Common Cold Prevention

Some of the most common ways of preventing a cold include washing your hands often, avoiding people who have the common cold, using disinfectants, and living a healthy lifestyle. Other common cold prevention methods that might not initially come to mind include keeping your hands away from your face and reducing or managing stress. Research has also shown that the more social you are, the less likely you are to get sick.

Prevention of the Common Cold: An Overview

There are several ways you can reduce your chances of getting a cold. Suggestions for preventing the common cold include:

• Washing your hands regularly
• Keeping your hands away from your nose, mouth, and eyes
• Using disinfectants
• Limiting exposure to infected people
• Practicing healthy habits.

Wash Those Hands to Prevent a Cold

The common cold can be passed through coughing, sneezing, and touching surfaces such as doorknobs and telephones. Handwashing with soap and water is the simplest and one of the most effective ways to keep from getting colds or from giving them to others. During cold season, you should wash your hands often and teach your children to do the same.

According to the American Society for Microbiology, a national survey found that Americans were most likely to say they wash their hands after changing a diaper and before handling food. Most, however, said they don't wash their hands after coughing and sneezing.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends regular scrubbing of your hands with warm, soapy water for about 15 seconds as a part of common cold prevention. When water isn't available, the CDC recommends using alcohol-based products made for sanitizing hands.

Keep Your Hands Down

Touching your nose, mouth, and eyes with contaminated hands makes it easy for cold and flu viruses to enter the body. Others can become ill by just coming in contact with someone who has become infected with a cold or flu virus or who has been in a contaminated area.

Keep Surfaces Clean

Rhinoviruses can live up to 3 hours on your skin. They also can survive up to 3 hours on objects such as telephones and stair railings. Cleaning environmental surfaces with a virus-killing disinfectant, available at most grocery stores, can help prevent the spread of infection. A solution of 1 part bleach mixed with 10 parts water also is effective in killing viruses.

Avoid People With Colds

Sometimes people are infected with a virus and they don't know it because they haven't experienced symptoms yet. If possible, avoid people who you know have colds.

Keep infants away from crowds for the first few months of life. This is especially important for premature babies, who may have underlying abnormalities like lung disease and heart disease.

If keeping your distance is too difficult -- as in the case of parents who can't help but hold and kiss their sick kids -- then wash your hands frequently and keep surfaces clean with a virus-killing disinfectant.

Practice Healthy Habits

Eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising can help the immune system better fight off the germs that cause illness.

Because smoking interferes with the mechanisms that keep bacteria and debris out of the lungs, those who use tobacco or who are exposed to secondhand smoke are more prone to respiratory illnesses and complications of the common cold than nonsmokers.

If you've been feeling run down, some stress management might not be a bad idea. Research scientists have found that people who experience more stress are more likely to get sick and experience worse symptoms.

Common cold research has also shown that the more social you are, the less likely you are to get sick. It could be because having more social contacts and support is less stressful than keeping to yourself.

Causes of Common Cold

What Causes the Common Cold?

The common cold is caused by a virus. More than 200 different viruses are known to cause the common cold. Some, such as the rhinovirus, seldom produce serious illnesses. Others, such as parainfluenza and respiratory syncytial virus, produce only mild infections in adults, but can cause severe lower respiratory infections in young children.

Rhinovirus

Rhinoviruses (from the Greek word rhin, meaning "nose") are the common cold causes in an estimated 30 to 35 percent of all adults, and are most active in early fall, spring, and summer. More than 110 distinct rhinovirus types have been identified. These agents grow best at temperatures of about 91 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature inside the human nose.

Coronavirus

Coronaviruses also cause a large percentage of all adult colds. They bring on cold symptoms primarily in the winter and early spring. Of the more than 30 types of coronaviruses, only 3 or 4 infect humans. The importance of coronaviruses as common cold causes is hard to assess, because, unlike rhinoviruses, they are difficult to grow in the laboratory.

Other Viruses

Approximately 10 to 15 percent of all adult colds are caused by viruses also responsible for other, more severe, illnesses, such as:

• Adenoviruses
• Coxsackieviruses
• Echoviruses
• Orthomyxoviruses (including influenza A and B viruses, which cause flu)
• Paramyxoviruses (including several parainfluenza viruses)
• Respiratory syncytial virus
• Enteroviruses

  Unknown Causes

  The causes of common cold in 30 to 50 percent of all adult colds remain unidentified, although they are presumed to be viral in nature. The same viruses that produce colds in adults appear to cause colds in children. The relative importance of various viruses in pediatric colds, however, is unclear, because it's difficult to isolate the precise cause of cold symptoms in studies of children with colds.

Symptoms of Common Cold

What are the symptoms of the common cold?

Symptoms of the common cold are generally mild and appear two to three days after exposure to a cold virus. Symptoms can vary depending on the specific type of virus causing the cold.

Common cold symptoms include:

• Body aches

• Cough

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Low-grade fever

• Post-nasal drip

• Runny nose

• Sneezing

• Sore throat

• Stuffy nose or nasal congestion

• Watery eyes

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

In some cases, a cold can result in serious complications, such as pneumonia or acute bronchitis. Call 911 or seek immediate medical care if you, or someone you are with, are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Change in alertness or level of consciousness

• Chest pain

• Deep, wet chest cough that produces yellow, green or brownish phlegm

• High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)

• Lethargy or unresponsiveness

• Shortness of breath

• Wheezing, a whistling sound made with breathing

Is it a cold or the flu?

With the first signs of a cold you may wonder if you caught a cold or the flu. Symptoms of a cold and the flu can be similar. So what’s the difference?

When you have a cold, the symptoms are generally mild and include runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, and possibly a low-grade fever below 101 degrees Fahrenheit.

When you have the flu, you may have the same symptoms, but you will probably experience more severe and uncomfortable symptoms. Flu symptoms include a high fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit), coughing, headache, body aches, extreme fatigue, and sore throat. In children, symptoms of the flu can also include abdominal pain and vomiting.

The Common Cold

What is the common cold?

A cold, often called the common cold, is an extremely widespread upper respiratory infection. Colds are caused by a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, including the nose and throat. There are about 200 different types of viruses than can cause a cold. The common cold is one of the most common illnesses. If you have a cold, you’re not alone. Each year, there are more than a billion cases of the common cold in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health (Source: NIH).

