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Occasionally for most, distractingly often for others, unidentified floating objects (UFO) appear in the line of sight. Officially they are known as vitreous opacities.
Ophthalmologists reassure patients that these floaters are harmless. The debris floating in the clear, gelatin-like fluid that fills the eyeball is bits of membrane that have been dislodged.
Approximately 5% of the people, who have this problem, choose to do something about it. For severe cases, where the floaters are distracting and interfere with the functions of daily life, there is a technique of using lasers to eliminate the floaters to replace the common procedure of emptying the fluid from the eye.
Tags: Eyes, laser treatment, vitreous opacities
Much is still unknown about why stutters stutter. Stutters have non-verbal communicating skills like writing, typing, and reading abilities that are within normal ranges when tested. Verbal communication is impaired though.
Stuttering is a condition that affects a person’s speech. A stutterer will become “stuck” on some sounds. The more serious the stuttering the longer the list of sounds that cause problems and/or the frequency that the stutterer becomes stuck. It is known that stuttering can be hereditary.
A device called the SpeechEasy is helping many stutterers speak normally and reducing the severity of stuttering. It aids speech in the same way that glasses aid sight. The device fits easily in the ear, similar to a hearing aid. It is known that stutters who speak in unison with an individual or in a chorus, they don’t stutter. This is referred to as the “choral effect”. The SpeechEasy device replicates the choral effect by delaying playback of their stutter’s own voice and changing the pitch.
Famous people who have overcome stuttering problems:
- Bruce Willis
- Julia Roberts
- Jimmy Stewart
- Johnny Damon
- Tiger Woods
- John Updike
- Kenyon Martin
- Carly Simon
- Marilyn Monroe
The mystery of why stuttering occurs hasn’t been solved yet, but there is relief available.
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Sponges are often preferred over a cloth when cleaning. They are absorbent and can tackle tougher jobs with the built in scouring pad. The downside is the germs and bacteria they can collect and store, then cross contaminates areas.
A home remedy is available that does not include destroying the sponge with a bleach bath. Two minutes in the microwave will sanitize sponges. It is very important to make sure the sponge is WET! Fires and smoke in microwave ovens have been reported by people trying this with a dry sponge.
This simple method of disinfecting will reduce the use of disinfecting chemicals.
Tags: Disinfectants, microwave use, sanitize
With frequent hand washing, health-care workers’ hands will often become dry and cracked. This can increase their risk of infection when exposed to infectious material. Health-care workers can’t just grab any moisturizer to provide relief from the effects of frequent hand washing and exposure to disinfectants.
The following conditions can be managed with proper moisturizers
- Dry, flaky skin
- Crusty bumps
- Redness
- Pain
- Itching
- Localized inflammation
Health care workers need special moisturizers that are approved by the Infection Control Department. Some moisturizers may not be compatible with latex glove use. Using the wrong moisturizer can put a health-care worker at risk if the moisturizer could compromise the integrity of the gloves used for protection from bodily fluids.
For severely irritated hands, glove liners may help to protect damaged hands from further irritation from the gloves until healing is finished. It will also provide a barrier if the gloves are the source of irritation.
Using disinfecting hand gels when possible will reduce damage from frequent hand washing. When using moisturizers in the workplace healthcare workers should choose water based moisturizers that are approved by Infection Control Department. Other moisturizers are best used at the end of a shift.
We had about a year free of the bird flu, there were no cases of the H5N1 virus in humans or birds.
South Korea hasn’t had a case of the bird flu in three years, but since November 2006, they have slaughtered a million birds in an attempt to control the spread of the virus that has returned to their country. December 2006, in Viet Nam, the virus reared its ugly head again. The return of the bird flu was anticipated.
These outbreaks are infecting less poultry and fewer humans. With the return of the bird flu during the past few months, it’s clear that this is still a serious issue.The World Health Organization states that combating this flu will be a long-term challenge.
You may suffer personally from it or suffer when a family member takes off their shoes. There are natural remedies for this and simple changes you can make to combat stinky feet.
- Soak feet in a strong tea for 20 minutes a day till odor is no longer a problem.
- Wipe feet with an anti-bacterial mouthwash.
- Change socks more than once a day.
- Check for athlete’s feet signs.
- Make sure shoes are odor free, use inserts when needed.
- Wear shoes made of natural material that allows “breathing”
If nothing is effective, seeing your primary physician may provide relief.
Tags: feet, Natural remedies, odor
Studies show that Asian-American teens make use of the health information available more often than white and Latino teens in America.
Each generation of American born citizens with Asian ancestry will improve their health habits. Preventive habits may start out behind with the first generation, but they quickly surpass the white teens in this study done by the University of Minnesota. Asian teens will have a healthier diet and a more active lifestyle. Second-generation Asian teens increased healthy habits, the Latino teens declined, and the white teens maintain poor health habits.
All races and ethnic background would benefit from a varied approach to health information.
