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Dental Implants – The Good and The Bad

  • Posted on February 27, 2010 at 3:00 am



Dental implants are generally used to replace missing teeth. This can be one tooth, a couple of teeth or the complete mouthful of teeth. However, for each of those it is a slightly different procedure. The basis for each is the same. What are dental implants? Good question.

There are several ways to replace a missing tooth. You can use a bridge, a partial denture, or you can use a more permanent solution called a dental tooth implant. As the name suggests, something is implanted. However, it is not a tooth that is implanted, it is a metal rod. This rod is surgically placed into the jaw bone. Once the implantation has healed, a tooth is attached to the steel implant.

That’s fine for one tooth. When a couple of teeth need replacing, it is quite common to have one more dental implants with the space between filled using a bridge. A bridge, as the name suggests, bridges a gap. This is a permanent fixture. Dental implants are placed into the jaw followed by tooth attachments. A bridge is then glued across the gap The third method used utilizes two different procedures. When replacing all the teeth in the mouth, you can either opt for a series of implants and bridges, or you can opt for approximately six implants with a denture then attached to those implants.

A dental tooth implant is a surgical procedure that is carried out by a periodontists. Because a steel rod is being inserted into your jaw bone, to be a candidate you must have a good bone structure and disease free gums. As you lose your teeth your jaw bone is slowly reabsorbed into the body. One of the benefits of dental tooth implants is the stability that it brings to jaw bones. It is also important to keep your mouth germ free after surgery – any surgery involving bones is always going to be a risk when it comes to bacteria.

Dental teeth implants are not pain free as some people suggest. The slightest bacteria in the mouth can lead to problems with the jaw and the implant. This can be painful for a short period but with regular and thorough dental hygiene can avoided. Once you have been through the procedures and come out unscathed you will find that having a dental implant was not that big an issue after all. What you will notice is that dental teeth implants are much more comfortable than dentures, even partial dentures.

Whilst dental teeth implants are expensive, they actually work out less expensive over time. Dentures need to be replaced, relined or repaired on a regular basis. This ongoing cost will exceed the cost of dental implant, more so the younger you are. If you have choice, and you can afford the upfront payment, go for the dental implant. If you lose bone over time, the option may not be available in later life.

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Multiple Scerosis

  • Posted on February 26, 2010 at 10:06 pm



Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain and the spinal cord. Doctors and researchers believe that it is caused primarily due to an autoimmune disorder, which means that the immune system attacks parts of the body, considering it to be a foreign substance.

Multiple sclerosis is caused when the body incorrectly directs antibodies and white blood cells to attack the myelin sheath, which insulates the nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Lesions get formed on random areas of the central nervous system white matter, which may dim greatly or completely cut off nervous transmission to parts of the body. The “demyelination” process interferes with the transmission of nerve impulses.

Generally, it has been seen that the condition usually improves with time, but it has been seen to resurface too, making it a continual process which ultimately results in progressive disability. The type and the severity of symptoms greatly vary, depending upon the areas of the CNS that are affected and the extent to which they have been affected.

Over a million people around the world are affected by this disease, but it is commonly prevalent in the western hemisphere. Although the symptoms are varied, most multiple sclerosis patients suffer from partial or complete blindness, a tingling sensation, partial or complete paralysis of limbs, double vision, tremors or unsteady gait, fatigue and dizziness.

It is important to note that multiple sclerosis is a slow progressing disease with a long prognosis. However, the patients can go about their daily lives normally, except for some impairment for several years. Also, multiple sclerosis cannot be transmitted from a patient to a healthy person, as it is not communicable. Unfortunately at present, there is no permanent cure for multiple sclerosis, although there are drugs that are palliative in nature or that may slow down the progress of the disease. A few promising treatments are in the research or experimental testing stage. Multiple sclerosis may be the result of a genetic disposition or, in certain cases, it may be caused due to antibody reaction to the myelin sheath.

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The Facts About Radon Testing

  • Posted on at 3:01 pm



The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Housing Administration (FHA), and the Surgeon-General of the United States are in agreement: homeowners should have their homes inspected for the presence of radon. Radon is considered a serious risk to health by international authorities as well. The World Health Organization, in conjunction with the EPA, has instituted the International Radon Project in order to raise awareness and promote prevention of radon-related illnesses in countries around the globe. Knowing the facts about radon can help you protect yourself and your family from this dangerous gas.

What is radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. Colorless, tasteless and odorless, radon is formed by the breakdown of uranium. It can form in water, rock, or soil. Prolonged exposure to radon gas has been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer, especially in smokers.

How does radon enter my home?

Since radon is a byproduct of the natural decomposition of uranium, it exists in the soil. If your house is located over or near a deposit of uranium, radon gas will work its way up through the soil and through any cracks or flaws in the foundation. Depending on your home’s design, radon gas can also seep in through spaces inside walls or around pipes, and through open drains on the basement level.

What health problems can radon cause?

Radon has been linked to a significantly increased risk of lung cancer and is blamed for 20,000 deaths yearly in the United States. Because radon is a radioactive particle-bearing gas, it is breathed directly into the lungs; once there, the particles continue to break down, depositing carcinogenic energy directly onto the surface of the lungs.

How can I determine if dangerous levels of radon are present in my home?

A number of do-it-yourself kits are available at home improvement stores. If you opt for this type of test, it’s essential that you follow the instructions exactly; your results will not be accurate if the test is not done exactly as indicated by the packaging. You may also wish to hire a professional radon testing company to perform the test. Make sure any company you choose is certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program to ensure the accuracy of your results. The National Environmental Health Association administers these certifications, which ensure that the radon tester meets the same standards required by the EPA for its radon testing programs.

How much does radon testing cost?

Prices range from $10 for some home testing kits to over $150 for professional radon testing companies.

If radon is present, what is my next step?

Generally, radon remediation is not something you can do yourself. Professional remediation companies offer a variety of methods to radon-proof your home, and their work is usually guaranteed. One of the most popular methods for remedying serious radon infiltration is to install a depressurization system beneath your foundation, preventing radon from seeping upwards by removing the pressure differential and venting the radon safely outside your home.

How much will radon remediation cost?

Depending on the levels of radon inside your home, the extent of remediation work necessary, and the number of contractors in your area, prices can range anywhere from $150 for minor sealing and caulking jobs to $800 or more for a basic depressurization system. Depressurization systems can vary widely in price depending on the size and location of your home, in some cases costing over $3000 for a professional installation.

How long will it take?

Radon remediation is a fairly quick process and usually takes only one or two days to complete.

Radon can present serious health risks to you and your family. Fortunately, radon testing and remediation services are available to ensure that your home is free from this dangerous substance. Testing your home for radon is quick and relatively inexpensive, and can protect your health and peace of mind for years to come.

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Bone Health Tips For Menopausal Women

  • Posted on February 25, 2010 at 7:13 am



Bone, one of the heaviest organs in the body, is formed essentially in two components: one organic, composed of cells, vessels and nerves, and the other mineralized matrix, composed mainly of a water solution of protein (collagen) that becomes heavily embedded with crystals of calcium, known as hydroxyapatite crystals. The three main types of cells in bone are osteoblasts, osteoclasts and osteocytes.

Osteoblasts produce the collagen and generate the matrix, which then is filled with hydroxyapatite – or calcium – crystals. The calcium is deposited in layers called lamellae, and these are crossed by minute canals known as Haversian canals or osteons. It is their densely packed arrangement that gives compact bone its great strength. During our life, our bone is also resorbed, or digested, by the osteoclasts, which break bone down, digesting the matrix.

Special multi-cellular bone units, which act like patrols and travel across the surfaces of our bones with the osteoclasts, digest small amounts of the matrix; these are then replaced by the newly formed bone from the osteoblasts, which in turn become trapped as osteocytes for a number of years. In this way, our complete skeleton is renewed every 7 to 10 years.

These units also repair small cracks and defects that may appear in the bone, and they are responsible for remodeling the bone after a fracture.

Bones And Joints For Life

During our early years, the deposition of bone far exceeds its resorbtion, resulting in growth and in mineralization of the existing bone. During adult-hood, most people will achieve a stable balance, with the net amount of bone remaining constant. As we age, however, the balance shirts towards resorbtion, causing a reduction in the amount of bone and a loss of mineralization of the existing stock. The extremes of this process are called osteoporosis and osteomalacia respectively.

The reason this process is particularly important to women is that with menopause, the abrupt reduction in estrogen levels results in an increased resorption of bone, which quickly outpaces the formation of new bone and can lead to osteoporosis.

An asymptomatic condition, osteoporosis causes no pain or any other known symptom until a fracture ensues. These fractures can cause serious loss of function in the wrist, severe chronic back pain and incapacity or great difficulty in walking and mobility, leading in many cases to death in later life.

In fact, the number of deaths attributed to hip fractures in older people is very similar to that of heart attacks and cancer, with women being affected about 10 times more often than men.

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Stop Anemia Naturally

  • Posted on February 21, 2010 at 10:43 pm



Are you feeling exhausted? Do you often have bouts of feeling lightheaded and lack of energy? Short of breath with no apparent reason? Are your skin and gums as well as the region surrounding your eyes, pale? If you answered yes to all of these questions; you probably have anemia! This medical condition is caused by a deficiency in Iron. Other causes include insufficient amounts of vitamin B12, folic acid and even copper in the system of the body. Anemia is a medical condition wherein there is a significant deficiency of healthy red blood cells. This disease can be fatal if uncontrolled.

Is there any home remedy to prevent or help control anemia?

It is true that if left uncontrolled, anemia can result to a life-threatening condition. Worry not for here’s good news—– anemia can be effectively treated with some natural remedies that are readily available from your cupboards or your garden. You can find them even in your backyard; they are called home remedies for anemia.

The following are some home remedies that are considered and proven effective in the treatment of anemia:

o You may not believe this but cooking in iron pots is one effective home remedy for anemia. In doing so, you will be able to intensify the amount of iron in the food that you are cooking.

o If you are a coffee lover, try to reduce drinking coffee because it decreases iron absorption.

o Green leafy vegetables and other foods rich in iron

Green vegetables like spinach, okra, broccoli, and lettuce are some of the great sources of iron. Including any of these vegetables in the diet regularly can guarantee steady supply of iron that the body needs to prevent the occurrence of anemia. Sesame seed mixed with milk is a anemia-prevention concoction that is easy to prepare. Simply soak a teaspoon of sesame seeds in warm water, grind, strain, mix with a glass of milk and put honey or sugar. Meat is one great source of iron. Fruits like orange, cantaloupe, and strawberries are also iron-rich sources.

Other home remedies:

Treat Anemia with Parsley:

Parsley is an herb which can be used dried or fresh. It is used as a home remedy and also very good for cooking, and as a breath refreshment. The parsley has vitamins and minerals and is very good for digestion, gas and more.

o Make a tea from the parsley leaves by putting them in hot water. You can add sugar to make it taste better. Drink a few times a day to treat the anemia.

o Make a salad with green vegetables and add some parsley as well.

Treat Anemia with Apples:

Apples are sweet or sour fruit. The apples can be consumed fresh, cooked, as a hot drink, cold drink, as a jam, roasted, in alcohol drinks and more.
The apples are very good as home remedies and also for cosmetics and aromatherapy.

o Eat fresh apples every day to help treat the anemia.

o Take 3 apples, put in a blender with 1 cup of water and 1 tablespoon of sugar and drink. you can also add some other fruit.

o Cook apples in warm water, wait untill they are soft, mash and eat.

Treat Anemia with Dates:

Dates are a very sweet fruit. The dates can be eaten dry or moist as a jam, fresh, as a wine drink, for cooking and more. Dates are a very good home remedy.

o Put one date in a glass on hot water wait for a few hours and drink the water after they are cool.

o Eat a lot of dates they are very good for anemia.

While anemia is considered as a serious disorder; it is a good thing to know that there are many home remedies for anemia that are proven effective. You can always stay away from anemia the natural way.

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Vision Problems Linked to Eye Bags

  • Posted on February 16, 2010 at 1:09 pm

Most people are afraid of getting big eye bags since these can make a person look tired and awful. But cosmetic problems are not the only reason to shun baggy eyes. Doctors say they can cause a host of vision problems as well.

Indeed, eye bags not only affect your appearance; they can also interfere with your vision at the same time. This was revealed by eye experts who said baggy eyes can trouble you in more ways than one.

Eye bags have many causes. Morning puffiness is usually caused by fluid retention which normally occurs when one sleeps. Allergies likewise lead to water collecting under the eyes. Expect baggy eyes too if you cry a lot since the salt in tears irritates the skin. If you are dehydrated or drunk, it will definitely show in your eyes. These two conditions can worsen your eye bags.

Fortunately, the above problems are short-lived and temporary. The eye bags almost everyone hates are caused by the aging process. If you spend too much time in the sun, your skin becomes thinner, loses its elasticity, and eye bags form.

“Over the years, too, the cushion of fat tucked cozily under each eye, called the orbital fat pad, protrudes as the muscle that holds it in place weakens. And the cheeks lose collagen, a protein that makes skin firm, so that a trough appears under the bags, accentuating their pouchiness,” according to an article in The New York Times.

Eye bags that occur in the upper eyelid and appear as overhanging skin are worse than those that form under the eyes. Upper eyelid puffiness or sagging eyelids can cause vision problems or even total vision loss, according to Dr. John Ramocki of the Kresge Eye Institute at the Detroit Medical Center. This condition is known as ptosis and usually affects adults between the ages of 45 and 50.

“The droop of the eyebrows and eyelids results in the build up of fat and extra tissue around the eyes. This extra tissue makes the eyes look smaller, sunken in, and gives a person’s face an overall tired, wrinkled appearance. Saggy eyelids can affect more than just your appearance; they can also affect your vision. Ptosis can result in an obstruction of your vision and you may not even realize it,” said the specialists at eyecarebasic.

One of the most famous victims of saggy and baggy eyelids was the English businessman and billionaire Sir Alan Michael Sugar who stars in the BBC TV series “The Apprentice” which is based on the American TV show of the same name. Sugar, whose net worth is estimated at about $1.7 billion, reportedly spent over $11,000 in cosmetic surgery to get rid of bags under his eyes and lift his eyelids.

“The 59-year-old electronics tycoon had the operation because of ‘vision problems’. A qualified pilot, he explained that droopy skin overhanging his eyelids was threatening to block his sight and stop him pursuing his hobby of flying Learjets,” said London’s “Daily Mail.”

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