What Are The Common Cellulitis Treatments?

Cellulitis is a skin infection brought about by bacteria. Bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Group A Streptococcus are naturally part of our body and are found everywhere. Streptococci and Staphylococci bacteria may enter the skin through cuts, wounds, insect bites, surgery wounds and other skin openings. Once they enter the skin, they release enzymes that break down cellular components and may go deeper to cause infection. The lymph nodes and the bloodstream are also infected and are used by the invading bacteria to spread infection to the entire body.

Cellulitis is diagnosed by observing and analyzing blood samples and getting samples from the sites affected. Cellulitis treatment is usually determined after being diagnosed and is dependent on the severity of the infection. Treatment is intended to ease the pain and discomfort of symptoms, to heal the skin, decrease severity of infection and ultimately to eradicate infection.

Home treatment for cellulitis is only recommended to patients who do not manifest secondary symptoms of infection and do not have a compromised immune system. Medical treatment in a hospital or medical facility is usually obligatory for those who experience chills and vomiting to be able to receive intravenous antibiotics. Those who are too old, too young or those with delicate parts infected such as the eyes need cellulitis treatment in a hospital.

Cellulitis treatment at home includes religiously taking prescribed antibiotics to help cure the infection. The usual oral antibiotics are those coming from the penicillin family such as flucloxacillin. Penicillin side effects include mild digestive problems such as diarrhea. Erythromycin may be a substitute to penicillin for those allergic to the latter. The effects of erythromycin re usually mild and would not last as long as that of penicillin. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Ensuring enough intake of water to prevent dehydration and proper care for the infected area are part of the cellulitis treatment at home. The infected area must be elevated to decrease swelling and the area must be well rested and if possible immobilized to hasten the recovery. To alleviate pain and lower the fever, non-prescription drugs may be taken. Topical ointments for mild skin cellulitis may also be spread on the skin. In cases when symptoms get worse after 48 hours of home care, it is recommended to contact a physician.

Cellulitis treatment in the hospital is needed when intravenous antibiotics must be administered. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are usually administered to kill different types of bacterial infections. Examples are cephalosporin, cephazolin, levofloxacin, nafcillin and oxacillin. Clindamycin and vancomycin are antibiotic alternatives for patients with penicillin allergy. Surgery is only done in severe and rare cases such as the cellulitis caused by a necrotizing or skin-eating bacterium.

Collection of pus in the skin tissues may need to be surgically drained. Inactive and dead tissue must also be cut off in cases where the infection has already gone too deep and the consequences too severe. Clindamycin and vancomycin are antibiotic alternatives for patients with penicillin allergy.

A waiting and monitoring time of around 48 hours is usually given before the doctor switches the IV antibiotics to tablet or oral form. Recurrence is also possible especially to patients with diabetes, edema and skin conditions that lead to skin breakdown.

How the Experts Cure Diarrhea and Bloat in Their Dogs

Diarrhea is characterized as very loose to watery stools that a dog has difficulty controlling. It can be caused by anything as simple as changing diet, eating too much food, eating rich human food or having internal parasites.

First try to locate the source of the problem and remove it from the dog's access. Immediate relief is usually available by giving the dog an intestinal relief medication such as Kaopectate or Pepto Bismol.

Use the same amount per weight as for humans. Take the dog off his food for a day to allow the intestines to rest, then feed meals of cooked rice with bland ingredients added. Gradually add the dog's regular food back into his diet.

If diarrhea is bloody or has a more offensive odor than might be expected and is combined with vomiting and fever, it is most likely a virus and requires immediate veterinary attention. If worms are suspected as the cause, a stool sample should be examined by a veterinarian and treatment to rid the dog of the parasite should follow when the dog is back to normal.

If allergies are suspected, a series of tests can be given to find the cause. This is especially likely if, after recovery and no other evidence of a cause exists, a dog returns to his former diet and the diarrhea recurs.

How to cure bloat in dogs? Another problem associated with the gastrointestinal system is bloat, or acute gastric dilatation. It most commonly occurs in adult dogs that eat large amounts of dry kibble. Exercise or excessive amounts of water consumed immediately following a meal can trigger the condition.

A dog with bloat will appear restless and uncomfortable. He may drool and attempt to vomit. The abdominal area will appear swollen, and the area will be painful. In severe cases the stomach actually twists on itself and a condition called torsion occurs.

If you suspect that your dog is suffering from bloat, run your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic immediately. Bloat can be prevented by feeding smaller amounts of food several times per day rather than in one large meal.

Soaking the food in water prior to feeding it will also help reduce the risk of bloat. Additionally, the dog should be kept from exercising until two or three hours after eating.

Nature Takes Care of Baby's Wholesome Nutrition

There is a well-known fact saying that "culinary habits" come from childhood. That is why parents should pay special attention to their child's nutrition. Food constraint can bring irreparable physical and psychological harm to a child. Parents' constant persuasion while their baby is eating can not only have negative effect on the process of digestion itself, but also may cause further food allergy. Is not it better to examine closely, listen to what child's organism needs, how, what and how many he wants to eat?

If baby's taste is not perverted and his metabolism is not affected yet, then you should be curious about what he wants to eat. Don't force your child to eat fast, it's better to develop a habit to chew food well. Then his alimentary canal will not have to "complete" the work his teeth and salivary glands haven't done. Speed of eating, temperature of food is his private affair, though.

You should not be afraid if your child refuses to eat at all. Don't panic. This means that something goes wrong in his organism and the Nature just suggests him a way of short-term hunger treatment. Show patience and tenacity. Very soon your child will come running to you asking to eat some certain food. You should not resort to any food encouragement, temptations, don't use sweets as a reward for his good behavior. While observing your child's choice of food you give to him, you can make important conclusions about his health condition and organism needs. And the main thing is that you should rely on your child's instinct. If you have succeeded not to spoil it yet, let him choose what, when, how many and in what combination and order he should eat or drink.

Quite often, food fermentation appears in alimentary canal, as a result of regular feeding with meat and bread, pap with milk and sugar, sweet pies. Frequently, this leads to child's tonsillitis, diarrhea, constipation, gastritis, un-reasoned rise in temperature and allergy.

When some parents overfeed their children, they pave the way for adiposity, which inevitably leads to a whole bouquet of sicknesses. You should not also forget about an important fact of the organism process of preparation for eating. A term "psychology of eating", meaning company, dining room atmosphere, its lighting and the music sounding in, can be included in the concept "culture of eating".

View Schedule of Including Vegetables and Fruits Into Your Baby Ration here http://www.baby-health.net/articles/137.html

Benefits of Pomegranate - Inside and Out!

There are numerous benefits of pomegranate. This sweet fruit is grown on the Punica granatum deciduous tree. Its size can be as small as lemons or as large as grapefruits. It has a thick, reddish skin, with about 600 seeds inside. Each seed is encased in a translucent, water laden, pulp or aril. Pomegranates can be a tasty delicacy. Whether you're searching how to lower LDL, (bad cholesterol), to improving your skin condition, pomegranates benefit the body, inside and out!

HEALTH BENEFITS OF POMEGRANATE:

Lower LDL (bad cholesterol)

Raise HDL (good cholesterol)

Helps prevent Alzheimer's Disease

Lower Blood Pressure

Prevent Dental Plaque

Prevent Osteoarthritis

Fight cancer; (breast, prostate, lung)

Fight heart disease

Ease menopausal symptoms

Support immune system

Pomegranates contain polyphenols, powerful antioxidants, that prevent against free radical damage. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause havoc on the body, inside and out. They can damage cell membranes and DNA, risking your overall health. Pomegranates have powerful antioxidants benefits! One study showed pomegranates having more antioxidants than cranberries, blueberries or green tea! Pomegranates have the benefits of vitamins A, C, E and K. Vitamins A and C can help you fight off colds, flu or other viral infections. Vitamins E and K promote good blood circulation and coagulation, initiating healing. They have a high mineral content including: folic acid, iron, calcium, fiber and potassium.

SKIN BENEFITS OF POMEGRANATE:

Combats acne; reduces scars

Combats free radicals; helps prevent skin cancer

Increases skin elasticity

Moisturizes

Soothes minor irritations

Reduces inflammation

Promotes skin regeneration

Strengthens epidermis (outermost layer of skin)

Balances pH level

Revitalizes

Helps reduce fine lines, wrinkles, scars, saggy skin

Relieves sunburns

Helps even skin tone

Helps reverse signs of sun damage

Pomegranates are anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging. They promote healthy blood circulation, protects skin from free radical damage and rejuvenates skin cells. Used in homemade soap recipes they can fight: acne, dry skin, pre-mature aged skin, fine lines, wrinkles and more! Skin can have a youthful-looking, smooth and supple, appearance. It can have a fresh, healthy, glow. Whether eating pomegranates, drinking pomegranate juice or using pomegranate oil in commercial or homemade beauty products, (soaps, lotions, creams), this delicate fruit is useful in many ways!

CAUTIONS:

Normally, pomegranate fruit is safe to eat when consumed in moderation. An overdose of its seeds, oil, juice or extract can cause diarrhea or upset stomach. Rare cases may involve allergies to the fruit. Contact your health care provider, immediately, and discontinue use if you notice any of these symptoms: itchiness, swollen tongue or lips, difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Pomegranate can be found in grocery stores, health food stores, on-line or other locations. Pomegranates are a delicate fruit, so be choosey when picking the right ones. Find ones that are medium to deep red color, having no cracks or splits, with a thin, tough, skin and feel firm in the hand. Check for soft spots or weeping fluid. You want to be careful that they're not spoiled inside. Eat them within one to two weeks of purchase or store in refrigerator for extended use, up to one to two months. They should only be left at room temperature for up to two or three days. Discard all spoiled fruit, since bacteria sets in, causing digestive problems.

How to Reduce Chronic Inflammation in Your Body

Arthritis, Bursitis, Tendonitis, Plantar Fasciitis, Colitis, Dermatitis, Pancreatitis, Appendicitis, Sinusitis - what do all of these conditions have in common? Because they end with the suffix "itis" they are all a sign of inflammation in your system. Sometimes inflammation is just a sign or overuse or wear and tear, but sometimes something in the immune system has gone awry provoking widespread and varied and sometimes very debilitating inflammatory issues. So let's take a look at the factors that influence inflammation and either throw off or keep the immune system on track.

