By DR. MAZHAR JAKHRO May 24, 2012 12:00 AM

Alcoholism is physical addiction to alcohol, when an individual continues to drink despite having problems with physical health and/or mental health, as well as social, family, or job responsibilities. it is one of the most common psychiatric disorders and is frequently accompanied by other substance abuse disorders such as smoking, anxiety, mood disorders, and antisocial personality disorder. it can also be associated with considerable morbidity and mortality.

Alcoholism is hereditary, but environmental and interpersonal risk factors do play a role.

Facts about Alcohol Abuse:

• it affects about 10 percent of women and 20 percent of men in the United States.
• there are approximately 79,000 deaths due to excessive alcohol use each year in the United States.
• Alcohol abuse is the third leading lifestyle-related cause of death in the nation.
• One-fifth to one-half of all car accident deaths are due to alcohol.

Individuals who should not drink any alcohol include:

• Pregnant women or anyone who is trying to become pregnant.
• Anyone taking a prescription or over-the-counter medication that may cause harmful reactions when mixed with alcohol.
• Any person under the age of 21.
• Anyone recovering from alcoholism or anyone who is unable to control the amount they drink.
• Any person suffering from a medical condition that may be worsened by alcohol, such as a seizure disorder.
• Anyone who is driving, planning to drive, or participating in other activities requiring skill, coordination and alertness.

Symptoms include recurrent intoxication, nausea, mood swings, depression, anxiety, insomnia, chronic fatigue, seizures, tremors, hematemesis, unsteady gait, paraesthesia, memory loss, and erectile dysfunction.

Signs include heavy regular alcohol consumption, heavy cigarette smoking, other substance abuse (e.g. marijuana, cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, sedatives, hypnotics and anxiolytics), accidents, burns, violence, suicide, and recurrent absenteeism from work.

The immediate effects of alcohol may include:

• Impaired judgment and inability to measure risks
• Lowered inhibitions
• Slower reaction time and reflexes
• Loss of coordination and balance
• Distorted vision
• Lapses in memory

Long-term effects of alcohol may include:

• Chronic liver disease
• Cancer
• Heart disease and stroke
• Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety
• Alcohol addiction leading to domestic, financial and relationship problems

A health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical and family history, and may perform a screening test such as a CAGE questionnaire or Brief Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test during the office visit.

The severity of the alcohol problem, comorbid medical and psychosocial conditions, and the patient’s motivation to change are key elements that will influence the family physician’s choice of intervention. Treatment may include detoxification-treatment and/or behavioral-treatment approaches, which are usually conducted with help of Substance Abuse Specialist.

Keep it simple. Just saying “no thanks” might be enough. you could even say you stopped drinking at your doctor’s advice. Or you could choose an alternative to alcohol such as water, club soda, juice or a non-alcoholic beer.

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, if you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation. Moderation is defined as no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men.

Dr. Mazhar Jakhro specializes in family medicine, providing high-quality health care for families and individuals of all ages. Board certified in family medicine, Dr. Jakhro is part of Southcoast Physicians Group, practicing at Southcoast Health System, a full-service medical practice in Wareham that brings together 18 primary care and specialty physicians, radiology and lab services. Dr. Jakhro is accepting new patients and can be reached at (508) 273-4950.

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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.

GP urges people to get flu jab

8:00am Monday 24th October 2011

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PEOPLE in Yeovil and South Somerset are being urged to get their flu vaccines now to reduce the risk of them getting this highly infectious disease during the winter.

Seasonal flu vaccinations are currently being offered at GP surgeries across the county.

Somerset GPs want to see patients in “at risk” categories coming forward to take up the offer of a free flu jab as this offers the best possible protection to vulnerable patients and helps reduce the risk of an outbreak of flu this winter.

a bout of flu can be particularly serious for the elderly and those with long-term health conditions, with complications associated with the disease seriously affecting people with lung conditions such as asthma.

Dr Harry Yoxall, a Somerset GP and secretary of the Somerset Local Medical Committee, said: “I am concerned that many people in the “at risk” category still fail to take the offer of a free flu vaccination each year.

“If you are elderly, pregnant or have an existing medical condition then you will be more susceptible to the effects of flu and have an increased risk of developing more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia, or making your existing health conditions even worse. In the worst possible scenarios, seasonal flu can result in a stay in hospital or even death.”

Flu is much worse than a bad cold and you may need to stay in bed for a few days if you have flu.

The symptoms will be more serious than a cold and include fever, chills, headaches and aching muscles. You can often get a cough and sore throat at the same time. Flu is caused by viruses so asking your family doctor for antibiotics won’t help treat it.

