Your Oral Health Care Plan

Good oral health involves more than just brushing. To keep your teeth and mouth healthy for a lifetime of use, there are steps that you should follow. Here's what you should consider:

1. Understand your own oral health needs.

Talk with your dentist, other oral health care specialist, or hygienist about any special conditions in your mouth and any ways in which your medical/health conditions affect your teeth or oral health. For example, cancer treatments, pregnancy, heart diseases, diabetes, dental appliances (dentures, braces) can all impact your oral health and may necessitate a change in the care of your mouth and/or teeth.

2. Develop, then follow, a daily oral health routine.

Based on discussions with your oral health care provider about health conditions you may have, develop an oral health routine that is easy to follow on a daily basis. For example, people with special conditions, including pregnancy and diabetes, may require additional instruction and perhaps treatments to keep their mouth healthy. Make sure you understand the additional care and/or treatment that is needed, commit to the extra tasks, and work them into your daily health routine.

3. Use fluoride.

Children and adults benefit from fluoride use. Fluoride strengthens developing teeth in children and prevents tooth decay in both children and adults. Toothpastes and mouth rinses contain fluoride. Fluoride levels in tap water may not be high enough without supplementation to prevent tooth decay. Contact your water utility to determine the level for your area. Talk with your dentist about your fluoride needs. Ask if fluoride supplements or a higher strength, prescription fluoride product is necessary for you.

4. Brush and floss daily.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day (morning and before bed time) and floss at least once a day. Better still, brush after every meal and snack. These activities remove plaque, which if not removed, combines with sugars to form acids that lead to tooth decay. Bacterial plaque also causes gum disease and other periodontal diseases.

Antibacterial mouth rinse can reduce bacteria that cause plaque and gum disease, and fluoride mouth rinse can help prevent tooth decay, according to the American Dental Association.

5. Eat a balanced diet and limit snacking.

Eat a variety of foods, but eat fewer foods that contain sugars and starches (for example, cookies, cakes, pies, candies, ice cream, dried fruits and raisins, soft drinks, potato chips). These foods produce the most acids in the mouth, which begin the decay process. If you do snack, brush teeth afterward or chew sugarless gum.

6. If you use tobacco products, quit.

Smoking cigarettes or using smokeless tobacco products increases the risk of oral cancer and cancers of the larynx, pharynx and esophagus; gum disease; bad breath; tooth discoloration; and other oral and general health problems.

7. Examine your mouth regularly.

Become familiar with the appearance of your own mouth and teeth through frequent examination. This way, you will be able to catch any changes at an early stage and have these changes examined by a dentist. Look for the development of any spots, lesions, cuts, swellings, or growths on your gums, tongue, cheeks, inside of your lips, and floor and roof of your mouth. Examine your teeth for any signs of chipping or cracking, discoloration, and looseness. If you experience a change in your bite or develop pain, call your dentist as soon as possible. An oral exam is particularly important to conduct if you are a tobacco user, since you are at an increased risk of developing oral cancer.

8. Visit your dentist regularly.

The standard recommendation is to visit your dentist twice a year for check-ups and cleanings. Talk with your dentist about the frequency that is best for you.

9. Develop a partnership with your dentist.

Don't be afraid to ask your dentist for more information if you don't understand a treatment or procedure. You should be able to have a free and frank discussion with your dentist.

HIV/AIDS

Symptoms of HIV/AIDS :

Many people do not develop symptoms after getting infected with HIV. Some people have a flu-like illness within several days to weeks after exposure to the virus. They complain of fever, headache, tiredness, and enlarged lymph glands in the neck. These symptoms usually disappear on their own within a few weeks.

    * Following initial infection, you may have no symptoms. The progression of disease varies widely among individuals.

          o During this period, the virus continues to multiply actively and infects and kills the cells of the immune system. The immune system allows us to fight against the bacteria, viruses, and other infectious causes.

          o The virus destroys the cells that are the primary infection fighters, called CD4+ or T4 cells.

    * Once the immune system weakens, a person infected with HIV can develop the following symptoms:

          o Lack of energy

          o Weight loss

          o Frequent fevers and sweats

          o Persistent or frequent yeast infections

          o Persistent skin rashes or flaky skin

          o Short-term memory loss

          o Mouth, genital, or anal sores from herpes infections.

    * AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. The definition of AIDS includes all HIV-infected people who have fewer than 200 CD4+ cells per microliter of blood. The definition also includes 26 conditions that are common in advanced HIV disease but that rarely occur in healthy people. Most of these conditions are infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and other organisms. Opportunistic infections are common in people with AIDS. Nearly every organ system is affected. Some of the common symptoms include the following:

          o Cough and shortness of breath

          o Seizures and lack of coordination

          o Difficult or painful swallowing

          o Mental symptoms such as confusion and forgetfulness

          o Severe and persistent diarrhea

          o Fever

          o Vision loss

          o Nausea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting

          o Weight loss and extreme fatigue

          o Severe headaches with neck stiffness

          o Coma

    * People with AIDS are prone to develop various cancers such as Kaposi sarcoma, cervical cancer, and cancers of the immune system known as lymphomas. Kaposi sarcoma causes round, brown, reddish or purple spots that develop in the skin or in the mouth. After the diagnosis of AIDS is made, the average survival time has been estimated to be 2-3 years.


Treatments of HIV/AIDS :


There is no cure for HIV/AIDS, but a variety of drugs can be used in combination to control the virus. Each of the classes of anti-HIV drugs blocks the virus in different ways. It's best to combine at least three drugs from two different classes to avoid creating strains of HIV that are immune to single drugs. The classes of anti-HIV drugs include:

    * Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). NNRTIs disable a protein needed by HIV to make copies of itself. Examples include efavirenz (Sustiva), etravirine (Intelence) and nevirapine (Viramune).
    * Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). NRTIs are faulty versions of building blocks that HIV needs to make copies of itself. Examples include Abacavir (Ziagen), and the combination drugs emtricitabine and tenofovir (Truvada), and lamivudine and zidovudine (Combivir).
    * Protease inhibitors (PIs). PIs disable protease, another protein that HIV needs to make copies of itself. Examples include atazanavir (Reyataz), darunavir (Prezista), fosamprenavir (Lexiva) and ritonavir (Norvir).
    * Entry or fusion inhibitors. These drugs block HIV's entry into CD4 cells. Examples include enfuvirtide (Fuzeon) and maraviroc (Selzentry).
    * Integrase inhibitors. Raltegravir (Isentress) works by disabling integrase, a protein that HIV uses to insert its genetic material into CD4 cells.



When to start treatment

Current guidelines indicate that treatment should begin if:

    * You have severe symptoms
    * Your CD4 count is under 500
    * You're pregnant
    * You have HIV-related kidney disease
    * You're being treated for hepatitis B


Treatment can be difficult

HIV treatment regimens may involve taking multiple pills at specific times every day for the rest of your life. Side effects can include:

    * Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
    * Abnormal heartbeats
    * Shortness of breath
    * Skin rash
    * Weakened bones
    * Bone death, particularly in the hip joints


Treatment response

Your response to any treatment is measured by your viral load and CD4 counts. Viral load should be tested at the start of treatment and then every three to four months while you're undergoing therapy. CD4 counts should be checked every three to six months.

HIV treatment should reduce your viral load to the point that it's undetectable. That doesn't mean your HIV is gone. It just means that the test is not sensitive enough to detect it. You can still transmit HIV to others when your viral load is undetectable.

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

High blood pressure is known as the "silent killer" because it often has no symptoms. Left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, or blindness. Making some lifestyle changes and taking any prescribed medication should keep your blood pressure under control.

Hypertension puts a strain on the heart by increasing its need for oxygen making it work harder than normal, over time this also causes the walls of the arteries harden. Hypertension is a major health problem, especially because it has no obvious symptoms. Many people have hypertension without showing any obvious symptoms. If you do not know your blood pressure, you should have it taken.

Symptoms of Hypertension :
One of the symptoms of hypertension is chronic headaches. When you get chronic headaches that last for days (rather than hours) you should immediately see a doctor and get your blood pressure checked.

 >>Dizziness or Vertigo
 >>Blurry or double vision.
 >>Drowsiness
 >>Nausea
 >>Shortness of breath. Usually when this occurs people start to get a little concerned. Often by this time though the blood pressure has probably reached high enough levels to be dangerous as this is one of the last symptoms of hypertension you'll experience.
>> Heart palpitations
 >>Fatigue - general tiredness
 >>A flushed face
 >>Nosebleeds
 >>A strong need to urinate often (especially during the night)
 >>Tinnitus (a ringing or buzzing in the ears)

Treatments of Hypertension : 

High blood pressure is really a dangerous condition that may bring on cardiovascular disease, stroke and other life-threatening events. When your blood pressure has measured above is regarded as healthy, you might have maybe been given a list of actions to take down health-risk; if you ever smoke, quit. Get more exercise, change your diet program, stop trying salt, drink less or abstain from alcohol altogether, etc. These changes in lifestyle are certainly beneficial, and really should be pursued, nevertheless, you can sometimes increase their benefits by the addition of some simple herbal treatments.

