Latest Medicine Articles

TransFemme Feminizing Program Guide

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 05:12:05 -0700

Things to Know before You Start:
Most individuals undertaking hormonal modulation or gender reassignment (hormone therapy) can use a hormonal regimen with a high degree of safety. Regular monitoring or your health and blood work will assure that your good health is maintained.

As you explore transgender medical therapies through the Internet and other avenues, you should be prepared to discover a wide range of conflicting information and misinformation on the subject. Below is a list of general information and do’s and don’ts.

Do not use any phytoestrogens (herbal hormones) as an appropriate feminizing therapy. Herbs do not achieve any measurable feminization and use of these non-pharmaceutical grade phytoestrogen products, especially in large doses, raises health safety concerns amongst many medical professionals. When herbal products are used, along with pharmaceutical or glandular hormone treatments, your overall feminization may be reduced as these preparations compete with TransFemme.

If purchasing medication through mail order and Internet businesses, deal with a known and reputable supplier. Do not buy products from foreign countries or products not made with the transgender customer in mind.
Do not overlook the necessary blood monitoring and medical oversight. Proper medical management not only avoids unnecessary health risks, but assures that you are sufficiently feminizing. It is common for individuals who self-medicate to be on a less than adequate feminizing regime.
Follow instructions: Take your dosing regimen seriously; arbitrarily increasing doses may put you at risk, and as well, forgetting to take prescribed dosing may slow your progress.
Don’t settle for less with regard to your health. You may come into contact with self proclaimed authority figures on the Internet who casually and wrongly suggest to you that medical monitoring is unnecessary, this is untrue and bad advice.
If you decide to manage your own feminizing therapies, at the very least, seek periodic check-ups at a local walk-in clinic.
If you decide to undergo hormone treatment, think through any desires you may have for having children as prolonged hormone therapy will likely render you irreversibly sterile.
Hormonal feminization is the subject of endocrinology, a specialized branch of internal medicine which is concerned with the study of the glands and hormones of the body and their related disorders.

The goal of male to female feminizing hormone modulation therapy is the mental, emotional, physical and hormonal gender reassignment of the individual. Given the proper regimen and sufficient time, the likely expectation is a profound and comprehensive change in gender appearance and feeling.

This feminizing process concentrates on manipulation of sex hormones, also called sex steroids; and as the process of hormonal gender reassignment involves profound biological changes as well as changes in one’s appearance, having a doctor you work with and a general understanding of the biochemistry of sex hormones makes sense. Height, voice, and bone size cannot be changed with the use of hormonal modulation treatments. When you want your voice feminized you may need vocal surgery and voice coaching.

Orchiectomy/Castration
We do not recommend orchiectomy (castration) because it interferes with the results of TransFemme, your testicles provide testosterone which is converted by your body into estrogen. If you are thinking about having SRS in the future you will need your scrotum intact for creating a vagina.

Orchiectomy cannot produce additional feminization or speed the process of feminization any better than the use of drug therapies alone. You would still need to take estrogen and anti-androgens after orchiectomy.
Unless the orchiectomy is performed by a skilled surgeon the scrotum (which is often used to give depth to the new vagina) may be too small and scarred for use.
Most TransFemme customers given enough time see their testicles become smaller and less obtrusive so they can be hidden in bathing suits and clothing easily. Think of your testicles as your external ovaries, you need them.

If you decide to have castration surgery with or without future SRS, realize this procedure is major surgery! There are physicians who are willing to perform castration for less money and under less than optimum conditions in an office environment, but this may not be your best or safest option.

Is the Pueraria Mirifica Breast Enhancement Treatment Safe?

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 15:34:18 -0700

Pueraria Mirifica is a herb found in the southeast of Asia that is used in supplements as a way of enhancing breast size and shape. This natural supplement is considered to be a herbal non-invasive alternative to surgery and can work as an estrogen-enhancing herb for women suffering from the symptoms of the menopause. The properties of this herb have been known to natives for centuries but it has only recently hit the western world. There has been much scientific research into the effectiveness of the product and also whether it is safe to use.

Despite the recent popularity of the product amongst women, there is considerable debate about its effectiveness. A lot of people wonder whether the product is too good to be true and much research has gone into finding out whether there are any serious effects associated with it. Firstly, let’s have a look at how this miracle cream works. Pueraria Mirifica contains high levels of phytoestrogen which is natural version of the female hormone, estrogen. By increasing the amounts of concentrated phytoestrogen in the body you can induce changes in the body typically associated with estrogen, such as breast enlargement.

