Engineering Explained

"GOOD TO KNOW"

🤜 Benjamin Baker's famous photograph illustrates the structural principle of cantilever beams used for the Forth Bridge.

👉 To explain the theory of cantilever beams (Gerber), a visual demonstration was carried out with people. The loads were symbolized by a person seated in the middle of the span, while the arms of the people seated on either side represented the pull at the joints. The wooden bars represented the compression on the lower elements, while the bricks symbolized the anchor points to the pylons. The chairs represented the piles of granite. Imagine the chairs spaced 500 meters apart and the men's heads as high as St Paul's Cross (London Church, 104 meters), with their arms represented by steel beams and their legs by 3.5 meter tubes in diameter at the base, you will have a good idea of the structure.

👉 In 1866, Heinrich Gerber developed a theory that involved subdividing the continuous beam through ball and socket joints, thereby defining a point of zero bending moment. This type of beam with intermediate joints is now known as a Gerber beam. The position of these joints influences the behavior of the beam. Therefore, although not directly used in all structures, the Gerber beam concept can be applied approximately in some projects, allowing simplified calculations.

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Download Freedom Is Helping You In Getting Rid Of Certain Problems You May Have..

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How to Get Rid of Your Gag Reflex - Getting Rid Of Gag Reflex

The back of your throat naturally contracts when an object touches your soft palate. This natural contraction is called the gag reflex or pharyngeal reflex, and it prevents you from choking. The gag reflex is useful, but it can be a big problem when it's overactive. It's very common for people to fear going to the dentist because they think they'll vomit once the dentist starts poking in their mouth. (Learn the ways to make a dental appointment tolerable) Some people's gag reflex is so active, in fact, that they find it difficult to brush their teeth without puking. Others complain of their gag reflex getting in the way of oral sex. Whatever your reason for wanting to get rid of your gag reflex, the following tips will help you achieve this goal.

Getting Rid of Gag Reflex Through Desensitization

It is possible to get rid of your gag reflex through desensitization, which means training your soft palate to receive objects without gagging. The best time to train your soft palate is when you're brushing your teeth. Do the following steps while you're brushing, and get rid of your gag reflex as soon as possible.

•Find out where the gag reflex starts. Use the toothbrush to brush your tongue. Start from the farthest tip of your tongue, then work your way in deeper.

•Once you begin to gag, try to brush that area for about 10 seconds even while you're gagging. This process is quite unpleasant, but training yourself not to gag naturally involves some gagging. Stop brushing when you feel like you can't continue any longer; training yourself can't be done in a day.

•Repeat the process over the next few days, concentrating on the exact same spot. You'll notice that you gag less each time you repeat it. Stay on the same spot until you can handle most of the gagging or gagging completely stops. That part of your mouth is now desensitized.

•Reach deeper into your mouth using the toothbrush. Try brushing half an inch behind the desensitized spot. Keep moving further back until you've reached the farthest area that the brush can reach.

The whole desensitization process should take about a month to complete, so don't lose hope if nothing improves in the first couple of days. When desensitization is complete, your doctor can swab the back of your throat all he wants, and you won't gag at all. Remember to repeat the process from time to time because your gag reflex may return if you don't.

◦Don't start too far back because you'll only gag pointlessly. This process only works if you do it one tiny step at a time.

◦It's not advisable to do this twice a day because if you vomit your food, then your body won't be able to digest the nutrients it needs. Do it once either in the morning or before you go to sleep in the evening.

◦Don't breathe through your mouth while you're brushing; instead, breathe through your nose to avoid triggering the gag reflex.

◦You may want to talk to your doctor first before desensitizing your soft palate. This training is also not recommended for children, as they might choke on the toothbrush.

Some tips to make desensitization work:
Tips to Prevent Gagging During Dental Treatment
Even if your gag reflex is not overactive, you may still find yourself gagging when the dentist starts poking in your mouth. There are many ways to control or completely stop your gag reflex during dental treatment. Some of them are the following:

•Concentrate on breathing through your nose: You gag because you're trying to breathe in air through your mouth while the dentist's tools are also in there. Breathe through your nose instead of your mouth to keep the right amount of oxygen in your body.

•Lift both of your legs up: For some people, lifting both of their legs up when they feel the gag sensation coming helps to prevent or reduce it.

•Use a nasal decongestant before your appointment: Nasal decongestant keeps your nasal passageways open, promoting easier breathing through the nose.

•Try a throat spray with numbing properties: Two or three sprays of a numbing throat spray should last for about an hour, enough time to survive the trip to the dentist. Many people also claim that snore-relief sprays suppress gag reflex perfectly.

•Use table salt: Putting a pinch of table salt on the tip of the tongue during dental examination to prevent gagging works for many people (For other uses of table salt, read how to make use of household salt). This method probably works because your mind concentrates on the taste of the salt rather than on the tools in your mouth.

•Talk to the dentist: Gagging can be caused by psychological factors as much as it is caused by physical factors. Some people gag when they go to the dentist because of fears that the dentist will do something wrong, and they'll be in pain. They fear that they are not in control of the situation, and so their mind overreacts and encourages the gag reflex to go off.Talking to the dentist about your concerns makes you feel more relaxed during the whole procedure. You can request him to put the tools at the correct angles in your mouth so you won't gag. You can also ask him to put as few tools as possible in your mouth at one time.

•Desensitize yourself: Gagging is so unpleasant that you may soon start to fear going to the dentist irrationally. Remind yourself of the purpose of dental treatment by reading about the effects of poor dental care. Desensitize yourself by asking your doctor if you can take some of his tools at home, so you can practice putting them in your mouth. Find ways to have positive feelings about your dental visit to reduce your risk of gagging during a dental procedure.

•Try topical lidocaine: You can ask your dentist to put a bit of topical lidocaine on a cotton tip applicator, and apply it on the sides of your tongue to prevent you from gagging. Lidocaine is a dental anesthetic that's available in different flavors.

•Take a sip of very cold water: Some dentists say that taking a sip of very cold water before a dental procedure helps prevent gagging. There's no harm done in it, so try this for your next dental visit.

•Listen to music: If it's OK with your dentist, bring your headphones, and simply listen to music while having a dental procedure. Listening to your favorite music shifts your attention from the tools in your mouth to the music in your ears.

•Sit up rather than lie down: Gagging also sometimes has to do with your position during a dental procedure. If it's possible to sit up rather than to lie down during the procedure, request it. Some patients also say that standing up helps prevent their gag reflex from going off.

Tips to Prevent Gagging While Brushing Your Teeth

Another common problem among people with overactive gag reflex is brushing their teeth. Some experience the condition from childhood, while others develop it through time, sometimes as a symptom of a more serious condition, like an eating disorder. The following tips can help prevent you from gagging while brushing your teeth:

•Use an electric toothbrush: Your gag reflex may be a response to the jerky motions while you're brushing your teeth. In this case, use an electric toothbrush with a very small brush head to make brushing easier and a lot more comfortable. Select the slower speed setting of the toothbrush to minimize the jerky movement.

•Slowly increase the brushing area: Start brushing the area you find easiest to brush, and then move slowly to other areas until you can cover your whole mouth. Some people with overactive gag reflex find it easier to brush with their lips closed. Starting with the outer surfaces of the lower teeth then increasing the brushing area also works well for other people.

•Choose a time that works best for you: Many people say that gag reflex is worse in the morning for reasons unknown. You can use a mouthwash in the morning, and then just brush your teeth later to reduce the risk of gagging.

Other Tips to Get Rid of Your Gag Reflex

•Consult your doctor or a visit a psychologist: Gagging can be caused by a different medical problem; for instance, an eating disorder. Consult your doctor if you suspect that your oversensitive gag reflex is just a symptom of another illness. Gagging may also be caused by past psychological trauma or repressed fears. In this case, it's a good idea to visit a psychologist to determine the deeper issues that fuel your gag reflex.

•Consider hypnosis and acupuncture: Many people suffering from overactive gag reflex find relief in hypnotherapy. A hypnotherapist puts you in a trance-like condition to implant ideas, concepts, and lifestyle adaptations in your subconscious mind. This method may work if your overactive gag reflex is caused by past psychological trauma. Another alternative treatment to overactive gag reflex is acupuncture. One study found out that ear acupuncture helps prevent gagging, although it's controversial whether this is a placebo effect or not.

If your gag reflex is normal, and you only have occasional problems with it, then there's no need to completely desensitize your soft palate. Remember that your gag reflex is there for a very important reason. Unless you're a professional sword swallower, it may not be beneficial to completely get rid of it.

