Wound Care

There are three basic methods by which a wound heals itself. Primary Intention is the usual type of healing when an incision or laceration is closed immediately to allow close adherence of the opposing skin edges and subcutaneous layers. This permits healing from side to side with the east amount of scarring and pain. The rate of healing of our skin depends on its blood supply and the presence or absence of pressure, tension, and infection. The facial skin, with its rich blood supply, can heal in 3-5 days, while a thickened area of skin with less nutritive potential, such as the back or feet, may require two weeks or more. If sutures are placed, it is important to know how long healing will require to avoid too early removal and wound separation.
Secondary healing of a wound occurs when the laceration is too large to be closed or is infected and must be left open. A general principle of laceration treatment is this. A wound that has been open more than 8-12 hours is never sutured, since infection may already have developed. In uch case, granulation occurs with the formation of a specialized tissue across the wound, and later coverage with new skin. Some deformity and scarring usually occurs. Nevertheless, with the exception of very large ulcers, the skin healing is usually complete. Understandably, this akes longer. Proper care of the wound to prevent or treat infection will serve to hasten the healing process.
The third method involves the initial formation of granulation tissue, then a secondary closure of the wound with sutures. This accelerates the healing in large open lesions and is usually used hen a surgical wound, for some reason, separates and must be closed again. Even more scarring takes place as a rule, but the healing is usually complete.
Some essential factors in wound healing are the presence of adequate protein, vitamins, oxygen, and the prevention of infection. It is generally recognized that the normal rate of healing in a perfectly healthy patient is the optimum rate that can be obtained. Wounds do not heal as well in anemic patients. With a normal complement of white blood cells the healing of a sterile wound is not impaired. However, when infection is present delayed healing does occur. Swelling (edema), whether local or general, appears to interfere with the healing process. Older individuals take onger to heal than the young. Endocrine factors, such as the possible deficiency of thyroid or growth hormone, or adrenal dysfunction, may retard or interfere with the healing process.
Local factors are important. According to Van’t Hoff’s law, reactions occur more rapidly when the temperature is increased. Conversely, hypothermia will delay wound healing in most areas, lthough cold is sometimes used for pain control. The areas of the skin which have the best blood supply, such as the face and neck, normally heal the fastest. Fat persons tend to heal more slowly, and their wounds tend to separate more often than in people of normal weight. Skin utures are usually left in longer. Cleanly incised wounds will heal more rapidly than irregular jagged lacerations. The presence of a blood clot or hematoma may interfere with proper wound healing by preventing close contact of the walls of the wound, and thus there forms a pocket, called “dead space.” Infected fluids, pus, and foreign bodies will all retard the healing of these wounds. It is critical to cleanse the wound of all foreign debris, irrigating it thoroughly before any suturing is attempted. Suture material is also important in the care of wounds. Although stainless steel is the least reactive, it is difficult to handle and remove. The absorption of foreign material, such as gut, silk, cotton, and nylon will occur slowly, in the order that they are here
mentioned. Newer sutures of nylon, Dacron, and Teflon last longer and cause less reaction, but are not suitable everywhere. A suture use manual may be consulted to aid in selecting ppropriate materials. The suture manufacturer’s suggestion of needle size, type, and techniques should also be consulted.

Improve Asthma

Asthma is common condition that affects thousands of people all over the world. There is no cure for asthma but there are definite ways to improve your quality of life. Living with asthma can be easy as long as you can figure out what triggers your asthma attacks and how to avoid these triggers. By improving your stamina, avoiding triggers, and taking the right precautions you can live a happy, healthy life with asthma.

1. Stop smoking. Smoking is a very nasty, unhealthy habit. Regardless of its danger to the body, smoking is also a toxic pollutant. Smoking decreases lung functioning which in a person with asthma lung function is already decreased due to inflammation and narrowing of the airways. If you smoke and don’t have asthma, smoking cigarettes can actually cause you to develop asthma.

Not only does smoking affect asthma but also secondhand smoke is the leading irritant for people with asthma. If you live with someone who smokes, make him or her smoke outside. This decreases your exposure to the secondhand smoke, which is sometimes deadlier than smoking itself. Purchase an air filter to eliminate remanence of smoke within your home. Although your best bet is to stop smoking or get your family to stop smoking.

2. Increase your water intake. We all know that the body is made up of 75% of water, however most people don’t take in enough water on a daily basis. Our body excretes water very easily through digestion, going to the bathroom, spit, and sweat. All of this water needs to be replaced somehow. It is recommended to drink 8, 8 ounce glasses of water a day. Who do you know that does this? Well whatever the reason is that you don’t, its time to start doing it. If you have an adversity to water, drinking tea or adding lemon to your water is also good for you.  When you have asthma, rapid breathing can cause dehydration. Therefore avoiding dehydration is easily mastered by drinking enough liquids throughout the day.
3. Breath from the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the most efficient muscle used to help breathing. However when someone has asthma the diaphragm can become weak and flattened due to the increased pressure during asthma attacks. The diaphragm is important to effectively breathe in oxygen rich air and breath out the by-product carbon dioxide. To strengthen the diaphragm do exercises in breathing 3-4 times a day for about 5 minutes. You can sit or lay down but to do it correctly. Your belly should push outward when you breathe in and the abdominals should contract when you breathe out.

