What Can Migraine Patients Do For Reducing Their Pain and Suffering?

If you have never suffered an attack of migraines, consider yourself fortunate. Because any person suffering from this disease will tell you that the very idea of another future attack is enough to send shivers down their spine. However, if you are one of those who suffer, don't lose hope. There are some natural methods for dealing with this problem.

What is a Migraine?

Severe headaches lasting for a few hours to some days are called migraine headaches.
They can occur with or without aura. A migraine without aura is characterized by severe throbbing pain on one side of the head. The pain is accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms:

•    Nausea
•    Loss of appetite
•    Vomiting
•    Increased sensitivity to light
•    Increased sensitivity to sound

A migraine with aura involves a number of disturbing sensations, such as visual disturbances. The aura symptoms occur in different parts of the body during different attacks and last for about 5 to 60 minutes.

What Can You Do to Manage This Problem?

1.    Maintain a diary: Most patients have a hard time identifying their triggers. However, keeping a diary is an easier and a very effective way of finding them.

2.    Eat and drink on time: Dieting and fasting are known to bring on an attack. Having your meals at regular times can help reduce the chances of having an episode.

3.    Exercise: Join a gym or go jogging. Keeping your body fit and healthy is a great way to reduce this problem. Your exercises can also include a simple walk for 30 minutes, gardening or washing your car.

4.    Stop smoking: One-third of smokers complain that smoking exacerbates their symptoms. You will find a lot of improvement in the frequency and intensity of your attacks once you quit smoking.

5.    Physical therapy: Hot packs and therapeutic massages often help diminish such headaches.

Few other alternatives that can offer relief:

•    Amethyst crystals: These have been found to reduce the frequency of attacks and bring down the intensity of the migraine pain to a tolerable level.

•    Feverfew: When taken daily for a few months, it provides sufferers with dramatic relief from migraine activity.

•    Aromatherapy: Put a few drops of lavender oil on a cloth and place it on the forehead. This is the best home remedy and it has been used successfully by many, during acute attacks.

Ultracet for Migraines:

Those looking for quick relief from painful condition can take Ultracet, a potent pain reliever containing Tramadol and Acetaminophen. It will help you get rid of the excruciating pain by inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin and by blocking the synthesis of prostaglandins.

Patients are usually advised to take 2 tablets of Ultracet every 4 to 6 hours. But, before you start using this drug, talk to your doctor to know if any change in this dosage is required.

Migraines are debilitating! In the midst of an attack, patients are unable to complete their everyday chores and tasks. Using Ultracet can contribute tremendously to reducing their sufferings.

Know the Signs of Depression and Save Patients from Its Worst Outcomes!

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Though depression is very common, many people are not aware of how to know if someone is suffering from it. By the time it is diagnosed, the damage is done! It is known that suicidal attempts are very common in these patients. The patient’s family and friends realize that he or she was struggling with difficulties in life and was deep into depression, only when that patient takes a drastic step. Knowing the early signs of this disease can help people in detecting a patient who may be experiencing this problem.

What is depression?

It is a psychological disorder characterized by recurring episodes of all-encompassing low moods, often accompanied by loss of pleasure in normally enjoyable activities and low self-esteem.

What are the causes of this illness?

• Many researchers believe that this disease is caused by chemical changes occurring in the brain.

• The most common age of onset of this disease is between 20 and 30 years, having a later peak at the age of about 40 years.

• It is more common in women than in men.

• Depression may occur from generations to generations in some families, indicating the role of hereditary factors in the development of this disease.

• Alcoholism and illicit drug abuse are frequently associated with this disease. These factors can dramatically worsen the course of this illness.

• Certain stressful circumstances in life such as loss of a loved one, job loss, failing in exams and divorce can also trigger this problem.

What are the symptoms of this ailment?

• Irritability
• Agitation
• Becoming socially withdrawn
• Reduced or increased appetite
• Lack of energy
• Weight loss or gain
• Self-hate
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Thoughts of suicide
• Reduced sex drive
• Guilt
• Sleeplessness or excessive sleepiness

What may help?

• Do not drink alcohol
• Do not use illegal drugs
• Get more exercise to stay physically active and fit
• Try to be around people who are positive and caring
• Seek out activities that give pleasure
• Get involved in group activities
• Maintain good sleeping habits
• Talk to someone who can be trusted

How to control it?

Patients suffering from depression may be advised to use Duloxetine for managing it successfully. This drug is also used for the management of anxiety disorders, peripheral neuropathy and fibromyalgia. It works by affecting some chemicals in the nervous system that may become unbalanced, causing depression.