1. Food allergies - numero uno on my list if someone is showing signs of an inflammatory condition is to assess and remove food allergies from their diet. Almost everyone has food allergies - in testing over 500 patients all but 3 have had food allergies. Most people have no idea they do because the symptoms of some food allergies can be delayed and subtle, not every food allergy is as dramatic or life-threatening as a peanut allergy. Allergies that are mediated by IgG antibodies can cause such wide and varied symptoms as constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, sinus congestion, joint pain, headaches, fatigue, skin rashes, eczema, psoriasis, acne, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, and itchy mouth/nose/ears. Eating something you are allergic to strains your immune system and provokes excessive inflammation.


2. The digestive tract - overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria or yeast in the digestive tract can create a damaged/inflamed digestive tract. This in turn means the immune system isn't working properly since 70-80% of your immune system is located around your digestive tract. This unhealthy environment and possible lack of good bacteria, referred to as probiotic bacteria, can create an imbalance in the immune system, provoking more inflammation. It also causes the gut to be more leaky, allowing poorly digestive food entry into the body where the immune system can encounter it, generating more food allergies and inflammation.


3. Adrenal exhaustion or adrenal fatigue - adrenals are your stress glands. They help your body deal with stress along with many other functions including: regulate blood pressure, regulate blood sugar, help with hormone balance, give you energy, drive and motivation, they are also your body's source of corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatories. They are sometimes given as a drug to address inflammatory conditions in the form of prednisone or corticosteroid puffers or nasal sprays. Supporting your adrenal glands can repair the body's ability to manufacture it's own corticosteroids, reducing the need for external intake.


4. Lack of vitamin C and vitamin B6 - both are natural anti-histamines. If they get depleted you will be more prone to allergies and the inflammation associated with it.


5. Lack of Omega 3 fatty acids - Our diets tend to be heavy in Omega 6 fatty acids and proportionately light in Omega 3's. The most efficient way to get omega 3's is from fish oil, either through consuming fish 2-3 times per week or by supplementing with fish oil.


6. Obesity - Aside from the fact that being overweight puts an extra strain on the joints, tendons and ligaments which can provoke inflammation of the joints, tendons or ligaments, obesity itself causes a chronic, systemic inflammation. This inflammation has been linked to the development of insulin resistance and type II diabetes.

Now you can suppress inflammation using anti-inflammatory medications such as NSAIDs or prednisone, but these are often accompanied by significant risks and side effects such as bleeding stomach ulcers, increased risk of heart attack or stroke and osteoporosis. They also don't address the underlying cause of the inflammation. Fixing the underlying cause helps relieve symptoms on a more permanent basis, without the side effects and allows your body to heal.

What Causes Cholera?

Cholera is caused by bacteria called Vibrio cholerae, a gram-negative aerobic bacillus. It was discovered by Robert Koch in 1883 during an outbreak in Egypt. Cholera is derived from a Greek word that means "flow of bile." It is one of the most feared diarrheal diseases because of its severity.

Cholera, an acute diarrheal disease of the gastrointestinal tract, is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The incubation period of cholera usually ranges from a few hours to five days after the bacteria is ingested. After ingesting the bacteria from infected drink or food, a small dose is enough to cause an infection.

After passing the acidic environment of the stomach, the bacteria then begin to multiply in the small intestine, where the environment is alkaline. It attaches itself to the microvilli of the epithelial cells lining the intestinal tract. It multiplies and produces an enterotoxin or cholera toxin. The enterotoxin causes increased release of water in the intestines, which produces severe diarrhea.

How Does a Person Get Cholera?

Cholera can be transmitted through fecal-oral route, which means one can get this illness from drinking water or eating food contaminated with Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria that causes cholera. Contamination usually originates from the feces or stool of an infected individual.

The bacterium may also thrive in brackish rivers and coastal waters. Shellfish that have been eaten raw or undercooked are also possible reservoirs for the cholera bacterium. However, the disease cannot be spread from direct contact with the infected person.

What are the Symptoms Associated with Cholera?

Most people do not exhibit symptoms. However, When symptoms occur, they start suddenly, around one to five days after acquiring the infection. The infected person may experience sudden, painless, watery diarrhea and vomiting. Fever is usually absent. The primary complaint of a person infected with cholera is profuse diarrhea and abdominal pain. These symptoms are caused by the release of toxins by V. cholera, causing large amounts of fluid to shift from the blood supply into the small and large intestines.

Diarrhea and vomiting range from mild to severe, and the infected person may lose more than one quart of water and salts in an hour. If not treated immediately, dehydration can become severe and the ill person may have intense thirst, muscle cramps, and weakness. The stool of a cholera patient looks gray and has flecks of mucus in it.

Other signs of dehydration include sunken eyes, little or no urine output, dry mouth, rapid pulse, unusual sleepiness or tiredness, and poor skin turgor. If dehydration is not treated immediately, it may lead to kidney failure, shock, and death. In most developing countries, the mortality rate among patients admitted without treatment is 60%. If treated promptly, the mortality rate is less than 1% and recovery is expected.

For those who survive, the symptoms usually subside in three to six days, and after two or more weeks most people will be free of the bacteria. Milder cases of cholera usually do not pose a threat to the patient and the person usually recovers on their own.

What are the Risk Factors Associated with Cholera?

People residing in places such as Latin America, Africa, or Asia are at risk for getting infected with cholera. Travelers going to these places are also at risk for exposure to the cholera bacterium. Eating raw and/or undercooked seafood can also pose a threat to people since the bacteria can thrive in brackish rivers and coastal waters.

There is also a risk for people who like eating food that was not prepared sanitarily. Densely populated, poor areas with little sanitation and unsatisfactory food hygiene are particularly affected by epidemics.

How to Prevent Cholera

To prevent cholera, make sure that your water supplies are clean, pure, and safe to consume. If not, boil the water first before drinking it. Bottled drinks, hot coffee and tea, and other sealed drinks are usually safe to drink. Avoid using doubtful ice cubes in drinks, unless you are sure that they are clean.

Avoid eating raw or undercooked fish and shellfish, and even fruits and vegetables, unless you peeled them yourself. Food must be properly prepared and you must avoid eating food that has stood at room temperature for several hours. Caution must also be observed when eating food from street vendors or stalls. Check to see if it is properly prepared, if possible.

If you plan to travel to places where cholera is endemic, you can get a cholera vaccine. However, it is only 50% effective and only lasts from three to six months.

Also keep in mind to that hand washing can deter the spread of bacteria and germs. Always wash your hands after using the toilet, before and after food preparation, and before eating your food.

Acupuncture and Herbs Successfully Treat Endometriosis - Here's How, Plus Nutritional Tips!

Endometriosis, the formation of tissue outside of the endometrium (uterine wall), can create painful menstrual periods, premenstrual spotting, pain during intercourse, infertility, abdominal or diffuse pelvic pain, bloating, constipation or diarrhea. Symptoms may also include low back pain or pain radiating to the inner thigh, pain upon defecation, fatigue or sometimes nausea or vomiting. The severity of the pain may not truly disclose the severity of the disease, as some women may present without pain.

Western View
Western medications and treatments include:

• Birth control used continuously to suppress ovulation.
• Danazol, Provera, Lupron, Duphaston, Synarel or Zoladex, used to suppress ovulation and the regular course of hormones during the menstrual cycle.
• A laparoscopy conducted to drain fluids and remove small patches of tissue. The cysts or tissues are sometimes referred to as "chocolate cysts" due to their coloring.
• More extensive surgery to remove larger areas of displaced or scar tissue or to unblock fallopian tubes. Surgery is not the final answer because tissue can and oft en does, grow back, causing recurrent symptoms.

TCM Pathology

Difficult menstrual flow accompanied by pain and clotting of tissue or by pain that disrupts other channels (Liver, Spleen and Stomach) causes abdominal or back pain, bloating or indigestion, fatigue, or headaches. Kidney Yang deficiency is usually the primary cause, often accompanied by Spleen Qi deficiency or Liver Qi stagnation. This leads to Blood stagnation. In today's busy world, each of us carries an enormous amount of stress. Stress among professional and working women is frequently chronic and overwork disrupts the even flow of Qi and Blood. The obstruction of Blood flow restricts the normal cycle. Environmental toxins and poor nutrition also contribute, as do traumas and abdominal surgeries.

If menstrual spotting occurs, it is due to the Blood unsuccessfully trying to flow evenly within the channels. Symbolically, it is being pushed out of the channels because it has overfilled the Uterus without any available open exit valve. Regulation of Qi and Blood during the four phases of the menstrual cycle is required. Therefore, regulation of hormones is part of TCM treatment, as contrasted to the suppression of the normal function of hormones. What to expect from TCM treatment?

The goal is to correct the root problem during each of these phases by fine-tuning the TCM protocol.

TCM Pattern Differentiations-Your practitioner arrives at one or more of the following diagnostic patterns used to develop your treatment protocol. Qi Deficiency:

• Feeling exhausted and fragile.
• Dull, aching pain before, during or after menstruation.
• Overworked, overwhelmed.
• Cold hands and feet.
• Insomnia.
• Poor appetite.
• Tongue body may have scalloped, teeth-marked edges.
• Tongue may have no coating.

Qi stagnation:

• High-level or continuous stress.
• Tension or migraine headaches.
• High blood pressure, irritability, anger or repressed emotions.
• The sides of the tongue may be redder than the body of the tongue.
• Sharp, stabbing pain or pain prior to or during menstruation.

Blood stagnation:
• Pain prior to or during menstruation.
• Sharp, stabbing pain.
• Palpable lower abdominal masses.
• Clots.
• Purple- colored tongue body.

Coldness (Can be deficiency or excess):

Many texts use the term "Cold uterus." Cold is typically inhibiting, confining, cramping and stagnating. The Kidney channel starts on the feet and runs through the Uterus therefore, TCM theory believes that coldness in the feet runs up the Kidney channel through the uterus, inhibiting or confining Qi and blood flow. This affects fertility and the proper functioning of the reproductive system. Traditional advice: "Wear socks and keep your feet warm!"