If you start to have an asthma attack, it is important to slow down the breathing process. This allows more oxygen rich air to enter the body and keep the pressure within the lungs the same as outside the body. If not breathing becomes too rapid and shallow which increases the pressure negatively and doesn’t allow enough oxygen rich air into the lungs. Take deep, slow breaths while relaxing the entire body, which reduces the demand upon the body.

4. Swim. Swimming is the best cardiovascular exercise for the body.  Additionally for people who have asthma it also seems to lessen the spasm of the bronchial tubes. If you don’t like water or can’t swim walking or biking are also good to improve cardiovascular stamina. Start slow and build up. Don’t over do yourself. If you feel a spasm coming on stop exercising.
5. Don’t stop your medications. It is never a good idea to stop taking a prescribed medication without consulting your doctor, especially if the medication is for asthma. Inhalers are an important lifeline for people with asthma and have saved many lives. If you are trying to control your asthma through alternative medicine, I applaud you; however keep your inhaler for extenuating circumstances. Additional asthma medications are available for people with acute asthma. Anti-inflammatories and Bronchodilators are the two types of medications on the market. Anti-inflammatories reduce the swelling of the airways while bronchodilators relieve the symptoms of asthma. Talk to your doctor about the medications you are on and what can be done for additional relief.
6. Check your allergies. Many people who have asthma have additional allergies, which can trigger an asthma attack. Allergies are an immune disorder, which causes hypersensitivity to specific environmental allergens.  A simple allergy test can be done to see if desensitization shots may help relieve the problem. Ask your doctor about allergy testing.

Suturing

Considerable practice is required to suture incisions and lacerations quickly and accurately. Yet these skills are not beyond the reach of the average layman gifted with manual dexterity or an interest in mastering the art. If possible, practice your suturing techniques on a piece of sponge rubber, upholstery, or even a pillow. Some surgeons become skilled in knot tying, practicing on door handles or in the automobile while traveling. The accompanying diagrams, located on pages 178 to 189, help demonstrate the principles of the three basic methods of surgical knot tying. The one described as an “instrument tie” utilizes a hemostat or needle holder, while the others require only skillful fingers for proper use. I would suggest that a novice begin with the two-handed tie and instrument tie, adding more complex forms as skill is gained.
Avoid tying the sutures so tightly that insufficient blood flow to the skin edges results. This would cause delayed and incomplete healing of the wound.
“Approximate, don’t strangulate” is the watch word for closure of lacerations with sutures. Human bites, animal bites, and lacerations opened longer than 12 hours, or those grossly contaminated are not sutured, but allowed to granulate and heal by secondary intention.
The placement of sutures and selection of suture material will be described in the following sections, as the various types of lacerations and their special care are considered. In a home-like setting it is possible to make the appropriate needles, like bending a sewing needle, sharpening the point in a chisel fashion to better penetrate the skin. Silk or cotton can be boiled along with the needle, thus sterilizing it for use in suturing. Prepared packages, that come already sterile, are available from suture manufacturing companies and can be obtained in various sizes and needle styles. Remember to consult the suture use manual for aid in selecting the appropriate sutures.

