Physical Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

The human body usually has a way to indicate that something is wrong with it. They usually come in the form of certain symptoms. Such physical symptoms can either come gradually or all of a sudden. It pays to be aware of such physical symptoms which may indicate certain health problems. Here are the most common ones that are too dangerous to ignore.

Chest Pain

A sudden chest pain may indicate a lot of things. Most often it may suggest an acute heart attack. When you feel sudden chest pain or have been increasingly experiencing it frequently, a trip to your doctor is advised.

High Fever

Fever is a way the body may be telling you that it is fighting off an infection. An unusually high fever that lasts for several days and accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, nausea and diarrhea should not be taken too lightly. It can be a sign of a possible serious infection that your body may have a hard time fighting off. It is a serious symptom that requires immediate professional medical help.

Abdominal Pain

Persistent abdominal pain is a common symptom for a variety of ailments. Even though it may be mild, abdominal pain that lasts for more than a week may indicate that you may already be developing ulcer or having gallstones. Abdominal pain may also be a result of internal inflammation such as colitis.

Shortness Of Breath

If you suffer from breathing problems while doing a certain physical activity or just by lying down, then it might be a sign that you need to pay your doctor a visit. Such symptoms may indicate problems that might involve your heart or lungs.

Mental Function Changes

Sudden changes in mental functions such as becoming unresponsive or sleepy should indicate a serious condition that requires prompt medical help. Having sudden stuttering or problems speaking clearly may be an indication of a stroke.

moking-Cessation Vaccine

n the US alone, 400,000 deaths per year are linked to tobacco use. Fortunately, there might be a solution for that in the near future.

HealthDay News reported last October 12 that the National Institute on Drug Abuse has given a $12 million grant to company in Maryland to assist it in the final phases of its research on a possible anti-nicotine vaccine.

The research

Nabi Biopharmaceuticals will begin the third phase of its study of a potential vaccine called NicVax. The study could be the last step of the research if the vaccine works. It also represents the most advanced examination of an anti-smoking vaccine e.

This anti-smoking vaccine is created to help people quit smoking and not relapse. According to the statement issue by director Dr. Nora D. Volkow, the vaccine has received "fast track" designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and has survived a successful "proof-of-concept" study.

There is however, no guarantee that study will prove that the vaccine works. It is also not clear whether it will get federal approval.

How the vaccine works

The vaccine works by making the immune system act when it detects nicotine. This is based on the theory that antibodies will bond with the nicotine molecules and prevent them from reaching the brain where they provide the high smokers want.

So far, the results are still preliminary, but they indicate that smokers who acquire high levels of antibodies in their system are most likely to quit for good. Researchers also report few side effects, and expect the vaccine to work for 6-12 months after it is administered.

Source: MSN Health

Lifesaving Health Care Screening Tests for Women

Women, while taking on more active roles in society, career and family, tend to have a lot on their mind. So much so that their attention to personal well-being may be compromised. Due to their increasing responsibilities, most women have a tendency to pass up on opportunities to take advantage of health care screening tests. Unfortunately, such tests are necessary in detecting (and preventing) potential health risks.

Below are the top five lifesaving screening tests every woman needs, as rated by WebMD.

Heart disease screening

According to the American Heart Association coronary heart disease is the largest cause of women’s deaths – about 500,000 cases every year. As much as 80% of this could be prevented by making the necessary lifestyle changes.

One way to assess your risk factors for heart disease is through screening tests for total cholesterol levels, high density lipoprotein (HDL) or "good" cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol, and blood fats known as triglycerides. For women over 50 years of age, it is highly recommended to have tests checking your C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine, and lipoprotein (a) [LP(a)] levels.

Inflammation, which may cause heart distress, is indicated by CRP. Homocysteine, an amino acid in the blood, may build up in the bloodstream, increasing the risk of heart attack. Lp(a) is a cholesterol-related risk factor that has a tendency to increase blood clotting.

Be on the lookout for extra heartbeats, chest pain, or shortness of breath. If you experience any of these symptoms, schedule for stress echocardiogram as soon as possible, to determine any significant reduction of blood flow to your heart. Always test your blood pressure as well, as high blood pressure is definitely a major factor in heart disease.

