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Stress is defined as an organism''s total response to environmental demands or pressures. When stress was first studied in the 1950s, the term was used to denote both the causes and the experienced effects of these pressures.
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In this report you'll learn about a multitude of techniques that can help reduce stress, including breath focus, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, yoga, massage, and more.
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Everyone feels stress from time to time. It's a fact of daily life. Stress has its upside, but too much of it can leave you feeling out of control. And chronic stress can have negative consequences on your health.
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Among psychologists and psychiatrists, stress refers to a psychological reaction within the person to events that generate strong emotion that cannot be easily regulated; for other social scientists, the term stress is used to describe a disturban...
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Knowing the causes of your stress will help you find ways to manage it.Things that cause stress (stressors) can be everyday events, major life changes, or a combination of things. They can be either happy or sad events. Knowing your stressors will help you find ways to manage your stress.
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Sometimes no matter how hard and fast you work, you miss your deadline, adding to your physical and emotional stress.
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Stress is defined as an organism''s total response to environmental demands or pressures. When stress was first studied in the 1950s, the term was used to denote both the causes and the experienced effects of these pressures.
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When you're faced with a highly stressful event in your life, the strategies outlined here will help you cope.
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Ways to manage stress: Get enough sleep, follow a healthy diet and make time for yourself.
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Many people believe stress is all in the mind. But dealing with stressful situations can have physiological consequences.
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By consciously learning to be present and mindful, you can transform your inattention to attention and your stress into solutions.
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Some stress is inevitable, but as you grow older, the key is to minimize stress while maximizing happiness and enjoyment.
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Detailed information on women and managing stress Many women face difficult challenges and responsibilities that may overlap or conflict, causing stress that can affect their health. Stress can arise out of difficulties at home, in relationships, and in the workplace. Family "well-being" includes stable relationships, and family members' ability to fulfill essential roles in the home, child rearing values and practices, and the mental and physical health and development of every family member. Researchers are also trying to determine which workplace conditions influence employees' experiences of conflict between work and family roles; they are studying the effects of job stress on spouses and on marriage; and they are studying how parents' working conditions may affect their parenting and their children.
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If you take a healthy attitude toward stress in your travel plans, the payoffs include improved physical well-being, mental alertness and better job performance.
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Lower your risk: Control stress. When you're stressed, your heartbeat speeds up and your blood pressure skyrockets. The next time you feel tension taking over, sit back and look at what's bothering you.
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Yoga is one of the few stress-relief tools that has a positive effect on all the body systems involved.
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Recent studies are changing our notion about why men develop impotence. While it was once believed that psychological problems were the main cause, we now understand that medical factors -- such as poor blood flow, nerve damage, and medication side effects -- play an important role in most cases of impotence.
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Practicing deep, focused breathing is a relaxation technique that can help alleviate stress, which in turn will likely have positive effects on general health and well-being.
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As a working parent, do you need some relief from the stress of managing a career and a family?
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Your wedding day can be one of the best days of your life, it can also be one of the most stressful.
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By understanding what is causing you stress, you may be able to make changes to help you feel more in control.
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New research shows that prolonged stress can accelerate the aging of body cells.
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A British study suggests a link between increased stress and a rise in cholesterol level, and a follow-up several years later showed the trend continued over time.
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Stress is an individual''s physical and mental reaction to environmental demands or pressures.When stress was first studied, the term was used to denote both the causes and the experienced effects of these pressures. More recently, however, the wor...
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Over the course of evolution, the human mind and body have developed means of handling stressful situations. Over the short term, such stress response pathways are highly adaptive, allowing a person to manage his or her resources in order to navig...
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Stress is a term that refers to the sum of the physical, mental, and emotional strains or tensions on a person. Feelings of stress in humans result from interactions between persons and their environment that are perceived as straining or exceedin...
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My fingertips have recently started peeling. I have been under a considerable amount of stress lately. Could there be any correlation?
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Women experience symptoms of stress 30 percent more often than men, research has shown.
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No one can avoid all stress -- and a certain amount actually is good for you. But it's always best to keep unhealthy levels in check when possible.
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Mental stress does more than diminish your sense of well-being. It also can increase your risk for heart disease.
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During stressful times, your body produces various chemicals, including cortisol, an immune-suppressing hormone. The more cortisol produced, the weaker your immune cells become and the more susceptible you are to illness.
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You're familiar with the symptoms of stress -- a pounding heart, increased perspiration, tight neck and shoulder muscles, anxiety and fear. But you may not know how to prevent or relieve these symptoms.
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The formula for success at work is not only hard work, but also frequent breaks for mental and physical rest.
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Here are suggestions on how to better deal with the stress in your life.We live in tense and stressful times.
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Whether your credit card balances are soaring, or you and your partner are arguing constantly over nickels and dimes, there are things you can do to relieve financial stress.
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The more you learn about the pressure times and triggers at your workplace, the better you'll be able to plan for them.
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No matter the source of your stress, it can produce physical, mental, and emotional symptoms that can affect any part of the body.
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Stress is a powerful force for good and for ill. It can help us cope with life's challenges, but it can also affect our health by making pre-existing conditions worse or even bringing on new ones.
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To manage your stress, you must first learn to recognize when you are under stress. Every one reacts to stress differently; find out how you respond to stressful situations.
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Anything that brings on feelings of stress is called a stressor. Today, we often face many stressors.
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Stress tests are not recommended unless you experience chest pain or tightness during exercise or other activities that stress the heart.
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Guidelines from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology offer advice on protecting the heart during noncardiac surgery.
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Resilience is the ability to handle stressful events and remain mentally strong and healthy. The presence of a certain form of neurochemical may be one explanation for why some people are more resilient than others.
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In experiments on mice, suppressing a chemical linked to stress and appetite prevented the formation of abdominal fat cells, which could lead to new possibilities for weight loss drugs.
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What is the relationship between stress and infertility?
Joan Bengtson, M.D., is assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproduction at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
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History Generalised anxiety disorder is a relatively recent diagnosis. Before 1980 it was subsumed under the label of anxiety neurosis, a disorder first delineated by Freud in 1894 1 and characterised by persistent feelings of unattached fearfulness described as free-floating anxiety. 1 However, the disorder described by Freud also included the symptom of panic, and when panic disorder was subsequently identified as a separate illness by Klein, 2 the part of anxiety neurosis that did not include panic became known as generalised anxiety disorder.
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Systematic desensitization is a technique used to treat phobias and other extreme or erroneous fears based on principles of behavior modification.Systematic desensitization is used to help the client cope with phobias and other fears, and to induc...
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Anxiety is a bodily response to a perceived threat or danger. It is triggered by a combination of biochemical changes in the body, the patient''s personal history and memory, and the social situation.It is important to distinguish between anxiety a...
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The source of this uneasiness is not always known or recognized, which can add to the distress you feel.Anxiety; Feeling uptight; Stress; Tension; Jitters; Apprehension.Stress is a normal part of life. In small quantities, stress is good-- it can ...
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Anxiety is familiar to everyone due to the many stresses and complexities of modern life.
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This report features up-to-date information on the signs, causes, and treatments of many common phobias and anxiety disorders.
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Anxiety is normally a helpful emotion that rouses the individual to action and alerts the individual to danger. Everyone has anxiety; it is common to feel anxiety before a ?first date,? when beginning a new job, or before an examination.
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Anxiety is a multisystem response to a perceived threat or danger. It reflects a combination of biochemical changes in the body, the patient''s personal history and memory, and the social situation.
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Unlike the relatively mild, brief anxiety caused by a stressful event such as a business presentation or a first date, anxiety disorders are chronic, relentless, and can grow progressively worse if not treated.
