answer mohamad question what is hives

Hello jessica my name is mohamad and
i m 23 can you tell me what is hives?

What are hives (urticaria)?

Hives (medically known as urticaria) are red, itchy, raised areas of skin that appear in varying shapes and sizes. They range in size from a few millimeters to several inches in diameter. Hives can be round, or they can form rings or large patches. Wheals (welts), red lesions with a red "flare" at the borders, are another manifestation of hives. Hives can occur anywhere on the body, such as the trunk, arms, and legs.

It is estimated that 15% of all people will develop urticaria at some point in their lives. Of those with chronic hives, some 80% are idiopathic, the medical term which means that no cause, allergic or otherwise, can be found.

One hallmark of hives is their tendency to change size rapidly and to move around, disappearing in one place and reappearing in other places, often in a matter of hours. Individual hives usually last two to 24 hours. An outbreak that looks impressive, even alarming, first thing in the morning can be completely gone by noon, only to be back in full force later in the day. Very few, if any other skin diseases occur and then resolve so rapidly. Therefore, even if you have no evidence of hives to show the doctor when you get to the office for examination, he or she can often establish the diagnosis based upon the history of your symptoms. Sometimes it is helpful to bring along a photograph of what your rash looked like at its worst.

Swelling deeper in the skin that may accompany hives is called angioedema. This may be seen on the hands and feet as well as on mucous membranes (with swelling of the lips or eyes that can be as dramatic as it is brief.)

What causes hives?

Hives are produced by histamine and other compounds released from cells called mast cells, which are a normal part of skin. Histamine causes fluid to leak from the local blood vessels, leading to swelling in the skin.

Hives are very common. Although they can be annoying, they usually resolve on their own over a period of weeks, and are rarely medically serious. Some hives are caused by allergies to such things as foods, medications, and insect stings, but the large majority of cases are not allergic, and no specific cause for them is ever found. Although patients may find it frustrating not to know what has caused their hives, maneuvers like changing diet, soap, detergent, and makeup are usually not helpful in preventing hives and for the most part are not necessary.

In rare cases (some hereditary, others caused by bee stings or drug allergy), urticaria and angioedema are accompanied by shock and difficulty breathing. This is called anaphylaxis. Ordinary hives may be widespread and disturbing to look at, but the vast majority of cases do not lead to life-threatening complications.

What are the different kinds of hives?

Almost all hives fall into two categories: ordinary urticaria (ordinary hives) and physical urticaria (physical hives).

Ordinary urticaria (ordinary hives)

Symptoms of ordinary hives

Ordinary hives flare up suddenly and usually for no specific reason. Welts appear, often in several places. They flare, itch, swell, and go away in a matter of minutes to hours, only to appear elsewhere. This sequence may go on from days to weeks. Most episodes of hives last less than six weeks. Although that cutoff point is arbitrary, hives that last more than six weeks are often called "chronic."

Causes of ordinary hives

As noted above, many cases of ordinary hives are "idiopathic," meaning no cause is known. Others may be triggered by viral infections. A few may be caused by medications, usually when they have been taken for the first time a few weeks before. (It is uncommon for drugs taken continuously for long periods to cause hives or other reactions.)

Some medications, like morphine, codeine, aspirin, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen), cause the body to release histamine and produce urticaria through nonallergic mechanisms.

Despite the reputation hives have for being "allergic," when there is no obvious connection between something new that a person has been exposed to and the onset of hives, allergy testing is not usually helpful.


What does urticaria (hives) look like?

Chronic hives

Chronic hives can last from months to years. Allergy testing and laboratory tests are hardly ever useful in such cases.

Physical urticaria (physical hives)

The term physical urticaria refers to hives produced by direct physical stimulation of the skin. By far the most common form is "dermographia," which literally means "skin writing." This is an exaggerated form of what happens to anyone when their skin is scratched or rubbed: a red welt appears at the line of the scratch. In dermographia, raised, itchy red welts with adjacent flares appear wherever the skin is scratched or where belts and other articles of clothing rub against the skin, causing mast cells to leak histamine.

Another common form of physically induced hives is called cholinergic urticaria. This produces hundreds of small itchy bumps. These occur within 15 minutes of physical exertion, or a hot bath or shower, and are usually gone before a doctor can examine them. This form of hives happens more often in young people.

Other forms of physical hives are much less common. Triggers for these include cold, water, and sunlight.

