Facial Tumour Disease

Devil Facial Tumour Disease is a term used to describe a fatal condition in Tasmanian devils which is characterised by the appearance of obvious facial cancers. The tumours or cancers are first noticed in and around the mouth as small lesions or lumps. These develop into large tumours around the face and neck and sometimes even in other parts of the body. Adults appear to be most affected by the disease - males the first affected, then females. Badly affected devils may have many cancers throughout the body.

The Tasmanian Government has nominated the devil for listing as vulnerable under the State’s Threatened Species Act in response to field data indicating the devil population had dropped between 33 and 50 per cent from a 1990 peak of 130000.

This spectacular disease was first detected in far north east Tasmania in the mid 1990s. It has now been recorded over much of the eastern half on Tasmania and seems to be spreading. The apparent boundaries of the disease are not yet clearly known. The disease is fatal and effects the majority of devils. The infectious mechanism is not yet clear although infection rates suggest it is possibly highly infectious between devils. So far, the disease has only been detected in wild devils on the Tasmanian mainland. However, a disease with superficial similarities has been detected in wild koalas on mainland Australia and in cats and pigs.

A major investigation of the disease and its impacts on wild populations is currently underway. All the work being done is vital in identifying management strategies to ensure the ongoing survival of the Tasmanian devil.

If devil numbers continue to fall at the large rate indicated above, there is a concern it may lead to increased numbers of other non-native species such as feral cats and the fox, recently thought to be introduced to Tasmania. Mooney (2004, p34) says devils would normally act as a buffer against foxes through competition for carrion and predation on fox cubs.

Available Treatments Of Chrones Disease

Chrones disease is a disorder in which the bowel system becomes inflamed and damage is often done as a result. The exact reasoning is unclear as to why, but the body’s immune system seems to react abundantly to a portion of the digestive tract that is actually quite healthy. As the area is pumped with white blood cells in preparation to fight a nonexistent enemy, it becomes inflamed. This inflammation allows the tissue to become damaged as stool passes through the digestive system.

There are several courses of treatment available for chrones disease, which typically fall into one of two categories: medication therapy or surgery. Of course, surgery is self-explanatory – when an area becomes damaged excessively, it may be necessary to remove the portion of bowel to prevent a blockage or to remove an existing blockage. However, medication therapy is used considerably more.

Anti-inflammatory drugs are often used to reduce the swelling of the tissue in the digestive system. Unfortunately, many of these have horrendous side effects, such as vomiting and severe headaches. Sulfasalazine, Mesalamine, and Corticosteroids are examples of medication often used to control inflammation in the bowels.

The immune system overreacting is the cause for the inflammation of the bowel walls. For this reason, some doctors will use a course of treatment that involves repressing the immune system to stop the problem before it starts. However, this does not come without side effects. Whenever you suppress the immune system, you open your body up to be attacked. Even a common cold could be a problem with no immune system to fight it off. Some of these medications also cause high blood pressure, liver damage, and other complications.

Another option is the use of antibiotics. These are used to lessen inflammation and to eliminate any infection that arises. Also common are medications that simply treat symptoms of chrones disease. Laxatives or anti-diarrhea medications are often used to provide some relief. Similarly, pain relievers are sometimes effective in controlling stomach cramping. Because chrones disease patients often have nutritional deficiencies from not being able to properly absorb food, they may also need vitamins and other supplements.

While some of the treatments for chrones disease come with complications and side effects, many patients prefer to live with those consequences as opposed to having the disorder disrupt their lives. The important thing is for patients to remember there is treatment available and they do not have to suffer forever.

Pregnancy And Fiths Disease

The Human Parvo Virus B19 Infection is present in almost every place. One of the diseases it produces is called the 'Fifth disease", a common infection experienced during childhood or adolescence. Thus, the National Center for Infectious Diseases has estimated that approximately 50% of all adults have experienced the fifth disease. After recovering from the disease, a person will most likely have developed immunity against further attacks of the B19 parvovirus.

A woman who is pregnant can be attacked by the B19 parvovirus. This occurrence is usually not life-threatening since many pregnant women are already immune to the virus. This immunity will also protect the unborn child. But sometimes, the pregnant woman will be easily fatigued and have mucous discharges from her nose. Aside from this, there are no serious human parvo virus symptoms that could endanger the lives of both mother and child. The B19 was never linked to mental retardation or any birth defects.

But there are a few cases of pregnant women who, after being infected by the B19 parvovirus, suffered miscarriage in the first half of pregnancy. The cause of the miscarriage is the severe anemia that happens to the unborn baby. The National Center for Infectious Diseases estimated these few cases to be about 5% of all B19-infected pregnant women.

