Health Issues is a general health based blog concentrating on multiple health topics.

BODY SIGNAL ALERT GUM PAIN, BLEEDING, RED, SWOLLEN GUMS, RECEDING GUM LINE: DESCRIPTION AND POSSIBLE MEDICAL PROBLEMS

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

You can be sure that one thing most adults have in common by midlife is some form of periodontal disease or gum recession. Periodontal disease is the major cause of tooth loss in adults 40 and older. Gum disease is caused by plaque, a colorless film of bacteria that forms on the tooth. Plaque damages the tooth by eating away at the enamel and the underlying structure of the tooth. It affects the gums by building up at the gum line and aggravating the tissue, making them hurt and bleed easily. When this occurs, you have gingivitis. If the plaque is not removed regularly with brushing and flossing, gingivitis will progress into periodontitis, in which the plaque hatdens into calculus, forming pockets between the tooth and gum. Bacteria can then accumulate in the pocket and cause an infection. The infection may spread to the underlying bone, which can loosen the teeth even more.

To find out what type of periodontal disease you have, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do my gums bleed when I brush my teeth?

2. Are my gums frequently swollen and red?

3. Have my gums receded visibly?

4. Do I have bad breath that doesn’t respond to regular brushing and a change in diet?

5. Is one or more of my teeth loose?

If you answered yes to the first two questions, you have gingivitis. If you answered yes to all five, you have periodontitis. If your gums have become swollen and visibly enlarged, you should see your dentist immediately.

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EXTERNAL EAR, LESION ON: TREATMENT

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

Treatment for both kinds of tumors requires a biopsy to determine the diagnosis. Squamous cell tumors are often treated with a type of surgery called Mohs’ technique, a type of surgery that’s ideal for cases where it’s difficult to tell the exact size and depth of the tumor—like on the ear. Basal cell tumors are also treated with Mohs’ technique, though other surgical methods, such as cryosurgery and radiation, are often used. The surgery can be performed in an outpatient surgical unit; you can usually go home the same day. If the lesion is small, a local anesthetic will be used; general anesthesia will be used if the lesion is larger, and you will probably need to stay overnight at the hospital for observation. Your doctor will recommend that you take Tylenol for the pain, and you’ll feel better in a few days.

If the lesion is caused by gout, your doctor will prescribe a medication such as Allopurinol, which will help reduce the amount of uric acid in your blood stream. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor will recommend you use a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as aspirin or Naprosyn to reduce the pain and inflammation.

Tips and Precautions

Though more than 95% of basal and squamous cell cancers are eliminated if caught early, if you’ve had cancer once, unfortunately you’re predisposed to having it coming back. To prevent a recurrence, always apply sunscreen liberally. And take a lesson from your Uncle Herman— wear a hat whenever you’re out in the sun.

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BODY SIGNAL ALERT VISION, SUDDEN CHANGE OF IN ONE EYE

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

Description and Possible Medical Problems

Gradual changes in your eyesight may be a symptom of aging or an easily treated problem with the eye itself. Sometimes, however, your eyesight will suddenly worsen—for instance, you may not be able to see the entire left side of your field of vision while you’re looking straight ahead. If this happens, you may have a headache or vertigo or may be slurring your speech or be unable to use an arm or leg—or both—on the same side of the body. This is usually an indication of a vascular injury to the brain, such as a stroke, and you should see your doctor immediately.

Several parts of the brain that enable you to see are located in different parts of the organ. One part of the brain, called the frontal eye field area, which is located just above the frontal lobe, controls your field of vision. A pair of cranial nerves that jut out from the brain stem helps to control eye movement. A small part of the btain called the primary visual area, which is located at the very back of the brain behind the occipital lobe, processes the pictures the optic nerve sends it. A trauma that affects any of these parts can cause you suddenly to lose your sight.

In some cases, however, a small stroke that causes an interruption of the blood flow to one eye can cause sudden blindness in that same eye. This is called amaurosis fugax, and it is most often caused by the nat-rowing of the carotid arteries. This condition appears frequently in people in their mid- to late 60s who are heavy smokers.

Treatment

Because there are many cerebral problems that may be responsible for a sudden loss of vision, you need to see your doctor right away. A slow-growing brain tumor could be putting pressure on one of the parts of the brain that influences your eyesight. A trauma or blow to the skull can also cause you to lose part or all of your vision in both eyes for a few days.

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GLARE

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

Description and Possible Medical Problems

If you’re driving and there’s a lot of glare through the windshield, not only is it uncomfortable, it’s also dangerous because it hides part of what you need to see to stay safely on the road.

When glare occurs by itself without the influence of strong sunlight, it might be an early symptom of glaucoma or cataracts. Then again, it may only be a sign that your contact lenses need to be cleaned.

A certain amount of glare occurs naturally with age, since the lenses and vitreous humor change in size and scope, affecting how light is diffused across the retina.

Treatment

If you are experiencing a constant glare in your field of vision and your contacts—if you wear them—are relatively clean, you should see your doctor. Glaucoma and cataracts are serious threats to your vision, and early treatment is essential in order to restore as much of your vision as possible.

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BODY SIGNAL ALERT EYE PAIN WITH REDNESS: TREATMENT

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

Diagnosis and treatment of the inflammation of a particular part o the eye will depend on a number of factors, ranging from how long you’ve had the pain to other diseases—such as rheumatoid arthritis—that may be present.

However, no matter what part of the eye is inflamed, your doctor will probably prescribe eye drops or an ointment that contains a corticosteroid such as prednisone for you to use for a few days. This will help reduce the inflammation. Cold compresses can help reduce the redness. If you have choroiditis, the medication will be injected near your eye since the choroid is at the back of the eye. Your doctor may recommend aspirin or a prescription painkiller if the pain is particularly severe. I you wear contact lenses, check with your physician to see if you can wear them during the infection; if he’s like me, he’ll turn thumbs down on the idea, since contacts usually aggravate the infection. Disregard your vanity and wear your glasses until the infection clears up totally.

The good news is that any inflammation of one or more parts of the eye will not permanently impair your vision, and it’s easy to treat. One you begin treatment, the inflammation should begin to clear up within a few days.

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