What is the treatment for hives?

The goal of treating most cases of ordinary urticaria is to relieve symptoms while the condition goes away by itself. The most commonly used oral treatments are antihistamines, which help oppose the effects of the histamine leaked by mast cells. The main side effect of antihistamines is drowsiness.

Many antihistamines are available without prescription, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), taken in doses of 25 milligrams and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), taken in a dose of 4 milligrams. These can be taken up to three times a day, but because these medications can cause drowsiness, they are often taken at bedtime. Those who take them should be especially careful and be sure they are fully alert before driving or participating in other activities requiring mental concentration.

Loratadine (Claritin, 10 milligrams) is available over-the-counter and is less likely to cause drowsiness. Also approved for over-the-counter use is cetirizine (Zyrtec, 10 milligrams), which is mildly sedating. Some antihistamines come bundled with decongestant medication (Claritin-D, Zyrtec-D). The decongestant component is not needed to treat hives.

Antihistamines that require a prescription include hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril) and cyproheptadine, both of which tend to cause drowsiness. Prescription antihistamines that cause little sedation are fexofenadine (Allegra) and levocetirizine (Xyzal). Sometimes physicians combine these with other types of antihistamines called H2 blockers, such as ranitidine (Zantac) and cimetidine (Tagamet). This antihistamine list is not exhaustive. Physicians individualize treatment plans to suit specific patients and modify them depending on the clinical response.

Oral steroids (prednisone, [Medrol]) can help severe cases of hives in the short-term, but their usefulness is limited by the fact that many cases of hives last too long for steroid use to be continued safely. Other treatments have been used for urticaria as well, including montelukast (Singulair), ultraviolet radiation, antifungal antibiotics, agents that suppress the immune system, and tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline [Elavil, Endep], nortriptyline [Pamelor, Aventyl], doxepin [Sinequan, Adapin]). Evidence to support the benefit of such treatments is sparse. In ordinary cases they are rarely needed.

Topical therapies for hives include creams and lotions which help numb nerve endings and reduce itching. Some ingredients which can accomplish this are camphor, menthol, diphenhydramine, and pramoxine. Many of these topical preparations require no prescription. Cortisone-containing creams (steroids), even strong ones needing a prescription, are not very helpful in controlling the itch of hives.

Conclusion

To know exactly what kind of hives you have, or to learn more about research into the immune basis of hives or about rarer forms of this condition, you should consult your physician. It is important, however, to keep in mind that most cases of this common disorder represent either ordinary urticaria or physical urticaria, which are annoying but not serious or allergic, and almost always temporary.

well sweety big kiss and have a nice day

ANSWER SUSAN QUESTION CELLULITE

DEAR JESSICA MY NAME IS SUSAN AND I M 45
I LIKE TO KNOW WHAT COUSES CELLULITE
AND HOW TO PREVENT CELLULITE.

In this article we have discussed some important factors that can influence the extent to which cellulite is present or visible. Cellulite is the dimpled or orange-peel appearance of skin that many people have on their buttocks, thighs and hips. It develops irrespective of age, weight or gender. The factors that can influence the extent to which cellulite is present or visible are - heredity, skin thickness, the amount and distribution of body fat, gender and age.

Hereditary factor for cellulite - If you see that your elder sister, mother or any relative is suffering from this skin problem, there is a higher probability that you will be suffering from the appearance of orange-peel skin too. However, it is also important to note that heredity is not the only cause of cellulite.

Eating habits and diet – Your eating habits, diet, lifestyle and even hormones can have a big impact on whether you will have cellulite or not. If you see that your mother, siblings or relatives have cellulite, you should change your eating habits and start doing something about your body as early as possible to prevent formation of cellulite in later years.

Weight factor for cellulite – Even if you have a thin body, there is no guarantee that you won't have cellulite problems. Although it is true that lumps and bumps caused by fatty deposits under the skin are more evident or noticeable in people who are overweight and obese.

So we can conclude that eating a healthy diet and keeping muscles toned through regular exercise seem like reasonable approaches to keeping the body as tight and smooth. However, these approaches will not help much in minimizing or eradicating cellulite. One way that you can reduce the appearance of cellulite is by using anti-cellulite cream or lotion. Just make sure that the product you choose is not only effective, but also safe.

Cellulite Diet Program

How to Get Rid of Cellulite With a Diet Program That Works

People who have dimpling and lumpy areas on the body can find ways to get rid of cellulite with a diet.

