Adults Can Get Fifth Disease, Too

Did you know that while most adults have been exposed to the paravirus that causes Fifth Disease (also called Fifths Disease), not all are immune. In fact, adults can get Fifth Disease, and the symptoms can be different and more severe than those that appear in children. Furthermore, Fifth Disease is often hard to diagnose in adults, not only because there are different symptoms, but also because most physicians won’t be likely to test for it. I found this out first hand, after a pretty scary couple of weeks. On the first day that I really noticed anything, I woke … Continue reading →

Athlete’s Foot… or Not?

Athlete’s foot is caused by a fungus that likes warm, moist territory — like the conditions found in a lot of shoes. But not all itchy, red, rashy feet are suffering from athlete’s foot. There are other conditions that may look or feel like the real thing… but aren’t. Eczema can cause an identical rash on both feet. If your case of athlete’s foot looks exactly the same on your left and right feet, it may be eczema instead. Allergies can also cause an identical rash on both feet. You may be allergic to something in your shoes or socks! … Continue reading →

What is Salmonellosis?

Salmonellosis is a type of food poisoning caused by a bacteria called salmonella. The current salmonellosis outbreak (related to raw tomatoes) is caused by a variant of the bacteria called salmonella saintpaul. There are approximately forty thousand cases of salmonellosis reported in the United States each year. Problems are more common in summer than in winter, but can happen at any time of year. Causes of salmonellosis can include: Food contaminated during processing or handling — always prepare food on a clean surface. Food contaminated by unwashed hands — always wash your hands when touching food! The bacteria can be … Continue reading →

Where Coughing Comes From

Coughing is a common ailment that sends plenty of people running to the doctor’s office. Occasional coughing can be good for you — it can clear out particles in the lungs that can lead to infection. Persistent coughing isn’t quite so helpful. Most of the time, a cough is a symptom of something else. Maybe you’ve got allergies or post-nasal drip. Maybe a medication (like a nasal spray) is making your throat irritated. Maybe something more serious — like a heart condition, serious sinus infection, the flu, or gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD) — is hiding behind that cough. Your doc will … Continue reading →

Treating Alcoholism

Let me say this up front: success in treating alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence is strongly linked to admitting that there is a problem and wanting to stop drinking. If you don’t want to stop drinking, all the treatments in the world aren’t going to do much good. Most alcoholics need to stop drinking completely. Initially, treatment will focus on stopping drinking and relieving symptoms of withdrawal. Some people can stop drinking on their own. Some can’t. Talk to your doctor — you may need anti-anxiety and/or anti-seizure medications to help you get through the withdrawal. Severe withdrawal symptoms like … Continue reading →

More Natural Remedies for a Sinus Infection

You may have noticed my ongoing fight against sinus infections. Whenever I get one, I start up my “sinus experiment”. The key component in my big plan is shooting salt water up my nose with a sinus rinse kit. It’s gross, but it really does work! I definitely wouldn’t have started doing it if an ear/nose/throat specialist hadn’t said it was that or another sinus surgery — the right motivation is everything. Now that I’ve seen it successfully fight off multiple sinus infections, I’ve been trying to get other people onto the sinus rinse bandwagon. If you can’t stomach the … Continue reading →

A Look at Tonsil and Adenoid Problems

There are many different things that can affect the tonsils and adenoids. The following are a few of the more common issues. Difficulty breathing due to enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids — these obstructions can cause snoring and disturbed sleep. Some orthodontists believe that mouth breathing (thanks to large tonsils and adenoids) can cause malformations of the face and poor teeth alignment. Symptoms include breathing through the mouth instead of the nose, noisy breathing, recurring ear infections, snoring, and sleep apnea. Chronic infection that affects the ear — infection can enter the Eustachian tube (the passage between the back of the … Continue reading →

Tonsils and Adenoids

Between my allergy problems and my sinus issues, I had more than my fair share of upper respiratory infections when I was little. There was a period of time when I had one case of tonsillitis after another, and there was talk of taking my tonsils out. (In case you’re wondering how it all ended up — I still have them.) Tonsils and adenoids are masses of tissue similar to the glands in your neck, groin, and armpits — your lymph nodes. Tonsils are two masses of tissue on the back of the throat. Adenoids are higher in the throat … Continue reading →

Appendicitis: Symptoms and Treatment

Appendicitis — whether you have an abscessed appendix or a burst appendix — is a serious health emergency that requires surgery. There are several “classic” symptoms of appendicitis that appear in most people: A dull pain near the belly button or in the upper abdomen. The pain becomes sharper as it moves towards the lower right side of the abdomen. This is often the first sign of a problem. Loss of appetite. Nausea and/or vomiting that begins shortly after the abdominal pain appears. Abdominal swelling. A fever between 99 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit. An inability to pass gas. In addition … Continue reading →

Appendicitis: Overview

Do you know what your appendix does? I don’t. Most experts aren’t absolutely certain about what this tiny tube of tissue does. What is it? The appendix is a three and a half inch long tube of tissue that extends from the large intestine. An inflammation of the appendix — also known as appendicitis — is a serious medical emergency! Left untreated, an inflamed appendix will eventually burst. The perforation of the tissue allows infectious materials to enter the abdominal cavity, causing peritonitis, an inflammation of the abdominal cavity lining that can be fatal. An abscessed appendix is a serious … Continue reading →