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Thursday, December 03rd, 2009

Autism Research

Autism can be defined as an abnormal absorption with the self, which is marked by communication disorders and short attention span and inability to treat others as people. It drastically affects a person’s behavior with others as well as with self. The person suffering from autism is unable to relate to the world or comprehend it. An autistic often suffers from learning disabilities. A research shows that autism has increases as much as ten times over the last decade. Many researches have been carried out by psychologists and researchers to understand how an autistic’s mind functions and what is the wiring in the brain like.

Causes an symptoms of autism:

Most researchers believe that there are no definite reasons for autism to develop. It is more often than not genetically inherited. Also this disorder can be caused due to inappropriate before and after birth conditions. Any kind of damage caused to the brain can lead to autism.

The symptoms of autism are complex; hence diagnosis cannot be done very easily. During the early stages of autism, it becomes difficult to spot it, however as it goes on the becoming more and more severe, clear behavior differences can be noted. The person’s social interaction becomes greatly affected. An autistic shows an array of symptoms, including problems interacting with other people and repetitive behaviors. There are many autism research centers.

What does autism research aim at?

These researchers try to determine causes and treatments and prevention for autism. Researchers at the new center will seek to develop ways to identify different subcategories of autism. These researches are essential as allow clinicians to tailor interventions and make predictions about a child’s future functioning. Some researches believe that autistic children can be cured and these children can grow up and lead lives as normal adults.

The researchers have also differentiated between 2 categories of autism, complex and essential. These categories are studied and separate treatments are drawn. The children require quiet atmosphere to concentrate and learn social skill. Given a chance to have specialized education and structured support these children can be completely treated of the disorder.

Autism Education:

Autism is a brain disorder that begins in early childhood and persists throughout adulthood which affects three crucial areas of development that are communication and language, social interaction, and creative or imaginative play.

Education for autism:

Past two decades, many effective strategies have been developed to teach children and teenagers who have been diagnosed with autism but however not everyone involved in education or even special education is knowledgeable about all these methods.  Few teachers work in an autism-specific classroom and most are responsible for classes where a variety of disabilities is represented.  Now a days overworked and stressed teachers may not have the time or the resources to implement an effective program for every child hence it is important for parents to develop a sense of their child’s learning style, and to educate themselves about what strategies will best help their child to succeed in school. At last parents are said to be the best teacher of their child. Some education centers or organization listed below:

* The Autism Education Network’s mission is to improve public special education programs and to influence public policy that affects individuals with autism and this mission uses new technology and the Internet to connect in order to empower people that affect to change.

* The TEACCH (treatment and education of autistic and related communication handicapped children) mission helps to enable individuals with autism to function as meaningfully and as independently as possible in the community and they also provide exemplary services throughout North Carolina to individuals with autism and their families and those who serve and support them.

* NECC – 30 Years of Autism Education in New England

The New England Center for Children (NECC), a school for autism located 20 miles west of Boston in Southborough, Massachusetts is a private, nonprofit autism education center dedicated to bringing out human potential and creating productive lives for children with autism. Since 1975, this school provides state-of-the-art autism education and individualized treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder, pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), and Asperger’s Syndrome.

* RAE(resource in autism education ) is an organization committed to providing the highest quality behavioral intervention services to children diagnosed with autism and related Pervasive Development Disorders and also empowers people with autism.

Hence these organizations help autistic people to improve them.

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Thursday, December 03rd, 2009

Autism is a complex neurological disorder that dramatically affects people’s behaviors and social interactions. The disorder can be revealed in early childhood, by the age of 3. Although the first signs of autism can sometimes be identified in infants, the disorder is usually discovered at a later stage of life. Autistic children present a wide range of behavioral abnormalities, and they can be easily identified among normal children. While normal young children long for the presence of their parents and love to play in the company of other kids, autistic children are very indifferent, showing no interest to the people around them.

Egocentrism is a major behavioral characteristic of children with autism, who may even ignore the presence of their mothers or caretakers, avoiding any form of interaction with them. In early childhood, autistics develop repetitive, stereotype behaviors and become very upset if their routine is perturbed. In many cases, autistic children may also engage in self-harm activities such as head-banging.

The communication skills of autistic children are also impaired. While some children with autism may refuse to speak at all, others experience pronounced difficulties in expressing themselves. Autistics are generally withdrawn, passive, and low-responsive. In many cases, they even avoid making eye contact with other people.

Autism can be anywhere from mild to very pronounced. Children who suffer from milder forms of autism are usually very intelligent. For this category of children, the disorder only affects their emotional intelligence and their social interaction skills, leaving their judgment intact. Hence, while these children may have poor adaptation and social interaction skills, they may have a very good logic, excelling at math or in other similar areas. In many cases, autistics may even have remarkable talent for visual arts or music. At the opposite pole, children with severe autism also suffer from mental retardation. The development of mentally retarded autistic children is very slow and these children rarely make any progress.

