Med Help

Category: H

  • Hair Loss

    Is Your Hair Thin? Are You Bald/Balding?
    Learn How to Naturally REGROW Lost Hair

    Alopecia also known as hair loss: 
    Usually affects the scalp.  It is rarer and less conspicuous elsewhere
    on the body.  The hair follicle can generally regrow hair in the nonscarring
    form of this disorder (non cicatricial alopecia).  Scarring alopecia
    usually destroys the hair follicle, making hair loss irreversible. 
    The most common form of nonscarring alopecia, male pattern alopecia, appears
    to be related to androgen levels, aging, or genetic predisposition.

    Physiologic alopecia:  this form of disorder is usually temporary,
    it occurs as a sudden hair loss in infants, loss of straight hairline in
    adolescents, and diffuse hair loss after childbirth.

    Alopecia areata:  caused is unknown (idiopathic). Hair loss is
    usually reversible and self limiting.  It occurs most frequently in
    young and middle – aged adults of both sexes.

    Trichotillomania::  this refers to compulsive pulling out of one’s
    own hair; it is most common in children.

    Scarring alopecia may result from physical or chemical trauma or chronic
    tension on a hair shaft, such as braiding or rolling the hair.  Diseases
    that produce scarring alopecia include destructive skin tumors, granuloma,
    lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, follicular lichen planus, and severe
    bacterial or viral infections, such as folliculitis or herpes simplex.

    Symptoms:

    In male pattern alopecia, hair loss is gradual and usually affects the
    thinner, shorter, and less pigmented hairs of the scalp’s frontal and parietal
    portions.

    In women, hair loss is generally more diffuse; completely bald areas
    are uncommon but may occur.

    Alopecia areata affects small patches of the scalp but may also occur
    as alopecia totalis, which involves the entire scalp, or as alopecia universalis,
    which involves the entire body.  Although mild erythema may occur
    initially, affected areas of scalp or skin appear normal.

    “Exclamation point: hairs occur at the periphery of new patches. 
    Regrowth initially appears as fine, white, downy hair, which is replaced
    by normal hair.

    In trichotillomania, patchy, incomplete areas of hair loss with many
    broken hairs appear on the scalp but may occur on other areas, such as
    the eyebrows.

    Treatment:

    Tropical application of minoxidil, a peripheral vasodilator more typically
    used as an oral antihypertensive, has some success in treating male – patten
    alopecia. (discuss this with your doctor)

    Alternate treatment is surgical redistribution of hair follicles by
    autografting.

    In alopecia areata, minoxidil is more effective, although treatment
    is often unnecessary because spontaneous regrowth is common.  Intralesional
    corticosteroid injections are beneficial for small patches and may produce
    regrowth in 4 to 6 weeks.  Hair loss that persists for over a year
    has a poor prognosis for regrowth. 

    In trichotillomania, an occlusive dressing encourages normal hair growth
    simply by preventing the cause of hair loss.

    Treatment of other types of alopecia varies according to the underlying
    cause

  • Hepatitis

    Hepatitis:  Inflammation of the liver.

    Nonviral hepatitis:  inflammation of the liver usually
    resulting from exposure to certain toxins or drugs.  In toxic hepatitis,
    liver damage (diffuse fatty infiltration of liver cells and necrosis) 
    usually occurs within 24 to 48 hours after exposure to toxic agents. 
    Alcohol, anoxia, and preexisting liver disease exacerbate the toxic effects
    of some of these agents.  Recovery from nonviral hepatitis for most
    patients is good, although a few develop fulminating hepatitis or cirrhosis.

    Cause:  Toxic hepatitis may result from exposure to various
    hepatotoxins, such as acetaminophen, carbon tetrachloride, poisonous mushrooms,
    or vinyl chloride.  Drug induced hepatitis may result from a hypersensitivity
    reaction unique to the affected patient such as, sulfonamides and, phenothiazines
    (cholestasis-induced hepatitis).

    Symptoms:

    Anorexia

    nausea and vomiting

    Jaundice

    Dark urine

    Hepatomegaly (enlarge liver)

    May have abdominal pain.

    With the cholestatic form, clay colored stools and pruritus may occur.

