Many people who use the club drug ketamine – known as “special K” – may risk abdominal pain, bladder control problems and other urinary tract issues, and the heavier the dose or frequency of use, the more likely the problems, according to a UK study.

The study, which appeared in the British Journal of Urology International, found that of 1,285 young adults who said they’d abused ketamine in the past year, 27 percent had developed urinary tract symptoms.

In medicine, ketamine is used as an anesthetic. In clubs, where it’s better known as “special K,” ketamine is snorted or sometimes injected, with users saying it creates feelings of euphoria and being “out of your body.”

Related: Ketamine: A miracle antidepressant?

Ketamine abuse is on the rise in many countries, and repeated use has been linked to mental problems such as hallucinations and impaired memory, thinking and concentration. It can also cause high blood pressure.

The study, led by Angela Cottrell, a researcher at the Bristol Urological Institute, looked at the prevalence of urinary tract symptoms such as pain in the lower belly, painful urination, blood in the urine and bladder-control problems.

“The take-home message is that regular ketamine use can lead to severe urinary symptoms,” Cottrell said, although she did say it was not clear how the rate of urinary problems among ketamine users compared to young people in general.

The findings were based on an online survey promoted by a UK club-music magazine called “MixMag.”

Of 3,806 young people who responded, half said they’d tried it at least once, while 1,285 – or a third of the whole group – said they’d used it in the last year.

The researchers found that among all of the past-year users, 17 percent had symptoms of ketamine dependence such as wanting, but failing, to cut down on the drug. Not surprisingly, they tended to take the drug in bigger doses, and more often, than other users.

In general, the odds of urinary problems and abdominal pain went up as people’s ketamine doses climbed, and with more frequent use.

Those symptoms often seem to go away once the ketamine abuse stops.

For the study, 251 survey respondents described their experience. half said they’d stopped using the drug and their symptoms had improved. Another 43 percent still had urinary problems, but were also still abusing ketamine.

Then there was the 4 percent who said their urinary problems were getting worse even though they were off ketamine.

“There may be a stage where irreversible damage may occur,” Cottrell said. “However, little is known about this.”

Back pain, headaches and difficulty sleeping are common symptoms many people discuss with their doctors during routine checkups. Yet one symptom many patients overlook is dryness, especially dry mouth. if you think dry mouth isn’t serious enough to mention to your doctor, think again.

Are you drinking lots of liquids and yet your mouth still feels dry? Do you have difficulty talking, chewing or swallowing? if so, you could be experiencing dry mouth. While dry mouth may seem manageable on your own, it could be more serious than you think. In many instances, poor oral health can be an indication of a more serious medical condition, like Sjogren’s syndrome, which affects as many as 4 million Americans.

Sjogren’s is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which a person’s immune system attacks and destroys the moisture-producing glands in the body. often, the condition leaves patients with chronic dry mouth as they experience a decrease in saliva. Many patients also frequently experience a dry or a gritty, sandy feeling in their eyes. both dry mouth and dry eyes are the hallmark symptoms of Sjogren’s. other symptoms may also include joint pain, fatigue, a change in taste or smell, or tooth decay.

“April is Sjogren’s Awareness Month, which makes it a great time to make an appointment to talk to your doctors about dryness,” says Steven Taylor, CEO of the Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation. “Every doctor will tell you that no symptom is insignificant, so speak up and Defy the Dry by visiting DefytheDry.com for more information about dry mouth and Sjogren’s. You can even download dryness screeners to help you assess your dryness symptoms.”

Need more motivation to speak up about dry mouth? the average time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis of Sjogren’s is almost seven years. one reason for the delay may be that patients wait months (and even years) before discussing their symptoms with their doctors. Additionally, patients may not connect their symptoms, like cavities or cracked lips, with dry mouth and many of them may not describe their dry-mouth symptoms thoroughly when they finally do speak to their physicians. if this sounds like you, visit DefytheDry.com to download the Sjogren’s symptoms checklist and bring it to your next doctor appointment to help guide you and your physician through a productive and accurate conversation about your symptoms.

