Depression is a true medical illness, just like having diabetes or high blood pressure. It’s not a weakness, having the blues or something one can just snap out of. Fortunately, like most illnesses, it is treatable through medication and psychotherapy.

Common symptoms of depression include feeling sad, unhappy, irritable or frustrated; a loss of interest in things that usually bring pleasure; feeling worthless; fatigue, excessive sleeping or insomnia; indecisiveness and decreased concentration; and in some cases, thoughts of death, dying or suicide.

Many of us may briefly experience any of the above symptoms, but the person with true depression lives with these symptoms day in and day out.

Some risk factors of depression are having biological relatives who have depression or who have committed suicide and experiencing stressful events, such as the death or loss of a loved one. Women are also at risk, especially after a pregnancy. Other risk factors are serious, chronic illness and abuse of alcohol, drugs or nicotine.

In general, the most effective treatment for depression is a combination of medication and psychotherapy.

There are many types of antidepressant drugs available, and finding the right one may take some trial and error. Antidepressant drugs may take several weeks to take effect.

A patient who experiences undesired side effects should not stop taking the medication without consulting the prescribing doctor. In many cases, one must taper off the drug to avoid withdrawal.

Psychotherapy is provided by a trained and licensed professional, who can help one to understand one’s thoughts and behaviors and guide one in making effective changes. Ideally, this treatment can also provide a regained feeling of hope, happiness and control.

If someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, help is needed immediately. Here’s what needs to be done:

- Contact a family member, friend or clergy member for help.

- call a suicide hotline number. our local number is 877-663-5433.

- Seek professional consultation from a doctor or a mental health provider.

If someone you know is on the verge of, or has attempted, suicide, call 911 immediately for professional and rapid help.

Depression is not a weakness; it is a treatable illness. A doctor can help.

- Terry Hollenbeck, M.D., is an urgent-care physician at Palo Alto Medical Foundation Santa Cruz in Scotts Valley. Readers can view his previous columns on his website, valleydoctor.wordpress.com, or email him at . Information in this column is not intended to replace advice from your own health care professional. for any medical concern, consult your own doctor.

Last Updated Saturday 1:21 p.m. ET

(AP) ATLANTA – Diamond Pet Foods is voluntarily recalling its Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice dry dog food because it may be contaminated with salmonella.

A statement from the company Friday said no illnesses have been reported and no other Diamond products are affected.

Pets that eat the food or people who handle it could become infected with salmonella. Healthy people infected with salmonella should watch for the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever.

Pets with salmonella may have decreased appetite fever and abdominal pain.

The product was distributed to customers in 12 states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, new York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia. It is possible those customers may have distributed it to other states.

Customers who have purchased the following Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice products should stop feeding it to their pets and discard i:

- 6-pound bag with the production code DLR0101D3XALW and best before Jan. 4, 2013;

- 20-pound bag with the production code DLR0101C31XAG and best before Jan. 3, 2013;

- 40-pound bag with the production code DLR0101C31XMF and best before Jan. 3, 2013;

- 40-pound bag with the production code DLR0101C31XAG and best before Jan. 3, 2013;

- 40-pound bag with the production code DLR0101D32XMS and best before Jan. 4, 2013.

We know them and occasionally overtake the old aged drivers in our roads.it is important to know that they need patience and yelling or hooting does not help but confuses them in the [process– these are after all our Gogos and Mkhulus who still like driving. It’s a fact older drivers have a greater risk of death or serious injury in crashes for a number of reasons. As some people age, they experience vision and hearing impairments that can affect their ability to drive safely.Increased frailty can lead to a much higher risk of being killed or seriously injured if a crash does occur and some illnesses that are more common with age, and the medicines taken to treat them, can affect a person’s ability to drive safely. If you’re over 65 years of age, it’s time for you to think about how you drive, and the sorts of things that might make driving more difficult for you. Assessing your driving skills, and being aware of early warning signs is the best way to make sure you’re not putting yourself, and those you love, at risk on the road.

