Common Myths about AIDS

I cannot have AIDS. I'm safe. You might think that, okay, but you can never be sure of the slightest contact or accident where you might have got in contact with an HIV or AIDS infected person's body fluid. Get yourself checked and then claim it!

Ø I have nothing to do with HIV and AIDS infected. This is as good as saying I have nothing to do with the society. It is our social responsibility to make them feel and home. Until we all understand and accept this, these people will live a sad, disappointed and lonesome life!

Ø It's no good attending AIDS seminar. This again, is as good as not going to school or college! You might not even know when this deadly disease captures you, and it has no cure! Prevention is better than cure, especially when there is no cure.

Ø Older people are safe. Does cold catch you after asking your age? Same is the case with AIDS. Age has nothing to do with it, habits have! Watch your actions and ways! Be aware and careful.

Ø People with AIDS die. They die a gradual death. Their body does not have any immune system, so even a cough can be ghastly.

Ø HIV and AIDS are the same. They are similar and consequential, but not same. HIV is a virus that attacks human's immune system, but it may take a person as long as ten years to go from HIV positive to AIDS infected.

Ø I will get HIV if I share a room with an HIV infected. Not necessarily, though there are chances that you may. HIV is transmitted only through exchange of body fluid, so if that is avoided, then you will not contract HIV.

Ø If I and my partner both have HIV I don't need to bother about safe sex and condoms. As a matter of fact, it's quite the contrary. If you both are HIV positive then you need to be very very safe so that you don't get a more aggressive HIV stain from the other.

Ø Oral sex is safe. No. Oral sex, involves a slight amount of body fluid exchange, though the chances and the amount might b very less. Oral sex is less risky, but it is not safe!

Ø Lesbians and Gays are safe from AIDS and HIV. No. It is as safe as 'normal' sex.


By Tarang Bhargava


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An Overview Of Foot Arthritis

Foot arthritis is most commonly an occurrence of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is arthritis of the bone. It is due to common wear and tear which results in inflammation, swelling and pain. Many times foot arthritis is caused by injury to the foot. Foot arthritis can lead to problems walking once it gets to bad.

Foot arthritis can occur in any of the bones within the foot. It often affects certain bones. The ankle is very susceptible to injury and therefore a common spot for arthritis. The three bones in the heel of the foot are also commonly affected by arthritis. The middle area of the foot where the bones and the toes and the rear bones in the foot connect is another hot spot. Finally, the toes are often a spot for arthritis to settle in.

Symptoms of foot arthritis are often hard to ignore. They can include pain when moving the foot or putting weight on the foot. The foot may also feel stiff or show signs of swelling.

A doctor will often diagnose foot arthritis through asking questions and through a gait analysis. The doctor may ask about when the pain started, if you have ever injured your foot, where the pain is located and what type of shoes you normally wear. The gait analysis is simply an observance of how you walk. It may also include x-rays or a bone scan.

Foot arthritis is treated depending on the severity. Common treatment includes taking medications for pain and swelling, using shoe inserts or wearing a brace. You may also have to use a cane to help you walk. Therapy may also be a treatment used. With sever arthritis surgery is often recommended.

Surgical options include removing bone and tissue to help alleviate the pain. There are many methods including arthroscopic surgery and also replacement surgery if the arthritis is in a joint. Surgery, though, is often the last resort ot other treatment options.

Foot arthritis can be quite debilitating. Sometimes there is no way to cure the arthritis. You may only be able to control the swelling and pain. However, many people suffer from arthritis and they can usually go on living a normal life.


By Joseph Then


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Hepatitis Basics

Most people infected with hepatitis may not even be aware that they possess the virus because its symptoms are similar to that of the flu. Hepatitis cases are becoming more and more frequent in the United States, primarily due to the public’s lack of information about the virus and how it affects the liver.

The liver is responsible for many bodily processes, including filtering out toxic, harmful substances from the blood. The liver must process everything we ingest and when the organ is stressed due to the hepatitis virus, it is unable to perform at its optimal ability.

