FitSugar

Tongue Piercings Can Lead to Fatality

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:00:26 -0700

Add brain abscesses to the list of dangers associated with getting a tongue piercing. The latest Archives of Neurology details the case of a 22-year-old man who died from multiple lesions on his brain two weeks after getting pierced. Doctors say the man's piercing became infected and the condition spread to his brain.

Tongue piercing does not usually result in fatality, but doctors still warn against it because of the associated risks. Some of the more common risks are chipped teeth, receding gums, and oral infections. Rare cases of toxic shock syndrome and blood poisoning have also been reported.

If you decide on a tongue piercing for yourself, get it done from a professional piercer in a hygienic setting and make sure to care for it properly once home. Also, be prepared for a little hunger - when Drew Barrymore got her tongue pierced, she says she could hardly eat or drink anything for two weeks!

STIs Explained: Trichomoniasis

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:30:30 -0700

Since things are heating up everywhere these days, I thought it might be the time to tell you to cool down a little bit and play smart. Yep, it is time to fill you in on a fairly common STI (sexually transmitted infection - it not a disease since it is curable), Trichomoniasis. Tricky to say maybe, but not tricky to prevent!

STIs are considered 100% preventable if you abstain from sex, but let's be reasonable here, that seems pretty unlikely. However you and your partner can both get tested for STIs before you have sex, so you both know you are in the clear.

Since trichomoniasis, also known as trich, is transmitted through genital contact, using latex or polyurethane condoms can greatly reduce your risk in contracting the infection. On the other hand, being in a mutually monogamous relationship is an awesome way to keep yourself safe.

While this may not be a pretty subject, it is good to know what is out there so you can make good decisions and hopefully avoid having to deal with the organ and tissue damage trich can cause. In women, if left untreated trich can cause the fallopian tubes to become inflamed and can also potentially damage your cervix. If your man needs some convincing to get tested tell him that in men, prolonged infection of trich can potentially damage the bladder as well as the prostate. Hopefully that caught your attention!

So for more details about trichomoniasis, then read more

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
Trichomoniasis	Can be asymptomatic yellow-green vaginal discharge Vaginal odor Discomfort during intercourse Painful urination or ejaculation	Samples of vaginal discharge or secretions from the penis are examined under a microscope - these protozoan can be seen swimming (eww).	This parasitic infection can be cured with the prescription drug, metronidazole (a pill you take orally)

Source

STIs Explained: HIV and AIDS

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Since today, June 27, is National HIV Testing Day, I thought I could dispel some myths and lay out the facts about HIV and AIDS. It is a serious issue so let's get down to business.

HIV - the human immunodeficiency virus - is a virus that kills your body’s "CD4 cells," (also called T-helper cells), that help your body fight off infection and disease.

HIV can be passed when an infected person's bodily fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or breast milk) come in contact with an uninfected person's mucous membranes. The HIV virus can be passed during any type of sexual contact - including oral and anal sex. Sharing needles can also transmit HIV from one user to another. HIV-positive mothers can also pass it onto their babies when they are pregnant, when they deliver, or if they breastfeed.

AIDS - the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome - is a disease you get when the HIV virus destroys your body’s immune system. That means that viruses, parasites, fungi and bacteria that usually don't cause any problems can make you very sick since your immune system is damaged.

To prevent HIV and other STIs in the first place abstaining from sexual contact is your best bet, but the likelihood that happening is rare. So always use a latex or polyurethane condom when having sex. Or better yet, have you and your partner get tested before you get intimate.

Fit's Tips: Many people who have HIV do not show symptoms for many years, so the best thing to do is get tested just to make sure.

Want to know more about HIV and AIDS? Then read more

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
HIV and AIDS	rapid weight loss dry cough extreme fatigue swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck diarrhea that lasts more than a week white spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids memory loss, depression, and other neurological disorders pneumonia	Anonymous HIV testing is available in many places and it's usually free You can have a blood test, or a simple oral test that checks for HIV antibodies. People who have HIV antibodies are called HIV-positive.	There are treatments to help HIV symptoms, but there is no known cure yet

STI

Symptoms

How do you test for it?

Treatment

HIV and AIDS

rapid weight loss
dry cough
extreme fatigue
swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck
diarrhea that lasts more than a week
white spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat
red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
memory loss, depression, and other neurological disorders
pneumonia

Anonymous HIV testing is available in many places and it's usually free

You can have a blood test, or a simple oral test that checks for HIV antibodies.

People who have HIV antibodies are called HIV-positive.

