A food allergy is an abnormal response of the body to a certain food. It is important to know that this is different than a food intolerance, which does not affect the immune system, although some of the same symptoms may be present.

What causes food allergy?

Before having a food allergy reaction, a sensitive child must have been exposed to the food at least once before, or could also be sensitized through breast milk. It is the second time your child eats the food that the allergic symptoms happen. At that time, when IgE antibodies react with the food, histamines are released, which can cause your child to experience hives, asthma, itching in the mouth, trouble breathing, stomach pains, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.

What is the difference between food allergy and food intolerance?

Food allergy causes an immune system response, causing symptoms in your child that range from uncomfortable to life threatening. Food intolerance does not affect the immune system, although some symptoms may be the same as in food allergy.

What foods most often cause food allergy?

Approximately 90 percent of all food allergies are caused by the following eight foods:

• milk
• eggs
• wheat
• soy
• tree nuts
• fish
• shellfish
• peanuts

Eggs, milk, and peanuts are the most common causes of food allergies in children, with wheat, soy, and tree nuts also included. Peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish commonly cause the most severe reactions. Nearly 3 percent of children have food allergies. Although most children “outgrow” their allergies, allergy to peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish may be life-long.

What are the symptoms of food allergy?

Allergic symptoms may begin within minutes to an hour after ingesting the food. The following are the most common symptoms of food allergy. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• vomiting
• diarrhea
• cramps
• hives
• swelling
• eczema
• itching or swelling of the lips, tongue, or mouth
• itching or tightness in the throat
• difficulty breathing
• wheezing
• lowered blood pressure

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, it does not take much of the food to cause a severe reaction in highly allergic people. In fact, as little as 1/44,000 of a peanut kernel can cause an allergic reaction for severely allergic individuals.

The symptoms of food allergy may resemble other problems or medical conditions. Always consult your child’s physician for a diagnosis.

Treatment for food allergy:

There is no medication to prevent food allergy. The goal of treatment is to avoid the foods that cause the symptoms. After seeing your child’s physician and finding which foods your child is allergic to, it is very important to avoid these foods and other similar foods in that food group. If you are breastfeeding your child, it is important to avoid foods in your diet that your child is allergic to. Small amounts of the food allergen may be transmitted to your child through your breast milk and cause a reaction.

It is also important to give vitamins and minerals to your child if he/she is unable to eat certain foods. Discuss this with your child’s physician.

For children who have had a severe food reaction, your child’s physician may prescribe an emergency kit that contains epinephrine, which helps stop the symptoms of severe reactions. Consult your child’s physician for further information.

Some children, under the direction of his/her physician, may be given certain foods again after 3 to 6 months to see if he/she has outgrown the allergy. Many allergies may be short term in children and the food may be tolerated after the age of 3 or 4.

Milk and soy allergy:

Allergies to milk and soy are usually seen in infants and young children. Often, these symptoms are unlike the symptoms of other allergies, but, rather, may include the following:

• colic (fussy baby)
• blood in your child’s stool
• poor growth

Often, your child’s physician will change your baby’s formula to a soy formula or breast milk if it is thought he/she is allergic to milk. If your child has problems with soy formula, your child’s physician might change him/her to an easily digested hypoallergenic formula.

The symptoms of a milk or soy allergy may resemble other problems or medical conditions. Always consult your child’s physician for a diagnosis.

Prevention of food allergies:

The development of food allergies cannot be prevented, but can often be delayed in infants by following these recommendations:

• If possible, breastfeed your infant for the first 6 months.
• Do not give solid foods until your child is 6 months of age or older.
• Avoid cow’s milk, wheat, eggs, peanuts, and fish during your child’s first year of life.

Fibromyalgia, also called fibrositis, is a chronic, widespread pain in muscles and soft tissues surrounding the joints throughout the body, accompanied by fatigue. The disease is fairly common, affecting approximately 2 percent of the US population (three to six million Americans).

Although its symptoms are similar to other joint diseases, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia is actually a form of soft tissue or muscular rheumatism that causes pain in the muscles and soft tissues. Fibromyalgia is more prevalent in women of childbearing age.