The product can be taken in several forms including capsules, creams and sprays. The capsules typically contain 80 to 1,000 milligrams of Pueraria Mirifica per dose. How much you decide to take depends on how quickly you want results as the higher the dose- the faster the results. However, it is recommended that you should not take more than 1,000 milligrams of the herb a day for longer than 6 months to be safe. Even though the product is a natural substance you should still consult your GP before starting on a course of Pueraria Mirifica. As the product effectively changes how your body looks it is important to check that your doctor thinks it is safe before proceeding.

Pueraria Mirifica products contain only pure, premium grade cultivated white Pueraria Mirifica which has been traditionally used for centuries to uplift and enhance breasts. As the product is a natural substance the manufacturers claim that it is completely safe with no side-effects. They also claim that it is high in isoflavone which is believed to help reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. The phytoestrogens present in Pueraria Mirifica can be sued to alleviate menopausal symptoms, improve skin tone and strengthen hair and nails. Therefore, the only side effects you will notice is an increase in the size of your breasts.

However, there has been some scientific research that has found that there are some side-effects associated with the product. According to research by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services the only side-effect occurred in women sensitive to estradiol which is a predominant female sex hormone, resulting in headaches after use. However, research in Thailand found that some women experienced short-lived anemia after taking the herbal breast enhancement product. On an overall level though, Pueraria Mirifica had no serious side-effects and was shown to be very effective.

If you are unhappy with the size or the shape of your breasts don’t let it ruin your self-confidence. Instead let Pueraria Mirifica give you the boost that you so desperately want!

The ultrasound scan offers peace of mind during pregnancy

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 23:18:10 -0700

An ultrasound scan is completely safe and hospitals have been providing them for pregnant women for years. There is no obligation to have an ultrasound scan but it is recommended as a precautionary measure even if only to put your mind at rest. The very first ultrasound scan would be due when the pregnancy is at 10 to 12 weeks. An early ultrasound pregnancy scan will calculate the exact age of the baby and likely date of conception along with the estimated birth date. Should the baby be developing well it may not be necessary to have another ultrasound scan until the 20 week mark is reached.

Should problems be detected during the first ultrasound scan such as the baby’s growth rate is abnormal, the placenta is abnormally positioned or other abnormalities it may prove necessary to arrange a number of follow up ultrasound scans. Additionally, if expecting twins, triplets or multiples follow up pregnancy scans may also be required.

Pregnancy scans that take place after 20 weeks are more detailed and will show the baby’s development allowing measurements to be taken of the growing body, brain, skull and other organs. If requested it is also possible to see detailed pictures of your baby and find out whether a boy or girl is expected.

At Innermost Secrets we provide a private, personal team of medical experts specialising in all aspects of pregnancy and fertility. We provide a range of ultrasound pregnancy scans at our location in Spire Cardiff Hospital South Wales. Detailed screening is available for taking a down syndrome test and we offer quad testing, the nuchal translucency scan and diagnostic tests including chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis. Our team of experts at Spire Cardiff Hospital all have expert knowledge in their individual fields which includes; gynaecology, obstetrics, maternal and foetal medicine, urogynaecology and infertility.

The Best Medical School in World

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:44:44 -0800

Medical filed is the important field in human life. Medical research is day to day used new technology for good health for human. Present human is believed in only allopathic medicine. Those changes reflect a shift in the role of tenure in academic medical institutions. Traditional tenured and tenure-track research positions are still common, but they are becoming a smaller proportion of the total medical school faculty. These days, new faculty members are increasingly likely to be hired in nontenure-track positions, a better match for the short-term grant funding the institutions rely on. And many of those who do manage to land a coveted tenure-track position face reduced financial guarantees and a challenging funding environment.

As a result, today's early-career job seekers in academic medicine must look beyond the tenure-track label and look closely at the details: a position's specific financial guarantees, the institution's commitment to its nontenured young researchers, the value of the experience they will gain, and the contribution they will make to society. And while checking the nontenure-track box used to imply a tremendous disadvantage on grant and job applications, the gap seems to have narrowed. "What does tenure mean anymore?" Franko asks.

In recent years, the proportion of students choosing careers in primary care has declined precipitously in the United States. The pattern at the University of Washington (UW) has followed the national trend, but at a somewhat slower rate. In 1996, more than 60% of UW students chose careers in primary care (family medicine, general internal medicine, or general pediatrics), but in 2005, fewer than 30% of students did so. This trend has been followed with increasing alarm by the UW’s many educational partners in the 5 states in WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho), a partnership between the UW School of Medicine and nearby states.