Of the hepatitis viruses, A, B and C are the most common in the United States. There are various myths surrounding this disease, from whether already having one form of the virus prevents you from getting another or if a vaccination against one strain protects against another. It is possible to be infected with more than one form of hepatitis at a time, and whichever vaccine you receive will only protect you from that particular form of hepatitis. These faulty assumptions only increase the chances for infection.

Hepatitis A and B are much less prevalent than HCV, the most common form of hepatitis. HCV is spread through blood-to-blood contact and often develops into chronic liver disease.

When infected with hepatitis, symptoms can include jaundice, muscle and joint pain, and fatigue, all of which are similar to cold or flu symptoms.

As of yet, there is no cure for hepatitis C, and the treatment methods available through Western Medicine have not proven to be highly successful. A combination of treatments is typically the best course of action against hepatitis.


By Nicole Cutler


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Obesity - A Review

Obesity is a health issue. Obese people are increasing their susceptibility and risks to a number of diseases directly related to obesity. Obesity causes diabetes, heart diseases, colon cancer, high blood pressure. And the obesity itself can be caused by fast food, motionless lifestyle and hormonal problems.

The number of people that suffer from obesity increasing too fast. Obesity has become a global problem it the US. Each year the number of obese people grows in geometric sequence. Inactivity of life and eating disorder are the main causes of obesity. Obesity can be treated different ways: diets, exercises, pills and surgery.

People hate diets and exercises. That is why modern doctors and herbalists developed naturally based pills that help obese people to lose weight fast.

Surgery has also become very popular among americans for the last five years but surgery is very dangerous and expensive weight loss method. It gives you temporary results and causes other disorders in your body. Surgical weight loss is just an exhaustion of fat. As year or two pass you will gain your body weight at the same level. The money spent on surgery is wasted money. Plus there will be a rehabilitation period. And this means wasted time and harm to your general health.


By Artem Skorik


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Diabetes Awreness: There's No Substitute for Good Friends

Was there a time when you relished the idea of giving dinner parties?

What a great opportunity to bond with old friends, try out a few new recipes, and find a reason to clean up the house!

Has diabetes robbed you of the enjoyable events involving your friends and family?

Diabetes has an ugly characteristic of wrecking the lives of it's victims by forcing them into seclusion.

If you have been neglecting the enjoyable events of your life, please take action to control your diabetes. With a "proactive" mind-set, you can control and beat diabetes!

You, your friends, and especially your family will love you for taking control. Get back to the fun things in life,,,, Take control of your diabetes.

Ask your doctor about diabetes and have your blood sugar checked several times a year.

For more information about diabetes, including a Diabetes Quiz and a Free booklet, visit the Hope4Diabetes website at: http://hope4diabetes.com/info

This 20 page FREE booklet will provide you with in-depth information on comprehensive diabetes care. The 7 principles, or steps, will help you to understand, manage and diagnose your potential diabetes risk.

It could help you live a longer and more active life. The booklet is Yours absolutely FREE - No Risk! Share it NOW with the people you love and want to Keep alive!


By David Anderson


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Asthma Meds - The Best Use Of Asthma Meds

If you are amongst who suffers from asthma or has a friend or relative suffering form it, you would know the pain of having the disease and the problems it can lead to. Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. This condition means a periodical narrowing of the airways of the lungs, leading to symptoms such as difficulty in breathing and wheezing. The patient starts gasping for air because of the obstruction of the airflow.

This condition may stop simultaneously or would have to be brought under control using asthma medications, also called asthma meds. A person suffering from severe asthma may even experience an asthma attack because of causes such as anxiety and stress though usual stimuli range from dust to pollutants to cold air and exercise.

The treatment of asthma is difficult since the condition is seen to keep re-appearing among patients. There are two general types of asthma meds, which help to give either quick relief or long-term control over the condition. These are bronchodilators, which help in relieving the symptoms but relaxing the muscles around the airways, leading an opening up of the airways and a better flow of air to and from the lungs.

These asthma meds also help in clearing the mucous out of the lungs by making it move freely. The other king of general asthma meds are anti-inflammatory drugs which reduce the mucous production as well as swelling in the lungs. This makes the airways less sensitive.

