5 of the Most Common Infectious Diseases

Thursday, November 25, 2010

An infectious disease is a disease caused by bacterial, viral, fungal or protozoan infection. The diseases can be spread from one person to another or from animals to humans. Infectious diseases kill more people worldwide than any other single cause. Vaccines, proper hand washing and medicines can help prevent infections. Here is a list of 5 of the Most Common Infectious Diseases:

Meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that covers the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. The inflammation can be caused by an infection with bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites or other microorganisms and in rare cases by certain drugs. Symptoms of meningitis can appear suddenly and often include stiff neck, high fever, severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, confusion, sleepiness and difficulty waking up. In infants, symptoms are less specific and can include irritability, loss of appetite and fever.The disease can be life-threatening and result in coma, shock and death.There are several types of meningitis, such as acute bacterial meningitis, viral meningitis, chronic meningitis and aseptic meningitis. The treatment depends on the type of meningitis. Usually, the most serious and deadly type is acute bacterial meningitis as it develops very quickly in a matter of hours or days. Some forms of bacterial meningitis are preventable with vaccinations such as: Meningococcal conjugate vaccine, Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine and Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.

Rotavirus

Rotavirus is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis worldwide and of severe diarrhea among infants and young children. Almost 600,000 children die annually from complications of the rotavirus. There are five species of rotavirus: A, B, C, D, and E; rotavirus A causes more than 90% of infections. Almost every child 5 years and younger at some point will be infected with rotavirus at least once, but with each infection, immunity develops.The disease is characterized by vomiting, dry or sticky mouth, abdominal pain, diarrhea and fever and has an incubation period of two days. The symptoms may last from three to eight days. If left untreated it can lead to dehydration and death. Rotavirus is highly contagious and it spreads through fecal-oral route of transmission (children can transmit the virus when they forget to wash their hands after using the toilet or before eating). The treatment consists of increased fluid intake to prevent dehydration and about one in 40 children needs hospitalization for intravenous fluid. Outbreaks of rotavirus A are common among hospitalized infants and young children attending day care centers. The main way to prevent rotavirus is through vaccination. There are two available vaccines: Rotarix and RotaTeq.

Measles

Measles also known as Rubeola is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by a virus, a paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus. It is spread through respiration, coughing, sneezing and direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions. The virus can remain contagious and active in the air or for up to two hours. An infected person can transmit the disease from four days prior to the onset of the rash to four days after the rash erupts. The initial symptoms include: fever (it can rise as much as 40°C - 104°F), cough, runny nose (coryza), red eyes (conjuctivitis) and loss of appetite. Two to four days after the onset of initial symptoms the characteristic rash begins to develop starting on the face and spreading to the torso and then arms and legs."Koplik spots", small grayish spots on the inside of the cheek, can also develop, but are not often seen as they usually disappear within a day. As the rash begins to clear up the skin can shed in some cases. Measles is usually a mild disease, but complications can occur, ranging from diarrhea to pneumonia and encephalitis. There is no specific medical treatment and the virus has to run its course. Children are usually immunized by the age of 18 months through the MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella) vaccine. Sadly in less developed countries, where vaccines are not available and complications appear due to unsanitary conditions and inadequate care, Measles is the main cause of death among young children.

Japanese Encephalitis

Japanese Encephalitis is a disease that is spread to humans by infected mosquitoes. The Japanese encephalitis virus is a virus from the family Flaviviridae and is closely related to St. Louis encephalitis and West Nile virus. The disease is more prevalent in rural areas in East and Southeast Asia and is the leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia. Annually, between 30.000 and 50.000 cases are being reported. The vast majority of infections are asymptomatic, only 1 in 250 infections develops into encephalitis. Japanese encephalitis has an incubation period of 5 to 15 days and the virus initially propagates at the site of the bite and in regional lymph nodes.The onset of the disease is marked by severe rigor marks and in some cases fever, vomiting and headaches. Symptoms that develop during the acute encephalitic stage include neck stiffness, hemiparesis (weakness in one half of the body), high fever (ranging between 38°C and 41°C), cachexia (loss of weight, muscle atrophy, fatigue, weakness and loss of appetite), convulsions, disorientation, coma and paralysis. About 1 in 4 cases of severe infections with encephalitis results in death. Most symptomatic infections occur in young children and elderly people. Japanese encephalitis vaccine can prevent the disease, but is not 100% effective precautions to avoid mosquito bites must also be taken.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an an inflammatory condition of the lung which is usually caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. It can also be caused by a fungal infection, yeast infection and trauma. People afflicted by pneumonia initially have symptoms of a cold : sneezing, sore throat, cough, followed by a high fever, nausea, headaches, vomiting, chills and a cough with sputum production. In rare cases, skin color may become dusky or purplish (cyanosis) due to blood being poorly oxygenated. If left untreated pneumonia can develop serious complications such as empyema, pleural effusion, lung abscess, acute respiratory distress syndrome, respiratory failureand sepsis.These complications can lead to death. Pneumonia can affect people in all parts of the world. It is a major cause of death among all age groups and is the leading cause of death in children and the elderly living in low income countries. More cases occur during autumn and winter. The disease occurs more often in males than in females. People with underlying conditions such as cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer's disease, AIDS, cancer, emphysema and tobacco smoking are more at risk and more likely to develop pneumonia more than once.