Sex Hormones Are Not Just for Baby-Making

The preceding discussion notwithstanding, the ovary is more than just a storehouse for eggs. The bioidentical hormones that it produces ensure that our bodies will function properly throughout our lives, not just during our reproductive years.
I mentioned earlier that bioidentical hormones travel in the bloodstream to cells and tissues throughout the body, powerfully affecting our health. But once hormones reach their intended destinations, you may wonder, how do they actually exert their effects? Cells that depend on hormones to function properly have protein molecules called hormone receptors that act like tiny ignition starters. And the hormones, logically enough, act like tiny keys. When a hormone—say estrogen— encounters a cell that has a receptor for estrogen, it’s like when you put your key into your car’s ignition and turn it on to start the engine. When estrogen binds to and turns on the estrogen receptor, it stimulates the cell to produce a cascade of proteins that influence its behavior.
Estrogen receptors are found not only in the cells of reproductive organs, such as the uterus and breast, but also in the cells of the liver, digestive system, urinary tract, heart, blood vessels, bone, skin, and the brain.
The exact effect of estrogen depends on the type of cell that it encounters. For example, in the uterus and breast, estrogen’s main effect is to cause the cells that line the uterus and the milk ducts to grow and divide in preparation for pregnancy. In the liver, estrogen acts to control the production of cholesterol in ways that influence the buildup of harmful fatty deposits in the arteries. In the skeleton, estrogen preserves bone strength by helping to maintain the proper balance between bone buildup and bone breakdown. And in other parts of the body, estrogen appears to play a role in the regulation of body temperature, the ability to recall information from memory, and the elasticity of arteries and skin. This is only a partial list of estrogen’s effects.
When estrogen levels drop, the rate of bone loss accelerates rapidly. Indeed, the average woman loses 2 to 3 percent of bone mass a year for the first three years after menopause. As a result, osteoporosis is much more common in the decades after menopause. A woman’s risk of heart disease also increases sharply after menopause, but estrogen’s role in this process is still under study.
Two types of estrogen receptors—alpha and beta—have been identified. Scientists have known about the alpha receptor since the 1950s, but the beta receptor was identified only in 1996. In general, there are more alpha receptors in the reproductive organs (e.g., uterus and breast) and the liver, while beta receptors are more abundant in other tissues, such as bone and blood vessels. Estradiol appears to bind equally well to both types of receptors, while estrone binds preferentially to the alpha receptor and estriol to the beta receptor. We do not fully understand the role of the two types of estrogen receptors, their exact functions, or how they relate to the benefits and risks of our natural estrogen or the estrogen in traditional hormone therapies for menopause.
Nevertheless, recognition of differences in receptors has allowed pharmaceutical companies to manufacture a new class of medicines called selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs)—or, to use the more glamorous name, “designer hormones”—that act on one or the other of these receptors to selectively block or stimulate estrogen-like action in various tissues.
One of the first SERMs to be developed was tamoxifen. Known by its trade name Nolvadex and also available as a generic, tamoxifen is prescribed to treat breast cancer and prevent its recurrence in women with a history of the disease and to prevent its development in women at high risk. In the breast, tamoxifen acts as an antiestrogen by binding to the alpha receptor, thus preventing estrogen from accessing it. In other parts of the body, however, tamoxifen acts like estrogen. Another SERM, raloxifene, known by its trade name Evista, is approved for prevention of bone thinning in women after menopause and is being studied as a way to prevent breast cancer. In a recent “head-to-head” trial, raloxifene and tamoxifen provided similar protection against breast cancer but raloxifene had fewer risks. Both of theseSERMs increase hot flashes and the risk of blood clots, however. In the future, watch for additional developments with SERMs, which could eventually be designed to ease symptoms of menopause and protect bone and heart health without adding to the risk of breast cancer.
As with estrogen, receptors for progesterone also come in at least two forms. However, even less is known about their precise roles and functions, or how this information could be used to develop safer or more effective forms of hormone replacement therapy.
In addition to estrogen and progesterone, generally known as the female sex hormones, the ovaries, along with the adrenal glands, produce small amounts of male sex hormones known as androgens, including testosterone. Testosterone levels in women are only one-tenth as high as in men. Androgens are thought to work in concert with estrogen to maintain a woman’s sex drive, bone and muscle health, energy level, and psychological well-being. Indeed, androgen receptors are found in many of the same cells that have estrogen receptors.
Interestingly, a large proportion of the androgens produced by the ovary and adrenal gland are converted to estrogen by an enzyme called aromatase found in fat and muscle. (Other organs that contain aromatase include the brain, hair, skin, and bone marrow.) After menopause, this conversion actually represents the main source of estrogen in women. Because aromatase is found in fat cells, women who are overweight or obese tend to have higher levels of estrogen than thinner women.
At the same time, because muscle cells are also rich in aromatase, women with more muscle mass are more likely to have higher estrogen levels than their scrawnier counterparts. This is thought to be why heavier women, and women who keep their muscles active with physical activity, may be less likely to suffer from certain symptoms of menopause.
In recent years, medicines called aromatase inhibitors—anastrozole (Arimidex) and letrozole (Femara)—have been approved to treat women with early-stage breast cancer. These medicines work by blocking the aromatase enzyme, thus preventing the conversion of androgens to estrogen in fat, muscle, and other tissues. Together with tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors form a powerful new arsenal to fight breast cancer. (Not all breast cancer cells have estrogen receptors, though. These medicines stifle the growth of breast cancer cells that have estrogen receptors but do not affect the growth of breast cancers that lack estrogen receptors.)

