Archive for April, 2008

Apr 29

Help I Am Allergic To Gold



Contact allergic dermatitis, also called Allergies Type 1, usually develops with repeated exposure to some substance in the environment. All of a sudden you may develop a hypersensitivity to all of your gold jewelry. Symptoms may include a rash, itching, swelling, blistering, and eczema.

It is very unlikely that you are allergic to gold. You are more likely to have developed an allergy to nickel. More specifically the allergy is not caused by the nickel itself but by the combination of your perspiration and nickel salts. If your jewelry shows any type of corrosion or pitting then coating the piece of jewelry with clear finger nail polish where it comes into contact with the skin may help. If finger nail polish is used then you will need to recoat very often because finger nail polish wares off easily. It would be better to coat the item with some type of long lasting plastic compound. See you jeweler for recommendations.

Allergic to gold cases have been reported by dermatologists since the introduction of cheap fancy jewelry. Nine carat gold and white gold both contain nickel, 12 carat or higher should be ok. Once you have developed an allergy to nickel it will often remain for the rest of your life. 34 to 65 percent of the population that is allergic to nickel is also allergic to platinum.

Nickel is frequently added to gold because it is inexpensive and hard. Gold in itself is soft and will lose its shape under pressure so nickel is added to toughen it up. Better quality products use palladium, which has excellent properties but is also more expensive to use.

Other common every day items that contain nickel and cause you to develop contact dermatitis are metal zippers, hair-pins, buttons, lipstick holders, razors, keys pocket knives, kitchen utensils, scissors, silver coins, paper clips

Your dermatologist or pharmacist can supply you with a nickel-testing kit. The test contains a bottle of dimethylglyoxime and a bottle of ammonium hydroxide. Put a drop from each bottle the jewelry or item in question, the chemicals will not harm your jewelry, and then rub it with a cotton swab. If the swab turns pink then the item being tested contains nickel and may cause problems if worn.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

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Apr 28

The Complexities of Modern Medicine



Since the beginning of human life, medicine has always existed in the society. Earlier when men used to gather in tribes or bands or groups there was always someone who was known to be the medicine man. The medicine man either prescribed herbs or danced to chase evil spirits away or chanted or prescribed potions to get rid off evil spirits and wake up good spirits. Being the centre of the society he always cared about the good health and well being of his fellow men.

Those days the doctors had very sharp observation and were well aware of the surrounding world. They would understand on which herbs could be ingested in the human body or which ones could be put on injuries. Even today doctors have to observe their patients very well when they take updates on their health or examine them before they arrive on a diagnosis.

Since the beginning doctors are gifted with two major strengths. One is that they exceptional observation skills. The other is the way they maintain a relation with their patients. Their first skill helps them to arrive at a proper diagnosis and prescribe medicines for the disease whereas the second one enables them to convey any bad news about the health of the patient to him or his family members.

In today’s times medicines are getting more complex and heath care is getting more and more expensive. This is coupled with an uncertainty on how the society will deal with such issues. Due to this it is not much desired to become a doctor. The sad part of this is that not all M.D. qualified doctors deserve to practice due to their personality or their manners.

The profession of medicine requires the person who practices to be intelligent and well aware of his field and also he should be able to connect with people. Hippocrates, who is considered to be the father of medicines has coined a phrase – “But first, do no harm.” This suggests that the practitioner must never do any harm to his patients in his practice. This was more important than any psychological pain to the families or patients due to the doctor not being able to convey bad news.

Our society is facing issues regarding high costs of health care and an aging population combined with a low physician pool. Due to this there will be ethical issues on when the treatment of certain diagnosis is enough. Irrespective of the answer to this question, the person delivering the conclusion will have to speak to the patient and family members and be responsible for the emotions due to the decision taken. He will not be able to simply escape from the situation and leave the family to take control in the best possible way.

So you see medicine was never built on a ‘who cares’ attitude but a willingness to take interest and help. Never earning money can be the only motive of medicine as a profession. It has to be responsible for any harm it may cause to the patient.

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Posted in Medicine

Apr 26

Allergy Treatment



Allergy means exaggerated reaction by our immune system and responses to bodily contact with certain foreign substance. What allergies do eliminate the item from your body when possible in one way or the other to protect you? However, some allergy reaction can be very strong and actually cause you much pain, damage and even be fatal sometimes.

Here is how you can recognize an allergic reaction, treat it and learn to prevent them in the future. Our immune system is responsible for protecting our bodies from foreign substance and what has the possibility to cause possible damage. Allergies occur when the immune system protects our body from one such occurrence by not recognizing the compound such as, sneezing when you inhale pollen or dust, diarrhea when you drink milk.

Identify Your Body Type

One is not born with allergic reaction but develops them along the way; while some may experience it when they are born with milk some may develop them even in their adulthood. It is very important to learn about your own body and listen to its reactions carefully, as each one of us is unique in his or own way and therefore will react to certain things differently.

Keeping track of what you eat and do as well as any unusual reaction that may occur during the day or immediately after you have consumed a product may help you trace an allergy when it happens and treat it.

Allergic Reaction Symptoms

To get any allergy treatment you need to recognize the symptoms and here are some of the most common types, Skin rashes that are usually of red color and itch, nausea, vomiting, sneezing, wheezing, watery eyes, unclear vision, not able to focus. Serious cases you will have difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat to the point where one can get into shock if not treated quickly.

Importance of Treatment

Several allergy reactions require treatment right away such as for shell fish allergies or nuts where one’s breathing pipes lines will close and literally you will be out of oxygen. You can save your or someone else’s life by getting immediate allergy treatment as the symptom occurs or sometimes people carry on them drugs and shots that will provide the required allergy treatment.

Tips

If you know your allergies always carry the necessary allergy treatment along if you may need it when away from home like at office and while driving and if possible place it in a box with the necessary instructions. If you have babies in the house make a first aid box in the house where you can place their allergy treatment clearly marked so everyone can access and use if required.

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Posted in Allergy

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