There is an outbreak of syphilis cases in Escambia County, according to the Escambia County Health Department.

So far this year, 69 cases of syphilis have been reported — a number equivalent to last year’s total. before this outbreak began, the county averaged 25 cases a year. Local health officials are consulting with Florida regional and state health officials to combat the increase of syphilis infections.

Syphilis is spread by intimate contact with an infected partner. Left untreated, it can lead to severe disease and even death. Studies indicate a two to five times increased risk for transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, in the presence of syphilis. Syphilis may also be transmitted from an infected pregnant woman to her baby. these infants are at risk of lifelong disabilities and death.

The Escambia County Health Department is encouraging inviduals to be aware of the signs and symptoms of syphilis. in the initial stage, a sore might be visible in the genital area or the mouth (usually painless). in the second stage, a rash on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet, moist lesions in the mouth, and/or unexplained hair loss may develop. When sores and lesions are present, they are extremely infectious, and intimate contact with them should be avoided. Early syphilis can include periods of “latency” with no outward signs or symptoms. Individuals experiencing these symptoms, or who have experienced them in the past should see their physician or local clinic for testing and treatment.

The best way to prevent syphilis is not to have sex with an infected partner. The health department said it is important to know your partner’s syphilis status. Proper use of a latex condom can help protect against acquired HIV, syphilis and a number of other sexually transmitted diseases.

Syphilis can be detected through a simple blood test at a physician’s office or clinic. several local clinics provide free or low cost screening, diagnosis and treatment services. The Escambia County Health Department also provides these services.

For more information on local low cost clinics or for the Escambia County Health Department’s STD clinic hours and fees, visit escambiahealth.com or call (850) 595-6532.

Comments

1. cruze60 on October 6th, 2011 6:36 am

   The county warns there is an outbreak? What have we come to when officials have to warn the public over something of this nature? Are officials naive enough to really think this’ll scare the pants back on the crowd that is apt to contract such. like a heavy fog advisory or such. Warning: STD”s coming down the street, quick ,get inside!

2. David Huie Green on October 4th, 2011 10:40 am
3. AL on October 4th, 2011 10:23 am

   I don’t suppose it matters what zip code…. keep your goods where they belong (in the marriage bed) and you don’t have to worry about it (and if you contract it from the marriage bed there are more issues than a news article can help)

4. Oversight on October 4th, 2011 6:08 am

   How many are from the 32535 (Century), 32568 (McDavid/Walnut Hill) and 32577 (Molino) zip codes? At least that’d give us some idea if it is a North Escambia problem or just the armpit area of Pensacola.

5. 429SCJ on October 4th, 2011 4:00 am

I had lice and even though that went away it still itches and i think i have scalp psoriasis. And im having hair loss
so can lice cause scalp psoriasis? and what are some symptoms?

I need information on eating disorders in adolescents?

I need information as soon as possible both adolescents with Anorexia or Bulimia. What is the cause? What are the symptoms? about as many teenagers in the U.S. suffer from anorexia or bulimia? How long can an eating disorder to go? are they easy to overcome? What treatment is needed to overcome an eating disorder? Can you overcome a disorder food without professional help? Why so many people misunderstand eating disorders? please write everything you know, thanks.

that is very complicated. for the long answer, go to web sites that offer to you. in a nutshell: – many factors, mainly a distorted self-image and low symptoms of self-esteem … deterioration of tooth enamel, hair loss, weight loss, moodiness – MANY! – Years and years and years – are not easy to overcome at all – Professional therapy – yes, it worked for me – not because many people do actually take time to understand things, they are afraid of things that understand, and people ridicule and judge things now are afraid to check out these sites for full description: webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/ hw49747.asp webmd.com/hw/mental_health/hw46499.asp

