Probiotics are live micro-organisms, which are thought to be beneficial to the stomach. However, a new study out of Spain finds they are also good for your teeth.

Researchers at International University in Barcelona, Spain, looked at the effects of probiotics on gingivitis, bad breath and cavity development.

Researchers found that some of the probiotics showed promise – either alone or as part of a formula – for improving oral health.

Denise Cole, a registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic, who did not take part in the study, said people who took probiotic milk over a seven month period showed a decrease in cavities.

“We have also seen when probiotics were administered straight to the gum, that we did see a decrease in periodontal disease as well,” she said.

Probiotics can increase resistance to infectious diseases, help balance upset stomach and improve allergy symptoms.

“Probiotic milks and yogurts are a good source of those probiotics for you, and there are also over-the-counter pills (you can take),” Cole said.

The complete findings of this study are published in the Archives of Oral Biology Journal.

Woman still in pain but slowly improving

STOCKTON – West Nile virus stole a year of Gloria Torres’ life.

The 62-year-old Stockton great-grandmother has spent the past 12 months in a hospital bed, gaining strength and undergoing therapy, then facing setbacks and having to start all over again.

Torres remains in constant pain, can’t move her left leg and can’t stand on her right leg. she can’t walk to the bathroom, can’t brush her hair or teeth, and doesn’t sleep well, often waking up from a nightmare in the middle of the night crying for no explainable reason.

All this from a little mosquito bite she doesn’t even remember getting. And speaking of memory, that’s been a problem for her ever since she got sick.

She spent the first four months on a ventilator – any longer, the doctors told her family, and it would have been the only way she could have breathed for the remainder of her life.

“I just kept thinking, ‘This can’t be me. why is this happening to me?’ ” said Torres, while propped up in a wheelchair next to the bed she’s called home at north Stockton’s Windsor Elmhaven Care Center since early this year. She’s slowly improving, but it’s been a long, rocky road.

Torres came forward to tell her story because people can take precautions to avoid West Nile virus, and she doesn’t want anyone to go through what she has experienced.

She admitted the south Stockton home she is desperate to return to includes a backyard “like a jungle,” and during that summer of 2010 there were buckets of stagnant rainwater scattered about – perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

She knew then it wasn’t a good idea, but she never got around to draining the buckets. after her illness was confirmed, bug traps placed on her property by the San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District did not capture any infected mosquitoes, her family said. So it remains a mystery when she acquired the disease last September that has a three-to-14-day incubation period.

In addition to limiting breeding areas in standing water, the mother of four is adamant that her eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild be protected from mosquitoes outside during the most vulnerable hours around dawn and dusk, either with DEET-containing repellent or pants and long-sleeve shirts.

Adding to the stress of being sick for so long, Torres, a lifelong Stocktonian, has been frustrated in her attempts to make her caregivers understand her unique disease.

Her daughters, Andrea Myles and Sylvia Wong, both of Stockton, take turns caring for their mom at Windsor Elmhaven.

“My sister and I have been her advocate, her nurse,” said Myles, critical of Elmhaven because its staff is unfamiliar with a patient in Torres’ condition.

“It’s horrible. she wants to get up and use the restroom, they say go in your diaper. She’s not mobile at all, she has bed sores and drop foot. they don’t monitor her,” Myles said.

“The sad part about it is we’ve given the facility write-ups on West Nile and no one ever reads them, no one ever reads the long-term effects. it might become more and more cases in the future, so people should know about this,” she said.

Windsor Elmhaven administrator Chad Hardcastle said he was limited in what he could comment about Torres because of patient privacy, but he did say the staff has had training in dealing with someone in Torres’ condition.

“We try to meet the residents’ needs as best as we can,” Hardcastle said.

Torres and her daughters also said she has suffered setbacks in her recovery because Medi-Cal – which is covering her medical expenses – only pays for a limited number of physical-therapy sessions a month, and then Torres has to reapply through her physician for a new round of therapy. That takes from 30 to 60 days to get reinstated, during which time she does not receive therapy.

“I was doing very well with my sessions until they stopped. I’m starting right at the bottom again. I can’t put any weight on my legs. I still have muscle weakness,” Torres said.

