antibiotics http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for antibiotics Copyright 2008 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:10:27 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/antibiotics Your Vegetables May Be Laced With Antibiotics http://www.artwoo.com/article/your-vegetables-may-be-laced-with-antibiotics http://www.artwoo.com/article/your-vegetables-may-be-laced-with-antibiotics#comments Mon, 05 Nov 2007 19:15:00 +0000 antibioticsanimals and plantsanimal manuresoilfeeding animalshuman consumptioncrops http://www.artwoo.com/article/your-vegetables-may-be-laced-with-antibiotics antibiotics. Recent studies have shown that some vegetables absorb the antibiotic chemicals from the they are grown in. Why? .

In our vast food chain, it seems that we have come across the ultimate irony. Humans are now being punished by their own attempts to optimize the animal and plant food industries. Instead of people being superior to in the food chain, we're now being "kicked in the pants," so to speak.

Here's the explanation: Animals raised for are often fed antibiotics in order to make them stronger and larger, making them more marketable animals, according to the Journal of Environmental Quality's report on antibiotic infused . In raising these animals, their manure is also collected to be used for soil in raising crops. This manure, used as soil, has now been found to transfer the antibiotics put in the animal feed to the very plants that grow in this soil. In other words, by antibiotics to capitalize on the market, we are actual introducing a potential danger in human consumption.

Devastated reactions have come from slow food movements, driving home the point that it is important to know where your food comes from. If you have an allergy to certain antibiotics, it could be very dangerous to consume a potato laced with antibiotics. But, with the way America sells its food in grocery stores, it would be hard to know, wouldn't it? Not only is it hard to figure out which crops have these problems, but it is known that animal manure is very commonly used as soil across the world.

So far, the animal antibiotics have been found in such foods as corn, lettuce, and potatoes. Potatoes have been found to have the highest amounts of these antibiotics because its actual food closely encounters the soil. Actual dangerous effects of this problem have not yet been fully analyzed. In the meantime, it has been advised by study conductors that those with allergies to any sort of antibiotics should be careful.

For more information, visit: Journal of Environmental Quality Slashfood Environment News Service Hillary Marshak is a writer and editor for http://Recipe4Living.com, an up and coming recipe sharing Website. For more articles like this, or for a large collection of recipes, visit the site at http://www.Recipe4Living.com. ]]> The Relationship Between You, Antibiotics, And Acne http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-relationship-between-you-antibiotics-and-acne http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-relationship-between-you-antibiotics-and-acne#comments Sun, 02 Nov 2008 03:29:26 +0000 vaginal yeast infectionbirth control pillsacne antibioticsflare upssevere acnebetter medicineprescription medicines http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-relationship-between-you-antibiotics-and-acne severe acne could lead to permanent scarring and disfiguring of the skin. Some people can even be traumatized by the effects of this particular skin disorder. To treat acne, dermatologists normally prescribe antibiotics. Such antibiotics have to applied on the face or taken orally to control bacterial outgrowth. The redness and inflammation associated to acne are also reduced, which eventually leads to lesser blackheads and pimples. There are both over-the-counter and for acne. And they may come in topical or oral treatment forms.

However, commercial drugs for acnes, such as antibiotics, may cause side effects. Common side effects are nausea, dizziness, and skin discoloration. In women, these antibiotics may also cause . may also reduce the effect of . But amidst all these side effects, only prolonged treatment on acne antibiotics can produce good results. Generally speaking, one has to be under its cure for six months or so before noticeable changes could transpire.

Antibiotics decrease the level of bacteria present in the skin follicles. It also reduces the effects of the inflammatory chemicals present in the blood. Antibiotics stop the formation of sebum, which directly causes acne.

Antibiotics used for acne are as follows:

1. Tetracycline

This is the initial type of antibiotics that doctors prescribed to treat patients with acne. This drug is supposed to be taken before eating as it may otherwise produce stomach upset. Tetracycline cannot be taken by pregnant women because it contains ingredients harmful to the baby. Children below 8 years old can't use it either.

2. Erythromycin

Compared to tetracycline, erythromycin is the . It is more powerful in a sense that it can also decrease the appearance of redness and lesions in the affected areas, while killing bacteria as designed. But unlike tetracycline, erythromycin has to be taken after meals because it can trigger nausea when taken on an empty stomach. Erythromycin is relatively safe for pregnant women but using it under the guidance of a doctor is strongly advised.

3. Minocycline

Minocycline is a derivative of tetracycline. It is used for several decades now as an effective acne antibiotic. This drug should also be taken on an empty stomach. Pregnant and breast feeding mothers are advised against Minocycline as it can be harmful to the baby. Minocycline may cause side effects such as nausea, dizziness, vomiting, tooth discoloration, and abnormal skin pigmentation.

The search for the most effective and safest acne antibiotics is still under works. If you decide to use any of these cures, it is best that you talk to a dermatologist to help you out. Choosing the right medication and taking it in the correct dosage is very important. Else, you might suffer the adverse side effects of such drugs. Improper use may also make bacteria more resistant to the antibiotics, thus compounding the problem even more.Part 2 - For part two of this article, head on to www.acneclinicsonline.com where you can also find the truth about homemade acne treatments and acne pictures.]]> How Antibiotics Weaken The Immune System http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-antibiotics-weaken-the-immune-system http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-antibiotics-weaken-the-immune-system#comments Tue, 25 Dec 2007 05:30:01 +0000 immune system functionstime antibioticshelpful bacterianatural immune systemunpleasant side effectsbacterial pathogenhuman immune system http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-antibiotics-weaken-the-immune-system bacterial pathogen. Unfortunately, many doctors also prescribe antibiotics for conditions that caused by known viral pathogens, such the cold or bronchitis.

This is unfortunate not simply because of the expense involved or the possibly , but because it may wind up harming the immune system. The is actually a collection of defensive mechanisms against disease, and includes certain tissues, organs, cells, and enzymes. These elements work together to create a disease fighting system more powerful than anything medicine has yet to devise. Even the biggest breakthrough in fighting viruses in medical history, the vaccine, is simply a way to help the do its job better.

Antibiotics are actually designed to help the immune system do its job, and it may even do that in the short term, but in the long term antibiotics actually suppress the immune system.

Firstly, medical antibiotics do not make the immune system stronger, they simply act a replacement for one of its functions: killing harmful bacteria. The just like an organ or a muscle. When it is not put to use, it atrophies. So when an introduced agent does one its jobs, the immune system performs that job poorly once the agent leaves the body. This is why someone who takes antibiotics to cure a bacteria based disease may catch the same disease, only with more severe symptoms, at a later time.

Antibiotics also do not make the distinction between harmful bacteria and and cells. They "throw the baby out with the bathwater" so to speak. Certain strains of bacteria in the digestive tract are essential to digest food and produce healthy vitamins. When these bacteria are killed off, it may lead to vitamin loss, diarrhea, parasitic infection, and the development of allergies.