“By increasing the conversation around dryness symptoms and Sjogren’s syndrome between doctors and patients, we hope to decrease time to diagnosis by 50 percent in the next five years,” adds Taylor.

While there is no cure for Sjogren’s, treatment options are available to help manage symptoms. for more information on Sjogren’s and its symptoms, visit DefytheDry.com.

Erin, a 28-year-old graduate student, lives with chronic upper back problems. The pain is brutal sometimes, and her back locks up for no reason. she tried many different remedies and found that chiropractic care and acupuncture both work well. after a session of either, she feels immediate relief. still, she must have regular treatment or her back will seize up again. Erin, who asked that her last name not be used, is far from alone — chronic back pain is one of the most common maladies affecting Americans. according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, nine of 10 people experience back pain during their lifetimes.

What Causes Back Pain?

Some sore backs result from a car accident or trying to pick up something heavy. most common, however, is back pain arising from “the cumulative microtrauma through years of living,” in the words of Appleton, Wis., chiropractor Matthew Lederer.

Other experts echo those thoughts.

“In our culture, long hours in a car and seated at a desk are a recipe for eventual back problems,” said David Saum, an acupuncturist with Southview Acupuncture Clinic in South St. Paul, Minn. “The most common causes of back pain are overwork and trauma — sometimes the first leads to the second.”

According to an overview of back pain from the National Institute of Health, the back is uniquely complicated. It is made up of dozens of bones, muscles and nerves, all of which must be in harmony. a slight strain in one muscle or a slight misalignment between two bones can constrict a nerve, causing back pain.

Chiropractors such as Lederer take X-rays to ensure that patients’ spines are in need of realignment.

“What I see most often in the X-rays I take are spinal degeneration, osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease or other conditions,” he said.

Treating The Pain

Surgery may be necessary for more serious cases of back pain, but Lederer emphasized that it is only an option after more conservative options have been exhausted. He cited a recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association that showed back surgery and certain exercise programs yield about the same results.

Manipulation from a chiropractor is a much less drastic method for helping resolve the imbalance that causes the pain. Chiropractors go through years of training to learn how to adjust joints enough to restore a normal range of motion.

Spinal manipulation — often accompanied by the “pop” of air being moved from a joint — is not a full solution by itself. according to Lederer, “chiropractic care now and exercise later” is the best approach. He gives patients exercises to perform that will strengthen back muscles, and he also emphasizes the need for periodic adjustments.

Long-Term Solutions

Of course, if your job is contributing to your back problems, it may be necessary to change the conditions in which you work.

“Most commonly, people do not realize the ergonomic measures they should be taking,” said Lederer. “People often wait until a problem emerges rather than doing preventative care.”

Your employer may offer an ergonomic assessment that can rearrange your workspace and put your back in a better position. Ergonomics experts can teach you how to work in a way that does not strain your back.

They can also give you equipment that lessens the strain on your body such as ergonomic mouse pads and keyboards. good back health involves more than just sitting straight — hand strain can contribute to back pain, and vice versa.

Does Poking Work?

In the U.S., more and more people are finding traditional Chinese medicine to be a helpful remedy. In his work in alternative medicine, Saum takes a broad, holistic approach to patient care.

“Our training tells us to look for supporting factors or constitutional weaknesses that can be treated as well,” said Saum. “This leads to a better, more effective treatment.”The treatments vary according to the types of pain and the predilections of the patient. We treat the symptoms and the cause, or ‘root and branch.’”

Perhaps the most prevalent treatment in Chinese medicine is acupuncture. Acupuncture involves piercing the skin with very small needles. The needles themselves are so thin that they seldom cause a “stinging” sensation, but they are noticeable.

“Each patient has to be treated individually according to their constitution,” he said.

Mainstream medical opinion is generally favorable of acupuncture, provided it is done by a trained expert. According to WebMD, many rigorous studies, including several by the National Institutes of Health, have concluded that acupuncture is effective in lessening pain.

However, the medical community has few accepted explanations for why it works.

RISMEDIA, September 20, 2010—LinkedIn is the place where you probably have a profile but never touch it because you aren’t looking for a job. LinkedIn creates referral opportunities but it is up to the real estate professional to provide the validation and expertise that gains referrals.

