The most common type of heart attack is caused by a coronary thrombosis, which occurs when a clot (thrombus) blocks one or more of the blood vessels that nourish the heart muscle. As a result of the lack of blood, part of the muscle may be damaged, and its ability to contract may be lost. This is known as a myocardial infarction. If the infarct is small and the electrical impulses that control the heart’s contractions (beats) are not disturbed, chances for recovery are excellent.

Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary thrombosis is one of the manifestations of coronary artery disease. As we grow older, our blood vessels tend to lose their elasticity, a process known as arteriosclerosis. The arteries may also become narrowed or clogged with deposits of fatty material called atheromas, a condition called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is progressive and usually does not produce symptoms until there is significant blockage in the blood flow. Sometimes, in fact, the first symptom of this heart disease is a heart attack.

Although the specific cause of atherosclerosis is not known, it has been found that certain risk factors help in identifying population groups that are more likely to develop it. Three major risk factors are high levels of cholesterol and other blood fats, high blood pressure (hypertension) and cigarette smoking. Others include diabetes, obesity, a sedentary life style, aging, being male and heredity.

Atherosclerosis begins forming as a fatty streak on the inner wall of an artery, usually at its branching-out point, and disturbs the smooth flow of blood. As patches of fatty tissue build up, the inner wall becomes narrower, which inhibits blood flow in a more significant way. An artery continues to narrow as the tissue buildup progresses, and in time, the fatty deposit becomes a hard mass of fatty tissue with a tough outer lining of cells – a plaque. As plaques spread and thicken, they erode the wall of the artery, which interferes with blood flow and makes it increasingly turbulent. This turbulence may trigger the blood to form a clot (thrombus), partially or completely blocking the artery. Further, a fragment of the clot (embolus) may be carried by the bloodstream and block an artery at some distant, narrower point.

Heart attacks sometimes occur in people with little or no coronary artery disease. Some experts believe that a spasm or sudden constriction of the coronary artery may be the cause of these heart attacks. It appears that a spasm may occur in a coronary artery that is totally free of atherosclerosis (as well as in one that is heavily affected by that condition), and this would explain why many people suffer angina and other cardiac problems without any evidence of underlying blockage in the arteries.

Symptoms of a Heart Attack

A heart attack can come on gradually, preceded by several attacks of angina over days, weeks, months or even years. (Angina is the name given to the chest pain that arises when the muscular wall of the heart is temporarily deprived of sufficient oxygen.) But a heart attack may also occur without any apparent warning, and in people who have never previously experienced any chest pain.

Typically, the pain of a heart attack is a sensation of constriction in the central chest area; it may vary in intensity from a feeling of tightness to one of agonizing crushing or bursting. The pain may be continuous, or it may last a few minutes, fade and then recur. It commonly spreads to the back, jaw and left arm. Although a heart attack may be precipitated by physical or emotional stress, the pain, unlike that of angina, does not subside when the stress ceases.

Pain is commonly accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness and pallor. (Some people experience a heart attack without any of these symptoms. This is known as a “silent” infarct, which may be confirmed by changes in an electrocardiogram or certain other hospital tests.)

A Medical Emergency

Most deaths from heart attack occur within minutes to hours after the onset of symptoms. Therefore, when sudden and severe chest pain occurs, an ambulance should be called immediately and the individual taken to a hospital. Denying that these symptoms represent a life-threatening illness may cause a delay that could be fatal.

One of the major cause of death from coronary thrombosis is the development of abnormal heart rhythms in the hours immediately following the attack. Emergency treatment, therefore, concentrates on stabilizing the heart rhythm, as well as on relieving pain and preventing shock.

In the hospital’s intensive-care or cardiac-care unit, the rate and rhythm of the heart will be continuously monitored by an electrocardiograph machine. Blood tests to detect enzymes released from the heart aid in assessing the infarct further and various medications may be given. Mood changes and feelings of apprehension are very common following a heart attack, and a mild tranquilizer is often given to the patient.

