What Is Diverticulitis? The Surprising Facts About Diet and This Disease

It happens. You or a loved one gets the call from the doctor, and it's diverticulitis. So you wonder how did I get this? What is diverticulitis anyway? And most importantly what is the treatment?

I wrote this article to discuss some of the surprising facts about the disease and to clear up some misconceptions. As you'll see, this is an illness where your diet can truly make a difference in both your prognosis and recovery.

So what is diverticulitis? Well, the short answer is that diverticulitis is a swelling or inflammation of an abnormal pouch (diverticulum) in the intestinal wall. These pouches are usually found in the large intestine or colon. Diverticulitis occurs when bacteria gets trapped in the pouches and becomes infected.

The symptoms of the illness may last from a few hours to a week or more depending on the severity of the case, and can include any of the following: Belly pain (especially on the lower left side, that sometimes gets worse when you move), bloating and gas, fever and chills, diarrhea or constipation, nausea and vomiting, and a loss of appetite.

Here's what's surprising: The existence of the pouches (diverticula) does not necessarily mean that you will come down with diverticulitis. Doctors are not entirely sure why some people get the disease and others do not. Also surprising, diverticulitis is very common. Over half of Americans over age 60 are diagnosed with the disease.

So why do the pouches form and why are so many people are diagnosed? The current belief is that diet and age play a huge role in the formation of the diverticula. (The pouches are more common over the age of 40.) A low fiber diet is considered a major risk factor, here's why:

Doctor's think that without enough fiber to add bulk to the stool, the colon has to work harder to push the stool forward. The pressure from this exertion might cause the pouches to form. Once the pouches are formed, there are no known treatments to remove them short of surgery. Once you have the pouches, you're more susceptible to diverticulitis.

Prevention is the key here. You can greatly reduce your chance of getting the disease just by drinking plenty of water, getting regular exercise and by maintaining a diet high in fiber, meaning plenty of fruits and vegetables.

If you already have the disease, cases are typically treated with bowel rest (nothing by mouth) and a course of antibiotics. Once you're feeling better, doctor's typically recommend a high fiber diet to prevent recurrence.

So what is diverticulitis? A disease where a pound of prevention is truly worth an ounce of cure. Follow a healthy life style with a high fiber diet and you will be less likely to come down with this disease.

The Real Modern Day Causes Of Chronic Disease In America

The first step we must take in order to prevent and cure chronic disease is to know their modern day causes and understand why these diseases are now so prevalent in America today. In the U.S., 70 percent of Americans that die each year die from chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke. For many years now, tobacco use has been considered the single most dangerous modifiable risk factor for chronic disease and longevity. But modern day industry and technology has brought about dramatic changes in our diet, our food, our environment, and our lifestyles. These changes have introduced other risk factors that we are now faced with and it's the totality of these other risk factors that today pose a greater threat to the health of Americans than even smoking.

DIET AND LIFESTYLE
A report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (March, 2004) states, "poor diet and lack of physical exercise may soon surpass tobacco as the leading cause of death". In America today, modern technological advances both at home and on the job has created two things, jobs and lifestyles that are less physically active or even sedentary and a heavy reliance on the convenience of fast and processed food. The report goes further and states that only 1.5 percent more people in the U.S. die each year from tobacco (18.1percent) than those that die from poor diet and lack of physical activity (16.6 percent).

Poor diet and lack of exercise contributes to chronic disease in two ways. First, by promoting cell malfunction in our bodies by depriving the cells of sufficient nutrients and enough oxygen to keep them functioning properly and second, by contributing to weight gain and obesity.

WEIGHT GAIN AND OBESITY
It's no secret that the U.S. is the fattest country in the world and that this is due primarily to the convenient availability of today's fast and processed foods and inactive lifestyles. We all know that these kinds of foods are jam-packed with fats and sugars and that by consuming these foods along with physical inactivity sets us up for weight gain from fat.

But why is fat dangerous and how does it contribute to chronic disease? Body fat is dangerous for two reasons. The first reason is because fat cells are actually active, especially abdominal fat cells, and produce toxic hormones and other toxic substances during the process of lipolysis which is the breakdown of the fats that are stored in the fat cells. Our bodies are designed to handle normal amounts of these substances but the more fat you have the more fat cells you have that are releasing these toxic substances up to the point that the body becomes overwhelmed and can no longer safely dispose of them.

The second reason is that some outside environmental toxic chemicals accumulates in human fat. One such example is Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs. Better known as flame retardants, PBDEs are used in a wide variety of common household products from carpet to electronics and studies show that they can cause both liver and kidney damage. The more body fat you have, the greater the possibility of you accumulating more toxic chemicals, such as PBDEs, than your body can handle. In either case, excessive body fat results in a toxic overload within the cells and just like depriving them of nutrients and oxygen, causes the cells to malfunction thus weakening the immune system.

HOW THE AMERICAN FOOD INDUSTRY HAS MADE US SICK
Seeing now how poor diet and daily inactivity can cause chronic disease, you would think that all you need to do is to start exercising and and go to the grocery store and stock up on healthier foods, right. Wrong! There are three reasons why the highly processed foods and the conventionally grown crops and meats found in most grocery stores today have played a part in the prevalence of chronic disease in America.

TOXIC CHEMICALS IN OUR FOOD
The first reason is toxicity. For many years now, the U.S.'s major food producers have used chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, and growth hormones to grow bigger crops and livestock as quickly as possible for increased profits. Unknown by most American consumers, many of the meats, fruits, and vegetables found on typical grocery store shelves are laced with traces of these chemicals and hormones. These foods, as well as our processed and packaged food, also contain other chemicals in the form of ripening agents, artificial flavor and aromatic enhancers, preservatives, and other man-made chemicals to make them as appealing and as convenient as possible. These toxic chemicals ultimately end up in our bodies and after years of exposure, build up to a toxic level that our bodies are not designed to deal with.

LOW NUTRITIONAL VALUES IN TODAY'S FOOD
The second reason is that a lot of the conventional foods of today have a low nutritional value. Modern agriculture has employed methods of farming that has depleted the soil of vital minerals causing a significant decrease in the nutritional content of many of our fruits and vegetables. In fact, the Healthcare Professionals (HCP) Impact Study conducted in 2009 found that 81 percent of registered dietitians now view dietary supplements as important for maintaining health. Doug Gurian-Sherman, senior scientist with the food and environment program at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) recently stated, "The way we farm now is destructive of the soil, the environment and us" and that "worst of all, our food is increasingly bad for us, even dangerous". But perhaps the most serious threat to our food supply is one has gone virtually unknown to the average unsuspecting American consumer and is the third reason why our food is making us so sick.

GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD
Also known as GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms), genetic food modification can quite possibly become the single most dangerous threat to our health. Genetic modification is the technology that makes it possible to manipulate the genes of living organisms by combining multiple genes from different living organisms in order to change the characteristics of that organism. Also referred to as recombinant DNA technology, the resulting products are said to be transgenic, genetically modified, or genetically engineered. The World Health Organization views GMO's as "organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally".

This technology has now made it possible for scientists to inject chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides directly into the genes and the DNA of seeds used to grow the fruits and vegetables we eat in order to make them more resistant to the herbicides and pesticides already in use. This technology is also being used on livestock as well. The irony is that the world's largest producer of GMO's and genetically engineered foods is not one of our nation's major food producers such as Tyson Foods or Kraft. It's Monsanto, a chemical company. Since the early 1990's, this technology has been used in America's agriculture. Today approximately 70 percent of the food you buy at your typical grocery store has been genetically modified and chances are you have or will eat a GMO today.

TOXIC CHEMICALS IN OUR AIR, OUR WATER, AND OUR HOMES
The most direct source of chemical exposure we unknowingly experience comes from the foods we eat. But we can no longer ignore the fact that the environmental toxins found in our air, our water, and even our homes contribute greatly to chronic diseases here in the U.S. The number of toxic chemicals we Americans routinely encounter is astonishing. The Environmental Protection Agency has now identified at least 6,000 chemicals that Americans are regularly exposed to and this number grows each year.

And these chemical toxins are not just limited to air and water contaminants. A lot of the chemicals we come into contact with daily are right in our own homes in the form of floor cleaners, furniture polish, and even hairspray. According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, "Americans use an average of 10 personal care products each day, resulting in exposure to more than 126 unique chemicals-not counting the many undisclosed chemicals in fragrance."

