May
11
If you’ve heard the term asbestosis, but don’t know what it is, then here’s what you need to know.
1. Asbestosis is a respiratory illness that affects the lungs. It’s not always obvious, as the symptoms are similar to aging, and being overweight.
2. It can take around 15 - 20 years for asbestosis to develop, and so it’s affecting many older people, who may think that their symptoms are just a sign that they are getting old.
3. Most foreign objects that are breathed in are broken down by microphages, before they reach the lungs. Unfortunately, asbestos can’t be broken down easily. The method the microphages use to break down asbestos, causes damage to the alveoli, which then leads to breathing problems, as the lungs are damaged.
4. Early symptoms of asbestos include generally feeling unwell, and out of sorts. You might be short of breath after light exercise. You might also have a dry cough too.
5. As the disease progresses, you might be even more short of breath, and start to have chest pains. Another sign of asbestosis is you’re your fingers start to deform, which indicates that oxygen isn’t being exchanged efficiently in the blood.
6. The advanced stage of asbestosis includes lots more chest pain. You’ll have problems sleeping due to the pain, and being unable to breathe properly. You might need to be reclined in order to breathe. Your hands and feet might start to swell. You might also start coughing up blood. If you are, or were, a smoker, then you might think that your condition is due to smoking.
7. If you have been diagnosed with asbestosis, then it can usually be kept under control. You’ll want to be able to retain some of your independence, and carry on with your life as normal, if you can.
8. Asbestos can also lead to other serious illnesses, such as mesothelioma and cancer. These can prove fatal, and so it’s important to seek medical advice if you think that you might have been exposed to asbestos.
9. Asbestos was used in many work and home environments from around 1900 to the 1970s. It affects all sorts of workers, such as shipyard workers, gas fitters, electricians, carpenters, and even those who lived near asbestos factories, or washed the overalls of those workers.
10. If you’re suffering from asbestosis, then you can claim compensation. It involves providing a lot of medical and personal information, and you’ll need a dedicated firm of asbestos solicitors,rather than normal accident claim solicitors to help you.
Now you know more about asbestosis, and what it can do, if you think you’ve been exposed to it, or are already suffering, why not see if you could claim compensation from an asbestosis lawyer?
By: M James
About the Author:
Apr
15
Indigestion Heartburn - 5 Things to Help Your Indigestion and Acid Reflux
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Heartburn and indigestion is something we all get from time to time. Usually
indigestion happens after eating a big meal, and it affects about 5 million
American men. However, some of them will suffer problems that are more
frequent. Luckily, there are many ways to prevent it and further improve the
health of the digestive system - five specific ways.
Firstly, eating the right amount of fiber daily will lower the risk of
indigestion. Unfortunately, most people consume fast and junk foods, not too
mention lots of fatty foods and meat. These are a great way to worsen this
condition. A fiber rich diet is not just good for digestion, but it can prevent
heart disease, diabetes, coloctoral cancer, hemorrhoids and various other types
of diseases. So adding whole grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables will help.
However, should avoid gassy foods - baked beans, broccoli, cauliflower, baked
beans and fizzy drinks. Drinking lots of water is a good digestive lubricant.
Water can dissolve minerals, nutrients and vitamins, enabling absorption.
Secondly, how you chew is vitally important because it is a process that breaks
up the food and tells the body to release enzymes for digestion. However, it is
important to not overeat. Large portions will generate larger quantities of
stomach acid because more is needed to digest your food. This will greatly
increase the chances of suffering indigestion and heartburn.
Thirdly, exercise and avoidance of stress will also alleviate indigestion. This
will improve your overall health and aid digestion. Insufficient exercise and
being overweight can result in irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea and other
stomach problems. Stress is another critical point that can aggravate
digestion. It reduces abdominal blood flow and enzyme production, slowing down
digestion. This will result in indigestion and heartburn.
Fourthly, overusing antacids is not a good way to resolve heartburn and
indigestion. Acid reflux can result and indigestion will occur when foods
backup in the esophagus. Many people immediately grab their medicines as soon
as there is a hint of a problem. Most of the time these antacids do not work as
well as they claim, and they will reduce the amount of acid needed for normal
digestion if overused. This will greatly reduce the stomach’s ability to digest
the food and leave it vulnerable to infections.
Finally, another way to combat indigestion is to take digestive enzyme pills.
These enzymes are sourced from plants. They help aid digestion and assist in
the absorption of needed nutrients. A bad diet can reduce the amounts of these
natural enzymes. However, these supplements are a great help in lowering the
occurrences of sick stomachs and indigestion. Even healthy people can benefit
from taking these natural pills.
By: Jill Seimer
About the Author:
Apr
13
If you’ve heard the term asbestosis mentioned, then you might know what it means, or alternatively, you might not know anything about it, other than it’s probably got something to do with asbestos.
Here’s what you need to know.
1. Asbestosis is a respiratory illness of the lungs, that isn’t immediately obvious. The symptoms can be similar to those of being overweight, or just general aging. It’s caused by exposure to asbestos, especially over long periods of time.
