What is Bactrim? - Uses and Side-Effects

Bactrim is a medication that contains a combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim are both antibiotics that treat different types of infection caused by bacteria. Bactrim is used to treat ear infections, urinary tract infections, bronchitis, traveler's diarrhea, and Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. Here is more on the usage, doses and side effects.


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How to use Bactrim

You should take this medication by mouth, as directed by your doctor, with a full glass of water. If stomach upset occurs, it’s best to take it with food or milk. Also, make sure to drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication to lower the risk of kidney stones forming, unless your doctor says otherwise. For the best effect, take this antibiotic at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time every day.

Side Effects

Some serious side effects have been connected to Bactrim. Common side effects of Bactrim include diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia, and skin reactions like hives or itching. This is not a complete list of Bactrim side effects.
For all patients taking Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim tablets):

• If you have an allergy to sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, or any other part of Bactrim DS.
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. You should tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or any other signs.
• If you have anemia caused by a lack of folic acid.
• If you have any of these health problems: Asthma, porphyria, not enough folate in the body, or poor nutrition.
• If you have been drinking alcohol for a long time or are taking a drug for seizures.

Warnings

Do not share this medication with others because it has been prescribed for your current condition only. Also, do not use it later for another infection unless your doctor tells you to. If taking this medication for an extended period, laboratory and/or medical tests should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Always consult your doctor for more details.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Bactrim only for the indication prescribed. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure that you are using the medication in the right way.

How to Become a Psychiatrist in 5 Steps

Psychiatry is the branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment as well as prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health, including substance use disorders. Psychiatrists are qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems. People seek psychiatric help for numerous reasons. The problems can be sudden, such as a panic attack, frightening hallucinations, thoughts of suicide, or hearing "voices.


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What does a psychiatrist do?

Psychiatrists assess all of your mental and physical symptoms. They make a diagnosis and work with you very thoroughly to develop a plan for your treatment and recovery. Psychiatrists provide psychological treatment, prescribe medications and even do some procedures.
As part of their work, a psychiatrist can:

• provide urgent care for a sudden mental illness
• help you to manage a long-term mental health condition
• provide advice about lifestyle changes
• work with you individually, or with you and your partner
• refer you to other health professionals

Types of Psychiatrists

There are a number of different specialty areas in psychiatry. Some different types of specialized psychiatrists include:

• Addiction psychiatrist: Works with people who have addiction and some substance abuse issues
• Adult psychiatrist: Works with adults experiencing mental illness or psychological problems
• Adolescent and child psychiatrist: Works with children and teens
• Forensic psychiatrist: Works in the courts and criminal justice system
• Geriatric psychiatrist: Works with elderly populations
• Neuropsychiatrist: Treats mental disorders associated with nervous system problems, brain diseases, and brain injuries
• Organizational psychiatrist: Practices psychiatry in workplace and organizational settings

Where do psychiatrists work?

Psychiatrists work in public and private hospitals, community mental health services and in private consulting rooms. Psychiatrists are very often involved in research, providing advice in legal matters, teaching and advocacy work. This means they also work in government departments, research centers and universities. Many psychiatrists take on a few different roles at the same time. They might spend part of their time at a public hospital and the rest seeing patients at their own private practice.

What Does a Proctologist Do?

Colorectal surgeons, also called proctologists, are physicians who specialize in the medical and surgical treatment of conditions that affect the lower digestive tract. Colorectal surgeons undergo extensive education and advanced training. They have comprehensive knowledge about general surgery and in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the colon, rectum, and anus.

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Job Description

Proctologists specialize in the preoperative, operative, and postoperative care of patients with colorectal disorders. Conditions treated by colon and rectal surgeons include the following:

• Anal abscess, anal fistula, and anal fissure
• Bowel incontinence
• Colorectal cancer
• Colorectal polyps
• Hemorrhoids
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; e.g., Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Rectal prolapse

Salary

Proctologists begin their careers with four to five years in a general surgical residency, followed by a year or more in a specialized fellowship. Their salaries fall into the mid-range for doctors' pay.

Median Incomes
According to specialty recruiting firm Profiles, the median salary of proctologists in their first year of practice was $292,000 per year in 2011. The American Medical Group Association, in a survey of physicians employed by its members in 2009, reported a median income of $394,723 for colorectal surgeons across the board.

