Aug 17, 2010

obesity in CHILD

Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. It occurs when a child is well above the normal weight for his or her age and height. Childhood obesity is particularly troubling because the extra pounds often start children on the path to health problems that were once confined to adults, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Childhood obesity can also lead to poor self-esteem and depression.
One of the best strategies to reduce childhood obesity is to improve the diet and exercise habits of your entire family. Treating and preventing childhood obesity helps protect the health of your child now and in the future.


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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff Not all children carrying extra pounds are overweight or obese. Some children have larger than average body frames. And children normally carry different amounts of body fat at the various stages of development. So you might not know just by looking at your child if his or her weight is a health concern.
Your child's doctor can help you figure out if your child's weight could pose health problems. To do this, your child's doctor will calculate your child's body mass index (BMI). The BMI indicates if your child is overweight for his or her age and height.
Using a growth chart, your doctor determines your child's percentile, meaning how your child compares with other children of the same sex and age. So, for example, you might be told that your child is in the 80th percentile. This means that compared with other children of the same sex and age, 80 percent have a lower BMI.
Cutoff points on these growth charts, established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), help identify overweight and obese children:
  • BMI-for-age between 85th and 94th percentiles — overweight
  • BMI-for-age 95th percentile or above — obesity
Because BMI doesn't consider things like being muscular or having a larger than average body frame and because growth patterns vary greatly among children, your doctor also factors your child's growth and development into consideration. This helps determine whether your child's weight is a health concern.
When to see a doctor
If you're worried that your child is putting on too much weight, talk to his or her doctor or health care provider. He or she will consider your child's individual history of growth and development, your family's weight-for-height history, and where your child lands on the growth charts. This can help determine if your child's weight is in an unhealthy range.

Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff Although there are some genetic and hormonal causes of childhood obesity, most of the time it's caused by kids eating too much and exercising too little.
Far less common than lifestyle issues are genetic diseases and hormonal disorders that can make a child more likely to be obese. These diseases, such as Prader-Willi syndrome and Cushing's syndrome, affect a very small number of children. Most of the time, eating and exercise habits play a larger role.


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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff Many factors — usually working in combination — increase your child's risk of becoming overweight:



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  • Diet. Regularly eating high-calorie foods, such as fast foods, baked goods and vending machine snacks, can easily cause your child to gain weight. Loading up on soft drinks, candy and desserts also can cause weight gain. Foods and beverages like these are high in sugar, fat and calories.
  • Lack of exercise. Children who don't exercise much are more likely to gain weight because they don't burn calories through physical activity. Inactive leisure activities, such as watching television or playing video games, contribute to the problem.
  • Family history. If your child comes from a family of overweight people, he or she may be more likely to put on excess weight, especially in an environment where high-calorie food is always available, and physical activity isn't encouraged.
  • Psychological factors. Some children overeat to cope with problems or to deal with emotions, such as stress, or to fight boredom. Their parents may have similar tendencies.
  • Family factors. If many of the groceries you buy are convenience foods, such as cookies, chips and other high-calorie items, this can contribute to your child's weight gain. If you can control your child's access to high-calorie foods, you may be able to help your child lose weight.
  • Socioeconomic factors. Children from low-income backgrounds are at greater risk of becoming obese. It takes both time and resources to make healthy eating and exercise a family priority.

Complications

 

