallowing mechanism can become impaired as does our immune system. These factors, along with some of the negative side effects of medications, increase the risk for pneumonia in the elderly.

Once organisms enter the lungs, they usually settle in the air sacs and passages of the lung where they rapidly grow in number. This area of the lung then becomes filled with fluid and pus (the body’s inflammatory cells) as the body attempts to fight off the infection.

Doctors use antibiotics to treat pneumonia caused by bacteria, the most common cause of the condition. Antibiotics have a high cure rate for pneumonia.⁵

Your doctor will choose your antibiotic based on a number of things, including your age, your symptoms and how severe they are, and whether you need to go to the hospital. The number of days you take antibiotics depends on your general health, how serious your pneumonia is, and the type of antibiotic you are taking.

Most people see some improvement in symptoms in 2 to 3 days. Unless you get worse during this time, your doctor usually will not change your treatment for at least 3 days.

Getting started on antibiotics soon after getting pneumonia may help recovery.⁵

For more details about antibiotics for pneumonia, see the Medications section of this topic.

If there is no improvement or if your symptoms get worse, you may need a culture and a sensitivity test. These tests help identify the organism that is causing your symptoms. These tests also help your doctor find out whether the bacteria is resistant to the antibiotic.

If you do not need to go to the hospital for pneumonia, it is not usually necessary to identify the organism causing the pneumonia before starting treatment. If you do go to the hospital, you will probably have some testing to identify the bacteria.

You likely will not have to go to the hospital unless you:

Are older than 65.
Have other health problems, such as COPD, heart failure, asthma, diabetes, long-term (chronic) kidney failure, or chronic liver disease.
Cannot care for yourself or would not be able to tell anyone if your symptoms got worse.
Have severe illness that reduces the amount of oxygen getting to your tissues.
Have chest pain caused by inflammation of the lining of the lung (pleurisy) so you are not able to cough up mucus effectively and clear your lungs.
Are being treated outside a hospital and are not getting better (such as your shortness of breath not improving).
Are not able to eat or keep food down, so you need to take fluids through a vein (intravenous).

Viral pneumonia

Pneumonia also can be caused by viruses, such as those that cause the flu andchickenpox (varicella). Antibiotics do not work to treat pneumonia caused by a virus.

At this time, there is no proven medicine to treat pneumonia caused by the flu virus. Home treatment, such as rest and taking care of your cough, is the only treatment.
Varicella pneumonia, which is rare, can be treated with antiviral medicine.

What To Think About

In most cases pneumonia is a short-term, treatable illness. But frequent bouts of pneumonia can be a serious complication of a long-term (chronic) illness, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If you have a severe long-term illness, it may be hard to treat your pneumonia, or you may choose not to treat it. You and your doctor should discuss this

Second Hand Marijuana Smoke Question of the day: I don’t...

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 18:27:51 -0400

Second Hand Marijuana Smoke

Question of the day: I don’t do drugs, my boyfriend smokes marijuana and I’m always in another room but i can smell it, we have unprotected sex lots and i give monthly ua’s will i test positive for thc?

Answer: The good news is that none of our home drug test kits (hair, urine, or saliva) will pick up exposure to second hand marijuana smoke as a positive result. The lungs do not filter THC out of smoke; they absorb it in small amounts. Smoke inhaled secondarily must infiltrate the lungs in heavy concentrations in order to produce clinically positive tests. Smoke exhaled by one person and inhaled by another or smoke that floats in a space may not contain the original high concentrations of THC; hence a small-to-zero likelihood that drug tests could read positive. Also, most immunoassay drug tests, including standard EMIT, ELISA and RIA tests, are set at high thresholds intentionally to avoid false-positive results due to incidental ingestions of second-hand smoke. So, unless a urine sample is taken right at the time a large amount of THC is inhaled, a drug test should remain negative.

Amoxicillin with Ibuprofen or tylenol Our question of the day:...

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 14:11:00 -0400

Amoxicillin with Ibuprofen or tylenol

Our question of the day: Can I take Amoxicillin with ibuprofen or tylenol?

Here is what the doctors at Ask The Doctor are saying:

If you are not allergic, your liver function is within the normal limits and you don’t have a specific contraindication for any of those medications, you can take Amoxicillin and Ibuprofen/Tylenol.

I suggest that you take them with the meals because they tend to produce upset stomach in some patients.

Your pathology report will include information about the stage...

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 20:00:52 -0400

Your pathology report will include information about the stage of the breast cancer — that is, whether it is limited to one area in the breast, or it has spread to healthy tissues inside the breast or to other parts of the body. Your doctor will begin to determine this during surgery to remove the cancer and look at one or more of the underarm lymph nodes, which is where breast cancer tends to travel first. He or she also may order additional blood tests or imaging tests if there is reason to believe the cancer might have spread beyond the breast.

