The airways in a person with asthma are very sensitive and react to a variety of external factors, or "triggers." These triggers cause the airways to tighten and become inflamed and blocked with mucus, resulting in difficulty breathing. An acute asthma attack can begin immediately after exposure to a trigger or several hours or days later. There are many kinds of triggers, and responses to them vary from person to person. A trigger may be harmless to some asthmatics but contribute to an…

What is occupational asthma? Occupational asthma is asthma caused by or worsened by exposure to substances in the workplace. These substances may cause asthma in one of three ways: An allergic reaction. An irritant reaction. A reaction in which chemicals that occur naturally in the body build up in the lung, resulting in asthma. For example, health care workers can develop an allergy to latex gloves by breathing in the powdered proteins from the inner lining of the gloves. Workers…

What is asthma? Asthma is a disorder of the lungs that causes the airways to: Swell (or become inflamed), specifically in the airway linings Produce large amounts of mucus that is thicker than normal Become more narrow due to muscle contractions surrounding the airways The symptoms of asthma are: Feeling short of breath Frequent coughing, especially at night Wheezing (a whistling noise during breathing) Difficulty breathing Asthma is very common; it affects about 5 to…

How is arthritis treated? "Arthriti" means inflammation of the joints, and it might cause pain, swelling, and limited motion of one or many joints in the body. More than 100 different illnesses can cause arthritis. Treatment begins after diagnosis by a doctor, who might prescribe medicine to reduce inflammation, pain, swelling, and loss of motion. As part of a comprehensive plan for arthritis treatment, your doctor might also prescribe occupational and physical therapy, which can provide…

Your skin is how you present yourself to the world. It is important to keep this first impression healthy not only to look at, but for our long-term well being. The skin on our face can be challenged throughout our lives, from the first acne of our teenage years to the wrinkling of our later years. Facial Skin Care for Acne-Prone Skin If you are prone to acne, choose a cleanser specially formulated for acne. These products often contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, which help to clear…

Regular Exercise Improves Quality of Life We all want our parents to remain as active and independent as possible, and we want the same thing for ourselves! Regular exercise is pivotal for seniors. Seniors are at greater risk for disease, lost mobility and falls than any other age group. Conversely, they often realize the positive effects of exercise more quickly than other age groups. If your parent hasn’t been exercising, it can be difficult to get started. 7 tips to start a new exercise…

Treatment for Gynecologic Disorders A visit to the gynecologist can be much more overwhelming for women who seek treatment beyond the annual exam – when gynecologic issues are causing painful or embarrassing problems. But treatment of gynecologic disorders has advanced far beyond abdominal hysterectomies once considered standard care. Rapid improvements in technology, including minimally invasive procedures and greater use of robotics, are reducing pain and improving the outcome for most women…

As we age, our bones become thinner and lose their density. But there are steps we can take to halt the “thinning” of our bones, called osteopenia, and prevent osteoporosis. Follow these tips from Cleveland Clinic experts: Eat calcium-rich foods. Besides dairy products, choose fish with bones (such as salmon, sardines or whitebait), and serve them with a side of dark leafy green vegetables or broccoli. Fortified tofu and soy milk are other calcium-rich choices, says registered dietitian…

Dry Skin Care Dry skin is defined as flaking or scaling when there is no evidence of dermatitis, or inflammation, of the skin. It is most prominent on the shins, hands, and sides of the abdomen , and can be associated with itching. It is more common during the winter months, when humidity is low, and improves in the summer time. Some people also have a genetic, or hereditary, tendency to develop dry skin. In addition, elderly people tend to have more trouble with dry skin due to the natural…

Cancer and its treatment will undoubtedly cause changes in your life. One change you may experience from chemotherapy is the development of the symptoms of menopause. How chemotherapy impacts the onset of menopausal symptoms is not fully understood, but this document may begin to answer some of the questions you may have, including: How will I know if the way I am feeling is associated with menopause and not with my treatment, stress or another factor? What are the symptoms of menopause…