If you eliminate some substances from your meals, and add healthy foods that decrease and prevent cellulite, you will gain the upper hand and begin to banish the cellulite that is causing your skin to look lumpy and rough.

People get rid of cellulite with a diet will find that their skin looks healthier and smoother in just a short period of time.

If you are serious about getting rid of the cellulite that is present on your hips, thighs and buttocks, it can be as easy as changing some of the things that you eat.

Foods And Drinks That Add To Your Cellulite Woes

If you are a cocktail drinker, or a beer guzzler you are negatively affecting your liver and your body with alcohol. This means that you are adding unnecessary calories to your intake and creating additional fat that is going to be stored on your body.

Some popular alcoholic drinks contain as many as 400 calories per serving. Cellulite is the accumulation of plumped up, fat cells and alcohol is often a prime culprit of excess calories that are stored as fat.

When you damage your liver, it cannot rid your body of the waste products as it should. Cellulite deposits also contain waste products that have not been removed from your body. Only when you eliminate or severely restrict your alcohol intake will you see the changes in the appearance of the cellulite on your body.

Junk food and heavily processed foods are two of the biggest contributors to cellulite deposits. The more processed your food is, the less nutrition is available for your body.

This means that you are taking in empty calories that will eventually head straight to those fat deposits and worsen your cellulite situation. You cannot diminish your cellulite if you are constantly feeding these fat cells with more food. You need to dump the junk food and processed foods in order to get rid of cellulite with a diet.

While caffeine can be a beneficial ingredient in anti-cellulite creams, it cannot do you any good when you ingest it. Caffeine is found in most coffees, teas, and sodas. When you have this substance included in your daily diet plan, it makes your body store extra fluid and it increases the cellulite. Caffeine can damage some body cells and it interferes with blood circulation. If you must have coffee or tea, always use the decaffeinated variety.

You need to eliminate as many sources of bad fat as you can from your meal plans in order to battle cellulite. Too many fats will worsen the appearance of the cellulite on your body.

Helpful Foods And Drinks To Banish Cellulite

Eat lean meats, like chicken, turkey and some steaks. The protein is good for healthy muscles and tissue, and the low fat count is good for helping you control and diminish cellulite. Fish and fish oils are good for your body and for your skin. Salmon and tuna are two fish that can be eaten with beneficial results.

Fruits and fresh vegetables are necessary to eat every day. These are all low calorie foods that are delicious to eat and they control helpful antioxidants that can help your body begin the process of repair and rejuvenation.

The choice drink to help you banish cellulite is water. This will help you keep your skin cells hydrated and will help your skin look better. Water also cleanses your body and will help you flush body wastes and toxins from the cells.

Plain, fat free Yogurts and cottage cheese are healthy and they can be figure friendly. When you decrease the number of calories that you eat during the day, you will also be decreasing the fat cells and cellulite. You can get rid of cellulite with a diet that uses foods from any or all of these groups.

A BIG KISS FROM JESSICA AND BE HAPPY

Answer DANIEL QUESTION WHAT IS INFERTILITY?

Dear jessica I M 34 AND i like to
know what is infertility? and what to do?

Infertility is a condition of the reproductive system that impairs the conception of children. It affects approximately 6.1 million individuals throughout the United States. The diagnosis of infertility is usually given to couples who have been attempting to conceive for at least 1 year without success.

Conception and pregnancy are complicated processes that depend upon many factors: 1) the production of healthy sperm by the man, 2) healthy eggs produced by the woman; 3) unblocked fallopian tubes that allow the sperm to reach the egg; 4) the sperm's ability to fertilize the egg when they meet; 5) the ability of the fertilized egg (embryo) to become implanted in the woman's uterus; and 6) sufficient embryo quality.

Finally, for the pregnancy to continue to full term, the embryo must be healthy and the woman's hormonal environment adequate for its development. When just one of these factors is impaired, infertility can result.

-Find an Infertility Specialist in Your Area

-Watch Free Health Videos on Infertility

-Get Your Free journal, forums, & more

Is infertility a woman’s problem?

It is a common assumption that infertility is related to the woman, when in reality only one-third of infertility cases are related to the woman alone. One-third of infertility problems are related to men and the remaining one-third is made up of a combination of fertility factors between the couple or unknown causes. Unknown causes account for approximately twenty percent of infertility cases.