How to Get Rid of Thrush - Getting Rid Of Thrush

Thrush, also called yeast infection or candidiasis, is an overgrowth of yeast that leads to a range of unpleasant symptoms, such as itching and soreness around the woman's body, particularly the vagina. Most women will have thrush at least once during their lives, and many will have more than one episode. But for some women, thrush keeps coming back. Recurrent thrush can affect a woman’s sex life and self-image, and may be a sign of a more serious health problem. Even if you only have thrush once, it can be extremely uncomfortable. Also, if you don’t know what's happening or why, the condition can be very stressful. This online leaflet explains what thrush is, what causes it, how to treat it and what you can do to help prevent it in the future.

Thrush is caused by yeast, already present in the body, that grows out of control. This yeast is almost always Candida albicans, but another, more resistant yeast, Candida glabrata, can also lead to thrush. Many women, (as well as men and children) carry yeast in and on their bodies without any problems. Yeast usually lives in the intestines, vagina, mouth and skin, where ‘friendly’ bacteria help keep yeast levels low. When this balance is disrupted, however, and the yeast is allowed to grow unchecked, it causes havoc in the body. The vagina is one of the areas most likely to be affected by thrush. Although the vagina is generally too acidic for yeast to grow out of control, it's sensitive to small changes and can easily become an ideal environment for yeast to flourish. Too much yeast irritates the vaginal tissues and this leads to the typical symptoms of thrush.

Basic Treatments for Thrush

Treatments can be bought over the counter at a chemist, but they may be cheaper (or free) if you get them by prescription. Thrush is caused by a fungus (candida), and is therefore treated with antifungal drugs. Treatments are available as pessaries to be inserted into the vagina, creams to be put on the vulva and/or into the vagina or capsules to be swallowed.

•Antimycotics: In clinical settings, candidiasis is commonly treated with antimycotics—the antifungal drugs commonly used to treat candidiasis are topical clotrimazole, topical nystatin, fluconazole and topical ketoconazole. For example, a one-time dose of fluconazole (as Diflucan 150-mg tablet taken orally) has been reported as being 90% effective in treating a vaginal yeast infection. This dose is only effective for vaginal yeast infections, so other types of yeast infections may require different treatments.

In severe infections (generally in hospitalized patients), amphotericin B, caspofungin, or voriconazole may be used. Local treatment may include vaginal suppositories or medicated douches. Gentian violet can be used for breastfeeding thrush, but pediatrician William Sears recommends using it sparingly, since in large quantities it can cause mouth and throat ulcerations in nursing babies, and has been linked to mouth cancer in humans and to cancer in the digestive tract of other animals.

•Home Remedies versus Medical Attention: While home remedies may offer relief in minor cases of infection, seeking medical attention may be necessary, especially if the extent of the infection cannot be judged accurately by the patient. For instance, oral thrush is visible only at the upper digestive tract, but it may be that the lower digestive tract is likewise colonized by Candida species.

Treating candidiasis solely with medication may not give desired results, and other underlying causes require consideration. For example, oral candidiasis can also be the sign of a more serious condition, such as HIV infection or other immunodeficiency diseases.

•Beware of Medication Resistance: It is possible for Candida Albicans to develop a resistance to the drugs used to treat it, as seen from research done involving fluconazole, one of the drugs that is used to treat Candidiasis. In this case, the recurring infection would have to use a different prescription, and it is possible that resistance is slowly built to many of the available medications used to treat the yeast infection.

•Diaper Hygiene and Sugar Diet: Baby girls with diaper rash should have their diaper areas kept clean, dry, and exposed to air as much as possible. Sugars assist the overgrowth of yeast, possibly explaining the increased prevalence of yeast infections in patients with diabetes mellitus, as noted above. As many Candida reside in the digestive tract, dietary changes may be effective for preventing or during a Candida infection. Due to its requirement for readily fermentable carbon sources, such as mono or dimeric sugars (e.g., sucrose, glucose, lactose) and starch, avoiding foods that contain these nutrients in high abundance may help to prevent excessive Candida growth.

•Pessaries and Creams: Pessaries and creams work directly at the site of infection—in the vagina and on the outer lips of the vagina. Pessaries are bullet-shaped tablets that can be either hard or waxy. They need to be pushed high into your vagina with your finger or an applicator. There are two types of creams used to treat thrush: vaginal and vulval.

Vaginal creams work internally and, like pessaries, are inserted into the vagina using an applicator. Vulval creams are usually used with an internal treatment to help soothe and treat itching outside the vagina. Pessaries and creams can be messy—they melt and leak out into your pants—so it’s best to insert them at night just before you go to bed. You may also want to use a pantyliner, as some treatments are colored and can stain.

The length of treatment varies with different brands of pessaries and creams. It may last one day, three days, six days or 14 days. You don’t need to stop treatment if you get your period. In fact, it’s important to complete the full course of treatment, even if your symptoms seem to have cleared.

The active ingredient in pessaries and creams may be clotrimazole, econazole, fenticonazole, miconazole or nystatin. Nystatin is a little bit different than the other drugs. It's a more general antifungal that works against a range of fungi and yeast. It can take longer and may be less effective at curing thrush than the other antifungal preparations.
Warning: If you have a peanut allergy, avoid vaginal creams that contain arachis oil. Betadine pessaries used to treat recurrent thrush are iodine-based and may cause irritation. To reduce irritation, moisten the pessary with water before inserting it. Pessaries and creams containing miconazole may cause bleeding and bruising if taken at the same time as warfarin—a prescription blood thinning drug.

•Oral Medication: When thrush keeps coming back, it may be a signal that yeast has taken over another part of the body, such as the intestines. If this is the case, vaginal pessaries and creams will not be able to treat the whole problem. Oral tablets or capsules fight yeast throughout the body and therefore are often prescribed for women who have recurrent thrush.

Capsules are available either as a single dose (fluconazole) or as two capsules to be taken in the same day (itraconazole). Many women prefer pills to creams or pessaries, but they are more likely to cause side effects and should not be used if you're pregnant, breastfeeding or taking certain medication.

Warning: If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not use oral treatments for thrush. Some pessaries and creams may be safe to use, or you may want to consider alternative treatments. It's always a good idea to check with your doctor or midwife before using any treatment while you're pregnant.

Also, oral medication for thrush may cause nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness or skin rash. It may also cause more serious problems if you are using it at the same time as other drugs such as loratadine (an antihistamine used in some allergy medication). If you're taking medication for another condition, check with the pharmacist or your doctor before taking antifungal tablets.

Alternative Treatments for Thrush
There is also a range of alternative or complementary treatments for thrush. Not all of these treatments are supported by research, but many women find them useful. Complementary treatments tend to be most effective when used as soon as you begin to notice the symptoms of thrush.

•Calendula: A byproduct of marigold flowers, calendula is both antifungal and soothing. Calendula pessaries for thrush are available at some health food stores. Calendula cream or gel may be helpful if applied directly on the irritated area outside of your vagina. Do not put a cream or gel into your vagina unless it says on the package that it is safe to use internally.

•Garlic: Garlic has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties, and may help stop thrush in some women. Peel a clove of garlic (be careful not to nick it), wrap it in muslin to make sure you can remove it and insert it into your vagina. Leave the garlic in overnight. Be prepared to smell quite strongly of garlic while you're using this treatment.

•Tea Tree Oil: Some women find tea tree oil helpful in stopping thrush. Its effectiveness in fighting candida albicans is also supported by scientific studies. To use tea tree oil for thrush, put tea tree oil on the tip of a tampon and insert it into your vagina, then put tea tree on a pantyliner or towel or dampen cotton wool with tea tree (mixed with water) and gently wipe around the vaginal area

It's important to consider that Candida species are frequently part of the human body's normal oral and intestinal flora. Treatment with antibiotics can lead to eliminating the yeast's natural competitors for resources, and increase the severity of the condition. As such, approach this condition with caution; too much of a certain treatment can open the way for even more maladies and diseases.

How to Get Rid of Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Getting Rid Of A Sexually Transmitted Diseases

A sexually transmitted disease (STD) or venereal disease (VD) is an illness that has a significant probability of transmission between humans or animals by means of sexual contact, including vaginal intercourse, oral sex and anal sex. Increasingly, the term sexually transmitted infection (STI) is used, as it has a broader range of meaning; a person may be infected, and may potentially infect others, without showing signs of disease. Some STIs can also be transmitted via use of an IV drug needle after its use by an infected person, as well as through childbirth or breastfeeding. Sexually transmitted infections have been well-known for hundreds of years.


Specifically, the term STD refers only to infections that are causing symptoms. Because most of the time people don't know that they are infected with an STD until they start showing symptoms of disease, most people use the term STD, even though the term STI is also appropriate in many cases. Moreover, the term sexually transmissible disease is sometimes used since it is less restrictive in consideration of other factors or means of transmission. For instance, meningitis is transmissible by means of sexual contact but is not labeled as an STI because sexual contact is not the primary vector for the pathogens that cause meningitis. This discrepancy is addressed by the probability of infection by means other than sexual contact.