The dangers of sleep deprivation

Friday, November 19, 2010

You may think that you are getting more done and leading a more productive life by shaving hours of sleep off of your day each night, but there are problems with this that may end up biting you later on down the road. A lack of sleep can do more damage than you think. You may feel tired and sluggish a bit, but that is not all that is going on when you are not sleeping enough each night. Eight hours is great, though some need more and some need less, but you do have to make sure you get what your body requires or things could get ugly.



One thing that can happen with a lack of sleep is that you are going to have trouble concentrating and remembering. You may think that when you read something and memorize it, you are then going to remember it, but that is not true. You are putting it in your short term memory, but in order to do well with that information in the future, you have to sleep on it. You do not truly remember or learn anything until you have slept. That is when your brain stores something away for good. If you suffer from a lack of sleep, you are going to have trouble recalling important information you need for a test or at work.

A lack of sleep can also harm your health because your body needs the right amount of sleep to repair all of the things that have happened to it during the day. Your body heals all of the damage from the day, including getting rid of toxins and other things that you must remove from your system. Without this time, you are going to get sick more often and not feel as well as you could. A lack of sleep can show up in your skin and in the bags under your eyes too – not the look most of us are going to for.

Stress is something that is often attributed to a lack of sleep. This may have a lot to do with you giving not only your body but also your mind the down time it needs to relax. When you are tense, you may keep your muscles clenched whether you realize it or not. Sleep alleviates that. Your dreams are also something that help you deal with stress by working things out in your mind. A lack of sleep means a lack of dream time. If you are still clenching muscles while sleeping and your dreams are violent, you may need more than sleep to get rid of your stress though.

You can avoid a lack of sleep by figuring out how much you need to function at your peak. For some people this is as little as four hours a night (though that is rare), and some need as much as ten. Most people fall into the middle somewhere, with a lack of sleep occurring if they get less than eight to six hours a night. Sleep for a predetermined number of hours a night for a week and see how you feel. If you are not doing well, add an hour. If you find that you are doing well but feel as if you are sleeping too much, try to cut back an hour and see how it goes. You'll soon figure out what you need to be healthy, strong, and productive in your life.

Preventing your top 5 threats

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

These top 5 threats to a men's health can all be prevented. Help yourself live a longer, healthier life!

Do you know the top 5 greatest threats to men's health? The list contains the top 5 threats and how to prevent them.Consider this top 5 list of men's health threats, compiled from statistics provided by health departments, leading organizations and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from USA. Follow the below mentioned steps to promote men's health and reduce your risks.



No. 1 - Heart disease


Heart disease mainly affects older people. Nonetheless it is the leading men's health threat. To maintain a healthy heart and reduce the risk of heart disease and cardiovascular disease, it's important that you:


  • Have a healthy balanced diet that contains a variety of foods including plenty of fruit and vegetables, plenty of starchy foods such as wholegrain bread, pasta and rice, some protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs and lentils and some dairy foods.

  • Don't smoke and avoid any exposure to second-hand smoke.

  • If you suffer from high blood pressure or high cholesterol follow your doctor's treatment.

  • If you suffer from diabetes, keep your blood sugar level under control.

  • Make exercise a daily habit.

  • Reach a Healthy Weight and maintain it.

  • Manage stress.

  • If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation. Too much can raise your blood pressure.


No. 2 - Cancer


Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women and men both in the United States and throughout the world. This is mostly due to cigarette smoking, according to the American and many other Cancer Societies. Lung cancer is often followed by colorectal and prostate cancer. Prevent cancer:

  • Don't smoke and avoid any exposure to second-hand smoke.

  • Make exercise a daily habit.

  • Reach a Healthy Weight and maintain it.

  • Have a healthy balanced diet that contains a variety of foods including plenty of fruit and vegetables, plenty of starchy foods such as wholegrain bread, pasta and rice, some protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs and lentils and some dairy foods.

  • Research shows that limited sun exposure is good for us. Limit your exposure to the sun and use sunscreen.

