National Chronic Fatigue Awareness Month - March

Chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS) is a debilitating and complex disorder characterized by profound fatigue of six months or longer duration that is not improved by bed rest and that may be worsened by physical or mental activity. The cause or causes of CFS have not been identified and no specific diagnostic tests are available. Increasing activity and physical exercise have been reported to help ease the symptoms of fatigue in some patients with CFS, inmpoving their quality of life and ability to function. Patients with CFS are sometimes treated with immune therapy, corticosteroids, antidepressants and other pharmacological agents or supplements, and complementary therapies.

source: www.medterms.com

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month - March

Colon Cancer At A Glance :

• Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumor arising from the inner wall of the large intestine.
• Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer in males, fourth in females in the U.S.
• Risk factors for colorectal cancer include heredity, colon polyps, and long standing ulcerative colitis.
• Most colorectal cancers develop from polyps. Removal of colon polyps can prevent colorectal cancer.
• Colon polyps and early cancer can have no symptoms. Therefore regular screening is important.
• Diagnosis of colorectal cancer can be made by barium enema or by colonoscopy with biopsy confirmation of cancer tissue.
• Treatment of colorectal cancer depends on the location, size, and extent of cancer spread, as well as the age and health of the patient.
• Surgery is the most common treatment for colorectal cancer.

source: http://www.medicinenet.com/

DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS





Deep vein thrombosis or DVT, is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body. Blood clots occur when blood thickens and clumps together. Most deep vein blood clots occur in the lower leg or thigh. They also can occur in other parts of the body. A blood clot in a deep vein can break off and travel through the bloodstream. The loose clot is called an embolus. When the clot travels to the lungs and blocks blood flow, the condition is called pulmonary embolism, or PE. PE is a very serious condition. It can damage the lungs and other organs in the body and cause death. The symptoms of DVT are related to obstruction of blood returning to the heart and causing a backup of blood in the leg. The symptoms include: pain, swelling, warmth, and redness.

NATIONAL MS AWARENESS - MARCH

Multiple Sclerosis(abbreviated MS) is a disease of the central nervous system marked by numbness, weakness, loss of muscle coordination, and problems with vision, speech, and bladder control. MS is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks myelin, a key substance that serves as a nerve insulator and helps in the transmission of nerve signals. The progress, severity and specific symptoms in MS are unpredictable. Most people with MS are between the ages of 20 and 40 at the time of diagnosis. About 350,000 people in the U.S. have multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is twice as likely to occur in Caucasians as in any other group. Women are twice as likely as men to be affected by multiple sclerosis earlier in life. The term "multiple" refers to the multiple places in the central nervous system that are affected and to the multiple relapses and remissions characteristic of MS.

source: www.medterms.com

CAFFEINE







Caffeine is a bitter substance found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate, kola nuts, and certain medicines. It has many effects on the body's metabolism, including stimulating the central nervous system. This can make you more alert and give you a boost of energy.







For most people, the amount of caffeine in two to four cups of coffee a day is not harmful. However, too much caffeine can make you restless, anxious, and irritable. It may also keep you from sleeping well and cause headaches, abnormal heart rhythms, or other problems. If you stop using caffeine, you could get withdrawl symptoms.







Some people are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others. They should limit their use of caffeine. Certain drugs and supplements may interact with caffeine. If you have questions about whether caffeine is safe for you, talk with your health care provider.







source:www.medlineplus.com

FLU PREVENTION

American Red Cross Month - March







A Brief History: Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. on May 21, 1881. The purpose of the organization includes giving relief to and serving as a medium of communication between members of the American armed forces and their families and providing national and international disaster relief and mitigation. The Red Cross is an independent, volunteer-led organization financially supported by voluntary public contributions and cost-reimbursement charges. The American Red Cross joins more than 175 other national societies in bringing aid to victims of disasters throughout the world. For more information please visit http://www.redcross.org/.