The effects of a cold can vary between individuals and the specific type of virus causing the infection. Typical symptoms of a cold include sneezing, coughing, sore throat, fatigue, and runny or stuffy nose. Colds are very contagious. They can occur at any time of year but are most common during the winter, especially during damp, rainy weather.

You can get a cold by inhaling a cold virus, such as when someone who has a cold sneezes nearby. You can also get a cold by touching your eyes, nose or mouth after you have touched a surface that is contaminated with a cold virus.

There is no cure for the common cold, but you can find relief by getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids, using over-the-counter cough drops, or taking over-the-counter cold medicines. In most cases, a cold is a mild, self-limiting disease that resolves by itself over a week or two. Most people in good health can recover from the common cold without complications.

In some cases, the common cold can lead to more serious infections and complications, such as pneumonia, acute bronchitis, and a worsening of asthma. People at risk for complications include those who have a chronic disease, an immunodeficiency disorder, a suppressed or compromised immune system, and the very young and very old.

Seek prompt medical care if you have a chronic disease and develop symptoms of a cold or if you have a cold that is not getting better. Seek immediate medical care (Call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have symptoms of a cold accompanied by shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, or a change in alertness or consciousness.

Precautions of Cancer

Cancer prevention

At least one-third of all cancer cases are preventable. Prevention offers the most cost-effective long-term strategy for the control of cancer.

Tobacco

Tobacco use is the single greatest avoidable risk factor for cancer mortality worldwide, causing an estimated 22% of cancer deaths per year. In 2004, 1.6 million of the 7.4 million cancer deaths were due to tobacco use.

Tobacco smoking causes many types of cancer, including cancers of the lung, esophagus, larynx (voice box), mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, pancreas, stomach and cervix. About 70% of the lung cancer burden can be attributed to smoking alone. Second-hand smoke (SHS), also known as environmental tobacco smoke, has been proven to cause lung cancer in nonsmoking adults. Smokeless tobacco (also called oral tobacco, chewing tobacco or snuff) causes oral, esophageal and pancreatic cancer.

• Tobacco and cancer: evidence and monitoring
• Implementation tools
• Tobacco Free Initiative

Physical inactivity, dietary factors, obesity and being overweight

Dietary modification is another important approach to cancer control. There is a link between overweight and obesity to many types of cancer such as oesophagus, colorectum, breast, endometrium and kidney. Diets high in fruits and vegetables may have a protective effect against many cancers. Conversely, excess consumption of red and preserved meat may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. In addition, healthy eating habits that prevent the development of diet-associated cancers will also lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Regular physical activity and the maintenance of a healthy body weight, along with a healthy diet, will considerably reduce cancer risk. National policies and programmes should be implemented to raise awareness and reduce exposure to cancer risk factors, and to ensure that people are provided with the information and support they need to adopt healthy lifestyles.

• WHO global strategy on diet, physical activity and health

Alcohol use

Alcohol use is a risk factor for many cancer types including cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colorectum and breast. Risk of cancer increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. The risk from heavy drinking for several cancer types (e.g. oral cavity, pharynx, larynx and oesophagus) substantially increases if the person is also a heavy smoker. Attributable fractions vary between men and women for certain types of alcohol-related cancer, mainly because of differences in average levels of consumption. For example, 22% of mouth and oropharynx cancers in men are attributable to alcohol whereas in women the attributable burden drops to 9%. A similar sex difference exists for oesophageal and liver cancers (Rehm et al., 2004).

• Global strategy to reduce harmful use of alcohol

Infections

Infectious agents are responsible for almost 22% of cancer deaths in the developing world and 6% in industrialized countries. Viral hepatitis B and C cause cancer of the liver; human papilloma virus infection causes cervical cancer; the bacterium Helicobacter pylori increases the risk of stomach cancer. In some countries the parasitic infection schistosomiasis increases the risk of bladder cancer and in other countries the liver fluke increases the risk of cholangiocarcinoma of the bile ducts. Preventive measures include vaccination and prevention of infection and infestation.

• Infectious diseases health topics

Environmental pollution

Environmental pollution of air, water and soil with carcinogenic chemicals accounts for 1–4% of all cancers (IARC/WHO, 2003). Exposure to carcinogenic chemicals in the environment can occur through drinking water or pollution of indoor and ambient air. In Bangladesh, 5–10% of all cancer deaths in an arsenic-contaminated region were attributable to arsenic exposure (Smith, Lingas & Rahman, 2000). Exposure to carcinogens also occurs via the contamination of food by chemicals, such as afl atoxins or dioxins. Indoor air pollution from coal fires doubles the risk of lung cancer, particularly among non-smoking women (Smith, Mehta & Feuz, 2004). Worldwide, indoor air pollution from domestic coal fires is responsible for approximately 1.5% of all lung cancer deaths. Coal use in households is particularly widespread in Asia.

Occupational carcinogens

More than 40 agents, mixtures and exposure circumstances in the working environment are carcinogenic to humans and are classified as occupational carcinogens (Siemiatycki et al., 2004). That occupational carcinogens are causally related to cancer of the lung, bladder, larynx and skin, leukaemia and nasopharyngeal cancer is well documented. Mesothelioma (cancer of the outer lining of the lung or chest cavity) is to a large extent caused by work-related exposure to asbestos.

Occupational cancers are concentrated among specific groups of the working population, for whom the risk of developing a particular form of cancer may be much higher than for the general population. About 20–30% of the male and 5–20% of the female working-age population (people aged 15–64 years) may have been exposed to lung carcinogens during their working lives, accounting for about 10% of lung cancers worldwide. About 2% of leukaemia cases worldwide are attributable to occupational exposures.

Radiation

Ionizing radiation is carcinogenic to humans. Knowledge on radiation risk has been mainly acquired from epidemiological studies of the Japanese A-bomb survivors as well as from studies of medical and occupational radiation exposure cohorts. Ionizing radiation can induce leukaemia and a number of solid tumours, with higher risks at young age at exposure. Residential exposure to radon gas from soil and building materials is estimated to cause between 3% and 14% of all lung cancers, making it the second cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoke. Radon levels in homes can be reduced by improving the ventilation and sealing floors and walls. Ionizing radiation is an essential diagnostic and therapeutic tool. To guarantee that benefits exceed potential radiation risks radiological medical procedures should be appropriately prescribed and properly performed, to reduce unnecessary radiation doses, particularly in children.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and in particular solar radiation, is carcinogenic to humans, causing all major types of skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma. Globally in 2000, over 200 000 cases of melanoma were diagnosed and there were 65 000 melanoma-associated deaths. Avoiding excessive exposure, use of sunscreen and protective clothing are effective preventive measures. UV-emitting tanning devices are now also classified as carcinogenic to humans based on their association with skin and ocular melanoma cancers.