2. It can take up to 15-20 years after initial exposure for the symptoms of asbestosis to show, so it’s not always easy to diagnose.
3. Most objects that are breathed in through the mouth or nose are broken down by macrophages before they reach the lungs. The substance the macrophages use to break down the asbestos, actually damages the alveoli in the lungs which causes the breathing problems.
4. The early symptoms include feeling generally unwell, and similar to being a little overweight and out of shape. Perhaps with shortness of breath after any sort of after exercise. You might experience a dry cough for no reasons too.
5. The next stage symptoms include shortness of breath more often and chest pains. Perhaps your fingers might become a bit deformed, which is a sign that oxygen isn’t being exchanged efficiently in the blood.
6. In the advanced stages of asbestosis, you’ll experience much more chest pain. You won’t be able to sleep well, and will need to stay reclined in order to breathe well. Your hands hands, feet and ankles may swell. In addition, you might be coughing up blood and other fluids from the lungs.
7. Once diagnosed, it can be treated and kept under control, so that your quality of life is better, and that you can hopefully still retain your independence.
8. Asbestosis can lead to other serious illnesses such as lung cancer and mesothelioma which can prove fatal.
9. Asbestosis affects all sorts of workers, from plumbers and builders, shipyard workers, carpenters, gas fitters, and electricians, to those who lived near asbestos factories, or washed workers overalls. Asbestos was used extensively from around 1900 to the 1970s, and so a lot of people will have been exposed to it, and could be suffering the effects.
10. If you’re suffering from asbestosis, then you can claim compensation. You’ll need to provide a lot of information, and details of your medical history, and there are lots of aspects to consider. For these reasons, it’s a good idea to seek the legal advice of a specialist asbestosis solicitor, so that you can get the advice and information you need for your claim.
By: M James
About the Author:
Apr
1
Nowadays the risks associated with asbestos exposure are widely known, but this was not always the case. Due to this asbestos has been widely used over the years in everything from fire retardant suits to brake pads, leading to an increase in several asbestos related diseases. Here we explain what these are and their effects.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the abdominal and thoracic cavities and the internal organs surrounding these. Asbestos exposure is linked to nearly all cases of mesothelioma, and it is the most insidious of asbestos related illnesses. Symptoms of the disease include weight loss, pain in the lower back, shortness of breath, aching in the side of the chest and coughing.
Asbestos Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer is the most common type of cancer linked to asbestos exposure, and is prevalent in those who have been subjected to ongoing exposure to asbestos. Whether asbestos related or otherwise develops the tissue surrounding the lung or lungs, which often invades or obstructs the air passages. The passage of time between the exposure and symptoms is lengthy- usually between 20-30 years (longer in some cases).
Asbestosis
Like lung cancer, asbestosis progresses slowly and usually takes between 15 and 30 years to become apparent. Asbestosis involves a hardening and scarring of the lungs, which can lead to lung impairment and heart disease. Syptoms include shortness of breath, coughing and a dry sound while inhaling. Asbestosis gets progressively worse and in the more advanced stages can cause heart failure.
Pleural Thickening
Pleaural thickening, an effect of exposure to asbestos, is where scarring is present on the lining of the lung or lungs. When widespread it can impede lung function and reduce the ability to breath.
By: AJ Handley
About the Author:
Mar
28
Acid Reflux Mucus - What is it and What Can You Do About It?
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Acid reflex mucus can be seen when people have an extreme amount of acid reflex (GERD). Acid reflex happens when the stomach acids (they aid in the digestion of the food) back up to the esophagus. The stomach is the place where these acids are found, however when the acid gets into the esophagus, it creates a burning sensation. This also sends out a signal to the rest of the body that there is something wrong with the body. At this time, the body also starts producing extra mucus. Since the sinus cavity is extremely close the esophagus, your sinuses will want to protect themselves from the acid that is going up the esophagus. The body reacts by producing mucus and this gives rise to acid reflux mucus.
Sinuses are extremely important as they help to filter the air that we breathe and trap the pollutants in the air. However if too much mucus is produced, then it can’t be drained out properly and this can also cause some problems. Those that have frequent episodes of acid reflex mucus should consult their doctor for help. Dietary and lifestyle changes may be recommended.
Mar
27
About The Most Fatal Disease Of The Modern Era - Cancer
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Cancer is undoubtedly one of the most fatal diseases of the modern era. It is very important to understand that for most types of cancer there is no cure. On the other hand if cancer is detected early then the chances of survivial and full recovery are higher.
What exactly is cancer?
Cancer is formed when cells in the human body grow erratically. These erratically grown cells form into a mass and soon turn into a tumor. This tumor is either benign or malignant. Malignant tumors or cells are cancerous; whereas benign tumors are non-cancerous, but when they are left untreated they may turn into malignant ones and become cancerous. Cancer cells do not stay put in one place. They enter into the bloodstream and travel to distant parts of the body forming a secondary cancer, which is called metastasis. Extrernal factors like environment, smoking and other substances which are called carcinogens also cause cancer. Some people are genetically predisposed to cancer because they inherit damaged genes from their parents during birth. There are nearly 200 types of cancer that affect human beings.
