Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Healing Pain
Most of the diseases usually appear in the type of pains. Pains could be a sign of diseases, health issues, can be a warning given by the body on disruption of our every day method. Consulting a Doctor is the only treatment to find the reason for pain. However, there's some effective home treatments you can try out to make your pain bearable.People may think that intake of medicine & surgical procedure are the only treatments for joint pain. But there's definite tips for reducing sudden joint painBack pain can occur due to bad posture, pressure on the back muscles & from taking much weight directly. Definite ways to cope along with your pain
Healing Pain
Most of the diseases usually appear in the type of pains. Pains could be a sign of diseases, health issues, can be a warning given by the body on disruption of our every day method. Consulting a Doctor is the only treatment to find the reason for pain. However, there's some effective home treatments you can try out to make your pain bearable.People may think that intake of medicine & surgical procedure are the only treatments for joint pain. But there's definite tips for reducing sudden joint painBack pain can occur due to bad posture, pressure on the back muscles & from taking much weight directly. Definite ways to cope along with your pain
Good Health Equals Good Sex
Sexuality is an important component of overall health and quality of life. An active sex life can reduce stress, strengthen the immune system, improve cardiovascular health and promote longevity. Not only does sex lead to health benefits, but good health leads to improved sexuality. A recent British Medical Journal (BMJ) report concluded that the better one’s health, the more sex he or she can look forward to later in life.
Sexual health is important throughout a person’s life, and older age is no exception. Unfortunately, sexual activity and function declines with age in both men and women owing to a combination of biological, psychological, and cultural factors. Approximately half of sexually active middle-aged and elderly adults in the United States report at least one bothersome sexual problem; one-third of this population reports at least two problems. The most prevalent problem for women is low desire, while men complain most often of erectile dysfunction.
Fortunately, older adults who wish to remain sexually active have an armamentarium of products and medications to treat sexual dysfunction. Additionally, being in good overall health improves sex and prolongs sexual life expectancy. The BMJ study analyzed two cohorts of more than 3000 adults each and assessed the anticipated number of years remaining of sexually active life for different gender and age groups. Overall, men were more likely to report being sexually active, enjoying a good quality sex life, and having an interest in sex in all age groups. In the study populations, 39% of men and 17% of women were still sexually active at age 75 to 85 years old. Of those who were sexually active, nearly 71% of men and 51% of women reported a good quality sex life, and 41% of men and 11% of women were interested in sex. For all age groups, both men and women in self-reported “very good” or “excellent” health were nearly twice as likely as their unhealthier peers to be sexually active. Good health was also associated with increased frequency of sex, as well as sexual desire.
The good news for healthy, younger adults is that they can look forward to many years of a sexually active life. The average sexually active life expectancy for a 30-year-old today is nearly 35 years for a man and 31 years for a woman. A 55-year-old man today can still anticipate 15 more years of a sex life, while a woman can expect a little more than 10 years. At age 55, men in very good or excellent health can expect an additional 5 to 7 years of sexually active life, compared to their peers in fair or poor health; women in very good or excellent health can expect 3 to 6 additional years of an active sex life.
The good news from the BMJ study for older adults is that if they are already enjoying a healthy sex life, there are many more years of sexual activity ahead. But, if they are not enjoying a healthy sex life, there is hope: make sexual health a part of overall health. Identifying factors that contribute to good health, and good sexual health, are important for physicians to discuss with patients. A minority of middle-aged and elderly patients report discussing sexual health or function with a physician since the age of 50, despite advances in treating sexual dysfunction in both men and women. Similarly, maintaining cardiovascular health, controlling diabetes, or treating depression can improve sex — all components of overall health that physicians should be addressing anyway. Good health leads to good sex, and good sex leads to good health. That is a cycle that most adults can support.
Sexual health is important throughout a person’s life, and older age is no exception. Unfortunately, sexual activity and function declines with age in both men and women owing to a combination of biological, psychological, and cultural factors. Approximately half of sexually active middle-aged and elderly adults in the United States report at least one bothersome sexual problem; one-third of this population reports at least two problems. The most prevalent problem for women is low desire, while men complain most often of erectile dysfunction.