Tags: Ethnics, Health habits, Race, Teens
Today MSN-NBC reported the public dispute regarding where Billy Graham and his wife will be buried, even though they are still alive!
You can read all the health blogs and sites and implement the perfect healthy lifestyle, but at some point, life as you know it ends. Be prepared. Be sure your partner and you come upon an agreement if you wish to be buried together. Make sure your family, has a copy of your wishes. Most important, keep the document updated. Do not rely on just mentioning changes to a partner, let everyone know and put it in writing.
Tags: Billy Graham, Burial plans, Death
Holiday seasons aren’t always filled with the hugs and laughter we see on commercials. Issues that are easy to avoid all year by avoiding family are more difficult during the holiday seasons. If you got out of Thanksgiving, you already know there is increased pressure to make Christmas!
There are a few things to do to diffuse possible trouble. You can face the problem head on ahead of time or agree to disagree. Be an adult, attend the gathering and create a good time. We know older relatives may not be around much longer, but tragedy can hit at any age. Do you want to miss out on your nephew’s first Christmas or your grandmother’s last because you can’t stand your brother-in-law?
Honey and a clean pillowcase are two simple ways to fight off an acne outbreak. A honey mask is effective in the fight against blemishes because it works as a natural disinfectant and can destroy bacteria on the skin.
Acne breakouts can be reduced by simply having a clean pillow case. A pillow case has 5-9 hours (depending on how long you sleep) to absorb not only the oils from your skin during the night, but also to collect whatever your hair has transported to bed and released on your pillow. Whatever is on that pillow will eventually be rubbed back onto you face.
Tags: acne, disinfectant, face, honey, skin
Recently there were clusters of e-coli cases that were linked to Taco Bell. The outbreak affected six states. The source was identified, and it wasn’t the health dept that figured it out first. It was Taco Bell.
Along side the county health dept investigators; the Taco Bell team collected their own samples. Using an independent lab, Taco Bell took the samples they collected and they got a quick test done. By the time the test results finally got back from the state lab, Taco Bell not only found the source, green onions, they had already recalled them from all stores.
Tags: e coli, food poisoning, health dept, Taco Bell
There’s more to sex than satisfying primitive urges and populating the earth. Various tests have proven there are other benefits as well. Of course these benefits occur in healthy, mutually satisfying, consensual, sexual activity. Sexual abuse, control, and aggression will not only destroy any benefits that could be reaped, it can cause deep emotional damage and physical harm.
Health benefits:
- Blood pressure reduction
- Stress reducing
- Hormonal balance
- Calorie burning
- Prostrate health
- PMS relief
- Extended life
Mental benefits
- Increased self confidence
- Calmness
- Improved self image
- Feelings of relationship security
Always practice safe sex, a healthy body after its infected with HIV/AIDS, is no longer healthy.
Tags: mental health, physical health, safe sex, sex
Reyes syndrome is a rare condition that affects the brain, liver, and blood. It can be responsible for convulsions, seizures, and occasionally comas.
Though there is still a lot unknown about Reye’s syndrome, these are some common factors:
- Respiratory infections or viral illness’ symptoms were treated with aspirin
- Age group 4-12 years old
- Occurs about a week after a viral illness
- Occurs during respiratory infection
There has been a big drop in cases since the 1980’s. It is still advised to not give anyone under 19 years of age aspirin or any medication that contains aspirin to treat the symptoms of influenza.
Tags: aspirin, children, Influenza, Reyes syndrom
Many people experienced this long before it was officially recognized and labeled as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It is most common in the winter and can occur in the summer as well. Its symptoms are similar to that of depression. Of those who suffer with SAD, most are young adults in their late teens to early 30’s and of the SAD sufferers, ¾ are women. It is believed that it is caused by lack of exposure to sunlight and sunlight exposure triggers internal biological changes. Before you decide to start popping anti-depressants or getting counseling, go outdoors more and change the lighting in your home.
Tags: biological changes, depression, outdoors, SAD
You can never protect yourself from every germ everywhere and excessive sanitizing kills weak germs and allows super germs to flourish. So what do you do to stay well this winter? Focus on building your immune system, it won’t matter what you are exposed to if you have a strong immune system.
Things you can do to build your immune system
- Take immune boosting supplements (like vitamins C & E)
- Include natural antibiotics (like garlic)
- Reduce stress
- Get adequate rest an exercise
- Eat healthy
- Keep digestive system healthy
- Spend time in the sun
Tags: cold, germs, immune, prevention, wellness
A UK company based in Guildford called ReNeuron has applied to the US Food and Drug Administration to carry out human trials on 12 stroke patients. They have told the BBC that they evidence that stem cells could regenerate brain cells that are damaged by strokes.
According to Dr Eric Miljan, when the foetal stem cells were injected into the brains of rats in which a stroke had been induced their movement recovered. Tests showed that blood flow and brain activity were restored in the damaged area.
Source: BBC