What causes infertility in men?

The most common male infertility factors include azoospermia (no sperm cells are produced) and oligospermia (few sperm cells are produced). Sometimes, sperm cells are malformed or they die before they can reach the egg. In rare cases, infertility in men is caused by a genetic disease such as cystic fibrosis or a chromosomal abnormality.

What causes infertility in women?

The most common female infertility factor is an ovulation disorder. Other causes of female infertility include blocked fallopian tubes, which can occur when a woman has had pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis. Congenital anomalies (birth defects) involving the structure of the uterus and uterine fibroids are associated with repeated miscarriages. Aging is also an important factor in female infertility. The ability for ovaries to produce eggs declines with age, especially after age 35.

When should someone get tested for infertility?

The American Society of Reproductive Medicine recommends that women under 35 begin testing after trying to conceive unsuccessfully for 12 months. The recommendation for women over 35 is to begin testing after trying to conceive for 6 months without success. Some couples or individuals find trying to conceive is more relaxed if they know that everyting is OK to begin with.

Find an Infertility Specialist in Your Area

How early can you get tested?

Couples may request that their health care provide conduct an exam to determine if everything is healthy and working correctly. It is also possible to use over-the-counter at home screening tests for evaluating key elements of fertility of both men and women through testing kits like Fertell.

How is infertility diagnosed?

As noted, couples are generally advised to seek medical help if they are unable to achieve pregnancy after a year of unprotected intercourse. The doctor will conduct a physical examination of both partners to determine their general state of health and to evaluate physical disorders that may be causing infertility. Usually both partners are interviewed about their sexual habits in order to determine whether intercourse is taking place properly for conception.

If no cause can be determined at this point, more specific tests may be recommended. For women, these include an analysis of body temperature and ovulation, x-ray of the fallopian tubes and uterus, and laparoscopy. For men, initial tests focus on semen analysis.

How is infertility treated?

Approximately 85 to 90 percent of infertility cases are treated with conventional therapies, such as drug treatment or surgical repair of reproductive organs. Assisted reproductive technologies, such as in vitro fertilization, account for the remaining infertility treatments. Some people find it helpful to hear stories and talk with others. You can visit the pregnancy forums of APA or Shared Journey - another site where you can find, read and share stories.

What is in vitro fertilization?

For infertile couples in which the woman has blocked or absent fallopian tubes, or the man has a low sperm count, in vitro fertilization (IVF) offers the chance of biological parenthood to couples.

In IVF, eggs are surgically removed from the ovary and mixed with sperm outside the body in a Petri dish ("in vitro" is Latin for "in glass"). After about 40 hours, the eggs are examined to see if they have become fertilized by the sperm and are dividing into cells. These fertilized eggs (embryos) are then placed in the women's uterus, by-passing the fallopian tubes.

IVF has received a great deal of media attention since it was first introduced in 1978, but it actually accounts for less than five percent of all infertility treatment in the United States.

Is in vitro fertilization expensive?

The average cost of an IVF cycle in the United States is $12,400. Like other extremely delicate medical procedures, IVF involves highly trained professionals with sophisticated laboratories and equipment, and the cycle may need to be repeated to be successful. While IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies are costly, they account for only three hundredths of one percent (0.03%) of U.S. health care costs.

Does in vitro fertilization work?

Yes. IVF was introduced in the United States in 1981; from 1985 through 1998 ASRM and its affiliate, the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), have counted more than 91,000 births conceived through IVF. IVF currently accounts for about 98% of ART procedures, with GIFT, ZIFT and combination procedures making up the remainder. The average live birth rate for IVF in 1998 was 29.1% per retrieval; a little better than the 20% chance in any one month that a reproductively healthy couple has of achieving a pregnancy and carrying it to term.

Do insurance plans cover infertility treatment?

The degree of services covered depends on where you live and the type of insurance plan you have. Fourteen states currently have laws that require insurers to either cover or offer to cover some form of infertility diagnosis and treatment. Those states are Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas and West Virginia. HOWEVER, the laws vary greatly in their scope of what is and is not required to be covered. For more information about the specific laws for each of those states, please call your state's Insurance Commissioner's office. To learn about pending insurance legislation in your state, please contact your State Representatives.

Whether or not you live in a state with an infertility insurance law, you may want to consult with your employer's director of human resources to determine the exact coverage your plan provides. If that isn't an option, an excellent resource for determining coverage is, "Infertility Insurance Advisor: An Insurance Counseling Program for Infertile Couples." This booklet is available for a small fee from RESOLVE, an infertility patient advocacy and information organization.