Cancer stage is based on four characteristics:

the size of the cancer
whether the cancer is invasive or non-invasive
whether cancer is in the lymph nodes
whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body beyond the breast

You also may see or hear certain words used to describe the stage of the breast cancer:

Local: The cancer is confined within the breast.
Regional: The lymph nodes, primarily those in the armpit, are involved.
Distant: The cancer is found in other parts of the body as well.

Sometimes doctors use the term “locally advanced” or “regionally advanced” to refer to large tumors that involve the breast skin, underlying chest structures, changes to the breast’s shape, and lymph node enlargement that is visible or that your doctor can feel during an exam.

The stage of the breast cancer can help you and your doctor understand your prognosis (the most likely outcome of the disease) and make decisions about treatment, along with all of the other results in your pathology report. Cancer stage also gives everyone a common way to describe the breast cancer, so that the results of your treatment can be compared and understood relative to that of other people.

Your doctor may use another staging system known as TNM to describe the cancer. This system is based on the size of the tumor (T), lymph node involvement (N), and whether the cancer has spread, or metastasized, to other parts of the body (M). TNM is discussed later in this section.

Stage 0

Stage 0 is used to describe non-invasive breast cancers, such as DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ). In stage 0, there is no evidence of cancer cells or non-cancerous abnormal cells breaking out of the part of the breast in which they started, or getting through to or invading neighboring normal tissue.

Stage I

Stage I describes invasive breast cancer (cancer cells are breaking through to or invading normal surrounding breast tissue) Stage I is divided into subcategories known as IA and IB.

Stage IA describes invasive breast cancer in which:

the tumor measures up to 2 cm AND
the cancer has not spread outside the breast; no lymph nodes are involved

Stage IB describes invasive breast cancer in which:

there is no tumor in the breast; instead, small groups of cancer cells – larger than 0.2 millimeter but not larger than 2 millimeters – are found in the lymph nodes, OR
there is a tumor in the breast that is no larger than 2 centimeters, and there are small groups of cancer cells – larger than 0.2 millimeter but not larger than 2 millimeters – in the lymph nodes.

Microscopic invasion is possible in stage I breast cancer. In microscopic invasion, the cancer cells have just started to invade the tissue outside the lining of the duct or lobule, but the invading cancer cells can’t measure more than 1 mm.

Stage II

Stage II is divided into subcategories known as IIA and IIB.

Stage IIA describes invasive breast cancer in which:

no tumor can be found in the breast, but cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes under the arm (axillary) OR
the tumor measures 2 cm or smaller and has spread to the axillary lymph nodes OR
the tumor is larger than 2 cm but not larger than 5 cm and has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes

Stage IIB describes invasive breast cancer in which:

the tumor is larger than 2 cm but no larger than 5 cm and has spread to the axillary lymph nodes OR
the tumor is larger than 5 cm but has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes

Stage III

Stage III is divided into subcategories known as IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC.

Stage IIIA describes invasive breast cancer in which either:

no tumor is found, but cancer is found in axillary lymph nodes, which are clumped together or sticking to other structures, or cancer may have spread to lymph nodes near the breastbone OR
the cancer is any size and has spread to axillary lymph nodes, which are clumped together or sticking to other structures

Stage IIIB describes invasive breast cancer in which:

the cancer may be any size and has spread to the chest wall and/or skin of the breast AND
may have spread to axillary lymph nodes, which are clumped together or sticking to other structures, or cancer may have spread to lymph nodes near the breastbone

Inflammatory breast cancer is considered at least stage IIIB. Typical features of inflammatory breast cancer include:

reddening of a large portion of the breast skin
the breast feels warm and may be swollen
cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes and may be found in the skin

Stage IIIC describes invasive breast cancer in which:

there may be no sign of cancer in the breast or, if there is a tumor, it may be any size and may have spread to the chest wall and/or the skin of the breast AND
the cancer has spread to lymph nodes above or below the collarbone AND
the cancer may have spread to axillary lymph nodes or to lymph nodes near the breastbone

Stage IV

Stage IV describes invasive breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other organs of the body, such as the lungs, distant lymph nodes, skin, bones, liver, or brain.

You may hear the words “advanced” and “metastatic” used to describe stage IV breast cancer. Cancer may be stage IV at first diagnosis or it can be a recurrence of a previous breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Learn about what treatments you can generally expect according to cancer stage in the Options by Cancer Stage section in Planning Your Treatment.