    Treatment:

    Effective treatment aims to remove the causative agent by lavage( the
    irrigation or washing out of an organ), catharsis (a cleansing or purgation),
    or hyperventilation, depending on the route of exposure.

    For gold or arsenic :  Dimercaprol is an antidote used for toxic
    hepatitis cause by these but does not prevent drug induced hepatitis caused
    by other substances.

    Corticosteroids may be ordered for patients with the drug induced type.

    Thioctic acid may be prescribed to alleviate mushroom poisoning.

    Viral Hepatitis


    Viral Hepatitis: 
    The viral form of hepatitis is an acute inflammation of the liver marked
    by liver cell destruction, necrosis, and autolysis ( spontaneous disintegration
    of cells or tissues by autologous enzymes ).  There are three types
    of viral hepatitis:  Type A (infectious or short incubation
    hepatitis), Type B (serum or long incubation hepatitis), and Type
    C     (non-A, non-B) hepatitis.  Recently a hepatitis Type D virus
    has been identified.  However, this defective ribonucleic acid virus
    only expresses itself with active hepatitis B.

    Cause:  By hepatitis viruses

    Symptoms:

    Preicteric phase (preceding
    the appearance of jaundice-yellowing of the skin):  the patient may
    complain of fatigue, malaise, arthralgia (pain in a joint), myalgia (muscular
    pain), photophobia (abnormal visual intolerance to light), and headache.

    The patient may also experience nausea and vomiting,
    fever, liver and lymph node enlargement.  His sense of taste and smell
    may be alter.

    Icteric phase (jaundice-icterus stage) 
    this phase lasts 2 to 2 weeks.  The patient may experience mild
    weight loss, dark urine, clay colored stools, yellow sclera and skin, and
    continued hepatomegaly with tenderness.

    Convalescent Phase  lasts 2 to 12
    weeks or possibly longer.  The patient may continue to feel fatigue,
    have abdominal pain or tenderness, flatulence, and indigestion.

    Treatment:

    There is no specific treatment that exists for
    hepatitis.

    Rest and combat anorexia by eating small meals
    high in calories and protein for the early stages of this disease.

    Antiemetic may be prescribed for nausea and prevent
    vomiting.

    In severe hepatitis:  Corticosteroids may
    be prescribed.

    Understanding
    Types Of Hepatitis


     

    Hepatitis Type A:  (infectious)

    Age of incidence:  Children and young adults

    Seasonal Incidence:  Fall and Winter

    Transmission:  Food, water, semen, tears, stools, and possibly
    urine

    Incubation:  15 to 45 days

    Onset:   Sudden

     Serum markers: Antibody to type A hepatitis

    Prognosis:  Good

    Carrier state:  NO

    Hepatitis Type B:  (serum)

    Age incidence:  Can occur at any age

    Seasonal Incidence:  Anytime

    Transmission:  Serum, blood and blood products, and semen

    Incubation:  40 to 180 days

    Onset:  Insidious

    Serum markers:  Hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis
    B antibodies

    Prognosis:   Worsens with age

    Carrier state:  Yes

    Hepatitis Type C (non-A, non-B)

    Age incidence:  Adults

    Seasonal Incidence:  Anytime

    Transmission:  Serum, blood and blood products, and possibly
    food

    Incubation:  15 to 160 days

    Onset:  Insidious

    Serum markers:  –

    Prognosis:   Moderate

    Carrier state:   Unknown

  • Hernia

    Try our All Natural Cure for
    Heartburn, Acid Reflux & Hiatal Hernia

    Hernia:  protrusion of a portion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening.

    Inguinal hernia:  the large or small intestine, omentum, or bladder protrudes into the inguinal (pertaining to the groin) canal.  Inguinal hernia may be reducible – if the hernia can be moved back into place easily, and incarcerated – if it can’t be reduced because of adhesions in the hernial sac, or strangulated – if part of the herniated intestine becomes twisted or edematous, cutting off normal blood flow and peristalsis and may lead to intestinal obstruction and necrosis.  Inguinal hernia can be direct or indirect.  Indirect:  it causes the abdominal viscera to protrude through the inguinal ring and follow the spermatic cord (in males) or round ligament (in females).
    Direct:  it results from a weakness in the fascial floor of the inguinal canal.