Prevention of STDs
•Avoid Contact: The most effective way to prevent sexual transmission of STIs is to avoid contact of body parts or fluids that can lead to disease transfer, but not necessarily any sexual activity with an infected partner. No contact equals no risk—not all sexual activities involve contact, such as cybersex, phonesex or masturbation from a distance are methods of avoiding contact.

•Get Tested: Ideally, both partners should get tested for STIs before initiating sexual contact or if a partner engaged in contact with someone else, but even then, certain STIs, particularly certain persistent viruses like HPV, may be impossible to detect with current medical procedures as they may be asymptomatic. Prevention is also key in addressing viral STIs such as HIV and herpes, as they are currently incurable.

•Vaccines: Many diseases that establish permanent infections can occupy the immune system such that other diseases become more easily transmitted. Vaccines are available that protect against some viral STIs, such as Hepatitis B and some types of HPV. Vaccination before initiation of sexual contact is advised to assure maximal protection.
The Innate immune system led by defensins against HIV can prevent transmission of HIV when viral counts are very low, but if busy with other viruses or overwhelmed, HIV can establish itself. Certain viral STIs also greatly increase the risk of death for HIV infected patients.

•Condoms: Condoms only provide protection when used properly as a barrier over a certain area. Uncovered areas are still susceptible to many STDs. In the case of HIV, sexual transmission routes almost always involve the penis, as HIV cannot spread through unbroken skin, thus properly shielding the penis with a properly worn condom from the vagina and anus effectively stops HIV transmission.

A female condom is a device that is used during sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy and transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs—such as gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV). Female condoms are inserted into the vagina prior to intercourse. They may also be used for anal sex, although they are less effective.

•Dental Dam: A dental dam (originally used in dentistry) is a sheet of latex used for protection when engaging in oral sex. It's typically used as a barrier between the mouth and the vulva during cunnilingus or between the mouth and the anus during anilingus.

•Medical Gloves: Medical gloves made out of latex, vinyl, nitrile or polyurethane may be used as an ersatz (inferior) dental dam during oral sex, or to protect the hands during mutual masturbation. Hands may have invisible cuts on them that may admit pathogens that are found in the reproductive fluids of the STD-infected. Although the risk of infection in this manner is thought to be low, gloves can be used as an extra precaution.

•Dildos and Sex Toys: Another way to avoid contact with blood and semen is penetration, but not by the penis, such as using (properly cleaned) dildos or other sex toys. If a sex toy is to be used in more than one orifice, a condom can be used over it and changed when the toy is moved. Fisting (penetration by the hand), has its own risks, but the risk of HIV transfer can be reduced by latex gloves or a condom. Pegging, female-to-male anal sex with a strap-on dildo, as promoted by sex educator Carol Queen does not involve fluid transfer.

Treatment of STDs

Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Nongonococcal or Nonspecific Urethritis (NGU/NSU)

•Take all the medication prescribed for you exactly as instructed.

•Return for a test in 2 weeks. If you stop too soon, you might still have the infection and not know it. It could spread to other parts of your body or to your sexual partners.

•Inform recent partners that they need to get checked to see if they also need treatment.
HIV (AIDS)

•There is no cure for HIV (AIDS). But you can learn how to strengthen your immune system and there are medications that slow the progression of the disease. Many infected for 10 or more years still feel well.

•Find out about classes, books, support groups and clinics specializing in HIV (AIDS) information and care in your area.
Hepatitis A, B and C

•Rest is the only treatment.

•People with hepatitis need to eat well and to avoid drugs and alcohol that damage the liver. In most cases, recovery is complete in 3-16 weeks. In more severe cases, complete bed rest and hospitalization might be necessary.

•Inform recent partners that they need to get checked to see if they also need treatment.

•Get the hepatitis B vaccine if you haven't already been exposed to the virus!

Syphilis

•Treatment depends on the stage of the infection, but usually some form of penicillin is required to destroy all the bacteria.

•Flu-like symptoms often occur for several hours or days right after receiving penicillin.

•Inform all sexual partners during the last three months that they need to get checked to see if they also need treatment.
Herpes

•There is no cure for herpes.

•Acyclovir can reduce the severity and frequency of outbreaks for some people.

•Avoid heat and friction when blisters are present. Wear loose underwear.

•Drying agents or aspirin might help.

•Call the Herpes Hotline to learn more.

•Inform recent partners to get checked if they have sores or blisters appear.
Genital Warts

•Genital warts cannot be cured. Even after the wart tissue is destroyed, the virus remains and warts can reappear months or years later.

•A variety of ways can be used to destroy the wart tissue: Acid, freezing, burning and cutting are frequently used.

•Usually, you will need to return for several treatments. Where tissue was destroyed, a scab will form that will fall off after a few days, occasionally leaving a small scar. While it heals, keep it clean by bathing with mild soap and warm water.

•Inform recent partners that this disease is very infectious and to make sure they get checked. Women will need a cervical (vaginal) exam and possibly a pap smear.
Lice and Scabies

•Lice: Permethin 1% (Nix) shampoo is left on for 10 minutes then thoroughly rinsed off. Do not let it get in the eyes.

•Scabies: Gamma benzene hexachloride 1% (Lindane) lotion is spread thinly on dry skin and left on for 8-12 hours before rinsing it off.

•Remove lice/nits from eyes with tweezers; no medication should be used near the eyes.

•For both: Clothing and bed linen used in the past two weeks should be washed in hot water and/or dried in a hot cycle, or dry-cleaned.

•Hydrocortisone cream or other soothing lotions may be used for the itching that might persist for a few days after treatment.

•Treat bed partners and any house mates who also have symptoms.
Any organization or workplace should consider all the elements of an STD program discussed in the above guidelines. However, the examples provided are sometimes feasible only within a large organization or workplace. Monitoring and evaluation will involve different indicators to those used by larger organizations that provide services such as STD treatment and diagnosis.

On a more individual basis, STD treatment and prevention are more the couple's prerogative than anything else, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to practice proper, hygienic and protected sex instead of waiting for the STD to infect you. Contraceptives, birth control methods and vaccination can mean the difference between a potentially embarrassing and painful condition and a healthy, carefree and responsible sex life.

How To Get Rid Of Mastitis - Getting Rid Of Mastitis

While a women's breasts can feed life, they can become troublesome, especially when infection sets in. In such cases the breasts provide discomfort. Mastitis is a common infection experienced by many women.

Mastitis Overview
Mastitis is the inflammation of the breast, usually caused by an infection. The swelling and inflammation is usually accompanied by pain and redness, as well as an increase in the temperature of the breast. When it occurs in lactating mothers, it is called puerperal mastitis, and it is non-puerperal when otherwise. If you think this is another of those women-only diseases, think again. Mastitis does occur in men, although it is rather rare.

Mastitis often occurs during the first six weeks after giving birth (called postpartum), although it happening during breast-feeding is also possible. If you're a woman and you have mastitis, the condition will often leave you exhausted and worn off, making taking care of your newborn baby a real chore. Mastitis shouldn't be a reason for you to stop breastfeeding, though; you can still continue the function even if you have mastitis.

Causes of Mastitis
Mastitis is primarily caused when bacteria enters your breast. There are several possible ways for this to happen. Bacteria that is normally found in a baby's mouth may find their way through the small cracks in the skin of the nipple, enter the milk ducts, and then multiply rapidly in the breast milk. Two things can stem from this: a superficial small area of inflammation or a deeper, walled-off abscess. As the infection progresses, the characteristic pain, swelling, and redness begin to manifest themselves. Usually, mastitis is only found in the affected breast.


One to three percent of breastfeeding mothers develop mastitis. Usually, this happens within the first few weeks of the baby's delivery. Incomplete breast emptying or just plain engorgement can exacerbate the problem and make the symptoms worse. For women who are not breastfeeding, chronic mastitis can occur. Chronic inflammation of the ducts below the nipple is also another probable cause of mastitis. Milk ducts can also become clogged with dead skin cells and other debris due to hormonal changes in the body, making them more prone to bacterial infection. Even with the use of antibiotics, this type of infection usually recurs.

Symptoms of Mastitis
Like most infections, mastitis has signs and symptoms that are readily apparent to anyone. The symptoms can appear suddenly and usually include:

•tenderness and swelling of the breast, which can be warm to the touch

•general malaise and feelings of fatigue and exhaustion

•feelings of being ill or indisposed

•body pains

•redness on the skin, usually wedge-shaped

•persistent fever that usually does not show any signs of improvement within the next 48 to 72 hours of treatment

•pus draining from the nipple

•pain or burning sensation when breastfeeding
You don't have to worry about mastitis contracting to the other breast. It just stays confined to one breast, not both.

Getting Rid of Mastitis

Mastitis is bacterial, meaning that the organism that causes it is a strain of bacteria. As such, it can be treated using the methods used for most bacterial infections.

