May 24, 2013

NOREEN: Diploma is music to graduate’s ears

If you would like to appreciate listening, spend some time listening to Michael Ballard.Ballard was rendered deaf by spinal meningitis when he was 18 months old. He became an expert lip reader and his mother worked hard with him for years to help him speak.About a year ago Ballard received a…

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NOREEN: Diploma is music to graduate’s ears

His Yesterdays in a Changing World of the Deaf

New book is a memoir of living, loving, and thriving in a microcosmic silent world of deafness.Summerfield, FL (Vocus) October 7, 2010 After his fifth birthday and a severe bout of spinal meningitis, author Mervin D. Garretson found himself completely and irrevocably deaf

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His Yesterdays in a Changing World of the Deaf

What is Meningitis and how could it affect my family?

Meningitis (a type of meningococcal disease) is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. People sometimes refer to it as “spinal meningitis”.

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What is Meningitis and how could it affect my family?

Ghana: CSM Devastates Gold City, Five Dead, Eight On Admission

It has now been confirmed that five people have died from the outbreak of the Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis (CSM) at New Nsuta Estate, a densely populated suburb of Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.

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Ghana: CSM Devastates Gold City, Five Dead, Eight On Admission

Natural Treatments

Is there any real connection between meningitis and natural treatments, or is this a myth? Although meningitis can be a life threatening situation, there are two huge misconceptions about it including how it can be treated, or in some cases, even prevented. The first misconception is that it is life threatening in every case which is completely false, simply because it will depend on the cause of the actual infection.

In the majority of cases, it is caused by a viral infection, which can very easily be treated naturally, and as a result, will resolve itself very quickly.

The second misconception is that only antibiotics can be used to treat it. This statement is true if the infection is the result of a bacterial infection, but these cases are rare compared to viral infections. Because of this, meningitis and natural treatments can have a very strong connection for one simple reason; your immune system. If your immune system is strong to begin with, your chances of developing this condition are dramatically reduced.

However, if you do develop it and it is from a viral infection, there are several forms of natural treatments that can help you recover very quickly.

What is it?

To fully understand the relationship between meningitis and natural treatments, it is extremely important to understand this condition in its entirety. According to the Mayo clinic, this condition is the result of an inflammation that occurs in the membranes that surround both your brain as well as your spinal column.

The swelling that occurs as a result of this inflammation is what causes the almost trademark like three symptoms that occur; headaches, a fever, as well as a stiff neck. There are certainly other symptoms that can develop, but in almost every case, these three will be the first set of symptoms.

Meningitis and natural treatments also have a very strong connection in that in the majority of cases the actual cause is the result of a viral infection of some type, and if treated naturally with some very simple steps and nutrients, it can be resolved within a few short weeks. However, it can also be the result of a bacterial or a fungal infection, in which case it is a life threatening emergency situation. Because of this, once you identify the three trademark symptoms, you need to seek professional help as quickly as possible as the earlier you catch it the quicker it can be treated.

Symptoms:

Meningitis and natural treatments that can help will all depend on how quickly you catch these symptoms. It is also extremely important to note that the symptoms are quite different between an adolescent and an adult than they are in an infant under the age of two years old. The symptoms in anyone other than an infant will be the three classic symptoms; a headache, a fever, as well as a stiff neck. However, this will not be a normal type of a headache as it will be so extreme that in some cases it will feel like your head is literally about to explode. The fever will also be as dramatic as it will be extremely high in most cases.

If you experience both of these symptoms as well as a stiff neck, it not the flu, it is meningitis. There are however, several other symptoms that may develop including vomiting and nausea as the result of the severe headache, as well as confusion. Because your brain is under attack, you will have a very difficult time in concentrating and you will also suddenly become extremely sensitive to any type of light. You may also become very sleepy as well as have a very difficult time waking up.

If it is the result of a viral infection, you may also develop a skin rash.

Infants under the age of two will also develop a very high fever as well as a headache, but the difference is they cannot tell you they have a headache. Instead they will begin to cry constantly, become very sluggish, and in most cases, will stop eating. If this does occur, check them very quickly for any type of stiffness in their body as well as their neck. There is however, one other real warning sign to watch for; a soft spot on top of their head. If they have these symptoms, you need to drop everything and seek emergency treatment as quickly as possible.

Causes:

It is also very helpful in understanding meningitis and natural treatments what causes this condition. Although bacterial infections are not nearly as common as viral infections, they are much more serious and if this form is not caught and quickly treated, it can be fatal. It is estimated that about 30% of all people affected with this form will not survive, and about 15% will have some type of very serious complication.

The most common bacterial infections is Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is also referred to as pneumococcus, and this is also the leading cause of both pneumonia and ear infections in infants and children.

Other common bacterial infections are meningococcus, which is extremely contagious, as well as listeria, which is found in soil, dust, as well as foods. Viral infections are estimated to cause between 65% and 75% of all cases of this condition, with the leading cause being the group of viruses known as enteroviruses.

However, they account for only about 30% of the viral infections as the rest of the actual viral causes are never discovered.