There are treatments to help HIV symptoms, but there is no known cure yet

Source and Source

Prevent Swimmer's Ear

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 17:15:00 -0700

Your ears are pretty remarkable. Their unique design helps to tip water out of your ear canal, so you can usually bathe, shower, swim, and even walk in the rain with no problems. The ear canal is also acidic which prevents against bacterial and fungal infections.

However, if your ear is exposed to excess moisture (like if you're swimming a lot), the water can stay trapped in your ear canal. This skin can then get soggy and break down, diluting the acidity and allowing bacteria or fungi to penetrate through the skin, causing an infection called swimmer's ear.

The weird thing is that you don't have to swim to get swimmer's ear. Anything that causes a break in the skin of your ear canal will cause this infection - that's why cleaning your ear with a cotton swab is NOT recommended - if you damage the skin, you could risk getting swimmer's ear.

What are the symptoms? PAIN! The ear may also feel itchy or full. The outer ear may turn red or get swollen, and the lymph nodes around the ear may become enlarged and tender. There may be discharge - clear at first, but then turn cloudy, yellowish, and pus-like. Hearing, understandably, is affected as well.

Fun stuff, huh? So what do you do if you have swimmer's ear? To find out, read more

If your infection is severe, your doctor will prescribe drops that contain antibiotics for 7-10 days to fight the infection, and steroids to reduce swelling. Oral meds like ibuprofen or aspirin may also be suggested to help reduce the pain.

Fit's Tips: To prevent this painful infection during the summer, as soon as you're done swimming, shake your head to one side and then the other to get excess water out of your ear. OTC drops that contain a dilute solution of acetic acid or alcohol can also help dry up your ear canal. If you or your child is prone to swimmer's ear, wearing ear plugs may also be a good option.

Source

More Popular Than Gonorrhea?

FitSugar — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 17:15:00 -0700

I just read about a relatively new STI that I've never heard of, known as Mycoplasma genitalium. It was first discovered in the 1980's and is now becoming more prevalent that Gonorrhea! I just read about it on That's Fit and thought I should share some of the details with you.

Mycoplasma genitalium is one of the tiniest free-living organisms, and it can cause a number of common diseases.

It can cause respiratory infections, as well as inflammation of the urethra in men, and inflammation of the cervix and the lining of the uterus in women, possibly leading to infertility. You may notice cloudy discharge when urinating, stinging, or burning. However, many people are symptom-free.

It can be passed just like other STIs - when an infected person's bodily fluids like blood, semen, or vaginal fluid comes in contact with the mucus membrane of an uninfected person.

If you suspect you have this infection, see your doctor right away. They can take a swab of the infected area, test it, and prescribe antibiotics to treat it if necessary.

Fit's Tips: Since this is an STI, being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone you know is uninfected is a great way to keep yourself safe. Also, when latex or polyurethane condoms are used consistently and correctly, that can also reduce the risk of transmitting Mycoplasma genitalium.

Source

STIs Explained: Syphilis

FitSugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 17:15:00 -0700

Since Spring has arrived and romance is in the air, let's talk more about STIs.

STI stands for "sexually transmitted infection." The reason this term is used instead of STDs (sexually transmitted disease) is because the word "infection" is more accurate since many of these are actually curable (except for Genital Herpes, Genital Warts, and HIV). Also, the word "infection" carries less of a negative social stigma than the word "disease."

STIs like Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Genital Herpes, and Genital Warts are 100% avoidable, so your best bet is to abstain from vaginal, anal, or oral sex altogether. Since that's not much fun (and not going to happen), it's a good idea for you and your partner to get tested for all STIs before you have sex.

Using latex or polyurethane condoms is also a great idea, but not completely effective. Being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone you know is uninfected will keep you safe and STI-free.

Make sure to see your gynecologist annually to get tested, because early detection of syphilis (in the first stage) can help prevent permanent organ damage to the heart, eyes, brain, nervous system, bones and joints.

Want to know about Syphilis? Then read more

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
Syphilis	Stage 1: One or more painless reddish-brown sores (called chancres) appear on or near the genitals. Sores can also appear on the lips, mouth and fingertips. Stage 2: A skin rash develops anywhere on the body. Flu-like symptoms such as mild fever, fatigue and sore-throat appear. Stage 3: Late stage symptoms include brain damage, mental illness, blindness, organ damage, heart disease and death.	There are 3 ways to test: a doctor's recognition of its symptoms microscopic identification of syphilis bacteria and blood tests	Since syphilis is a bacterial infection, a single injection of Penicillin or other antibiotic will cure a person who has had syphilis for less than 1 year. Additional doses are needed for someone who's had it longer.

STI

Symptoms

How do you test for it?