•Use antibiotics. Mastitis usually requires that you take antibiotics for 10 to 14 days. The two most common antibiotics chosen are cephalexin and dicloxacillin. If you're allergic to common antibiotics, your doctor may prescribe erythromycin for you. In any case, the antibiotic will largely depend on the situation, the doctor's preference, and your medical history and allergies. Your doctor will also make sure that the antibiotic used will be safe for the breastfeeding baby


Even if you will feel well 24 to 48 hours after you've taken the medication, it is advised that you take the full course of medication to minimize recurrence.

•Take other medications. Pain relievers are good for reducing the amount of pain you feel. Medications for fever will also help ease the fever symptoms. Just be sure that any medication you take will not harm the breastfeeding baby. If you're not sure, consult your doctor.

•Don't stop breastfeeding. If you're afraid of the pain that comes from having the affected breast being sucked by your baby, don't be. Frequent emptying of the milk from the breast will ensure that there won't be any clogging on the ducts or engorgement that may worsen your condition. The bacteria shouldn't harm the baby since it may have originated from him or her in the first place, but if you're still hesitant to do so, then use a breast pump to empty your breast.

•Eat a healthy diet and get plenty of rest. Boost up your immune system by eating proper foods and getting enough rest. A souped-up immune system will get rid of the bacterial infection even without the help of medications. Also, drink plenty of fluids, both to keep yourself hydrated and to increase your milk supply.

If your condition does not improve or if it worsens in the next two or three days even after taking antibiotics, then go for a check-up. It might be something more serious than just mastitis and the sooner you can confirm, the better, both for you and your baby.

How to Get Rid of Heel Pain - Getting Rid Of Heel Pain

Heel pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis—a condition that's sometimes also called heel spur syndrome when a spur is present. Heel pain may also be due to other causes, such as a stress fracture, tendonitis, arthritis, nerve irritation or, rarely, a cyst. Because there are several potential causes, it's important to have heel pain properly diagnosed. A foot and ankle surgeon is best trained to distinguish between all the possibilities and determine the underlying source of your heel pain. Long story short, plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the band of tissue (the plantar fascia) that extends from the heel to the toes. In this condition, the fascia first becomes irritated and then inflamed-resulting in heel pain.

Treatment of Heel Pain

Treatment of plantar fasciitis begins with first-line strategies that you can begin at home:

•Avoid going barefoot. When you walk without shoes, you put undue strain and stress on your plantar fascia.

•Ice. Putting an ice pack on your heel for 10 minutes several times a day helps reduce inflammation.

•Limit activities. Cut down on extended physical activities to give your heel a rest.

•Shoe modifications. Wearing supportive shoes that have good arch support and a slightly raised heel reduces stress on the plantar fascia. Your shoes should provide a comfortable environment for the foot.

•Medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen may help reduce pain and inflammation.

•Lose weight. Extra pounds put extra stress on your plantar fascia.

•Shoes prerequisites. Wear shoes that fit well—front, back and sides—and have shock-absorbent soles, rigid shanks and supportive heel counters. Also, wear the proper shoes for each activity. Don't wear shoes with excessive wear on heels or soles. If you have experienced painful heels, try wearing your shoes around your house in the evening. Don't wear slippers or socks or go barefoot.

•Prepare properly before exercising. Warm up and do stretching exercises before and after running.

•Pacing. Pace yourself when you participate in athletic activities.

•Resting and nutrition. Don’t underestimate your body's need for rest and good nutrition.

If you still have pain after several weeks, see your foot and ankle surgeon, who may add one or more of these approaches:

•Padding and strapping. Placing pads in the shoe softens the impact of walking. Strapping helps support the foot and reduce strain on the fascia.

•Orthotic devices. Custom orthotic devices that fit into your shoe help correct the underlying structural abnormalities causing the plantar fasciitis.

•Injection therapy. In some cases, corticosteroid injections are used to help reduce the inflammation and relieve pain.

•Removable walking cast. A removable walking cast may be used to keep your foot immobile for a few weeks to allow it to rest and heal.

•Night splint. Wearing a night splint allows you to maintain an extended stretch of the plantar fascia while sleeping. This may help reduce the morning pain experienced by some patients.

•Physical therapy. Exercises and other physical therapy measures may be used to help provide relief.

•When to contact the doctor. If the pain persists longer than one month, you should visit a podiatrist for evaluation and treatment. Your feet should not hurt, and professional podiatric care may be required to help relieve your discomfort.

•Exercise precautions. If you have not exercised in a long time, consult your podiatric physician before starting a new exercise program. Also, begin an exercise program slowly. Don't go too far or too fast.

•Shoe replacement. Purchase and maintain good shoes and replace them regularly.

•Stretching exercises. Exercises that stretch out the calf muscles help ease pain and assist with recovery. You may also try gentle calf stretches for 20 to 30 seconds on each leg. This is best done barefoot, leaning forward towards a wall with one foot forward and one foot back.

•Walking on surfaces. Avoid uneven walking surfaces or stepping on rocks as much as possible. Moreover, avoid going barefoot on hard surfaces.

•Treadmill tips. Vary the incline on a treadmill during exercise. Nobody walks uphill all the time.

•Listen to your pain. If it hurts, stop. Don't try to "work through the pain."

•Surgery. Although most patients with plantar fasciitis respond to non-surgical treatment, a small percentage of patients may require surgery. If, after several months of non-surgical treatment, you continue to have heel pain, surgery will be considered. Your foot and ankle surgeon will discuss the surgical options with you and determine which approach would be most beneficial for you.

How to Get Rid of Stomach Ulcers - Getting Rid Of Stomach Ulcers

A stomach ulcer (also called a peptic ulcer) is a small erosion (hole) in the gastrointestinal tract. The most common type, duodenal, occurs in the first twelve inches of small intestine beyond the stomach. Ulcers that form in the stomach are called gastric ulcers. An ulcer is not contagious or cancerous. Duodenal ulcers are almost always benign, while stomach ulcers may become malignant. Stomach ulcer disease is common, affecting millions of Americans yearly. The size of a stomach ulcer can range between one-eighths of an inch to three-fourths of an inch.

Ulcers are common in people of all ages for a variety of reasons. Basically, ulcers (also called gastric or peptic ulcers) are eroding holes in the lining of the stomach or intestinal tracts caused by inflammation. Getting rid of ulcers is a long (can take about two months or longer), careful process—and if you're not careful, an ulcer can turn into something worse that could kill you, like a bleeding ulcer. In any case, below are the steps you can take--as prescribed by doctors—to get rid of your ulcer.

Causes of Stomach Ulcers
The direct cause of peptic ulcers is the destruction of the gastric or intestinal mucosal lining of the stomach by hydrochloric acid, an acid normally present in the digestive juices of the stomach. Infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is thought to play an important role in causing both gastric and duodenal ulcers. H. pylori may be transmitted from person to person through contaminated food and water. Antibiotics are the most effective treatment for H. pylori peptic ulcers.

Injury of the gastric mucosal lining and weakening of the mucous defenses are also responsible for gastric ulcers. Excess secretion of hydrochloric acid, genetic predisposition and psychological stress are important contributing factors in the formation and worsening of duodenal ulcers. Another major cause of ulcers is the chronic use of anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin. Cigarette smoking is also an important cause of ulcer formation and ulcer treatment failure.