MoT hints for safer driving n plan your travel route to your destination and avoid very busy or confusing intersections n If you know you have a slow reaction time, avoid dangerous road and traffic conditions such as driving in:  8 rain or poor light  8 heavy traffic and poor road conditions   8 higher speed roadsn If your joints ache after an hour or more of driving, keep trips short whenever possible or take frequent stops to rest and recover n If you find it hard to turn your head to see over your shoulder, take steps to improve the flexibility of your neck by consulting your doctor or a physiotherapist n Take lots of rest breaks and if you have a long way to drive, share the driving if possible n Consult your doctor if you are having trouble sleeping as tiredness can lead to poor concentration or falling asleep at the wheel. n If making right turns at busy intersections makes you stressed or agitated, choose routes and times of travel that are easier. you may be able to find a route that has yield sign left turns at intersections.n Consult your doctor or optometrist to deal with possible vision problems. n Warning signs include – finding it harder to see at twilight, trouble seeing pedestrians, difficulty in seeing objects in the distance, strong reactions to glare n do not wear tinted glasses when driving at night without the approval of your eye specialist n Take note of your doctor or pharmacist’s advice about the possible side effects of new medicines including drowsiness and/or poor concentration. If you experience such symptoms, it is strongly advised that you not drive n a refresher course in driving and road laws may be a good way to check your capabilities as a driver and update your knowledge and skills.

Different stages of pregnancy and driving

No two pregnancies are alike so it is best to discuss your health and ability to drive during pregnancy this with your doctor.  However MoT would suggest the following:8 Travel during pregnancy can be very tiring, but if your pregnancy is normal, you should be able to travel during the first and second trimesters without too many adjustments – however each pregnancy is different.8 do take into account that morning sickness plays a vital role to your ability to drive, so monitor it and keep that in mind when adjusting your normal driving around to work or just on errands.8 be aware of problems with swelling (particularly of feet and ankles) which can adversely affect your driving experience and endanger both yourself, unborn child and other road users.8 Remember that your body undergoes major adjustments during pregnancy some of which you may not feel, so consider avoiding driving during stressful situations and weather conditions such as bad weather conditions (rain, fog, etc).8 Driving at night can also be stressful to mothers-to-be as eyesight could be diminished during pregnancy which requires the body to use extra energy, thus causing stress and fatigue.8 If you have not had any problems with your pregnancy and there are no medical reasons highlighted by your doctor or obstetrician against driving, then it is up to you and how you feel.However, during the third trimester, labour could begin at any time, your water could break or other problems could occur, so don’t plan a trip during your last month of pregnancy or drive as you normally would.  it is advisable to consult your doctor before driving during your third trimester.by the time you reach the final stages of your pregnancy, your baby bump may have gotten so large that it is very close to the steering wheel.  this is neither comfortable nor safe and it will be time for you to consider getting someone else to drive you around.

Wearing seatbelts when pregnantMany expectant women complain that safety belts create additional discomfort and are not keen to wear restraints during pregnancy.it is illegal not to wear a seat belt and no matter what stage of your pregnancy you are at, it is vital that you always wear a seat belt.Pregnancy does not automatically provide exemption from the law.Restraints are just as necessary during pregnancy, as they are when you’re not pregnant and although there is no evidence that the use of safety restraints increases the chance of fetal or uterine injury during a crash, there is still a risk of losing your baby, even if you sustain minor injuries during an accident.Wearing a safety belt will not harm your baby, which is cocooned in protective amniotic fluid.Research shows that unbelted pregnant women are more than three times likely to lose their baby in a crash, and two times as likely to have excessive maternal bleeding.Even in a minor accident, where injuries are not as severe, you still have a 5 % chance of losing your baby if unrestrained.there are medical complications that can occur to the mother as well as the baby.such as abdominal pain, complications from blood clots, fractures, and internal injuries if involved in a crash while unrestrained.How to wear a seatbelt during pregnancyIt is a common concern during pregnancy that if you wear a seatbelt it may put too much pressure on your stomach and your baby, especially in the event of an accident.However it is safer for both mum and baby if you do wear a seatbelt and is much more dangerous not to wear one at all.Whilst wearing a seat belt during pregnancy may not be comfortable, it will improve safety for both mother and baby.Moms -to-be must learn to place the seat belt in the correct position – yes, there is a correct way to wear a seat belt during pregnancy.Here’s how:place the lap-belt part of the restraint under your abdomen and across your upper thighs so it is snug and fits comfortablyDo not place the lap belt on or above your belly.As the belt will have been pulled lower than normal, adjust your sitting position so the belt crosses your shoulder without cutting into your neck.the shoulder belt should cross over your collar bone and lie between your breasts. be sure to position it so that it does not cut across your neck.Never put the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm as this renders the restraint ineffective.when travelling in cars fitted with air bags, the front seat (whether it be the driving seat or the passenger seat) should be pushed as far back as practical.the safety belt should be worn as tight as possible (but not be uncomfortable) so that in the event of an accident, the forces applied in a sudden impact can be absorbed by the body’s frame.