If you are over 65 or have any of the following conditions – heart problems; chest complaints or breathing difficulties; kidney disease; lowered immunity due to disease or treatment; liver disease; had a stroke; diabetes; a neurological condition; a problem with your spleen – you should see your GP Practice for a seasonal flu vaccination.

Dr Yoxall added: “It is best to have the seasonal flu vaccination in the autumn before any outbreaks of seasonal flu.

“Remember that you need it every year, so don’t assume that you don’t need another vaccination because you had one last year. The flu jab is free so make an appointment with your GP surgery.”

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Symptoms of Hemroids – Best Hemorrhoid Cure – Indigestion Remedy

Symptoms of Hemroids

Struggling with hemorrhoids it is estimated will likely affect roughly 50% of all adults at some time in their lives. As a result I can definitively state that you are not alone in your struggles with hemorrhoids.

Are you sick of the itching burning pain swelling or bleeding down there? Aren’t you frustrated because it’s completely embarrassing to ask for advice on this potentially crippling condition?

Discover my 100% natural cure for hemorrhoids that works in 48 hours >>

Looking for hemorrhoid relief? Avoid these common mistakes to get rid of hemorrhoids and learn which hemorrhoid remedies don’t work.

If you suffer from hemorrhoids you know as well as I do that HEMORRHOIDS STINK! they are literally a pain in the butt and when it comes to treatment good hemorrhoids relief is hard to come by. there is however a good hemorrhoids home remedy available that you can use to ease your pain.

Did you that many people are driven to having surgery because they cannot find an effective hemorrhoid cure? there is no need to resort to this however. Read on and find out about natural hemorrhoid cures-the safe natural and effective alternative to surgery.

Hemorrhoids are an irritating painful and common medical condition that many people suffer from. Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels and skin in or around the anus. Some types of hemorrhoids such as bleeding internal hemorrhoids occur inside the anus while other types of hemorrhoids occur outside of the anus and usually cause intense itching burning and pain.

Hemorrhoids isn’t any different from any other ailment in the fact that it can be cured with the help of natural remedies. Let’s take a look at the natural ingredients used in hemorrhoid treatments.

Bleeding hemorrhoids are very uncomfortable for the sufferers. often the bleeding is not only the thing the sufferer has to content with the other symptoms are itching swelling and painful bowel excretion.

Acute Kidney Failure is a medical condition, in which a rapid decline is the kidney’s ability to clear the person’s blood of toxic substance, causes the metabolic waste product collection, such as urea in the person’s blood.

Acute Kidney Failure may be caused by any conditions which reduces kidney blood supply, obstructs the urine flow after it has left the kidney, or kidney injury itself. Acute Kidney Failure may be caused by toxic substances such as poisons, drugs, antibody that react against the kidney, and accumulation of crystals in the urine.

Symptoms of Acute Kidney Failure are based on underlying cause, its progression rate, and on the severity of the disease. the conditions, which lead to the kidney failure frequently produce severe symptoms unrelated to the kidney. For instance, shock, high fever, liver, heart failure can happen before kidney failure. Kidney failure may be caused by hydronephrosis resulting from urine’s flow obstruction.

The urine backup within the kidneys, results in renal pelvis (urine accumulation part) to stretch, creating crampy ache.  Approx 10% of the individuals have blood in the urine. A doctor suggests Acute Kidney Failure when urine output reduces. Blood tests that measure urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, help determine diagnosis. at the time of a physical evaluation, a physician assesses the kidney to define whether it is tender or enlarged.

Kidney’s major artery narrowing can create a bruit (rushing noise) that may be heard through the stethoscope. Laboratory test may help pinpoint kidney failure degree and causes. if an Acute Kidney Failure is resulted from urinary obstruction or inadequate blood supply, the urine usually seems to be normal. but if the failure is caused by a problem within the kidneys, the urine can consist of white and red clumps or blood. the urine can also consist of abnormal protein amounts or abnormal protein types. the blood test usually reveals abnormally high creatinine and urea levels and metabolic imbalances including acidosis, hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia. X-ray and CT (computed tomography) scans may be also helpful. MRI is performed if intravenous urography seems to be dangerous.

