A Few tips to save Money on Smartphone Plans as a Medical Student

If you're a medical student or a resident, you probably don't have the luxury of a really expensive smartphone plan. I remember those days when we were trying to save every penny because our finances were so tight. Of course, many people also have the luxury of student loans, so they may not be so budget-focused. For those looking for a few tips on ways to save money on smartphone plans, here are a few suggestions:

1. Eliminate the data plan (if you have the option) and choose a very simple cell phone plan. Do you really need a data plan on your smartphone? Or, can you get by with Wi-Fi only?
   
2. Leverage coupons and resellers. Buy a smartphone through a reseller that offers discounts and coupons. Do some searching online and look for savings.
3. Share minutes on a family plan. We all have family. Are they willing to put you on their family plan? Several wireless providers have recently expanded their family plans and now offer many options for families that even wish to have unlimited calling. Look for the cheapest cell phone plan that fits your needs and try to reduce your minutes each month.
4. Get rid of your landline and use your smartphone as your primary phone.
   
5. Use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)or Google Voice instead of your smartphone minutes.
   

So, are these tips practical? Well, it really depends on how much flexibility you have. If you're frequently in front of a computer and you constantly have Wi-Fi access, then you might be able to get by without signing up for a data plan.

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Sleep Deprivation May Increase Risk of Alzheimer's Disease

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have suggested a possible link between inadequate sleep and the increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

They have found that a marker for Alzheimer’s disease rises during day and falls with sleep in the spinal fluid, and the pattern is strongest in healthy young people than the older counterparts, whose sleep periods are often shorter and more prone to disruption.

In the new study, scientists report that the normal highs and lows of amyloid beta levels in the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord begin to flatten in older adults.

“In healthy people, levels of amyloid beta drop to their lowest point about six hours after sleep, and return to their highest point six hours after maximum wakefulness,” said Randall Bateman, MD, associate professor of neurology.

Bateman’s laboratory conducted the study in partnership with Washington University’s Sleep Medicine Centre.

Stephen Duntley, MD, professor of neurology and director of the Centre added, “We’ve known for some time that significant sleep deprivation has negative effects on cognitive function comparable to that of alcohol intoxication.”

“But it’s recently become apparent that prolonged sleep disruption and deprivation can actually play an important role in pathological processes that underlie diseases.

“This connection to Alzheimer’s disease isn’t confirmed yet in humans, but it could be very important,” he stated.

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Major Genetic Diseases: Cardiovascular Disease, Obesity, Diabetes

Most chronic diseases in which nutrition plays a role are also influenced by genetics. The risks of developing cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, cancer, and osteoporosis are influenced by interactions between genetic and nutritional factors. Studies of families, including those with twins and adoptees, provide strong support for the effect of genetics in these disorders. In fact, family history is considered to be one of the important risk factors in the development of many nutrition-related diseases.

Cardiovascular Disease:

About 1 of every 500 people in the North American population has a defective gene that greatly delays cholesterol removal from the bloodstream. Other genetic effects lead to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease at a young age. Diet changes can help these people, but medications and possibly surgery may be needed to address these problems.

Obesity:

Most obese North Americans have at least one parent who is also obese. Findings from many human studies suggest that a variety of genes (likely 60 or more) are involved in the regulation of body weight. Little is known, however, about the specific nature of these genes in humans or how the actual changes in body metabolism (such as lower energy use in general or fat use in particular) are produced.

Still, although sole individuals may be genetically predisposed to store body fat, whether they actually do so depends on how much excess energy above energy needs they ultimately consume. A common concept in nutrition is that nurture (how people live and the environmental factors that influence them) acts on how nature (each person's genetic potential) is expressed. Although not everyone with a genetic tendency toward obesity develops this condition, he or she does have a higher lifetime risk than individuals without a genetic predisposition to obesity. Obesity is also a main factor that leads to countless other diseases, so if you want to stay healthy make sure you stay in shape.

Diabetes:

Both of the two common types of diabetes (type 1 and type 2) also have genetic links, as revealed by family and twin studies. Only sensitive and expensive testing can determine who is at risk. The form of diabetes involved in about 90% of all cases, type 2 diabetes, also has a strong link to obesity. A genetic tendency for type 2 diabetes is expressed once a person becomes obese but often not before, again illustrating that nurture does in fact affect nature.

