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Acne and Eczema Acne is a condition in which the sebaceous glands become inflamed, generally due to the clogging of skin pores. Acne is characterized by blackheads, pimples and cysts which appear on the face, neck, chest, arms and back. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is an inflammatory condition in which the skin develops redness and itching. There may also be a watery discharge, which can become encrusted and scaly. Although acne and eczema are different conditions, they are similar in that they demand a multi-factorial approach to treatment: medicine, attention to stress, avoiding irritants, and diet. Web:
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Addictions There's a lot to be addicted to in this world: cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, gambling, food, sex, codependency, and so on. Some things are okay in moderation (such as food), while others should be avoided completely. What they all have in common is the potential to control somebody's behavior to the detriment of that person. Many people suffer from addictions and, as you might expect, there is a lot of relevant information on the Net. Most important behavioral changes start with a single small step. Here are the resources. Why not take that step now? Web:
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AIDS AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) and the HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) family of viruses that cause it are important medical topics. AIDS is a disease that compromises the body's immune system by attacking certain types of white blood cells. (White blood cells attack germs, either directly or by secreting substances that help the immune response.) The HIV virus is spread via body fluids, mostly semen and blood. Once a person is infected, the virus can live in the body for years without seeming to cause a problem. However, in most cases, the immune system eventually weakens, and other diseases can take hold, often leading to severe illness or death. In recent years, drug treatments have been developed that can significantly slow down the course of the disease. But, as of yet, there is no cure nor is there a vaccine. Web:
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Allergies Sneezing, coughing, runny nose, itchy eyes, funny red bumps and a general miserable feeling -- these are a few of the symptoms of allergies, which plague millions of people around the world. Find out more about this aggravating condition. On the mailing list, doctors, scientists, researchers and those who suffer from allergies gather to discuss causes and treatments for allergy conditions. The Web sites and Usenet group are nothing to sneeze at either. Web:
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Altitude Sickness The higher you go, the thinner the atmosphere, which means you get less oxygen every time you breathe. If you visit a location that is more than 5000 feet (1500 meters) higher than where you live, you will need to give your body time to acclimatize or you may get sick. This is especially true if you plan on being outside in the cold (such as on a ski trip). The most common symptoms of mild altitude sickness are shortness of breath when you exert yourself, headache, nausea, coughing, trouble sleeping, and trouble thinking well. The solution is to rest for a few days (don't go skiing right away) until you feel better. Some people get very sick, developing much more serious symptoms. If this happens to you, you must descend immediately to a lower altitude, give yourself time to recover, and then get used to the altitude change in a more gradual fashion. Web:
Arthritis "Arthritis" means inflammation of one or more joints of the body. Symptoms include pain, redness and stiffness, which can range from mild to severe. Although people talk about arthritis as if it is a single disease, there are actually many different types of arthritis. The two most well-known are osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease that sometimes accompanies aging, and rheumatoid arthritis, an auto-immune disease most commonly affecting women. In general, most types of arthritis, as well as many other auto-immune conditions, fall under the branch of medicine known as rheumatology. Web:
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Brain Tumors The term "tumor" refers to tissue that is growing in an abnormal way. Benign tumors grow very slowly and rarely spread. Malignant (cancerous) tumors grow uncontrollably and may spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. In general, there are two types of brain tumors. Primary brain tumors originate within the brain, and tend to stay there. Metastatic brain tumors -- which are about four times as common as primary brain tumors -- grow from cells that have spread from another part of the body (for example, from a lung cancer or breast cancer). There are many different types of brain tumors. The prognosis (probable outcome) depends very much on the type of tumor and how far it has spread. If someone you know has a brain tumor, it is important that you become fully informed before you draw any conclusions or make any decisions. Web:
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Breast Cancer Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer in women in the United States. (Only skin cancers are more common.) Every year, more than 200,000 women and 1,500 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. The two most common types of breast cancers are ductal carcinoma (which starts in the milk ducts) and lobular carcinoma (which starts in the lobules where milk is produced). Although breast cancer is common, treatments are often effective and there are over 2 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. alone. If you find a lump in your breast, it is important to get it checked out immediately. If you do have cancer, the more quickly you seek treatment, the higher your chances of a positive outcome. However, don't be scared until you find out what's really happening: over 80 percent of breast biopsies (samples) are not cancer. Web:
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Cancer Information for Patients If you need cancer information, it really helps to have something you can understand. Here is information specifically designed for patients. Find out about screening, types of cancer, treatments, side effects, as well as news and research. You'll also find information to help you understand various technical terms. Web:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is what used to be known as chronic Epstein-Barr virus syndrome. There are many symptoms of CFS, not all of which are present in each patient. The most common symptoms are fatigue, low-grade fever, muscle pain, sleep disorders, impaired thinking, depression, headache, sore throat, anxiety and muscle weakness. The cause of CFS seems to be a chronic immune reaction. However, the exact triggers are not known. The severity of CFS symptoms can vary significantly over time and from one patient to another, making this a difficult condition to diagnose and treat. Web:
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Common Infectious Diseases There are a large number of common infectious diseases. Some are relatively benign; others are more serious. Each disease has its own causes, symptoms, treatment and (in many cases) vaccination schedule. When you or a family member is sick, it can be a real help to know what to expect. It is also handy to know what the length of the incubation period is (the time it takes to get sick after being infected), and when the sick person is contagious. For example, if you catch a cold from someone, it will take you 2-5 days until you feel sick. Once you do, you are contagious for 2-4 days, from the time your nose starts to run until your fever goes away. Web:
Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn's disease (or regional enteritis) usually targets the small intestine and colon, although it can affect any part of the GI tract. Ulcerative colitis affects the colon and rectum. These diseases share important characteristics, and for this reason, are often referred to collectively as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Some people with IBD have only minor symptoms; other people have serious problems that require medication and even surgery. Over the years, it is also common for people to undergo multiple remissions and exacerbations. There is no medical cure for IBD, so the goal of treatment is to suppress the inflammation, encourage healing, and relieve the symptoms. Web:
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Cystic Fibrosis Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inheritable metabolic disorder characterized by abnormal secretions of the exocrine glands. In particular, patients have thick mucus that obstructs the bronchi (resulting in severe breathing problems), intestines, and the pancreatic and bile ducts (making it difficult to digest adequate nutrients). About 1 in every 3,300 babies is born with cystic fibrosis. Web:
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Depression Depression is a psychological disorder characterized by a persistent feeling of unhappiness, emptiness or irritability. Depression is often accompanied by other symptoms: lack of interest in life, sleep disturbances, lack of appetite, lack of concentration, suicidal thoughts, problems with work, problems with family life, and feelings of worthlessness or despair (hopelessness). Depression is a common condition, and does not mean that a person is weak or dysfunctional. This is important to understand because, much of the time, people are ashamed and do not seek proper help (from a doctor or a psychologist). There are a variety of different causes and types of depression (see below), most of which are treatable. In fact, the majority of people suffering from depression can manage fine after proper therapy, sometimes after only weeks of treatment. To help you understand the terminology of depression, here are some words you may encounter. MDD or major depressive disorder is a condition in which a person has the symptoms of depression and nothing else. Dysthymia is a long-term condition in which mild depression alternates with brief periods of feeling normal. Postpartum depression occurs in women after giving birth, often 6-8 weeks after the birth. Cyclothymia is a disorder in which periods of depression alternate with periods of mild mania (excitation). At the extreme end of the cyclothymic spectrum is bipolar disorder (sometimes called manic depression) in which extreme depression alternates with extreme excitation (mania). If you have depression or any type of mood disorder, remember that you are not your illness. The word "depression" does not describe who you are: it is the name of the condition from which you are suffering. One final bit of advice: If you are depressed, don't spend a great deal of time reading about depression on the Internet. Obsessing will only make things worse. You will feel better if you spend your time with other people, doing things you normally enjoy. Do your best to get outside and (if possible) exercise. Web:
Diabetes Within your body, most starchy and sugar-like nutrients are converted into a substance called glucose. Glucose is used for a number of important purposes, including being a source of energy. In order to use glucose properly, our body depends on a hormone (chemical) called insulin, which is created by your pancreas and released into the bloodstream. Diabetes -- more formally, diabetes mellitus -- is a disease in which the glucose/insulin system does not work properly. Web:
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Endometriosis The tissue that lines the inner surface of the uterus is called endometrium. This is the tissue that is sloughed off and expelled when a woman has her period. Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrium-like tissue grows outside the uterus, usually within the abdomen. It is estimated that about 15 percent of American women of childbearing age have endometriosis. The most common symptom is pain, but endometriosis is also one of the most common causes of infertility. Web:
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Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders Epilepsy is a chronic condition in which the normal electrical functions of the brain are disturbed in such a way as to produce seizures. Epilepsy can also produce other neurological symptoms affecting consciousness, movement or sensation. Epilepsy is a common condition, and in most cases, there is no known cause. Here is a lot of useful information about epilepsy, including a FAQ (frequently asked question list). Web:
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Gulf War Syndrome The Gulf War lasted from August 1990 to February 1991. During these seven months, about 700,000 men and women were deployed to the Persian Gulf. Afterward, many of them began to complain of various medical symptoms, including fatigue, joint pain, rashes, diarrhea and memory problems. Eventually, this imprecise constellation of symptoms became known as Gulf War Syndrome. Since that time, a lot of effort has gone into trying to determine whether or not an actual disease exists. Various causes have been proposed such as chemicals, tropical diseases, biological warfare agents, pesticides, depleted uranium, airborne particles from oil-well fires, petroleum products, vaccines, prophylactic drugs and antidotes. After extensive analysis, the best conclusion seems to be that none of these factors is the cause of a single disease. Rather, the general stress of battle and psychological factors combine to create a variety of illnesses with overlapping symptoms. During a war, soldiers can experience enormous fear, fatigue and stress, which can affect the immune system, the brain, the cardiovascular system, and hormonal balances, leaving the body susceptible to all kinds of maladies. In other words, war is hell, and it has always produced serious, enduring medical problems in returning soldiers. Web:
Headaches There are many causes for headaches. Fortunately, most headaches are not serious. Unfortunately, all headaches are bothersome and painful. Isn't it a wonderful feeling when you realize that the headache that has been bothering you for hours has finally gone away? These Web sites contain useful information to help you understand what causes a pain in the head and what you can do about it. Hint: Many headaches are caused by muscular tension, and can be avoided if you take care of your body. For example, if you work at a desk, take a break every 20 minutes and stretch. I have found that yoga is a wonderful way to eliminate tension headaches. Web:
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Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Every minute, 60 to 80 times a minute, your heart contracts, forcing blood into your arteries. Just after the heart contracts, the pressure in your arteries increases. In between contractions, the arterial pressure decreases momentarily. If you were to graph the rise and fall of your blood pressure, it would look like a smooth curve, with hills and valleys in regular cycles. Within a cycle, the top of the hill, when the pressure is highest, is called systole ("sys'-tol-ee"). The bottom of the valley, when the blood pressure is the lowest, is called diastole ("di-as'-tol-ee"). When someone measures your blood pressure, they are estimating the highest and lowest pressures throughout the cycle. The result is expressed as two numbers, for example, 120/80. The first number (in this case, 120) is the systolic pressure. The second (80) is the diastolic pressure. Anything over 140/90 is considered to be high blood pressure, or hypertension. The danger of hypertension is that, over the long run, it increases your chances of developing serious medical conditions, such as heart disease or a stroke. Unfortunately, there is no way for you to feel if your blood pressure is too high. Thus, you must have it measured regularly, and, if it is found to be high over several weeks, you should reduce it. Most people find that mild high blood pressure can be controlled with adequate exercise and a good diet. Other people require medicine. Web:
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Infertility If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. If you still don't succeed, check out the resources on the Net to see if you can find something that will help. Discussion and information cover the causes, solutions and treatments for infertility in both men and women. Web:
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Menopause and Climacteric Human bodies, both male and female, evolved during a time when people lived no more than a couple of decades. Thus, it is no surprise that long before you die, your body will start to wear out. In particular, as a woman, the time will come when your ovaries will gradually stop producing estrogen. When this happens, your body will change in important ways, a process referred to as the climacteric or, more informally, the "change of life". The most striking change is menopause, the permanent cessation of your periods. However, there are other possible changes, all caused by decreased estrogen, the most common being hot flashes, irritability, emotional lability, mood swings, vaginal dryness and atrophy, decreased libido, thinning hair, vaginal and urinary tract infections, and short-term memory problems. (In other words, if you liked PMS, you'll love menopause.) Most women experience their climacteric at the beginning of their 50s, but it can occur anywhere between the ages of 45 and 60. Some women even experience significant premenopausal changes in their 30s. The actual changes occur over a period of several months to several years. Although the symptoms usually only last a short time, permanently diminished estrogen does cause long-term effects. For this reason, many woman choose to have hormone replacement therapy (HRT). When the time comes, the Net can be a valuable source of information and comfort by helping you understand what is happening and what choices you have. Web:
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Multiple Sclerosis Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system characterized by (1) the destruction of the insulation (myelin) that surrounds nerve fibers, and (2) patches of sclerosis (plaques) within the brain and spinal cord. Over time, the loss of myelin causes a wide variety of symptoms such as loss of sight, muscle weakness, problems with coordination, tingling and numbness, loss of bladder control, speech problems and mental problems. The course of MS is unpredictable, and patients commonly have remissions and exacerbations. However, MS is a progressive disease and, over time, there is often an accumulation of problems. MS is difficult to diagnose and is usually recognized only after a period of time. The disease is most often diagnosed in young adults in their 20s or 30s, and is twice as common in women than men. Web:
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Obsession means that you cannot stop thinking certain thoughts. Compulsion means you cannot stop performing certain rituals or activities. These two conditions often exist together so, in medical terms, we talk about obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD. It is important to understand that obsession and compulsion are very common conditions. From time to time, we all have mildly obsessive thoughts, and we all perform tiny actions in a compulsive manner. This is normal. The people with OCD, however, have very strong obsessive or compulsive tendencies that significantly interfere with their lives. What's interesting is that, in many cases, there is a biochemical basis for such behavior, and such people can be treated successfully with drugs. Web:
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Pain There are numerous conditions that can cause pain. If such a condition becomes chronic, our suffering can be intense to the point where life seems just not worth living. The most common pain-inducing conditions are headaches and lower back problems. Less common, but significant, are fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, phantom pain, polyneuropathy, shingles, trigeminal neuralgia, and CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome). As important as pain is to all of us, it is a completely personal experience, one that we cannot really express to another person. (One thing I learned in medical school is that there is a big difference between pain and suffering.) However, many types of chronic pain can be treated, and it can help a lot to have good information. Web:
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Sleep Disorders One time I had trouble getting to sleep because someone ate the last of the chocolate pudding before I could get to it. If you have trouble sleeping at night, it may help to read about various causes of sleeplessness and common sleeping disorders. These Web sites cover topics such as sleep apnea, snoring, sleep deprivation, narcolepsy, insomnia and restless leg syndrome. If it's late at night and you still can't get to sleep, check out the Usenet group for some late-night discussion. Web:
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Stuttering Stuttering -- or stammering -- is an involuntary break in the flow of speech. Everyone stutters at times. However, some people stutter enough to affect their social interactions or peace of mind. Stuttering typically starts in children between 2-7 years old. However, there are many adults who stammer, and it is never too late to get help. Sometimes, just knowledge alone can bring comfort. Web:
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Tinnitus Have you ever had ringing in your ears? Tinnitus is a condition in which you hear ringing or other sounds, so often and so loudly, that it affects your peace of mind. Many people have mild tinnitus, and never even bother about it. Other people, however, suffer from the noise. If you go to a doctor -- even an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist -- you will more than likely be told that there is nothing you can do about tinnitus. This is not true. There are tinnitus treatments that work. In the 1990s, a modern understanding of the condition was developed, based upon the work of Pawel Jastreboff. This understanding led to the development of Tinnitus Retaining Therapy (TRT). The main idea is that only a portion of your discomfort comes from the actual sounds. A great deal of suffering has to do with your reaction to tinnitus. This reaction involves a part of your brain called the limbic system (unpleasant feelings), as well as your autonomic nervous system (tension and stress). Once you perceive tinnitus to be a threat, the action of your limbic system and autonomic system establishes a permanent neurophysiological pattern of discomfort. To have your tinnitus treated successfully, you need an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan, one that is customized to your history, personality and intelligence. This will require you to go to an audiologist who specializes in tinnitus (which requires special post-graduate training). In the meantime, here is what to do to decrease your suffering: avoid silence, alcohol and caffeine; if you take medication, check with your doctor to see if it is known to aggravate tinnitus; increase your exercise; reduce your stress level. Most important, don't allow yourself to have distorted thoughts about tinnitus. Don't pay attention to it. Leave it alone. Web:
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