Treatment of Stomach Ulcers
•See the Doctor: If you have any unexplainable stomach pain, see a doctor immediately to diagnose ulcers. The first step to getting rid of an ulcer is identifying it, otherwise you run the risk of doing more damage to your already fragile stomach. If a doctor can't positively identify an ulcer, or the treatments are ineffective, he will probably test you with an upper endoscopy, a blood test for hereditary or bacterial predisposition to ulcers, and/or a CAT scan.
•Acid Blockers and Antacids: To get rid of ulcers, take medication to reduce the acid in your digestive system, relieve pain and encourage healing. Acid blockers, antacids and proton pump inhibitors are most frequently used to do this. Acid blockers reduce the amount of hydrochloric acid in your system by stopping histamine from reacting with histamine receptors and signaling the release of acid.
Antacids, like Rolaids or Tums, simply neutralize acids already in your system and can be taken alone or with an acid blocker. A proton pump inhibitor, like Prilosec OTC, blocks the "pumps" within acid-secreting cells. Proton pump inhibitors are most often prescribed to heal ulcers.
•Don't take NSAIDs: Stop taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) immediately. NSAIDs are used to treat pain and inflammation and are popular because of their low addiction rate; the two most recognized NSAIDs are ibuprofen and aspirin. Nevertheless, NSAIDs can contribute to and even cause ulcers because they work against three things necessary to getting rid of ulcers: the production of the mucus that coats the stomach lining, the chemical bicarbonate that neutralizes stomach acid and blood circulation to the stomach that helps repair and renew damaged cells. For this reason, it's never a good idea to take NSAIDs too frequently or in large doses, and it's a really bad idea to take them if you have diagnosed ulcers.
•Be Careful What you Eat: What you eat may affect your ulcer, but this isn't true for everyone. Certain foods like black pepper, meat extracts, mustard seeds, nutmeg and even decaffeinated coffee can affect ulcer patients. You may want to avoid these things if they bother you, but keep your diet mostly balanced. Try eating small, frequent meals when you're having pain.
•Cutting Acid from your Diet: Cutting acid out of your diet will help you get rid of ulcers. A significant change in diet is an important (and difficult) part of treating an ulcer. This change doesn't have to be permanent, but it is essential for true healing. Because ulcers are caused by damage from acid, acid can't be a part of your diet. This means no tomatoes or foods containing tomato products (red pasta sauce, ketchup, pizza and salsa), no citrus fruit or foods containing citric acid (Who knew ginger ale had citric acid in it?) and definitely no alcohol. You have no idea how hard this is until you try it.
•Cutting Caffeine from your Diet: Cutting caffeine out of your diet will help get rid of ulcers too. Caffeine can stimulate the secretion of stomach acid, which will keep your ulcers from healing and worsen your pain. These are a list of foods that you should avoid containing caffeine: coffee, tea (decaffeinated herbal is okay), chocolate, mint and soda. Even though it's a challenge, it's extremely important to hold to these dietary restrictions; ulcers can easily progress into something more complicated and dangerous if you're not careful.
•Dairy Products: Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt can help to neutralize stomach acid. Increasing your dairy products may help your tummy to feel better while treating your ulcers.
•Massage: A gentle massage can relieve stomach pain from ulcers. Have someone (or do it yourself) softly massage your abdomen, alternating kneading motions with circular strokes.
•Heat: Applying soothing heat (either a heating pad or a warm washcloth) on your abdomen can relieve ulcer pain.
Treatment of Helicobacter Pylori Infection
•Triple Therapy: When Helicobacter pylori infection is present with the ulcer, the most effective treatments are combinations of 2 antibiotics (e.g., any combination of Clarithromycin, Amoxicillin, Tetracycline and Metronidazole) and 1 proton pump inhibitor (PPI), sometimes together with a bismuth compound. (one brand name: Pepto-Bismol). Other combinations may also be effective. This treatment may be used with medicine that reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes (antacids).
•Advanced Therapy: In complicated, treatment-resistant cases, 3 antibiotics (e.g. Amoxicillin + Clarithromycin + Metronidazole) may be used together with a PPI and sometimes with the bismuth compound. An effective first-line therapy for uncomplicated cases would be Amoxicillin + Metronidazole + Rabeprazole (a PPI). In the absence of H. pylori, long-term higher dose PPIs are often used.
•H2 Antagonists: Younger patients with ulcer-like symptoms are often treated with antacids or H2 antagonists before EGD is undertaken. Bismuth compounds may actually reduce or even clear organisms. Patients who are taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) may also be prescribed a prostaglandin analogue (Misoprostol) in order to help prevent peptic ulcers, which may be a side effect of the NSAIDs.

Treatment of H. pylori usually leads to the clearing of infection, relief of symptoms and eventual healing of ulcers. Recurrence of infection can occur and retreatment may be required, if necessary with other antibiotics.

Since the widespread use of PPIs in the 1990s, surgical procedures (like "highly selective vagotomy") for uncomplicated peptic ulcers became obsolete. Perforated peptic ulcer is a surgical emergency and requires surgical repair of the perforation. Most bleeding ulcers require endoscopy urgently to stop bleeding with cautery or injection.

Indeed, ulcers are a hassle to deal with because only time can tell when these pains will go away. Still, now that you know most everything there is to know about ulcers, your digestive and physical health should be relatively safe once again. Just remember to make use of these tips and information properly before it's too late.

How to Get Rid of Whiplash - Getting Rid Of Whiplash

Whiplash is a non-medical term used to describe neck pain following an injury to the soft tissues of your neck (specifically ligaments tendons, and muscles). It's caused by an abnormal motion or force applied to your neck that causes movement beyond the neck's normal range of motion. The term whiplash was first used in 1928, and despite its replacement by synonyms (such as acceleration flexion-extension neck injury and soft tissue cervical hyperextension injury), it continues to be used to describe this common soft tissue neck injury. Your doctor may use the more specific terms of cervical sprain, cervical strain or hyperextension injury.

Whiplash happens in motor vehicle accidents, sporting activities, accidental falls and assault. Whiplash and whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) represent a range of injuries to the neck caused by or related to a sudden distortion of the neck. Whiplash is commonly associated with motor vehicle accidents, usually when the vehicle has been hit in the rear. However, the injury can be sustained in many other ways, including falls from bicycles or horses or head banging. The exact injury mechanism that causes whiplash injuries is unknown.

Symptoms of Whiplash

Symptoms reported by sufferers include pain and aching to the neck and back, sensory disturbance (such as pins and needles) to the arms and legs, referred pain to the shoulders and headaches. Symptoms can appear directly after the injury, but often aren't felt until days afterwards. Whiplash is usually confined to the spinal cord (neck to pubic bone), and the most common areas of the spinal cord affected by whiplash are the neck and the mid-back (middle of the spine). When it comes to treating whiplash, you'll have to work at it. With time, you will start to feel much better. If you start having increased pain or symptoms like tingling in your fingers or hands, then it would be time to consult an MD.

Causes of Whiplash
A whiplash injury may be the result of impulsive stretching of the spine, mainly the ligament, or anterior longitudinal ligament that's stretched or tears as the head snaps forward and then back again causing a whiplash injury. Whiplash may be caused by any motion similar to a rear-end collision in a motor vehicle, such as incidents that may take place on a roller coaster or other rides at an amusement park, sports injuries such as skiing accidents, other modes of transportation such as airplane travel or from being hit or shaken. Shaken baby syndrome can result in a whiplash injury as well.

Basic Treatment of Whiplash
Home Treatment

Home care is intended to relieve the pain and minimize the amount of inflammation in the soft tissues of the neck.

•Computer: If you're on a computer the good part of the day, this may be your culprit. You need to have the monitor level with your vision so you are neither looking up or down. For most people, this means getting a chair that could be raised or a table with the right size. When you constantly have your neck looking up or down (it's usually up) it can create neck muscle spasm and even headaches. Make sure your not straining to reach your keyboard either.
•Head Exercises: Tilt your head left to stretch and hit your shoulder—hold this for as long as you can, repeat the same procedure with your right side. You should feel a good stretch—but it should not hurt. Afterwards, tilt your head back and hold it for 20 secs.

Massage your neck muscles by primarily using your thumb and two fingers. It it hurts to do this, massage it lightly just to break up some of the spasm you may have. Find the tightness and massage it in a circular motion. You may also go to a professional masseuse and have them work on your neck as well as your shoulder muscles. Quite often when there is a sore neck, there is bound to be tight shoulder muscles.

•Ice: Apply ice to the neck for 20 minutes at a time each hour for the first 24 hours while awake. Don't apply ice directly to the skin. Place a towel between the ice and the neck. Continue to use ice therapy until the pain stops. After you see the doctor, follow his or her directions for ice therapy as well.

•Acetaminophen: Take acetaminophen for pain relief or ibuprofen for anti-inflammatory action. Avoid ibuprofen if you have a past medical history of gastritis, duodenitis, peptic ulcer disease, reflux or other stomach problems.

•Heating Pad: Alternate using an icepack with a heating pad. This will relax your neck and also reduce any swelling.

•Muscle Cream: Muscle cream of any brand should get you by. It's recommended that you to visit a doctor though, because it might be a warning sign of a bigger problem than a simple sore muscle.

•No Slouching: When you drive, make sure your neck is aligned and you're not slouching. Use the neck rest at the back of your seat.

•One Pillow: At night, only use one pillow! If you sleep on your stomach, try to lie on your side. When you put more than one pillow under your neck, it can further strain the muscles. On that note, sleep on a flat bed as far as possible.

•Topical Creams: Bengay or Tiger balm will make the pain seem like it has lessened, but it won't fix the problem. You may also want to try Tylenol to bring down some of the inflammation.

•Physiotherapy: Do some exercises for the area daily or have some physiotherapy done for one week, under the supervision of a qualified physiotherapist.

•Professionals: Did you experience a recent fall or are you recovering from one? If there's any history suggesting acute disturbance to the area, get a proper diagnosis from an orthopedist. Otherwise, the above measures should give you at least some pain relief.
Medical Treatment

Once you decide to see a physical therapist, chiropractor, doctor and/or massage therapist, he or she would most likely will recommend a treatment plan including a mixture of the following:

•Neck massage.
•Neck rest.
•Bed rest.
•Ice therapy.
•Heat therapy.
•Oral pain relievers and muscle relaxers.

•Immobilization of the neck with a soft cervical collar (only a minimal benefit, if any at all).

•Early range of motion exercises combined with heat therapy starting 72 hours after the injury to restore flexibility.