The UW has a dual mission to meet the health care needs of the 5-state WWAMI region, particularly by recognizing the importance of primary care, and to advance knowledge and assume leadership in the biomedical sciences and in academic medicine. The university is widely recognized for its success in both domains, with high rankings in both primary care and research.

The medical research is used by the thousand of medical school in all worlds this school is the give best medical doctor in per year. Medical school is the best research for the new technique.

Healthcare Reform Bill Still Contains Seeds of Socialism

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:40:50 -0800

Taking a page out of Yogi Berra, Congressional leaders are worried that it ain't over ‘til it's over.

U.S. Representative Michelle Bachmann (R-Minnesota) has been trying to rally her conservative base, warning them that even though the much-debated public option has been killed in the Senate version of the reform bill, the seeds of socialism still exist in the bill - and in fact, in every major move made by the administration of President Barack Obama.

"The number one thing is to fight right now the government takeover of our economy," Rep. Bachmann said, quoting an Arizona State University economist who calculated the U.S. government now owns 30 percent of the economy as a result of 2009's financial market bailouts. "Now if President Obama gets his way with healthcare, that's an additional 18 percent of the economy. It isn't within our lifetime that we've gone to socialism. It's within 18 months!"

The end result would take the healthcare industry from bad to worse, according to David Mitchel, a healthcare industry expert and marketing consultant for healthcare companies.

"As someone who works with medical practitioners on the front lines of the medical industry, I am very familiar with the way that practitioners feel about the proposed changes," said Mitchel, VP of Norton Mitchel Marketing (www.nortonmitchel.com). "Many observers believe that the proposed changes are part of a socialistic economic policy. I've observed the ways in which countries that have adopted socialistic economic policies have performed economically. The results have been devastating, and we would be foolish if we didn't learn from their failures."

He cited Chile as a prime example of how socialistic policies led to chaos, and how a free market economy revived the country's finances.

"Chile democratically elected a socialist leader in 1970, and then had a coup in 1973 to replace the socialist leader," he said. "After the 1973 coup, the new regime enacted free market reforms, leading to Chile becoming the most prosperous economy in Latin America. It's nothing we don't already know in America. A free market typically solves its own problems. It's not always orderly and it's not always quick, but the market must be allowed to stay free in order to prevent the dangers of an overall economic collapse. Every major superpower that was socialist by design has fallen. We just recently celebrated the fall of the Berlin wall, a reminder of the ending of the Cold War, which ended not because we defeated the USSR with our military might, or because of a decisive naval battle. The government fell because they couldn't feed their people, anymore. Is this the fate we want for the U.S.?"

Mitchel's concerns, however, go beyond history.

"Medical practitioners across disciplines generally oppose healthcare reform as they feel it will negatively impact their ability to operate a successful practice both from a financial standpoint and in their ability to treat patients," he said. "It's important to understand that protecting their business interests is not contrary to protecting the interests of consumers. If medical practitioners can't earn a living in their fields because of rising costs, they'll simply close up shop, resulting in fewer choices and even higher prices for consumers and insurance companies. When supply is low and demand is high, prices soar. Now, many assert that the proposed changes in health care are aligned with a socialistic economic policy, and they aren't wrong."

He cautioned Americans to heed Rep. Bachmann's warning.

"The House bill still contains the public option, while the Senate bill does not," he said. "They are going to try to hammer out a compromise, and you can bet the liberal House Democrats are going to try to shoehorn some level of public option - whether it is through Medicare or another program - into the bill. Even if that measure is defeated, there are still worries of healthcare rationing, a primary symptom of socialist policies, as a result of the bill. Americans need to stay vigilant, and make their voices heard."

Prescription Drug Addiction: Treatment is Important

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:45:38 -0800

Many people are not aware that prescription drug addiction has become such a major problem. This is true in all parts of the world, and every year it kills thousands of people of all ages. With so many prescription drugs available for abuse, it is easy to see why this problem has gotten out of control over the past few years. Along with this, most who abuse prescription drugs do so because it is easier to get their hands on them.

Treatment for prescription drugs is every bit as important as that for illegal drugs such as heroine, cocaine, and speed. So, what are some of the most common prescription drugs that people get addicted to? Some that have caused major issues include: Adderal, Ativan, Barbiturate, Benzodiazepine, Codeine, depressants, Dilaudid, Kadian, Librium, Lomotil, Narcos, Nembutol, Oxycontin, Percocet, Percodan, Ritalin, Soma, Stimulants, Toridol, Valium, Vicodin, Zanex, and tranquilizers.

