Overview

Hypochondriasis (or hypochondria, sometimes referred to as health phobia) refers to an excessive preoccupation or worry about having a serious illness. Often, hypochondria persists even after a physician has evaluated a person and reassured him/her that his/her concerns about symptoms do not have an underlying medical basis or, if there is a medical illness, the concerns are far in excess of what is appropriate for the level of disease. Many people suffering from this disorder focus on a particular symptom as the catalyst of their worrying, such as gastro-intestinal problems, palpitations, or muscle fatigue.

Hypochondria is often characterized by fears that minor bodily symptoms may indicate a serious illness, constant self-examination and self-diagnosis, and a preoccupation with one's body. Many individuals with hypochondriasis express doubt and disbelief in the doctors' diagnosis, and report that doctors’ reassurance about an absence of a serious medical condition is unconvincing, or un-lasting. Many hypochondriacs require constant reassurance, either from doctors, family, or friends, and the disorder can become a disabling torment for the individual with hypochondriasis, as well as his or her family and friends. Some hypochondriacal individuals are completely avoidant of any reminder of illness, whereas others are frequent visitors of doctors’ offices. Other hypochondriacs will never speak about their terror, convinced that their fear of having a serious illness will not be taken seriously by those in whom they confide.

Find the Truth by Reading Current Health Articles

When it comes to health issues, self diagnosis can be a dangerous thing and the medical professionals should always have the final say with regards to treatments. However, that doesn't mean that someone should not educate themselves on health matters, and especially if the illness or condition in questions affects you or someone close to you. This is why it's wise to keep updated by reading current health articles. Although it's not sensible to take treatment into your own hands, you could always take your new findings to you doctor for his input and opinion on whatever it is you've read about that you think may help your case.

Mind you, it's important to be careful when reading current health articles and it's crucial to find a reliable source for information. Unfortunately, the World Wide Web has its fair share of misinformation as well as an abundance of accurate, useful reports and updated developments in the medical field. Another potential problem with reading health articles is that it can turn a few people into hypochondriacs, as some well written pieces can convince the reader thy have certain conditions which they don't.

My son, bless his heart, was a victim of this with his young curious mind. He stumbled on some current health articles as he was doing a little online research about tropical Malaria for a school project. My wife and I noticed he was a little quiet for a few days but when asked if he was ok, he just shrugged his shoulders and said that he was fine. Eventually, it all got a bit much for the lad and after about a week of suffering in silence he decided to overcome his embarrassment and voice his concerns to us.

What happened was he'd come across some links on STD's and after reading up on the symptoms of a few of these he was certain he was going to die a premature death. He was sure that he had signs of third stage syphilis, another conditions called chancroid, and something else even I can't spell or pronounce. The poor lad is only 12 and is yet to have his first proper girlfriend, but even so, we had to take him to the family doctor before he could be reassured that he was a young, fit, and healthy young man with his whole life ahead of him. We have since moved his PC into the living room where we can keep an eye on the type of sites he visits,

But hypochondria aside, it is still a good idea for many folks to read current health articles whenever they have a need to keep updated on their or their loved ones illnesses. I have a very good friend of mine who developed progressive multiple sclerosis at just 39 years of age and he got real bad. He was just one step away from a wheel chair and had tried a multitude medications and combination medicines, but nothing seemed to be helping. It was painful to watch the poor guy getting worse and worse, and having a wife and young daughter made this cruel and seemingly unstoppable condition all the more sad.

Anyway, Elvis (a nickname from school days!), became a bit of an expert on his condition, and made sure he kept up with all the current health articles on MS from the experts around the world. One day, he discovered a drug that he thought might help him out in combination with a previous drug he had tried but failed. He approached his physician about this and he agreed that there was nothing to lose by trying.

Without any exaggeration, after two years of pain, discomfort and heading fast to becoming a full blown cripple, he got well within weeks. When I say well, I mean he'd gone from clutching onto sticks to running around like a kid on a mission. I have never in my life seen such a transformation in anyone and it's all thanks to his commitment to keeping updated on progressive MS by reading all the current health articles he could get his hands on. I just hope and pray he doesn't relapse, but touch wood; he's been as fit as a fiddle for 18 months at the time of writing this article.



Autor: Andy Maingam

Andy Maingam is a proficient writer and webmaster for HealthGusto dot com where he writes on such health issues as the health spas and low back pain exercise. He also has many other health related pieces on the site


Added: June 9, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

7 Helps For Better Personal Health

Health is one of the important areas of our life. Others are religion, job or business with an adequate income, building a retirement income, and owning a house. But how important are these? They are important. So how does personal health fit into the picture?

Poor health in general does not allow full enjoyment of any of the items important. Specific health problems can be short time and interfere with life enjoyment. Long time specific health problems can be a never ending diminishing of life activities including work and other important areas.

At the same time one does not want to be deluded into frequent doctor visits when there is no real problem. At its worst it is called hypochondria. In less amounts it can be delusions caused by television commercials, and magazines ads.

Some pointers are:

1. Ignore commercials. If you believe you have a real problem, or daily routines are adversely affected by what appears to be real health problems, see your family doctor. At least you can then determine if the problem is real, whether it is an important problem or not, and relieve your mind, and be able to get on with your life. But do not allow commercials to cause you health worries, when in fact there may not be any.

2. Remember that there are few doctors will tell you to get lost. The basic attitude of doctors is to serve the patient. That is good. But realize that you are wasting your time and money and the doctors time if you do not have a real problem.

3. Physicals. At nearly every age regular physicals should become routine. Through these one can learn their general and specific health, whether any areas need attention and then acting on the best plans according to your doctor alleviate them, gain peace of mind even if there is a problem because then you know what it is and what you need to do to relieve it.

