Category: Medical News

Heat and humidity can trigger three major illnesses, according to Dr. Eric Kirkendall, of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center:

Heat strokesymptoms include hot flushed skin, high fevers (over 104ºF), altered mental states such as confusion, and can be accompanied by seizures. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency and needs to be treated promptly.

Heat stroke is a 911 emergency. Cool the person off as quickly as possible while waiting for medical services to arrive. Move the person to a cool shady place or an air-conditioned room; sponge the entire body surface with cool water (as tolerated without causing shivering); and fan the person to increase heat loss from evaporation. Keep the feet elevated to counteract shock. If the person is awake, give him or her as much cold water to drink as he or she can tolerate. Fever medicines are of no value for heat stroke.

Heat exhaustionsymptoms include pale skin, profuse sweating, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, or weakness. It is less severe than heat stroke but is still dangerous and may require medical attention.

For heat exhaustion, put the person in a cool place indoors or in the shade. Have him or her lie down with the feet elevated. Undress the person (except for underwear) so the body surface can give off heat. Sponge the entire body surface continuously with cool water without causing shivering. Fan the person to increase heat loss from evaporation. Give as much cool, not cold water or sport drinks as the person tolerates until he or she feels better. If symptoms do not improve or the person gets light-headed or faints, get medical care right away.

Heat crampsare most common in the abdomen and legs, especially the calf or thigh muscles. Tightness or hand spasms can also occur, but fever is not a symptom.

For heat cramps, monitor physical activity and make sure children don’t overly exert themselves. Adults can self-monitor. Make sure children drink plenty of water often. Encourage frequent breaks from physical activity to cool down and gently stretch muscles.

Psoriasis is a condition that causes skin cells to grow too quickly. These extra skin cells build up and form scaly patches, redness or a rash.

There are several different types of psoriasis that look and feel different. Sometimes, a person may have one type of psoriasis and it later turns into another type. Experts aren’t sure what causes psoriasis, but they believe the immune system and a person’s genes are involved.

Fortunately, there are ways to help manage this condition and live a healthy life with this disease. Try these tips:

*  Know your triggers. Many people find that psoriasis flares up at certain times. Stress, skin injury, certain medications, infections or illnesses can cause a psoriasis flare-up. Talk with your doctor about healthy ways to avoid your triggers.

*  Focus on all-around good health. A healthy diet and exercise will help you manage psoriasis. For example, being overweight can make psoriasis worse. In addition, people with psoriasis are at a higher risk of getting heart disease and diabetes.

*  Don’t smoke. Smoking puts stress on the body and harms the immune system and skin.

*  Work with your doctor to manage itching. Many people with psoriasis have itching that interferes with life. Keeping skin moisturized, cold packs and over-the-counter itch creams may help. If these remedies don’t work, ask your doctor about prescription options.

*  Know the signs of psoriatic arthritis. Up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis will get psoriatic arthritis. This type of arthritis can be very painful and cause damage to your joints. Achy joints, especially in the morning, are one sign. Fingernails and toenails may also look different. They may get ridges, pits or a yellow or orange color. See your doctor if you notice any of these changes.

*  Keep mental health in mind. Some people with psoriasis get depression or anxiety. Plus, your mental health plays an important role in overall health. See your doctor and ask about treatment for these conditions.

*  Don’t stop taking medicines without your doctor’s approval. If you suddenly stop your psoriasis medicine, it can make the psoriasis more severe. If you need help paying for your medication, talk to your doctor. There may be financial assistance programs available for people with psoriasis.

Sources: American Academy of Dermatology, National Psoriasis Foundation

Atrial fibrillation, or “AFib,” is an irregular or rapid heartbeat. It happens when the upper chambers of the heart don’t pump as they should. The American Heart Association says many people don’t realize that AFib can be an extremely dangerous condition. In fact, if AFib isn’t treated, it can lead to dangerous blood clots and stroke. It can also make the heart get weaker and enlarged, causing congestive heart failure.

Symptoms of AFib

It can be hard to know whether you have AFib, because symptoms can be different for each person.

*  Heartbeat that feels fast, irregular, “thumping,” or fluttering

*  Feeling tired, weak or dizzy

*  Shortness of breath and/or anxiety

*  Sweating

*  Feeling very fatigued during exercise

*  Confusion

*  Chest pain or pressure: This is also a sign of heart attack. Call 9-1-1 if you notice this symptom. If you think you could be having a heart attack, don’t wait. Get emergency medical help immediately.

It’s important to talk to your doctor about your AFib symptoms and how to manage them. Some conditions like diabetes and heart disease, or having a family history of AFib, mean you could be at higher risk for AFib.

