Diagnosing Strep Throat

Pharyngitis, or strep throat, or sore throat, are all terms that we use interchangeably, but actually, not every sore throat is a strep throat. Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by the Streptococcus bacteria. That bacteria actually needs to be treated with an antibiotic. Believe it or not, in most cases, you don’t need an antibiotic for treatment. In most cases, it’s a viral origin. Now, how do doctors tell that? The best way to tell is through a test to see if there is a bacterium. If there is a bacterial infection, then doctors go ahead and treat it with an antibiotic.

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Risks Associated with Concussions

There are professional football players who have won great awards, but they have also suffered incredible injuries. Some of the most severe are through concussions. Basically, when a person sustains a concussion, they have a certain degree of pain, a certain amount of problems, some neurologic changes, but it’s hard to measure what the long-term effects are. Once a person has a concussion, we know this. There is a greater risk of multiple concussions and potential brain damage. Rest can help, but not in all cases.

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Vitamin D and Breast Cancer Risk

Boosting levels of vitamin D and calcium in post-menopausal women did not help them reduce their breast cancer risk.  This is the first real test on whether vitamin D actually causes poor health as opposed to just being a marker for poor health, and it failed.  So far, we have a few good studies to show that people with low vitamin D levels are more prone to illnesses such as cancer and heart disease, but there is no evidence yet that giving people vitamin D supplements will reduce their disease risk.  In a study of more than 36,000 post-menopausal women, those taking vitamin D and calcium supplements for seven years did not have any lower risk for breast cancer than those taking a placebo.  However, the door isn't closed on vitamin D and breast cancer just yet.  It is possible women need to take the supplements when they're younger to get benefits, or perhaps they'll even need higher doses. 

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Possible Causes of Irregular Periods

Many women complain about irregular periods and there are all sorts reasons for this. One of the classic reasons is something that a lot of people aren’t aware of…if you’re not eating a proper diet, or you’re exercising too much, or you’re too thin, it can actually affect the hormonal balance in the body. As a result, you can get periods which are not following the normal cycle, and when they don’t, that’s when you run into these difficulties. It’s very important that if you’re someone who deals with irregular periods and has to deal with the frustration, you understand that you get worked up and have the hormonal issues looked at.

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A Look at Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches are very interesting. They’re difficult to treat because in many cases it’s tough to tell if someone has a migraine. The thing about migraine headache that’s important to realize is there’s often some sort of aura, some sort of sense that something’s not right. Perhaps there’s a strange smell. The smell of coffee when there is none, or a zigzagging of lights, that sort of thing. Migraine headaches can be treated with medication, especially if they’re treated what we call prophylactically, before the headache occurs because you sense it’s coming on. It’s a very good way to approach it.

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Evaluating Calf Tenderness

Calf tenderness is a problem which definitely has to be looked into.  It's a key issue because if it's ignored, it can lead to problems associated with a rupture or a pull of a muscle in the calf.  That's important because that's not as easy to treat as the simple calf tenderness.  People who have those sorts of pulls or problems actually can have difficulty walking and have more severe damage as time goes on.  The most important is stretching.  

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Holiday Advertisements and Depression

One thing doctors hate about this time of year, for their patients’ sake, is the fact that there are so many advertisements showing people celebrating and being happy. If you’re not in that situation, and how many of us are, that you’re constantly celebrating, you tend to feel down. You suffer from feelings of depression. Here’s a major belief; you need to realize that a lot of the advertisements that are done at this time of year are done to sell product. They don’t necessarily mean that this is reality. You have to be very careful and not get carried away.

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Women Need to Take Heart Disease Seriously

You know, it’s about time that women start to be treated seriously for heart disease. Heart disease is a major health problem in both men and women. What many women aren’t aware of is that heart disease is the leading killer in women, however, many physicians don’t take it as seriously as they should. They look at the problem in women and they more or less tend to think there might be some psychological issue or complaining. We cannot afford to make that mistake, and doctors and women need to take heart disease more seriously.