Fortunately, older adults who wish to remain sexually active have an armamentarium of products and medications to treat sexual dysfunction. Additionally, being in good overall health improves sex and prolongs sexual life expectancy. The BMJ study analyzed two cohorts of more than 3000 adults each and assessed the anticipated number of years remaining of sexually active life for different gender and age groups. Overall, men were more likely to report being sexually active, enjoying a good quality sex life, and having an interest in sex in all age groups. In the study populations, 39% of men and 17% of women were still sexually active at age 75 to 85 years old. Of those who were sexually active, nearly 71% of men and 51% of women reported a good quality sex life, and 41% of men and 11% of women were interested in sex. For all age groups, both men and women in self-reported “very good” or “excellent” health were nearly twice as likely as their unhealthier peers to be sexually active. Good health was also associated with increased frequency of sex, as well as sexual desire.
The good news for healthy, younger adults is that they can look forward to many years of a sexually active life. The average sexually active life expectancy for a 30-year-old today is nearly 35 years for a man and 31 years for a woman. A 55-year-old man today can still anticipate 15 more years of a sex life, while a woman can expect a little more than 10 years. At age 55, men in very good or excellent health can expect an additional 5 to 7 years of sexually active life, compared to their peers in fair or poor health; women in very good or excellent health can expect 3 to 6 additional years of an active sex life.
The good news from the BMJ study for older adults is that if they are already enjoying a healthy sex life, there are many more years of sexual activity ahead. But, if they are not enjoying a healthy sex life, there is hope: make sexual health a part of overall health. Identifying factors that contribute to good health, and good sexual health, are important for physicians to discuss with patients. A minority of middle-aged and elderly patients report discussing sexual health or function with a physician since the age of 50, despite advances in treating sexual dysfunction in both men and women. Similarly, maintaining cardiovascular health, controlling diabetes, or treating depression can improve sex — all components of overall health that physicians should be addressing anyway. Good health leads to good sex, and good sex leads to good health. That is a cycle that most adults can support.
Health Systems Development (HSD)
Health information is any quantifiable & non-quantifiable information that can be used by health decision-makers & clinicians to better understand illness processes & health care issues, & to prevent, diagnose or treat health issues. A health information method refers to inter-related part parts for obtaining & analyzing information & providing information (management information, health statistics, health literature) for the management of a health programme or method & for monitoring health activities.
Country health information systems include a range of population-based & health facility-based information sources. The main population-based sources of health information are census, household surveys & (sample) vital registration systems. The main health facility-related information sources are public health surveillance, health services information (also sometimes often called health management information method or method health information method) & health method monitoring information (e.g. human resources, health infrastructure, financing). Finally, national health accounts can provide a comprehensive picture of health financing.
Health information ought to guide mobilization & allocation of resources, prioritization of health programmes & research, & improve efficiency & effectiveness of health programmes. For information to influence management in an optimal way, it's to be used by decision makers at each point of the management spiral. This means that not only policyowner makers & managers require to make use of information in decision making but also care providers including doctors, health technicians, & community health workers. WHO's work focuses on improving availability, quality & use of health information across levels.
In India, the health information exists at various levels, forms & systems. There is a wide selection of information that is collected by number of agencies chiefly government both at the central & state level through method information collection & also periodic sample surveys. While various initiatives at strengthening of health information systems is underway, challenges continue in terms of reliability, relevance, timeliness, harmonization as well as quality of information.
A number of the key initiatives undertaken in collaboration with the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI), MOHFW, GOI includes improving the quality & timeliness of health related information & statistics, review of health information systems, preparation of training material for ICD 10, development of National Health Profile 2005 & 2006. Another initiative has been the development of a health repository which seeks to compile & make available information & facts from India on various health & related issues.
With a view to strengthen facts based policyowner making, measuring the burden of illness & conditions in the country & understanding which sub-populations are most effected is a critical part. In response to the dearth of basic, correct information for informed priority setting, WHO & others have undertaken work on estimating the global burden of illness (BoD). The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed a database for illness burden estimation for malaria, filaria, dengue & diarrhoeal diseases.
Country health information systems include a range of population-based & health facility-based information sources. The main population-based sources of health information are census, household surveys & (sample) vital registration systems. The main health facility-related information sources are public health surveillance, health services information (also sometimes often called health management information method or method health information method) & health method monitoring information (e.g. human resources, health infrastructure, financing). Finally, national health accounts can provide a comprehensive picture of health financing.