Acute Kidney Failure is frequently treated successfully. the treatment of the kidney failure consists of monitoring fluid intake (water intake is limited); glucose, specific amino acids or highly concentrated carbohydrate feedings are given intravenously or orally to maintain adequate levels of the protein. such medications as certain Antibiotics and Digoxin, should be limited. Antacids can be taken to prevent phosphorus blood level from rising extremely high. Sometimes, Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate is taken rectally or orally to treat a high potassium level in blood. Dialysis is required in severe kidney failure to control the symptoms and prevent serious injuries to other body’s organs.

this entry was posted on Sunday, April 10th, 2011 at 10:19 pm and is filed under Diseases and Conditions.

Tags: acute kidney failure, laboratory test, metabolic imbalances, urea nitrogen

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Sore throat on one side is an inflammatory condition of throat characterized by fever, bad breath, sore tonsils, sharp throat inflammation and pain. Bacterial infection, viral infection and tonsillitis are a few common causes of soreness of throat. This article is elaborating on critical condition of throat revealing symptoms and many additional causes. —————————————————————————————————————————————————————-Soreness on throat is a traumatic condition affecting one or all the sides of thereof with scratchiness and inflammation which torment the affected person extensively. Inflammatory symptoms of sore throat entitle it to be treated as a medical condition. Sore throat on any one side of throat though is known for its inflammatory symptoms, accompanied by fever, it actually is the symptom itself of pharynx which emerges between the mouth and esophagus. the researchers have yet not found any other condition accountable for sore throat emerging on side, except the infection caused by bacteria or virus in esophagus or tonsils. what the researchers have come across as of now, by dwelling on many tormenting conditions of the sore throat, is its preceding cold and fever, the two common critical health complications, associated with sore throat. in simple words the individuals, affected with sore throat, suffer from cold and fever as well presumably caused by bacteria and virus. the bacterial infection or viral infection though is a common cause of cold and fever; it causes sore throat as well symptomized by fever, throat-inflammation and difficulty in swallowing the consumables. Soreness in the throat on anyone of throat’s sides causes pain when drinking the water and swallowing the solid foods. any attempt on a part of person to brave extensive inflammation and swelling in the tonsil or pharynx causes high fever.    Causes of Sore Throat on one Side of Throat Going through the tormenting symptoms you must have got an idea how extensively the sore throat traumatizes the vulnerable ones. Now let’s have a look at a few noticeable causes of sore throat emerging on one side of throat.

Symptoms of Sore Throat on one Side

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Soreness on one side of throat is symptomized by many embarrassing symptoms. As far as severity of the soreness in throat is concerned it depends upon the type of condition causing sore throat symptoms. following are a few embarrassing symptoms of sore throat emerging on one or all the sides of throat.

Uncommon Causes of Sore Throat Symptoms on one Side

Noticed in rare cases following are the symptoms of sore throat to be noticed on one side of throat.

• Swelling in the lymph nodes of under the jaw.
• Swelling over the throat suffering from inflammation.
• Small blisters over the palate.

Treatment of Sore Throat on one Side

There is not to arise any difficulty in treating inflammatory syndromes of sore throat emerging on one side provided its causes are known well. use of antibacterial drugs and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) to be used as over-the-counter (OTC) treatment though has got to control inflammatory symptoms of sore throat in serious inflammatory condition it is required to be taken only under doctor’s supervision. the doctors conduct medical examination on a person suffering from soreness of throat on one side and then administer or prescribe the effective medicines to recover him/her from inflammation or soreness of throat. the individuals, suffering from mild inflammatory symptoms of sore throat on any one side of theirs throat can go for OTC treatment by taking ibuprofen or paracetamol. Penicillin and erythromycin also are the best OTC drugs exterminating bacteria in the throat that controls infection and provides great relief from inflammatory symptoms of sore throat on one side of the throat.

VN:F [1.9.7_1111]VN:F [1.9.7_1111]Sore Throat on one Side, 10.0 out of 10 based on 1 rating

Overactive bladder is a condition that is also referred to as “urge incontinence” or “spastic bladder”. in most cases, those that are older experience complications associated with this condition. However, it could affect an individual of any age group.

Typically, the sufferer will experience an increased need to urinate when this loss of urine occurs. many individuals believe that an overactive bladder is a medical condition or a disease.

In all actuality, this is simply a symptom of an underlying condition. in this medical guide, you will learn important facts pertaining to the topic of spastic bladder.

The Causes of Urge Incontinence

Medical professionals have established that when an individual experience an overactive bladder, it is a direct result from contractions that occur in the bladder and are considered to be abnormal.

The muscles that assist in the flow and output of the urine contained within the bladder are called sphincter muscles.when an individual experiences an overactive bladder, these muscles are no longer effective when it comes to controlling the urine to be emitted from the body.