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Everybody experiences fear at some time or another. Fear is a powerful emotion that arises in situations that are interpreted as dangerous. The purpose of fear is to alert you to take protective action—usually to fight, flee, or seek assistance. For example, if you were hiking in the woods and encountered a snake, you would naturally interpret this situation as dangerous which would produce the emotion of fear, which, in turn, would motivate some self-preserving behavior—probably an attempt to escape. If, however, you recognize that the snake is harmless, your interpretation of the situation as dangerous and the ensuing emotion of fear would have been erroneous. Notice how important the cognitive act of interpretation is in experiencing fear.
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Anxiety is a multisystem response to a perceived threat or danger. It reflects a combination of biochemical changes in the body, the patient''s personal history and memory, and the social situation at hand.
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Anxiety disorders are a group of disorders that can affect adults, adolescents and children. They overwhelm people with chronic feelings of anxiety and fear.
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This guide is designed to help you learn about anxiety disorders. Knowing more, you may feel more comfortable talking with a health professional about your experience and your symptoms.
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You may suffer from generalized anxiety disorder if you go through the day worried, tense or anxious about your family, health or work, even when you know there are no signs of trouble.
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Anxiety—feeling frightened, tense, uneasy—is a normal response to a threat. Anxiety can disrupt your life, but it's nothing to be ashamed of. Don't suffer in silence. Anxiety disorders are covered by most health plans. Check what's covered under your plan. Then ask your doctor or another mental health professional for help.
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Discussion of the effect of anxiety disorders on children and how they can be treated.
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Despite their age, benzodiazepines still provide unique benefits and are unlikely to be entirely superseded by newer medications. Includes a comparison chart of newer and older drugs for insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
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A common disorder infrequently diagnosed Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common and often chronic disorder, with an estimated lifetime prevalence rate of 5.7% in the general population, but it is often overlooked and undertreated. 1 Why should this be so? Comorbid disorders motivate help-seeking The core symptoms of GAD are chronic worry and tension.
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You have to give a presentation next week. Just thinking about it makes your heart race. Your throat gets tight, and you can hardly breathe. Sometimes, you even feel faint. Speaking in front of a group makes most people nervous, but your fear is beyond reason. This is nothing to be ashamed of. You may have an anxiety disorder known as social phobia. Talk to your doctor or mental health professional. They can offer treatment and support.
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It is common to feel stress or anxiety when you have cancer. Anxiety can be a vague or uneasy feeling of distress. There are many things that can bring on these feelings, such as trips to your doctor's office, treatments for your cancer, or fears about your cancer.
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Separation anxiety is common in children, but most grow out of it. However, in a small percentage of children (and more rarely, in adults) it becomes a disorder. Typical treatment methods include cognitive and behavioral therapy.
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Research suggests that for patients who are starting treatment for depression, their type of attachment anxiety should be taken into consideration as a factor in determining the best course of treatment.
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There is evidence that certain herbs and supplements may be effective in treating certain types of anxiety disorders.
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When I get nervous, I get a tic that affects the left side of my face, including my eye. What can I do about this? Is there anything I can take for it?
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Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways in the lungs. This inflammation periodically causes the airways to narrow, producing wheezing and breath-lessness sometimes to the point where the patient gasps for air.
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Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways, which causes attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.
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It used to be that having asthma meant choosing between breathing problems and side effects of asthma medicine. But today's asthma treatments have freed people from that choice. You can now breathe easier thanks to highly effective medications with few or no side effects. For people with more than occasional, mild symptoms, today's standard of care calls for consistent, daily use of asthma medications even when you feel well. And with the help of updated asthma guidelines, described in this report, you and your doctor can choose the most effective drugs and dosages to control your asthma while keeping your medication levels as low as possible.
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Detailed information on asthma, including childhood asthma The majority of children with asthma have allergies. Even exposure to low-grade allergens (those that do not cause significant allergic reactions) may increase the severity of the asthma. In addition, allergies may play a role in undiagnosed asthma cases. Other triggers of childhood asthma may include the following:
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Asthma is a disease of the respiratory system that causes breathing difficulty. Asthma is typically expressed by repeated but reversible episodes of constriction and inflammation of the airways and lungs.
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Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory system that causes breathing difficulty. Asthma comes from the Greek word for panting.
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Children with well-controlled asthma have minimal or no persistent symptoms during the day or night, minimal or no asthma "attacks," no limitations on activities, and minimal or no days of school or work (or parent's work) missed.
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Detailed information on asthma, including triggers of an asthma attack, symptoms, diagnosis, management, and treatment
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Detailed information on asthma, including triggers of an asthma attack, symptoms, diagnosis, management, and treatment
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Detailed information on asthma, including triggers of an asthma attack, symptoms, diagnosis, management, and treatment
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Detailed information on asthma, including triggers of an asthma attack, symptoms, diagnosis, management, and treatment
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Asthma is a chronic(long-lasting) inflammatory disease of the airways. In people susceptible to asthma, this inflammation causes the airways to narrow periodically.
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Today asthma is viewed as a chronic(long-lasting) inflammatory disease of the airways. In those susceptible to asthma, this inflammation causes the airways to narrow periodically.
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Detailed information on asthma, including triggers of an asthma attack, symptoms, diagnosis, management, and treatment
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Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways in which periods of relatively free breathing are punctuated by episodes in which breathing becomes difficult. During an attack, inflammation causes the airways to fill with mucus secretions ...
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One of the major triggers for asthma attacks is cigarette smoke. Cigarette, pipe, or cigar smoke is especially harmful to people with asthma because it damages the cells in the lungs that make the protective coating lining the bronchial tubes.
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Most people with asthma should have two written plans. They have a day-to-day plan that lists the steps required to treat and monitor asthma, and they have an emergency plan.
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Asthma is a disease of the airways in the lungs. No one knows exactly why some children get it. And so far there isn't a cure. But it can be controlled so your child can enjoy a happy, active life.
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Detailed information on asthma attack triggers and avoidance of allergens and other irritants
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Detailed information on treatment for asthma, including Long-term asthma control medication, Quick-relief asthma medication, and Inhalation devices for asthma
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Detailed information on asthma, including asthma in pregnancy Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory disease in which the airways become sensitive to allergens (any substance that triggers an allergic reaction). Several things happen to the airways when exposed to certain triggers:
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A lung disease characterized by spasms and inflammation of the airways, causing wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.Asthma is a lung disease characterized by recurring and sometimes persistent spasms and inflammation of the airways, causin...
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Chances are, you know someone who has asthma -- or even have it yourself. This brief summary can serve as an introduction or a review of the facts about asthma.
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Many people think of asthma as a childhood disease, but it often occurs as a new condition in older adults.
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Your health care provider may prescribe asthma medications for you. They may include quick-relief medications and long-term control medications. Know the names of your medications. Also know how each one works and when to use it.
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Nocturnal asthma, also called sleep-related asthma, can happen at any hour during sleep, but symptoms worsen at night.
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Detailed information on asthma triggers According to the latest information available from the American Lung Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), approximately 20.5 million people in the US have been diagnosed with asthma, with at least 6.2 million of them children under the age of 18. Both in the United States, and in other developed countries, there has been a significant increase in asthma both as an illness and a cause of death. Yet outdoor air quality has improved and there have been declines in mortality due to other pulmonary diseases, such as tuberculosis and pneumonia.
