Asthma treatment

There is no cure for asthma, but the condition can be controlled with various types of drugs. Medications called relievers provide immediate relief for asthma attacks by relaxing (bronchodilation) the walls of the air passages, which widens the passages, allowing air to move freely into and out of the lungs. Long-term treatments called preventers reduce the chronic in- flammation of the lining of the air passages, thereby decreasing the likelihood of an attack and relieving day-to-day discomfort.

Relievers, also known as bronchodilators, are most effective when taken as soon as symptoms of cough- ing, chest tightness, wheezing, or shortness of breath occur. They work within minutes and are effective for four to six hours. The most commonly used bron- chodilators are called beta-2 agonists. As these are inhaled they primarily affect the lungs, which means there are fewer side effects. Another type of medica- tion known as anticholinergics may be given after beta-2 agonists in emergencies to further widen the air passages and reduce mucus production.

Some bronchodilators are long-acting medications that last for at least 12 hours and may be used before exercise or before breathing cold air and to prevent symptoms while sleeping. These longer-acting beta-2 agonists are usually used together with inhaled corticosteroids.



One bronchodilator, theophylline, has been pre- scribed for many years as a long-term control medica- tion for mild to moderate cases of asthma. This is taken daily as a pill, sustained release capsule, or syrup and is particularly effective for reducing symptoms during sleep. Initially it may cause side effects, includ- ing rapid and irregular heartbeats (palpitations), rest- lessness, nervousness, or a headache, but these usually disappear as the body adjusts. To be sure the dose is appropriate, blood levels should be checked periodi- cally. If the level of medication is too low there will be inadequate control of symptoms, while if it is unnec- essarily high, serious heart rhythm irregularities or seizures, as well as nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea may occur. Aminophylline is a more powerful but pharmacologically similar bronchodilator that is only given intravenously in emergencies.


For long-term treatment of severe chronic asthma, corticosteroids, or preventers, are used. Corticosteroids have long been considered the most effective preven- ter medications because they are anti-inflammatory, and so reduce inflammation in the lining of the air passages. If they are used long-term, however, there is a risk of serious side effects, including cataracts, osteo- porosis (loss of bone mass), and decreased resistance to infection, but as corticosteroids usually are inhaled di- rectly into the air passages, rather than taken internal- ly, these effects are lessened. Nevertheless, inhaled corticosteroids may, sometimes temporarily, affect growth in children.

For individuals with moderate asthma, a group of anti-inflammatory medications called leukotriene modifiers may eliminate the need for cortico- steroids.They are not used for acute attacks but for protection from attacks. These drugs block substances released during an attack that cause more inflamma- tion in the air passages. For more severe asthma, they may be used together with other medications, includ- ing inhaled corticosteroids.

Cromolyn (Nasalcrom) and nedocromil (Tilade) are considered the safest asthma medications currently

available for mild or moderate asthma and are frequently prescribed as preventives for use before exercising. For people with mild or moderate asthma, daily long-term use of these medications may prevent attacks by reducing inflammation in the air passages.

For allergic asthma, allergy desensitization injections (immunotherapy) may decrease sensitivity to allergens in substances such as pollen, insect droppings, or molds. When confronted with an allergen, the body’s immune system manufactures proteins called antibodies. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is an antibody frequently associated with respiratory allergies. Based on the idea that an allergic attack may not develop if immunoglobulin E is prevented from attaching to cells that release substances which cause allergic asthma, new injectable treatments are under development.

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What is arthritis

Arthritis is one of the most common chronic health problems in the United States and the leading cause of disability, affecting about 43 million adults. The most common form is osteoarthri- tis (OA), which affects about 21 million mostly older people in the United States.

Osteoarthritis is characterized by degeneration of joint cartilage, which causes pain and restriction of movement. It typically develops gradually and usually begins after the age of 40.

Other forms of arthritis can appear at any age including the autoimmune disorder rheumatoid arthritis, the metabolic disorder gout, and septic arthritis. Almost any joint may be affected, although the knees, hips, spinal, hand, and finger joints are most commonly affected.