By Dr. Manisha Yadav What Are The Symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease? High cholesterol, inactivity, diabetes and smoking can lead to atherosclerosis (deposition of fat in arteries) and arteriosclerosis (hardening of arteries), which can lead to heart attacks and strokes (due to decreased blood supply). When this ongoing decreased blood flow is happening to your legs, it manifests as leg pain when walking and achiness, burning or discomfort in the muscles of your legs. Other symptoms…

Acupuncture Acupuncture, the practice of placing hair-thin needles into certain areas of the skin, is being used to reduce back pain, headache and many other types of pain. Location, Location, Location There are more than 360 classic acupuncture points and several hundred nontraditional points throughout the body, including points on the: face ears hands feet A skilled practitioner or acupuncture inserts hair- thin sterile, disposable needles into the skin, just deep enough to…

Feeling tired, gaining or losing a few pounds, or having trouble sleeping? If so, you have plenty of company. These common complaints can be symptoms of a myriad of conditions, including disorders of the thyroid, a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland. So how do you know whether or not to be concerned? In women, changes to the menstrual cycle can be an indicator of a thyroid problem, but many things can influence the menstrual function. How Common are Thyroid Disorders? The answer is very, with…

Osteoporosis Description An estimated 10 million Americans have osteoporosis. Another 34 million have low bone mass. If left untreated, osteoporosis can be both debilitating and painful. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent osteoporosis from ever occurring. Or, if you already have the disease, early detection and proper medical care can help you slow or even reverse its progress and prevent fractures. Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones, making them more susceptible…

Struggling to Keep Fit Through Menopause Keeping off those extra pounds is an ongoing battle for many women. And it only gets more challenging as we enter menopause. It’s just the way we’re made. Female hormones tend to promote fat formation. That means our bodies store fat more easily than men’s bodies. As we get older, our metabolism slows, enabling even more weight gain. And as we lose muscle mass (beginning at age 40), body fat often takes its place. As we age, we need to do more to…

Like pregnancy and delivery, menopause is a normal life event. Yet every day, I see smart women who are not being given the right information about the changes they are facing during midlife. Many of my patients nearing 50 regard the years leading up to menopause, called perimenopause, as living hell. But that does not have to be the case. The most important thing you can do when you are facing any life change is to arm yourself with the facts. In the case of menopause, you first have to…

Restoring Your Skin The goal of restoring a more youthful appearance motivates many patients to consult specialists in a variety of medical disciplines. New innovations in skin rejuvenation continue to develop, ranging from: Topically applied (directly to the skin) prescription medicationsOver-the-counter "cosmeceuticals"Innovative facelift, browlift, and blepharoplasty (reconstruction of the eyelid) surgery techniquesSoft tissue augmentation (implants)Botulinum toxinNew laser technology A…

Q: I am diabetic and my family doctor says I’ve got protein in my urine. I’m worried that I’ll need dialysis. What can I do to keep my kidneys healthy? A: You’re wise to want to protect your kidneys. Our kidneys have an important role, filtering fluid and waste from the blood, and making hormones that keep our bones and blood healthy. Kidney failure happens when the intricate filtering mechanisms called glomeruli stop functioning in both kidneys. But the kidneys may not completely shut down…

The Facts Behind These 9 Arthritis Myths 1. All joint pain is arthritis. Fact: Other conditions, such as tendonitis, bursitis or other soft-tissue injuries, also cause joint pain. Evaluation by a rheumatologist will lead to the right diagnosis and treatment. 2. Rain and damp weather worsen arthritis. Fact: Although many believe that a twinge in the knee or knuckle can predict rain, there is no scientific evidence that dampness or humidity intensifies arthritis symptoms. 3. Take it easy if…

What is the difference between varicose veins and spider veins? Varicose veins commonly develop as we grow older, but can be treated with exercise, support hose, or surgery. Varicose veins are large, raised, swollen blood vessels. They usually develop in the legs. Spider veins are smaller, red to purple and blue dilated vessels. Spider veins are easily visible and are found just under the skin. They are also most often seen on the legs and thighs. What causes varicose veins and spider…