Eighty percent of people who get bit by a mosquito infected by West Nile virus never show symptoms of the disease. About 20 percent may develop what’s called West Nile fever, a mild infection that includes fever, headache, achy body, tiredness and sometimes a skin rash, swollen glands or eye pain.

Unfortunately for Torres, she is among the 1 percent of infected people who develop serious symptoms. In many of those cases, brain swelling or inflammation known as encephalitis results, but that was not the case for Torres. she also avoided inflammation of the spinal cord. It’s possible the symptoms she has now, especially muscle weakness, could be permanent.

Torres was never a healthy person, although she was independent and able to drive and take care of herself.

“Since 7 years old, I had problems with my kidneys. after my last child was born, they told me my kidneys were gone. I had underdeveloped kidneys; they never matured,” Torres said. she started kidney dialysis three days a week in the early 1990s until a suitable donor kidney became available in June 2007. The transplant was successful, Torres no longer required dialysis and she was getting healthier and stronger.

While an organ transplant is another way to acquire West Nile virus, experts familiar with transplants say it is extremely rare and symptoms appear within the first month. Torres’ transplant was more than three years before her first virus symptoms appeared.

Contact reporter Joe Goldeen at (209) 546-8278 or jgoldeen@recordnet.com. Visit his blog at recordnet.com/goldeenblog.

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Over the last two months, I've had so many problems. it started with my recurring colds. I get a cold once a month, and it generally gives off the symptoms of chronic sinusitis (entire left side of head is in pain – teeth, ear, eye pressure, runny nose, etc). Doc says I do not have sinusitis, but prescribed me flonase anyway.

Then came on blepharitis, with occasional flareups. took me 8 weeks to rid myself of it after doing the treatment every single day.
Then comes on the urinary tract infection, which is not responding to antibiotics.
Then comes on another sinus infection.

Right now, I have 4 things – Sinusitis, Blepharitis, a UTI, and a stomach flu.

What the hell is causing this? do I have the scurvy? I spend all of my time indoors, so could it be vitamin d deficiency?

If you did not have your blood levels checked lately, I would advise you to.

You may have a more generalized condition that makes you more susceptible to the ailments you listed. for one reason or another, you may have a weakened immune system. You should try doing things that will bolster your immune system, like adding more vitamin C to your diet for example. Talk to your doctor and ask him what are some other things you can do to strengthen your ability to fight off these infections.

You need jesus

You do need to make sure you're taking multivitamins every day, and lots of folic acid too, about 1600mg a day. at the moment, you're body is very weak.

When your baby is about five or six month, you need to be aware since she will face another milestone in her life. this is the period when your baby will start to teeth. the exact teething time will be different from a baby to others. you will know the time after recognizing the symptoms.  Remember, this is natural process, so there is nothing to worry about it. Some babies will feel so painful and their parents have to take them to the doctor. but that rarely happens. all the pain will turn to happiness when you look at two teeth appears on the bottom gum. your baby will look so cute with the new teeth.

You are recommended to check your baby lower and middle gum regularly especially when you notice the swollen or inflamed gum. sometimes the swollen gum is only at the place where the teeth will appear. you can be so surprised look at the tooth slowly rises through the gums. However, your baby will feel uncomfortable during the process. she may become easily irritated and start drooling a lot. Again, this is normal condition that you do not have to worry about. Some babies start biting down on anything which they get in their hand. Rarely, there are some babies who get fever. you have to be ready when your baby wakes up more than usual at night. this is understandable since your baby cannot sleep tight due to the pain.

There are few cases during the teething period that babies tend to sneeze, cough, and have running nose. Perhaps this is because they starts putting and biting everything which are not in good hygiene. another possibility is the teeth will keep moving and affect the sinus. Automatically, your baby’s appetite will be poor during the teething period. therefore, you need to make sure that your baby hold clean items to avoid any influenza symptoms. Rest assured, as soon as the entire teething process is over, everything is well and things will get back to normal in no time.

A bat tested positive for rabies in Brownsville last week, making it the second case of rabies in Cameron County in little more than a month.