Those in need of prescription drug addiction treatment can go to the same facilities as people who are addicted to illegal drugs and even alcohol. Although it may not make much sense to those who have never had a problem, it can be very difficult to stop using prescription drugs - some find it next to impossible without the proper help and guidance.

The proper drug rehab program can help anybody who is addicted to prescription drugs. Prescription drug abuse is nothing to take lightly. This can be every bit as dangerous, and often times as deadly, as illegal drugs. For this reason, treatment should be sought out as soon as possible.

Excitement as New AIDS Drugs Coming to the Forefront

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 06:27:25 -0800

I'll tell you what…when I read scientific research papers and articles on new technologies and medical advancements, my mind immediately turns to a mush-like substance that requires several read-throughs to get the general gist. Granted, I love reading about medical news, I really do, but on first reads, I usually read an article and go, "Wait, what did I just read again?" Now, I mention all of this because I want to make sure I get all of the following important information, gleaned from Science Daily, just perfect.

A possibility of an entire new set of AIDS drugs is on the horizon as University of Michigan researchers have created something that has not been seen in over two decades: a means for inhibiting a target that is commonly used when treating those patients afflicted with HIV, particularily those who have used condoms. The compound in question is the HIV protease, which most AIDS drugs aim for. This HIV protease is responsible for the actual replication of HIV, according to the University of Michigan head researcher on this research and professor of medicinal chemistry, Heather Carlson. Originally using computers to model the compound, further lab research demonstrated that the compound actually works in inhibiting this protease.

Carlson goes on to explain that this research is still in the preliminary stages since it is "easy to make an inhibitor, (but) it's very hard to make a drug. This compound is too weak to work in the human body. The key is to find more compounds that will work by the same mechanism." What has researchers on this study excited is the fact that while AIDS drugs currently on the market also weaken the HIV-1 protease to prevent HIV from replicating, this compound does the same thing but in an entirely different way.

For further clarification, consider what happens when the HIV-1 protease is weakened. The AIDS drugs prevent the protease from creating the proteins needed to gather and create an active virus. Current AIDS drugs work by causing large molecules to attach to the protease's center, causing the protease to be frozen shut. The newly created compound, however, works a bit differently. Instead of attaching to the center, the module aims for something called a "flap recognition pocket" on the protease and works to hold the protease open (instead of shutting it down) with a small molecule. By holding the flap open, the protease is inhibited, just as it would be if the protease is frozen shut (as current drugs aim to do).

The newly created compound is actually quite a discovery since it uses a smaller molecule to do its bidding (instead of the large molecules currently used in AIDS drugs). Smaller molecules are known to be absorbed more readily by the body. According to Carlson, "This new class of smaller molecules could have better drug properties (and) could get around current side effects. HIV dosing regimes are really difficult. You have to take medicine several times in the day. Maybe you wouldn't have to do that with these smaller molecules because they would be absorbed differently."

How Can We Pay For Healthcare Reform?

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:28:25 -0800

While Congress and the rest of the nation turn the battle over healthcare reform into a pro-wrestling-style steel cage death match with enough rhetoric to choke an English professor, at least one expert is looking beyond the bills on the table for a different solution.

According to a lengthy report by legal expert Terence Mix, author of The American Healthcare Dilemma (www.terencemix.com), reorganizing the FDA and its activities could save Americans a trillion dollars over the next decade, essentially paying for healthcare reform through a combination of saving consumers money, saving insurance companies money and saving the government money.

"Congress can deliver a pain-free healthcare plan - and the solution is right in its own back yard," Mix said. "In Rockville, Maryland, actually, at the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) of the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the division responsible for the approval and monitoring of prescription and nonprescription drugs. And it won't require raising taxes on the wealthy, penalizing individuals and employers who don't purchase health insurance or reducing Medicare payments to medical providers. It will only require fixing the archaic and inefficient methods and practices of the CDER branch of the FDA."

Mix believes that cleaning up FDA miscues can save consumers serious money in unnecessary healthcare costs, as well as free up some much-needed federal dollars. His chief complaints include:

• More than 50 percent of all drugs have serious adverse reactions that are discovered only after the drugs have entered the market (e.g., they are not detected during premarket testing) - making us all unwitting guinea pigs.

• About 2,270,000 patients per year incur hospital costs as a result of adverse drug reactions.