Fibromyalgia is one of several pain syndromes included in the classification of musculoskeletal pain syndrome (MSPS), or pain amplification syndrome.

What causes or triggers fibromyalgia?

Although the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, researchers believe there may be a link with sleep disturbance, psychological stress, or immune, endocrine, or biochemical abnormalities. Fibromyalgia mainly affects the muscles and the points at which the muscles attach to the bone (at the ligaments and tendons).

What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?

Pain is the most common and chronic symptom of fibromyalgia. Pain may begin in one area of the body, such as the neck and shoulders, but eventually the entire body may become affected. The pain ranges from mild to severe and may be described as burning, soreness, stiffness, aching, or gnawing pain. Fibromyalgia usually is associated with characteristic tender spots of pain in the muscles. The following are other common symptoms of fibromyalgia. However each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• moderate to severe fatigue
• decreased exercise endurance
• sleep problems at night
• depressed mood
• anxiety
• headaches
• abdominal pain and bloating
• diarrhea, alternated with constipation
• urinary urgency

The symptoms of fibromyalgia may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

How is fibromyalgia diagnosed?

There are no laboratory tests that can confirm a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Instead, diagnosis is usually based on reported symptoms.

Treatment for fibromyalgia:

Specific treatment for fibromyalgia will be determined by your physician based on:

• your age, overall health, and medical history
• extent of the condition
• your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, and therapies
• expectation for the course of the condition
• your opinion or preference

Although there is no cure for fibromyalgia, the disease can often be successfully managed with proper treatment, as fibromyalgia does not cause damage to tissues. Treatment may include:

• anti-inflammatory medications (to relieve pain and improve sleep)
• exercise and physical therapy (to stretch muscles and improve cardiovascular fitness)
• relaxation techniques
• heat treatments
• occasional cold applications
• massage

Fever (also called pyrexia) is defined as body temperature that is higher than normal for each individual. It generally indicates that there is an abnormal process occurring in the body. Exercise, hot weather, and common childhood immunizations can also make body temperature rise.

Fever is not an illness, but, rather, a symptom or an indicator that something is not right within the body. A fever does not tell you what disorder is causing it, or even that a disease process is occurring. It may be a bacterial or viral infection, or simply a reaction from an allergy to food or medication, or becoming overheated at play or in the sun.

What constitutes a fever?

Although high fevers may bring on convulsions or delirium, generally, it is not how high the temperature is, but how rapidly the temperature rose that causes a convulsion.

What are the signs that indicate fever?

Because a baby, young child, or disabled person may not be able to express how he/she is feeling, be sure to look for signs (outward indications) that fever is present before using a thermometer. Signs that indicate fever may include the following:

• flushed face
• hot, dry skin
• low output of urine, and/or dark urine
• not interested in eating
• constipation or diarrhea
• vomiting
• headache
• aching all over
• nausea

Taking the temperature:

The best means of taking temperature is with a thermometer. There are several types of thermometers, including the following:

• glass thermometers with mercury (oral or rectal)
• digital thermometer
• ear thermometer

Taking a temperature reading with a thermometer directly touching certain areas of the skin, such as under the arm or in the bend of the elbow, is not recommended because it is not considered to be reliable.

Treating fever:

Once you have determined that the person has a fever, you may treat it by giving acetaminophen (TylenolÆ, TempraÆ, or FeverallÆ) or ibuprofen (AdvilÆ or MotrinÆ), or both, in dosages or combinations advised by your physician. Never give aspirin to a child or young adult who has a fever.

A tepid bath (water is neither too cool or too warm to the touch) may reduce the fever, as well as comfort the person. Alcohol rubdowns are no longer recommended.

Call your physician for guidance anytime you are uncomfortable with the conditions of the fever, and remember to contact your physician anytime a temperature spikes rapidly or persists despite treatment.