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By Mayo Clinic staff
Childhood obesity can have complications for the physical, social and emotional well-being of your child.
Physical complications
  • Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes in children is a chronic condition that affects the way your child's body metabolizes sugar (glucose). Type 2 diabetes is caused in part by a poor diet, and can often be reversed by eating healthier foods and exercising.
  • Metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome isn't a disease itself, but a cluster of conditions that can put your child at risk of developing heart disease, diabetes or other health problems. This cluster of conditions includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol and excess abdominal fat.
  • High cholesterol and high blood pressure. Your child can develop high blood pressure or high cholesterol if he or she eats a poor diet. These factors can contribute to the buildup of plaques in the arteries. These plaques can cause arteries to narrow and harden, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke later in life.
  • Asthma and other breathing problems. The extra weight on your child's body can cause problems with the development and health of your child's lungs, leading to asthma or other breathing problems.
  • Sleep disorders. Sleep apnea, a condition in which your child may snore or have abnormal breathing when he or she sleeps, can be a complication of childhood obesity. Pay attention to breathing problems your child may have while sleeping.
  • Early puberty or menstruation. Being obese can create hormone imbalances for your child. These imbalances can cause puberty to start earlier than expected.
Social and emotional complications
  • Low self-esteem and bullying. Children often tease or bully their overweight peers, who suffer a loss of self-esteem and an increased risk of depression as a result.
  • Behavior and learning problems. Overweight children tend to have more anxiety and poorer social skills than normal-weight children have. At one extreme, these problems may lead overweight children to act out and disrupt their classrooms. At the other, they may cause overweight children to socially withdraw. Stress and anxiety also interfere with learning. School-related anxiety can create a vicious cycle in which ever-growing worry fuels ever-declining academic performance.
  • Depression. Low self-esteem can create overwhelming feelings of hopelessness in some overweight children. When children lose hope that their lives will improve, they may become depressed. A depressed child may lose interest in normal activities, sleep more than usual or cry a lot. Some depressed children hide their sadness and appear emotionally flat instead. Either way, depression is as serious in children as in adults. If you think your child is depressed, talk with him or her and share your concerns with his or her doctor.

Tests and diagnosis

By Mayo Clinic staff As part of regular well-child care, the doctor calculates your child's body mass index (BMI) and determines where it falls on the national BMI-for-age growth chart. The BMI helps indicate if your child is overweight for his or her age and height.
Using the growth chart, your doctor determines your child's percentile, meaning how your child compares with other children of the same sex and age. So, for example, you might be told that your child is in the 80th percentile. This means that compared with other children of the same sex and age, 80 percent have a lower BMI.
Cutoff points on these growth charts, established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), help identify overweight and obese children:
  • BMI-for-age between 85th and 94th percentiles — overweight
  • BMI-for-age 95th percentile or above — obesity
Because BMI doesn't consider things like being muscular or having a larger than average body frame and because growth patterns vary greatly among children, your doctor also factors your child's growth and development into consideration. This helps determine whether your child's weight is a health concern.
In addition to BMI and charting weight on the growth charts, the doctor also evaluates:
  • Your family's history of obesity and weight-related health problems, such as diabetes
  • Your child's eating habits
  • Your child's activity level
  • Other health conditions your child may have
Blood tests
Your child's doctor may order blood tests if he or she finds that your child is obese. These tests include:
  • A cholesterol test
  • A blood sugar test (fasting blood glucose)
  • Other blood tests to check for hormone imbalances that could affect your child's weight
Some of these tests require that your child not eat or drink anything for up to eight hours before the test. Your child's doctor should tell you whether your child should fast before a blood test.

