Doctor in the House

As a user of the Internet, you may think that scouring the Web to either find a doctor or to check on your doctor's credentials would be a good bet. After all, there are dozens of Web sites that claim they can help. Some are commercial, like WebMD. Others are run by hospitals, governments, health plans or physician organizations. The sites profile anywhere from several dozen to tens of thousands of doctors. However, a recently published white paper says all doctor search Web sites as inadequate.

Physicians from the Massachusetts Health Data Consortium (MHDC) and the Commonwealth Fund studied 40 popular Web sites and conducted interviews with prospective users. The results were published in a comprehensive report called "Accessing Physician Information on the Internet."

Diets That Demand Change

Nutritionists are fairly adamant about the body needing a balanced diet to keep healthy. But when certain foods aggravate ailments, consultation and diet change are in the cards.

Dr. Sarah Brewer, a British specialist in alternative medicines, says the first step is to consult a dietician, "as you are certainly at risk of nutritional deficiencies." She says special "health foods" such as yogurt, and vitamin and mineral supplements can take up some of the slack.

For persons who cannot tolerate milk products, she says "live bio" yogurt in which the proteins have been predigested might be the answer because it provides useful amounts of calcium and beneficial bacteria. Another recommended non-dairy source of calcium is tofu.

Diagnosing the Dizzy

Rocksprings, Texas, resident Henry Greistmann, 67, recently went to his doctor for a check on his ears. When he told the doctor he got dizzy when he looked up at the ceiling, he was sent to a balance and dizziness clinic hosted by four local physicians.

The clinic, held every other Wednesday, pulls the expertise of a local audiologist, Jeff Sirianni; internal medicine specialist, Michael Schlabach; neurologist, Anand Mehendale; and ear, nose and throat specialist, Charles Ballay.

"Dizziness problems are almost always due to a combination of several things, including hypertension, arthritis, inner ear problems, and those combine to make someone dizzy," Schlabach said. "We try and diagnose what is happening."

Depression: The Unwelcome Companion of Diabetes

Halloween is over and before you know it, department stores will be advertising for holidays. All of a sudden, you may find yourself in over your head in the holiday shopping frenzy. For those suffering from anxiety and depression, this kind of stress can be overwhelming, and even put us at risk of developing other ailments such as diabetes. Research has recently indicated that there is a cross-relationship between diabetes and depression, so it is important to understand the link to effectively manage these conditions.

Not only do experts believe that depression can put a person at risk for developing diabetes, but according to the American Diabetes Association, depression can even be a symptom of diabetes. It is also estimated that people suffering from diabetes are actually twice as likely to develop symptoms of depression then those without. With this in mind, focusing on prevention is essential.

Depression Related To the Flu

If you’re feeling especially down emotionally after a bout with the flu, you’re not going out of your mind. There really is a condition called Post-Influenza Depression. Also called the blues, or the blahs, it goes on for a time after the flu’s chills, fever, nausea, aches and bad dreams.

The problem is most people don’t realize that it’s the aftermath of the flu and may think they’re falling into a more serious case of depression.

But look at it this way: A flu virus attacks your body – and some strains are pretty vicious. All your body’s immune defenses are mobilized. Your major organs may spring to the defense – the lungs, liver, lymph system, intestinal tract. No wonder you feel exhausted, weak and depressed after the battle is won.

Depression and Memory

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depressive illnesses affect more than 20 million Americans each year. People who suffer from depression can be overwhelmed by an unbearable sadness and a sense of hopelessness that makes it difficult to carry on or plan ahead. The disorder can affect their ability to work and damage important relationships. It can lead to cardiac problems and osteoporosis, and complicate the treatment of other medical conditions.

Depressive illnesses can also damage brain structures like the hippocampus, reduce brain cell activity in the prefrontal cortex, and potentially lead to cognitive declines and memory complaints. Studies show that episodic, conscious memory for facts appears to be particularly vulnerable.

Defying “Predisposed” Diseases: Health and Longevity Are in Your Hands

One of the most common misconceptions is that we cannot change our genetic predispositions, and are therefore pre-destined to suffer from diseases that have long been considered hereditary.

Doctors even recommend people with a family history of diseases such as cancer and diabetes to be monitored more frequently then those who do not. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself how your lifestyle influences genetics? The answer is a lot.