Although the exact causes of autism haven’t yet been identified by medical science, it is believed that genetic factors have a very important role in the occurrence of the disorder. Autism involves abnormalities at the level of the central nervous system which are suspected to occur on the premises of genetic dysfunctions.

Considering the fact that there is no cure for autism, medical treatments available today can’t reverse the neurological damage caused by the disorder. However, what medical treatments can do is to minimize the undesirable effects of autism. If children with autism are prescribed an appropriate medical treatment, their development can be supported and their symptoms can be kept under control.

With the aid of medical treatments and the support of their families, autistic children can eventually be integrated into the society.

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Wednesday, December 02nd, 2009

There are very few unpleasant physical sensations that can occur with such unpredictability as cramps. This painful sensation is caused by several internal body conditions and external factors. Possible causes include overexertion of the muscle in question, prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, side effects of muscle spasms, and certain illnesses.  Cramps usually come suddenly without warning or other symptoms.

The most common treatment for cramps would be stretching the afflicted muscle, though soft massage has also been known to help. Since some cramps are caused by poor circulation, heat is often applied. The heat has the effect of improving circulation in the given area, which can help alleviate the problem in most cases. Heat can also help alleviate the problem if it was caused by prolonged exposure to lower temperatures, but this is not always the case. A lack of oxygenation is also listed among the possible causes, though it is generally accepted that this is among the rarer ones. Certain minerals, or the absence thereof, have been tied to the problem as well, with potassium being the most notable. Potassium has been known to help prevent cramps, so nutritionists often advise foods such as bananas, prunes, and potatoes to people who regularly have this sort of problem. According to findings, potassium aids in preventing all forms of cramps.

There are several types of cramps, one of them affecting smooth muscles in the internal systems of the body. Among the potential areas of this are the uterus, the heart, and the intestine. Several other internal organs may experience sensations of this sort. This type is sometimes considered to be closely related to menstrual cramps, but the two are not necessarily caused by the same factors despite the similar physical sensations caused. This variety occurs in muscles that the person does not have direct control over. Predominantly, this occurs to internal organs, but involuntary muscle tissue may also be affected, depending on the circumstances.

Perhaps the most common form would be the nocturnal leg cramps. These occur with random frequency in people and are often best alleviated by stretching the muscle in question until the pain subsides. The duration can vary, with some lasting a few minutes while others only register in the brain for a few seconds before disappearing, though the muscles tend to be sore for some time afterwards. The cause of this has yet to be determined, though some have suggested that a lack of certain minerals, prolonged sitting, and dehydration to be potential causes.

Due to the apparently random nature of the problem, cramps can often be used as a plot device in murder-mystery story or a convenient excuse to get out of doing something. It is worth nothing that using it as an excuse is often ill-advised because as random as the nature of the problem can be, the duration is about as fickle. Most of the time, attacks of this problem last for no longer than a few minutes and, thus, can only prove to be a minor reprieve.

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Tuesday, December 01st, 2009

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are thousands of  Americans who are infected with one of the most active virus known to man — the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV).  Scientists have been studying how the virus works because it is among the most difficult to control. The virus has spread to different countries around the world.  It causes a variety of illnesses, including mucocutaneous infections. or herpes simplex virus (HSV), is one of the most common agents infecting humans of all ages.

There are two types of Herpes virus, namely:  Type 1 Herpes which is carried by over 80 per cent of the population and is the culprit behind recurrent cold sores; and Type 2 Herpes which affects five to 20 per cent of the population. This type is often associated with genital herpes.

Studies show that genital herpes simplex virus infects more than 1 of 5 adolescents and adults. It is more common in blacks than in whites, and more likely to infect women than men. Most people with genital herpes don’t know they have it, and are unaware that they are spreading it to others. Many have no symptoms or mistake their symptoms for something else such as jock itch, insect bites, hemorrhoids, yeast infections, razor burn, or allergies to laundry detergent.

Infection in the genital region initially produces a painful, red, ulcerating crop of lesions that can spread over a wide area and may involve the perinuem and anus. Genital infection can also be associated with temporary numbness in the affected area, swelling glands in the groin, difficulty passing urine, and fever. Occasionally, primary infections such as these can also trigger viral meningitis.

Some years ago, genital herpes was diagnosed solely by visual inspection and laboratory culture of an active sore. Today, herpes may be diagnosed with a blood test, even when no symptoms are apparent or after sores have healed. Antiviral drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in reducing the infection.

There is no cure for any herpes viruses. Once a person caught a herpes virus it stays in the body for life although it is latent most of the time. However, a medication that can treat the outbreaks and symptoms of herpes as well as reduce future outbreaks is available.

Acyclovir is a drug used for the treatment of several conditions including herpes infections. Acyclovir medication is available over the counter and commonly known under the brand name Zovirax. Acyclovir medication Zovirax is usually used for the treatment of facial cold sores.