4. OTC Drugs. There are a multitude of over the counter drugs most of which you do not need. Aspirin is good, a cough medication may work for light coughs or colds. First one needs to determine with their doctor if they have a problem, and if yes, what is a good OTC remedy. Your doctor can tell you also, in general, what OTC drugs that are useful for you. Remember that you can become sick from too many or too much OTC drugs.

5. Prescription drugs. Doctors have a multitude of choices when prescribing a drug for a particular health problem. That is good, but remember a prescription drug can als cause you problems, and if one does notify your doctor and get a different drug.

6. Food. Good food is a critical part of good health. Take the time to learn healthy foods and then set your diet according to them. Your doctor's office can get you started learning what are healthy foods and those not good for you. And learn to read labels. Most grocery stores and restaurants aim to sell food, and not watch out for your health. Control of your diet is up to you. Exercise that control. Generally foods prepared at home are healthier than restaurant menus.

7. Exercise. If your life style is with little exercise then you probably need exercise. Walking up stairs a level or two is better than taking an elevator or escalator, and may prove faster. Parking away from the store or mall and walking to the store is good exercise. Mowing the yard with a walk behind mower is good exercise. The point is that there are many good exercises about in your daily life. A spa or gym is not necessary. However gyms do provide a community of people doing the same thing and that may appeal to you. Remember that toned muscles are good for they also represent heart exercise. Bulging muscles look good, but they can introduce health problems. Moderation is a good goal when exercising.

Every important area of life is better enjoyed when health is good. Pills may become a necessity, but they are not a substitute for good health. Doctors can be a big help, yet your health is up to you. If you have good health don't waste it. If your health is not where you would like then you need to get working on it.



Autor: Paul Mobley Paul Mobley
Level: Basic PLUS
Now retired, Paul is active doing small farming, maintaining a website, and writing. Though some income is desireable, many efforts are for free both of ... ...

http://www.geocities.com/mobleria/me.html list more information about the author, and provide resources that a publisher would be interested in, and some of the expertise that supports viewing his articles and these materials. Paul's Book are found at http://www.lulu.com/mobleria Paul is interested in writing from article size to books and invites anyone interested to contact him.


Added: June 8, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

What is Fibromyalgia - What You Should Know!

Fibromyalgia is a mysterious conglomeration of various and variable complaints linked together as a syndrome and was not recognized officially as a complaint until two or three decades ago. Therefore, the question of what is fibromyalgia did not arise until recent times.When investigating the question what is fibromyalgia one has to take into consideration the fact that the medical profession has not yet arrived at a final answer to this question, but currently associates the amalgamated problems with the central nervous system or that of an overactive pain system.

Among the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia sufferers are muscle pain and weakness, problems with sleeping, fatigue and exhaustion, tender spots where pain erupts on slight pressure, and morning stiffness. Other conditions that may be attributed to fibromyalgia include excess sensitivity, depression, headaches, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, numbness or tingling of the extremities, chest pain and mood changes.

Due to the vast array of possible symptoms, diagnosis is often a difficulty; prior to two decades ago, medical staff usually put down the fibromyalgia symptoms to hypochondria or exaggeration, as there was no physical representation of the problems such as damaged tissue or inflammation visible in response to their tests. Now that it has been officially recognized as a disorder and is the cause of further scientific and medical research, perhaps the question of what is fibromyalgia can eventually have an answer.

Currently, diagnosis depends mainly on two factors. The first contributinge factor being a history of generalized pain that has affected the entire body, left and right as well as upper and lower, for a duration of at least three months. The second factor being based on their being tenderness located in at least eleven of the eighteen specific points known as tender points.

When originally recognized as a medical syndrome, fibromyalgia was attributed to the family of rheumatology and arthritis, due to the essential factor of joint pain and muscle stiffness. It remained unrecognized as a disorder or illness by the American Medical Association until 1987, despite having first been accepted as existent in the early eighteen hundreds under former titles such as fibrositis and muscular rheumatism.

The question of what is fibromyalgia precisely has yet to be answered; however, various treatments to assist sufferers have been suggested and developed whilst medical scientists further explore the question. What is fibromyalgia is a question still to be completely answered.

Currently, the question of how to best treat the symptoms to ease the discomfort of sufferers is prevalent over the question of what is fibromyalgia. There are numerous additional factors present in some patients, whilst others simply experience the overall sense of exhaustion, have difficulty sleeping, and suffer from joint and muscle problems.

Dependent upon the conditions present, once diagnosed, the medical profession may offer medication and other treatments, suggest herbal remedies and lifestyle changes, or prescribe various alternate forms such as acupuncture, yoga and dietary changes. However, the medical profession has yet to fully comprehend and answer the question of what is fibromyalgia.

Each specific has to be considered and treated separately, as there remains no answer to the question of what is fibromyalgia and hence no cure. Current research is attempting to establish the connectivity between fibromyalgia and pain sensitivity, reaction to current medicines and treatments, and the significance of the hereditary factor.

Until medical research can establish further information and facts related to fibromyalgia, it can only offer ways to alleviate the various symptoms and suggest that patients suffering fro the disorder attempt to obtain sufficient sleep, take their prescription medications, make alterations to their diet and possibly their working habits also, and partake of proper levels of exercise. Yoga, herbal remedies and acupuncture will often assist with the pain problem in the meantime. What is fibromyalgia is a question that has yet to be completely answered.



Autor: Sara Jowers

Sara Jowers is a research writer specializing in illnesses that predominently affect women. Go here for more great tips and advice on chronic fibromyalgia


Added: June 6, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/