disease.com – Disease

Lupus

The country has lined up a collection of its finest soldiers to protect the land. Although they may have faltered in the past, any enemy they have come across they have conquered. Ready. Aim. And suddenly, they begin to fire back at their own. This is the precise idea behind the autoimmune disease (when the immune system attacks the body, as apposed to protecting it), Lupus.

1. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which forces the body’s natural protector; the immune system, to attack the the internal tissues. When this occurs, it forces internal inflammation and swelling of the damaged tissue.

2. Initially, an individual who suffers from Lupus, will experience inflammation internally. If the Lupus evolves into a severe form, it can cause problems with the heart, lungs, nervous system, or the blood system.

3. Although the exact cause of Lupus is unknown, scientists do have a wide range of theories. The two most notable theories are that Lupus is triggered by a viral infection or through hereditary lines.

4. When an individual first contracts Lupus, they will experience joint pain, a skin rash, or a fever. Once the symptoms relapse, an individual becomes susceptible to more severe symptoms, such as organ problems.

5. Since Lupus, produces a wide range of symptoms; there are several different remedies. If the individual experiences a skin rash, a doctor will prescribe a corticosteroid cream; in the event of joint pain, and individual will be prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and if the person feels an overwhelming sense of fatigue, a doctor will take antimalarial medicines.

Asthma

There is tightening within your chest. The more you attempt to breathe, the less air you can grasp. The sensation of drowning is overwhelming, but you have not set a foot in the water. Asthma is a chronic disease, which can rob an individual of its most basic necessity; air.

1. Asthma is a chronic disease, which creates an inflammation within the air passage ways; making it difficult to breathe.

2. In an average individual, the bands of muscles that line the air passage ways are smooth, but an individual with asthma; an allergic reaction forces the muscles to tighten. This inflammation creates a shortness of breathe and wheezing. The inflammation within the air passage ways not only causes an immediate reaction, but can establish long term damage. Due to the muscles, tightening and shrinking rapidly, an individual’s bronchial tubes redden and swell.

3. An individual who experiences asthma, is normally born with the disease. The inflammation reaction, however, is caused by a variety of triggers; flu, pollen, dust, exercise, anxiety, tobacco smoke. Each one of these “triggers” can cause an allergic reaction within the individual’s esophagus, creating an inflammation within the air passage ways.

4. When an individual with asthma comes in contact with a “trigger”, they experience an asthma attack. An asthma attack a sudden sensation of coughing, wheezing, shortness of breathe, and tightness within the chest.

5. If you or a loved one seem to experience signs of asthma; contact a local allergist immediately. The two treatments an individual can undergo are a daily inhaler or an at home ventilator; to create cleaner air.

Graves

“This is all the effect of our good feeding; and lest when I am gone, you may be at a loss for an epitaph for me, let me give you one, in three words: “He Fed Fevers.” This quote; much like his discoveries, still remains on a statue erected in Dublin, Ireland for Sir Robert S Graves. The discovery Sir Robert S Graves is known for is the recognition of hyperthyroidism, or Graves Disease.

1.  An exophthalmic goiter, Basedow’s disease, or more commonly known as Graves disease is a thyroid problem (hyperthyroidism), which produces excessive hormones.

2. When an individual’s body is afflicted with Graves Disease, he/she will produce an excessive amount of hormones. Due to this over production of hormones, the body’s metabolism will convert into a high gear.

3. There is no direct cause for Graves Disease. Scientists, till this day, still debate of its origin; whether it be hereditary or stress.

4. If an individual is suffering from hyperthyroidism, he/she will experience sweating, trembling, weight loss, and extreme conditions; protruding eyes. The last of these symptoms, exophthalmos, is only if the individual irritates the eye muscles and/or tissues.

5. Graves Disease is actually quite easy to treat. In most cases, the disease will actually fall into remission or dissapaer on its own. In the event, that the disease remains, a doctor must be contacted. The doctor will prescribe a thyroid suppresor, along with a metabolism balancer.

Diabetes

According, to recent statistic estimates, in the year 2025, 24,324,778 United States citizens will suffer from -blank-. Are you intrigued yet? Are you nervous? Well, what if I told you exercise and a proper nutrition can enhance your chances of never receiving this disease? Due to our sedentary lifestyle, and improper nutrition, the prevalence of Diabetes, has skyrocketed in recent years. If we as a nation, want to diminish the increasing rate, we must understand the disease.

