What is Swine Flu – H1N1 Virus?
Swine flu, now called H1N1 influenza A, is a type of flu virus.
H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine – Pros and Cons
Every once in a while there comes along a threat of a pandemic or epidemic. When this does happen it usually is in the form of some type of flu virus. Most people by now have heard of the H1N1 virus.
If you are not familiar with this phrase then you may know it better as the swine flu. Either way, let's take a further look at the Pros and Cons.
At one point in time there was a real shortage of H1N1 vaccines but this is not so any longer. Actually, you have the option of getting this vaccine in either the nasal spray form or via injection.
H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Pros
This flu is still very serious and as a result we should all become vaccinated in order to help put an end to the spreading of this disease. If we all get vaccinated than this disease will not reach epidemic proportions. If we do not then it is very possible.
You now have the option of getting either the injection or a nasal spray. For those that hate having needles stuck in the arm this is a great alternative and should help bring the masses to the place of getting an H1N1 vaccination.
It is now widely available and the shortages are no longer commonplace.
H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Cons
It is still widely unproven and no one knows what the long-term effects from this vaccination will be.
There are many other reasons why you should or should not get the vaccine but these are some of the more common pros and cons.
Natural Bladder Control For Men and Women
The bladder is found in the lower part of the abdomen. Your bladder is a hollow pelvic organ with flexible, muscular walls that stores urine. In males, it is superior to the prostate, and separated from the rectum by the rectovesical excavation. In females, the bladder is separated from the rectum by the rectouterine excavation, and it is separated from the uterus by the vesicouterine excavation. Bladder problems are not a natural consequence of aging.
Incontinence is uncontrollable leaking of urine from the bladder. Incontinence is both a health problem and a social problem. Incontinence is often worse if you are overweight, have a cough or a urine infection and after the menopause. Incontinence occurs if the bladder muscles contract or the muscles surrounding the urethra relax without warning.
Symptoms of a bladder infection may include going to the bathroom frequently, passing blood in the urine, cloudy and odorous urine, increased spasticity in the lower extremities, fever and chills. A person with any of the following symptoms should see a doctor: blood in the urine (urine that looks bright red or rusty), pain during urination, passing urine often, or feeling the need to urinate even though nothing comes out. Restricting alcoholic beverages, carbonated sodas, coffee and other caffeinated products, and beverages and foods with artificial sweeteners appears to reduce symptoms in some people.
Overactive bladder is a significant health problem. An overactive bladder is more common in women, and in older adults, but can be found in younger folks and in men. Overactive bladder (OAB) is a treatable medical condition caused by involuntary bladder muscle spasms. The bladder muscle can be such that it cannot contract (ie it is always relaxed) or overactive and the sphincters (especially, the voluntarily controlled one) uncontrollable and either too relaxed or too tight.
There are three key symptoms of an overactive bladder. You may have only the first two, or all three.
1- Frequency, needing to empty your bladder more frequently than usual. Going to the toilet more than eight times in 24 hours is usually regarded as unusual.
2- Urgency, the sudden feeling that you have to go right now.
3- Urgency incontinence. This means that your need to go is so urgent that you lose control before you can get to a toilet.
Of all those who have an overactive bladder, 40% have urgency incontinence. Apart from overactive bladder, another common cause of bladder leaking is called stress incontinence.
The typical person with overactive bladder is an adult who urinates more than 8 times per 24 hours with a voiding volume averaging approximately 150ml.
Pharmacological therapy for treatment of overactive bladder is based on the use of muscarinic receptor antagonists. As common a problem as overactive bladder is, patients seldom mention it to health care providers.
Cancer occurs when cells in the bladder begin to grow uncontrollably affecting the normal function of the organ, and, sometimes surrounding organs. In fact, patients with bladder cancer sometimes have a similar type of cancer in the lining of the kidneys,ureters, or urethra. Therefore, a complete evaluation of the urinary system is recommended for patients diagnosed with a cancer of the kidney, bladder, ureter, or urethra. Treatment recommendations for some patients may be influenced by the type of cancer. Fortunately, when bladder cancer symptoms are diagnosed early, bladder cancer is treatable with a variety of treatment options.
Treatment options depend on the stage of bladder cancer. Treatment for urinary incontinence varies according to the type of incontinence. It can include both drugs and surgery. The chance of recovery from the disease (prognosis) and the choice of treatment for bladder cancer depend on the stage of the cancer (whether it is just in the lining of the bladder or has spread to other places in the body) and the patient's general state of health. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.
What is H1N1 (Swine Flu) And How Does it Affect Your Immune Health?
H1N1, also known as swine flu, has become a phrase that has struck fear around the world, yet many people still don't understand how it compares to the seasonal influenza virus. The H1N1 virus is a new influenza A virus that is composed of what scientists call a quadruple reassortant, meaning it is made up of several different genetic strains of viruses including two genes from influenza viruses normally circulated in the European and Asian pig populations, one gene from avian influenza and one gene from human influenza.
Contrary to some initial fears, the H1N1 virus is not spread via the food chain, but instead is a respiratory disease spread by contact with infected individuals. It is spread just as the seasonal influenza virus is passed via infected droplets expelled by coughing or sneezing that can be inhaled, or that can contaminate hands or surfaces.
Who Is At Risk?
When the epidemic was first discovered, panic set in, closing schools. People immediately went to the emergency room rather than the family doctor. Since then, the panic has subsided and most experts suggest only going to the doctor if certain symptoms are present including shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or fever that continues for more than three days. Parents with young children who are ill are encouraged to seek medical care if a child has fast or labored breathing, continuing fever or seizures.