The desire to have children and be a parent is one of the most fundamental aspects of being human. People should not be denied insurance coverage for medically appropriate treatment to fulfill this goal.

For More Information on Infertility:

Find an Infertility Specialist in Your Area

• Infertility Information: Another site providing information and support for infertility.
• American Society for Reproductive Medicine: (205) 978-5000
• Resolve: The National Infertility Association: (888) 623-0744
• BIG KISS FROM JESSICA AND BE HAPPY
  

answer jhon question

Cancer - Penis

Definition

Cancer of the penis is cancer that starts in the penis, an organ that makes up part of the male reproductive system.

Alternative Names

Penile cancer; Squamous cell cancer - penis

Causes

The exact cause is unknown.

Smegma, a cheese-like, foul-smelling substance found under the foreskin of the penis may increase the risk of penis cancer.

Uncircumcised men who do not keep the area under the foreskin clean and men with a history of genital warts or human papillomavirus (HPV) are at higher risk for this rare disorder.

Symptoms

• Genital lesions on the penis
• Painless sore on penis (occasionally, the lesion may cause pain)
• Penis pain and bleeding from the penis (may occur with advanced disease)

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will perform a physical exam, which may reveal a non-tender lesion that looks like a pimple or wart. This growth is typically near the end of the penis.

A biopsy of the growth is needed to confirm if it is cancer.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the location of the tumor and how much it has spread.

In general, cancer treatment includes:

• Chemotherapy -- uses medicines to kill cancer cells
• Radiation -- using high powered x-rays to kill cancer cells
• Surgery - cuts out and removes the cancer

If the tumor is small and near the tip of the penis, surgery may be done to remove only the cancerous part of the penis. This is called a partial penectomy.

For more severe tumors, total removal of the penis (total penectomy) is often necessary. A new opening will be created in the groin area to allow urine to exit the body. This procedure is called a urethrostomy.

Chemotherapy may be used along with surgery. Bleomycin is usually the chemotherapy drug of choice for treating penile cancer.

Radiation therapy is often recommended in combination with surgery. A type of radiation therapy called external beam therapy is often used. This method delivers radiation to the penis from outside the body. External beam radiation therapy is usually performed 5 days a week for 6 - 8 weeks.

Support Groups

It is recommended that you discuss your fears and concerns regarding sexual function and body image prior to surgery. Joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems may help relieve the stress associated with diagnosis and treatment of penile cancer.

See cancer - support group.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The outcome can be good with early diagnosis and treatment. The 5-year survival rate for penile cancers is 65%. Urination and sexual function can often be maintained even when a significant portion of the penis is removed.

Possible Complications

Cancer of the penis frequently spreads to other parts of the body (metastasizes) early in the course of the disease.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if symptoms of penis cancer develop.

Prevention

Circumcision may decrease the risk. Men who are not circumcised should be taught at an early age the importance of cleaning beneath the foreskin as part of their personal hygiene. Good personal hygiene and safer sexual practices, such as abstinence, limiting the number of sexual partners, and use of condoms to prevent genital herpes infection, may decrease the risk of developing penile cancer.

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answer pedro question

Insect Bites And Stings

Definition

Insect bites and stings can cause an immediate skin reaction. The bite from fire ants and the sting from bees, wasps, and hornets are usually painful. Bites caused by mosquitoes, fleas, and mites are more likely to cause itching than pain.

Alternative Names

Bedbug bite; Bee sting; Bites - insects, bees, and spiders; Black widow spider bite; Brown recluse bite; Flea bite; Honey bee or hornet sting; Lice bites; Mite bite; Scorpion bite; Spider bite; Wasp sting; Yellow jacket sting

Considerations

In most cases, bites and stings can be easily treated at home. However, some people have a severe allergic reaction to insect bites and stings. This is a life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis, and it requires urgent emergency care. Severe reactions can affect the whole body and may occur very quickly, often within minutes. These severe reactions can be rapidly fatal if untreated. Call 911 if you are with someone who has trouble breathing or goes

into shock.

Some spider bites, like those of the black widow or brown recluse, are also

serious and can be life-threatening. Most spider bites, however, are harmless. If bitten by an insect or spider, bring it for identification if this can be done quickly and safely.

