Most people think that bad breath is caused only by poor dental hygiene. However,chronic bad breath,a condition known as halitosis,can stem from various medical problems,dry mouth and even the Atkins diet. If you have a consistent bad breath problem it is wise to visit your dentist in order to determine the cause of the problem.There are several possible reasons for bad breath such as dental decay, or gum disease.The dentist can diagnose other problems which cause bad breath including yeast infections of the mouth,dental caries,poorly fitting dental appliances and periodontal disease. The medical condition dry mouth – also called xerostomia – can also cause bad breath.Anything that dries the mouth makes bad breath worse, because saliva cleanses the mouth.When there is not enough saliva in your mouth to wash away food particles and bacteria, bad breath can result.Alcohol, alcohol-containing mouthwashes,fasting and heavy exercise can all result in a dry mouth and worsen a bad breath problem.Drugs associated with producing dry mouth may also produce bad breath – antidepressants,blood pressure treatments,diuretics and antihistamines. Bacteria on the back of the tongue are one of the commonest causes of bad breath.The bacteria produces a number of odors including volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) which are believed to be the major cause of halitosis.Some people with bad breath have a white or grayish coating on their tongue.Tongue cleaning is by far the most effective way of combating bad breath. Many people have occasional bad breath, often on first awakening,or following an evening of alcoholic partying.Certain foods like garlic and onions can produce bad breath but only on a temporary basis. A deficiency of vitamin B and zinc may be the cause of your bad breath.Smoking can also cause bad breath,reduce your ability to taste foods,stain teeth and irritate gum tissues. Many medical problems can have bad breath as a side effect – such as kidney disease,cancer,lung problems,infections of the throat,tuberculosis,gastroesophageal reflux,uncontrolled diabetes,allergies and sinusitis. Most toothpastes can be a cause of bad breath because the stuff that makes the foam actually promotes production of volatile sulfur compounds.Many of the mints and washes people use to combat halitosis dry out gum tissue and only cover bad breath. However, mouthwashes containing chlorine dioxide are very effective at combating bad breath. The Bad Breath Test It is possible to suffer from bad breath without being aware of it.Some people suggest a simple test which you can do yourself to detect bad breath.The best way to find out if you have bad breath is to lick your wrist,wait ten seconds,and then smell your wrist. There are individuals who suffer from halitophobia and believe that they have bad breath,but no physical or social evidence exists to suggest that halitosis is present. What Can You Do? Avoid bad breath by drinking lots of water.Drink peppermint tea, spiked with a pinch of anise or cinnamon. One traditional bad breath cure which is backed up by modern research is yoghurt. Japanese researchers found eating the yoghurt reduced levels of hydrogen sulfide – a major cause of bad breath. If you get a case of bad breath which persists despite good oral hygiene, consult your dentist and physician.

After receiving a positive diagnosis for stomach cancer, patients understandably feel depressed and uncertain about their future. It’s important for them to realize that they are not alone and that many people suffer from various forms of cancer every day. These individuals must learn to accept the news that they have been given, understand what they are facing and cope with the reality of the illness. A stomach cancer patient may wish to conduct their own research, either online or at a local library. There are many educational resources available, which will help a patient to become more familiar with what is happening to them and let them know what to expect during treatment. A smart patient is an educated patient and reading is the best way to keep abreast of new medical developments, treatments and options. A cancer patient must remain active in their own care for as long as possible. Discussions with a doctor, asking questions and getting answers will all lead to a more productive treatment method. When dealing with any type of illness, including stomach cancer, family and friends can provide an excellent support system. Understandably, these individuals may also be in a lot of emotional pain in dealing with the illness of their loved one. If that’s the case, a patient may decide to join a local support group or get involved in an activity that they enjoy doing. If the patient feels like doing something, it’s a good idea to continue living a productive lifestyle and one that is enjoyable. While activity is important, it’s also necessary to take some time out for rest and relaxation. As is the case with any illness, rest is key to a successful recovery. Depending on how advanced a cancer patient’s diagnosis reveals, several treatment options are available. When a patient decides to move forward with treatment, he/she may also consider seeking a second opinion from a qualified physician in order to confirm the diagnosis and recommended treatment. The best outcome is to eliminate the cancer but, if that is not possible, the doctor may attempt to prevent the cancer from spreading or to relieve the symptoms that a patient may be experiencing. Assuming the patient’s health will allow it, and he/she wishes to pursue remedies, the most common method of treatment is surgery. Depending on the location and size of the cancer, a doctor may be able to remove all or part of the stomach and surrounding infected areas. Another common approach to treating stomach cancer is for the patient to begin a series of chemotherapy treatments. This process involves the intake of medicines to help fight the cancer cells, which can either be taken orally or delivered through the patient’s veins. This option is often most useful to rid the patient of any remaining cancer cells following surgery. In addition, chemotherapy may be used to control the growth of cancer, relieve symptoms and prolong life. This treatment does carry a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, which make many people hesitant to begin. For those who do, there are various medications that can help ease the side effects of chemotherapy while allowing your body to recover. Radiation therapy, often used in conjunction with chemotherapy, utilizes the help of high energy x-rays to fight against cancer cells. Radiation therapy affects only the area where cancer is present, whereas chemotherapy affects your entire body. This type of therapy can leave burns on the skin, which are similar to that of a sunburn and may also cause other ill effects, but it does help to treat stomach cancer and relieve pain associated with pain and blockages. This article should not be construed as professional medical advice. If you, or someone that you know, is concerned about the possibility of cancer, you should seek medical attention immediately. A medical doctor can discuss various options, prevention and treatment possibilities should the presence of cancer be detected. A series of tests may be conducted in order to confirm, or rule out, any such diagnosis and can only be done by a medical doctor.

