Health Care

By Anna Moustafellou

At a glance

Carpal tunnel syndrome results when one of the two nerves that are responsible for sensation and movement of the hand (called the median nerve) is being "squeezed" inside the carpal tunnel, on its way from the forearm to the wrist and palm.The carpal tunnel is a small tube-like structure running from the bottom of the wrist to the lower palm and makes a path through which the median nerve and many tendons of the muscles that bend the fingers pass. It is made of bones and connective tissue, the latter forming a structure called the transverse ligament, which seals the tunnel on the inner side of the wrist.

When the space inside the tunnel becomes narrower (like when there is swelling of the area), the median nerve is compressed and is made dysfunctional, due to the increased interstitial pressure.

What are the causes of CTS?

Anything that can cause chronic swelling inside the carpal tunnel is a potential cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. The most common reason for this is inflammation of the tendons of the muscles that bend the wrist and fingers (tendonitis), as a result of overwork. Repetitive small movements of the wrist (mostly bending) are especially guilty of causing overwork, so professionals who have to constantly use their hands (such as hairdressers, programmers and athletes) are in highest risk.

The increased incidence of CTS among teenagers lately indicates that the use of computers and video game consoles may also be responsible.

Other causes of CTS include inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system (such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis) and old fractures of the wrist. Moreover, hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause CTS, probably because of water retention. When CTS is caused by pregnancy, it often goes away on its own after delivery. In addition, diabetes can be a cause of carpal tunnel syndrome, as peripheral neuropathy is a frequent complication of this disease. Finally, hypothyroidism is another endocrine disorder associated with CTS.

Generally, the syndrome affects most frequently women between 40-60 years of age, as the carpal tunnel is narrower in females, although it could also be that women overwork their hands being responsible for housekeeping.

What are the symptoms of CTS?

The median nerve does not spread throughout the whole hand but is only responsible for sensation and movement of the thumb, the index and middle fingers, the tip of the ring finger and only half of the palm (the side next to the thumb). Therefore problems appear mostly in these areas. You should keep that in mind as in the case where your symptoms are first experienced in your pinky finger, it most probably isn't carpal tunnel syndrome (e.g. median nerve compression). Rather, the second nerve we mentioned earlier is the root of the problem (which is called the ulnar nerve).

The basic symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are:

* pain
* "pins and needles"
* tingling
* numbness (the patient often feels as if his hand "falls asleep" or describes it as "going dead") and
* reduction of hand strength and mobility

Moreover, there can be dryness and change of the color of the skin, swelling (edema) of the hand and decreased muscle mass below the thumb (muscle atrophy).

It is important to understand that the severity of the symptoms varies greatly among patients. That being said, symptoms can be limited to just numbness and tingling now and then, but can also include pain that awakens the patient at night or that radiates through the forearm and arm all the way up to the shoulder. Generally, carpal tunnel syndrome is thought to be a progressively worsening condition, its symptoms getting more and more frequent and severe, although this has not been scientifically proved. Rarely, if left untreated, CTS can result in permanent decrease in the mobility of the wrist and fingers.

How is CTS treated once it's diagnosed?

The therapeutic options for carpal tunnel syndrome differ depending on the severity of each case. When the symptoms are mild to moderate, a wrist splint can be applied and is usually worn at night to help stabilize the hand in a position that prevents bending during sleep. If the wrist splint hasn't made a difference in alleviating the symptoms after two months, then the patient can have corticosteroid injections that reduce the inflammation inside the carpal tunnel, thus decreasing the pressure on the median nerve.

Of course, when CTS is caused by an underlying disease, such as hypothyroidism or rheumatoid arthritis, efforts must be made to treat the disease in question.

For severe cases of CTS or when the other treatments have not managed to relieve the patient's symptoms, hand surgery can be considered. During surgery for CTS, the surgeon cuts the transverse ligament that seals the carpal tunnel, making the space inside it wider. In that way, the structures that are enclosed in it are decompressed and the pressure on the median nerve is alleviated.

Though CTS surgery is only considered for severe or chronic cases, its results are usually very satisfactory, relieving almost all symptoms. However, the usual post-operative complications still apply and it is always wise to remember that the earlier one seeks medical attention for CTS, the better are the outcomes of the treatment. Therefore, one should visit a neurologist as soon as the first symptoms of CTS appear, bearing in mind that early detection is key.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Moustafellou

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by Yalila Moreno

Progesterone is often referred to as the chief pregnancy or reproductive hormone. This hormone is crucial for ovulation, development of fertilized egg and childbirth. Thus, a woman who has lowered or really high levels of progesterone faces a risk of acquiring infertility, failed pregnancies or several miscarriages. In fact, women who are beyond the age of 45 years and have entered menopause are regarded among the highly-improbable group, i.e. their propensity to conceive is very minimal. This is simply because from the onset of menopause, progesterone levels begin falling alarmingly. In the absence of enough progesterone, none from the reproductive processes can also be sustained.Understanding Progesterone & Pregnancy