Symptoms

The non-emergency symptoms vary according to the type of insect and the individual. Most people have localized pain, redness, swelling, or itching. You may also feel burning, numbness, or tingling.

First Aid

For emergencies (severe reactions):

1. Check the person's airways and breathing. If necessary, call 911 and begin rescue breathing and CPR.
2. Reassure the person. Try to keep him or her calm.
3. Remove nearby rings and constricting items because the affected area may swell.
4. Use the person's Epi-pen or other emergency kit, if they have one. (Some people who have serious insect reactions carry it with them.)
5. If appropriate, treat the person for signs of shock. Remain with the person until medical help arrives.

General steps for most bites and stings:

1. Remove the stinger if still present by scraping the back of a credit card or other straight-edged object across the stinger. Do not use tweezers -- these may squeeze the venom sac and increase the amount of venom released.
2. Wash the site thoroughly with soap and water.
3. Place ice (wrapped in a washcloth) on the site of the sting for 10 minutes and then off for 10 minutes. Repeat this process.
4. If necessary, take an antihistamine, or apply creams that reduce itching.
5. Over the next several days, watch for signs of infection (such as increasing redness, swelling, or pain).

DO NOT

• Do NOT apply a tourniquet.
• Do NOT give the person stimulants, aspirin, or other pain medication unless prescribed by the doctor.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call 911 if the person is having a severe reaction:

• Trouble breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath
• Swelling anywhere on the face
• Throat feels tight
• Feeling weak
• Turning blue

Prevention

• Avoid provoking insects whenever possible.
• Avoid rapid, jerky movements around insect hives or nests.
• Avoid perfumes and floral-patterned or dark clothing.
• Use appropriate insect repellants and protective clothing.
• Use caution when eating outdoors, especially with sweetened beverages or in areas around garbage cans, which often attract bees.
• For those who have a serious allergy to insect bites or stings, carry an emergency epinephrine kit (which requires a prescription). Friends and family should be taught how to use it if you have a reaction. Wear a medical ID bracelet.

References

Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2004.

Noble J, Greene HL, Levinsen W, eds. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001.

Auerbach PS, ed. Wilderness Medicine. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001.

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answer martas question

Sodium Carbonate Poisoning

Definition

Sodium carbonate (also known as washing soda or soda ash) is a chemical found in many household and industrial products. This article focuses on poisoning due to sodium carbonate.

Alternative Names

Sal soda poisoning; Soda ash poisoning; Disodium salt poisoning; Carbonic acid poisoning; Washing soda poisoning

Poisonous Ingredient

Sodium carbonate

Where Found

• Automatic dishwashing soaps
• Clinitest tablets
• Glass products
• Pulp and paper products
• Some bleaches
• Some bubble bath solutions
• Some steam iron cleaners

Note: This list is not all inclusive.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

• Breathing problems due to throat swelling
• Collapse
• Diarrhea
• Drooling
• Eye irration, redness, and pain
• Hoarseness
• Low blood pressure (may develop rapidly)
• Severe pain in the mouth, throat, chest, or abdominal area
• Shock
• Skin irritation
• Swallowing difficulty
• Vomiting

Home Care

Seek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person one glass of water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider. Do NOT give water or milk if the patient is having symptoms (such as vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness) that make it hard to swallow.

If the person breathed in the poison, immediately move him or her to fresh air.

Before Calling Emergency

If readily available, determine the following information:

• The patient's age, weight, and condition
• The name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
• The time it was swallowed
• The amount swallowed

Poison Control

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The patient may receive:

• Endoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the esophagus and the stomach
• Fluids
• Oxygen
• X-rays of chest and abdomen

Outlook (Prognosis)

Sodium carbonate is usually not very toxic. However, if you swallow very large amounts, you may have symptoms. In this rare situation, long-term effects, even death, are possible if you do not receive quick and aggressive treatment.

big kiss from jessica

Macular degeneration What is it?

Also known as: age-related macular degeneration (ARMD or AMD), age-related maculopathy (ARM), aged macular degeneration, and senile macular degeneration

What is it?

Macular degeneration is a condition in which the part of the eye called the macula becomes damaged. The macula is the central area of the retina. It contains hundreds of nerve endings, packed closely together, and is responsible for the sharpness of the visual image in the center of your field of vision. If the macula is damaged, you no longer have crisp central vision.

Who gets it?