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Asthma symptoms

symptoms of asthma

 
Symptoms vary considerably. Some individuals stay relatively symptom free with occasional episodes of shortness of breath unless a trigger provokes an attack. Others cough and wheeze continually.

function test may be done, in which a device called a spirometer shows how much air can be blown out of the lungs after a deep breath and at what speed. Other tests, such as a bronchial challenge test or exercise tests, may also be done using a spirometer.

A series of allergy tests may reveal if known allergy- causing substances are responsible for the asthma, and other tests can rule out conditions with similar symp- toms, such as cystic fibrosis.

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Is It Possible to Control Our Dreams?

Yes, but only with practice. The best place to start is right before bed. Deirdre Barrett, a professor of psychology at Harvard University and author of The Committee of Sleep, asked 76 college students to choose a problem (where to take a vacation; how to arrange their furniture) and focus on it while falling asleep.

The subjects recorded their dreams for a week, and graduate students reviewed the material and found that a third of the students successfully solved the problem in their dreams. One student was trying to decide whether to go to graduate school in Massachusetts or California. He dreamed he was flying in a plane that was having engine trouble when he suggested that the pilot try to land in Massachusetts. The pilot said it was better to head toward the bright light in the West.
Imagery rehearsal therapy, or IRT, is a more active, daytime method of dream influence that psychologists use to help trauma victims prevent recurring nightmares. (Nightmares affect some three million people in the U.S.

who suffer from post-traumatic stress.) Participants write out a happy version of the nightmare—in place of a fanged monster, a puppy; instead of a dark alley, a sunny street—and visualize it for 15 minutes a day. A group of patients in the VA San Diego Healthcare System who completed a course in IRT therapy experienced 33 percent fewer nightmares after five weeks.


During a lucid dream, it’s possible to act rather than simply react, explains Jane Gackenbach, a professor of psychology at Grant MacEwan University in Alberta and the author of Play Reality. About 58 percent of people have experienced a lucid dream at least once, she says. Gackenbach has investigated military videogames as a way to help soldiers cope with combat-related nightmares. “In their military dreams, soldiers who rarely played videogames couldn’t pull the trigger,” she says.

“They were helpless in the face of danger.” But gamers could hide behind a boulder and shoot and fight back.

Dream control is inexact, though. As Robert Waggoner, the author of Lucid Dreaming: Gateway to the Inner Self, puts it: “The sailor does not control the sea, and neither does the lucid dreamer control the dream.” Gackenbach, too, has found that her subconscious has a way of fighting back: “I was sitting on a bench in Central Park, and I knew I was dreaming. A beautiful woman in a white hat was walking by. I decided to try to change her hat into a monster, but I couldn’t. Instead, she changed into a wolf and bit me.”

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A Smartphone That Detects Whether Its User Is Depressed

“Siri, how do I feel right now?” Apple’s automated assistant might not be so perceptive as to know, but your smartphone may soon be able to assess your mood and determine if you are suffering from symptoms of depression. Researchers at Northwestern University are creating a kind of virtual therapist called Mobilyze to help people that tend to ignore symptoms of their depression realize that they need to take measures to deal with their moods.

The algorithm-based Mobilyze would rely on a bevy of data--location, social activity, physical activity, what a user is doing, etc.--to determine behavior patterns and recognize if they are behaving normally or seem to be deviating from their normal behavior, particularly in ways that suggest depression. That data will come from sensors and technology already present in most smartphones, like Bluetooth, GPS, gyros, accelerometers, and Wi-Fi.

If the phone determines that a person is acting in a depressed manner, it can provide automated texts to the users’ friends and families or to users themselves, prompting them to call someone or simply to get out of the house and do something. The technology has already been trialled on eight patients, who all showed improvement in dealing with their depression at the end of the treatment. More testing is slated for this summer.

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Foods To Avoid when Wearing Braces

Chewy Candies and Gum

Avoid chewy candies such as caramel and jelly beans, as well as gum. Craig Davis Orthodontics states chewy candies or gum can damage your orthodontic appliances. Another disadvantage is sugar content, which can cause tooth decay. Damage to your orthodontic appliances requires visiting the dentist.

