Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Learning to live with psoriasis

Regardless of how long ago put a man such a diagnosis, living with him still not easy. Because of the painful foci in the skin can be difficult to sleep and deal with daily work. When spotted psoriasis, the most common form of the disease, the skin appeared numerous red spots.

The disease is completely incurable and remains throughout life. However, there are ways to facilitate its flow. Apart ointments and medicines doctors prescribe, the following may help.

1. Healthy lifestyle. It will help avoid fatigue and stress, strengthen the immune system. It should:

* Eat right.
* Drink plenty of water.
* Good sleep.

2. Knowledge of the factors causing exacerbation of psoriasis. Such factors include:

* Certain types of infections
* Reception of some drugs
* Damage of the skin (eg, sunburn)
* Stress
* Low humidity

3. Giving up smoking. Smoking may exacerbate or worsen the disease.

4. Limit consumption of alcoholic beverages. Admission of alcohol can also cause a worsening of the disease and reduce the effectiveness of treatment. Important: methotrexate is incompatible with the consumption of alcohol.

5. Avoid stress. Stress can aggravate the disease. Fight with him will help:

* Regular exercise. Before classes consult with your doctor.
* Relaxation techniques.
* Contacts with other people, patients with psoriasis, and participation in groups vazimopomoschi.
* Help psychologist.

6. Take care of your skin:

* Use a moisturizing and softening means to prevent dryness and cracking of the skin.
* Do not comb the skin. To remove the itch should:
o Apply a cold compress.
o Apply a menthol ointment or steroid, local action.
o Take a warm bath with oatmeal oatmeal.
o Wear clothes made of cotton.

7. To protect the skin during the winter:

* Use a moisturizer at least 2 times a day, especially after a bath.
* Use humidifiers.
* Consult with your doctor about additional preventive measures in cold weather.

8. Use exposure to the sun. Sunlight may improve the skin condition. The exact time of exposure to the sun should check with your doctor. It is necessary to avoid sunburn, causing exacerbation of psoriasis and skin cancer. Lots of skin, not stricken with psoriasis, it is necessary to process sunscreen.

Following these tips will improve your health and quality of life in general.
Rx Texas

The most frequent problems with the foot

This article discusses the 13 most common diseases of feet. Here you will find information about the main symptoms and treatment. However, if you suspect a disease should always consult a doctor. Particular caution should be applied to patients with diabetes mellitus.

Tendonitis (inflammation) Achilles tendon

* Irritation and inflammation of the tendon, which joins the back of the heel bone.

* Can be caused by insufficient warm-up before exercise or excessive physical exercise.

* Treatment: compress with ice, rest, aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

* Assess the severity of the physician.

Bunion

* Offset big toe joint causing swelling and pain. Painful place gradually increases in size. The same pathology occurs sometimes on the little finger due to prolonged sitting with legs crossed. "Szyszko" on the little finger is sometimes called "bone tailor.

* The first joint of the big toe deviates outward, and the second - in the direction of the other fingers.

* Bursitis is inherited or acquired (as a result of wearing shoes with too narrow nose and toe).

* Most recommended surgery.

Calluses and corns

* Represents a layer of keratinized, dead skin. (A kind of pad on the skin in the area where the leg creates a high pressure or load).

* Usually the result of wearing a close or too loose footwear, and shoes with high heels. The most frequently appear on the thumb and little finger. Between the fingers may appear soft corns.

* The emergence of calluses and corns contribute to obesity, flat feet, speaking at the bones, gait disturbance, etc.

* In severe cases, should contact the orthopedic doctor.

* Pick up shoes on the leg. During the walk or sports wear thick socks. You can use special pads and other orthopedic devices. Surgical removal - an extreme measure.
* You can not cut calluses and corns yourself with a razor or knife.

Hammertoe toe (chirodactyly)

* There is a result of weakening of muscles that leads to bending the finger in a claw.

* The most common observed deformation of the second toe (usually due to the deviation of the thumb due to bursitis).

* Choose shoes and socks that do not compress the leg and did not exacerbate the strain.

* Facilitate the state will interdigital special inserts or pads. If no improvement is possible surgical intervention.

Heel pain / heel spurs

* The growth of bone on the plantar surface of the calcaneus (similar to the spike).

* Can accompanied by inflammation of the connective tissue on the sole.

* Possible causes of conditions - excess weight, arthritis, gout, blood circulation disturbances.

* Developed in a place where the tendon connects to the underside of heel bone. Subsequently obyzvestvitsya and can form a heel spur.

* Pressures on the ligaments can be weakened if the stretching exercises and wear suitable sports shoes.

* It may take alone. Helps also taking medication and wearing shoes with supinator.

* With the continuing strong pains appointed injections of steroid drugs and wearing the cast. Surgery is carried out only in the most severe cases.