Macular degeneration is a common problem for many people as they get older, both men and women. In fact, it is the most common cause of legal blindness in people over the age of 60. However, this condition is more common in whites than in African Americans, and tends to run in families. People who smoke and eat a diet that is high in saturated fats and low in antioxidants are at greater risk for developing macular degeneration as they age.

What causes it?

Macular degeneration is thought to be caused by hardening and blocking of the arteries (called arteriosclerosis) in the blood vessels that supply the retina. There are two forms of macular degeneration, wet and dry. With wet, also called exudative, macular degeneration, new, fragile blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak blood and fluid. The leaks form a mound that is often surrounded by small areas of bleeding. This mound eventually shrinks, leaving a scar. The scarring and bleeding can quickly damage the macula. Dry, or atrophic, macular degeneration gradually breaks down the retina's dark-colored cell layer. There is no scarring, blood, or other fluid leakage. Both types of macular degeneration cause a blind spot to form in the center of the person's vision. However, the dry form is more common, and the loss of central vision progresses more slowly and is less severe. Other types of macular degeneration, which are not as common, include cystoid macular degeneration, diabetic macular degeneration, and senile disciform degeneration, also known as Kuhnt-Junius macular degeneration.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of macular degeneration may begin with distorted vision in one eye. For example, with the wet form of macular degeneration, straight lines might begin to appear wavy and a central blind spot develops. With the dry form, words may appear blurred or hazy and colors may look dim or gray. The loss of vision can occur slowly or suddenly, but it is always painless. While macular degeneration severely damages the patient's vision, it rarely leads to total blindness. It also has no effect on side (peripheral) vision. Macular degeneration usually affects both eyes, but may affect one eye before the other.

How is it diagnosed?

Macular degeneration is diagnosed according to the types of symptoms described by the patient and an examination of the retina. By putting drops in the eyes to dilate, or widen, the pupils, an eye care specialist (opthamalogist) can see physical changes in the macula sometimes even before symptoms begin. An instrument called an ophthalmoscope magnifies the retina in greater detail. The opthamalogist will also perform a visual field test to check for blank spots in the central vision. Patients who are suspected of having macular degeneration are usually given a central visual field test, called an Amsler grid, to take home with them.

The Amsler grid is printed on a piece of paper and consists of thin lines in a grid formation, with a dot in the center of the page. Patients are told to call the doctor if the lines appear wavy or missing when looking at the dot in the center of the page. The opthamalogist may perform a test called fluorescein angiography to check the retina more closely. With this test, the ophthalmologist injects a special dye into a vein, waits for the dye to reach the retina, then takes photographs of the retina. The photographs show any leaking blood vessels. Patients with macular degeneration are checked frequently for the progression of the disease.

What is the treatment?

There is currently no treatment for the dry form of macular degeneration, but it does progress very slowly. Visual aids, such as large print books, magnifying glasses, and telephones with large print, touch-tone dials are helpful. Wet form macular degeneration can be treated with laser surgery, called laser photocoagulation. Laser photocoagulation is a painless treatment in which a laser beam is aimed through the eye to destroy any new blood vessels and seal off those that are leaking. During the treatment, you may see bright flashes of light. Your vision will remain blurred for a few hours after the procedure and you may feel some discomfort in the eyes. The results of laser photocoagulation may be temporary and will only slow the progression of the disease. Another form of treatment for the wet form of macular degeneration is radiation therapy with either x-rays or a proton beam. Radiation therapy, like laser therapy, damages the abnormally growing blood vessels, but does not harm the nerve cells in the retina. Eating a diet that is rich in the antioxidants beta carotene; vitamins A, C and E; and the minerals selenium and zinc may help prevent or slow the progression of macular degeneration. Good sources of antioxidants include citrus fruits, cauliflower, broccoli, nuts, seeds, orange and yellow vegetables, cherries, blackberries, and blueberries. Other treatments still being studied include drug therapies to slow the growth of blood vessels, subretinal surgery, and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Your doctor can discuss the options with you and recommend the best type of treatment for your condition.

Self-care tips

Because early detection of any disease is extremely important, it's important to have regular eye exams, especially as you get older. You can help lower your risk for developing macular degeneration by not smoking and eating a diet that is rich in green, leafy vegetables and yellow vegetables, and low in saturated fat. Take an antioxidant vitamin supplement, especially vitamin A, to protect your eyes.

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This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

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