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Detailed information on asthma attack triggers and avoidance of allergens and other irritants
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Detailed information on asthma attack triggers and avoidance of allergens and other irritants
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Detailed information on allergy, asthma, and immunology Topic Index Allergy Asthma
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Detailed information on asthma medications The use of medications in children is highly individualized, based on the severity of the child's symptoms, the age of the child, and the ability of the child to take inhaled medications. The following are the most commonly used medications:
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Asthma is a common chronic lung disease characterized by a narrowing of the airways, resulting in obstruction of the flow of air and difficulty in breathing. The airflow obstruction is partially or completely reversible in most patients.
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If you've been diagnosed with EIA, you probably don't have to sacrifice your favorite workouts or sports.
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To make sure that you are getting the most benefit from your asthma medicines, here are questions to ask yourself.
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Your health care team will help you fill out your Action Plan. Provide the information requested to see how well you are managing your asthma.
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Autumn means pumpkins, colorful leaves and, for some, worries about asthma.Autumn means pumpkins, colorful leaves and, for some, worries about asthma. You can blame these worries on seasonal asthma triggers that are in the air and environment, along with falling temperatures.
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Detailed information on treatment for asthma, including Long-term asthma control medication, Quick-relief asthma medication, and Inhalation devices for asthma
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Detailed information on management of asthma, avoidance of allergy triggers, and the components of asthma treatment
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Detailed information about asthma, including an asthma quiz to test your knowledge on the subject
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Glossary of terms relating to asthma and allergy [return to top] adrenaline - see epinephrine.
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For asthmatics, age can bring a bit of relief from the symptoms. But asthma can also appear at any time of life.
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Women are more likely than men to have asthma. Women also have more asthma attacks.
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Ask your doctor which sports and exercises are best for you. Here is a picture that shows many fun activities. Circle the sports you enjoy or would like to try.
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If you have asthma, you can enjoy sports if you know how to do them safely. Being active can even help your asthma. Besides being fun, exercise can make you a winner. Here are some examples.
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You can still enjoy the season by managing your exposure.The arrival of springtime and warm weather means that the time is ripe for asthma triggers such as pollen or air pollution. But don't let these triggers dampen spring fever. You can still enjoy the season by managing your exposure:
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If you want to quit smoking but feel discouraged, don't lose hope. Try taking a new perspective.
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Some experts believe that you may reduce your asthma symptoms by eating certain foods.
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Asthma isn't just a children's condition. How adult asthma can be accurately diagnosed and managed.
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Detailed information on the different levels of asthma As determined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the following is a guideline used by physicians to help determine the extent of asthma in your child. It is classified as "steps," because each child may step up or step down to different levels at any time.
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List of online resources to find additional information on allergy and asthma This Web was compiled from a variety of sources including the online resources listed below, but is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your physician(s). The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
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Detailed information on allergy, asthma, and immunology Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Home
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College can pose challenges for the student with asthma. New and unfamiliar living quarters, school and social stresses, and other factors can trigger a flare-up.
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Can I continue to take my asthma medication if I am pregnant?
Diana Post, M.D., is an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
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Detailed information on asthma during pregnancy, including possible complications to the mother and to the fetus
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You like to stay busy with your favorite activities and hobbies. But you may be afraid asthma will slow you down. Do your best to control your asthma. Then you can do all the things you like to do!
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People who don't have asthma may not know how it makes you feel. Try not to get angry with them. Instead, help them learn more about asthma. If you're afraid to speak up, ask your parents what words to say. Here are some things you can say to your family, friends, teachers, and other adults.
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A peak flow meter tells you how open your airways are. It also warns you when a flare up is on the way. Use your meter as often as you are told. Follow the steps outlined here. You will need paper, a pencil, and your record sheet.
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Your health care team will work with you to design a daily treatment plan. The goal is to control your asthma and prevent symptoms. You'll learn how to tell when your asthma is getting out of control. You'll also find out what to do if it does.
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Each time you blow into your peak flow meter, you get a number. The number tells you what zone you're in: green, yellow, or red. When you take your peak flow and find your zone, do what your action plan tells you to do.
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You can learn how to help control your asthma. One way is to learn about the things that make you have flare-ups. You can also learn how to know when a flare-up is on the way. The more you know, the easier it will be to control your asthma.
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Use this fun sheet to find your asthma triggers.Triggers are things that make your asthma worse. The more you can keep away from your triggers, the better you'll feel. Do you know your triggers? Put an X in the box next to each of your asthma triggers. Then find your asthma triggers in the picture and circle them.
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I was diagnosed with asthma five years ago, and my doctor prescribed an inhaler to use daily. I haven't had any symptoms for a year now, even though I stopped using my inhaler. Can asthma go away?
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I am a pregnant asthmatic. What are the chances my baby will develop the same disease? Is it hereditary?
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Detailed information on exercise induced asthma, including symptoms and recommendations for asthma control
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Even though it is commonly associated with young people, asthma is a disease that also affects older adults. Up to 10 percent of older adults may have the disease.
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Asthma is a serious and often life-threatening disease. If you want to feel good, maintain your health, and lead a normal life, you have to get into a routine.
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EIA causes coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, usually 10 to 15 after beginning exercise, or up to 20 minutes after stopping exercise.
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An entire team of health care experts is on hand to help people with asthma manage their symptoms and continue to live normal, active lives.
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Common asthma triggers are dust mites, pets and pet dander, cockroaches, mold, tobacco smoke, and pollen.
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If you have asthma, does your dentist know? This is important for good oral health, especially if you use a corticosteroid inhaler.
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The most important factor in controlling asthma spotting the early warning signs of an attack.
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Asthma can't be cured, but you can control it to reduce the amount and severity of your symptoms.
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"I've worked very hard over the years at doing all the things I need to do to keep my asthma under control," says Jerome Abram Bettis.
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Pregnant women with asthma are just as likely to have healthy, normal babies as women without asthma -- as long as their disease is kept under control.
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Getting a grip on asthma doesn't have to be that difficult. Sure, asthma is frustrating, but there's a lot you can do to help yourself. Start by making the commitment to help your doctor manage this chronic illness, while helping yourself lead a full and active life.
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When familiar asthma symptoms flare or new ones crop up, how do you know if your symptoms are worthy of an immediate call to the doctor? Here are some guidelines for when to self-treat, when to call the doctor, and when to seek emergency care.
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Your health care provider will evaluate you to learn more about your asthma. You'll be asked about your symptoms and triggers. You'll then be examined and checked for other lung problems. Some tests may also be done.
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Some things make your asthma get worse. They are called triggers. First you have to find out what your triggers are. Then try to stay away from them. It's OK to ask other people to help you stay away from triggers. You might also need to take medicine every day. This makes triggers bother you less.
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You like to stay busy and have fun. But you may be afraid asthma will slow you down. Do your best to control your asthma. Then you can do all the things you like to do! Use this fun sheet to find the best answer for each problem.
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Exercise is important for everyone, including people who have asthma. Here are some tips for exercising safely when you have asthma.
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Asthma is a disease that inflames and narrows the airways in your lungs. If the airways become so narrow that you have trouble breathing, it's called an asthma flare-up (or "asthma attack”). Air travels into and out of the lungs through tubes called airways.
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Triggers are substances or conditions that cause the airways of the lungs to become inflamed and swollen. Some triggers can also set off an asthma attack. In order to control your asthma, you need to control your triggers. Learn which triggers you are sensitive to.
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Things that pollute the air at home, work, or outdoors may bother your lungs if you have asthma. These things are hard to avoid. They include smoke, perfume, sprays, and car exhaust. These tips may help you stay away from them.
