Who Can Get Headaches ?

Anyone can practically get a headache. From children to grown ups, young and old, anybody can experience a headache at any time any where.

Causes of Headaches

Headaches are mostly caused by several factors. The most common ones include migraine, tension, dehydration, eye strain, sinusitis and low blood sugar. Women also do have headaches when their estrogen during menstrual periods fluctuates.

Symptoms of Headaches

There are several types of headaches with their corresponding symptoms though the most common symptom in all of them is the pain. The symptoms for tension type headache includes constant pressure with the pain on both sides of the head. It is usually mild to moderate though it could get severe if not treated. The migraine type of headache is more common in women than in men. The symptoms for migraines are one sided in nature, vomiting, nausea, sensitivity to bright light and noise. The other headache with different symptoms is the vascular headache, also known as cluster headache is very painful with piercing tendencies lasting for 15 minutes to three hours. They are very rapid in nature though there are usually sensations in the general area of attack. Most of the time they are usually mistaken for brain tumors.

Over the Counter Treatments for Headaches

There are many remedies for all the different types of headaches that can be bought over the counter. Many of these headaches could be different but can be treated with simple painkillers such as paracetamol, acetaminophen, aspirins, or ibuprofen. Research has also shown that headaches can also be treated through brain stimulation with implanted electrodes.

Alternative Treatments for Headaches

Exercise prescriptions from medical practitioners have proved that they are capable of reducing headaches in combination with manual treatments. Massage therapy around the neck and shoulder region has also proved to be quite effective when it comes to curing headache frequencies and their duration too. In fact, massage has proved to be the best non-pharmacological treatment for chronic tension headache.

When is Medicinal Treatment Necessary?

Headaches with clinical symptoms such as sudden severe headache, fever, stiff neck or convulsions are not to be ignored, and the victim should seek medical attention right away. Though most of the headaches are not life threatening, they should not go untreated; especially those that arise from getting a blow to the head or associated with pain in the eye. People who have never had a history with headaches should also seek medical intervention to be on the safe side.

Medical Treatments for Headaches

Apart from the simple painkillers found over the counter, one should look for a healthcare professional for the recurrent unexplained headaches to get proper diagnosis and the eventual proper treatment. Doctors advise people to keep a headache diary that keeps track of the type, symptom, duration and any other factors of their headaches to assist them to get proper treatment.

Who Can Get Hair Loss ?

Anyone is prone to this disorder depending on the circumstances of the case. People suffering from stress and depression are at a higher risk of experiencing excessive hair loss. People who have undergone surgery may also experience hair loss although this is not always bound to happen. The other groups of people that are at risk of getting hair loss are patients suffering from hormone related diseases. Pregnant women are also at risk of loosing hair especially after delivery. This is however not very common and occurs in very isolated cases.

Causes of Hair Loss

As mentioned earlier, there are several causes of hair loss. Some of these causes include depression and stress, surgery and post pregnancy. Research also indicates that there are some medications that can result in hair loss due to the ingredients contained within them. Most of these conditions however are reversible. For instance, hair loss in a pregnant woman decreases after delivery while one that is caused by particular medications ceases when the medication is discontinued. Hair loss may also be a sign or symptom of another disease especially a skin disease. Infections may also contribute to hair loss.

Symptoms of Hair loss

There is only one symptom of this particular disorder. This symptom is the gradual but excessive shedding of hair which eventually leads to baldness or total lack of hair on the head.

Over the Counter Treatment for Hair Loss

There are creams that are available in most pharmacies and chemists that can be applied to counter hair loss. If possible it is important to avoid what is causing the hair loss in the first place for example stress and depression.

Alternative Treatment for Hair Loss

It is important to always make sure that your hair is well maintained by ensuring that the hair is kept clean. Additionally, using strong chemicals like those found in hair dyes is not a good idea as it may play a key role in causing hair loss.

Medical Treatment for Hair Loss

As already mentioned, most conditions of hair loss are reversible. One only needs to establish the cause of the hair loss and avoid it. However there are medications that are available for those that need it. Cleanliness also plays a key role in preventing hair loss.

Who Can Get Graves Disease ?

This disease is more common in women who are over twenty years of age because of their active hormonal secretions.