•Avoidance of excessive neck strain for the next week and then increased activity as tolerated in the following week.
Follow Up

If no serious injury is detected in the emergency department, then the patient will be allowed to return home and will be referred to their doctor for follow up care.

•If you continue to have symptoms from your whiplash injury, contact the doctor. Examine the following list of complaints and mention any that the patient may be experiencing: Neck pain, headache, increased fatigue, shoulder or arm pain, back pain, blurred vision, dizziness and sleep disturbance or irritability in young children.

•Depending on the nature and severity of any continuing symptoms, the doctor may refer the patient to another doctor who specializes in the rehabilitation of these types of injuries. The doctor may also encourage physical therapy and monitor the patient for other injuries that may have been aggravated.
Prevention of Whiplash

•Seatbelt: Always wear your seatbelt and adjust your headrest to the proper height when driving. The middle of the headrest should be even with the upper tips of your ears. Seatbelts with shoulder harnesses as well as headrests may not reduce the risk of cervical strain but should be used in all motor vehicles because they reduce the risk of death and serious injury.

•Child Abuse: Child abuse can cause whiplash injuries in children through excessive or violent shaking. Parents need education and counseling. Report suspected child abuse to authorities.

•Air Bags: The effect of air bags on whiplash prevention is still being examined.

Most people recover completely from a whiplash injury in the first six weeks. Others' symptoms continue to improve over the course of a year. There is a 40% chance of experiencing some symptoms after three months and an 18% chance after two years.

How to Get Rid of Sleep Apnea - Getting Rid Of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Each episode, called apneas, lasts long enough so that one or more breaths are missed, and occurs repeatedly throughout sleep. The standard definition of any apneic event includes a minimum of 10 second interval between breaths, with either a neurological arousal (a three-second or greater shift in EEG frequency, measured at C3, C4, O1 or O2), a blood oxygen desaturation of 3-4% or greater, or both arousal and desaturation. Sleep apnea is diagnosed with an overnight sleep test called a polysomnogram.Clinically significant levels of sleep apnea are defined as five or more episodes per hour of any type of apnea (from the polysomnogram).

There are three distinct forms of sleep apnea: central, obstructive and complex (complex is a combination of central and obstructive), made up of 0.4%, 84% and 15% of cases respectively. Breathing is interrupted by the lack of effort in central sleep apnea. In obstructive sleep apnea, breathing is interrupted by a physical block to airflow despite effort. In mixed sleep apnea, there is a transition from central to obstructive features during the events themselves.

Treatment of Sleep Apnea
•CPAP. The most common and arguably the most consistently effective treatment for sleep apnea is the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, that 'splints' the patient's airway open during sleep by means of a flow of pressurized air into the throat. In addition to CPAP, a dentist specializing in sleep disorders can prescribe Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) as well.

The oral appliance is a custom-made mouthpiece that shifts the lower jaw forward, opening up the airway. OAT is usually successful in patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. OAT is a relatively new treatment option for sleep apnea in the United States, but it's more common in Canada and Europe. Unfortunately, CPAP and OAT are effective only for obstructive sleep apnea, not for central or mixed cases.

•Go Lateral. For unknown reasons, possibly due to changes in pulmonary oxygen stores, sleeping in the lateral position has been found to be helpful for central sleep apnea with Cheyne Stokes respiration (CSA-CSR), where respiratory control instability plays a major pathophysiological role.

•Medications. Acetazolamide and other types of medication lower blood pH and encourage respiration. Low doses of oxygen are also used as a treatment for hypoxia but are discouraged due to side effects.

•Didgeridoo. A 2005 study in the British Medical Journal found that learning and practicing the didgeridoo helped reduce snoring and sleep apnea, as well as daytime sleepiness. This appears to work by strengthening muscles in the upper airway, reducing their tendency to collapse during sleep.

•Drugs to Avoid. Many drugs and agents used during surgery to relieve pain and to depress consciousness remain in the body at low amounts for hours or even days afterwards. In an individual with either central, obstructive or mixed sleep apnea, these low doses may be enough to cause life-threatening irregularities in breathing. Use of analgesics and sedatives in these patients postoperatively should be minimized or avoided.

•Green Tea. Compounds found in green tea may help ward off the neurological damage that can come with the breathing disorder sleep apnea, a recent animal study hints. Researchers found that when they added green tea antioxidants to the rats’ drinking water, it appeared to protect the animals’ brains during bouts of oxygen deprivation designed to mimic the effects of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The findings suggest that green tea compounds should be further studied as a potential OSA therapy, the researchers report in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. OSA is a common disorder in which soft tissues in the throat temporarily collapse and block the airway during sleep, causing repeated stops and starts in breathing throughout the night.

•Lifestyle Changes. Some treatments involve lifestyle changes, such as avoiding alcohol or muscle relaxants, losing weight and quitting smoking. Many people benefit from sleeping at a 30 degree elevation of the upper body or higher, as if in a recliner. Doing so helps prevent the gravitational collapse of the airway.

Lateral positions (sleeping on one side), as opposed to supine positions (sleeping on the back), are also recommended as a treatment for sleep apnea, largely because the gravitational component is smaller than in the lateral position.

•Other options. Another option is wearing an oral appliance designed to keep your throat open. CPAP is more effective than oral appliances, but oral appliances may be easier for you to use. Some are designed to open your throat by bringing your jaw forward, that can sometimes relieve both snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea.

A number of devices are available from your dentist. You may need to try different devices before finding one that works for you. Once you find the right fit, you'll still need to follow up with your dentist at least every six months during the first year and then at least once a year after that to ensure that the fit is still good and to reassess your signs and symptoms.

•Undergo Surgery. Surgery on the mouth and throat, as well as other dental procedures can result in postoperative swelling of the lining of the mouth and other areas that affect the airway. The surgical procedure is designed to improve the airway, such as tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy or tongue reduction. Swelling may negate some of the effects in the immediate postoperative period. Individuals with sleep apnea generally require more intensive monitoring after surgery for these reasons.

The goal of surgery for sleep apnea is to remove excess tissue from your nose or throat that may be vibrating and causing you to snore. You may be blocking your upper air passages and causing sleep apnea. Surgical options may include:

1.Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). During this procedure, your doctor removes tissue from the rear of your mouth and top of your throat. Your tonsils and adenoids are usually removed as well. This type of surgery may be successful in stopping throat structures from vibrating and causing snoring; however, it may be less successful in treating sleep apnea because tissue farther down your throat may still block your air passage. UPPP is usually performed in a hospital and requires a general anesthetic.

2.Maxillomandibular advancement. In this procedure, the upper and lower part of your jaw is moved forward from the remainder of your face bones. This enlarges the space behind the tongue and soft palate, making obstruction less likely. This procedure may require the cooperation of an oral surgeon and an orthodontist, and at times may be combined with another procedure to improve the likelihood of success.

3.Tracheostomy. You may need this form of surgery if other treatments have failed and you have severe, life-threatening sleep apnea. In this procedure, your surgeon makes an opening in your neck and inserts a metal or plastic tube through which you breathe. You keep the opening covered during the day. But at night you uncover it to allow air to pass in and out of your lungs, bypassing the blocked air passage in your throat.

Removing tissues in the back of your throat with a laser (laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty) or with radiofrequency energy (radiofrequency ablation) are procedures that doctors sometimes use to treat snoring. Although sometimes these procedures are combined with others, they aren't usually recommended as sole treatments for obstructive sleep apnea.

•Along with these treatments, you may read or hear about different treatments for sleep apnea, such as implants. Although a number of medical devices and procedures have received Food and Drug Administration clearance, there's limited published research regarding how useful they are, and they aren't generally recommended as sole therapies.

Causes of Sleep Apnea
Generally, drugs that are central respiratory depressants also have sedative effects, so the individual taking a toxic dose of such a drug is likely to be asleep, or at least be in an altered state of consciousness when breathing becomes irregular. Alcohol is considered a central respiratory depressant in large doses, and so are opiates, barbiturates, benzodiazepines and many other tranquilizers.

Some individuals have abnormalities that predispose them to central sleep apnea. The treatment for the condition depends on its specific cause. Similarly, in any person who has some form of sleep apnea (including obstructive sleep apnea), breathing irregularities during sleep can be dangerously aggravated by taking one of these drugs.

Quantities that are normally considered safe may cause the person with chronic sleep apnea to stop breathing altogether. Should these individuals have general anesthesia, for example, they require prolonged monitoring after initial recovery, compared to a person with no history of sleep apnea, because apnea is likely to occur with even low levels of the drugs in their system.

Treatment for sleep apnea is aimed at restoring regular nighttime breathing and relieving symptoms such as loud snoring and daytime sleepiness. Sleep apnea treatments also help with associated medical problems such as high blood pressure and reduce the patient's risk of heart attack and stroke. As such, armed with all this knowledge, be assured that you've already won half the battle against this tricky respiratory condition.