Urging residents to stay away from bats, Brownsville Animal Regulation Care Center supervisor Robert Dippong said the northern yellow bat was found May 3 by a man at the Brownsville Independent School District Administrative Building at 1900 Price Road.

The bat was euthanized and sent for testing, as procedure dictates, and the results came back positive for rabies on May 5, Dippong said.

“there was no human contact or any animal contact,” he said of the situation.

Dippong and Gus Olivares, assistant director of the Cameron County Environmental Health Program, said one in 10 bats tests positive for rabies, so caution is necessary.

“you won’t even know if a bat bit you or not because their teeth are so small,” Olivares said. “What we always tell the public is to stay away from bats. … do not attempt to touch it.”

Dippong said bats with rabies are a seasonal occurrence. he said it is believed the bat found May 3, a species from Mexico, was blown in by recent strong winds.

“this is the second bat in Brownsville in the past two years that comes back positive,” Dippong said.

In April, a rabid bat was found in San Benito.

Rabies is deadly to both humans and animals, and symptoms may not appear immediately.

Dippong said flyers were distributed in the area where the bat was found to alert the public.

State law, he said, has helped make sure pets older than four months are vaccinated against the virus, which ensures human safety, too.

Olivares recommended that anyone who sees a bat call their city’s animal control department immediately. If anyone believes they have been bitten by an animal with rabies, they should seek treatment from their physician.

“Bats are a high risk species. … the bat issue, it’s always there,” Olivares said. “the reason you haven’t seen a case of dogs or cats is because of the amount of prevention that’s out there.”

Brownsville animal control may be reached at 544-7351.

What women have to know about ovarian cyst symptoms is they aren’t always present. However, when they’re, women have to report them to a doctor to be able to select a treatment. After performing diagnosing based on the symptoms, the doctor knows the development stage from the cysts and will be in a position to recommend a suitable treatment. there are several kinds of cysts and each type is characterized by certain symptoms. For example, cystadenomas are cysts that appear on the exterior of the ovaries. Dermoid cysts are another variety that can grow several types of tissue, among which hair and teeth are the most typical. Functional cysts contain eggs, form during the period and are gone when the eggs are released. On the other hand, polycystic ovaries are ovarian cysts that contain eggs that aren’t set free and that continue growing. Endometriomas develop inside and out the uterus. The quantity of pain that is felt depends greatly about the dimension of the cysts in every case. most frequently, the ovarian cysts symptoms include pain the pelvic or abdominal area, nausea, fever and vomiting. Dyspareunia is the name of the pain that occurs in the pelvic area throughout the intercourse and can be among the signs that indicate the development of ovarian cysts. Pelvic pain might be constant or intermittent and may extend to the thighs minimizing back. more than that, this type of pain may appear prior to the period or close to its end. because of the ovarian cysts, the time will come earlier or later than expected, and this fact should also be reported to the doctor. Some from the ovarian cysts symptoms look like signs of pregnancy. For example, women may feel nausea and vomiting, as well as breast tenderness. these symptoms could be accompanied by pain, too. Additionally, women may feel some type of heaviness in their abdomen. Pressure about the rectum or bladder has additionally been reported to point ovarian cysts. due to this pressure, going number 2 are sometimes painful. Emptying the bladder completely is also difficult. when fever and extreme pain are observed, women must look for medical attention immediately, because these ovarian cysts symptoms really are a threat to health. probably, the ovarian cysts that produce such symptoms are malignant and measures have to be taken at once, to be able to prevent ovarian cancer.Once you discover you have ovarian cysts, there’s one initial thing you need to do: start eating, drinking, and living right. The thing is – most doctors will explain either to take birth control pills, or simply wait and see if the cysts go away. Although this works a lot of times, you are able to actively be eating, drinking, and living properly to actively combat the cysts. It doesn’t take much work – the right diet every single day and achieving many of the proper juice can definitely take care of the ovarian cysts before they’re a problem. Don’t let them grow and get big – then you will have to get surgery which could cost a ton more money, and a lot more stress inside your personal life.