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Peak flow monitoring lets you know how well you're controlling your asthma. It does this by telling you which asthma zone you're in. If needed, you'll be given an action plan that tells you what to do if your asthma gets out of control. Your healthcare team will explain how your symptoms or peak flow numbers can help you know which zone you're in. This chart helps you understand each zone.
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The weather. Food habits. Illness. Many things may trigger your asthma symptoms. Then do what you can to control these triggers. This may mean avoiding certain situations or things, or just learning to relax. These tips may help.
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Exercise is good for everyone, including people with asthma. Exercise can improve your health. It also helps your body make better use of oxygen. This can reduce asthma symptoms. Just be sure your exercise program is one designed to keep your asthma under control.
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You may notice you have asthma and allergy problems when you are around certain animals. Having allergies to animals can trigger asthma flare-ups. The allergy is to an animal's dander (dry skin flakes), feathers, droppings, and saliva.
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Your child's healthcare team works with you to make an action plan for your child. The plan can help control asthma on a daily basis and prevent flare-ups. It also tells what to do if a flare-up occurs. Part of the plan is understanding the medications used to control asthma. Here is an outline.
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Your child will most likely have at least one inhaled type of asthma medication. Which type depends on the kind of medication she takes or on her age and preference.
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You can smooth the way for your asthmatic child to spend time at the homes of family and friends, at daycare, or at school.
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If your child's asthma treatment isn't working, don't give up! With the right plan, asthma can be controlled.
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Don't let fear of an asthma flare-up keep your child from being active. Olympic athletes with asthma are able to perform because their asthma is in control. The same is true for your child.
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It's important to understand common terms used in asthma management.Stepwise. A "stepwise” approach to managing asthma means stepping up (increasing) or stepping down (decreasing) your number and doses of medicines, based on how well your asthma is under control. Under this approach, you use medicine aggressively at first to get asthma under control. The goal, however, is to gradually find and use the fewest number and lowest doses of drugs that will control your asthma.
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Whether you pack a suitcase every week or once a year, you probably know that traveling takes a little extra preparation when you have asthma.
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Although medications can successfully treat asthma symptoms, they may also have side effects that leave you feeling jittery.
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Getting the flu can be serious business for people with asthma. That's why it's important to take steps to prevent it.
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Research shows that informed, supportive teachers and staff can play a big role in helping students manage their asthma.
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For many allergy sufferers, pollen and mold are the main problems.Spring is in the air. Unfortunately, so are the many tree and grass pollens that cause seasonal allergies. This can be bad news if these tiny particles cause your asthma to flare up. But the change in seasons doesn't mean that you have to hibernate until winter. While you may not be able to avoid your triggers completely, there are many ways to help limit your exposure.
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The newest drugs to join the asthma controller lineup are called leukotriene modifiers.
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Occupational asthma is caused by being exposed to irritants in the form of vapors, fumes, gases, particles or allergens like dust in the workplace.
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Does asthma have any effect on the voice, such as making it breathy or unclear, or making it more difficult to produce sounds?
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Can asthma start at any age?
Alice Y. Chang, M.D., is an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School, and on the faculty of the Department of General Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Her clinical interests and experience are in the fields of primary care, women's health, hospital-based medicine, and patient education.
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What are the symptoms of asthma in a newborn?
Henry (Hank) Bernstein, D.O. is a Senior Lecturer in Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Pediatrics at Dartmouth Medical School. Formerly the Associate Chief of General Pediatrics and Director of Primary Care at Children's Hospital Boston, he currently is the Chief of General Academic Pediatrics at Children's Hospital at Dartmouth. He has extensive and varied experience as a primary care pediatrician, and is a spokesperson for the news media on a variety of pediatric health care topics, including vaccination, common childhood illnesses, and practical information for caregivers.
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Is there any clinical evidence of acupuncture mitigating asthma attacks?
Catherine Ulbricht, Pharm.D., is a senior attending pharmacist at Massachusetts General Hospital, and an assistant professor at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, and the University of Rhode Island. She is a founder of Natural Standard Research Collaboration, which provides high-level complementary and alternative medicine content for health-care institutions. She also is a member of the board of directors of the Integrative Medicine Alliance, and chief editor of the Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy.
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Can having asthma or allergies put you at greater risk of getting pneumonia?
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What are the effects of asthma on other organs?
Mary Pickett, M.D., is a lecturer for Harvard Medical School and an assistant professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. At OHSU, she practices general internal medicine and teaches medical residents and students.
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If you have a child who has asthma, there's a lot you can do to help keep the asthma under control. Here are five key suggestions to consider.
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Early diagnosis is one key to effective asthma management. This helps you prevent or minimize damage to airways and lungs that accumulates over time. Once the disease is diagnosed, it's important you take control of it. Proper treatment includes seeing your health care provider regularly.
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One of the mainstays in controlling chronic asthma is the potent anti-inflammatory, corticosteroid family of medications, which help prevent symptoms from occurring. These can be taken by mouth or inhaled. These medications work directly to fight inflammation that can obstruct an airway. Other medications dilate or open narrowed breathing passages, or are drugs that interrupt the inflammatory process.
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The first symptoms of AAT deficiency usually are shortness of breath, wheezing following activity, and a decreased ability to exercise.
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The most common mechanism by which the lung is inoculated with pathogenic organisms is through microaspiration of oropharyngeal contents, a process that occurs in otherwise healthy individuals during sleep ( Chapter 82 ). Colonization of the oral pharynx with pathogenic organisms, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae ( Chapter 303 ), can thereby lead to delivery of sufficient quantities of organisms to infect the lung.
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Pneumonia is an infection of the lung, and can be caused by nearly any class of organism known to cause human infections. These include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
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Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. Many different organisms can cause it, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.Pneumonia is a common illness that affects millions of people each year in the United States.Bacterial pneumonias tend to be the ...
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Detailed information on pneumonia, including different types, diagnosis, and treatment
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Introduction Pneumonia has been recognized as a disease entity since remote times, with definitions of the condition traceable in ancient Greek, Roman, and Arabic writings. Definitive recognition of the etiologic role of microorganisms in pneumonia, and the identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae as the most common causative agent was only achieved roughly 120 years ago.
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Pneumonia is a serious lung infection. It's caused by germs, such as bacteria and viruses, and by certain types of fungi. Some people come in contact with pneumonia germs in the course of daily life, such as at school, work, or the gym. But others become infected during a stay in a hospital or long-term care facility. Though pneumonia can be dangerous for anyone, it's a special concern for people in healthcare settings. This sheet tells you more about healthcare-associated pneumonia and what hospitals are doing to control it.
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Detailed information on pneumonia, types of pneumonia, diagnoses of pneumonia, pneumonia treatment
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The actual incidence of pneumonia in ambulatory patients is difficult to estimate because the etiologic agent is rarely identified except in clinical trials, and CAP is not currently considered a reportable disease. Each year in the United States there are 2 to 3 million cases of CAP.
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The following Clinical Topic Tour provides an overview of pneumococcal pneumonia and was adapted by materials published by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the CDC.
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While pneumonia is still a serious illness, flu shots and the pneumococcal vaccine may help protect against it, particularly for older people or those at high risk of infection.
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Pneumonia is an infection of the lung that can be caused by nearly any class of organism known to cause human infections. These include bacteria, amoebae, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
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One of the most common pulmonary complications affecting cancer patients, pneumonia is a potentially life-threatening inflammation of one or both lungs.Serious side effects in cancer patients most often occur in the lungs and may indicate that the...
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Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be caused by nearly any class of organism known to cause human infections, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. It results in an inflammatory response within the small air spaces of the...