Depending on the severity of the attack, the patient may be allowed out of bed within three or four days and be discharged after two weeks. Bed rest for more than a short time should be avoided, where possible, because it results in a rapid loss of the body’s muscle tone and in increased heart rate on exertion. Physical activity is gradually increased and most patients are able to return to their full range of normal activity within a few months.

Long-Term Treatment

Depending on such factors as the patient’s age and general physical condition, and the extent of the heart damage, a variety of different approaches may be taken to deal with the underlying coronary artery disease and to reduce the possibility of another heart attack.

Changes in life style. A number of steps can be taken to prevent or slow down the progression of heart disease. These include stopping smoking, exercising regularly and adopting a low-cholesterol diet.

Drug treatment. The use of drugs depends upon the nature of the heart attack and underlying coronary disease. Antihypertensive drugs may be prescribed to lower the blood pressure. Other drugs may be given to improve heart function, prevent chest pain or lower the level of blood cholesterol.

Other treatments A number of other treatments, including coronary bypass surgery, are available. Obviously, their use depends upon individual needs.

Osteoporosis is a disease that affects the bones. It is characterized when the amount of bone mass decreases substantially and developed hollow bones, thin and extremely sensitive, more prone to fractures. It is part of normal aging and is more common in women than in men. The disease progresses slowly and rarely shows symptoms before it happens something more serious like a fracture, which is usually spontaneous, i.e. not related to trauma. If they are not made diagnostic preventive osteoporosis can go unnoticed until it has greater severity. Osteoporosis can have their development delayed by preventive measures.

Menopause Risk Factor:
Women over 40 who suffer any fracture in this age group are generally thin – which features a smaller bone formation – or had early menopause. Other risk factors include: being white, maintaining a sedentary lifestyle and have a diet low in calcium.

The greatest threat of disease is fracture, which interferes with the quality of life. In many cases, breaking a bone difficult movements, affect breathing and self-esteem of the patient. A hip fracture, for example, often disabling, requiring implant or screw. About 20% of women undergoing surgery required to correct the problem after a year die because of complications. Of those who survive, 50% are left with some kind of dependency, requiring special care.

Fractures:
The biggest challenge is to prevent the first fracture. As the disease weakens the bones, no need to suffer major impacts for it to happen. Any injury, however small, can cause fracture. The most common are the spine, femur and forearm. Many bring serious consequences for the quality of life. The stage of menopause is a critical period for the development of osteoporosis. At this stage, ovulation ceases and decreases the production of the hormone estrogen. The hormone is a protective factor, as it helps keep calcium “stuck” to the bone.

More than half of vertebral fractures do not receive medical care. Fractures are silent, often confused with muscle strains or arthritis. After the first fracture, women may have additional fractures, suggesting that osteoporosis may be a disease of rapid progression. The accumulation of vertebral fractures without treatment can cause pain and even loss of height.

The examination is essential from the age of 65, when the risks of fracture are much greater. Densitometry can prove that there was no loss in bone mass normal cases, losses that occurred within the bone pattern in relation to the young woman or bone loss that make up the established disease.

Osteoporosis symptoms in Men:
While he prefers the female population, osteoporosis can also reach men. Typically, the development of disease is influenced by factors such as alcoholism, age and chronic use of corticosteroids, used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, asthma and allergies. However, a good bone formation, calcium-rich diet, physical activity and adequate exposure to sunlight are important factors to prevent osteoporosis.

Treatment and Prevention:
Osteoporosis can be prevented and treated. A diet rich in calcium is essential for both the developed and the problem for those who want to prevent it. The woman needs 1,200 milligrams of calcium daily. Dairy products and some other foods are the source of the substance. A glass of milk has 300 milligrams, a cup of yogurt has about 400 milligrams and a big slice of cheese has 200. Broccoli, spinach, cabbage and fish are other foods that should be consumed. The production of vitamin D obtained through sun exposure of 30 minutes, is another important point, in addition to regular physical activity that contributes to bone health. Exercises with weights, walking and swimming are good options. Prevention should start in childhood.

