Debby Krzesni is a busy woman. The registered dietitian and STRONG coordinator for Area 1 Agency on Aging travels to senior centers with dining sites in Humboldt and Del Norte counties fielding questions about nutritional health and wellness.

Dehydration is always a topic of conversation. Too many older adults fail to drink enough fluids. Some are not aware that certain health conditions — fever and gastrointestinal illness, for example — increase the risk of dehydration and the need for fluid intake.

”Studies show one in three older adults may not get enough fluid,” Krzesni said. “What they don’t realize is that dehydration can be dangerous and even fatal.”

Fluid helps to carry oxygen and energy to the body and take away waste products.

“without fluids, the body can’t do any of those things. our bodies cannot store fluid, so it must be replaced every day,” she said.

That can be especially challenging for older adults, who often have a decreased thirst sensation.

”they may not even recognize they are thirsty,” Krzesni said.

Below, Krzesni gives some clues to preventing dehydration.

Why is dehydration more common in older adults?

Generally speaking, older adults have less body water than younger adults — 50 percent of their weight is water versus 60 percent for younger adults. also, the thirst sensation isn’t the only thing that declines with age. Kidneys may also function less efficiently.

Changes in physical condition also have an impact. People who have a hard time walking, reaching for a glass or feeding themselves may have a hard time getting to fluids. Then there are the cognitive declines in aging — confusion and deteriorating memory — that can make it hard to stay on top of fluid intake.

What other things affect our ability to stay hydrated?

The environment, medications and physical activity play a role. People perspire more in a hot or humid environment or when they walk, weight lift or garden. sometimes medications, especially diuretics, can result in fluid loss.

Diuretics are used to treat heart failure and hypertension, which are common ailments in older adults. You need to know if your medicines are diuretics as they will make you go to the bathroom with greater frequency. Lasix and Hyzaar, for example, are diuretics. Laxatives are another cause of fluid loss.

What are the signs and symptoms of dehydration?

Dehydration is identified many different ways. Weight loss, increased heart rate and low blood pressure are three symptoms. Decreased skin firmness is another. The skin of a dehydrated person lacks its normal elasticity and sags back into position slowly when pinched up into a fold. Normally, the skin springs back into position.

Other signs are dry mouth and tongue, decreased urination, constipation or fecal impaction, nausea, anorexia, sunken eyeballs and decreased functional ability. In some cases, dehydration can cause weakness, trembling, lethargy or confusion.

Some of these are easily observed. Decreased urination, for example, often results in darker, more concentrated urine that has a strong odor, which can be ammonia-like.

How much fluid does a person need every day?

Contrary to popular lore, it’s not eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. Fluid needs are based on a person’s body size and health conditions. A registered dietitian can help you figure out your fluid requirement. It’s better to drink too much than too little.

What are the best sources of fluids?

Milk, juice, coffee, tea and water all count as fluids. keep in mind that caffeinated coffee and tea act like diuretics — they increase the need to go to the bathroom. Milk provides protein, calcium and vitamin D. Juice does not have the same nutritional value as whole fruit, but can add significant calories that may not be needed.

Is there fluid in foods?

Yes. Individuals who eat well can get the equivalent of two to three 8-ounce glasses of water from the fluids found in the foods they eat. Fruits and vegetables have high water content. So do soups, gelatin and pudding. Dry foods — think snack foods, cookies, and cheeses — have low water content. If a person is not eating well, they may need additional fluids to make up for the fluids they are not consuming.

How can you prevent dehydration in an older adult?

Given that we can’t rely on feeling thirsty as we age, a good idea is to establish a habit of drinking favorite fluids at every meal and at set times between them. Build habits early in life that encourage fluid intake without relying on feeling thirst.

Give these suggestions a try:

– Include a beverage with each meal and snack.

– keep fluids handy. A pitcher of water with lemon slice in the refrigerator can be very appealing.

– when sitting to watch a TV show, bring a beverage with you to enjoy.

– when you take your medications, drink more water than you need to swallow them.

– If you have trouble remembering to drink enough, pour a half-gallon of water in a pitcher every morning. Use it for any beverage needs during the day. when it’s empty, you’ve likely had enough fluid.