Average Incomes
Proctologists' average incomes closely parallel the median incomes. Profiles report an average annual income of $389,700 for proctologists in their sixth year of practice, when most have passed the necessary exams to become board-certified. The Medical Group Management Association reported an average salary of $407,273 per year for colorectal surgeons in its 2011 survey.

Education

Proctologists are required to attend a four-year medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). Students must undergo an intensive curriculum including classroom, laboratory and clinical instruction. Classes during the first two years include physiology, biochemistry, anatomy, psychology, pharmacology, microbiology, medical ethics and laws and pathology. The final two years are spent gaining supervised clinical experience in specialties, such as obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, family practice, pediatrics, psychiatry and surgery. At the close of the program, graduates are conferred with a MD (Medical Doctor) degree.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2011 projects that demand for doctors will grow by 24 percent between 2010 and 2020. This is much higher than the average for all occupations. The bureau points out that the aging baby boom generation will account for a disproportionate percentage of health care. This is likely to create strong demand for proctologists, since hemorrhoids, cancers and many other conditions of the digestive tract are more common in the elderly.

7 Causes of Persistant Low Grade Fever

What does a low-grade fever mean? If you have a cold, or more commonly the flu, you may have a fever as well, but not all are the same. Fevers are defined as any body temperature above 98.6° F (37° C). Some people may talk about a low-grade fever versus a regular fever or a high-grade fever. These terms are not universally defined, but it is important to monitor the degree of your fever in the context of your cold or flu and take appropriate action to treat.


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Symptoms

Depending on what's causing your fever, additional fever signs and symptoms may include:

• Sweating
• Chills and shivering
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Irritability
• General weakness

A Regular Fever vs. a Low-Grade Fever (LGF)

You can monitor your fever by simply taking your temperature. A low-grade fever is often classified as an oral temperature that is above 98.6° F (37° C) but lower than 100.4° F (38° C) for a period of 24 hours. Fevers, though uncomfortable, play a key role in helping your body fight off many infections.

What causes low-grade fever?

Fevers often accompany infections. Body temperature can be elevated by physical activity and environmental factors, such as wearing heavy clothing or a high ambient temperature.
Infectious causes of low-grade fever:

• Bacterial infection, such as Strep throat or scarlet fever
• Cellulitis (skin infection)
• Childhood diseases, such as chickenpox, fifth disease, measles, mumps, whooping cough
• Cold, flu, or other viral infections
• Ear infection
• HIV or AIDS
• Lung infections, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and tuberculosis
• Mononucleosis
• Sinus infection
• Urinary tract infections

Common 8 Symptoms of Sleep Deprivation

The loss of sleep is a common problem in modern society, affecting many individuals at some point in their lives. Sleep deprivation occurs when an individual gets less sleep than they should. People vary in how little sleep is needed to be considered sleep-deprived. Some people such as older adults seem to be more resistant to the effects of sleep deprivation, while others, especially children and young adults, are more vulnerable. Although occasional sleep interruptions are generally a nuisance, ongoing lack of sleep can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness, emotional difficulties, obesity and a lowered perception of quality of life.

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Causes of Sleep Deprivation

What usually causes sleep deprivation in adults, and how do these causes differ from those in teens or even children? Research suggests that sleep deficiency is typically due to the following factors:

• A disorder that disrupts sleep, whether a thyroid disorder, dealing with pain, or something like acid reflux or sleep apnea. Snoring can also disturb sleep.
• A demanding, busy schedule.
• High amounts of stress.
• Effects of certain medications or stimulants.

Symptoms

The main symptom of ongoing sleep loss is excessive daytime sleepiness, but other symptoms include:

• yawning
• moodiness
• fatigue
• irritability
• depressed mood
• forgetfulness
• lack of motivation
• clumsiness
• reduced sex drive

Treatment

Treatment is only required when a person physically cannot get to sleep, due to either physical or psychological difficulties. A therapist or sleep specialist will be able to offer guidance and coping techniques for reaching a restful state and sleeping. There are two main avenues of treatment for sleep deprivation: Behavioral and cognitive measures and medications.

Examples of Asymptomatic Diseases

Common 8 Sleep Deprivation Symptoms

The loss of sleep is a common problem in modern society, affecting many individuals at some point in their lives. Sleep deprivation occurs when an individual gets less sleep than they should. People vary in how little sleep is needed to be considered sleep-deprived. Some people such as older adults seem to be more resistant to the effects of sleep deprivation, while others, especially children and young adults, are more vulnerable.


