Articles on Infections
An infection is a condition in which a virus, bacteria, fungus or parasite enters the body and causes a state of disease. These invading organisms (pathogens) interfere with the normal functioning of the host and can lead to chronic wounds, gangrene, loss of an infected limb and even death. Headaches, muscle aches, fever, chills and fatigue are common symptoms of infections. Many of these symptoms are due to inflammation and the response of the immune system to the pathogens.
In general, viral infections are systemic — involving many different parts of the body or more than one body system at the same time (a runny nose, sinus congestion, cough, body aches, etc). They can sometimes be local as in "pink eye" and herpes. Only a few viral infections are painful, like herpes.
Common symptoms of a bacterial infection are localized redness, heat, swelling and pain. One of the hallmarks of a bacterial infection is pain that is in a specific part of the body. Some examples: if a cut becomes infected with bacteria, pain will occur at the site of the infection; bacterial throat pain is often characterized by more pain on one side of the throat than the other.
12/23/2009 - Articles
Think the way you care for your teeth and gums affects only your mouth? Think again.
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12/22/2009 - Articles
Introduction
Shingles is a painful skin condition that people associate in their minds with chickenpox. It is, in fact, caused by a re-emergence of the virus that causes chickenpox (varicella), many years after the original childhood illness.
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12/22/2009 - Articles
The risk factors for atherosclerosis (narrowing or blockage of arteries due to fat deposits) - which can lead to heart attacks and stroke - are well known; they include high blood pressure, obesity
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12/22/2009 - Articles
A relatively easy in-office test is able to help the family doctor or podiatrist confirm if a fungus is causing the signs and symptoms of the nail disease known as onychomycosis.
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12/22/2009 - Articles
Vitamin E has recently taken a hit. Large doses having been shown to actually worsen your chance of developing cardiac disease.
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12/22/2009 - Articles
Periodontitis (inflammation of the gums around the teeth) is a risk factor for atherosclerosis, which can lead to heart attack and stroke.
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12/22/2009 - Articles
Allergies like rhinitis appear to be on the increase. The reason why is not clear, and people with allergic rhinitis are not well managed or treated. It may be time for specialized health workers or pharmacists to step into the breach.
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12/22/2009 - Articles
Seasonal allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, is a distressing but not serious condition. Treatment with a combination of an antihistamine nasal spray (Astelin®) and a corticosteroid nasal spray (Flonase®) has been shown to be significantly more effective than either of the two components given alone.
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12/22/2009 - Articles
Losing weight is associated with a very slight loss in immune function; but losing weight often (i.e. 'weight cycling' or yo-yo dieting) means a measurable reduction in natural immunity, according to a recent study summarized here.
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12/22/2009 - Articles
Older people tend to have reduced immunity to infection, and also decreased iron stores. There seems to be a link . . .
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