About 70 percent of people who have been hospitalized with H1N1 virus have had one or more medical conditions that placed them in the 'high risk' category for serious seasonal flu-related complications. These conditions include pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.
Yearly influenza epidemics can seriously affect all age groups, but the highest risk of complications occur among children younger than age two, adults age 65 or older and people of any age with certain medical conditions. Illness with the new H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe. The vast majority of people who have contracted H1N1 have recovered without medical treatment, yet hospitalizations and deaths have occurred.
The First Lines Of Defense
Vaccination is recommended by the CDC as the first line of defense to prevent the disease or severe outcomes from the H1N1 virus. Vaccinations have been proven to prevent 70 to 90 percent of influenza-specific illness. Among the elderly, the vaccine reduces severe illnesses and complications by up to 60 percent and deaths by 80 percent.
Seniors (adults 65 years and older) are prioritized for antiviral treatment to limit risk of complication if they contract the flu. While your age could mean you have a lower risk of getting the flu, certain risk conditions (COPD, diabetes, etc.) mean if you get sick, you may have higher risk of complications from any influenza.
However, some groups of people should avoid getting vaccinated for health reasons. These groups include anyone who is allergic to chicken eggs or any other component of the vaccine, anyone who has had an adverse reaction to flu vaccines in the past, and anyone who has had Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
Aside from vaccinations, the second line of defense in fighting flu is good hygiene. Since it is is spread via hand to mouth and nose contact, hand washing is essential. Hands should be washed frequently and thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizers are also effective at fighting flu viruses. People who have H1N1 are wise to sneeze into their sleeve rather than hands to prevent transmitting the germs.
Fighting Flu By Boosting Immune Health
It's impossible to not be exposed to seasonal or H1N1 flu at some point, but that doesn't necessarily mean that everyone who is exposed will become ill. Boosting immunity before coming in contact with the virus can help ward it off.
Fighting flu and enhancing immune health is possible by building immunity with vitamin C, zinc and elderberry extract. Vitamin C increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells and antibodies that coat cell surfaces, preventing the entry of viruses. Zinc increases the production of white blood cells that fight infections and helps them fight more aggressively while also assisting white cells release more antibodies.
Perhaps one of the most promising immunity boosters is elderberry extract. Research conducted at the University of Oslo has demonstrated that products containing elderberry extract also aid in the prevention of the influenza virus by preventing viruses from attaching to host cells, thereby preventing infection.
Good hygiene, vaccination and immune support such as vitamin C, zinc and products containing elderberry extract provide several of the barriers required to fight the H1N1 virus.
What Benefits the Immune System?
What benefits the immune system should be an important consideration. Many people are concerned about what damages the immune system, but those things that are beneficial are sometimes overlooked. Vitamins, minerals, plant components and herbs to boost the immune system are all available. You just need to know which ones to look for.
The immune system is a very complicated collection of cells, organs and pathways. Specialized white blood cells learn what belongs in the body and what does not. These cells communicate with other cells that destroy those things that do not belong and they are carried out of the body. What benefits the immune system are those things which allow the white blood cells, lymph nodes and even the skin to function properly. In this article, we focus on a few herbs to boost immune system strength. This is by no means a complete list and the essential vitamins, minerals and trace nutrients important for proper nutrition are not listed here.
Of the known herbs to boost immune system strength, the most commonly used appears to be Echinacea. It is however difficult to learn how many people use products, such as these, since they are sold over the counter. A recent study in Canada concluded that of the people surveyed who used health and dietary supplements, more people used herbs to boost immune system strength and specifically Echinacea than all the other dietary and health supplements combined.
Echinacea was the most commonly used medicinal plants by Native Americans of the North American plains. It was used to relieve symptoms and hasten recover from everything from the common cold to influenza and infections of all types. It has often been recommended as what benefits the immune system because of this fact. Echinacea is a common plant that grows in many areas of the world. And while Echinacea supplements may be 100% natural, they may not be 100% safe. Recent evidence suggests that continued use for extended periods of time (more than 90 days) can be toxic to the liver. It should therefore be avoided by anyone who takes prescription or over the counter medications that are known to be toxic to the liver. And extended use should be avoided. This could be a problem for those who are looking for what benefits the immune system, because studies indicate that full effectiveness as a preventative is only achieved after using for three months consecutively. Echinacea may be a better choice for occasional use, as a treatment or to speed recovery time from colds and viruses, as this was its historical use.
One of the most interesting herbs to boost immune system strength is one that is not commonly known. Andrographis paniculata or AP for short was used in traditional Asian medicine to treat fever, laryngitis, pneumonia, respiratory infections, tonsillitis, diarrhea, ulcers, herpes, tuberculosis and a long list of other medical conditions. Scientific studies show that AP contains pain killers, fever reducers and components that prevent and break up blood clots as well as reduce blood sugar. So, its historical use can be supported by scientific fact.
There is also scientific evidence supporting its recommendation as one of the herbs to boost immune system strength. It stimulates antibodies and white blood cells to find and destroy invaders. Extensive chemical studies have shown that AP may be what benefits the immune system, because of antiviral, vermicidal, and antibacterial components. It is rare to find a single plant, which contains all three of these. Clinical studies indicate that people who take AP are less likely to develop colds and flu bugs and recover more quickly if they do. It is also believed to be one of the safest herbs to boost immune system strength. Animal studies have shown that it is non-toxic. It should however be avoided by pregnant women or those who wish to become pregnant, since it was used historically as a contraceptive. There is, however, no evidence that it is an effective contraceptive and should not be relied on for that purpose.
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