Posted on May 9th, 2008
Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder in which you display unusual movements or sounds over which you may have little or no control (tics). For instance, you may repeatedly blink your eyes, shrug your shoulders or jerk your head. In rare cases, you might even blurt out obscenities.
An estimated 1 percent to 2 percent of American children and adults have Tourette syndrome. Males are about three to four times more likely than females to develop Tourette syndrome.
Although there’s no cure, you can live a normal life span with Tourette syndrome, and many people with Tourette don’t need treatment when symptoms aren’t troublesome. Children often outgrow Tourette syndrome after adolescence.
Symptoms
Tics are the hallmark sign of Tourette syndrome. Symptoms range from very mild to severe and debilitating.
The first sign of Tourette is often a facial tic, such as eye blinking. But the spectrum of tics that people experience is amazingly diverse, and there’s no typical case. Read the rest »
Posted on May 9th, 2008
Alcoholism is a chronic disease that makes your body dependent on alcohol. You may be obsessed with alcohol and unable to control how much you drink, even though your drinking is causing serious problems with your relationships, health, work and finances.
It’s possible to have a problem with alcohol, but not display all the characteristics of alcoholism. This is known as “alcohol abuse,” which means you engage in excessive drinking that causes health or social problems, but you aren’t dependent on alcohol and haven’t fully lost control over the use of alcohol.
Although many people assume otherwise, alcoholism is a treatable disease. Medications, counseling and self-help groups are among the therapies that can provide ongoing support to help you recover from alcoholism.
Symptoms
Before treatment or recovery, most people with alcoholism deny that they have a drinking problem. Other signs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse include:
- Drinking alone or in secret
- Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink Read the rest »
Posted on May 8th, 2008
Acromegaly is an uncommon hormonal disorder that develops when your pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone during adulthood. When this happens, your bones increase in size, including those of your hands, feet and face. The term “acromegaly” is derived from the Greek words for extremities and enlargement. Acromegaly usually affects middle-aged adults.
In children who are still growing, too much growth hormone can cause a condition called gigantism. These children have exaggerated bone growth and an abnormal increase in height.
Because acromegaly is so uncommon and the physical changes occur so gradually, doctors often don’t recognize it immediately. If not treated promptly, acromegaly can lead to serious illness and even become life-threatening. Treatment of acromegaly involves approaches to lower your production of growth hormone.
Symptoms
One of the most common signs of acromegaly is enlarged hands and feet. People with this disorder often notice that they can no longer put on rings that used to fit, and that their shoe size has progressively increased. Read the rest »
Posted on May 8th, 2008
Nearly everyone has occasional sleepless nights, perhaps due to stress, heartburn, or drinking too much caffeine or alcohol. Chronic insomnia is defined when you have problems falling asleep, maintaining sleep, or experience nonrestorative sleep that occurs on a regular or frequent basis, often for no apparent reason.
How much sleep is enough varies from person to person. Although 7 1/2 hours of sleep is about average, some people do well on four to five hours of sleep. Other people need nine to 10 hours of sleep each night.
Insomnia can affect not only your energy level and mood, but also your health as well because sleep helps bolster your immune system. Fatigue, at any age, leads to diminished mental alertness and concentration. Lack of sleep caused by insomnia is linked to accidents both on the road and on the job.
Insomnia is a common problem that may be temporary or chronic. As many as one in 10 Americans have chronic insomnia, and at least one in four has difficulty sleeping sometimes. But that doesn’t mean you have to just put up with sleepless nights. Some simple changes in your daily routine and habits may result in better sleep.
Symptoms
Insomnia symptoms may include:
- Difficulty falling asleep at night
- Waking up during the night
- Waking up too early Read the rest »
Posted on May 7th, 2008
Anal itching is itching around your anus — the canal that’s the outlet for your rectum. The itch, located in your anus or on the skin just around your anus, is often intense and may be accompanied by a strong urge to scratch. You may find anal itching to be an embarrassing and uncomfortable situation.
Also called pruritus ani, anal itching has many causes. Numerous factors may cause anal itching to be more intense — including moisture, abrasion caused by your clothing and the pressure of sitting.
Anal itching is a common problem that many people have experienced. Don’t be afraid to talk with your doctor about this condition. With proper treatment and self-care measures, most people can achieve complete relief from anal itching.
Symptoms
Anal itching is associated with other similar symptoms in and around the anus, including:
The itching and irritation in and around your anus may be a temporary condition, or it can be a more persistent and bothersome problem. For some people, the irritation is so intense that the urge to scratch is both irresistible and embarrassing.
Causes
Most cases of anal itching are caused by a harmless problem. Occasionally, however, anal itching can be a sign of more-serious medical issues. Possible causes of anal itching include: Read the rest »