In order to see which diseases you may be genetically predisposed to, consider getting genetic testing.

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Stroke Risk Factors, Symptoms, Warning Signs, and Treatment

Stroke can be a very life-changing experience. It is very important to be aware of the risk factors, symptoms, and signs of stroke. The quality of your life could depend on it.

Some of the risk factors for stroke are:
1. Being over the age of 55 (however, stroke can happen at any age)
2. A family history of stroke, mini-stroke, or heart disease
3. Having previously experienced any of the factors in number 2
4. Being a man although women are also at risk.
5. Being a diabetic

First of all, some may wonder exactly what is a stroke. A stroke is a brain attack, not unlike a heart attack. When a person has a stroke, the blood flow to the brain simply gets interrupted. In about 85 % of cases this is caused by a blockage. A blood clot develops in the brain or elsewhere in the body and travels to the brain. (You can see the similarity to a heart attack.) Since diabetes can be hard on your body, including your arteries, this raises the stroke risk for us diabetics.

One of the main long-term effects of a stroke is paralysis, as was the case with my mother. She was paralized on her right side. Other long term effects are vision problems, memory loss, behavior changes, etc. The long term effects are determined by which part of the brain is effected when the stroke occurs. It is very important to know the signs of stroke because immediate treatment is necessary.

Watch for the following signs:
- confusion or trouble speaking (this includes talking clearly but not making sense or using wrong words)
- dizziness or a loss of balance
- a sudden severe headache with no explanation
- a numbness or weakness, especially on just one side of the body
- one side of the face having a droopy look, especially around the mouth

Medication can help to alleviate long term effects but only if given within three hours of the onset of symptoms. Do not hesitate in seeking help! Being hesitant or thinking, "Oh, it is probably nothing" could be the biggest mistake of your life.

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Diet for Kidney Stone Prevention

When you have renal stones, the best suggestion I can give you is well, the kidney stone diet. As the name suggests, this diet tackles all the guidelines you must have to manage your kidney stone. In the first place, kidney stones happen because there is a calcification in your urinary system. They form primarily on the kidneys but they can migrate to the lower urinary system. Hence, they are typically asymptomatic until they pass into the lower urinary system.

Up to 4% of the population in the United Stares has kidney stones. About 12% of males have renal stone by the age of 70. More than 200,000 americans require hospitalization for treatment of stones each year. It is so recurrent to the point that half of the patients affected will develop another bout of renal calculi in the next 10 years. Most common calculi are composed of calcium oxylate (70-80%), uric acid (10%), struvite (9-17%), or cystine (less than 1%). The most common signs and symptoms include low urine output, high urine pH (making it alkaline), excessive urinary excretion of calcium, oxalate, uric acid, or combination of these substances.

Type and cause of stone formation provide details on how to manage kidney stones. A comprehensive dietary history taking might also be needed to be able to point out the portion of the patient's diet that triggered the formation of kidney stones. Generally, treatment options include restrictive diet and modifications. Here are some guidelines on the kidney stone diet:

-Tailor diet to specific metabolic disturbances and individual dietary habits to ensure compliance

-Calcium restriction should be avoided

-Calcium and oxalate must be in balance

-Limit intake of spinach, rhubarb, beets, nuts, chocolate, team wheat bran, and strawberries

-Do not exceed recommended daily allowance for vitamin C as it increases urinary oxalate excretion

-Animal protein should be regulated to 1 g/kg body weight

-Salt intake should be restricted to less than 100 mEq/dl

-Potassium intake should be encouraged (five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day

-Include high fluid intake to produce at least 2 liters of urine/day (2-3 L of water intake/day is recommended)

From my experience as a nurse, it is always better to try less invasive procedures until all options become exhausted. Which is why following a proper diet and drinking plenty of fluids should be your first and primary thing to do.

Fortunately, most clients pass the stone naturally from the ureter and bladder. If the stone does not move, if it causes obstruction, or if X-ray suggests that the stone is too large to pass safely into the urethra, more invasive treatment is necessary.

The kidney stone diet is not rigid. In fact, it helps you work around your usual diet in order for you not to feel as though you are in a strict regimen.