  • If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation. Too much can raise your blood pressure.

  • Have regular cancer screenings.

  • Keep away from carcinogens (potential cancer-causing substances), such as asbestos, radiation, air pollution and radon.


No. 3 - Injuries


The leading cause of fatal accidents among men is automobile crashed. Many die after

suffering fatal injuries. Reduce the risk of a deadly crash by:

  • Always Wearing a seat belt.

  • Obeying the speed rules and driving under the speed limit.

  • Don't drive while feeling sleepy.

  • Don't drive under the influence.


Falls and poisoning are other leading causes of fatal accidents. Always take common-sense precautions.


No. 4 - Stroke


Stroke is sometimes caused by factors beyond our control: such as age, family history and race. In order to avoid having a stroke:


  • Don't smoke and avoid any exposure to second-hand smoke.

  • If you suffer from high blood pressure or high cholesterol, follow your doctor's recommended treatment.

  • Avoid consuming saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet. Also, avoid trans fat entirely.

  • Reach a Healthy Weight and maintain it.

  • Make exercise a daily habit.

  • If you suffer from diabetes, keep your blood sugar level under control.

  • If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation. Too much can raise your blood pressure.


No. 5 - COPD


COPD or Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a group of chronic lung conditions, such as emphysema and bronchitis. Prevent COPD:


  • Minimize your exposure to various chemicals and pollution from the air.

  • Don't smoke and avoid any exposure to second-hand smoke.


Take health threats seriously!


Although all of the above health risks can be scary there is no reason to panic. Do everything you can do in order to have a healthy lifestyle.

Rare Diseases: Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Monday, November 15, 2010

Guillain–Barré Syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. The syndrome was named after French physicians Georges Guillain, Jean Alexandre Barré and André Strohl. In 1916 they published a report in which they recorded and interpreted the tendon reflexes of their patients and recognized the peripheral nature of the illness. It is sometimes called Landry's paralysis after the French physician Jean Landry that in 1859 published a report on 10 patients with an ascending paralysis. The syndrome affects 1 or 2 people per 100.000. It can occur at any age, but is most common in people of both sexes between ages 30 and 50. GBS is a single disorder; however, it has several variant forms.The exact cause of Guillain-Barré Syndrome is unknown, but it often follows a minor infection, such as a lung infection, respiratory infection or gastrointestinal infection. It is frequently severe and the first symptoms include varying degrees of weakness or tingling sensations in the legs that can spread to the upper limbs and the face along with complete loss of deep tendon reflexes. The syndrome is one of the leading causes of acute non-trauma-induced paralysis in the world. Early symptoms of GBS can include fatigue, pain in the back of head, severe muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain and migraines. These symptoms can increase in intensity until certain muscles cannot be used and in severe cases lead to paralysis. The majority of patients require hospitalization and more than 30% require ventilatory assistance, as the lower cranial nerves can be affected, leading to bulbar weakness, difficulty swallowing and respiratory difficulties. Causes of death include respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, pulmonary emboli and cardiac arrest.Recovery usually starts after the fourth week from the onset of the disorder. With prompt treatment by plasmapheresis or intravenous immunoglobulins and supportive care, up to 85% of patients with GBS achieve a full and functional recovery within 6-18 months, but 5-10% recover with severe disability. The syndrome can also occur with other medical conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus, Hodgkin's disease and AIDS. It is believed Guillain-Barré Syndrome can be a rare side-effect of influenza vaccines, as there were reports of GBS affecting 10 per million who had received swine flu immunizations in the 1976 U.S. outbreak of swine flu.

5 Excruciating Pains and Ways to Relieve Them

Saturday, November 13, 2010

These are the 5 most common, painful and distressing pains that afflict most of us. Here are 5 excruciating, distressing pains and natural and/or quick first aids (WARNING: Make sure to consult your physician if you exhibit any of these symptoms so you can receive appropriate treatment):

Toothaches

By far the sharpest pain that a person can feel is a toothache. A toothache, also known as odontalgia is a pain around the teeth or jaws primarily as a result of a dental condition. Gingivitis, periodontitis, dental infection, decay, injury, loss or extraction of a tooth are the most common causes of toothaches. Nerve centers of the head are extremely receptive and make you feel pain at the highest level.Rinse your mouth with some alcohol, such as vodka and chew two or three cloves of cinnamon. Alcohol and cinnamon have disinfectant and anesthetic effects.

Back pains

Few are fortunate enough not to experience this pain at least once in life. One study showed that 9 in 10 adults suffer from back pains, and many of them feel it in the lower back, a condition also called lumbago. The painful “shocks” sometimes can make you stay stuck in bent position. The pains are reactions of the muscular system and sometimes symptoms of a deformed spine.To relieve the pain, apply to the painful area a warm/hot bag of salt to relax your muscles. Moreover, you can wear a back brace from time to time, to keep you warm and also help with your posture.

