Cold and Flu

 Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on October 05, 2010
Source: WebMD

Popsicles

An icy popsicle can soothe a sore, prickly, swollen, or dry throat. It can also help keep you hydrated, which is key when battling the flu. Getting enough fluids can keep mucus thin and help lessen congestion. Look for popsicles made from 100% fruit juice to make sure you’re getting vital nutrients and not sugar water. Some flavors to try: apple, grape, or strawberry.

Turkey Sandwich

Turkey is a good, lean protein, essential to solid nutrition. And although you may not feel like it, eating can help give your body energy to fight illness. Try adding cranberry sauce for a spike of flavor and comfort-food taste.

Vegetable Juice

Making and eating a salad is probably one of the last things you'll feel up to while recovering from the flu. Down a glass of low-sodium vegetable juice instead. You'll load up on immune-boosting antioxidants and keep yourself hydrated. Craving a sweet taste? Go with 100% fruit juice.

Chicken Soup

Nourishing and hydrating, there's also some scientific evidence that chicken soup may help with healing and have mild anti-inflammatory effects. Studies have found that hot chicken soup can improve the ability of cilia, the tiny hair-like parts of the nasal passages, to protect the body from bacteria and viruses.

Garlic

If you feel up to it, garlic can be a good choice to spice up foods like soup. It appears to have antimicrobial and immune-stimulating properties and may give you slight relief from congestion.

Ginger

Stomachache? Nausea? Diarrhea? Ginger is a home remedy often used to soothe these symptoms. Some studies suggest it may help fight inflammation. Try adding it freshly grated or in powdered form to other foods, or drinking flat ginger ale.

Hot Tea

Green and black tea offer disease-fighting antioxidants. And breathing in the steam can help relieve congestion. Add a spoonful of honey and a squeeze of lemon to help soothe a sore throat. If caffeine bothers you, opt for decaf or herbal versions.

Banana

Sliced, mashed, or whole, bananas are easy on the stomach. They can be a go-to food if you've been hit with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which often occur in kids with the flu. Bananas, along with rice, applesauce, and toast, (BRAT) make up the BRAT diet -- often the first foods doctors encourage people to try when they’re recovering from stomach flu and ready for solid foods.

Toast

Although it brings up the rear of the BRAT diet, toast is nothing to ignore. If you can manage food, try toast or crackers. They can be convenient foods when you're fighting illness. Plus, they pair well with chicken noodle soup and their satisfying crunch can take the edge off hunger when your stomach can’t handle much.

Meal Replacement Drinks

If your appetite has returned, try one of these to make sure you're getting proper nutrients and calories. Look for drinks with at least 6 grams of protein and that are low in sugar. Flavors like strawberry and chocolate may make getting essential vitamins, nutrients, and calories more attractive.

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Hepatitis Information | ASHASTD.org

Hepatitis Information | ASHASTD.org

Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on June 22, 2010

Source: WebMD

Hepatitis Types and Liver Risks

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. It can be caused by several viruses. The main types in the United States are A, B, and C. Type A symptoms are often similar to a stomach virus. But most cases resolve within a month. Hepatitis B and C can cause sudden illness. However, they can lead to liver cancer or a chronic infection that can lead to serious liver damage called cirrhosis. 

Contamination Spreads Hepatitis

Hepatitis A is spread by eating food or drinking beverages that have been contaminated with the feces of an infected person. You can also get infected through close contact with a person who has hepatitis, for example by changing a diaper or through sexual contact. Poor sanitation and poor hygiene increase the risk. Hepatitis B and C are spread mainly through infected blood, semen, or other body fluids.

Hepatitis A Risks: Produce and Drinking Water

Hepatitis A outbreaks have been traced to eating contaminated fresh fruits, vegetables, and salads. Wash produce well before eating, even if you plan to peel it. You can also get hepatitis A by drinking contaminated water. Boil river or lake water. Visiting a developing country? Stick to bottled water and skip ice unless it’s made from bottled water. Vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B, but not C.

Raw Shellfish

Because shellfish is sometimes harvested from polluted waters, uncooked oysters, clams, and mussels can transmit hepatitis A. That's something to think about before your next trip to the raw bar. Cooked shellfish is safer.

Unclean Hands

Hepatitis A can survive outside the body for months. Good hygiene including always washing your hands or using hand sanitizer after using the toilet, changing a diaper, and before handling food or eating helps prevent the spread of hepatitis A. Using a public restroom? Flush with your foot, and use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door on your way out.

Contaminated Blood

Infected blood and body fluids spread hepatitis B and C. Infection can be passed from mother to child during birth, between sexual partners, through contact with open wound, or by contaminated dental instruments. Donor blood is screened in the United States, so the risk of hepatitis from a transfusion is small. One transfusion in 205,000 transmits hepatitis B, and one in 2 million transmits hepatitis C.

Tattoos and Piercings

Getting a tattoo or piercing? Lessen your risk of hepatitis B and C by finding a salon that’s serious about controlling infections. It should be clean and tidy, the staff licensed and well trained. Are the tools heat-sterilized between uses? Hepatitis B and C can be transmitted through improper sterilization and reuse of equipment such as needles. And make sure people wash their hands and don fresh gloves before touching you.

Pedicures, Manicures, and Hair Cuts

Trips to the salon or barbershop may pose a small risk of exposure to Hepatitis B and C. While there’s a small (2%-5%) chance of transmitting hepatitis through grooming items, anytime there’s potential for exposure to blood you may be at risk for hepatitis. Reduce your risk by bringing your own nail files, cuticle clippers, razors, or other equipment.

Sexual Contact

Having sex with someone who has hepatitis B is a major cause of new infections. The hepatitis B virus can be found in an infected person's blood, vaginal fluid, or semen. Short of abstinence, being vaccinated is the surest way to avoid being infected by your partner. Latex condoms and dental dams may help reduce your risk, too.

Sharing Personal Items

Hepatitis B and C can spread by sharing personal items belonging to someone else. That goes for toothbrushes, razors, nail clippers, washcloths, needles, or anything else that might harbor traces of infected blood. Keep these items for your own use only.

Top Problems in Your Mouth | Be Healthy Guide

Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on December 08, 2008
Source: WebMD

Cold Sores

Also called fever blisters, you don’t get cold sores from fevers or colds but they can be triggered by them. The virus that causes cold sores is usually passed via a kiss, shared utensils, or other close contact. OTC creams and ointments may help discomfort and speed healing. Frequent sores may require a prescription. Cold sores are a top mouth problem. Other problems include canker sores, TMJ, bad breath, and mouth cancer.

Thrush

Caused by candida yeast, thrush is most common in older adults or babies. But a weakened immune system, antibiotics, diabetes or certain medications such as  inhaled corticosteroids can give candida a chance to grow wild. Wiping away the patches will cause soreness. See a doctor for a firm diagnosis.

Black Hairy Tongue

This painless condition occurs when the little bumps on your tongue grow long and trap bacteria that live in your mouth -- making your tongue look black and hairy. Causes can include antibiotic use, poor oral hygiene, smoking, drinking a lot of tea or coffee, and not producing enough saliva. Brushing your tongue and using a tongue scraper is usually all you need to treat it, though sometimes medication is necessary.

Canker Sores

No one knows what causes these small, painful blisters inside your mouth. Triggers include hypersensitivity, infection, hormones, stress, and not getting enough of some vitamins. Also called aphthous ulcers, canker sores can show up on your tongue, cheek, even gums. They usually last a week or two. Persistent, severe canker sores can be treated with numbing creams or prescription treatments.

Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia is a reaction to an irritant, like rough teeth, badly fitting dentures, smoking, and smokeless tobacco. It can show up as white patches or plaques in the mouth, usually is painless, and can’t be scraped off. Leukoplakia can also be a precancerous condition. Persistent patches or other changes in your mouth need a dentist’s evaluation.

Lichen Planus

A rare rash that shows up as lacy, white patches or red shiny bumps on the inside of the cheeks or tongue could be lichen planus. No one knows what causes it. Generally, mild lichen planus doesn’t need any treatment. If it causes pain or ulcers, it can be treated with oral and topical medication. Oral lichen planus can be chronic and may increase the risk for oral cancer. Lichen planus can also affect skin, scalp, nails, and genitals.

Geographic Tongue

When parts of your tongue are missing some of their small bumps, you end up with raised and lowered spots, giving your tongue a map-like appearance. The spots can change location, pattern, and size within minutes to hours. Geographic tongue is harmless and can come and go. It usually doesn’t need any treatment. If there’s pain, over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can help.

Mouth Cancer

A mouth sore that doesn’t go away. Unexplained numbness in the face, mouth, or neck. Problems chewing, speaking or swallowing. These are a few symptoms of mouth cancer. Causes can include smoking cigarettes and using smokeless tobacco, drinking heavily, overexposure to the sun, and a family history of cancer. Don’t let fear keep you from the doctor -- oral cancer that is caught early is treatable and curable.

TMJ

A problem with the jaw called temporomandibular joint syndrome can cause  severe pain in the jaw, face, ear, or neck. Clenching, tooth grinding, or injury can all cause TMJ, but the results are often the same: pain, headaches, dizziness, even trouble swallowing. Treatment may involve rest, a mouth guard, medication, or surgery.

Chipped Teeth

Munching on ice or hard candies, grinding or clenching teeth, even exposing teeth to heat and cold can lead to chips, cracks, and breaks in your teeth. Tiny chips or cracks may not be a bother. But anything more could lead to pain or permanent tooth damage. Your dentist can offer dental bonding, tooth contouring, porcelain veneers, and crowns to fix badly damaged teeth.

Amalgam Tattoo

Ever notice a small blue-gray “stain” in a soft part of your mouth after dental work? Called amalgam tattoos, they occur when a tiny piece of amalgam filling gets embedded in your cheek or gum. The silver in the amalgam leaches into your mouth’s soft tissue, resulting in what looks a bit like a tiny tattoo. Amalgam tattoos pose no harm. But if the blue-gray spot grows or changes color, that’s not an amalgam tattoo. Ask your dentist to check it out.

Periodontal Disease

With periodontal disease like gingivitis, bacteria in plaque can cause receding gum lines. Pockets form that become infected and can cause bone loss. Proper oral hygiene can help prevent periodontal disease. Smoking, poor diet, and stress can make it worse. See your dentist to treat receding gums.

Gum Disease

Red, swollen, or bleeding gums could be gingivitis, which can cause teeth to loosen and fall out. Also called gum disease, gingivitis – a form of periodontal disease -- can happen when an illness, medication, plaque, or other problem leaves gums vulnerable to bacterial infection. Prevention is the best strategy. That means daily flossing and brushing, as well as regular dental visits. Severe gingivitis may require antibiotics.

Aspirin Burn

Ever let an aspirin nestle in your cheek, near an aching tooth? While you may hope this relieves  pain faster, instead the acid in the aspirin burns a white, rough lesion into your gums or cheek. Preventing aspirin burn is simple -- swallow those pain relievers! Treatment for aspirin burn is just as basic: Time. Simple burns should heal in about two weeks.

Cavities, Abcesses, Discoloration

Flossing and brushing daily and regular dental checkups help prevent problems like cavities, abscesses, and tooth discoloration. Don’t mess around with a severe toothache. Dental infections can spread to the face, skull, and even to the bloodstream. See your dentist as soon as possible if your toothache lasts longer than 1 or 2 days or if you have a fever, earache, or pain when you open your mouth wide.

Bad Breath

Unbrushed teeth have food particles around them that promote bacteria and cause bad breath. Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth may be from continuous breathing through your mouth, dry mouth, a sign of gum disease, or even diabetes. Fight bad breath by brushing your teeth and tongue, drinking water, and avoiding food triggers. See your dentist if bad breath persists.

Movies That Stir Our Emotions

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD on May 06, 2010
Source: WebMD


Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)

Holly Golightly is a party girl and aspiring socialite who's looking for her sugar daddy. Her new neighbor, Paul Varjak, is an aspiring writer and the kept man of a wealthy older woman. Neither one is looking for true love, but between wild parties and early-morning trips to gaze in the windows of Tiffany's, the two fall for each other.
“I still cry at the end when Audrey is looking for Cat in the rain!” – WebMD member Trez43

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) have been friends for years. But a question hangs between them: What would happen if they slept together? It’s that sexual tension – the "will they or won’t they?" – that makes When Harry Met Sally so compelling.
 "Billy Crystal isn't handsome like George Clooney, but you know he's the one. And maybe in the end that's what makes it so wonderful." – WebMD member tenuli

The Way We Were (1973)

Though differences in outlook and personality are what initially attract the intense Katie and the WASP-y, sheltered Hubbell (the chemistry between Redford and Streisand is undeniable), ultimately these differences prove too much for them to overcome.
 "The final scene gets me every time: Katie and Hubbell run into each other years after they've split. He has a glamorous new woman on his arm. She tells him, wistfully, 'Your girl is lovely, Hubbell.'" – WebMD programmer Florrie Byrd

Harold and Maude (1971)

Harold is young, rich, and obsessed with death. That all changes when he meets Maude, a spunky septuagenarian with a zest for life. An unlikely love affair develops between the two, and while there’s the potential for ickiness (he’s 20, she's nearly 80) instead the romance between them is incredibly tender and believable.
 "One of the sweetest, most touching love affairs on film. It proves the old adage 'love is blind.'" – WebMD video producer Sandee LaMotte

Love Story (1970)

Have plenty of Kleenex handy when you sit down to watch Love Story. The final line uttered by Ryan O'Neal’s character, Oliver Barrett, pretty much sums it up: "What can you say about a 25-year-old girl who died? That she was beautiful and brilliant? That she loved Mozart and Bach, the Beatles, and me?"
 "My favorite is the 1970 classic Love Story. It is heart-wrenching, but you can feel the love they share." – WebMD member chrisymay003

The Lake House (2006)

Kate (Sandra Bullock) and Alex (Keanu Reeves) strike up a correspondence after she moves into the lake house he once occupied. Through letters, a romance begins to grow between the two. Only problem – he's living in 2004, and she’s living in 2006. It's an implausible premise, but a passionate story and charismatic leads make it memorable.
 "I am a hopeless romantic and have always wished someone would love me that much." – WebMD member MelanieJoy

Roman Holiday (1953)

While on a tour of European cities, bored and sheltered Princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn) gets a taste of the freedom she's always longed for with American reporter Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck). The two fall in love during a whirlwind day exploring Rome. Alas, duty calls, and the two must part ways. The romance wasn't meant to be, but the movie is no less romantic for it.
 "One of the best ‘but it could never be’ stories ever." – WebMD program manager Michelle Howard

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Tom Hanks is Sam, a widower whose young son schemes to find him love by putting him on a national radio talk show. In New York, Ryan's character, Annie, hears the broadcast. She's smitten. Missed connections and mad dashes ensue. When the two finally meet at the top of the Empire State Building, it's true love.
 "This movie's great because the archetypal nice-guy, Tom Hanks, comes out victorious and finds the woman of his dreams." – WebMD programmer Brian Stanga

Doctor Zhivago (1965)

Set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution, Doctor Zhivago tells the tale of surgeon-poet Yuri Zhivago, who is torn between his devoted wife and the beautiful Lara (played to perfection by Julie Christie). It's an age-old dilemma: Do you choose fidelity and stability, or passion and inspiration?
 "Omar Sharif was the first 'older man' I ever lusted after." – WebMD writer Jeanie Davis