Antibiotics, and in particular the over prescription of antibiotics, can create stronger strains of bacteria that even a healthy immune system is not prepared to fight. Throughout the history of biology, the evolution of bacteria, viruses, and hosts have more or less been in harmony. Every time a bacterium or virus became slowly stronger, immune systems have reacted by becoming stronger as well.

The introduction of antibiotics through a bit of a monkey wrench into this. As bacteria were killed much more rapidly, they evolved more quickly than the human immune system. This leads to "superbugs," such as the staph bacterium MRSA, which is powerful it can turn deadly within just days.

As the little disputed harms of over prescribing ineffective antibiotics become more apparent, and information becomes more widespread, more and more doctors are becoming less willing to dole out antibiotic prescriptions as thoughtlessly as they used to. This is fortunate, as patients might find benefit in simply taking supplements to boost their immune system to fight bacteria and viruses, such as true colloidal silver. Worried that prescribed antibiotics are ineffective? Is http://www.colloidsforlife.com/Mesosilver_colloidal_silver.html colloidal silver a natural antibiotic? Wyatt McKinney is a colloidal silver evangelist who is committed to help people decide for themselves whether to try http://www.colloidsforlife.com/ colloidal silver to fight infections. Click for more http://www.colloidal-silver-information.com/ colloidal silver testimonial. ]]> Yeast Infections and Antibiotics: The Connection http://www.artwoo.com/article/yeast-infections-and-antibiotics-the-connection http://www.artwoo.com/article/yeast-infections-and-antibiotics-the-connection#comments Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:36:14 +0000 candida infectionsyeast overgrowthunpleasant side effectsgood bacteriasinus infectionintestinal florayeast infection http://www.artwoo.com/article/yeast-infections-and-antibiotics-the-connection yeast infections should be aware that taking antibiotics can increase the chances of candida overgrowth in your body. While taking the antibiotics might be necessary for you to clear up an infection in your body, having a yeast infection does not have to be the consequence if you follow some natural candida remedy advice.

What is Candida?

Candida are present in our bodies in low quantities. We have that helps us with digestion but some of those bacteria can be bothersome if they multiply beyond healthy levels. A lot of things can cause but taking antibiotics can increase your chances of having an infection, especially if you've had yeast problems in the past. Candida isn't just a vaginal infection. It is increasingly being recognized as causing an overall feeling of malaise and sometimes the vaginal infection doesn't even happen when someone is suffering from an albicans overgrowth.

Candida can present itself in a vaginal or penile infection as well as rash and for some it results in bloating, gas, food cravings, , joint pain, flu like symptoms, thrush, halitosis, mood swings, headaches, fatigue and other symptoms. You don't have to take an over the counter drug or cream, though. There are many natural remedies and there are proactive approaches to help you avoid altogether. When you are taking antibiotics like Penicillin, you might have to take extra care and caution.

What is the candida and antibiotic connection?

Antibiotics kill bacteria. The problem is that they don't discriminate. Instead of just killing the bacteria that are causing you an illness or infection, they wipe out all the flora in your digestive system. This means that they kill the good guys too. The keeps the bad bacteria in check, so to speak and when the good guys are all gone, candida albicans yeast (the bacteria responsible for candidiasis) can replicate at warp speed and cause a whole host of .

Should you avoid antibiotics?

Those who've suffered this type of infection don't look forward to relapses but sometimes antibiotics are a necessity. There are some proactive approaches you can follow to help you get through this period of time when your body isn't going to be as equipped to fend off candida as usual.

Follow a candida diet. Remove candida causing agents from your diet and avoid foods that candida thrive on namely sugar, alcohol and yeast. Avoid junk food as well.

Take a supplement such as a synbiotic or a daily dose of organic apple cider vinegar which is known to help prevent candida.

Probiotic and prebiotic juices, yogurts and cheeses can be taken to help encourage friendly flora growth in your body. Probiotics contain friendly flora and prebiotics feed them so they can replicate and survive in your body.

Get plenty of exercise and rest as well. When you're taking an antibiotic, obviously you're already unwell so do your best to make your health your top priority.Candida-Solutions is a great resource for information about yeast infections. Find information about candida and antibiotics, helpful candida diet information, a community discussion forum and more.]]> Options For Foruncular Natural Treatment http://www.artwoo.com/article/options-for-foruncular-natural-treatment http://www.artwoo.com/article/options-for-foruncular-natural-treatment#comments Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:57:28 +0000 vaginal yeast infectionsacne antibioticsside effects of antibioticstypes of antibioticstype of bacterias raysextreme caution http://www.artwoo.com/article/options-for-foruncular-natural-treatment type of bacteria. In layman's terms, furuncles are simply hair follicle infections. They may form in the neck, face, groin, and armpits. And when they do develop, they can be very unsightly and uncomfortable.

To treat foruncular acne, antibiotics are usually prescribed. But as you may already know, antibiotics may cause dizziness, nausea, and other side effects. Certain may event trigger . The many are simply too many to mention that using them should always be coupled with . Here are the most common prescribed for acnes:

1. Tetracycline

This antibiotic is supposed to be taken before meals, as it works on an empty stomach. It can't be taken by pregnant women or children aged 8 years old and below. Ask your doctor first you can use this compound, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions.

2. Erythromycin

This one is the most popular acne antibiotic. But unlike tetracycline, this one is supposed to be eaten after meals as it can cause nausea if taken without food in the stomach. Just like any other drug, erythromycin may have side effects. Ask your doctor about it.

3. Minocycline

Minocycline is a variation of tetracycline. It works most effectively for cases of cystic acne. This one is taken before meals too. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are not allowed to use this medicine. The same is true if you're planning to get pregnant in the near future.

4. Doxycycline

If you can't tolerate either tetracycline or erythromycin or if they simply don't work for you, doxycycline is the alternative. Take it with food. Use sunscreen when under this medication as it increases sensitivity to the sun'.

5. Clindamycin

Clindamycin is an example of a topical acne antibiotic. Just apply it on the affected parts and off you go. The active ingredients would be absorbed by the skin. Patients of ulcerative colitis and intestinal inflammations can't use this medicine.

6. Accutane

Accutane is commonly prescribed for cases of acne that can't be treated with antibiotics. It works for moderate to severe cases of acne. Pregnant women are not allowed to use this drug.

However, you have to know that staphylococcus may become resistant to antibiotics over time. This is the main reason why natural treatments are still around these days. Sometimes, the simple but important process of detoxification is all you need to treat chronic acne once and for all. Try natural skin peels and see if they would work for you.
When it comes to natural solutions, it may boil down to trial and error. You have to be patient in finding the one that works perfectly for you. Don't worry. Natural acne treatments are usually way cheaper than the antibiotics listed above. But more importantly, they don't pose to have any adverse side effects too.Part 2 - For part two of this article, head on to www.acneclinicsonline.com where you can also find the truth about homemade acne treatments and acne pictures.]]> Sinus Infection Treatment. Your Home Remedy For Sinus Infection. http://www.artwoo.com/article/sinus-infection-treatment-your-home-remedy-for-sinus-infection http://www.artwoo.com/article/sinus-infection-treatment-your-home-remedy-for-sinus-infection#comments Sat, 24 Mar 2007 08:00:03 +0000 sinus infectionschronic sinusitissinus painunnecessary antibioticschronic sinus infectionmayo clinicdry cough http://www.artwoo.com/article/sinus-infection-treatment-your-home-remedy-for-sinus-infection sinus pain?

affect millions of Americans every year. Stop the pain and suffering from sinusitis with Silver Sinus!

