Information on popular complementary and alternative medical topics » General health

PRIVATE SECTOR IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE: PRIVATE HOME NURSING

admin — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:26:09 +0000

The need for long-stay beds in the health sector will not go away, yet in some districts the geriatricians have been encouraged to get rid of all this type of bed because of the blossoming private sector locally. I do not see this as choice at all, both the USA and Australia have gone down this path with disastrous results. It is expensive and with few exceptions does not provide sufficient multidisciplinary care with enough expertise for the client group involved.

There will always be a role for the private sector in health and social care but not in this rapidly expanding way. If some of the money had been ploughed into the state sector, both health and social services would have come up with imaginative and bold schemes to provide choice and a spectrum of care for the frail elderly of all complexions. Geriatric medicine was born out of the neglect of the old and if we are not careful it will be rediscovered, and the wheel will be re-invented in the rest homes and nursing homes currently being filled in this country.

Private home nursing is available and there are many agencies that advertise their services. Many types of service are available, ranging from day nursing to night care, as well as skilled or semiskilled cover. It tends to be expensive and currently agencies are charging 12-14 pounds for one hour only, 6-8 pounds for more than one hour for a nurse to provide general care.

Specialist private housing for elderly people is another area that is expanding rapidly. Many firms are realizing, a little late perhaps, that there are a lot of elderly people with money to spend. For this group, many marketing skills are being used, advertising the advantages of moving to purpose built accommodation with the retired person in mind. Some schemes are simply based on architecture (no stairs, rails around baths, etc.); others are more like sheltered housing, with wardens employed and alarms fitted in the rooms. Other schemes envisage a sort of retirement village with all the amenities suited to the pensioner (similar, but much smaller to Sun City in the USA). Many financial packages are available to make purchase appear attractive. Thought should always be given, however, to a change in circumstances, especially if one’s spouse is already disabled either physically or mentally. The nearness of medical and social help as well as family and friends is vitally important.

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GONORRHEA: SYMPTOMS AND REMEDIES

admin — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:24:53 +0000

In men, gonorrhea causes pain on urination and copious quantities of a yellow penile discharge. Homosexuals experience similar pain and discharge in association with defecation. Untreated gonorrhea resolves; but it can leave scarring of the urethra and chronic infection of the prostate.

Women receive the greater burden of infection from any attack of gonorrhea. The Gonococcus takes up residence in the cervix, move up the fallopian tubes and onwards into peritoneum. Infection found there causes infertility, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and occasionally Peritonitis.

Gonorrhea is becoming increasingly resistant to many families of antibiotics. Swabs of the urethra and cervix go to the laboratory as a matter of course. Appropriate antibiotics cannot be selected in any other way. Laboratories routinely notify state health departments of any positive results.

Home Remedies

Gonorrhea is transmitted by unprotected sexual intercourse. Use condoms. Avoid unprotected intercourse with casual partners, with multiple partners or with a person who has had multiple sexual partners, sex interstate or overseas with a partner of unknown sexual history.

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COMMON INFECTIONS OF CHILDHOOD: COLDS (UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS): WHEN TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR

admin — Thu, 21 May 2009 07:09:42 +0000

Virtually all upper respiratory tract infections get better without any specific treatment. The best you can do is use the methods described above to ease symptoms. The child should see the doctor if he refuses to drink fluids, vomits frequently, complains of intense headache or is pale and sleepy, has difficulty breathing, or has a high fever that does not respond to paracetamol. You should also see your doctor if the child does not show some improvement in 48 hours, or if you are worried.

Prevention

It is virtually impossible to prevent a child from getting upper respiratory tract infections. There is no value in giving him vitamins in the mistaken belief that this or children. They are given only to those who have a serious chest condition, such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma requiring steroids, those children who have a depressed immune system, or those who have a chronic medical condition.

