Complications of Asthma

Asthma is a chronic disease of the respiratory system which causes constriction of the airways. Bronchoconstriction causes symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and chest tightness. Asthma can cause several complications and some of them can be even fatal. Read to know some of the complications of asthma.


Lifestyle Complications: People with moderate to severe asthma can have frequent exacerbations of symptoms which may necessitate frequent visits to hospital emergency room. Besides this the frequent symptoms can disturb their sleep, interfere with daily activities at home, school, or work place and recreational activities. The asthma medications can have several effects.  All these can prevent a person with moderate to severe asthma from leading a normal life as they may become frightened, apprehensive, frustrated and end up missing days of work or school.

Corticosteroid Side-effects: Many people with asthma need corticosteroid for control of asthma symptoms. People on long term or high dose steroids can experience side effects such as easy skin bruising, weight gain, osteoporosis, facial changes and skin dystrophy.

Pneumothorax: This is a rare and potentially fatal complication. In this condition air leaks out of the lungs into the pleural space due to rupture of overstretched alveoli or air sacs in the lungs. Pneumothorax may be suspected if a patient with asthma complains of chest pain or the breathing problem suddenly worsens. If the air leakage is significant it can cause collapse of the lung and even death.


Severe Coughing: Coughing is a common symptom of asthma. Severe coughing episode in these patients can cause complications such as disturbance of sleep, chest pain, urinary incontinence in women and fecal incontinence in men or women.

Status Asthmaticus: This is a rare life-threatening complication of asthma. People with this complication have severe symptoms (such as difficulty in breathing, chest tightness and air hunger) which do not respond well to usual treatment for acute attack of asthma (such as inhaled steroids and broncho-dilators, oral or intravenous steroids).

The Etiology of Diabetes

The etiology of diabetes is only partially understood. The etiology of a disease is the "cause" of the disease, the pathological factor or process which leads to the symptoms and signs associated with that disease. While we do not understand all the details of how or why diabetes develops in most people, we do understand some of the features of the etiology of diabetes, the basic pathological processes that occur in the body and result in the disease as we know it.


Type I and Type II diabetes are quite different diseases in etiology. While their resulting features have much in common, such as hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), they have many differences and their underlying cause is probably quite different.

Type I Diabetes

Type I (also often referred to as juvenile onset or insulin-dependent diabetes) is most common to present in childhood, although it can occur at any age. It is the less common form of diabetes. What is known about the etiology of Type I diabetes is that it appears to be due to an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system (which normally fights disease) goes haywire, attacking and damaging cells and tissues of the body. There are many types of autoimmune diseases (from multiple sclerosis to Graves' disease) and the factor that sets them off in the first place is generally poorly understood. However, once the autoimmune attack starts in diabetics, the cells of the pancreas that normally produce insulin are damaged. The body is no longer able to produce insulin in adequate levels and high blood sugar and all the symptoms and effects of diabetes follow. Although this is fairly well agreed upon as the etiology of Type I diabetes, the initial inciting factor or factors that determines if someone is going to develop the disease is not understood.

Type II Diabetes

Type II diabetes appears to be an even more complicated picture. The etiology of diabetes of this type is unclear and may vary from patient to patient. On the one hand, some patients appear to have decreased levels of insulin secretion, similar to Type I. Others have relatively normal insulin levels but the body's peripheral response to insulin is lower than normal (termed insulin resistance). These both appear to be important etiologies in the development of Type II diabetes, either alone or in concert. It is unclear what causes these problems in the first place but, because family history and ethnicity are strong risk factors of diabetes, there may be a strong genetic component. Also, obesity is though to alter the way that fat cells responde to insulin and this may play an important role in the development of insulin resistance.

While the exact cause of diabetes is not known in all cases, the risk factors (such as family history, obesity, advanced age, ethnicity, etc.) are well recognized and people at high risk for Type II Diabetes are often counseled to be on the look out for signs and symptoms of early diabetes and to take steps to reverse those risk factors which can be controlled (such as weight loss, exercise, dietary changes, etc.).

First night Tips to make it Memorable

After the first date, the insatiable urge to meet, the looks into each other’s eyes, the romantic strolls on the sidewalks of soft summer days, you finally get married, and then comes the first night of lovemaking. This is certainly a very tensing and nervous time for the new couple, and you would want to make it perfect, the first time should always be perfect.


So before you get jitters and performance anxiety you should realise that your first night should exemplify your true passion and affection for each other. Playing it well is very important and so we have brought to you some tips for your first night of sex with your special one so to make it memorable.

Start Light

Do not just pounce at each other and start making out, you will just ruin things. You will have to understand that there are steps to making love, starting it this way will only make you feel absurd and weird by the end of it. Therefore, you should start it all with flirting by talking about each other, looking into each other’s eyes, holding hands, and basically setting the mood for your first sexual encounter. Remember to be tender.