In 1999, The released its findings that fungus is likely the cause of nearly all cases of or . Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses. Most cases of sinusitis are caused by viruses. Other causes include:Allergies, exposure to smoke, dust or other irritants in the home, school or workplace and-bacterial infection

How can you treat sinus?

1) Antibiotics:These only help sinusitis when it is caused by a bacterial infection. Because sinusitis is usually caused by a virus, antibiotics won't help most cases of sinusitis. Taking antibiotics won't prevent a stuffy nose from turning into a bacterial sinus infection. In fact, taking puts your family at risk for developing resistant infections later.

So what can you do?

Cough and runny nose by themselves are unlikely to be caused by a bacterial sinus infection unless those symptoms have been present for more than 10 days. Antibiotics are rarely required unless the following symptoms are present:

1) Pain or pressure on one side of the face 2) Swelling around the eye area 3) Postnasal drip (may cause ) 4) Toothache in the upper jaw in the absence of dental problems

If symptoms are mild or have lasted less than 10 days:

i) Get lots of rest ii) Avoid cigarette smoke iii)Help your sinuses drain by:

a) Drinking plenty of fluids (try to avoid caffeine and alcohol) b) Breathing steam from a shower or bath c) Using non-medicated saline nose drops or spray several times a day d) Elevating the head of your bed e) Using warm facial packs for three to four times a day for 5 -10 minutes Lubowa.M.Planet gives you straight-to-the-point informed opinions.Can you visualise your self siting right here breathing through your nose with your mouth closed? This is not a dream. You could be doing the same thing later today. Click this link: http://www.softerdreams.org/sinus-treatment.html ]]> Why Antibiotics Could Make Your Candida Worse http://www.artwoo.com/article/why-antibiotics-could-make-your-candida-worse http://www.artwoo.com/article/why-antibiotics-could-make-your-candida-worse#comments Sat, 03 Feb 2007 12:27:25 +0000 systemic yeast infectionscandida albicanscandida overgrowthoropharyngeal candidiasisantibioticsgood bacteriaoral thrush http://www.artwoo.com/article/why-antibiotics-could-make-your-candida-worse Candida albicans, is a type of yeast that is generally found in the regular flora of the skin, intestinal track and the mouth, rectum, and vagina. Although Candida is naturally present in the body, it can cause problems if there is an overgrowth, resulting in Candidiasis.

Candidiasis usually occurs when there is a disruption of bacterial flora in the body, and in people who have compromised immune systems. There are different factors which can lead to such as a person's diet. However, research is finding that prolonged use of can also play a major role in the development of Candidiasis.

Why do antibiotics cause Candidiasis? Antibiotics are designed to eradicate the bad bacteria that cause certain diseases and infections. While antibiotics destroy bad bacteria and stop the spread of infection, they also destroy the that help to keep the Candida in the body under control.

Prolonged or strong doses of antibiotics can lead to an imbalance in gut flora, an imbalance that allows bad bacteria, yeasts and parasites to overgrow in the stomach. If not controlled, the affected person can begin to suffer a slew of negative side effects and yeast infections including:

("") - is an infection that occurs along the lining of the mouth and/or the throat, and characterized by inflammation of the tongue, which is also coated with bluish-white or creamy patches.

Intetrigo -- Skin irritation that is caused by two moist surfaces adjacent rubbing against one another and accompanied by a fungal or bacterial infection.

Vaginitis ("Candida vulvovaginitis" and "Moniliasis") - Commonly referred to as a "vaginal yeast infection", it is characterized by a thick white or yellow, odorless discharge. It often causes itching in the affected area and may cause burning or pain during intercourse.

-- Dangerous infections that often affect the vital organs of those with compromised immune systems such as people with AIDS, diabetes, or those receiving chemotherapy.

Note: Over 90% of Thrush and Vaginitis is caused by Candida overgrowth.

How can you protect yourself against developing Candidiasis from antibiotics?

Don't take antibiotic treatment unless it is absolutely necessary -- Illnesses such as the common cold, flu and sinus infections do not require antibiotics unless they prolong for more than two weeks, cause irregular symptoms, or produce a high fever.

Unfortunately, many people believe that antibiotics are a fast way to get rid of common infections. Although this may be true, those who take antibiotics for these illnesses do not allow their immune system the chance to fight off the infection and become stronger. Instead, they allow their body to become dependant on antibiotics. The result -- eventually they will develop a resistance to these medications, and will require a higher dosage the next time they become sick.

In addition, antibiotic overuse is exceptionally bad for children. Children are in a state of constant growth which makes them highly susceptible to common viruses. A child who is administered antibiotics to treat every infection they experience only causes their immune system to weaken and develop poorly. Essentially, by the time they are adults, their body will depend on antibiotics to be cured from the smallest infection.

Consider holistic remedies - There are plenty of holistic and alternative drug treatments. Research different remedies and consult your doctor.

If you must take antibiotics keep the following in mind -

Eat a healthy balanced diet - limit your intake of yeast and sugar and drink plenty of water to help clean your system of impurities.

Eat yogurt -- Yogurt contains active cultures that can help restore the good bacteria your body requires.

Exercise -- Exercise helps keep your body and immune system strong

Talk to your doctor - Find out if you can take a lower dosage of antibiotics or complimentary treatment. For further information about effective herbal treatment for http://eliminating-candida.com/blog please visit http://www.eliminating-candida.com, where you can sign up for a free newsletter. ]]> Treating Candida http://www.artwoo.com/article/treating-candida http://www.artwoo.com/article/treating-candida#comments Fri, 15 Sep 2006 18:27:04 +0000 helpful bacteriacandidayeast infectionsfortunatelyantibioticsunfetteredchemotherapy http://www.artwoo.com/article/treating-candida Candida is a type of yeast that is always present in the human body and it is normally benign. However, when it grows unchecked it can cause a variety of health problems throughout the body. The longer candida growth continues the more severe the problems can become. Research is now just beginning to scratch the surface on how harmful excess candida can actually be. The initial findings are stunning: candida may be the root cause of a long list of physical and emotional symptoms. , there are many ways to treat candida.

Typically, those with candida have compromised immune systems, although this is not always the case. In recent years medical researchers have begun to realize that there might be benefits in treating healthy people who have experienced an overgrowth of candida. It appears to be a worthwhile approach that scientists and researchers are scrambling to understand.

When treating candida, it is important to remember that it is just a substance that is normally present in the body -- the problems only occur when there is much more of it then there should be. Have you ever heard the expression 'too much of a good thing is no good at all'? - this saying applies directly to candida growth.

