Vitamin Information Center

Autologous
Definition
The term “autologous” refers to the source of cells or
tissue for transplantation purposes. Cells are autologous
when obtained from the same patient who is treated.
Hence, cells present the same surface molecules as the
recipient tissue and are not rejected by the immune system.
If cells are “allogeneic”, they derive from a genetically
different organism of the same species. Under this
condition, immune responses have to be suppressed by
appropriate medication. “Xenogeneic” transplantation
deals with tissues or cells from individuals that do not
belong to the same species. In humans, such experiments
are performed using porcine heart valves. In contrast,
“xenoplastic” grafts consist of synthetic substrates
such as bone replacement materials.

Assisted Living Facilities
Synonyms
Residential care facility; Personal care home; Domiciliary
care facility; Adult foster care; Adult family homes
Definition
Assisted living facilities offer private rooms or apartments
to people who are not able to live on their own but
are still independent enough that they do not yet need
the continuous care of a  nursing home. The facilities
offer meals, housekeeping assistance, assistance with
 activities of daily living, assistance with medication
administration, social activities, and 24-hour support by
trained staff. Usually, assisted living facilities have the
mission of offering personal autonomy, independence,
and privacy to often frail elderly people in order to provide
homelike settings for them. Facilities that were
built in the recent past are more likely to cater for the
specific requirements of disabled people.

Arthritis
Definition
Arthritis is a group of chronic conditions characterized
by joint inflammation. It is one of the leading causes
of disability in people older than 55 years. There
are more than 100 types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis
and rheumatoid arthritis among the most prominent.
Although the various forms of arthritis are quite different
from each other, they produce common symptoms
which include sore, stiff, inflamed, and painful joints.
There are different causes for arthritis; for some types
theses are not even fully explored. Rheumatoid arthritis
is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system
begins to act abnormally. Osteoarthritis occurs following
trauma or infection of the joint, or as a result of
aging. Usually, the first line of treatment is medication
to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain. The medication
is often supported by physical therapy that might
reduce the rate of deterioration of the joints. Surgery is
only applied for the most severe cases.

Assisted Living Facilities
Synonyms
Residential care facility; Personal care home; Domiciliary
care facility; Adult foster care; Adult family homes
Definition
Assisted living facilities offer private rooms or apartments
to people who are not able to live on their own but
are still independent enough that they do not yet need
the continuous care of a  nursing home. The facilities
offer meals, housekeeping assistance, assistance with
 activities of daily living, assistance with medication
administration, social activities, and 24-hour support by
trained staff. Usually, assisted living facilities have the
mission of offering personal autonomy, independence,
and privacy to often frail elderly people in order to provide
homelike settings for them. Facilities that were
built in the recent past are more likely to cater for the
specific requirements of disabled people.

Arthritis
Definition
Arthritis is a group of chronic conditions characterized
by joint inflammation. It is one of the leading causes
of disability in people older than 55 years. There
are more than 100 types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis
and rheumatoid arthritis among the most prominent.
Although the various forms of arthritis are quite different
from each other, they produce common symptoms
which include sore, stiff, inflamed, and painful joints.
There are different causes for arthritis; for some types
theses are not even fully explored. Rheumatoid arthritis
is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system
begins to act abnormally. Osteoarthritis occurs following
trauma or infection of the joint, or as a result of
aging. Usually, the first line of treatment is medication
to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain. The medication
is often supported by physical therapy that might
reduce the rate of deterioration of the joints. Surgery is
only applied for the most severe cases.

Adverse Effect
Synonyms
Adverse events; Adverse outcome; Complication; Side
effects
Definition
Adverse effects are harmful and undesired effects
resulting from either medication or interventions like
chemotherapy or surgery. Adverse effects that result
from medication are called  side effects when those
effects are secondary to the main or therapeutic effect
of the drug, sometimes due to unsuitable or incorrect
dosage or procedure. Adverse effects from medical procedures
may occur in the course of surgery, like infection,
hemorrhage, inflammation, scarring, loss of function,
or changes in local blood flow. Non-surgical procedures
like high intensity radiotherapy might result in
burned skin, for example. Adverse effects can cause
reversible or irreversible changes.
Cross-References
 Adverse Drug Reaction
 Side Effect

Mesotherapy treatment is a non surgical cosmetic solution aimed at diminishing problem areas in your body such as cellulite, excess weight, body contouring, and face/neck rejuvenation, just to name a few. It is administered via numerous injections containing various types of FDA approved medicines, vitamins, and minerals.