What are the causes of cancer?
1. Tobacco chewing or smoking
2. Passive smoking
3. Alcohol
4. Food
5. Dietary habits
6. High fat Diets
7. Obesity
8. Stress
9. Viruses
10. Ionizing radiation
11. Ultraviolet radiation
12. Exposure to chemicals, metals, pesticides
13. Exposure to industrial chemicals
14. Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
15. Hormones and Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
16. Family history of cancer
17. Heredity factors
18. Genetical predisposition to cancer
The above causes are for cancer in general. As mentioned earlier in the article there are almost 200 different types of cancer.
By: Ashley Culver
About the Author:
Mar
8
Types of Kidney Failure
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There are two primary types of kidney failure in humans. The first occurs fairly suddenly and is called “acute renal failure”. We’ll talk later about the causes of this condition. The second disease is more insidious and occurs over time. It is called “chronic renal failure”. This type of kidney failure has causes of its own. The treatment for both types of renal failure is roughly the same, with dialysis and kidney transplant being the most common treatments.
One of the most common causes of acute kidney failure, also called acute renal failure, is the sudden loss of blood flow to the kidneys such as seen in trauma, surgery, septic shock, heavy bleeding, burns or acute dehydration. Infections can cause kidney failure, especially if they cause the kidneys to be infected as well. More rarely, acute tubular necrosis can cause the disease.
Sudden blockage of the kidneys can result in acute kidney failure as does auto immune diseases and diseases that clot the small blood vessels of the kidneys. Some of these conditions include having a transfusion reaction, having malignant high blood pressure (extremely high blood pressure), scleroderma or bleeding disorders of pregnancy like an abrupted placenta or a placenta previa.
Symptoms of acute kidney failure are many. The most common symptoms are a stoppage or slowing down of urine production, swelling of the ankles and legs, fluid retention elsewhere in the body, decreased sensation of the hands or feet, change in mental status, high blood pressure or nausea/vomiting.
Chronic kidney failure affects the kidneys more slowly but results in many of the same problems with the kidneys. In fact, it can occur over several years. While there may be no symptoms in the beginning, eventually the disease is as symptomatic as acute renal failure. Symptoms occur when the kidney function is less than 10% of normal.
Chronic kidney failure occurs in 2 out of a thousand individuals in the US. The most common causes of the disease are diabetes and high blood pressure. These two diseases account for 65% of the cases of chronic kidney failure. Other diseases are more unusual and include glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease, and conditions where blockage or back flow of the urine occurs on a regular basis. Kidney stones and recurrent infections can affect the condition as well as recurrent infections in the kidney.
Symptoms of chronic kidney failure include weight loss, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, headache, frequent hiccups and generalized itching. Eventually the symptoms are similar to acute kidney failure and one can see poor urine output, nighttime urination, easy bruising, decreased alertness (with drowsiness, lethargy, confusion or delirium), seizures, muscle twitching, poor sensation of the hands or feet and high blood pressure.
Both chronic and acute kidney failure result in the build up of fluid and waste products inside the body so that there is a buildup of nitrogen wastes in the body as well as other waste products. Almost all body systems are affected by kidney failure.
By: Daniel Yan
About the Author:
Jan
27
If you are in the construction business or employed by an industry that uses products containing asbestos, you may wonder “Are asbestos fibers visible to the eye”? Generally asbestos fibers are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Asbestos becomes dangerous when it has broken down into small fibers and is inhaled. It is nearly impossible to detect the presence of asbestos without taking the material to a lab for testing. A lab technician will put the material under a microscope to search for asbestos fibers. Asbestos does not cause an immediate reaction. It will not cause you to cough, sneeze, or your eyes to water. You cannot see, smell, or taste asbestos. If you skin becomes contaminated with asbestos it will not burn or itch.
Asbestos related diseases have a very long latency period. This is the time frame from when you are first exposed to asbestos until you become ill. Most persons do not become ill for at least ten years after exposure and some not until over forty years later. Asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma are all asbestos related diseases. Asbestosis occurs when asbestos fibers enter the lungs. The body will naturally produce an acid to combat the fibers. However, this acid can cause scarring in the tissue of the lungs and in advanced stages breathing becomes more difficult and painful. Asbestosis was first documented in shipyard workers. Asbestos can also cause lung cancer. If a person smokes and is exposed to asbestos, they have a much greater chance of developing lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that has only been linked to asbestos exposure. It is a cancer of the cells that line the peritoneum (area surrounding the abdominal organs) and the pleura (area outside of the lungs and inside of the ribs).
There is a lot of debate and controversy surrounding which types of asbestos is harmful. Some types of asbestos are thought to be more dangerous than others but all types of asbestos exposure should be avoided. Actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, chrysotile (white asbestos), and tremolite are all types of asbestos. Chrysotile is the type of asbestos most commonly used in manufacturing products.
Asbestos fibers are not visible to the eye. If you feel you may have been exposed to asbestos, the most common method for testing is a chest x-ray. The x-ray will not show the asbestos fibers but it can spot early signs of lung disease. There is no known cure for asbestos related diseases.
By: Jeff Lakie
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