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Chlamydial pneumonia refers to one of several types of pneumonia that can be caused by various types of the bacteria known as Chlamydia.Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. The air sacs(alveoli) and/or the tissues of the lungs become swollen, a...
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Eosinophilic pneumonia is a group of diseases in which there is an above normal number of eosinophils in the lungs and blood.Eosinophilia is an increase in the number of eosinophils. Eosinophilic pneumonia is characterized by a large number of eos...
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Pneumococcal pneumonia is a common but serious infection and inflammation of the lungs. It is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae.The gram-positive, spherical bacteria, Streptococcus pneumoniae, is the cause of many human diseases, in...
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Pneumocystis pneumonia is a lung infection that occurs primarily in people with weakened immune systems—especially people who are HIV-positive. The disease agent is an organism whose biological classification is still uncertain.
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Pneumonia is a serious infection of the lung that impairs breathing. Small air sacs in the lung(alveoli) become filled with pus, mucus or other fluid, and cannot supply oxygen to circulating blood.
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Those most at risk for pneumonia include the elderly, smokers, and people with chronic lung diseases.
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Pneumonia is a term that means lung infection. Though most children are able to get better at home with treatment from their doctor, pneumonia can be very serious and can require hospitalization.
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There is growing evidence of a link between gum disease and heart disease and pneumonia. Hospital patients on ventilators seem particularly vulnerable to pneumonia infections.
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I understand that there are several different types of pneumonia. Which ones does the vaccine cover?
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I have a relatively rare lung condition called organizing pneumonia. I understand the treatment will be large doses of corticosteroids. How are they administered for this condition?
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Is pneumonia contagious?
Anthony Komaroff, M.D., is professor of medicine and editor-in-chief of Harvard Health Publications at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Komaroff also is senior physician and was formerly director of the Division of General Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. Komaroff has served on various advisory committees to the federal government, and is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
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A heart attack is the death of, or damage to, part of the heart muscle because its blood supply is severely reduced or stopped.Heart attack is the leading cause of death in the United States. Approximately every 29 seconds one American will have a...
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A heart attack is when blood vessels that supply blood to the heart are blocked, preventing enough oxygen from getting to the heart. The heart muscle dies or becomes permanently damaged.
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Detailed information on heart attack, symptoms of heart attack, warning signs, how to respond in an emergency, and heart attack treatment
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Detailed information on heart attack, symptoms of heart attack, warning signs, how to respond in an emergency, and heart attack treatment
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Detailed information on heart attack, symptoms of heart attack, warning signs, how to respond in an emergency, and heart attack treatment
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The Framingham risk-assessment tool is used to evaluate a person's risk of heart attack, but it does not consider the influence of inflammation. Researchers have developed a new tool that uses three additional factors to evaluate your heart attack risk.
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Over the long term, your quality of life is tied to how severe your heart attack was and how it was treated. Beyond that, any change will depend largely on you.
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Chest pain could be simple indigestion or a heart attack. Knowing the warning signs of a heart attack, and knowing how to respond, could save a life. The following guidelines can help you make the right decisions and take the right steps when seconds count.
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A heart attack is an urgent message from your heart that it's starved for oxygen. When oxygen-rich blood to your heart is blocked by a clot, heart muscle begins to die and symptoms of a heart attack start.
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Discussion of what constitutes a heart attack and new ways to treat them.It's a story that is played out countless times every day. A 58-year-old man develops chest pain while watching a playoff game on TV. He's always been pretty healthy, but he hasn't had a check-up for years. He's had some heartburn from time to time, but this pain is different: a heavy pressure just below his breastbone with an ache in his jaw. He feels sweaty, nauseated, and a bit lightheaded. Probably the chips and garlic dip, he thinks, reaching for an antacid. But his wife knows better; she calls 911 and gives him an aspirin to chew. The EMTs arrive in a few minutes, but by then the pain is gone. Feeling foolish, he agrees to an IV, oxygen, and a trip to the hospital. In the emergency ward there are questions, EKGs, chest x-rays, and blood tests. And then the big question: Did I have a heart attack?
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For many women, a heart attack may feel like a strange discomfort in the back or some other easily ignored sign, instead of crushing chest pain.
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Detailed information on heart attack, symptoms of heart attack, warning signs, how to respond in an emergency, and heart attack treatment
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Technology has given us the automated external defibrillator (AED), which is turning up far from hospitals. Some schools and public buildings already have AEDs.
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A new study suggests an aspirin before bed may lower blood pressure while protecting against heart attack and stroke.
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Researchers believe that enough evidence exists now to list rheumatoid arthritis as a marker of increased heart attack risk. The next step is to examine how people with RA might alter their drug treatment plan or make lifestyle changes to reduce their risk for heart attack.
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A Harvard Medical School physician answers your question about how to tell heartburn from more serious heart trouble.
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People who are at risk for heart disease may be fine for some time, until a stressful event or situation acts as a trigger for a heart attack or stroke. Even in those with heart disease, some of these triggers can be minimized or avoided.
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People at risk for heart attack or stroke will likely benefit from taking low-dose daily aspirin, but for some there are greater risks (such as ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding) that outweigh aspirin's help.
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Besides the nutritional benefits, eating beans regularly can lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of a heart attack.
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Research shows that heart attack risk varies by both the season and time of day.
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Although their symptoms and effects can be similar—and confusing—strokes and heart attacks are two different medical problems.
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Depression can often develop as a result of a heart attack or cardiac surgery, and has more serious effects on heart health and overall health than depression that was present before a heart attack.
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Aspirin is safe for some healthy women over age 65 to take to prevent stroke and heart attack, but probably not for most younger women.
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Advisory ratchets down targets for LDL (bad) cholesterol for some people, not others; no one-size-fits-all recommendation yet.
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Though clot-busting drugs are delivered with little delay in most emergency rooms, angioplasty does not fare as well, according to a new study.
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Heart attacks rise during winter and, especially, over the holidays. Possible explanations for this phenomenon, and how to protect yourself this season.
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Studies suggest mental health care following a heart attack can improve patient health and mortality.
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The Women's Health Study, released in March 2005, provides surprising new information about the health benefits of aspirin for women.
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This article discusses the drug Plavix: what it does; who needs it; and, the risks and benefits.
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A heart attack is the death of, or damage to, part of the heart muscle because the supply of blood to the heart muscle is severely reduced or stopped.Heart attack is the leading cause of death in the United States. More than 1.5 million Americans ...
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A myocardial infarction, or heart attack, is the death or damage of part of the heart muscle because the supply of blood to the heart muscle is severely reduced or stopped.Myocardial infarction(MI) is the leading cause of death in the United State...
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If you're looking for a reason to exercise, try this one: A routine workout may help ward off blood clots, the villains behind most heart attacks. You suffer a heart attack when a blood clot forms in an artery, blocking oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart.
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Normally, your body warns you of a problem by making you feel pain. But over time, high blood sugar damages nerves in your body. This may keep you from feeling pain caused by a heart problem.
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If hospitals become accredited as "chest pain centers," it could make deciding where to go for treatment easier, and also increase recovery rates.
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A review of advances in heart medicine since the 1950s, when President Eisenhower bucked conventional wisdom by returning to physical activity several months after a heart attack.
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Angioplasty to treat chest pain will be most efffective if the procedure is done within the first 12 hours after onset. If you have had symptoms for longer, drug treatment is likely to be as effective as angioplasty.
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More Americans have their hypertension under control. Folic acid does not prevent heart attacks. Exercise after heart surgery is safe and beneficial. Program your cell phone with an emergency contact.
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Two new tests aim to provide better measures of "bad" cholesterol in order to more accurately predict the risk of heart attack.