LinkedIn Usage What this means for real estate professionals75 million connected professionals Your clients and partners are on LinkedIn, you should connect and ask for a recommendation12 million people per day go to LinkedIn to evaluate professionals and make new connections Your LinkedIn profile ranks very high in Google search results b/c Google recognizes LinkedIn profiles as an authoritative resource when people search for peopleNetwork activity updates on LinkedIn focus on business updates and accomplishments It’s just the appropriate place to show your deal making abilityLinkedIn Real Estate Pro’s ‘Market Activity Page’ displays listings and activity from brokers in the local market Showing first hand market knowledge is the first step in connecting with new clients and business partnersRecommendations on LinkedIn profiles If your LinkedIn profile has high praise from someone I know AND I can click on their name to validate the review, you have my attention and probably my business

LinkedIn and Rofo have teamed up to connect property owners looking for representation with tools that track local listings activity and evaluate real estate professionals.

So what should you do as a real estate professional if you are looking to take advantage of LinkedIn?

-Display your current listings-Display your sold/leased listings-Connect and ask for recommendations about your expertise-Provide valuable listings activity updates to bring in-market 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree connections to your profile

Each time you make a new connection on LinkedIn, your referral network increases ten fold. LinkedIn creates the opportunity for referrals, the Real Estate Pro application provides the combination of validation, expertise and ability to capitalize on referral opportunities.

More information about how to use LinkedIn along with tutorials can be found in the Learning Center.

Install the Real Estate Pro application by going to learn.linkedin.com/apps/rofo/

Rofo is working with real estate brokers to strategically launch their listings and professionals across LinkedIn. If interested in making listings available for rapid distribution on LinkedIn profiles and LinkedIn training for agents, please contact Rofo.

Peter Kim is VP, Business Development for Rofo. He can be reached at 415-992-3192 or e-mail peter@rofo.com.

About Rofo GroupRofo.com is a commercial real estate search engine and technology company that connects tenants and property owners with brokers. Rofo partnered with LinkedIn to launch the application, Real Estate Pro. the application on LinkedIn is designed for both residential and commercial professionals to lower their cost of acquiring a customer through referral networking.

Font Size:

Viral meningitis may sound scary, but it isn’t.

Augusta Health in Fishersville said the hospital has had several people admitted with viral meningitis.

The classic symptoms are a trio of fever, photophobia (that’s when light is painful to the eyes) and headache and or neck pain.

The viral, version of meningitis is painful but usually goes away on its own. in fact, there is also almost a 100%t recovery from viral meningitis.

However, you need to check with your doctor to make sure it’s not caused by bacteria.

Bacterial meningitis needs to be treated right away with antibiotics, and flu-like symptoms will rapidly take over the body.

If untreated, meningitis can lead to shock and death within hours of the first symptoms.

© Copyright 2012 WHSV / Gray Television Group, inc. All Rights Reserved.

Working out regularly may brighten the mood of people with chronic health problems like cancer, heart disease and back pain, according to the first sweeping look at previous research.

But it’s no miracle cure: on average, six people would need to hit the gym or go for a jog for one person to see a mood improvement.

“It’s a nice piece of evidence and I’m pleased because I like the concept,” said Dr. Alan J. Gelenberg, who chairs the department of psychiatry at Penn State University in Hershey.

Gelenberg, who wasn’t involved in the new work, said the findings jibe with guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association, which recommends regular exercise against the blues.

“There is some evidence for its use to prevent depression, and there actually is evidence for exercise as a treatment in itself,” he told Reuters Health.

With the new study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers wanted to weigh the evidence that training can also help chronically ill people who don’t have a diagnosis of depression, but nonetheless may feel down.

That’s important because depressive symptoms could make people less likely to take their meds, could increase their use of health services and decrease their quality of life, said Matthew Herring of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

He and his colleagues combed through 90 previous studies including more than 10,000 people with health problems like cancer, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), fibromyalgia, chronic pain or obesity.