• Generally, one who runs/feels cold and feels better with heat.
• Frequent urination.
• Cramping, severe pain prior to or during menstruation.
• Tongue coating may be white.

Heat:
• Heat in the channels can cause the Blood to "boil over," producing a heavy, painful menstrual flow.
• One who runs warm, sweats easily or has a facial flush.
• Yellow tongue coating.

Dampness/Phlegm:
Dampness, characterized as slow moving and congealing, causes sluggishness
or lethargy, producing mucus and leading to stagnation.

• Tongue coating may be white and appear slimy, greasy or thick.
• Abundance of phlegm or mucus.
• Thirst but no desire to drink fluids.
• Feeling "heavy" or having heavy sensations or lethargy.

Nutritional Tips for Better Health

Nutrition and Dietary Guidelines:
Aphrodite Women's Health (2004) reported the incidence of endometriosis is 40% less among females who consumed more fresh fruit and green vegetables. Females with a high intake of beef, ham or other red meat, increased their risk of endometriosis by 80-100%. There is a connection between diet and endometriosis!

1. Eat a high-fiber diet consisting of whole grains (wheat, oats, rye, spelt, quinoa) and legumes.
2. Vegetables high in antioxidants (Vitamins A, C, and E) and bioflavonoids - like carrots and yams, spinach, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, green and red peppers are beneficial.
3.Vitamin C and green foods (wheat grass, chlorella, spirulina) clean, nourish, move the blood, create circulation and remove stagnation.
4. Eat foods high in Vitamin B, selenium and zinc.
5. Eliminate caffeine, alcohol, salt and animal fats.

Pattern Differentiations:
If the menstrual pain is derived from Stagnant Blood, it can be ameliorated by:

1. Foods that move and clean the Blood, like wholesome organic fruits and vegetables.
2. Eating foods high in antioxidants and bioflavonoids (tomatoes, lemons, limes, apricots, grapes, beets, celery, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries).
3. Adding kelp, seaweed, spirulina and chlorella.
4. Adding onions, garlic, scallions to move and warm the Blood.
5. Eating whole grains like brown rice, quinoa and 100% whole wheat.
6. Consuming linoleic and alpha-linoleic fatty acids found in pumpkin seeds, flaxseed, primrose (gamma linolenic acid-omega 6) and olive oil.
7. Taking omega 3 fatty acids found in fish or linseed oil.
8. Avoiding refined and hydrogenated oils.
9. Avoiding animal products treated with steroids or antibiotics.

For Cold conditions, eat foods with properties that are neutral or warm in nature (beans, leeks, onions, carrots, garlic, ginger, wheat bran, millet, venison, beef, turkey, chicken, mangos, papaya, pineapple, figs, sweet potatoes, yams, red and green cabbage).

Liver Qi stagnation:
If you suffer from high stress, anger, tension or irritability try to:

1. Chew your food slowly, sit down and enjoy each meal without multi-tasking.
2. Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
3. Exercise.
4. Eat wholesome organic and nutritious foods rather than processed and refined foods containing chemicals and preservatives.
5. Yoga!
6. Let go of issues you have no control over and live the moment.
7. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes or caffeine.
8. Heat conditions react negatively to alcohol, caffeine and spicy or greasy foods.
9. Heat conditions respond favorably to foods with cool properties, which include ocean fish, shrimp, crab, milk, yogurt, strawberries, pears, persimmons, tomatoes, pearl barley, brown rice, wheat, tofu, mung, black or kidney beans, mint, green, or chamomile tea, cilantro, American ginseng, sprouts, kale, broccoli, alfalfa, cauliflower, watercress, winter squash, eggplant, asparagus, beets, bok choy or endive.
10. Damp conditions worsen with sugars, juices and over-consumption of fruits.
11. Eliminate dairy products, alcohol, spicy, or greasy foods. Eat more alkaline grains such as barley or brown rice, spinach, watercress, brussel sprouts, turnips, avocado, zucchini or green beans. TCM addresses endometriosis and should be considered in addition to western therapy.

Causes of Hemorrhoids - Are Your Bad Eating Habits the Cause of Hemorrhoids?

There is no exact definition for hemorrhoids, but this term usually refers to a condition in which there is an inflammation in the veins around the lower rectum or anus.

One common cause of hemorrhoids is simply an individual's posture, wherein all of the blood above the rectum puts in pressure on the areas of the rectum and anus. Conditions that cause the rise of hemorrhoids include diarrhea, pregnancy, bad bowel habit, constipation, obesity and the regular straining of a person when he is having bowel movement. Nonetheless, other individuals develop hemorrhoids without the mentioned causes. Human beings are susceptible to hemorrhoids because the straight standing position puts too much pressure on the veins of the region of the anus. Heredity is thought to be a factor that causes hemorrhoids because this condition usually runs in families. Consistent constipation is also considered a primary cause of hemorrhoids. Pressure in the anal and rectal are is increased for constipated individuals because the always strain to remove their bowels.

Another cause of hemorrhoids is a person's diet. Eating the incorrect food will bring an individual to constipation that may lead to straining himself on the toilet. The Western diet, which consists of processed food and lacks the necessary fiber for correct bowel movement is considered a contributor of hemorrhoids. Countries that have diet high in fiber are less likely to develop hemorrhoids while those who have increasing processed food intake have a greater chance to develop the condition.

One must know the causes of hemorrhoids to find means to draw away from them. Nobody wants to get hemorrhoids, but they are very possible to acquire.

What to Do If Your Baby Stops Eating

Many parents are concerned that their kids are not eating enough. They beg and bribe their toddlers and young children to eat so that they'll grow big and small...and make you happy. But what if your baby goes on a hunger strike? What if your child is too young to be reasoned with-that is, what do you do when bribing and begging just won't work?

First of all, you should visit your pediatrician if this serves as a serious concern. It could be that there's something wrong with your baby, a medical or psychological reason why he or she is refusing to eat. Your doctor may recommend an IV (if it's serious), or (more likely) will recommend some of the following tips:

1. If your baby is still nursing or drinking formula or milk, let your baby indulge in drinking for now. If she's not eating, she may get all her essential nutrients from drinking milk.
2. On the other hand, your baby may not be opening her mouth for solids if she's tanking up on too much milk. If you suspect that's the case, start reducing the amount of milk your baby drinks and see if that affects her hunger levels.
3. Add a multivitamin to one bottle per day.
4. If you think your baby may be constipated or if your baby has diarrhea (two common causes for a reduction in appetite), add a powder probiotics to her bottle. This could help regulate her digestion.
5. Add one to two tablespoons of a rice or grain baby cereal to your baby's bottle to sneak in extra nutrients and calories.

Remember, all babies go through phases when they eat a lot and when they eat next to nothing. It's related to growth cycles, their moods, the amount of sleep that they get, teething, and a number of other factors. Stay in touch with your doctor if a particular not-hungry phase lasts for more than a few days.

Doing the Doodie Dance - Do You Need a Colon Cleanse?

You rush to the bathroom several times a day wondering where this bout of smooth bowel moves has come from. Diarrhea is not a natural colon cleansing process. It could mean, the colon actually needs to be cleansed.

There is nothing happy about doing the doodie dance. When #2 is ready right now, there better be a bathroom within steps and no one waiting in line. Feeling as if you have to have a bowel movement, right now, is a sign that something is not right in the colon. To better understand why diarrhea could be a sign that a colon cleanse is needed, let's take a look at how the colon works.

Digestion to Doodie

After the stomach as ground last night's dinner into a watery mush, the food is passed into the intestinal system. The small intestine moves the food closer to the large intestine and eventually the colon. Along the way, nutrients, protein, carbohydrates and fats are pulled from the food. By the time dinner reaches the large intestine, the only thing left is salt and water and that is where Mr. Colon starts his work.

What Happens in the Colon Should NOT Stay in the Colon

When the colon pulls the water and salt from what is left of the food, doodie is left over. This water is used, partly, to lubricate the poo enough to move through the colon and out of the body through the rectum. If the walls of the colon are coated with old waste and thick, pasty leftovers, the water will not be enough to move the waste through the sticky walls. What happens then is the doodie dance.

Diarrhea, Colon Cleansing and Your Health

There are many other reasons why diarrhea could occur. Some include eating bad foods and stomach related illnesses. It is important to seek out medical attention if diarrhea is persistent or lasts more than a few days. Colon cleansing is a healthy choice, but underlying problems will not be cured with a colon cleanse in every case. Sometimes, medical treatment may be needed to solve a bigger problem causing the diarrhea.

Food Poisoning - Dehydration Can Be Fatal

Food poisoning includes any kind of illness caused by ingesting food, whether the cause is the food itself or a toxin or pathogenic agent contained in the food. The good news is that the body is highly vigilant, and in most cases of food borne illness it responds swiftly and drastically to get rid of the toxins. The bad news is that its principal methods for doing this are diarrhea and vomiting. These work very well, but they can be pretty unpleasant. Both diarrhea and vomiting tend to expel a lot of fluid, and raise the risk of dehydration.

Dehydration happens when your body is losing fluids faster than you can replace them. When you're in the midst of a food poisoning attack, you may not be able to drink replacement fluids, or even if you drink them, you may be unable to keep them down. Dehydration is a serious medical condition. Significant loss of fluids undermines your body's ability regulate its internal temperature and maintain an adequate volume of blood. If blood volume is reduced, the body is unable to carry food and oxygen to all the tissues.

If dehydration is not treated promptly, it can lead to drops in blood pressure, seizures, delirium, and loss of consciousness.

Here are some symptoms of mild to moderate dehydration:

• Dry mouth, and a sticky sensation in the mouth


• Lack of tears


• Decreased output of urine


• Urine is dark yellow


• In children, irritability, decreased activity, and sometimes sleepiness


• Headache


• Lightheadedness or dizziness,

If you or a loved one suffers an attack of food poisoning, and you see any of these symptoms, you should suspect dehydration. You should provide fluids, especially water, to replace the fluids being lost. You should also seek prompt medical attention to evaluate the person's condition.

