Biolabs Anti-Cellulite Formula For Skin Care

Are you troubled by cellulite deposits around your thighs or butts? Have you used many products which have failed in their promise of eliminating cellulite deposition from your body? If yes, then you will be happy to know that by using Biolabs Anti-Cellulite Formula, you will be able to get rid of cellulite deposited on your body. There are many a women who wish to roam on beaches in sexy swim wear. However, the cellulite deposited around their thighs and butts discourage them from doing so. After using this wonderful product you will be able to reduce cellulite deposition within two weeks.
Apart from eliminating cellulite, Biolabs Anti-Cellulite Formula will also prevent the formation of new cellulite in your body. It activates the process of lipolysis, which helps in metabolizing the fat stored in your body. This product comes in the form of a cream which you need to apply on those parts of your body which have cellulite deposition. The use of this product will help in flushing out fat and harmful toxins from your body. Using Biolabs Anti-Cellulite Formula will boost the synthesis of elastin and collagen; which will help to tone up your skin.
Biolabs Anti-Cellulite Formula rectifies the blood circulation and helps your body in fighting water retention. A large number of women have been benefited by this awesome skin care solution. If you wish to buy it, then visit its official website. On its website, you will be able to place an order for the risk-free-trial of this product

Using Smoke Assist To Stop Smoking

Everyone knows that smoking is extremely dangerous for our health. In spite of this, there are a large number of people who are posing a risk to their precious lives by smoking cigarettes. This may cause incurable diseases like mouth and lung cancer.
If you want to find an alternative to cigarettes for satisfying your oral fixation, then you should purchase Smoke Assist. You will feel like you are smoking a real cigarette while using this product. Using Smoke Assist will cost you a lot less than tobacco cigarettes.
It has benefited many to quit the ill habit of smoking. It does not contain tobacco, nicotine, tar or any harmful chemical or carcinogens associated with regular cigarettes.
While using Smoke Assist, people will feel that they are inhaling real nicotine and exhaling it as smoke. However, the truth is that while using Smoke Assist, you will be emitting only water vapors. This way you can also avoid consequences of passive smoking.
If you face a lot of trouble while spending time in no-smoking areas, this product will come as a great solution. You can use Smoke Assist even in no-smoking zones. A single cartridge of this e-cigarette will last for 400 smoke mouthfuls. Each pack comes with 4 such cartridges.
This product can be purchased only from its official website. Do not wait for buying this product for the sake of your health. There’s also an option of getting this product absolutely free of cost. Visit the website to know more.

Less Sleep May Cause Breast Cancer

According to latest research by british scientists chances of having breast cancer is higher in those females who are taking sleep less than six hours. After studying sleeping style of 24000 females and history of breast cancer, scientists had concluded that the chances of breast cancer is 62% higher for those females who are sleeping less than six hours.
Scientists added more to the research that less sleep causes problem in production of Melatonin Hormone. Melatonin hormone helps in stopping development of tumer in breast. Due to lack of hormone the immune power against tumer gets decreased and thus chances of breast cancer increases.
So in order to stay health and fit females need to sleep atleast eight hours a day so that their body can produce ample amount of melatonin hormone which helps in fighting tumer cells of cancer.
Sleep is very much responsible for many other important functions of body, so sleep well and stay healthy.

Home Remedies for Fever

The rise in temperature of human body is known as fever. There are many reasons for Fever such as stress, viral infection, cold and malaria etc. It is believed that fever is not any kind disease but its a body’s response towards possible threats which are present in our body. Fever is also a type of signal which represents that something wrong is going on in our body. However, if fever stays for 2-3 inspite of trying remedies then one should consult doctor immediately as it might be the case of malaria.
Below are some important usefule home remedies for fever which can provide quick relief :
* Whenever you need to drink water, add a pinch of salt to the glass of water and drink till your body temperature gets normal.
* In case of high temperatures, apply cloth piece soaked in mixture of water and salt on the forehead. This will avoid brain fever.
* Consumption of onion juice is believed to be the best treatement of fever.
* Add 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder to 1 glass of milk and mix it gently. Drink it before going to bed, turmeric is very useful due to its antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. Turmeric is also best for blood purification.
* Make mixture of mint juice with honey, take both in equal proportion. Consumption of this mixture after every two hours helps in getting quick relief from Pneumonia.
* In case of severe vomitting, consume 1 tablespoon mixture of salt, cumin and lemon juice. This will stop vomitting immediately.
* In case of fever due to cough, consumption of mixture of holy basil juice with honey is very effective. Holy basil is having many health qualities and is used in the form of herbal medicines for many diseases.
* Consumption of mixture of ginger juice, lemon juice, holy basil juice and honey is very effective for treatement of cough, fever and weakness.
* Prepare paste of 10gm holy basil juice with black pepper powder and 1/4 tablespoon of honey. Consumption of this paste twice a day helps in getting quick relief from typhoid fever.
If all above remedies doesn’t seems to be working in 2-3 days then consultation of doctor is highly recommended.

A Brief Introduction to Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is one of the worst diseases that people can face. Unlike any other type of problem, this type of cancer can’t really be predicted and it will only be detected when it’s too late.
There aren’t any symptoms which can warn you that you might have colon cancer and by the time a doctor confirms it, it will be hard if not impossible to get it cured. This disease will advance rapidly and solving it will only get harder.
This problem is quite common and it is considered to be one of the deadliest diseases. Doctors and specialists have tried their best to come up with a solution, but it won’t appear anytime soon. This is why everyone recommends prevention methods.
It has been demonstrated that people who have used a colon cleansing procedure in the past have lower chances of getting colon cancer. All you have to do is find the right treatment and you will get many benefits. Besides cancer prevention, you will start to feel a lot better, eliminate the toxins from your body and even lose weight.
Even if we can’t stop colon cancer from evolving, we can decrease its chances of appearing. All you have to do is start a colon cleansing treatment and enjoy the benefits. These days, treatments are gentle and they will make you feel a lot better.