It is introduced into the mesoderm, the layer of fat and tissue underneath the skin.
The content mixture of the injection varies in accordance with each unique case and specific area to be treated.
Mesotherapy can also assist in reducing pain, and in replenishing hair loss in both men and women.

It’s a Revolution!
The immediate weight loss results associated with liposuction cannot be compared to the results of mesotherapy treatments. Liposuction is by far the most effective and quickest method available for fat reduction; however, mesotherapy is less expensive and less invasive.

Mesotherapy vs Liposuction
Mesotherapy is a relatively painless procedure due to the use of anesthetic creams applied to the area prior to injection, while liposuction often results in some pain after the surgery, as well as during the healing weeks that follow.
Mesotherapy causes virtually no scarring although swelling and light bruising may appear in the area for a few days; liposuction can cause scarring ranging from moderate to severe.
Sedation is not necessary with mesotherapy, and the patient can walk out of the office a few moments after the treatment.

Though it is new to the United States, mesotherapy has been widely used for the last 30 to 40 years in France. The reviews in the U.S. are outstanding, though controversial, as many doctors firmly believe that cosmetic surgery is the better option.

The following outline is a standard estimate of what each mesotherapy treatment entails (the number of injections and amount of medication varies from patient to patient):

Fat Reduction/Weight Loss: Usually 2 to 4 treatments (injections) are required at intervals of 2 to 4 weeks. Depending on the problem area, the number of procedures could increase. Because mesotherapy treatments for weight loss do not produce drastic changes, it is generally recommended for patients who require a little fat reduction in specific areas, as with body contouring.

Cellulite Reduction: Approximately 3 to 4 treatments are necessary at intervals of 3 to 4 weeks. While cellulite treatment is the least effective of the mesotherapy options, it is nonetheless successful in dealing with mild degrees of cellulite.

Lower Blepharoplasty: 1 or 2 treatments are recommended at 6 week intervals (at times the second treatment is not necessary). For Lower Eye Belpharoplasty, the patient should take cortisone prior to the procedure, and the swelling could possibly last for up to 6 weeks.

Facial Rejuvenation: 4 treatments are required at 2 to 3 week intervals. It is one of the most popular mesotherapy treatments, as satisfied patients notice a substantial improvement in their facial appearance.

Needless to say, mesotherapy treatments are here to stay. Many people are welcoming this simple, non-surgical procedure into their arms…or thighs….or face.

If you suffer from Gluten allergy then you will want to avoid wheat, rye, barley and oats as these all contain gluten. This substance is essential for baked foods such as bread because it helps the dough to bind. Many people suffer from gluten allergies, and the symptoms can be horrible. In this article we look at the symptoms of a gluten allergy, what causes these allergies and how a gluten allergy is treated. Foods such as rye, wheat, barley and certain oats consist of proteins, one of these proteins is known as glutenin, also known as gluten, if this is consumed by someone with a gluten allergy it can cause problems. Some people experience minor symptoms whilst others may suffer symptoms that could lead to death. Some of the common symptoms of gluten allergy include swelling, cramps, asthma, vomiting hives, nausea and swelling amongst other symptoms. If an individual suffers an allergic reaction after consuming a food that contains gluten, for example wheat, finding the cause of the allergy is a straight forward process. Basically this will involve a doctor conducting either a blood test or what is known as a skin prick test, the results of these tests will confirm whether or not the patient suffered an allergic reaction as a result of gluten allergy. As mentioned earlier some people have minor allergies to gluten, whilst others could potentially die as a result of a gluten allergy. The method of treatment depends on how the gluten allergy affects the individual. For example, if a person suffers from minor symptoms during an allergic reaction, they may be advised to only eat small amounts of wheat as this may stop allergic reactions in future. This individual may also be given medication such as an allergy shot. However if an individual suffers from major symptoms during an allergic reaction, they are usually advised not to consume products that contain gluten full stop. If a child suffers from minor symptoms after consuming gluten, it is not a big deal as children have a tendency to grow out of allergies. A condition that is often wrongly called a gluten allergy is Coeliac Disease, this is a disorder that can be inherited, and it has terrible effect on the immune system. If an individual with Coeliac Disease consumes gluten, the lining of the small intestine gets damaged. As a result the small intestine loses its ability to absorb nutrients and vitamins effectively. The way the body reacts to this hereditary disorder differs for children and adults, for children the symptoms can be anything from poor appetite to stunted growth. In adults the symptoms include weight loss, diarrhea and constipation amongst others. If you suffer from any of the above gluten allergies you are strongly advised o seek medical advice, a doctor will properly diagnose your condition and will inform you whether or not you need to eliminate gluten from the diet.

