Home Treatment for Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds are typically thought of being a childhood problem, but they're actually common in older people -- and they can be more serious the older you get.

Most nosebleeds can be treated effectively with home remedies. Some, though, need emergency care and may be a sign of serious  underlying problem.

Anterior and Posterior

Nosebleeds come in two types, and the causes, severity, and treatment options differ:

• Anterior nosebleeds. These involves bleeding from the front of the nose. They account for more than 80 percent of all nosebleeds but are generally not serious. It originate in one of the tiny, blood-rich vessels that run through the front of the nose. Dry air and trauma to the nose are the main causes.Blood thinning medications, which include aspirin and anticoagulants, can make you more susceptible to them. You can treat most of them at home. If you have recurrent anterior nosebleeds, see your doctor. He or she may recommend that you have the vessel that's causing the problem cauterized. This procedure creates a seal on the vessel by burning  it with silver nitrate, electric current, or a laser beam. In rare situations, doctors perform a septoplasty, a surgical procedure that straightens the wall of cartilage between your nostrils. A bent septum can cause anterior nosebleeds to recur.


• Posterior nosebleeds. These nosebleeds are more serious but less common.  They occur when one of the large vessels in the inner portion of your nose breaks.Blood streams down the nasal cavity into the throat rather than out the nostril, so blood loss is more difficult to monitor. Home treatment won't stop the bleeding -- a trip to the emergency room is necessary. At the emergency room, doctors typically tries to stop the bleeding by inserting a strip of petroleum jelly soaked gauze, called a "posterior pack", deep into the nostril.
  Rarely, the posterior pack procedure fails to stop the bleeding. Then, doctors may surgically tie off (ligate) the bleeding vessel. A short hospital stay usually follows either procedure.

A Red Flag

Nosebleeds happen to people of all ages, but they occur most commonly in adult males over age 50. Even for older adults, most anterior nosebleeds can usually be treated at home.

For all age groups, though, posterior and recurring anterior nosebleeds can be a sign of other health problems, including:

• Anteriosclerosis. This is the thickening and the hardening of the artery walls, which makes them suscpetible to cracking. Anteriosclerosis occurs more often in older adults than in younger people.


• High blood pressure (hypertension). This common condition causes damage to arteries and creates higher pressure in them, making them more prone to rupturing. Recurrent nosebleeds or those accompanied by a headache could be an indicator of hypertension and should be treated immediately at the emergency room.


• Bleeding disorders. Clotting problems and low platelet counts can have serious underlying causes, such as liver or bone marrow problems or leukemia.

Stop the bleeding. Most nosebleeds are just shirt-staining annoyances. But they can be an important warning sign of serious health problems. That's why it is important to stop the bleeding and be aware of possible causes.

Source: Mayo Clinic

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What You Can do at Home for Neck Pain

Most neck pain responds fairly well to home care and doesn't require medical treatment.

Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium, may help reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may relieve pain and is less irritating to the stomach.

This may also help:

Short-term immobilization. A soft cervical collar that supports your neck without taxing the muscles may help, especially at night. Neck pain from disk problems may require a firmer collar. But use collar as little as possible -- usually less than 10 days. Prolonged use may increase pain and decrease neck muscle strength and range of motion.

Heat and cold. Both may relieve pain. Ice packs may be particularly helpful after an acute muscle strain or injury.

Exercise. Improving overall fitness and strengthening neck and upper back muscles may help prevent recurrence of neck pain.

Here are some exercises for your neck:

• Shoulder squeeze. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and hold for about three seconds. Repeat as often as is comfortable.


• Shoulder shrug. Gently raise your shoulders tightly to your neck, hold for five to ten seconds, then very slowly relax to a normal position.


• Seated rowing. Pull arms back in a rowing motion.


• Weightlifting. Grasp one to two - pound weights in your hands. Bend forward at your hips (Keep your back straight) with your arms hanging down. Gently raise and lower the weights as if you were flying. If you can't help your back straight, lie on your stomach on a table or weight bench.

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Jelly - Belly Woes

And here I am again... feeling awful and to think the Holiday season has just officially begun. Just thinking alone of how much I needed to lose is already killing me.

Obviously, there's no use in browsing bunch of different weight loss programs  over and over from the internet as most likely these articles will just add up to the guilt I've been feeling.