Acyclovir ointment is used topically to treat initial genital herpes where it has been shown to decrease pain, reduce healing time, and limit the spread of the infection. Acyclovir is also available as a prescription tablet used to treat genital herpes infections and to treat patients with recurrent severe genital herpes. The dosage will be determined by the doctor. It is very common to prescribe a 5-day course of 3 tablets a day taken with 4 hour intervals, but this may vary. It is very important not to miss any doses because the patient needs to keep the level of Acyclovir up in their body. This episodic treatment will reduce the severity, frequency and duration of the outbreak as well as reduce future outbreaks and reduce the risk of spreading. Acyclovir can also be used to treat chicken pox and acts to reduce the healing time, limit the number of lesions, and reduce fever if used within the first 24 hours after the onset of the disease.

However, before starting to take this medicine, it is vital for a person with herpes to consult a doctor. Most anti-viral medications should not be used without medical advice or doctor’s prescription.

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Monday, November 30th, 2009
Category: Are you? |  Leave a Comment

Keywords:

athlete steroid use

The two most common types of steroid abuses are – athlete steroid use and non athlete steroid use. Athlete steroid use means the use of anabolic steroids by athletes in competitive sports. Non athlete steroid use is the use of anabolic steroids for non athletic or cosmetic reasons.

Steroids are widely abused by athletes nowadays. The NIDA-supported Monitoring the Future studies have revealed the number of young athletes, students, and teens has always been on surge. According to Dr. Ro Nemeth-Coslett of NIDA’s Division of Epidemiology and Prevention Research, the athlete steroid use is more often among young people who are involved in physical training, because anabolic steroids can increase muscle mass, strength, and stamina.

The majority of adolescent boys in athlete steroid use include high school students, particularly those involved in athletics such as football or body building. National surveys have revealed that adolescent girls are also widely involved in athlete and non athlete steroid use.

According to Dr. Linn Goldberg of Oregon Health Sciences University, the adolescent girls involved in non athlete steroid use are the girls who seek to stay thin. The adolescent girls in non athlete steroid use include the girls engaged in athletic activities ranging from track and field, soccer, basketball, and volleyball to school dance and drill teams.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) funded “ADOLESCENTS TRAINING AND LEARNING TO AVOID STEROIDS (ATLAS) PROGRAM” was designed to combat athlete steroid use among young athletes. The ATLAS was aimed to lower the use of anabolic steroids among high school athletes and encourage healthy nutrition and exercise behavior. The program included classroom and weight-training sessions to educate student athletes the risk factors of athlete steroid use.

According to Dr. Linn Goldberg, who led the research team that developed and tested the program, The Adolescents Training and Learning to Avoid Steroids (ATLAS) program uses a team-oriented educational approach that motivates and empowers student athletes to stay away from athlete steroid use.

Dr. Goldberg articulates that the athlete steroid use prevention program – ATLAS is comprised of highly interactive classes and sessions to explore the effects of steroids, the elements of sports nutrition, and strength-training alternatives to athlete steroid use. The classes teach decision-making and drug-refusal skills to athletes. The coaches, who have a great influence on student athletes, play an important role in the athlete steroid use prevention program; the coaches introduce topics and wrap up each session.

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Monday, November 30th, 2009
Category: Are you? |  Leave a Comment

Keywords:

health and beauty, food, diet, body cares

Advantages: lose weight fast, eat a lot of meat

Disadvantages: possible stomach/kidney problems, lack of energy

Recommended: yes

There are so many diet regimens offered in the market today. Each one has its own unique characteristics. Some of them work and others do not. The Atkins Diet is not actually new. In fact, it has been around for many years now and you can say it is not the “in” thing anymore.

The idea behind this diet is that you reduce your carbohydrate intake to the barest minimum. There are various stages in the diet. The first one is called the induction stage. This stage is where you practically starve yourself of any carbohydrate-containing food. The first day that I tried this, I felt myself shaking all over and I couldn’t do much anything else but sit down on the sofa! You get used to it though. Gradually, your body gets used to the decreased carbohydrate intake. After a couple of weeks, you can gradually increase your carbohydrate intake.

You must be very patient and disciplined in order for this diet to work for you. I had to learn the carbohydrate content of almost all food items while I was on this diet. You might also need to come up with a journal wherein you can list down everything that goes into your mouth – everything. That way you can keep track of your carbohydrate consumption for the day.

It is not as bad as it sounds because this diet focuses on high protein intake. That means you get to eat a lot of meat, eggs, and other such food. If you are a meat lover, then this diet might work out for you.

You might end up spending a lot more on your food though, as meat products and other high protein foods are more expensive than carbohydrate-rich foods such as rice and bread. Another disadvantage is that you might experience stomach and kidney problems. From my experience, I lost weight continuously and quickly as long as I stuck to my diet. However, after several months of being on it, I easily got sick and my stomach gave me problems. The doctor said that this is due to the lack of vitamins and minerals. So if you are going to try this out, make sure you have enough supplements to give you nutrients.

Another very important thing – Atkins works while you are on it. If you suddenly revert to your old eating habits, then expect to gain all the weight you lost back. As our doctors always say, a balanced diet, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle is the best way to keep a sensible weight.

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