Treatments and drugs

By Mayo Clinic staff Treatment for childhood obesity is based on your child's age and if he or she has other medical conditions. Treatment usually includes changes in your child's diet and level of physical activity. In certain circumstances, treatment may include medications or weight-loss surgery.
Treatment for children under age 7
For children under age 7 who have no other health concerns, the goal of treatment may be weight maintenance rather than weight loss. This strategy allows the child to add inches in height but not pounds, causing BMI-for-age to drop over time into a healthier range. However, for an obese child, maintaining weight while waiting to grow taller may be as difficult as losing weight is for older people.
Treatment for children 7 years of age and older
Weight loss is typically recommended for children over age 7 or for younger children who have related health concerns. Weight loss should be slow and steady — anywhere from 1 pound (about 0.5 kilograms) a week to 1 pound a month, depending on your child's condition.
The methods for maintaining your child's current weight or losing weight are the same: Your child needs to eat a healthy diet and increase his or her physical activity. Success depends largely on your commitment to helping your child make these changes. Think of eating habits and exercise habits as two sides of the same coin: When you consider one, you also need to consider the other.
Healthy eating
Parents are the ones who buy the food, cook the food and decide where the food is eaten. Even small changes can make a big difference in your child's health.
  • When buying groceries, choose fruits and vegetables. Convenience foods, such as cookies, crackers and prepared meals, are often high in sugar and fat. Always have healthy snacks available. And never use food as a reward or punishment.
  • Limit sweetened beverages, including those containing fruit juice. These drinks provide little nutritional value in exchange for their high calories. They also can make your child feel too full to eat healthier foods.
  • Sit down together for family meals. Make it an event — a time to share news and tell stories. Discourage eating in front of a screen, such as a television, computer or video game. This leads to fast eating and lowered awareness of how much you're eating.
  • Limit the number of times you eat out, especially at fast-food restaurants. Many of the menu options are high in fat and calories.
Physical activity
A critical part of weight loss, especially for children, is physical activity. It not only burns calories but also builds strong bones and muscles and helps children sleep well at night and stay alert during the day. Such habits established in childhood help adolescents maintain healthy weight despite the hormonal changes, rapid growth and social influences that often lead to overeating. And active children are more likely to become fit adults.
To increase your child's activity level:
  • Limit recreational computer and TV time to no more than 2 hours a day. A surefire way to increase your child's activity levels is to limit the number of hours he or she is allowed to watch television each day. Other sedentary activities — playing video and computer games or talking on the phone — also should be limited. Don't let your child eat while viewing an electronic screen; it keeps your child from being aware of how much he or she is eating.
  • Emphasize activity, not exercise. Your child's activity doesn't have to be a structured exercise program — the object is just to get him or her moving. Free-play activities, such as playing hide-and-seek, tag or jump-rope, can be great for burning calories and improving fitness.
  • Find activities your child likes to do. For instance, if your child is artistically inclined, go on a nature hike to collect leaves and rocks that your child can use to make a collage. If your child likes to climb, head for the nearest neighborhood jungle gym or climbing wall. If your child likes to read, then walk or bike to the neighborhood library for a book.
  • If you want an active child, be active yourself. Find fun activities that the whole family can do together. Never make exercise seem a punishment or a chore.
  • Vary the activities. Let each child take a turn choosing the activity of the day or week. Batting practice, bowling and swimming all count. What matters is that you're doing something active.
Medications
Two prescription weight-loss drugs are available for adolescents: sibutramine (Meridia) and orlistat (Xenical). Sibutramine, which is approved for adolescents older than 16, alters the brain's chemistry to make the body feel fuller more quickly. Orlistat, which is approved for adolescents older than 12, prevents the absorption of fat in the intestines.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved a reduced-strength over-the-counter (nonprescription) version of orlistat (Alli). Though readily available in pharmacies and drugstores, Alli is not approved for children or teenagers under age 18.
Prescription medication isn't often recommended for adolescents. The risks of taking the medications long term are still unknown, and their effect on weight loss and weight maintenance for adolescents is still questioned. And weight-loss drugs don't replace the need to adopt a healthy diet and exercise regimen.
If your child has high cholesterol, it's possible your doctor may recommend giving your child a statin medication. Statins help lower cholesterol, but their use in children remains controversial, since it's uncertain what long-term side effects they might have. Because of disagreement in the medical community about treating high cholesterol in children, talk to your child's doctor about what's best for your child.
Weight-loss surgery
Weight-loss surgery can be a safe and effective option for some severely obese adolescents who have been unable to lose weight using conventional weight-loss methods. However, as with any type of surgery, there are potential risks and long-term complications. Also, the long-term effects of weight-loss surgery on a child's future growth and development are largely unknown.
Weight-loss surgery in adolescents is uncommon. But your doctor may recommend this surgery if your child's weight poses a greater health threat than do the potential risks of surgery. It is important that a child being considered for weight-loss surgery meet with a team of pediatric specialists, including a pediatric endocrinologist.
Even so, surgery isn't the easy answer for weight loss. It doesn't guarantee that your child loses all of his or her excess weight or that your child keeps it off long term. It also doesn't replace the need for following a healthy diet and regular physical activity program.

Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff Whether your child is at risk of becoming overweight or currently at a healthy weight, you can take proactive measures to get or keep things on the right track.
  • Schedule yearly well-child visits. Take your child to the doctor for well-child checkups at least once a year. During this visit, the doctor measures your child's height and weight and calculates his or her BMI. Increases in your child's BMI or in his or her percentile rank over one year, especially if your child is older than 4, is a possible sign that your child is at risk of becoming overweight.
  • Set a good example. Make sure you eat healthy foods and exercise regularly to maintain your weight. Then, invite your child to join you.
  • Avoid food-related power struggles with your child. You might unintentionally lay the groundwork for such battles by providing or withholding certain foods — sweets, for instance — as rewards or punishments. As a general rule, don't use food as a reward or punishment.
  • Emphasize the positive. Encourage a healthy lifestyle by highlighting the positive — the fun of playing outside or the variety of fresh fruit you can get year-round, for example. Emphasize the benefits of exercise apart from helping to manage weight, for example, it makes the heart, lungs and other muscles stronger. If you foster your child's natural inclination to run around, explore and eat only when hungry — not out of boredom — a healthy weight should take care of itself.
  • Be patient. Many overweight children grow into their extra pounds as they get taller. Realize, too, that an intense focus on your child's eating habits and weight can easily backfire, leading a child to overeat even more, or possibly making him or her more prone to developing an eating disorder.
inspired by isikerings at 6:21 AM 0 comments

how to choose a bra!

Health and Comfort

 

 

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 Selecting a bra is about more than finding the "prettiest" bra or finding a bra in your favorite color - selecting a bra has real health and comfort-related considerations. A bra that doesn't fit well and offers too little support can displace your breast tissue, pushing it under the arm or flattening it around the breast wall. Bras that don't provide adequate support can stretch the breast tissue over time, making your breasts sag and droop. The right bra that offers good support helps keep your breasts youthful and firm, and can make a big difference in shaping and making you look slimmer and proportional under your clothes.

A bad bra that doesn't fit properly can spoil the most expensive dress. Get the right bra to look and feel your best.

Testing for Bra Fit

To test for bra fit, run your arms through the straps so that the straps are over your shoulders; bend forward from the waist and adjust your breast position so that your breasts are completely within the cup with the nipples being at the fullest point within the cup; make sure the hooks are fastened at the middle position; stand up and adjust the straps so that your breasts are at the right level; and make sure that the bra does not rise at the back and is comfortable without being too tight.

How to Tell if You're Wearing the Wrong Bra, or Your Bra is the Wrong Size

 

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  • Do your bra straps cause red marks on your shoulder?
  • Do your bra straps slide down unless you're constantly adjusting them?
  • Do your breasts bulge over the top of the cup in a double bump?
  • Do your breasts droop or look generally out of shape?
  • Does your bust fall forward, instead of being in its central position?
  • Does the bra pull your shoulders forward?
  • Does your bra band ride up in the back?
  • Does the center of your bra fail to touch your breastbone?
Any of these things may be signs that your bra isn't right for you, or may not be the correct size. These problems indicate that the band is too big or small, or that the cups are too large or small, depending on fit-related issues. For full details on finding the proper size, check out our Guide to Finding the Right Bra Size.

Potential Health Problems for Ill-Fitting Bras

If your bra fits poorly it isn't just unflattering - it can cause potential health problems, too. These are a few of the health problems related to ill-fitting bras:
  • Shoulder pain;
  • Neck pain;
  • Headaches;
  • Stretching the breast tissue;
  • Compressing or distorting the breast tissue.
If the bra doesn't provide good support, you may experience pain and stretching of the breast tissue, leading to droopy breasts. If the bra is too tight, it can also cause pain, and it can compress or distort the breast tissue over time. If the cup is too small, it can compress your breast tissue and squeeze it out around the sides, top or bottom of the bra. Particularly harmful is compressing the breast tissue between an underwire and your body. Wearing a poorly-fitting bra isn't just a fashion faux-pas; it can lead to health problems and ultimate distortion of your breasts.

Guide to Finding the Right Bra Style

  • The Right Bra Style for a Small Bust:

    A balcony-style bra, with or without padding, can highlight the natural curves of a small bust. Balcony-style bras provide lift and a lovely, curvy shape, as well as a nice neckline. Half-cup bras are also a good choice for a small bust, and selecting a bra with padding at the sides and under the bust provide extra lift. Avoid square-cut bras, as they serve to flatten the look of a small bust.

