Diseases – Types Of Diseases – Diseases Treatments

IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) is also known as Berger’s Disease. IgAN is a common kidney disease that occurs slowly over many years. It is characterized by the accumulation of immunogloubulin A (IgA) in the kidneys interfering with the filtration process of the body leading to high blood pressure, blood and protein in the urine, and swollen hands and feet. While many patients live long lives without significant problems, others continue the disease process and have complete renal failure. There is no cure for this disease but there are medications and fish oil that can help. According to a Mayo Clinic report based on trials and observational reports between 1994 and 1999, fish oil showed mild to moderate usefulness when treating IgAN.

Fish oil remains a point of contention among nephrologists. There are essentially three groups: those who believe it is effective, those who believe the trials were flawed, and it is not effective, and those who recommend it but are not sure of its effectiveness. People who have been diagnosed with Berger’s disease should consult with their physician before beginning any therapy with fish oil as the dosages required are quite a bit higher than what is based on any label and in most cases above the dosages that are considered as “safe” by the Food and Drug Administration.

Fish oil appears, in some studies, to delay the progression of IgAN towards end stage renal disease over the long term. There is also a reduction of protein in the urine noted for some patients but this has not been proven in any studies. At the very best this is a mild reduction and is not a proven benefit of fish oil. Current philosophy is that an omega-3 fatty acid supplement may provide a slowing of the disease process in the beginning but may not provide any benefit over the life of the disease. As studies continue, proponents of fish oil hope that it will show increased effectiveness.

Instead of taking supplements, many people choose to increase their intake of oily fish such as mackerel, salmon, albacore tuna, cod, and herring. Fish are the best natural source of EPA and DHA since it has already been converted to a usable form. Plant sources of these essential fatty acids include the precursor to EPA and DHA in the form of alpha-linoleic acid also known as ALA. It comes from sources such as olive oil, flax seed, some marine vegetation, tree nuts, and safflower oil.

Patients taking fish oil to assist with their IgAN treatment should be aware of potential side effects and drug interactions. Patients with extremely high blood pressure may need to avoid the blood thinning action of fish oil due to the increased possibly of a cerebrovascular accident. There may also be an interaction between NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) again related to the blood thinning action of essential fatty acids. Large doses of fish oil have also been have also been related to immune system depression and may cause additional problems with patients who have a suppressed immune system.

Taking a fish oil supplement for IgAN is still under study and you should consult with your nephrologist before beginning any treatment. There is a long-term study being conducted by the Columbia Hospital at Medical Center in Dallas, TX. It is hoped that this study will shed some light on the effects of fish oil for patients with IgAN. Currently the effectiveness cannot be determined with any certainty but it is hoped that the short-term benefits that some patients receive may translate into longer-term benefits as studies continue. Despite the possible drug interactions and gastric upset that sometimes accompany fish oil, there have been no significant adverse reactions in any of the noted studies.

Related to Epstein-Barr virus, glandular fever is a viral infection transmitted through either direct contact with an infected person’s saliva or through droplets of saliva in the air. The disease is most often spread through sneezing, coughing, kissing, and sharing cups or drinks.

The most common early symptoms include fatigue, a painful sore throat and swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck. To confirm the diagnosis of glandular fever, a doctor will do a throat swab and culture. Glandular fever, which is known in some regions as mononucleosis, or mono, is a common condition and, like all viruses, resists drugs and other medical treatments.

Perhaps more of a nuisance than a threat, one of hallmarks of glandular fever is that it takes a very long time for the virus to run its course. From the time a patient is first exposed to the virus until the symptoms begins is usually between 7 and fourteen days. The symptoms may last, in varying degrees, for 6 to 8 weeks, and a patient who tests positive for glandular fever can remain contagious for as long as 18 months.

One of the primary symptoms of the illness is fatigue. The body is so busy fighting the virus, which mutates to survive, that all of its resources go into that battle. It is vitally important that patients with glandular fever rest when they are tired. Engaging in strenuous activity during this time increases the chances of a rare but very serious complication.

In less than 1% of patients with glandular fever, the spleen ruptures. The spleen must then be removed immediately or the patient may bleed to death. The spleen is a small organ protected by the ribs on the left hand side of the body near the back. Returning to heavy lifting or contact sports may play a part in this very rare complication, so safest course of action is to rest fully during the recovery phase.

Another symptom that affects many glandular fever patients is a very painful sore throat. The tonsils may be covered with white film or spots that show the body’s own defense systems are trying to keep the infection under control. A doctor my prescribe anti0imflammatory steroids to reduce the swelling of the throat. This medication may also reduce swelling in the spleen or lungs.

One approach to soothing the raw sore throat that comes with glandular fever is to gargle with warm, not hot, salt water. Ideally, the rinse used should be slightly warmer than body temperature. The salt water gargle helps gently cleanse the tonsils and rehydrate the raw, damaged membranes in the throat and mouth.

Swollen lymph glands are another sign of glandular fever. These can be located just below the back part of the lower jaw. To determine if the glands are swollen, the patient should tilt his face toward the ceiling and run the flats of his fingers across his neck near the back of the lower jaw. The swollen lymph glands will be tender to the touch and very obvious. Smaller lymph glands in the scalp may also swell. As the illness subsides, so will the swollen glands.