Young children, because of their smaller size and smaller fluid volume, may lose a critical fraction of their fluid volume very quickly. They should be monitored very closely in any episode of vomiting or diarrhea. The elderly, and anyone with a serious medical condition are also more vulnerable to complications of dehydration. For anyone in these categories, if you suspect dehydration you should immediately contact your health care provider.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious injury from dehydration, and you believe that food poisoning led to the dehydration, you may have a legal claim against those responsible for the food poisoning. As soon as you are able, you should consult an attorney who is experienced in food poisoning claims, for evaluation of your case.

Pregnancy Complications - Need For Immediate Attention

Complications - Premature Labor

Premature or preterm labor is when a woman goes into labor before the 37 th week of pregnancy, or three weeks before her due date. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the earlier pre-term labor is spotted and treated, the better chance of stopping it. When symptoms go untreated, the cervix may open and cause an early birth of the baby.

Premature babies need intensive care in the hospital to help with breathing, feeding, and regulation of body temperature. Any woman can have pre-term labor, but some women have a higher risk. Problems with the uterus or placenta and a history of pre-term birth with another pregnancy increase the risk of preterm labor. Dehydration also boosts the chances of pre-term labor.

So make sure your spouse drinks plenty of water especially in warm weather and after exercise to keep from becoming dehydrated. Call your doctor right away if your spouse displays any of these signs of premature labor:

* Contractions - She may or may not feel pain, but her abdomen or stomach will get very hard (feel like it is tightening) and then relax, on and off.

* Menstrual-like cramping - she may or may not be uncomfortable with these cramps that feel like menstrual cramps.

* Gas-type pains - Sharp pains in her stomach, diarrhea or nausea may be a sign of trouble.

* Low pelvic pressure - She may feel like the baby is putting a lot of pressure down very low inside.

* Low backache - She may have a very strong ache in her lower back or could just feel a dull ache in that area.

* Blood from her vagina - Light spotting or a significant amount of blood should be reported to the doctor right away. Blood can be red or brown in color.

Increased discharge from her vagina - Much more discharge than what she is used to during her pregnancy can be a sign of preterm labor. A sudden gush of a lot of water, or a small trickle that is continuous should also be reported to the doctor. Discharge can be watery, pinkish, or brownish in color.

Complications - Some Pregnancy Problems without Symptoms

Some Pregnancy Problems without Symptoms Some health problems your spouse may have during pregnancy do not have warning signs. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, one of these is Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection. GBS is a common infection that rarely makes adults sick. The bacterium lives in the gastrointestinal system, along with many other harmless bacteria.

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, between 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women carry GBS in their vagina and rectums. But, if GBS is passed to the baby during delivery, it can cause serious health problems in the newborn baby, such as pneumonia, blood infection, or infection of the tissues around the brain.

Because there are no symptoms of GBS, she will be tested at 35 to 37 weeks of pregnancy. The simple test involves swabbing the vagina and rectum for a sample of cells that are sent to a lab to look for GBS. If she is infected, she will be treated with intravenous (IV) antibiotics during labor and delivery to make sure the baby is protected.

Another problem is anemia, or having below-normal levels of iron in the blood. Iron is needed for hemoglobin (a protein in blood that helps take oxygen to body tissues for energy and growth) for your spouse and your baby. Iron also helps build bones and teeth. Most women do not have any symptoms of anemia. For those who do, extreme fatigue is often the only sign. Your doctor will check for signs of anemia using routine blood tests during different stages of the pregnancy. If your spouse has anemia, she will be given iron supplements.

Also an ectopic pregnancy is left untreated, the embryo will continue to grow till it ruptures the fallopian tube. This could result in complications, and may even be fatal for the expecting mother.

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, you can help her prevent anemia by getting her to eat lots of iron-rich foods like lean red meat, potatoes with skins, raisins, broccoli, leafy green vegetables, whole-grain breads and iron-fortified cereals.

Top 10 Holiday Pet Safety Tips

Well, it's that time of the year that things are out of their normal routine. This is fine for most of us, but our pets sometimes have a bit of a harder time adapting, after all, they do rely on a routine. I've included some tips to consider to keep your furry friends safe amidst the hustle, bustle, and craziness this holiday season:

1 ) Don't buy tinsel--specially if you have cats. Cats love to play with linear objects like string, yarn, rubber bands, and worst of all, tinsel. What often happens is that they will be playing and it will get caught and anchored under their tongue while they swallow the other end of it. Since it's stuck at one end, and the digestive tract is trying to move it in the opposite direction, it gets bound up in the intestines, can shred them, and potentially cause death if dealt with right away.

2 ) Put away all toxic foods. All types of chocolate are toxic, but dark chocolate is the worst. Other foods than can be toxic are onions, raw potatoes, raisins and grapes. Not a food--but some plants and flowers can be very dangerous to dogs and especially cats.

3 )Make sure that guests visiting your home are careful not to let your pet escape out the front door as they go in and out--specially if you have a runner! A helpful suggestion is to put a gentle reminder on the back of the door so they are always conscious of this ( we have printed a picture of our little friend with a "Don't let me escape!" caption).

4 ) Be sure that all pets have proper identification. A microchip that is ISO certified is best so that your furry family can be found and the chip read with a universal reader no matter what brand you picked. In addition, you should always have a sturdy tag on their collar with your phone number. The most durable plastic reflective tags I've ever worked with are from luckypet.com

5 ) Keep your pet on a leash. This time of the year people are stressed and not paying attention to where they are going. The safest way to guarantee that nobody gets hit by a car is to make sure that they are not loose anywhere near the road.

6 ) Pet proof better than you would for young children. If this is too difficult with company visiting, then confine your cat or dog to a safe place like a crate when you go out.

7 ) Be aware of the cold. Remember not to leave your furry friends out there for too long--especially at night or during colder temperatures. Just because they have fur, it doesn't mean that they can withstand sub-zero temperatures.

8 ) Don't feed your pet novelty treat that they are not used to, just because it's a special occasion, especially pig's ears and non-digestible rawhide. A trip to the vet for vomiting and diarrhea is not a fun way to spend the holidays. A couple of years ago there was a big outbreak of E. coli in pig's ears during which many pets fell ill.

9 ) Avoid leaving your pet unsupervised with their new holiday toys. Really never leave them alone with a toy. Nobody really knows why, but eating it might seem like a good idea at the time for your pet.

10 ) Unplug cords an cables that they might chew on or trip over when you're not around--especially the one that's attached to your tree!

Top 4 Food Poisoning Symptoms

With a disorder as innocuous and as deadly as food poisoning, it is important that symptoms are detected and treatment measures are taken with immediate effect. Fortunately for us, most of these symptoms of food poisoning are visible to the naked eye, so it is not difficult to catch them and take preventive measures. The problem though is that most of us turn a blind eye to the early symptoms of this type of poisoning.

Normally, the onset of symptoms vary from person to person. In some cases, the symptoms could appear as early as half an hour, and in some others, it could take days or even months to show up.

Here are the top 4 symptoms:

1. Nausea and vomiting - About 70% of cases diagnosed with food poisoning show these symptoms, indicating their close correlation to the disease. Nausea and vomiting along with abdominal pain are caused due to noroviruses. Typically, people staying in densely populated areas are at severe risk of letting this virus through.

2. Diarrhea - Diarrhea is caused due to the Rotovirus. Normally diarrhea is accompanied with fever. About 90% of infants showing other food ingestion based illness, report this symptom.

3. In more serious cases of this type of poisoning, individuals suffer from Hepatitis A. Individuals suffering from this disorder show yellow eyes and jaundice like symptoms.

4. Sometimes even parasites could produce symptoms. Normally when food based poisoning happens due to parasites, the symptoms are never severe compared to the symptoms of food poisoning due to viruses. Typically, parasitic food poisoning have watery diarrhea as symptoms, but others include illnesses like Beavers Illness, and headache.

These symptoms of this poisoning show up when individuals come in touch with contaminated food or contaminated water. Prevention is possible here, and for that, individuals need to observe basic hygiene practices; not only with themselves, but also in the way they treat the food items.

Treating food poisoning is not tough. A leading health care institute revealed that about 60% of this type of poisoning were healed within three days. But they also said that in 75% of the resolved cases, the symptoms ceased without any medical intervention. Certainly, the body has inbuilt immunity to fight against food poisoning, but shouldn't we do enough to make sure the immune system is not taxed?

The Dangers of Baby Formula and Other Processed Baby Food

Neither formula milk nor processed food are advised by experts to be fed to babies. Although these food products are good options to keep your child full for the meantime, nothing beats the nutritional value of pure breast milk and organic fruits and vegetables.

Most mothers are unaware what baby foods are made from. Processed baby food and formula milk contains ingredients that are inferior to what is actually found in real breast milk. Formula milk, for instance, contains a lot of sugar, oils and protein such as cow's milk, soy or whey.

This is also the case with processed baby food. There are some ingredients in these products that do not really have any nutritional value. Instead, your baby will be fed with extra carbohydrates, fats and sugar. It does not contain antibodies, digestive enzymes or immunoglobulin. These are all necessary for your child's overall growth and nourishment.

Formula milk and processed food are made in a factory. Although most manufacturers claim that these products are made from real food, the procedure in making them diminishes the quality. Some products, especially those that are really cheap, contain more sugar and less milk/real food. Definitely, there's very little nutritional value.

Children regularly fed with these food products are often develop weak immune system. Your baby may not develop the protection he/she needs from common viruses. Although there are vaccines for diseases available, imagine the costs it would take just to strengthen your child's immune system. Why not just provide him/her the nutrition he/she needs from the primary natural source?

They are more likely to be hospitalized compared to those fed with breast milk and organic food.
They are prone to diseases affecting the respiratory system, ear infections and diarrhea. In some cases, children develop sensitive digestive system. Some formula milk makes babies develop constipation.

Also, breastfeeding tightens the bond between the mother and the baby. Studies shown that breastfed babies intensifies the bond between mom and child, which allows the child to develop a sense of trust to the world. Formula milk or processed food is never really an equal substitute to breast milk and fruits and vegetables.