• Ionizing radiation
• Ultraviolet radiationh

Causes of Cancer

Causes of cancer: There is no exact reasons for the causes of cancer but there are several risk factors that increases the causes of cancer, here is the list of risk factors.

Age: Generally aged people will be suffering from cancer due to the presence of polyps (excess growth of glands). If the age is above 50 years, there will be more chances of getting cancer due to the increase in risk factors.

Alcohol: Consuming of alcohol will reduce the performance of body immune system which cause the occurrence of cancer disease.

Diabetes: Diabetes leads to the occurrence of cancer disease due to insulin dependency at high rate by the body.

Diet: Diet plays an important role in defining cancer. Taking fat foods with low fiber content will definitely causes cancer due to excess fat storage which leads to obesity. Planning proper diet menu with rich fiber foods helps in preventing cancer from occurrence.

Environment: The surroundings in which you live and work also leads to many risk factors for causing cancer. So, maintain proper surroundings .

Family pedigree: Family hereditary may cause cancer, but by taking screen tests you can reduce the risk factors for cancer.

Genetics: Many of the researchers suggest that 30 percent of the cancer cases have a genetic links.

Gender: Many of the research programs say that men are more often to face cancer than women.

Obesity: Obesity increases the chances of having colon cancer due to decrease in immune system rate in the body system.

Polyps: Polyps (unusual glands) increase the chance of having cancer. These polyps are occurred due to the excess growth of cells in the colon region or due to the family pedigree.

Smoking: This activity is the major risk factor in causing cancer. Smoking leads to lung cancer and also causes several side effects like digestion problems, burning sensation, headache and site blindness. So avoid smoking to prevent cancer from occurrence.

Symptoms of cancer disease

Symptoms of Cancer

A broad spectrum of non-specific cancer symptoms may include:

• Persistent Fatigue: Fatigue is one of the most commonly experienced cancer symptoms. It is usually more common when the cancer is advanced, but still occurs in the early stages of some cancers. Anemia is commonly the culprit -- a condition that is associated with many types of cancer, especially types affecting the bowel. Fatigue is a symptom of both malignant and non-malignant conditions and should be evaluated by a physician.
  
  
• Unintentional Weight Loss: While it may be a welcome surprise to lose weight without trying, it can be a red flag for many illnesses, including cancer. Losing 10 pounds or more unintentionally definitely warrants a visit to the doctor. This type of weight loss can occur with or without loss of appetite. Remember, weight loss can be a symptom of cancer, but is also a symptom of many other illnesses, too.
  
  
• Pain Typically, pain is not an early symptom of cancer, except in some cancer types like those that spread to the bone. Pain generally occurs when cancer spreads and begins to affect other organs and nerves.
  
  Lower pack pain is cancer symptom that is associated with ovarian cancer and colon cancer. Shoulder pain can also be a symptom of lung cancer. Pain in the form of headaches can be associated with brain tumors (malignant and benign).
  
  Stomach pains can be related to types of cancer, like stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, and many others. Stomach pain can be a very vague symptom because so many illnesses can cause stomach pain.
  
  
• Fever: A fever is a very non-specific symptom of many mild to severe conditions, including cancer. In relation to cancer, a fever that is persistent or one that comes and goes frequently can signal stress on the immune system. Fevers are commonly associated with types of cancer that affects the blood, like leukemia and lymphoma, but are also common in people whose cancer has spread.
  
  
• Bowel Changes: If you experience constipation, diarrhea, blood in the stools, gas, thinner stools, or just a general overall change in bowel habits, see your doctor. These symptoms are most commonly associated with colon cancer, but are also related to other cancer types.
  
  
• Chronic Cough: A persistent, new cough or a cough that won't go away or becomes worse needs to be evaluated by a doctor. Blood and/or mucus may accompany the cough and can be caused many conditions. In relation to cancer, a chronic cough with blood or mucus can be symptom of lung cancer.
  
  

Keep in mind that these are very general, vague symptoms of cancer. If you have one or two of these symptoms, it is not a red flag for cancer but more an indication to your doctor to run certain medical tests. The symptoms listed above are experienced by most people with cancer at various stages of their disease, but are also linked to many other non-cancerous conditions. For more specific cancer symptoms, see below for symptom information about several types of cancer. You may also get a better understanding of what your symptoms may mean by using the About.com Symptom Checker, an interactive health education tool.

Specific Symptoms of Different Types of Cancer

Anal Cancer

Bladder Cancer

Breast Cancer

Cervical Cancer

Colon Cancer

Endometrial Cancer

Esophageal Cancer

Kidney Cancer

Leukemia

Liver Cancer

Lung Cancer

Lymphoma

Ovarian Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

Penile Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Skin Cancer

Stomach Cancer

Cancer Disease

Definition

Cancer is not just one disease, but a large group of almost 100 diseases. Its two main characteristics are uncontrolled growth of the cells in the human body and the ability of these cells to migrate from the original site and spread to distant sites. If the spread is not controlled, cancer can result in death.

Description

One out of every four deaths in the United States is from cancer. It is second only to heart disease as a cause of death in the states. About 1.2 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer annually; more than 500,000 die of cancer annually.

Cancer can attack anyone. Since the occurrence of cancer increases as individuals age, most of the cases are seen in adults, middle-aged or older. Sixty percent of all cancers are diagnosed in people who are older than 65 years of age. The most common cancers are skin cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer (in women), and prostate cancer (in men). In addition, cancer of the kidneys, ovaries, uterus, pancreas, bladder, rectum, and blood and lymph node cancer (leukemias and lymphomas) are also included among the 12 major cancers that affect most Americans.

Cancer, by definition, is a disease of the genes. A gene is a small part of DNA, which is the master molecule of the cell. Genes make "proteins," which are the ultimate workhorses of the cells. It is these proteins that allow our bodies to carry out all the many processes that permit us to breathe, think, move, etc.

Throughout people's lives, the cells in their bodies are growing, dividing, and replacing themselves. Many genes produce proteins that are involved in controlling the processes of cell growth and division. An alteration (mutation) to the DNA molecule can disrupt the genes and produce faulty proteins. This causes the cell to become abnormal and lose its restraints on growth. The abnormal cell begins to divide uncontrollably and eventually forms a new growth known as a "tumor" or neoplasm (medical term for cancer meaning "new growth").