Hawthorn : Hawthorn, an old-fashioned herbal treatment for high blood pressure, may benefit people with hypertension, as outlined by a report published in the British Journal of General Practice in 2006. In the study, 79 patients with type 2 diabetes received either 1200 mg of hawthorn extract or placebo each day for 16 weeks. Around 71 percent of participants also took medication for bring about. At the end of the study, patients taking hawthorn saw a vital lowering of high blood pressure levels.

Reishi Mushrooms : Though scientific evidence appears weak, reishi mushrooms may help lower blood pressure levels in certain individuals. Utilised in China and Japan for thousands of years, healers have prescribed the herb for reducing “bad” Trans fat and triglycerides together with treating hypertension. Taking 150 to 300 mg of reishi mushroom two to three times per day or 30 to 60 drops of reishi tincture two to three times per day will benefit people with high blood pressure. Always consult a physician before taking reishi mushroom, as it might increase the risk of bleeding and talk with prescribed drugs.

Rauwolfia (Rauwolfia serpentina): You merely demand a small dose of rauwolfia to help remedy blood pressure and get away from unwanted effects.

Garlic : The easiest to acquire, and the most flavorful herbal remedy you can try, garlic has been used medicinally since a minimum of the times of the pharaohs. Taking garlic can lower cholesterol, reduce blood-clotting, reducing high blood pressure levels. The only negative side-effect is garlic-breath. The intra-family option is to have everyone eat garlic – in case your breath has the scent of garlic; you will be less likely every single child smell it on others. Another garlic-breath solution is to munch sprigs of fresh parsley. Since parsley can also be a diuretic, this combination not only lowers blood pressure levels, it will help with the swollen ankles that sometimes accompany blood pressure levels.

Folic acid: Folate is proven to reduce the homocysteine levels in the blood, which in turn helps you to lower blood pressure level. When the homoxysteine levels (an amino acid) are high, there will be problems for the lining of the arteries, cause the upper chances of blood clots.One study indicated that after 4 weeks of supplementing with folic acid, blood pressure was reduced, specifically in cigarette smokers.

Fish Oil : Fish oil is also good for patients with good high blood pressure. Omega3 contains DHA (docohexaenoic acid), which lowers bring about generally. Garlic is a traditional blood pressure levels preventative, and it’s very effective because of its cholesterol-lowering properties.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that your body needs to build its cells and produce certain hormones. It is transported throughout your body via the bloodstream. A small amount of cholesterol is sufficient to meet the needs of the body.

When there is too much cholesterol in your blood, you have high cholesterol. This is a common disorder. Cholesterol generally increases with age and can increase your risk of heart disease, cerebrovascular accident (stroke) and vascular disease device.

Most of the cholesterol in your body (about 80%) is synthesized in the liver. The diet provides the rest. Dietary cholesterol comes from animal sources like eggs, meat and dairy products. There are two main types of cholesterol, it is important to know:

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol
High density lipoprotein (HDL) or "good" cholesterol

The bulk of LDL or "bad" cholesterol circulates in blood, unused. Normally, the liver removes the cholesterol "extra", but many people have more LDL cholesterol than the liver can convert. LDL facilitates the accumulation of plate (Fatty deposits) harmful to the walls of arteries.

HDL is considered "good" because it removes LDL cholesterol from the arteries and tissues and carry it to the liver where it can decompose.

Causes:

Whether low or high values of LDL cholesterol levels are determined by many factors, including:

Diet
Alcohol
Heredity
Body weight
The level of physical activity
Sex (men have higher cholesterol)
Age (cholesterol levels increase with age)


The consumption of foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol is another cause of elevated cholesterol. Other factors can also increase your cholesterol, including lack of physical activity and overweight. In some cases, high cholesterol is an inherited genetic disorder designated hypercholesterolemia. This disorder makes you more liable to contract heart disease when you're still very young.

Some medical conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, liver disease and kidney disease can cause elevated cholesterol.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition affecting around 2% of the population in developed countries. Patients experience widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue, often to a disabling degree, as well as many other distressing symptoms. Although increased sensitivity to pain is the main symptom of fibromyalgia, fibromyalgia syndrome and other types of chronic pain diseases form a family of overlapping syndromes. Therefore, even though the most common symptoms are pain and fatigue in muscles and tendons, often it is seen that those suffering from fibromyalgia will have other associated conditions and symptoms. It is because of these overlapping symptoms that fibromyalgia cam to be categorized as a syndrome rather than a disease.