Nevertheless, breast milk and real food are still the best options to feed your child. Nature has provided us with everything that we need in order to survive. But as our lifestyle changes, and so is the demand for our time and energy. This leaves us to search for possible substitutes that are convenient and less time consuming.

You can feed them with these processed food products only if the real deal is not available. If your baby needs to eat and breast milk or vegetables are not accessible, then you can feed your child with a bottle of formula milk. If you need to work and your baby is left with a baby sitter, or with his/her dad, formula milk may be a substitute.

However, this should be done in moderation. There are still other breast milk/real food substitutes better than these baby food products. Educate yourself on how to preserve your breast milk or how to prolong shelf life of homemade baby food. You could use breast pumps to preserve your milk. You could learn ways to preserve homemade baby food longer so that you don't have to mash veggies everyday.

There are so many ways to feed your baby with nutritious meals without the hassle.

How to Diagnose Dog Allergies

With spring quickly approaching, allergies are about to come back in full swing. Allergies are not only?a concern with people, but with your dog as well.? Unknown to many, dogs are affected by a wide range of environmental allergens. Normally when our dogs are sneezing, wheezing, scratching or coughing, we just think it is normal dog behavior that will pass. However these are common symptoms of allergic reactions in your dog. Just like people, dogs can acquire symptoms due to environmental allergens. In order to distinguish these signs in your furry friend, you will need to know what to look for.

The most common symptoms of allergies are itching, chewing and biting. These are most often observed on the tail, stomach and inside of the hind legs of your dog. Licking and chewing of the paws is also noted. Inhaled allergies can also show in sneezing, watery eyes, and wheezing. There are?several ways to help your dog during peak?allergy season.?Just like people treat allergies, vacuuming and dusting frequently can help decrease the number of allergens in the household.? Another important measure to take is to give your dog a relaxing bath with a soothing shampoo treatment.? Aloe vera and oatmeal are great additives in a shampoo to help soothe your dog's uncomfortable?coat and additionally help decrease their allergens, as they can be carried in the coat. If the pollen count is unusually high, your veterinarian may also prescribe antihistamines such as Benadryl to control your dog's symptoms.

Another important danger to your dog's allergies is the threat of food allergies. The main signs of a food allergy?is vomiting, and/or diarrhea. You will need the assistance of a vet to figure out the exact source of your dog's food allergy. This canbe done by trying different diets to see which works best for your furry friend.? With these few educational tips, you will be able to better help your dog during allergy season. Remember to look for the symptoms right away, as these are not normal dog behavior. Don't forget about your furry best friend during these tough allergy months too. We all know how tough it can be to suffer from allergies, so it is important to remember the animals as well. Make sure to consult with your local veterinarian before trying any of these methods listed as well, they may have different recommendations.

Dog Diarrhea Can Be Dangerous - Understand Acute Vs Chronic

Dog diarrhea can be quite dangerous because it could leave your dog dehydrated and weak. Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of things; however ingesting the wrong kinds of foods is one of the top culprits. This is why you should follow the rule: human food for humans, dog food for dogs.

There are two degrees of diarrhea, acute and chronic. It is acceptable to treat acute diarrhea at home, however, treatment of chronic diarrhea should be treated by a vet.

Acute diarrhea: Causes: Acute diarrhea is usually caused by bacteria from food a dog eats or licks, but can also be caused by stress, roundworms, and viruses.

Symptoms: Diarrhea that lasts less than two weeks is considered acute diarrhea and can be treated by an owner at home. Other than watery stools, you want to look for mucus and blood in your dog's feces. During a bout of acute diarrhea your dog might act lethargic as well as become dehydrated; if your dog is weak enough he might not even be able to perform daily activities up to par.

Treatment: There are some home remedies to treat acute diarrhea, however, if you choose to treat at home keep a close eye on your dog's progress and stay in contact with your vet. Here are some suggestions for treatment of acute dog diarrhea:

• A dog with diarrhea will need a diet change to something that is easily digested such as boiled chicken and rice, nothing with oil and no fatty foods.

• Consider giving a probiotic supplement to help restore gastrointestinal health. A probiotic is specifically helpful with treating dog diarrhea.

• It's of utmost importance to keep your dog hydrated by making sure that water is always available to him; also ensure that his water and food bowls are cleaned regularly.

While you are treating your dog take observations of how much your dog weighs, and if their condition seems to improve or worsen, this will assist in determining what treatments are working and if a trip to the vet is necessary.

Chronic diarrhea:

Causes: Chronic diarrhea will usually mean that your dog has a food allergy, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or a parasite, there are however less common cases that only a vet will be able to diagnose by performing various tests.

Symptoms: Diarrhea that lasts more than two weeks is considered chronic. You might also notice symptoms such as rough hair or coat, weight loss, lack of energy, and of course dehydration. Dehydration can be a major problem and you should watch your dog closely for signs of this.

Treatment: If your dog is experiencing chronic diarrhea he should be taken to the vet for an evaluation; chronic diarrhea is a sign that there is a more serious health issue at hand. Unfortunately some home treatments to remedy chronic diarrhea have the potential to do more harm than good, so it is important to take your pet to the vet before attempting to treat your dog on your own. A probiotic can be used on top of whatever recommendations your vet makes for the same reasons as were given above in regards to acute diarrhea.

Remember, two weeks or less of diarrhea is considered acute, if it goes on any longer than that you should seek professional help. As always, follow your gut and your vet's recommendations, if you or he feels a trip to the vet is necessary before the two week mark, by all means do it.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Diarrhea

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a malady that affects millions of Americans every year, causing countless amounts of suffering, pain, and torment through chronic symptoms that never seem to go away. What's worse about this condition is that there is no cure, only courses of treatment that alleviate but do not eliminate the symptoms that cause so much discomfort. While it is true that IBS is not as serious as other gastro-intestinal diseases, it is still serious enough to warrant an article such as this. To better inform you about its effects, I will explain irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea and ways you can help to limit this condition - and have a better life in the process.

What is IBS?      

As mentioned above, IBS is a condition that targets and affects the gastro-intestinal system - or, the network of organs that help you digest and process food. These organs include the esophagus, the stomach, the small intestine, the large intestine, and the colon. Problems with this system can result in lowered nutrition, decreased health, and serious complications that can drastically lower the quality of life you experience. No one is really sure as to what the causes of IBS are. One possible explanation is that IBS is just a collection of symptoms caused by bacterial infection, or a viral pathogen. Parasitic infection may also be a cause.  Other reasons given include poor immune systems (usually because of infections), poor nutrition, and other, more serious disorders like Crohn's disease or inflammatory bowel disease. No matter what the causes, however, it is clear that IBS results in chronic pain, abdominal inflammation, constipation, and, of course, diarrhea.

What about Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Diarrhea?

Few symptoms of IBS are as annoying and discomforting as irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea, not only because of the inconvenience it affords, but the social stigma that can be associated with it. Diarrhea in general is typically the way the body deals with extreme imbalances in the gastro-intestinal system. In this way, repeated and frequent watery stools and discharge is a method by which the body responds to the disorders or afflictions that mess with how the GI system operates. Normally food is digested and processed without much difficulty; with diarrhea, the imbalance results in frequent trips to the bathroom that results in the aforementioned watery stool. Diarrhea is dangerous because it can dehydrate someone rapidly. Needless to say, irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea can be bothersome as well as problematic.

How Do You Treat This?

The most effective way to treat irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea is to increase one's intake of fluids. You should drink plenty of water - at least four glasses a day - if you have IBS, because this syndrome dehydrates your body and causes stress that you don't need. You'll get most of your water intake daily from what you eat, but if you have IBS then you'll need to consume a little more. Do not drink more than 12 liters a day, though; that could send you into shock. Just try and drink a bottle of water every two to three hours and you'll be fine. If your diarrhea doesn't get any better, over-the-counter medications such as Imodium can go a long way in helping you out.

Symptoms of Yeast Infection in Men, Women and Children

The symptoms of a Yeast Infection (Candida) are vast and diverse. It might show up on the skin for one person but for another it might display itself by the actions of the bowel or by changes in mental behavior. Another person might have more than one symptoms at the same time while there are some who might show no obvious indication. Men, for example, do not always exhibit some of the symptoms as women do. In fact, some persons do not realize that they have the infection until serious problems develop.

Some yeast infection symptoms typical to men (though some relevant ones might be seen in women) are:
1. Problems with digestion
2. Itching in the region of the penis
3. Soreness or rash, especially at the penis head
4. Constipation
5. Burning sensation when urinating
6. Penile discharge, usually white and clumpy
7. Extreme tiredness sometimes accompanied by joint or muscle pain
8. Bad breath
9. Diarrhea
10. Bloating
11. Swollen penis glands
12. Sexual dysfunction
13. Gas
14. Mood swings and irritability
15. Increased heart rate
16. Discomfort after sex
17. Problems with prostate
18. Cravings for foods that contain sugar or starch e.g. beer, bread, sweets, pasta, cookies
20. Athletes foot
21. Itchy, dry skin

Some yeast infection symptoms typical to women are:
1. Vaginal itching and burning
2. Odorless, thick, whitish, clumpy (or watery) discharge that looks like cottage cheese
3. Pain while urinating
4. Pain while having sexual intercourse
5. Dry, flaky skin in the region of the vagina
6. Discharge that smells like bread or yeast
7. Itching in the region of the of anus
8. Vomiting or nausea
9. Small bumps and swelling of the vulva

Some symptoms of yeast infection typical to children or infants are:
1. White, creamy patch inside the mouth, on the tongue and at the back of the throat (thrush)
2. Diarrhea
3. Bloating
4. Gas
5. Learning problems
6. Recurrent diaper rash
7. Persistent ear infections
8. Short attention span
9. Athletes foot
10. Headaches
11. Hives
12. Chronic cough
13. Depression
14. Eczema
15. Tiredness
16. Long lasting colic
17. Hyperactivity
18. Cravings for sweets
19. Congestion

If someone is experiencing one or more symptoms and it is suspected that yeast infection is present, then you might want to consider a natural cure for the candida infection. A natural cure will not cause harm even if yeast is not present. In fact, it would improve on health and help to prevent an infection.