Get more information about ovarian cyst symptoms and ovarian cyst pain

Living with TMJ symptoms is plainly and simply, painful. You will most likely wake up with  your jaw aching and possibly your teeth as well. You wmay catch yourself with your jaw clenched tight at times during the day when you’re at work or under any stress. Headaches, earaches and many other unpleasant symptoms of TMJ can follow if untreated. if you’re unsure of whether you have TMJ or maybe you’re unsure of what you can do about it, then read on.

What you should of course do is consult your doctor or dentist as quickly as possible. if your symptoms are minor, they may simply give you some anti-inflammatories and tell you to wait it out. sometimes this advice is sound and sometimes is isn’t. Most TMJ symptoms are caused by stress. When you’re stressed your body builds tension and all things being connected, your jaw is a hot spot for tension build up. Your muscles eventually become rigid and tight when this continues which can lead to jaw displacement. This is the cause of the pain that your feeling. if you are told to ‘wait it out’ and your body continues to build up tension, your jaw health will deteriorate. in severe cases you may develop lock jaw, where you literally cannot open your mouth because the ligaments and muscles are clamped tight.

Most of the time these TMJ symptoms are rare. You need to act on it and get rid of the pain and tension quickly, the longer you wait the more you risk. Luckily you can manage your jaw pain with some very simple exercises. there are exercises that have been developed especially for people wit TMJ and these can be very beneficial. Another very important thing that you should get into the habit of it relaxation. it doesn’t have to be very long, just 3-5 minutes of deep breathing with your eyes closed. This will release a lot of built up tension and allow your jaw to move smoothly and naturally.

what is actually experienced. Like feeling a bad taste in the mouth etc..

my friend doesnt understand this term thanks

Very often it signifies nutrient deficiency; many vitamins are what's known as a chelating agent – that is: they readily form complex compounds with metals.

This is somewhat off piste, but the question: "how does the gas chamber work" helps to explain. whenever somebody is executed in this manner, the (hydrogen) cyanide they are forced to inhale attaches itself to the iron in the blood, this in turn prevents the blood from carrying oxygen, then the victim gets asphyxiated.

OK – back so question, and I apologise for the gruesome example!

Many vitamins exhibit this kind of function – they have "hooks" in their molecular structure which are euphemistically referred to as teeth (hence the term bidentate ligand or two-toothed complexing agent).

Since we all need trace elements such as zinc and selenium for instance, we also have a need for vitamins to transport them.

Often, therefore, the metallic taste is a warning that we are deficient in something, and this is a frequent occurrence during pregnancy.

Hope this helps.

Hey, the metallic taste feels like eating pennies………….. here is some info on it:

Metallic Taste (Dysgeusia)

What it is: Dysgeusia is the medical term for a change in your sense of taste; most often, you'll get a sour or metallic taste (yuck!) that persists even when you're not eating.

What causes the metallic taste:
Hormones, and in particular estrogen, seem to play a role in controlling and moderating our sense of taste. and when you're pregnant, estrogen levels — and hence your sense of taste — may fluctuate widely. plus, your sense of taste and your sense of smell are intimately connected, so pregnancy-related changes in your sense of smell may also lead to dysgeusia.

What you need to know about it:
For something we don't hear much about, dysgeusia is surprisingly common in pregnancy. Like morning sickness, it should get better (or, if you're lucky, disappear altogether) in your second trimester when those hormones begin to settle down a bit.

What to do about it:
Try banishing that metallic taste with acids. Focus on sour flavors such as citrus juices, lemonade, and — assuming your tummy can handle them — foods marinated in vinegar (pickles anyone? After all, you are pregnant). all these foods not only have the power to break through the metallic taste in your mouth, they also increase saliva production, which will help wash it away. you might also talk to your practitioner about changing your prenatal vitamin; some seem to lead to metal mouth more than others.

Another trick:
Try brushing your tongue each time you brush your teeth, or rinse your mouth with a mild salt solution (a teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of water) or a baking soda solution (1/4 teaspoon baking soda in eight ounces of water) a few times a day to neutralize pH levels in your mouth and keep away that flinty flavor.

all the best

It is surprisingly common (ehealthforum.com/health/topic3994… said to be like tin or aluminum. there are many ideas about causes out there some are silly, other just a bit scary (au.answers.yahoo.com/question/ind…

Bottom line is that it could be a lot of things, it may be buildup of 'stuff' that's leaching out, it may be changes in perception (like cravings), it may be changes in the balance of mouth bacteria (often tied to antibiotics BUT try not to take any while pregnant unless truly necessary).