  • The Right Bra Style for a Large Bust:

    Women with large busts should look for wide shoulder and back straps for firm support. Full cups provide better shaping and contain the breast better than other bra styles. Underwire bras provide the best support for big busts. Lace and decoration on the bra makes the bust appear larger, so if you want a smooth, natural look, a plain bra style without too much lace helps your bust appear smaller.

  • Different Clothes Require Different Bra Styles

    Finding the right bra style isn't a one-size-fits-all proposition. Different bra styles provide different shaping and work best with different types of clothes. Tailored suits and shirts, for example, look best with a bit of uplift and firm control. When you're wearing jeans and a t-shirt, though, you might prefer a soft, seamless bra to shape you and wear well under the clingy tops. Flesh-colored bras are good under light clothes; wear dark-colored bras under dark tops to avoid flashing white bra, and backless bras go best with a low-cut party dress or sun top.
  • Bras with lycra or a bit of stretch are good choices if you're losing weight or if your weight varies over the course of the month. Breast size may change with diet, pregnancy, exercise, age and taking the Pill. Breast size can go up premenstrually, so women may need larger bras during the days leading up to a period. Pregnant women may experience hormonal changes that increase an entire bra size in a week, and should avoid underwires because the breasts may become fragile and sensitive.

Wear Sports Bras When You Exercise

 

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Some women consider sports bras as "optional" during exercise. They're not. Any excessive breast movement puts a significant strain on the ligaments that hold the breasts in place, causing them to stretch and resulting in long-term sagging.

Everyday bras simply don't provide enough support and hold the breasts firmly in place during exercise. Sports bras are specially designed to allow freedom of movement while holding you firmly in place, and they're made of fabrics that channel moisture away from the skin to the outside of the fabric. Sports bras come in different shapes and styles suitable for different activity levels, but they're absolutely vital to wear when you exercise.

Caring for Your Bra

Ideally, you should wash your bra every day, by hand. Washing your bra daily removes body oils, preserves the color of your bra, and lengthens its life. If you wear two bras and wash them in turn, they should last for three months. Never put your bra in a clothes dryer - only air dry them.

Some Interesting Facts about Bras and Breasts

  1. Breast sizes are growing. From 1990 - 2000, the average size has gone from a 34B to a 36C.
  2. Twenty to thirty years ago, a DD cup was unusual; now G, H & J cups are not uncommon. Changing diet and The Pill are the culprits.
  3. Bra-wearers are getting younger. Twenty to thirty years ago, 12 and 13 year-olds bought teen bras; now 8 and 9 year-olds are taking the plunge.
  4. Today, the biggest selling bra color is nude and skin tones. Five to ten years ago, the biggest selling bra color is white, while ivory and cream were a close second. In 1971, skin tones were bestsellers, and were second favorite until about 5 years ago. Tea rose was the favorite from the 1920s through the 1950s.
  5. Higher number of separations, divorces and remarriages have boosted the demand for attractive lingerie.
inspired by isikerings at 5:57 AM 0 comments

GONORRHEA!!!

What is gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (urine canal) in women and men. The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus.
How common is gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is a very common infectious disease.  CDC estimates that more than 700,000 persons in the U.S. get new gonorrheal infections each year. Only about half of these infections are reported to CDC. In 2006, 358,366 cases of gonorrhea were reported to CDC. In the period from 1975 to 1997, the national gonorrhea rate declined, following the implementation of the national gonorrhea control program in the mid-1970s. After several years of stable gonorrhea rates, however, the national gonorrhea rate increased for the second consecutive year. In 2006, the rate of reported gonorrheal infections was 120.9 per 100,000 persons.
How do people get gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is spread through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. Ejaculation does not have to occur for gonorrhea to be transmitted or acquired. Gonorrhea can also be spread from mother to baby during delivery.
People who have had gonorrhea and received treatment may get infected again if they have sexual contact with a person infected with gonorrhea.
Who is at risk for gonorrhea?
Any sexually active person can be infected with gonorrhea. In the United States, the highest reported rates of infection are among sexually active teenagers, young adults, and African Americans.
What are the signs and symptoms of gonorrhea?