Meningitis and natural treatments:

Meningitis and natural treatments have one commonality; your immune system. If it is operating at full capacity, you may never be infected by any of the potential causes. Because of this, there are several natural protective measures you can take not only to prevent this condition, and if it is a viral infection that has caused it, these treatments may also help it to correct it. The first form of natural treatment is a multi-vitamin, preferably in liquid form simply because they absorb at over a 90% ratio in your body as compared to about a 20% percent ratio in pill or tablet form.

These nutrients are the building blocks of your immune system.

Omega-3 fatty acids are also very helpful in building your immune system as is Coenzyme Q10. This nutrient is becoming very popular for its immune building qualities as is Resveratrol. Resveratrol is found in red wine as well as supplement forms and is a very powerful antioxidant.

Meningitis and natural treatments also include some herbs, which can be found in pill, capsule, as well as tablet forms.

However, they can also be found in liquid extracts and just like liquid vitamins, they are much more effective when mixed with your favorite beverage as they will absorb much quicker. Some of these herbs include Cat’s claw which is very effective in controlling inflammation as well as building your immune system to full strength. Reishi mushroom is also very effective at building your immune system as is Olive leaf. Olive leaf is also very effective as an antibacterial and antifungal agent making it very powerful in protecting against this infection.

Summary:

Meningitis and natural treatments have a very definitive connection in that they can not only help this condition from every occurring, they can also help treat the most common form caused by viral infections. Drinking a lot of fluids as well as bed rest combined with these nutrients can help to build back your immune system. However, if you do develop meningitis, it will be critical to understand the symptoms and seek professional help as quickly as possible.

I am an avid lover of pets and my wife and I have had several pets throughout our years. We are especially fond of dogs, and we have a 12 year old Dalmatian (our 3rd) and a “mutt” that we rescued when someone threw him away to die in a vacant field.

He found us, nearly starved to death, and weighed about 2 pounds.

After severe bouts of mange and severe dehydration, and over 1,000.00 in veterinarian bills, we saved the little guys life, and he is one of the best, if not the best, dogs we have ever had and today is a muscular, fit, and firm 70 pound best friend.

After finishing my MBA, which at middle age was not easy, I decided to keep the research work ethics that I acquired, and devote about two hours each night in understanding the health benefits of supplementation for both humans and pets and how they might strengthen our, as well as our pets, immune system in a pre-emptive approach to health rather than a reactionary approach.

Both of my daughters are avid cat lovers, and asked me to help them with health concerns and challenges with their cats.

I am not a veterinarian nor claim to be, just a lover of pets that loves to research and pass on some knowledge that might be helpful, or at least stimulating to the thought process.

Meningitis Vaccine

Of the many diseases that keep popping in and out of print and visual media nothing grabs the attention of the media more than cases of meningitis. It is vital to comprehend that the illness and to make decisive decisions in respect to it. There exist a vaccine for meningitis but is upon an individual to decide whether they want to be vaccinated or not. Should you consent to a meningitis vaccine, it is important to know the meningitis vaccine side effects.

First and foremost, it is vital that you understand what meningitis is exactly before looking at meningitis vaccine side effects. In medical terms, meningitis is the swelling of the exterior lining of the brain as well as the spinal cord. There are a number of viruses and bacteria that can cause a case of meningitis. The most common type of meningitis that often makes the headline is meningitis caused by a bacteria referred to as Neisseria Meningitides. Whereas, this type of meningitis is unlikely occurrence in the United States, it is believed by a majority of researchers that it is one of the main causes of fatalities in children and young adults annually.

As a result of the communal kind of residence in most colleges and universities, students are the likely groups that are at an enhanced risk to contract meningitis. Nonetheless, many are taking a step towards the right direction by advocating for the immunization of students who wish to utilize college accommodation.

Of all the meningitis infection, meningitis c also referred to as Neisseria Meningitis is the most fatal. Whereas, a big part of the population is at peace that there is vaccination against the disease, it is still vital that one takes the necessary steps to protect their children against any form of meningitis infection. In addition, the side effects are another matter to deal with.

Discussed below are meningitis side effects that a majority of persons experience:
- There maybe inflammation of the area that has been injected, i.e. redness.
- Additional reactions may entail fever.
- Consistent nausea.
- Dizziness.
- Exhaustion.
- Pain in the joints.
- Appearance of rashes which may subside in a couple of days.
- Varying allergic reactions.
- Constant itching.

As a result, the following groups of people should not take meningitis vaccine:
- If you suffer extreme allergic reactions to certain elements.
- If you experience fever.
- If you experience flu like signs.
- If you are expectant or lactating.
- If you have suffered from meningitis in last six months.

Nonetheless, it is vital to understand that meningitis vaccine side effects are normal as it is a medication. The choice of getting vaccinated or not is just but a stepping stone to ensuring that you live a healthy life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5844283

Protect yourself from meningitis

The death earlier this month of an Irondequoit High School student from spinal meningitis has called attention to a potentially deadly illness that is often misunderstood.

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Protect yourself from meningitis