Migraines are the most common type of vascular headaches that result in severe pain on one or both sides of the head, mostly around the temples or behind one eye or ear. People often also experience nausea, vomiting and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. In some cases a sensory warning sign (aura), such as flashes of light, blind spots or tingling in one arm or leg, accompany the onset of a migraine. Migraines can occur at anytime, but they typically start in the morning and can last anywhere from several hours to several days.
Migraines can range from dull to severe, but a typical migraine attack results in some or all of the following symptoms:
• Moderate to severe pain on one or both sides of the head
• Throbbing, pounding or pulsating head pain
• Fatigue
• Extreme sensitivity to light and sound
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Pain that worsens with physical activity
Various medications can be used to help control migraine pain. They can either be taken every day to reduce the severity and frequency of possible attacks or once the headache begins. Lifestyle changes can also be used to help prevent migraine headaches, especially avoiding any trigger that may cause an attack. Listed below are some common triggers:
• Allergic reactions
• Bright lights, loud noises and certain odors or perfumes
• Physical or emotional stress
• Skipping meals
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Smoking or exposure to smoke
• Alcohol
• Menstrual cycle fluctuations and birth control pills
• Tension headaches
• Foods containing tyramine (red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs and some beans), monosodium glutamate (MSG) or nitrates (like bacon, hot dogs and salami)
• Other foods such as chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, avocado, banana, citrus, onions, dairy products and fermented or pickled foods

Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection that is caused by strep or staph bacteria. The infection often begins when bacteria that normally can be present on the skin, enter a small cut or scratch. It causes red sores or blisters that break open and ooze fluid. This ooze turns into a yellow-brown crust.
Although these sores can break out anywhere, they are usually found around the mouth or nose where constant rubbing and wiping occur. Most times the blisters will occur after a cold.

    

With any skin rashes or blisters, there is always a risk of spreading it to other areas of the body.
Common ways of easily spreading this would be from dirty fingernail, un cleaned towels, utensils, clothing and the obvious, scratching it directly. It can also be spread to other people who have direct contact with the infected persons though kissing, wrestling or any other contact sport.

Even though impetigo can spread fast, it also can last several weeks. If it is not treated, it can lead to internal infections which will cause fever, fatigue, swollen lymph glands as well as kidney infections.

Impetigo is more common in children than adults. You can treat impetigo can be done with antibiotics. There is also a method where you remove the crust and by cleaning the infected area for about four times daily with a good antibacterial soap like Dial or Safeguard. For that stubborn sticky crust, you should apply a warm water compress to lift them off easily.
Rubbing bactroban or polyporin will help in healing. Do not use any ointments with neomycin in them (ex: neosporin). Also do no cover the area with any kind of gauze or bandages. Exposure to the air will help kill many types of germs as well as aid in healing. Continue a week after the crust is gone.

To help stop the spread of impetigo, you should stay away from people while in the crusty stage. Keep washing hands, clothes and change towels daily. Also it is best not to touch the infected area for it spreads easily. Keep fingernails trimmed and clean at all times.
If symptoms get worse it’s always wise to see professional help.

   Stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked or it bursts. When there is no blood enriched with oxygen flowing to the brain, part of the brain starts to die. Which ever part of the body controlled by the damaged area of brain, will not work properly.
The brain can begin to damage within minutes of no blood enriched with oxygen. That is why it is important to seek immediate medical attention. Quick treatment can help limit damage to the brain and increase the chance of full recovery.

Symptoms:
• Numbness, paralysis of the face, arm or leg just on one side of the body.
• Vision is blurred in one or both eyes. Double vision and even things may look dim or blurry.
• Confusion or trouble understanding.
• Slurred or garbled speech
• Trouble walking
• Dizziness or clumsy
• Severe headache

Although these symptoms can happen quickly as well as go away quickly, you still should seek medical attention.

If you’re not sure if someone has had a stroke, a doctor can order a CT scan of the brain. There are also some quick signs that will help you out.

1. Ask the person to smile. Often times stroke can cause paralysis in the face
2. Ask the person to speak for you. Check and make sure their speech is not slurred or garbled
3. Ask the person to raise both hands. Numbness or paralysis will happen on one side of the body.
4. Ask the person to stick there tongue out. If the tongue goes to one side or the other as well as crooked, it can be an indication of a stroke.

Bronchitis is when the tube that carrys air to the lungs are inflamed and irritated. When this happens, the tubes swell and produce mucus. This will make you cough.

Bronchitis is usually caused by a virus. Often a person gets acute bronchitis after having an upper respiratory tract infection such as a cold or the flu. Bronchitis also can be caused by breathing in things that irritate the bronchial tubes, such as smoke. It also can happen if a person inhales food or vomit into the lungs.

There are two kinds of bronchitis: Acute and Chronic.

• Acute bronchitis usually comes on quickly and gets better after 2 to 3 weeks. Most healthy people who get acute bronchitis get better without any problems.
• Chronic bronchitis keeps coming back and can last a long time, especially with people who smoke. Chronic bronchitis means you have cough with mucus most days of the month for 3 months of the year for at least 2 years in a row.