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Study Looks at Health of Clergy Members

While medical studies at various denominations indicate that clergy members live longer than their comparable civilians, an emerging body of evidence over the last two decades has shown that ministers are more vulnerable to diabetes, depression, hypertension, gastrointestinal distress, and heart problems.  Thus far, the program has conducted focus groups with nearly 90 Methodist ministers and assessed ministers on their physical and mental health.  They surveyed 1,800 pastors on topics like isolation, stress, happiness, friendship, exercise, weight, diet, and connection to God.  Two dozen Methodist leaders from North Carolina went through two days of medical tests and health education at a denominational hospital in Memphis.  It's really interesting that this study is being done, and now they're looking at whether or not having a minister or another member of the cloth can actually increase someone's life if they're dealing with them.  They're interesting studies and worth looking into. 

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The Mediterranean Diet Has Medical Benefits

There has been a great deal of news lately surrounding the Mediterranean diet.  We know this diet is definitely a big help when it comes to fighting heart disease, and there are numerous reports that it can increase life expectancy.  Recently, there have been several reports looking at whether it helps prevent Alzheimer's disease.  The debate goes back and forth, and certainly there has been some groundbreaking work by Columbia University looking into the matter, but I think it's time to make a commonsense point.   There is great reason to continue studies here, but we also know the Mediterranean diet is just good for you.  

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Treatment for PMS

PMS, or Premenstrual Syndrome, used to be something that was taken lightly. It was not taken seriously. It was considered quote on quote ‘in a woman’s mind.’ Well, studies have shown, and time has shown, that this is a real problem and it can respond to treatment. One of the most effective treatments for PMS actually is to try and find out in the cycle what’s going on, and give medications that can affect hormones. Antidepressant medications can help in severe cases. There are certain ones, the SSRIs, that are very effective.

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Study of Cholesterol and Memory

Yet another study looking at the importance of monitoring cholesterol and keeping it at the proper levels.  Cholesterol is important to monitor and to look at and evaluate. According to a report from the journal of the American Heart Association, people who have lower levels of HDL, the good cholesterol, have a higher risk for memory problems than those with higher levels of HDL.  The information was based on a study of 3,700 adults.  The scientists tested the participants 15 to 17 years ago and then a second time between 2002 and 2004.  They found that those whose HDL levels went down between the two tests had a 61% higher risk for memory problems than those with high HDL levels.  This is not an all or nothing study, but it shows that there's a relationship.  We're learning more and more about the link between high cholesterol, heart disease and vascular problems, and dementia.  Clearly, it's something that we cannot ignore.  We have to look at it, understand it, and learn more as time goes on.   

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Worrying Too Much

Many people spend far too much of their time worrying.  We worry about our families, our money, our futures.  We even worry about how much we worry.  The health effects of all this worry can be devastating.  The stress of worry can increase our blood pressure, the risk of heart disease, even cancer.  According to the Trust for America's Health, we could be hurting our health by worrying about our health.  Now here are their statistics, statistics that are being looked at looked at very seriously by the American Medical Association.  Thirty-seven percent of people worry about cancer as their top health concern, 14% heart disease, 13% obesity, and 11% chemical terrorism.  Worry is appropriate in small doses.  It can help us anticipate problems down the line.  But let's face it, you don't want to overdo it. 

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Common Medical Myths Proven False

The British Medical Journal has rounded up many of the commonly held beliefs that many doctors think are true. Despite the fact that these myths have either been proven false or they lack supporting evidence, they looked at them closely. The myths include: We use only 10% of our brains, eating turkey makes you sleepy, reading in dim light will damage your eyesight, that we need to drink eight glasses of water each day, shaving causes hair to grow back faster, darker and coarser, and hair and fingernails continue to grow after we die. All of them false! It’s pretty interesting that these myths are out there and we fall for them. The researchers who combined the literature, and they looked at all sorts of things for proof of the myths, found their doctor colleagues also found it hard to believe many of these myths are not true.

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Health Benefits of Green Tea

Water is the number one consumed fluid in the world.  But you already knew that.  What do you think the second most popular drink in the world is?  The answer might surprise you.  It's tea.  One of the reasons so many people drink tea may be due to the health benefits.  Tea, in particular, green tea, has many health advantages.  Chemicals called the polyphenols found in green tea are potent antioxidants.  They're helpful in fighting heart disease and inflammatory problems.  Green tea has been touted as a cancer fighter, but studies do not support this claim.  Overall, green tea might not be cure-all and it probably gets a great deal more press than it deserves as a treatment for all sorts of problems, but it is a healthy choice when you're thinking about a relaxing drink.  Clearly, we know this much.  Tea does have a calming effect. 