Things You Must Never Feed Your Pet Bird

This articles offers certain foods that you, being a bird owner, should never feed to your pet bird. If you have questions concerning a particular type of bird seed or fruit, consult your veterinarian. Buy your bird seed from a reputable producer like ABBA or Kaytee and read about the native diets of your bird species and supply a diet that features bird seed, fruit, and vegetables that closely resembles the natural food source of your particular bird species.

Before purchasing a bird as a pet, read and collect information on certain things to do and not to do. There are many species of bird that, if cared for properly, will be lifetime companions and family members.

Every responsible bird owner should know that there are certain foods and specific ingredients that must never be fed to a pet bird. Here is a list of six (6) food items that should never be fed to a bird or caution must be taken in the preparation of the food.

1. Chocolate, unfortunately, is not for the birds. That wonderful candy bar will mean disastrous consequences for your bird. Chocolate is incredibly harmful to a bird's digestive system. Initially, chocolate will cause vomiting and diarrhea. It can then impact the central nervous system resulting in seizures and eventual death. Chocolate and food containing chocolate ought to remain well out of reach of your feathered friend.

2. Though fruits are without a doubt good for birds, there are types that should by no means be given to birds. These include apples, apricots, cherries, peaches and pears. The reason is rather stunning. These fruits contain minute amounts of cyanide within their seeds which is an incredibly dangerous and a likely lethal substance even in trace quantities. Birds can eat portions of these types of fruit so long as it is cut away from the seeds or core. Also, always clean fruit prior to giving to your pets, children or yourself. Damaging chemicals present in pesticides are often detrimental to small animals such as birds.

Avocado is one fruit that should never be given to your pet bird. Skin of the avocado may cause cardiac distress and heart failure in certain bird species. Better safe than sorry with the avocado so don't even bother letting them try it.

3. Certain types of vegetables are often harmful. Onions may cause acute digestive problems and mushroom, which is really not a vegetable but a fungus, can lead to respiratory distress, kidney failure and death. While some veterinarians and pet owners are worried about giving pet birds particular vegetables like potatoes and tomatoes, these vegetables are not unsafe if they are cleaned and sliced prior to offering it to your pet. Remember, check with your veterinarian when you have concerns about any food source, including fruits, vegetables and bird seed.

4. Even if you like to have a few, never ask your pet bird if he or she wish to join you for a drink. Alcohol depresses a birds organs which, in some cases, is fatal. Caffeine is incredibly harmful to birds also. It causes cardiac malfunction in birds and, in some cases, can cause arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, hyperactivity, and increased heartbeat. Keep alcoholic and caffeinated drinks well from reach and out of areas where your bird can access them. Aside from water, natural fruit or vegetable juice is good. It can provide additional nutrition your bird needs.

5. Salt or products containing salt should never be given to birds. Like in humans, excess salt often leads to dehydration, kidney dysfunction, thirst and death. Due to their small size, it does not require a great deal of salt to have negative affects.

6. Finally, never offer your pet bird dry or raw beans. Dry or uncooked beans contain a poison called hemaglutin. Hemaglutin is no longer a concern after the beans are cooked so if you desire to offer beans to your bird, cook them first.

These are 6 food items that you need to avoid feeding your feathered friend. Knowing and avoiding these and other damaging food items will help ensure they will live for a long time. Pet birds can be very expensive. Don't take a chance with your birds health by feeding it food that can be dangerous. So what should you feed your pet bird to keep it healthy and happy? To play it safe, provide a good quality seed and pellet diet and supplement with approved fruits and vegetables if desired. This way you will keep the bird healthy and happy.

If you are looking for a great online store with a huge selection of ABBA Seed products for all species of pet bird, then check all of our products, bird seed and more.

Infant Colic Cure

If your infant is into a distinct level of crying or displaying signs of long-term irritability, then the baby might in all probability be suffering from a severe stomach pain caused by spasm, blockage, or dilatation of any of the hollow viscera such as the intestines, called "intestinal colic". With colic, wind becomes bound in the belly, causing extreme discomfort to the baby. The intensity can vary from baby to baby.

Intestinal colic can be considered as a habit of babies that cry too much when they are in the age group from 3 weeks up to 3 months or in the age group from 6 weeks to 8 weeks of age. Often you can tell by the sound of a baby's cry if they are hungry, need changing, or if they cry continually they might need intestinal colic treatment. Study shows that intestinal colic generally results from a combination of an infant's disposition, environment and immature nervous system. Experts say that serious health conditions like digestive problems are not linked to colic.

It might only turn into this if the baby develops an intolerance to cow's milk, fructos, or transmission of medicine by-products while breastfeeding. If the baby shows abgenerally irritable attitude or cries for no apparent reason, colic can be characterized in newborn babies. Colic can also be distinguished when the baby shows signs of abdominal wind discomfort or abdominal bloating, has a hard and swollen stomach, knees pulled to the chest, clenched fists, flailing arms and legs, an arched back, and experiences frequent wakefulness, irritability and fussiness. A stomach ache with abdominal gas is a symptom of colic, but vomiting, diarrhea, fever or a bloody or mucus stool is an indication of something more serious. These symptoms suggest that the infant has a more serious situation that requires a doctor's immediate attention.

For moms and dads, especially to those first timers, intestinal colic can leave a feeling of guilt, frustration, tiredness, confusion, and inadequateness because of the periods of distress brings to both of you. If your infant has colic, there are several ways that you can address it. It is invariably a must to check with your baby's pediatrician before you attempt any curative methods like a medication or supplement. Since this is common among babies, specialists believe that several measures can be taken at the hospital or at home also. Colic treatment at your home can be done by using a comforter, rocking the baby gently by using either a chair or your lap. When colic periods begin, massage the infant's back or belly while in a quiet and non-stimulating environment. Changing the infant's diet and feeding methods (such as breast feeding) and playing soothing music help the situation better.

If you want to seek medical intervention, make sure that you visit your doctor first to get a prescription. Simethicone drops such as Maalox and Mylanta can be used to relieve wind or an alternate formula that is soy based or hypoallergenic instead of milk-based could prove helpful as well.

Tips to Help Your Child Through Teething

When we first lay eyes on our children we can't help but love them and want to take care of them. It is amazing when we get to see them growing up every single day and we get to support them through these stages. There are different stages to the growth process and the majority of these stages can be seen while they are still 1 to 2 years old. One of the more difficult and more painful growing stage that they go through is the teething process.

Anyone who has ever had a child can attest to how difficult the teething process is not only for your child - but also for you as the parent. When your child is teething they are breaking in their baby teeth through their gums. Naturally this cannot feel good at all. In order to help your child get through it you first have to learn how to identify the symptoms.

When taking care of them through the teething process make sure to clean the drool from the baby's face regularly to prevent rashes from forming. Gently wash the gums with water and a clean toothbrush in order to keep the gums healthy.

In order to help relieve some of the pain give them a cold pacifier or teething toy for them to chew on. Many of these need to be placed in the freezer before giving it to them. The cold helps to numb up their mouths and take away the pain.

There are two main types of medicines that you can give to your teething baby. One of the most common is Orajel. Many of us know this because we use it when we have toothaches. Children's Orajel works the same way. It numbs up the mouth and helps to relieve the pain for a short time.

Another medicine to use are teething tablets. The tablets dissolve quickly in the babies' mouth and work immediately. Orajel is not as effective because it will spread a thin film over the gums forcing the tooth to break through not only the gums but this layer as well. In the end it is more painful on the child.

Teething Symptoms

The majority of babies will begin to break in their first teeth between 4 to 7 months of age. It all depends on the child and how quickly their bodies will develop. You may find that your child will not break in their first tooth until they are 1 years old or less then 4 months of age.

One of the most common signs of teething is excess drooling. I know that babies drool the minute they come from the womb and that is a signature sign for them. However, when they are teething you will notice that they are drooling more often and more frequently then usual. They will also try to chew on everything they can get their mouth on and that includes both your and their hands. If you look at the gums they will be swollen and slightly tender.

Many children will be more irritable then usual and very cranky during this process. Their sleeping patterns will be disrupted, they may have a slight fever, and experience diarrhea. They may also experience pain in the cheeks and ears. Some will also have a smaller appetite.

Medical Abortions May Be Performed From 3 to 14 Weeks

The abortion pill procedure (non-surgical abortion, Mifeprex, Mifepristone, Medical Abortion Pill) has been quickly gaining recognition in the United States since 2001 when the FDA approved RU 486 for terminating pregnancy between 3 and 7 weeks. Numerous studies conducted in the U.S. and throughout the world have demonstrated the abortion pill to be effective with minimum side effects up to 9 weeks from a patient's last menstrual period. Several studies have found the abortion pill to be safe and effective up to 14 weeks from the last menstrual period.

It has been well documented that patients with a pregnancy of less than 6 weeks have a 40 to 60% rate of successfully expelling the gestational tissue (i.e., miscarriage) when prescribed RU 486 as the sole medication. Cytotec (Misoprostol) was then added to decrease the length of time it took to complete the abortion process and reduce the chance of uterine infection, vaginal bleeding or retained tissue. Cytotec is a prostaglandin known to cause uterine contractions, increase intrauterine pressure and separate the pregnancy tissue from the uterine wall. Changes also occurred locally in the cervix (lower part of the womb) allowing it to dilate (open) and become soft which further helped to eliminate the pregnancy tissue from the uterus. This process can take approximately 4 to 6 hours from insertion of the Cytotec tablets. On average, there is a 2 to 6% failure rate using the combination of RU 486 and Cytotec for patients who are between 3 and 14 weeks pregnant. For patients who are less than 6 weeks, the success rate is between 97 and 99%. In essence, the earlier in gestation the RU 486 abortion procedure is performed, the higher the success rate.

Abortions using Mifeprex and Misoprostol are associated with very few complications. Side effects of the abortion pill can include the possibility of headache, abdominal discomfort and diarrhea. Initial chills, fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can also occur with the use of Cytotec.

