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Archive for October, 2011

Topical treatments for treating

Over the past several years, wound care has changed a lot, and is constantly evolving. The day of the simple gauze dressing is pretty much over! There are many fantastic new wound treatments out there today that were unheard of just a few years ago! In this article, we’ll discuss some of the more unusual treatments that you may not have heard of.

There are several alternative, and quite old-fashioned treatments for wounds that have been slowly gaining in popularity after having fallen into disuse for many years. Wound care continues to be a challenge today, and many standard treatments are just not providing the expected results. Wounds can become infected with bacteria that are resistant to the standard prescribed antibiotics. That continues to be a challenge. MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)—sometimes called the superbug—-is an increasing threat.

Three of these old-fashioned treatments that have once again started to become fashionable are apitherapy (honey therapy), and the use of maggots and leeches. All three seem to be effective against bacteria, as well as promoting wound healing.

Honey has been used in treating wounds as far back as the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Chinese, and probably even further back in time than that. When applied directly to a wound or on a dressing, honey acts as a moisturizing sealant, and helps to keep contamination out. Its high sugar content plus the vitamins and minerals it contains are thought to provide nutrients that are necessary for wound healing and new tissue growth. In addition, honey has certain properties that draw fluid from the wound and kill bacteria. There is an enzyme in honey, which when exposed to the oxygen in air, forms its own kind of hydrogen peroxide. It is also anti-bacterial and helps to cleanse the wound. Honey can help debride, that is, remove dead or contaminated tissue—-from a wound, and help it close.

While doctors say more studies are needed, positive results have been reported at many randomized controlled trials around the world. Honey seems especially promising as a wound dressing for cancer patients who have weakened immune systems and those patients who have chronic, stubborn wounds that refuse to heal.

Manuka honey (a medicinal honey with enhanced antibacterial properties derived from flowers in Australia and New Zealand) has been used in Iraq with very good results in a clinic set up by US Armed forces for treating children with burns. It is an ideal, and affordable, first aid dressing, especially in emergency situations, such as earthquakes. It is quite suitable for burn treatment, especially in areas where water used to cool the burn is contaminated. It may even be effective against MRSA. Both the FDA and Health Canada have cleared Manuka honey as an effective agent for use with burns and wounds.

While using honey on wounds may sound somewhat soothing and possibly even appealing, what would you say about using maggots for the same purpose? Not quite so appetizing, perhaps? Despite your revulsion, maggots have been used since ancient times. Healers of a long-vanished era noticed that people whose wounds were infested with maggots actually healed better than the folks whose wounds were not! This was also duly noted by military surgeons on the battlefield in the days of Napoleon. Therapeutic maggots were applied to wounds until the dawn of antibiotics and modern surgical techniques, around the time of World War II.

Medicinal maggots are disinfected, or sterilized larvae of the green bottlefly. They do not reproduce or feed on live tissue. They are bacteria-eaters who secrete an enzyme that disinfects the wound, debrides (dissolves or removes dead tissue), and promotes healing.

So once again, (medicinal) maggots are being used to heal wounds, and seem to be effective against MRSA and other strains of resistant bacteria. Studies have shown that their use is also more cost-effective than traditional surgery.

According to Dr. Ronald Sherman, a pathologist at the University of California-Irvine, “Studies indicate that about 40% to 50% of wounds treated with maggot therapy as the last alternative before amputation were healed, and the limbs were saved.”. The practice is growing yearly, with over 50 centers now operating in North America. Now that may not sound very appealing to you at first glance, but what sounds better? A maggot on your wound, or an amputation? Yes, that’s what I thought you’d say!

AH, the lowly leech. By any definition, not a wholesome character. Believe it or not, leeches were once an integral part of standard medical practice. Indeed, it may have been the over-assiduous use of leeches for blood-letting that led to the untimely death of George Washington in 1799. Well, everything old is new again—-so it’s said—-and that includes the resurrection of the leech.