There are many ways in which asthma meds can be administered in order to provide quick relief. For example, asthma nebulizers, inhalers and pills can be administered in order to provide relief to the patient. Because of the side effects, which are ascribed to the effect of asthma medicines, alternative medicine and treatments like yoga and medicinal herbs are being explored as a viable option.


By Ricky Lim


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Asthma And Its Treatment

Asthma is a condition of the lungs where mucus blocs the passage ways of the lungs (bronchioles), and you would find it hard to breath. Asthma is extremely troublesome, uncomfortable condition. Asthma attacks could be less frequent initially. Frequency of the attacks could increase with time.

There are various causes for asthma. It could be allergic reaction triggered by dust, strong smells like perfumes or weather conditions. Asthma could be due to hereditary factors. Smoking tobacco is one of the major reasons asthma. Animal hair, animal excretions, pollen could also be major causes.

Asthma, it is said cannot be cured. But I have seen several cases of prolonged asthma being completely cured. As in case of any chronic disease you have to cope up with asthma on a daily basis.

With proper medication asthma can be brought under control. The frequency of the attacks can be reduced. The most important medicine used in controlling asthma are bronchodilators like salbutamol and terbutaline. They provide immediate relief by dilating the bronchioles and making breathing easier.

Bronchodilators are available both in the form of tablets as well as inhalers. They can also injected intravenously. They provide immediate relief. And also in case of severe attacks steroids such as prednisolone are used. Long use of steroid may have side effects.

Inhalers deliver the drugs directly to the lungs. Not only the relief is immediate, the quantity of the drug would be far less than taking it in the form of a tablet.

Certain steroids are used to prevent the occurrence of asthma. They reduce the inflammation of the lungs.

Nebulisers are also used in the treatment of asthma. Nebulisers use a combination of a drug and steam to deliver the drug to the lungs. They are more efficient than inhalers.

There are several alternative therapies for asthma. One important cure for asthma is pranayama. They are a series of breathing exercises. I have seen several cases of asthma being cured by practicing pranayama regularly.

If asthma is treated early it can be kept under check by a combination of drugs and exercises.


By B.N. Sridhar


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Colloidal Silver and HIV Infection

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the most destructive pandemic in the history. HIV is also known by following names in medical terminology.

* Human lymphotropic virus type III
* Lymphadenopathy virus
* Lymphadenopathy associated virus.

HIV is a retrovirus (a virus that has RNA genome with reverse transcriptase enzyme. With the help of these features this virus makes complementary DNA that can integrate into host organism DNA). It is widely accepted that Montagnier, a French physician along with his teammates discovered HIV in 1983-84.

HIV virus can transfer through blood, vaginal fluid, semen, pre-ejaculate and breast milk. HIV virus may be present in form of free virus particles and virus in the infected cells in these body fluids. The main sources of transmission include unprotected sexual intercourse, transmission of virus from mother to baby (at birth or through breast milk) and contaminated needles. Possibility of transmission of HIV virus through blood transfusions or blood products can be eliminated by screening of blood and blood products before transfusion.

If left untreated, most of the HIV infections may lead to development of AIDS and result in death of the infected.

Till date there is no cure for HIV infections. However, certain medications, generally anti-retroviral can provide relief from HIV symptoms up to certain extent. The main aim of HIV infection treatment is to prevent the deterioration by strengthening body immune system and repairing hormonal balances. Some alternative therapies life herbal supplements and homeopathy medicines may be helpful in preventing reducing HIV symptoms. Natural dietary supplements like colloidal gold, colloidal silver and other liquid supplements may prove to be helpful in prevention of HIV infections. Use of colloidal silver can help you in regulating hormonal imbalances and restrict the growth/affects of virus that can cause HIV infection.

Colloidal silver supplement contains microscopic silver particles electrically charged in distilled water. There are no known side effects produced by colloidal silver as it does not contain any harmful chemicals and is prepared through non-chemical method.