When to call your physician:

Call your physician immediately if any of the following conditions accompany a fever:

• seizure
• feeling dull or sleepy
• irregular breathing
• stiff neck
• confusion
• purple spotted rash
• ear pain (a child tugging on his/her ear)
• sore throat that persists
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• painful, burning, or frequent urination

Rhytidectomy, a surgical procedure commonly known as a facelift, involves the removal of excess facial fat, the tightening of facial muscles, and the stretching of facial skin to approximate a smoother, firmer facial appearance. The procedure takes place on either the face, neck, or both.

Depending on the area of the face or neck where the “lift” is to take place, the surgeon will separate the skin from the fat and muscle. The fat is then removed and the skin is pulled back into place with any excess removed.

Possible complications associated with facelifts:

Possible complications associated with facelifts may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• nerve injury
  Nerves that control the facial muscles could be damaged. This is usually a temporary post-operative condition.

• infection and anesthesia reaction
  As with any type of surgery, there is a risk of infection and a reaction to the anesthesia.

• hematoma
  A hematoma, blood that collects under the skin, could occur. They are generally removed by the physician.

• slower healing process (for some people)
  Smokers, in particular, may find that the healing process following a facelift is slower than normal.

Who are candidates for facelift?

The best candidates for a facelift are those whose face and/or neck have begun to sag, but whose skin still has some elasticity. The procedure also works best on persons whose bone structure is strong and well-defined.

About the procedure:

Although each procedure varies, generally, facelift surgeries follow this process:

• Location options may include:
  • surgeon’s office-based surgical facility
  • outpatient surgery center
  • hospital outpatient
  • hospital inpatient
• Anesthetic options may include:
  • general anesthesia
  • local anesthesia, combined with a sedative (allows the patient to remain awake but relaxed) for adults
• Average length of procedure:

  several hours or longer, if more than one procedure is being performed

• Some possible short-term side effects of surgery:
  • significant discomfort after surgery is not unusual
  • temporary numbness of the skin

Estrogen is a group of hormones that play an important role in the normal sexual and reproductive development in women. They are also called sex hormones. The woman’s ovaries produce most estrogen hormones, although the adrenal glands also produce small amounts of the hormones.

In addition to regulating the female menstrual cycle, estrogen affects the reproductive tract, the urinary tract, the heart and blood vessels, bones, breasts, skin, hair, mucous membranes, pelvic muscles, and the brain. Secondary sexual characteristics, such as pubic and armpit hair also begin to grow when estrogen levels rise. Many female organ systems, including the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems, and the brain are affected by estrogen.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, early detection and treatment of many sight-threatening diseases may cure or slow the progression of vision loss.

When it comes to children, the most important preventive steps are routine eye examinations, visual screening tests, and preventing eye trauma. Newborns are examined in the nursery for eye infections and eye disorders. Children should receive their first comprehensive eye examination at age 3, unless a specific condition or history of family childhood vision problems warrants an earlier examination. Annual visual screening tests and eye examinations should be preformed on children 5 years and older.

Eye trauma is an important cause of vision loss in children. Eye trauma refers to any injury to the eye. The National Society to Prevent Blindness states that about one-third of eye loss in children under 10 years of age is from trauma to the eye. As a parent, you can help your child avoid eye trauma with the proper use of safety equipment during sports and recreational activities.

The following list provides a brief description of several common eye disorders. Consult your physician or an ophthalmologist for more information.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration is the breaking down, or degeneration, of the macula area of the retina of the eye. 

Amblyopia is reduction or dimming of vision in an eye that appears to be normal.

Astigmatism is a condition in which an abnormal curvature of the cornea can cause two focal points to fall in two different locations - making objects up close and at a distance appear blurry.

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the edges of the eyelids involving hair follicles and glands that open onto the surface.

Cataract is a condition in which the lens of the eye becomes dense or opaque and does not properly transmit light.

Chalazion is a small bump that develops on the upper or lower eyelid. It is caused by inflamed meibomian glands that produce the oil in tears.

Conjunctivitis, sometimes called pink eye, is an inflammation of the blood vessels in the conjunctiva, the membrane that covers the sclera and inside of the eyelids. Conjunctivitis may be caused by bacteria or viruses, making it very contagious.