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Dengue fever - information, symptoms and treatments

Fever Dengue (pronounced DEN-gee) is caused by viruses that are transmitted by mosquito bites. It is a severe illness that starts suddenly and usually follows a benevolent course with such symptoms as fever, headache, intense muscle and joint pains, exhaustion, lymphadenopathy (swollen glands) and the telltale rash. Dengue is characterized by the presence of what is called the "dengue triad" (headache, fever and rash). There are other signs of dengue like stark pain behind the eyes, gums that bleed, and redness in the palms of hands and soles of the feet. What is Dengue Fever?

Fever dengue strikes those who have low immunity levels. Fever dengue can be caused by any one of four types of the dengue virus: DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4 (the numbers reflect the order of discovery and have no relation to disease severity). An individual can be infected by at least two types, if not all four at different times during his or her life. However, an attack of a particular type of dengue produce lifetime immunity against that serotype which the patient had been exposed to.

There are other names for dengue such as "dandy fever" or "breakbone." The name "breakbone" was derived because the victims of dengue have contortions because of the intense muscle and joint pains. The name "dandy fever" was derived from the slaves of the West Indies who had contracted fever dengue because of their gait and postures.

The more severe viral serotype of fever dengue is dengue hemorrhagic fever. Signs include headache, rash, fever, petechiae (which are small purple or red blisters just under the skin), bleeding of the gums, blackened stools, and bruising that easily develop. Dengue hemorrhagic fever can be lethal and can develop into the most severe form of dengue which is dengue shock syndrome.

A person who has been bitten by the Aedes mosquito carrying the dengue virus will show signs and symptoms after 3 to 15 days (although it is more common from within 5 - 8 days). The person infected will first experience chills and then headaches or pain when they move their eyes, and lower back pain. The pain in the joints and muscle pain in the legs occur during the first hours. The body temperature will then rise to about 40 degrees Centigrade (or 104 degrees Fahrenheit). The heart rate will remain low (known as bradycardia) and so will the blood pressure (known as hypotension). There will be reddening of the eyes and then there will be a rash or flushing that comes over the face and then goes away. The lymph nodes (glands) in the groin and neck will be swollen.

Most of those who develop fever dengue completely recover within two weeks however there are some who may go through several weeks of feeling depressed and/or tired.

The virus is contracted from the bite of a striped mosquito known as the Aedes aegypti that has been previously bitten a dengue infected person. This mosquito flourishes during the rainy seasons or monsoons but can easily breed in water-filled potholes, drains, flower pots, old tires, plastic bags, and cans all year-round. Only one mosquito bite is enough to inflict the disease.

The dengue virus is not contagious and cannot spread directly from one individual to another. To spread, there must be a pathway that goes "person-to-mosquito-to-another-person".

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Kidney Stone causes and Symptoms for Women

Kidney stones are more common in men than women. But the incidence of kidney stones in women has been on the rise. The number of women suffering from this problem has been increasing, largely due to dietary habits. Low intakes of fruits and vegetables and high-protein diets are the most common causes of kidney stones in women. Also, like a man, a woman also has a greater chance of recurrence of this problem.

Many women feel pain in the lower abdomen from time to time before or during menstruation. Sometime the cause of the pain may be kidney stones, but the women may not be able to identify it. They should carefully observe whether any such pain has been followed by a urinary disorder, dullness, fever, and nausea or vomiting. If that is the case, get in touch with your doctor, as he or she will be able to diagnose the problem.

If the pain persists even after menstruation that could be due to kidney stones, though there could be other reasons for it too.

As almost 80 per cent of kidney stones are calcium stones, women taking calcium supplements should be careful about it. Certain medical studies have suggested that if these supplements are taken as a part of a meal rather than a "supplement" to food, the risk of kidney stones reduces drastically.

However, the medical community has yet to reach at a consensus on this sensitive issue. Though men, in general, are more likely to have kidney stones than women, various studies over the last few decades have suggested that women are more likely to have struvite stones than men. The most common cause of struvite stones is chronic urinary tract bacterial infection. These stones can seriously damage a patient's kidneys, due to their size.