Does Hydraxanthin Actually Work?

Many people use health supplements and stop using them after a certain time when they come to know that it is not giving any results. There are many health supplements available in the market, but most of them are useless and make the user depressed at the end. But you will have a different experience, if you use a wonderful health supplement named HydraxanThin. It will not only keep you healthy and fit internally, but also change the way you look externally.
The supplement uses a component named Astraxanthin, which is a very strong antioxidant. It does the internal cleansing of your digestive tract quite effectively. As a result, you will feel healthier from within and also you will become slim with the elimination of harmful toxins from your body. You will also look younger than before as it will improve the quality of your skin by removing the wrinkles and age spots.
Your muscles will get more energy and hence they will become stronger in the process. After using this product for few days, you will have a thin, muscular body with ripped abs. Many athletes have started using this product, as it is giving them necessary muscle strength and energy to perform well in their sports activities.
You can get the product by ordering it from their website and get the benefits of a free trial offer. After using the supplement for yourself, you will be amazed to see that how much the supplement will do wonder to your health.

Tackling nutritional problems for older people

Your weightExpert advice to help you maintain a healthy weightDissatisfied with your weight?We're bombarded with scare stories about weight, from size zero to the obesity 'epidemic'. But a healthy weight is determined by different factors for each of us. Our expert advice is designed to help you achieve and maintain a healthy, life-enhancing weight.Overweight or underweight?Being the right weight has a positive effect on wellbeing but also on our health, as being the wrong weight can cause a range of medical problems.
Maintaining health as we age can be challenging, so a diet rich in nutrients is increasingly important as we grow older. Factors that affect nutritionThere are many factors that influence nutritional status in older adults, and they can be broadly grouped into four main areas: Those that naturally occur during the ageing process, such as a reduced ability to absorb nutrients efficiently, or a sore mouth due to denturesDisease-specific conditions such as cancer, which place greater nutritional demands on people Some drugs that interact with nutrients and prevent absorption, for example aspirin, which can interfere with the absorption of vitamin CSocial influences, such as not being able to get to shops, or social isolationContinuing to enjoy food and to eat a diet that maintains nutritional status is key to coping with illness. Poor nutrition has been shown to increase the risk of infections, bed sores, chest infections and poor wound healing. Good nutritional status will help ensure a quicker recovery.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic and progressive disease that has an impact upon almost every aspect of life. The 12 standards of the Diabetes National Service Framework cover all aspects of diabetes care and prevention. Together with the Delivery Strategy, it set out a ten-year programme of change and improvement to raise the quality of services and reduce unacceptable variations.

Coronary heart disease

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is preventable yet kills more than 110,000 people in England every year. More than 1.4 million people suffer from angina and 275,000 people have a heart attack annually. Such statistics mean CHD is the biggest killer in the country. The Government is committed to reducing the death rate from CHD, stroke and related diseases in people under 75 by at least 40 percent - to 83.8 deaths per 100,000 population - by 2010.In this section, you will find more information about how this is being achieved, as well details of CHD-related schemes and initatives.

Controlling Blood Pressure Works

Since the National High Blood Pressure Education Program was established in 1972, awareness, prevention, treatment and control of hypertension have improved. According to measurements taken in 1976-80 and again in 1988-91,

• Among people with hypertension, treatment increased from 31 to 55%.
• The percentage of people whose high blood pressure is controlled to below 140/90 mmHg increased from 10% to 29%.
• Age-adjusted death rates from stroke declined by nearly 60% and from coronary heart disease by 53%.
• One-half of the reduction in stroke mortality in white women over 50 and nearly two-thirds of the benefit among African American women can be attributed to the fall in blood pressure.

However, these improvements are leveling off. Repeat measurements show that, since 1993, age-adjusted stroke rates have risen slightly, and the decline in coronary heart disease is less pronounced. Rates have increased for the incidence of end-stage kidney disease, and the prevalence of heart failure -- both of which are associated with hypertension.

How do I know when my blood pressure is high?

For the most part, you can't tell if you have high blood pressure, and most hypertensive people have no symptoms. So the only way to find out if it's high is to have it measured. This statement may come as a surprise, because many people are convinced that they can tell when their pressure is high. It's certainly true that when you get angry or anxious you may feel yourself tensing up, and your heart pounding. You may even go red in the face, something that's often erroneously associated with high blood pressure. And you're right: your pressure is likely to be high at such times. But that's perfectly normal, and unless you spend your life being permanently angry, which fortunately most of us don't, it doesn't mean much. High blood pressure is of concern only when it's still high when you are not angry or tense.

What is Blood Pressure?

Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of your body in vessels called arteries. Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. Each time the heart beats (about 60-70 times a minute at rest), it pumps out blood into the arteries. Your blood pressure is at its highest when the heart beats, pumping the blood. This is called systolic pressure. When the heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is the diastolic pressure.

Blood pressure is always given as these two numbers, the systolic and diastolic pressures. Both are important. Usually they are written one above or before the other, such as 120/80 mmHg. The top number is the systolic and the bottom the diastolic. When the two measurements are written down, the systolic pressure is the first or top number, and the diastolic pressure is the second or bottom number (for example, 120/80). If your blood pressure is 120/80, you say that it is "120 over 80."

Blood pressure changes during the day. It is lowest as you sleep and rises when you get up. It also can rise when you are excited, nervous, or active.

Still, for most of your waking hours, your blood pressure stays pretty much the same when you are sitting or standing still. That level should be lower than 120/80. When the level stays high, 140/90 or higher, you have high blood pressure. With high blood pressure, the heart works harder, your arteries take a beating, and your chances of a stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems are greater.

What causes it?
In many people with high blood pressure, a single specific cause is not known. This is called essential or primary high blood pressure. Research is continuing to find causes.

In some people, high blood pressure is the result of another medical problem or medication. When the cause is known, this is called secondary high blood pressure.

What is high blood pressure?