Common injuries for unborn babies and their mothersInjuries unique to pregnant occupants of cars involved in collisions include:Placental abruptionUterine rupture or lacerationDirect fetal injuryThe most common type of injury is a separated placenta.  the placenta then becomes partially or completely detached, meaning that the baby cannot get enough oxygen and nutrients, which can be fatal for the baby.Potential injury risks for unborn babies in car crashes:1. Non-fatal but possible long-term consequencesSeparated placenta (most documented) Fetal distressEarly delivery Breathing and nervous system disordersDirect fetal injury Arm and leg injuries2. FatalDeath of motherSeparated placentaRuptured uterusBaby skull fracture

The air bag and pregnant driversAir bags are meant to work with seat belts to protect both driver and passengers.An inflated air bag creates a protective cushion between the driver or passenger and the steering wheel, dashboard, and windscreen.when travelling or driving, just remember to move the seat as far back as possible and tilt it slightly backwards, as this will maximise the distance between your chest and tummy and the rest of the car (dashboard, steering wheel, windscreen).As an added precaution, mums-to-be should not sit in the front seat of vehicles, but rather in the back seat (with seat belts on), which is the safest place to travel in any car.Avoid leaning or reaching forward, but rather sit back in the seat and keep the seat belt as taut as possible as this will reduce your forward movement in a crash and allow the airbag to inflate correctly.

Should you accessorise your car?

We all like being different when it comes to cars from personalised registration numbers, to mag wheels, cars that have the perfect loud system and your neighbour cannot afford to a well pimped car. well pimping your ride always sounds like a good idea at the time, but as many have found out – that joy often turns to cries of poverty when it  is time to sell that pride and joy. this warning may have come to late for other drivers but at the right time for me and some readers of MoT.South Africa’s giant auctioneer Burchmores, has cautioned that: “Car buyers are often tempted into buying alluring or sexy accessories – anything and everything from spoilers to fancy sound systems. there is a common misconception that, when the time to sell comes, this will improve the resale value of the car. but that’s simply not true!” the company’s Managing Director Darryl Jacobson warns that motorists should never expect to recoup their “investment” in accessories. “Aftermarket accessories are not investments; you should enjoy them for what they are, and never expect them to boost the value of your car,” he advises. according to Jacobson, sellers are often disappointed when – after investing E30 000 in a fancy sound system – they are only offered book value for their car. “they believe that their car should be sold for E30 000 above book, but this just doesn’t happen in the real world; a buyer will never pay a huge premium for a car with expensive accessories – we are trading in an extremely price-sensitive market,” he reveals. where accessories do assist, however, is in securing a deal. “they may well make the car easier to sell,” comments Jacobson. “After all, if the buyer can choose between two identical cars in similar condition – one with and one without a CD, it’s obvious which one he or she will select.” the one exception to this rule is a navigation system. “they are extremely popular and buyers are prepared to pay a premium. “However, it is rare to find a used car with an aftermarket navigation system; the sellers normally remove these systems and transfer them to their new cars.”  Mag wheels are also popular amongst used car buyers. “but once again, they will generally only swing a deal – a buyer won’t pay substantially more for a used car with mags,” Jacobson warns. the message therefore is clear: “If you want to spend a small fortune on aftermarket accessories, then do so – by all means. Take, for instance, the example of the sound system: invest the E30 000 and enjoy the spectacular sound that it delivers. but understand fully that, when the time comes to sell, you won’t get that E30 000 back,” the Burchmore’s MD concludes.

MoT Drivers Quiz

Driving on rainy weather, do you…?

A. Drive fast and ignore speed limit B. Overload because there are less roadblocksC. Follow road speed limitD. Drive slowly and keep a safe following distance

SEND ANSWERS TO: or sms to 7603 6934

Do you know that gum disease does more than endanger your teeth and gums? It can also lead to and worsen many dangerous illnesses.

