HealthyLife Articles

Tag: treatment

  • Teeth Grinding: Causes And Solutions

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of dentist with a patient.

    Teeth grinding is a movement disorder of the jaw in which there is gnashing, grinding, or clenching of the teeth. It’s called bruxism. Often, people are unaware of their habit.

    The two primary types of teeth grinding are sleep bruxism, which occurs during sleep, and awake bruxism, which occurs when the person is awake.

    There is not a single contributing factor that results in teeth grinding or bruxism, rather it is believed to be the result of complex interactions between many factors, including stress, tension and anxiety; levels of certain chemicals in the brain; other sleep disorders such as snoring or sleep apnea; or a response to pain from earaches or teething (in children).

    “Teeth grinding is most often diagnosed by a combination of information derived from a history reported by the patient and a clinical exam performed by the patient’s dentist,” according to Dr. Erica Harvey, a representative of the Pennsylvania Dental Association.

    While some people noticeably grind their teeth, 80% make no sound, which makes bruxism even harder to discover. Common symptoms include reports of grinding noises during sleep by family members, tooth hypersensitivity, fractured, chipped or worn teeth, and waking up with a constant, dull headache or sore jaws.

    Regular dental checkups can help detect bruxism, and your dentist may recommend these methods to help stop or relieve the symptoms:

    *  Find ways to reduce your stress level and relax.

    *  Avoid or limit the amount of caffeine and alcohol you consume.

    Ask your dentist about the use of a nightguard to prevent further wear of your teeth.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Don’t Let Shin Splints Stop You

    BE FIT

    Close up images of hands holding shins in pain.

    If you’ve ever felt aching or shooting pain up the front of your lower legs after running, it could be shin splints. Though it’s usually not serious, it can be painful enough to stop even the most dedicated exerciser.

    If you get shin splints, try these tips:

    *Switch to lower impact exercise.Until the pain goes away, try swimming, biking, or using an elliptical machine, so you put less pressure on your legs.

    *Wear proper shoes.If you’ve had the same running shoes for years, it may be time for a new pair. Support wears down over time, causing pain in the feet and legs. Make sure you have enough support under the arch and heel areas.

    *Ice the area.Apply ice packs for up to 20 minutes at a time, a few times a day, to help with pain.

    If the pain doesn’t go away, see your doctor. Sometimes shin splints may be a sign of a small bone break or inflammation of tendons in the legs.

    Source: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Ulcers Not Caused By Stress

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of man holding this stomach.

    The lining of your stomach makes acid and enzymes that help break down food into the nutrients you need. The lining protects itself from acid damage by releasing mucus. But sometimes the lining gets inflamed and starts making less acid, enzymes, and mucus. This type of inflammation is called gastritis.

    You may have gastritis if you have pain or an uncomfortable feeling in your upper stomach. You could have nausea or vomiting. Or you may have no symptoms at all.

    Untreated, some types of gastritis can lead to ulcers. These are sores in the stomach lining.

    Some people think ulcers are caused by stress and spicy foods. But according to the NIH in Health, bacteria called H. pylori are often to blame. These bacteria break down the inner protective coating in the stomach and can cause inflammation.

    H. pylori can spread by passing from person to person or through contaminated food or water. Infections can be treated with antibiotics.

    One type of gastritis, called erosive gastritis, wears away the stomach lining. The most common cause of erosive gastritis is long-term use of medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These include aspirin and ibuprofen. Stop taking these pain relievers and the gastritis usually clears up.

    Less common causes of gastritis include digestive disorders (such as Crohn’s disease) and autoimmune disorders in which the body’s protective immune cells attack healthy cells in the stomach lining.

    Gastritis can be diagnosed with an endoscope. A thin tube with a tiny camera on the end is inserted through the patient’s mouth or nose and into the stomach. The doctor looks at the stomach lining and may remove some tissue samples for testing. Treatment will depend on the type of gastritis found.

    Although stress and spicy foods don’t cause gastritis and ulcers, they can make symptoms worse. Milk might provide brief relief, but it also increases stomach acid, which can worsen symptoms. Your doctor may advise taking antacids or other drugs to  reduce acid in the stomach.

    Gastritis can lead to ulcers over time. Symptoms of ulcers include pain between the belly button and breastbone that starts between meals or during the night. It briefly stops if you eat or take antacids, lasts for minutes to hours, and comes and goes for several days or weeks.

    Contact your doctor right away if you have sudden sharp stomach pain that doesn’t go away, black or bloody stools, or vomit that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Face Facts About Acne

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of young women washing her face.

    Acne. It’s embarrassing. It’s annoying. And it’s the most common skin condition in the U.S. Fortunately, acne can often be reduced with simple changes to your skin care routine, say experts from the American Academy of Dermatology.

    For clearer skin, follow these tips:

    *  Wash twice a day and after sweating. Perspiration, especially when wearing a hat or helmet, can make acne worse, so wash your skin as soon as possible after sweating.

    *  Use your fingertips to apply a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser. Using a washcloth, mesh sponge, or anything else can irritate the skin. Do not use skin care products that irritate the skin, which may include astringents, toners, and exfoliants. Dry, red skin makes acne appear worse.

    *  Rinse with lukewarm water.

    *  Shampoo regularly. If you have oily hair, shampoo daily.

    *  Let your skin heal naturally. If you pick, pop or squeeze your acne, your skin will take longer to clear and you increase your risk of getting acne scars.

    *  Keep your hands off your face. Touching your skin throughout the day can cause flare-ups.