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Anxiety Symptoms, Causes, Types, Signs and Symptoms

Anxiety disorder affects over 40 million people and is one of the most common mental disorder. Anxiety disorders is a term that has a wide range of conditions, but they all cause extreme anxiety and mood and emotional disturbances. A person who suffers from it also can have phobias such as a fear of certain things like (snakes, spiders, heights, or water,) and they can cause you to have extreme anxiety or cause a panic attack. Now the form of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a more unfocused, pervasive anxiety that causes insomnia, fatigue, and other health problems. The form of social anxiety disorder (SAD) or social phobia is an unreasonable and overwhelming far of social situations. A person who suffers from SAD will avoid people while working in a social or a work setting. There is the fear that someone might notice the condition that makes it worse.

A person who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), this disorder causes a person to have obsessive thoughts and anxiety, nagging doubt, and the need to keep things in perfect order. A person who suffers from these disorder has an obsession with keeping things clan and germ free, so they keep washing their hands. People who have this know that it is not normal but they can not stop doing it. This disorder is called "insanity with insight" or "the doubting disease" according to Bruce Hyman to the OCD Research Center of South Florida. People who have this disorder call it a living hell.

Another disorder is the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and can be caused from a rape, natural disasters, an accident, or abuse. Soldiers suffer from this when returning from a war. Some of the symptoms are insomnia, flashbacks, nightmares, and anger.

Separation anxiety is caused when young children are separated from their parents and it can affect both the children and the parents alike. When your child moves away to college it can cause separation anxiety. Your pet can suffer from separation anxiety and when you leave your pet it can become unruly and have disruptive behavior when you leave it alone or in the care of others.

There are other problems that coexist with anxiety disorder. Two-thirds of the people who suffer from GAD also suffer from depression A person who suffers from anxiety are more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs. People who suffer from one disorder are later diagnosed with additional anxiety disorders.

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You can Eliminate Phobias with the use of Systematic Desensitization

Clinicians use different psychotherapies to manage anxiety disorders. Systematic desensitization is one of those therapies which have got popularity among psychologist's community for its effectiveness in reducing anxiety disorders. Therapy is effective in reducing symptoms of panic disorder and post traumatic stress disorder. Primarily, therapy has gained popularity through its remarkable effects on reduction of different types of phobias. In phobia, a person becomes highly sensitive toward any stimuli. For example, a person is phobic of dark places, so he develops sensitivity for such places. The purpose of this therapy is to reduce that sensitivity that is, to desensitize the person for dark places. In this way, a person will not feel anxiety when he will face any dark place. The second important thing is that the clinicians induce this desensitization systematically.

There are two important things in therapy sessions. The first thing is that, a clinician accommodates relaxation techniques along with the main therapy. The second thing is that the clinician breaks the therapies in small steps (from least fear provoking situation to most fear provoking situation), and starts achieving target from the least step.

These things are not separate from each other. Relaxation techniques go side by side with systematic desensitization. It is equally important to understand that the clinicians conduct therapy in small steps. They never try to eliminate phobia in a single jerk. There are other psychotherapies that focus on eliminating the symptoms at once by sudden exposure to fear provoking stimulus. These methods are called flooding methods, but clinicians do not recommend such methods because of the potential harm to individual.

At the start of the therapy, clinician makes a list of fear provoking situation. Clinician has no authority to decide which thing is threatening for his client. He makes this list on the recommendations of the client. Client himself verbalizes which situation is most threatening and which is least threatening for him. List of client's fears during systematic desensitization may take the form of a hierarchy.

We will take the example of the person who fears dark places, his hierarchy may include the following steps.

1) Feels fear when think about dark place (this is the least fear arousing situation).
2) Feels fear when goes out of home and there is the possibility to confront any dark place.
3) Feels fear when passes by any dark place.
4) Feels fear when enters a dark place.
5) Feels fear when he has to stay in a dark place for at least five minutes (this is the most fear arousing situation).

When a clinician starts the therapy, he starts from the least fear provoking situation (Feels fear when think about dark place). Clinician asks the client to imagine the situation. When client imagine about the situation, he becomes anxious automatically. At this point, clinician introduces relaxation techniques through verbalization and deep breathing. Clinician asks the client to relax body parts one by one. He verbalizes to client "Now stretch your arms and then loosen them". In this way, clinician directs to stretch and relax different body parts. He repeats the same procedure for all the steps in hierarchy. Client has to practice these steps again and again. In this way, the client becomes habitual of relaxing himself during different fear arousing situations. Finally, clinician asks client to imagine the most fear inducing situation (stay in a dark place for at least five minutes), and when client becomes anxious, he asks him to calm down himself through relaxation techniques. In this way, systematic desensitization eliminates the phobia of the individual.