Gum disease or periodontal disease is actually an infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. when plaque develops, bacteria irritate the gums and cause them to swell. in the beginning, the disease is called gingivitis and only affects the gums. in more advanced phases, the disease is known as periodontitis. the bacteria go under the gum line, eventually attacking the tissues and bone around the teeth which can lead to tooth loss.

The symptoms can be so mild that some people don’t know they have it. Warning signs include: red, swollen, tender gums that bleed easily, gums that have pulled away from the teeth, persistent bad breath, permanent teeth that are loose or separating.

Besides poor oral hygiene, several factors can increase the risk of periodontal disease, including smoking, stress, medication use, such as steroids, diabetes, pregnancy, clenching or grinding teeth, crooked teeth, and defective fillings.

ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS

Good periodontal health is good for overall health and wellbeing. to date, there is growing evidence that links periodontal disease to many adverse health events, including heart disease, diabetes, premature birth, and low birth weight babies.

In periodontal disease, bacteria break down the tissues around the tooth resulting in a space where they can breed. Left untreated, the bacteria cause more severe tissue inflammation and then enter blood stream and can cause inflammatory process in the body.

Researches demonstrated that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to have coronary artery disease (heart disease), compared to those with healthy gum. Periodontal disease also creates problems for those with diabetes as well.

Diabetics are twice likely to develop periodontitis and once they have it, inflammation caused by bacteria make it harder to regulate blood sugar And if diabetes is not well managed, more oral health breakdown happens, such as burning sensations, overgrowth of gum tissue, abnormal wound healing, tooth decay, fungal infections, dry mouth, etc.

Surprisingly, periodontal disease can complicate pregnancy it increases the risk of premature labour and low birthweight infants. Inflammation and toxins produced by bacteria can trigger uterine contractions resulting in premature delivery. Some experts suspect that the risk may even greater if gum disease worsens during pregnancy.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR ORAL HEALTH

Follow these steps to keep your oral health in shape.

 - Simply brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between teeth daily with floss or other cleaner.

 - Eat a balanced mix of foods and limit between-meal snacks.

 - Finally, visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.

So, keeping your mouth healthy may, indeed, be a worthwhile investment in overall good health. Regular professional checkups of the mouth can help detect, prevent and treat gum disease and the disorders that go along with it.

Assoc Prof Dittakarn Boriboonhirunsarn a member of the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital.

About the author Writer: Assoc Prof Dittakarn Boriboonhirunsarn Latest stories in this category:

Pneumonia is an inflammatory illness of the lung.[1] Frequently, it is described as lung parenchyma/alveolar inflammation and abnormal alveolar filling with fluid. (The alveoli are microscopic air-filled sacs in the lungs responsible for absorbing oxygen from the atmosphere.) Pneumonia can result from a variety of causes, including infection with bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, and chemical or physical injury to the lungs.

There are many kinds of pneumonia ranging in seriousness from mild to life-threatening. Pneumonia acquired while in the hospital can be particularly virulent and deadly. Although signs and symptoms vary, many cases of pneumonia develop suddenly, with chest pain, fever, chills, cough and shortness of breath. Infection often follows a cold or the flu, but it can also be associated with other illnesses or occur on its own.

What causes pneumonia?Germs called bacteria or viruses usually cause pneumonia.Pneumonia usually starts when you breathe the germs into your lungs. You may be more likely to get the disease after having a cold or the flu. These illnesses make it hard for your lungs to fight infection, so it is easier to get pneumonia. Having a long-term, or chronic, disease like asthma, heart disease, cancer, or diabetes also makes you more likely to get pneumonia.

Bacteria are the most common cause of pneumonia. However, pneumonia can also be caused by viruses, fungi, and other agents. it is often impossible to identify the specific culprit.Your body has many mechanisms in place to fight off infection. if fact, you are frequently exposed to organisms that can cause pneumonia, but your body normally protects against them through its various defense mechanisms.

Symptoms of PneumoniaGeneral flu-like symptoms often occur first. they may include fatigue, fever, weakness, headache, nasal discharge, sore throat, earache, and stomach and intestinal distress.Vague pain under and around the breastbone may occur, but the severe chest pain associated with typical bacterial pneumonia is uncommon.Fungi. certain types of fungus also can cause pneumonia, although these types of pneumonia are much less common. most people experience few if any symptoms after inhaling these fungi, but some develop symptoms of acute pneumonia, and still others may develop a chronic pneumonia that persists for months.