Uncomfortable

dear Pharmacist, I started taking 5 new supplements but I’ve been noticing occasional butterflies in my chest, hair loss, heartburn and muscle twitching. I think it’s related to my vitamins because when I stop them, the symptoms goes away. Should I stop?  –T.E., ManhattanAnswer: yes, and then find out what specific nutrients your body need -don’t just use a shotgun approach. I’ve been very supportive of nutraceuticals over the years, but moderation is key. The problem is that most doctors don’t know how to test a patient for nutrient deficiencies, so you are forced to guess what you need. Misinformation abounds. Nutritional deficiencies can actually be tested with special “micronutrient” blood tests. there are three tests that I’ve taken myself: “Comprehensive Nutritional Panel” by SpectraCell Labs, “NutrEval” by Genova Diagnostics and the “Cardio/ION” from Metametrix. Practitioners with appropriate health licensure can become providers with these companies and order tests immediately.why the big deal? I’m talking to doctors now: your patients are taking vitamins, minerals and antioxidants behind your back and they email me seeking guidance “because my doctor doesn’t believe in vitamins!” if your patients are supplementing indiscriminately, they could be harmed. You can help them with micronutrient testing. Here are some examples which demonstrate the value of the information provided by this type of testing:Zinc- a trace mineral. Too much can cause metallic taste sensations, nausea and  copper deficiency. Too little could cause shortness of breath, hearing loss, infertility and prostate/erectile problems.Copper- a trace mineral. Overload is sometimes tied to use of estrogen drugs or low zinc levels. it can lead cause migraines, mental racing, anxiety, depression, frequent colds and interestingly, chocolate or avocado cravings. Deficiency can cause anemia, fatigue, arthritis and reproductive problems. L-Serine- An amino acid. Deficiencies are sometimes related to a rare metabolic disorder and have been associated with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, seizures, stiffness/weakness or muscles. Excessive serine can cause immune suppression or psychological symptoms.Vitamin K-  a vitamin that you need to keep from bleeding to death as it allows blood to clot. An excess can cause health problems, as the liver can only store so much of it.  Inadequate K results in bleeding gums, easy bruising, bone loss and higher cancer risk.  Niacin- a “B” vitamin. Too much causes diarrhea, itching or nervousness. Deficiencies may be associated with high cholesterol, indigestion, burning mouth syndrome, canker sores, fatigue or anemia.Glutathione- An antioxidant. Too much can cause stomach upset, but more often, a person has too little which may contribute to liver damage, joint pain, neurological symptoms like Parkinson’s and higher cancer risk.Glutamine- An amino acid which protects the brain and gut. having too much is rare. Low glutamine however, can lead to leaky gut, food allergies, Crohn’s disease, poor wound healing, skin rashes and arthritis.Did You Know?  a new study proves that women can slash their risk of stroke by 30 percent, just by walking two hours each week! 