PROBLEMS IN EARLY PREGNANCY

One of the earliest predicaments to confront a woman who has missed one or two periods, involves this all absorbing question, “Am I pregnant?” There are several simple techniques to determine pregnancy with reasonable certainty, right within one’s own home. A suspicion arises when there is a miss of the normal menstrual period. If menses have been regular for several months, then the intuition heightens. Many women have months when they skip the cycle normally. Others have periods too scant to notice. Then the diagnosis of pregnancy becomes more difficult.
Symptoms of pregnancy may be present. You may experience a feeling of nausea, typically in the morning. This is occasionally associated with prolonged vomiting lasting throughout the day. The breasts may swell and become more tender than is usually associated with the premenstrual state. A slight change may occur in the vaginal discharge. Occasionally, a woman who has had previous children just “feels pregnant.” In pregnancy after three to four months, a “lump” may actually be felt above the pubic bone, located in the lower abdomen. This is probably the enlarging womb. By five months gestation it will usually reach to the navel, with an obvious rounded prominence in the lower abdomen. Fetal movements may be sensed at four to four and a half months, though they are sometimes detected earlier by experienced mothers carrying their second or third child.
In most pharmacies today, you can purchase a urine pregnancy test kit. This analysis very simply measures the amount of HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin), a hormone secreted by the developing placenta. A positive test for pregnancy develops within three to six weeks after conception. Use a concentrated morning urine sample for best reliability. If performed according
to directions, these tests are quite dependable in confirming the suspicion of pregnancy.
Vague abdominal pains are sometimes felt in early pregnancy. Pelvic pain may occur from pressure on an enlarged ovary, or from a “tilted” uterus. As it enlarges, the organs become tighter in the pelvis, while the womb has not yet risen into the abdominal cavity. Pain could be related to constipation, or to cystitis. Usually, a bladder infection is characterized by burning combined with a frequent urge to urinate. Stretching of the ligaments that support the uterus may produce pain. In later months, the pressure of a fetal part on a pelvic nerve or a sudden shifting of the baby within the womb may give rise to such symptoms. Usually reassurance is all the patient needs. Severe pain or sudden changes in health status should be called to the attention of a physician immediately, however, since it could be an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy. If this goes unrecognized it could rupture, with internal hemorrhage and potential disaster. Appendicitis may occasionally be superimposed upon pregnancy, requiring early diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment as usual.
Vaginal bleeding sometimes occurs, even after pregnancy begins. Usually this appears scant and transient, but at times it may be profuse. When an actual hemorrhage develops after pregnancy has established, this constitutes an obvious threat of miscarriage. The presence of regular contractions and pelvic pain, combined with vaginal bleeding, should alert to this possibility. At times a miscarriage may occur with the complete passage of the placenta and the subsequent stoppage of bleeding. If incomplete expulsion of the placenta or fetal tissue occurs, a simple operation, called a D and C (dilation and curettage), should be performed, so the bleeding will stop and the uterus can return to its normal size. Fever in the presence of a miscarriage is a more ominous sign, as it probably indicates the presence of pelvic infection.
For treatment of threatened miscarriage, bed rest is always advisable. The absence of straining, standing, or moving about lessens the flow and usually decreases the likelihood of a miscarriage. Sexual intercourse should be avoided in early pregnancy, particularly near the times when a menstrual period would otherwise occur. Uterine cramping and the likelihood of miscarriage is greater at these cycles, for reasons yet unknown. Hormones are no longer given routinely to mothers threatened with miscarriage. They are powerless to stop the inevitable. Furthermore, progesterone concentrates may cause damage to the fetus, if it is carried to term. Scientists believe that many spontaneous miscarriages are the result of some chromosomal defect, which
otherwise would have led to congenital deformity. They are eliminated by nature before the pregnancy goes too far. This is of considerable consolation to parents, suddenly disappointed by the premature loss of a long-looked-for baby. Most couples can wait a few months, then try again.
One of the more troublesome conditions of early pregnancy, sometimes lasting for months, is an upset stomach. Called “morning sickness,” for obvious reasons, nausea and vomiting tends to herald the onset of pregnancy. Although only a few ladies find it incapacitating, these symptoms tend to hinder proper nourishment, so important in the early months of pregnancy. This nausea may last throughout the day. On the other hand, it may be relieved by eating some crackers or other form of dry food. Frequently, the appetite completely changes, and the “lady-in-waiting” craves foods that were formerly disliked. In extreme cases this so-called pica (abnormal craving) is manifested by the “clay eating” habit of southerners, or the strange love for “pickles and ice cream” that ordinarily seems like a repulsive combination.
Mothers need to be careful that their appetites are controlled by reason when such cravings become abnormal. Where vomiting in pregnancy becomes persistent, hospitalization may prove necessary. One or two days of intravenous feedings is normally sufficient to bring back a normal digestion once again. Emotional contributions to this gastric problem are frequent. These can be related to ambivalence about being pregnant, or an underlying temperament of nervousness manifested in an unusually sensitive stomach. Nevertheless, the physiologic and hormonal changes that occur are profound. Such endocrine considerations may well explain these early digestive symptoms. A tolerance for food usually emerges by the fourth month, enabling a normal digestive tone to continue for the remainder of pregnancy.
Adequate fluid intake is vitally important from the start. It is suspected that the common, insufficient intake of water is one principal cause of persistent nausea and vomiting. Drink at least six to eight glasses of water per day, at whatever temperature is best tolerated by the sensitive stomach. If the mother avoids soups and creamed mixtures, and chews thoroughly a rather dry meal of whole grain crackers, breakfast cereals, or raw vegetables, her food will stay down better and permit the best nutrition at this critical stage. Vaginal discharge is often troublesome during the latter months of pregnancy. This may be due to the parasite Trichomonas, but is more commonly caused by a buildup of yeast or Monilia (Candida albicans).
Hormone changes combined with increased perineal moisture and warmth, create an environment favorable to the growth of these organisms. Diabetes mellitus, particularly aggravates the tendency to develop yeast infections.
Administration of hormones such as the birth control pill may produce a diabetes-like state in non-pregnant women. However, pregnancy increases this trend. Nylon underwear, panty hose, and tight slacks tend to increase the propensity for vaginitis. This is because greater warmth and moisture are produced in the perineum when one wears those synthetic fabric materials. Air circulation around the body and “breathing” of the skin is impeded. Then it leads to the rapid multiplication of yeast germs with such unpleasant symptoms as discharge, burning, itching, and skin rash. Gentle vaginal douches, with a dilute vinegar solution (one tablespoon of white vinegar to one quart of warm water) can help decrease the discharge and restore normal acidity to the birth canal. Specific agents are available to help in acute stages (such as Massingill products). However, the intestinal tract always harbors these germs, so it is impossible to completely escape from them. Therefore,you will find it preferable to build up resistance and let improved health of the body create its own defense. Marital relations should be avoided, not only when discharge or infection is present, but during any time of spotting or uterine cramping. Moreover, for at least four to six weeks prior to the birth of the baby, intimate relations should likewise be curtailed, since a significantly increased risk of infection in the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby has been linked to intercourse at this stage. Sexual continence at this critical time will be rewarded with better health, as well as peace of mind.