Treatment of PneumoniaIf your child’s doctor has prescribed antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia, give the medicine on schedule for as long as the doctor directs. this will help your child recover faster and will decrease the chance that infection will spread to other household members.Drink plenty of nonalcoholic fluids to stay hydrated. this helps your body fight the pneumonia. Anti-fever medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) may also help you feel better.Viral pneumonia does not respond to antibiotic treatment. this type of pneumonia usually resolves over time. if the lungs become infected with a secondary bacterial infection, the doctor will prescribe an appropriate antibiotic to eliminate the bacterial infection.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION: how soon do symptoms of throat chlamydia show up and what are they?I havent been active for nearly a year. I had a pap-smear done and i was shocked when it came back positive for chlamydia. a guy performed oral sex on me the day before i got the results. what are the chances that he contracted it? how soon do symptoms of throat chlamydia show up?

   • ANSWER: There is a chance that he has contracted chlamydia of the throat, although it is unlikely because chlamydia of the throat is rare because the bacteria find it hard to grow in the conditions of the throat. out of all chlamydia cases, only about 5% are found in the throat. because chlamydia of the throat is so rare, most clinics do not offer a throat swab for it. usually there would be no symptoms, although some people experience a long-term sore throat. Chlamydia in the throat itself would not cause any problems, however the problem occurs if he performed oral sex on a person and passed it on to their vagina, which would then cause problems. the best thing to do is tell him you’ve had the infection and tell him to go to the clinic for advice. Good Luck x

2. QUESTION: if you have ever had chlamydia in your throat, please answer and describe your symptoms?how did your throat look and feel and how did you feel in general, how did it first come on? Was it like a cold? Dod you have pus? Thanks and God bless you.

   • ANSWER: the main symptoms a person infected with Chlamydia in the throat would expect to experience are a sore throat or a throat infection.

     Though Chlamydia is among the most common sexually transmitted diseases, Chlamydia of the throat is relatively rare because the bacteria has a hard time breeding there.

     It is important to note that many cases of Chlamydia of the throat will exhibit no symptoms at any time during infection. Just because you show no signs doesn’t mean that you don’t have it

3. QUESTION: what are the symptoms of gonorrhea of the throat?And the symptoms of chlamydia of the throat?

   • ANSWER: Oral Gonorrhea doesn’t have any real obvious symptoms; it just feels like any old sore throat. but it can also infect your ass, which results in anal discharge and/or bloody bowel movements. Sexy! but just because you have a sore throat or bloody as discharge, it doesn’t mean you’ve got Gonorrhea. because its symptoms often resemble those of other common sicknesses, Gonorrhea is nicknamed the “Great Imitator.” That’s why it is important to tell your doc or clinician if you’ve had oral or anal sex recently, otherwise they might not think to check you for Gonorrhea infection.

     If you have symptoms, they often show up 2-10 days after being exposed. they include:

     A creamy or yellow discharge from your penis, if you have it there (urethritis)Itching or burning in the opening of your penis when you come or urinateA sore throat, if you have it in the throat (pharyngitis), but this form is usually asymptomaticA discharge and an itch when you shit, or possibly blood and/or mucus in your stool, burning rectal pain, pain during bowel movements, and a false alarm urge to shit, if you have it in the ass (proctitis)Even if the symptoms clear up, the infection may still be there.

Hi, in previous questions i've said about my mental health and one person said I might have ADHD, could someone please give me a list of symptoms if you have ADHD yourself or know if ADHD? thanks!

there are none as add an adhd do not exist, i had a long talk with a psychiatrist an thats what he told me. what they do is test you for all known illnesses if you come back negative on all of them then thats when they rule it add or adhd. then they give you drugs an snd you on your way.

My 2 year old dog was fine until all of a sudden she starts running around the house and hides by my feet. when she gets up she can't keep her balance and starts falling over when she's walking. she then threw up quite a bit of her food from earlier in the day. is this a seizure or something else?

This does sound like a possible seizure. Dizziness and vomiting are signs. go to the vet to rule out other illnesses and see if medication is necessary, and to see what may have caused it.

my dog has seizures but his syptoms are completely diffrent.
he shakes and drools. then sometimes if it is to bad he pees. the vet sad he either had low or high blood sugar (i cant remeber).

you might as well take her to the vet just in case.

hope she feels better!!!