Diabetic Retinopathy is a disorder of the retina resulting from changes in the eye blood vessels and found in some people who have diabetes.

Dry Eye occurs when there is not enough moisture in the eye, causing it to feel dry, hot, sandy, and gritty. Dry eye may be caused by low humidity, smoke, aging, certain diseases, and certain medications (i.e., antihistamines, decongestants).

Floaters appear as spots, dots, or lines and affect or interrupt vision. Floaters are usually caused by bits of debris in the vitreus humor.

Glaucoma is a disease that impairs the optic nerve when fluid and pressure build up in the eye and damage the optic nerve.

Hyperopia, or farsightedness, means a person has trouble seeing clearly up close.

Iritis is an inflammation of the iris of the eye.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, means a person has trouble seeing clearly in the distance.

Presbyopia is another type of farsightedness and is caused when the center of the eye lens hardens making it unable to accommodate near vision.

Retina Detachment is the separation of the retina from the back of the eye.

Retinitis Pigmentosa is actually the name given to a group of hereditary eye disorders, all of which involve the eye’s retina, the light-sensitive nerve layer that lines the back of the eye, and all of which cause a gradual, yet progressive, loss or reduction in visual ability.

Strabismus is crossed eyes.

Stye is a noncontagious, bacterial infection of one of the sebaceous glands of the eyelid. A stye looks like a small, red bump either on the eyelid or on the edge of the eyelid.

Uveitis is a condition that occurs in the uvea, or the middle coat of the eye. Because the uvea contains the blood vessels that supply nutrients to the eye, any form of uveitis may be serious and may be a symptom for other serious conditions.

Even low-to-moderate intensity activities for as little as 30 minutes a day can be beneficial. These activities may include: pleasure walking climbing stairs gardening yard work moderate-to-heavy housework dancing home exercise However, more vigorous aerobic activities, done three or four times a week for 30 to 60 minutes, are best for improving the fitness of the heart and lungs. Regular, aerobic physical activity increases a person’s capacity for exercise and plays a role in prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Aerobic exercise may also help to lower blood pressure. These activities may include: brisk walking running swimming cycling roller skating jumping rope Starting a daily exercise program: It is always important to consult your physician before starting an exercise program. This is particularly true if any of the following apply to your current medical condition: chest pain or pain in the neck and/or arm shortness of breath a diagnosed heart condition joint and/or bone problems currently taking cardiac and/or blood pressure medications have not previously been physically active dizziness If none of these apply to you, start gradually and sensibly. However, if you feel any of the physical symptoms listed above when you start your exercise program, contact your physician right away. If one or more of the statements listed above applies for you, see your physician before beginning an exercise program. An exercise-stress test may be used to help plan your exercise program. Benefits from regular exercise or physical activity: improves blood circulation throughout the body keeps weight under control improves blood cholesterol levels prevents and manages high blood pressure prevents bone loss boosts energy level releases tension improves the ability to fall asleep quickly and sleep well improves self-image helps manage stress counters anxiety and depression increases enthusiasm and optimism increases muscle strength A daily exercise program can provide a way to share an activity with family and friends, while helping establish good heart-healthy habits. For children, daily exercise deters conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, poor cholesterol levels, and poor lifestyle habits that lead to heart attack and stroke later in life. For older people, daily physical activity helps delay or prevent chronic illnesses and diseases associated with aging, and maintains quality of life and independence longer. Finding the right exercise program and the right preparation: To be physically fit you do not have to exercise hard for long periods of time. Experts agree that physical activity does not have to be vigorous, and recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity daily, or on most days of the week. To achieve and maintain physical and cardiovascular fitness, orthopaedists advise following a balanced fitness program - a program that includes the following: If you have an existing medical condition, or are just starting an exercise program, be sure to consult your physician prior to beginning the program to make sure the exercise program that you choose is designed with your health and wellness top of mind. Choose an activity that you will enjoy. You are more likely to continue exercising if you are doing something that you like. In the beginning, follow a program that includes moderate, not vigorous, physical activity. Start off with 30 minutes a day, and allow for some variety in your fitness routine - not only in the fitness activity that you choose, but in the time, and setting. This helps to eliminate boredom with any one activity or location. Be sure to start off any work-out/exercise session with proper warm-up and stretching exercises. This will help to avoid post-exercise soreness or injury. Wear the proper attire when exercising, including shoes with the proper support for the activity. Also, be sure to dress appropriately for the weather. Just as warming-up and stretching is important as you begin each exercise session, so is a cool-down period at the end of your exercise activity. This should include at least several minutes of stretching or walking.