    Cause:  results from abdominal muscles  weakened by congenital malformation, traumatic injury, aging, or from increased intra abdominal pressure – usually due to heavy lifting, pregnancy, obesity, or straining.

    Symptoms:

    Pain
    Nausea
    Vomiting
    May have diarrhea (possible strangulation)
    Lump that appears over the herniated area when the patient stands or strains and disappears when the patient is supine.

    Treatment: 

    Reducible hernia:  may be relieved temporarily by moving the hernia back into place.
    A truss may keep the abdominal contents from protruding into the hernial sac (Note- this is not a cure, this device is beneficial for an elderly or debilitated patient, for whom any surgery is potentially hazardous)

    Herniorrhaphy is a surgical treatment preferred for infants, adults, and otherwise healthy elderly patients.  This surgery replaces hernial sac contents into the abdominal cavity and seals the opening.

    Hernioplasty:  this is another effective procedure, which reinforces the weakened area with steel mesh, fascia, or wire.

    For strangulated or necrotic hernia:  the patients requires bowel resection.  an extensive resection may required temporary colostomy though it is rare.

     

     

    Hiatal Hernia This is a structural defect in which a weaned diaphragm allows a portion of the stomach to pass through the esophageal diaphragmatic opening (hiatus) into the chest when intra abdominal pressure increases.

    There are three types of hiatal hernia:  Sliding hernia which is the most common.  Paraesoophageal (rolling) hernia, and mixed hernia, which includes features of the others.  In sliding hernia:  both the stomach and the gastroesophageal junction slip up into the chest so that the gastroeal junction is above the diaphragmatic hiatus.  In a paraesoophageal hernia:  a part of the greater curvature of the stomach rolls through the diaphragmatic defect.

    Cause:  May be caused by muscle weakening associated with the following:
    Aging, esophageal carcinoma, kyphoscoliosis, trauma, certain surgical procedures, and congenital diaphragmatic malformations.

    Symptoms:

    In a sliding hiatal hernia:  occur in the presence of an incompetent gastroesophageal sphincter.  –Heartburn – occurring 1 to 4 hours after eating and is aggravated by increased intra abdominal pressure.  May experience vomiting or regurgitation. 

    Retrosternal or substernal chest pain.  Usually occurring often after meals or at bedtime and is aggravated by reclining, belching, and increased intra abdominal pressure.

    In a paraesophageal hiatal hernia:  the patient may be asymptomatic.  He may have a feeling of fullness in the chest or pain resembling angina pectoris.

    Treatment:

    Treatment is to modify or reduce reflux by changing the quantity or quality of gastric contents, by strengthening the gastroesophageal sphincter muscle pharmacologically, or by decreasing the amount of reflux through gravity.

    Antacids

    Drug therapy to strengthen gastroesophageal sphincter tone may include a cholinergic agent such as bethanechol.  Metoclopramide has also been used to stimulate smooth muscle contraction, increase sphincter tone, and decrease reflux after eating.

    If above treatment fails to control symptoms, the patient may require surgical repair.  A paraesophageal hiatal hernia, even one that causes no symptoms, needs surgical treatment because of the high risk of strangulation.  Techniques vary greatly, but most create an artificial closing mechanism at the gastroesophageal junction to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter’s barrier function.  The surgeon may use an abdominal or a thoracic approach.

  • Herbs

    Echinacea: Boosts the sensitivity of key white blood cells and should be taken at the first sign
    of a cold or flu.
    .
    Astragalus: Contains antiviral and immune-boosting effects and is used to combat colds. Flu’s
    and other respiratory infections.
    .
    Saint-John’s
    Wort:    		 Very popular treatment for mild to moderate depression with few reported side 
    effects.
    .
    Dong Qual:  General tonic for women and the female reproductive system, used to treat
    irregular or difficult menstruation PMS, menopausal symptoms and weakness
    following childbirth.
    .
    Arnica: The tincture is a topical remedy for bruises sprains sore muscles and joints. For 
    external use only.
    .
    Ginger:  Improves digestion and eases stomach upset and nausea.
    .
    Ginkgo Biloba: Increases blond flow to the brain and is used in the treatment of circulatory
    disorders and impaired memory.
    .
    Raw Garlic: Antibiotic that also lowers cholesterol and blood pressure. It also reduces the
    clotting tendency of the blood.
    .
    Ginseng: Ginseng in addition to being a sexual energizer for men, it reduces stress and
    improves hormonal balance.
    .
    Maitake
    Mushroom    :    		 Boosts the immune system.