It could be a seizure, yes.

Does the dog seem OK now? if so, definitely keep an eye on her and get her to the vet as soon as possible.

If she's NOT OK, take her to the vet now … or to an emergency vet if yours is closed for the day.

You'll definitely want to take her to a vet, as it could be related to something worse. I once had a dog who regularly had seizures. He would shake and have no control over his body or it's functions. He would walk into things and sometimes, but not always, lose drops of pee and maybe a little poo. He never threw up or anything though.

well all right… here goes.
my late dog had epilepsy. i think. and here's what happened:
when he had a seizure he wouldn't be able to move, he would be shaking like hell, and he would get so extremely scared. his eyes would bulge out and he would look for someone for help. and he would poop, but i guess throwing up could happen to.
this sounds like a seizure. but if it lasts only about 5-10 minutes, that would be a seizure. they don't take very long.

Before an epileptic seizure, my German Shorthaired is right on top of me. He's trying to let me know he's scared and needs help. Sure enough, he just falls down and begins the seizure. Be alert and aware when your dog is showing an unsual desire to be right by your side, they may feel the seizure coming on.

The increase in mobile phone subscriptions and specifically smartphone use has led After Hours Pediatrics Urgent Care to expand its presence to the mobile community and provide on-the-go access for a wide variety of healthcare information. Today, After Hours Pediatrics Urgent Care became a premier provider on the free iTriage? smartphone application developed by Healthagen?. to access iTriage, consumers can download the free application from the app stores for their iPhone? or Android? smartphones or access it through any Web-enabled device at iTriageHealth.com. Deploying the iTriage smartphone app allows After Hours Pediatrics Urgent Care to provide detailed information to residents and visitors about its four Tampa Bay locations, allowing mobile users to use the interactive technology to: ? Search medical symptoms ? Learn about possible causes ? Find specific facility information like services provided, hours of operation and turn-by-turn directions using GPS capabilities ?As more consumers rely on their smartphones to find information, it?s crucial to provide the resources and technology to help parents and caregivers make informed medical decisions when injuries and illnesses occur,? said Anthony Todaro, Director of Marketing and Sales, After Hours Pediatrics Urgent Care. ?Our partnership with iTriage reinforces our commitment to providing quality healthcare information and access to our communities.? ?Competition for the U.S. mobile smartphone user is heating up fast, and After Hours Pediatrics Urgent Care?s decision to partner with iTriage makes sense for this level of care,? said Peter Hudson, M.D., CEO, Healthagen, developer of iTriage. ?We look forward to helping mobile patients find quality medical facilities across the country with iTriage and help empower patients with better access to healthcare information.? About After Hours Pediatrics Urgent Care After Hours Pediatrics Urgent Care (afterhourspediatrics.com) provides urgent care for children when it is needed most ? evenings, weekends and holidays. After Hours Pediatrics supports the doctor-patient relationship by ensuring patients? primary physicians are provided with electronic medical records after each visit. at After Hours Pediatrics, board-certified pediatricians provide treatment for flu, broken bones, cuts, burns, sports injuries and more. each of its 12 locations throughout Tampa, Orlando and South Florida feature on-site laboratory and x-ray services. No appointment is necessary and most insurance plans are accepted. Offices are open 5 pm. to 11 pm. on weekdays and 1 pm. to 11 pm. on weekends and holidays. After Hours Pediatrics was established in Tampa, Florida in 1997, and is a subsidiary of TeamHealth of Knoxville, Tennessee. About Healthagen Healthagen (Healthagen.com), a privately held company headquartered in Lakewood, CO, is a global developer of healthcare information software that empowers patients to make better decisions. Co-founded by two practicing emergency physicians, Drs. Peter Hudson and Wayne Guerra, iTriage has been downloaded and used millions of times by healthcare consumers around the globe, generating tens of millions of medical searches and self-assessments. Hundreds of medical providers and thousands of physicians have also partnered with iTriage to provide patients with critical information about their facilities and medical practices, making it more efficient for patients to access the healthcare system. Contacts After Hours Pediatrics Urgent Care Anthony Todaro, Director of Sales & Marketing P: 813-775-4024 / E: Anthony_Todaro[.]afterhourspediatrics.com.