Neck cramps

In medical terms this painful and distressing condition called is called torticollis. This is manifested by a painful contraction of neck muscles and limiting the rotation of the head. Cramps usually occur when you make an over-effort, too sudden neck movement or an incorrect position during sleep.Muscle contraction can be treated effectively with heat. Place a warm bag of salt on the painful spot and soon you will feel an improvement. For a quicker effect, massage the area with an anti-inflammatory ointment.

Intestinal cramps

We often confront with stomach upset; it is a very common disorder of the intestine and can be a recurrent condition. Indigestion usually causes these painful cramps. Moreover, a diet low in fiber and liquid or a bowel infection brings about this symptom.A linden tea will calm your stomach, or an analgesic or antispasmodic medication. Start a healthy diet with natural juices, and a diet that contains more vegetables, dairy products rich in probiotocs and whole grains.

Migraines

A migraine is a type of headache that is extremely painful and persistent. There are many factors that cause migraines, from cold air and exercise, to lack of sleep and fluids in the body, or even more serious neurological conditions. They are three times more common in women than in men.Migraine can be ameliorated or even temporarily cured if you inhale and exhale in the palm cup or a bag for a minute. An analgesic drug can also help, or if you can, take a nap. Do not forget to drink plenty of fluids.

5 Endemic Tropical Diseases

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Tropical diseases are diseases that occur in tropical and subtropical regions. The term is often used to refer to infectious diseases that thrive in hot, humid conditions. The most common disease carriers are insects such as mosquitoes and flies. Vaccines are not available for any of the diseases listed here; in fact vaccines are not available for the majority of tropical diseases. Here are 5 Endemic Tropical Diseases:


Onchocerciasis
Onchocerciasis, also known as Robles Disease or river blindness is a parasitic disease caused by the worm Onchocerca volvulus and transmitted through the bite of a blackfly of the genus Simulium. Almost 18 million infections occur mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, but it can also affect the Middle East and South America. The infection is much less likely to develop in visitors to affected areas as many bites are necessary before the infection causes symptoms. Symptoms can include: rashes, excessive skin pigmentation, loss of skin pigmentation, blurred vision, cataracts, skin itching, swelling, and inflammation, skin atrophy and blindness. Onchocerciasis is the second-leading infectious cause of blindness in the world. Currently, the disease is endemic to 30 African countries, Yemen and 6 Central and South America countries. In mass drug administration programs, the treatment for Onchocerciasis is Ivermectin and for individual treatment, doxycycline and/or rifampicin are used.

Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia or snail fever is a chronic, parasitic disease caused by trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma. There are two major forms of schistosomiasis: intestinal and urogenital .Symptoms vary with the species of worm and the phase of infection and they can include: fever, chills, cough, swimmer's itch, liver and spleen enlargement, abdominal pain, diarrhea (can be bloody in some cases), hematuria and painful urination. Although the disease has a low mortality rate, it can damage internal organs and impair growth and cognitive development in children. It is believed more than 207 million people are infected worldwide. Schistosomiasis is most commonly found in Asia, Africa and South America and is the second most common tropical disease after malaria. It is treated with one oral dose taken annualy of the drug praziquantel, an anthelmintic effective against flatworms.

African trypanosomiasis
African trypanosomiasis also known as sleeping sickness, Congo trypanosomiasis and African lethargy is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei, a flagellate (organism with a propulsive tail) that lives in the blood of the host. The disease is usually transmitted by the tsetse fly, a type of large biting flies that inhabit much of mid-continental Africa, but it can also be transmitted through blood transfusions and sexual contact. Sleeping sickness takes two forms, depending on the parasite involved: Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (T.b.r.), it is the rarest and deadliest form and is found in eastern and southern Africa and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (T.b.g.) that is found in west and central Africa and accounts for over 95% of reported cases of sleeping sickness. Symptoms of the disease include: headaches, fever, insomnia, increased sleepiness during the day, mood changes, swollen lymph nodes on the body and swollen, painful nodule at the site of fly bite. Without treatment, the disruption of the sleep cycle can lead to coma and death.