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Minimizing Narcotic Abuse

In the past, we've talked about ibuprofen abuse, but narcotic abuse is a far more severe problem because of the addictive tendencies.  Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and other products like that certainly can be overused, but when you talk about a narcotic, there is an additional fact that you're not just doing it for pain, you're doing it for the feeling from the narcotic.  It's important that abuse of narcotics is minimized.  The way you do this, of course, is only taking what your doctor prescribes and seriously questioning how much you use. 

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Dealing with Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is a problem that we can't ignore because children go into their world and they suffer from those issues with peers.  The thing about peer pressure that we need to discuss and evaluate is that sometimes when we have issues of peer pressure, we don't necessarily look at the whole picture.  We only look at how it affects your child.  You have to look at that dynamic; the relationship with children and your own children.

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Causes of Back Pain

Back pain may be one of the most common health concerns around the world. It’s ranked number two, and it can be caused by a wide variety of problems. It can be from stress; it can be from over exercise; it could be from the fact that you are basically in a situation where you’re not taking the necessary medications you should to control it. All of those things come together. If you have back problems, get yourself evaluated…a functional evaluation…to find out what may in fact be leading to the difficulty, and then you can deal with it and take it from there.

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Causes of Throat Pain

Throat pain is a problem if you’re someone who is using your voice on a regular basis, especially as you go through allergy season. Throat pain isn’t always a strep infection, it isn’t always pharyngitis. It can be a result of postnasal drip from the sinuses being congested. You get that fluid going in the back of your throat, and that actually can lead to discomfort and pain. There are many things that throat pain can be attributed to. Try to look into the throat and understand the cause.

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Detecting Breast Cancer Early

Breast cancer affects as many as one out of eight women and it can be detected early. The best way to detect breast cancer early is through regular breast self-examinations, examinations by your doctor, and also through the mammogram. These three tools are valuable. One of the things you want to do is look if breast cancer is in your family. If there’s a family history, clearly it’s something we need to worry about. You want to pay close attention and know the risk factors.

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Edema (Swelling) Can Cause Pain

Edema is another word for a type of swelling.  With edema, you actually have an increase of pressure and that pressure can cause pain.  For instance, if you have edema in the sinus cavities, that edema can actually push against the wall of the skull indirectly through the sinus cavities.  If it does, you'll actually feel pressure in that area.  Many times doctors are able to tell with their patients where the pressure is just by palpating, or pushing, that area and trying to find out where it occurs. 

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Pressure and Stress Can Influence Allergies

Can pressure lead to allergic symptoms? It’s a very interesting concept. If you’re under pressure at work, and feel that there’s a great deal of stress on you, it, actually, can cause your immune system to work extra hard. There’s a theory out there that people under pressure actually begin to have more and more problems with their allergies. It’s a concept that’s very interesting, but experts do find it somewhat true that when people are under pressure, they have that difficulty and it’s a difficulty that’s often tough to control.

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High Heels and Foot Problems

Certainly they make a woman’s legs look good and they’re very popular, but high heels can make a wide variety of situations more difficult. First of all, there’s the obvious situation that you could turn your ankle and cause that sort of difficulty. In addition, many high heels have of narrow box to the shoe, so the toes are crushed. When the toes are crushed in that position, it can actually lead to nerve damage and a neuroma. The final thing is it can add to bunions and the problems associated with it. Be careful about the shoes you wear.

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Getting Help for Depression

Depression is a problem that affects many people. In fact, one out of eight people will suffer from serious depression at some point in their life. The thing about depression that’s important is that it can’t be ignored. It’s something that needs be treated. There are medications available, as well as therapy. One of the most important things to do in situations of depression is to recognize the problem and not be afraid to talk about it. Many people don’t take the time; they’re embarrassed. They think they have a psychiatric issue. But you can’t fall into that trap. You need help.

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Women Are Better At Detecting Body Odor Than Men

This is a really interesting study.  It comes from the Monell Chemical Senses Center and it's in the Flavour and Fragrance journal.  Women may be better at detecting body odor.  A study looked at the ability of fragrances to block body odor and it finds that only two of 32 scents effectively blocked underarm odor when women were doing the smelling.  In contrast, 19 scents effectively reduced the strength of underarm odor for men.  In addition, male underarm odors appear to be tougher to block with fragrances than female underarm odors.  We love studies like this because it looks at the differences we have as men and women, but it also takes a look at the fact that we're all the same as people.  Many of us face issues with body odor, we face issues with hygiene, and it is clear that looking at these things can make a big difference. 