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The experience of a heart attack can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder, which can delay recovery and perhaps cause heart disease to progress further.
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A recent study offers evidence that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may help those who develop depression after a heart attack.
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Many instances of "sudden" cardiac arrest are not sudden at all. In the majority of occurrences there is at least one warning sign before the event: chest pain, shortness of breah, nausea, and dizziness are the most common ones.
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Sweating is an almost as common, but lesser-known, sign of heart attack as more "classic" chest pains.
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The Harvard Health Letter celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. In the first of a series, the Health Letter takes a look back at three decades in medicine.
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Unlike traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as aspirin and ibuprofen, COX-2 drugs have been linked to heart attacks because they encourage blood clots to form.
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The benefits of aspirin for those at risk for heart disease are clear, but for women under 65 who are not at risk, there is no benefit to a daily aspirin. There is evidence that taking aspirin regularly may reduce the risk of stroke, regardless of age.
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An expert shares his beliefs about how best to treat and avoid cancer, heart disease, and other chronic diseases.
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A pair of studies found that increased, prolonged strain in people's close relationships or jobs correlated with an increased risk for a cardiac event.
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Panic disorder is a condition in which the person with the disorder suffers recurrent panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden attacks that are not caused by a substance(like caffeine), medication, or by a medical condition(like high blood pressure...
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Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that causes repeated, unexpected attacks of intense fear. These attacks may last from minutes to hours.
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Detailed information on panic disorder, including symptoms, characteristics, and treatment
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Panic attacks, the hallmark of panic disorder, are discrete episodes of intense anxiety. Panic attacks can also be experienced by people with specific phobia, social phobia, or by people who have used or consumed certain substances, such as cocain...
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A sudden surge of terror hits out of nowhere. Your heart pounds. You feel like you're going crazy. What you're feeling is a panic attack. It could happen anywhere—the grocery store, the mall, your car. During a panic attack, the body misinterprets an ordinary situation as an awful, terrifying event. Caused by a misfiring of chemicals in the brain, panic attacks are common. Fortunately, they are also treatable.
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If you're having panic attacks, don't be afraid to get help. The attacks are real, and the feelings you're having are not your fault. Treatment for panic attacks is covered by most health insurance plans. Check what's covered under your plan. Then see your doctor or other mental health professional for evaluation and treatment.
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The following Clinical Topic Tour provides an overview of panic disorder (PD) and was adapted from materials published by the National Institute of Mental Health.
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A person with panic disorder may have repeated panic attacks(at least several a month) and feel severe anxiety about having another attack.Each year, panic disorder affects one out of 63 Americans. While many people experience moments of anxiety, ...
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A panic disorder is a psychological state characterized by acute(rapid onset) feelings, which engulf a person with a deep sense of destruction, death and imminent doom. The main feature of panic disorder(PD) is a history of previous panic attacks(...
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A panic disorder is a psychological state characterized by acute(rapid onset) feelings, which engulf a person with a deep sense of destruction, death, and imminent doom. The main feature of panic disorder(PD) is a history of previous panic attacks...
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A person with panic disorder may experience repeated panic attacks(at least several a month) and feel severe anxiety about having another attack.Each year, panic disorder affects one in every 63 Americans. While many people experience moments of a...
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Behavioral therapy can help ease panic disorder, whether in conjunction with medication or alone.
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Sepsis refers to a bacterial infection in the bloodstream or body tissues. This is a very broad term covering the presence of many types of microscopic diseasecausing organisms.Sepsis is also called bacteremia.
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Sepsis is a severe illness in which the bloodstream is overwhelmed by bacteria.Sepsis is caused by a bacterial infection that can begin anywhere in the body. Common places where an infection might start include:.The bowel(usually seen with periton...
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Sepsis occurs when bacteria infect your bloodstream. Sepsis can be deadly. Blood pressure may drop and the lungs and kidneys may start to fail. Emergency care for sepsis is crucial.
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Description Infection is characterized by an inflammatory response to the presence of microorganisms in the body. This response may include fever, chills, redness, swelling, pus formation and other responses.
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Detailed information on sepsis, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
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Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure, is a life-threatening condition in which the heart can no longer pump enough blood to the rest of the body.Heart failure is almost always a chronic, long-term condition, although it can sometime...
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If you have CHF, it's important to stick with your treatment, even when you're feeling better. You also need to maintain healthy habits.
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Are CHF and CAD the same thing?
Howard LeWine, M.D., is chief editor of Internet Publishing at Harvard Health Publications. He is recognized as an outstanding clinician and teacher and is a recipient of the Internal Medicine Teacher of the Year award at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. LeWine continues to practice Internal Medicine; most recently he became a hospitalist after practicing primary care for over 20 years.
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Heart failure can happen in two ways. The heart muscle may become weak and enlarged (systolic dysfunction). The weakened muscle doesn't pump enough blood forward when the ventricles contract. Or, the heart muscle may become stiff (diastolic dysfunction). The stiff muscle can't relax between contractions, which keeps the ventricles from filling with enough blood.
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BNP is a hormone produced by the body when the heart is enlarged. Testing a person's BNP level is an easy and accurate way to help doctors diagnose congestive heart failure.
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Chronic obstructive lung disease, also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), is a general term for a group of conditions in which there is persistent difficulty in expelling(or exhaling) air from the lungs. COPD commonly refers to ...
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. There are two main forms of COPD:.Chronic bronchitis, which causes long-term swelling and a large amount of mucus in the main airways in the lungs Emph...
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Detailed information on the most common types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including causes and rehabilitation
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You take an average of 16 breaths every minute. It's a reflex—you don't pay attention unless there's a problem. But a rising number of us literally can't catch our breath.
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As someone with COPD, you may find it helpful to know about the four components of care described in the GOLD guidelines.
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Every breath is precious, especially if you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of diseases that limit the flow of air into and out of the lungs. COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, most often caused by heavy, long-time cigarette smoking. COPD can also include chronic asthma.
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When you have COPD, you're more likely to develop a lung infection (pneumonia) with a cold or the flu. To stay healthier, avoid contact with germs. Get prompt treatment at the first sign of illness.
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Shortness of breath may have prompted you to see the doctor. In many cases, though, COPD progresses for years without obvious symptoms.
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Here are some common reasons people don't exercise. Are any of these true for you?
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Becoming overheated can put people with COPD at risk for serious illness. Stay cool this summer with these tips.
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A small amount of alcohol -- such as a single beer or glass of wine with dinner -- is fine for some people. On the other hand, drinking too much alcohol is harmful for anyone.
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As someone with COPD, you may find it helpful to know about the four components of care described in the GOLD guidelines.
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If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, you know that they cause similar symptoms.
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If you have COPD, it may be difficult to tell whether you also have heart failure (HF). This is because the two diseases have similar symptoms and common risk factors.
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Two nutrients that are critical to keep in check when you have COPD are sodium and potassium. Here are tips on how to watch your intake of them.
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Detailed information on chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, and pulmonary emphysema
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Some COPD medications are taken using a device called an inhaler. The inhaler helps you take a measured dose of medication into your lungs. Not all inhalers work the same way. Have your healthcare provider show you how to use and care for the type of inhaler you're given.
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Here is information to help you see how well you are managing your COPD.Below is a list of tests and assessments that you need. Provide the information requested to see how well you are managing your COPD.
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Exercise can help reduce COPD problems, such as shortness of breath and limits on your activity level.
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A short glossary of terms associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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When you have COPD, even getting dressed can sometimes seem like a challenge.When you have COPD, even getting dressed can sometimes seem like a challenge. These pointers can help:
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Clean air is easier to breathe, especially if you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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COPD develops slowly, and people are often not diagnosed with it until their 50s, when the disease has greatly affected their lung function.