Impotence, or erectile dysfunction, is the inability to achieve an erection, and or dissatisfaction with the size, rigidity, and/or duration of erections. Erectile dysfunction affects millions of men globally.

Although in the past it was commonly believed to be due to psychological problems, it is now known that 79 to 92 percent of impotence is caused by physical problems, usually related to the blood supply of the penis. Many advances have occurred in both diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction.

What are the risk factors for erectile dysfunction?

According to the National Institutes of Health, erectile dysfunction is also a symptom in many disorders and diseases.

Direct risk factors for erectile dysfunction may include the following:

• prostate problems

• type 2 diabetes

• hypogonadism in association with a number of endocrinologic conditions

• hypertension (high blood pressure)

• vascular disease and vascular surgery

• high levels of blood cholesterol

• low levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein)

• drugs

• neurogenic disorders

• Peyronie’s disease (distortion or curvature of the penis)

• priapism (inflammation of the penis)

• depression

• alcohol ingestion

• lack of sexual knowledge

• poor sexual techniques

• inadequate interpersonal relationships

• many chronic diseases, especially renal failure and dialysis

• smoking, which accentuates the effects of other risk factors such as vascular disease or hypertension

Age appears to be a strong indirect risk factor in that it is associated with increased likelihood of direct risk factors, some of which are listed above.

It is estimated that nearly 5 percent of men become impotent by the age of 41, and 16 to 27 percent by the age of 65. Accurate risk factor identification and characterization are essential for prevention or treatment of erectile dysfunction.

What are the different types (and causes) of ED?

The following are some of the different types and possible causes of impotence:

• premature ejaculation (PE)
  Premature ejaculation is the inability to maintain an erection long enough for mutual satisfaction. Premature ejaculation is divided into primary and secondary forms:
  • primary premature ejaculation
    Primary premature ejaculation is a learned behavior that begins when a male first become sexually active. Like any learned behaviors, it can be unlearned. This form of primary PE is psychogenic (as opposed to organic or physical) impotence. (Congenital venous leak is a subset of primary PE and is caused by a congenital venous leak in which the venous drainage system in the penis does not shut down properly.)
  • secondary premature ejaculation
    Secondary premature ejaculation occurs when, after years of normal ejaculation, the duration of intercourse grows progressively shorter. Secondary PE is due to physical causes, usually involving the penile arteries, veins, or both.
• performance anxiety
  Performance anxiety is a form of psychogenic impotence -usually caused by stress or anxiety.

• depression
  Depression is another cause of psychogenic impotence. Some antidepressant medications cause erectile failure.
• organic impotence
  Organic impotence involves the penile arteries, veins, or both, and is the most common cause of impotence, especially in older men. When the problem is arterial, it is usually caused by arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, although trauma to the arteries may be the cause. The controllable risk factors for arteriosclerosis - being overweight, lack of exercise, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and cigarette smoking - can cause erectile failure often before progressing to affect the heart. Many experts believe that when veins are the cause, a venous leak or “cavernosal failure” is the most common vascular problem.

• diabetes
  Impotence is common in persons with diabetes. There are 5 million adult men in the US with diabetes, and it is estimated that half are impotent and the other half will become impotent in time. The process involves premature and unusually severe hardening of the arteries. Peripheral neuropathy, with involvement of the nerves controlling erections, is commonly seen in persons with diabetes.
• neurologic causes
  There are many neurological (nerve problems) causes of impotence. Diabetes, chronic alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, heavy metal poisoning, spinal cord and nerve injuries, and nerve damage from pelvic operations can cause erectile dysfunction.
• drug-induced impotence
  A great variety of prescription drugs, such as blood pressure medications, anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications, glaucoma eye drops, and cancer chemotherapy agents are just some of the many medications associated with impotence.
• hormone-induced impotence
  Hormonal abnormalities such as increased prolactin (a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland), steroid abuse by body-builders, too much or too little thyroid hormone, and hormones administered for prostate cancer may cause impotence. Rarely is low testosterone responsible for impotence.