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Causes of Sleep Deprivation

What usually causes sleep deprivation in adults, and how do these causes differ from those in teens or even children? Research suggests that sleep deficiency is typically due to the following factors:

• A disorder that disrupts sleep, whether a thyroid disorder, dealing with pain, or something like acid reflux or sleep apnea. Snoring can also disturb sleep.
• A demanding, busy schedule.
• High amounts of stress.
• Effects of certain medications or stimulants.
• Eating a poor diet that can lead to blood sugar fluctuations.
• Eating too close to bedtime, or not eating enough with dinner/later in the day (such as if you’re fasting).

Symptoms

The main symptom of ongoing sleep loss is excessive daytime sleepiness, but other symptoms include:

• yawning
• moodiness
• fatigue
• irritability
• depressed mood
• forgetfulness
• lack of motivation
• clumsiness
• reduced sex drive

What is Difference Psychologist vs Psychiatrist

If you have mental health concerns, you should definitely seek help and someone you can talk to. But where do you go? How do you know what type of doctor you should talk to? Do you look for a psychiatrist or psychologist? If you’re unsure what the difference is, you’re not alone. There’s a lot of confusion out there. There are similarities, but there are important differences, too.


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The four main differences between psychiatrists and psychologists are:

• Psychiatrists are medical doctors, psychologists are not.
• Psychiatrists prescribe medication, psychologists can’t.
• Psychiatrists tend to treat complex and serious mental illness, psychologists tend to treat less serious conditions.
• You need a referral from your GP to see a psychiatrist, while you don’t for a psychologist.

How they’re Alike

Psychiatrists and psychologists are different types of doctors trained to help you deal with mental health issues. Both are there to talk you through your problems. Their goal is to provide you with the means to manage the issues in your everyday life. Although there are differences in the two fields, psychiatrists and psychologists often work together in the treatment of patients. A psychologist is not able to write prescriptions, but may recommend a patient be seen by a fellow psychiatrist in order to receive medications

Treatments provided

Psychiatrists can provide a wide range of treatments, according to the particular problem and what will work best. These include:

• medication
• general medical care, including checking your physical health and the effects of medication
• psychological treatments
• brain stimulation therapies such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
• Psychologists focus on providing psychological treatments.

Conditions treated

Psychiatrists tend to treat people who need their medical, psychological and social needs considered. These are usually people with complex conditions, for example:

• severe depression
• schizophrenia
• bipolar disorder.

Someone who has attempted suicide or has suicidal thoughts will usually be seen by a psychiatrist.

Causes of Pain Between Shoulder Blades

Shoulder blade pain is a very common experience, with causes ranging from simple strains to serious conditions, such as heart attacks or liver problems. Determining the cause of shoulder blade pain can be difficult. People experiencing shoulder blade pain need to know the possible reasons for the pain and what precautions to take.

Causes

There are many possible causes for pain between your shoulder blades. An injury to a muscle or tendon is a common reason for this type of pain. Muscle strains can result from:

• heavy lifting
• poor posture
• working at a computer for extended periods of time
• exercise

Sometimes, you can even strain a muscle during sleep. Injuries to other parts of your body, such as rotator cuff tears, spine fractures, or other injuries that cause trauma, can also lead to pain between your shoulder blades.

Other causes for shoulder blade pain include:

• degenerative disc disease, or a herniated or bulging disc in the spine
• scoliosis
• osteoarthritis in the joints around your neck, spine, or ribs
• spinal stenosis, or a narrowing of your spinal cord
• acid reflux
• fibromyalgia
• certain cancers, such as lung cancer, lymphomas, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, mesothelioma, and cancers that spread to bones
• nerve compression

Diagnosis

Your doctor will begin by taking a careful history and doing a physical exam. Many causes of shoulder blade pain can be diagnosed based on your medical history. Doctor will perform a careful physical exam, yet studies suggest that it’s often difficult to diagnose the cause of shoulder blade pain based on physical exam alone. Other tests and studies may include:

• Radiological studies. Radiologic studies may include a chest x-ray, a CT scan of your chest or other regions of your body, an MRI of your chest or other regions, and/or a PET scan if you have a history of cancer.
• Heart tests. If your doctor is at all concerned that your pain may be originating in your heart, tests such as an EKG or stress test may be recommended.

Treatment

Treatment depends largely on the exact cause of the pain. For simple cases of overuse, strain, or sleeping poorly, a person may be able to try a range of treatments from home. These may include:

• rest
• ice
• medications, such as ibuprofen
• medicated rubs and ointments
• stretching
• massages

What is Extrinsic Motivation?

Extrinsic motivation is reward-driven behavior. It’s a type of operant conditioning. Operant conditioning is a form of behavior modification that uses rewards or punishments to increase or decrease the likelihood that specific behaviors will recur. In extrinsic motivation, rewards or other incentives, like praise, fame, or money, are used as motivation for specific activities. Unlike intrinsic motivation, external factors drive this form of motivation. Being paid to do a job is an example of extrinsic motivation. You may enjoy spending your day doing something other than work, but you’re motivated to go to work because you need a paycheck to pay your bills. In this example, you’re extrinsically motivated by the ability to afford your daily expenses.

Extrinsic Motivation Can Involve Tangible or Psychological Rewards

Extrinsic motivation is defined as our tendency to engage in activities in order to gain some type of external reward. It is important to note that these rewards can be either tangible or psychological in nature. Money and trophies are two common types of tangible rewards. People engage in activities that they might normally not find terribly enjoyable or rewarding in order to earn a wage. Athletes often engage in strenuous and difficult training sessions in order to be able to compete in sporting events in order to win trophies and awards. Psychological forms of extrinsic motivation can include praise.

Examples of extrinsic motivation

Examples of external extrinsic rewards include:

• competing in sports for trophies
• completing work for money
• customer loyalty discounts
• buy one, get one free sales
• frequent flyer rewards

How Effective Is Extrinsic Motivation?

So just how well do extrinsic rewards work for increasing motivation? This type of motivation can be highly effective. Just look at all of the examples in your own life of things that you do in order to gain some type of external reward. You might shop with a store loyalty card in order to gain points, discounts, and prizes.

Understanding the Results

Why would rewarding an already intrinsically rewarding behavior lead to this sudden disinterest? One reason is that people tend to analyze their own motivations for engaging in an activity. Once they have been externally rewarded for performing an action, they assign too much importance to the role of the reinforcement in their behavior. Another possible reason is that activities that initially feel like play or fun can be transformed into work or obligations when tied to an external reward.

Causes and Signs of Wrist Tendinitis

Wrist tendinitis, also called tenosynovitis, is a common condition characterized by irritation and inflammation of the tendons around the wrist joint. Wrist tendinitis usually affects one of the tendons, but it may also involve two or more. Often, wrist tendinitis occurs at points where the tendons cross each other or pass over a bony prominence.

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Symptoms

The symptoms of tendinitis include:

• Pain or tenderness at or near a joint, especially around a shoulder, wrist, elbow, or ankle
• Stiffness that, along with the pain, restricts the movement of the joint involved
• Mild swelling or thickening of the tendon near the joint

Causes

Wrist tendinitis is an overuse condition which occurs due to repetitive strain or friction of the tendon. It usually occurs in a tendon which rubs over a bony prominence or where excessive repetitive strain has been placed on the tendon. Whilst tendinitis is the most common term used to describe this injury, it is often technically incorrect. Investigations and biopsies have often found no inflammatory cells present. Wrist tendinitis symptoms and treatment are usually the same whether the injury is inflammation or degeneration.

Diagnosis

Tendinitis is typically diagnosed by a physical exam alone. If you have the symptoms of overuse tendinopathy, your doctor may order an ultrasound or MRI scans to help determine tendon thickening, dislocations and tears.

Treatment

Rest from aggravating activities. Continuing to use the wrist when it is painful will prevent healing and could make the injury worse. A chronic tendon injury that has not been looked after in the early days is much more difficult to treat. Wearing a wrist splint or support may help with resting, particularly if you need to use your hands. By immobilizing the wrist the tendons have to work a lot less and have a chance of healing. Apply cold therapy to ease pain and swelling particularly in the early days or when the wrist tendinitis is very painful. Preventing Future Problems

7 Benefits of Oatmeal Baths

When you have itchy skin, you want to stop the itch as soon as possible. Sometimes, you have no anti-itch medications around, and you can’t get to a pharmacy. A home remedy can often be found in your kitchen. Oatmeal baths can soothe skin that’s itching from any one of a number of causes, from poison ivy to pregnancy-related conditions. Oatmeal is made from common oats, Avena sativa.