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GENETIC DISORDERS AND GENETIC COUNSELLING: GENETIC DISORDERS

admin — Tue, 19 May 2009 06:26:47 +0000

Genetic disorders are defects caused by faulty genes or chromosomes, many of which are hereditary, that is, passed on to the baby via the parents. Approximately 1% of children are born with a significant congenital abnormality. There are certain well recognised conditions in which abnormalities in chromosomes are known to cause specific syndromes or diseases — an example of this is Down syndrome. Inherited disorders are caused by abnormal genes or chromosomes, and are passed on to the child by one or both parents, depending on whether the specific disorder is caused by a dominant or recessive gene. Abnormal genes can also be carried on the sex chromosomes. This is why some conditions only occur in, or are passed on by, one sex. Over 1500 rare diseases are caused by the expression of one faulty dominant gene. For a recessive gene to receive expression it has to be present in both parents.

Environmental factors also play a part in causing changes or mutations to the genetic make-up of a foetus. Many drugs taken during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy can cause congenital abnormalities, as can irradiation. Certain illnesses in the mother at the time of pregnancy, such as diabetes, if not well controlled, are associated with a higher rate of certain genetic defects in the baby.

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YOUR MARITAL HEALTH/THE MOST OFTEN ASKED QUESTION: WHY AM I ALWAYS THE ONE TO START SEX?

admin — Mon, 18 May 2009 12:56:44 +0000

”Why am I always the one to start sex, to make the gesture or

the first step? I always do it. He responds most times, but I seem

to be the one who really wants it most. Why can’t he start it

sometimes? Why doesn’t he want me like I want him? Why is

his sex drive so much lower than mine?”

ANSWER: It’s not, because the issue is not sex drive at all. We have to refine this question before I can answer it. We have to find out what “always” means, we have to find out how you both feel beyond the actual sexual gestures, and we have to get more information on the differences between wanting, needing, interest, arousal, excitement, and other aspects of sexuality. Once we get all of that information, you may find that it doesn’t matter who starts it just as long as both of you enjoy it. You also will probably find that the entire sexual-response system changes over time, and your roles will change along with it. Overinterpreting what is happening now neglects the years of changes in sexual interaction that take place in marriage. That’s one of the advantages of marriage over other short-term sexual relationships. There is always time for change. Interpreting sexual motives and feelings is always dangerous. Remember the super sex rule that you will feel as you behave, so patterns of behavior can dictate feelings, and feelings can be changed by behavioral pattern change. Finally, remember that you are starting fresh, are going to be reintroduced to one another sensuously, so who knows what new patterns of invitation and recep-tiveness might develop. There is nothing wrong with either of you, but your system of interacting sexually can change in directions that both of you prefer. Look first at what is happening between you, not what might be going on within each of you. That’s where you can make the real progress that can actually change how you feel.

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HYPERTENSION – TREATMENT

admin — Fri, 15 May 2009 09:25:19 +0000

The principal reason for treating high blood pressure is to reduce the frequency with which these complications occur.

Neither the doctor nor the patient would argue about the need to reduce blood pressure once the person has suffered some complication, but the need for treatment in patients who have no symptoms is still a matter for debate.

Most doctors now agree that high levels of pressure (those with a diastolic above 110 mm of Hg) should be treated. Those with a diastolic pressure under 90 or 95 do not require treatment, even if the systolic pressure is raised. The big debate is about those with diastolic pressures between 95 and 110 mm of Hg.

Once we decide to treat blood pressure, we have embarked on a life-time process. The pressure should fall with treatment but always rises again once it is stopped.

Unfortunately, most drugs used in treating this condition have side-effects. These may be merely annoying or of considerable importance, particularly those which interfere with male sexual function, to a young man contemplating 30 or 40 years of treatment.

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ALLERGIES TO FOOD – STRONG FAMILY HISTORY OF ALLERGIC DISORDERS

admin — Fri, 15 May 2009 07:35:16 +0000

Parents with a strong family history of allergic disorders or whose older children have suffered from eczema or asthma due to milk, should seek expert advice if the new infant is to be artifically fed.

It is worth remembering that allergies do not develop from breast milk and this is one of the reasons why breast-feeding is to be encouraged.