Recent studies suggest that people of all ages who are predisposed to certain family diseases can significantly reduce their chances of developing diseases that tend to run in the family, regardless of their age.  They can also modify the tendency to develop diseases for future generations down the road.

Dealing with Depression

It's not uncommon to get a case of the blues now and then, but women are twice as likely as men to have it turn into a full-blown bout of depression. It's not clear whether this is based on biological differences or because women are more likely to express their feelings, but The University of Iowa's Virtual Hospital offers a helpful guide for coping.

Sometimes depression starts out as stress that builds slowly, with no physical or emotional outlet -- a victim may experience physical symptoms such as fatigue. As the stress continues with no release, the victim may slide into depression with a completely different set of symptoms.

Dealing With Common Ailments in Small Children- Naturally!

When children are young, there are frequent conditions they may suffer from. These complaints can cause distress and discomfort in your child, and ultimately heartache for you as a parent. Below are a few common ailments and the natural ways to care for small children suffering from them.

Diaper rash

Diaper rash is a common skin condition in babies and is usually caused by contents of a dirty diaper irritating the skin, and can produce symptoms such as red bumps, soreness and peeling of the skin. However, in some cases, a rash that looks much like a diaper rash is actually caused by a bacteria or yeast infection.

Cutting Anti-Cholesterol Drug Side Effects

Lowering your cholesterol is to be ardently desired and there is a mountain of medical evidence showing it reduces your risk of heart disease. But for many ThirdAgers, current prescription medicines available tend to carry unpleasant side effects such as constipation and gas.

A study in the current issue of Archives of Internal Medicine finds a new product, Cholestagel, lowers low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by up to 19 percent without the high rate of side effects. Study author Dr. Michael H. Davidson of the Chicago Center for Clinical Trials says the side effects of cholesterol drugs lead many people to stop taking the medication.

Cure Colic and Finally Sleep!

Colic is a medical condition that affects babies. In medical terms, a baby has to cry for more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, for more than 3 weeks in a row before colic is diagnosed.

Colic tends to be worse at certain times of the day, such as during the evening and in the middle of the night. While the baby is crying they look so angry! Their fists are clenched and legs up in the air while the abdominal area is cramping up.

Colic usually starts in newborn babies to infants who are two months old. Not all infants get colic but it is very common. There are a number of things that you can do to relieve the colic and get your peace of mind back. By the end of 3 months your baby should be over the episodes and both of you can, once again, get some sleep!

Cucumber: A Nutritional Powerhouse at Your Finger Tips

Who knew that one simple fruit could have so many health benefits? An article published in The New York Times several weeks ago featured the many uses of cucumber. But what struck me the most were its nutritional properties.

Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day. As a matter of fact, one cucumber contains vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin C, and calcium.

Cucumbers can serve as a quick pick me up. Since cucumbers are a good source of B vitamins and carbohydrates they can be used to provide a quick pick-me-up. So next time you’re feeling tired in the afternoon grab a cucumber instead of coffee or soda!

Cryosurgery Used for Chronic Foot Pain

BRADENTON, FLA. -- For those with chronic foot and/or heel pain, Dr. Brent Rubin has a suggestion: Give it the deep freeze.

Rubin, a podiatrist at HealthCare America, isn't advocating that pain sufferers immerse their feet in a bucket of ice cubes. Rather, it's cryosurgery -- an ancient concept that uses super-cold temperatures to treat inflamed or diseased tissue.

"It literally freezes the nerve," Rubin said of the procedure, which he has performed on about 150 patients. "It doesn't kill it permanently. The nerve will regenerate anywhere from six months to a year later."

And, it usually heals itself in the process, thereby eliminating the source of the pain, he said.

Coping With the Loss of Your Pet

Losing a pet can be very upsetting, and even shocking. Unfortunately, since animals age quicker than humans, most pet owners will go through the loss of a pet at some point in their lives, but comfortably coping with that loss can be hard to do.

Ask your vet

First and foremost, it is important to ask your vet questions about the condition of your pet. Since the questions are surrounding a distressing subject, it may be in your best interest to write down what you would like to ask your vet so as not to forget anything when in the office. After talking with your vet, weigh all the options he/she may have given you. If medical attention to extend your pet’s life is possible, give some thought as to whether this option is financially viable for you- and always keep your pet’s happiness in mind.