How to Get Rid of Stomach Flu - Getting Rid Of The Stomach Flu

Almost everyone has had, or will have, what many people call stomach flu. The technical term for this is "gastroenteritis", which means irritation of the stomach and the intestines. Although it often goes away by itself in a couple of days (thus the term "24-hour flu"), it sometimes lasts longer—and having it is a miserable experience for everyone concerned. The symptoms can vary depending on the cause of the illness, but the "classic" signs of stomach flu are a combination of diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Vomiting and fever may or may not occur, but diarrhea is almost always part of the picture.

Gastroenteritis in young children is most often due to viral infections. There are many viruses that can produce diarrhea, with or without vomiting, and these include the rotaviruses that people usually see in the wintertime, the enteroviruses that are more common in summer and adenoviruses that can occur year-round but usually cause respiratory problems, although they can cause diarrhea in babies.

Causes of Stomach Flu

A recently identified cause of gastroenteritis is the Norwalk virus and other noroviruses that has been implicated in several outbreaks of gastroenteritis among cruise-ship passengers. Generally, once a particular virus infects you, you aren't likely to get it again, but there are many viruses around and it takes a while for a person to have all of them.

There are also bacteria that cause gastroenteritis. They aren't as common in the United States and other countries with well-developed plumbing and sanitation systems. However, bacterial gastroenteritis is seen frequently where sanitation isn't as good, especially anywhere where drinking water may have been tainted by human or animal waste, including rural areas of the US and other developed countries. Bacterial gastroenteritis can also come from contaminated food (for example, Salmonella outbreaks in potato salad or other egg-based dishes). Bacterial gastroenteritis is rarer than viral, but sometimes won't go away without antibiotics.

Treatment of Stomach Flu
•Precautions: Although bacterial gastroenteritis is helped by antibiotics, they don't help in cases of the more common viral gastroenteritis—in fact, antibiotics can cause or worsen diarrhea. Usually specialists try to make sure a child stays properly hydrated, and wait until the virus has run its course.

•Hydration: It is a good idea to drink a lot of fluids. Diarrhea, a very common stomach flu symptom, causes dehydration very quickly. Even after drinking almost 8-10 glasses of water every day, you're still going to be dehydrated and short of electrolytes. So, get some Gatorade in bulk. Don't fight the poop soup, just let it go. Your body needs to get rid of that stuff.

•Pedialyte TM: To reiterate, keeping your child well-hydrated is the mainstay of getting him or her over gastroenteritis. Indeed, the most important part of treatment is to give fluids that your child will keep down and absorb. Pedialyte TM and similar "rehydration formulas" consist of water with sugar and certain minerals. The sugar helps provide energy, and the minerals helps the body absorb water better.

Unfortunately, Pedialyte doesn't taste all that good for some people. Sure, there are flavored versions available, but sometimes they aren't all that great-tasting either. Then again, keep in mind that medicine shouldn't have to taste good. Other brands of rehydration fluids (Infalyte, Rehydralyte) may taste better to some people; they certainly taste different.

•Pedialyte Cocktail: Many doctors have tried to get children to drink Pedialyte by mixing it with other things. The risk here is that changing the sugar/mineral balance will make the fluids harder to absorb. Unsweetened Kool-Aid is fairly safe, since it contains no sugar. The sugar concentration of, for example, Pepsi Cola, will throw the Pedialyte balance way off—and, in fact, there is so much sugar in most soft drinks that they can act as laxatives and worsen diarrhea. The same holds true for some "sports drinks" (Gatorade is a sports drink, its sugar content is dubious). I haven't tried mixing diet soda and Pedialyte; that may be all right but might cause problems.

•Rice and Cooking Water: Although some people have occasionally recommended the popular folk remedy of boiling rice in water, pouring off the water, and serving the water (which contains sugars, minerals, and proteins from the rice) to a child with gastroenteritis, it's no longer advisable as a stomach flu remedy nowadays; there aren't enough minerals or carbohydrates in the rice water for it to be well-absorbed. Giving rice in the cooking water, however, does seem to help.

•Avoid Plain Water: Another fluid you should avoid with severe gastroenteritis is plain water in large amounts. Plain water is not absorbed as well as water with sugar and minerals. More important, since you lose minerals as well as water in diarrhea and plain water doesn't make up for the minerals lost, your mineral balances can be thrown way off—possibly to the point of having seizures.

•Simple Diet: Simplifying your diet will help you cure gastroenteritis. Keep your diet down to clear liquids for the first 24 hours (broth, water and juices). If you feel better after 24 hours, then you can move on to foods like white rice, white bread, apple sauce and bananas. Try to avoid citrus, greasy foods, dairy and tomato products, alcohol, coffee and carbonated drinks. In other words, don't go to McDonald's.

•Foods to Eat: As most people know, stool consistency depends largely on what kinds of food you eat even under normal circumstances. Eating the right kinds of foods and avoiding the wrong ones can make a big difference in how fast you get over gastroenteritis. Usually clear liquids are the most easily absorbed "food" of all. They also provide extra water (along with minerals) to help prevent dehydration, and they are usually well-tolerated. The best clear liquid is Pedialyte (if your child will actually drink it—see above). Clear soups (like bouillon) don't work well, because they are often very salty.

Tea, even with a little sugar, is actually not very good, since the caffeine in tea is a diuretic (it makes you urinate more—which you don't want if you're becoming dehydrated). Heavily sugared drinks, like cola, can actually increase diarrhea by drawing water into the stool (that's why doctors sometimes recommend corn syrup added to formula as a gentle treatment for constipated babies)—and the caffeine in cola will make you urinate more than usual, just like the caffeine in tea (and coffee). Once your child's appetite begins to improve, start giving solid foods again.

•Measuring Fluid Intake: If you or your child is vomiting persistently, it's best not to push fluids very hard—the results can be frustrating (and a mess) for all concerned. You can treat vomiting by waiting about 10-15 minutes after the last feeding attempt, then giving a very small amount of clear liquid (as little as a teaspoon).

If this stays down, then give another tablespoon 2-3 minutes later. If that stays down also, then increase the next feeding by 1 teaspoon, and keep increasing the amount until you are giving 2-4 ounces/feeding (depending on your child's size). If your child throws up a feeding, wait about 15 minutes, then resume at one teaspoon per feeding and work up again. Again, watch the urine output—that's the best indicator of whether you're getting enough fluid in.

•Medicine: In regards to medicine for gastroenteritis, don't overdo it. The diarrhea will usually go away in a few days without medicines if you avoid irritating foods. Over-the-counter diarrhea remedies tend to stop the diarrhea without doing anything about the cause. Remember that doctors have almost no antibiotics for this type of virus. If the problem is a bacterial infection, antibiotics may help, but your doctor has to know what bacteria he or she is dealing with to pick the right antibiotics.

Also remember that antibiotics, by changing the bacterial population in the intestines, can cause diarrhea themselves. Most of the antidiarrhea medicines have side effects—some of which can be really nasty. In some rare cases, antidiarrhea medicines may help, but you should ask your doctor before trying any of them.
When to Call for Help

•If you or your child hasn't urinated for 6 hours or more and you can't get him or yourself to keep even clear liquids down.

•If you or your child is becoming lethargic or listless. "Lethargic" means that the patient is so out of it that he can't recognize people he or she usually knows. A patient that can't recognize his parents and/or loved ones is very lethargic and needs to be seen by a doctor. A "listless" patient is one who isn't as active as usual—the less active, the more listless.

•If you or your child's mouth looks dry or his eyes are sunken. These are late signs of dehydration, although usually not as late as true lethargy.
By now you should realize that there isn't much more you can do about gastroenteritis or the stomach flu than simply treat the symptoms and wait a while before you can get rid of gastroenteritis. So just stock up on Gatorade, Tylenol and a season or two of your favorite sitcom. If your symptoms don't go away within 48 hours, or if you're having sharp, localized pains, or if you develop a high fever, or if you have blood in your vomit or in your stool, then it's a good idea to call your doctor immediately.

How to Get Rid of Tonsillitis - Getting Rid Of Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils and will often (but not necessarily) cause a sore throat and fever. There are 3 main types of tonsillitis: acute, subacute and chronic. Acute tonsillitis can either be bacterial or viral (75%) in origin. Subacute tonsillitis (which can last between 3 weeks and 3 months) is caused by the bacterium Actinomyces. Chronic tonsillitis, which can last for long periods if not treated, is almost always bacterial. An abscess may develop lateral to the tonsil during an infection, typically several days after the onset of tonsillitis. This is termed a peritonsillar abscess (or quinsy). Rarely, the infection may spread beyond the tonsil resulting in inflammation and infection of the internal jugular vein giving rise to a spreading septicaemia infection (Lemierre's syndrome). In chronic/recurrent cases or in acute cases where the palatine tonsils become so swollen that swallowing is impaired, a tonsillectomy can be performed to remove the tonsils. Patients whose tonsils have been removed are certainly still protected from infection by the rest of their immune system. Bacteria feeding on mucus that accumulates in pits (referred to as "crypts") in the tonsils may produce whitish-yellow deposits known as tonsilloliths. These may emit an odor due to the presence of volatile sulfur compounds.