Causes of Graves Disease

The immune system usually uses proteins which occur naturally called antibodies and white blood cells which assist in eliminating antigens such as viruses, bacteria, and other foreign substances that could invade your body. In Graves’ disease, the system wrongly attacks the thyroid gland but does not necessarily destroy it, the thyrotropin receptor antibody stimulates the thyroid making it secrete excessive amounts of thyroid hormone which eventually leads to Graves’ disease. Doctors are not too sure why the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, though they believe it could be a combination of reasons such as heredity, sex, age, and stress could be responsible for the development of Graves’ disease.

Symptoms of Graves Disease

Symptoms for Graves’ disease are many and diverse. They include the enlargement of the thyroid gland, frequent bowl movements, very light menstrual periods, increased perspiration, irregular heart beats, fatigue, anxiety, and irritability. Your eyes could also exhibit Graves’ ophthalmopathy which means your eyes bulge out beyond the normal protective orbit causing excessive sensation and tearing of grit or sand in your eyes, as well as swelling of the lids and tissues around the eyes and reddened or inflamed eyes. These are the typical symptoms of Graves’ disease.

Medical Treatments for Graves Disease

It’s hard to stop your immune system from attacking the thyroid gland thus leading to Graves’ disease. Treatment for this disease is only meant to decrease the secretion of thyroxine or block its action. The best medication for this purpose are beta blockers for example propranolol, atenolo, metoprolol and nadolol. These usually help to reduce the hyperthyroid signs and symptoms. These beta blockers are always used with other forms of treatment. Anti-thyroid medications are also used to prevent the production of excessive hormones. The other treatment involves radioactive iodine treatment. The radioactive iodine collects in the thyroid gland and destroys the overactive thyroid cells.

Alternative Treatments for Graves Disease

Apply cool compresses to your eyes for Graves’ ophthalmopathy. This added moisture soothes the eyes. Wearing sunglasses reduces the irritations of your eyes from the wind. Lubricating eye drops also relieves the dryness and scratchiness on the eye surface. Elevation of the head lessens fluid accumulation.

When is Medical Treatment Necessary?

Any signs of enlarged thyroid, protruding eyes, anxiety, intolerance to heat, tremor and weight loss, are very clear signs that you urgently need medical assistance.

Who Can Get Gout?

Gout can be contracted by people who have advanced in age and is more common in males than in females. It is a male disease. The males who suffer from gout include those who have a family history of gout. Those who are obese, have problems of the thyroid, organ transplants, continuous exposure to lead, consumption of foods that have a high content of purine as well as certain medical drugs can cause gout.

Causes of the Disease

Children are the age group that are least affected by gout. Middle aged men are most susceptible to gout. Those in the high risk category include those who are obese, excessive consumers of alcohol, as well as those who have high blood pressure.

Males have higher chances of suffering from gout because their uric acid levels increase during puberty. Females on the other are not likely to suffer from gout until after menopause. Experts reckon that this is because of the action of the estrogen hormone in women. Medications such as aspirin and diuretics increase the chances of suffering from gout. This is especially so among the aged.

Family history as well as obesity increases the chances of suffering from gout. Research shows that people whose family members in the past suffered from gout have high chances of suffering from gout too.

Symptoms of Gout

The most common symptom of gout is swelling of the joints at the big toe. Painful joints, unusual stiffness as well as inflammation are the other symptoms. These symptoms normally occur at different body parts for different age groups. The level of advancement of the disease will more often than not determine the symptoms that one will exhibit. In the early stages gout doesn’t exhibit any symptoms.

Over the Counter Treatments for Gout

Treatments of gout involve use of medications. It is not advisable however to use medication during the early stages of gout. During the early stages it is good to change your diet and try as much as possible to live healthily. Different stages of gout require different methods of treatment. It is advisable that people suffering from gout try a variety of medical drugs to see which works best for them to prevent the severity of acute attacks.

Alternative Treatments for Gout

Alternative treatment for gout has not been proven to be totally effective. It is therefore advisable to use alternative therapy together with conventional treatment methods. Research has proved that vitamin C reduces the level of uric acid thus it is recommended. However, those suffering from kidney disease should consult with their doctors first before consuming vitamin C. Vitamin C might complicate the kidney disease.

Who Can Get Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes as the name suggests usually occurs in pregnant women. There is notably a high increase in sugar levels in the blood of such women, a condition that is attributed to being pregnant. Research also indicates that the chance of getting gestational diabetes increases with age. Therefore a woman who is advanced in age is at a higher risk of getting the disease than a younger woman.