Examples of situations that could result in these contractions include the following:

• There are nerves located in the bladder walls as well as around the bladder in the body. If these nerves become damaged for one reason or another, it could result in contractions of the muscles that are considered to be abnormal.

• If there has been an injury or any type of traumatic situation involving the spinal cord, the muscles may contract abnormally.

• It has been established that there are certain types of stimuli that may result in the contraction of the muscles that surround the bladder. For example, many individuals may experience muscle contractions.Risk Factors

There are many risk factors associated with overactive bladder. while individuals from older generations suffer from this medical condition, it could affect any person of any age.

Many women that become pregnant may experience this complication. in the same respect, those that have recently given birth may suffer from a spastic bladder.

Individuals that have had certain surgeries such as those of the prostate and suffer from medical conditions such as diabetes and certain types of injuries may also suffer from overactive bladder. If you feel as if you may suffer from this condition, it is important to seek medical assistance for treatment.

Symptoms & Signs

The physical appearance of the foot may vary. One or both feet may be affected.

The foot turns inward and downward at birth, and is difficult to place in the correct position. The calf muscle and foot may be slightly smaller than normal.

Diagnosis & Tests

The disorder is identified during a physical examination. a foot x-ray may be done.

Review Date : 11/2/2009Reviewed By : Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, a.D.a.M., inc.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. a licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only — they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2010 a.D.a.M., inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Tags: Clubfoot, Clubfoot Diagnosis, Clubfoot Signs, Clubfoot Symptoms.

could they cure the cancer in that very early stage
so you can live your life?

haribol2003,
Pancreatic cancer is diagnosed in many people each year and a majority of them die of the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. one of the reasons is that there is no easy way to spot the illness early and it usually does not cause symptoms until it has spread. The cancer is detected early in only about 7 percent of cases. if pancreatic cancer is discovered at an early stage, treatment usually consists of surgery and chemotherapy, which can extend survival and relieve symptoms but "seldom produces a cure," according to the society. About 24 percent of patients survive one year after diagnosis and 5 percent survive years, the society said.

ALL ANSWERS SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED, IN ANY FORUM AND ESPECIALLY IN THIS ONE. – MANY ANSWERS ARE FLAWED.

The information provided here should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. a licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

I add a link with details of this subject

cancer.gov/cancertopics/
pdq/treatment/pancreatic/patient

Hope this helps
matador 89

Sometimes, however, cancers form in places where there may be no symptoms until the cancer has grown quite large. Pancreas cancers, for example, do not usually grow large enough to be felt from the outside of the body. Some pancreatic cancers do not produce symptoms until they begin to grow around nearby nerves, causing a backache.

Typhonium plus – natural supplement may help

Pancreatic cancer in an early stage is curable. But unfortunately it is asymptomatic for a long time. thus most pancreatic cancers are discovered in an advanced stage where the prognosis is poor.

By Ian Swales MP – 2nd February 2011

The government must act to ensure that ME is no longer misdiagnosed and that patients receive the treatment they need, says Ian Swales MP.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is a condition that affects an estimated 250,000 people in the UK. Onset commonly occurs during the 20s to 40s in adults, and between 11 and 14 in children. the term myalgic means muscle pain, while encephalomyelitis means inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. I decided to call for a Westminster Hall debate on ME because I feel that this is an issue which has been under researched, and that the lack of understanding and stigma surrounding ME has meant that patients have had to live with this condition without recourse to the sort of treatments and research that they deserve. the fact that the Department of Health now accepts ME as a genuine medical condition is a huge step forward. However, it is clear from talking to sufferers and medical professionals that diagnosis can still pose a problem because ME symptoms are similar to those present in a number of other medical conditions. I recognise that one of the main obstacles to the adequate treatment of ME is the lack of knowledge and consensus about the disease. I believe that both funding and research must be focused on the bio-medical factors involved and not just simply managing the psychological symptoms. My goal is to see the government and Medical Research Council work with ME sufferers and bio-medical researchers in order to achieve a proper understanding of the condition’s challenges and unjust perceptions of the condition. I was therefore delighted to see that on Thursday 27 January, the MRC announced an investment of £1.5m to encourage further research into CFS/ME. I believe this is an important step in showing that the leading medical researchers and government are finally admitting that the current thinking on CFS/ME is inadequate. I am hopeful that today’s debate will further advance this view, and will press the government to act to ensure that ME is no longer misdiagnosed and that patients receive the treatment they need.

Ian Swales was elected as Liberal Democrat MP for Redcar in 2010.