– Eat the recommended 5 to 9 servings of fruit and vegetables each day for essential nutrients and fluids.

– make a healthy soup meal, but look for lower sodium varieties.

– Take a water bottle on outings.

For more information, contact Krzesni at 442-3763, ext. 203 or email .

a good way to avoidcontact from thepollen particles isto wear masks, useinhalers and getvaccinated.

ISLAMABAD: 

The recent rains in the capital have somewhat diluted the expected surge in the number of pollen allergy cases. On the flip side, the sudden increase in the number of patients suffering from influenza virus has taken the health experts by surprise.

“Due to similarity in symptoms pollen allergy and influenza virus attack are often confused. However, the main differentiating factor is that only patients of influenza virus suffer from fever, said an expert.

Taking about the affected patients, he said, “If they do not take timely precautionary measures, it (influenza) could make them vulnerable to severe pollen allergy this year.”

Institute of Medical Sciences Senior Chest Physician Dr Asadullah Nemati said that only few patients with pollen allergy are visiting him. But the percentage of those coming in with influenza virus is quite high.”In the last 10 days, 60 per cent of the patients have come to me with influenza, which is very rare,” he said. He added that due to the recent rains, pollen particles have settled down and are not affecting people much.

The World Health Organization on Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases adviser Dr Muhammad Osman Yusuf said that this year, pollen allergy will start with a delay due to the recent rains. the season usually starts at the end of February. He added, “If it rains before March 22, there will be severity in pollen allergy and if after March 26, then the intensity will be low.”

He expressed concern over a large number of influenza patients being reported in the country since last November. He said that majority of the people who went for Umrah or Hajj last year returned with influenza as they were not properly vaccinated. Thousands of people were affected last year and many died but no record of such huge numbers is available with the government.

Moreover, due to lack of awareness, many people get vaccinated only once, when they should get a doze every month. He expressed dissatisfaction over the standard of vaccines being given to the people at public institutes. “Just before it is about to rain and humidity is high, one should avoid going around as it could cause a severe attack,” he added.

Meanwhile, pollen allergy still remains a potent threat. the doctors have warned people against going out when it is cloudy, as that is the peak time the pollen particles are suspended in the air. a good way to avoid contact from these particles is to wear masks, use inhalers and get vaccinated, said an expert.

Published in the Express Tribune, March 6th, 2012.

The infection set in slowly. At first, it probably felt like a cold with fever, congestion, and achy joints. but maybe a week later, the boy’s legs started to give out from under him, and his fever spiked above 100. the virus that first settled in the intestines had multiplied thousands-fold and moved on to attack its prized target — his nervous system. the infection overtook crucial nerves of his respiratory system and the boy lost his ability to breathe on his own.

National Museum of Health and Medicine

At its peak in 1952, more than 21,000 Americans contracted a paralyzing form of polio, and 3,000 died from it. once infected, there was no treatment besides time and tending to the symptoms.  

Both chicken pox and shingles are highly transmittable viral issues that are characterized by agonizing skin rash. A result of the herpes virus, the earliest symptoms of both conditions consist of headache, fever, a standard feeling of malaise, sore throat and bloating of the face.Treatment for both conditions is available in the form of Acyclovir tablets.What’s Acyclovir?Acyclovir is part of a family of drugs known as guanosine analogue antiviral drugs. its probably the most widely used cures for the treatment of shingles and chickenpox. The creation of this medication heralded a new era in antiviral therapy. its selective action and its low levels of toxicity with respect to cells, has made it the highly recommended treatment option for shingles and chicken pox.How does Acyclovir Work?to understand the working of Acyclovir, it’s a good idea to be aware of how the herpes viruses works in the body. The virus functions in the body by multiplying through duplication. When the virus cells begin multiplying, it spreads through the body. The consumption of Acyclovir helps arrest the reproduction of the virus, limiting its spread to a selected part of your body. Basically, it inhibits the virus from growing all over your body.When you take in Acyclovir, it inhibits the operation of those enzymes that the herpes virus uses for duplication. which means that the virus can no longer multiply. as the spread of virus stops, so does the spread of its signs and symptoms. This also helps reduce the seriousness of the symptoms.Treatment with AcyclovirAciclovir is a prescription drug available in dosages of 200mg, 400mg and 800mg. The physician will take cognizance of your current consumption of medications and existing health condition(s) before suggesting the suitable dosage. Typically, the medication is approved at the first indication of an infection. This medication has to be taken orally with a glass of water and may be taken with or without food. Quite a few people, prescribed Acyclovir have seen that there’s a decrease in the side effects if it’s consumed with food; especially negative effects like stomach upset, diarrhoea and nausea. Chicken pox and shingles might be effectively cured with Valtrex also.Side Effects of Acyclovir