Causes of Gestational Diabetes

It is not very clear what causes gestational diabetes. Recent research however indicates that during pregnancy, the body of a woman produces several hormones. These hormones reduce the ability to sense insulin so the body no longer responds to insulin secretion and production. Consequently, this leads to high levels of sugar in the blood resulting to gestational diabetes.

Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes

The symptoms and signs of gestational diabetes are generally very few. The presence of this disease is first diagnosed during the various tests a pregnant woman undergoes including screening of the pregnancy. It is during these tests that the doctors notice the excessively high levels of sugar in the blood.

Over the Counter Treatment for Gestational Diabetes

The main over the counter treatment for gestational diabetes is to eat food that has enough nutrients and ones that can provide sufficient energy required through out pregnancy.

Alternative Treatments for Gestational Diabetes

Besides eating the right diet and refraining from some of the foods that contain minerals that may contribute to an increase in the occurrence of gestational diabetes, it is also advisable to keep active as doctors state that a body that is fit has high resistance to diseases.

When is Medicinal Treatment Necessary?

Gestational diabetes though common does not always occur in all pregnant women. Different bodies have different immune systems and respond differently to various bodily changes. Therefore a pregnant woman should first confirm with her doctor if she actually suffers from this particular condition. This is established as mentioned earlier through a series of tests. Should it be discovered that the pregnant woman does suffer from the condition, then treatment ought to commence immediately. Medicinal treatment is therefore necessary at the earliest possible detection of the condition.

Medical Treatments for Gestational Diabetes

Besides taking healthy and correct diets, exercise is essential to keep the muscles of the body fit. On top of this, it is important to consult with the doctor in order to have injection of insulin if necessary. This helps to reduce sugar levels in the blood and bring them back to the normal levels.

Who Can Get GERD ?

This condition can affect anybody at all ages. It doesn’t have a specific target and it is not life threatening but should not be ignored when the condition gets worse. It’s mostly prevalent in obese, pregnant as well as asthmatic people. Diabetic people are also prone to this condition.

Causes of GERD

When the valve around the bottom of the esophagus relaxes abnormally while swallowing food, stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. This is what causes frequent heartburn which results in immense discomfort. This constant backwash of acid irritates the lining of the esophagus causing it to become inflamed. Some foods such as carbonated beverages, tomato sauce, caffeine, spicy foods, and fatty foods make GERD worse. Alcohol, large meals, lying down after a meal and cigarettes all contribute heavily towards the progression of this condition.

Symptoms of GERD

The common symptoms for GERD are:

• Heartburn that is caused as a result of burning in the chest that extends to the throat with a sour taste in the mouth.
• Pain in the chest while lying down is also a typical symptom of this disease.
• Sore throat, hoarseness, coughing and wheezing are classic symptoms of heartburn.
• Swallowing with a lot of difficulty

Over the Counter Treatments for GERD

Mild heartburn can easily be cured by use of over the counter drugs such as antacids like Mylanta, Gelusil, Rolaids or Tums. Be warned that some of these antacids do have side effects when taken in large quantities.

Alternative Treatments for GERD

There are several home remedies that can be used to cure this disease. Drinking baking soda or sodium bicarbonate dissolved in water mixed with cream of tartar is a good remedy for heartburns. Though these remedies are not permanent, they do provide some relief to the patient by washing away acids. The trouble with this remedy is the fact that constant use of this may change the acid balance in your body.

When is Medicinal Treatment Necessary?

Though most heartburns are mild and short term, the repeated discomfort coupled with other symptoms mentioned above should not go untreated since it can cause more complications which have to be checked by a doctor.

Medical Treatments for GERD

Though heartburn can range from mild, moderate to severe, there are medications that can be used to eradicate the problem. There are other procedures that are available for the problem other than surgery. Proton pump inhibitors are capable of blocking acid production which gives time for the damaged esophagus to heal. H-2_receptor blockers such as ranitidine famotidene and cimetidine also reduce the production of acids.

Who Can Get Genital Warts?

Genital warts can be transmitted through sexual contact. Those who are sexually active are at a higher risk of getting genital warts especially if they have had multiple partners and don’t use protection during sex. The virus can also be spread through anal sex. A newborn child may contract the disease through the birthing process if the mother has been infected. Such a child will develop warts of the throat and nasal passages.