IS SMOKING REALLY THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF CHRONIC DISEASE IN AMERICA?
The answer is probably not but certainly it remains a major contributor. Even though the decline in the number of people who smoke has been stalled since 2005, the fact is that for 40 years now, the number of Americans who smoke has been decreasing and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to second hand smoke is now down 70 percent. Cigarette smoking peaked in the mid 1960's with 40 percent of Americans smoking and today that figure is at about 23 percent. The percentage of Americans suffering from chronic disease now stands at 51 percent and that number continues to climb. With this in mind, it would be hard to conclusively say that cigarette smoking continues to stand alone as America's number one cause of chronic disease.

WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF CHRONIC DISEASE IN AMERICA?
The extremely high rate of chronic disease we're experiencing here in the U.S. today is a result of not just one, but a combination of all of these risk factors. These risk factors cause two things within our bodies that serve as the basis for all chronic disease, deficiency and toxicity. If left unchecked, these two common denominators will begin to cause cellular damage and over time, will cause the cells to malfunction thus increasing the probability of developing chronic disease.

In America today, the combination of enormous toxic overload, the declining nutritional value of our foods, smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity all work against our nation's health in ways we have never seen before by poisoning our bodies and then depriving it's cells of what they need to function properly. In order to help avoid and reverse disease and give our bodies a chance to detoxify themselves, it's vital that we find ways to limit our subjection to chemical toxins and find nutritious alternate food options.

Chronic diseases in the U.S. is a serious concern with more than fifty percent of Americans now suffering from chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. However most chronic diseases are preventable and even curable by learning how to avoid their modern day causes and understanding why these diseases are now so widespread.

To find out more about what you can do to prevent chronic disease, go to http://livingdiseasefree.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_A_Long

How to Really Cure Crohn's Disease

Hello friend. For well over 10 years I had fought and struggled with this hated disease. It seemed that nothing I could do would stop the horrible stomach aches and constant vomiting. I was constantly battling with its dreaded symptoms.

I had done all I could until one day. I stumbled upon an almost forgotten secret. This secret, actually brought me the healing and relief I had earnestly sought after. I no longer suffer from ANY of the Crohn's Disease symptoms. No more. Amazingly, most people who have heard about it, never really use this method because they think its just too hard to do. Quite the opposite. It really isn't all that hard. If you really want the change in health you need, you will do it.

This method has been around for many years, has been responsible for the amazing health recovery of countless individuals. Yet few really take advantage of it. What I am talking about has to do with what we eat. Pure and simple.

For many years I ate just about anything and everything I wanted. I believed that I was getting the proper nutritional intake of the right kinds of foods. Unfortunately, in my younger years, I ate way too much candy, cakes, pastries and the like as well. You see, eventually it all caught up with me. Because I did not eat what my body was originally designed to process.

Our bodies are a wonderful machine. And it works perfectly as long as you work together in harmony with it. Some individuals believe they can eat, drink whatever. Without even knowing what will happen to their own body in just a short time. I can't tell you how many people I have spoken to about this and they really believe they are made out of cast iron. Once my Dad told me about a man who could chew on glass. Good grief!

Needless to say, it is always best to do what you can to provide the best nutritional and body sustaining food you can, to get the most life giving properties. Something, and that includes yours truly, we can all benefit from by constantly studying what will give us just that.

Organic, non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) foods are the best to eat. Any time a food substance is modified from its originally intended form spells trouble. The reason is that the food chemistry is completely changed, and you are not getting the full nutritional value you deserve, regardless of what some people say about it. It's a fact.

Lets face it. You want to do the best for your body, right? Well, then you must educate and retrain yourself to eat for the best performance of your body. When I was younger, I ate a lot of junk food, sodas just to name a few wrong food sources. Friends, we have to be on guard for our life. Yes, that's right. For your life.

Here's a little food secret: Did you know that avocados, coconuts and coconut milk have incredible life giving properties in them? If you we stranded on an island with just these foods, you could stay alive in perfect health. Amazing isn't it? I was stunned when I found this out. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. There is actually tons of other foods that will supercharge you back to full health. I mean it. Remember I did it!

Now this information may sound strange, however, you must have complete control over your nutritional intake. That way, whenever you eat something, you know that you are putting into your body the highest nutritional value you can.

