The Ptolemy Project | Providing access to electronic health information in the developing world

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Web Name: The Ptolemy Project | Providing access to electronic health information in the developing world

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Healthy living means having a good physical health with good mental thinking and peaceful living. These days many peoples are there who face health problems which could be avoided by some healthy living. Some people have physical problem while others face mental problems. You must have heard about healthy living, but must be wondering what does it mean? Generally it means healthy weight, healthy foods and proper exercise. Doesn’t it sound simple? So making small changes in your life and taking more steps toward healthy living can be beneficial.Proper exercise plays an imperative roleOne of the biggest problems of today’s life is lack of physical activity. It is well known that physical activity is good for health but due to hectic working schedule it is ignored. Ignorance of physical activity can lead to many health problems, so it is advised to exercise regularly. It is a truth that the more you exercise the healthier you’ll be.Even some moderate activities can make a difference in your life, so chores, walking and gardening can be good option. By just adding little movement to your life you can avoid many health problems like can reduce heart disease risk and diabetes, improve joint stability, improve range of movement, control bone mass, prevent fractures and osteoporosis, and enhance self-esteem. So if you make small changes in your daily routine it can help you to lead a healthy lifestyle.Simple tips to move your body and eat healthyTo loss weight you can add little more activities to your life. If you cannot go for a physical structure program then start with some small things as every little bit is countable because it helps to burn calories.Turn off the TV: Once a week turn of the TV and do some physical activities with your family which you enjoy and can add as exercise. Like play games, go for walk, or go for swimming anything could be more active then just sitting on couch.Walk: You should walk more as walking is beneficial for health. So you can take your dog out each day, after meal talk a walk in your garden, if your office is nearby then walk to your office. These all small thing can act as good physical activity and helps your nutrition facts to maintain healthy lifestyle.Do chores: Making your garden proper, raking leaves and sweeping floor are not vigorous exercise but can help you move while getting your house in order.Pace while talking: While talking with your friend on phone you can pace around or do cleaning. It is a good way to keep your body moving while doing something you enjoy.Eat more veggies: Add more veggies to your food like while eating sandwich add tomato to it, you can mix extra veggies to your pasta and so on.Add more fruits to diet: You should consume more foods so while having your breakfast, lunch or dinner eat more fruits because they are good for healthy lifestyle.Eat low fat foods: Switch to skim milk and eat fat free yoghurt as it is a simple way to eat fewer calories.So here are some basic ways to maintain a healthy living. Healthy diet and proper exercise can lead to healthy life which is beneficial from every point of view like in professional life, and in personal life.For custom products specially designed for disabled ad elderly people, click here. Tags: disabled, health, seniorLeave a commentRhyler Cummins View more posts by this author Learn how to make perfect pizzas at home using this simple yet effective recipe for homemade pizza dough. Also learn about the various styles of pizza dough.Is ordering pizza from your favorite Pizzeria a frequent ritual in your household? Do you always cringe at the manner in which your kids spurn good home cooked food in favor of restaurant bought Pizza? Are you convinced that making pizzas at home is a culinary process that is daunting, cumbersome, tedious and not always successful? Well, you couldn t be farther from the truth. Making pizzas at home does take time but the process is rather easy and gives out consistent results once you are acquainted with the recipe and have obtained the right pizza making tools from Californo. Moreover, if you have a particular affinity for the meandering flavors of Italian food, it would be very well worth the effort to make your pizzas from scratch. Anyone who makes fresh pizza at home is well aware of the fact that it bears absolutely no semblance to the dry and almost bland pizza base that you buy in the supermarket. Though using pre-made pizza dough is not much of a culinary aberration, you owe it to the gastronomic enthusiast in you to make the best and freshest pizza. Furthermore, once you have got the hang of making pizza at home, you will probably never revert back to store bought pizza dough.What is the perfect pizza dough recipe?Have you ever seen chefs on television swirling and twisting the pizza dough in the air with an adeptness that baffles you? Do such shows reinforce your belief that it is rather impossible to perfect a pizza dough recipe at home? Well, here is what you can do to make the perfect pizza dough yourself. All it takes is an intuitive mind and the right pizza making tools.Ingredients requiredMake sure that the ingredients which you use in the pizza dough recipe are of the best quality. This is crucial in ensuring the superior taste and appearance of the finished dish. The flour used in the recipe should preferably be strong white flour. Though plain flour can also be used in case you are unable to get hold of strong white flour, it does not give out results that are as desirable. This is because of the fact that strong white flour boasts of a high gluten content thus contributing to the elasticity that is associated with pizza dough. The gluten in the flour makes the pizza dough extremely pliable yet full-bodied in flavor. For the pizza dough recipe you will need,1 tablespoon active dry yeast or 1Oz brewer s yeast1 1/2 cup warm water500 gms strong white flourPinch of salt1 tablespoon good quality Extra Virgin Olive OilMethod of preparationTake a small glass bowl and sprinkle the dry or brewer s yeast into the warm water. Give it a stir to dissolve the yeast. Set this concoction aside for about 5 minutes or until the yeast forms tiny bubbles. Sift the strong white flour and place it on the countertop or whichever work surface you prefer.Make a mound with the flour and scoop a hole in the center. Pour in the yeast mixture, olive oil and the pinch of salt in the center of the flour mound. Use a plastic or wooden spatula to bring the ingredients together. Then use your hands to mix it into a dough like consistency. Sprinkle some flour on the work surface and put the pizza dough on it. Proceed to knead and push the pizza dough with your palms until it is lithe and elastic in texture.Take a large bowl and grease it with some olive oil. Transfer the prepared pizza dough to this bowl. The oil will prevent the pizza dough from sticking to the sides of the bowl when it eventually rises. Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel and place it in a warm place that will facilitate the rising of the dough. Though it usually takes an hour or two for the dough to rise, the pace is actually influenced by the strength of the yeast and the warmth of the room. A great tip to employ when implementing the pizza dough recipe is to make two small incisions on top of the dough and lightly dab it with olive oil. This will prevent the surface of the dough from breaking too much when it rises.When the pizza dough has virtually doubled in size, poke it with a finger. In case the dough does not shrink and the impression of your finger remains, allow the dough to rise for some more time. However, if the dough sinks on itself when you poke a finger, it has risen suitably. Now, clench your fist and punch out the air from the pizza dough.Flour the work surface and plop the pizza dough onto it. Cut the dough into three equal parts. Consider if you would like to assemble the pizza on a pizza peel or on the work surface itself. It is more prudent to arrange the pizza on a pizza peel since it will be easier to slide it into the hot oven.At this point, you can use a rolling pin to roll out the pizza dough to the thickness that you prefer. Make sure that you roll the dough from the center outwards so as to obtain an even thickness. Now spread the tomato sauce, pesto or white sauce and the toppings. Be sure not to go overboard with the toppings. This does not encourage an even cooking process and will moreover create a conflict in the flavors. Sprinkle the cheese of your choice and slide the assembled pizza into a prepared pizza oven using a proper pizza oven is crucial for a good result. Ensure that the pizza pan is lightly greased with olive oil. This will prevent the pizza from sticking to the pan and will also impart a delightfully crunchy texture to the crust.Bake until the pizza is thoroughly cooked and the cheese is bubbly, melted and slightly brown on top. For checking if the pizza is done, lift the crust. The bottom should be slightly brown. Keep in mind that a thicker crust takes a considerably longer time to cook than a relatively thinner crust.Any remainder of the pizza dough can be frozen in the freezer for later use. To thaw frozen pizza dough, let it remain at room temperature for 2-3 hours. Now you can proceed with the pizza making process.What are the different styles of pizza dough?The shape, size and nature of the pizza you make are largely influenced by the number of people you are catering to and also your culinary inclinations. Though it is the thickness of the crust that is always the point of contention, sometimes you can deviate from the conventional to make a rectangular or square shaped pizza. The Sorrento region in Italy is renowned for the native pizzas that are rectangular in shape. There are usually two classifications for the pizza dough.The classic NeapolitanThe Neapolitan style of making pizza favors a crust that is thick and has