For years, many people have argued that forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, including Crohn’s Disease, is caused by emotional stress, tension, and anxiety; this, however, is completely inaccurate. While there may be links to emotional stress and Crohn’s Disease, it is not a cause of the disorder. A common misconception is that Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is the same thing as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). However, these differ considerably. IBD causes inflammation of the intestines and is not caused psychological factors. On the other hand, there is a strong link in emotional issues contributing to IBS. While some may argue Crohn’s Disease is caused by being overly emotional, it is in fact an inappropriate response of the immune system and no correlation to the disease and psychological issues. However, emotions may play a role in how a person deals with Crohn’s Disease. In dealing with any chronic disease, people may find difficulty is coping with the long term effects of their medical condition. As a result, people with Crohn’s may become depressed or suffer other psychological issues, such as severe anxiety or dependency. As Crohn’s often causes excessive diarrhea and gas, it is sometimes embarrassing for people to go out in public, possibly leading to reclusion. Likewise, travel becomes more difficult, which may lead to feelings of loss of freedom. Long term pain also causes emotional complications, as well as long term use of pain medications. While Crohn’s Disease may cause emotional stress, there has also been a reverse connection recognized: meaning stress may cause flare-ups of complications in patients already affected by Crohn’s Disease. Through extremely emotional times, a person may notice an increase in severity of diarrhea, gas, and pain. If psychological issues become a hindrance in daily life, it may be necessary to seek professional help. While medication is not typically needed, simply acquiring support may be very beneficial. This may also be accomplished by joining support groups or conversing with other people that suffer from the same or similar disorders. For peace of mind, there are also other steps that you can take to reduce stress as a result of Crohn’s Disease. Carrying a change of clothes with you, familiarizing yourself with your surroundings, including location of bathrooms, and being aware of your body’s reaction to certain foods will ease anxiety when you are out and about and prepare you for possible issues that may arise.

Human Papilloma Ciruses (HPV) is a virus that infects humans. Some of the effects of the virus are associated with sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s). Over one hundred strains of the virus have been identified by Scientists. Most of these strains are harmless. Some of these strains can produce common skin warts which appear on the hands and feet. Approximately thirty strains are spread through sexual contact. Some of these thirty can cause visible warts known as genital warts, while others can cause cervical and genital cancer. HPV greatly outnumbers other std’s making it the most common sexually transmitted infection. An estimated 80% of sexually active adults are infected with one or moregenital HPV strainsat some point in their life. The vast majority of infected people suffer no side effects from the virus, which means that most of these people don’t even know that they are infected. This lack of knowledge doesn’t stop them from infecting others though. The immune system is usually able to clear the virus from the body within a year. After the virus is cleared from the body, that individual person is immune to that particular strain of HPV. HPV is almost an unavoidable and invisible result of sexual activity. For this reason, most health authorities recommend that women have an annual pap smear following their first sexual activity, to ensure early detection of cervical cancer. The only safe way to prevent HPV transmission is to abstain from any contact with the genitals of others. Not even «safe sex», the use of Condoms, can provide complete protection from the virus. It’s not advisable to just practice safe sex. Perfect Abstinence!