The most common form of treatment for candida is through the use of . Since it is excess bad bacteria that allows yeast to grow which causes Candida, certain antibiotics will help destroy the overgrowth. However, antibiotics also kill good bacteria -- they don't discriminate -- and the use of antibiotics can have an adverse effect on the rest of the body. You can compare it to in a sense -- chemotherapy destroys cancerous cells, however, it also destroys healthy tissue. Your body requires a healthy balance of bacteria to keep its systems running at top speed. In fact, your digestive tract in particular requires to ensure proper digestive functioning.

It is common for many women to develop while they are taking prescription antibiotics. This occurs due to the fact that the good bacteria keep yeast formation in check. Furthermore, the widespread use of antibiotics has limited their ability to fight against bacteria. Common use has allowed bacteria to adapt to particular antibiotics, potentially rendering them ineffective. Also, if you are taking antibiotics, it is extremely important to finish the entire course. Many people start feeling better and simply stop taking the pills. This can allow remaining bacteria to develop immunity to that specific antibiotic.

Another method of treating candida is through the employment of probiotics. Put simply, probiotics are other forms of live bacteria that are good for the body. Probiotics are available in powders, capsules, and even in some types of yogurt.

These represent the main medical treatments for candida. It is important that you ensure your body has a good balance of bacteria in order for it to function well. Sometimes candida growth can occur in healthy people and research has proven this fact. It is paramount that you do everything possible to limit candida growth as the consequences of letting it run unchecked can be extremely detrimental to your health. Jane Symms has an interest in Candida. For further information on Candida please visit http://www.eliminating-candida.com/candida.html or http://www.eliminating-candida.com/blog/2006/09/05/treating-candida/ .. ]]> The Inappropriate Use Of Antibiotics For Strep Throat http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-inappropriate-use-of-antibiotics-for-strep-throat http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-inappropriate-use-of-antibiotics-for-strep-throat#comments Mon, 26 Feb 2007 14:27:10 +0000 symptoms of strep throatpharingitisbeta hemolytic streptococcuscephalosporinsaccurate diagnosiserythromycinamoxicillin http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-inappropriate-use-of-antibiotics-for-strep-throat pharingitis that requires antibiotic treatment and is caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus bacteria. There are also viral forms of acute pharingitis -- the common throat sores, which may have the same : difficulty to swallow, soreness, inflammation of the throat and discomfort. This similarity between their symptoms leads to confusion, in absence of accurate and proper investigation: although they are generated by different factors, strep throat can be taken for sore throat and the other way around. Usually sore throats don't need treatment, so there are cases in which the proper medication is not given to people that have strep throat because of diagnosis errors. The same errors may lead to the administering of strong antibiotics to patients that don't need them. So it is vital to have an in order to prevent such situations.

Cases of erroneous diagnosis have been recently investigated and the results were worrying: 50 % of the children that have strep throat are prescribed antibiotics they don't need while 33 % of the children with strep throat are not prescribed the necessary treatment (they either receive the wrong treatment or not receive medications at all). The persons to blame for that are the physicians and pediatricians, because there are very efficient methods to diagnose and distinguish viral from bacterial pharingitis, which makes their error unjustifiable.

Antibiotics are very effective when properly used but they may also cause strong side effects. in case of proper administration, these side effects may be: allergies, nausea, weakness of the immune system. When they are not needed but still prescribed, they have no positive effects; they may be damaging for the patient instead. In case a patient with strep throat receives other antibiotic prescription than one of the spectrum of , penicillin derivates, or , or if the doses are not correct, side effects may appear. One of the risks of such situation is that of bacterial resistance to the treatment. Inappropriate treatment induces the person the tendency to have lower response to future antibiotics administration, which makes necessary for that person to take higher doses.

The available methods to obtain the exact diagnosis of strep throat are effective enough so that many erroneous diagnoses are not excusable.

One such method is the simple, but very effective and reliable pharyngeal exudate test, which consists in the culture of a secretion sample by means of a spatula rubbed against the walls of the throat. Laboratory tests will then be performed on the sample and will identify whether the infection is caused by viruses or bacteria. In case the streptococcus bacteria results to be the cause, antibiotics are prescribed in order to eradicate the infection.

Antibiotics are not recommended for viral infections of the throat. The pharyngeal exudate will thus help to avoid their needless prescription. It is a simple, rapid and inexpensive test so you should take it to make sure you receive the correct diagnosis and treatment. For more information visit http://www.strepthroatinfection.com ]]> Avoid The Superbug Part 2 http://www.artwoo.com/article/avoid-the-superbug-part-2 http://www.artwoo.com/article/avoid-the-superbug-part-2#comments Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:35:00 +0000 antibiotic resistant bacteriaresistant staphylococcus aureusmrsa superbugtype of bacteriatypes of bacteriamrsa infectionlung infections http://www.artwoo.com/article/avoid-the-superbug-part-2 MRSA superbug. MRSA is an infection that is more dangerous than similar illnesses because it is resistant to normal treatment. MRSA stands for methicillin- (SA). SA is a and the fact that it is methicillin-resistant means it cannot be treated with antibiotics such as penicillin.

MRSA is no more infectious than other however, and one in three of us carry on our skin or in our nose. It causes skin infections such as boils, styes and impetigo, but is only really dangerous if it gets into the bloodstream when septicaemia, joint problems and heart and can result.

What causes MRSA?

When bacteria encounter an antibiotic such as methicillin in the bloodstream, an epic battle commences. Antibiotics are not as ruthless as Rambo however, and on occasion some of the bacteria survive. Bacteria are able to mutate, or change themselves, and in doing so can transform themselves so that they develop a resistance to the antibiotic. These surviving antibiotic-resistant bacteria then multiply quickly before heading off to infect someone else. In this way, some types of SA bacteria have become resistant to many antibiotics, and formed the Superbug MRSA.

Why have increased in recent years?

Part of the reason may be that people do not always finish the full course of antibiotics they have been prescribed. This allows some bacteria to survive and then develop a resistance to the antibiotic. Another problem is that antibiotics are now so widely used, and in some cases overused, that bacteria has been able to develop resistance to a wide range of antibiotics.

How does MRSA spread?

MRSA bacteria usually spreads through person-to-person contact with someone who carries an . It also spreads through contact with sheets, clothes, towels, dressings or other objects that have come across someone with MRSA. MRSA will also survive on objects such as door handles, sinks, floors and cleaning equipment and can be contracted through physical contact with them.

Why does MRSA usually happen in hospitals?

MRSA does not normally infect healthy people. Although people outside hospital can sometimes become infected, most cases involve patients already in hospital. This is because an entry point is required for the bacteria to get into the body. Hospital patients have many ready made entry-points such as surgical wounds, catheters, or intravenous tubes which are like adventure playgrounds for the bacteria.

Who is most at risk from MRSA?