Got a question? Check out DearPharmacist.com

On top of all the menopause symptoms we have to deal with, thinning hair and hair loss are among the most distressing. for many of us, our hair has been a large part of who we are and a dominant symbol of our identity. what are the changes to our hair that we can expect during menopause? what role does menopause play in these changes? this article will look at how menopause affects our hair and some of the ways we can deal with yet another menopausal reminder.Hair loss traumaSince our hair is such a prominent part of our physical being, any changes to our hair are very visible. while there has been a little progress made in accepting hair loss in men, the opposite is true for hair loss in women.Short or long, hair signifies youth and vitality. when we lose our hair we are losing more than just a few extra strands. we lose yet another part of the body we have grown used to over the last few decades; our mirrors constantly remind of us of these changes.Menopause and hair thinningMenopause (and perimenopause) is a period of constantly fluctuating hormones. As our levels of estrogen decrease, the testosterone levels begin to affect us. One of the more annoying symptoms of increased testosterone levels is the change to hair growth. even more alarming is the appearance of new hair growth exactly where we do not want it on places such as the face.the estrogen that once contributed to the growth of hair follicles on the head has been reduced. As a result, the normal hair growth patterns that replaced our daily minimal hair loss are no longer sufficient. the average human loses about 50-100 strands of hair every day through normal washing and brushing. this number increases with additional styling, poor diet, or underlying health conditions. During menopause, we are not producing enough hair to compensate for our hair loss.Additional stressesAt the same time we are undergoing some of the most stressful years of our lives. the many demands of career and family can leave us exhausted. Add a poor diet and lack of exercise to the mix, and our potential for additional hair loss increases. with fewer hairs to replace the ones we have lost, our thinning hair becomes more noticeable.our hair texture changes at this point as well. Many of us will notice our hair is dry, coarse and more brittle than before. It is more difficult to maintain a full head of hair or to grow our hair. More often than not, hair seems to grow to a certain point where it appears to ?stop? and is more prone to damage.Hair loss and hormonesTo combat the effects of hair loss and other menopausal symptoms, some women elect to take hormone replacement therapy. these elevated estrogen levels come with many side effects that make hormone replacement therapy a less than ideal option for some women. A common misconception is that the additional estrogen will encourage hair growth and give us a full head of hair. with or without estrogen, hair growth slows during as we age. in reality, the hair loss process is slowed down slightly but not reversed.Treating hair thinning and hair lossYou should check with your doctor to determine the severity and cause of your thinning hair. while menopause can and does play a role, there can be other underlying conditions such as poor diet and stress that are contributing to thinning hair. there are a few products on the market such as Rogaine that can help with the most severe cases of hair loss. Otherwise, you might need to make some minor lifestyle adjustments to help combat thinning hair and encourage a healthier if not fuller head of hair.No one wants to look in the mirror and be reminded yet again that we are in menopause and there is no turning back. for women, thinning hair and hair loss are not life threatening but they are among the most visible signs of menopause. Dealing with the changes in our hair is not the most pleasant aspect of menopause, but we can refuse to let it dictate to us about who we are. we do not have to let thinning hair rob us of our vitality and strength.

I'm wondering what can cause the following symptoms:
hair loss, joint pain, cold hands and feet, headaches, tiredness, excessive sweating, nervousness, mood swings.

I'm a 21 year old female within normal weight and have experienced the above symptoms regularly.

I agree with Wink. it sounds like a thyroid problem. I'm hypothyroid and take medicine for it. I had all the symptoms you've listed except for excessive sweating. once I was diagnosed and prescribed medicine, I started feeling better after taking the very first pill.

Dog 's skin dry and itchy pet can be a question for you. If the problem is not treated, your dog may develop skin problems serious overtime. Some dogs suffer from minor skin infections and hair loss that their condition worsens.

Owners can take these steps, think about the state of the skin to correct itself. especially for people like a moisturizer could. Do you?

Dog Allergies Symptoms

well, not always.

the skin and furCondition is a mirror image of the overall health of your dog. There are several factors that can affect the skin marked by the health of your dog, dry and clear. Learn to recognize the symptoms of skin dryness. it is often possible to effectively solve a skin problem early on.

What are the signs of a dog with dry skin?

Itching

Dogs have sensitive skin. Dry skin is easily irritated and is a dogItching. therefore, you can find your dog's skin is very sensitive now. And symptoms of allergic substances light becomes habitual, it comes in contact with. we can see scratching more than usual. And licking and nibbling the skin for most of the day. If the poor guy has a difficult place to get itchy, you could rub against furniture and walls. or, if you have an itchy belly, he drew (creep) on the table, so that the bottomget a good reason. Look at the behavior of your dog. And take note of where it is itching.

dull coat

A dog with dry skin usually has a dull coat. If you crouch beside him, you notice the difference. the soft, straight hair has a coarse texture and feels dry.

Peeling skin

Dogs have a variety of skin colors. Some dogs have pink skin, dark skin and others have found. That's all right.Healthy skin is soft and smooth, without scabs or red zones. Dry skin feels rough and scaly or flaky appearance. you get a dog Fido movie shower whether these small scales or flakes of dry skin and dandruff.