Causes of the Disease

The Human Papilloma Virus is the sole agent of Genital Warts. The Human Papilloma Virus {HPV} is a collection of viruses. There are more than a hundred types of HPV. The various viruses cause different types of warts. For example the virus that causes warts of the feet are totally different from those that cause warts of the genital organs.

A minimum of thirty different types of HPV cause genital warts. Transmission of genital warts from mother to baby is very rare though it occurs. Young adults are the most vulnerable to genital warts. This may be because they usually have multiple sexual partners and don’t use adequate protection.

Symptoms of Genital Warts

People who have genital warts may not know about it. The reason why many people are not aware that they have genital warts is because it doesn’t itch nor does it hurt. However some people may develop visible warts in the genital region. Doctors normally conduct a detailed examination of the skin to determine whether someone has the disease or not. However, presence of a wart is a sign that the human papilloma virus is active thus it can be easily transmitted to the next person.

There are various types of human papilloma virus that can cause cancer in both males and females. In males the human papilloma virus normally causes the cancer of the penis and anal cancer. In females the human papilloma virus may cause cancer of the vulva as well as vaginal cancer.

Over the Counter Treatment

The other conditions which are caused by the human papilloma virus have treatments while there is currently no treatment for genital warts. Genital warts can only heal if your immune system is very strong. People who have genital warts which are visible to the naked eye can be prescribed topical medications. Cancer of the cervix is treatable only if it is diagnosed early through a PAP smear test where a swab sample is taken of the cells lining the cervix.

Who Can Get Genital Herpes?

As mentioned earlier, genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease. This means that for one to get the disease, he or she must have had sexual intercourse with an already infected person without using the necessary protection. There is no other possible means that genital herpes may be transmitted other than through sexual intercourse.

Causes of Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a viral disease. This means that it is caused by a type of virus known as herpes simplex virus. Herpes simplex viruses are of two types which are type 1(HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). However type two of the herpes simplex virus is more known for causing the genital herpes disease.

Symptoms of Genital Herpes

The most common symptoms and signs of genital herpes is blisters in the private parts which then burst into very painful wounds. These wounds however heal within a short period, usually between two weeks to one month. The blisters may then re occur but the second occurrence will be less severe and the trend continues with each re occurrence decreasing in severity.

Over the Counter Treatment for Genital Herpes

There are specified drugs that are sold over the counter to reduce the severity of the blisters and the wounds caused by genital herpes. The drugs are of various types and they vary depending on the stage of advancement of the disease.

Treatment for Genital Herpes

The most common treatment available for the genital herpes disease are the various drugs available at pharmacies and chemists. It is worth mentioning at this point that genital herpes is an incurable disease and all the drugs administered only serve to reduce the severity and or the strength of the disease.

When is Medicinal Treatment Necessary?

Administration of drugs for the genital herpes and indeed any other disease is most preferable at the earliest stage possible. Upon realization that one has the disease, it is wise to administer the relevant drugs as soon as possible to prevent the disease from growing and becoming unmanageable.

Medical Treatments for the Disease

As already mentioned earlier, the genital herpes disease has no cure. However, being a viral disease, there are antiviral drugs that can be administered. These drugs do not cure the disease but instead suppress the virus to prevent frequent re occurrence of blisters and sores that characterize the genital herpes disease. Daily therapy by the doctors also plays a key role in suppressing the viral disease. The means by which genital herpes is transmitted as already mentioned is through sexual intercourse. This means that prevention of this disease is quite simple through the use of protection (condoms) during sexual intercourse. This will prevent bodily fluids from coming into contact with each other thus preventing transmission. Alternatively, one may abstain from engaging in sexual intercourse.

Who Can Get Gastroenteritis

This disease is mainly prevalent in babies and children who are below the age of five years. Surveys conducted showed that this disease was responsible for not less than five million deaths of children world wide some years back. This number must be higher now that there are more children than before especially in the developing world. Though common in babies, adults also do get it especially those that live in places that have very poor hygienic standards especially in the developing world.