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New Research on Dreams

Dreams have served as a source of confusion and wonder since people started dreaming.  Scientists have studied them, most famously Dr. Sigmund Freud, and there are thousands of theories out there.  Now, new research is providing insight into how most people interpret dreams.  According to a Carnegie Mellon researcher, people believe that hidden truths present themselves in dreams.  This view is consistent across cultural lines and around the globe.  According to the latest report, 149 university students in the United States, India, and South Korea made exactly that point.  According to the findings, dreams also affect how people act when they are awake.  A survey of Boston commuters found that when they dreamed of a plane crash the night before a scheduled air trip, they would be more likely to change their travel plans.  Another key point is people attribute the meaning of dreams when it corresponds to preexisting issues.  

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How Much Is Too Much TV?

How much is too much TV for your child? Well, if you think your child is watching too much TV, then it probably is too much. That’s one good way to tell. Secondly, are you using the television as a babysitter? Is the TV something which is on all the time, even when nothing else is going on? It’s kind of a background noise. What is on the television? Is it adult programming? Is it Dr. Phil? Is it news? Or are we talking about child appropriate shows? These are things you need to be aware of. You can’t trust the networks like you once did. They put virtually anything on the air.

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Alcohol Education for Younger Children

There is a report from the University of Pittsburgh which suggested that students should be exposed to knowledge of the dangers of alcohol as early as fourth grade. There are several reasons for this. First, kids watch TV and ads marketing alcohol. Those ads are more prominent than ever. Then there is the information from a review of state and national surveys which found that among typical fourth-graders, 10% had already had more than a sip of alcohol and 7% had a drink in the past year. The percent of children who have used alcohol increases with age and doubles between 4th and 6th grades.

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There’s No Magic Pill for Weight Loss

Despite the fact that millions have been spent looking for one, and many an unethical marketer has promoted it, there is no magic pill for weight loss.  Many women are searching for this answer, but the bottom line is a harsh one.  Overweight people can achieve greater weight loss success with a combination of a low-calorie diet, increased physical activity, and behavioral changes.  The best case scenario is to allow people to learn about the foods to eat, how to choose them at restaurants and the store, as well as providing support for exercise.

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Body Image and Anorexia

Anorexia is a major health problem in teens and it all has to do with body self-image. Clearly, what we’re finding from Hollywood is the message that anorexia is not that bad of a thing…being thin is a wonderful thing. The reality is it is a big problem that has to be dealt with. If you have a child who is too thin, or losing weight and doesn’t really have a good reason for it, talk with them, but get help. It is the psychiatric help that can be essential.

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Dealing with Pressure During the Teenage Years

The teen years are a time of pressure, intense pressure. One of the difficulties with the pressure is the fact that teens are often trying to make other people happy and not even knowing their own identity. That puts them at risk for all sorts of problems. The pressure that arises during the teen years can’t be ignored, nor can it be underestimated. If you have a teen, make sure that you communicate with them. Let them know the stories and issues that are out there, and above all, make sure you take the time to speak with them.

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Causes of Pink Eye

It’s called pink eye. The medical term is conjunctivitis, and when conjunctivitis occurs, it basically causes red or pink eyes. There is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. Antibiotics can be used and it is the topical antibiotic applied directly to the eye that is the most effective at treating pink eye. Pink eye is caused by a virus and it can sometimes be confused with allergy symptoms.

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Over-Consumption of Junk Food Can Trigger Addiction-Like Responses in the Brain

Doctors and researchers have suspected this for quite some time, but a study in rats reported in the journal Neuroscience has found that over-consumption of high-calorie food can trigger addiction-like responses in the brain, and that junk food can turn rats into compulsive eaters in a laboratory setting.  When the researchers regularly offered rats a choice of high-calorie foods such as bacon, sausage, cake, and chocolate in addition to their regular food choices, the animals over-consumed calories and gained weight rapidly.  The study gets even more interesting, the team trained their rats to expect painful foot shocks when seeing a light signal.  Although normal rats stop eating even the most delicious junk food when the light comes on, the obese rats used to the high-calorie diet just keep feeding.  The desire for junk food overcame the fear of pain.