Okay, what I need now is a proven effective way on how to work this jelly-belly out from my system - not for anything else other than just to feel good and healthy again. I know my so unhealthy lifestyle is what causes this trouble and not to mention my eating habit and poor choices of  food sometimes. I am one of those millions of people who spend hours and I mean long hours in a day behind the desk with less time to exercise. (If it was williams allegro 88-key digital piano, I wouldn't mind.) Perhaps,  the only time I get to move around is when I do my not so energy-consuming chores. I even barely go out to breathe fresh air if not for personal errands or a visit to my sister and nieces which I also rarely do.

The feelings I get are becoming so undesirable and being stressed over it is definitely not helping so I really need something to get started with ASAP before it's too late and before I run out of clothes to wear... again!

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Tinnitus: Causes and Remedy

Really weird things do happen in every one's life. We may not know what they are called or understand why they happen but Science sure knows and has explanation of about everything that has something to do with the human body.

Ever heard of tinnitus? The word is maybe common to some but not to many. To me it's something new and for that I've made a little research about it. According to Wikipedia, Tinnitus is a perception of sound within the human ear in the absence of corresponding external sound. In short, it is a ringing noise in the ear.

In many cases, it is not a serious health condition but rather a nuisance and a symptom of underlying causes such as natural hearing impairment, ear infections, foreign body in the external ear or wax build-up.

Withdrawal from "benzo" addiction can cause tinnitus as well. Now this gives us a better understanding why we find people who are drug dependents restless most of the time or worst talking to their own selves.

If you happen to read this post and know of someone who suffers tinnitus, do not hesitate to help. I'd like you to read a story of Max here, a tinnitus sufferer and how tinnitus miracle brought peace to his then difficult and unpleasant life.

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Angina

... an uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest that occurs when your heart doesn’t get as much blood and oxygen as it needs.

High cholesterol can lead to partially blocked arteries, potentially leaving you with painful Angina. But there's something you can do to avoid it. Try these tips:

•  Slow down or take rest breaks, if angina comes on with exertion.


•  Avoid large meals and rich foods that leave you feeling stuffed, if angina comes on after a heavy meal.


•  Try to avoid situations that make you upset or stressed, if angina comes on with stress. Learn techniques to handle stress that can't be avoided.


• Eat a healthy diet to prevent or reduce high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and obesity. Supplement intake such as B17/amygdalin also help.


• Quit smoking, if you smoke.


• Be physically active, as directed by your doctor.


• Lose weight, if you are overweight or obese.


• Follow your doctor's orders and take all medicines as directed, especially if you have diabetes.

 

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Bleach or Leocoderma?

Evident as it is, many people believed that aside from spending thousands if not millions for his physical dos the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson also suffered an illness called Vitiligo (Leocoderma) which is closely associated with him allegedly having his skin bleached.

According to source, Vitiligo [vit-ill-EYE-go] is a disorder in which white patches of skin appear on different parts of the body. This happens because the cells (called melanocytes [ma-LAN-o-sites] that make pigment (color) in the skin are destroyed.

Health experts consider vitiligo as an autoimmune disease with unknown cause. White patches on the skin are the main sign of vitiligo and such patches are commonly visible to skin areas that are mostly exposed to sunlight such as the hands, feet, arms, face, and lips. The disorder affects all races and both sexes equally. Although it is categorized as hereditary, not all children who’s parents having the disorder are more likely to develop vitiligo.

Is the disease curable? Medical Science says yes. But as to what have had happen, this is definitely not the prime cause of the pop star's sudden departure.

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Obesity and How Other People Get Rid of It

OBESITY... Some blames it on the appetite... others on depression but medical experts simply described it a metabolic disorder caused by excessive accumulation of fat in the body.

I was in Cebu when I met Yolanda. She lived 2 houses away from mine and each mid afternoon she never fails to hang out at the store situated in front of my house for a small bottle of coke and a pack of crackers. She does it frequently and that's how I came to know her. We became comfortable with each other and started sharing bits and pieces of stories from here and there. But the one that stands out among her stories was her personal experience of successful mini gastric bypass surgery. She used to weigh about 260 pounds and she was lucky she met Tony (her husband) who brought her life back by sending her to Belgium for the said procedure. Of course it requires considerable amount of money too according to her but the satisfaction she get out weighs it all. I'm sure if she were to write this post, she would also recommend the same surgery procedure.