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Public Speaking - Tips for Managing Public Speaking Anxiety

Anxiety before presentations and speeches can be observed in many individuals. Dry throat, dizziness, and stuttering are the normal responses before and during public speaking. But in some cases, people can develop irrational fear of public speaking and go beyond the normal responses. Those who are suffering from fear of public speaking may experience different symptoms such as, extreme anxiety before communicating anything in front of groups, avoidance of the gatherings in which they will have to talk with groups, and physical discomfort (nausea, sweating, hot or cold flushes).

This type of fear induces speech problems. People may stutter, forget words or experience phonological problems during talk. This fear becomes worst when it leads to panic attacks. Panic attacks are an expression of anxiety. When someone loses his control in front of groups or public, he will experience a panic attack. These panic attacks are situational bound panic attacks in which a person experiences an attack when he confronts anxiety provoking stimulus. Individual may experience accelerated heartbeat, sweating, breathing difficulties, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, lack of control over himself, fear of dying, numbness and hot or cold flush during a panic attack. In this case, facing public is anxiety provoking stimulus, which induces the above mentioned symptoms.

We need to manage the fear of public speaking and resulting panic attacks. First, I will focus on managing the fear of public speaking. Usually psychologists talk about management instead of treatment. This is because, various factors contribute in development of psychological problems, and there are strong chances of relapse. There are several things that can reduce fear of public speaking. Practice before speech or presentation is essential. One should learn at least the first portion of presentation by heart. People should keep prints of speech with them to take help whenever they stuck. It is better to use multimedia during presentation, because it helps to maintain the flow of presentation. It can be helpful to deliver the speech in front of family members or friends. One should ask for feedback to enhance skills. Always keep in mind that, the audiences do not know about the area you are presenting in, they are students and you are the teacher who will introduce them on the topic. This will help in reducing the fear of audience.

Now, we will discuss on the ways that can be helpful in controlling panic attacks during public speaking. The first thing is to accept your problem as the problem. Never be ignorant and wait for miracles to prevent you from disastrous public speaking. Accepting will enable you to find solutions for your own problems. Sometimes speakers feel that their hidden anxieties are in the spotlight, and the audiences can see what they are feeling. This is the misconception of speakers. Certain anxieties go unnoticed and the audiences are not interested in embarrassing you at personal levels. Try to be positive in your approach and tell yourself that "I have the ability to accomplish my task, and overcome my weaknesses". Psychotherapy values such self-instruction to enhance self-control over acts. Once, you are able to assure yourself, you can prove your talent to the audience. Anxiety is the thing that makes your processes faster. You can use your aroused conditions positively, and make your speeches and presentations more enthusiastic. If you think that now you will experience a panic attack, you will surely have. When you are feeling aroused, tell your mind that you are prepared to face these attacks right now. In this way, you will be able to manage your fear of public speaking.

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Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms, Causes Diagnosis and Treatment

Congestive heart failure symptoms typically begin slowly and may initially be seen only during times of activity. However, over time, shortness of breath and other symptoms may be noticed even during times of rest. Congestive heart failure is a condition in which the heart becomes an inefficient or weak pump. This article shares information so you can learn to recognize the symptoms associated with this chronic condition and begin to form an online diagnosis making you better prepared for your visit to your medical doctor's office.

This heart condition is a long-term and chronic condition, which typically involves both sides of the heart.

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Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

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What are Common Causes of Diarhea?

Diarrhea, a Gl tract disease that generally lasts only a few days, is defined as increased fluidity, frequency, or amount of bowel movements compared to a person's usual pattern. Most cases of diarrhea result from infections in the intestines, with bacteria and viruses the usual offending agents.

