hot topics

Alcohol rehabilitation: All you need to know

Alcohol rehabilitation: All you need to know

Rehab or rehabilitation is essentially a drug or alcohol treatment program. It is usually provided in a residential setting, where patients are monitored for safety. Alcohol rehab is often the only solution when alcohol addiction gets out of hand. The body refuses to function properly without the consumption of alcohol, in the case of an addiction. Alcohol rehab programs are based on abstinence and provide the care and support required by an individual to quit. California is known to have some of the best rehabilitation centers in the country, if not the world. Here’s a general idea of the kind of programs available for addicts in the alcohol rehab centers in California. Detoxification The first step to rehabilitating yourself is to get sober. It is possibly the most difficult step to take when you’re addicted to alcohol. This is where alcohol rehab centers start playing a role. Rehab centers are willing to provide support and supervision 24×7. They also guide you through the process of detoxification by enlightening you about the change your body undergoes. A number of these rehab centers also inculcate fitness programs such as yoga and sports to make it easier for you. These activities help in the process of detoxification as well.
Gout attacks and their treatment procedures

Gout attacks and their treatment procedures

Gout is inflammatory arthritis which is developed due to high levels of uric acid in the blood. The acid has the capability to form into needle-like crystals in a joint. These crystals cause severe pain, tenderness, swelling, and redness. It most affects the large joint of the big toe. It also affects feet, ankles, wrists, hands, knees, etc. The attacks of gout occur suddenly and mostly at nights. Gout is more common among men than women. Over 4% of the US population suffers from gout arthritis. It occurs due to various factors like genes, medications, age and gender, diet, alcohol, and sodas. The treatment procedures you need to know about: The main aim of gout treatment is to reduce the sharp pain and limit its chances of recurrence. This also aims to reduce complications like joint destruction and kidney failure. This requires medical support to treat along with some home precautions to follow. Some of the more popular gout treatment procedures are listed below! Getting adequate rest When a gout attack occurs, rest the affected joint. This helps in the pain reduction to a certain extent. Proper rest, along with the prescribed medicines, give you relief from the pain, which is the worst part of gout.
A brief introduction to sildenafil

A brief introduction to sildenafil

Sildenafil, commonly sold under the brand name Viagra, is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor that is used for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension and erectile dysfunction and works by dilating and relaxing the blood vessels in the lungs. This results in the lowering of the lungs’ BP and helps improve stamina and agility. Sildenafil is an active ingredient in Viagra and its dose ranges from 25mg to 100mg per tablet. How sildenafil works Sildenafil protects the cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate) from getting degraded by the cGMP-specific PDE5 in the mass of erectile tissues, wherein the nitric oxide binds itself to the guanylate cyclase receptors. This results in an augmented levels of the cGMP. These result in smooth relaxation of muscles, which also contributes positively to increased blood flow to the penis. This causes an erection. Sildenafil is a selective and potent inhibitor of the cGMP-specific PDE5 that are responsible for the cGMP degradation in the mass of erectile tissues. Sildenafil acts as a PDE5 binding agent, resulting in increased cGMP and longer and better erections. Possible side-effects of sildenafil As it is with most medicines, sildenafil could also cause unwanted side-effects, although not everyone experiences them. While the unwelcome effects often improve as the body adjusts to the new medicine, if the side-effects become troublesome or continuous, one should immediately consult a doctor or physician.
Surgery overview of tubal ligation

Surgery overview of tubal ligation

Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure in which a woman’s Fallopian tubes are blocked, tied, or cut. Tubal ligation and tubal implants are one of the permanent methods of birth control for women. They are usually done by a gynecologist or a general surgeon. The implants are small metal springs and are placed in each Fallopian tube, thereby blocking it. Over time, a tissue develops naturally around this tube and blocks it permanently. It prevents the eggs in the Fallopian tubes from travelling and thus restricts them from getting fertilized. This is one of the best methods suggested by the doctors for birth control, as it is safe and can guarantee results. The procedure is also extremely simple and does not require hospitalization. Pain is minimal and you can get back to your normal duties within a short recovery period. Let us take a look at the methods used in the procedure. Methods used for tubal ligation There are many ways by which the Fallopian tubes can be closed. These include clipping or banding them shut, or cutting and stitching, or burning them closed. This can be done using a laparoscopic technique or mini-lap. These are done as a minimally invasive surgery and require an incision.
Select the test for your tubal reversal