In each study, people had been randomly chosen to do exercises — on average, three times a week over 17 weeks — or not.

According to Herring, people’s depressive symptoms, as rated on a variety of psychological scales, dropped about 22 percent with exercise overall. That’s similar to the effects on fatigue, anxiety, pain and other mental health outcomes.

“The magnitude of the effect of exercise training on depressive symptoms among patients found in our review is small but significant,” he told Reuters Health by email.

Herring added that moderate — at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week — and vigorous — at least 75 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise per week — seemed to help the most.

How long will benefits last?

Still, the report comes with several caveats. for instance, it’s not clear how many people with chronic illnesses are able to work out at sufficient intensity, and many participants did in fact drop out of the studies.

Also, it’s not clear how long the effects last, how much to exercise and what kind of exercise works better — aerobic training like running or walking or strength training like weightlifting.

“What we don’t know is much more than we do know,” said Gelenberg.

Still, he added, “exercise has a lot of benefits… if someone doesn’t exercise in a stupid way, like a 65-year-old man trying to bench press 200 pounds.”

Gelenberg said people with chronic disease who feel depressed should exercise within a physician’s guidelines and eat a healthy diet.

“I would suggest they indulge themselves in healthy pleasures: people, books, walks, sitting in a pretty place. if they still feel ‘down,’ I’d suggest professional attention to consider psychotherapy or an antidepressant medicine,” he said.

(Corrects duration of exercise interventions in paragraph 9 of story posted on Jan 25, 2012)

How to prevent or treat the (sometimes painful) troubles that can lurk in your mouth.Problem: Tooth Decay

Also known as dental caries or cavities, tooth decay occurs when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms when you eat sugars or starches, is allowed to linger on teeth for too long.Who’s at risk: Anyone can get a cavity, but children and older people are the most prone. The incidence among children has been declining, thanks to community water fluoridation and the increased use of fluoride toothpastes, but “more than half of all children have caries by the second grade,” according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report Healthy People 2010. Older adults are prone to cavities at the root because protective gum tissue often pulls away.What to do: Don’t give plaque a chance: Brush with a fluoride toothpaste and floss every day. Children can also benefit from sealants (plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of their back teeth) as soon as their adult molars come in. Older people should be particularly vigilant: “Those who have a tendency toward dry mouth should receive regular fluoride treatments from a dentist and use a fluoride-containing mouth rinse,” says Bruce Pihlstrom, D.D.S., acting director of the Center for Clinical Research at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR).Problem: Gum Disease

A bacterial infection caused by plaque that attacks the gums, bone, and ligaments that keep your teeth in place. The early stage is known as gingivitis, the advanced stage as periodontitis.Who’s at risk: Everyone. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) estimates that half of all adults have some signs of gingivitis. Most at risk are people with poor oral hygiene; those with a systemic disease, such as diabetes, that lowers resistance to infection; and smokers. Women also have a tendency to develop gingivitis during pregnancy. other risk factors are stress, which weakens the immune system, and genes. “Some people can have gingivitis all their lives and never progress to periodontitis,” says Bruce Pihlstrom, D.D.S., acting director of the Center for Clinical Research at the NIDCR. “It depends on a person’s susceptibility to the disease.”What to do: See a dentist regularly, and tell her if your gums feel tender or bleed. Gingivitis can be reversed with regular brushing and flossing. to combat periodontitis, a dentist or periodontist may perform a deep cleaning around the teeth and below the gum lines and prescribe medication to combat the infection. if the disease has progressed to affect your gums and bone, your dentist might suggest surgery, such as a gum graft.