They produce substances that cause the intestinal cells to primarily secrete fluid rather than absorb fluid. Another form of diarrhea can be caused by consumption of substances that are not readily absorbed, such as the sugar alcohol sorbitol found in sugar-less gum. When consumed in large amounts, the unabsorbed substance draws much water into the in­testines, in turn leading to diarrhea. Treatment of diarrhea generally requires drinking lots of fluid during the affected stage; reduced intake of the poorly absorbed substance also is important if that is a cause. Prompt treatment within 24 to 48 hours is especially important for infants and older people, as they are more susceptible to the effects of dehydration associated with diarrhea. Diarrhea that lasts more than 7 days in adults should be investigated by a physician as it can be a symptom of more serious intestinal disease, especially if there is also blood in the stool.

Another common cause of diarrhea is another disease called acid reflux. Acid reflux is when the acid in the stomach goes into the throat and intestines causing discomfort. If you notice you have dark stool or even diarrhea, then it may be due to acid reflux. If acid reflux is your cause, then you should talk to your doctor. Some common treatments for acid reflux is lying on your side for a short period of time, eating binding foods such as bananas, staying away from spicy food or caffeine, and simply chewing your food more carefully. If you have a bad case of acid reflux then you may have a medication suggested to you but that is only for extreme cases.

Overall, typical medical disorders of the Gl tract arise from differences in anatomical features and lifestyle habits among individuals. Because of the importance of various nutrition and lifestyle habits, such as adequate dietary fiber and fluid intake, as well as not smoking or abusing NSAID medications, nutrition and lifestyle therapy is often effective in helping treat Gl tract disorders. A common cause for diarrhea is acid reflux which is completely treatable and nothing to worry about. There is no need for you to worry about diarrhea unless it persists over a long period of time, and if that is the case, then just talk to your doctor and you will get the proper treatment.

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Rabies - Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention - All Explained

Rabies is caused by a virus that causes acute inflammation of the brain in warm-blooded creatures, including humans. This disease can be fatal if proper anti-rabies medication is not administered before the disease manifests itself.

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What is Rabies? Its Signs and Symptoms in Animal and Humans - All Explained

Any responsible pet owner is well aware of the importance of annual rabies vaccines to keep their pets safe from this highly contagious and deadly virus. Many states also require that pet owners keep their pets updated with rabies vaccines in order to protect its citizens.

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What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - How can you Develop PTSD?

Psychologists define trauma on two parameters. Firstly, this is an event that is different from daily life events and experiences. Secondly, this is the event that has the potential to induce distress in almost all people.

Traumas main include severe accidents, exposure to death and injury, wars etc. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the long term after effect of any traumatic situation. Traumas may also produce short term effects. These short-term after effects constitute a separate entity of acute traumatic stress disorder. PTSD develops from those traumatic events in which people face threats to physical security, and they are exposed to serious injury or death.

Till now, we have talked about the effects of threatening events and their resulting disorder. Now, I will explain how a person feels while he is suffering from traumatic effects. There are various symptoms that appear in an individual during the course of the disorder. When a person faces an incident with an exposure to death, the very first feeling that appears in an individual is that of helplessness. An adult or child may feel horror. This horror may express itself in the form of aggressive behavior. People may become aggressive after traumatic events when they think about their lack of control over the situation. There are some other symptoms that appear among individuals after exposure to a trauma. There are three other symptoms:

1) Re-experiencing the traumatic events. These are the symptoms in which a person re-experiences the traumatic event through recollections related to that event, distressing dreams, acting as the event is happening again and physiological arousal to reminders of the event.

2) Avoidance of trauma related stimuli. These symptoms appear when an individual tries to avoid all the things that remind him of the particular event. The person starts avoiding the thoughts and activities that remind him of the traumatic event. Moreover, an individual may become aloof, and may not take part in the activities which were pleasurable for him before the event.

3) Symptoms of increased arousal. An individual, who has experienced a traumatic event, may feel aroused that is, he feel difficulty in falling asleep, irritation and aggression, lack of concentration and hypervigilance.

Diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder will be given when an individual will experience these symptoms for more than one month, and these symptoms will create disturbances in normal functioning of the routine life. Sometimes, it happens that people do not meet the full criteria of the disorder, but still they feel distress that disturbs their daily functioning. Moreover, this disorder appears in combination with depression, generalized anxiety and stress after traumatic events. It is also important point that exposure of traumatic events through media and even listening about traumatic events can produce stressful reactions in an individuals. But in such cases, traumatic events have a lot of potential to induce distress in their listeners.