Health information ought to guide mobilization & allocation of resources, prioritization of health programmes & research, & improve efficiency & effectiveness of health programmes. For information to influence management in an optimal way, it's to be used by decision makers at each point of the management spiral. This means that not only policyowner makers & managers require to make use of information in decision making but also care providers including doctors, health technicians, & community health workers. WHO's work focuses on improving availability, quality & use of health information across levels.
In India, the health information exists at various levels, forms & systems. There is a wide selection of information that is collected by number of agencies chiefly government both at the central & state level through method information collection & also periodic sample surveys. While various initiatives at strengthening of health information systems is underway, challenges continue in terms of reliability, relevance, timeliness, harmonization as well as quality of information.
A number of the key initiatives undertaken in collaboration with the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI), MOHFW, GOI includes improving the quality & timeliness of health related information & statistics, review of health information systems, preparation of training material for ICD 10, development of National Health Profile 2005 & 2006. Another initiative has been the development of a health repository which seeks to compile & make available information & facts from India on various health & related issues.
With a view to strengthen facts based policyowner making, measuring the burden of illness & conditions in the country & understanding which sub-populations are most effected is a critical part. In response to the dearth of basic, correct information for informed priority setting, WHO & others have undertaken work on estimating the global burden of illness (BoD). The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed a database for illness burden estimation for malaria, filaria, dengue & diarrhoeal diseases.
Health Systems Development (HSD)
Health information is any quantifiable & non-quantifiable information that can be used by health decision-makers & clinicians to better understand illness processes & health care issues, & to prevent, diagnose or treat health issues. A health information method refers to inter-related part parts for obtaining & analyzing information & providing information (management information, health statistics, health literature) for the management of a health programme or method & for monitoring health activities.
Country health information systems include a range of population-based & health facility-based information sources. The main population-based sources of health information are census, household surveys & (sample) vital registration systems. The main health facility-related information sources are public health surveillance, health services information (also sometimes often called health management information method or method health information method) & health method monitoring information (e.g. human resources, health infrastructure, financing). Finally, national health accounts can provide a comprehensive picture of health financing.
Health information ought to guide mobilization & allocation of resources, prioritization of health programmes & research, & improve efficiency & effectiveness of health programmes. For information to influence management in an optimal way, it's to be used by decision makers at each point of the management spiral. This means that not only policyowner makers & managers require to make use of information in decision making but also care providers including doctors, health technicians, & community health workers. WHO's work focuses on improving availability, quality & use of health information across levels.
In India, the health information exists at various levels, forms & systems. There is a wide selection of information that is collected by number of agencies chiefly government both at the central & state level through method information collection & also periodic sample surveys. While various initiatives at strengthening of health information systems is underway, challenges continue in terms of reliability, relevance, timeliness, harmonization as well as quality of information.
A number of the key initiatives undertaken in collaboration with the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI), MOHFW, GOI includes improving the quality & timeliness of health related information & statistics, review of health information systems, preparation of training material for ICD 10, development of National Health Profile 2005 & 2006. Another initiative has been the development of a health repository which seeks to compile & make available information & facts from India on various health & related issues.
With a view to strengthen facts based policyowner making, measuring the burden of illness & conditions in the country & understanding which sub-populations are most effected is a critical part. In response to the dearth of basic, correct information for informed priority setting, WHO & others have undertaken work on estimating the global burden of illness (BoD). The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed a database for illness burden estimation for malaria, filaria, dengue & diarrhoeal diseases.
Country health information systems include a range of population-based & health facility-based information sources. The main population-based sources of health information are census, household surveys & (sample) vital registration systems. The main health facility-related information sources are public health surveillance, health services information (also sometimes often called health management information method or method health information method) & health method monitoring information (e.g. human resources, health infrastructure, financing). Finally, national health accounts can provide a comprehensive picture of health financing.
Health information ought to guide mobilization & allocation of resources, prioritization of health programmes & research, & improve efficiency & effectiveness of health programmes. For information to influence management in an optimal way, it's to be used by decision makers at each point of the management spiral. This means that not only policyowner makers & managers require to make use of information in decision making but also care providers including doctors, health technicians, & community health workers. WHO's work focuses on improving availability, quality & use of health information across levels.