Dosage instructions:

The usual prescribed dosage of Duloxetine is 20 mg, 2 times in a day. It can be increased to 30 mg, twice daily, if the response is not as expected. Patients should consult a physician for more information about this medicine and its dosage.

By some estimates, approximately 10% of people in the United States suffer from depression and about 3.4% of them commit suicide. Now, that’s an alarming figure! Depressed patients also have a shorter life expectancy than normal individuals. Early diagnosis of this disease and treatment with Duloxetine can help save many lives.

Levothroid Vs. Synthroid

Levothroid Vs. Synthroid

How to treat the muscle weakness caused by Myasthenia gravis

How to treat the muscle weakness caused by Myasthenia gravis

Convert a painful walk to a joyful ride with use of Simvastatin!

Peripheral vascular disease or PVD refers to the diseases of the circulatory system outside of the heart and the brain. This disorder is characterized by narrowing of the arteries in the legs causing limitation of blood supply to the muscles.

This condition usually begins with a build up of plaques in the blood vessels that supply blood to the limbs. These plaques are made up of cholesterol, calcium and fibrous tissue. This results in lack of proper blood supply to the muscles of the legs, causing severe signs and symptoms.

What are the risk factors for this problem?

• The symptoms of this illness are more severe in people with diabetes. Even the recovery of these individuals is slower as compared to that of normal people.

• Patients having an increased level of cholesterol face a very high risk of suffering from this problem.

• This disease is more prevalent in patients above 50 years of age.

• The inflammation and scarring of the blood vessels due to infections can lead to this ailment.

• Structural defects in the blood vessels can also increase the risk of developing this disease.

What are the indications of this disease?

This condition most commonly affects the muscles in the buttocks, the hips, the thighs, the foot and the calf. Intermittent limping, or claudication, is the commonest symptom of this condition. Patients complain of pain, numbness and cramps in the legs while walking or climbing stairs. These symptoms often ease after taking rest. There can also be burning or numbness in the legs. If the blockage is severe, patients may not feel any pain because the body tries to compensate for this by growing tiny blood vessels that "bypass" the blocked arteries. This is called collateral circulation.

Some other signs and symptoms of this disorder include:

• Delayed healing of wounds
• Repeated infections in the legs
• Gangrene or death of the tissues requiring an amputation
• Weak or absent pulse in the feet
• Erection problems, especially in males having diabetes

How to manage?

Patients suffering from this disease are advised to use Simvastatin to manage it with effective results. Use of this medicine also helps in prevent heart attack and stroke. It helps in managing this disease by preventing the action of an enzyme, HMG-CoA Reductase, in the liver. This leads to a reduction in the level of cholesterol in the body, thereby preventing blockages of the arteries.

How to use?

Patients should use Simvastatin in a dosage of 10 to 40 mg, once everyday. The dose can be modified depending on the blood cholesterol levels. Patients can consult their physician for more information about this drug.

A person may try to ignore peripheral vascular disease by walking less to avoid leg pain. However, this may not help for long! In fact, ignoring this problem may make it worse, leading to gangrene or other severe complications. Hence, the best way to deal with this disease is to use of Simvastatin and ensure that your leg vessels function efficiently. 

How to Prevent Fears From Overpowering your Life!

Panic attacks are common psychological conditions that occur as a part of anxiety disorders. But, they are different than the other types of anxiety disorders. Panic attacks come suddenly and often seem to be unprovoked. They are quite often disabling too.

What are the Risk Factors for this Illness?

• Some other psychological illnesses, including posttraumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia, can increase the risk of this condition.

• Some medicines can also cause intense anxiety, leading to this ailment. These medications include stimulants such as methylphenidate, anti-diabetic medications like insulin and anti-malarial drugs like quinine. People may suffer from this condition when they suddenly withdraw corticosteroids without tapering the dose slowly.

• Some studies have highlighted that the use of food additives like aspartame can also cause this problem.

• Heredity plays a strong role in the development of this illness.

• Some studies have pointed that deficiencies of zinc and magnesium may also play a role in developing this disorder.

• History of physical or sexual abuse during childhood can increase the risk of suffering from this illness.

Some Common Signs and Symptoms of this Illness are Mentioned Here:

• Palpitations
• Sudden pain in the chest
• Upset stomach
• Difficulty in breathing
• A fear of being smothered
• Trembling of the hands
• Feelings of detachment
• Distorted perceptions
• A feeling of helplessness

What are the consequences of this condition?