Erectile dysfunction is quite a common sexual problem among men. Read further to learn more about Viagra, the first prescription medication for impotence by Pfizer.

Men around the world have problems in their sex life, which usually arise as a result of sexual problems that they are facing. All men, at least once in their lifetime, are known to suffer from some or the other sexual problem. Some of these sexual problems that are commonly known to affect men include erectile dysfunction or impotence, premature ejaculation or rapid ejaculation, lack of sexual desire and problems related to orgasm. Erectile dysfunction or impotence, as it is commonly known as, is one of the most common sexual problems experienced by men. It is a condition, in which a man has problems achieving or maintaining erections long enough for a satisfactory sexual intercourse. Men suffering from such sexual problems are often embarrassed by their condition and suffer in their relationships as well.

What is Viagra?

Men, in earlier times struggled to deal with this sexual problem, but now plenty of treatment options are available for treating impotence. Viagra is one of these treatment options, which was the first drug to be introduced as an impotence treatment. It is manufactured by Pfizer, and was initially to be used as a treatment for men suffering from blood pressure problems. But during the clinical trials, it was observed that the active ingredient of Viagra, sildenafil citrate, helped men with erectile problems. It was then that the pill was introduced as the first impotence treatment. Viagra has since then helped millions of men in treating their erectile problems. Many men are known to use this pill for increasing their sexual desire or libido, which is not correct.

You should avoid using this pill if you are not suffering from erectile dysfunction for a prolonged period of time. This pill should only be used when you are sexually stimulated, as otherwise it will not be that effective. This pill is available in the dosage strengths of 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg, which can be prescribed to you based on the severity of the condition. This pill, with the help of its active ingredient, works by relaxing the corpora cavernosa muscles and increasing the blood flow in your penis. When the blood flow in your penis increases, it allows you to achieve better and longer erections than before.

How to take Viagra? What are the side effects of Viagra?

You are supposed to take one Viagra sildenafil pill along with a glass of water, before or after meal, at least 30 to 60 minutes before you engage in sexual activity. The pill is effective for four hours after you take the pill, but you need to be careful not to take more than one pill within a span of 24 hours. This pill can be taken by men who are 18 years of age or above, but should be avoided by men who are suffering from certain health conditions such as severe heart disorders or failure, recent heart attack or stroke, low blood pressure, severe liver dysfunction, severe kidney dysfunction, hereditary of the back of the eyeball, rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance. Some of the side effects that you can experience while using this pill include headache, facial flushing, upset stomach, nasal congestion, dizziness and bladder pain.

source Forget erectile problems with Viagra

Lyme disease can be seen in the Northern Hemisphere and is a disease which is spread by Ticks. Three bacteria species of Borellia genus are known to be responsible for this disease. Borrelia burgdorferi is the main source of the disease in North America, while Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii are accountable for most European infections.

The hard-bodied ticks of genus Ixodes are the main vectors of the bacteria which are normally found in deer or mice. Genus Ixodes also spreads the disease to humans. These ticks are parasites which feed on blood and are the main transmitters of many blood-borne diseases. Ticks when they are in the houri stage of their development are responsible for a number of infections.

Since the tick nymphs are very active during the summer most people become infected with Lyme during the months ranging from May to September. The disease normally has a brooding period of 1 to 2 weeks prior to the actual indication of the onset of the disease. In North America black legged ticks are the major carriers of the disease while in Europe the sheep tick and castor bean tick are the central culprits.

It may be fascinating to note that spread of the disease is in fact rare from tick bites. Only about 1% of all tick bites result in Lyme disease. This is because the infected tick has to be bonded to its dupe for at least 24 hours before the bacteria enter the bloodstream. Of the ill-fated people who are infected by a deer tick, only 20% recall having being bitten.

Since most ticks which spread the malady are tick nymphs, their bites are not noticed because of their modest size. After biting these ticks excrete thick secretions which numb the area of the bite preventing any pain or itching. Some cases people do not even get a rash after being bitten and thus will not realize he/she has been infected. This can be potentially dangerous as late diagnosis of the illness makes it much more difficult to treat and, if left untreated, Lyme disease causes a myriad of serious symptoms leading to death.

Progress of the Infections
The infection progresses in 3 stages. Each stage has its own specific symptom. These indications step by step, become worse if treatment is not given early on. Early indications like rashes, muscle soreness and flu are not life threatening, but this soon builds up to much more serious disorders and leads to death. The major disorders can be heart palpitations, adverse neurological effects, arthritis, psychosis and chronic degradation of several major organ functions which might result in death.

Almost majority of the patients are healed after a few weeks of taking antibiotics. But patients with some sort of neurological or cardiac symptoms from Lyme disease infection may need intravenous treatment with ceftriaxone or penicillin. Treatment at the early stages of the infection is usually enough for full recovery. Patients in the later stages of disease with unrelenting or repeated indications should be treated with a second 4-week course of therapy.