Why is it important to treat dry skin immediately take your dog?

the level of itching can disturb sleep and normal life for you and your dog. it is often difficult for you need to scratch your dog. for losses andhair breakage can result from frequent scratching and chewing on the skin. If left untreated hair loss, baldness can. Furthermore, hot spots when the bacteria grow rapidly in the path of damaged skin. These moist, oozing lesions can be painful and itching of your dog. As painful wounds, your dog may growl or nip if you try to touch him. the hot spots are more difficult to treat and takes a long time to heal.

Dog 's dry skin can be caused by manyFactors:

Some cases are small and easily corrected. Poor nutrition hair care and skin care Incorrect the cold and dry

And other causes of dry skin should be treated with seriousness and hard. Pests Allergies underlying disease

the skin is the first line of defense between the outside elements and your dog. Dry skin even worse without treatment. If your pet is home remedy or a visit to the vet on the causethe skin problem. In any case, be able to identify problems and actions created over time, will make a big difference for your good dog.

S If the blood of your dog it is too much cortisol, which is called Cushing's disease dog. although cortisol in the blood of the dog is normal, the adrenal glands produce cortisol when they are stressed and have too much success for all time is a risk to the health of your beloved pet.

Although there are multiple symptoms that can occur with your dog with Cushing's disease, symptoms most commonly known is the unusual hair loss. other symptoms include lethargy, excessive urination and drinking more.

The main cause of Cushing in the dog is a cancer that grows in the adrenal glands. These tumors require the adrenal glands to produce excess cortisol in your system too much to handle. Your dog can be cured with surgery or medication for this, but often leave sequelae and may also cause a host of other problems.

For some people, who want quality of life of their dogs to be greater than if it was through surgery or medication daily. therefore, these pet owners who choose to go for a completely natural way with herbal treatments. When is an herbal treatment of Cushing, the herbs are administered in combination to help treat the symptoms and not just one.

For example, you can give your dog a herb that helps with liver function such as Cushing's can cause liver problems as well. This will also help boost your dog 's immune system to help fight the attack and cortisol.

Although you should consult your veterinarian about your dog the special case of Cushing, may complete treatment with things like burdock, licorice and wild rose. You can also get dandelion, borage Scleranthus, and cortisol to help the continued misery. Make sure your dog doesn t have an adverse reaction to give small amounts to begin with.

Wendy Rodgers began having terrible joint pain during the winter of 1999.

“I would wake up very stiff and achy,” said Rodgers, now 37 and living in Los Angeles. “It took me a while to get going in the morning.”

Then, after feeling this way for several weeks, she experienced a fright. “I woke up one morning and it was like I was paralyzed,” she recalled. “I couldn’t even move my head off the pillow. I was so scared.”

Rodgers’ doctor determined that her blood pressure was high, and she began treatments for hypertension. But nothing seemed effective in lowering her blood pressure, and she began experiencing other symptoms as well — including fatigue, hair loss and swelling.

“I got so frustrated not knowing what was wrong with me that I started researching my own symptoms,” Rodgers said. In a woman’s health book, she came across an article on lupus. The description of the joint pain that accompanies lupus caught her attention.

“It just resonated with me,” she said. “I remembered that was the very first symptom.”

She went to her family doctor and asked to be tested for lupus. he referred her to a rheumatologist, who ran a full panel of tests. The result: a lupus diagnosis.

Within about six months, she was in an intensive care unit fighting for her life.

A severe lupus flare caused a “multitude of horrendous symptoms,” Rodgers said. It started with a butterfly-rash breakout across her face after a sunny weekend in Palm Springs. Then her kidneys and nervous system became affected. her kidneys went into failure, and she suffered several grand mal seizures. she also developed two blood disorders. And, she ended up going on dialysis.

Rodgers spent six months in the hospital. she had to have chemotherapy to force her immune system to stop attacking her body.

“When I left the hospital, I was on 24 different medications,” she said.

It took about three years to recover from the lupus flare. For a year and a half, Rodgers had regular dialysis and plasmapheresis treatments to deal with her kidney failure and blood disorders.