In a healthy individual, the immune system can recognize the neoplastic cells and destroy them before they get a chance to divide. However, some mutant cells may escape immune detection and survive to become tumors or cancers.

Tumors are of two types, benign or malignant. A benign tumor is not considered cancer. It is slow growing, does not spread or invade surrounding tissue, and once it is removed, doesn't usually recur. A malignant tumor, on the other hand, is cancer. It invades surrounding tissue and spreads to other parts of the body. If the cancer cells have spread to the surrounding tissues, even after the malignant tumor is removed, it generally recurs.

A majority of cancers are caused by changes in the cell's DNA because of damage due to the environment. Environmental factors that are responsible for causing the initial mutation in the DNA are called carcinogens, and there are many types.

There are some cancers that have a genetic basis. In other words, an individual could inherit faulty DNA from his parents, which could predispose him to getting cancer. While there is scientific evidence that both factors (environmental and genetic) play a role, less than 10% of all cancers are purely hereditary. Cancers that are known to have a hereditary link are breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer. Besides genes, certain physiological traits could be inherited and could contribute to cancers. For example, inheriting fair skin makes a person more likely to develop skin cancer, but only if he or she also has prolonged exposure to intensive sunlight.

There are several different types of cancers:

• Carcinomas are cancers that arise in the epithelium (the layer of cells covering the body's surface and lining the internal organs and various glands). Ninety percent of human cancers fall into this category. Carcinomas can be subdivided into two types: adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. Adenocarcinomas are cancers that develop in an organ or a gland, while squamous cell carcinomas refer to cancers that originate in the skin.
• Melanomas also originate in the skin, usually in the pigment cells (melanocytes).
• Sarcomas are cancers of the supporting tissues of the body, such as bone, muscle and blood vessels.
• Cancers of the blood and lymph glands are called leukemias and lymphomas respectively.
• Gliomas are cancers of the nerve tissue.

Precautions of Diabetes

Precautions:

There are many precaution measures that one can take in order to avoid diabetes. One important precaution is the special attention at one’s daily diet and nutritional system. By having a balanced alimentary regime people can easily avoid diabetes and many other diseases that can derive from bad alimentation.

People are also advised to have a lot of physical exercise, as studies have shown that the ones who practice sports are less threatened by the risk of getting diabetes. This disease is characteristic for sedentary people. The lack of physical activity can easily lead to diabetes.

By a healthy diet and by physical workout people can, hence avoid getting diabetes. Also, people are advised to take theirmedical tests at least twice a year in order to become aware of the eventual problems that they may have up to that certain point.

Although moderate exercise is one of the best and safest therapies for diabetics, or any one else for that matter, first thing I would like you to do is to tell your doctor you want to have a stress test done.

This is a very simple procedure; your doctor will ask you to step on a treadmill or a stationary bicycle while an electrocardiograph (EKG) machine monitors the activity in your heart. Your doctor, or the person conducting the test, will ask you to increase the level of your work little by little and as the heart rate increases, the EKG devise detects any abnormalities that may be present when the heart is working too hard.

This test can detect if your arteries are blocked or if the heart has a tendency toward arrhythmia or skipped beats. Your doctor then can use the test results to advice you on how much and what type of exercise is appropriate for you and what your heart rate should be during your workouts.

Your Exercise Heart Rate

Health authorities have determined that we can achieve the most benefits from exercise when the heart reaches a certain rate. Below that, the heart is not working hard enough to get the benefits of exercise and above it, we may be putting ourselves at risk.

What heart rate should you aimed at during exercise?

If your doctor does not indicate to you your maximum heart rate (the safe upper limit) during exercise, you can figure it out by yourself. It is very easy: subtract your age from 220. Example: since you are 45, your maximum heart rate at exercise is 220 minus 45, which equals 175. Another example: if a person is 55, his/her maximum heart rate is 165 (220 minus 55).

Determine a training heart rate

Depending on your level of fitness, the suggested training rate is between 65 and 85% of your maximum heart rate. As a precaution, don’t let your exercising pulse go above this rate. Beginners, such as in your case, should stay in the lower range; more fit individuals can go to the higher end.

Check your pulse rate

Since, in order to send more blood to your muscles, your heart has to beat faster faster when you exercise, your pulse rate also increases. While in the process of exercising, check your pulse rate at intervals to make sure your level of work is appropriate.

First, find your pulse by placing your middle and index fingers inside your wrist, below your thumb (An alternative pulse point is on the large artery on either side of your neck). Once you feel the pulse, count the number of beats during ten seconds and then multiply the number obtained by six. This tells you how many times your heart is beating per minute.

Try to make an appointment with your doctor at your earliest convenience. In the meantime, you can walk at a moderate pace. Brisk walking is quite safe.

A word of warning for patients with diabetes type 1

Exercise, in and of itself, lowers blood glucose. Because of this, the pancreas stops or slows down the production of insulin and if the diabetic person takes oral drugs or uses insulin, the level of blood glucose can go down too much, creating a dangerous situation. If you have diabetes type 1, by all means, have a guideline from your doctor on what type of exercise you can do before starting a vigorous exercise program.

Treatments:

There are numerous treatments found for diabetes so far. The pills taken for lowering the glycemia level are the most common treatment. They are used by people suffering from diabetes in an early stage of the disease. The pills can be usual ones that can be found in all the pharmacies, or naturist pills, the ones based on natural ingredients only. These pills are said to lower the level of glycemia from the patient’s blood. That is why they must be administrated and taken by respecting a strict schedule.

Another common treatment for diabetes is the insulin. This substance is usually injected in the organism and people who are prescribed insulin are usually suffering from and advanced form of diabetes. Insulin is prescribed when the glycemia level has reached a dangerous point. Another method of administrating insulin is the plaster method. There are special plasters in pharmacies that contain the necessary dose of insulin for a certain amount of time. Some people use plasters instead of the injection method, since the plaster method has become very popular and so easy to use.