One of the simplest exercises is walking. The exercises should not increase the risk of falling or excessive burdens on any bone, and that exercise is a proposal to increase bone mass and muscle mass, ie, functional capacity, to prevent falls and reduce the number of fractures. The impact of physical activity is essential for the development of the skeleton during childhood and adolescence and maintain bone mass in young adults.

In addition to medical treatment, the patient with osteoporosis can take simple measures to prevent fractures, and wear shoes with rubber soles, avoid mats, paying attention to the steps and lean on handrails, use proper lighting in bathrooms and maintain anti-slip flooring in the bathroom and the box. Great care is required after taking medicines that can cause dizziness.

How HIV is Transmitted

The human immunodeficiency virus is principally spread by physical contact with blood, semen or vaginal fluid infected by the disease.  HIV is typically spread by three main scenarios:
•    Sexual contact sexual relations with someone infected with
•    Contact with an infected needle or syringe (Sharing needles with someone infected with HIV).
•    HIV may be spread to children from their mothers during childbirth or during breastfeeding.

HIV Preventative Steps Include:
•    Talk to your sexual partner about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
•    Learn as much as possible about your partner’s past sexual behavior, previous sexual partners, drug use and lifestyle.
•    Abstain from sexual relations (anal, vaginal and oral) until you are in a relationship with only one person and you both are having sex only with each other.
•    Use a condom every time you have sexual contact.
•    Do not share needles or syringes with anyone.
•    Get tested for HIV and other STDs.

HIV Treatments

Advances in HIV treatments since the HIV/AIDS epidemic began in the 1980s have helped to slow the progression of the HIV infection to AIDS.  As a result of advancements in medical research and sciences, the number of fatalities resulting from AIDS has decreased in the United States.  Although there is no known cure for HIV/AIDS, it is a manageable virus.

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, there are currently thirty-one antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) approved by the the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment and management of HIV and AIDS.  These drugs do not cure or get rid of HIV or AIDS, but they do suppress the virus and allow the infected person to live a longer, healthier life.  It is important to note, that although the virus can be suppressed via use of ARVs, HIV/AIDS can still be spread by the infected individual. It is critical that the infected patient use all safeguards to prevent the spread of the virus to anyone.

Treatment Complications, Dangers and Potential Side Effects

Like many drug treatments, the medications used to treat HIV/AIDS can cause complications and side effects.  Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) on rare occasion can cause critical medical complications including: alterations in metabolism and bone loss.  Infected individuals need to be aware of possible complications when taking any medication and be alert to their body’s reaction to the drug.  It is important to convey any worries concerning your HIV treatment with your doctor.

Research has shown that HIV can create variants resistant to antiretroviral drugs when patients neglect to take all their prescribed medications consistently.  It is critical for those infected with HIV to talk to their physicians about their worries or hardships with their recommended drug schedule.  Some patients experience uncomfortable side effects and may have trouble keeping up with the required daily medication schedule.  If this is the case, it is recommended that the patient and physician find a substitute solution as quickly as possible as inconsistency with antiretroviral drugs may allow the HIV virus to become resistant to that specific medical treatment.

HIV Support Groups

Support groups and links to others who are also living with HIV/AIDS may offer some benefit.  Connecting with others who share your medical diagnosis may provide emotional support, a sense of unity and may help prevent individuals from feeling isolated in their illness.  The World Health Organization (WHO) states that support groups can provide key psychosocial support to people living with HIV/AIDS.  Becoming infected with HIV can affect all aspects of the infected individual’s life as well as the life of their family and caregivers.  Support groups may help HIV patients better deal with their disease.  Support groups should not be used to replace professional psychological services.

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