Treatment

Syphilis

Stage 1: One or more painless reddish-brown sores (called chancres) appear on or near the genitals. Sores can also appear on the lips, mouth and fingertips.
Stage 2: A skin rash develops anywhere on the body. Flu-like symptoms such as mild fever, fatigue and sore-throat appear.
Stage 3: Late stage symptoms include brain damage, mental illness, blindness, organ damage, heart disease and death.

There are 3 ways to test:

a doctor's recognition of its symptoms
microscopic identification of syphilis bacteria
and blood tests

Since syphilis is a bacterial infection, a single injection of Penicillin or other antibiotic will cure a person who has had syphilis for less than 1 year.

Additional doses are needed for someone who's had it longer.

Source

STIs Explained: Genital Herpes

FitSugar — Thu, 03 May 2007 17:15:00 -0700

They say love is free, but having unprotected sex in this day and you might be paying the price forever. Did I get your attention? Well I am talking about some serious business since as I learned in high school - Genital Herpes is FOREVER. There is NO cure, so it's really important to take all precautions to prevent getting it.

STIs like Genital Herpes, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are 100% avoidable, and having no sexual contact would be ideal. Since that might not work, before becoming sexually active with anyone - make sure you and your partner get tested for all STIs before having unprotected sex.

Using latex or polyurethane condoms when having sex is also a great idea, but since a condom can't cover all the infected areas, it's no guarantee that you are 100% protected. Being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone you know is uninfected is also a great way to keep yourself safe.

Want to hear all about Genital Herpes? Then read more

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
Genital Herpes	Small, painful blisters - these can go away after 1-3 weeks but another outbreak can occur weeks or months after Itching or burning before blisters appear	Blood test, or fluid is taken from the blisters and tested	There is NO cure, but antiviral medications can shorten or prevent outbreaks. Although it's rare for a pregnant woman to pass Genital Herpes onto her baby during delivery, a C-Section is usually performed.

STI

Symptoms

How do you test for it?

Treatment

Genital Herpes

Small, painful blisters - these can go away after 1-3 weeks but another outbreak can occur weeks or months after
Itching or burning before blisters appear

Blood test, or fluid is taken from the blisters and tested

There is NO cure, but antiviral medications can shorten or prevent outbreaks.

Although it's rare for a pregnant woman to pass Genital Herpes onto her baby during delivery, a C-Section is usually performed.

Source

STIs Explained: Gonorrhea

FitSugar — Tue, 01 May 2007 17:15:00 -0700

Warm weather has arrived and since Spring Fever is in the air, I thought I'd take the time to talk about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Fun stuff, I know.

STIs like Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are 100% avoidable. Abstaining from sex altogether is the surest way to keep yourself STI-free, but since that's not realistic, definitely have you and your partner get tested before you have sex.

Gonorrhea is spread through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus, so being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone you know is uninfected is also a great way to keep yourself safe. When latex or polyurethane condoms are used consistently and correctly, that can also reduce the risk of transmitting gonorrhea.

Make sure to see your gynecologist annually to get tested, because if left untreated, gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or arthritis.

Want to know about Gonorrhea? Then read more

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
Gonorrhea (The #2 STI in the U.S.)	Frequently asymptomatic (no symptoms) Discharge from vagina, penis, or rectum Burning or itching during urination Sore throat	Samples of the infected fluid or urine must be taken	Since gonorrhea is a bacterial infection, several antibiotics can successfully cure it. However, drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are increasing in many areas of the world, including the United States.

Source

Why Are Boogers Green?

FitSugar — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 02:00:00 -0800

It is not so much the snot which is green as the phlegm component, and this is only when it is infected. Healthy phlegm is not really green.

The phlegm becomes green in the presence of infection (bacteria) due to the large numbers of white blood cells present, which make their way through the airway walls to combat the infection. White blood cells also give pus a whitish-green color, so you'd think mucus would be white but it's snot. (Get it? Sorry, but I couldn't resist.)

There's more to it. Many of the common bacteria associated with humans have color. Staphylococcus aureus is a golden yellow, and Pseudomonas pyocyanea is a shade of blue. The green color of snot comes from the mixture of the yellow and blue. Interesting, yet gross, and hopefully inspirational to stay vigilant about not catching a cold as this snotty season slowly comes to an end.

Are You Wiping the Wrong Way?

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 02:30:00 -0800

Okay, so we don't need to spend much time on this, but I feel I need to address this issue. Not every woman knows this important tidbit of information, so I'm going to say it plain and simple to avoid any confusion.

When you go to the bathroom, you need to wipe from front to back. Are we clear on that?

The reason being you want to prevent the spread of intestinal bacteria from the rectum to the urinary tract, and hopefully prevent painful and annoying urinary tract infections. If you think about it, it makes complete sense.

I'm glad we've cleared that up. And I know I don't need to tell you to avoid buying used toilet paper. Good god.