In India, the health information exists at various levels, forms & systems. There is a wide selection of information that is collected by number of agencies chiefly government both at the central & state level through method information collection & also periodic sample surveys. While various initiatives at strengthening of health information systems is underway, challenges continue in terms of reliability, relevance, timeliness, harmonization as well as quality of information.
A number of the key initiatives undertaken in collaboration with the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI), MOHFW, GOI includes improving the quality & timeliness of health related information & statistics, review of health information systems, preparation of training material for ICD 10, development of National Health Profile 2005 & 2006. Another initiative has been the development of a health repository which seeks to compile & make available information & facts from India on various health & related issues.
With a view to strengthen facts based policyowner making, measuring the burden of illness & conditions in the country & understanding which sub-populations are most effected is a critical part. In response to the dearth of basic, correct information for informed priority setting, WHO & others have undertaken work on estimating the global burden of illness (BoD). The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed a database for illness burden estimation for malaria, filaria, dengue & diarrhoeal diseases.
Survive the A-Bomb, Die Prematurely from Stroke and Heart Disease
The survivors of the World War II atomic bombings of Hiroshima & Nagasaki may have thought about themselves lucky, at least at first. Soon thereafter, however, those who didn’t die from radiation poisoning learned that the radiation from the bombings placed themselves & their babies at increased risk of cancer. Now, they can add heart illness & stroke to their list of potential medical issues.
A recent article in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) examined the rates of death from heart illness & stroke in survivors of these bombings based on their distance from the epicenter & later calculated radiation exposure. It found that those exposed to higher doses of radiation had an increased risk of both stroke & heart illness, with excess relative risk per grey of radiation of 9% for the former & 14% for the latter. Correcting for other habits known to be associated with both conditions had no impact on their findings, proposing that the radiation alone was responsible for their findings.
While no one anticipates another atomic bombing, the results of this study are still relevant due to the widespread exposure of individuals to radiation from medical diagnostic tests such as CT scans. According to a publication from the Health Physics Society, the standard CT scan of the pelvis delivers about 10 mSv of radiation (by comparison, people are exposed to 3 mSv from natural background radiation yearly). An angioplasty can deliver up to 57 mSv. Not only that, it's become increasingly apparent that even modern radiologic equipment is liable to failure, with recent reports of patients receiving several-fold greater doses of radiation than intended. Two times felt to be administered with doses of radiation low to cause any long-term ill effects, such tests are likely to come under increased scrutiny as potential causative agents in heart issues.
A recent article in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) examined the rates of death from heart illness & stroke in survivors of these bombings based on their distance from the epicenter & later calculated radiation exposure. It found that those exposed to higher doses of radiation had an increased risk of both stroke & heart illness, with excess relative risk per grey of radiation of 9% for the former & 14% for the latter. Correcting for other habits known to be associated with both conditions had no impact on their findings, proposing that the radiation alone was responsible for their findings.
While no one anticipates another atomic bombing, the results of this study are still relevant due to the widespread exposure of individuals to radiation from medical diagnostic tests such as CT scans. According to a publication from the Health Physics Society, the standard CT scan of the pelvis delivers about 10 mSv of radiation (by comparison, people are exposed to 3 mSv from natural background radiation yearly). An angioplasty can deliver up to 57 mSv. Not only that, it's become increasingly apparent that even modern radiologic equipment is liable to failure, with recent reports of patients receiving several-fold greater doses of radiation than intended. Two times felt to be administered with doses of radiation low to cause any long-term ill effects, such tests are likely to come under increased scrutiny as potential causative agents in heart issues.
Take Two of These… And You Still Might Have Pain
Migraines are severe, often debilitating, headaches that may be accompanied by visual symptoms, as well as nausea and vomiting. Migraines may last up to 24 hours. The exact cause of migraine is unknown, and most treatment focuses on acute pain relief once the migraine begins. For many migraine sufferers, acute pain relief is often ineffective at relieving the migraine symptoms. But, a new analysis published in the Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews reveals that a single dose of aspirin is effective for more than half of migraine sufferers.