Anesthesia

One of the oldest forms of medical treatment is described in Genesis 2:18, 21-23, where the Creator Himself “caused a deep sleep” to come upon Adam while He took out the rib, closed up the incision, and made a “help meet for him.” Relief of pain is intimately associated with the rendering of needful medical care. This is one of the physician’s cardinal responsibilities.
For certain patients, some forms of severe pain may be life threatening. However, in the case of most effective pain relieving medications, addiction can occur, with distortion of mental imagery to the point of serious impairment. Thus, it is wise to look for the simplest methods of relieving pain when attempting to perform surgery.
Probably the oldest form of pain relief is refrigeration anesthesia. Extremities can be rendered pain free with ice packs. This is particularly valuable in the case of vascular disease where cardiac and circulatory impairment makes general anesthesia risky. During the World War II, army medics discovered that troops suffering from frostbite might save their limbs if the extremity remained frozen until medical care could be secured. This observation influenced all currently accepted first aid for frostbite used in our country.
In order to properly administer refrigeration anesthesia, the extremity needs to be cooled to the point of numbness, while keeping the remainder of the body warm to avoid a general drop in emperature, chilling, or agitation. Ice packs or snow can be used to progressively cool an xtremity, either a hand or foot. If the surgery is to be localized to the arm or leg, place the pack
just above the site of amputation. This reduces blood loss and allows for a careful, meticulous dissection of the tissue. Broken bones can be set with refrigeration. In the case of a simple fracture of the hand or wrist, immerse the extremity in ice water for one-half hour or more. This will allow manipulation and bone setting to be done quite painlessly.
Refrigeration can also be used topically in the removal of warts, moles, and other skin lesions. Dry ice or liquid nitrogen can be applied with a cotton applicator to freeze a small area and render it numb to pin prick.
A second method of anesthesia is the application of gradual pressure on a nerve. The ulnar nerve at the elbow (funny bone) is quite amenable to pressure. Quite often in certain positions a foot or a hand has been known to “go to sleep” due to stretching or pressure on an affected nerve. nowledge of neuroanatomy can utilize this principle favorably for surgery to an extremity.
Counterirritation can also be applied with electric stimulation near the point of incision. This can utilize DC current, but it is more effective with a pulsed generator, such as rehabilitation centers employ in treatment of chronic pain. Desensitization can be obtained with liniments and ointments, mustard packs or plasters. Even animal surgery has been performed using
counterirritation, e.g., the “twitch” on the nose of horses. Finally, it is helpful to understand some of the common injectable anesthetics that are used locally for the relief of pain. These are used both in dental and surgical care. But they have some side effects and potential allergic reactions. Injectable narcotics should always be avoided, as they leave behind serious effects on the brain. They are not only difficult to metabolize, but because of their tendency to produce euphoria can become rapidly addicting. On rare occasions for major procedures, general anesthesia may be necessary. The gaseous agent used in these cases should be that which is most rapidly metabolized and least toxic to the system. Nitrous oxide and oxygen are commonly employed together to relieve mild pain. Although ether is quite flammable, it still remains the safest form of general anesthesia, due to its rapid clearing from the blood by the way of the lungs and relatively low toxicity to the liver and other organs. Open drop techniques in a well ventilated area can be used, but for safety reasons general anesthesia ideally should be performed in a hospital. Newer anesthetic agents (Halothane, Ethrane, etc.), although more likely to cause toxicity, are less dangerous to the heart and usually nonflammable. Regional blocks, local nerve blocks, and spinal anesthesia have their places in hospital settings but it is beyond the scope of this book to detail their applications.

Caries

Tooth decay (dental caries) starts with the destruction of the enamel cap by micro-organisms
present in the oral cavity and adherent to the tooth surface. This leads to exposure of the underlying dentin to the oral environment and to its destruction by bacterial proteolytic enzymes. The dental management is the way of teeth manage. Caries will not occur that somebody have a good dental management.
Enamel caries will not be visible in routinely prepared histologic sections as this tissue dissolves
completely during decalcification. In ground sections made from undecalcified teeth, microscopic
examination under transmitted light will reveal optical alterations related to decreased mineral content of a still-intact crystalline structure.
These alterations tend to occur over a coneshaped area having its base on the surface and its point towards the amelo-dentinal junction. With increasing loss of minerals from the enamel structure, this tissue will disintegrate. The dental consultant can make some suggestion about the caries.
Sometimes, this destroyed enamel will contain so much organic material that it is still present in decalcified sections where it is visible as a basophilic amorphous mass.
The initial carious lesion in dentin afflicts the tubuli that serve as a highway for bacteria to spread into the dentin. As the tubules of the carious dentin become more distended due to breakdown of their walls by the proteolytic enzymes excreted by the invading bacteria, they may fuse and form spindle-shaped cavities perpendicular to the tubules. Fusion of afflicted tubules over a longer distance may also create spindle-shaped cavities in the same direction as the tubuli run. Through the continued loss of dentin between the tubules, its inner structure crumbles away .
When caries is not halted by dental treatment, bacteria and their toxic products will reach the
soft inner part of the tooth, the dental pulp, and evoke an inflammatory response . Subsequently,
the pulp dies and toxic substances from the pulp space diffuse through the apical foramen into
the adjacent periapical part of the periodontal ligament and surrounding jaw bone. Periapical
disease will now ensue. If the root surface of a tooth is exposed due to periodontal disease, the root-covering caries may also be the victim of carious decay. At this site, the bacteria penetrate into the cementum using the collagen fibres that once anchored the tooth in its tooth socket as pathways. The dental consultants can make solution about it.

