The Best and the Worst Interesting Facts of 2012

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The Least Viewed Interesting Fact of 2012: Checkups

Checkups are important for you and your doctor. During checkups, you take a step towards preventing any diseases or illnesses. You become a master of your own health. If the doctor is like Dr. Carm, then she likes checkups, too. She can get updated information on her patient (and interesting gossip). Doctors care about you—and I’m sure everyone cares about Dr. Carm!

What to expect at you annual exams

Don’t worry you usually don’t have to study, and you don’t usually have to worry about filling in those annoying tiny bubbles on the test sheet. [Dr. Carm hates exams.] Annual exams can include: checking vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory system, and temperature), testicular exam, hernia exam, penis exam, prostate exam, breast exam, pelvic exam, CBC (complete blood test), chemistry panel, and urinalysis.

Your age, sex, and medical history determines which exams you need. In addition to the ones mentioned above, you should also be aware:

-If you are 50 years and older (sorry, can’t lie about your age here), you should go for colorectal cancer screenings. A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) should be performed 1 to 2 years for people 50-80 years old. Other testing such as a colonoscopy can be done every 5-10 years depending on health risks. For those who have a family history of colon cancer or other colon-related diseases (such as crohn’s disease), tests are usually done prior to age 50. Catching colon cancer early is essential for successful treatments.

-Annual mammograms should be done for women starting at the age of 40. Dr. Carm knows one place that suggests women start their annual mammogram testing at age 35.

-Cholesterol testing (lipids) should be done every 5 years after the age of 20.

*Blood tests can vary between individuals depending on their medications and health.

What should you do to prepare for your checkup?

Besides making the appointment [doctors usually hate it if you just stop by for a chat and say, “Oh, while I’m here, could I have my checkup?”], you can make a list of items to discuss or questions to ask. You know your body and should be aware of any changes. Well, Dr. Carm hopes you do. We don’t have any aliens inhabiting any bodies out there, do we??? Never mind, I don’t want to know….

What should you list?

Did anyone in your family (blood related) get diagnosed with a disease (for example, your sister is diagnosed with lung cancer or your father is now on cholesterol medication)?

Has something been bothering you? A pain? A cold that keeps coming back? Changes in diet or sleeping patterns?

Have you started taking any medication or supplements recently? (More than likely this should be over the counter medication/supplements. Dr. Carm does not approve illegal drugs. People are usually crazy enough without them.)

If something is bothering you, write down why (why does it bother you?), what (what kind of concern is it? Can you describe it?), when (when did it start? How long does it last?), where (where does it hurt? Do you get the symptoms in certain places?), and how (how have you been dealing with it?).

Last points

Remember you can’t undo a year’s worth of damage in a week! [Yes, those pesky diets to lose weight that didn't work because you didn't actually follow the diet counts.] Doctors (that aren’t even Dr. Carm) are usually smart enough to notice this, although they might not outwardly mention it. So, speak truthfully to your doctor. They can’t help you if you hide information or lie to them.

If you need a follow up appointment, schedule it and keep it. There’s a reason why your doctor needs this information. Let him/her help you!

Original posting can be found here

The Best Interesting Fact of 2012: Nails

Your nails tell you a lot about your health. Of course, Dr. Carm is talking about your real nails—not the painted or fake ones. Have you ever noticed when you were at the doctor's how he or she either commented on something (like a ring) or examined your hands? This is because he or she was looking for signs of any problems or illnesses.

So, go clean your nails and removed the artificial gunk off for this next posting. 

When looking at these descriptions you want to look near the base of the nail for the coloring. A normal nail should be smooth and clear (meaning you can see the skin underneath the nail—so slightly pinkish.)

Beau's Line Nails

Beau's lines are indentations across the nails. It can be caused by injury or illness that interrupts the growth of the cuticle. It can also be a sign of uncontrolled diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, high fever, measles, mumps, pneumonia, or zinc deficiency.³

Blue Nails

Bluish nails are a sign that the body is not receiving enough oxygen, which is common in lung infections (pneumonia). In addition, some heart problems cause the fingernails to become blue.²

Club Nails

Club nails are enlarged fingertips with the nails curved around it. This may be a result of low oxygen and various types of lung disease. It is also associated with IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and AIDS.³

Cracked or Split Nails

Dry, brittle nails that crack or split are often associated with thyroid disease. If the nails are also yellow, then this is a sign of a fungal infection.²

Dark Lines Beneath the Nail

Dark lines beneath the nail can be caused by melanoma and should be seen by a doctor immediately.²

Gnawed Nails

Nail biting is often a sign of an anxiety disorder and has also been linked to OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).²

Pale Nails

Pale nails can be a sign of anemia, congestive heart failure, liver disease, and malnutrition.²

Pitted Nails

A small depression in the nails is common in people who have psoriasis. It can also be related to connective tissue disorders (i.e., Reiter's syndrome), alopecia areata (an autoimmune disease), or inflammatory arthritis.^2,3

Puffy Nail Folds

If the skin around the nails is puffy and red, it may be due to lupus or another connective tissue disorder. Infections are also a cause.²

Separated Nails (onycholysis)

Nails that are loose or separated from the nail bed are sometimes associated with injury or infection. However, it can also be associated with a reaction to a particular drug or product (such as nail hardeners or adhesives). In addition, it can be a sign of thyroid disease or psoriasis.³

Spoon Nails (koilonychia)

These are soft nails that scoop out. The middle of the nail is dented enough to hold a drop of liquid. Spoon nails are a sign of iron deficiency anemia or hemochromatosis (a liver condition that makes your body absorb too much iron from food). It can also be a sign of heart disease and hypothyroidism.³

Terry's Nails

If the tip of each nail has a dark band, it can be due to aging; but more serious conditions can be liver disease, congestive heart failure, or diabetes.³

White Nails

White nails with darker rims are a sign of liver problems (hepatitis). In this case, you might also notice your fingers might also be jaundiced (yellow).²

Yellow Nails

Yellow can be a sign of a fungal infection. If the infection is not treated, it may grow worse causing the nail to become thick and then crumble. Other conditions that cause yellow nails include severe thyroid disease, lung disease, respiratory disease (chronic bronchitis), diabetes, lymph edema, or psoriasis.^2,3

Some Final Facts¹:

• Fingernails grow an average of only 0.1 millimeter (mm) each day, whereas toenails grow 1 mm per month. Individual nail growth rates depend on age, time of year, activity level, and heredity.
• Nails grow faster on fingers — especially on your dominant hand — than toes.
• Women's nails grow more slowly than men's, except possibly during pregnancy.
• Nails grow more rapidly in summer than in winter.
• Nail growth is affected by disease, nutrition, medications, trauma, chronic illness, fever, and the aging process.

Original posting can be found here


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