  • Hemothorax

    Hemothorax:  In this disorder, blood from damaged intercostal
    , pleural , mediastinal, and sometimes lung parenchymal vessels enters
    the pleural cavity.  Depending on the amount of bleeding and the underlying
    cause, hemothorax may be associated  with varying degrees of lung
    collapse and mediastinal shift. Pneumothorax (air in the pleural cavity)
    commonly accompanies hemothorax.

    Cause:  Usually results from blunt or penetrating chest
    trauma.  Hemothorax may result from thoracic surgery, pulmonary infarction,
    neoplasm, disecting thoracic aneurysm, or anticoagulant therapy.

    Symptoms:

    Percussion reveals dullness, and auscultation reveals decreased to absent
    breath sounds over the affected side.

    Chest pain

    Tachypnea

    Mild to severe dyspnea (difficulty breathing) may be present

    If respiratory failure results, the patient may appear anxious, restless,
    possibly stuporous, and cyanotic.

    Marked blood loss produces hypotension and shock.

    The affected side of the chest expands and stiffens, while the unaffected
    side rises and falls with the patient’s gasping respirations

    Treatment:

    Goal:  to stabilize the patient’s condition, stop the bleeding,
    evacuate blood from the pleural space, and reexpand the underlying lung.

    Mild hemothorax usually clears in 10 to 14 days, requiring only observation
    for further bleeding.

    In severe hemothorax, thoracentesis may be performed, (not only use
    as a diagnostic tool, but also as a method of removing fluid from the pleural
    cavity.)

    Chest tube

    Suction may be used to prevent clot blockage

    Thoracotomy may be done to evacuate blood and clots and to control bleeding.

  • Hemorrhoids

    Hemorrhoids:  a varicose dilatation of a
    vein of the superior or inferior hemorrhoidal plexus.  Dilation and
    enlargement of the superior plexus produces internal hemorrhoids; dilation
    and enlargement of the inferior plexus produces external hemorrhoids, which
    may protrude from the rectum.

    Cause:  Hemorrhoids probably result from increased intravenous
    pressure in the hemorrhoidal venous plexus.  Some of the risk factors
    may include occupations that require prolonged standing or sitting, straining
    due to constipation, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, or vomiting; heart failure,
    hepatic disease, alcoholism, and anorectal infections; loss of muscle tone
    due to old age, rectal surgery, or episiotomy; anal intercourse, and pregnancy.

    Symptoms:

    Patient may be asymptomatic

    Patient may have painless, intermittent bleeding during defecation.

    Pruritus

    Patient may have discomfort and prolapse in response to an increase
    in intra abdominal pressure

    Sudden rectal pain

    May have a large, firm, subcutaneous lump with thrombosed external hemorrhoids.

    Treatment:

    Typically, treatment aims to ease pain, combat swelling and congestion,
    and regulate bowel habits.

    Local swelling and pain can be decreased with local anesthetic agents,
    astringents, or cold compresses, followed by warm sitz baths or thermal
    packs. (Rarely, the patient with chronic, profuse bleeding may require
    a blood transfusion)

    The doctor may prescribed nonsurgical treatments that includes injection
    of a sclerosing solution to produce scar tissue that decreases prolapse;
    manual reduction; and hemorrhoid ligation or freezing.

    For severe bleeding:  hemorrhoidectom is the most effective treatment.