A blood pressure of 140/90 or higher is considered high blood pressure. Both numbers are important. If one or both numbers are usually high, you have high blood pressure. If you are being treated for high blood pressure, you still have high blood pressure even if you have repeated readings in the normal range.

Nursing home placement

Taking care of a person with Alzheimer's disease at home is not always possible. Even when it is possible, it often becomes more difficult with time as the person develops new behaviors or medical problems that are hard to manage. The caregiver may develop medical problems of his or her own. Or the stress of caring for the person at home may become too overwhelming. There are many assisted living arrangements that you may consider, though many people with Alzheimer's will need full-time care at some point. Making the decision about nursing home placement is often very difficult because there are no guidelines that fit every situation. Every family has different needs, preferences, and situations to think about.

What Is Hemophilia?

Hemophilia (heem-o-FILL-ee-ah) is a rare, inherited bleeding disorder in which your blood doesn’t clot normally. If you have hemophilia, you may bleed for a longer time than others after an injury. You also may bleed internally, especially in your knees, ankles, and elbows. This bleeding can damage your organs or tissues and, sometimes, be fatal.

People born with hemophilia have little to none of a protein needed for normal blood clotting. The protein is called a clotting factor. There are several types of clotting factors, and they work together with platelets to help the blood clot. Platelets are small pieces of blood cells that are formed in the bone marrow. They play a major role in blood clotting.

How Is von Willebrand Disease Diagnosed?

Early diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD) is important to make sure that you're treated and can live a normal, active life.

Sometimes VWD is hard to diagnose. People who have type 1 or type 2 VWD may not have major bleeding problems. As a result, they may not be diagnosed until they have heavy bleeding after surgery or some other trauma.

On the other hand, type 3 VWD can cause major bleeding problems during infancy and childhood. As a result, children who have type 3 VWD usually are diagnosed during their first year of life.

To find out whether you have VWD, your doctor will review your medical history and the results from a physical exam and tests.

What is Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer's disease damages the brain . It causes a steady loss of memory and of how well you can speak, think, and carry on daily activities.

Alzheimer's disease always gets worse over time, but how quickly this happens varies. Some people lose the ability to do daily activities early on. Others may still do fairly well until much later in the disease.

Mild memory loss is common in people older than 60. It may not mean that you have Alzheimer’s disease. But if your memory is getting worse, see your doctor. If it is Alzheimer’s, treatment may help.

What causes Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer’s disease happens because of changes in the brain. These include lower levels of chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) that help brain cells work properly. What causes these changes is not clear.

The risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease increases as you get older. But this does not mean that everyone will get it. By age 85, about 35 out of 100 people have some form of dementia.¹ That means that 65 out of 100 don't have it. Dementia is rare before age 60.

Having a relative with Alzheimer’s raises your risk of getting it, but most people with Alzheimer's disease do not have a family history of it.

What Is von Willebrand Disease?

Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a bleeding disorder. It affects your blood's ability to clot. If your blood doesn't clot, you can have heavy, hard-to-stop bleeding after an injury. The bleeding can damage your internal organs or even cause death, although this is rare.

In VWD, you either have low levels of a certain protein in your blood, or the protein doesn't work the way it should. The protein is called von Willebrand factor, and it helps the blood clot.

Normally, when one of your blood vessels is injured, you start to bleed. Small blood cell fragments called platelets (PLATE-lets) clump together to plug the hole in the blood vessel and stop the bleeding. Von Willebrand factor acts like glue to help the platelets stick together and form a blood clot.

Von Willebrand factor also carries clotting factor VIII (8), another important protein that helps your blood clot. Factor VIII is the protein that's inactive or missing in people who have hemophilia, another clotting disorder.

VWD is more common and usually milder than hemophilia. In fact, VWD is the most common of all the inherited bleeding disorders. It occurs in about 1 out of every 100 to 1,000 people. VWD affects both males and females, while hemophilia mainly affects males.

Types of von Willebrand Disease

There are three major types of VWD.

Type 1

In type 1 VWD, you have a low level of von Willebrand factor, and you may have lower than normal levels of factor VIII. This is the mildest and most common form of VWD. About 3 out of 4 people who have VWD have type 1.

Type 2

In type 2 VWD, the von Willebrand factor doesn't work the way it should. Type 2 is divided into subtypes: 2A, 2B, 2M, and 2N. Different gene mutations (changes) cause each type, and each is treated differently. So it's important to know the exact type of VWD that you have.

Type 3

In type 3 VWD, you usually have no von Willebrand factor and low levels of factor VIII. Type 3 is the most serious form of VWD, but it's very rare.

Overview

Most people who have VWD have type 1, a mild form. This type usually doesn't cause life-threatening bleeding. You may need treatment only if you have surgery, tooth extraction, or trauma. If you need treatment, medicines and medical therapies are used.

Some people who have severe forms of VWD need emergency treatment to stop bleeding before it becomes life threatening.

Early diagnosis is important. With the right treatment plan, even people who have type 3 VWD can live normal, active lives.

Lung Diseases

When you breathe, your lungs take in oxygen from the air and deliver it to the bloodstream. The cells in your body need oxygen to work and grow. During a normal day, you breathe nearly 25,000 times. People with lung disease have difficulty breathing. Millions of people in the U.S. have lung disease. If all types of lung disease are lumped together, it is the number three killer in the United States.

The term lung disease refers to many disorders affecting the lungs, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, infections like influenza, pneumonia and tuberculosis, lung cancer, and many other breathing problems.

Heel Injuries and Disorders

Heel problems are common and can be painful. Often, they result from too much stress on your heel bone and the tissues that surround it. That stress can come from

• Injuries
• Bruises that you get walking, running or jumping
• Wearing shoes that don't fit or aren't made well
• Being overweight

These can lead to tendinitis, bursitis and fasciitis, which are all types of inflammation of the tissues that surround your heel. Over time the stress can cause bone spurs and deformities. Certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout, can also lead to heel problems. Treatments for heel problems might include rest, medicines, exercises, taping and special shoes. Surgery is rarely needed.