Causes of diabetes

What causes Diabetes
The precise Etiology of most cases of diabetes is uncertain, although certain contributing factors are as follows:

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes is autoimmune disease that affects 0.3% on average. It is result of destruction of beta cells due to aggressive nature of cells present in the body. Researchers believe that some of the Etiology and Risk factors which may trigger type 1 diabetes may be genetic, poor diet (malnutrition) and environment (virus affecting pancreas). Secondly, in most of the cases, diabetes occurs because there is abnormal secretion of some hormones in blood which act as antagonists to insulin. Example- Adrenocortical hormone, Adrenaline hormone and Thyroid hormone.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes is also called non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes. It occurs when the body produces enough insulin but cannot utilize it effectively. This type of diabetes usually develops in middle age. A general observation says that about 90-95 % of people suffering with diabetes are type 2; about 80 percent are overweight. It is more common among people who are older; obese; have a family history of diabetes; have had gestational diabetes. There are number of risk factors found to be responsible for type 2 diabetes like, the more the Etiology and Risk factors carried by an individual, the higher the risk for developing diabetes.

Following are the Causes of Diabetes

• Hereditary or Inherited Traits : It is strongly believed that due to some genes which passes from one generation to another, a person can inherit diabetes. It depends upon closeness of blood relationship as mother is diabetic, the risk is 2 to 3%, father is diabetic, the risk is more than the previous case and if both the parents are diabetic, the child has much greater risk for diabetes.
• Age : Increased age is a factor which gives more possibility than in younger age. This disease may occur at any age, but 80% of cases occur after 50 year, incidences increase with the age factor.
• Poor Diet (Malnutrition Related Diabetes) : Improper nutrition, low protein and fiber intake, high intake of refined products are the expected reasons for developing diabetes.
• Obesity and Fat Distribution : Being overweight means increased insulin resistance, that is if body fat is more than 30%, BMI 25+, waist grith 35 inches in women or 40 inches in males.
• Sedentary Lifestyle : People with sedentary lifestyle are more prone to diabetes, when compared to those who exercise thrice a week, are at low risk of falling prey to diabetes.
• Stress : Either physical injury or emotional disturbance is frequently blamed as the initial cause of the disease. Any disturbance in Cortiosteroid or ACTH therapy may lead to clinical signs of the disease.
• Drug Induced: Clozapine (Clozaril), olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Risperdal), quetiapine (Seroquel) and ziprasidone (Geodon) are known to induce this lethal disease.
• Infection : Some of the strephylococci is suppose to be responsible factor for infection in pancreas.
• Sex : Diabetes is commonly seen in elderly especially males but, strongly in women and those females with multiple pregnancy or suffering from (PCOS) Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
• Hypertension : It had been reported in many studies that there is direct relation between high systolic pressure and diabetes.
• Serum lipids and lipoproteins : High triglyceride and cholesterol level in the blood is related to high blood sugars, in some cases it has been studied that risk is involved even with low HDL levels in circulating blood.

Symptoms of Diabetes

What are the Primary Symptoms of Diabetes?

The most consistent symptom of diabetes mellitus (Type I and II) is elevated blood sugar levels. In Type I (insulin dependent / early onset) diabetes, this is caused by the body not producing enough insulin to properly regulate blood sugar. In Type II (non insulin dependent/adult onset) diabetes, it is caused by the body developing resistance to insulin, so it cannot properly use what it produces.

However, high blood sugar is not something you can see in the mirror at home, so it is useful to know the side-effects of high blood sugar, which are commonly recognized as the noticeable symptoms of diabetes.

If you find yourself experiencing many of these diabetes symptoms on a consistent, long term basis, you should visit a doctor to be tested for diabetes. Ignoring (or not recognizing) the symptoms of diabetes can lead to long-term serious health risks and complications from untreated diabetes.

Some of the common 'early warning' signs of diabetes are:

Excessive thirst:
The first symptom of diabetes is often excessive thirst that is unrelated to exercise, hot weather, or short-term illness.

Excessive hunger

You are still hungry all the time even though you've eaten.

Frequent urination

Frequent urination is often noticed because you must wake up repeatedly during the night.

Fatigue

Tiredness and fatigue, possibly severe enough to make you fall asleep unexpectedly after meals, is one of the most common symptoms of diabetes.

Sudden weight loss

Rapid and/or sudden weight loss (any dramatic change in weight is a sign to visit a doctor)

Get tested if you are concerned

While many of the signs and symptoms of diabetes can also be related to other causes, testing for diabetes is very easy, and the constant/regular presence of one or more of these symptoms over an extended period of time should be cause for a visit to the doctor.

If diabetes is suspected, tested for, and diagnosed when those symptoms first start appearing, other more serious symptoms of advanced diabetes can often be prevented or have their onset significantly delayed through diet, exercise and proper blood sugar management.

Minor, less recognizable symptoms

Often the 'minor' symptoms of diabetes go unrecognized, and physical and neurological problems may arise.

Blurry vision

Blurred vision may occur because diabetes can lead to macular degeneration and eventual blindness.

Numbness

Numbness and/or tingling in the hands and feet may occur due to peripheral neuropathy, a symptom of diabetes, causes nerve damage in the extremities)

Slow-healing wounds

Slow healing of minor scratches and wounds may be the result of diabetes-related impaired immune system function.

Recurrent yeast infections

Recurrent or hard-to-treat yeast infections in women are another sign of impaired immune function.

Dry skin

Dry or itchy skin may result from peripheral neuropathy which affects circulation and proper sweat gland function.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms on a regular basis, or you recognize these symptoms in a child or relative, they may be signs of untreated diabetes. A doctor's appointment should be made as soon as possible, so the individual experiencing the symptoms can -- if diabetes is diagnosed -- take the steps needed to prevent more serious health problems.

Diabetes disease

Diabetes

The Balance of Glucose and Insulin:

Diabetes is a disorder that affects the way your body uses food for energy. Normally, the sugar you take in is digested and broken down to a simple sugar, known as glucose. The glucose then circulates in your blood where it waits to enter cells to be used as fuel. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps move the glucose into cells. A healthy pancreas adjusts the amount of insulin based on the level of glucose. But, if you have diabetes, this process breaks down, and blood sugar levels become too high.

There are two main types of full-blown diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes are completely unable to produce insulin. People with Type 2 diabetes can produce insulin, but their cells don't respond to it. In either case, the glucose can't move into the cells and blood glucose levels can become high. Over time, these high glucose levels can cause serious complications.

