Med Help

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  • Blood Clot

    Blood:  A tissue.   Blood consists
    of various formed elements, or blood cells, suspended in a fluid called
    plasma.  Blood transports gases, nutrients, metabolic wastes, blood
    cells, immune cells, and hormones throughout the body.  The blood,
    which is confined to the vascular system, constantly interacts with the
    body’s extracellular fluid for exchange and transfer.

    Formed elements in the blood include red blood cells (erythrocytes/RBC),
    platelets, and white blood cells (leukocytes/WBC).  RBCs and platelets
    function entirely within blood vessels; WBCs act mainly in the tissues
    outside the blood vessels.

    Clot:  a semisolidified mass of coagulum, as of blood

    How blood clots:  A 3 part process, the circulatory system
    protects itself from excessive blood loss. In this process, vascular injury
    activates a complex chain of events – vasoconstriction, platelet
    aggregation,     and coagulation – that leads
    to clotting.      This stops bleeding without hindering blood
    flow through the injured vessels.

    Blood flows freely through arteries and capillaries.  Clotting
    is a good thing, even vital, when a blood vessels is injured, at the first
    sign of injury or trauma, blood thickens (or clots), and stanches its own
    flow at the site of the wound.  Clot formation inside healthy blood
    vessels is abnormal and may be life-threatening.  Such clots are complications
    of heart disease or venous diseases.

    A clot that forms in the heart or a blood vessel and remains there is
    called a thrombus.  Tiny thrombi (plural of thrombus) develop on blood
    vessel walls to heal minute injuries, then it normally dissolve. 
    If they don’t dissolve, they not only slow circulation but can also break
    loose or break apart and flow with the blood.  A clot that travels
    and then becomes lodged at some point in a blood vessels is called an embolus. 
    Emboli are potentially more dangerous but are less common than thrombi.

    Complications posed by an abnormal blood clot depends on the size and
    its location.  Blood clots in the arteries supplying the heart (coronary
    arteries) are the major cause of heart attack.  An obstructive clot
    in a cerebral artery, can cause stroke.  Blood clots in arteries of
    the eye can lead to loss of vision.  An embolus in the lungs that
    blocks a pulmonary artery can cause severe shortness of breath, and possible
    death.

    Symptoms:

    Blood clots normally produce no obvious symptoms.

    Signs and complications from abnormal clots:

    Sudden and isolated pain in an leg or arm;  sometimes followed
    by skin discoloration, tingling, numbness, or a feeling of ‘cold’ just
    below the site of pain – may suggests a large blood clot circulation may
    be blocked and if left untreated, gangrene (tissue death) could result.

    Phlebitis:  (inflammation of a vein) – inflame the walls of blood

    vessels and promote abnormal clots -Skin tenderness, redness, may have
    slight edema, may develop a red streak.

    A hard, bluish lump in a vein may be caused by a large blood clot.

    A sudden complete or partial blindness in one eye may be due to a blood
    clot blocking a retinal artery.

    Dizziness or vertigo, that impairs a patients ability to stand or walk
    may be caused by a small blood clot blocking a cerebral artery.

    Treatment:

    Doctor may prescribed drug therapy to reduce the risk of abnormal clotting.
    Such as:  aspirin for patients who are at risk for embolisms or thrombosis.  
    Other anticoagulants includes:  dicumarol, heparin, and warfarin sodium
    for more severe cases.

    *Use all medication as prescribed by your doctor

  • Blisters & Contact Dermatitis

    Blisters & Contact Dermatitis:  It is
    a skin inflammation that results when the skin comes in contact with substances
    that can cause an allergic or inflammatory reaction. Clusters of blisters
    may result from severe burns, contact dermatitis, insect bites, viral infections,
    drug or chemical reactions, exposure to extreme cold, or autoimmune disorders.Have
    you been using some lotion or medicine to help relive them? If so you may
    be over treating it. Called ‘over treatment dermatitis – it is a form of
    contact dermatitis that occurs when inflammation results from measures
    used to treat another skin disorder.