    *  Stay out of the sun and tanning beds. Tanning damages your skin. In addition, some acne medications make the skin very sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light, which you get from both the sun and indoor tanning devices.

    *  See a skin specialist for the most current treatments.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Understanding Enlarged Prostate

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of older male smiling.

    Benign prostatic hyperplasia, sometimes called BPH or enlarged prostate, is a condition where a man’s prostate gland gets larger. It is the most common prostate problem for men older than age 50. And, up to 90 percent of men over age 80 have it.

    An enlarged prostate is not cancer, and for many men, it’s not serious. But, it can cause some symptoms that are bothersome, such as urinating too frequently, trouble starting or stopping urinating and incontinence. This happens when the prostate gets too large and blocks the urethra, which lets urine out of the body. Or, it can stress the bladder as it tries to force urine past the blockage.

    In rare cases, an enlarged prostate can cause serious problems such as kidney damage. That’s why it’s important to talk with a doctor about enlarged prostate and to follow your doctor’s recommendations.

    Don’t ignore these signs

    Enlarged prostate is usually not serious. But, some symptoms could signal a more serious problem. Get medical care right away if you notice any of these signs:

    *  Complete inability to urinate

    *  Fever and chills along with frequent and painful urination

    *  Blood in urine

    *  Severe pain in lower belly and/or urinary tract

    How enlarged prostate is treated

    Treatment is based on symptoms and lifestyle. Many men who have mild symptoms find that lifestyle changes can help. Some recommendations include:

    *  Drink less fluids, especially before bedtime or when you won’t be near a bathroom.

    *  Avoid caffeine and/or alcohol. These can irritate the bladder and increase urination, which can worsen symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

    *  Avoid medications that can cause urination problems, including cold medicines with decongestants, antihistamines for allergies, diuretics and some antidepressants.

    *  Train your bladder, which means to gradually hold urine for longer periods.

    *  Exercises to strengthen muscles in the pelvic floor region of your body.

    *  Prevent and/or treat constipation, which can irritate a stressed bladder.

    Lifestyle changes usually help improve quality of life for men with an enlarged prostate. But if they don’t, your doctor may discuss medications or minimally invasive procedures. Surgery is usually not needed, but it is an option for severe cases.

    Fortunately, this common health issue can be managed and treated. Get regular checkups with your doctor or urologist to keep symptoms under control.

    Sources: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Gbs: Get Tested, Get Treated

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of pregnant women at the doctors office.

    GBS is a bacteria that can be dangerous for pregnant women and their babies.

    About 1 in 4 pregnant women have GBS in their bodies, but they may not know it. That’s because GBS doesn’t always make the mother sick. But, if GBS is passed to her newborn during labor and delivery, the baby can become very sick. GBS can cause:

    *  Pneumonia

    *  Sepsis (blood infection)

    *  Meningitis (infection in the fluid around the brain)

    *  Premature birth

    *  Stillbirth

    Testing for GBS

    Many women have GBS because it’s a normal part of the body’s bacteria. You don’t get GBS from another person. It may live in the body for years without any signs. That’s why all pregnant women should be tested for GBS between 35 and 37 weeks of pregnancy.

    If the test is positive for GBS, the mother should get antibiotics during labor and delivery. The antibiotics are given through an IV. This is a safe and effective way to prevent serious GBS infection in the baby.

    Babies most at risk

    Not all babies get sick from GBS. But, because GBS can be life-threatening, every mother should be tested and treated to avoid spreading this bacteria.

    Some babies may be more at risk of serious health problems from GBS. This is more likely to happen if:

    *  The baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy

    *  The mother’s water breaks 18 hours or more before the baby is born

    *  The mother has a fever during labor

    *  The mother had a urinary tract infection during pregnancy that was caused by GBS

    *  The mother had a previous baby with a GBS infection

    GBS can make a baby sick even if none of these risk factors happen.

    Signs of GBS in babies

    With proper testing and treatment, GBS can be prevented. But, it’s important to know the signs of GBS infection in a baby. Get treatment right away if you notice any of these signs in your baby:

    *  Fever

    *  Breathing problems

    *  Being very drowsy

    *  Coughing or congestion

    *  Trouble eating

    These symptoms don’t mean a baby has GBS. But, any unusual signs in a baby should be checked by a doctor right away.

    Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Group B Strep International, March of Dimes

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Working Through Cancer

    WORK LIFE

    Image of co-workers hugging.

    A person is considered a cancer survivor from the minute he or she is diagnosed with the disease. Staying at work during treatment or going back to work after treatment can pose challenges along with fighting the disease.

    Employers are required to support a survivor’s decision to work, said Teri Hoenemeyer, director of education and supportive services at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center.

    “Cancer is classified as a disability, and working survivors have protections and rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, so employers will need to provide time for doctors’ appointments and treatments that may go above and beyond Family Medical Leave,” she said.

    Whether it’s a work colleague, family member, or yourself, this advice may help, say survivors:

    *  Take it all in one bit at a time-one day, one treatment, one surgery, one radiation.

    *  Though it can be difficult, stay positive.

    *  Understand that cancer will take away your hair, your energy, and control of your schedule, but it will give back many new things such as supportive friends and coworkers, notes of encouragement, and a new outlook on life.

    Hoenemeyer said once back in the workplace following a diagnosis, survivors must take special care of themselves.

    “Extra rest, a healthy diet, physical activity, and low stress are all important factors to the survivor at work,” Hoenemeyer said. “Take time out of the day to do something that focuses on managing stress and anxiety; it could be meditation, sitting still with some music or taking a walk.”

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine