Surgery may be considered for very selected people with advanced emphysema. In this condition, millions of the lungs' tiny air sacs (alveoli) stretch out of shape or rupture. As these thin, fragile air sacs become damaged or destroyed, they can form large non-functioning air pockets. They can be removed with lung volume reduction surgery, making more room for the healthier parts to function better.
An abscess, a pocket of pus, can arise in any part of the body. The three most common causes of bowel abscesses are diverticulitis, appendicitis and Crohn’s disease, an autoimmune disease causing inflammation of intestines.
If you have the misfortune to be stung, it’s normal for a sting to hurt for several hours. Put cold compresses on the painful and swollen area and take a painkiller and an antihistamine. (Cold compresses and ice cubes work for mosquito bites, too.) If the pain continues and the swelling extends considerably beyond where you were stung, you should contact your doctor. An allergic sting reaction can be life-threatening and even fatal, though the severity of the reaction can vary from one instance to the next. If you have experienced a severe allergic reaction to an insect sting, then you could have a similar or worse reaction if you’re stung again. Always carry two epinephrine autoinjectors and consider wearing a medical bracelet or other identification for stinging insect allergy.
As men age, they often develop benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The prostate gland can grow from the size of a walnut to about the size of a lemon. It's not clear why the prostate grows like this, but it's believed certain male hormones such as dihydrotestosterone tend to act more strongly on the prostate gland later in life. Because the prostate is located just below the bladder, when it becomes larger it can place pressure on the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder through the penis and out of the body. This may lead to a variety of urinary symptoms.
Exercises can be helpful for spondylolisthesis. Some commonly recommended exercises include:
• Back flexion – Lying on your back, bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor. Pull one knee up toward your chest and hold it there with your hands clasping the knee. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds, then return to the starting position. Pull the other knee up and hold it there for 5-10 seconds. Alternate knees for 3 cycles.
• Pelvic tilt – Lying on your back, bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor. Flatten your lower back against the floor and hold that position for 5-10 seconds, then relax. Repeat 3 times.
• “Bird-dog” stretch – Start out on your hands and knees with knees under the hips and hands under the shoulders. Extend your right arm straight ahead and your left leg straight behind. Hold for 5 seconds. Then, return to all fours and repeat with the opposite arm and leg, holding for 5 seconds. Continue alternating for 5 cycles.
These exercises can be repeated several times a day. Discontinue any of these exercises if they increase discomfort or cause new symptoms. Working with a physical therapist is often helpful to individualize your exercise program.
Cervical spondylosis refers to the neck (‘cervical’), spine (‘spondyl-’) and an abnormal condition (‘-osis”). In medical use, it applies to a number of age-related, degenerative processes in the upper spine, including disease of the:
• discs
• joints
• ligaments
• bones
Cervical spondylosis is quite common and while it may cause no symptoms, it is a leading cause of neck pain, stiffness, and nerve compression in the upper spine among people age 50 and older.
Dietary choices can make a big difference in how well gout is controlled.
Foods that may contribute to more gout attacks and poorer control of gout include:
• Alcoholic beverages (although wine may have less impact)
• Organ meats (such as liver or kidney)
• Foods or drinks sweetened with high fructose corn syrup
• Wild game and red meats
• Certain fish and seafood, including scallops, trout, and tuna
• High fat dairy products
These foods can be eaten in moderation, not necessarily avoided entirely. However, some people notice that certain foods trigger attacks so limiting those foods makes sense.
Foods and nutrients that tend to be well-tolerated for people with gout include:
• Nuts, peanut butter
• Low-fat dairy products
• Coffee
• Fruits (especially cherries) and vegetables
• Vitamin C
Finally, choosing a diet that helps maintain a healthy weight may be at least as important as avoiding or favoring certain foods.
The effect of caffeine on blood pressure varies considerably. For many, even heavy use doesn’t raise it. But for some, even a small amount can significantly raise the systolic blood pressure (the top number). Most studies have been done on regular coffee. Higher consumption over a short period of time is most predictive of a spike in blood pressure. Otherwise research results looking at longer term effects of daily moderate coffee consumption have shown different results, even in people with known hypertension.
Clogged arteries is most often caused by fatty plague buildup in the walls of the arteries, which reduces blood flow to heart muscle cells. You can prevent developing clogged arteries by doing the following:
• Quit smoking
• Eat a healthy diet
• Reduce your LDL (bad) cholesterol
• Reduce high blood pressure
• Lose weight
• Exercise.
If left untreated, clogged arteries will continue to build plaque, increasing the risk of having a heart attack, heart failure, a stroke or painful legs from peripheral artery disease.
You can place any of several substances into the ear canal to help soften hardened wax for easier removal. For example, commercial over-the-counter ear drops, hydrogen peroxide, baby oil, and mineral oil are safe. (Note: If you use hydrogen peroxide, follow with a rubbing alcohol rinse to dry up any leftover liquid.) However, they should not be used if you have an active ear infection or a perforated eardrum, or if you’ve had surgery on the ear.