    Most common type of contact dermatitis involves inflammation that results
    from contact with substances that may be irritants. These includes–acids,
    alkaline materials such as soap and detergents, solvents and other chemical.

    The other type involves exposures to a material to which the person
    has become hypersensitive or allergic–the skin inflammation varies from mild
    irritation and redness, to rash to open sores depending on the type of
    allergen, what part of body parts got infected and the sensitivity of the
    individual.

    Common allergens: Poison oaks, poison ivy, poison sumac
    and other plants. nickel or other materials, antibiotics-expecially topical(those
    applied to skin), rubber and latex, cosmetic products, topical anesthetic
    or other medications that are applied to the surface of the skin, detergents,
    solvents, adhesive perfumes, fragrance,  chemical and substance.

    Some products like sunscreen, sulfa ointments, coal-tar products. A
    few airborne allergens such as ragweed or insecticides spray.

    The diagnosis is primary based on the skin appearance and history of
    exposure to an irritant or allergen Skin lesion biopsy, or culture of the skin
    lesion.

    Treatment:  Washing thoroughly, if it is detergent related,
    you may have to rewash all clothing. Avoid contact to allergens or irritants. 
    In some cases the best treatment is to do nothing to the area. Topical
    corticosteroid medication may reduce inflammation, use as directed and
    see talk to you Doctor.

    If blister continues more than 2-3 days call your doctor.

  • Giving Birth

    Giving birth is a time of mixed emotions. After carrying a fetus or baby for 40 weeks, expecting mothers look forward to delivering their baby and starting a new life challenge. On the other hand, the majority of mothers approach labor and delivery with nervousness. Regardless of whether a pregnant woman has gone through previous births and delivery, the fear of complications is common. Besides, each birth is different. On one hand, some deliveries are smooth and the pain is manageable. On the other hand, some women spend several hours in the delivery room and undergo horrific pain and discomfort.

    Giving birth is a gradual process. Experienced mothers may easily recognize the signs of labor. The labor process must take place before a baby is born. During this step, the body prepares to deliver the baby. The uterus will tighten and release. This is called contractions. Gradually, the cervix starts to dilate. Before giving birth, the cervix must dilate to 10 centimeters. Once an expected mother is admitted to the hospital, a doctor will routinely examine the cervix, and determine the stage of delivery.

    Once the cervix is fully dilated, the process of “pushing” can begin. Many women say that the pushing phase is the most difficult part of giving birth. This process varies for each person. Some babies are delivered quickly. Other babies take longer, wherein the mother experiences great discomfort. In some cases, a mother is unable to deliver the baby vaginally. In this instance, the doctor will use specific instruments designed to facilitate delivery. If this doesn’t work, the expected mother must undergo a surgical procedure called a caesarean section. Giving birth through a C-section is common. However, the risk of complications increases and the recovery time is longer. With a vaginal delivery, a mother can start moving around within a few hours. On the other hand, a C-section is major surgery that requires a significant recoup time.

  • Basal Cell Carcinoma

    Basal cell carcinoma:

    This is a slow growing destructive skin tumor.  The exact 
    cause is unknown, but  precipitating factors include prolonged sun
    exposure, arsenic ingestion, radiation exposure, burns, and very rare,-
    vaccinations.  It is more common with those with blond, fair skinned,
    white males.  There is three types of basal cell carcinoma:
    1.) noduloulcerative, 2.) superficial, and 3.) sclerosing basal
    cell epitheliomas.

    Symptoms:

    * Noduloulcerative basal cell epitheliomas – occur most often on the face,
    particularly on the forehead, eyelid margins, and nasolabial folds.

    Early stage – lesions are usually small, smooth, pinkish translucent papules
    with telangiectatic (a vascular lesion formed by dilation of a group of small
    blood vessels) vessels on the surface and occasional pigmentation.

    Late stage – lesions are enlarged, with depressed centers, firm and elevated
    borders.

    They eventually become ulcerated becoming locally invasive.  Ulcerated
    tumors rarely metastasize.

    These occur if late stage lesions are not treated. If left
    untreated, they can spread to vital areas and become infected, and
    invade bone, or cause
    massive hemorrhage if they invade large blood vessels.