Select the test for your tubal reversal

Once you have undergone a sterilization process and had your t ubal ligation surgery , there is no reason for you to lose complete hopes of getting pregnant . The tubal reversal surgery will allow you to regain your fertility. A surgeon will reopen, untie or reconnect your fallopian tube so you are able to conceive a baby. Knowing this, the importance levied on choosing the doctor and the clinic for the surgery should not be trodden lightly. The surgery is quite costly, so you count on its success at one go. The success of the surgery, however, depends on various factors the age of the patient, the type of tubal ligation and the overall health of your fallopian tubes. But, you as a patient should realize that the most important factor that decides the success of your surgery is the skill and experience of the doctor and the quality of the clinic where you will undergo the surgical procedure. Best s urgeons for t ubal r eversal When you are probing the web to get an idea on the best tubal reversal surgeons in the US , Dr. Berger, and Dr. Charles Monteith are your safest bet . These two surgeons have dedicated their practice to exclusive tubal reversal surgeries only.
Overview of female sterilization

Overview of female sterilization

Female sterilization is a permanent method to prevent pregnancy. The process involves blocking of the Fallopian tubes so that the passage of eggs is restricted. It is also the primary birth control method in many developed countries. There are two mains methods by which it can be performed – surgical and nonsurgical. The surgical procedure is known as tubal ligation. In this method, the Fallopian tubes are cut or sealed. It’s sometimes referred to as getting your tubes tied. It is performed as a minimally invasive surgery called laparoscopy. It can be done immediately after the delivery too. Nonsurgical procedures use implants and they are placed in the Fallopian tubes to permanently seal them. In this method, the devices are inserted through the vagina into the Fallopian tubes. How does it work? Once the tubes are sealed, it prevents the egg from reaching the uterus and also curtails the sperm from reaching the egg. Tubal ligation can be effective immediately as the tubes are knotted while the nonsurgical procedure can take time as it depends on the development of the scar tissue around the implant. Tubal ligation requires general anesthesia. The sealing of the Fallopian tubes is done by both cutting and folding the tubes or by removing the section of the tubes.
How to choose a drug rehab center?

How to choose a drug rehab center?

As per the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in 2013 there were more than 22 million people in the United States who were suffering from some form of substance abuse. If you are looking for a credible drug rehab center for a loved one, you must consider the factors listed below. Top rated rehab centers always have a strong plan for monitoring and managing withdrawal symptoms. It is critical for the clinic to wean away the patient from the drug once she starts displaying withdrawal symptoms. A good rehab program will also manage co-occurring mental health issues. This program will also address issues regarding usage of specific drugs. Good rehab programs will also address issues related to lifestyle change, mental distress and psychological trauma experienced by the patient. In addition, psychologists also try to address the associated environmental and community concerns. Amazingly, just over 2 million people sought help from professional drug rehab centers. Mental health According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, just 5,312 facilities in the US treat mental health issues related to drug and alcohol abuse. Many government statistics say that a person who is addicted to drugs and/ or alcohol is most likely to suffer from some mental illness as well.
Why dental care is a must for all

