Varicella-zoster virus

Oct 08, 2008 - Overview

• Signs and Symptoms
• Causes
• Risk Factors
• Diagnosis
• Preventive Care
• Treatment Approach
• Other Considerations
• Supporting Research

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M The varicella–zoster virus (VZV) can cause two diseases: chickenpox (varicella) and shingles (herpes zoster). Before a vaccine was developed in 1994, chickenpox was a common contagious childhood disease that produced itchy blisters but rarely caused serious problems. However, if adults who had not had the disease as children contracted it, it could cause more serious complications. - 0 Comments

Osteoarthritis

Oct 08, 2008 - Overview

• Signs and Symptoms
• Causes
• Risk Factors
• Diagnosis
• Preventive Care
• Treatment
• Other Considerations
• Supporting Research

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. It is a joint disease caused by the breakdown of cartilage -- the firm, rubbery tissue that cushions bones at joints. Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide over one another, and cartilage absorbs energy from the shock of physical movement. - 0 Comments

Urinary incontinence

Oct 08, 2008 - In This Report

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Stress Incontinence
• Urge Incontinence
• Overflow Incontinence
• Functional Incontinence
• Risk Factors
• Diagnosis
• Prognosis
• Treatment
• Lifestyle Changes
• Other Treatments
• Behavioral Treatments
• Medications
• Surgery
• Other Procedures
• Catheters and Collection De...
• Resources
• References

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M Highlights Sling Procedure Versus Burch Colposuspension The sling procedure is better than Burch colposuspension in treating stress incontinence but may cause more post-operative urinary complications, according to results from an important 2007 New England Journal of Medicine study. In the first large-scale clinical trial to directly compare these two types of surgery, 47% of women who underwent the sling procedure had no urinary incontinence 2 years after surgery, compared with 38% of women who received the Burch procedure. However, 63% of women who had the sling procedure (and 47% of women who underwent the Burch procedure) experienced urinary tract infections following surgery. - 0 Comments

Osteoarthritis

Oct 08, 2008 - In This Report

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Causes
• Symptoms
• Conditions with Similar Sym...
• Risk Factors
• Diagnosis
• Prognosis
• Lifestyle Changes
• Medications
• Alternative and Complementa...
• Surgery
• Resources
• References

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M Highlights Pain Medications

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and COX-2 inhibitors work equally well for pain management, but both types of drugs increase the risk for heart attacks, according to an important report from the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research.
• The prescription NSAID diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam) may present a higher risk for heart attack than other NSAIDs, suggests a 2006 Journal of the American Medical Association study.
• Standard osteoarthritis medications provide moderate pain relief for only 2 - 3 weeks, suggests a 2007 review in the European Journal of Pain.

Acupuncture Acupuncture may be helpful for people with knee and hip osteoarthritis, according to several 2006 studies:

• An Annals of Internal Medicine study of 1,007 people with chronic osteoarthritis knee pain indicated that patients who received acupuncture plus standard care had greater improvement than those who received only physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs.
• An Arthritis and Rheumatism study of 3,663 patients with chronic osteoarthritis knee or hip pain suggested that acupuncture plus routine care can provide significant improvements in pain relief and quality of life. In both studies, the benefits of acupuncture were sustained for up to 6 months after treatment completion.

Exercise and Knee Osteoarthritis Weight-bearing exercise (walking, jogging) neither prevents nor increases the risk of knee osteoarthritis in healthy middle-aged and elderly people, suggests a 2007 study in Arthritis and Rheumatism. - 0 Comments

Rheumatoid arthritis

Oct 08, 2008 - Overview

• Signs and Symptoms
• Causes
• Risk Factors
• Diagnosis
• Treatment Approach
• Other Considerations
• Supporting Research

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term (chronic) disease that causes inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It can also affect other organs.  RA destroys the protective tissue (cartilage) surrounding the joints. Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide smoothly over one another, and absorbs the shock of physical movement. - 0 Comments

Obesity

Oct 08, 2008 - Overview

• Signs and Symptoms
• What Causes It?
• Risk Factors
• Preventive Care
• What to Expect at Your Provider's Office
• Treatment Options
• Other Considerations
• Supporting Research

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M Being overweight or obese puts you at risk for a number of diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, and respiratory disorders. The risk of developing these diseases is even higher when weight is concentrated near the waist. Obesity is an increasing problem. - 2 Comments

Psoriasis

Oct 08, 2008 - In This Report

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Types of Psoriasis
• Causes
• Risk Factors
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Topical Medications
• Systemic Medications
• Phototherapy
• Managing Psoriasis
• Outlook
• Resources
• References

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M Highlights Treatment Psoriasis that develops on the hands or feet is often very difficult to treat. However, an advanced clinical trial showed that a medication called efalizumab (Raptiva) effectively cleared or nearly cleared moderate-to-severe symptoms in adults after 12 weeks. Several studies have shown that most people with severe psoriasis who are treated with infliximab (Remicade) have significant improvement in symptoms by week 10. - 0 Comments