First Aid

Accidents happen. Someone chokes on an ice cube or gets stung by a bee. It is important to know when to call 9-1-1 -- it is for life-threatening emergencies. While waiting for help to arrive, you may be able to save someone's life. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is for people whose hearts or breathing has stopped and the Heimlich maneuver is for people who are choking. CPR should only be done if you have had the training.

You can also learn to handle common injuries and wounds. Cuts and scrapes, for example, should be rinsed with cool water. To stop bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure, using gauze. If blood soaks through, add more gauze, keeping the first layer in place. Continue to apply pressure.

It is important to have a first aid kit available. Keep one at home and one in your car. It should include a first-aid guide. Read the guide to learn how to use the items, so you are ready in case an emergency happens.

Keeping blood sugar in check good for the heart

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new study highlights the importance of good long-term control of blood sugar in people with diabetes.

The study found that poor long-term blood sugar control in diabetics is associated with a substantial increase in the risk of dying from ischemic heart disease -- the type of heart disease characterized by restricted blood flow to the arteries of the heart.

However, with reasonably good blood sugar or "glycemic" control, the risk of death from ischemic heart disease is comparable to that seen in people without diabetes, the researchers found.

"Due to these findings, good glycemic control in persons with newly diagnosed diabetes should be recommended," Dr. Ane C. Dale, from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, told Reuters Health. "In addition, it is necessary to control other cardiovascular risk factors properly."

In a 20-year follow up study, Dale and colleagues compared death rates from ischemic heart disease in 205 patients newly diagnosed with diabetes and 205 matched subjects without diabetes at the outset.

The researchers report in the European Heart Journal that diabetic patients had nearly a two-fold greater risk of dying compared to nondiabetic patients.

The risk for death from ischemic heart disease was four times higher in diabetic subjects with poor long-term blood sugar control compared to the control group, whereas in diabetes patients with "reasonably good" blood sugar control the risk was almost the same as in subjects without diabetes, Dale said.

These findings, Dale and colleagues conclude in their report, are "compatible with the hypothesis that good glucose control reduces the risk of coronary complications in patients with diabetes."

FDA Warns About Weight Loss Products

MONDAY, Dec. 22 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers Monday to avoid more than two dozen products marketed for weight loss because they contain undeclared ingredients that could pose serious health risks.

The products are sold in some retail stores and on the Internet and some claim to contain only "natural" or "herbal" ingredients. But the undeclared ingredients (not listed on labels) range from an anti-seizure medication to a suspected carcinogen, the FDA said.

The FDA identified the weight loss products as: Fatloss Slimming, Japan Lingzhi 24 Hours Diet, 7 Day Herbal Slim, 999 Fitness Essence, Imelda Perfect Slim, Perfect Slim, ProSlim Plus, Slim Express 360, Superslim, Venom Hyperdrive 3.0, 2 Day Diet, 5x Imelda Perfect Slimming, 8 Factor Diet, Extrim Plus, Lida DaiDaihua, Perfect Slim 5x, Royal Slimming Formula, Slimtech, TripleSlim, 3x Slimming Power, 3 Day Diet, 7 Diet Day/Night Formula, GMP, Miaozi Slim Capsules, Phyto Shape, Slim 3 in 1, Somotrim, and Zhen de Shou.

Birth Defects : What we know

People define “birth defects” in different ways, and recognize different types of birth defects.

Structural defects present at birth that result in a physical disability or death are birth defects by anyone’s definition. Structural birth defects affect the formation of parts of the body, and include cleft palate (a split in the roof of the mouth), spina bifida (a defect in the neural tube that allows part of the spinal cord to protrude from the spine), certain heart defects, and missing arms or legs, to give just a few examples.

Functional defects are considered by some, but not all, to be birth defects. They may be considered birth defects if they result from untoward events that occur during fetal development. Functional defects can affect the nervous system, immune system, reproductive system, endocrine system, or other systems of the body, and may not become apparent for months or years.

These may include, for example, mental retardation, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), some types of blindness and deafness, some immunological problems, and some degenerative disorders.

Asthma: What we know

Asthma is serious and widespread. Asthma is a serious chronic disorder of the lungs that causes recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing, and can be life-threatening.

In 2002, an estimated 30.8 million people in the United States had asthma diagnosed at some point in their life, including some 8.9 million children. Asthma is estimated to affect as many as 300 million people worldwide. Asthma is the leading cause of hospitalization in children, the most prevalent chronic disease in childhood, and the most common cause of school absenteeism due to chronic disease. It is more common and more severe in African-Americans, and in people with a low income living in urban areas. In 2001, 4,269 people died of asthma in the U.S.; over 65% of these deaths occurred in women. Asthma accounts for 1 of every 250 deaths worldwide.

About Hand Surgery

Our hands serve many purposes. Hands help us eat, dress, write, earn a living, create art, and do many other activities. To accomplish these tasks and activities, our hands require sensation and movement, such as joint motion, tendon gliding, and muscle contraction.

When a problem takes place in the hand, care must be given to all the different types of tissues that make function of the hand possible. Hand surgeons are specifically trained to give that care:

• Hand surgery is the field of medicine that deals with problems of the hand, wrist and forearm.
• Hand surgeons care for these problems without surgery, and they are specially trained to operate when necessary.
• Many hand surgeons are also experts in diagnosing and caring for shoulder and elbow problems.
• Hand surgeons are orthopedic, plastic or general surgeons who have additional training in surgery of the hand.
• To become a member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, a hand surgeon must complete a full year of additional training and must pass a rigorous certifying examination.

Hand Injuries and Disorders

No matter how old you are or what you do for a living, you are always using your hands. When there is something wrong with them, you may not be able to do your regular activities.