People with a weakened immune system are most at risk from being infected. Typically this includes the elderly, newborn babies, and those with health problems such as diabetes, cancer or HIV/AIDS. Patients who have open wounds, catheters or intravenous drips, burns, cuts, severe skin conditions are also at risk, as are those who have recently had surgery, or take frequent courses of antibiotics. Although MRSA infections usually develop in people being treated in hospital, it is possible for hospital staff or visitors to become infected if they are in one of the higher risk groups. Robert Wood - http://www.accidents-direct.co.uk/Medical-Negligence/?wid=Robert_Wood Make a Medical Negligence Claim. ]]> How To Treat Moderate Acne? http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-treat-moderate-acne http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-treat-moderate-acne#comments Sun, 18 Feb 2007 04:27:04 +0000 acne problemmoderate acneantibioticsmedicinestopical medicationsdermatologistgrowth of bacteria http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-treat-moderate-acne Moderate acne is the second stage of the . That is, next to the mild acne. When your acne problem reaches this stage of severity, it overrules the merits of simple medications. Precisely speaking your medication at this stage includes a single method or a combination of methods as decided by your . You just can't take the liberty of self-treatment.

Your prescription medication could be oral or topical. The standard oral to treat acne of this type include benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin, azelaic acid, adapalene and . Wherein tretinoin is an altered form of vitamin A, the antibiotics help to tackle bacteria and reduce inflammation. The effect of vitamin A is to stop the growth of the comedones. It makes way for the other topical medicines like the antibiotics to enter the follicles. To decrease the formation of the comedones is the main objective behind all these medications.

If you are on the course of oral antibiotics you may face some side effects such as dizziness, lightheadness, upset stomach and alike. These antibiotics are supposed to curb the and reduce the inflammation. The common antibiotics for treatment of acne are minocycline, doxycycline and tetracycline. Also, some of these medicines used for a long time, may lose their effectiveness!

The are available as creams, solutions, gels or lotions. Before determining a prescription for you, the dermatologist decides upon your skin type. Well, the skin may seem to be so thin a part- but it has its variant 'moods'.

For people with sensitive skin, creams and lotions are prescribed. They provide moisture and benefit this peculiar type of skin. For dry skin, gels and solutions, which are alcohol based, are prescribed. The dermatologist tells you about their application. He details you on how and how often you are expected to use them.

Prescription topical medicines may cause side effects to some people. Initially your skin condition may worsen before showing the signs of improvement. Side effects are in tune with the nature of the skin. The most common of them are stinging, redness, peeling, scaling, burning and even discoloration of the skin. Again there is medication for the side effects such as retinoids. After taking the medicines for some time, these side effects may disappear but if they persist, for a long time, you need to consult your dermatologist again. The author writes about a number of different topics. For more information on acne visit http://www.acnetalks.com/pimple/ and also visit the article pages: http://www.acnetalks.com/pimple/blogs/Acne-Medication.htm and http://www.acnetalks.com/pimple/blogs/Acne-Treatment.htm ]]> Acne Treatment- All About Treating Pimples http://www.artwoo.com/article/acne-treatment-all-about-treating-pimples http://www.artwoo.com/article/acne-treatment-all-about-treating-pimples#comments Sun, 07 Oct 2007 15:35:00 +0000 cause of pimplestreat pimplestopical retinoidsotc medicationtopical medicationmoderate acnepimple treatment http://www.artwoo.com/article/acne-treatment-all-about-treating-pimples moderate acne. Moderate acne is also known as pimples or zits. Pimples are papules and pustules. Papules are solid mass of cells and pustules are infected lesions. Treatment of pimples may require a combination of medicines.

If you are doing self-treatment with , choose them carefully. What worked for your friend may not work for you. Your skin is different and the may be different. Someone may get acne because of excess sebum, while other may get it because of use of comedogenic products.

It is preferable that instead of using OTC medication you consult a doctor. If you are doing self-medication of pimples, you need to know the following.

for pimples-

The first choice for treatment of pimples is use of topical medication. Benzoyl Peroxide is one of the most popular medications. Other medications that are used to topically are- Salicylic Acid, Resorcinol and Sulphur, Alcohol and Acetone, Azelaic Acid, Topical Antibiotics, and Nicotinamide. Topical antibiotics are also used to treat infection.

Physical and surgical procedures for -

Physical and surgical procedures such as chemical peeling, lasers, microdermabrasion, surgical extraction, and light therapy are used to treat pimples. Physical and surgical procedures are used when topical medication does not give expected results. Sometimes light is used to treat pimples on the back because it is a difficult to apply medication on back..

Oral medication for pimples-

Oral antibiotics, Isotretinoin and oral Nicotinamide are commonly used to treat infection in the acne. Amongst antibiotics, Tetracycline, Minocycline ,Doxycyline and Erythromycin are commonly used. Sulpha drugs may also be used to treat pimples.

Oral antibiotics kill the bacteria P. acnes in the pimples and reduce the infection and inflammation. Isotretinoin is prescribed in case of persistent acne and is one of the best medications of acne. Oral nicotinamide is a good anti-inflammatory agent for pimples but has no side effects of antibiotics.

Women may be prescribed Birth Control Pills and Spironolactone to treat hormonal disorders and reduce pimples.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article. The author CD Mohatta writes for http://www.acnedoctor.us which has comprehensive information about skin care, acne treatments, causes, medicines, myths, latest methods, etc. The author also writes quizzes for http://www.funquizcards.com and text for content in http://www.wishafriend.com ]]> Is Going Organic the Way to Go? http://www.artwoo.com/article/is-going-organic-the-way-to-go http://www.artwoo.com/article/is-going-organic-the-way-to-go#comments Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:08:19 +0000 hormones in meatcommercial fertilizerssynthetic fertilizersorganic animalsorganic plantsgrowth hormonesorganic regulations http://www.artwoo.com/article/is-going-organic-the-way-to-go
To begin lets take a look a look at what exactly an Organic Farmer needs to have in place to become "Organic"

To be certified, organic produce must:

Be free of for 3 years.

Be free of herbicides for 3 years.

Not be from genetically modified seeds.

Include a buffer zone between organic and non-.

To be certified, must:

Not be fed anything grown with toxic or , pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or fumigants.

Be free of , antibiotics, or genetically engineered products.

Be given more space and freedom to graze.

Have been conceived by organically raised animals.

Be butchered following .

As you can see from the above lists there is quite as bit of effort that goes into being an organic farmer.

Maybe this is why there's a huge trend for people to go organic. They simply know that the product has not been altered in any way. In addition, people are more aware that there are waste products in the land, and that transfers into the products, which end up in our bodies and can cause illnesses and diseases (think e.coli).

In regards to meat, is there a difference with the meat that is commercially made compared to organic?

The short answer: Not really.

The difference is the use of hormones and antibiotics in meat.

have been a concern for many. This may surprise you but research from the WHO concluded that your body wouldn't know if the product had hormones or not and therefore has no risk to our bodies.

An antibiotic, on the other hand is an arguable situation. We worry that the antibiotics used to treat the animal can transfer into the meat and the meat can contain the residue of the antibiotic.

