Archive for July, 2011

PostHeaderIcon Common Insomnia Medication – A Medication List



Insomniacs and doctors are one in saying that the most common approach in treating insomnia is through the intake of medication. This is the easy road that is often taken by anyone affected by this sleeping disorder. And this is often the option that is prescribed by a great number of doctors in the field. In all cases, the medications that are prescribed by health professionals are often taken shortly before the person will go to bed. If a person is taking sleeping aids and medications, then it is a suggestion not to take and to perform activities that require utmost concentration.

For example, the patient should not drive after he has taken the medications. This will only lead to an accident and can only complicate matters. As mentioned, it is always a best thing to take these medications a few minutes before hitting the bed. The taking of these medications are often performed in combination with good sleeping practices- like the proper arrangement of the room and having peace of mind. When you think of the medications that can be used against insomnia, there are a lot of names and labels that will come into the discussion. Here we list some of these popular medications- what these medications do best and how these medications are taken.

Medications used to treat insomnia

PostHeaderIcon Ovarian Cancer Survival Rates



Cancer is a deadly disease all over the world, with very little known about curing it completely. One type of cancer that affects many women around the world is ovarian cancer. It has now become the fifth leading cause of death in cancer patients and leads the charts under all the gynaecological cancer deaths. Women of all demographics, races and ethnicities show risk factors for developing ovarian cancer. After one has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the first response is to affirm the ovarian cancer survival rates and life expectancy. These rates differ from patient to patient, but some common factors are the age, family history of disease and early diagnoses of the cancer.

As the age of a woman increases, so do the chances of her having ovarian cancer. Very few women below the age of 40 are seen to suffer from this, but it is not a complete rarity. However, ovarian cancer survival rates are much higher in young women that the elderly. Women under the age of 20 show the highest survival rates, with close to 99% of the women recovering fully from it. This changes almost minimally for women under the age of 30 with death rates climbing to 0.8%. With early screening of cancer, death rates decline rapidly and most women go on to live completely healthy lives. After the age of 35, with the onset of other gynaecological problems and lower chances of pregnancy, the survival rates take a slight dip; going down to some 96.8% and even lower if the cancer has advanced to stage III or IV.

Once women cross the age of 45 years, ovarian cancer survival rates decrease even further, going down to 85%. Life expectancy at this point is not very high and can be further complicated if breast cancer develops at the same time. Once women hit their sixties, the life expectancy goes down to some five to six years, after remission. If the patient is healthy and active at the time of diagnoses, then this can be extended to 12 to 15 years, but no more. If diagnosed in the final stages of its spread, then ovarian cancer survival rates can be very low. At this point, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are seen to be the best options for treatment.

After the age of 65 years and above, the rates drop straight to 75% and life expectancy is down to 1 year to 2 after the diagnoses. Proper treatment may provide relief but for very long. Very few women suffer from ovarian cancer after the age of 80 but those who do display longer survival rates but can suffer from detoriated health due to other illnesses and conditions. Long term therapy is advised for such patients, since surgery can be a futile risk to take. As with all diseases, proper therapy and early diagnoses can increase survival rates and life expectancy after that. One must always go in for regular health screenings and check ups to diagnose cancer of any kind at an early stage and cure it.

PostHeaderIcon How to Deal with Anxiety Tension Headaches



Do you often experience pain in your head area like you have a very tight band around it? If this pain comes whenever you are having stress, then chances are you might be having an anxiety tension headache. We all experience headaches occasionally. Sometimes, it is not just a mere headache but it can actually be a symptom of an underlying illness.

Tension headaches are probably one of the most common types of headache, yet a lot of people don’t have any idea what it really is. In truth, the specific cause of tension headaches still remains unknown. Medical experts used to believe that tension headache root from muscle contraction in your face and neck area that may be caused by anxiety, tension, stress or other strong emotions. Modern studies by the International Headache Society emphasizes that there is no connection between head pain and muscle tension as evident in several electromyogram tests. Studies conducted show that there were no relevant muscle activities that may these headaches.

If you are experiencing anxiety tension headaches, you are fortunate enough because there are a lot non-drug treatments that can help give you relief from stress headaches. You basically need to practice healthy habits and have a good rest. Eating the right food and exercise could also help.

Some signs of tension headache include insomnia and loss of appetite. You would also find yourself having difficulty concentrating. Some shows signs of irritability and fatigue. Most people with tension headaches complain that their scalp, shoulder and neck muscles have general feeling of tenderness, which makes them get tired easily.

There are a number of over-the-counter pain reliefs from headaches. The most popular drugs for anxiety tension headaches are aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Examples of these common brands in the market are Advil, Tylenol and Motrin, among others. These medications are actually pain relievers. You can buy them without prescriptions in your local drugstore. There is only one precaution when using painkillers, never overuse them! It would only cause the pain to get even worse.

Most tension headaches are triggered by anxiety or stress. It can actually last for as long as a week or as short as 30 minutes. If you have headache attacks all the time, it may be a case of chronic headache that can continue for years.

Aside from stress and anxiety, tension headaches can be triggered by lack of good posture. Hormonal changes, like during menstruation or pregnancy can also cause tension headaches. Skipping meals and lack of sleep is also not a good thing. Exercise or any physical activity is recommended. With proper rest and good health habits, you can prevent headaches and continue with your daily activities without interruption.