Some researches proved that colloidal silver is helpful in enhancing body immune system and regulating hormonal levels. These properties, accompanied with ‘virus killing’ property, makes colloidal silver one of the best complementary therapies as part of HIV infection prevention.


By Ben W Taylor


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Hepatitis B Causes and Prevention

What is Hepatitis B ?

Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease. Hepatitis B is the most common liver infection in the world. In all over world about 350 million people are suffering from hepatitis B virus, of whom, more than 250,000 die from liver-related disease each year. The liver can become inflamed as a result of infection. Hepatitis B is caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis stops right working of your liver and it also makes your liver swollen. Mostly people do not know that they are suffering from Hepatitis B because it does not have any special kind of symptoms. The common symptoms of Hepatitis B are vomiting, jaundice, dehydration, headache, dark yellow colored urine, yellowish eyes and skin, abdominal pain etc.

Causes of Hepatitis B:

Virus is the main cause of Hepatitis B

The hepatitis B virus is the main cause of Hepatitis B. virus can get transferred from one person to another. The hepatitis B virus is transmitted from one person to another via blood so this virus is also called blood-borne virus.

How hepatitis B virus gets transmitted in to the human body?

* Living with the people who are suffering from Hepatitis B
* Having sex with an infected person without using a condom
* If you share the drug needles with any infected person
* Men or women who have multiple sex partners, especially if they do not use a condom
* By use of infected person’s toothbrush, razor, or anything else that could have blood on it.
* If tattooing or body piercing tools are not being clean.
* A person who go from dialysis and involve in kidney disease.
* New born child get it for his infected mother.

Methods to Prevent Yourself for Hepatitis B:

Hepatitis B can be prevented either before or right after exposure to the virus. To prevent yourself from Hepatitis B, keep in mind those following point:

* Use condom if your partner is infected by hepatitis B virus
* Avoid the contact with blood and other body fluids with the infected persons
* Do not reuse used needles.
* Do cover all open cuts and sores.
* Pregnant women’s should screen her for hepatitis B virus infection.
* To prevent disease before exposure, hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all infants, all 11-12 years-old
* The infected person must not share razors, toothbrushes, needles, or any other object that may have become polluted with blood.



By Mahiraj Singh


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Signs of Stroke - Can Medications Cause a Stroke in an Otherwise Healthy Person?

Adam was in a good health condition when a stroke hit him. He was doing sports frequently, did not smoke or drink and was not overweight. He also was not aware of suffering from hypertension. What went wrong?

There are various signs of a stroke. It is not true that only obese or old people or people with hypertension can get a stroke. However, Adam did suffer from sever arthritis and took different medications. One was known to cause blood clotting.

Adam was only 42 when he had a stroke. Could the arthritis medication be the reason for it? Probably. Medications can have many different side effects. We all know that. Especially when you take different medications at the same time then the combination to those drugs can have unexpected results. Never take medication without consulting a physician and always tell your physician about the other drugs you probably take.

You often can not tell that somebody has a stroke or not. But there is no time to waste. Getting quick treatment is crucial. If you believe you have a stroke then call 911 if you can. If you think somebody else has a stroke ask him or her to lift the arms, smile broadly or repeat a simple sentence. If the person can not lift an arm, the smile looks odd or can not repeat the sentence you should get immediate help. If in doubt, get a physician and do not mess around.

Do not give the person medication. It could be that this medication caused the stroke and makes it even worse. There is nothing much you can do then getting help as quickly as possible.


By Gerd Cornelius Pacher


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HIV - Related Stigma And Discrimination

The legal definition of HIV or AIDS related discrimination according to UNAIDS is 'the unfair and unjust treatment of an individual based on his or her real or perceived HIV status".

For people diagnosed as HIV-positive, no area of their life remains untouched by the stigma associated with this disease. Whether it is education, housing, employment, insurance or medical service providers, HIV positive people are discriminated by almost everyone.

Discrimination is said to have occurred when a person diagnosed as HIV positive is not treated in the same manner as a person diagnosed as HIV negative in an analogous situation either at the work place, hospital, religious places, social gatherings or rather any other place. Discrimination is the aftermath of a stigma and may or may not be intentional. Whether it is deliberate or not, the fact is that discrimination on the basis of a person's HIV status is not acceptable by law and is a direct violation of human rights.