Don’t get Fancy

If this is your first night after marriage, then you can stick to traditions and try not getting too fancy too soon. Stay in your bridal wear and take things forward from here itself, the lingerie and sexy night gowns can wait for some other time. A man likes to see his bride in the bridal wear, and it is equally exciting for the woman to see her man in the same. Do not spoil this excitement by bringing in western fancies.

Don’t Experiment

This is your first time with your new partner and sex can be very exciting, but you will have to relax, keep a control on your emotions. Trying new things can be fun, but you ought to wait for the right time. For now you will have to take it easy and try to make your partner comfortable, this is priority. Do not give your partner a very negative feeling in the first time itself.

Foreplay is important

Go close to your partner and nibble her ears lobes, kiss the neck and go slow. Foreplay is very important, the entire act of sex is allowed to build up with foreplay and then you proceed to the intercourse. Do not over think too much, just be relaxed and stay focused.



Switch off the Gadgets

For once you could switch off your gadgets and concentrate on the need of the hour, and that is love making. Forget the phones and the laptops, let them be shut for this night, make your partner the priority and make sure you devote your night to him or her. Constant phones and messages can ruin things.

The best tip anyone can ever give you is to be yourself and be confident, relax your nerves and be calm. You don’t have to be sex god or goddess, just be yourself.

Stroke has a new indicator !

I URGE ALL MY FRIENDS TO READ & SHARE THIS; YOU COULD SAVE A LOVED ONES LIFE BY KNOWING THIS SIMPLE INFORMATION!!!

Stroke has a new indicator! They say if you forward this to ten people, you stand a chance of saving one life. Will you send this along? Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue:

During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) ...she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.

Jane's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 PM Jane passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this.

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.
>>RECOGNIZING A STROKE<<

Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR. Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. Chicken Soup)

R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is

'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this post share it to ur frnds ; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.

I have done my part. Will you?

Second Trimester Pregnancy Symptoms

Increased belly size – The belly size is quite noticeable at this stage and you are long past the stage when you needed to tell people about your condition. Uterus has expanded to give room to the growing baby.

Braxton Hicks Contractions – Tightening of the uterus at this stage is referred to Braxton Hicks Contractions. It happens for around 30 to 60 seconds.

Stretch marks – These are generally believed to occur after pregnancy but start to show at this stage. These could occur in the buttocks, breasts, abdomen and upper part of arms. The stretch marks are nearly always accompanied by itching at the area where the skin is stretched.

Skin changes - You will notice changes in skin colour. Certain areas of your may become darker. Particularly the skin around the nipples and the line running from the navel to the pubic bone becomes darker.

Sensitivity to sun – Some women complain of their skin having become sensitive to the intensity of the sun.

Vaginal discharge – White and thin vaginal discharge can be noticed in the second pregnancy trimester. Such a discharge is important from the point of view of maintaining the health of the foetus and the expecting mother as the acidic discharge is helpful in suppressing the harmful bacteria.

Shortness of breath – You are likely to face the problem of shortness of breath. This is due to the fact that your lungs start to process more air because oxygen needs to be carried to the placenta.

As your pregnancy has reached the second trimester stage, you need to be extra cautious in maintaining your health. Moreover, it is the time when you can enjoy your condition as the pregnancy glow comes over to your face and managing your weight becomes easier. This does not mean you can slacken with regards to taking care but certainly begin to enjoy your blessedness of being pregnant. It is important that you continue with your general routine of pregnancy as it was before but make sure that whatever changes recommended by your health care provider is being followed by you.

Causes of Irregular Periods

Periods can be really hard to deal with. What with the cramps, the PMS and everything else besides! But when they become irregular, they can get even harder to deal with. In order to be able to understand and treat irregular periods, one must understand the underlying body chemistry that can cause them.

Early on in your reproductive years, irregular periods are nothing to worry about. The body sometimes takes a few years for the hormones to control the changes in your body and to reach a balance in your regular menstrual cycle

Closer to menopause too, you may experience irregular periods. This too is completely normal. During this time the menstrual cycle changes, eventually ending in the ceasing of periods altogether.

Pregnancy is another cause for irregular periods. If you miss a few, you may want to take that home pregnancy test.

Emotional stress too can cause the hormones in your body to alter, causing your periods to become irregular. To avoid severe emotional stress, try practicing meditation or yoga, or consult a mental heath professional.

Certain uterine abnormalities such as cervical polyps, uterine fibroids and endometriosis (endometriosis symptoms) also lead to irregular periods.

Sometimes sudden and significant weight gain or loss can cause your periods to become irregular or skipped.

Eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia can also be a cause of irregular periods.

Consuming excessive alcohol can also disturb your hormonal metabolism, resulting in irregular periods.

What to do When suffer a heart attack ?

What to do When suffer a heart attack ?

Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, without help,the person whose heart is beating improperly and whom begins to feel faint, has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness.

However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest.

A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without let-up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again.

Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital. Tell as many other people as possible about this. It could save their lives !!!