Dengue fever
Dengue fever, also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever, breakbone or dandy fever is a benign acute febrile syndrome occurring in tropical regions and is caused by a family of viruses called Flaviviridae that are transmitted by mosquitoes. Because it is caused by one of four serotypes of virus, it is possible to get Dengue fever multiple times; however an attack of dengue produces immunity for a lifetime to that particular serotype. The symptoms of dengue fever can be similar to symptoms of influenza and include: fever, headaches, nausea, lymph nodes, joint pain, rashes, bone pain, vomiting and fatigue. Symptoms may vary in severity between individuals. In Dengue hemorrhagic fever symptoms include uncontrolled bleeding or hemorrhage, hypotension and can lead to death. Untreated, the disease has a 50% mortality rate. Dengue fever causes more than 100 million cases of acute febrile disease annually and is endemic in 112 countries. There is no tested and approved vaccine for the dengue virus.

Leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoa of the Leishmania species and spread by the bite of infected sand flies. Infection can cause different manifestations, but the most common are: cutaneous leishmaniasis, also known as Biskra button, Delhi boil, Kandahar sore or Lahore sore accounts for most cases; visceral leishmaniasis also known as black fever and Dumdum fever, the most severe form of the disease and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, also known as Leishmaniasis Americana or Espundia. The main symptom of leishmaniasis is skin sores that can erupt weeks or even months after the person is bitten by sand flies. Other symptoms may include fever, anemia, headaches, weight loss, swollen glands and damage to the spleen and liver. Each year there are 1.5 million cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis and 500.000 cases of visceral leishmaniasis. The disease can be found in 88 countries within Central and South America, Africa, India, the Middle East, Asia, southern Europe and the Mediterranean.

5 Alcoholic Writers

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Alcoholism is a disabling addictive disorder characterized by compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcohol. Whether to find inspiration, to improve social skills or marked by awful childhoods, many writers had a life-long relationship with alcohol. Here are 5 Alcoholic Writers:

Malcolm Lowry
Malcolm Lowry (28 July 1909 - 26 June 1957) was a British poet and novelist. His most well known novel is the semi-autobiographical „Under the Volcano”, and it tells the story of Geoffrey Firmin, an alcoholic British consul in the small Mexican town of Quauhnahuac on the Day of the Dead in 1938. By the time he had graduated from college Lowry had become well known as a great writer and a heavy drinker. His life was marked by depression and alcohol-induced breakdowns (at 27 he entered Bellevue Hospital following an alcohol-induced breakdown). During his last years he traveled around Europe, America and the Caribbean accompanied by his second wife who shared his passion for alcohol. He died from an overdose of sleeping pills mixed with alcohol; his official cause of death was "death by misadventure".

William Sydney Porter – “O. Henry”
William Sydney Porter (11 September 1862 -5 June 1910) was an American writer. He used the pseudonym O. Henry and among his most well known short-stories are: "The Gift of the Magi", "A Retrieved Reformation", "The Ransom of Red Chief" and "The Cop and the Anthem". When he was three his mother died and he was raised by his grandmother and aunt as his alcoholic father could not take care of him. He had different jobs, including pharmacist, a ranch hand in Texas, draftsman, bank clerk and columnist. While working as a bank clerk for the First National Bank of Austin he was accused of embezzlement and spent three years in prison. His stories brought him success, but Porter continued to drink heavily. He died a poor man on June 5, 1910; the cause of death was of cirrhosis of the liver.

Charles Bukowski
Charles Bukowski (16 August 1920 – 9 March 1994) was an American poet, novelist and short story writer. He was noted for his stories of survival and heavy drinking; Time magazine called Bukowski a "laureate of American lowlife". Often severely beaten by his brutal, disciplinarian father and afflicted by acute acne, Bukowski discovered alcohol at thirteen, starting a “relationship” that deeply influenced his writing and lifestyle. He was a heavy drinker until his death at the age of 73 from leukemia. “I have a feeling that drinking is a form of suicide where you're allowed to return to life and begin all over the next day. It's like killing yourself, and then you're reborn. I guess I've lived about ten or fifteen thousand lives by now.”

Arthur Koestler
Arthur Koestler (5 September 1905 - 3 March 1983) was a Hungarian-born British author of essays, novels and autobiographies. His best-known novel is “Darkness at Noon” and tells the tale of Rubashov, a Bolshevik old guard and 1917 revolutionary who is cast out, imprisoned, and tried for treason by the Soviet government he once helped create. His work and social life were fueled by alcohol and Benzedrine as well as occasional experiments with hallucinogens. He was known as a heavy drinker and womanizer, English historian David Cesarani even alleged that Koestler had been a serial rapist, but his claims have been disputed. Diagnosed at first with Parkinson's disease in 1976, and three years later with leukemia, Koestler and his wife killed themselves on 1 March 1983 with an overdose of barbiturates taken with alcohol.