Moreover, because of the antibiotics the animal can develop resistant bacteria to fight off the illness, and will stay in the meat that we end up consuming. Research on this is still being conducted so as of this moment there's no research to back this up.

But why do farmers use hormones and antibiotics in the first place?

Well if they use hormones they're able to get the product out to the consumer faster, and make more money. Which are really big incentives.

So the question still remains should you go organic or not?

Here's my take on it. Try it out see for yourself f the product taste better. If you enjoy it and believe it's better than non-organic foods then so be it. If you do buy organic foods and have a complaint or are suspicious of the quality, you can call the company's certification, which would be on the organic seal on the product like the Organic Crop Producers and Processors www.ocpro-certcanada.com.Marci Lall is a Personal Trainer Forest Hill. If you would like to get his free Stability Ball Abdominal Workout that has 9 highly effective abdominal exercises for women just go to this link http://www.foresthillpersonaltraining.com/free-stuff]]> How To Cope With Vaginal Yeast Infection http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-cope-with-vaginal-yeast-infection http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-cope-with-vaginal-yeast-infection#comments Fri, 09 Mar 2007 02:27:06 +0000 yeast infection symptomsvaginal yeast infectionsvaginal yeast infectionyeast infection treatmentsyeast cellscandida albicansmonistat http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-cope-with-vaginal-yeast-infection Candida Albicans. These cells exist in several places including the skin, the mouth and the vagina, and it's perfectly normal to have them.

The problem of occurs when there is an excess amount of in the vagina. Usually these cells are kept from multiplying by the acid balance in the vagina, and so it helps to understand what causes an imbalance.

Ironically one of the causes of a yeast infection can be antibiotics. If you have a urinary tract infection, the antibiotic you use to cure it may indeed be creating conditions in which yeast infection thrives.

While antibiotics destroy harmful microorganisms, they can also destroy "good" ones. This causes an imbalance and conditions which enable Candida cells to grow in their place, resulting in an excess number of yeast cells. In some cases, this manifests itself as a vaginal yeast infection.

When do yeast infections occur

Yeast infections can occur during pregnancy, at the end of menstruation, being on a course of antibiotics, or using birth control pills. Child bearing years is certainly a common time to have a yeast infection.

Recognizing a vaginal yeast infection

The most common vaginal are itching in the vagina or vulva region. Sex can be painful and a vaginal yeast infection discharge often occurs, similar to cottage cheese in consistency. You can easily find pictures of vaginal yeast infection on the Internet. Simply search for the term "pictures of vaginal yeast infection".

How to treat a vaginal yeast infection

Treatments for range from natural home remedies to over the counter vaginal yeast infection medication such as antifungal creams like .

Popular home cures for vaginal yeast infections use garlic or yogurt. A good tip is to take yogurt when you are on a course of antibiotics. Be sure to choose yogurt with acidophilus (check the label) since it helps with the fight against yeast infection.

Some people use boric acid for vaginal yeast infections, in the form of supplements. However, boric acid should never be taken during pregnancy, and it's best not to even consider using it until you have talked to your doctor about it.

When treating a yeast infection, it's one thing to get pain relief and it's another to actually cure the cause. It's best to get to the root of recurrent vaginal yeast infections. Understand the symptoms for vaginal yeast infection and get well educated before seeing your doctor so you can make the best possible decision for treating the infection. Frank Thornton writes on yeast infections at http://yeast-infection-cured-naturally.com ]]> Children, The Most Exposed To Strep Throat http://www.artwoo.com/article/children-the-most-exposed-to-strep-throat http://www.artwoo.com/article/children-the-most-exposed-to-strep-throat#comments Thu, 26 Apr 2007 18:05:00 +0000 contactrheumatic feverstreptococcus pyogenesstrep throatclarithromycinantibioticserythromycin http://www.artwoo.com/article/children-the-most-exposed-to-strep-throat Strep throat represents a bacterial infection of the throat generated by the . Its most common symptoms are: nausea, difficulty to swallow, fatigue, fever, a red =96 colored throat, cold chills, headache, pain and discomfort of the throat. It is not a severe disease, but some of its complications such as , kidney problems or coronary damage may be.

It may affect anyone, especially in winter, late fall, in early spring, but the most exposed to it are children between the ages of 5 and 15. This is the larges segment of population with strep throat.

This disease is extremely contagious and it usually affects your child when he or she is in direct with someone that has it or that carries the bacteria. It may be transmitted through nasal secretions, saliva or through air. In order to partly prevent the infection with streptococcus pyogenes you should explain to your child how important it is for him/her to wash hands frequently and to stay away from persons that have strep throat. The dishes or glasses used by a person affected by this condition shouldn't be shared with the healthy family members in order to avoid their contamination.

The infection can be successfully defeated by the proper treatment. it is important for you or your child to take only that have been prescribed by the doctor. If the pharyngeal exudate detects strep throat, your health care professional will prescribe you penicillin V, and in order to cure it immediately.

Even if your symptoms improve or even disappear, don't interrupt the antibiotics. You need to follow the entire course of the prescribed treatment. Strep throat is not a disease that may stop you from your daily activities. It will be safe for you to be in contact with people after 2 or 3 days of antibiotics, when you are no longer contagious. Hygiene should be kept at high standards, even if you are no longer contagious, in order to protect you and the people around you. For more information visit http://www.strepthroatinfection.com ]]> How Colloidal Silver Treats Sinus Infection Symptoms http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-colloidal-silver-treats-sinus-infection-symptoms http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-colloidal-silver-treats-sinus-infection-symptoms#comments Thu, 22 Nov 2007 06:20:01 +0000 chronic sinus infectionssinus infection symptomschronic sinus infectionchronic sinusitismayo clinicacute sinusitisantibiotics http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-colloidal-silver-treats-sinus-infection-symptoms
can include headache, nasal congestion, and pressure around the eyes, fever, and nasal discharge. Other less common symptoms might include toothache, cough, and bad breath.

Most ear, nose and throat specialists are able to determine the exact location of the sinus infection based on the symptoms.

The two main types of sinus infections are acute and chronic, and the difference is mostly how long the infection lasts.

usually lasts less than month, while can extend for over three months.

There are two main ways that doctors typically treat acute sinus infections. They either prescribe or recommend getting plenty of rest, or they recommend taking aspirin and drinking hot water, and see if the symptoms worsen after two days. If they do get worse, then they prescribe antibiotics.

Of course, this practice may not the best way to approach the infection, because antibiotics can only help if the infection involves a bacterial pathogen, and that is not the case for all sinus infections. In fact, in the case of s, there are only a tiny minority of cases that have a bacterial cause.

In 1999, the released a study that found strong evidence that suggested nearly every patient who suffers from chronic sinusitis has a fungal infection. In fact, of the 210 chronic sinus infection sufferers observed in the study, a full 96 percent had a fungal infection as the root cause.