    * Superficial basal cell epitheliomas – occur most often on the chest
    and back and appear as oval or irregularly shaped, light pigmented plaques with sharply
    defined, slightly elevated thread – like borders. They may be scaly with small
    atrophic areas in the center that resemble psoriasis or eczema. Such lesions are usually
    chronic and noninvasive.

    * Sclerosing basal cell epitheliomas – occur on the head and neck.
    They appear as waxy, sclerotic, yellow to white plaques without
    distinct borders and often
    resemble small patches of scleroderma.

    Diagnostic test: physical examination, biopsy and family history.

    Treatment:

    Treatment varies depending on size, location and depth of the
    lesion. Treatment may include curettage and electrodesiccation for
    small lesion. Chemotherapy with topical 5 – fluorouracil Surgical
    excision, irradiation, or Moh’s microsurgery

    * Regular follow up with your doctor is important

    Call your doctor if you have any of the above symptoms.

    Cancer Treatments

    Cancer treatments seek to destroy malignant cells while sparing
    normal ones, to reduce pain, and to induce cure or remission. A single
    primary treatment
    or a combination of treatments may be used. These treatments can
    provide
    local and systemic therapy and offer doctors the advantage of attacking
    cancer cells
    with several mechanisms. They include:

    * Chemotherapy – which interrupts malignant cells life cycles, inhibiting
    or destroying their ability to divide

    * Radiation – which also inhibits cell division by impairing DNA synthesis
    and causing cell membrane lysis. Radiation can be used as a primary treatment
    or as an adjunctive procedure intended to kill cancer cells that may have survived other treatments.

    * Biotherapy ( immunotherapy ), which employs biological response modifiers
    that act on malignant cells by inhibiting division and by enhancing the body’s
    immune responses to such cells.

    * Bone marrow transplantation, which is used to replace or replenish the
    bone marrow of patients with leukemia or multiple myeloma

    * Surgery, which removes tumors or reduces their size. Surgery
    enables other treatments because there are fewer malignant cells to
    combat.

    * Several new cancer treatments are emerging. Surgical treatments
    using lasers and intraoperative radiation can effectively remove tumors
    or reduce their
    size at the time of initial surgery and staging. Hyperthermia – the use
    of heat to destroy cancer cells is being investigated as a single
    modality and in combination with radiation and chemotherapy.

  • Bad Breath

    Quick & Easy Cure for Bad Breath

    Bad Breath or Halitosis:  Foul odor from the mouth. 
    Good oral hygiene and a well balance diet usually results in fresh smelling
    breath.  In some cases halitosis can be a signal of a serious health
    problems.

    Cause:  Usually results from poor oral hygiene.

    Plaque is the major cause of bad breath.  Plaque is the sticky
    coating of food particles, saliva, and bacteria on the teeth.

    Certain foods and spices can attribute to bad breath, such as; garlic,
    salami, pepperoni, anchovies, cheese, and certainly smoking and alcohol.

    Lack of food and water can also lead to bad breath.  Saliva aids
    to clean the mouth, eating and drinking stimulates saliva flow.

    (if after flossing and brushing teeth and a well balance diet does not
    seem to help relieve bad breath, SEE YOUR DOCTOR for further evaluation)
    because certain medical disorder such as and not limited to; TB, diabetics,
    sinusitis, gum disease, post nasal drip, and cancer can be the culprit.
    Certain drugs can be the cause.

    Symptoms:

    Foul, stale odor coming from the mouth 

    May have foul odor coming from the nose

    Treatment:

    Good oral hygiene:  brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice
    a day.  You may want to brush teeth after meals because food particles
    may be lodge in between teeth’s.

    Baking soda helps deodorizes the breath

    Eliminating strong smelling foods and spices

    Eat a well balance diet and plenty of water

    See your dentist regularly and for  proper dental cleaning 

    See your MD and dentist for proper diagnosis of bad breath

    Brush your tongue (gently sweep the top of your tongue with your toothbrush)

    Note:  mouthwash, gums/mints are only temporary cover ups
    for bad breath

    Note:  Coffee, beer, wine, and whiskey are at the top of
    the list of liquid offenders.  They leave a residue that can attach
    to the plaque in your mouth and infiltrate your digestive system.