The exact cause of migraines is unknown, and frequent, severe migraines significantly decrease quality of life for the patient and, often, his or her family. As many as 12% of people in Western countries experience migraine headaches, and women are 3 times as likely as men to be migraine sufferers. Migraines most commonly occur between the ages of 30 and 50. Additional risk factors for migraines include medication overuse, temporomandibular disorders, obstructive sleep apnea and obesity. Nearly all migraine sufferers treat the pain associated with migraine with medications for acute pain relief. Most often, these include over-the-counter remedies such as aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and caffeine. Many patients still do not find relief, and several prescription options for migraine pain relief have been developed in recent years.
The new analysis of 13 studies included more than 4000 patients; it analyzed the effectiveness of aspirin for acute pain relief related to migraine. Overall, a single dose of 900 or 1000 mg of aspirin was more effective at reducing pain, nausea and vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound compared to placebo. Aspirin exhibited similar efficacy compared to common prescription migraine remedies, including sumatriptan. A single dose of aspirin reduced moderate to severe pain to no pain in 2 hours in 24% of patients, compared to 11% of patients receiving placebo; aspirin reduced moderate to severe pain to no worse than mild pain in 52% of patients, compared to 32% of patients receiving placebo.
Migraine treatments can be very expensive, and many patients attempt to treat migraines with over-the-counter remedies whenever possible. However, according to the new study, aspirin still leaves nearly half of migraine sufferers with pain. Plus, aspirin is well-known to cause side effects, including gastrointestinal toxicity and bleeding disorders, and interacts with many prescription and over-the-counter medications.
So what is a migraine sufferer to do? While the exact cause of migraine headaches is unclear, many patients can identify individual triggers, such as food, drinks, activities or hormonal fluctuations, that provoke migraine attacks. Avoiding the triggers is the best way to prevent the disability and pain associated with migraines. When this is not possible, patients need accessible, effective, inexpensive relief from pain. New preventive treatments, including anticonvulsant drugs, onabotulinum toxin, muscle relaxants, nerve blocks, and neural stimulation, are being investigated, but are yet unavailable for widespread migraine relief.
Migraine headaches warrant additional research to determine the cause and treatment options to effectively eliminate this debilitating condition. Health care providers should be aware of the risk factors for migraine and aid patients in identifying migraine triggers.
The exact cause of migraines is unknown, and frequent, severe migraines significantly decrease quality of life for the patient and, often, his or her family. As many as 12% of people in Western countries experience migraine headaches, and women are 3 times as likely as men to be migraine sufferers. Migraines most commonly occur between the ages of 30 and 50. Additional risk factors for migraines include medication overuse, temporomandibular disorders, obstructive sleep apnea and obesity. Nearly all migraine sufferers treat the pain associated with migraine with medications for acute pain relief. Most often, these include over-the-counter remedies such as aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and caffeine. Many patients still do not find relief, and several prescription options for migraine pain relief have been developed in recent years.
The new analysis of 13 studies included more than 4000 patients; it analyzed the effectiveness of aspirin for acute pain relief related to migraine. Overall, a single dose of 900 or 1000 mg of aspirin was more effective at reducing pain, nausea and vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound compared to placebo. Aspirin exhibited similar efficacy compared to common prescription migraine remedies, including sumatriptan. A single dose of aspirin reduced moderate to severe pain to no pain in 2 hours in 24% of patients, compared to 11% of patients receiving placebo; aspirin reduced moderate to severe pain to no worse than mild pain in 52% of patients, compared to 32% of patients receiving placebo.
Migraine treatments can be very expensive, and many patients attempt to treat migraines with over-the-counter remedies whenever possible. However, according to the new study, aspirin still leaves nearly half of migraine sufferers with pain. Plus, aspirin is well-known to cause side effects, including gastrointestinal toxicity and bleeding disorders, and interacts with many prescription and over-the-counter medications.
So what is a migraine sufferer to do? While the exact cause of migraine headaches is unclear, many patients can identify individual triggers, such as food, drinks, activities or hormonal fluctuations, that provoke migraine attacks. Avoiding the triggers is the best way to prevent the disability and pain associated with migraines. When this is not possible, patients need accessible, effective, inexpensive relief from pain. New preventive treatments, including anticonvulsant drugs, onabotulinum toxin, muscle relaxants, nerve blocks, and neural stimulation, are being investigated, but are yet unavailable for widespread migraine relief.
Migraine headaches warrant additional research to determine the cause and treatment options to effectively eliminate this debilitating condition. Health care providers should be aware of the risk factors for migraine and aid patients in identifying migraine triggers.
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