Dr. Sherris, a researcher who worked on the study stated that even though doctors had once believed that only one in ten sufferers of chronic sinus infection had a fungal infection, "our studies indicate that, in fact, fungus is likely the cause of nearly all of these problems."

This makes the prescription of antibiotics for the treatment of chronic sinus infection not only ineffective, but downright dangerous.

The body has natural, helpful bacteria that work with the immune system to help fight infections, such as fungal infections. Taking antibiotics kills these "good" bacteria, which allows the fungal infection to thrive and get worse.

Many patients have turned to natural antibiotics such as colloidal silver to treat sinus infections, and many still report fantastic success. One of the reasons that sinus infections are so difficult to deal with is that the ailment has many possible causes.

Based on the testimonials of patients who are now happily sinus-infection free, colloidal silver can rid anyone a sinus infection, no matter if the cause is viral, fungal, bacterial, or even autoimmune.

Not all colloidal silvers are the same in their effectiveness to treat sinus infection symptoms. The most powerful testimonials typically come from those who used true colloidal silver.

True colloidal silver has low concentrations of ionic silver and a very small particle size. The result is a higher concentration of silver that can more effectively fight sinus infections, no matter the root cause. Wyatt McKinney is committed to sharing information about the benefits of bronchitis treatment. Learn more about the treatment for bronchitis by visiting his website http://www.colloidsforlife.com/silver_Bronchitis.html and http://www.colloidsforlife.com/silver_Bronchitis.html ]]> Is There A Connection Between Candida And Vitamin B12? http://www.artwoo.com/article/is-there-a-connection-between-candida-and-vitamin-b12 http://www.artwoo.com/article/is-there-a-connection-between-candida-and-vitamin-b12#comments Wed, 25 Apr 2007 19:45:00 +0000 vitamin b12 deficiencycandida symptomscandida albicanscandida overgrowthuse of antibioticsgroup vitaminssome evidence that http://www.artwoo.com/article/is-there-a-connection-between-candida-and-vitamin-b12 vitamin b12 deficiency is connected. Often when a person is suffering from Candida it prevents their bodies from producing and absorbing essential nutrients that the body needs in order to remain fit and healthy.

Although you may find that it is a problem in relation to most of the vitamins our body's need, one of the more serious aspects is the depletion of the B .

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) is one of the most essential vitamins our body needs as it is required to help keeping the body's nerve cells working properly.

Often a person who is deficient in Vitamin B12 will have a much lower red blood cell count than normal, and this impacts on the immune system, allowing the body to become more susceptible to suffering different types of infections including .

On average an adult will have between 2 and 5mg of Vitamin B12 in their body, the majority of which is stored in the liver (around 80% of all Vitamin B12 in the body is found in a person's liver).

There seems to be one of the reasons as to why a person will be deficient in Vitamin B12 is through their excessive long-term or other prescribed or non-prescribed drugs.

Also, there has been found a link between the long-term use of antibiotics and an increased risk in getting a overgrowth. This is due to the antibiotics killing both the good and the bad bacteria in the GI tract, and so the good bacterium, which is usually a line of defence against a candida overgrowth, can not suppress the growth.

Continue reading and discover natural methods to relieve by joining up to our free newsletter below.

Unfortunately, someone who has used antibiotics for an extended period might be more difficult to diagnose with a vitamin b12 deficiency, as the antibiotics can mask the symptoms, which can range from uncomfortable to life threatening.

Here is a list of some of the symptoms that you may have if you are deficient in vitamin b12:

- A reduced ability to detect vibrations and an altered sense of touch

- A red, and possibly a shiny tongue, sometimes accompanied with a burning sensation or irritation in the mouth.

- Psychological problems, that can range from a headache to serious psychological issues

- A shortness of breath and chest pains, as well as potentially impaired co-ordination and muscle pain.

Unfortunately, the onset of candida can impair the ability to absorb vitamins, and so this can lead to reduced ability to absorb vitamin b12, which in turn reduces the body's ability to fight infection, which in turn then goes on to allow the yeast infection grow further. It all becomes a rather vicious circle.

So, it is important to recognise the link between candida and vitamin b12, and make sure that if any symptoms are shown of either candida albicans or vitamin b12 deficiency spotted, then seek medical advice immediately. Grab your free copy of Jane Symms' brand new Candida and Yeast Infection Newsletter - Full of easy to implement methods to help you discover more about naturally relieveing candida - http://www.eliminating-candida.com?source=is ]]> Now, At Last A New Startling Fact Is Revealed About Building The Immune System. http://www.artwoo.com/article/now-at-last-a-new-startling-fact-is-revealed-about-building-the-immune-system http://www.artwoo.com/article/now-at-last-a-new-startling-fact-is-revealed-about-building-the-immune-system#comments Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:41:14 +0000 harmful bacteriairritable bowel syndromenatural antibioticsputrefactioncolon cancerrelease toxinsmultiply http://www.artwoo.com/article/now-at-last-a-new-startling-fact-is-revealed-about-building-the-immune-system
To enjoy good health and vitality friendly bacteria needs to out number the bad bacteria. The purpose of friendly bacteria is to break up and digest food for absorption. Within this process are released enhancing our defense system to fight off various diseases. Friendly bacteria also kill off and break down toxins, allowing them to be excreted from our body. If we have more harmful bacteria than friendly ones occurs resulting in toxins being produced. When this happens it can weaken the immune system and we are then susceptible to many diseases. So it is of great importance to take live yogurt at bedtime to keep friendly bacteria topped up.

Without friendly bacteria keeping harmful bacteria under control, the harmful bacteria will , vitamins, minerals and enzymes will not be absorbed because food will not break down and as the undigested food rots it will into the blood stream which can cause many diseases including: Constipation, , , chronic gall bladder, arthritis, heart disease and many more. If friendly bacteria are not regularly topped up they can come under threat by the following:

Taking antibiotics=85 Sometimes it is vital to take a course of antibiotics. Unfortunately as well as killing off the intended virus, antibiotics also kill off the friendly bacteria. Whenever antibiotics are taken you need to have live yogurt. When? Last thing before bed. Why? To top up friendly bacteria which is vital for good health.

Stress=85 is a killer. It can cause heart attacks, activate dormant cancer cells and cause stomach ulcers to name just a few. Stress is much more common than you may realize. So many people are under immense levels of pressure, and don't know how to deal with it. To ease stress therapists from around the world recommend that meditation is such a natural and safe way to treat and heal your self.

Poor eating habits=85 Junk and processed food has so much to answer for. Ready meals maybe convenient but they are dreadful for your body. If a few simple habits are changed and fresh wholesome food replaces junk food, life can become so much healthier and happier. Marilyn Ann Barker-Smith is the co-founder of Project Meditation. The site was created to allow everyone to experience the life changing benefits that meditation has to offer by offering everyone a free meditation course available for instant download from http://www.project-meditation.org. ]]> Upper Respiratory Infection Treatment Without Antibiotics http://www.artwoo.com/article/upper-respiratory-infection-treatment-without-antibiotics http://www.artwoo.com/article/upper-respiratory-infection-treatment-without-antibiotics#comments Mon, 24 Dec 2007 06:35:01 +0000 cochrane database of systematic reviewsacute laryngitisside effects of antibioticsrespiratory tract infectiondiarrhea feverupper respiratory tractunpleasant side effects http://www.artwoo.com/article/upper-respiratory-infection-treatment-without-antibiotics respiratory tract infection, or URTI, strikes an estimated one billion times every year in the United States alone. That is more than three cases for every U. S. resident. It is an illness that is caused by any kind of infection of , that is, the nose, sinuses, and larynx.