If a pregnant woman has been known to be exposed to the B19 parvovirus, she should immediately inform her personal doctor about it. Usually, the physician will perform blood tests in order to know the medical situation of the pregnant woman with regards to the B19 parvovirus infection. The blood test will reveal one of the following:

· The pregnant woman is already immune to the B19 parvovirus and her body is not suffering any infection - This means that she has nothing to worry about the presence of the virus. Her immune system can easily handle the B19 parvovirus.

· The pregnant woman had a recent infection, most probably within the last three months - This means that the pregnancy must be closely monitored. There are no specific steps established to monitor a pregnant woman who recently had a B19 parvovirus infection, but the doctor can perform ultrasound examinations and more blood tests to make sure that the unborn baby is developing as he/she should be.

· The pregnant woman has no B19 parvovirus infection but she has no immunity against it - This means that the woman must avoid exposure to the B19 parvovirus. There is no vaccine yet against the B19 infection.

If the blood results revealed that the pregnant woman has no immunity against the B19 parvovirus infection, and she believes that she has been exposed to this virus, the doctor cannot provide medications to stop the infection. All the doctor and the pregnant woman can do is to weather the infection, which could last for one to two weeks. The unborn baby will be frequently examined for any signs of anemia.

Crohn's Disease Explained

Crohn's disease is characterized by chronic inflammation of the colon. Most patients also experience abdominal pain and weight loss. The treatment for Crohn’s disease is similar to that of ulcerative colitis in the sense that it can be treated with sulfasalazine, mesalamine preparations, glucocorticoids and 6 mercaptopurine.

Antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin and Metronidazole can also be effective for the complications that come along with Crohn’s disease. Metronidazole is very useful in treating fitulous disease in some patients.

The origin of Crohn’s disease is still a mystery in the medical world, however some researchers believe that overeating, chemical poisoning, bacterial and a lack of response by your own immune system may all be connected to Crohn’s disease.

Crohn’s disease can often be confused with regional ileitis, which is also a severe, progressive, inflammatory disease of the bowel. Its symptoms include diarrhea with pain. Bowel movements usually contain blood, mucus and pus, brought on by the infection. What makes Crohn’s different is that it can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract and does not necessarily involve constant unhealthy bowel movements, sometimes bowel movements are regular, other time they are not.

No symptoms are noticeable when your Crohn’s is in remission. In fact, most patients in remission may think that they are healed. But the truth of the matter is that there is still chance for the disease to reoccur, unless you take all necessary precautions and pay close attention to your health. If surgery becomes necessary for Crohn’s your disease, you can rest assured it is a well tolerated, reasonably safe procedure, with an operative mortality rate of only 6%.

Since diarrhea is one of the main symptoms of Crohn’s disease, it’s not unusual for patients to have some fissures, fistulas or thickening of the anal skin. The skin may also become swollen and discolored around the anus.

Crohn’s can also bring about biochemical disturbances in the liver. Many patients hat exhibit this symptom have a family history of allergies that includes hives and asthma. Additional symptoms can include enlargement of the ends of the fingers (called clubbing), thrush in the mouth, lesions in the eyes and arthritis that effects the large joints.

Even today there is no effective cure for Crohn’s disease. Although the disease may exhibit relatively mild symptoms, it still can interfere with work and your personal life. Medications that treat the disease can sometimes end up causing other problems.

Many Crohn’s patients were found to be eating a similar diet — lots of refined sugars, less dietary fiber, less raw fruits and vegetables. The trouble is that sugary foods tend to contain chemical additives that influence intestinal bacteria, causing them to produce toxic substances that end up, over time, destroying the intestinal lining. This is the reason sugary foods should be avoided (or limited) by Crohn’s patients.

Seasonings as well as cold liquid are also not well tolerated. It’s also common for a milk sugar mal-absorption to cause milk intolerance in most Crohn’s patients. Crohn’s disease is also believed to be responsible for providing favorable conditions where substances that produce allergic reaction can develop, especially if the Crohn’s has penetrated the lining of the bowel.

If you suspect you have Crohn’s disease, you should first consult your primary care physician before taking other steps. Careful diagnosis and monitoring are the key to living comfortably with Crohn’s.

Heart Disease Facts

It is estimated that approximately 7% of the population has some form of heart disease or damage to their heart. Most people associate heart disease with arteriosclerosis, which leads to heart attacks. However, there are other forms of heart disease, which are just as deadly. Knowing the facts about arteriosclerosis as well as the other primary forms of heart disease can enable you to recognize the symptoms both in yourself and loved ones. And early recognition is one of the most important factors in surviving heart disease.

Arteriosclerosis is the most common type of heart disease. This disease is characterized by a hardening of the arteries, including the coronary arteries, which surround and nourish the heart. Many believe that this process begins early in life. It is so common that it is found present in over half of Americans at death. Though the exact process is unknown, it is understood that the build up of plaque in blood vessels eventually causes the arteries to harden. Thus, the plaque seems to be the precipitating factor. Luckily, this can be controlled through a proper diet and regularly exercise. Eventually the build up is enough that the blood flow becomes seriously constricted. When this happens, the result may be a myocardial infarction, which we commonly call a heart attack. Another possible result of this same problem is when the fatty deposits form a clot that eventually cuts off the blood supply to the heart or some other vital part of the body. These two possibilities amount to the most frequent cause of death for the average American.

