What is gout?

Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis - a condition affecting the joints and musculoskeletal system. It is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in men, and although it is more likely to affect men, women become more susceptible to it after the menopause.

Gout commonly affects the base of the big toe. When affecting this area, the condition can also be referred to as podagra.
The condition is characterized by sudden and severe pains, redness and tenderness in the joints, most commonly in the base of the big toe. When affecting the big toe, gout can also be referred to as podagra.

These symptoms occur when uric acid, a bodily waste produce, is deposited in the form of needle-like crystals in tissues and fluids within the body. Chalky deposits of uric acid known as tophi can also form as lumps under the skin surrounding the joints. Uric acid crystals can also collect in the kidneys, sometimes resulting in kidney stones.

At its most disabling, gout can cause permanent damage to joints and the kidneys.

CAUSES
Gout is caused initially by an excess of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia). Uric acid is produced in the body through the breakdown of purines - specific chemical compounds that are found in certain foods such as meat, poultry and seafood.

Normally, uric acid dissolves in the blood and is excreted from the body in urine via the kidneys. If too much uric acid is produced or not enough is excreted then it can build up and form the needle-like crystals that cause inflammation and pain in the joints and surrounding tissue.

There are a number of factors that can increase the likelihood of hyperuricemia, and therefore gout:

Age and gender: men produce more uric acid than women, though women's levels of uric acid approach those of men after the menopause
Genetics: a family history of gout increases the likelihood of the condition developing
Lifestyle choices: alcohol consumption interferes with the removal of uric acid from the body. Eating a high-purine diet also increases the amount of uric acid in the body
Lead exposure: chronic lead exposure has been linked in some cases to gout
Medications: certain medications can increase the levels of uric acid in the body, such as diuretics and drugs containing salicylate
Weight: being overweight increases the risk as there is more tissue in the body for turnover or breakdown, leading to the production of excess uric acid
Other health problems: if the kidneys are unable to eliminate waste products adequately (renal insufficiency) then uric acid levels can remain high. Other conditions that can contribute are high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes and hypothyroidism.

Signs and Symptoms

Gout usually becomes symptomatic suddenly without warning, often in the middle of the night. The main symptoms are intense joint pain that subsides to discomfort, inflammation and redness. Gout frequently affects the large joint of the big toe, but can also commonly affect the ankles, knees, elbows, wrists and fingers.

There are four stages through which gout progresses. Each is characterized by its symptoms (or lack of)..    

Asymptomatic hyperuricemia
It is possible for a person to have hyperuricemia without any outward symptoms. At this stage, treatment is not required, though urate crystals are being deposited in tissue and causing slight damage.

Acute gout
This stage occurs when the urate crystals that have been deposited suddenly cause acute inflammation and intense pain. This sudden attack is referred to as a "flare" and will normally subside within 3-10 days. Flares can sometimes be triggered by stressful events, alcohol and drugs.

Interval or inter critical gout
This stage is the period in between attacks of acute gout. Subsequent flares may not occur for months or years, though if not treated over time they can last longer and occur more frequently. During this time, further urate crystals are being deposited in tissue.

Chronic tophaceous gout
This final stage is the most debilitating form of the disease. Permanent damage may have been dealt to joints and the kidneys. The patient can suffer from chronic arthritis and develop tophi - big lumps of urate crystals - in cooler areas of the body such as the joints of the fingers.

It takes a long time without treatment to reach the stage of chronic tophaceous gout, around 10 years. It is very unlikely that a patient receiving proper treatment would progress to this stage.

Treatment and prevention

The majority of gout cases are treated with medication. Medication can be used to treat the symptoms of gout attacks, prevent future flares and reduce the risk of gout complications such as kidney stones and the development of tophi.

Commonly used medications are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine or corticosteroids. These reduce inflammation and pain in the areas affected by gout and are commonly administered orally.

It is recommended that you drink between 2 and 4 liters of water a day to reduce the risk of gout.
Medications can also be used to either reduce the production of uric acid (xanthine oxidase inhibitors such as allopurinol) or improve the kidney's ability to remove uric acid from the body (probenecid).

There are many lifestyle and dietary guidelines that can be followed to protect against future flares or prevent gout from occurring in the first instance:

Maintain a high fluid intake (2-4 liters a day)
Avoid alcohol
Maintain a healthy body weight
Eat a balanced diet
Limit fish, meat and poultry intake.
If attempting to lose weight, avoid low-carbohydrate diets. If carbohydrate intake is insufficient, the body is unable to burn its own fat properly, releasing substances called ketones into the bloodstream. This results in a condition called ketosis that can increase the level of uric acid in the blood.