Causes of Gastroenteritis

Though this disease is mainly viral in nature, it has nothing to do with influenza though it’s caused by other types of viruses and bacteria that happen to be very contagious in nature and spread quite fast mainly in food and drinking water. Viruses are the major causes of gastroenteritis while bacteria are less prevalent. One gets infected through poor hygienic standards such as not washing hands after using the toilets then handling food with the dirty hands or living in very dirty places that have plenty of these viruses that get in contact with food and cause the disease. Norovirus is the one responsible for the food borne gastroenteritis. The bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli and shigellia do cause gastroenteritis though they are less common than the viral one. Drinking contaminated water and eating poorly cooked food coupled with poor sanitation greatly contribute to the spread of this disease.

Symptoms of Gastroenteritis

This disease is characterized by several symptoms but the most common ones are stomach pains, diarrhea and vomiting. These are the clinical signs that one is likely suffering from gastroenteritis though most people usually mistake it for food poisoning. The other symptoms for it may include blood stained stools, severe abdominal pains, loss of appetite, cramps in the abdomen, feeling weak to the extend of fainting due to dehydration.

Over the Counter Treatments for Gastroenteritis

Regardless of the causes, the most recommended treatment for gastroenteritis is rehydration. Since the patient tends to lose so much water through vomiting and diarrhea, getting the fluids replaced is the most logical thing one has to consider as a priority. The rehydration process can be done both orally and intravenously. Pedialyte, Ricelyte, or Resol are best recommended for children. The dosage varies with age, the younger ones getting the least while adults getting the most according to the doctors advice. Adults can also use clear fluids such as water for the first 24 hours.

Alternative Treatments for Gastroenteritis

Alternative treatments for gastroenteritis can be achieved by altering the diet to help the patient cope with the disease. Herbal remedies as well as homeopathy such as arsenicum album or nux vomica can really help. The use of meadowsweet can help the reduction of nausea as well as stomach acidity. To calm the digestive tract after taking care of the worst symptoms, slippery elm is highly recommended.

When is Medicinal Treatment Necessary?

Gastroenteritis is a disease that could prove fatal if not properly taken care of. When one starts vomiting blood or having blood stained stools, it’s time to visit your family doctor who will take care of the problem.

Medical Treatments for Gastroenteritis

The best recommended medical care for this illness is bismuth subsalicylate. Promethazine or zofran are also good remedies.

Who Can Get Gastritis?

Anyone who consumes a lot of alcohol has a high risk of suffering from gastritis. Those who prolong the use of certain dugs that are anti-inflammatory in nature also have high chances of suffering from this condition. Bacterial infection as well as usage of such drugs as Ibuprofen and Aspirin can also cause this disease.

Causes Of Gastritis

Use of anti- inflammatory drugs for unreasonably long periods of time can lead to gastritis condition. Major surgical operations can sometimes lead to this condition. Not only that, but there are other instances in which traumatizing injury, burns as well as extreme infections can lead to gastritis.

Symptoms of Gastritis

Abdominal upsets or abdominal pains are some of the symptoms of this disease. Burning in the upper abdomen, belching, nausea, abdominal bloating as well as a feeling of fullness are the other symptoms of gastritis. Traces of blood found within vomit might be a confirmation of a serious medical condition. It is thus advisable that you seek urgent medical attention.

Different methods of examination

Before you proceed to get medication at a pharmacy it is important to seek professional advice from a qualified doctor. Examination before diagnosis by the doctor will involve examination of the stomach linings. This is done by the help of an instrument that has camera like features and can show the condition of the stomach lining. If there is inflammation of the stomach lining then this could be a confirmation of the disease. A series of other tests can also be conducted for example blood tests to find out whether you are anemic or not. Anemia is a deficiency disease evidenced by low red blood cell count within blood at a particular time. A sample of your stool may also be taken to check whether it has traces of blood in it. Traces of blood may be a confirmation of Helicobacter pylori in your system.

Over The Counter Treatment

Over the counter treatment is through taking of prescribed drugs from a pharmacy. These drugs have the effect of reducing the acidic levels of the stomach. They thus stop the continued inflammation of the stomach lining hence commencing the healing process.

Alternative Treatment for Gastritis

Avoiding or better still, stopping completely the consumption of food substances that increase the acidic level of the stomach. Antibiotics can also be prescribed to treat an infection caused by Helicobacter pylori.

If you are used to excessive alcohol intake you should check yourself into a rehabilitation center. The other forms of alternative treatment that are used are herbs. It is however advised that if you are taking herbs you should use herbs alone. You should not take herbs while at the same time using over the counter drugs. If you mix the treatment methods you might suffer from complications that could be very dangerous.