The most common symptom of acute bronchitis is a cough that is dry and hacking at first. After a few days, the cough may bring up mucus. You may have a low fever and feel tired.

Acute bronchitis symptoms usually start 3 or 4 days after an upper respiratory tract infection. Most people get better in 2 to 3 weeks. But some people continue to have a cough for more than 4 weeks.

The best way to rid bronchitis is to keep coughing. Try to cough up all that mucus that is stuck to the walls of the lungs. You want to avoid the mucus from settling in there causing it to turn into pneumonia. 

Try drinking hot liquids like chicken soup rather than orange juice. Drinking plenty of hot liquids will help thin out the secretions and bring up the phlegm.

If things get really out of controll, using a albuterol inhaler will help alleviate some of the uneasiness of breathing.

What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a non-life-threatening, chronic disorder of the muscles and related soft tissue, including ligaments and tendons. Its main symptoms are muscle pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tender points at certain parts of the body. Many people describe fibromyalgia as feeling like a persistent flu.

Some healthcare providers may use these terms to refer to fibromyalgia: fibromyositis, fibrositis, periarticular fibrositis, muscular rheumatism, chronic muscle pain syndrome, musculoskeletal pain syndrome, or tension myalgia. However, “fibromyalgia,” which means “pain of the muscles and other fibrous tissue,” is the accepted term and has replaced some of the others. Terms ending in “-itis,” which means “inflammation,” are now considered incorrect because inflammation does not play a significant role in fibromyalgia.

Key Characteristics
Muscle pain, either throughout the body or only at certain points, is the primary symptom. It may range from mild discomfort to pain severe enough to limit work, social activities, and everyday tasks. Pain commonly occurs in the neck, shoulders, chest, rib cage, lower back and thighs and may feel like a burning, gnawing, throbbing, stabbing, or aching sensation and may develop gradually. It usually seems worse when a person is trying to relax and is less noticeable during activity.                    

A related, key aspect of fibromyalgia is the presence of “tender points,” muscles and tendons that are tender when pressed. Typically, tender points are located in the neck, back, knee, shoulder, elbow, and hip.

People with fibromyalgia also feel moderately to severely fatigued and have sleep problems, including insomnia. This may result from restless legs and arms, which may disrupt their sleep, or they may suffer from sleep apnea or grind their teeth while they sleep.

Tender Points
According to the American Academy of Rheumatology, for a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, you must have unusual tenderness at a minimum of 11 of the 18 “tender points” associated with the condition. Some healthcare providers diagnose fibromyalgia in patients who have fewer tender points but who otherwise have severe, widespread (meaning upper and lower body occurring on both right and left sides) pain symptoms that are present for at least 3 months.

The standard tender points are located in the muscle or other soft tissue on both sides and the front and back of the body. Those who have fibromyalgia may have unusual tenderness at any of several other points on the body as well.

Who Is Affected
Experts estimate that 3 million to 6 million Americans have fibromyalgia. Of these, 80% are women. One of the main risk factors is being a woman between the age of 20 and 50. Another risk factor is having a rheumatic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or Sjogren’s syndrome. Fibromyalgia also seems to run in families, so a gene may be at least partly responsible for the condition. Most people with fibromyalgia begin to notice symptoms between the ages of 20 and 40, but children and older adults may also develop the condition. Women with fibromyalgia typically feel pain throughout their body, while men are more likely to have facial pain or pain and stiffness in a certain part of the body as a result of a work- or recreation-related muscle strain.

What Causes It?
Experts do not know what causes fibromyalgia. There are several theories about possible causes or triggers. Inadequate sleep is a possible trigger. Another is suffering an injury or physical or emotional trauma that affects the brain, spine, and nerves. Some experts believe that a viral or bacterial infection plays a part.

Abnormal production of pain-related chemicals in the nervous system also contributes to the symptoms of fibromyalgia.  It’s thought that any one of these factors may bring on the symptoms of fibromyalgia in someone who is already genetically predisposed to the condition.

Medications

Categories of drugs used in the treatment of fibromyalgia can include:
1. Analgesics
2. Anti-inflammatory medicines
3. Antidepressant medicines
4. Muscle relaxants
5. Sleep modifiers
6. Anti-anxiety medicines
7. Other medicines used to treat chronic pain.

Analgesics are pain killers and can include over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin and acetaminophen, or prescription-strength pain pills like narcotics (opioids) - ie codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine and fentanyl. Tramadol (UltramTM) is a pain reliever that differs from narcotics in its action on the central nervous system.

Anti-inflammatory medicines include aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxyn, etodolac, nabumatone, and the Cox-II inhibitors (i.e., CelebrexTM), and corticosteroids such as prednisone or dexamethasone. These medications are both anti-inflammatory and analgesic.

The antidepressant medicines include tricyclics (for example, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, doxepin, and trazodone), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (ProzacTM, ZoloftTM, PaxilTM, EffexorTM, and CelexaTM), and the selective serotonin and norepinephrine dual reuptake inhibitor (CymbaltaTM). These medicines can treat pain and improve sleep and mood disturbances seen in fibromyalgia. The tricyclic medicines can be effective, but frequent side effects include dry mouth and drowsiness. Using lower doses may decrease side effects.