Hand problems include

• Carpal tunnel syndrome - compression of a nerve as it goes through the wrist, often making your fingers feel numb
• Injuries that result in fractures, ruptured ligaments and dislocations
• Osteoarthritis - wear-and-tear arthritis, which can also cause deformity
• Tendinitis - irritation of the tendons
• Dupuytren's contracture - a hereditary thickening of the tough tissue that lies just below the skin of your palm
• Trigger finger - an irritation of the sheath that surrounds the flexor tendons, sometimes causing the tendon to catch and release like a trigger

Wilson Disease

Also called: Copper storage disease, Hepatolenticular degeneration

Wilson disease is a rare inherited disorder that causes your body to retain copper. Normally, your liver releases copper it doesn't need into bile, a digestive fluid. With Wilson disease, this does not happen. Copper builds up in your liver and injures liver tissue. Over time, the damage causes your liver to release the copper directly into your bloodstream. The blood carries copper all over your body. Too much copper can damage your kidneys, liver, brain and eyes.

Usually the build-up of copper starts after birth. Symptoms usually start between ages 6 and 20, but can begin as late as age 40. The most characteristic sign is a rusty brown ring around the cornea of the eye.

If you have Wilson disease, you will have to take medicine and follow a low-copper diet for the rest of your life. With early detection and proper treatment, a person with Wilson disease can enjoy normal health.

West Nile Virus

Also called: WNV

West Nile virus (WNV) is an infectious disease that first appeared in the United States in 1999. Infected mosquitoes spread the virus that causes it. People who contract WNV usually have no symptoms or mild symptoms. Those with symptoms may have a fever, headache, body aches, skin rash or swollen lymph glands.

If West Nile virus enters the brain, however, it can be deadly. It may cause inflammation of the brain, called encephalitis, or inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called meningitis.

Older people are most at risk. There are no specific vaccines or treatments for human WNV disease. The easiest and best way to avoid WNV is to prevent mosquito bites:

• Use insect repellent
• Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets or barrels
• Stay indoors between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active
• Use screens on windows to keep mosquitoes out

Water Pollution

We all need clean water. People need it to grow crops and to operate factories, and for drinking and recreation. Fish and wildlife depend on it to survive.

Many different pollutants can harm our rivers, streams, lakes and oceans. The three most common are soil, nutrients and bacteria. Rain washes soil into streams and rivers. The soil can kill tiny animals and fish eggs. It can clog the gills of fish and block light so plants die. Nutrients, often from fertilizers, cause problems in lakes, ponds and reservoirs. Nitrogen and phosphorus make algae grow and can turn water green. Bacteria, often from sewage spills, can pollute fresh or salt water.

Drinking Water

Every living creature needs clean and safe drinking water. How much do you need? It depends - your size, activity level and the weather all make a difference.

The water you drink is a combination of surface water and groundwater. Surface water includes rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Groundwater comes from underground. The United States has one of the safest water supplies in the world, but drinking water quality can vary from place to place. It depends on the condition of the source water and the treatment it receives. Treatment may include adding fluoride to prevent cavities and chlorine to kill germs.

Your water supplier must give you annual reports on drinking water. The reports include where your water came from and what contaminants are in it.

Warts

Also called: Verruca

Warts are growths on your skin caused by an infection with human papilloma virus, or HPV. Types of warts include

• Common warts, which often appear on your fingers
• Plantar warts, which show up on the soles of your feet
• Genital warts, which are a sexually transmitted disease
• Flat warts, which appear in places you shave frequently

In children, warts often go away on their own. In adults, they tend to stay. If they hurt or bother you, or if they multiply, you can remove them. Chemical skin treatments usually work. If not, various freezing, surgical and laser treatments can remove warts.

Mobility Aids

Also called: Ambulation devices

Mobility aids help you walk or move from place to place if you are disabled or have an injury. They include crutches, canes, walkers, wheelchairs and motorized scooters. You may need a walker or cane if you are at risk of falling. If you need to keep your body weight off your foot, ankle or knee, you may need crutches. You may need a wheelchair or a scooter if an injury or disease has left you unable to walk.

Choosing these devices takes time and research. You should be fitted for crutches, canes and walkers. If they fit, these devices give you support, but if they don't fit, they can be uncomfortable and unsafe.

Breathing Problems

When you're short of breath, it's hard or uncomfortable for you to take in the oxygen your body needs. You may feel as if you're not getting enough air. Sometimes mild breathing problems are from a stuffy nose or hard exercise. But shortness of breath can also be a sign of a serious disease.

Many conditions can make you feel short of breath. Lung conditions such as asthma, emphysema or pneumonia cause breathing difficulties. Heart disease can make you feel breathless if your heart cannot pump enough blood to supply oxygen to your body. Stress caused by anxiety can also make it hard for you to breathe. If you often have trouble breathing, it is important to find out the cause.

Ear Infections

Also called: Otitis media

Ear infections are the most common illnesses in babies and young children. Most often, the infection affects the middle ear and is called otitis media. The tubes inside the ears become clogged with fluid and mucus. This can affect hearing, because sound cannot get through all that fluid.

If your child does not yet talk, you need to look for signs of an infection:

• Tugging at ears
• Crying more than usual
• Ear drainage
• Trouble sleeping
• Balance difficulties
• Hearing problems

Often, ear infections go away on their own, but your health care provider may recommend pain relievers. Severe infections and infections in young babies may require antibiotics. Children who get frequent infections may need surgery to place small tubes inside their ears. The tubes relieve pressure in the ears so that the child can hear again.

Eating Disorders

Also called: Anorexia nervosa, Binge eating, Bulimia

Eating disorders are serious behavior problems. They include

• Anorexia nervosa, in which you become too thin, but you don't eat enough because you think you are fat
• Bulimia nervosa, involving periods of overeating followed by purging, sometimes through self-induced vomiting or using laxatives
• Binge-eating, which is out-of-control eating

Women are more likely than men to have eating disorders. They usually start in the teenage years and often occur along with depression, anxiety disorders and substance abuse.

Eating disorders can cause heart and kidney problems and even death. Getting help early is important. Treatment involves monitoring, mental health therapy, nutritional counseling and sometimes medicines.