Healthy Tips

It is very important for everyone to maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to stay hale and hearty. In order to live a healthy life you need to keep in mind certain important healthy tips. For your own wellbeing, you need to ensure that you take proper care of your outer skin as well as your internal body system. You also need to ensure that you maintain a proper body weight, eat healthy food and avoid bad habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. There are lots of products available in the market, such as skin care products, beauty products, quit smoking products, weight loss products and colon cleanse products, which will help you to enhance your physical health.

Healthy Tips for a Healthy Life

Healthy Tips for SkinCare

Most people, owing to busy work schedule have a tendency to neglect their skincare. As a matter of fact skin is one of the major organs of the body and hence it is extremely important for everybody to take proper care of it. There are lots of skin care products available in the market, which can help you to nurture your skin in a better way so that you can always flaunt a young looking radiant skin. Some healthy tips that you need to keep in mind, in order to maintain a glowing skin are eating healthy and nutritious food, drinking loads of water, taking proper rest and sleep as well as using the right skin care products. Some of the essential skin care products that you must consider using are sunscreen lotion or cream, moisturizer, cleanser, toner, anti-aging creams, etc. Make sure the products that you use are completely herbal and are made out of only natural ingredients.
In this day and age the market is swarming with beauty products, which can help in enhancing your look and make you appear more attractive and beautiful. However, you need to remember certain healthy tips to ensure that the beauty products that you use do not cause to your skin. For instance, always keep in mind to remove your makeup completely, by means of a good cleanser, prior to going to bed. Using beauty products is absolutely fine as long as you ensure to use them properly. Moreover, you also need to make sure that the beauty brands that you choose to use are entirely made of natural ingredients, without the presence of any chemicals.

Healthy Tips for Quit Smoking

One of the most important healthy tips that one must consider in order to live a healthy life is the quitting of smoking. Smoking is extremely injurious to health and it can cause severe damage to your internal organs as well as lead to various life threatening diseases like lung cancer. In reality, it is not easy to quit smoking and lots of people have been proved to be unsuccessful even after several attempts. However, currently there are a variety of quit smoking products available in the market, which are not only extremely effective but also completely safe for the body. But, prior to using any of the products ensure to check for the ingredients of the products.

Healthy Tips for Weight loss

If you are excessive fat content in your body then it is essential for you lose your excess body weight. This is also one of the most important healthy tips, which will save you from many ailments, like diabetes, joint pains as well as various heart diseases. Though there are various weight loss products available in the market, you need to be careful when selecting a particular one. You need to ensure that the weight loss product that you select is not only effective but also safe for the body. You can even consult a doctor for further guidance.

Healthy Tips for Colon Cleanse

For healthy living it is also important to ensure that your body metabolism is in good working condition. The use of colon cleanse products is extremely essential to get rid of toxic wastes from the body. This is also considered to be one of the key healthy tips, which need to be taken seriously by all individuals.
If you can strictly abide by the above mentioned healthy tips, then you will be able to improve your physical condition of your body significantly.

Improving Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease where white blood cells suddenly attack healthy tissues, specifically joints and cartilage.  There are a few ways to help ease the symptoms, depending on which stage of the disease you are in.  If you are in the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis there is a new disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) which has done an excellent job in controlling symptoms.  It works best in the initial stages, so if you suspect you may have rheumatoid arthritis, see your doctor as soon as possible.

There are other options if you are in later stages of rheumatoid arthritis.  These are also helpful if you are still in early stages.  One is to use anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.  This does a great job reducing pain and inflammation.  However, these have side effects including heart problems and gastrointestinal bleeding.  You can also use acetaminophen for your rheumatoid arthritis, which does not have these side effects.

When symptoms are mild, moderate exercising including stretching, weight lifting, and aerobics ease rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.  Be sure to rest when your joints flare up as this would just add strain to your aching joints.  Stretching is important because it increases flexibility and is easy enough to do at any age.  When stretching, stop when you feel mild discomfort and hold for 10 to 30 seconds.  Then repeat 3 to 5 times.  Weight lifting also improves flexibility as well as strength and balance.  Barbells are easy, convenient, and inexpensive.  Remember to stretch before lifting any weights.  Start with 3 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions.  If you would like you can start with no weights at all (such as going leg lifts for rheumatoid arthritis in the knees), then add weights when you can.  Lift the weights slowly and evenly to not damage the cartilage.

Some other popular forms of exercise for rheumatoid arthritis are aqua therapy and Tai Chi.  Be sure to find an actual therapist as they have specific exercises they do for arthritis patients.  Aerobics instructors may push to far and do further damage.  Tai Chi has no long term studies proving its effectiveness, but due to testimonials from patients who have taken Tai Chi, the Arthritis Foundation began offering the class.  Remember to always check with your doctor before starting an exercise program.