An ear, nose and throat doctor by profession, Dr. Mike Robichaux is working with other concerned Louisianans to cull together data about chemicals found in the blood of oil workers, fishermen and coastal residents.

Those suffering from illnesses possibly related to the BP oil spill will meet at noon Saturday at Robichaux’s home to hear about the doctor’s study, fill out health surveys and talk with others who believe their symptoms are rooted in crude-oil exposure.

The gathering will include a free meal, carnival rides for children and talks from environmental activists and locals who say they have oil-related illnesses. It’s at 4416 La. 1 in Raceland.

The goal is to get people the appropriate help, instead of treating their symptoms as anything other than spill related, organizers said.

“we want something that is a true representation of what is happening on the bayou and the coast,” said Brenda Dardar-Robichaux, Mike’s wife and the former principal chief of the United Houma Nation.

Robichaux, who was not available for comment Thursday, and others say health studies under way are not thorough enough and doctors are not adequately treating people exposed to oil.

“There tends to skepticism in relating these illnesses to the oil spill,” Dardar-Robichaux said.

The local doctor is working with the Louisiana Environmental Action Network to test blood at a lab in Georgia.

Blood taken from roughly 140 people along the Gulf Coast since the summer show that current and past cleanup workers and divers have the highest levels of volatile organic compounds in their systems. these compounds contribute to air pollution and illness in humans.

For the compound benzene, known to cause of human cancer, these workers had up to 36 times the average concentration of U.S. residents, said Wilma Subra, a new Iberia environmental chemist. They had up to 10 times the average concentration for ethylbenzene, and 42 times the average concentration of toluene.

“When you find it that high over the average, that’s an issue,” Subra said.

Those workers made up about 10 to 15 percent of the people tested, she said.

Fishermen, crabbers and coastal residents also had higher than average concentrations of these chemicals, she said, though less than the oil workers group. she said she hadn’t finished completing the figures on that second group of people.

But health symptoms across the board range from the acute — nose and throat irritation — to more severe issues, such as short-term memory loss, chest pains, and liver, kidney and intestinal problems.

“We’re finding that they’re still being exposed to the crude in the coastal areas and in the marshes. So when you interview them they are clearly still being exposed,” Subra said. “we need to stop the exposure and deal with the medical impacts.”

Staff Writer Naomi King can be reached at 857-2209 or .

March 23, 2011 | Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

There is a commonality among the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome that affects those who suffer from the condition. while many of the symptoms are similar the way they affect one person may be quite different from the affects felt by another person. one of the problems with accurately diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome is the fact that many of the symptoms are similar to the symptoms of other illnesses. This is why it is important to consult with a doctor if you feel that you are suffering from chronic fatigue. Your doctor can order a variety of tests to rule out other illnesses before a diagnosis is given, thereby making sure that the best treatment and medication regimen can be prescribed. For many people chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms feel a lot like they have the flu with symptoms that include: • Fatigue or feeling tired even after a good nights sleep. • Continuous or re-occurring headaches. • Stomach problems including nausea and loss of appetite. • becoming forgetful and not be able to concentrate. • Muscle pain and aches. • Joint pain without swelling. • Lymph nodes under the arms and in the neck are tender or swollen. • Sore throat. • Depression. • Having sore or aching muscles for more than twenty four hours after exercise or some other activity. Because chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms tend to cause a loss of appetite there is the very real problem of a weakened immune system simply because the body is not getting the nutrition it needs. This opens the door for other infections and illnesses to strike which are not only miserable in themselves but can also make the symptoms of chronic fatigue that much worse. By keeping the body strong with a healthy diet, regular exercise and a reduction of daily stress one can keep their immune system strong which fights of other diseases and reduces the severity of chronic fatigue symptoms. it is also important to follow the treatment prescribed by a doctor, which helps ease the symptoms and allows the sufferer to not have a loss of appetite. a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome can be a life altering event. the symptoms can stay the same or change over time along with the severity of the symptoms. These changes often happen in conjunction with lifestyle changes. Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise is one lifestyle change that has been shown to vastly improve the day to day life of those who suffer from this disorder. By recognizing the chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms those who suffer its affects are able to modify their daily life to effectively treat their symptoms.

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