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Some men with gonorrhea may have no symptoms at all. However, some men have signs or symptoms that appear two to five days after infection; symptoms can take as long as 30 days to appear. Symptoms and signs include a burning sensation when urinating, or a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. Sometimes men with gonorrhea get painful or swollen testicles.
In women, the symptoms of gonorrhea are often mild, but most women who are infected have no symptoms. Even when a woman has symptoms, they can be so non-specific as to be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. The initial symptoms and signs in women include a painful or burning sensation when urinating, increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal bleeding between periods. Women with gonorrhea are at risk of developing serious complications from the infection, regardless of the presence or severity of symptoms.
Symptoms of rectal infection in both men and women may include discharge, anal itching, soreness, bleeding, or painful bowel movements. Rectal infection also may  cause no symptoms. Infections in the throat may cause a sore throat but usually causes no symptoms. What are the complications of gonorrhea?
Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems in both women and men.
In women, gonorrhea is a common cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). About one million women each year in the United States develop PID. The symptoms may be quite mild or can be very severe and can include abdominal pain and fever. PID can lead to internal abscesses (pus-filled “pockets” that are hard to cure) and long-lasting, chronic pelvic pain. PID can damage the fallopian tubes enough to cause infertility or increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition in which a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube.
In men, gonorrhea can cause epididymitis, a painful condition of the ducts attached to the testicles that may lead to infertility if left untreated.
Gonorrhea can spread to the blood or joints. This condition can be life threatening. In addition, people with gonorrhea can more easily contract HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. HIV-infected people with gonorrhea can transmit HIV more easily to someone else than if they did not have gonorrhea.
How does gonorrhea affect a pregnant woman and her baby?


If a pregnant woman has gonorrhea, she may give the infection to her baby as the baby passes through the birth canal during delivery. This can cause blindness, joint infection, or a life-threatening blood infection in the baby. Treatment of gonorrhea as soon as it is detected in pregnant women will reduce the risk of these complications. Pregnant women should consult a health care provider for appropriate examination, testing, and treatment, as necessary.
How is gonorrhea diagnosed?
Several laboratory tests are available to diagnose gonorrhea. A doctor or nurse can obtain a sample for testing from the parts of the body likely to be infected (cervix, urethra, rectum, or throat) and send the sample to a laboratory for analysis. Gonorrhea that is present in the cervix or urethra can be diagnosed in a laboratory by testing a urine sample. A quick laboratory test for gonorrhea that can be done in some clinics or doctor’s offices is a Gram stain. A Gram stain of a sample from a urethra or a cervix allows the doctor to see the gonorrhea bacterium under a microscope. This test works better for men than for women.
What is the treatment for gonorrhea?
Several antibiotics can successfully cure gonorrhea in adolescents and adults. However, drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are increasing in many areas of the world, including the United States, and successful treatment of gonorrhea is becoming more difficult. Because many people with gonorrhea also have chlamydia, another STD, antibiotics for both infections are usually given together. Persons with gonorrhea should be tested for other STDs.
It is important to take all of the medication prescribed to cure gonorrhea.  Although medication will stop the infection, it will not repair any permanent damage done by the disease. People who have had gonorrhea and have been treated can get the disease again if they have sexual contact with persons infected with gonorrhea. If a person’s symptoms continue even after receiving treatment, he or she should return to a doctor to be reevaluated.


How can gonorrhea be prevented?


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The surest way to avoid transmission of STDs is to abstain from sexual intercourse, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected.
Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of gonorrhea.
Any genital symptoms such as discharge or burning during urination or unusual sore or rash should be a signal to stop having sex and to see a doctor immediately. If a person has been diagnosed and treated for gonorrhea, he or she should notify all recent sex partners so they can see a health care provider and be treated. This will reduce the risk that the sex partners will develop serious complications from gonorrhea and will also reduce the person’s risk of becoming re-infected. The person and all of his or her sex partners must avoid sex until they have completed their treatment for gonorrhea.
inspired by isikerings at 5:42 AM 0 comments

HERPES ZOSTER

Anyone who has had chicken pox can develop herpes zoster. Also known as shingles or zoster, herpes zoster is caused by the same virus as chicken pox. After the chicken pox clear, the virus remains dormant (inactive) within certain nerve cells of the body. When the virus reactivates, zoster, which can be quite painful, develops.