Cardiomyopathy is the next most common form of heart disease. This disease takes the form of impaired function of the heart itself. What has happened is that somehow the heart has been damaged and weakened to such an extent that the pumping action is impaired and in the process of compensating the muscle grows larger and larger. As the damage increases the danger of clotting and cardiac arrhythmia increases as well. Cardiomyopathy often results in damage to the heart’s electrical system and is the primary factor in later developing arrhythmias. Many patients with Cardiomyopathy are the prime candidates for heart transplants, which has a chance of saving their lives.

The final form of heart disease is when damage takes place on or near the heart valves themselves. This damage is usually a result of a congenital defect or an infection. Often it is a strep throat infection, which untreated, leads to rheumatic fever and eventually direct damage to the heart valves. Rheumatic fever has been well controlled in the United States but it is still responsible for approximately 7000 deaths per year. As far as congenital defects, it is estimated that only a portion of the 25,000 babies born yearly with heart defects have damage to the heart valves. One known cause is when the mother contracts German measles during late term pregnancy.

Regardless of the type of heart problem encountered it is helpful to know the common warning signs for a heart attack. They are:

- A feeling of pain or slight pressure to the chest or a crushing sensation behind the breastbone. This may radiate to the shoulder, arm or legs.

- The feeling usually lasts for a length of time.

- OTC medication or rest does not reduce the pain though it will respond to a narcotic drug.

- The face often turns ashen gray and a cold sweat develops. Often this is accompanied by nausea and shortness of breath.

- Retching, belching or vomiting may occur which is often confused with indigestion.

Lyme Disease In Dogs

It is hard to get an early diagnosis of lyme disease in animals including your own dog. The first sign of lyme disease in humans is a rash, well; animals do not develop this rash. Lyme disease is also not one of the first illnesses that the veterinarian looks for when you take your dog in for a visit. Many other common illnesses can produce some of the same symptoms, so it can be hard to detect.

Lyme disease does affect each dog different as it does with humans. Many dogs that are affected with lyme disease seem to be in pain and many stop eating. They may even run very high fevers. Lyme disease affects the entire body and some dogs may become lame and then even if untreated the lameness can disappear but can reappear later on. Your dog may not even show any signs of an illness for a long period of time and in fact have lyme disease, and then the symptoms can show up a year later.

Diagnosis of lyme disease can be done with a blood test. But, if your dog has had the illness for a long time even confirming that it is, in fact lyme disease can be hard to prove. In many cases, the antibodies that are present when a dog has lyme disease may have already disappeared or have not been created yet.

So, of course, the best way to go to ensure that your dog does not contract lyme disease is in the prevention. Always groom your dog after they have been outdoors in and around where ticks live, high grass, thick brush, or even in the woods.

Cause Of Heart Disease

There are a few different things that can be a major cause of heart disease. Most of the time the different factors will work in combination to lead to the problem of heart disease. Sometimes a very healthy person that does all the right steps to prevent it will end up dealing with heart disease. There is just no way of knowing if we are going to have it or not. This is why it is important to have regular checkups and use the best health plan that we can.

Bacteria are one cause of heart disease. The build up of bacteria can happen on the heart valves and this will enable their ability to flow blood to the proper places and in the right direction that it needs to go through the heart. A virus is another problem that can cause heart disease. This can attack the heart muscle and it will cause cardiomyopathy. This is something that will attack the heart and eventually cause death.

Some drugs that are very toxic to the heart can cause heart problems. There are many narcotics that can have a very hard effect on a person's heart. It is very important to not abuse drugs and to keep your body safe from any addictions to street drugs or prescribed drugs. They can strain your heart and leave you with heart disease or just give you a heart malfunction or heart attack.

A heart that received a severe blow can have problems with pumping the blood in the right manner. This is a problem that needs serious medical attention at once. This can happen if you are in a car accident, fight or a very stressful situation. You need to find a way to keep yourself from these atmospheres and to not put any added risk to your heart.

Having any problem with your lungs can lead to heart disease or cause the heart to fail. These problems can happen with cancer, heartworm, infections, trauma or toxins. You have to have a good and healthy respiratory system so that you can keep your heart in the proper working order.

Try to keep as many toxins out of your body as you can. If you are doing what you can to keep healthy and keep the stress from your life, you will see that you can have a better time at lowering your risk for heart disease and keeping your body safe for a long and happy future.

You need to make sure that you are following your doctor's orders if you do have any of the above problems. They will help you find the right direction and keep you healthy for longer period of time. You need to keep a good outlook for a positive future ahead of yourself.