  • Heart Disease

    Cardiovascular disorders:

    Congenital Heart Defects:  such as:

    Atrial Septal Defect
    Coarctation Of The Aorta

    Patent Ductus Arteriosus

    Cyanotic Defects includes:

    Tetralogy Of Fallot

    Transposition of the great arteries

    Valvular Heart Disease:

    Mitral Insufficiency

    Mitral Stenosis

    Aortic Insufficiency

    Aortic Stenosis

    Pulmonary Insufficiency

    Pulmonary Stenosis

    Tricuspid Insufficiency

    Tricupspid Stenosis

    Inflammatory Heart Disease:

    Myocarditis

    Pericarditis

    Endocarditis

    Rheumatic Heart Disease

    Degenerative Disorders:

    Hypertension

    Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

    Myocardial Infarction (MI)

    Congestive Heart Failure

    Cardiomyopathies

    Idiopathic Hypertrophic Subaortic Stenosis

  • Hypoglycemia

    Hypoglycemia:  deficiency of glucose concentration
    in the blood, which may lead to nervousness, hypothermia, headache, confusion,
    and sometimes convulsions and coma.  Hypoglycemia is characterized
    by an abnormally low glucose level, hypoglycemia occurs when glucose is
    used too rapidly, when the glucose release rate falls behind tissue demands,
    or when excessive insulin enters the blood stream.  This deficiency
    is classified as reactive or fasting. Reactive
    hypoglycemia     results from the reaction to the disposition of meals
    or the administration of excessive amount of insulin.  Fasting
    hypoglycemia     causes discomfort during long periods of not eating food,
    for example: in the early morning hours before breakfast.  Hypoglycemia
    is a specific endocrine imbalance, its symptoms are often vague and depend
    on how quickly the patient’s glucose levels drop.  If not treated
    properly, severe hypoglycemia may result in coma and irreversible brain
    damage.

    Cause:  Reactive hypoglycemia can result from too much insulin
    or oral hypoglycemic medication in diabetic patients.  It can also
    result form impaired glucose tolerance, with early hyperglycemia followed
    by a delayed rise in insulin levels: rapid small intestine glucose absorption
    caused by gastrectomy or other GI procedures; and it can be idiopathic.

    Fasting hypoglycemia can be  caused by exogenous factors, such
    as alcohol or drug ingestion, or endogenous factors caused by organ damage,
    such as pancreatic tumor, hepatic disease, or renal disease.

    Symptoms:

    Weakness

    Hunger

    Cold sweats

    Shakiness

    Trembling

    Headache

    Irritability

    Tachycardia

    Pallor

    Blurred vision

    Confusion

    Motor weakness

    Hemiplegia

    Convulsions

    Coma

    Treatment:

    For acute hypoglycemia:  First priority is to bring the patient’s
    glucose level back to normal.

    Effective long term treatment of reactive hypoglycemia requires dietary
    modification.

    If conscious, the patient needs a fast acting carbohydrate, such as
    sweetened orange juice or candy (than follow with doctors orders)

    If unconscious:  Medical emergency – Go see a doctor or ER promptly. 
    The doctor may prescribed glucagon I.M. or S.C. or an I.V. bolus of 50
    ml of dextrose 50% is usually administered first.

    For fasting hypoglycemia:  surgery and drug therapy are usually
    required.

    Comparing Hypoglycemia, Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA),
    and Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Coma (HHNC)

    Hypoglycemia:

    Precipitating factors:  Delayed or omitted
    meal, insulin overdose, excessive exercise without food or insulin adjustments.

    Symptom onset:  Rapid – can be minutes to hours

    Signs and symptoms:  Skin and Mucous membranes: 
    Cold, clammy skin, pallor, profuse sweating, normal mucous membranes.

    Neurologic status:   Initial state –Irritability,
    nervousness, hand tremors, may have difficulty speaking, and concentrating,
    difficulty focusing, and coordinating. – Late state- – Dilated pupils,
    hyper-reflexia, Coma.