About 20 percent of people who have had chicken pox will get zoster. Most develop zoster only once.

CAUSES OF HERPES ZOSTER

It is not clear what reactivates or "awakens" the virus. A temporary weakness in immunity
(the body's ability to fight infection) may cause the virus to multiply and move along nerve
fibers toward the skin. Although children can get zoster, it is more common in people over the
age of 50. Illness, trauma, and stress also may trigger zoster.

We do know that people with a weakened immunity are prone to developing zoster. A variety of illnesses and medical treatments can weaken a person's immunity. These include cancers, AIDS, treatment for cancer such as chemotherapy or radiation, drugs taken to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ, and cortisone when taken for a long time. All can make someone susceptible.
While much less contagious than chicken pox, a person with zoster can transmit the virus by means of direct skin contact if blisters break. Newborns and those with decreased immunity are at the highest risk. If someone contracts the virus, the person develops chicken pox — not zoster. Shingles only occurs after a person develops chicken pox and the virus re-emerges in certain nerve cells.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HERPES ZOSTER

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Close up of zoster blisters
Zoster typically causes more pain and less itching than chicken pox. A person may feel burning, itching, tingling, or extreme sensitivity on the skin (usually limited to an area on one side of the body). These symptoms are typically present for one to three days, sometimes more, before a red rash appears in the same area. A zoster rash usually occurs on only one side of the body. A fever or headache also may develop.

The rash soon turns into groups of blisters, which generally last for two to three weeks. At first the blisters are clear, but then look yellow or bloody before they crust over (scab) and disappear. It is unusual to have pain without blisters, or blisters without pain. The pain is often severe enough for a physician to prescribe painkillers.

While zoster is most common on the trunk and buttocks, it can appear anywhere the nerves have been affected, including the face, arms, or legs. Blisters on the tip of the nose signal possible eye involvement. Great care is needed if the blisters involve the eye because permanent eye damage can result.

DIAGNOSIS OF HERPES ZOSTER

To diagnose herpes zoster, a dermatologist looks at the appearance of the skin and asks if the patient has experienced pain before the rash developed. To confirm the diagnosis, a dermatologist may scrape skin cells from a blister onto a glass slide for examination under a microscope. Also, the blister fluid containing the virus can be sent to a laboratory for special testing.

TREATMENT OF HERPES ZOSTER

Zoster usually clears on its own in a few weeks and seldom recurs. While zoster is clearing, pain relievers can help ease the discomfort, and cool compresses may provide soothing relief.

When diagnosed early (within 72 hours), oral anti-viral medication can be prescribed. This medication is often prescribed when the zoster is severe or affects an eye. Patients who have decreased immunity also are routinely prescribed an anti-viral medication. In addition to treating the zoster, an anti-viral medication can prevent post-herpetic neuralgia (pain, numbness, itching, and tingling that last long after the rash clears). The earlier treatment is started, the better.

To reduce swelling and pain, a corticosteroid may be prescribed along with the anti-viral medication. A corticosteroid also can help alleviate inflammation when a severe infection develops such as in an eye. Nerve blocks can help control pain. If a patient develops post-herpetic neuralgia (pain, numbness, itching, and tingling that lasts long after the rash clears), it may be treated with pain relievers. Oral medications, anti-depressants, anti-seizure and antineuralgia medicines also may be of some benefit. Patients with zoster rarely require hospitalization.

COMPLICATIONS OF HERPES ZOSTER

Probably the most common problem of herpes zoster is post-herpetic neuralgia, which is described above. The pain, numbness, itching, and tingling can last for months or even years. It is more common in older people.