1. Diabetes is a metabolism disorder. During consumption, our body breaks most of our food down into glucose. It just so happens, that the main source of energy and fuel is, glucose. When an individual has diabetes their body does not produce enough insulin to be able to move their glucose throughout their body. Therefore, that individual does not receive the necessary fuel and energy.

2. Type 1 Diabetes: This is an autoimmune disease which causes the immune system to fight against the body. When an individual has diabetes, their immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Due to this, the glucose becomes sedentary and can not survive. In order to survive, an individual with diabetes, must take an insulin shot daily.

3. Type 2 Diabetes: Insulin resistance, or Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In the case of Type 2 Diabetes, an individual is producing sufficient insulin, but for unknown reasons can not effectively use it. Although, the origin is different from type 1 diabetes the result is the same; the glucose becomes sedentary, rendering it useless.

4. Gestational Diabetes: Gestational Diabetes can only occur during pregnancy. This disease is strictly based on plasma glucose values measured during the OGTT. A woman’s glucose levels must be closely monitored during pregnancy, because their levels normally drop. In the case, of gestational diabetes, however, they almost become non existent.

Avian Flu

The Spanish Flu; the Swine Flu; the Novel Flu; the H1N1 Virus; whatever you want to call it, it has affected more than 40% of the population throughout time. Now, if that was not bad enough, scientists have discovered an infection which could double the effects of that, the H5N1 Virus, more commonly known as the Bird Flu.

1. The H5N1 Virus, or the Avian Flu, or the Bird Flu is not surprisingly, found in wild birds. Since the diseases discovery, it has only been able to pass from bird to bird, but recently scientists theorize that the infection will be able to move from the infected bird to humans, in only a few years.

2. The Bird Flu is a virus which infects wild birds. Unfortunately, after a wild bird infects a farm-raised bird, it can quickly spread through hundred or thousands of birds. In order to stop the blitzkrieg, the sick birds must be killed. Although it rare that the flu passes from bird to human; the infection can be passed through; bird droppings and saliva; and intimate objects (eg. cages, tractors, and other assorted farm equipment).

3. The Avian Flu has several of the same symptoms as the seasonal flu; fever, sore throat, cough, and muscle aches. If the appropriate steps are not taken an individual can experience pneumonia, or even death.

4. If an individual contracts the avian flu they will be put in medical isolation. In the hospital they will receive several antibiotics, a ventilator to aid in breathing, and a dialysis to aid in the kidneys functions. Unfortunately more than half of the human cases of avian flu, have resulted in death.

Flu

The winter months are upon you. The coughing around you has become a insensate soundtrack; everyone around you begins to complain of a slight headache or an impending fever. That is right; it is the official kick off of flu season. In a veritable ocean of bacteria, how can any one be safe? Well, in order to prevent anything, we must know everything.

1. Although influenza mimics the common cold, it initially hits much harder. While there is 100 types of viruses out there, only the A, B, and C influenza strands cause the flu.

2. When an individual contracts influenza, he/she will experience inflammation with the esophagus, internal dehydration, and depleted internal energy.

3. Individuals can contract the influenza infection through inhalation or the physical contact of bacteria and germs. In order to efficiently prevent an infection, an individual must eliminate contact with infected individuals and frequently wash hands and face.

4. During the infection of influenza, an individual will experience severe fevers, respiratory infections, and fatigue. Every individual that contracts influenza, will not experience the same symptoms, but each must attempt to remedy the situation. If influenza goes with out care, it can metastasize into pneumonia.

5. Unlike most infections, antibiotics do not work against eliminating influenza, because the infection is viral, as apposed to bacterial. Although that particular medicine does not work, doctors will readily prescribe the appropriate medicine for a cure.

Bullseye Lyme

www.canlyme.com

I recently had the opportunity to speak to Jim Wilson who is part of CanLyme, the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation about what their organization does to add to Lyme disease awareness as well as some general information about the disease itself.

Jim before we start can you just tell me a little about your organization and what your aim is in spreading awareness of Lyme disease?
Well we are a academic based national foundation, started in 2003, so we are relatively new but we already have representation across Canada. We provide a support line for people to contact and email aimed towards those who are potentially or currently suffering from Lyme’s and recommend treatment for them. As of now we are aiming at raising some money so we can conduct some research in the future.