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Studies show a strong correlation between respiratory illness and depression or anxiety, but many of those affected are not getting help.
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Aim for five or six mini-meals rather than two or three large meals throughout the day.
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Having a chronic condition such as COPD can lead to depression. You can get help. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms.
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Every breath can be a chore when you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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People who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may find it difficult to exercise, but a program of pulmonary rehabilitation followed by a regular exercise routine can help rebuild strength and energy.
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Pulmonary embolism is an obstruction of a blood vessel in the lungs, usually due to a blood clot, which blocks a coronary artery.Pulmonary embolism is a fairly common condition that can be fatal. According to the American Heart Association, an est...
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A pulmonary embolus is a blockage of an artery in the lungs by fat, air, a blood clot, or tumor cells.Venous thromboembolism; Lung blood clot; Blood clot- lung; Embolus; Tumor embolus.A pulmonary embolus is most often caused by a blood clot in a v...
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Detailed information on pulmonary embolism, including a description of a pulmonary embolism and the circulatory system, symptoms, risk factors, causes, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and 4 labeled, full-color anatomical illustrations
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Detailed information on pulmonary embolism, including a description of a pulmonary embolism and the circulatory system, symptoms, risk factors, causes, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and full-color anatomical illustrations
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An embolism is an obstruction in a blood vessel due to a blood clot or other foreign matter that gets stuck while traveling through the bloodstream. The plural of embolism is emboli.Emboli have moved from the place where they were formed through t...
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Some researchers believe anxiety is synonymous with fear, occurring in varying degrees and in situations in which people feel threatened by some danger. Others describe anxiety as an unpleasant emotion caused by unidentifiable dangers or dangers t...
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Experts say that effective relaxation requires more than simply vegging out in front of the TV set. It means learning a few relaxation techniques to combat stress -- a condition recently linked to a host of physical and emotional problems like heart disease, headaches, asthma and insomnia.
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Anxiety is a condition of persistent and uncontrollable nervousness, stress, and worry that is triggered by anticipation of future events, memories of past events, or ruminations over day-to-day events, both trivial and major, with disproportionat...
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Lung disease is any disease or disorder that occurs in the lungs or that causes the lungs to not work properly. There are three main types of lung disease:.Airway diseases-- These diseases affect the tubes(airways) that carry oxygen and other gase...
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Detailed information on lung disorders and diseases, signs of respiratory distress, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD), Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis, Pulmonary Emphysema, Acute Bronchitis, Cystic Fibrosis, Occupational Lung Diseases, Pneumonia, Primary Pulmonary Hypertension, Pulmonary Embolism, Pulmonary Sarcoidosis, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Tuberculosis
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I have a spot on my lung that was picked up on a CAT scan of my abdomen. I am a non-smoker. What could this be besides cancer?
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease encompases both emphysema and chronic bronchitis. This report covers treatment, medications, surgeries, and many practical techniques and exercises to improve your quality of life.
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What causes lung nodules?
Robert Shmerling, M.D., is associate physician and clinical chief of rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an associate professor in medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is an active teacher in the Internal Medicine Residency Program, serving as the Robinson Firm Chief. He is also a teacher in the Rheumatology Fellowship Program and has been a practicing rheumatologist for over 25 years.
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Drug interactions are changes in the effect of one drug due to the effect of either another drug taken at the same time(drug-drug interactions) or food consumed while the drug is being taken(drug-food interactions).Some drugs are deliberately comb...
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Drug allergies are a group of symptoms caused by allergic reaction to a drug(medication).Adverse reactions to drugs are common, and almost any drug can cause an adverse reaction. Reactions range from irritating or mild side effects such as nausea ...
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Detailed information on different types of drug rashes, including acne, exfoliative dermatitis, fixed drug eruption, hives, morbiliform/maculopapular rash, purpuric eruptions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome
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A drug allergy is an adverse reaction to a medication, often an antibiotic, that is mediated by the body''s immune system. A drug sensitivity is an unusual reaction to a drug that does not involve the immune system.Adverse reactions to medication m...
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If you want to be fully informed, you should read the fine print connected with any drug that you intend to use.
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Drug metabolism is the process by which the body breaks down and converts medication into active chemical substances.Drugs can interact with other drugs, foods, and beverages. Interactions can lessen or magnify the desired therapeutic effect of a ...
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Detailed information on food-drug interactions A food-drug interaction can occur when the food you eat affects the ingredients in a medication you are taking, preventing the medicine from working the way it should.
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Chemotherapy and radiation treatments save lives. They also can bring a variety of temporary but unpleasant side effects.
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A guide to information available online and in print about the side effects of prescription drugs.
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Exploring the causes and treatment for loss of taste, which may result from years of taking high blood pressure medications.
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Can the high blood pressure drugs Vasotec and Toprol affect the libido?
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Pregnancy is the condition of having a developing embryo or fetus in the body. The union of an egg(ovum) with sperm is called fertilization, or conception, and it is this union that produces the embryo.
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Detailed information on pregnancy and childbirth, including information on birth statistics, pregnancy planning, preconception care, prenatal care, pregnancy discomforts, pregnancy tests, pregnancy risks, pregnancy warning signs, labor and delivery, breas
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A great deal of public health resources is spent on pregnancy. It is clear that prenatal and neonatal health play a large role in determining the health of a population, and in fact, pregnancy outcomes are often used as an indicator of a nation''s ...
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More doctors now suggest a pre-conception checkup and pre-conception counseling before getting serious about having a baby. Many problems that can affect a pregnancy can be avoided if addressed and dealt with before becoming pregnant.
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For most women, this is called the "golden trimester." You're starting to show. And you're starting to glow.
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Detailed information on planning and preparing for a healthy pregnancy If you are planning to become pregnant, taking certain steps can help reduce risks to both you and your baby. Proper health before deciding to become pregnant is almost as important as maintaining a healthy body during pregnancy.
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Detailed information on what to do before (and during) your next pregnancy to reduce the chance for birth defects
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Detailed information on planning a pregnancy, including reducing the risk of pregnancy and delivery complications
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Nutrition during the preconception period, as well as throughout a pregnancy, has a major impact on pregnancy outcome. Among prepregnancy considerations, the prepregnancy Body Mass Index(BMI), folic acid status, and socioeconomic status are the mo...
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Your blood sugar will most likely return to normal after delivery. But gestational diabetes is a warning sign that you are at risk for getting diabetes later in life. You're also more likely to have gestational diabetes with your next pregnancy.
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Detailed information on caring for the mother physically and emotionally following childbirth, including information on postpartum depression
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Detailed information on planning and preparing for a healthy pregnancy If you are planning to become pregnant, taking certain steps can help reduce risks to both you and your baby. Proper health before deciding to become pregnant is almost as important as maintaining a healthy body during pregnancy.
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Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your baby. Only you can decide whether you're ready to quit.
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As your body changes during pregnancy, your back must work in new ways. This can be painful if your back isn't prepared.
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A friend of mine is six months pregnant and says her baby moves all the time. I am also pregnant (five months) and rarely feel the baby -- maybe every other day. Is it abnormal to not feel the baby moving very often? I get regular check-ups and the baby is fine. At what stage does it become a concern when I don't feel the baby throughout the day?
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Learning the proper ways to bend, lift, and carry objects may help relieve back strain. It will also help you protect your back after your baby is born. Remember, if you're having trouble protecting your back, it's okay to ask the people around you for help!
