Posted: under Anti-Infectives.
Travel provides an opportunity to review and update routine vaccinations in adults. Routine childhood vaccinations should be reviewed for all persons, and boosters should be administered as necessary.
Tetanus and Diphtheria
Outbreaks of diphtheria have occurred throughout Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union during the past decade, and tetanus remains endemic throughout the world. Previously immunized adults and children older than 7 years of age should receive a tetanus-diphtheria (Td, Aventis Pasteur) toxoid booster every 10 years. Travelers to remote areas, where post-exposure tetanus immunization might be unavailable, should consider receiving a booster dose prior to departure if 5 or more years have elapsed since their last vaccination.
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella
The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR, Merck) is a combined vaccine that is usually administered at 12 to 15 months of age. Since up to 5% of vaccine recipients fail to respond to primary immunization, a second dose of MMR vaccine is given at the time of school entry. Measles, in particular, is endemic in many developing nations, so immunity to the disease should be confirmed if a traveler’s itinerary includes one or more of these countries. Rubella is primarily a concern for women of childbearing age without documented immunity. People can be considered immune to measles, mumps, or rubella if they were born before 1957 (exposure is assumed), have a documented history of these diseases, received two doses each of monovalent measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines or two doses of MMR vaccine, or have serum antibody titers against these diseases. A booster of MMR vaccine is warranted for any person born after 1956 who does not have immunity. The vaccine rarely causes transient arthralgias, especially in non-immune women of childbearing age. Vaccination with this live attenuated viral vaccine is (Ontraindicated in women who are pregnant or anticipate pregnancy within 2 to 3 months.
Polio
Cases of poliomyelitis are still identified within developing countries of Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. Wild-type poliomyelitis has been eliminated from the Western Hemisphere. However, there was a recent outbreak in the Dominican Republic and Haiti in 2000. Travelers to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Africa, Asia, and eastern Europe are advised to receive a single booster of inactivated polio vaccine (IPOL, Aventis Pasteur) if the primary series have already been administered. For those with an incomplete primary immunization series, three doses of inactivated polio vaccine should be given prior to departure.
*179/348/5*
Mar 30 2011
Posted: under Women's Health.
The last two weeks of the menstrual cycle see rapid changes in the levels of progesterone and oestrogen. Each of these sex hormones has potent effects on the mind and bodies of women. As the levels fluctuate and finally fall before the periods commence their combined effects can lead to a complicated picture of female misery and despair.
Many women become bloated and overweight. They suffer from headaches, acne, greasy hair, elation or even the reverse in the form of depression. Lack of libido and shortness of temper can lead to a deterioration of family relationships; which sometimes ends in divorce.
Accepting that such problems really do exist is easier by far than to acknowledge that medical science has anything to offer in the form of a cure. So many remedies flourish in the management of premenstrual tension testifies mightily to the fact that none of these remedies are very effective.
Without embarking upon a mind and body altering search for the ideal form of oral contraceptive pill, many ways exist to tackle the recurring symptoms of premenstrual tension. A range of nutritional products and advice may be helpful. Foremost amongst them are Vitamin В 6, Vitamins A, D, E and Vitamin C. Many nutrients are often combined and sold over the counter as patent premenstrual tension remedies. In most cases it can do no harm to try them. Take the fat soluble vitamins with care. Vitamins А, К, Е and D can all cause death in overdose. The over consumption of refined carbohydrates and fat is now thought to contribute to the severity of premenstrual tension. Foods rich in linoleic acid such as sunflower seeds may be beneficial. In view of the fluid retention during premenstrual tension, a low salt intake is also advised.
*7/131/5*
Mar 23 2011
Posted: under Weight Loss.
The interest in exercise is now much greater than many years ago, as it makes one feel better physically, mentally, gives one a feeling of accomplishment, discipline, helps with weight control and generally a lower rate of cardiovascular disease, and those that are inactive, have a higher rate. Exercise has a direct effect not only on ones weight but also on hypertension, blood levels of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
There are mainly two types of exercises. Aerobic takes oxygen from the atmosphere to contract the muscles, e.g., brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling, etc.
Anaerobic takes energy from the stored energy sources-short-term exercises like sprinting, weight lifting, pushups, sit ups. These exercises end too quickly to benefit the cardiovascular system and therefore aerobic exercises are recommended.
Beneficial Effects of Exercises
1. Helps in weight reduction.
2. Gives more stamina for physical work.
3. One can perform work over a long period of time.
4. Heart rate and breathing rate comes down.
5. Coronary risk profile improves.
6. Reduction in blood lipid levels, blood sugar, blood pressure and body weight.
7. One feels and looks better, producing a positive change in attitude.
Exercises can make a big difference in one’s weight.
For example, if one exercises for 30 minutes four times a week, one will burn 1200 extra calories/week, about 4800 calories/month, i.e., 62,400 calories/year. If one continues to eat the same number of calories as before, one will lose approximately 18 lb in a year.
*4/356/5*
Mar 16 2011