Osteoporosis can be described as a condition where the bones of an individual become thin and weak, leading to easy breaks of the bones. As there are no warning signs, it usually goes undiagnosed until a fracture eventually occurs, with the hip, wrist and spine especially vulnerable.

Some individuals are at a higher risk than others for getting osteoporosis. A good rule of thumb to know if a person is at risk is when an individual is able to answer yes to two or more of these questions: if a woman, have you had the menopause and if so, was it before the age of forty-five; if the person has had an eating disorder that has been sever enough to disrupt periods; any spontaneous fractures in the past; x-rays suggesting thinning of the bones; lost height in the last decade; on steroids for a longer period than six months; family history of the condition; any chronic illnesses; been immobile for any reason; and smoking or drinking a lot.

Once diagnosed with osteoporosis, a number of treatments are available. These include vitamin D and calcium supplements; hormone treatments including HRT and bisphosphonates (drugs that prevent bone breakdown).

Osteoporosis

Once a person nears or reaches middle age, preventative action is often very helpful for staving off the condition. This includes increasing calcium in the diet, increasing weight-bearing exercise, quitting smoking and cutting down on alcohol intake.

The intrauterine device (IUD), otherwise known as the coil, is a device made from copper or plastic which is placed into the uterus as a form of contraception. Its function is to stop the sperm finding and fertilizing an egg and can also prevent any fertilized eggs attaching to the uterus lining. IUD’s made from copper have an added benefit as copper is a spermicidal (able to kill sperm).

IUD’s are nowadays 99% effective at preventing pregnancy and there are several different types available; each type staying in place for varying amounts of time (some even five to ten years). The advantages of having an IUD inserted are many: once inserted a woman can effectively “forget” about contraception, unlike the pill, for example, where they would have to remember to take it every day; it doesn’t interfere with sexual intercourse; no side effects as it is not an hormonal method; and it doesn’t increase any risk of future cancers.

IUD Intrauterine Device

Most females will have no problems with an IUD, but occasional disadvantages that may occur include: heavy, painful periods; infection of the uterus normally within the first twenty days after insertion; ectopic pregnancy risk should the female become pregnant while wearing a coil; and, damage to the womb.

In a nutshell, an allergy can be defined as an abnormal reaction from an individual’s immune system normally against a harmless substance. Individuals with no allergies would not have a reaction to these substances, or allergens, but the body’s of those who do release certain chemicals and it is these that cause the allergy symptoms.

An allergy can range from such things as itchy eyes to rashes to runny nose and is so widespread that they can affect 25% of the population at some stage of their lives. People have to be aware though, that these symptoms can be caused by factors other than an allergy as well, and could well be from a disease instead. More or less anything can be classed as an allergen for an individual but the most common come from pollen, dust mites, pets, insects, industrial chemicals, certain medicines and some foods like eggs and milk.

Common Allergic Reactions

The immune system of an allergic person reacts by producing special kinds of antibodies called IgE when it thinks it is being “damaged” by an allergen, and these antibodies attack the invader. This procedure then causes other blood cells to discharge other chemicals, which together with the antibodies cause the allergic reaction symptoms.

Food Allergies