Progesterone is made like a part with the menstrual cycle. This hormone is very first made once a female reaches puberty. Right after this, the levels of progesterone retain on increasing until they've attained a basic concentration. Along with estrogen, progesterone types one of the most crucial hormonal balance inside female body, affecting her overall physical well-being and psychological health. Progesterone is primarily made by the ovaries. It is first produced ahead of ovulation and right after ovulation its levels rise once again and then, start to drop gradually. The menstrual cycle typically lasts for 28 days. During this time, ovulation or release of a mature female egg is completed. If the progesterone levels are low, ovulation is impaired. Apart from ovulation, progesterone controls the overall thickness in the endometrium. The enhance in progesterone levels following ovulation is important for ensuring how the endometrial lining is thick ample to support implantation of the fertilized egg. If this lining isn't correctly prepared, pregnancy can't be established, i.e. the fertilized egg is not embedded during the uterus and the woman cannot conceive.

Delving Deeper into Progesterone & Pregnancy
Even right after successful implantation, the ovaries need to produce a straightforward quantity of progesterone to make sure how the embryo can develop normally. Several weeks right after implantation, the placenta overtakes the role of making progesterone. With out straightforward progesterone levels during pregnancy getting maintained by the placenta, a healthy pregnancy cannot be maintained, i.e. there is a greater chance of miscarriage. As soon as pregnancy is about to arrive to its natural end towards last trimester, the progesterone levels again dip. This is a direct simulation for the contractions to begin along the birth canal that aid the baby to be pushed out.

Progesterone Levels & Successful Pregnancy
It is regarded as that an easy concentration of about 10 ng/ml of progesterone is vital to sustain pregnancy during the early stage. The amount of progesterone measured inside the blood during the early stage of pregnancy can even point towards chances of abnormal pregnancies like ectopic pregnancy developing. In fact, progesterone levels are monitored from the pregnancy to make sure that the woman doesn't face hormonal deficit at any stage. During pregnancy, progesterone plays a rather important role in inhibiting lactation. However, progesterone levels fall following delivery and this acts as being a bring about for milk secretion.

Pregnancy Aid: Progesterone Supplementation
If it is observed how the woman just isn't making enough amounts of progesterone and is complaining of frequent symptoms like dilemma in menstruation, infertility, severe cramps in abdomen, extreme mood swings resembling psychological problems and uterine bleeding, some form of progesterone supplementation is recommended. The supplementation is far more concentrated if the woman is trying to have pregnant. The supplementation can also be during the form of natural progesterone aids typically accessible from the form of creams or steroidal drugs that mimic the effect of progesterone.
About the Author

Yalila Moreno administers progesterone levels during pregnancy. For more information on progesterone deficiency, visit http://yalilamoreno.com/progesterone-levels-during-pregnancy/

by Ian Mark

I am not in a position to recollect, that are you? Or sorry I forget you? Or where did I kept my car keys? Or sorry I forgot to bring your book? Or I'm not able to remember that which you told me that day? Or I forgot your birthday? Or simply slipped from my mind......?Fundamental essentials most common phrases you have to be experiencing many time everyday. What else could you suggest from these words? Surely the mare reduction in the memory and retention power or more majorly insufficient concentration to remember things. All of our lives we continue to say these words to one another without even knowing that we are possessing the signs of our carelessness and ignorance or some mental weakening. These are just the excuse in our ill mental performance.

But first I'll explain you what is the memory?

Memory may be the practice or retention, storage and recalling the past experiences and incidences that are allied with learning. With he help of learning one gains knowledge and also the to apply this knowledge one needs this memory. Our brain within the organ that is involved in making memory available. Brain has two centers to store these knowledge these are temporary memory and long term memory. Short term memories are associated with instant reactions, and therefore are stored for any short duration of time. Long-term memory or even more commonly called the permanent memory is related to concentration, focused approach and regular recurrence.

Returning towards the topic, here the question arises that is forgetfulness the sign if aging or memory loss. Well we really can't ignore the truth of aging involved in decreased memory skills however the main culprit during these phrases is our insufficient confidence, less concentrating power, carelessness, lifestyle and over confidence.

Below are the few tips by which you can be greatly benefited by such problems.

1. Mental stimulation- for proper mental functioning proper mind stimulation is very essential. You are able to excite your brain by accepting additional skills and activities, new kind of work will be put into your daily routine, do stuff that excite you and new ideas should be involved in order to activate the brain cells that have got atrophied because of insufficient stimulation and same kind of stimulation to the mind cells again and again.

2. Proper nutrition - it is very vital that you have proper nutrients and supplements to avoid any type of deficiencies occurring in our body. These can be achieved by having proper and balanced diet. One must be very particular about his or diet. A diet must contain proper distribution of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. The diet also needs to be filled with vitamins and minerals. Diet should also do well in glucose (diabetic patient consult a dietitian) as glucose should really be the brains food.