Why dental care is a must for all

As they say, prevention is always better than cure. The same applies to your oral healthcare. Spending thousands of dollars on your teeth and gum problems can be a nightmare that you can avoid by simply caring for your dental health on a routine basis. If you are unaware of the reasons to take good dental care, check out some of the popular ways listed below! Prevention of gum diseases: Gums are the foundation of your teeth and they keep your teeth affixed at their place. Not doing enough for dental care may lead to infections in your gum tissues or bones. This may further lead to tooth loss, if not treated timely. However, you may avoid this situation by daily brushing and cleaning of your teeth and gums effectively. You may use tools like a Waterpik water flosser to ensure better cleaning and plaque removal through proper flossing. Early detection of dental problems: If you care for your teeth and visit a dentist once every six months or so, then you can detect dental issues at an early stage. This will help you check for any cavity, gum problem, inflammation, or damaged filling. With right dental care, you can avoid a stage where you would need a root canal procedure or tooth removal.
Types of tubal reversal surgery you should know about

Types of tubal reversal surgery you should know about

Tubal ligation sterilizes you, but thankfully it is a surgery that can be reversed when needed. A tubal reversal surgery is known medically by a variety of names that are specific to the procedure that a surgeon follows. They include tubotubal anastomosis, microsurgical tubal reanastomosis, microsurgical tubal anastomosis, tubal reimplantation, tubouterine implantation, neofimbrioplasty, and several others. These surgeries are performed by almost all tubal reversal surgeons. Just ask your doctor about the surgery he/she is going to perform on you. There are mainly three types of tubal reversal surgery performed to ensure the re-functioning of your fallopian tube. Mini-laparotomy If you are looking for an economical option for your surgery, then mini-laparotomy should be your choice. It provides the most affordable surgical option and that is why it is the most common among the surgery procedures. The mini-laparotomy needs a small 2-4 incision. This incision is done just above the pubic line and below the bathing suit line. This is done to ensure that there is no publicly visible scar, once the cut is healed. The recovery time with mini-laparotomy is at max 2 weeks. Even with the larger incision, most women return to work after a week’s rest. Consult your doctor on the same.
Things you need to know about adult diapers

Things you need to know about adult diapers

Of all types of incontinence, the stress, urge and debility incontinence are most difficult to live with as they create lots of inconvenience in everyday life. Most of the time the cause of incontinence is beyond the victim’s control. Stress incontinence is due to muscle weakness and any sudden pressure in the abdomen causes a leakage of urine. In Urge incontinence, the leak occurs when the urinary bladder suddenly contracts. Clearly, the muscular behavior is neither predictable nor under one’s control. It is not that treatment isn’t available for these conditions. However, there are cases where all treatments are futile, and ordinary ones have not produced the desired results and the patient is not going for sophisticated ones for reasons of their own. Debility incontinence is often not effectively treatable and can only be managed. Even when treatments are instituted, they take time to really kick in’ and give effective relief. In all these cases the only recourse is to employ suitable physical means of absorbing the leaked urine in a medium with high absorbing capacities. One of the most convenient means is provided by adult diapers. These are made of wood pulp and synthetic polyacrylate sandwiched between dual layers of waterproof layers of polyethylene sheets.
Special purpose adult diapers and their uses

Special purpose adult diapers and their uses

Adult diapers are generally used in stress, urge or disability incontinence. There is always an intervening period for treatment to kick in’ and take effect. Diapers are the most common means to overcome the physical inconveniences in the interim period. Diapers are available in various sizes for babies, adults, and older people. The fastening mechanisms also vary to suit various user’s convenience. Today, diapers have evolved to suit special needs. For instance, with the advent of space exploration, astronauts have special requirements, especially during launch and re-entry times. There are many uses of adult diapers and some customized ones can be used for special purposes. For instance, astronauts use a combination of three Maximum Absorbency Garments’ or MAGs, each for lift-off and re-entry, and one spare. The spare is required because re-entry can be cancelled and rescheduled. The fabric is made of high capacity absorbent materials which can absorb liquid 400 times their weight. These maximum absorbency garments are also used during space walks and extracapsular activities. These are designed for 6 hours of extracapsular period. In the initial days, only women astronauts used these, while men used collection devices. However, looking at the comfort and efficiency of adult diapers, the tides turned with men also using them.