Ingrown nails

* Ingrown nails - a painful ingrown nail corners or sides of the plate in the skin.

* The most common cause - the wrong haircut nails. In addition, the ingrowth nail lead squeezing fingers footwear, nail trauma, a fungal infection. An important role played by heredity and personality structure of the feet.

* The best prevention - proper grooming (nail should be cut evenly and not too short). Pick up a comfortable shoes, paying attention to the unpleasant sensations in the legs.

* Due to designer shoes, women 50% more likely than men to suffer from growing into nails.

Neuroma

Benign proliferation of nerve tissue that occurs most often between the third and fourth toes of the foot.

* Possible causes are: nerve irritation due to friction from the outside, trauma, increased pressure on the foot, improper footwear, individual features of the structure of the foot. When neuroma may be tingling, numbness, burning sensation. The pain can bring to the toes.

* Treatment: the wearing of a free shoe, use of orthopedic devices (pads, interdigital liners, etc.). Perhaps the appointment of injection of steroid hormones. Sometimes surgery is necessary.

Plantar fasciitis

* The offending, but slightly more pain in the soles.

* Usually it is caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia - the connective tissue of the beam, which runs from the heel bone to the toes.

* Orthopedic or therapist will assess the seriousness of the disease and recommend special tabs for footwear.

* Full recovery usually occurs within six months or more.

* Treatment: physical therapy, injections of corticosteroids, superimposition of tires at night.

* For surgical intervention is rarely resort.

Plantar wart

* There is at the base and often looks like a callus. Grows inward. Maybe both single and multiple.

* The reason - a viral infection.

* When walking can cause severe pain.

* The difficulty is treatable, but the condition can be facilitated by applications of salicylic acid (sold without prescription).

* Possible medication (injections), burning with nitrogen, in rare cases is surgical removal.

Sesamoidit

* Disease sesamoid bones. These are two small bones located below the first metatarsal bone, tendons inside, bend the big toe in his first joint.

* Due to excessive physical stress these bones can become inflamed and break down.

* Treatment: rest, ice compresses for pain relief - ibuprofen.

* It is recommended to wear properly fitting footwear and the use of special orthopedic devices for the foot

Fatigue fracture (not to be confused with the usual fracture)

* Small crack in the bone.

* There are a result of overload.

* Quickly runs in a state of complete rest. As a precaution it is recommended to use the additional insoles.

* In the absence of treatment fatigue fracture can lead to this turning point, for the treatment of which would require the imposition of plaster immobilization (immobilization).

Fungal infections (mycoses)

* Most of the fungi are not dangerous as long as long as their arguments do not penetrate into the skin through the microcracks. If this occurs near the nail, it can happen exfoliation nail plate from the bed. Mycosis feet are very painful.
* As a result of fungus nail thickens and turns yellow or brownish. Pressure on the finger nail of the hardened or broken, can be very painful.
* Treatment: oral or external medications, surgical removal of the nail plate.
* Treatment of fungal infections cause long and can take anywhere from six weeks to six months.

Athlete's foot

Called by a fungus that most often affects the interdigital area.

* Fungus actively multiplies in warm, moist environment. The greatest danger of infection - in the pool, shower, locker rooms.
* For the prevention of the disease are wearing rubber slippers and wash your feet daily.
* Treatment: antifungal lotions for local external use, and sprays.
* In severe cases, when the local outdoor drugs do not help, appointed by the pill.
* The best way to treat the doctor chooses.
Rx Pennsylvania

Migraine

Migraine is severe paroxysms of headache in one or both sides of the head, sometimes accompanied by visual and gastro-intestinal disorders (nausea, vomiting, photophobia) and visual field defects, dizziness, rise in temperature and chills.

Migraine is divided into classical and normal.

In classic form, patients feel the aura 10-30 minutes before the attack. Aura includes temporary visual disturbances, the appearance of flashes or zigzags in front of the eyes, decreased vision. In classical migraine may also experience difficulty in speech, weakness in arms and legs, tremors facial muscles and hands, confused consciousness.

In the usual form of migraine patients do not experience an aura, but may have vagal symptoms, such as changes in behavior and apathy.

Both forms of migraine can occur at intervals of several times a week to once every few years. The duration can vary from several hours to several days.

Causes of migraine

The exact culprit of the disease is as yet unknown. However, available data suggest that the main reason lies in the functional disorders of cerebral blood flow as a result of the wide range of trigger factors.

Early symptoms of migraine accompanied by narrowing of the vessels of the brain, then there is their expansion, which leads to the release of prostaglandins and other biologically active substances that increase the swelling and inflammation of the brain. The headache is caused by stimulation of the receptors of biologically active substances are formed and expand blood vessels of the scalp.