And what kind of research is CanLyme aiming to conduct?
Mainly our research goal is to do a post mortem Lyme disease study with diseases that share the similar traits with Lyme disease. There are many diseases that cross over and share the same symptoms like multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, lupus. We want to do research to determine if these symptoms were caused by Lyme disease and not these other diseases and also if borellia plays a part in these other diseases.

Jim can you summarize for me what Lyme disease is?
Lyme disease is a disease caused by the bacteria borellia burgdorferi. There are other borellia strains that will also present as Lyme disease. It is a multi-symptom neurologically based illness, commonly called the master mimic because it can present as all of those diseases I mentioned before. It can infect the brain and from the brain all your symptoms are controlled from there in which you can end up with a multitude of symptoms.

What can the general public do in regards to preventing catching Lyme?
Be aware for starters that this disease is much more prevalent in North America then we realize and anytime you are outdoors don’t walk in tall grassy areas or bushy brushy areas. If you are on a path don’t walk towards the edge of the grass. Wear products containing deet, its an effective repellent.

And what about the bulls-eye rash, is it a good indicator you have Lyme?
The bulls-eye rash only occurs in 9% percent of cases but it is 100% diagnostic of Lyme disease. Any rash has to be investigated as if it is Lyme disease. About 50% of people don’t even get a rash. It is important to really look for flu like symptoms out of flu season; if you are coming down with flu like symptoms out of flu season Lyme disease should be at the top of the radar.

What results may occur if Lyme disease goes untreated?
Mild disability to total disability to death can arise if Lyme disease is not treated. Most deaths are actually suicides.

Really? So Lyme’s can also cause depression too?
Most certainly yes the illness can cause depression and even bipolar depression. It’s the battle people fight too while coping with the disease that causes people to commit suicide as well.

Well Jim you have been very informative and I thank you very much. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Only if you go to the front page of the website (www.canlyme.com) there is a link to watch CTV. There is a show in Canada called W5 and they did

Fight Alzheimer's Disease

A team at the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway and the Cleveland Clinic has reported a new finding regarding the debilitating Alzheimer’s disease — common over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or naproxen may protect people from Alzheimer’s disease.

The team of researchers found that the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often sold as Advil and Motrin, could stop the production of neuronal cell cycle events (CCEs) — an early molecular event that often leads to Alzheimer’s disease.

The study was done in mice that were given a molecule that triggered the neuronal CCEs.  The mice that were treated with the painkillers did not develop new CCEs, nor did it remove old CCEs.  People would have to take these painkillers from an early age, to prevent the triggering of neuronal cell events.

The researchers said that the findings are supported by past studies that have shown that people who took over-the-counter painkillers long term were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, but that the measure was preventative and not curative.  The studies found that those with mild to moderate symptoms were not affected by painkillers.

Americans'-Flu-Opinions

Americans have begun to lose confidence in the government’s ability to control the spread of the H1N1 flu and blame drug companies for the shortages of swine flu vaccines, according to polls released early this week.

According to a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll released on Monday, Americans have grown increasingly frustrated with shortages of H1N1 flu vaccines, and put the most blame on drug companies.  The poll found that only 5% of poll respondents have received that vaccine since October.

The percentages are not too far apart in blame to drug companies and the federal government, however.  Fifty-eight percent of respondents placed a great or moderate amount of blame on the federal government, and 62% blame drug companies.

Results were based on telephone interviews with a national sample of approximately 1,500 adults.  The margin of error was plus or minus 3 percent, and 6 percent for parents responding to questions for their children.

The poll also found that 17% of adults could not get vaccinated, even though they tried.  Around 19% of adults did not bother to try because they did not believe the vaccine was available. Antoher 30% did not believe they needed an H1N1 flu shot.

In another poll released by CNN/Opinion Research Corporation, 51% of Americans were confident in the government’s ability to provide vaccination shots for everyone who wants it.  Fourty-nine percent were not confident.  The number confident has dropped by 8 percent since August.

The study found that most opinions were near the 50 percentage range, including approval of President Obama’s handling and confidence in the government and private industry’s ability to provide vaccines.  However, only 1 in 10 respondents were “very confident” that the government could ward off an epidemic of H1N1.  The CNN survey polled 1,018 adult Americans.