How is ED diagnosed?

Diagnostic procedures for ED may include the following:

• patient medical/sexual history - may reveal conditions or diseases that lead to impotence and helps distinguish among problems with erection, ejaculation, orgasm, or sexual desire.

• physical examination - to look for evidence of systemic problems, such as the following:
  • A problem in the nervous system may be involved if the penis does not respond as expected to certain touching.
  • Secondary sex characteristics, such as hair pattern, can point to hormonal problems, which involve the endocrine system.
  • Circulatory problems could be indicated by an aneurysm.
  • Unusual characteristics of the penis itself could suggest the basis of the impotence.

• laboratory tests - to help diagnose impotence include blood counts, urinalysis, lipid profile, and measurements of creatinine and liver enzymes. When low sexual desire is a symptom, measurement of testosterone in the blood can yield information about problems with the endocrine system.

• psychosocial examination - to help reveal psychological factors. The sexual partner also may be interviewed to determine expectations and perceptions encountered during sexual intercourse.

About 10 percent of all people, approximately eight million Americans, may experience a seizure during their lifetimes. However, only three percent of the population has recurrent seizures, or epilepsy, or seizure disorder.

Causes

Sometimes, a clear cause of epilepsy can be identified. A common cause of epilepsy is head injury due to an automobile accident or gunshot wound, and other causes include stroke, infection, poisoning, and brain tumors. In some cases, epilepsy is genetic. Several types of epilepsy, such as temporal lobe epilepsy, can be cured with surgery, while other types are best treated with medication.

Symptoms

Epilepsy encompasses a group of conditions characterized by recurrent seizures — brief electrical disturbances in the brain that can cause a variety of symptoms such as strange sensations, changes in behavior or emotions, muscle spasms, convulsions, and a sudden loss of awareness or consciousness.

Diagnosis

Sophisticated diagnostic techniques, such an encephalograms (EEGs), video-EEG telemetry, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and functional MRI, are used to assess epilepsy.

Treatment

Generalized epilepsy: Because these seizures are generalized and have no clear initiation point, they often cannot be cured with surgery, but still can be treated with surgery, such as vagal nerve stimulation and corpus callosotomy, that alleviates symptoms. Some patients, particularly those with idiopathic generalized seizures, will respond well to anticonvulsant medication.

Partial epilepsy: Partial epilepsy often is amenable to surgery because the cause of the seizures can be isolated and treated or removed. Often defined by their point of origin, partial epilepsy includes frontal lobe epilepsy, occipital lobe epilepsy, mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, and parietal lobe epilepsy.

Epidemiology is the study of the occurrence of disease in people, and applying that information from the study to the control of health problems. Epidemiological studies look at the association of exposure to a substance or event with a large number of people who have an identified disease.

Most health regulations today are based on epidemiological studies. It is the most common method of determining the cause of a disease, and is a technique that is easily accepted and easily understood.

What are complications associated with epidemiology?

There are some complications with epidemiology. It is critical to know about exposure, quantity, and other details in order to produce a good epidemiological study. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEH), this information may not be available because:

• People may not know what they have been exposed to or the amount of their exposure.

• People find it very difficult to recall details of exposures that occurred many years ago.

Also, epidemiology cannot detect small differences in the rates of common diseases. Although a very large number of people may be affected by a common disease, relatively small differences cannot be identified by epidemiology.

And, the NIEH states:

Epidemiology is entirely an after-the-fact science, that is, disease can be related to cause only after people have experienced exposures of sufficient intensity and duration to produce illness and death. Sometimes an entire generation is exposed to a chemical before epidemiological studies can prove that a particular compound does cause cancer or some other chronic disease.