TNM staging system

TNM (Tumor, Node, Metastasis) is another staging system researchers use to provide more details about how the cancer looks and behaves. Your doctor might mention the TNM classification for your case, but he or she is much more likely to use the numerical staging system. Sometimes clinical trials require TNM information from participants, so talk to your doctor if you are considering participation in a clinical trial.

The TNM system is based on three characteristics:

size (T stands for tumor)
lymph node involvement (N stands for node)
whether the cancer has metastasized (M stands for metastasis), or moved beyond the breast to other parts of the body.

The T (size) category describes the original (primary) tumor:

TX means the tumor can’t be measured or found.
T0 means there isn’t any evidence of the primary tumor.
Tis means the cancer is “in situ” (the tumor has not started growing into healthy breast tissue).
T1, T2, T3, T4: These numbers are based on the size of the tumor and the extent to which it has grown into neighboring breast tissue. The higher the T number, the larger the tumor and/or the more it may have grown into the breast tissue.

The N (lymph node involvement) category describes whether or not the cancer has reached nearby lymph nodes:

NX means the nearby lymph nodes can’t be measured or found.
N0 means nearby lymph nodes do not contain cancer.
N1, N2, N3: These numbers are based on the number of lymph nodes involved and how much cancer is found in them. The higher the N number, the greater the extent of the lymph node involvement.

The M (metastasis) category tells whether or not there is evidence that the cancer has traveled to other parts of the body:

MX means metastasis can’t be measured or found.
M0 means there is no distant metastasis.
M1 means that distant metastasis is present.

Once the pathologist knows your T, N, and M characteristics, he or she can use them to assign a stage to the cancer. For example, a T1 N0 M0 breast cancer would mean that the primary breast tumor is less than 2 centimeters across (T1), has not involved the lymph nodes (N0), and has not spread to distant parts of the body (M0). This cancer would be grouped as stage I.

For more detailed information on the TNM staging system and how it relates to the numerical stage, visit the American Cancer Society’s section on breast cancer staging.

Women suffer from lack of calcium and majority of them run...

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 19:41:29 -0400

Women suffer from lack of calcium and majority of them run into the risk of contracting Osteoporosis. This is a disease where the bones gradually become thin and women become susceptible to hip fractures, spine curvature and fragile structure of bones. Hence, it is essential for women to bone up on calcium so that they can build up proper density of bone and attain a proper bone mass. This will prevent Osteoporosis at later stages of life.

Underlying Science of Calcium Intake:

Medical studies have revealed that young women need 1000 to 1200 mg of calcium intake through their diet. This calcium requirement increases when women reach the pre-menopause and menopause stage of their life. Of the total calcium content in the body, bones are responsible for storing 90% of the calcium. However, when the calcium consumption falls, calcium is released from the bones and the mineral enters the bloodstream. Calcium is required in blood to ensure that clotting takes place proper. Women who suffer from lack of calcium in their bloodstream exhibit problems of blood clotting even in cases of minor cuts. Apart from this, calcium has been found to be an important element that aids in proper beating of the heart. In case of lack of calcium in body, the heart fails to contract properly and thereby causing irregular heartbeats. Medical studies have also revealed that calcium is required for keeping LDL cholesterol levels low and for increasing HDL cholesterol levels. HDL cholesterol is required for a healthy life. Finally, for women who suffer from PMS or premenstrual syndrome need calcium because calcium is known to decrease this medical condition naturally.

What happens when calcium level is low:

Women who suffer from lack of calcium in their body suffer from a number of medical conditions. One of them is Osteoporosis that has already been discussed. Let us take a look at some of the other medical conditions that women generally face and because of which, women should bone up on calcium.

Hypocalcaemia: This is a medical condition in which the calcium levels in the blood fall. Because of calcium inadequacy in blood, women can face the problem of feet and hand spasms, tingling in feet, hands, face and tongue and muscle aches. In situations of Hypocalcaemia, bones release the stored calcium and this leads to Osteoporosis.

Premenstrual Syndrome: PMS is associated with cramps, bloating and headache. In situations where women face PMS and also lack calcium in their body, the problems associated with PMS increases and menstrual periods can be extremely painful for them. It is because of this and other reasons that women should bone up on calcium.

What should women eat to bone up on calcium?

It is always preferred to increase the calcium intake through diet. A perfectly balanced diet with enough calcium ingredients is the best method to increase calcium content of the body to its optimal level. Consuming dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt, butter etc. can help. However, some women prefer not to go for such food items to avoid increase in fat consumption. There are alternatives like oysters, kale, sardines, broccoli etc. which can fulfill the calcium needs of the body. Some women prefer to take calcium supplements, which are available as “Over the Counter” medicines. It is always suggested to consult a doctor before taking such supplements.