3. Social interaction - Humans need optimistic significant contacts with other humans. Insufficient motivation from these types of connections can lead to misery and cause memory disorders. Sometimes every human connection is of this personality. In addition to your customary connections look for those with whom you could have optimistic and significant connections.

4. Breathing and relaxation - Breathing is a superb way to get relaxed and it is essential for existence. Breathing may be used to relax and calm oneself. By targeting on breathing it's possible to facilitate to lessen stress and anxiety as these are the factors that may interfere using the memory and concentration.

5. Activities - The mind-body are inter-connected. Physical work out works well for promoting the mental alert ness and emotional growth. Workout is of many types. You need to find he best the possible available that suits you and your temperament. But one thing should always be kept in mind that there shouldn't be any physical strain you body while involving in physical activities. Regular involvement of the exercise should definitely improve your mental status.

6. Brahmi- the simplest way to enhance your memory and mental skills is by taking Nature gift to mankind i.e. bacopa or brahmi. One of the biggest asserts to mankind is brahmi or more often called Bacopa monnieri. Brahmi is traditionally a brain and nervine revitalize that works well for increasing the mental condition and basic intelligence. Blessed using the benediction of ayurveda, bhrami is popular in ayurvedic subsystem of medicine to assist in raising mental acuity and to support processes indulged in relaxation and satisfaction. Bacopa works well for rejuvenating brain tissues and cells thereby retarding the mental sickness and aging disorders. Research has shown that by regular use of brahmi one can improves ones performance in mental skills, boost the intelligence level, promote longitivity, retards stress, improves concentration levels and betters the retention power. Bacopa has been widely used in preparing brain tonics and is negligence most prestigious brain supplement "Memocare".



About the Author

So what is precisely in such a food supplementation which makes it possible for it to work as such? This has 3 elements that help this kind of supplement to deal with the concern, "How to improve memory?" in a holistic way.To have more knowledge on what vitamins is for you visit Improve Memory Vitamins or click here.

By: Santiago Demierre

Emetophobia help - How to overcome emetophobia

Emetophobia is a tricky thing, you may think that somebody you know has an eating disorder while in fact their real problem is very different from that. Chances are that you will never work it out, unless you know how to identify that they have a phobia.The word phobia sounds worst than it really is; a phobia is a strong fear that creates an irrational emotional response that is beyond the person's control. If you ever had somebody freaking out about a small thing that meant nothing to you, then you may have been in front of a phobic reaction.

How can you tell that a person close to you suffers from a phobia? Look at their actions, look at the way they react consistently in front of the same trigger. A trigger is anything that elicits a phobic response, for some people it's finding a fly in their soup, for some people it's sneezing, for others it could be dirt or a frog.

When I was a kid a group of my friends threw a frog at another phobic friend, his reaction didn't wait long to kick in.. Within a split second, a glass full of milk was thrown at the person responsible, to teach them not to play with other people's phobias.

How can you avoid eliciting this kind of response? Learn to recognize a phobia and learn what you can do to help your emetophobic friend.

Some tips to follow

Ask: Some people will be sincere about their phobias, they will tell you and laugh at themselves for how silly their phobias can be. Others will tense up or freeze, showing that this is a touchy subject for them. Does the response makes sense? Does it sound like a pitch to avoid admitting or doing something? Is the answer almost unchanged across days, months or even years? Most phobic people have become masters at avoiding the trigger situations and have good reasons to do so. Just ask, you maybe the first person to ever ask and to offer help overcoming emetophobia.

Watch: Watch people's reactions in normal conversations and normal situations. What may be completely insignificant to you may mean the whole world to a phobic person. A can of tomatos close to its expiry date would be eaten by most people without any issue, but to an emetophobic it would mean 24 hours of discomfort and anxiety.

Invite: Do you get a consistent "No" response for travelling, going to the cinema, eating out, going for camping, flying, swimming, etc. Again, you can ask and pay attention to what answers you do get. More avoidance may be the answer too.

Trigger: This is what my friend did as a "joke" and it backfired on him. You don't want to throw a frog to somebody or anything like that, but you can test a tiny bit and pay attention if that produces an over reaction. Eating from the same spoon or fork of an emetophobic will certainly create a disgusted face. Talking about being enclosed in a room without any toilet will make a claustrophobic person feel unease. Please if you decide to use this technique, be sure to know what to pay attention to, you don't want to torture somebody with your inexperience.

http://www.overcomeemetophobia.org Emetophobia help does exists so don't give up! Many have overcome emetophobia and now live healthy. If you or someone you know has emetophobia symptoms, find help.

Article Source:
http://www.articlebiz.com/article/1051312876-1-emetophobia-help-how-to-overcome-emetophobia/