It is most important to avoid foods that are high in purines, to ensure that the levels of uric acid in the blood do not get too high. Here is a list of high-purine foods to be wary of:

Anchovies
Asparagus
Beef kidneys
Brains
Dried beans and peas
Game meats
Gravy
Herring
Liver
Mackerel
Mushrooms
Sardines
Scallops
Sweetbreads.

   

EBOLA HIT SPAIN......FEAR GRIPS THE EUROPEANS

The first Ebola transmission outside of Africa has now been confirmed in Spain, where the member of a medical team contracted the deadly disease from a 69-year-old priest being cared for in Madrid. The city of Madrid now achieves the unfortunate distinction of being the first European city where Ebola is confirmed to have spread on its own, far outside the continent of Africa. "The female nurse was part of the medical team that treated a 69-year-old Spanish priest who died in a hospital last month after being flown back from Sierra Leone," reports the Associated Press. Authorities are drawing up a list of people the nurse had contact with, though he did not say how many people that might be, or where she went on holiday. She is married but does not have children..."

Sore throat...... and it's treatment

What is a Sore Throat? A sore throat refers to pain, itchiness, or irritation of the throat. You may have difficulty swallowing food and liquids, and the pain may get worse when you try to swallow. Throat pain is the primary symptom of a sore throat. However, other symptoms may include a dry throat, swollen glands in the neck, white patches on the tonsils, and hoarseness.
A sore throat can affect people of all ages—however, the risk of a sore throat is higher in some people.
This includes children, smokers, allergy sufferers, and people with a compromised immune system. Sharing a close space with others also increases the risk of upper respiratory infections that can present initially as a sore throat.
Causes of a Sore Throat

There are several causes of a sore throat.
Viral Infection
The majority of sore throats are triggered by a viral infection. These are infections caused by a virus, such as the cold and flu.
Other types of viral infections include: mononucleosis: infectious disease typically transmitted through saliva measles: contagious illnesses characterized by a distinct rash and fever chickenpox: infection that causes skin sores croup: infection of the larynx

Bacterial Infection
A bacterial infection can also cause a sore throat.
These types of infections include: strep throat: inflammation of the throat caused by the Streptococcal bacteria diphtheria: infectious disease that causes throat inflammation whooping cough: disease of the respiratory mucous membrane

Environmental Factors
Not all sore throats are viral or bacterial. There are several other causes of throat pain. If you’re allergic to mold, pet dander, pollen, or other irritants, exposure to these allergens can trigger post-nasal drip. This is when excess mucus accumulates in the back of your throat. This accumulation can irritate your throat and cause pain or inflammation.
Dry air can also make your throat feel raw and scratchy.
Smoking cigarettes or exposure to cigarette smoke can trigger persistent sore throats, as well as throat strain from yelling or too much talking.
GERD Gastroesophageal reflux disease may also cause your sore throat. This is a digestive condition characterized by the back flow of stomach acid into the esophagus. This condition causes an array of symptoms, such as a sore throat, hoarseness, heartburn, and nausea.

Other Causes In very rare cases, a sore throat may be a sign of HIV or throat cancer.

Diagnosing a Sore Throat

Most sore throats do not require medical attention. However, see a doctor if your sore throat lasts for longer than one week and if you experience:
difficulty breathing
joint pain
difficulty swallowing
an earache
a rash
fever over 101 degrees F
bloody mucus
a lump in the throat
hoarseness for longer than two weeks

Determining the cause of your sore throat can help your doctor treat your symptoms. Your doctor will do a physical examination and examine your throat with a lighted instrument. He or she will look for signs of inflammation or white patches, which might indicate strep throat. Your doctor will also feel your neck for swollen glands and check your breathing. Because strep throat is a common cause of sore throats, your doctor may swab the back of your throat and examine the sample for the Streptococcal bacteria. He or she may also run a blood test to determine whether you have a viral or bacterial infection. If your doctor is unable to diagnose your sore throat, he or she will refer you to an allergist or an ear, nose, and throat specialist. These specialists will determine whether allergens or a throat disorder is the cause of your sore throat. Note that it can be difficult to diagnose a sore throat in infants and toddlers. In this age group, refusal to eat is a common sign of throat irritation.

How to Treat a Sore Throat

The treatment for a sore throat depends on the cause. However, you can treat many sore throats at home.

Home treatment options include: gargling with warm salt water drinking plenty of warm fluids, such as teas, soup, and water avoiding allergens and irritants, such as smoke and chemicals taking throat lozenges reducing inflammation with ibuprofen or acetaminophen If a bacterial infection causes your sore throat, your doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics to kill the infectious organisms. You should take your medication for 10 days or as prescribed by your doctor to treat the bacterial infection. A sore throat may recur if you stop treatment early. If you have a viral infection, your doctor may want to let the virus run its course. During that time, he or she may prescribe medications, such as decongestants and pain relievers, to ease your symptoms. In some cases, your doctor may want to try an antiviral drug to fight the virus.