Pre-Diabetes:

Pre-diabetes means that the cells in your body are becoming resistant to insulin or your pancreas is not producing as much insulin as required. Your blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetes. This is also known as "impaired fasting glucose" or "impaired glucose tolerance". A diagnosis of pre-diabetes is a warning sign that diabetes will develop later. The good news: You can prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes by losing weight, making changes in your diet and exercising.

A Diagnosis of Pre-diabetes:

What does this mean? It means that cells in your body are becoming resistant to insulin and your blood glucose levels are higher than they should be. Since the levels aren't as high as they would be if you had type 2 diabetes, the term "pre-diabetes" is used. Your doctor may also call this condition "impaired fasting glucose" or "impaired glucose tolerance". According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, 41 million Americans between the ages of 40 and 74 have pre-diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes:

A person with Type 1 diabetes can't make any insulin. Type 1 most often occurs before age 30, but may strike at any age. Type 1 can be caused by a genetic disorder. The origins of Type 1 are not fully understood, and there are several theories. But all of the possible causes still have the same end result: The pancreas produces very little or no insulin anymore. Frequent insulin injections are needed for Type 1.

Type 2 Diabetes:

A person with Type 2 diabetes has adequate insulin, but the cells have become resistant to it. Type 2 usually occurs in adults over 35 years old, but can affect anyone, including children. The National Institutes of Health state that 95 percent of all diabetes cases are Type 2. Why? It's a lifestyle disease, triggered by obesity, a lack of exercise, increased age and to some degree, genetic predisposition.

Precaution For Kidney Failure

Precaution For Kidney Failure
According to clinical observation, together with proper treatment, diet precaution can play an important function for CKD patients recovery, which is called assistant therapy. CKD patients should take diet according to their illness condition so that better recovery can be attained. Then what should they focus on is our today’s topic.


CARBOHYDRATES

If you are overweight or have diabetes, you may need to limit the amount of carbohydrates you eat. Talk with your doctor, nurse, or dietitian.

Otherwise, carbohydrates are a good source of energy for your body. If your health care provider has recommended a low-protein diet, you may replace the calories from protein with:

FATS INTAKE

Fats can be a good source of calories. Make sure to use monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (olive oil, canola oil, safflower oil) to help protect your arteries. Talk to your doctor, nurse, or dietitian about fats and cholesterol that may increase your risk for heart problems.

PROTEIN INTAKE

Low-protein diets may be helpful before dialysis. Your doctor or dietitian may recommend a moderate-protein diet (1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight per day).

Once you start dialysis, you will need more protein. In fact, a high-protein diet with fish, poultry, pork, or eggs at every meal may be recommended. This will help you replace muscles and other tissues that you lose.

People on dialysis should eat 8 - 10 ounces of high-protein foods each day. Your doctor, dietitian, or nurse may suggest adding egg whites, egg white powder, or protein powder.

CALCIUM AND PHOSPHOROUS

Calcium and phosphorous, two other important minerals in the body, are also monitored closely. Even in the early stages of chronic kidney disease, phosphorous levels in the blood can become too high. This can cause:

1. Low calcium (this causes the body to pull calcium from your bones, which can make your bones weaker and more likely to break)

2. Itching

You will need to limit the amount of dairy foods that you eat. This includes milk, yogurt, and cheese. Some dairy foods are lower in phosphorous, including tub margarine, butter, cream cheese, heavy cream, ricotta cheese, brie cheese, sherbet, and nondairy whipped toppings.

Fruits and vegetables contain only small amounts of phosphorous.

You may need to take calcium supplements to prevent bone disease, and vitamin D to control the balance of calcium and phosphorous in your body. Ask your doctor, nurse, or dietititan.

If dietary measures to lower phosphorous are not enough, your doctor may recommend "phosphorous binders."

WATER INTAKE

In the early stages of chronic kidney disease, you do not need to limit how much fluid you drink. As your kidney disease becomes worse or when you are on dialysis, you will need to watch how much you drink. In between dialysis sessions, fluid can build up in the body.

Your doctor and dialysis nurse will let you know how much you should drink every day. Do not eat too much of foods that contain a lot of water, such as soups, Jell-O, popsicles, ice cream, grapes, melons, lettuce, tomatoes, and celery.

Use smaller cups or glasses and turn over your cup after you have finished it.

Tips to keep from becoming thirsty include:

1. Avoid salty foods

2. Freeze some juice in an ice cube tray and eat it like a popsicle (you must count these ice cubes in your daily amount of fluids)

3. Stay cool on hot days

POTASSIUM

Normal blood levels of potassium help keep your heart beating steadily. However, too much potassium can build up when the kidneys no longer function well. Dangerous heart rhythms may result.

Potassium is found in many food groups, including fruits and vegetables. Choosing the right item from each food group can help control your potassium levels.

When eating fruits:

1. Choose peaches, grapes, pears, cherries, apples, berries, pineapple, plums, tangerines, and watermelon

2. Limit or avoid oranges and orange juice, nectarines, Kiwis, raisins or other dried fruit, bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew, prunes, and nectarines

SALT OR SODIUM

Reducing sodium in your diet helps you control high blood pressure, keeps you from being thirsty, and prevents your body from holding onto extra fluid. A low-salt diet is usually needed.

Look for these words on food labels:

1. Low-sodium

2. No salt added

.3. Sodium-free

4. Sodium reduced

5. Unsalted

Check all labels to see how much salt or sodium foods contain per serving. Also, avoid foods that list salt near the beginning of the ingredients. Look for products with less than 100 mg of salt per serving.

Do not use salt when cooking and take the salt shaker away from the table. Most other herbs are safe, and you can use them to flavor your food instead of salt.

DO NOT use salt substitutes because they contain potassium. People with chronic kidney disease also need to limit their potassium.

When eating vegetables:

1. Choose broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, green and wax beans, lettuce, onion, peppers, watercress, zucchini, and yellow squash

2. Limit or avoid asparagus, avocado, potatoes, tomatoes or tomato sauce, winter squash, pumpkin, avocado, and cooked spinach

IRON

Patients with advanced kidney failure usually need extra iron.

Many foods contain extra iron (liver, beef, pork, chicken, lima and kidney beans, iron-fortified cereals). Because of your kidney disease, talk this over with your doctor, nurse, or dietitian.

As we know chronic kidney disease is a progressive-slowly disease, which presents symptoms after a long time to develop. Similarly, the repairing of damaged inherent and recovery of renal function also need a time to attain. During this course, patient need to pay more attention to those standard medical therapy as well as assistant therapy, and then their recovery would be more pleasant and rapid. For more information about our standard treatment and diet recommendation, you can consult our experts. They will provide you professional and understandable explanation.

causes of kidney disease

What causes kidney failure?