In fact, fibromyalgia symptoms also include nervous excitement and experience of migraine and lose your memory, if only momentarily. You can also suffer from poor concentration and become even anxious as well as depressed and confused. You can also suffer from a lack of concentration and become anxious and depressed and even confused.

Treatments and drugs:

In general, treatments for fibromyalgia include both medication and self-care. The emphasis is on minimizing symptoms and improving general health.

Medications:

Medications can help reduce the pain of fibromyalgia and improve sleep. Common choices include:

Analgesics: Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) may ease the pain and stiffness caused by fibromyalgia. However, its effectiveness varies. Tramadol (Ultram) is a prescription pain reliever that may be taken with or without acetaminophen. Your doctor may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, others) — in conjunction with other medications. NSAIDs haven't proved to be as effective in managing the pain in fibromyalgia when taken by themselves.

Antidepressants: Your doctor may prescribe amitriptyline to help promote sleep. Fluoxetine (Prozac) in combination with amitriptyline is effective in some people. Duloxetine (Cymbalta) may help ease the pain and fatigue associated with fibromyalgia. And milnacipran (Savella) was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of fibromyalgia symptoms.

Anti-seizure drugs: Medications designed to treat epilepsy are often useful in reducing certain types of pain. Gabapentin (Neurontin) is sometimes helpful in reducing fibromyalgia symptoms, while pregabalin (Lyrica) is the first drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat fibromyalgia.

Therapy:

Physical therapy: Specific exercises can help restore muscle balance and may reduce pain. Stretching techniques and the application of hot or cold also may help.

Counseling:Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to strengthen your belief in your abilities and teaches you methods for dealing with stressful situations. Therapy is provided through individual counseling, classes, and with tapes, CDs or DVDs, and may help you manage your fibromyalgia.

In any case, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia can only be performed by a medical professional who in turn must Rely on the symptoms have fibromyalgia Reported by the patient and who must also conduit neurological examinations.

Sleep Disorders

Sleep Disorders are also called Circadian Rhythms Disorders. A circadian rhythm is the reoccurrence of a biological event every 24 hours. The periodic alternation of sleep with waking is an example of such a rhythm. In normal individuals who are active and working during the day, this cycle fluctuates between 16 hours of activity and 8 hours of sleep. Circadian rhythm sleep disorders are a family of sleep disorders affecting the timing of sleep. People with circadian rhythm sleep disorders are unable to sleep and wake at the times required for normal work, school, and social needs.

Circadian rhythm disorders form a distinct subgroup of sleep-wake disorders, leading to a mismatch between an individual’s sleep schedule and the timing of the signals from the circadian clock. These conflicts arise from a variety of external pressures or lifestyle choices and result in fatigue, poor job or school performance, and sleep disturbances (especially difficulty falling asleep or waking up at desired times).

Symptoms of sleep disorders:

Disorders of circadian rhythms may have far-reaching consequences such as chronic sleep deprivation associated with rotating shift work, reduction in workplace performance at certain times of day, cognitive impairments, as well as gastrointestinal, hormonal and cardiovascular disorders.

Symptoms may include:

>>Irritability
>>Lack of physical energy or motivation
>>Morning headaches
>>Difficulty paying attention or concentrating on tasks
>>Forgetfulness
>>Excessive daytime sleepiness

Treatments of sleep disorders:

>>Maintain a consistent sleep/wake time
>>Plan time to relax and decompress before bed
>>Avoid intense exercise before bedtime
>>Avoid the overuse of nicotine or caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, and alcohol
>>Expose yourself to light during the day
>>Sleep in darkness
>>Achieving the best possible sleep
>>Include physical activity in your daily routine
>>Avoid long naps during the day
>>Avoid using alcohol and non-prescribed drugs to fall asleep
>>Keep your bedroom quiet, dark and cool
>>Avoid reading, watching television and eating in bed
>>If you cannot sleep, get up and out of bed, but stay in the dimmest light possible

Childhood obesity

Diseases that once were only seen in adults, like type 2 diabetes, now are occurring in increasing numbers in children. Overweight children tend to become overweight adults, which also puts them at greater risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Children who are obese also are socially ostracized and teased, putting them at risk for depression and other psychiatric conditions.

There are several causes: 

Dietary, Physical inactivity, Genetics, Medical illness, Psychological factors.

Although rare in the past, obesity is now among the most widespread medical problems affecting children and adolescents living in the United States and other developed countries. About 15% of adolescents (aged 12-19 years) and children (aged 6-11 years) are obese in the United States according to the American Obesity Association.