Leeches today are used quite effectively by plastic surgeons in reconstructive surgery, and reattachment surgery in particular. How does a leech do its work? First, a leech creates a puncture wound that bleeds very slowly for hours. That may sound painful, but actually is not. The leech very thoughtfully also produces an anesthetic in its saliva, which has anti-bacterial properties as well. The saliva from the leech prevents clotting and keeps the blood vessels dilated, which increases the blood flow. Keep in mind this is a small, very slight trickle, not a gushing of blood. In 1985, a plastic surgeon at Harvard used leeches to successfully reattach the ear of a small child. Ears are quite difficult to reattach, as their minute blood vessels want to clot during the procedure. This is not what the plastic surgeon wants, however. The use of medicinal leeches, and their anti-clotting properties, helped to save that child’s ear.

There are many documented cases of leeches used quite successfully to relieve venous congestion, an abnormal, excessive accumulation of blood after transplantation and reattachment surgery. If infection develops after the use of leeches, antibiotics are prescribed immediately. While the use of leeches may not be a surgeon’s or a patient’s first choice, wouldn’t you agree that it sure tops losing an ear?

Nexium is a medication that is known as a proton pump inhibitor and it is used by people that suffer from excessive acid production in the stomach. Many people suffer from this and it can lead to a range of associated health problems. Symptoms of a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as well as a condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome can be addressed through the use of this medication. It may also be used in the prevention of gastric ulcers that are caused by one of a range of factors and to help users to gain relief from persistent heartburn. For those that are directed to use Nexium it is advisable to look for the best deals and prices on this medication, as over the course of time you could save a fair amount of cash by finding the most competitive deals on this treatment. The cost of Nexium can vary depending on where you buy it as well as based on the quantities that you purchase the medication in. The delivery cost if you order online will also impact on the overall cost of the treatment.

With this in mind it can be very helpful to compare the cost of Nexium so that you can get the best price on your treatment. If you have to purchase Nexium on a regular basis it can really pay to compare prices as the difference in cost can be quite significant in some cases.

The Internet makes it very easy and quick to compare the cost of Nexium, which means that you won’t have to spend a huge amount of time trying to get prices on this medication from the variety of pharmacies. You can compare Nexium prices with ease and speed online and you will be able to see at a glance where you can find the most competitive prices on this treatment, what quantities you can buy in, what payment methods you can use, and how much you will pay for delivery of your medication.

When you compare Nexium prices online you will often find that you can save money by purchasing your tablets in larger quantities, so if you are using them regularly or there is more than one person in your household that has been directed to use Nexium it is worth considering purchasing in larger numbers. This will not only save you money on the cost of the medication itself but also means that you will not have to order your Nexium as often as you otherwise would, which means that you can also save money on the cost of postage.

Genital warts affect both men and women. In males they appear on the penis. They are sexually transmitted and are highly contagious. The warts can appear on the penis itself or on the area around it. If you have sexual intercourse with an infected person there is 66% chance of you getting infected. Penile warts can be gotten through oral, anal or virginal sex.

A simple test should show if you are infected, dab a little vinegar on you penis and if you have white patches on it on the area around it then you are infected. If you are unfortunate enough to be infected, you should not panic; there is a cure available for the warts. Penile warts can be treated surgically or by taking medicines. Once the warts have been removed the virus (the human papilloma virus) that causes them still remains in your body. There is no cure for the virus but your body will fight it off over time.

There are certain steps that you can take to avoid the infection or re-occurrence of penile warts. It is important to stick to one sexual partner. You should also have regular medical checkups together with your partner. Alcohol and cigarettes too have been linked with these kind of warts. Once infected do not buy over the counter medication meant for treatment of other warts, they will not work for you. Always eat a healthy diet this will help build your immune system and help your body fight off the human papilloma virus.

Sometimes, a lupus flare-up comes suddenly and without warning. You may see a butterfly rash over the bridge of your nose and swelling, or you may experience headaches, dizziness, a fever and pain in various locations. According to the Lupus Foundation, there are some things that you can do to prevent a flare-up.

Always take your prescribed medication, never miss a doctor’s appointment (even if you feel fine), avoid sulfonomide drugs (typically used to treat bronchitis or urinary tract infections), decrease your exposure to sunlight and use sunscreen, get lots of rest and do not smoke. The good news is that 80-90% of the people with this condition can still live a normal life span, with treatment.