If there will be more exposure of individuals to local riots, internal armed conflicts and war, then there will be higher prevalence rates of the disorder in that country. During natural disasters, youngsters are automatically exposed to threatening conditions, but under normal circumstances, care must be taken to avoid children's exposure to news and magazines that contain dreadful pictures of the disasters. If we take care in case of children, we will be able to prevent them from post traumatic stress disorder.

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Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Do you experience jaw pain? Or do you clinch and grind your teeth? If so, then you're not alone. It's estimated that over 20% of the general population at one time or another have symptoms relating to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

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Bell's Palsy Symptoms Information and Treatment

Bell's Palsy is described as a quick onset of paralysis of one side of the face. While this can be a very scary medical condition for the person experiencing the paralysis, the situation is usually temporary and in the majority of cases a full recovery is expected. This article provided a quick overview of the symptoms and causes of Bell's Palsy as well as what you can do to aid the recovery process.

Bell's Palsy

Signs and symptoms include paralysis of one side of the face that begins suddenly, possibly overnight, or sets in over 1-2 days. The eyelid of the affected side will not close completely and the corner of the mouth will droop. The lack of control over the facial muscles can cause the person to drool and make it difficult for them to eat and drink. Pain is usually felt behind or in front of the ear on the affected side and the person may experience headaches. The severity of the paralysis will range from mild to severe.

The cause is not fully understood and there is no established link to physical trauma, but there may be a link in some cases to a herpes infection or autoimmune disorder. The paralysis results from a problem, such as swelling, of the 7th cranial nerve (a.k.a. the facial nerve), which is the nerve that controls movement of the muscles of the face.

Bell's Palsy is diagnosed by first noticing the loss of movement on one side of the face leaving it looking flat and expressionless. A physical examination, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), CT scan, electromyography (EMG), or nerve conduction test may be necessary to rule out more serious causes of facial paralysis.

As for treatment, recovery is usually spontaneous but slow, taking many weeks or months. A full recovery is expected in 60-80% of cases but permanent changes can result if the paralysis was severe. The condition is not life threatening.

Care needs to be taken to protect the eye of the affected side from irritation and dryness due to the fact that the eyelid does not close completely. Corticosteroids drugs may be used to reduce swelling of the facial nerve. Eye drops may help protect the eye during the day and an eye patch should be worn during sleep.

A warm, moist cloth may help control pain. As muscles regain strength, a person can begin exercises such as making faces in a mirror to regain control.

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Bronchiectasis Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Bronchiectasis is a lung condition in which the bronchi (airways leading to the lungs) are chronically dilated (expanded). This condition cannot be reversed but there are treatments aimed at lessening the severity of the symptoms. This article shares more about what bronchiectasis is, how it is caused, and what can be done about the symptoms of this disease.

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Lower Jaw Pain - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

If you're suffering right now from lower jaw pain or have had acute or chronic jaw pain episodes in the past, you may or may not have sought medical attention. Lower jaw pain can be caused by a few things including arthritis, fractures, dislocations, whiplash injuries and structural issues in the jaw that you were born with.

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Chronic Bronchitis Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatments

Chronic bronchitis is a serious condition affecting the airways of the lungs. The condition is an inflammation of the airways leading to the lungs that is recurrent and leads to lung degeneration or disease. It results from long-term exposure of the airways to irritants. This article will share the symptoms and treatment options for dealing with this chronic infection.

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Conjunctivitis Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment

Conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye, is an inflammation of the transparent membrane, or conjunctiva, that lines your eyelid and part of your eyeball. When small blood vessels in this transparent membrane become inflamed the whites of your eyes appear pink or red, this is the most notable symptom of conjunctivitis and is where the term "pink eye" comes from. One or both eyes may be affected. This article shares additional medical symptoms of conjunctivitis as well as what causes pink eye and how it is treated.

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Buerger's Disease Symptoms, Cause, Diagnosis and Treatment Options

Buerger's disease is also called thromboangitis obliterans and it is a rare disease that causes inflammation and blockage of the smaller blood vessels of the limbs. The legs and feet are most commonly affected but this can also be seen in the hands. The condition is most common in smokers age 20-40 and occurs more often in men. This article will provide you with a quick and concise overview of the medical symptoms and ways you can control those symptoms to diminish the discomfort.

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