A bacterial infection can develop in the blisters, which can delay healing. Persistent pain and redness warn of an infection. If either occurs, return to the dermatologist. Antibiotic treatment may be needed. An infection involving zoster lesions can lead to scarring if not appropriately treated in a timely manner.
Zoster in the eye that is not promptly treated can lead to complications such as glaucoma, scarring, and blindness.
herpes
Large affected area on buttocks and thigh

VACCINATION AGAINST HERPES ZOSTER

A vaccine has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for persons aged 60 years and older who have never had zoster. In one study, this immunization decreased the incidence of shingles by more than 50 percent. This vaccine has not been studied in persons with a history of shingles, and it should not be given to people who have decreased immunity (e.g., HIV, active cancer, taking drugs that decrease the immune response, etc.).

Another vaccine has been approved to prevent chicken pox. Typically given to children, the vaccine also may be given to some adults who have not had chicken pox.

A dermatologist is a physician who specializes in treating the medical, surgical and cosmetic conditions of the skin, hair and nails. To learn more about herpes zoster (shingles), log onto www.aad.org or call toll-free (888) 462-DERM (3376) to find a dermatologist in your area.
inspired by isikerings at 5:26 AM 0 comments

Aug 13, 2010

MOST ANNOYING GIRLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Potty Mouth

Wow ... did you just hear what she said? Girls, please lose the cursing. We're warning you ... it's hard to quit. We have a couple of RED editors who swear like sailors and trust us, it's not pretty. We have no excuse, but luckily you are young enough that you can stop now if you want to. You will be better for it if you do. There is nothing worse than when an f-bomb drops in front of your teacher.

http://www.aolcdn.com/red_galleries/habits-female-cursing-400a062507.jpg



 



Psst ... Guess What?

What is the deal with gossiping, ladies? Come on ... enough already! Not only is it rude, but no one will want to tell you anything after awhile because you can't keep your mouth shut. This is one of the most annoying habits that girls tend to do and, really, we could do without it completely.



Battling Your Bra

Find a bra that fits and then leave it ALONE! Enough with all the constant adjusting. Straps, we can all deal with, but the scratching and shifting of "the girls" is just way too much for any of us to even bear. Think of this like a guy adjusting his junk ... it's not pretty when you adjust YOUR stuff, either.

http://www.aolcdn.com/red_galleries/habits-female-bra-adjusting-400a062507.jpg

Close Your Legs

Do we even need to explain this one? Let's think about this for a moment ... why would sitting with your legs WIDE open be bad? Hmm. We aren't saying that you need to be all proper and sit with your legs crossed all day, but have a little decency and keep your legs close together. No one wants another Britney Spears incident on their hands.

This goes for both guys and girls. Smoking is disgusting and just because you are old enough doesn't mean that all of a sudden it's attractive. It reeks and makes YOU stink, turns your teeth yellow, creates more phlegm, makes you grow dark facial hair -- not to mention it's bad for your body. It's all-around disgusting, for both guys and girls. Don't start to begin with and if you do, then quit.


Quit Being a Nag
Women are known to nag and we assume most of the time this is due to men not understanding what we want. But that doesn't mean that nagging is OK. It's annoying. You need to find another way to get through to the people in your life. Learn to communicate properly, because nagging is really unattractive and will scare guys off.


Ring Ring Ring

Enough already with the nonstop phone calls and texting. Girls tend to do this when they are gossiping (see #2), or if they are obsessing over a guy. Trust us, guys don't like talking all the time. They need their space, too. So before you get too cell phone happy, why don't you consider cutting back and not looking like a total stalker with no life? Glad we cleared that up.


 Keep It Simple
OK, why don't you tell us what REALLY happened? Because we're just not buying this story one bit. Girls have a tendency to exaggerate the truth and we'd like to think it's just that they are really creative, but we don't think so. Just keep the story simple, and you'll realize that not working extra hard to make the story more interesting will be much easier on you.

Exaggerating




Picking Your Butt

We don't care whether you wear your jeans skintight or loose, just please don't go digging when the seam along your butt starts looking for a place to hide. Deal with your wedgies in private, or just find a pair of pants (or underwear) that fit you better, please. There's nothing more disgusting then a girl picking her wedgie and then wanting to hold hands ... ewww.

Wedgie Picking
inspired by isikerings at 7:11 AM 0 comments
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