Preventing AFib

Like many heart conditions, the risk of AFib can be lowered by following a healthy lifestyle. This may include:

*  Regular exercise

*  A healthy diet low in saturated and trans fats, sodium (salt), and cholesterol

*  Not smoking: if you smoke, get help quitting atwww.smokefree.gov

*  Getting checked for – and treating – high blood pressure (hypertension)

*  Keeping cholesterol under control and getting regular cholesterol checks

*  Working toward a healthy weight, if weight loss is needed

*  Avoiding high amounts of alcohol and caffeine

*  Treating obstructive sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that increases the risk of AFib.

Treating AFib

Treatment for AFib will depend on a person’s health history and how severe the AFib is. Some people may need medications, such as blood thinners and drugs that reduce clotting. Some people can keep AFib under control with blood pressure medicine.

A procedure known as electrical cardioversion may be performed when medications aren’t suitable. This is a non-surgical procedure that helps “reset” the heart’s rhythm. Other non-surgical procedures may also be discussed. In some cases, surgery may be needed. Only you and your doctor can determine what treatment is best for you.

Question: What is our nation’s most abused drug? Need a hint? It is legal and may be sitting in your medicine cabinet.

Fatal drug overdoses are an epidemic. Opioid prescription painkiller overdoses account for the majority of these deaths. The National Safety Council revealed these startling facts many people do not know, but need to, about prescription painkiller use:

*  Forty-five people die every day from opioid prescription painkillers-more deaths than from heroin and cocaine overdoses combined.

*  In 2010, enough prescription painkillers were provided to medicate every American around the clock for an entire month.

*  More than 70% of people who abused prescription pain relievers got the pills from friends or relatives.

*  The U.S. contains only 4.6% of the world’s population but consumes 80% of the world’s opioids and 99% of the world’s hydrocodone.

*  While middle-aged men and women have the highest prescription painkiller fatal overdose rates, the rates are increasing most rapidly among women. Teen use also is rising. One in 8 high school seniors admits to using prescription painkillers for fun.

Remove painkillers from your home. Talk with your kids about drugs, including common medications in your home. If you need pain meds, work with your doctor to cut back.

If you have high blood pressure, you need to be cautious when taking over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for coughs, colds, and flu. Most people didn’t know they were at risk if they took certain decongestants, according to a survey by St. Joseph Health Products.

Here’s the caution:The most common OTC ingredient to avoid: decongestants. OTC cough and cold medicines with decongestants help to reduce nasal swelling in part by narrowing the blood vessels in the nose and facial area. However, the narrowing effect of decongestants can also affect other blood vessels while increasing blood pressure and heart rate, making it a potentially dangerous situation for the millions of Americans who have high blood pressure.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about which cold and cough medications might be better for you if you have high blood pressure.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, more than 15 million adults have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). This means they cannot stop or control their drinking.

It can be hard to admit that you or someone you love has AUD. Plus, someone with AUD can’t just decide to stop drinking. AUD is a health condition that requires treatment and support. Knowing the signs can help a person seek medical help.

Alcohol abuse is defined as:

*  A woman who has more than 7 drinks per week or more than 3 drinks per sitting.

*  A man who has more than 14 drinks per week or more than 4 drinks per sitting.

*  A person older than 65 who has more than 7 drinks per week or more than 3 drinks per sitting.

Questions to ask about alcohol abuse

If you’re not sure whether your drinking is a problem, ask yourself:

*  Have I tried to stop drinking, but keep slipping up?

*  Do I feel that once I start drinking, I can’t stop?

*  Have I been told by others that my drinking is a problem?

*  Do I drink in the morning to “get my day started”?

*  Have I ever hurt myself or others because of my drinking?

*  Do I ever hide my drinking from others or lie about how much I’ve had?

*  Do I have “blackouts” or memory lapses  after drinking?

*  Is drinking interfering with my relationships?

*  Is my alcohol use getting in the way of success at work?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may have AUD. Talk to your doctor about treatment that may help you.

Preventing alcohol abuse

Alcohol problems can run in families. If you have a close family member with AUD, you may have to work harder than others to avoid alcohol problems. But, preventing alcohol abuse is possible. Follow these tips to help:

*  Be extra cautious about signs of AUD and ask yourself the questions in this article on a regular basis.

*  If you decide to drink, stop after one drink and switch to non-alcoholic beverages.

*  Get regular checkups with your doctor. Follow any recommended treatment for health conditions.

*  Avoid people who drink too much or abuse alcohol.

*  Consider joining a support group.

Did you know?

As adults grow older, our bodies are less capable of tolerating addictive substances like alcohol, and are more susceptible to their negative effects.

Source: American Academy of Family Physicians