Problem: Tooth Infection

The pulp inside the tooth (which contains nerves) is damaged or becomes infected because of decay or injury. The root canal, which connects the top pulp chamber to the tip of the root, may become infected, too.Who’s at risk: Anyone with a deep cavity or a cracked tooth, which can let in bacteria. an injured tooth can have a problem even if it’s not visibly cracked or chipped.What to do: if you feel pain in or around a tooth, see your dentist. He may refer you to an endodontist, who specializes in root-canal procedures. In one to three visits, the dentist will perform the notorious root canal (which is much less painful than it used to be). He will remove the pulp, clean the pulp chamber and root canal, then fill the tooth. Finally, he may seal the tooth with a porcelain or gold crown.Problem: Enamel Erosion

Exposure to acid, primarily from soda or citrus drinks, can wear down the surface of the teeth, making them rounded and discolored. Overbrushing can have a similar effect on enamel near the gum lines.Who’s at risk: Anyone who sips lemonade, soda (even diet soda), or sports drinks all day. this is also an occupational hazard of wine professionals. “I see people with good home care who are getting cavities,” says Cindi Sherwood, a dentist in Independence, Kansas, and a spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry. “A lot of times the only risk factor we can come up with is diet soda.” Aggressive brushers may also be wearing away the enamel along with the plaque.What to do: if necessary, teeth can be restored with bonding materials. but to prevent further damage, you have to change your habits. if soft drinks are the culprit, for example, switch to water. second best is to drink sodas (or sports drinks) with a full meal or sip them through a straw, then follow with a tooth brushing, sugarless gum, or a good swish of water in the mouth. if the problem is overbrushing, a soft-bristled brush or an electric toothbrush is a start. A dentist or a hygienist can demonstrate proper, gentle brushing technique.

_________________________________________________________________________

More from Real Simple:Your Dental Health, Examined

7 Ways to Get Whiter Teeth

_________________________________________________________________________

Problem: Dry Mouth

Also known as xerostomia, dry mouth results from a decrease in the flow of saliva in the mouth. It is extremely uncomfortable and increases the chance of tooth decay, since saliva helps wash away harmful bacteria.Who’s at risk: Those who take any of 400-plus medications, including diuretics and antidepressants. “Dry mouth becomes more prominent as women get older, in their 50s and 60s,” says Sally Cram, an American Dental Association consumer adviser and a periodontist in Washington, D.C. Hormonal and metabolic changes that come with age can also change your salivary flow. another cause is Sjogren’s syndrome, a rare disorder most common among women in their late 40s that causes a person’s immune system to attack her salivary and tear glands.What to do: keep sugarless gum on hand; avoid caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol; and drink plenty of water. Artificial rinses or moisturizing mouth gels can help the salivary glands function. if you suspect that you have dry mouth, see your dentist or doctor. “Anyone needing additional fluids to speak or to swallow dry foods for three months or longer should be evaluated for Sjogren’s,” says Jane Atkinson, D.D.S., deputy clinical director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). While there’s no cure, she says, “as with lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, you can manage it.”

Problem: Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)

TMJ is a group of conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint, just below the ears and above the jaw. Sufferers may clench or grind their teeth subconsciously, often at night.Who’s at risk: about twice as many women as men are believed to have TMJ, most commonly during their childbearing years. People who are under a great deal of stress are also more prone to it, or a severe injury to the jaw may cause the condition. It’s usually not chronic, though it can become so. TMJ can lead to worn-down and sensitive teeth, as well as other painful symptoms, such as a sore jaw, headaches, neck aches, and earaches.What to do: see your dentist if you feel pain when you chew, find that your jaw has limited movement, or have radiating pain in your face, neck, or shoulders. Treatment may be as simple as relaxation exercises, cold compresses, ibuprofen, and avoiding foods that require serious chewing. to train yourself to stop clenching and grinding your teeth, the Mayo Clinic recommends “resting your tongue upward with your teeth apart and your lips closed.” to stop nighttime grinding, your dentist can fit you with a mouth guard.

Problem: Oral Cancers

An oral cancer may start with a small, pale, red, painless lump on some area of the mouth. A dentist can easily screen for the disease by examining and feeling around a patient’s mouth, head, and neck.Who’s at risk: of the estimated 30,000 cases of oral cancer diagnosed each year in this country, about three-quarters are associated with tobacco use or tobacco in combination with heavy alcohol use. Most cases occur after age 40. many people aren’t screened, and detection usually occurs when the cancer is at an advanced stage. That’s why the five-year survival rate is one of the lowest for all cancers.What to do: Stop smoking, and make sure your dentist screens you every time you visit. Even people missing many or all of their teeth should see a dentist regularly to make sure their dentures fit, as chronic irritation can be a risk factor.