This may sound too difficult to do. However, its not really. We all change the way we do things from time to time. Just look at it from that point of view. Then it is not that hard to do at all. That's what I did. And the change was the best thing I could ever have done for myself. Sometimes you just have to get a little "selfish" with your body to improve it.

It is no different than say restoring an antique car for example. Same thing.

You can get rid of Crohn's Disease because I DID IT. No surgery or drugs of any kind. If I can do it, any person can do it too. I invite all who are now suffering under this disease to take the challenge. What you need to do is, "Stop, Look and Think". Do I want to continue like this or heal it up? That's what I asked myself. Treat yourself as something so valuable that you can't put a price on it. Look at your body as being the most important priority to restore to health.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this article. My goal is to help as many individuals as I can to think more clearly and not to be mislead by those who would not provide the true healing you need. You can break the cycle of conditioned thinking into proactive thinking for yourself. Never forget that. Do not let others do the thinking for you. Especially when it comes to your health. You alone must be in control of that.

Gluten Free Foods To Cope With Celiac Disease In Children

Children with Celiac Disease should follow a gluten-free diet to avoid any complications with their condition. Even if a child is only suspected of having Celiac Disease it is wise to avoid gluten as much as possible.

The symptoms of Celiac disease are displayed when the body is unable to process gluten as it is digested in ordinary foods. The symptoms can include stomach cramps, irritable bowel and weight loss among other things. They can be particularly distressing for small children who may not be able to be diagnosed as easily as adults or older children.

Gluten is most commonly found in ingredients such as wheat, rye, barley, oats and other similar grain products.

Such ingredients are normally in flour based or cereal products so it can appear particularly difficult to remove them from children's diets as so many of their favourite foods will contain these things in one form or another.

However, it is quite easy to follow a diet that is free from gluten wherever you encounter Celiac Disease in children.

Foods to generally avoid are bread and bread rolls, rye bread, pumpernickel, pretzels, muffins, biscuits, cookies, bulgar wheat, couscous, scones, bran, barley water drinks, malted drinks, sponge puddings, anything coated in breadcrumbs, pizza, pasta, pastry, cakes, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, pancakes, crispbreads, semolina, breakfast cereals and muesli.

They are all the obvious ones but we should also watch out for other foods which might contain gluten, but might not seem so obvious. We should also avoid sausages, luncheon meat, gravy powders and stock cubes, blue cheese, baked beans, pates, meat or fish pastes, wafers, instant coffee, cheap chocolate, drinking chocolate, soy sauce, salad dressings, chutneys and pickles and malt vinegar.

Also be aware that many soups and sauces are thickened with flour.

Foods that are generally safe to eat on a gluten free diet can be categorized as follows:

Vegetables

Artichokes, Arugula, Asparagus, Avocado, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Garlic, Green beans, Kale, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Radish, Spinach, Squash, Sweet potatoes, Turnips, Watercress

Fruit

Apples, Apricot, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cantaloupe, Carobs, Cherry, Cranberries, Currants, Dates, Figs, Grapes, Guavas, Honeydew melons, Kiwis, Kumquat, Lemons, Limes, Mandarin, Mangoes, Oranges, Papaya, Passion fruits, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plantains, Plums, Persimmons, Quince, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tamarind, Tangerines, Watermelons

Meat & Poultry

Beef, Buffalo, Chicken, Duck, Goat, Goose, Lamb, Pork, Rabbit, Turkey, Quail, Veal, Venison

Dairy/Eggs

Butter (check for gluten containing additives), Cheese (except for blue cheese), Eggs, Milk, Yogurt (plain, unflavored - most flavorings include some form of gluten)

Fish

Pretty much any fish as long as it's not prepared in gluten ingredients.

The bottom line is, avoid the obvious products that are based on or include gluten and always remember to read the labels on processed foods as it can sometimes be very surprising to find gluten in a product that you would not otherwise have thought would be on the list of foods to avoid.

But there are plenty of nutritious and tasty foods that can be used to avoid the symptoms of Celiac Disease in children.

Living With Celiac Disease - More Common Than You Think

What do The View's Elizabeth Hasselbeck and MSNBC's Keith Olbermann share, other than television air time? Both have Celiac Disease, an inherited autoimmune disorder that affects an estimated 1 out of 133 people. When those with Celiac Disease eat certain types of proteins called glutens, their small intestine loses the ability to absorb vitamins and nutrients found in food, leading to malnutrition and other medical complications. Found in wheat, barley and rye, glutens can cause a person with the disease to suffer from serious health problems if ingesting even a small amount.