Typically, doctors will treat upper respiratory tract infection with prescription antibiotics. According to the 2005 article "Antibiotics for in adults" published in The , antibiotics are ineffective for the treatment of laryngitis, a kind of respiratory tract infection.

The summary states that the few benefits that do exist for the prescription of antibiotics for laryngitis are " not relevant in clinical practice as the modest benefits from antibiotics may not outweigh their cost, adverse effects, or negative consequences on antibiotic resistance patterns." The "adverse affects" referred to in the article are the many unpleasant , which include diarrhea, fever, nausea, interactions with drugs, a weakened immune system, and fungal infection.

Many have found benefit in the use of colloidal silver for the treatment of upper respiratory tract infection. Colloidal silver is a solution of microscopic particles of silver suspended in water. Almost every major civilization with access to silver have used the metal for its germ fighting capabilities, and modern hospitals harness it too in the form of water filters, antibacterial bandages, and antibacterial creams.

Colloidal silver is believed to work by essentially "choking" harmful bacterial cells. When silver comes into the proximity of harmful bacteria, it disrupts an enzyme that it needs in order to process oxygen properly. Without oxygen, the bacteria quickly die. Colloidal silver is thought to be able to kill harmful bacteria while leaving healthy tissue and cells untouched because cells that are natural to the body have a much thicker cell wall than bacteria cells.

Colloidal silver can be taken many ways, but as a treatment for upper respiratory tract infection most users of colloidal silver claim the most success through the use of a nebulizer. A nebulizer is a medical device that pumps air into a liquid and turns it into a fine mist for inhaling. Inhaling the colloidal silver directly into the lungs will apply the product directly the infected area, which is believed to reduce the amount of time needed for a successful treatment. Some who suffer from reoccurring sinus infections choose to regularly use the nebulizer even after the infection has subsided to support their immune system.

Anyone who wishes to take colloidal silver as a treatment for a upper respiratory tract infection should be aware that different silver products can have varying levels of effectiveness. In particular, patients should avoid ionic silver solutions. A silver ion is very unstable, and can easily bond with chemicals in the body, most typically chloride. This creates silver chloride, a useless compound.

True colloidal silver is much more stable, and retains silver's well-documented antibacterial properties after it has entered the body. Some producers of ionic silver solutions choose to disclose that they only sell ionic silver, but others do not. One can observe whether or not their silver product is ionic silver simply by looking at the color of the liquid. If it is perfectly clear, it is ionic silver. Worried that prescribed antibiotics are ineffective? Is http://www.colloidsforlife.com/Mesosilver_colloidal_silver.html colloidal silver a natural antibiotic? Wyatt McKinney is a colloidal silver evangelist who is committed to help people decide for themselves whether to try http://www.colloidsforlife.com/ colloidal silver to fight infections. Click for http://www.colloidal-silver-information.com/ colloidal silver testimonials. ]]> Facts You Should Know About Bladder Infection http://www.artwoo.com/article/facts-you-should-know-about-bladder-infection http://www.artwoo.com/article/facts-you-should-know-about-bladder-infection#comments Sat, 22 Jul 2006 00:27:09 +0000 bladder infectionsbladder infectioncloudy urinepainful sexual intercoursekidney stonesstrong urine odoruti http://www.artwoo.com/article/facts-you-should-know-about-bladder-infection UTI) can be in any part of the urinary tract -- The urethra, the bladder, the ureters and the kidneys. Of these, the most common infections occur in the bladder. s are also known as cystitis, which literally means an inflammation of the bladder.

Risk Factors Some people are more likely than others to get bladder infections. Women tend to get them more often than men due to their urethra being shorter and closer to the anus. Among the women most likely to get bladder infections are women who are pregnant, going through menopause and using a diaphragm for birth control. Men who have prostate inflammation or enlargement will also be more likely to have bladder infections. Risk factors that apply to both men and women are; , sexual intercourse with multiple partners, narrowed urethra, immobility such as recovering from hip fracture, not drinking enough fluids, bowel incontinence and catheterization. Elderly people and people with diabetes are also at higher risk of bladder infections.

Children can also be at risk for bladder infections. They are most common in boys before the first birthday and among uncircumcised boys. Girls are most likely to get bladder infections at around three years old when toilet training is usually in progress. Children under five years old who have bladder infections will need follow-up care to prevent later kidney damage.

Symptoms The symptoms of a bladder infection are varied. A person can have any or all of them. Young children may have only a fever or no symptoms at all. For adults, the symptoms can include; pressure in the lower pelvis, pain or burning with urination, frequent or urgent need to urinate, need to urinate at night, , blood in the urine, foul or , , penis pain, flank pain, vomiting, fever and chills and mental changes or confusion.

Causes Bacteria entering the urethra cause bladder infections. The bacteria, more often than not, come from the anus. In some children, an abnormality in the anatomy of the urinary tract contributes to frequent infections.

Treatment Sometimes, a mild bladder infection will clear up on its own. Antibiotics are usually recommended, though, because there is a risk of the infection spreading to the kidneys. In order to protect their developing kidneys, children should be treated promptly with antibiotics. Elderly people should also be treated with antibiotics as soon as possible. If prompt treatment is not started, there is a greater chance of fatal complications.

There are many antibiotics that can be used to treat a bladder infection. They are: Nitrofurantoin, Cephalosporins, Sulfa drugs, Amoxicillin, Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, Doxycycline and Quinolones.

The last two should not be used in children. Women who are not elderly usually only need three days of antibiotics. No matter how many doses are prescribed, the full course of antibiotics must be taken or the infection could return and be harder to clear up. A severe bladder infection may require hospitalization to re-hydrate and receive antibiotics intravenously.

Prevention Bladder infections can usually be prevented. By following these suggestions, bladder infection can be prevented or the frequency reduced. Keep your genital area clean and wipe from front to back. Drink plenty of fluids and avoid fluids that irritate the bladder, like alcohol and caffeine. Drink cranberry juice unless you have a family history of kidney stones. Wear cotton or some other breathable cloth underwear. Do not douche or use similar feminine hygiene products. Urinate soon after sexual intercourse.

Disclaimer The information presented here should not be taken as medical advice. If you need more information, please consult a qualified physician.

Permission is granted to reprint this article as long as no changes are made, and the entire resource box is included. This article is Copyright © 2006, Heather Colman. Find more bladder infection resources at: http://www.bladder-infection-press.info ]]>