Crunchy Chips and Cookies

You can continue snacking, but monitor the types of snacks. Avoid eating crunchy snacks, including chocolate chip cookies, popcorn and baked tacos. Exchange these crunchy snacks with healthier, softer snacks. ArchWired.com provides some soft food suggestions. Choose gelatin, plain ice cream or low-fat pudding to eat during the day.

Hard Breads and Hard Baked Goods

Eating hard breads can lead to scratches on your orthodontic appliances. ArchWired.com gives soft bread and baked goods options, such as buttered corn muffins. Additional food choices include fluffy banana pancakes or butter rolls for breakfast. Order soft bread and baked goods when dining at restaurants. Avoid ordering harder food items such as garlic toast.

Other Foods to Avoid

You want to avoid other foods when wearing your braces, including acidic foods, which can damage your tooth enamel. Lemons and limes are two types of acidic foods. If you are a hot tea drinker, exchange lemon juice for whole milk or cream. If you drink cold drinks, avoid ice cubs, which can create cracks where the cement bonds on your braces. Avoid other food choices such as hard peanuts or crunchy celery sticks.

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LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK, which stands for laser in-situ keratomileusis, is a popular surgery used to correct vision in people who are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism.

All laser vision correction surgeries work by reshaping the cornea, the clear front part of the eye, so that light traveling through it is properly focused onto the retina located in the back of the eye. LASIK is one of a number of different surgical techniques used to reshape the cornea.

What Are the Advantages of LASIK Eye Surgery?

LASIK has many benefits, including:

• It works! It corrects vision. Around 90% of patients will have their desired vision after LASIK. An enhancement can further increase this number.

• LASIK is associated with very little pain.

• Vision is corrected nearly immediately or by the day after LASIK.

• No bandages or stitches are required after LASIK.

• Adjustments can be made years after LASIK to further correct vision.

• After having LASIK, most patients have a dramatic reduction in eyeglass or contact lens dependence and many patients no longer need them at all.

What Are the Disadvantages of LASIK Eye Surgery?

Despite the pluses, there are some disadvantages to LASIK eye surgery:

Changes made to the cornea cannot be reversed after LASIK.
LASIK is technically complex. Problems may occur when the doctor cuts the flap, which can permanently affect vision.
LASIK can rarely cause a loss of "best" vision. Your best vision is the highest degree of vision that you achieved while wearing your contacts or eyeglasses.

What Are the Potential Side Effects of LASIK Eye Surgery?

Some patients experience discomfort in the first 24 to 48 hours after LASIK eye surgery. Other side effects, although rare, may include:

• Glare

• Seeing halos around images

• Difficulty driving at night

• Fluctuating vision

• Dry eyes

How Should I Prepare for LASIK Eye Surgery?

Before LASIK eye surgery, you will meet with a coordinator who will discuss what to expect during and after the procedure. During this session, your medical history will be evaluated and your eyes will be fully examined. Likely initial tests include measuring corneal thickness, refraction, corneal mapping, air pressure, and pupil dilation. Once you have gone through the initial evaluation, you will meet the surgeon, who will answer any questions you may have. Afterwards, you can schedule an appointment for the procedure.

If you wear rigid gas permeable contact lenses, you should not wear them for at least three weeks before your evaluation. Other types of contact lenses shouldn't be worn for at least three days prior to the evaluation. Be sure to bring your eyeglasses to the surgeon so your prescription can be reviewed.

On the day of your surgery, eat a light meal before going to the doctor and take all of your prescribed medications. Do not wear eye makeup or have any bulky accessories in your hair that will interfere with positioning your head under the laser. If you are not feeling well that morning, call the doctor's office to determine whether the procedure needs to be postponed.

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Pinkeye

What Is Pinkeye?