In children, this condition results in a sharp decline in their performance at school. They start avoiding school and fear being separated from their parents. Substance abuse and depression are common in these children. They may develop a brooding tendency and have suicidal thoughts. 

Similarly, in adults, this condition has a negative effect on their performance at the workplace. They are unable to concentrate on their work. They also isolate themselves from others.

Possible complications:

• Depression
• Alcoholism
• Financial problems
• Heart diseases
• Substance abuse

How to treat?

• Use of medications
• Stress-management techniques
• Counseling for decreasing the sense of helplessness
• Patient education
• Recognizing and replacing panic-causing thoughts
• Eating at regular times
• Exercising regularly
• Getting enough sleep
• Cognitive behavioral therapy

Medications for panic disorder:

Patients are advised to use Escitalopram for the treatment of this ailment. It can also be used for managing depression and generalized anxiety disorder. It helps by preventing the reuptake of a neurotransmitter, serotonin, by the nerves, which results in an increased amount of serotonin in the brain. This helps to control the symptoms of the condition.

Dosage Recommendations:

Patients can take Generic Escitalopram in a dosage of 10 milligrams, once daily. The dose can be increased to 20 mg per day after a week. It can be taken with or without food. Patients can contact a physician to know more regarding the dose of this medication that is suitable for them.

We expect people to overcome their childhood fears once they grow up. But, some fears may strike in adulthood. These fears can be overcome by using Escitalopram along with proper counseling.

Hypothyroidism Explained - Here are the Answers you always Wanted

Hypothyroidism is a disorder wherein the thyroid gland is not able to secrete sufficient quantities of the hormones that are required for the body to function properly. Insufficient hormonal secretions tend to disrupt almost all the chemical reactions inside the body.

If hypothyroidism is not treated, it could cause problems like obesity, infertility, heart disorders and joint problems, besides worsening any already existing health conditions.

Hypothyroidism Causes:

•    Pituitary Disease: The pituitary gland is responsible for the thyroid functioning properly. When this gland does not function appropriately, a person could either suffer from an underactive or overactive thyroid gland.

•    Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: This condition is amongst the most common causes of hypothyroidism. This disorder causes the immune system to see the thyroid gland as a foreign, harmful object. This causes the immune system to attack thyroid gland tissues, thereby leading to inflammation of the thyroid as well as a considerable decrease in the production of thyroid hormones.

•    Iodine Deficiency: A deficiency of iodine within the body can lead to hypothyroidism. A sufficient amount of iodine is extremely important for normal thyroid activity. A lack of iodine can make it difficult for the thyroid glands to produce the required hormones.

•    Damaged Thyroid Gland: A damaged thyroid gland is one more cause of hypothyroidism. A patient taking treatment for hyperthyroidism over a period of time is at risk of developing a damaged thyroid gland. Long-term usage of anti-thyroid medicine could suppress the thyroid glands to a point where it may cause hypothyroidism.

•    Cancer Treatment: Cancer treatment requires radiation therapy to eradicate cancer cells. Nevertheless, in case the target site of treatment is in the neck region, then it may interfere with the thyroid gland, thereby leading to hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism Symptoms:

The initial signs of hypothyroidism are:

•    Fatigue
•    Constipation
•    Loss of appetite
•    Muscle and joint pain
•    Inability to withstand cold
•    Irregular menstrual cycle
•    Reasonable increase in weight

Advanced Hypothyroidism symptoms are:

•    Hair loss
•    Weakness
•    Sleepiness
•    Weak memory
•    Change in the voice
•    Thinning eyebrows
•    Puffiness of the face
•    Lack of concentration
•    Lack of sensation in arms and legs

If hypothyroidism is not provided timely treatment, it could worsen and might cause an enlargement of the thyroid gland, also known as goiter. It may even lead to more serious complications, such as myxedema.

Once it is diagnosed, the doctor will prescribe suitable medicine to treat this condition. Medications like Levothroid are amongst the drugs most commonly prescribed to help in overcoming a thyroid hormone deficiency. Levothroid is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone that is manufactured and released by the thyroid gland.

Levothroid has been approved to treat hypothyroidism and goiter growths. However, it is important that you utilize Generic Levothroid only when it has been prescribed by the healthcare professional.

These were a few causes, symptoms and treatments for hypothyroidism. Though this problem is extremely common amongst individuals, there are appropriate treatments, including treatment with Levothroid, available to help one overcome this condition.