There are several health conditions that women need to watch out for, and one of these is cervical cancer.

In the United States, more than 12 thousand cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year. it is encouraging to note, however, that if detected early enough, cervical cancer is a disease that is highly curable, and therefore, survivable.

Cervical cancer is characterized by the development and spread of abnormal cells in the cervix, a condition that is usually triggered by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

The initial onset of the disease is rarely accompanied by recognizable signs, but as it progresses, a patient may experience any of the following symptoms: unusual vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding between periods, bleeding after menopause, and bleeding or pain during intercourse.

HPV is a common virus, and most people who have been sexually active at some point in their lives are at risk for getting the virus. HPV, however, may linger in the body quietly, and it is possible to carry the infection for years.

Aside from cervical cancer, HPV is also associated with cancers of the vulva, vagina, and penis, as well as anal and oral cancers.

Any high-risk HPV strain that may linger in the body may trigger the development of abnormal cells in the cervix. while these precancerous growths do not necessarily mean that one has cervical cancer, it is possible that these abnormal growths may eventually give way to cancer cells.

As mentioned earlier, early detection is key to surviving cervical cancer, and this is achievable by undergoing regular Pap tests. it is recommended that women start having Pap tests three years after becoming sexually active, and no later than age 21. in addition to a Pap test, doctors may also recommend an HPV DNA test, which checks for the presence of high-risk forms of HPV.

Tags: cervical cancer, cervical cancer causes, cervical cancer detection, cervical cancer HPV test, cervical cancer pap smear, cervical cancer signs, cervical cancer symptoms, cervical cancer test, cervical cancer virus, what is cervical cancer

Children who suffer from persistent or recurring chronic pain may miss school, withdraw from social activities, and are at risk of developing internalizing symptoms such as anxiety, in response to their pain. In the first comprehensive review of chronic pain in children and adolescents in 20 years, a group of researchers found that more children now are suffering from chronic pain and that girls suffer more frequently from chronic pain than boys.

“We found that persistent and recurrent chronic pain is overwhelmingly prevalent in children and adolescents, with girls generally experiencing more pain than boys and prevalence rates increasing with age,” said lead investigator Sara King, PhD, currently Assistant Professor, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. “Findings such as these argue that researchers and clinicians should be aware of the problem and the long-term consequences of chronic pain in children.”

Researchers from Dalhousie University and the IWK Health Centre, Halifax, systematically examined epidemiological studies of pain to evaluate progress made since the first comprehensive review of pain in children and adolescents, published by Goodman and McGrath in Pain in 1991.1 Additionally, they identified a set of criteria to assess the quality of the studies included in the review. They looked at 32 studies and categorized them according to the type of pain investigated: headache, abdominal pain, back pain, musculoskeletal pain, combined pain, and general pain.

Their findings indicate that most types of pain are more prevalent in girls than in boys, but the factors that influence this gender difference are not entirely clear. Pain prevalence rates tend to increase with age. Psychosocial variables impacting pain prevalence included anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and low socioeconomic status. Headache was found to be the most common studied pain type in youth, with an estimated prevalence rate of 23%. other types of pain, ie, abdominal pain, back pain, musculoskeletal pain, and pain combinations, were less frequently studied than headache, and prevalence rates were variable because of differences in reporting. however, the overall results indicated that these pain types are highly prevalent in children and adolescents, with median prevalence rates ranging from 11% to 38%. “These rates are of great concern, but what is even more concerning is that research suggests that the prevalence rates of childhood pain have increased over the last several decades,” stated Dr. King.

Researchers also found that many studies did not meet quality criteria and there was great variability in prevalence rates across studies due to time periods over which pain was reported. the authors suggest that future epidemiological studies in this area are in need of better operational definitions of pain and better measures of pain intensity, frequency, and duration. such quality criteria across studies would allow for direct comparison.