  • Giving Birth Video Clips

    If you are pregnant and are concerned about giving birth and want to know what the birth experience will actually be like, it is advisable to watch giving birth video clips. It wasn’t so long ago that the idea of filming a birth was a controversial one, but today, many proud fathers film their wives in labor and keep the film as a family memento, like a wedding video. In the recent past, expectant mothers had to rely on diagrams in books as their only source of information on the birth experience (and women 100 years ago were not even permitted this resource), so it is a good idea to appreciate the resources available to those women who are preparing for the birth experience.

    Giving birth video clips can be found online, or it may be a good idea to view giving birth video clips of a good friend. The advantage with the latter idea is you can sit with your friend and discuss with her what the birth experience was like as you watch her giving birth video clips. Having a close friend advise you at such a crucial time is important for moral support as well as vital information which will make giving birth much easier.

    Giving birth video clips are also useful resources when deciding what kind of birth you will have. Talking about water birth, for example or a home birth may seem quite abstract until you actually see giving birth video clips of a women giving birth in a small pool or in her living room. Once you have seen the birth, you are more likely to have a clearer idea of what is involved and can make informed choices.

    Giving birth video clips can be viewed online and are often quite short, since they only include the last few pushes before the baby comes out.

  • Folliculitis

    Folliculitis:  A bacterial infection of the hair follicle.  The infection may be superficial or deep .  Folliculitis causes pustule formation.  Folliculitis may also lead to the development of furuncles (Furunculosis), commonly called boils, or carbuncles (Carbunculosis), usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus.  It is exacerbated by irritation, pressure, friction, or perspiration.  Prognosis depends on the infection’s severity and on the patient’s conditions and ability to resist infection.

    Cause:  Most common bacteria is staphylococcus aureus.  Risk factors include poor personal hygiene, debilitation, diabetes, an infected wound elsewhere on the body, exposure to chemicals (cutting oils), and management of skin lesions with tar or with occlusive therapy, using steroids.

    Symptoms:

    In folliculitis:  pustules usually appear on the scalp, arms, and legs in children; on the faces of bearded men (sycosis barbae); and on the eyelids (sties).

    Pain

    In furunculosis:  may develop  hard painful nodules (furuncles).  Nodules commonly appear on the neck, face, axillae, and buttocks.  As they become enlarge after several days, they rupture, discharging pus and necrotic material.

    Pain

    Erythema and edema may persist for several weeks.

    In carbunculosis:  the patient develops extremely painful deep abscesses.  These drain through multiple openings onto the skin surface, usually around several hair follicles.

    Fever

    Malaise

    Treatment:

    Make sure the infected area is clean thoroughly with soap and water before applying medication.
    With all medications use as prescribed by your doctor.

    Topical antibiotics such as:  bacitracin and polymyxinb

    For recurrent infection:  systemic antibiotics.

    Furuncles may also require incision and drainage of ripe lesions after application of hot, wet compresses, and topical antibiotics after drainage.  (consult with your doctor)

    Carbunculosis requires systemic antibiotics.

  • Bumbo Baby Chair

    The Bumbo baby chair is the high chair that your little one will love to sit in; it also happens to be the chair that you can trust. Actually, the Bumbo baby sitter is specially designed for the infants who can manage to keep their head up. Infants of six weeks can keep their heads up; so, it will be appropriate to get the Bumbo baby seat for your baby around this time.

    Bumbo Baby Chair – The Design
    This chair is a soft and comfortable one that provides support to the baby’s sides and back. The passive restraints contribute greatly to keeping the baby from sliding forward. The chair can easily hold your little one, if the baby weighs in the range of nine to twenty two pounds.
    The baby should be finding itself quite comfortable in the Bumbo baby chair. The chair is made keeping in mind the posture of the babies. The little ones should be able to sit straight all by themselves in this special Bumbo baby chair. The chair develops the trunk control, which is essential for enabling the baby to sit up.