Some other ways to relieve rheumatoid arthritis pain are to lose weight to take additional pressure off joints, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, using heat or ice, and possibly using devices such as a cane, brace, or splint.  There are many resources for additional information on rheumatoid arthritis including websites, flyers, periodicals, books, etc.  Your doctor should be able to provide you with some reference on where to look for additional help.

Herbal Remedy for Abscess

Abscess is the accumulation of pus that develops under the skin of somebody as the reaction of his or her body to infection or to the presence of foreign material. I personally used to suffer from an abscess. I felt that it was very painful and it created a small swollen area. My skin where the abscess developed turned into red and was warm to the touch. The pus that formed or collected in a cavity created by the tissue of our body was part of infectious process. If there is foreign object inside or near the pus area as the cause for the abscess, it has to be removed. If the abscess is not caused by it, the usual treatment is draining the pus. Traditional Remedy for Curing Abscess The indigenous Papuan people in New Guinea use resin from Orchid plant to drain pus from abscess. If we make a closer inspection to an tropical Orchid flower plant, we will see that it has a part which is called pseudo bulb. It is where the plant stores water and nutrients for it to survive when there is no rain. The water and the nutrients collected in the pseudo bulb is thick and sticky. Its viscosity is very high. This substance is used as herbal medicine for the treatment of abscess or boils. To take the medicine from the orchid, first we need to cut one of the pseudo bulbs. Using a sharp knife, we need to peel it off so that the part that contains the sticky medicine will be exposed. Then, with the same knife or other sharp object, we need to scrape it little by little. We will get the resin and fiber of the orchid. If the fiber is too much, we can remove it. How to use the medicine on the abscess Apply the sticky and thick resin on the surface of the skin that suffers from abscess. Some people suggest that the affected area should then be covered with a piece of clean cloth. This herbal medicine from the orchid plant will "suck" the pus out of the abscess. When the pus has been drained, the abscess will dry and the skin will restore itself naturally. It is amazing to see that the beautiful orchid flower from the tropical rainforest has very good medicinal merit for our health. So, it is very important for us to preserve the forest because there are still thousands of species of plants that can be used as herbal medicine that are important for our life.

Herbal Remedy for Bleeding

The Herbal remedy for the treatment of bleeding that I am going to discuss here is the cordyline leaves. If you see on the photograph, this plant has red and dark green as well as brown colors. The plant is usually used by people in Indonesia as border line land indicator. They plant cordyline at the corners or along the borders lines of their gardens or house yards because the cordyline has got bright red color. Cordyline can be found thriving in the lowland up to 1,900 meters above sea level.
Synonyms:
Cordyline fruticosa backer, C. terminalis planch., C.terminalis (L.) Kunth., Asparagus terminalis L., Dracaena terminalis Rich., Taetsia fruticosa Merr., convallaria fruticosa L.
The herbs name of this natural medicine is Cordylinae Folium (or Andong leaves)
The height of Cordyline is between 2 and 4 meters. The trunk is hard and round.
From the book about herbal medicine that I am reading at the moment, it says that young cordyline leaves can be eaten as vegetables. The mature leaves can also be used as wrappings for cooking rice which will eventually make the taste of the food delicious.

Properties and medicinal function of the plant
The taste of cordyline is sweet and insipid (or no taste). The plant has the medicinal merit of stopping the bleeding or "resfreshing" the blood. It can even destroy the blood clot in the bruised areas.

Chemical contents
The cordyline leaves contain saphonine, tanine, flavonoid, polyphenol, steroide, polysakaride, calcium oxalat, and iron.

Parts of the plant that can be used as medicine
Leaves, flowers, and roots have medicinal properties. Use the fresh herbs or the dried ones.

Indication
The cordyline leaves can be used to cure:
Lung tuberculosis especially when the patient is suffering from blood cough
Blood spots that come out during pregnancy (possibility of miscarriage), too much blood during menstruation (menorrhagia), blood in the urine(hematuria), and bleeding wounds.

How to use the herb
For drinking herbs, boil the leaves (15 to 30 grams), dried flower (9-15 grams) or roots (6-10 grams).
For external treatment, wash the cordyline leaves, cut them into small pieces and add 1 gram of salt. Grind the leaves until they are pulverized or fine. Apply it on the wound and wrap it with bandage.
Example of treatment
For bleeding urinary, bleeding cough, and too much blood during menstruation, boil fresh cordyline leaves (60 to 100 grams) or dry roots (30-60 grams) with 3 glasses of water until they become only 1 glass. Let it to cool down and filter it. Divide it into two equal parts. Drink it in the morning and afternoon.

The tropical rainforest has got a lot of species of plants that have medicinal functions. It is sad to see that at the present moment this rich natural environment is being cut for the exploitation of its wood and for the conversion of its land for monoculture plantation.