The review identified several demographic and psychosocial factors associated with high prevalence rates of specific pain types. “By shifting focus to factors associated with chronic and recurrent pain, it may be possible to identify the most salient risk factors, leading to early and intensive interventions for the most at-risk groups,” concluded Dr. King.

More information: the article is, “The epidemiology of chronic pain in children and adolescents revisited: a systematic review,” by S. King, C.T. Chambers, a. Huguet, R.C. MacNevin, P.J. McGrath, L. Parker, a.J. MacDonald (DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2011.07.016). It appears in Pain®, Volume 152, Issue 12 (December 2011)

Provided by Elsevier (news : web)

By Julie Damron December 03, 2011 12:01 AM

Valley fever or Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection that can develop when spores are inhaled. it affects people, dogs, cats, and other mammals. in the United States it is common in certain parts of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, and Utah. in California the fungus is present in the San Joaquin Valley and Central Valley. in the United States, 50,000 to 100,000 people contract this illness annually. Sixty percent of the time when spores are inhaled by animals or people, there is no illness created. when animals or people do become infected with Valley fever, they are not a source of disease for others.

This fungus resides in the soil and can exist several inches below the surface. it is dormant in the dry months, and becomes active with rain. As Coccidioidomycosis proliferates, spores are formed that break off. these spores are released into the air with any disruption of the dirt. People that work in construction, farming, and other jobs involving soil are more at risk for exposure to Valley fever.

When illness is present, there are two different forms. The primary form mainly involves the lungs, and symptoms can include coughing, fever, low energy and loss of appetite. it takes about three weeks for the initial symptoms to occur. when the spores are inhaled, they can form larger structures in the lungs called spherules. these structures grow, produce more spores, and can burst, releasing more spores into the lungs. if this continued uncontrolled, the spores can spread to other parts of the body. in this advanced or disseminated form, Valley fever can involve joints, skin and other organs. this disseminated form is much more difficult to treat, and some cases can result in death.

It can be challenging to identify this illness in animals. Coccidioidomycosis is much more common in dogs than cats because dogs often dig or sniff at the ground. Large breed, young, male dogs are the common group afflicted with this malady. in the primary form, a canine might present with similar symptoms to people including weight loss, low energy, low appetite, coughing or fevers. The disseminated form can involve bones, skin, brain and other organs. Symptoms vary depending on what tissues are affected. Signs can include but are not limited to severe lethargy, limping, swelling of legs, moderate cough or difficulty breathing, fluid buildup in the abdomen or chest, eye inflammation, back or neck pain, heart failure, seizures and more.

Cats are very resistant to Valley fever, and their illness is typically much less severe than in dogs. The main form of infection for felines presents as non-healing, oozing skin wounds that can become abscesses. Cats can also show low energy, low appetite and weight loss. Felines can have lesions in the lungs but they often don’t show respiratory signs.

Valley fever can be tricky to diagnose in animals because symptoms are so varied. most commonly it is diagnosed using X-rays, blood work or biopsies. unfortunately, fungal tests can be negative in the early stages of illness. Treatment is with antifungal medications for six to 12 months. it is important to monitor liver values because these medications can be damaging to the liver. Supportive therapies are also used based on symptoms, and commonly include anti-inflammatories, pain medications, cough suppressants, and appetite stimulants. some alternative therapies are also being used to boost the immune system. if your buddy has any of these symptoms, and you suspect potential exposure to Valley fever, please seek veterinary care for your cherished companion at the first sign of illness. this yields the best chance for full recovery from this potentially devastating illness.

This column is dedicated to the memory of a Zen Davis, a Weimaraner who lost his life this year to Valley fever. he was rescued from Northern California Weimaraner Rescue, and he passed away on July 31. his mom, Chrissy Davis, has created a nonprofit to help the families of dogs who are infected with Valley fever. The website is zenspeaks.org. this venue is designed to educate, provide emotional support, and when able to give financial support for treatment in canines fighting this illness. Davis also plans to have a grief forum on this site in the near future. Donations can be made to this organization via a PayPal link on the website.

Julie Damron is a veterinarian at Sierra Veterinary Clinic in Stockton. Contact her at features@recordnet.com.

Ads by Google