Complications of a Sore Throat In the case of persistent bacterial throat infections, your doctor may recommend a tonsillectomy to surgically remove the tonsils. This is a last resort treatment that should only be considered when sore throats do not respond to antibiotics.

How to Prevent a Sore Throat

Many underlying causes of sore throats are infectious, and there are certain steps you can help you prevent future infection. Repeatedly washing your hands throughout the day kills germs and bacteria that can cause viral and bacterial infections. Additional steps that you can take to prevent a sore throat include: Do not share drinking glasses or utensils with others. Use hand sanitizers whenever soap and water are not available. Limit contact with commonly touched surfaces. Reduce exposure to allergens, such as pollen, dust, and mold. Avoid cigarette smoke. Keep a humidifier in your house to eliminate dryness.

HYDROTHERAPY.... water is good for treatment of......

What is Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is the use of water to revitalize, maintain, and restore health.
Hydrotherapy treatments include saunas, steam baths, foot baths, sitz baths, and the application of cold and hot water compresses.
Father Sebastian Kneipp, a 19th century Bavarian monk, is said to be the father of hydrotherapy. Kneipp believed that disease could be cured by using water to eliminate waste from the body. Hydrotherapy is popular in Europe and Asia, where people "take the waters" at hot springs and mineral springs. In North America, it is often recommended as self-care by naturopathic doctors. There is a physiological basis to hydrotherapy. Cold is stimulating, and it causes superficial blood vessels to constrict, shunting the blood to internal organs. Hot water is relaxing, causes blood vessels to dilate, and removes wastes from body tissues. Alternating hot can cold water also improves elimination, decreases inflammation, and stimulates circulation.
Types of Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy treatments are often given at health spas or recommended as home self-care treatments.
These are some types of hydrotherapy:
Sitz bath - There are 2 adjacent tubs of water, one hot and one cold. You sit in one tub with your feet in the other tub, and then alternate. Sitz baths are recommended for hemorrhoids, PMS and menstrual problems, cystitis, polyps.

Warm water baths - Soak in warm water for up to 30 minutes, depending on the condition. Epsom salts, mineral mud, aromatherapy oils, ginger, moor mud, and dead sea salts may be added.

Sauna - Dry heat Steam bath or Turkish bath

Compresses - Towels are soaked in hot and/or cold water.

Wraps - Cold wet flannel sheets are used to cover the a person lying down. The person is then covered with dry towels and then blankets. The body warms up in response and dries to wet sheets. This is used for colds, bronchitis, skin disorders, infection, and muscle pain.

Wet sock treatment - Used for sore throat, ear infections, headaches, migraines, nasal congestion, upper respiratory infections, coughs, bronchitis, and sinus infections.

Hot fomentation - For treatment of acute conditions such as chest colds and coughs. It seems to relieve symptoms but also decrease the length of the illness.

PAINFUL MENSTRUAL PERIOD(DYSMENORRHEA)

Painful menstrual periods are periods in which a woman has crampy lower abdominal pain, sharp or aching pain that comes and goes, or possibly back pain. Although some pain during your period is normal, excessive pain is not. The medical term for painful menstrual periods is dysmenorrhea.

CAUSES

Painful menstrual periods fall into two groups, depending on the cause: Primary dysmenorrhea Secondary dysmenorrhea
Primary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain that occurs around the time that menstrual periods first begin in otherwise healthy young women. This pain is usually not related to a specific problem with the uterus or other pelvic organs. Increased activity of the hormone prostaglandin, which is produced in the uterus, is thought to play a role in this condition.

Secondary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain that develops later in women who have had normal periods and is often related to problems in the uterus or other pelvic organs, such as: Endometriosis Fibroids Intrauterine device (IUD) made of copper Pelvic inflammatory disease Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) Sexually transmitted infection Stress and anxiety.

HOME CARE

The following steps may allow you to avoid prescription medications:
Apply a heating pad to your lower belly area, below your belly button.
Never fall asleep with the heating pad on.
Do light circular massage with your fingertips around your lower belly area.
Drink warm beverages
 Eat light but frequent meals.
Follow a diet rich in complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, but low in salt, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine.
Keep your legs raised while lying down, or lie on your side with your knees bent.
Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.
Try over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen.
Start taking it the day before your period is expected to start, and continue taking it regularly for the first few days of your period.
Try vitamin B6, calcium, and magnesium supplements, especially if your pain is from PMS. Take warm showers or baths.
Walk or exercise regularly, including pelvic rocking exercises.
Lose weight if you are overweight.
Get regular, aerobic exercise.
If these self-care measures do not work, your doctor may prescribe medications such as: Antibiotics
Antidepressants
Birth control pills Prescription
anti-inflammatory medicines Prescription pain relievers (including narcotics, for brief periods)

Excessive desire for sex

 Excessive Sexual Drive
While most people wouldn't turn down a chance for sexual pleasure, some people become so overwhelmed by intense obsessions related to sexual activity. When these obsessions begin to have an impact on a person's life, there is a good chance that excessive sexual drive is a problem. The exact causes are not known, but for some it may be psychological in nature while for others it may be caused by physical problems. Knowing the cause is an important part of treatment for excessive sexual drive.