Who gets it?
Celiac Disease can strike a person at any age and at any stage during their lifetime. As a hereditary condition, about 17% of people with celiac disease also have an immediate family member who has it.

What causes it
While not a a food allergy, the condition can be caused by a genetic disposition or by certain environmental triggers such as:

? going through puberty
? undergoing and recovering from a major surgery
? pregnancy
? experiencing a stressful situation
? after catching a virus

What are the Symptoms?
Some who are diagnosed with Celiac Disease have no symptoms at all, yet 300 symptoms for the disease exist. The most common symptoms include:

? abdominal pain
? diarrhea
? constipation
? decreased appetite
? weight loss
? nausea
? failure to thrive

How is it Diagnosed?
According to the National Foundation for Celiac Disease Awareness, 3 million people suffer from the disease, but around 95% of those are either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. The disease can be diagnosed initially though a blood test. If positive, a biopsy from the lining of the small intestine can provide a positive confirmation. Once a diagnosis is made, it's recommended that immediate family members also get tested due to genetic factors. If left undiagnosed and untreated, this disease can lead to the development of other autoimmune disorders.

What is the Treatment?
It is a lifelong condition since no cure exists. Successfully managing the disease involves adapting to a gluten free diet. Reading labels and learning how to identify ingredients that might contain hidden amounts of gluten is critical to successfully managing Celiac Disease. In recent years, most grocery chains have added gluten-free sections and restaurants have become more pro-active by adding gluten free items to their menus. Fortunately, damage to the small intestine can be reversed if glutens are removed from the diet.

It can take several years for someone to be correctly diagnosed with Celiac Disease, since the symptoms are similar to other gastrointestinal conditions like Crohn's Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

The New Kidney Diet - Can It Reverse Kidney Disease?

If you have kidney problems, you already have heard of the kidney diet - reducing the intake of sodium and potassium and at the same time reducing protein intake to a minimum. This type of diet is nothing new. The new diet was discovered recently, by a former kidney disease nurse, and has already shown great potential - anyone can apply it easily and quickly, and it is extremely effective in reversing the disease, regardless of the stage, without the need to be put on dialysis or have a new kidney transplanted. Read on to learn more!

Of course, the basics still hold true - you should ingest less potassium and sodium, and keep protein intake low. However, the new diet does something else, aside from that - it actually reverses the disease. How can that happen? Well, the kidneys have a very specific type of cellular wall, which your body can quickly repair. However, the problem is that your body is not aware of the fact, that there is damage to be repaired - that's what the diet takes care of first. Then, we must supply your body with the amino-acids, proteins and vitamins, so that it has the proper chemicals in order to reverse the disease. All of this sounds complex, but it is actually combined very simply into the kidney diet, which anyone can immediately apply at home, in order to eliminate the disease.

Is the new kidney diet a 100% sure way to eliminate kidney disease? No, but it is currently the closest thing to a magic pill that physically exist - when it comes to eliminating kidney disease, that is. That's why anyone who is suffering from kidney disease, regardless of the stage, should immediately apply it, before even thinking about more complex methods of dealing with the disease - dialysis, or kidney transplants. People with chronic kidney disease, can especially benefit from the kidney diet, as the results can be seen very quickly!

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Article Submitted On: October 06, 2010

Crohn's Disease and Colitis - Top 5 Myths

When it comes to medicine, myths are a dangerous thing. If you are wondering about Crohn's Disease and Colitis, there is no shortage of information out there. Yet you need to separate facts from fiction. There are many widespread myths dealing with various aspects of these diseases.

Top 5 Myths

1. Outcome

Sometimes uninformed people offer dire predictions about the fate of patients with these conditions. Yet Crohn's Disease and Colitis are not fatal diseases. Sufferers with these conditions have a normal life span (women, 79 years, men, 78 years). Crohn's Disease and Colitis are 'chronic' conditions. There is no 'cure' at present for these diseases. Yet people can manage their symptoms and live normal lives.

2. Treatment

If you hear that these conditions do not require treatment, pay no attention to this horrible myth. People need to seek help to treat their Crohn's Disease and Colitis symptoms (including diarrhea, weight loss, and stomach pains). If symptoms are left untreated, individuals can suffer serious complications - blockages, malnutrition, and even damage to organs.