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Sleep More to Weigh Less

If you’re a child, and you want to knock off a few pounds, one of the theories is just get more sleep. That’s a word from a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology which followed more than 68,000 people over a 16-year period. Now, what they found is that researchers who found patients who caught more Z’s each night tend to put less weight on throughout their entire life. It’s a Case Western University research study. Basically, the amount of sleep you’re looking for is independent, and it varies by age.

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ACL Tears

It is called an ACL tear; anterior cruciate ligament.  It's more or less an X-type ligament that actually helps keep the knee together.  If you have an ACL tear as an athlete, it can be a devastating problem.  Many athletes and many people who have ACL tears actually don't feel anything dramatic.  They just hear a pop and then they notice they have some pain.  That's an example of how the ACL actually severs and separates.  It can be a problem but it can be fixed with rehab and lots of conditioning. 

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Exercise and Mental Stimulation Can Improve Memory

Your computer has plenty of memory. Now, a Mayo Clinic study suggests you too may as well if you combine moderate exercise and mental stimulation such as computer use. In the study, people over 70 who engaged in both types of activity had less cognitive decline than those who took part in either exercise or mental stimulation alone. “A sound mind is a sound body” is a statement that’s been around for years, and essentially what this is saying is the truth. Exercise is important as well as diet and also mental stimulation.

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Rebound Headaches

It is called rebound headache.  What happens in rebound headaches is someone takes medications to treat headache and, essentially, they become so used to that medication that when they don't have it, they actually get a headache going through withdrawal without that medicine.  Rebound headache is a common problem, but it is one that is not diagnosed that often for the very reason that many people are not aware that this is an issue.  So, rebound headache is something that doctors often look at and know that it can be a serious issue.

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Long Flights Increase the Risk of Blood Clots

This is the time of year when families are traveling, and with flights to faraway places like Europe and Asia discounted, it’s more affordable than ever to travel the world. That’s why a recommendation by the World Health Organization is so important. They have recommended that passengers on long flights exercise their legs and resist taking sleeping pills. That’s to reduce the risk of potentially fatal blood clots. Although the danger of developing deep vein thrombosis, or DVT’s, in the form of a blood clot in the calves is small, it increases if people are immobile for long periods. The risk is one in 6,000, but that’s one in every 15 sold-out jumbo jets. When you think about it, that’s quite a risk. The important thing is to make sure you get up and walk around and, obviously, talk with your doctor to see if you’re at greater risk.

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Allergies May Be Linked to Depression

There is disturbing news from the University of Maryland.  Researchers have found that seasonal allergies might be associated with mood disorders, including depression.  We've long recognized the association between seasonal allergies and fatigue.  The latest report echoes what scientists found in 1999.  Back then, a study of 7,000 patients found people with hay fever were twice as likely to be diagnosed with major depression.  Why’s this the case?  Well, the latest theory is very technical.  According to researchers at the Association of Allergies and Scientific Analysis of Allergies, chemicals called cytokines are released in the nose during an allergic reaction.  This activates a chemical called indolamine 2, 3-dioxygenase that slows down serotonin production.  It's a chemical in the brain that is linked to depression. 

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Reducing Symptoms of Heartburn

Heartburn can be very difficult to treat. One of the problems with heartburn is the fact it is repetitive and it really can become annoying. Many people find that they ignore the symptoms. They try to change their foods. Doctors can tell you this much…there are several things that will make heartburn worse, including aspirin, alcohol, caffeine and tobacco. They clearly have an effect on heartburn. There are certain things to help reduce heartburn like raising the head of your bed because when you lay down heartburn can be worse.

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Preventing Muscle Mass Loss

You have probably noticed that as we get older we lose some of the muscle mass in our bodies. Over time, we can lose muscle mass in places like our arms, shoulders and legs. This is definitely true of many women and it’s a natural part of the aging process. But like most aspects of aging, you can do certain things to slow down the process. The most effective way to do this is with exercise and strength training. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have looked at this. They support the claims that strength training can have benefits for everyone.

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Childhood Obesity and Diabetes Rates

Diabetes is becoming a huge health issue in this country and the biggest reason is because of the problem of childhood obesity. Young children are more overweight, and as a result, diabetes is going to occur more commonly in them, and the problems associated with diabetes, at younger ages, and that is a key concern. One of the big issues we have is that people will have heart disease, obesity, and other related problems, including kidney problems, at earlier ages. It’s critical that we look into it and make changes.

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