Causes of Excessive Sexual Drive
As mentioned, an increased sex drive may be caused by a physical factor like a hormonal imbalance. While it may start here for some, there are other emotional factors that may be at work as well. Problems with other compulsive disorders may be another cause of excessive sexual drive. The important thing to remember is that when treatment is sought, the cause should be taken into consideration. Before the exact cause is known, there are many symptoms that might appear as indicators of a problem with this sexual dysfunction.

Symptoms and Dangers of Excessive Sexual Drive

Most people enjoy sexual activity, but when a person is distressed greatly when not involved with sexual interaction, it may be excessive sexual drive.
Obsessive thoughts that center around sex as well as addictions to pornography may be signs of a problem with this sexual disorder. People that have multiple sexual partners without having an emotional attachment to them may also have a problem with excessive sexual drive. If any of the symptoms appear, getting treatment is recommended before the problem leads to other dangers - from physical (sexual diseases) to emotional ones like depression.

Treatment for Excessive Sexual Drive

Treatment for excessive sexual drive may involve psychotherapy and medication. Medications for nymphomania may include antidepressants or antianxiety or antipsychotic medications, similar to the medications used for other compulsive disorders. Because compulsive sexual behavior is risky, people with nymphomania are at increased risk for developing complications such as sexually transmitted diseases.

Causes and treatment of erectile problems

 At some point in a man’s life, he may have difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection. Erectile problems occur when you cannot achieve an erection that is firm enough to have sexual intercourse. For most men, this problem occurs occasionally and is not a serious issue. However, if you are unable to achieve an erection 25 percent of the time or more, you may have a health problem that requires medical attention. Erection problems are also known as: erectile dysfunction (ED) impotence sexual dysfunction.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON UNDERLYING CAUSES OF ERECTION PROBLEMS?
 The causes of erection problems can be both physical and psychological. Physical causes of erection problems are more common in older men. They occur because of disorders that can affect the nerves and blood vessels responsible for causing an erection.
Physical causes of erectile problems include: heart disease atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) 
High Blood Pressure

 *obesity
 *high cholesterol

 *diabetes
 Parkinson’s disease
multiple sclerosis
Peyronie’s disease(development of scar tissue in the penis, causing painful erections)
use of certain medications, including diuretics, muscle relaxers, or antidepressants alcoholism or substance abuse tobacco use
 trauma or injury to the spinal cord or genital region
congenital problems, such as hypospadias or epispadias circumcision complications liver or kidney disease treatment for prostate problems

 Psychological causes of erection problems occur in 40 percent of cases and are more common in younger men. Psychological issues can distract a man from becoming aroused and include:
anxiety over not being able to achieve or maintain an erection prolonged emotional distress related to economic, professional, or social issues relationship problems depression


How Can Erectile Problems Be Treated? If you experience erectile problems, you may want to try homecare options to reduce your symptoms. Many of the physical causes of erectile problems are related to lifestyle choices. As such, you may want to consider the following: cutting down or stopping tobacco use
reducing alcohol consumption
 getting plenty of rest
eating a healthy diet
exercising regularly
 talking with your partner about sexual issues

If changes in your lifestyle do not reduce your symptoms, you will need to contact your doctor to identify the cause of your erectile problems. Your doctor will examine your penis and rectum as well as your nervous system function. Your doctor will also ask you about current health problems and when your symptoms began. In an effort to accurately diagnose the cause of your erection problems, your doctor may also order tests, including:
complete blood count (CBC)—a set of blood tests that checks for anemia (low red blood cell count)
hormone profile—measures the levels of sex hormones (testosterone and prolactin)
nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT)—measures erectile functionality while a man is sleeping duplex ultrasound—high-frequency sound waves are used to take pictures of the body’s tissues urinalysis—analyzes urine to measure protein and testosterone levels.
 Once your doctor determines the cause of your erection problem, he or she will provide appropriate treatment. Treatment options may include addressing the underlying health problem and providing intervention to reduce erection problems. Options for treating erection problems may include:
medications injected into the penis, including prostaglandin E1 (alprostadil) and papaverine medication (alprostadil (MUSE)) injected into the urethra erectile dysfunction medications taken by mouth , such as Viagra surgery vacuum devices