There are five types of lupus: systemic lupus erythematosus, which affects the joints and organs; discoid lupus, which affects the skin; sub-acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, which is characterized by skin lesions; drug-induced lupus that develops after a drug reaction; and neonatal lupus that affects newborns. Lupus signs include: fatigue, fever, weight loss/gain, joint pain/stiffness/swelling, butterfly rashes on the cheeks, skin lesions that worsen with sunlight, mouth sores, fingers and toes that turn white or blue in the cold, shortness of breath, chest pain, dry eyes, easy bruising, anxiety, depression and/or memory loss.

The Lupus Foundation says there are no two cases of such a condition that are exactly alike. Signs may emerge gradually or come on suddenly, and can be mild or severe. Most people have “flare-ups” or episodes. To test for lupus, your doctor will ask you some questions, run a standard physical, take urine and blood samples and perform an electrocardiogram.

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) manifests itself as an inflammation, with rashes and scarring on the face, ears and scalp. The lesions may be inflamed, scaling or crusty in appearance, with the centers lighter and the rims darker. A small percentage of these patients have internal organ failure too, but usually symptoms are primarily skin-related.

Cortisone ointment or injections can be helpful in treating the flare-ups. Drugs like Plaquenil, Aralen, Imiquimod, Quinacrine, Accutane or Soriatane are sometimes prescribed but should be carefully monitored for side effects.

Dealing with this condition can be an emotional ordeal. Sometimes sufferers encounter depression, anxiety, fatigue and high levels of stress. Learn all you can about systemic lupus erythematosus to help yourself cope. Reading about new treatments and research being done can give you a sense of hope.

Be open with your family and friends about how you are feeling and let them know how they can help. Meditating, writing in a journal or simply making time for yourself through rituals or routines can make life more enjoyable as well. For sufferers of this condition, it’s empowering to connect with others who are experiencing the same life events. You can check the Lupus Foundation or Arthritis Foundation websites for the nearest chapter.

There are many men who have taken the medication Propecia, which is manufactured by the pharmaceutical giant Merck, in order to help address their hair loss and baldness. Many men find that they start to lose hair prematurely and can often end up with bald patches before they have even hit middle age. This can affect them in many ways, not just in terms of their appearance but in the way that the feel, their confidence levels, and their overall quality of life.

Propecia is a drug that is able to help men that are suffering from hair loss and baldness by helping to stop further hair loss from occurring whilst also stimulating follicles that may have stopped producing hair to start producing new hair again, which can help with hair regrowth in areas of baldness. For men, being able to tackle their hair loss and baldness problem in this way means that they can improve their physical appearance as well as boost their self esteem and self confidence levels.

The simplicity of Propecia is one of the things that many men like about this treatment, as it does not involve rubbing odd smelling ointments onto the scalp. Instead, it is just one simple, small tablet that is taken once a day, enabling men to tackle their hair loss problem conveniently and discreetly. Of course, it is important that this treatment is taken in the right way and that men who use the medication have realistic expectations with regards to the results. It is therefore worth bearing in mind some of the dos and don’ts of taking Propecia.

Do make sure that you take the treatment as directed in order to benefit from the medication. Always read the dosage instructions carefully so that you don’t end up taking more of this medication than you are supposed to

Do familiarise yourself with the possible side effects, so that you know exactly what to expect when you take Propecia and when you should seek medication advise after taking the treatment

Do consider using the Internet in order to purchase your Propecia, as this will provide you with increased ease, total convenience, and even great value for money on the cost of your medication

Do remember that there can be side effects with this medication, which can include loss of libido or erectile dysfunction disorders, although most men are able to take Propecia without any problems

Don’t take more tablets than directed, as this will not increase the effectiveness of the tablets but will more likely make you ill.

Don’t take it for granted that this medication will work for you. Propecia provides fantastic results in some men, who have seen hair regrowth as well as a stop in further hair loss. However, some men will not see any effects from taking Propecia so you need to be prepared for that.