Archive for March, 2008

How to Identify Social Anxiety in Teens

Often regarded as the most unrecognized mental disorder in teens, social anxiety disorder can take many forms and manifest itself differently per person. Most parents and adults dismiss symptoms as merely shyness or teen angst that their children will eventually outgrow. However, social phobia, as the disorder is sometimes called, can grow worse if left untreated and be debilitating over time. Recognizing social phobia in teens is crucial for their transition to adulthood and you, as adults and parents, have the responsibility of ensuring that they get help. Here are several ways of recognizing symptoms of social phobia in teens: Read the rest of this entry »

Migraine headache.

Migraine headaches are severe, recurrent headaches generally accompanied by other symptoms like visual disturbances or nausea. They tend to begin on one side of your head, although the pain may spread to both sides. You may have an “aura” (warning symptoms that start before your headache) and feel throbbing, pounding, or pulsating pain. A migraine is caused by abnormal brain activity, which is triggered by stress, food, or something else. The exact chain of events is not known. However, it seems to involve various nerve pathways and chemicals in the brain. The changes affect blood flow in the brain and surrounding membranes. Migraines occur in women more than men, most often between the ages of 10 and 46 years. In some cases, they appear to run in families. Migraine attacks may be triggered by: allergic reactions, bright lights, loud noises, physical or mental stress, changes in sleep patterns, smoking or exposure to tobacco smoke, missed meals, alcohol, hormonal fluctuations (related to menstrual cycles or use of birth control pills). True migraine headaches are not a result of underlying brain tumors or other serious medical problems. However, only an experienced health care provider can determine whether headache symptoms represent migraine or some underlying medical condition that requires further tests. This assessment can only be made after a review of a patient’s history and a complete neurological exam.
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When Letting Go Becomes Difficult

As a kid, were you afraid of being left alone by your mom or dad in school? Does your child throw tantrums when you leave them with someone else? Your kid might be showing signs of separation anxiety, just like you did when you were a child. Do you have an intense fear of being left by anybody you love? Do you feel intensely distressed when you lose something you like? You might be suffering from separation anxiety disorder. How does one differentiate separation anxiety from separation anxiety disorder?
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Cancer radiation treatment.

Treating cancer can be very complicated, and it is difficult for even the most educated patients to be sure they have the best care. The treatment varies based on the type of cancer and its stage. The stage of a cancer refers to how much it has grown and whether the tumor has spread from its original location. If the cancer is confined to one location and has not spread, the goal for treatment would be surgery and cure. This is often the case with skin cancers. If the tumor has spread to local lymph nodes only, sometimes these can also be removed. If all of the cancer cannot be removed with surgery, the options for treatment include radiation, chemotherapy, or both. Some cancers require a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Although treatment for cancer can be difficult, there many ways to keep up your strength. If you have radiation treatment, know that it’s painless, usually scheduled every weekday. You should allow 30 minutes for each treatment session although the treatment itself usually takes only a few minutes. You should get plenty of rest and eat a well-balanced diet during the course of your radiation therapy. Skin in the treated area may become sensitive and easily irritated. Side effects of radiation treatment are usually temporary and vary depending on the area of the body that is being treated.
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Innovation in chemotherapy.

The New York Times reports on a program at the Colorado University hospital to mix up chemotherapy drugs with robots. If successful, this may be the beginning of a substantial safety innovation in the field of cancer care. Chemotherapy is often given in the form of cocktails: either more than one chemotherapy agent or agents with carriers, diluents, and other materials. Dosing must be exact, and there is always the possibility of dangerous errors. By turning the responsibility over to a machine, developers hope to reduce error rates and enhance patient safety. Two companies, Primus Innovations and Health Robotics, are mentioned as collaborating with the hospital in the program. The Baylor Health System in Texas is also pursuing a chemotherapy mixer robot program. A news report says the Colorado doctors think robotic mixing will eventually become the standard procedure at major mesothelioma centers. The CU Hospital will start using the robot in a few weeks. A similar robot has been used in Europe.