James Agee
James Rufus Agee (27 November 1909 - 16 May 1955) was an American author, poet, journalist, screenwriter and film critic. He is best known for his autobiographical novel “A Death in the Family”, for which he won a posthumous Pulitzer Prize. It has been speculated that his alcoholism was a result of the abandonment felt when his father died in a car accident when he was six and being placed into a boarding school by his mother afterwards. His considerable career as a screenwriter was cut short by his alcoholism. At 41 he suffered his first in a series of heart attacks brought on by his heavy drinking and smoking. Four years later he suffered a fatal heart attack while in a taxi cab en route to a doctor's appointment.

To be continued...

5 Cases of Xenoglossia

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Xenoglossia, also known as Xenoglossy, is a paranormal phenomenon in which a person is able to speak and/or write in an unknown and unlearned foreign language. The term comes from the Greek xenos (foreign) and glossa (tongue, language) and was coined by French physiologist Charles Richet around the turn of the 20th century. Xenoglossy is rare and usually exhibited under hypnosis. There are two types of xenoglossy: recitative, in which the the person recites words and/or phrases of a foreign language without understanding them and responsive, in which a person is able to converse in an unlearned language. Responsive xenoglossy is more common.
While the existence of xenoglossy is not accepted by linguists and psychologists, there have been some documented cases. Psychiatrist and parapsychologist Ian Stevenson documented a few cases he considered genuine. Here are 5 cases of Xenoglossia:

Rosemary
Rosemary’s case is one of the most famous cases of Xenoglossia. Three books on the Rosemary case have been published and two gramophone discs of xenoglossy have been recorded. “Rosemary” was a young girl from Blackpool, England who in 1931 began to speak in an ancient Egyptian dialect and claimed she was under the influence of a Babylonian princess named Telika-Ventiu. Supposedly the princess was Pharaoh Amenhotep III's wife and lived 3300 years ago. Philosopher C. J. Ducasse wrote about her case but he based his study solely on the works of Dr. Frederic H. Wood. Wood claimed that during more than 1000 language tests the girl had spoken over 5000 phrases and was able to translate Egyptian words and phrases. Rosemary was never tested by a panel of experts.

Dolores Jay
Gretchen is the personality of a teenage German girl manifested by an American housewife named Dolores Jay in hypnotic sessions held between 1970 and 1974. The sessions were conducted by her Methodist minister husband. Although during later hypnotic sessions Mrs. Jay studied a German dictionary in an effort to learn enough German to please her husband, Stevenson concluded that her ability to speak German was genuine. By that point she had already spontaneously produced more than 200 words. Linguist Sarah Thomason reanalyzed her case and concluded that although no fraud was involved, Gretchen could not speak German.

Swarnlatta Mishra
Swarnlatta Mishra was born in Pradesh in India 1948 and in 1961 her case was studied by psychiatrist Ian Stevenson. The young woman, who supposedly had never been exposed to the Bengali language and only spoke Hindu, could sing songs in Bengali and perform native Bengali dances. She claimed she was the reincarnation of a Bengali woman named Biya Pathak who had learned the songs and dances in her previous life. She even visited the woman’s family and she related more details of the woman’s life. She apparently identified all family members and was able to pass different tests the family, Professor Sri H. N. Banerjee and Dr. Stevenson subjected her to.

Jensen
Jensen Jacoby is a male personality manifested by a thirty-seven years old American housewife, under hypnosis conducted by her physician husband. The case was recorded by parapsychologist Ian Stevenson. Apparently she was able to converse in Swedish, although not fluently. Stevenson had the woman take two polygraph tests, a word association test, a language aptitude test, obtained signed statements from her, her husband, and other relatives and acquaintances attesting that she spoke no Scandinavian and that there were no periods in her life when she could have learned Swedish secretly. A reanalysis of the case concluded that Jensen was not able to speak Swedish.

Uttara Huddar
Uttara Huddar began manifesting the personality called Sharada that spoke Bengali. The woman normally spoke Marathi, an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western and central India. Unlike Stevenson’s other cases, the personality emerged „spontaneously, although almost certainly first when the subject...was in an altered state of consciousness”. Sharada first appeared in 1974 while Uttara Huddar was in the hospital undergoing psychiatric treatment. The woman had previously attempted to learn Bengali and had read Bengali novels in translation. Stevenson had her recordings of her speaking Bengali analyzed by experts, but they disagreed among themselves.

Nigella seeds: the miraculous Black Seed

Friday, November 5, 2010

Black seed (Nigella sativa) is considered to be one of the greatest healing herbs and has been used for millenniums to improve general health. Nigella seeds are also known as fennel flower, nutmeg flower, Roman coriander, black seed, black caraway and black cumin, and are derived from a plant named Nigella sativa. Nigella sativa is an annual flowering plant, believed to be indigenous to the Mediterranean region but has been cultivated into other parts of the world, mostly southwest Asia. The plant reproduces with itself and forms a fruit capsule which consists of many seeds. When the fruit capsule matures, it opens up and the seeds are exposed to the air, becoming black in color.