“It was a very long recovery,” she said. “I had to learn how to walk again.”

Then, after years waiting for a donor, she had a kidney transplant in May 2009, and her health, she says, has improved tremendously.

Drug reactions are not the only hazard. Investigators have found that some physicians fail to alert patients about abnormal test results (Archives of Internal Medicine, June 22, 2009). In disorganized practices, nearly one-fourth of clinically important lab findings never made it to the patients’ attention.

That is why it is so important to keep track of your own health records. People who don’t bother to balance their checkbooks or monitor expenses might bounce checks. when the bank catches the problem, there is usually a big penalty.

Patients who don’t know what’s in their medical records or who are not aware of abnormal test results also might be in for a shock.

Not learning that the level of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone, a measure of thyroid function) has risen well above normal might mean a person would suffer needlessly from symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, depression, hair loss and constipation.

It takes effort to overcome failures of communication. One tool is keeping track of your own health records. Mikey, a visitor to our website, offers the following example:

“I started accumulating my personal medical information in earnest about 10 years ago, and aggressively maintaining it about five years ago. It’s not easy, but it can be done. Lab results are especially tricky but important.

“The net of all this effort is that I now have a rather complete record, with several variables (e.g., BP, cholesterol, PSA) graphed over time for quick analysis. when my PSA started to rise quickly, it was easy to see and resulted in early confirmation and cure of prostate cancer. I take the complete history with me to every medical appointment, with a summary that I can give the provider.

“This shows that one can take the trouble to develop and maintain a complete history on your own. it may actually help in some instances. It’s a fun exercise, and you will die leaving a well-documented, if not beautiful, body.”

When people keep good records like Mikey does, they can track lab results more readily, as he did with his PSA. this is especially important for people with complicated or chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease.

To make it easier to keep track of important data, we have created a free one-page form for medical history and drug safety. Anyone who would like a copy may send a long (No. 10), stamped (44 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. QH-3, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. it also can be downloaded from peoples pharmacy.com.

Having your health information organized in one place can be helpful for you, your doctor and your family. Letting your children and grandchildren know about your health conditions can help them plan preventive strategies for themselves.

Question: I would like you to know about medical marijuana for cancer. In her late 30s, my wife was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, stage 4a. it was a 6 centimeter tumor that had grown around the hepatic artery and portal vein.

At first I thought marijuana was just for nausea caused by her chemo, but then I found a study in the journal Cancer Research (July 1, 2006). it showed that cannabinoids specifically fight pancreatic tumor cells.

I changed her diet and started her on a regimen, and she is now cancer-free. the regimen is being studied at the University of Wisconsin. I hope others can benefit from medical marijuana.

Answer: for years, marijuana research was suspected of being a way to rationalize people getting high. but as a recent article in Science News points out, scientists are now starting to take it seriously (June 19). the article you cite demonstrates that compounds from marijuana make pancreatic tumor cells commit suicide.

Other cancer researchers have followed up with studies on its effectiveness against a range of tumors in test tubes, including breast, colon, glioblastoma brain tumors and lymphoma, a blood cancer. None is yet in a clinical trial, but this will be an interesting field to watch. We are delighted your wife had such a good response to such a difficult-to-treat cancer.

Q: I tried the soap-under-the-sheet remedy for leg cramps. it was successful, but it didn’t last. then my doctor prescribed Qualaquin 325 mg capsules, and they work like a charm.

This medication has quinine and is usually used for the treatment of malaria. Now I take one every other night, with excellent results.

A: the Food and Drug Administration has only approved Qualaquin (quinine) for the treatment of malaria. Any other use is considered “off label” and inappropriate. On July 8, the FDA issued the following warning: “Qualaquin should not be used for nighttime leg cramps.”

The agency has received reports of serious blood reactions and kidney damage. In some cases, people have died from quinine toxicity.

We are sending you our Guide to Leg Pain with suggestions for other ways to calm leg cramps and restless leg syndrome. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (61 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. RLS-5, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. it also can be downloaded for $2 from our website: peoples pharmacy.com.