Gallstones

Also called: Cholelithiasis

Your gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ under your liver. It stores bile, a fluid made by your liver to digest fat. As your stomach and intestines digest food, your gallbladder releases bile through a tube called the common bile duct. The duct connects your gallbladder and liver to your small intestine.

Your gallbladder is most likely to give you trouble if something blocks the flow of bile through the bile ducts. That is usually a gallstone. Gallstones form when substances in bile harden. Gallstone attacks usually happen after you eat. Signs of a gallstone attack may include nausea, vomiting, or pain in the abdomen, back, or just under the right arm.

Gallstones are most common among older adults, women, overweight people, Native Americans and Mexican Americans. The most common treatment is removal of the gallbladder. Fortunately, the gallbladder is an organ that you can live without. Bile has other ways to reach your small intestine.

Gallbladder Diseases

Your gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ under your liver. It stores bile, a fluid made by your liver to digest fat. As your stomach and intestines digest food, your gallbladder releases bile through a tube called the common bile duct. The duct connects your gallbladder and liver to your small intestine.

Your gallbladder is most likely to give you trouble if something blocks the flow of bile through the bile ducts. That is usually a gallstone. Gallstone attacks usually happen after you eat. Signs of a gallstone attack may include nausea, vomiting, or pain in the abdomen, back, or just under the right arm.

Many gallbladder problems get better with removal of the gallbladder. Fortunately, the gallbladder is an organ that you can live without. Bile has other ways of reaching your small intestine.

Drug Abuse

Also called: Substance abuse

Drug abuse is a serious public health problem that affects almost every community and family in some way. Each year drug abuse results in around 40 million serious illnesses or injuries among people in the United States. Abused drugs include

Nail Diseases

Your toenails and fingernails protect the tissues of your toes and fingers. They are made up of layers of a hardened protein called keratin, which is also in your hair and skin. Your nails' health can be a clue to your overall health. Healthy nails are usually smooth and consistent in color. Specific types of nail discoloration and changes in growth rate can signal various lung, heart, kidney and liver diseases, as well as diabetes and anemia. White spots and vertical ridges are harmless.

Nail problems that sometimes require treatment include bacterial and fungal infections, ingrown nails, tumors and warts. Keeping nails clean, dry and trimmed can help you avoid some problems. Do not remove the cuticle, which can cause infection.

Bacterial Infections

Bacteria are living things that have only one cell. Under a microscope, they look like balls, rods or spirals. They are so small that a line of 1,000 could fit across a pencil eraser. Most bacteria won't hurt you - less than 1 percent makes people sick. Many are helpful. Some bacteria help to digest food, destroy disease-causing cells and give the body needed vitamins. Bacteria are also used in making healthy foods like yogurt and cheese.

But infectious bacteria can make you ill. They reproduce quickly in your body. Many give off chemicals called toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick. Examples of bacteria that cause infections include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and E. coli.

Antibiotics are the usual treatment. When you take antibiotics, follow the directions carefully. Each time you take antibiotics, you increase the chances that bacteria in your body will learn to resist them. Later, you could get or spread an infection that those antibiotics cannot cure.

Back Injuries

our back is an intricate structure of bones, muscles, and other tissues extending from your neck to your pelvis. Back injuries can result from sports injuries, work around the house or in the garden, or a sudden jolt such as a car accident. The lower back is the most common site of back injuries and back pain. Common back injuries include

• Sprains and strains
• Herniated disks
• Fractured vertebrae

These injuries can cause pain and limit your movement. Treatments vary but might include medicines, icing, bed rest, physical therapy or surgery. You might be able to prevent some back injuries by maintaining a healthy weight, lifting objects with your legs and using lower-back support when you sit.

Hypersensitivity

An allergy is a reaction of your immune system to something that does not bother most other people. People who have allergies often are sensitive to more than one thing. Substances that often cause reactions are

• Pollen
• Dust mites
• Mold spores
• Pet dander
• Food
• Insect stings
• Medicines

How do you get allergies? Scientists think both genes and the environment have something to do with it. Normally, your immune system fights germs. It is your body's defense system. In most allergic reactions, however, it is responding to a false alarm.

Allergies can cause a runny nose, sneezing, itching, rashes, swelling or asthma. Symptoms vary. Although allergies can make you feel bad, they usually won't kill you. However, a severe reaction called anaphylaxis is life-threatening.

Taste and Smell Disorders

Our senses of taste and smell give us great pleasure. Taste helps us enjoy food and beverages. Smell lets us enjoy the scents and fragrances like roses or coffee. Taste and smell also protect us, letting us know when food has gone bad or when there is a gas leak. They make us want to eat, ensuring we get the nutrition we need.

People with taste disorders may taste things that aren't there, may not be able to tell the difference in tastes or can't taste at all. People with smell disorders may lose their sense of smell, or things may smell different. A smell they once enjoyed may now smell bad to them.

Many illnesses and injuries can cause taste and smell disorders, including colds and head injuries. Some drugs can also affect taste and smell. Most people lose some ability to taste and smell as they get older. Treatment varies, depending on the problem and its cause.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis means your sinuses are infected or inflamed. Your sinuses are hollow air spaces within the bones surrounding the nose. They produce mucus, which drains into the nose. If your nose is swollen, this can block the sinuses and cause pain and infection.

Sinusitis can be acute, lasting for less than four weeks, or chronic, lasting much longer. Acute sinusitis often starts as a cold, which then turns into a bacterial infection. Allergies, pollutants, nasal problems and certain diseases can also cause sinusitis.

Symptoms of sinusitis can include fever, weakness, fatigue, cough and congestion. There may also be mucus drainage in the back of the throat, called postnasal drip. Treatments include antibiotics, decongestants and pain relievers. Using heat pads on the inflamed area, saline nasal sprays and vaporizers can also help.