Kidney failure can occur from an acute situation or from chronic problems.

In acute renal failure, kidney function is lost rapidly and can occur from a variety of insults to the body. The list of causes is often categorized based on where the injury has occurred.

Prerenal causes (pre=before + renal=kidney) causes are due to decreased blood supply to the kidney.
Examples of prerenal causes of kidney failure are:
hypovolemia (low blood volume) due to blood loss;

dehydration from loss of body fluid (for example, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, fever);

poor intake of fluids;

medication, for example, diuretics ("water pills") may cause excessive water loss; and

abnormal blood flow to and from the kidney due to obstruction of the renal artery or vein.

Renal causes of kidney failure (damage directly to the kidney itself) include:

Sepsis: The body's immune system is overwhelmed from infection and causes inflammation and shutdown of the kidneys. This usually does not occur with urinary tract infections.

Medications: Some medications are toxic to the kidney, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen. Others potentially toxic medications include antibiotics like aminoglycosides [gentamicin (Garamycin), tobramycin], lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), iodine-containing medications such as those injected for radiology dye studies.

Rhabdomyolysis: This is a situation in which there is significant muscle breakdown in the body, and the damaged muscle fibers clog the filtering system of the kidneys. this can occur because of trauma, crush injuries, and burns. Some medications used to treat high cholesterol can cause rhabdomyolysis.

Multiple myeloma

Acute glomerulonephritis or inflammation of the glomeruli, the filtering system of the kidneys. Many diseases can cause this inflammation including systemic lupus erythematosus, Wegener's granulomatosis, and Goodpasture syndrome.

Post renal causes of kidney failure (post=after + renal= kidney) are due to factors that affect outflow of the urine:
Obstruction of the bladder or the ureters can cause back pressure because the kidneys continue to produce urine, but the obstruction acts like a dam, and urine backs up into the kidneys. When the pressure increases high enough, the kidneys are damaged and shut down.

Prostatic hypertrophy or prostate cancer may block the urethra and prevents the bladder from emptying.

Tumors in the abdomen that surround and obstruct the ureters.

Kidney stones. Usually, kidney stones affect only one kidney and do not cause kidney failure. However, if there is only one kidney present, a kidney stone may cause the lone kidney to fail.

Chronic renal failure develops over months and years. The most common causes of chronic renal failure are related to:
poorly controlled diabetes,

poorly controlled high blood pressure, and

chronic glomerulonephritis.

Less common causes of chronic renal failure include:
polycystic kidney disease,

reflux nephropathy,

kidney stones, and

prostate disease.

Symptoms of Kidney Disease

Symptoms of Kidney Disease

Many people who have chronic kidney disease don't know it, because the early signs can be very subtle. It can take many years to go from chronic kidney disease (CKD) to kidney failure. Some people with CKD live out their lives without ever reaching kidney failure.

However, for people at any stage of kidney disease, knowledge is power. Knowing the symptoms of kidney disease can help you get the treatment you need to feel your best. If you or someone you know has one or more of the following symptoms of kidney disease, or you are worried about kidney problems, see a doctor for blood and urine tests. Remember, many of the symptoms can be due to reasons other than kidney disease. The only way to know the cause of your symptoms is to see your doctor.

Symptom 1: Changes in Urination

Kidneys make urine, so when the kidneys are failing, the urine may change. How?
You may have to get up at night to urinate.
Urine may be foamy or bubbly. You may urinate more often, or in greater amounts than usual, with pale urine.
You may urinate less often, or in smaller amounts than usual with dark colored urine.
Your urine may contain blood.
You may feel pressure or have difficulty urinating.
What patients said:

"When you go to use the restroom, you couldn't get it all out. And it would still feel just like tightness down there, there was so much pressure."

"My urine is what I had started noticing. Then I was frequently going to the bathroom, and when I got there, nothing's happening. You think, 'Hey, I've got to go to the john,' and you get there: two, three drops."

"I was passing blood in my urine. It was so dark it looked like grape Kool-Aid. And when I went to the hospital they thought I was lying about what color it was."

Symptom 2: Swelling

Failing kidneys don't remove extra fluid, which builds up in your body causing swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, face, and/or hands.
What patients said:

"I remember a lot of swelling in my ankles. My ankles were so big I couldn't get my shoes on."

"My sister, her hair started to fall out, she was losing weight, but her face was really puffy, you know, and everything like that, before she found out what was going on with her."

"Going to work one morning, my left ankle was swollen, real swollen, and I was very exhausted just walking to the bus stop. And I knew then that I had to see a doctor."

Symptom 3: Fatigue

Healthy kidneys make a hormone called erythropoietin (a-rith'-ro-po'-uh-tin) that tells your body to make oxygen-carrying red blood cells. As the kidneys fail, they make less erythropoietin. With fewer red blood cells to carry oxygen, your muscles and brain become tired very quickly. This condition is called anemia, and it can be treated.
What patients said:

"I was constantly exhausted and didn't have any pep or anything."

"I would sleep a lot. I'd come home from work and get right in that bed."

"It's just like when you're extremely tired all the time. Fatigued, and you're just drained, even if you didn't do anything, just totally drained."

Symptom 4: Skin Rash/Itching

Kidneys remove wastes from the bloodstream. When the kidneys fail, the buildup of wastes in your blood can cause severe itching.
What patients said:

"It's not really a skin itch or anything, it's just right down to the bone. I had to get a brush and dig. My back was just bloody from scratching it so much."

"My skin had broke out, I was itching and scratching a lot."

Symptom 5: Metallic Taste in Mouth/Ammonia Breath

A buildup of wastes in the blood (called uremia) can make food taste different and cause bad breath. You may also notice that you stop liking to eat meat, or that you are losing weight because you just don't feel like eating.
What patients said:

"Foul taste in your mouth. Almost like you're drinking iron."

"You don't have the appetite you used to have."

"Before I started dialysis, I must have lost around about 10 pounds."

Symptom 6: Nausea and Vomiting

A severe buildup of wastes in the blood (uremia) can also cause nausea and vomiting. Loss of appetite can lead to weight loss.
What patients said:

"I had a lot of itching, and I was nauseated, throwing up all the time. I couldn't keep anything down in my stomach."

