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Cushing's Syndrome

Consumption of Cortone Acetate based medicines orally, for a long length of time is the normal cause of Cushing’ syndrome. Prednisone is the usual medicine used this way.
The succeeding cause of Cushing's syndrome is Cushing's disease. Tumors forming in the adrenal glands or in the other parts of the body can also lead to Cushing's syndrome.
The pituitary gland located on the bottom of the brain controls the body's production of cortisol. Cushing's syndrome is caused by a tumor in the pituitary gland. These small tumors force the adrenal glands to make too much cortisol. These tumors, if enlarged, can cause problems with eyesight.

Cushing's Syndrome & Disease Gives Away These Symptoms

A fat middle torso with thin arms and legs, fragile and easily injured skin, cuts and normal bruises take much longer to heal, pink or purple stretch marks develop all over the body, swollen complexion, lack of energy, interrupted period cycle in women with increasing body hair, hypertension and osteoporosis, and higher than usual blood sugar levels.
Removal of the tumor from your pituitary gland is the treatment for this disease, and radiation treatments are sometimes used after surgery to lower the risk of reoccurrence.

Learning Disabilities or Disorders - An Introduction

Learning disabilities or disorders affect the brain’s ability to receive, process, analyze or store information for future use. All these problems make it difficult for an individual to learn or store information.

Learning Disabilities and Disorders

Learning disabilities or disorders are basically neurological in nature. They result from the differences in the way an individual’s mind works. They may also be the disorders found in normal people who experience problems in learning some specific set of skills due to some underlying reasons. The problems are difficulty in writing, reading, spelling or organizing information.
In most of the cases, these disabilities occur in children. However, if they are not noticed on time and given attention, they may progress with age and affect them in adult life too. Fortunately, these problems do not last forever, with timely help and care; an individual can overcome these learning disorders.
Learning disabilities are a common occurrence in people all over the world. You may not be aware of it but, Albert Einstein was unable to read till the age of 9, Walter Disney, General George Patton, and Vice President Nelson Rockefeller had problems reading all their lives. However, these disabilities did not affect their journey to success. Whoopi Goldberg and Charles Schwab are some of the celebrities who facing learning disorders at young ages and defeated them.
If your child or any loved one is suffering from any learning disability or disorder, don’t worry! With a little care and attention… they can be cured.

Important Facts About Learning Disorders

• 15% of all US population is suffering from learning disorder of one type or another, according to the National Institutes of Health
• Among all the learning disabilities, difficulty in basic reading and language skills affects almost 80% of students
• These learning disabilities often run in the family which are inherited by  children
• This should be kept in mind that learning disabilities are not to be confused with other disorders such as mental retardation, autism, deafness, blindness and other behavioral disorders
• These disabilities are also not to be taken in the same way as lack of educational opportunities or attendance problems

Attention disorders such as Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or ADD may also occur at the same time with learning disabilities but they are not same and should be treated accordingly.

Impacts of Learning Disabilities/ Disorders

Learning disorders can have a profound impact on individuals suffering as well as their families. They can cause complexes or problems in a child when s/he is treated differently from his/her fellows and incorporate a sense of being different from them.
It has also been observed that in some cases, people suffering from learning disabilities were smarter than their peers but had difficulty in only one area of their life. Learning about such abilities and disorders can help in overcoming them and helping such people.

Some of the Common Learning Disabilities are

• Dyslexia – It is a language disability in which a person has problem understanding written words. It is also a reading disability or reading disorder.
• Dyscalculia – A mathematical disability in which a persons may have problems solving mathematical problems and grasping mathematical concepts
• Dysgraphia – A writing disability in which makes it difficult for a person to form letters or write within a defined space
• Auditory and Visual Processing Disorders – Sensory disabilities in which cause difficulty in understanding language despite normal hearing and vision
• Nonverbal Learning Disabilities – A neurological disorder which originates in the right hemisphere of the brain. It causes problems with visual-spatial, intuitive, organizational, evaluative and holistic processing functions.

ADHD is not a learning disorder, yet it can interfere in one’s ability to learn properly and succeed. It entails lack of attention and hyperactivity which cause hindrances in learning and understanding.
Parents and teachers can help such people by encouraging their strengths, knowing their weaknesses and teaching them, keeping in mind their learning disabilities.

A Concise Introduction on Birth Control Methods

Birth control methods are an effective way to avoid unwanted pregnancies and a good start of family planning. With the passage of time, many new kinds of birth control methods have now become available that include oral medication as well as surgical alternatives.

What is Birth Control

Any kind of medical or preventive steps taken to avoid pregnancy is birth control. Birth control helps a woman make a decision regarding her pregnancies. Birth control allows the woman to choose the number of children she wants to have and the space between each child. Various surgical methods are also available for both the sexes in this regard.
Natural family planning and morning after pill are some other contraceptive methods; however the only 100% effective birth control method is abstinence. The process of birth control may be called the first step towards family planning.

