Wednesday, December 21, 2011

The Impact of Low Oxygen Levels in the Human Body

Having low oxygen levels in your blood is a very dangerous situation. Your entire body depends on oxygen to function. This means that if your body is deprived of oxygen every part of your body will be suffer. The outward implications may not look severe, but there could be major damage happening internally. Your vital organs suffer the longer your oxygen levels stay down and if you don't get an adequate supply of oxygen soon you could cause permanent damage to your organs.

A major risk with low oxygen levels is brain damage. The brain, like your other internal organs, requires oxygen to function properly. Without a good supply of oxygen the brain cells start to die causing symptoms such as confusion and memory loss. Severe brain damage caused by low oxygen levels in the body can cause major health problems such as seizures, unconsciousness and may eventually lead to death if not treated in time.

How do you know when you're oxygen deprived? Generally it's not difficult to figure out if you're being oxygen deprived or not. Simple shortness of breath is a very early indicator, but other symptoms include being lightheaded, nauseous, fatigued or getting a headache. Signs of severe low oxygen levels are blue skin, diminishing consciousness and seizures. If you believe you or someone else is severely oxygen deprived get them medical attention immediately and, if available, supply them with oxygen from an oxygen tank.

There are many different reasons that a person would have low oxygen levels in their blood. First, choking, drowning and suffocating are very common and sudden ways to develop severe low oxygen levels in your blood. With the airway clogged, restricted or covered by an object you can no longer take the breaths you need to take. These hazards are sometimes unavoidable, but you should take care when eating your food or swimming. Always chew your food well before swallowing and never put foreign objects in your mouth unless they are absolutely necessary. In addition, make sure you never swim in water that is too deep or choppy for your swimming ability and swim with other strong swimmers whenever possible.

Second, being at high altitudes can cause low oxygen levels. The air is thinner in high altitudes than at sea level which means there is not as much oxygen to breathe. Mountain climbers most likely have experienced low oxygen at some point in their lives because of the high altitudes they climb. Having a sufficient oxygen supply for your climb is important especially for very high mountains.

Finally, sleep apnea, respiratory illnesses and other illnesses can cause low oxygen levels. If you have sleep apnea or another illness which causes breathing problems you should consult your doctor immediately for treatment options and you should invest in an emergency supply of oxygen.

With every breath of fresh air you supply your body with a vital element needed to keep your body functioning properly. As you enjoy a bite of an apple to supply your body with food or enjoy a refreshing sip of water to keep your body hydrated you should remember to take a second to enjoy a deep breath of fresh air to stave off any worries of low oxygen levels.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Useful Ways to Stop Excessive Sweating

If you are someone who has to deal with the condition of sweating too much, you understand what an unpleasant condition this is. Having to face the embarrassment of all that extra moisture that can come upon you suddenly is not an enjoyable experience for anyone. Happily, there are ways that you can combat this condition, which is also known as hyperhidrosis.

The first and easiest thing that you can do is invest in some very powerful antiperspirant. While deodorant minimizes the odor that your bodily emissions will cause, you will continue to sweat if you merely apply deodorant. However, if you use antiperspirant, you might be able to stop the sweating from happening altogether. This depends on just how much you sweat, since such products are not equipped to combat extremely high levels of perspiration. Still, if you are on the borderline, it may be enough, and even if it isn't, it might at least cut down on the moisture.

If you don't sweat primarily through your underarms, antiperspirant is not going to be much help. You might be a good candidate to consider taking a pill to curb your sweating. These medications, which are known as anticholinergics, can be very helpful to people with pervasive perspiration problems. However, they also come with side effects, and these can be so harmful that many doctors are hesitant to prescribe them, especially in mild cases.

Some patients have success with a procedure known as iontophoresis, which involves electric currents and lasts about 20 minutes. It is not a dangerous procedure, but it requires multiple sessions, and usually, these sessions only alleviate the symptoms rather than providing a permanent solution. Another possibility it getting Botox injections in the armpits. This can be useful, but it doesn't always provide substantial benefits, and it has more drawbacks than other methods. The process of getting the injections is painful, and it needs to be repeated several times in order to take effect. Additionally, there is a risk of infection.

Some people have discovered natural remedies for dealing with excessive sweating. For instance, baking soda is naturally absorbent and can alleviate the problems if applied to the underarms, particularly in combination with cornstarch. Other folk remedies can be found online if you do a little investigating, and while most are not permanent, they can provide temporary relief.

Another thing that you can do is wear protective layers such as underarm pads. This will not stop the sweating from occurring, but it may be able to stop its effects from being visible to casual observers. Additionally, you might try to preventative measure of avoiding situations that you know trigger the sweating. For instance, if it is stress-induced, try to avoid stressful situations as much as you can.

Excessive sweating is an unfortunate problem to have, but it does not need to be a constant source of embarrassment. By using a combination of the above methods, you can go about your workday with a greater sense of confidence.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Ways To Combat Gout

Gout is a painful inflammatory condition that affects millions of people worldwide. A form of arthritis, gout is characterized by sudden flares of joint pain and tenderness. There are treatments that can reduce the severity of gout and reduce painful flares.
The build-up of urate crystals inside a certain joint of the body causes gout to occur. These crystals form when levels of uric acid are high inside the body. Uric acid is broken down in the blood and excreted in the form of urine in the kidneys. Those who produce excessive amounts of uric acid or who fail to excrete adequate amounts of uric acid, may develop the formation of painful urate crystals inside certain joints of the body.
The primary symptoms of gout are joint pain, often in the big toe. Gout can also cause pain in other joints such as knees, ankles, wrists and hands. Most bouts of gout are characterized by sudden, intense attacks that occur with no prior warning. Once the acute phase of gout is over, there may continue to be joint pain that lasts up to several weeks after the original attack. Those who have gout may also experience increased redness and swelling in the affected joint.
The newest treatments for gout include corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone. These medications help control inflammation in the joints which can reduce pain. Corticosteroids are taken by mouth or they can be injected into the body. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAID's are also commonly used to treat gout. These medications come in over-the-counter variations such as ibuprofen or naproxen. NSAID's are also available in prescription strength to treat severe pain. Those who have many gout flares, may require medication to prevent painful attacks. These medicines work by blocking uric acid production in the body, preventing painful attacks from occurring or reducing their frequency. All medications have side effects that can cause adverse health effects. Corticosteroids can cause patients to be more susceptible to illness and develop thinning bones. NSAID's often cause stomach pain and can increase the risk of developing stomach ulcers. Drugs that block uric acid can cause low blood counts, rash and impaired liver function.
Certain factors contribute to the development of gout. People who consume excessive amounts of alcohol, often develop gout. Some diseases can also increase the risk of gout, including diabetes, hypertension and narrowing of the arteries. Taking diuretics daily also increase gout flares, as well as daily aspirin use. Gout occurs most often in men who have a family history of gout attacks. Most men develop symptoms of this condition between 40 and 50 years of age. Women can also suffer from gout, but the condition typically occurs after menopause.