Pinkeye -- also called conjunctivitis -- is redness and inflammation of the clear membranes covering the whites of the eyes and the membranes on the inner part of the eyelids. Pinkeye is most often caused by a virus or by a bacterial infection, although allergies, chemical agents, and underlying diseases can also play a role.

Is Pinkeye Contagious?

Viral and bacterial pinkeye are extremely contagious. It's easily spread through poor hand washing or by sharing an object (like a towel) with someone who has it. It can also spread through coughing and sneezing. Kids diagnosed with infectious pinkeye should stay out of school or day care for a short period of time. Allergic pinkeye (caused by seasonal pollens, animal dander, cosmetics, and perfumes) and chemical pinkeye (from chemicals or liquids, including bleach and furniture polish) are not contagious.

Symptom: Eye Redness

Redness of the eye is the typical, telltale symptom of pinkeye. Pinkeye is a common condition that is rarely serious and unlikely to cause long-term eye or vision damage if promptly detected and treated.

Symptom: Swollen, Red Eyelids

The symptoms of infectious pinkeye typically begin in one eye and involve the other eye within a few days. Symptoms of allergic pinkeye usually involve both eyes. Swelling of the eyelids is more common with bacterial and allergic pinkeye.

Symptom: Lots of Tearing

Viral and allergic pinkeye are known for causing more tear production than usual.

Symptom: Itchy or Burning Eyes

You would know it if you felt it -- that overwhelming itchy, burning feeling in the eyes, which is typical of pinkeye.

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Fruit, veggies key to older women’s diets

Older women who increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables and ate less dessert, sugar-sweetened beverages, meat, and cheese were the most likely to control their weight over time, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Education and the Graduate School of Public Health.

“With more than one-third of all Americans considered obese, it’s clear that standard behavioral obesity treatment is producing poor long-term results,” says Bethany Barone Gibbs, assistant professor in the Department of Health and Physical Activity at the University of Pittsburgh.

“We found that some important behaviors differ for long-term versus short-term weight control among women in their 50s and 60s, who are already at higher risk for weight gain.”

Barone Gibbs is the lead author of the study, which will be published in the September issue of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Researchers studied 465 overweight and obese postmenopausal women previously enrolled in Pitt Public Health’s Women on the Move through Activity and Nutrition (WOMAN) study and analyzed changes in eating habits and weight loss from the beginning of the study to six and 48 months.

The women were randomly assigned to either a lifestyle-change intervention group or a control group. The women in the intervention group regularly met with nutritionists, exercise physiologists, and psychologists, while women in the control group were offered occasional seminars over the study period focusing on general women’s health.

Participants in both groups self-reported their eating habits using a detailed questionnaire. At the end of the four years of the study, 57 percent of the intervention participants and 29 percent of controls had maintained at least a five-pound weight loss.

Women in both groups who decreased their consumption of desserts and sugar-sweetened beverages experienced a greater weight loss than those who did not in both the short- and long-term.

However, participants who decreased fried foods and eating out, and increased fish consumption had greater weight loss at six months; those who increased their fruit and vegetable intake and decreased intake of meats and cheeses were more likely to be successful at long-term weight loss.

Eating out and eating fried food had no apparent effect on long-term weight change.

“Behaviors like cutting out fried foods may work in the short-term, but may be too restrictive to continue for a long period of time. On the other hand, adding fruits and vegetables may be a small change that makes a difference over a period of many months or years,” says Barone Gibbs.

Researchers at Pitt Public Health conducted the WOMAN study from April 2002 to June 2008 to investigate whether a change in diet and lifestyle, along with a 10 percent reduction in body weight, could lower low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides, and decrease cardiovascular disease.

“Four years later, the secondary data from the WOMAN study is still providing insight to those working to achieve better health,” says study co-author Lewis Kuller, professor emeritus in the Department of Epidemiology at Pitt Public Health.

“Focusing on eating behavior, rather than specific diets, may improve long-term weight loss programs.”

Collaborators in the study included Laura S. Kinzel from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Kelley Pettee Gabriel from the University of Texas Health Science Center, and Yue-Fang Chang, from the School of Medicine at University of Pittsburgh.

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