3. Lifestyle

Your work life, social life, and love life are not over because you are diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and Colitis. This fear is perpetuated by a nasty myth. No doubt, these conditions have uncomfortable symptoms. Yet Crohn's Disease and Colitis are manageable conditions and in many cases the symptoms can be totally eliminated.

When people learn how to manage their symptoms, they can regain their lives - even with more vigour than before diagnosis. Before people are diagnosed, they suffer through the pain on their own. After diagnosis, individuals have a wealth of modern medical knowledge and a professional team to help them.

4. Cure

At present, the medical profession can offer no cure for these conditions. Yet sufferers have found methods that worked for them - even to the point of eliminating their symptoms. These plans can work effectively to manage symptoms.

Numerous patients claim to have found relief by taking part in a water fast and sticking with a raw food diet. Medical researchers are looking into the benefits of Vitamin A for treating the symptoms of Crohn's Disease and Colitis. This research is still underway but many sufferers feel better if they stay away from the Western diet of processed foods, sugars, and fats.

Choosing organic produce over fat-laden foods is always the better choice. Yet nobody should undertake a water fast or a dramatic change in diet without their doctor's permission. Sufferers who change to a raw food diet must understand that their body needs time to adjust to its new "fuel."

5. Success

There is a myth that sufferers cannot find an effective treatment for Crohn's Disease and Colitis. Since everyone has different symptoms, people worry that a standard treatment procedure will not work for patients. It is a fact that people experience varied symptoms but proper diet can help you cope with or heal your symptoms. Your doctor if enlightened can help work out a customized treatment plan and diet that works for you.

After several years of intestinal and digestive problems, Richard was diagnosed six years ago with Crohn's/Colitis. When he was told that surgery could be the only solution to relieve his symptoms, Richard was determined to find a better way. After enduring a water fast and embarking on a raw food diet, Richard is symptom-free and enjoying a healthy and active lifestyle.

The Truth about Crohn's Disease and Colitis
http://www.crohnscolitiswaterfasts.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Verkley

How To Avoid Foot, Hand And Mouth Disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease (also known as HFMD) is a human disease caused by intestinal viruses of Picornaviridae family. The most infectious strains are Coxsackie A virus and Enterovirus 71. Once infected, the throat and tonsils develop small ulcers while the hands, feet and the groin area forms rashes like blisters.

Although not a serious threat in health and considered a mild illness, HFMD must still be treated properly. The disease can be acquired through direct contact with an infected person through saliva, nasal discharge, stool of the infected person and rashes fluid. Anyone are prone to this disease but young children are more susceptible because of their weak antibodies.

Below are its symptoms:

- Fever

- Ulcers in the throat, mouth and tongue

- headache

- Blisters on hand, feet and the diaper area.

- Lost of appetite

- Malaise

- Sore throat

- Fatigue

- Vomiting

- Diarrhea

The spread of the virus are often caused by direct contact from the infected person, therefore hand washing plays a vital role in avoiding HFMD from virus infected hands.

Hand, foot and mouth disease has no specific treatment and all of its symptoms can be treated with regular or traditional pain medication of mouth sores, fever and aches. Usual drug medications can be used to regulate the fever and constant fluid intake for diarrhea and other symptoms to prevent dehydration. Mouthwashes can be used to treat mouth sores.

If you happen to have the symptoms of HFMD, it is best to isolate yourself from the other house mates inside your home. This is to prevent the disease to further spread into your family. If the symptoms are severe, hospitalization is definitely recommended.

How to prevent HFMD? As this is an infectious viral disease, the most common preventive measure you can apply is a good hygiene practices. This includes washing your hands frequently especially when you are in public areas, use sanitary napkins, always clean your surroundings and avoid contact with sick people.

Hand, foot and mouth disease can lead to other serious diseases if not immediately treated. Take note that HFMD is a different viral infection from foot and mouth disease. Foot and mouth disease are mainly caused by virus founds in animals such as swine, sheep and cattle and definitely not related to HFMD.

Most viral infections that are known today are still curable and natural treatments are enough to get rid of them. Always remember to apply good and proper hygiene as these viruses never survives clean places. Protect yourself and your family from this diseases, especially hand, foot and mouth disease.