Some readers have suggested that replacing the soap after several weeks might improve its effectiveness.

Q: what is the story about the toxic effects of zinc in denture creams?

A: too much zinc, whether from dental adhesives or taken as a supplement, can lead to a copper deficiency. the possible consequences are anemia and neurological problems.

Dr. Lisa Sanders described a case in the New York Times Magazine (Sept. 6) in which a 64-year-old woman overused denture cream. her balance was affected, along with the strength in her legs. She was almost unable to walk.

Her doctors were puzzled, but when they discovered that she had superhigh levels of zinc and almost no copper in her bloodstream, they tracked the problem to the adhesive she used to keep her ill-fitting dentures in place.

GSK, maker of Super PoliGrip, has reformulated its denture adhesive cream. the company urges consumers to look for the zinc-free product. the FDA is working with other manufacturers to reduce the risk that consumers might be exposed to excessive levels of zinc in their denture creams.

Q: I took glucosamine and chondroitin for about seven months. I had gotten little relief for my back pain, but I was willing to continue it to see if eventually it would help.

Around that time, I had bloodwork done for my yearly exam and found that my cholesterol had jumped from less than 200 to 239. I had made no changes in lifestyle or diet other than these supplements. Needless to say, I haven’t taken any since.

A: Dozens of readers report a rise in cholesterol associated with taking glucosamine and chondroitin (G&C). In many cases, cholesterol levels go back down after the supplements are discontinued.

The studies that have actually looked at this issue have not found a connection between G&C and cholesterol. On the other hand, studies do not demonstrate any benefits for mild to moderate joint or back pain, either. since these supplements don’t seem very effective for most people, we can’t recommend them.

Q: my 15-year-old son had low HDL and a poor cholesterol profile at his checkup. (Total cholesterol was 146, HDL 29 and LDL 96). So for 10 months, I have had him drink my version of the cholesterol-reducing smoothie I found on your website. He had the smoothie four or five days a week and loved it. I use frozen unsweetened strawberries, orange juice, ground flaxseed and oat bran.

In June, I asked the pediatrician if he would order blood work so I could see if the smoothie helped raise my son’s HDL and improve his other blood work. it did. Now his HDL is 34 and his total cholesterol is 138, with LDL of 92. that makes the ratio of LDL to HDL much better, under 3.

It would be great to get the HDL even higher. do you have any ideas?

A: a surprising range of dietary choices can help improve cholesterol profiles, from beets to cinnamon to fish oil to a low-carb diet. We are sending you a copy of our book “Favorite Foods From the People’s Pharmacy” so you can learn more of the details about these cholesterol-controlling foods and a delicious new smoothie recipe. it is available online at peoplespharmacy.com.

Q: From the 1960s to the 1980s, I had the worst case of smelly athlete’s foot that I have ever seen — and that is saying something, because I am a doctor and I have seen (and smelled) many.

The fungus also caused deep, bleeding fissures in the soles of my feet and between my toes. I tried everything: Grisactin, griseofulvin, gentian violet, Clorox, Absorbine Jr., Tinactin (tolnaftate), Desenex liquid and powder, white socks, etc.

In the early 1990s, my mother suggested white-vinegar foot soaks. I purchased a gallon and a small basin, and I began soaking my feet twice a day. I dried my feet WITHOUT RINSING and dusted my socks with Desenex powder. the fissures stung initially, but the itching and the smell began to fade almost immediately.

Today, 20 years later, I continue this regimen several times a week, and I have “Poster Feet:” no smell, no athlete’s foot.

You don’t need to use more than a half-cup of vinegar at a time, but it should be full strength. Don’t rinse it off. Soaks of five to 10 minutes (reading, watching TV, etc.) are enough.

A: Your testimonial is very convincing! We also have heard from other readers who have had success treating athlete’s foot with vinegar soaks.

Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. to send a letter, e-mail them via their Web site: PeoplesPharmacy.com.