Nose Disorders

Also called: Nasal disorders

Whether it's large or small, button-like or beak-like, your nose is important to your health. It filters the air you breathe, removing dust, germs and irritants. It warms and moistens the air to keep your lungs and tubes that lead to them from drying out. Your nose also contains the nerve cells that help your sense of smell. When there is a problem with your nose, your whole body can suffer. For example, the stuffy nose of the common cold can make it hard for you to breathe, sleep or get comfortable.

Many problems besides the common cold can affect the nose. They include

• Deviated septum - a shifting of the wall that divides the nasal cavity into halves
• Nasal polyps - soft growths that develop on the lining of your nose or sinuses
• Nosebleeds
• Rhinitis - inflammation of the nose and sinuses sometimes caused by allergies. The main symptom is a runny nose

Nasal Cancer

lso called: Cancer of the nasal cavity, Cancer of the paranasal sinus

Your paranasal sinuses are small hollow spaces around the nose. They are lined with cells that make mucus, which keeps your nose from drying out. The nasal cavity is the passageway just behind your nose through which air passes on the way to your throat as you breathe.

Cancer of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is rare. Men are more likely than women to get it, and most patients are older than 45. There may be no symptoms at first, and later symptoms can be like those of infections. This means the cancer may not be found until it is advanced, making it harder to treat. Treatment options include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Hay Fever

Each spring, summer, and fall, trees, weeds and grasses release tiny pollen grains into the air. Some of the pollen ends up in your nose and throat. This can trigger a type of allergy called hay fever.

Symptoms can include

• Sneezing, often with a runny or clogged nose
• Coughing and postnasal drip
• Itching eyes, nose and throat
• Dark circles under the eyes

Taking medicines, using nasal sprays and rinsing out your nose can relieve symptoms. Allergy shots can help make you less sensitive to pollen and provide long-term relief.

Common Cold

Sneezing, sore throat, a stuffy nose, coughing - everyone knows the symptoms of the common cold. It is probably the most common illness. In the course of a year, people in the United States suffer 1 billion colds.

You can get a cold by touching your eyes or nose after you touch surfaces with cold germs on them. You can also inhale the germs. Symptoms usually begin 2 or 3 days after infection and last 2 to 14 days. Washing your hands and staying away from people with colds will help you avoid colds.

There is no cure for the common cold. For relief, try

• Getting plenty of rest
• Drinking fluids
• Gargling with warm salt water
• Using cough drops or throat sprays - but not cough medicine for children under four
• Taking over-the-counter pain or cold medicines - but not aspirin for children

Allergy

Also called: Hypersensitivity

An allergy is a reaction of your immune system to something that does not bother most other people. People who have allergies often are sensitive to more than one thing. Substances that often cause reactions are

• Pollen
• Dust mites
• Mold spores
• Pet dander
• Food
• Insect stings
• Medicines

How do you get allergies? Scientists think both genes and the environment have something to do with it. Normally, your immune system fights germs. It is your body's defense system. In most allergic reactions, however, it is responding to a false alarm.

Allergies can cause a runny nose, sneezing, itching, rashes, swelling or asthma. Symptoms vary. Although allergies can make you feel bad, they usually won't kill you. However, a severe reaction called anaphylaxis is life-threatening.

Color Blindness

Most of us see our world in color. We enjoy looking at a lush green lawn or a red rose in full bloom. If you have a color vision defect, you may see these colors differently than most people.

There are three main kinds of color vision defects. Red-green color vision defects are the most common. This type occurs in men more than in women. The other major types are blue-yellow color vision defects and a complete absence of color vision.

Most of the time, color blindness is genetic. There is no treatment, but most people adjust and the condition doesn't limit their activities.

Cataract

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in your eye. It affects your vision. Cataracts are very common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all people in the United States either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.

Common symptoms are

• Blurry vision
• Colors that seem faded
• Glare
• Not being able to see well at night
• Double vision
• Frequent prescription changes in your eye wear

Cataracts usually develop slowly. New glasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying lenses can help at first. Surgery is also an option. It involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Wearing sunglasses and a hat with a brim to block ultraviolet sunlight may help to delay cataracts.

Gallbladder Cancer

Your gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ under your liver. It stores bile, a fluid made by your liver to digest fat. As your stomach and intestines digest food, your gallbladder releases bile through a tube called the common bile duct. The duct connects your gallbladder and liver to your small intestine.

Cancer of the gallbladder is rare. It is more common in women and Native Americans. Symptoms include

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
• Pain above the stomach
• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bloating
• Lumps in the abdomen

It is hard to diagnose gallbladder cancer in its early stages. Sometimes doctors find it when they remove the gallbladder for another reason. But people with gallstones rarely have gallbladder cancer. Because it is often found late, it can be hard to treat gallbladder cancer. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination.

Digestive Diseases

Also called: Gastrointestinal diseases

When you eat, your body breaks food down to a form it can use to build and nourish cells and provide energy. This process is called digestion.

Your digestive system is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube. It runs from your mouth to your anus and includes your esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines. Your liver, gallbladder and pancreas are also involved. They produce juices to help digestion.

There are many types of digestive disorders. The symptoms vary widely depending on the problem. In general, you should see your doctor if you have

• Blood in your stool
• Changes in bowel habits
• Severe abdominal pain
• Unintentional weight loss
• Heartburn not relieved by antacids

Colonic Diseases

Your colon, also known as the large intestine, is part of your digestive system. It's a long, hollow tube at the end of your digestive tract where your body makes and stores stool. Many disorders affect the colon's ability to work properly. Some of these include

• Colorectal cancer
• Colonic polyps - extra tissue growing in the colon that can become cancerous
• Ulcerative colitis - ulcers of the colon and rectum
• Diverticulitis - inflammation or infection of pouches in the colon
• Irritable bowel syndrome - an uncomfortable condition causing abdominal cramping and other symptoms

Treatment for colonic diseases varies greatly depending on the disease and its severity. Treatment may involve diet, medicines and in some cases, surgery.