Certain governments (like the California Government) make certain special provisions under the law for supporting individuals detected with HIV. Under these legal provisions, the employer is required to provide reasonable accommodation near the work place to an HIV positive individual along with certain modifications in the nature of the job or the responsibilities associated with it. An adjustment in work timings, meeting schedules, medical leaves, becomes necessary to accommodate the individual and support him. These reasonable adjustments can be made as long as the individual is productive and does not pose a burden to the employer.


By Pauline Go


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Conventional Medical Treatment for Lupus

Basic Description

Lupus is a chronic disease in which the immune system attacksthe connective tisue of joints, muscles, and skin as well as the membranes surrounding other body organs. People with lupus are often constantly tired and especially sensitive to sunlight On the other hand, the rashes and joint pain that also characterize the disorder are episodic-one day symptoms are present, the next day they are not.

The exact causes of lupus are unknown, though heredity is believed to playa role in determining risk. African Americans are three times as likely as Caucasian Americans to develop the condition. The vast majority of lupus victims are women, and the condition most often strikes between the ages of 15 and 35.

Signs and Symptoms

Severe joint pains and joint swelling

Rash across the nose and cheeks

Sensitivity to sunlight

Weakness and fatigue

Weight loss

Ulcers of the mouth or throat

Mental confusion

Anemia

Kidney dysfunction

Conventional Medical Treatment

If you have symptoms of lupus, see your physician, who can diagnose the condition with a blood test. For many lupus victims, the only treatment necessary is avoidance of excessive sunlight and constant use of a strong sunscreen lotion. In most cases the disease is not considered serious, and approximately 40 percent of victims experience a spontaneous-and total-remission.

Mild cases of lupus may only require the use of aspirin to relieve symptoms. In serious cases, lupus can lead to inflammation around the heart and lungs, kidney disease, or serious joint damage. If you suffer from a severe case of lupus, your physician may place you oncorticosteroids to limit joint inflammation. You also must undergo checkups on a monthly basis so that you can treat any of the above complications as they arise.


By Robin Brain


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Hepatitis A - A Medical Condition

This disease, hepatitis affects a person' s liver. Having hepatitis means that your liver is inflamed and swollen. The cause of hepatitis can either be a microorganism or because your liver is damaged by other things like alcohol.

There are five different types of hepatitis, like hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, that are cause by hepatitis viruses. This hepatitis virus grows in a person' s liver and causes a lot of damage to this organ. Our immune system fights back against hepatitis, but is takes a while to eliminate the infection in our liver.

To better understand hepatitis, you must first know how you can get this disease. Well, before a person gets sick, but has already contacted the hepatitis A virus, they shed it in their feces. If somehow the hepatitis A virus gets into the main water supply and you use it to wash your body, food, etc. you are a possible hepatitis victim. This way of spread the hepatitis A virus is called fecal- oral transmission. This is the most common form of transmitting the viral hepatitis.

People who live in countries that are just developing are more at risk of developing hepatitis, because the sewage system is not properly cleaned. So much of the water that these people use is contaminated by the hepatitis virus that spreads very easily and causes hepatitis A. This hepatitis virus does not kick in from the beginning. It may take about 30 days for the symptoms of hepatitis to show. This time that the hepatitis virus does not show any symptoms is called an incubation period. However, many of the people infected with the hepatitis virus will not develop hepatitis. This is mostly true in children. Older people are more at risk of getting hepatitis.

Some of the most common hepatitis symptoms are tiredness, nausea, vomiting, a general loss of your apatite. Another major hepatitis symptom is pain in your liver area, that is in the right side of the abdomen, under your ribs. A striking hepatitis symptom is the change in color. Your skin will become yellow to orange and the white portion of your eyes will also become yellow if you have hepatitis. In most people the symptoms of hepatitis last about one month. After proper treatment, the hepatitis A will no longer be a problem for you.


By Groshan Fabiola


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