HEALTHY LIVING

8 Tips For Healthy Living On The Go

Are you a busy entrepreneur or employee who is usually on the go and doesn’t have a lot of time, but still wants to make 2008 the year that you get more healthy?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Most people want to get healthy, more fitter and look younger yet they can’t seem to find the time for it. In fact, I have seen advertisements on TV since the new year for at least 7 different fitness workouts by various celebrities and actresses, but I wonder how many people will actually stick to the plans when they purchase it.
Listen, if 2008 is going to be different for you, your body and your family, then it’s time to buckle up and find new habits that will serve you better. Don’t you agree? Healthy living doesn’t have to be hard, it was never created to be. But it does require a small amount of commitment and a big love for being refreshed.
Here are eight tips for healthy living on the go:
1. Enjoy a pint of water first thing in the morning.
If you haven’t got time for anything else in the morning, make time to drink a big glass of water. We lose a lot of oxygen through the night and to rejuvenate our cells, we need to supply them with water and oxygen. Drink a glass of water and within a week you’ll begin to feel less tired. I like the taste of water, but I know some people do not so if you’re one of them, squeeze some fresh lime into your water to give it taste and drink up.
2. Grab a few fresh fruits on your way out.
Wherever you’re going – whether it’s a walk or drive to the supermarket or on your way to a meeting – pick up one or two fruits and eat them. If you leave for work in the morning and don’t return ’til evening, take a few fruits and eat them throughout the day. Fruits are great for their nutrients, vitamins and sugars that are required in our body.
3. Avoid going to junk food shops with your work mates.
If your work mates are going and you want to go along, go ahead but don’t order the burger or french fries. Go for a nice salad instead. Or any other healthy meal that takes your fancy. Junk food is full of “empty calories” that do nothing for your body but put on extra unneeded and unhealthy fat.
4. Exercise on the go.
If you work in an office, get up every 30 minutes and go for a walk. If you have an office with stairs, run up and down the stairs every couple of hours. Get your blood flowing and your muscles moving.
5. Drink herbal teas.
When at work or home, many people love to get a cup of tea or coffee. Decide that you’ll be more healthy and get a warm cup of herbal tea. The selection available today is absolutely massive, so you’re guaranteed to find one you enjoy. I like mandarin and ginseng tea as well as fennel seed tea.
6. Eat a handful of nuts.
Get your favorite selection of nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts, etc.) and raisins and have a big handful of them at around 3pm. This has been shown to increase afternoon energy and productivity.
7. Say yes to freshly squeezed juice.
One of the biggest and most exciting changes I made in my health about 7 months ago was when I said “yes” to having my own freshly squeezed juice every morning. Since then, my energy, body health and vitality has increased ten-fold. I create the time to squeeze my own carrot-apple-ginger juice; however if you don’t have the time, ask someone if they can make it for you in exchange for something you can help them with, or get yourself to a local juice bar and get your share of the juice!
8. Deep breathing.
When you’ve got time – at your desk, driving the car, cooking food – do some deep breathing. Inhale and count up to 5 seconds, hold it for a few seconds, and release slowly. Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is one of the best things we can do for our blood and cells.
Do you have any tips for healthy living on the go? Do tell…

Comparing Nutrition Soy Milk and Dairy Cattle

Because the consumption of cow's milk is feared to make the fat, then people choose soy milk. But can replace the nutrients from the soy milk to cow's milk itself?Soy milk a few years ago may be a popular drink, but now it can be said of soy milk enthusiasts are beginning to have quite a lot. Soy milk itself has already started to spread to share marketing venues, ranging from the bus in the city alone with only a modest presentation on the plastic wrap up to the malls in packaging that is more exclusive.In essence, milk is a fluid, secreted by the mammary glands of cows as food for calves (same thing applies to us). However, milk can also describe a liquid like milk that comes from plants, such as palm or soya beans. Milk was processed from the plant have long consumed, and even been given a variety of scents like green tea, cappuccino, and so forth. However, let's find out how the nutrient content of soy milk.Calcium: Cow's milk contains protein, and calcium is beneficial for building strong bones. A glass of cow's milk alone provides 30 percent of the daily calcium requirement, and 8 grams of protein. Calcium is naturally produced in animal milk, but it should be added to the milk substitute products during processing to improve nutritional value. Therefore, most dairy products contain calcium substitute the same (even more) than cow's milk. Thus, soy milk, coconut milk, almond milk, milk sunflower seeds, could provide 45 percent of daily calcium needs. But keep in mind, the calcium is in addition, is not produced naturally.Protein: As mentioned earlier, a cup of cow's milk contains 8 grams of protein. While coconut, sunflower seeds, almonds and milk, contains only 1 gram of protein per serving. Closest to the protein content in cow's milk is soy milk, with 6 grams of heart-healthy soy protein in one cup.Vitamins and other nutrients: Milk cows and milk from plants have different nutrient content, but each actually has its own advantages. Cow's milk is a source of vitamins and minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. A cup of milk of almonds or sunflower seeds to give half of the daily requirement for vitamin E, an antioxidant that boosts the immune system. Sunflower seed milk also provides 60 percent of the daily requirement for phosphorus.As for soy milk contains isoflavones, a type of estrogen that reduces the effects of estrogen in your body. If you have a family history of breast cancer, you should consult your doctor first before consuming food or beverages that contain soy. Women who have a greater risk for this disease, you should limit exposure to estrogen in various forms. Similarly, women who are trying to become pregnant, are pregnant, or breastfeeding, your doctor will need to ensure safety.