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How to Prepare an Oatmeal Bath

If you're using a store-bought product, follow the directions on the package. Dermatologists suggest:

• Make sure the water is lukewarm, not hot.
• Sprinkle the recommended amount or 1 cup of your DIY oatmeal under running water as the tub fills.
• Soak for about 10-15 minutes.
• After the bath, gently pat yourself dry so your skin still feels damp.

1. Polyphenols in oatmeal soothe the skin

Research points to polyphenols called avenanthramides, found mainly in oats, for their ability to soothe itching and irritated skin. Avenanthramides exhibit anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and anti-itching activity.

2. Itchy skin remedy

Itchy, dry skin often has a high pH level, but oatmeal can help normalize your skin’s pH, which can relieve itchy, uncomfortable skin. Oatmeal baths also soften and moisturize your skin, which helps lock in moisture and protect skin from exterior irritants.

3. Calms atopic dermatitis or eczema

Topical corticosteroids are the first-line treatment for eczema, and have been used widely for decades to treat various inflammatory skin conditions. But when applied daily for long periods of time, topical corticosteroids can produce unwanted side effects. Some of these include:

• Thinning of the skin
• Stretch marks
• Easy bruising and tearing of the skin

4. Face wash

Oatmeal contains chemicals known as saponins that are characterized by their intense cleansing properties. Saponins are commonly added to shampoos and detergents for its emulsifying and foaming abilities that create a rich lather. This makes oatmeal ideal to use as a face mask, cleanser or soap for every skin type, especially sensitive skin.

5. Relieves dryness

Oats impart a protective layer over the skin’s surface, which helps retain its natural moisture. During your oatmeal bath, the natural starches in oats will absorb water and bind to your skin. And the polyphenols or avenanthramides will work to relieve your dry skin.

Causes of Floating Poop

Stools normally sink in the toilet. But your diet and other factors can cause your stools to change in structure. This may result in floating. Floating stools are usually nothing to be concerned about. They’re not always a symptom of an illness or disease. Your stools will most likely return to normal without any treatment.


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Causes

Many things can cause floating stools. Naturally, floating stools are due to what you eat. A change in your diet may cause an increase in gas. Increased gas in the stool allows it to float. Floating stools may also happen if you have a gastrointestinal infection. Floating, greasy stools may be due to severe malabsorption, especially if you are losing weight. Malabsorption means your body is not properly absorbing nutrients.

Celiac disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that causes damage to the lining of the small intestine when gluten is eaten. Gluten is a protein found mainly in wheat products. Currently, there is no cure for celiac disease. The symptoms go away when gluten is avoided.

Cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited and often fatal disease that causes an excess production of thick mucus in the lungs and digestive tract. The excess mucus in the pancreas prevents the proper absorption of nutrients, which can cause floating stools.

Symptoms

There are a number of symptoms that a person could experience. However, the signs that appear for one person may be different from what appears for another. It all depends on what the underlying cause is. Here’s a list of some of the typical symptoms:

• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Abdominal swelling or bloating
• Abnormally foul-smelling stools
• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Bloody stool (the blood may be red, black texture)

Is Influenza Contagious?

Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Flu is highly contagious and is normally spread by the coughs and sneezes of an infected person. Although very unpleasant, flu is rarely life-threatening. You can also catch flu by touching an infected person by shaking hands for example. Adults are contagious 1-2 days before getting symptoms and up to 7 days after becoming ill. This means that you can spread the influenza virus before you even know you are infected.


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Signs and symptoms

Seasonal influenza is characterized by a sudden onset of fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, severe malaise, sore throat and a runny nose. The cough can be severe and can last 2 or more weeks. Most people recover from fever and other symptoms within a week without requiring medical attention. But influenza can cause severe illness or death especially in people at high risk.
Illnesses range from mild to severe and even death in some cases. Hospitalization and death occur mainly among high risk groups. Worldwide, these annual epidemics are estimated to result in about 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness, and about 290 000 to 650 000 deaths. The effects of seasonal influenza epidemics in developing countries are not fully known, but research estimates that 99% of deaths in children under 5 years of age with influenza related lower respiratory tract infections are found in developing countries.

Causes

There are many different strains of the flu virus, and they mutate often. This is why people continue to come down with the flu year after year. The flu is a very contagious illness that spreads easily. Coughs and sneezes are strong enough to transmit droplets from the mouth and nose. You can also get the flu through personal contact, saliva, and by touching contaminated surfaces such as doorknobs or faucets. When someone else breathes in those respiratory droplets or touches any contaminated object and then touches their nose, mouth, or eyes, the virus spreads. A person is contagious with the flu from one day before symptoms appear to up to five days after becoming sick.