Types of Birth Control Methods

There are a number of birth control steps that can be employed in order to avoid pregnancies. These methods include protection with medication as well as surgical methods.

Means of Protection

Condoms

Usually made of latex or polyurethane, condoms are used during sexual intercourse to prevent the risk of pregnancy. Condoms are very effective in preventing sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, gonorrhea and syphilis. A new condom should be used every time before an intercourse and should be immediately discarded after usage to avoid leakage.

Diaphragms

A diaphragm is a small, dome shaped cup that covers the cervix so as to stop the sperm from entering inside. It is used with spermicidal gel or cream, which prevents sperm from entering the uterus and reduces the chances of pregnancy. A diaphragm has to be inserted at least 6 hours before the intercourse and left in place for 24 hours for repeated intercourse with additional spermicidal gel.

IUD (Intrauterine Device)

A t-shaped device inserted in the uterus by a doctor, IUD is one of the most effective forms of birth controls, with the success rate of 99%. Made of flexible plastic; at the end of an IUD hang two transparent strings that ensure that the IUD remains intact. IUD provides protection from pregnancy from about 5 to 12 years.

Birth Control Medication

Birth Control Pills

The most commonly used contraceptive medications are pills. They contain synthetic female hormone estrogen and progestin. These hormones prevent pregnancy by either preventing ovulation or by keeping the mucous thick in the cervix so as to keep sperm from entering it. There are some birth control pills which have to be taken before intercourse while morning-after pills are also available.

Contraceptive Patches

It is one of the newest forms of birth control also sold under the brand name of Ortho Evra. Contraceptive patch is worn on the lower abdomen, buttocks or upper body which helps in secretion of estrogen and progesterone in the bloodstream. This helps to suppress ovulation, thicken cervical mucus and thin the uterine lining. Worn for a period of 3 weeks, the contraceptive patch is applied once a week.

Injections (Depo-Provera)

A progestin injection is taken once in every three months that inhibits ovulation and prevents sperm from reaching the eggs and prevents egg from implanting in the uterus. However, as Depo-Provera injects large amount of progestin in body it causes side effects like weight gain, dizziness, headache, depression and hair loss. Serious health complications like breast cancer, cervical cancer and infertility can also occur with constant use of Depo-provera.

Surgical Birth Control Methods

Tubal ligation

A permanent kind of birth control surgery for women, tubal ligation is also known as getting tubes tied or female sterilization. It is a surgical procedure in which a woman's fallopian tubes are cut or tied so as to stop the eggs from reaching her uterus. This process also blocks the sperm from reaching along the tube to meet the eggs. A tubal ligation process is reversible.

Vasectomy

A procedure that takes away a man’s ability to impregnate a woman by sterilizing him. Vasectomy renders a man infertile by severing the tubes that carry sperm into a man’s ejaculation that is the vas deferens. It is a simple procedure of 30 minutes that effectively prevents any unwanted pregnancies.
With modern researches and technology, a large number of new birth control methods have been developed. These medicines and surgical methods are designed to provide you with easy and risk free sexual intercourse. However, birth control methods should be according to one’s body needs and doctor’s recommendation.

A Brief Discussion On Cancer Affecting The Health Of Women

Though ever-new forms of diseases and ailments are affecting today’s women, one that is perhaps taking the greatest toll on the general health of American women is cancer. Due to a number of problems, the highest ratio of afflicting disease found in women is cancer in its various forms.
A survey carried out by the National Cancer Institute as of years 2001-2002 predicted that by the end of 2003, there would be an estimated 658,000 women diagnosed with cancer. Out of this huge figure, some 270,000 women will eventually die of the same disease.

Different Types of Cancer Complications in Women

The most common types of cancers prevalent today include cancer of the breasts; cervical cancer, ovarian cancer; endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer, lung and tobacco related cancers. This also includes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and its associated malignancies.
A comparison of the advancements in treatment and medications for cancer since the decade of 1990s reveals that statistics of cancer somewhat remained static, in particular for women patients.
However, today the situation is more than encouraging as both the treatment strategies have increased and the mortality rates too have been significantly brought down. With new modes of treatment, early diagnosis of cancer has become easy which leads to early treatment and helps in saving many precious lives.
Thus, the advancements in the modes of treatment and discoveries of other therapies, the role of vital institutions as the National Cancer Institute, the Office of Research on Women's Health and the National Institute of Health truly demand praise and respect. These institutes especially cater to the general health of women, particularly focusing on those suffering from various forms of cancer.

What Men Need to Know About Baldness

Hair loss especially in men causes a great deal of anxiety. Men have come to symbolize hair loss as a ‘un-manly’ trait. In a survey about the fears, men hair loss is ranked number two after impotence.
Not even major superstars like Sean Connery a.k.a. James Bond, Bruce Willis or Vin Diesel have been able to make baldness acceptable and fashionable. However, most men still fear a receding hairline and try various methods to get some treatment for baldness.