The use of Acyclovir tablets may cause certain side effects. The character of the side effects and their severity could be different in different people. People taking this medication occasionally suffer from digestive side effects like vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea. Some other side effects include headache, memory loss, fatigue, pain in the legs, sore throat, and bloating of the hands and feet. if you experience a side effect that becomes disturbing, it is necessary that you seek immediate medical help.The effect of Acyclovir on unborn babies hasn’t yet been fully understood clearly. so, pregnant ladies are suggested not to take this medication. also, you may experience a significant improvement in your ailment before you complete the proposed amount. but, it’s important that you complete the recommended dosage and not leave it half way. if you do, it might lead to some complications later on.

Article Source: articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/treating-chicken-pox-using-acyclovir-5526474.html

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Visit RxFind to get more information on acyclovir.

Understanding what illness you have is important in figuring out how to treat it, and how to get rid of it.

Garyl Hester of new York City thought he had a sinus infection when he went to the doctor – but he had it all wrong.

“I couldn’t get rid of it, I couldn’t shake it,” said Hester, 48. “So (my doctor) tested me and found out I was allergic to dust mites, which I never knew before.”

Hester said he now has an air purifier in his house and he bought hypoallergenic sheets – and his headache is gone.

New York-based allergist Dr. Jonathan Field said most patients get confused and often do not know what kind of medical condition they are dealing with.

“If they have a fever, if the headache tends to be more extreme or if they lost their sense of smell, then it sounds to me like a sinus infection,” Field said.

If you are prone to sinus infections, try an irrigation rinse to prevent them or get tested for allergies.

Field said colds and sinus infections are often triggered by indoor allergies, such as dust, mold and pet dander.

“Colds tend to be mild, and you have typical symptoms like a running nose, itchy eyes – a little bit of a sore throat and mild muscle aches, but generally you feel well,” Field said.

Cold symptoms should not last longer than a week, he added. Taking zinc at the onset of a cold can decrease the duration of the illness and severity of symptoms.  

However, the flu is much worse – symptoms are more pronounced in terms of muscle aches and fatigue, and you will definitely have a fever.

The onset of the flu is very sudden, Field added.

Prescribed medication is the only cure for influenza, which can be deadly. up to 36,000 Americans die each year from influenza, so if you think you may have it, see a doctor immediately. A flu shot is the best prevention.                      

The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) has provided essential drugs to help treat an outbreak of dengue fever that has affected an estimated 1,000 people in the north-eastern Kenyan district of Mandera, which borders Ethiopia and Somalia.

There have been four unconfirmed deaths and some patients have been showing symptoms of Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever, a more severe form of the disease, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), reported in an update.

All neighboring districts have been alerted and people advised to seek early medical attention if they become ill.

Meanwhile, anaemia prevalence among children under the age of five in the refugee camps in Kenya’s Dadaab area is above 40 percent, according to OCHA. the camps host nearly 470,000 refugees, the majority of them from Somalia.

Three of 6 suspected cases of cholera in the Dadaab camps have been confirmed and all the patients arrived recently from Somalia. Some 82 percent of the refugee population have received measles vaccination during a recent mass inoculation campaign.

An estimated 3.75 million people in Kenya have been experiencing food shortages a result of a prolonged drought in the Horn of Africa, and relief agencies are working with the Government to scale up distributions to the affected populations through one coordinated pipeline from October.