Muscle relaxants can decrease pain in people with fibromyalgia. Medicines in this family include FlexerilTM, SomaTM, SkelaxinTM, and RobaxinTM. The most common side effect is drowsiness, although Soma and Skelaxin cause less of it.

Various medicines can treat insomnia. Medicines already mentioned above can help improve sleep even though they are not classic “sleeping medicines.” Analgesics can help sleep by decreasing the pain that interferes with sleep. Some antidepressants and muscle relaxants can help sleep by causing drowsiness and deeper sleep. Anti-anxiety medicines such as AtivanTM or KlonopinTM can relax the mind and allow better sleep.

Anxiety is a common problem in fibromyalgia and contributes to pain, muscle tension, and irritability. It can make depression and insomnia worse. Various medicines including antidepressants and muscle relaxants treat anxiety. Benzodiazepines such as Klonopin, Ativan, and XanaxTM, are commonly used medicines. These medicines also cause sedation and thus can improve sleep. Possible side effects include depression and decreased memory. Sometimes it is hard to determine whether symptoms are due to fibromyalgia or are side effects of medication.

This class of medicine includes NeurontinTM (gabapentin) and LyricaTM (pregabalin). Neurontin is an example of a medicine originally used to treat seizure disorders (an anticonvulsant or antiseizure medicine). It was later found to be helpful in treating pain, particularly neuropathic pain. Many people with fibromyalgia who have a lot of burning or electric shock feelings in their hands and feet have improved with a trial of Neurontin.

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection that causes fingernails or toenails to thicken, discolor, disfigure, and split.

When you have a fungal nail infection, it can be uncomfortable or even painful to wear shoes, walk, or stand for a long time. The fungus could also spread to other nails or your skin. Over time, the infection can cause permanent damage to your nail or nail bed.

Fungi grow best in warm, moist places, and they can spread from person to person. You can get a fungal nail infection from walking barefoot in public showers or pools or by sharing personal items, such as towels and nail clippers. If you have athlete’s foot, the fungus can spread from your skin to your nails.

If not treated, this nail fungus will not go away. Using Lamisil works best.  When going to a podiatrist, they will give you this medication.

Lamisil is really the best method for this case. It works by treating the new nail that is growing out. So as your nails grow, you will be cutting off the fungal nail. By taking the medication, 1 tablet daily, you have a greater chance of eliminating the fungus reproducing in your body.

Vaginal yeast infection means that too many yeast cells are growing in the vagina.

A yeast infection can cause itching or soreness in the vagina and sometimes causes pain or burning when you urinate or have sex. Some women also have a white discharge that looks a little like cottage cheese and has no odor.  Some women will even notice the yeast infection from the odor. These symptoms are more likely to occur during the week before your menstrual period.

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Nausea is not a sickness, but rather a symptom of several conditions, many of which are not related to the stomach. Nausea is often indicative of an underlying condition elsewhere in the body. Travel sickness, which is due to confusion between perceived movement and actual movement, is an example. The sense of equilibrium lies in the ear and works together with eyesight. When these two don’t “agree” to what extent the body is actually moving the symptom is presented as nausea even though the stomach itself has nothing to do with the situation. Nausea is also an adverse effect of many drugs. Nausea may also be an effect of a large intake of sugary foods.

In medicine, nausea can be a problem during some chemotherapy regimens and following general anaesthesia. Nausea is also a common symptom of pregnancy. Mild nausea experienced during pregnancy can be normal, and should not be considered an immediate cause for alarm.

While short-term nausea and vomiting are generally harmless, they may sometimes indicate a more serious condition. When associated with prolonged vomiting, it may lead to dehydration and/or dangerous electrolyte imbalances.

Symptomatic treatment for nausea and vomiting may include short-term avoidance of solid food. This is usually easy as nausea is nearly always associated with loss of appetite. Dehydration may require rehydration with oral or intravenous electrolyte solutions. If the cause is by motion sickness, sitting down in a still environment may also help.

There are several types of medications you can take for nausea as well. Compazine and Zofran seems to be a more popular solution.

While back pain can be from a variety of things, such as being over weight, foot problems and or injuries. You still need to have something on hand to relieve the pain. Taking naproxen or ibuprofen and staying active is helpful.

If you know that you have injured yourself in any of these spots, always use ice then heat followed by some ibuprofen.

Herpe Zoster is most often a painful viral infection that can affect anyone who has been previously infected with the varicella-zoster (chicken pox).

As the population ages, you can expect to see more cases of zosters.  The zoster gives off a unilateral painful blistering rash. People have described the postherpetic neuralgia as burning, throbbing, stabbing, shooting or sharp pain.

Postherpetic neuralgia can persist for months or even years . Chronic neuropathic pain will develop despite appropriate antiviral treatment.

While medications such as Valtrex (valacyclovir) can be used to calm the outbreak, you still may need to take Naprosyn or motrin for the pain.

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