Common Reasons for Baldness in Men

For some men hair loss starts early in life, but for most it happens in their late 30’s.

• It is a known medical fact that hair loss is not due to poor circulation, lack of nutrition or clogged hair follicles. In most cases, hair loss is due to a genetic sensitivity of the hair follicles.
• In hereditary hair loss, also known as male pattern baldness, hair is lost around the temple areas and the crown of the head. This is because of an over sensitivity of the hair follicles to normal levels of testosterone in the body.

But not every hair follicle is oversensitive that is why some hair fall out while some doesn’t. This type of hair loss is usually irreversible. Hair transplantation is the only option for a person suffering from androgenic alopecia, the scientific name given to hereditary hair loss.
Other reversible hair loss causes include; iron deficiency, non-functioning of the thyroid gland, scalp infections, some prescription medication, chemotherapy and severe stress. Most of these conditions can be corrected by medication and the hair can grow normally back again.

Treating Baldness in Men

It is important to seek out a doctor’s advice when it comes to treating baldness. This is because a doctor can distinguish between typical male pattern baldness and hair loss as a result of anemia, hypothyroidism or the side effects of medication.

• A huge market has come into existence to cater to men and women with hair loss and baldness problems. Bizarre treatments have included rubbing curry on the head or having a cow lick the scalp.
• What needs to be kept in mind is that there is no cure for hair loss, but it can be stopped and its effects reversed to a certain extent. At present, there are two available medications for treating hair loss, Propecia and Rogaine.
• Propecia is a prescription medication for men only. It works by preventing the destruction of the hair follicles. Rogaine on the other hand is a topical medication that works by stimulating the hair follicle and keeps it growing.
• The most direct forms of hair loss treatment are wigs and hair transplantation. Hair transplantation is a very expensive process and can be very painful. However, it is a permanent solution for baldness in men.

Some people also use different hairstyles to minimize the appearance of baldness like old fashioned ‘comb overs’ to show off a fuller head of hair.
While hair loss is a prevalent in many men, most of them still suffer emotional distress, lack of self esteem and in some cases even depression over a receding hairline. What men need to realize is that hair loss is not the end of the world. By not making it an issue, they can live more productive, satisfied and happier lives.

Pregnancy - Different Abortion Types and Health Risks for Women

Abortion is when a pregnancy is ended or terminated deliberately on will. It can also happen naturally and is called miscarriage. An abortion is carried out by surgery or by use of some drugs. Abortion involves removal of the fertilized egg or the embryo from the womb.
The decision of an abortion may be taken due to a number of reasons such as gap between children or control over the number of children a couple wants to have. Abortion is conducted in various ways either surgically or by taking medicines. Most of the abortions are carried out in case of unplanned pregnancies.
Having an abortion on time and by a practiced physician is very important. It is necessary to have it the legal way otherwise it may cause complications and prove harmful. A qualified doctor should be consulted who makes sure that abortion at any stage of pregnancy will not be a risk to the mother’s health. Sometimes, at the hands of unpracticed, illegal people, many mothers lose their lives or suffer harmful consequences.

Different Types of Abortion

If a woman wants to have an abortion, the first thing to do is to consult a doctor. The doctor will decide keeping in mind the woman’s health and stage of pregnancy and which type of abortion is suitable. Different types of abortion may include both medical and surgical method.

Abortion by Medicines

Also known by the name of medical abortion, it applies to an abortion brought about by medication taken to end pregnancy.

• Mifepristone is a drug that is given to induce abortion.
• Misoprostol is also sometimes given along with mifepristone to abort an embryo.
• Methotrexate is a medicine used for medical termination of pregnancy.

The process of medical abortion involves bleeding like menstrual period and other side effects. Most of the time, medicines are able to abort pregnancies with a success rate of 75-95%. They are also less of a threat rather than surgery which may involve injury to internal body organs of women.

Surgery

• Dilation and extraction procedure is accomplished by cervical preparation similar to case of evacuation, where the fetus is removed keeping intact.
• Early termination is performed with little cervical dilation and with help of a hand syringe or canola attached to a suction machine.
• Sometimes with help of drugs, labor is induced for birth in which fetus can be removed.
• Dilation and curettage is also a surgical method in which the uterus is emptied with a sharp metal curette so that no remains of fetus are found.

Health Risks for Women Involved In Abortions

• The medicines can leave a side effect on woman’s body that can effect the circulation of blood or lead to clotting of blood.
• The medicines can also lead to some internal injury that can hinder future pregnancies.
• The surgical instruments if not properly sterilized can lead to complications.
• The use of surgical tools my lead to some further injuries in a woman’s body.

The methods of abortion should be thoroughly discussed and planned with the doctor so that proper care and handling is carried out without causing any further problems.