Mini gastric bypass and the lapband surgery are both done through a minimal invasive type of surgery called laparoscopy where a procedure can be done in less than an hour. Its FDA approved with a guaranteed quick recovery and satisfactory result.

Back to Yolanda, I understand what she went through was never easy. I was so inspired by her story and salute her optimism. She'd never stop to believe there's hope till her prayers were finally answered. The last time I saw her she weighs still quite a bit bigger than normal since her system is still on the process of adjusting but with the kind of faith like she has, I believe she can make it all the way through meeting her goal.

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How Healthy Are You?

Have you ever happened to ask your self how healthy and blemish-free you are? Of course we all hope and think we are; while some would rather hide their impurities and save them selves from embarrassment than knowing the best way to get rid of their problem.

I am talking about highly sensitive health conditions like STDs or sexually transmitted diseases. Genital warts is the most common type of this condition which is acquired through direct skin contact. Obviously it means both men and women can be a possible victim of the infection.

According to study, it takes several months to a year for a virus carrier to realize that he/she has HPV unless signs and symptoms are readily visible. Itchiness and some clustered portion of skin in a cauliflower-like shape are among them. Until the carrier notices these symptoms, the infection will remain unrevealed.

It maybe not be that easy but people suffering from this condition shouldn't just toss a military challenge coin to see whether they would want their condition to be seen by a doctor or not. What a victim of such infection must do is not hide and get constantly affected but rather consult a doctor right away for possible alleviation since cure for STDs is still left undiscovered up until today. However, there are several forms of genital warts treatment that are out in the market today. These solutions are meant to cure the symptoms and eventually chase the warts away. Once treated, understand that extra precautions are essential to prevent the virus from reactivating inside your body.

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Fibromyalgia and Sleep

Living life to the fullest means having a healthy exercise, healthy balance diet and a healthy sleep! But how tight is your sleep at night? Or are you experiencing the other way around? If it feels like a widespread pain that keeps you from getting a complete bedtime rest at night then it could be Fibromyalgia.

According to experts, Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by fatigue, anxiety, depression, awakening feeling tired and restless sleep. Its cause is unknown and is said to more likely affect women than men.

While there is no cure for the said condition, recommended medications are tailored to help control symptoms. Exercise, relaxation and the use of chiropractors and medical doctors’ recommended fibromyalgia pillow. Its natural cooling effect is said to help Fibromyalgia sufferer to get uninterrupted sleep at night.

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When Illness Leads to Depression

Should doctors tell it straight to their patients when the prognosis is bad?

Many cancer patients do not get straight talk from doctors, who often think they are doing patients a favor by keeping their hopes alive. But what happened to my brother-in-law (who died of Lung Cancer) was the other way around. His illness was confirmed stage 4 Lung Cancer and he heard it direct from her doctor's mouth without him asking whether he likes to know or not what his real condition was like. Though my sister didn't expect it, she remains firm and positive. But for sure she was worried on what her husband might feel upon knowing the sad truth.

There is no doubt that the stress of having certain illness cannot be mend with just a single melody played using great nord stage 2 at musicians friend unlike having a broken heart. To have to endure with an illness would certainly trigger depression. According to study, depression is one of the most common complications of chronic illness. Serious illness can cause tremendous changes in lifestyle, and limit an individual’s mobility and independence. Chronic illness may make it impossible to pursue the activities one enjoys, and can undermine self-confidence and a sense of hope in the future. It is not surprising, then, that people with chronic illness like cancer diagnosis often experience a certain amount of despair and sadness that may sometimes lead to a higher risk of dying.

It sounds terrible and inappropriate but study says that disclosure of cancer diagnosis has been the norm since 1970s. An overall survey states that 98% of medical practitioners are usually straight with patients when prognosis is bad. However, 48% said they discuss prognosis only with patients who have said they want to know -- either in response to the doctor asking them or by bringing it up themselves.

photo courtesy of yahoo flicker

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June is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Goodbye May, hello June!

As you probably remember, June is “Breast Cancer Awareness” month. Please help convey the importance of regular examination and early detection of breast cancer in order to catch this disease when it first erupts, maximizing the chance of survival and recovery. So in doing my bit to help spread awareness on the issue of breast cancer to women, here are several facts on breast cancer that everyone should know about.

• The first sign of breast cancer usually shows up on a woman's mammogram before it can be felt or any other symptoms are present.