Side effects associated with the abortion procedure in general are retained tissue or incomplete abortion and continued or excessive bleeding; all of which require a surgical abortion procedure to be performed. In a few cases, blood transfusions were required. There have been reports of death due to a rare type of infection. There has been no conclusion that these deaths were directly caused by the abortion procedure. In general, patients who are further along in their pregnancy have more discomfort caused by uterine contractions and there is a slightly higher chance of a continued pregnancy which requires surgical removal.

In summary, the combined Mifepristone and Misoprostol abortion pill procedure has been used for many years to terminate pregnancies up to 9 weeks gestation. It is now used in certain cases up to 14 weeks. Patients who are further than 10 weeks must be warned about the possible appearance of fetal tissue. For this reason, patients who may find this bothersome are asked to avoid viewing the pregnancy tissue. Performing the abortion pill procedure up to 14 weeks is otherwise a highly safe and practical substitute to the surgical abortion procedure.

What is the Difference Between Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease?

Irritable bowel syndrome has similar symptoms to ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease. However, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease are bowel disorders with inflammation and IBS is not.

Ulcerative colitis is when the lining of the colon becomes inflamed and develops ulcers. The chronic symptoms of this disorder may include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, nutritional deficiencies, food intolerances, achiness, joint pain, itchiness, flatulence and bloating.

Crohn's Disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder that commonly affects the small intestine. Inflammation of the bowel lining is severe and deep in the intestinal wall. Scar tissue can build up from sores and ulcers and cause blockages in the intestines. Symptoms may include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, anorexia, nausea, food intolerances, nutritional deficiencies, vomiting, headaches, itchiness, flatulence, loss of appetite and weight loss.

Diagnosis of these digestive disorders can be complicated because of the similarity of symptoms.

Is prescription medication my only option for controlling bowel disorder symptoms?

The television is filled with prescription medication commercials vowing to "give" people their life back from painful disease symptoms. The problem with this picture though is that the use of synthetic chemicals is only an attempt to "relieve" illness symptoms, and they do not "fix" the underlying cause. Also, there are significant side effects when taking drug medications.

Initially, drugs may seem to be making you better, because the painful symptoms have diminished or have subsided altogether. However, what has really happened is your body's warning system has been shut off. The underlying cause of the symptoms is just being ignored.

When a problem is not truly dealt with and resolved, it will rear its ugly head at some point in the future. Your own experience may have taught you this, and it is why you are looking for a natural solution.

IBS and other bowel disorders can be addressed through natural holistic means. You won't only be addressing the symptoms, but you will be healing your body at the core.

How to Tell the Difference Between Anal Fissures and Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids and anal fissures are two of the most common problems that people will experience that affect their anus. Both of these conditions share symptoms that can make them difficult for an individual to discriminate between. However, there are also some notable differences between the two.

What are fissures and hemorrhoids

An anal fissure is a crack or tear in the skin of the anal canal. In contrast a hemorrhoid is a swelling of the veins surrounding the rectum or anus. These are the major differences between the two.

Both anal fissure and hemorrhoids are first noticed due to the presence of bright red blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl after a bowel motion. Acute fissures and external hemorrhoids can cause the individual to experience pain associated with a bowel movement. However chronic fissures and internal hemorrhoids can be present with little to no pain. Also, hemorrhoids are associated with itching, which is not a common symptom of anal fissures. Since it is difficult for an individual to see the anal region to discriminate between a fissure or hemorrhoid consulting a medical professional is always recommended.

Causes

Since an anal fissure is a tear in the tissue, any activity that causes stretching of the anal tissue more than normal, will lead to a fissure. A shallow fissure will resemble a paper cut, and because they are fairly small, will heal all by themselves after a few weeks. However given their location, personal hygiene is essential otherwise an infection can occur.

Deep anal fissures may not heal without some form of medical treatment. In adults, fissures can be caused by either prolonged diarrhea, constipation or by anal sex. A fissure is also common in women just after childbirth. Hemorrhoids are also common as a result of constipation, lack of water or heavy lifting or over exertion such as child birth.

Prevention

The following will help prevent both fissures and hemorrhoids. Avoiding straining during a bowel motion. People normally strain due to being constipated, so any treatment that reduced constipation will help here as well. So, ensure you eat enough foods rich in fiber and drink plenty of water. The use of a lubricating ointment such as those commonly used for hemorrhoids can also be helpful.

Treatment

Natural non-surgical treatment is always recommended in the beginning for anal fissures and hemorrhoids. Treatments shared between anal fissures and hemorrhoids include using a sitz bath, local topical anesthetics, increasing your fiber intake and stool softeners.

In severe cases, surgery can be an option for both, however as with any surgical procedure there are risks associated with this option.

Is Tap Water Safe For Babies?

It's understandable that concerned parents are wondering whether tap water is safe for babies. There is plenty of talk about the hazards in tap water that affect healthy adults. Unfortunately, the matter is even worse for developing babies. Infants are even more vulnerable to the toxins floating in our H2O.

Among the matters of concern in tap water are nitrates. These chemicals are naturally present in drinking water--at least at lower levels. Then, runoff from fertilizers and manure adds to their concentration in ground water, which eventually ends up flowing from your tap. It can even leach into the water system from septic tanks, and the effects on a young baby can be deadly.

When elevated levels of nitrates are present in the tap, babies may be at risk for the development of blue baby disease. Parents mix tap water they believe to be safe with formula and introduce these chemicals into their babies' systems. Once in a baby's system, nitrates actually work to interfere with the oxygen in his blood, causing his skin to take on a bluish tinge. In some cases, vomiting and diarrhea develop as well. Babies may also fail to gain adequate weight when affected by this condition.

The low-blood oxygen levels that occur with blue baby disease are frightening and dangerous, but they're only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to babies and tap water safety. Parasites are another major concern for those with infants. Cryptosporidium and Giardia are two intestinal parasites that manage to make their way into drinking water and cause major problems for babies.

Cryptosporidium and Giardia cysts sometimes survive the chlorine disinfection of tap water and end up in a baby's bottle. When a baby consumes even a small number of these cysts, they reproduce and cause illness. The symptoms these parasites cause include nausea, severe diarrhea, cramping in the abdomen, and dehydration. Babies may even have abnormal weight loss when exposed to these parasites. In severe cases, the illness they cause leads to death.

Parents are advised to boil their H2O from the tap before giving it to their infants, but that won't make H2O completely safe. To help protect their babies from unsafe tap water, many parents choose to filter their own water using faucet or whole-house water filters. Quality water filters can make tap water safe for babies to consume.

How to Care For a Green Iguana

Exotic pets are really nice to have. They are unique in that not so many keep them, hence they are called exotic. Well, they are actually called exotic because they are not local or native to the place where they are being kept.

Not being local in such place means that they need to have some kind of a special pet care regimen. Which is the same as when we humans go to another country for the first time. Let us say we have lived all our lives in a tropical country and all of the sudden we are taken to the cold north. Of course we have to have to adjust.

The same can be said about exotic animals. In this article, I will discuss about caring for an exotic animal, the green iguana, which is fast becoming a popular pet in the household.

Your iguana should be be given a good diet. The life span of the iguana is heavily dependent on what you feed it. You may be giving the pet the best cage condition or the perfect heating but if the combination of food in its diet is poor, the iguana will not have a long life with you.

The most important nutrients to an iguana are calcium and phosphorus. Many veterinarians agree on one thing that iguanas do not need a lot of animal protein. Do not take heed from pet books that advice you to give dog or cat food to your iguana. This is a serious warning: throw away such book!

What is essential to the iguanas is that they get a high amount of calcium, some phosphorus and Vitamin D3. Ask your veterinarian for the proper ratio as this may vary depending on the age and weight of you pet iguana.

An iguana needs to digest its food well so make sure that the good you is cut into very small pieces. You can use food processors for preparing the iguana's food.

There are many foods that people think are good for iguanas but on the contrary, they can be harmful because of their high content of toxins like oxalic acid/phytic acid/goitrogens/saponins. Be careful not to feed these to your iguana: brussel sprouts, bok choy, tofu, spinach, rhubarb, kale, beets, broccoli, cabbage, swiss chard and turnips.

There are also food that even though they are not lethal to iguanas, they can cause diarrhea or contain very little nutritional value. These food include lettuce, chicory and corn.

A house for your pet iguana:

You should know that iguanas grow fast so there is not point buying a fixed tank. They need a big room as they like to climb so you might just share your room with your pet or just have a "soft bed" for him in your room.

Just make sure you provide adequate heating and lighting to your pet.

SHTF Urban Survival Strategies For The Beginning Prepper

For those considering becoming a prepper, or at least becoming more well prepared for a natural disaster, terror attack or any other catastrophe, there are a few things that are obviously first on the agenda. It's critical to keep first things first, because otherwise, a person who is learning how to be a prepper can quickly get overwhelmed.

Most people learning how to be a prepper make a few common mistakes that end up costing them a lot of money and a lot of time. However, a little education goes a long way to shortening the learning curve and helping you get off on the right foot.

The first thing to do is not worry so much about guns and ammunition. If you have the means to protect yourself, then you needn't go hog-wild buying all sorts of assault rifles and tactical gear. Those things are fun and may very well make us feel safer, but they are really just toys unless you have your priorities straight.

The first priority must always be clean drinking water. For a city dweller who has never had a second thought about turning on the tap and drinking to his heart's content, this statement is probably sounding crazy. However, if the power grid goes down, the pumps at the water plants will not be able to supply your tap.

Far more important than even food, going without clean drinking water for 3 days can spell the end of you. And what commonly happens in urban "SHTF" (Sewage Hits the Fan) scenarios is that when the water goes out, sanitation suffers and cholera can break out.

If you give in to the temptation to get your water from a local river or other ground source in times like that, you risk cholera, which can literally kill you inside of one day with horrendous abdominal cramps and "explosive diarrhea."

So, if you haven't looked into securing a 2-3 week supply of clean drinking water, through either storage or a capability to purify it, then you are wasting your time stockpiling guns and ammunition. The reason: someone can just take them when you collapse.