A patient of psychological disorder would usually get his treatments through

medication and services of a mental health institution or facilities. However, advocates of Complementary and Alternative Medicine believe that there are

less intensive, more holistic approaches that could be rendered to these patients in conjunction to their medical treatments. While they do not have approved

therapeutic claim and there are no conclusive proofs that these alternatives really work they have been practiced for years and have yielded significant

positive results in their own fields. Here are the suggested alternative solutions to mental health care:

Slowing down

Daily stressors contribute to the development of several mental health

disorders. In fact, stress itself is considered as a threat to mental health. It disrupts sleep, thinking and rest and it usually affects the way we

function everyday. Thus it is suggested to adopt several methods that will help lessen and manage the negative stressors we are exposed to everyday.

Biofeedback �” This method is normally used in treating mental health

disorders such as phobias, panic and anxiety. This works by controlling the involuntary muscle functioning such as skin temperature and heart rate and by

controlling muscle tension.

Massage therapy �” This method advances the belief the tapping, rubbing, and brushing the skin and muscle groups could relieve pent up emotions and internal

tension. People suffering from severe cases of stress and post-traumatic disorders are usually advised to take get massage therapy regularly.

Visualization �” Another method to lessen tension and stress is to redirect the perception and the individual techniques on visualization. This works by

entering into a deep state of relaxation where the person could create relaxing and “friendly” images that will contribute to his well-being and lessen the

occurrence of unwanted thoughts that are detrimental to one’s mental health.

Traditional alternative approaches

Ayurdeva �” Imported from Indian Traditional Medicine, Ayurdeva is a holistic approach to caring your mental health. This seeks balance on the body energies rather than on the

symptoms that affect the body. This system of traditional treatments includes yoga, a widely practiced alternative solution in the Western world these days.

Yoga makes use of postures, exercises, stretches and meditation to achieve the balance of body energies.

Native American approaches �” Cleansing rituals and chants are part of the Indian Health Services Programs that are focused on treating people suffering from

depression, stress-related disorders and anxiety disorders.

Acupuncture �” Used in treating many other ailments in the body, acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical approach that could also be used as treatment to

mental disorders. This makes use of needles with various sizes that are inserted to different pressure points in the body to be able to control its flow of

energy.

Diet and Nutrition

According to studies, diet and nutrition affects the manner by which our brains work. If it is deprived with certain nutrients, the brain may fail to

function the way it should be.

Vitamin and nutrient intake �” According to some studies, there are specific vitamins that our brain needs in order to produce other chemicals that are

crucial in maintaining our moods. Also, some vitamins are important in preventing the development of neurological and degenerative disorders such as

Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, proper intake of these vitamins and minerals plus supplementation of essential nutrients are highly recommended to maintain mental

health.

Mental health care does not only need to include medical treatments, support of other approaches is also needed to maximize the possibility of patient

recovery.

Internet has turned up essential in our daily routine; life without internet is just beyond belief these days. In this e-age when mail goes email, book goes ebook and shopping goes online shopping, it’s quite natural for online drugstores to take up important part in our lives. Continue Reading…