a rim. The pizza dough for this style of pizza should ideally be spread to about a thickness of 3mm. The edges of the crust should be slightly thicker so that they rein in the toppings in the center of the pizza.Classic Roman styleThis style of pizza is devoid of a rim on the crust. This is due to the fact that the toppings are more thick and gooey and thus will certainly not slide off the pizza. The crust in the roman style pizza hinges on the thinner side. IntroductionTreatment of intra-abdominal infections is without doubt one of the most common and important challenges for surgeons generally and for those who work in low-income countries, in particular. Despite the development of much ancillary diagnostic technology, the diagnosis of peritonitis is still dependent on clinical criteria. Operative management, which may require repeated laparotomies, may tax the skills of the most experienced surgeon.A multi-disciplinary approach to intensive care support of the critically ill patient may be as important to survival as surgery. Controlling the source of infection, removing contamination by peritoneal lavage, antibiotics and physiologic support remain the chief modalities of treatment. (2) Intra-abdominal infections comprise a) infections of specific organ systems, eg. appendicitis, and cholecystitis; b) peritonitis resulting from extension of infection into the general peritoneal cavity and c) intra-abdominal abscesses which result from the extension of inflammation beyond the viscus and from incompletely resolved peritonitis. (3) The latter two entities comprise the subject of this Review. Tags: intra-abdominal infections, peritonitsLeave a commentRhyler Cummins View more posts by this authorAn optometrist is a healthcare professional trained specifically to monitor the health and well-being of the eye. Optometrists are primarily concerned with the vision and the visual information processing capabilities the eye possesses.Doctors of Optometry and Ophthalmic OpticiansIn the US and Canada, optometrists are considered Doctors of Optometry. They are required to complete medical training as well as the specialized training needed to diagnose illnesses of the eye. Doctors of optometry are able to perform medical procedures including laser treatments. Their medical training also allows them to treat diseases through ingested medications and topical solutions. As a result of their medical training, optometrists who are certified doctors are subject the same laws as other medical doctors when it comes to their practice and their patients.In other parts of the world, including the United Kingdom, those seeking to pursue optometry are not required to undertake medical training. The care they are able to provide their patients is limited to monitoring the health of the eye and providing prescriptions for corrective eyeglasses or bi-weekly contact lenses for comfortable vision. Because they lack medical training they are unable to issue prescriptions for medication in the form of drugs or topical solutions.  Furthermore, they do not have the power or training to perform invasive procedures including surgery and laser treatments.  If a patient requires such treatment, he or she is referred to an ophthalmologist, a neurologist or a general physician to determine the next course of action.Education and Practicing OptometryWhile some countries are laxer in their legal boundaries concerning the practice of optometry, many nations require up-to-date licensing in order to run an optometry practice. In the US individuals must first complete a Doctor of Optometry degree.This degree program can typically be completed in five years. Upon successful graduation, the candidate must then pass an examination issued by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry or NBEO. This exam is composed of three parts which include basic science, clinical science, and patient care. After passing the exam an optometrist is officially granted the ability to practice optometry, however, there is still more learning to be done. As with any other medical discipline, there are specialties and sub-categories a newly graduated optometrist will be able to explore. This time of exploration is usually undertaken as a residency.A residency is a brief period of time during which new optometrists are able to explore and experience the various specialties in the vast field of optometry. This is a time to figure out which specialty is most suitable for them. During this period of discovery, candidates shadow established, veteran optometrists of every specialty they can to determine which area they will pursue during their career. Even after an optometrist has chosen a specialty and begun working in their chosen field, the learning process is still not over. In fact, optometrists will spend a lot of their careers learning new skills and staying informed of the advancements that occur in their field to better their ability to treat their patients.An Optometrist’s Salary ExpectationsStarting out, an optometrist can expect to make a salary of anywhere between $40,000 to 43,000 a year. This figure is, of course, at the lower end of the spectrum. After a few years of practicing optometry salary expectations can rise to between $80,000 to $87,000. At the highest end of the spectrum, an optometrist can expect to make around $130,000. The highest paid optometrists are found in metropolitan areas where the demand for optometry practitioners prescribing eyeglasses or contact lenses with blending designs complimenting the natural eye color is much higher than the number of optometrists available.Taking into consideration the demand for optometrists, the variety of specialties available and the relatively minimal time spent in school, optometry is a very stable career option. Those who enjoy patient care and a constant thirst for knowledge and learning will undoubtedly be satisfied in pursuing optometry. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) has many health benefits. Scientific evidence shows that vitamin B6 may help prevent coronary heart disease by helping reduce blood levels of the animo acid homocysteine. Studies show B6 is also beneficial in alleviating mood swings and depression, PMS, asthma and fatigue.Symptoms of Vitamin B6 DeficiencyA deficiency of vitamin B6 is rare as this vitamin is readily available in many food sources. Symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency may include skin disorders and inflammation of the tongue and mucous membranes of the mouth. In addition, a deficiency of vitamin B6 may cause dizziness, weakness and anemia. Convulsions may also occur, especially in infants.Vitamin B6 also helps make the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, which help balance moods. Vitamin B6 has long been known as being beneficial for mood swings and depression. Depression, irritability, and mood swings may be indicative of a deficiency of vitamin B6.Recommended Daily Allowances and B6-Rich FoodsVitamin B6 is found in a variety of foods, though most of them contain a low level of this nutrient. The richest food sources of B6 are meats such as beef, liver, pork and poultry. Eggs, peanuts, peas, spinach, walnuts, and wheat germ are also significant sources. Dairy products and most fruits and vegetables contain a small amount of vitamin B6, but are not a rich source.The Optimal Daily Allowance for vitamin B6 for adults is four to 10 milligrams. While it is possible to get enough vitamin B6 through diet alone, most individuals fail to reach the recommended daily allowance without taking a supplement. The nutrient is generally safe up to 500 milligrams a day. It is important not to take excessive amounts of vitamin B6. Toxicity may cause neurological problems such as skin rash, numbness in the hands and feet and difficulty walking.Who is at Risk for Vitamin B6 Deficiency?Certain lifestyle choices, such as drinking or taking oral contraceptives, may affect the amount of vitamin B6 the body is able to absorb.Individuals who many be at risk of a vitamin B6 deficiency include:oral contraceptive usersheavy drinkerspregnant or breast-feeding womenpeople on high protein dietspeople taking certain medications such as isoniazid, hydralazine, or penicillamineThough it is possible to consume the Optimal Daily Allowance of vitamin B6 through diet alone, many people, especially those at risk, might benefit by taking a daily supplement. Tags: health, nutrition, pyridoxine, Vitamin B6, vitamin deficiencyLeave a commentRhyler Cummins View more posts by this author Penicillin ,which was the first antibiotic, now joins over 100 antibiotics commonly prescribed to treat bacterial infections. These drugs work to kill and inhibit further growth of bacteria. They are not effective treatment for fighting viruses or fungal infections. Antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial infections and should never be taken for other types of infections. Never save unused antibiotics for later use or take antibiotics that have been prescribed for someone else. Misuse of antibiotics causes serious consequences.Development of Drug-Resistant InfectionsThe misuse of antibiotics results in the increased risk of drug-resistant infections. This means that the antibiotic is no longer effective against the disease-causing bacteria. The staff of the Mayo Clinic cite the recent spread of MRSA or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This infection was once confined to hospitalized patients. Now a new strain of the bacteria has become prevalent and has infected healthy people in the general population. Drug-resistant infections are more difficult to treat, have a prolonged course of treatment and raise the cost of health care. Health care costs increase because of the need for more doctor’s visits, possible hospitalization and more expensive and toxic medications. Death is a consequence of certain drug-resistant infections. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria poses a global health treat since infectious bacteria adapt quickly. This presents the challenge to develop new antibiotics and treatments to keep pace with the new strains of bacteria.Promoting Bacterial OvergrowthOne example of bacterial overgrowth attributed to antibiotic misuse is a new strain of Clostridum difficile. This bacterium causes diarrhea and serious intestinal conditions such as colitis. In 2000, a new clindamycin-resistant strain of Clostridum difficile was responsible for an outbreak of diarrhea in hospitals in the United States. Clostridum difficile diarrhea has long been associated with antibiotic use. Overuse of antibiotics suppresses the normal intestinal bacteria that inhibit the overgrowth of pathogenic microorganisms. According to the staff of the Mayo Clinic, the risk of susceptibility increases with recent use of broad spectrum antibiotics that treat a wide range of bacteria, use of multiple antibiotics and prolonged use. Preventative measures against contracting the illness include proper hand washing and hygiene and avoidance of unnecessary use of antibiotics.Jeopardizing the Health of OthersAntibiotics should be taken exactly as prescribed by a physician. Never stop taking the medication a few days early simply because you feel better. A full course of antibiotic therapy is the only effective means of killing all of the harmful bacteria. A shortened course destroys only the most vulnerable bacteria and allows the relatively resistant bacteria to survive. Consequently, the infected person spreads the surviving bacteria to other people with whom he comes in contact. Tags: antibiotics, drug-resistant infections, penicillin, prescription medicationsLeave a commentRhyler Cummins View more posts by this author The genus Mycobacterium contains many members, few of which are pathogens. But when pathogenic, chronic diseases such as tuberculosis and Hansen s Disease may result.All members of the genus Mycobacterium have special features that make these species resistant to control. Mycobacteria have a unique bacterial cell wall that contains large quantities of a lipid called mycolic acid. This lipid results in a waxy bacterial cell wall that is directly responsible for the control-resistant features of pathogens in this genus.Staining MycobacteriaThe presence of mycolic acid also makes it difficult to reliably stain Mycobacteria with water-based stains, such as the Gram stain, used to help identify groups of bacteria. A special stain, called the acid-fast stain, must be used to identify Mycobacteria. This staining protocol employs heat to permanently drive a pink dye into the waxy cell wall.The Chronic Nature of Mycobacterial DiseasesMycobacterial diseases are chronic, developing slowly due to relatively long generation time of these bacteria. Generation time is how long it takes for a bacterial population to double, as individual bacteria divide by binary fission. Whereas it only takes Escherichia coli, a nonacid-fast bacterium, a matter of minutes to double its population, Mycobacterial generation time varies from hours to days.Pathogenicity of MycobacteriaThe waxy cell wall also protects this type of bacteria from osmotic effects and many antibiotics. Mycobacteria are one of the few bacteria types that are capable of intracellular growth (multiplying within an animal cell); and when engulfed by phagocytic cells of the immune system, Mycobacteria are resistant to degradation by digestive enzymes of these phagocytes.Tuberculosis Caused by MycobacteriaCaused mainly by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, TB (also known as Tubercle bacillus) is an infectious disease of the respiratory system that can ultimately disseminate from the lungs and result in a body-wide, systemic infection. The waxy cell wall of M. tuberculosis enables the bacteria to remain viable, in dried aerosol droplets, for up to 8 months. Only a small percentage of people infected with this bacterium will develop the disease, but it only takes one bacterium to infect, and left untreated, active TB results in a mortality rate of approximately 50%.Those in the medical field, and others with a high risk of contracting TB, are routinely tested with the Mantoux test or the tuberculin skin test (TST). The TST involves injection of a very small amount of a purified protein derivative or tuberculin into the inner part of the lower arm. Testing positive does not, however, indicate a definite infection with TB. False positive TB test results are common and require follow up diagnostics.Leprosy Caused by MycobacteriaAlso known as Hansen’s disease, this dreaded infection is caused by M. leprae. This unusual bacterium grows best in a climate lower than body temperature, a preference evidenced by the peripheral locations on the human body (fingers, toes, lips, earlobes) where the bacteria is most prone to thrive.The disease manifests in one two forms. Those who only develop the nonprogessive form, called tuberculoid leprosy, have a strong immune response to the bacteria that is able to kill the body cells infected with M. leprae. Individuals with a weak cell-mediated immune response develop the more well-known form of the disease, lepromatous leprosy, which disfigures by slowly destroying infected tissues.Those infected, who have access to medical care, typically aren’t diagnosed until