    Muscle strength:  Normal or reduced

    GI:  None

    Temperature:  Normal, if in deep coma- may be subnormal

    Pulse:  Tachycardic (abnormally rapid pulse rate), if in
    deep coma – bradycardic (abnormally low pulse rate)

    Blood pressure:  Normal to above normal

    Respirations:  Initial state:  normal to rapid. –
    Late
    state    : slow

    Breath odor:  Normal

    Other:  Hunger

    Treatment:  Glucose, glucagon, epinephrine

    Diabetic Ketoacidosis
    (DKA)

    Precipitating factors:  Undiagnosed diabetes,
    Neglected treatment, infection, cardiovascular disorders, physical stress,
    emotional stress, and Exercise in uncontrolled diabetes

    Symptom onset:  Slow – can be hours to days

    Signs and symptoms:  Skin and Mucous membranes: 
    Warm, flushed, dry, loose skin; dry, crusty mucous membranes; soft eyeballs

    Neurologic status:  Initial state:  dullness, confusion,
    lethargy; diminished reflexes. –Late state: coma

    Muscle strength:  Extremely weak

    GI:  Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal tenderness
    and pain

    Temperature:  Hypothermia, Patient may have a fever – from
    dehydration or infection.

    Pulse:  Mildly tachycardic, weak

    Blood pressure:  Subnormal

    Respirations:  Initial state:  deep, fast. – Late
    state    :  Kussmaul’s (deep rapid respiration)

    Breath odor:  Fruity, acetone

    Other:  Thirst

    Treatment:  Insulin, fluid replacement, electrolyte replacement,
    anti acidosis therapy (if needed)


    Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar
    Nonketotic Coma (HHNC)

     

    Precipitating factors:  Undiagnosed diabetes, infection
    or other stress, acute or chronic illnesses, certain drugs and medical
    procedures, severe burns treated with high glucose concentrations

    Symptom onset:  Slow – can be hours to days, but
    more gradual than DKA

    Signs and symptoms:  Skin and Mucous membranes: 
    Warm, flushed, dry, extremely loose skin; dry, crusty mucous membranes;
    soft eyeballs

    Neurologic status:  Initial state:  dullness, confusion,
    lethargy, diminished reflexes. – Late state:  Coma

    Muscle strength:  Extremely weak

    GI:   None

    Temperature:  May have a fever (usually from dehydration
    or infection)

    Pulse:  Usually rapid

    Blood pressure:  Subnormal

    Respirations:  Rapid (not like DKA)

    Breath odor:  Normal

    Other:  Initial – Thirst  – Late- Thirst may be absent

    Treatment:  Fluid replacement, insulin, electrolyte replacement

  • High Blood Pressure

    CONTROL YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE
    DRUG DREE in 3 Weeks or Less

    High Blood Pressure

    Hypertension is a major cause of cerebrovascular accident, cardiac disease, and renal failure.  Treating hypertension and the underlying cause before complications develop greatly improves the patient’s prognosis.  Severely elevated blood pressure may become fatal if left untreated.

    Cause:  There is no single cause for essential hypertension.  Secondary hypertension may be caused by renal vascular disease, Cushin’s syndrome, primary hyperaldosteronism, or dysfunction of the thyroid, pituitary, or parathyroid glands.  It may also be a result from a neurologic disorders, pregnancy, and coarctation of the aorta.

    Risk factors for hypertension may include:  Family history of hypertension, Race, stress, obesity, high dietary intake of saturated fats or sodium, tobacco use, oral contraceptive use, aging and, sedentary life style.

    Symptoms:

    Serial blood pressure measurements of more than 140/90 mm Hg confirm hypertension.
    Other signs and symptoms do not appear until complications develop from vascular changes.

    Treatment:

    Essential hypertension has no cure, however, modifications in diet and life style as well as medication therapy can control it.

    Medication therapy may consist of:  Diuretic, Beta adrenergic blockers, other sympathetic blockers, or vasodilators may be used.  Therapy may also include angiotensin converting enzyme and calcium channel blockers.

    Life style and dietary changes may include:  weight loss, relaxation techniques, regular exercise, and restriction of sodium and saturated fat intake.

    For secondary hypertension includes:  correcting the underlying cause and controlling hypertensive effects.

    also known as Hypertension:  persistently high arterial blood pressure – refers to an intermittent or sustained elevation in diastolic ( the dilation, or the period of dilation, of the heart, especially of the ventricles) or systolic blood pressure (the contraction, or period of contraction, of the heart, especially of the ventricles).  Essential, or idiopathic, hypertension occurs most commonly.  Secondary hypertension results from numerous disorders.