Multiple Sclerosis

Before we get into the disease I will explain what a neuron is, where it is located and where is the problem with multiple sclerosis.A neuron is the brain type of cell. It is unique in the sense that they do not replicate for most of our lives. Neurons are electrically excitable and are able to produce an electrical signal. Through this signals we are able to feel things ( vision, taste, smell, etc ) and move around.This electrical signal is of paramount importance. If the electrical signal is delayed, sensation might be lost. The speed through which the signal is transmitted depends considerably on a sheath of fat that the neuron has, which...

Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ?Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), also known as chronic obstructive airway diseases (COAD), is a group of diseases characterized by the pathological limitation of airflow in the airway that is not fully reversible. It refers to an obstruction of airflow, which results in air becoming trapped in the lungs. COPD is the term that groups chronic bronchitis, emphysema and a range of other lung disorders and is most often a consequence of long term tobacco smoking.Is it important?Here is some data from http://www.copd-international.com/library/statistics.htm:1. The World Health Organization...

Asthma - When you can't breathe

What is asthma?Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs, involving the respiratory system in which the airway constricts, becomes inflamed, and is lined with excessive amounts of mucus, often in response to one or more triggers. These episodes may be triggered by such things as exposure to an stimulus from the environment (or allergen) such as cold air, warm air, perfume, moist air, exercise , or emotional stress. In children, the most common triggers are viral illnesses such as those that cause the common cold.This airway narrowing causes wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The airway constriction responds to medications...

Constipation - Having regular bowel movements

Constipation is when you have trouble having bowel movements or they seldomly occur. Normal bowel movements are in number of 1 every day or every other day. For some people, bowel movements several times a day are normal and when they happen more spaced, they can consider to have constipation. Your stools may be very hard, making them so difficult to pass that you have to strain. Or you may feel like you still need to have a bowel movement even after you've had one.Tips on preventing constipationDon't resist the urge to have a bowel movement. Modern life has made us postpone the need to have bowel movements for our "rest" periods. Go and have...

Menstrual Cramps - Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea is characterized by severe uterine pain during menstruation. While many females experience minor pain during menstruation ( which is normal ), dysmenorrhea is diagnosed when the pain is so severe as to limit normal activities, or require medication.Secondary dysmenorrhea is diagnosed when symptoms are attributable to an underlying disease, disorder, or structural abnormality ( such as fibroids, endometriosis, infection, ovarian cysts, etc ). Primary dysmenorrhea is diagnosed when none of these are detected.Signs and SymptomsThe main symptom of dysmenorrhea is pain centering in the lower abdomen, which may radiate to the thighs and...

Adrenal Fatigue

This s a very controversial subject and is poorly understood by patients and physicians. Fatigue and lethargy are a very common complaint of adults, specially in the cities and on industrialized nations. Usually when patients have these problems they seek help and increase their intake of coffee, take energy boosting drinks ( full of caffeine, guarana, etc ). If they seek help, most doctors will check blood and thyroid levels as well as some other values that usually turn up to be normal ( and the doctor might tell you you just need to relax or take it easy ).Since the 1800, the following unrelated symptoms: tiredness, fearfulness, allegies,...

Osteoporosis

What is it?In osteoporosis because of a loss of calcium, the inside part of the bones becomes porous . This is called losing bone mass. Over time, the bones become weak and brittle and likely to break.Osteoporosis is much more common in women than in men. This is because women over their life accumulate less bone mass than men and tend to live longer. In females, Estrogen plays an important role in calcium regulation. If men live long enough, they are also at risk of getting osteoporosis later in life.After age 35, when total bone mass has peaked, all adults start to lose it. In women, the rate of bone loss speeds up after menopause for about...

Alzheimer's Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder named for German physician Alois Alzheimer, who first described it in 1906. Today we know that Alzheimer’s: Is a progressive and fatal brain disease. As many as 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer's destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory, thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life. Alzheimer’s gets worse over time, and it is fatal. Today it is the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States. Is the most common form of dementia, a general term for the loss of memory and other intellectual abilities serious enough...

ADHD

Today we will takle the ADHD "epidemic"What is ADHD?Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the name of a group of behaviors found in many children . People who have ADHD have trouble paying attention in school, at home or at work. They may be much more active and/or impulsive than what is usual for their age. These behaviors contribute to significant problems in relationships, learning and behavior. For this reason, children who have ADHD are sometimes seen as being "difficult" or as having behavior problems.ADHD is common, affecting 4% to 12% of school-age children. It's more common in boys than in girls.What are the symptoms of...