• Risks for breast cancer include a family history, atypical hyperplasia, delaying pregnancy until after age 30 or never becoming pregnant, early menstruation (before age 12), late menopause (after age 55), current use or use in the last ten years of oral contraceptives, and daily consumption of alcohol.

• Early detection of breast cancer, through monthly breast self-exam and particularly yearly mammography after age 40, offers the best chance for survival.

• Ninety-six percent of women who find and treat breast cancer early will be cancer-free after five years.

• Over eighty percent of breast lumps are not cancerous, but benign such as fibrocystic breast disease.

• You are never too young to develop breast cancer! Breast Self-Exam should begin by the age of twenty.

 

Resources: American Cancer Society National Cancer Institute Komen Foundation

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HOME, finally!

The last two weeks has been very exhausting with a series of hospital trips. That obviously explains the posting gap here. No, I am not the patient but I have been watching over a patient who happened to be my older sister the whole time. The initial medical findings on her first hospital admission said it was a viral infection that took its toll on her. She went completely down for days, in and out of fever and nauseated. Then she was released when the platelet count test went normal.

Two or three days after, some skin rashes appeared. And because I don’t live with her I can only know details as I am told. It took her a day before making up her mind to seek for a medical attention again. I was kind of expecting that actually so I took her to the city hospital right on that day (Tuesday) just shortly after I got back from a morning run.

Platelet check reads: 90,000 upon arriving at the E.R. Too low compared to the 150,000 normal counts! To make the story short, it took her 5 days to gain the normal count back. Obviously I had to spend 5 straight boring days too at the hospital with her – something I wouldn’t have done if I only have a choice. Not that I didn’t want to be there for her because she’s my sister – a family - but it’s the environment that can never be pleasing to me and perhaps to anyone that I can’t handle so well – makes me feel like I’m going to get sick too while looking after a patient.

But of course I couldn’t complain any further now that we’re finally sent home.

Goodbye Dengue Fever/Acute Viral Infection and please keep your distance from my sister’s or to any of my family member’s system!

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Another Blunder for Today’s Plan to go for a Run

I’m supposed to do the much wanted run today with my cousin but an untoward incident happen and now here I am stuck in a hospital room, not as a patient but as patient watcher. Looking so unsound, my older sister, Joyce made her way (thank God she still managed to) towards mom’s house along with the kids early today and asked if I could take her to the doctor. There were just me and my younger sister left as mom went to an out of town trip. Leaving with no choice I walked her to the nearest hospital and that happened to be here. Can you imagine me blogging from a hospital?

After a few conducted tests, it turned out she got the viral infection that caused her seemed unending fever until some medications were administered. The high fever also caused her to dehydrate, thus the really awful look she wore as soon as I saw her.

I honestly don’t do well with situations like this although I can handle the hospital environment quite well but not about any member of my family getting sick. We have had a Dengue Outbreak especially after typhoon Pablo and even if I refused to think it could possibly happen to any of us, the thought somehow crossed my mind and I couldn’t be any scarier. I got only relieved after the Blood Platelet count result was read before us and it turned out to be just normal. Whew!
Then I realized the hospital that we are in to is a non-Philippine Health Insurance Accredited Hospital. Oh geez… I can already imagine the skyrocketing bill! What am I doing? I can only hope the patient would cooperate and will try to get better then we can get out of here before that happens.

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Still in Pain… but this time it’s no longer my muscles but my tooth!

For goodness sake! Just what on earth is going on? I’ve been so looking forward to continue the new workout routine I have just started to which after my muscles literally called for a few days break but this time I can’t because one of my well… long been decayed molars acted up for the first time just as I thought about seeing a dentist to ask for an extraction! You know how bad a toothache can get right? And how it makes us crazy as hell and to the point of wishing we could pull the stupid tooth out by ourselves? Yea, I’ve been there too and no part of it I did ever like.

So, it has been a crazy week, I must say. Then here came my sister saying, the new workout that I did must have triggered it. Could it be? I sure don’t know. It’s been ages since I last had such terrible condition and certainly didn’t expect it to happen again but what do you know? It did and this time at its worst! Earlier brushing and a quick nap would do a trick but not this time. It would hardly even go with pain killer pills. My aunt who is a health worker gave me a 3-day worth combination of pain and bacterial infection pills yesterday. It should shoo the pain and the swelling away while preparing for that dentist appointment on the next three days.

Oh well…

Again, I obviously don’t have a choice but to follow orders and we’ll see what will happen next…

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