    The raised leg spaces in the chair enhances the flexibility of the baby’s knee and hip joints, this in turn decreases the strain on the spine of the baby. Orthopedists, pediatricians and physical therapists recommend the Bumbo baby chair for your baby due to its beneficial qualities; so, give your baby this privilege in its growing period.

    The Uses
    There is some good news for the concerned parents: the Bumbo baby seat is comfortable for the baby; at the same time, it is hygienic, safe and non-toxic. This baby seat has already won awards and accolades for sticking to the highest safety standards. The chair is made from low-density foam, which makes it easily portable and lightweight. You can easily clean the outer layer of the material.

    Bumbo baby chair can be used conveniently on any level surface and also keeps your baby occupied. You can make your baby sit in the chair and get engaged into some other activity for sometime, this way your mind will be free and your hands will be free too. This ensures maximum interaction and communication with your little one.

    Straps and fasteners make a baby uncomfortable and the Bumbo baby chair is without any of these discomforts. This chair is made in such a way that the baby’s own body weight is enough to hold the baby in place.

    If you want to give your little one the best of life, start as early as possible with the Bumbo baby seat.

  • California Birth Certificate

    The birth of a baby is always a joyous one and brings with it a whole new chapter in one’s life as well as greater responsibilities. The first thing one would have to do following the arrival of a baby is to obtain a record of birth. Each state has its own procedure and fees for issuing birth certificate. A California birth certificate can only be obtained through the mail and there is no provision to get the same personally through a local office over the counter. The request for the California birth certificate is to be sent to the state’s department of health services.

    The department also offers a rush or priority service, but this is only applicable to the mailing of the California birth certificate and not to the actual processing involved in issuing the certificate. Certified copies of a California birth certificate can also be obtained from the department and these could be of two types – a certified copy or a certified informational copy. All these involve the payment of specified fees and the submission of certain documents. The birth would first have to be recorded at the local level in the county where the birth took place.

    Registering to vote, and applying for a passport, are some of the procedures that require a birth certificate as proof of age and identity. A birth certificate can also be used as proof of identity in various dealings with financial institutions, the labor department, real estate matters and a host of other similar issues. The lower half of a birth certificate also contains other details such as race, occupation, and medical data. This information is not usually included in a certified copy of the birth certificate unless specifically requested by the applicant. When you apply for a California birth certificate or a copy you can also avail the use of a customer service number to look up the status of your application.

  • California Birth Certificates

    Identity theft is a common problem today. If someone obtains your social security number or birth certificate, they can open banking and credit card accounts in your name. You can end up in thousands of dollars of debt, with your credit status ruined. Many states are now making it more difficult to obtain a birth certificate to try to help prevent such identity theft.

    As of July 2003, there are two types of certified copies of California birth certificates. One is a certified copy. This is issued only to certain individuals because it can be used to establish identity. In accordance with California Health and Safety Code 102430, the following may request this certified copy:

    • The person listed on the birth certificate.
    • Anyone entitled to a copy of the birth certificate due to a court order or an attorney or licensed adoption agency that needs the certificate in order to meet the terms of Section 3140 or 7603 of the Family Code.
    • Members of law enforcement or a governmental agencies (as provided by law) who needs the certificate for official business reasons.
    • A child, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, spouse, or domestic partner of the person listed on the birth certificate.
    • An attorney representing the estate of the person listed on the birth certificate.
    • Anyone appointed by court to act on the behalf of the person listed on the birth certificate.

    If you have been given a power of attorney, you will need to provide a copy of that when requesting the certified copy. When requesting a certified copy, you must also submit a notarized Sworn Statement. This Sworn Statement includes your signature where you state that under penalty of perjury that you are authorized to receive this certified California birth certificate.

    California birth certificates can also be a certified informational copy. This has the words “Informational, not valid document to establish identity” stamped across it and these California birth certificates cannot be used to establish identity. However, it contains the same information that appears on the certified copy and you are not required to sign a Sworn Statement in order to get it.

    If you have additional questions about obtaining California birth certificates, call your local Department of Health Services.