Who is more likely to suffer from migraines?

Migraine affects both men and women, but the latter disease occurs in 4 times more frequently than men. Children also may suffer from migraine.

Cases marked with migraine and in families of people suffering from this disease, but the nature of the hereditary mechanism is still unclear. It is assumed that the whole point of genetic anomalies in the regulation of vascular tone.

Diagnosis of migraine

Specific tests for the diagnosis of migraine does not exist. Diagnosis is based at the medical examination and on the basis of medical history. The doctor asks questions about symptoms of illness, the frequency of migraine attacks, the localization of headache, duration and associated symptoms before and after the attack.

In this sense, the patient advisable to keep a diary, where he leads the characteristics of headaches, their relationship with lifestyle, diet, menstrual cycle and use of drugs.

Also, the doctor may check blood tests to detect thyroid disease, anemia or infectious processes that can lead to headaches.

In some cases, to avoid suspicion of brain diseases, using a computer or magnetic resonance imaging. If there is suspicion of a vascular aneurysm angiography was performed.

In general, diagnosis of migraine is complicated, especially when the symptoms are available do not allow to form a single clinical picture.

To measure the activity areas of the brain using an electroencephalogram. Unfortunately, with the help of EEG can record violations in the brain, but can not identify the cause of headaches.

In this regard, are more promising experimental developments in the field of thermography. Under this method, using infrared beams to register the temperature of the skin, converting the received data to a color picture (thermogram). Since the temperature of the skin depends on the intensity of blood flow, the zone having different temperatures, different degrees of staining. Studies have shown significant differences between the thermograms of people who regularly suffer from headaches, and those who have never suffered or not they have tested them very rarely.

The trigger factors of headache

The cause of migraines in some people may be following the so-called trigger factors:

* Changes in hormonal status (especially with the menstrual cycle and because of the use of oral contraceptives);
* Volatile weather conditions;
* Certain types of foods and food additives, especially preservatives, caffeine, chocolate, cheese and products made from corn;
* Strong smell, blinding light;
* Tobacco smoke;
* Lack of sleep, pouring.

Treatment of migraine

Ultimately, a cure migraine does not exist, but the disease can be controlled with medication in most patients.

Triptanov class of drugs used to treat acute migraine attacks, although they have some side effects. The drug is used in the beginning of attack.

By the same class of drugs include sumatriptan, naratriptan, zolmitriptan, frovatriptan and eletriptan. If intolerance of one of them should check the effect of several drugs and pick the one that best suits the patient.

Symptomatic treatment of migraine headaches include pain relief in acute migraine. However, before taking any of these drugs should consult with your doctor: drugs may be contraindicated in people suffering from certain diseases.

Analgesics. This group of drugs includes aspirin and Tylenol, which form the first line drugs for treatment of migraine attacks of low and medium intensity.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Examples of these drugs are naproxen sodium, ibuprofen, ketorolac and indomethacin. They are also shown in migraine attacks of low and medium intensity.

Derivatives of ergotamine. The most common medical treatment for migraine is ergotamine tartrate (vasoconstrictor). The product eliminates the vasodilatation and applied immediately after the occurrence of migraine headaches, as well as in combination with antiemetic means.

Narcotic analgesics. This class of drugs intended for treatment of severe migraine attacks. They are shown only short courses only in case of ineffectiveness of other drugs and canceled immediately after to reduce the intensity of migraine pain.

Prophylactic drugs. These products are used in cases where severe migraine attacks recur more often than 2-3 times a month, and their duration exceeds 48 hours.

Examples of such drugs are:

* Beta-blockers;
* Calcium channel blockers;
* Tricyclic antidepressants;
* Anticonvulsants.

Since many of these drugs have side effects, the decision on their appointment shall be adopted only as directed by your doctor.

Other ways to treat migraine attacks

As additional methods of treatment using the method of biofeedback and various relaxation techniques. When using the method of biofeedback, patients gain control over the reactions of the organism, which can reduce the number and severity of migraine attacks.

Also, diet is effective if installed products, causing migraine attacks. In this case, it is important to prevent the fall of blood glucose.

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

These products are used to reduce pain and inflammation. Before their use should consult with your doctor, as medications may be unsafe if you have:

* Stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding;
* Liver disease or kidney disease or increased bleeding;
* The number of daily alcohol intake exceeding 90 g;
* High blood pressure or heart disease;
* High blood pressure, and you are taking drugs to lower blood pressure and aspirin to protect the heart or other anticoagulants.

You can not assign an aspirin to people younger than 20 years because of the risk of Raynaud's syndrome, also without consulting a doctor is forbidden to give children ibuprofen and naproxen.

Take care of yourself and you should carefully read the instructions that came with the medication.
UsRxMed Blog