If you have are overweight, and/or have family history of diabetes, blood sugar level or other tests for diabetes are something you should not fail to take.

Pap Smear Test

Three years after becoming sexually active or by age 21, women need an annual pap test to detect any abnormal cell changes that could lead to cervical cancer. During a Pap test, a sample of cells is swabbed from the surface of the cervix and examined for abnormalities that may indicate the presence of cancer or the possibility of cancer occurring.

It is recommended to maintain annual testing until the age of 30. After 3 successive tests with satisfactory results, Pap smears may be done every two to three years from then on. However, women should still continue to see their gynecologist for examination regularly, at least once a year.

As a follow-up to an abnormal Pap test, women should take a human papillomavirus (HPV) test. This virus is a common sexually transmitted infection that could lead to cervical cancer. This test will help determine whether one or more high-risk types of HPV caused the abnormal Pap test result. After 30, it is recommended that the HPV test be taken, not only after abnormal pap results, but regularly, along with the annual pap tests.

Mammogram

Women aged 40 should have a mammogram (breast x-ray) every one or two years. If there is a history of breast cancer in the family, a woman should get her first mammogram 10 years before her relative was diagnosed. Unfortunately, this creates a strong psychological impact. Most women would rather not take the test than take it and find out they have breast cancer. But if the cancer is detected at an early stage, there is a 97 percent chance of being cured.

Women should also have annual palpation tests, where doctors feel for suspicious lumps. They may opt to learn how to perform this procedure properly so they can practice it at home.

Colonoscopy

Colon cancer is preventable and treatable. Colonoscopy allows a doctor to search for polyps or other unnatural growths which could eventually become cancerous. After a short process of preparation through diet and medication, the colon is cleansed, and a miniature digital camera is eased into the colon of a sedated patient. The video images are projected on an LCD screen, where the doctor can visually make observations on the interior colon walls.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that men and women with average risk of colorectal cancer should have a colonoscopy every ten years.

Skin Exam

Every woman should have their skin examined annually by a dermatologist, starting at 18 years of age. The doctor will search your body from head to toe for unusual brown or red spots.

Women should also try to do a self exam every month, checking even the scalp with a mirror. Look for new or unusual moles on your fingernails, toes and soles, and under arms. Inform your doctor of any suspicious finds.

Melanoma causes the most skin cancer deaths, and the number of cases is continually rising. Thus, it is wise to be on the lookout for usually overlooked tell-tale signs.

Sports Physical Exams

Playing sports is a fun way to keep us fit and to meet people. We all know this. But what many of us do not know is the importance of a sports physical exam that we may have to take before participating in sports. Also called as preparticipation physical examination (PPE), sports physicals help determine whether it is safe for your kid to participate in certain sports. PPE is required for kids and teens in most states, but even if it is not required, doctors still recommend sports physicals.

Goals and objectives

The goals of sports physical exams can be summed up as follows: determine that the kid has general good health, detect conditions that put the kid at risk of new injuries, assess his or her current fitness level, and evaluate any of the kid’s existing injuries. PPE also assesses the developmental maturation and size of the kid, detect any congenital anomaly that increases his or her risk of injury, and detects poor preparticipation conditions that may put the kid at increased risk.

Key features

According to the American Heart Association, wherever a sports physical is done, it should include a full medical history and physical exam with a blood pressure check. Another key feature of preparticipation evaluation is precordial auscultation (or listening to the heart) in the standing and supine (laying down) positions.

Importance of a sports physical

A sports physical exam can help parents in finding out about and dealing with health issues that might get in the way with their kids’ participation in sports. For example, if your kid has frequent asthma attacks but is into track and field, your doctor might prescribe him or her a different type of inhaler so that he or she can breathe with more ease when running.

The doctor may even give good training tips and some ideas to avoid injuries. In addition, a doctor can also discover some risk factors associated with specific sports. A professional’s advice will make your kid a better and stronger athlete.

Where

Some sports physicals are done in schools. During the physical exam, your kid may go to a number of "stations" that are set up in the school gym. Each station is staffed by medical professionals who perform specific parts of the physicals. However, even if you have sports physical exams at school, it is recommended that you see your family doctor for the physical exam as well. Your doctor knows your child and his or her health history way better than anyone in a gym.