Black cumin seeds have been consumed for centuries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia where they are known as "Habat-Ul-Sauda" and "Kalonji".The seeds are both a spice and traditional medicine. They are used to treat hepatic and digestive disorders, fever, headaches and skin diseases, strengthen the immune system, cleanse the body, purify the blood and support longevity. The plant was discovered in Tutankhamen's tomb and the earliest written reference to black seed is in the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament. Greek physician Dioscoredes wrote that black seeds were taken to treat headaches, toothache, nasal congestion, intestinal worms and as a diuretic to promote menstruation and increase milk production. Physician and philosopher Ibn Sina, also known as Avicenna, refers to black seeds as having an effect "that stimulates the body's energy and helps recovery from fatigue or dispiritedness". Prophet Muhammad recommended the seeds: "Use this Black seed, it has a cure for every disease except death". The seeds were used to treat diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, rheumatism and other inflammatory diseases, to improve digestion, to increase milk production in mothers, to support the body's immune system. The oil made from seeds has been used to treat skin conditions such as eczema and boils and to treat cold symptoms.
Black seed contains 21% protein, 38% carbohydrates and 35% plant fats and oils. It also contains Linoleic acid, Oleic, Calcium, Potassium, Iron, Zinc, Magnesium, Selenium, Vitamins A, B, B2 and C. Since the 1960s there are numerous ongoing studies on the effects of Black seed. The research has shown that the seeds: have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, broncho-dilating and antimycotic effects; stimulate bone marrow and immune cells; protect normal cells against viruses; destroy tumor cells and raise the number of anti-bodies.
Black seed can be used in different ways:
-as a dietary supplement (the usual recommendation is one teaspoon once or twice a day);
-oil can be mixed into any cold liquid or yogurt or it can be applied for arthritis, eczema and psoriasis;
-Black seed can be used as a spice in various vegetable or meat recipes (uncooked the seeds have little flavor, but when cooked they have a peppery and smoky taste, similar to Oregano);
-the herb can be mixed with any hot or cold beverage or food;
You can grow your own plant of Nigella sativa and when the plant develops seed pods after flowering, you can hang them upside down for several days to dry them, or shake the seeds loose and dry them in the sun for a few days.

7 Paraphilias and/or sexual fetishes

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Paraphilia is a medical or behavioral science term for what is also referred to as: sexual deviation, sexual anomaly, sexual perversion or a disorder of sexual preference. It is the repeated, intense sexual arousal to unconventional (socially deviant) stimuli. The word comes from the Greek „para” (beside, aside) and „philos” (loving) and was coined by physician and psychologist Wilhelm Stekel in the 1920s. Paraphilias tend to begin during early puberty, reaching full development by the age of 20 and are found mostly in males. Treatments include Psychoanalysis, hypnosis, behavior therapy, cognitive therapy and/or drug therapy, but usually treatment is not generally be sought until the condition becomes problematic for the person or others. Here are 7 paraphilias:


Lactophilia
Lactophilia, better known as erotic lactation or milk fetishism, is an attraction to lactating breasts or an attraction to milk, usually when being ingested. It becomes a fetish when the act of breastfeeding or the sight of milk is the main way to achieve arousal and it becomes an obsession. It sometimes overlaps with the next paraphilia on our list.

Maiesiophilia

Maiesiophilia, also known as pregnancy fetishism is a sexual fetish for pregnant women or women who appear pregnant, lactation and/or childbirth. Maiesiophiles are predominantly male, but females can also have the fetish. What causes Maiesiophilia is still debated, but the attraction to pregnancy starts during teenage years.

Vorarephilia
Vorarephilia is a sexual fetish and paraphilia where arousal occurs from the idea of being eaten, eating another, watching others being eaten or by the process of eating. The word is comes from the Latin vorare (to swallow or to devour). Since the fetish is hard to achieve in real life, Vorarephilia is typically considered an "imaginary fetish".

Hybristophilia
Hybristophilia, better known as "Bonnie and Clyde Syndrome" comes from the Greek root hybridzein (to commit an outrageous offense). Defined as an attraction to people who have committed an outrage or a violent crime, this syndrome may manifest itself merely as an attraction to pop or movie stars it may result in an irresistible compulsion to seek partners with violent pasts. It is more common in women.

Salirophilia
Salirophilia is a paraphilia involves deriving pleasure from soiling or spoiling or disheveling their partner or pathological interest in dirt and filth. The partner is usually attractive and the sexual gratification arises from actions such as covering them in filth, messing their hair or tearing their clothing. Usually no violence is involved in this fetish.