Causes of Black Stool

Black stool isn't always due to a big problem. There are many reasons stool could appear black, and iron supplements or even coffee could be to blame. This is especially true for people who have had ostomy surgery or a colectomy, because food is not being digested as fully as it is in people who have not had any abdominal surgery. However, if you have had gastrointestinal bleeding in the past, there is a foul smell, or the problem goes on for longer than a few days, that's a good enough reason to see your doctor.


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Causes

Black, Tarry Stools

Bleeding in the upper portion of your digestive system can cause black, tarry stools. Ulcers or another form of irritation in your esophagus or stomach known as gastritis can often cause bleeding. When the blood mixes with digestive fluids, it takes on the appearance of tar. Certain medications can also lead to black-colored stools. Iron supplements and bismuth-based medications, for example, can darken your stools. Sometimes, serious blood and circulation abnormalities in your digestive system can cause black, tarry stools. These can include the following:

• Bowel ischemia is a reduction of blood flow to the intestines.
• Vascular malformation is misshapen veins.
• Varices are large, protruding veins in the intestines.

Dietary Causes

The foods you eat can cause your stools to appear bloody, black or tarry. Eating red or black foods can give your feces a dark color without the existence of blood. The following can discolor your bowel movements:

• black licorice
• blueberries
• dark chocolate cookies
• beets
• red fruit punch

Symptoms

Black stools are a worrisome symptom because it may be due to a large amount of bleeding into the GI tract, most often from the upper GI tract including the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Red blood cells are broken down by digestive enzymes in the intestine and turn the stool black. These stools tend to be tarry (sticky), and very bad smelling. This can be a medical emergency and black tarry stools should not be ignored. Blood from nosebleeds or from dental procedures or mouth injuries can be swallowed and may be the cause of black stool.

7 Home Remedies for Stomach Ulcers

Stomach ulcers, also known as gastric ulcers, are open sores within the lining of the stomach. They are a type of peptic ulcer, meaning having to do with acid. Because of the amount of acid present in the stomach and the damage that can occur, they are often extremely painful. The most common cause of stomach ulcers is the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Ulcers may also be caused by overuse of painkillers. Stomach ulcers are treated with antibiotics and medications to reduce and block stomach acid.

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1. Cabbage Juice
Cabbage is a popular natural ulcer remedy. Doctors reportedly used it decades before antibiotics were available to help heal stomach ulcers. It’s rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant shown to help prevent and treat H. pylori infections.

2. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice
Don’t let that long first word give you a stomach ache. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice is just plain old licorice with the sweet flavor extracted. According to researchers, deglycyrrhizinated licorice might help ulcers heal by inhibiting the growth of H. pylori. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice is available as a supplement.

3. Honey
Honey is an antioxidant-rich food linked to a variety of health benefits. These include improved eye health and a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke and even certain types of cancer. Honey also appears to prevent the formation and promote the healing of many wounds, including ulcers.

4. Garlic
Garlic extract has been shown to inhibit H. pylori growth in lab, animal, and human trials. If you don’t like the taste of garlic, you can take garlic extract in supplemental form. Garlic acts as a blood thinner, so ask your doctor before taking it if you use warfarin (Coumadin), other prescription blood thinners, or aspirin.

5. Turmeric
Turmeric is a South Asian spice used in many Indian dishes. It’s easily recognizable by its rich yellow color. Curcumin, turmeric’s active ingredient, has been attributed to medicinal properties. These range from improved blood vessel function to reduced inflammation and heart disease risk.

Causes of Mucus in Stool

A small amount of mucus in stool is most of the time nothing to worry about. Stool normally contains a small amount of mucus, a jelly-like substance that your intestines make to keep the lining of your colon moist and lubricated. But you should definitely talk to your doctor if you notice an increased amount of mucus in stool, especially if it begins happening regularly or if it's accompanied by bleeding or a change in bowel habits. Larger amounts of mucus in stool, associated with diarrhea, may be caused by certain intestinal infections.