"When I got the nausea, I couldn't eat and I had a hard time taking my blood pressure pills."

Symptom 7: Shortness of Breath

Trouble catching your breath can be related to the kidneys in two ways. First, extra fluid in the body can build up in the lungs. And second, anemia (a shortage of oxygen-carrying red blood cells) can leave your body oxygen-starved and short of breath.
What patients said:

"At the times when I get the shortness of breath, it's alarming to me. It just fears me. I think maybe I might fall or something so I usually go sit down for awhile."

"I couldn't sleep at night. I couldn't catch my breath, like I was drowning or something. And, the bloating, can't breathe, can't walk anywhere. It was bad."

"You go up a set of stairs and you're out of breath, or you do work and you get tired and you have to stop."

Symptom 8: Feeling Cold

Anemia can make you feel cold all the time, even in a warm room.
What patients said:

"I notice sometimes I get really cold, I get chills."

"Sometimes I get really, really cold. It could be hot, and I'd be cold."

Symptom 9: Dizziness and Trouble Concentrating

Anemia related to kidney failure means that your brain is not getting enough oxygen. This can lead to memory problems, trouble with concentration, and dizziness.
What patients said:

"I know I mentioned to my wife that my memory—I couldn't remember what I did last week, or maybe what I had 2 days ago. I couldn't really concentrate, because I like to work crossword puzzles and read a lot."

"I was always tired and dizzy."

"It got to the point, like, I used to be at work, and all of the sudden I'd start getting dizzy. So I was thinking maybe it was my blood pressure or else diabetes was going bad. That's what was on my mind."

Symptom 10: Leg/Flank Pain

Some people with kidney problems may have pain in the back or side related to the affected kidney. Polycystic kidney disease, which causes large, fluid-filled cysts on the kidneys and sometimes the liver, can cause pain.
What patients said:

"About 2 years ago, I was constantly going to the bathroom all the time, the lower part of my back was always hurting and I was wondering why...and they diagnosed that kidney problem."

"And then you're having to get up all time through the night, and then you have the side ache, a backache, and you can't move."

"At night, I would get a pain in my side. It was worse than labor pain. And I'd be crying and my husband would get up, everybody, rubbing my legs."

Chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), also known as chronic renal disease, is a progressive loss in renal function over a period of months or years. The symptoms of worsening kidney function are unspecific, and might include feeling generally unwell and experiencing a reduced appetite. Often, chronic kidney disease is diagnosed as a result of screening of people known to be at risk of kidney problems, such as those with high blood pressure or diabetes and those with a blood relative with chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease may also be identified when it leads to one of its recognized complications, such as cardiovascular disease, anemia or pericarditis.[1]

Chronic kidney disease is identified by a blood test for creatinine. Higher levels of creatinine indicate a falling glomerular filtration rate and as a result a decreased capability of the kidneys to excrete waste products. Creatinine levels may be normal in the early stages of CKD, and the condition is discovered if urinalysis (testing of a urine sample) shows that the kidney is allowing the loss of protein or red blood cells into the urine. To fully investigate the underlying cause of kidney damage, various forms of medical imaging, blood tests and often renal biopsy (removing a small sample of kidney tissue) are employed to find out if there is a reversible cause for the kidney malfunction.[1] Recent professional guidelines classify the severity of chronic kidney disease in five stages, with stage 1 being the mildest and usually causing few symptoms and stage 5 being a severe illness with poor life expectancy if untreated. Stage 5 CKD is also called established chronic kidney disease and is synonymous with the now outdated terms end-stage renal disease (ESRD), chronic kidney failure (CKF) or chronic renal failure (CRF).[1]

There is no specific treatment unequivocally shown to slow the worsening of chronic kidney disease. If there is an underlying cause to CKD, such as vasculitis, this may be treated directly with treatments aimed to slow the damage. In more advanced stages, treatments may be required for anemia and bone disease. Severe CKD requires one of the forms of renal replacement therapy; this may be a form of dialysis, but ideally constitutes a kidney transplant.[1]

Precautions of Lung disease

Measures can be taken to prevent occupational respiratory and lung disease.

Workers should avoid smoking because it can increase the risk of developing an occupational respiratory or lung disease.

Workers that are at risk of breathing harmful particles should use a respirator. This device is worn over the mouth and nose and cleans the air before it is breathed into the body. Respirators should be fitted properly and the worker should learn how to use it correctly. It is important to clean the respirator after each use.

Workers that have been exposed to harmful substances should consult with a supervisor to establish procedures that decrease or eliminate the risk of exposure to these substances. Proper ventilation should be provided where a risk exists. Ventilation systems can remove harmful substances from the air. Work practices and changes should be put into place to reduce all exposure.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute makes the following recommendations to avoid inhaling harmful substances that cause disease:

Avoid smoking to decrease the likelihood of getting an occupational lung disease

Educate workers about the risks of occupational lung disease

Wear protective gear such as masks to avoid inhaling irritants or particles

Businesses can hire occupational health experts to examine the work environment for possible risks that may be present

Get a lung function evaluation in a physician’s office
Lower Respiratory Tract

Acute Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is number one on the disease list involving the lower respiratory tract. It is a swelling caused by viruses, bacteria and airborne allergens affecting the mucous membranes of the bronchial tubes.

Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is a carcinoma that is considered as one of the most life-threatening diseases in the lower respiratory tract. Carcinomas usually start in the covering or tissue linings of the lung such as the bronchial lining. The disease develops after a period of time that may take years to show any symptoms. At the time tumor begins to grow, the affected person may suffer wheezing, shortness of breath, hoarseness, coughing and chest pain. Ninety (90%) percent of lung cancer cases has been traced back to smoking cigarettes!

Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung disorder that causing in the inflammation and narrowing in the air passages. It is characterized by a whistling sound as the affected person breathes. Asthma also causes a feeling of tightness in the chest, shortness in breath and the usual coughing. Asthma is due to genetic factors and coming into contact with airborne allergens.

Pneumonia
The disease is characterized by an inflammation of the lungs which may be caused by viruses, bacteria or chemicals. Pneumonia is usually triggered when the body is weakened due to illness, old age or a weak immune system.

Tuberculosis
This is another bacterial chronic respiratory ailment usually affecting the lungs. The tuberculosis bacterium may spread through the air, but repeated exposure is usually the cause.

Once you feel anything unusual happening with your breathing, it is recommended that you see your physician at once!