It could also be acids reacting with metal in the mouth (stanford.wellsphere.com/dental-he… Could be a bit of a worry if there are old-style mercury amalgam fillings. (If yes, lay off the acid foods)

For some it passes quickly, others seem to have it for weeks.

Watch and see.

Well heres a list of things that could cause it:
healthblurbs.com/many-causes-…

This one names some other things as well as some things to do to fight it:
lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/m…

I never got a metallic taste in my mouth. not all women get it. the strangest thing I noticed for myself really early in pregnancy was that I kept on getting cramps in my upper legs near the groin area.

It's just an odd taste, like when you put a spoon in your mouth and it tastes odd when you remove it. it can also be alikened to blood.

It sometimes comes from decaying teeth, or chemical poisoning. go to the dentist or doctor. it could be very serious.

kind of like one would imagine the after taste of sucking on a nickel would be like

Tell your friend to suck a brass candlestick for a few minutes. That'll give him an idea.

It's hard to explain. It's like a sharp, almost sour taste.

it means you have plenty of iron in your system. i got this when i was taking iron tablets durin pregnancy

any chance its blood? thats how blood tastes to me.

Anytime the windows are open, or any wind is present, my molars and entire back part of the jaw hurt. I took some antibiotics to treat this, and if I drink anything cold, the pain comes back. is this an infection, or is this a lower nerve problem? Someone else in the house is beginning to develop the same symptoms, mostly headaches and pain in the back teeth.

Gum disease can begin for anyone at any age. it is more common, but adults over 35 years old. the disease can be mild or severe. it depends upon the stage. everyone should know what gum disease is. in this way, they will understand what the causes and know-how to prevent it.

Description of Gum Disease

Teeth are accordingly attached in your mouth through the gums and bone. the point of attachment is where the gums and teeth connect. Gum disease (or periodontal disease) weakens and breaks this point of attachment. when the point of detachment separates gum and teeth, the tooth first becomes loose. it then falls out.

At this point, the kind or stage of gum diseases is called periodontitis. This classifies from the earlier stage gingivitis. Gingivitis is a less hazardous form of gum disease. Characteristics of this dental problem include inflammation, swelling and discolored gums. the symptoms of later gingivitis can include constant bad breath and trench mouth.

If the bacteria will start spreading in your mouth, this will cause gum disease. Bad bacteria will develop, feeding bits of food lodged in several holes in the mouth. Bacteria forms or is a part of plaque. This sticky white material starts to form on your gums and teeth. Plaque forms every day. if you, or your dentist, do not remove it, it becomes tartar or calculus.

It’s easier to remove plaque than tartar. the annual or 6-month visit to the dentist can manage this. So, too can a trip to a dental hygienist. Tartar is a harder substance and more hard to remove. Tartar is also rougher in texture. it is the ideal place for more plaque to gather and calcify into more tartar. if periodontal disease attains this stage periodontitis, it becomes a more difficult condition to handle.

Oral Hygiene Remedy a Way to Prevent Gum Disease

A life without gum disease is can be achieve. the best remedy for gum disease is prevention. do not treat the problem or its symptoms, but stop it. You can easily avoid the gum disease by embracing a proper method of oral hygiene care. Your dentist can guide you in choosing the right products. the market is also filled of both commercial and natural products such as the alterable OraMD that acts as both toothpaste and a mouthwash.

The following are basic program of care oral health:

• Brush your teeth every after meal and just before bedtime.
• Flossing
• Rinsing using a non-alcoholic mouthwash
• Visit your dentist every 6-months or a year for a checkup and/cleaning.

It is important that everyone understands gum disease. it is vital to know the main cause, kinds and symptoms. You should always be aware of any remedies or preventions. And most importantly, you need to know how to avoid it. This is very easy to do. Embrace a positive oral hygiene program. if you brush, rinse and floss every day, your smile should last a lifetime.

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