In August, the overall number of admissions to hospital of children with severe acute malnutrition declined from 6,379 to 5,560 cases, but an increase in admissions has been reported in the districts of Marsabit, Samburu, West Pokot and Laikipia.

BM/UN

Section: East Africa, Health

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PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WVLT) — A total of six horses have been diagnosed with EHV1 from the Dixie Stampede herd.

The first horse, Sandy Jo, had to be euthanized over the weekend for getting the virus, known as equine herpes.

The virus spreads easily from horse to horse. It’s transmitted through the air.

Now two American Paint, 2 American Quarter horses, and one Percheron also have the virus. They are now separated from the herd and being treated.

The Dixie Stampede says the prognosis for them is good and treatment at the University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Center will continue.

The USDA has inspected Dixie Stampede and commended the facility on its disinfection and treatment protocol.

The symptoms to watch out for? Fever would come first, followed by wobbliness, muscle twitching, weakness, and inability to stand.if your horse shows any of these you need to get it away from other horses, and get it checked out by a vet.

Dr. Dennis Geiser, the head of the UT Veterinary Center, said preventing the spread comes down to good hygiene.

“Keep them healthy, vaccinate them, deworm them, and just practice good hygiene on your farm, and especially when you go to horse shows and events. not sharing buckets and brushes and other equipment that might get contaminated with secretions from another horse,” he said.

Humans and other animals are not at risk for contracting equine herpes.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Leslie Location: Tennessee on Sep 20, 2011 at 11:14 PM Wow, we were other in Pigeon Forge this weekend, didnt know anything about it. Sorry to hear that a horse had to be put down. We went to the Dixie Stampede last year and watched a show. Great show and beautiful horses. so sad

I have a soar throat enexpectedly, but i have no runny nose coughing sneezing or anything but a sore throat. I have checked to see if i have signs for strep but all of them didnt fit my throat…

I didnt see any symptoms of strep but i do have a really bad throatache and no coughing of any cold symptoms…. should i visit a doctor? or could it just be sinus drainage?

I've had strep throat more than once ( it was a horrible experience ) and each time I had it , it was different. like one time I couldn't even talk and just last month when i had it, I would have never thought it would be strep throat. Sore throats usually last a 4 days at maximum but strep throats usually are more severe and long and hurt more. Look at the inside of your mouth to see if its swollen and red, if it is it's probably strep. Strep throats usually have a fever with it too. Antibiotics the doctor gives you works.

since you have the use of the internet,
why not get accurate info by googling it ?

you may not get all the info from strangers, right ?

The most common sympton is a giant red circle around the actual bite sometimes in the shape of a bullseye, but that uncommon. mostly its a just a red rash around the bite, it can occur 3-30 days after the bite.

Then what follows are migraines, flu-like symptoms, muscle soreness and fever.

Next time just google Lyme Disease, might easier than just sitting around waiting on someone to answer.

Good sources of info about Lyme disease:
lymedisease.org
ilads.org
canlyme.com
lymenet.org
lymeinfo.net
lymediseaseassociation.org
lymedoctor.com
touchedbylyme.org

Fever, rash, fatigue.

2 days ago I woke up feeling exhausted. in the afternoon I decided to lie down for a bit, and then realized that I had a fever. my fever continued to go up until it reached 103 degrees f. The next day, I continued to have a fever though it wasn't as high. my stomach felt increasingly nautious and i began getting these burning sensations. It felt like my insides were stinging and burning. It happens on my back, neck, stomach, and chest. It happens once every 20-30 minutes and lasts only 10-15 seconds but is extremely painful and uncomfortable. its been 3 days and the fever is now gone but the burning contiunes. I am on vacation in India (I live in California) where it is hot, but not THAT hot. I don't spend a huge amount of time in direct sunlight and whenever we are indoors the fans are on. this is why I am unsure if it is heat exhaustion or something else. does anyone have any idea what this is?

Some symptoms of heat exhaustion are sweating, weakness, nausea, vomiting, headache, lightheadedness, and muscle cramps. There are many different types of heat diseases which are similar however are called differently because of the seriousness. I find the best way to fix anything is lots of sleep.