• Another 4,300,000 visit other healthcare providers (physicians, hospital outpatient departments and emergency rooms) as a result of adverse drug reactions.

• Approximately 230,000 die each year as a result of an adverse drug reaction (105,000 using drugs as directed and 125,000 as a result of mistakes) - the third leading cause of death in the United States.

• The total annual healthcare cost as a consequence of adverse drug reactions exceeds a staggering $200 billion - an amount equal to what is spent on Medicaid every year and almost half of what is spent on Medicare.

"These costs can be cut in half by fixing everything that is wrong with the FDA and the system of testing drugs," he added. "This would amount to healthcare savings of at least $100 billion per year - one trillion dollars over ten years - not to mention saving one million lives over the same period of time. If the need for medical services decreases, insurance company payouts also decrease, with a corresponding fall in premium costs. Consumers also aren't paying as much for their out-of-pocket costs as a result. Finally, the government is spending far less and accomplishing far more, reducing its burden and freeing up tax dollars to pay for those healthcare customers who are truly needy."

Potent antibiotics to combat bacteria

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:26:16 -0800

The word "antibiotic" derives from the Greek anti denoting "against" and bios meaning "life" (a bacterium is a life form). Antibiotics are effective drugs used to treat bacterial infections. If taken in the proper way, antibiotics can save lives. They either fight off microorganisms outright or stop their multiplication. Your body's natural defenses can normally take it from there.
Most antibiotics have got two names, the trade name created by the manufacturer, and a generic name based on chemical structure or chemical class of antibiotics.
Antibiotics do not kill infections caused by viruses, for example colds, influenza, most coughs and bronchitis, sore throats unless brought on by strep.
A broad-spectrum antibiotic can be taken to combat a huge number of infections. A narrow-spectrum antibiotic is only effective against several types of germs. There are antibiotics that attack aerobic bacteria, while others work against anaerobic germs. Aerobic bacteria need oxygen, while anaerobic bacteria do not.
Antibiotics may be given beforehand, to forestall an infection, as might be the case prior to operation. This is called 'preventive' use of antibiotics. They are normally used prior to bowel and orthopedic operation.
Antibiotics can bring on many more health problems, if not used in properly. General use and misuse in sick people over time have jeopardized antibiotics' ability to kill off microbes. These days, nearly all bacteria demonstrate some resistance to these medications, so that more lately invented antibiotics are sometimes necessary to stop infections once easily cured. Antibiotics can also lead to complications, for example diarrhea and vaginal yeast infections.
When you are taking an antibiotic, observe the instructions. Your dose has been measured to fight off germs within the course of the illness. So, if you do not coating, you may find yourself at the risk of leaving enough bacteria in your system to re-start the infection - even after you are feeling good. The leftover drug will be insufficient to combat the microbes the next time, and it may even make them resistant to antibiotics.

Online drugstores: secure, convenient and cheap

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:48:00 -0800

The development of the Internet has made it possible to compare prices and do the shopping without even leaving home. Buying prescription drugs online offers a great many advantages over buying medicines from a local drugstore, including:
• greater convenience and range of medicines,
• the privacy and convenience of ordering medicines from your home,
• greater availability of medications for those who live far from the drugstore,
• the ease of comparative shopping among many sites to discover the best deals,
• no co-pays to see a doctor.
Furthermore, people can save on drugs. Medicines offered by online drugstores appear to be FIVE-SIX times less costly than those in regular drugstores. If compared with a local drugstore, owners of on-line drugstores do not have to pay high rents and make monthly utility payments. Another reason for affordable prices on prescription medicines is that on-line drugstores buy products in quantity at a reduced price, which is passed on the buyer.
But when it comes to purchasing medications on-line, it is important to be careful. Reputable drugstores dispense drugs sanctioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and offer secure online specialist consultations. Pharmacists and physicians working there are U.S.-licenced. Prescription medications are guaranteed to be authentic and from U.S. Manufacturers. Convenient 24/7 access to online prescription order system is provided and security of personal and medical information is guaranteed by reliable drugstores.
Some websites, yet, sell medicines that may be unsafe to use and can place your health and sometimes life at high risk. Some drugs sold by unaccredited on-line drugstores are fake, are too powerful or too ineffective, contain dangerous ingredients, have expired, are not FDA-sanctioned, are made in disregard of safety standards, are not secure to take with other products you use, are not labeled, stored, or shipped properly. So, making the right choices and staying always vigilant can save your health.