Causes of Tonsillitis
Bacterial tonsillitis may be caused by Group A streptococcal bacteria, resulting in strep throat. Viral tonsillitis may be caused by numerous viruses such as the Epstein-Barr virus (the cause of infectious mononucleosis) or the Adenovirus. Sometimes, tonsillitis is caused by a superinfection of spirochaeta and treponema, in this case called Vincent's angina or Plaut-Vincent angina. Although tonsillitis is associated with infection, it's currently unknown if the swelling and other symptoms are caused by the infectious agents themselves or by the host immune response to these agents. Tonsillitis may be a result of aberrant immune responses to the normal bacterial flora of the nasophary.

Symptoms of Tonsillitis
Symptoms of tonsillitis include a severe sore throat that may be experienced as referred pain to the ears, painful/difficult swallowing, headache, fever, chills and change in intonation that causes a "hot potato" voice. Tonsillitis is characterized by signs of red, swollen tonsils that may have a purulent exudative coating of white patches (i.e., pus). There may be enlarged and tender neck cervical lymph nodes as well.


Treatment of Tonsillitis
•Viral Infection: Most cases of tonsillitis are caused by a viral infection, so antibiotics won't help. The only thing you can do is take over-the-counter medicine and let the virus run its course—and take steps to relieve pain and inflammation. Recovery may take a week or two.

•Medications: Treatments of non-viral tonsillitis consist of pain management medications. If the tonsillitis is caused by bacteria, then antibiotics are prescribed, with penicillin being most commonly used. Erythromycin is used for patients allergic to penicillin.Take acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and others) to help reduce fever and decrease pain. Because of the risk of Reye's syndrome—a potentially life-threatening illness—don't give aspirin to children younger than age twelve. Ibuprofen or other analgesics can help decrease the edema and inflammation, which will ease the pain and allow the patient to swallow liquids sooner.

•Topical Anesthetics: In many cases of tonsillitis, the pain caused by the inflamed tonsils warrants the prescription of topical anesthetics for temporary relief. Viscous lidocaine solutions are often prescribed for this purpose.

•Salt Water: Gargle with warm salt water to help deal with this condition. Mix ¼ teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water, gargle and then spit out the water; don't swallow. Do this several times a day until your pain is eased.

•Warm Liquids: You can also drink warm, soothing liquids like soup, broth and tea. On that note, drink more warm fluids as well.

•Honey and Lemon: Use a honey and lemon solution. Stir honey and lemon to taste into a glass of hot water. Allow it to cool to room temperature before you sip it. The honey coats and soothes your throat and the lemon helps reduce mucus. Don't use honey or corn syrup in a drink for children younger than age one.

•Lozenges and Hard Candy: Suck on a throat lozenge or hard candy. This stimulates saliva production, which in turn bathes and cleanses your throat.

•Humidify the Air: Adding moisture to the air can reduce throat irritation and make it easier to sleep. Be sure to change the water in a room humidifier daily and clean the unit at least once every three days to help prevent the growth of harmful molds and bacteria.

•Pollutant Aversion: Avoid smoke and other air pollutants. Smoke irritates a sore throat.

•Rest your voice: Talking may lead to more throat irritation and temporary loss of your voice (laryngitis).

•Tonsillectomy: Chronic cases may indicate tonsillectomy (surgical removal of tonsils) as a choice for treatment. Surgical removal of the tonsils (tonsillectomy) is rarely needed for adults. During childhood, surgery may be recommended when a child has had seven or more serious throat infections in one year, five or more serious throat infections every year over a two-year period and three or more serious throat infections every year over a three-year period. Tonsillectomy may also be recommended to treat an abscess that doesn't improve with antibiotic treatment or if swollen tonsils are blocking breathing. Tonsillectomy is usually done on an outpatient basis. That means you or your child will be able to go home the day of the surgery. As always, complete recovery may take up to two weeks.

•Hygiene: The germs that cause viral and bacterial tonsillitis are contagious. Frequent hand washing is the best way to prevent all kinds of infections, including tonsillitis. Wash your hands often, and encourage your children to do the same.

•Common Sense: Other common-sense precautions apply too. Cough or sneeze into a tissue and dispose of your refuse properly. Don't share drinking glasses or eating utensils. Finally, avoid close contact with anyone who's sick.

In summary, most cases of tonsillitis are caused by a virus and are treated at home with over-the-counter sore throat remedies. Less often, tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection and antibiotics are needed. At one time, removing the tonsils (tonsillectomy) was a common treatment for recurrent tonsillitis. Today, surgery is only recommended if tonsillitis doesn't get better with other treatments.

How to Get Rid of Restless Sleep - Getting Rid Of Restless Sleep

A good night's sleep is something longed for by many people, especially those who have perennially busy jobs. It, providing enough hours of continuous rest, recharges your body upon getting up. As a result, you are primed for the following day's set of activities. Not many people have the luxury of getting long hours of sleep, given a myriad of probable causes. You should target those causes en route to having enough rest for a productive day after.

Cause #1: Excessive Caffeine Consumption
Caffeine is a powerful stimulant. If you drink excessive amounts of caffeine-containing beverages, your sleeping pattern will surely be disturbed. The substance targets the nervous system, maintaining alertness for significant periods. Naturally, your body system is thrust into an active state, which keeps you from sleeping or sleeping continuously. Here are the beverages you should avoid before going to bed:

•coffee
•soft drinks
•tea
•energy drinks
•iced tea

Coffee shops have become popular nightspots, given the massive commercialization of coffee. With its significant caffeine content, the beverage give intolerant folks a hard time sleeping. Better avoid coffee the night before an important work day, or else you might not make it to work on time.

Cause #2: Heavy Dinner
Eating a heavy dinner makes people sleepy afterwards, though sleeping during that time is not healthy. Once the food is being digested, energy is distributed throughout the body, keeping it active. You will have problems during these moments, given the boost coming from the food's nutrients. The heavy dinner can also cause indigestion, which leads to abdominal pains. The results are even worse for obese people. Not only should you make dinner your lightest meal of the day, you must also have a balanced diet. That way, you can be healthy and have enough sleep.

Cause #3: Too Active at Night

There is nothing wrong with being active, but if left uncontrolled before going to bed, it can give you problems sleeping. The body's production of adrenaline, which comes from strenuous physical activities, keeps you in an energetic state. Sleeping is pretty challenging during this time, since the body needs to gradually shut down until the adrenaline production ceases. Before going to bed, you should settle for light activities, otherwise you may become too active for your own good.

Cause #4: Inverted Body Clock
Reversing an inverted body clock is painstaking. You have no other choice but to bear the burden of forcing yourself to sleep until your body tires and shuts down. Luckily, there are several ways of making the task easier.

•Soft Music - Play soft music, preferably jazz, blues or bossa nova, to help your mind and body relax. The soothing rhythms will ease your awakened state, as if your bed were made of white sand and situated right in front of a picturesque beach. With some effort in blocking your thoughts, you should be snoring in no time.

•Read a Boring Technical Book - Technical books are known for having tons of jargon and lengthy explanations, all of which don't interest many people. Get a thick high school textbook on electronics, algebra or any boring subject. Read it slowly, as you try to pick up all of the details. Soon enough, your will tire, making sleeping easy.

•Don't Sleep - Sleeping is nearly impossible for a hyperactive mind, even if you start feeling dizzy. What you can do is, let it induce energy until it fizzles out the following day. The results are agonizing, given that you have to stay awake until you get home from work or school, but you are assured of a good night's sleep after. It can even reverse your body clock outright, if you're lucky.

•Have Sex - Your mind and body, active as they are, will tire out and weaken after having sex. Engage your partner in a pretty passionate exchange until you feel exhausted. The tiring movements and excretions will place your mind in a relaxed state, which is fit for sleeping.

•Watch a Boring TV Program - If you check your TV's channel lineup, you will surely find more than a few channels that you don't care about. When trying to sleep, you can turn your TV to those stations. Stare at them, as if you're absorbing the topics discussed. You will eventually fall asleep after some time. A popular channel for insomniacs is the aquarium channel, so bookmark it on your TV if you're suffering from an inverted body clock.
The options mentioned in this section are also applicable to the other causes. For the direst situations, just apply some of the methods mentioned. Having a deep sleep shouldn't be too hard to achieve by then.

Sleep Equates to Productivity
Sleeping is an asset, especially for those who live fast-paced lives. The quality of sleep is beneficial for their productivity. If you are one of these people, you must learn to get rid of restless sleep. Who knows, one of the solutions mentioned may be the key to that ever-elusive promotions.