After water comes food - and stockpiling expensive freeze-dried survival food or MRE's is a money wasting newbie mistake. While these foods have their place, they should not be the mainstay of your food storage plan.

So, there is a lot to learn. Begin by taking a good, hard look at securing a clean drinking water supply and then turn your attention to food. Neither of these is as glamorous as guns and camouflage tactical gear, but they will save your life.

Some Simple Facts About the Low Residue Diet

If you have just heard about the low residue diet then you may have just come back from a visit to the doctor. A Low fiber diet is usually recommended to patients who suffer from stomach inflammation or those preparing for a surgery. In a nut shell, this low residue diet is made to reduce the number of bowel movements you have so that the body doesn't have to work as hard as it normally does.

Whilst you will probably lose weight from this diet it is not a healthy long term weight loss solution because of it's lack of fiber. This diet is targeted towards patients with stomach problems. In a normal diet plan we actually consume a number of foods that our body can't digest and this produces excess waste. The low residue diet aims to get rid of these foods momentarily so that your body can rest from it's usual efforts.

Make sure you always check with your doctor on what foods you can and can't eat as part of your diet plan. In general here is a list of foods that you can eat when on a diet such as this: Well ground eggs, meats, chicken or fish, White rice, White bread, some cereals, clear pulp free juices, plain gravies, butter, margarine, mayonnaise, vegetable oils and some dressings.

More important than the foods you should eat is the foods you shouldn't! Once again, be sure to double check with your doctor for your personal diet plan. In general you should avoid these foods: Spicy foods, Fatty meats, popcorn, seeds from fruit, seeds and nuts, raw vegetables (lettuce is ok), chocolate and coco powder, muffins, corn bread, most cheeses, peanut butter, millet, buckwheat, dried beans, oatmeal, whole grains (including whole grain pasta and bread) and legumes.

People that have the following conditions are often recommended the low residue diet:

Mothers during pregnancy - Some mothers in the later stages of pregnancy are put on the low residue diet to ease with stomach pains associated with pregnancy.

Radiotherapy patients - Some patients that under go radiotherapy treatments in the pelvic and/or stomach area can suffer from diarrhea as a side effect. The low residue diet can stop malnutrition, help the diarrhea and also re-hydrate the patient.

If you are suffering from Bowel inflammation - Post surgery inflammation isn't uncommon for stomach surgery patients and a low fiber diet gives the body time to take a rest from processing so hard which gives the inflammation time to die down.

Crohn's disease patients, astronauts, abdominal surgery patients and people with ulcerative colitis are all also know to use the low residue diet!

Recognizing Flu Symptoms in Kids - Get Your Child the Right Treatment Without Delay

Do you normally get confused about what illness your child has? Lots of parents confuse flu symptoms with those of a common cold. When the child is very young then the symptoms are easy confused with those of a bacterial infection. As a result, they are unable to give the child the correct medical treatment. While this doesn't always have serious consequences (although a few kids have died needlessly because they did not get the right treatment), it most often results in the child having to undergo an unnecessary amount of discomfort. Also, if you know that your child has the flu then you can take steps to isolate him or her so that other people do not get the illness.

One of the first things you ought to know is that flu symptoms in kids are generally more severe than those of common colds. The child generally suffers from a high grade fever, accompanied by chills and shakes, which can even touch 104 degrees F. Another set of symptoms that you have to look out for are tiredness as well as headaches and body aches. If your child suffers from a cough and a sore throat in addition to these symptoms then you can be quite sure that your child has the flu. Some children might even suffer from vomiting and diarrhea as a result of having the flu.

A tell-tale sign of flu in children is that the symptoms start with almost no warning and cause the child to feel very unwell during the first few days. Even if most of the symptoms go away after four days or so, your child is likely to have a bad cough that stays on for a couple of weeks. This might cause you to confuse it with respiratory tract infections.

You'll find it very easy to deal with most flu symptoms on your own. Make sure that you give your child medications to bring down the temperature and also to soothe the cough and sore throat. If however the fever continues after three days or the cold symptoms are still going strong after 10 days then you ought to take your child to a doctor. Also, if your child suffers from asthma or suffers from illnesses of the respiratory system frequently then you ought to seek medical treatment without delay. This will help protect your child's illness from becoming very severe and unmanageable.

Toxic Foods for Dogs

In our article "What do I feed my dog now?" Katie and I had discussed what to buy for your dog. There have been lots of reports over poisonous ingredients that were/are being used to formulate certain brands of dog food. We didn't name the brands but we told you our secret brand for a happy strong dog.

If you've read the article you'll also remember Katie left us hanging with this line at the end "And remember, no chocolate, no onions, no raisins, no grapes, and one I just learned about is no avocados." I wanted to know "why?" So...
In this article we will discuss the foods that we humans eat with relatively no consequences but can be harmful even deadly for your dog. Some of these will surprise you.

Alcohol: Ingestion can lead to sickness, urination problems or even coma or death from alcohol poisoning.

Anti-freeze: Although not a human food, it can be readily available for them in a car park puddle. It is sweet so if they find it, they will drink it. Even a small amount of antifreeze can be fatal. 3-4 tablespoons can kill a medium sized dog. The main ingredient in antifreeze is ethylene glycol, an extremely toxic poison that causes kidney failure, which is often fatal in just a few days.

Apple: The seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can result in cyanide poisoning. Any seed or pit from a fruit is dangerous.

Apricot: Same as the apple.

Avocado: Avocadoes are high in fat content and can trigger an upset stomach, vomiting or even pancreatitis. Avocado contains a toxic element called persin, which can damage heart, lung and other tissue in many animals.

Baby Food: If it contains onion powder then it is not good. See onions for more explanations.

Bones: Cooked bones can be very hazardous for your dog. They become brittle and can splinter causing your dog to choke or worst, puncture, rupture their stomach lining and intestinal tract. Bad bones are turkey and chicken legs, ham, pork chop and veal.

Bread Dough: Pets who have eaten bread dough may experience abdominal pain, bloat, vomiting, disorientation and depression. When bread dough is ingested your dog's body heat causes the dough to rise in the stomach. During the rising process alcohol is produced as the dough expands.

Candy: Sugarless candy containing xylitol has been recognized by the National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC) to be a risk to pets. The compound can cause liver damage.

Cherries: The seed pit contains cyanogenic glycosides which can cause cyanide poisoning.

Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic. Theobromine will either increase the dog's heart rate or may cause the heart to beat irregularly. Death is quite possible, especially with exercise.

Eggs (Raw): Raw egg whites contain a protein called avidin, which can deplete your dog of biotin, one of the B vitamins. Biotin is essential to your dog's growth and coat health. Additionally, raw eggs are often contaminated with bacteria, such as salmonella, and you could end up giving your dog food poisoning in addition to biotin deficiency.

Grapes or Raisins: Although the minimum lethal dosage is not known, grapes and raisins can be toxic to dogs when ingested in large quantities. The symptoms are gastrointestinal signs including vomiting and diarrhea, and then signs of kidney failure with an onset of severe kidney signs starting about 24 hours after ingestion.

Liver: In small amounts liver is good for your dog, but if the liver intake is too high it can cause nutritional problems because liver has a high content of vitamin A. Consumption of this vitamin in large amounts can lead to vitamin A toxicity, or hypervitaminosis A. It could lead to bone problems.

Macadamia Nuts: The toxic compound is unknown but eating as few as six nuts without the shell has been known to cause elevated body temperature, accelerated heartbeat, tremors in the skeletal muscles, and weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters.

Onions: Onions cause hemolytic anemia. Red blood cells break down leaving the dog short of oxygen. Onion poisoning can occur with a single ingestion of large quantities or with repeated meals containing small amounts of onion.

Salmon (Raw): The cause is infection by a rickettsial organism called Neorickettsia helminthoeca. A sudden onset of symptoms occurs 5-7 days after ingestion of fish. Initial symptoms include lethargy and anorexia. Persistent vomiting by the fourth day. There is bloody diarrhea within a few days of vomiting onset. The diarrhea is often bright yellow color. There are enlarged lymph nodes.

Tomatoes and Tomato Plants: These contain atropine which can cause dilated pupils, tremors and irregular heartbeat. The highest concentration of atropine is found in the leaves and stems of tomato plants, next is the unripe (green) tomatoes and then the ripe tomato.

There are more. For a complete list visit http://mooreshaven.com/pets/dogs/safety/badfoodslist.html

May all your four-legged children be healthy.

Dog Hepatitis - Owner's Guide to Hepatitis in Dogs

Hepatitis in dogs is a highly contagious viral disease. It mainly affects the liver. However, it can also affect various other organs.

Transmission

As you just learned, this disease is caused by a virus. This virus is known as canine adenovirus type 1, or CAV-1 for short. Most dogs get infected when they come into direct contact with an infected dog. Infected body fluids can also be a method of transmission. The virus can also be passed by parasites such as fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks.

Symptoms

Dog hepatitis can be either severe or acute. Dogs with the acute form will experience vomiting, fever, and diarrhea. The disease can also cause swollen lymph nodes, pale gums, and yellowish eyes. If your dog's liver also swells up, he may stop eating.

Dogs with the acute form of this disease usually recover after a week or so. On the other hand, the severe form is usually fatal. Common symptoms include bloody vomit and diarrhea, bloody nose, and bloody gums. Since severe damage is done to the liver, it can also result in a coma or seizures.

Treatment

Mild cases of hepatitis in dogs usually requires that your dog be hospitalized. Treatment involves giving intravenous fluids to combat dehydration that can be brought on by the diarrhea or vomiting. Additional supportive care may also be necessary.

Prognosis

There is no specific treatment for hepatitis in dogs. As mentioned, the severe form of this disease is often fatal, usually within a week. Sometimes, an infected dog can die within mere hours of showing symptoms. Dogs may be able to recover from the acute form.

Prevention

The vaccine to guard against dog hepatitis is usually given to puppies. However, it can also be given to adult dogs that have yet to be vaccinated. The vaccine can contain either adenovirus type 1 or 2. Although type 1 is responsible for this disease, a vaccine containing type 2 will also help prevent it.