Sthenolagnia
Sthenolagnia is a fetish defined as sexual arousal resulting from seeing muscles or a display of strength. It is found both in men and women, in all sexual orientations and it does not include violence. The fantasy usually involves a bodybuilder, a fitness competitor or a wrestler. Cratolagnia is a related fetish as it involves getting sexually aroused from display of strength.

Mechanophilia
Mechanophilia is a paraphilia describing a sexual attraction to machines (bicycles, motor vehicles, helicopters, airplanes, computers, robots or androids) and sometimes involves fantasies of sexual relations between living organisms and machines. It usually develops during 5 and 7 years old and it is more common among females.

5 Food Allergies: Causes, Symptoms and Prevention

Monday, November 1, 2010

Food allergy is an abnormal response to a food triggered by the body's immune system. It is believed 3% of adults and 6%-8% of children have allergic reactions to food. A severe case of allergic reaction can cause anaphylactic shock which can lead to death. Milk, eggs, tree nuts, seafood, fruit, soy, wheat and peanuts are responsible for 90% of allergic reactions to food. Here are 5 types of food allergies and their cases, symptoms and ways to prevent severe reactions:


Tree nut allergy
Tree nut allergies are a very common food allergy that affects millions of people. Tree nut allergy is distinct from peanut allergy. Tree nuts that cause allergies are almonds, hickory nuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, chestnuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, beechnuts, pistachios and walnuts. Very rarely people are allergic to only one type of tree nut and usually it is recommended to avoid all types. This allergy is usually lifelong. Symptoms include cough, itching, sinus pain, nausea, vomiting, facial redness, facial swelling, insomnia, headaches, wheezing, sneezing and throat swelling. Tree nut allergies are especially likely to cause anaphylaxis and people with this allergy are usually prescribed injectable epinephrine.


Fruit allergy
Fruit allergy is a very rare food allergy, an adverse reaction by the body's immune system to fruit or food containing fruit. It is extremely rare for a person to be allergic to all fruits. The fruits that mostly cause fruit allergies are peaches, apricots, apples, bananas, water melons, papayas , kiwis, and strawberries. The symptoms are usually mild and they very rarely result in anaphylaxis. Signs and symptoms include nausea, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, voice loss, abdominal pain and redness, rash and/or blistering around lips. In some cases even skin contact with fruit juices can cause rashes itchy and watery eyes, sneezing and cold. Cooking or removing the skin of the fruit prior to consuming it can minimize the symptoms, but the main avoiding the fruits or group of fruits that cause allergic reactions is the best possible prevention.


Egg allergy
Egg allergy is a type of food allergy in which substances from the yolk and/or whites of eggs cause an overreaction of the immune system. Allergy to egg white is more frequent. It is a common childhood allergy, but most children outgrow it by the time that they are seven. Usually those allergic to chicken eggs are also vulnerable to other kinds of eggs like quails and ducks and in some cases can even become allergic to chicken meat. Symptoms may include watery eyes, rashes, itchy eyes, sneezing, asthma, abdominal pain, runny nose, skin redness and abdominal cramps. People with egg allergy can also develop a reaction to flu vaccines and usually skin tests should be taken and if negative, a small amount of the vaccine is administered.


Seafood allergy
Seafood allergy is a hypersensitivity to dietary substances from shellfish, scaly fish or crustaceans. It is one of the most common food allergies and it mainly affects adults, but in rare cases children can also become allergic. Each kind of selfish contains different allergy-causing proteins. Iodine is not related to the protein that causes shellfish allergies. Allergic reactions can occur when the person consumes seafood, is exposed to vapors from cooking of seafood or even when handling it. Shrimp is the considered the most allergenic. The most common symptoms are angioedema, hives, swallowing problems, itchy mouth and nausea. Shellfish allergies are one of the major causes of anaphylactic shock. Some people are allergic to only one type of shellfish, but others must avoid all seafood.


Milk allergy
Milk allergy is a food allergy, an adverse immune reaction to one or more of the proteins in the milk of different animals (cow, sheep, goat, buffalo). It is one of the most common food allergies in children. Approximately 85-90% of affected children outgrow a milk allergy once they surpass 3 years of age. It is possible for adults to develop a milk allergy with no childhood history of allergies. When milk is ingested the body's immune system produces immunoglobulin E and histamine. Signs and symptoms can include: abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea, constipation, asthma, runny nose, hives, lip swelling, breathing problems, lightheadedness, low blood pressure and itching. In rare cases milk allergy can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction. Rice milk, soy milk, oat milk, coconut milk and almond milk can be used as milk substitutes and for infants special infant formulas are available.