Archive for April, 2009
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VARICOSE VEINS
Varicose veins — unsightly, often painful raised and knotted veins — usually occur in the legs and may lead to leg ulcers and blood clots. They are caused by the sluggish flow of blood combined with weak walls of veins and faulty valves. You may be more likely to suffer from varicose veins if your [...]
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SUGGESTIONS FOR THOSE WHO ARE STRESSED OR FEELING MILDLY BLUE, DOWN IN THE DUMPS OR UNDER THE WEATHER
An old advertisement for an over-the-counter cold medication observed that you can’t take every cold to a doctor, and proceeded to plug the medicine in question. The advert was right. It is not sensible to go to the doctor with every cold – or, for that matter, whenever you feel blue, down in the dumps [...]
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THE ECOLOGY UNIT IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF ALLERGIES: FOOD TESTING
Once all the variables of the environment have been controlled and the patient is feeling better and has found a compatible water, he is ready to begin his food tests. Generally speaking, the patient breaks his fast with some form of fish, if he has no known allergy to it. It can be either fresh [...]
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ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES: DEAFNESS AND THE PILL
It has long been known that pregnancy can hasten the onset of deafness in members of certain families who have a tendency to gradual hearing loss in middle age. Known as otosclerosis, this common type of deafness is due to overgrowth of bone around the inner eardrum, which becomes rigid and unable to vibrate in [...]
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MORE ABOUT GYNECOMASTIA IN BOYS
Signs and symptoms The development of breasts is obvious except when the boy tries to hide gynaecomastia out of embarrassment. If this happens, the parents may not be aware of the problem. Home care It is very important to be understanding and to reassure the child that the condition will disappear. In more obvious cases, [...]
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CHOLESTEROL AND FOOD: DECODING FOOD LABELS
Suitable for frying, baking and roasting: This expression is often found on a bottle of vegetable oil. The same oil will usually claim to be cholesterol free and/or free of saturated fat. Health authorities slam saturated fat as the main cause of high cholesterol levels, therefore if an oil is monounsaturated or polyunsaturated it must [...]
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CHECKING FERTILITY: TEMPERATURE TAKING
The temperature rise around the middle of the cycle confirms that ovulation has taken place, though it cannot predict it in advance. But charting your temperature each day tells you that you are ovulating and when. So this is another way to identity when you are likely to be fertile in future cycles. If your [...]
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LIFE AND SAFETY: DIFFERENT ENDINGS
Fires. About 4,700 people die each year because of fires-the majority of which are avoidable, says Susan McKelvey, public affairs manager of the National Fire Protection Association in Quincy, Massachusetts. “Taking basic safety precautions greatly reduces the risk of fire,” McKelvey says. “Cigarettes should be extinguished with water; smoking carelessly is the leading cause of [...]
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WEIGHT LOSS: MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS OF BULIMIA NERVOSA
Bulimia does not produce physical symptoms in the same way that chicken pox does, for example. But there are physical consequences, most of which are actually side effects of overeating or vomiting. These complications can be grouped as follows: Digestive Tract Stomach pain Abdominal swelling Pancreatitis Cramps Nausea Vomiting (involuntary) Rupture Malnutrition Electrolyte imbalance Hair [...]
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GET YOUR BODY MOVING: SHE MADE WALKING A SENSORY ADVENTURE
For almost 18 years, Denise Ramirez tried and failed to lose the 80 pounds that stuck around after her pregnancy. She tried exercise classes, but she couldn’t stick with the schedule. “So one day, I put on my headset and went for a walk,” says Denise, 36, of Fresno, California. “And you know what? I [...]