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Causes
The mucous membrane of the large intestine helps stool to pass. A "normal" bowel movement will not produce much mucus. Yellow or clear mucus is present in such little amounts that the naked eye would not notice it. When stool has visible mucus, it can be a sign of bacterial infections, anal fissures, a bowel obstruction, or Crohn's disease. This type of warning sign is the body's way of saying stop, look, and listen.
Other signs to look for:

• Increased amounts of mucus
• Blood or pus in the stool
• Stomach pain, cramping, or bloating
• Sudden changes in stool frequency, consistency, or color

Diagnosis
There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for abnormal mucus in the stool. To treat the excess mucus, your doctor will need to diagnose and treat any underlying problems, which may be related to inflammation in your colon. If additional information is needed, your doctor may request more tests. These may include:

• blood test
• stool culture
• urinalysis
• colonoscopy
• endoscopy

Micropenis Causes and Treatment

Many men worry about the size of their penis. However, not many realize that there is an actual medical condition where the size of the penis is referred to as a “Micropenis”. But how small actually is a Micropenis? What causes the condition? And how is it treated? As the prefix ‘micro’ suggests, people with a Micropenis have a small penis. But how small exactly is a Micropenis? The condition refers to any penis which, when stretched, is 2.5 standard deviations below the mean size for the age of the patient. What does 2.5 standard deviations below the mean work out as? In adults, the condition refers to any penis smaller than 2.8 inches in length. In infants, a Micropenis is classed as any penis that is less than 0.75 inches in length.


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Causes
Many things can cause a micropenis, but testosterone can play a big factor. Growth of the penis both before birth and during childhood and puberty is strongly influenced by testosterone. To a lesser degree, the growth hormone can also affect whether a guy gets a tiny penis.

What is the treatment for micropenis?
Specific treatment for micropenis will be determined by your child's doctor based on:

• Your child's age, overall health, and medical history
• The extent of the condition
• Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• Your opinion or preference 

There is no real cure for micropenis. Hormone therapy may be indicated for some children to stimulate penile growth. Other treatment options will be discussed with you.

Symptoms of Pupps Rash

Also known as polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP), PUPPS (Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy) can be extremely uncommon and only affects around 1% pregnancies. It doesn’t hurt the mother of the baby. However, it can cause quite a bit of discomfort for women. The rash is small bumps that erupt near the stretch marks, sometime in the third trimester. Some cases may appear earlier and cover more than just the abdomen.



Source
Symptoms
Typically, the PUPPP rash will appear during the third trimester of pregnancy. Your baby’s growth rate is very rapid during this time, especially during the last five weeks of pregnancy. It’s most likely to occur during a first pregnancy and during a multiples pregnancy, where the skin stretches even more. During your pregnancy, sometimes your skin stretches faster than your skin cells can keep up with. This can cause stretch marks to appear.

PUPPP usually begins on the abdomen and spreads to other extremities within a few days. The rash appears as small, pink spots that appear in the stretch marks. Eventually, the rash may start to come together and form large, red, plaque-like areas. Blisters can sometimes form around the rash. These plaques can then spread from the stomach to the:

• buttocks
• thighs
• arms
• legs

Causes
No one’s really sure what the causes are. Unlike most other symptoms of pregnancy, PUPPP doesn't appear to be the result of increased hormone levels. One theory suggests that fetal cells invade the mother's skin during pregnancy, causing an itchy belly to develop. Another theory says that it is genetic and can be traced through the father's side. In any case, PUPPP usually appears in the third trimester and disappears after childbirth.

Symptoms of Mono

Infectious mononucleosis is a common infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
It is also known as glandular fever, the kissing disease, and mono. Symptoms of infectious mononucleosis include fatigue, sore throat, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. There is no treatment for mono, but the care involves resting and drinking plenty of fluids.


Source
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of mononucleosis are fever, sore throat, swollen glands and fatigue. Symptoms usually develop between four to six weeks after exposure to the EBV. Other signs and symptoms of mononucleosis may include the following:

• headache,
• rash,
• malaise,
• tonsillitis,
• body aches,
• enlarged spleen and/or liver,
• difficulty breathing.

Treatment
The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms. Steroid medicine may be given if your symptoms are severe. Antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir, have little or no benefit.
To relieve typical symptoms:

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Gargle with warm salt water to ease a sore throat.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and fever.

Make sure to call a health-care provider for an appointment if any of the signs or symptoms of mononucleosis appear. Diagnosis of the illness by a health-care provider is important to make sure that it is not another medical condition that may require more extensive medical evaluation and treatment.