they display desensitized lesions or disfigurement. At that point, a skin test, similar to that for tuberculosis, is done.Treatment of Tuberculosis and LeprosyPathogenic Mycobacteria are inherently resistant to eradication, due to the protection derived from the mycolic acid. This genera also is quick to develop resistance to antimicrobial medication. Multi-drug therapy is required to eliminate, or sometimes only control, infection. Tags: chronic diseases, Hansen's test, leprosy, leprosy treatment, Mantoux test, mycobacteria, TST, tuberculin skin testing, tuberculosis, tuberculosis treatmentLeave a commentRhyler Cummins View more posts by this author Tuberculosis is a worldwide public health problem and prevention and treatment are necessary to control it.The three worst public health problems in the world today are malaria, tuberculosis, and human immunodeficiency virus infection. Human immunodeficiency virus infection is the strongest risk factor for the development of active tuberculosis. Should the two diseases occur together, they each worsen the clinical course of the other. More than one-third of the world s population today has tuberculosis.One hundred years ago, tuberculosis and other infectious ailments were the leading causes of death in the world. In the mid-twentieth century, the development of drugs to treat tuberculosis significantly brought the disease under control. Institutionalized patients who had been contagious for years were no longer capable of spreading tuberculosis to others, and they were able to return to the community.Over the last few decades, however, the HIV/AIDS epidemic changed the management of this disease.In essence, there has been a resurgence of tuberculosis because of HIV/AIDS. Worldwide, nine million people acquire tuberculosis each year, and two million deaths from the disease occur yearly. Moreover, there are problems with resistance to anti-tuberculous medications. Specifically, there is multi-drug resistance in which more than one of the agents to treat tuberculosis are not effective.In Russia, Latvia, South Africa, the United States, and other countries, there are cases of extensively drug resistant tuberculosis, which are quite deadly not only for the patients, but also for the health care staff who manage them.Groups at riskAside from those who are HIV-positive, several other groups of people are at risk for the acquisition of tuberculosis. These include elderly people, infants and small children, injection drug users, and patients with chronic diseases, which impair the immune system such as diabetes and cancer. Patients who are underweight have a predisposition for tuberculosis, and individuals who take long-term steroid therapy are capable of activation of latent tuberculosis.Anyone who has had tuberculosis during the last two years may experience a recurrence of the disease, and patients whose tuberculosis did not receive adequate treatment will be at risk for it again.Signs and symptoms of tuberculosis include weakness, coughing blood, weight loss, night sweats, chest pain, and fever. If a person has these symptoms or has spent time around someone who has tuberculosis, he or she must visit a physician or local health department for evaluation. Tuberculosis transmits from one person to another via the air.In other words, an individual with active tuberculosis can spread the disease to someone else when he or she coughs, speaks, laughs, sneezes, or sings. It does not transmit through hand shakes, kissing, contact with linens or toilet seats, or sharing food or drinks.If one has exposure to the bacterium which causes tuberculosis, he or she will not necessarily develop active disease. Their tuberculin skin test may become positive, but they may spend the rest of their lives without ever becoming contagious. Active tuberculosis, however, is contagious and requires the use of several drugs over a period of nearly one year. The duration of therapy and the choice of drugs will depend on the individual patient s condition.Tuberculosis and pregnancyAnti-tuberculous agents are necessary for pregnant women who have the disease. Although some of the drugs, such as streptomycin and pyrazinamide, may not be safe for the fetus, other agents, such as isoniazid, ethambutol, and rifampin, are available which do not appear to pose a problem for the baby. The baby is at risk for low birth weight if the mother does not take medication for tuberculosis during pregnancy.Mothers who are HIV-positive can take pyrazinamide during pregnancy because the benefits of the drug for these patients outweigh its risks.There is no reason why a mother who takes anti-tuberculous medication cannot breastfeed her child. Small amounts of these medications are present in breast milk, but there is no evidence that this is unsafe for the infant. If the mother takes isoniazid while she breastfeeds, she should also take vitamin B6 supplementation.  Tags: AIDS, HIV, risk factors, TB drugs, tuberculosis, tuberculosis managementLeave a commentRhyler Cummins View more posts by this author

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