Clostridium Difficile Infections

Also called: C. diff. infections, Clostridium enterocolitis, pseudomembranous colitis

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium that causes diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions such as colitis. Symptoms include

• Watery diarrhea (at least three bowel movements per day for two or more days)
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain or tenderness

People in good health usually don’t get C. difficile disease. You might get the disease if you have an illness that requires prolonged use of antibiotics. Increasingly, the disease can also be spread in the hospital. The elderly are also at risk. Treatment is with antibiotics.

Appendicitis

The appendix is a small, tube-like organ attached to the first part of the large intestine, also called the colon. It is located in the lower right area of the abdomen. It has no known function. A blockage inside of the appendix causes appendicitis. The blockage leads to increased pressure, problems with blood flow and inflammation. If the blockage is not treated, the appendix can break open and leak infection into the body.

Symptoms may include

• Pain and/or swelling in the abdomen
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Inability to pass gas
• Low fever

Not everyone with appendicitis has all these symptoms.

Appendicitis is a medical emergency. Treatment almost always involves removing the appendix. Anyone can get appendicitis. It happens most often to people between the ages of 10 and 30.

Cirrhosis

Also called: Hepatic fibrosis

Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver. Scar tissue forms because of injury or long-term disease. Scar tissue cannot do what healthy liver tissue does - make protein, help fight infections, clean the blood, help digest food and store energy. Cirrhosis can lead to

• Easy bruising or bleeding, or nosebleeds
• Swelling of the abdomen or legs
• Extra sensitivity to medicines
• High blood pressure in the vein entering the liver
• Enlarged veins in the esophagus and stomach
• Kidney failure

About 5 percent of people with cirrhosis get liver cancer.

Cirrhosis has many causes. In the United States, the most common causes are chronic alcoholism and hepatitis. Nothing will make the scar tissue disappear, but treating the cause can keep it from getting worse. If too much scar tissue forms, you may need to consider a liver transplant.

Human Health

Public health problems caused by environmental contamination and emerging infectious diseases are a growing concern worldwide. These public health threats are affected by the relationship between people and the physical, chemical, and biological nature of our natural environments. Population growth and the associated pressures of development are increasing the difficulties associated with sustaining effective public health practices and policies. Vector-borne and zoonotic diseases, water contamination, airborne contaminants, bioaccumulative contaminants in the food chain, and environmental threats to public health the world over require marshalling of all our scientific knowledge and know-how to develop new solutions. Understanding environmental and ecological health is a prerequisite to protecting public health. As the Nation's natural science agency, USGS can play a significant role in providing scientific knowledge and information that will improve our understanding of the environmental contributions to disease and human health.

Fractures

Also called: Broken bone

A fracture is a break, usually in a bone. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open or compound fracture. Fractures commonly happen because of car accidents, falls or sports injuries. Another cause is osteoporosis, which causes weakening of the bones. Overuse can cause stress fractures, which are very small cracks in the bone.

Symptoms of a fracture are

• Out-of-place or misshapen limb or joint
• Swelling, bruising or bleeding
• Intense pain
• Numbness and tingling
• Limited mobility or inability to move a limb

You need to get medical care right away for any fracture. You may need to wear a cast or splint. Sometimes you need surgery to put in plates, pins or screws to keep the bone in place.

Arthritis

If you feel pain and stiffness in your body or have trouble moving around, you might have arthritis. Most kinds of arthritis cause pain and swelling in your joints. Joints are places where two bones meet, such as your elbow or knee. Over time, a swollen joint can become severely damaged. Some kinds of arthritis can also cause problems in your organs, such as your eyes or skin.

One type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, is often related to aging or to an injury. Other types occur when your immune system, which normally protects your body from infection, attacks your body's own tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of this kind of arthritis. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a form of the disease that happens in children.

Foot Health

Your foot health can be a clue to your overall health. For example, joint stiffness could mean arthritis. Tingling or numbness could be a sign of diabetes. Swelling might indicate kidney disease, heart disease or high blood pressure.

To keep your feet healthy

• Examine your feet regularly
• Wear comfortable shoes that fit
• Wash your feet daily with soap and lukewarm water
• Trim your toenails straight across and not too short

Bone Cancer

Cancer that starts in a bone is rare. Cancer that has spread to the bone from another part of the body is more common.

There are three types of bone cancer:

• Osteosarcoma - develops in growing bones, usually between ages 10 and 25
• Chondrosarcoma - starts in cartilage, usually after age 50
• Ewing's sarcoma - begins in nerve tissue in bone marrow of young people, often after treatment of another condition with radiation or chemotherapy

The most common symptom of bone cancer is pain. Other symptoms may vary depending on the location and size of the cancer. Surgery is often the main treatment for bone cancer. Other treatments may include amputation, chemotherapy and radiation.

Acoustic Neuroma

lso called: Acoustic neurilemoma, Acoustic neurinoma, Auditory tumor, Vestibular schwannoma

Acoustic neuroma is a non-cancerous tumor that develops on the nerve that connects the ear to the brain. The tumor usually grows slowly. As it grows, it presses against the hearing and balance nerves. At first, you may have no symptoms or mild symptoms. They can include

• Loss of hearing on one side
• Ringing in ears
• Dizziness and balance problems

Acoustic neuroma can be difficult to diagnose, because the symptoms are similar to those of middle ear problems. Ear exams, hearing tests and scans can show if you have it.

If the tumor stays small, you may only need to have it checked regularly. If you do need treatment, surgery and radiation are options. If the tumors affect both hearing nerves, it is often because of a genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis. The tumor can also eventually cause numbness or paralysis of the face. If it grows large enough, it can press against the brain, becoming life-threatening.

Two new reports available for the OECD VERHI project

Two reports prepared in the context of the OECD project on valuation of environment-related health impacts for children (VERHI) have just been released:
- The Summary of Focus Group Discussions and Othe

About Our Health

Good health is necessary for individuals to flourish as citizens, family members, workers and consumers. Improving health is a key concern of OECD societies, as it can contribute to higher economic growth and improved welfare.