Allergens tend to cause the production of a particular type of immunoglobulin in the blood. This is usually termed lg Á.

A new type of blood test called the RAST checks these immunoglobulins and determines to what substances the person is allergic. Unfortunately, the tests are not yet as accurate as we would wish and false results are still too common.

Skin sensitivity tests are widely used to determine allergies to pollens and dust and are accurate. However, it is not altogether a good means of testing for food allergies.

Many other tests are being tried but have not yet become acceptable.

For these reasons, the doctor will need to rely on the history of allergy to certain foods that can be supplied by the patient.

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VAGINISMUS

admin — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 10:01:56 +0000

Vaginismus is a sexual problem in which the lower muscles of the vagina tighten or spasm involuntarily so as to make penetration difficult or impossible. At the same time other involuntary muscular reactions sometimes occur: the adductor muscles of the legs draw the thighs together, the back arches and the hands come down in a protective manner to shield the vagina.

The causes of vaginismus may be physical but it is most often a psychosomatic problem, induced by a fear of penetration, despite the fact that in many cases the woman desires to have sexual intercourse. Poor sex education, adherence to religious beliefs which frown on sexual freedom, traumatic experiences such as incest or rape, painful gynaecological examinations, can all be factors. Years of unsatisfying sex may cause a woman to eventually lose all interest and vaginismus may result.

Dryness, ulceration or inflammation of the vagina resulting in pain may also cause an avoidance response to penetration. If vaginismus persists after the physical problem clears up, it may be that an association has developed between intercourse and pain.

Sexual counselling or therapy is often successful in overcoming this problem. Learning relaxation techniques or using natural therapies such as Bach Flower Remedies may be of assistance.

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FAILURE OF ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:26:57 +0000

Women who use “the Pill” should be aware that other medicines can counteract the effect of oral contraceptives. Certain anti-arthritis drugs and pain relievers, sedatives, anticonvulsants, and sleeping pills commonly do this.

Anti-infectives (sulfa drugs and antibiotics) are the most widely used medications to have this effect, Modern Medicine (55#5:189) reports. Women who take Bactrim or Septra for bladder or kidney infections, for example, are more likely to become pregnant while on such medication and should employ an additional contraceptive method (such as abstinence or a diaphragm) for so long as they continue to take the anti-infective drug. Medications reduce an oral contraceptive’s efficiency either by interfering with its absorption or by increasing its rate of destruction by the liver.

Accordingly, if one is taking “the Pill,” and the doctor orders additional medication, ask him about this possible interaction.

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CHILDREN’S HEALTH: GYNECOMASTIA

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:32:55 +0000

Symptom:

Development of breasts in a boy

Home care:

Reassure the child that the condition will disappear.

Try to spare the child embarrassing situations, such as undressing or showering in front of other children.

Be sure that the child is not subjected to teasing or taunting by other children.

Precautions

- Normal adolescent boys commonly develop small breasts that may persist for up to two years. It’s only necessary to consult a doctor if the condition persists for an unusually long time.

- Parents should be aware of, and sympathetic towards, the embarrassment gynaecomastia can cause a boy.

- Overweight boys may develop accumulations of fat that resemble breasts but contain no true breast tissue.

- If the boy tries to conceal breast development because he’s embarrassed, parents may not be aware of the condition.

Gynaecomastia is the name given to development of breasts in a boy. Normal males have undeveloped breast tissue that can become enlarged by oestrogens (female hormones) and, rarely, by androgens (male hormones). A boy with tumours of the testes or adrenal glands may develop breasts. Rarely, the breasts develop from mistakenly taking a medication that contains sex hormones or from eating poultry fattened by hormones.

Normal adolescent boys commonly develop small breasts on one or both side’s. These persist for two to 24 months. They may be tender and are often an embarrassment. The breasts may become quite pronounced and remain so for years, but this is very rare. Overweight boys may develop large accumulations of fat that resemble breasts but contain no true breast tissue. This condition is known as pseudogynaecomastia.

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