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Did you know that standing, sitting, or lying in certain ways can lead to back pain? To ease pain, use positions that support your body comfortably.
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Detailed information and examples of non-teratogenic agents A non-teratogenic agent is one which does not cause birth defects.
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Detailed information on post-term pregnancy, including causes, diagnosis, and management
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Detailed information on medication use during pregnancy When pregnant, a woman should always check with her physician before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medication. All medications affect the fetus differently, depending on the stage of development, the type and dosage of the medication being taken, and the drug tolerance of the mother-to-be.
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Detailed information on preparing the family for the arrival of a newborn Preparing for your new baby includes helping other family members adjust. A new baby brings new sounds, new schedules, and new ways of coping for everyone. Most families soon find ways to adjust to the changes that take place. But it is helpful to prepare some family members for what is ahead.
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Following these guidelines can help keep you and your developing child healthy in the months to come.
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No one can say for sure that a medication is safe to use while you're pregnant. But, avoiding medicines may not be a good idea, either. It may be wiser to treat an illness than ignore it.
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Detailed information on medication use during pregnancy When pregnant, a woman should always check with her physician before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medication. All medications affect the fetus differently, depending on the stage of development, the type and dosage of the medication being taken, and the drug tolerance of the mother-to-be.
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Detailed information on blood types in pregnancy Every person has a blood type, (O, A, B, or AB) and an Rh factor, either positive or negative. The blood type and the Rh factor simply mean that a person's blood has certain specific characteristics. The blood type is found as proteins on red blood cells and in body fluids. The Rh factor is a protein that is found on the covering of the red blood cells. If the Rh factor protein is present on the cells, the person is Rh positive. If there is no Rh factor protein, the person is Rh negative.
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After week 16, sleep and rest on your side instead of your back. Try different positions.
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During the early stages of pregnancy, can you drink coffee? My partner works nights and drinks a lot of coffee. Are there other, safer alternatives to the caffeine from coffee?
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I am in my second trimester and find it very difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. I am most comfortable on my stomach. How harmful is it to sleep on your stomach in your second trimester?
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My partner and I are now trying to become pregnant. I am a young African-American woman and have heard that the chemicals from hair relaxers or straighteners may be harmful to a healthy pregnancy. Is there any truth to this?
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Exercise can help you keep your blood sugar within a normal range. That's because your body uses more blood sugar when you exercise.
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Does fibromyalgia pain increase when a woman is pregnant?
Robert Shmerling, M.D., is associate physician and clinical chief of rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an associate professor in medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is an active teacher in the Internal Medicine Residency Program, serving as the Robinson Firm Chief. He is also a teacher in the Rheumatology Fellowship Program and has been a practicing rheumatologist for over 25 years.
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Planning to have a baby? There are steps you can take before you ever become pregnant to help ensure a smooth pregnancy and a healthy outcome for you and your infant.
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If you're pregnant, it's just as important for you to stay away from lead as it is to protect your children from it.
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The healthy choices you make before and during pregnancy can have a lasting impact on you and your unborn child. Experts say one of the most important things a woman or couple can do is to plan for pregnancies.
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At least 90 days before starting to try to conceive, both men and women should take steps to improve their diet and exercise routines, as well as fine-tune any medications they may be taking.
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Some pregnancy changes are caused by hormones. Others are caused by the pressure and weigh of your growing baby.
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A physical exam and lab tests will show if there are any special concerns. Your health care provider can then plan the care that will help prevent problems later.
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Pregnant women in their second or third trimester during influenza season should be immunized.
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You may see signs that your body is getting ready for labor. Be patient. Within a few more weeks, your baby will be born.
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From conception until after the birth of your child, you and your baby will change every day.
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The weight you gain now is not just extra fat. It is also the weight of your baby. And it is the increased blood and fluids to support the baby.
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From conception (fertilization) until after the birth of your child, you and your baby will change every day. To help you understand what is happening, we've outlined how pregnancy begins and some of the changes you may notice.
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Your health can affect your baby's growth. Here are some ways to stay healthy.It's important to develop healthy eating habits while you are pregnant, for you as well as for your baby. Here are some ways to stay healthy.
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Antidepressants, once considered safe during pregnancy, may cause birth defects. Women are warned of the effects and given alternatives.
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Can cancer be transferred from mother to child in the womb?
Jeffrey Ecker, M.D. is an Associate Professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he practices maternal-fetal medicine.
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Is there a recommended period of time to wait before getting pregnant again after a C-section birth? If so, what are the risks associated with becoming pregnant again too soon?
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During pregnancy, what can be done to remove abnormal cervical cells?
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I am 23 weeks pregnant and I was just diagnosed with genital warts. Will this affect my baby during delivery?
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My first pregnancy ended at eight weeks in a miscarriage. When I get pregnant again, should I try to see my doctor early in the pregnancy as a precaution? Is there anything else I might do to prevent a miscarriage again?
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Is it safe to swim in a chlorinated pool during pregnancy?
Jeffrey Ecker, M.D. is an Associate Professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he practices maternal-fetal medicine.
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If birth defects can result when a pregnant women takes ACE inhibitors, what can happen to the fetus if the father takes ACE inhibitors?
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I am a little over six months pregnant and already lactating. Is this normal?
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What medication can be taken when a yeast infection develops in the last month of pregnancy?
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I am 24 years old and pregnant with my second child. During my first pregnancy I developed toxemia during my last trimester. During labor I was put on oxygen and magnesium. What are my chances of having this reoccur with my second pregnancy?
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Detailed information on hypothyroidism and pregnancy, including symptoms and treatment and thyroid function screening
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Detailed information for the pregnant mother, including information on hormones during pregnancy, weight gain during pregnancy, nutrition during pregnancy, exercise during pregnancy, work and pregnancy, sex during pregnancy, and sleeping positions during
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Detailed information on sex during pregnancy In most cases, sex during pregnancy is safe. In fact, with your physician's approval, sexual relations can continue until delivery.
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Detailed information on traveling while pregnancy or breastfeeding Although traveling during pregnancy is normal and occurs rather frequently, it is important for pregnant women to consider potential problems that could arise when considering international travel. Pregnant women should also weigh the availability of quality medical care in the countries they are visiting, before traveling abroad. Preconceptual immunizations are preferred over vaccination during pregnancy.
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Bleeding refers to the loss of blood. Bleeding can happen inside the body(internally) or outside the body(externally).
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Detailed information on bleeding/clotting disorders, including hemophilia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and thrombosis
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Call 911 if you can't stop the bleeding or the victim shows signs of shock.External bleeding occurs when the body's protective skin is broken. In severe cases, blood loss may place the victim's life in danger. Direct pressure and elevation usually stop bleeding, even the rush of blood from an artery.
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Chemotherapy can make your blood less able to clot. This happens because the treatment reduces the number of platelets (clotting agents) in your blood. As a result, your risk of bruising and bleeding increases. To help prevent problem bleeding, use the tips on this handout.
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New and severe abdominal pain always needs to be closely evaluated by a doctor. It is frequently a sign of serious illness.
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Somatization disorder is a psychiatric condition marked by multiple medically unexplained physical, or somatic, symptoms. In order to qualify for the diagnosis of somatization disorder, somatic complaints must be serious enough to interfere signif...
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Somatization disorder is a long-term(chronic) condition in which a person has physical symptoms that are caused by psychological problems, and no physical problem can be found.The disorder usually begins before the age of 30 and occurs more often ...
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Somatization takes a number of forms, ranging from preoccupation with potential or genuine but mild physical problems to the development of actual physical pain, discomfort, or dysfunction. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders...
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