Without a pacemaker, the heart can pause during these ‘power outages,’ ” he says.

Here’s what a dermatologist wants you to know. Feel like fire ants are biting you under your skin? You could have a type of sunburn called “hell’s itch.” Dermatologist Melissa Piliang, MD, explains. ” “https://health.clevelandclinic.org/tag/medications/page/2/200OK Let’s face it, men: It’s tough keeping on top of all the health and medical advice out there. We’ve put together a list of timeless tips that can help keep you on top of your health game. If you’re being treated for a heart condition, medicine cabinet staples such as aspirin and ibuprofen may not be good for you. The same goes for certain antibiotics. Studies have found that these common medications can increase risk of bleeding, clotting, arrhythmia and even death for some heart patients. Know the risks before you take: … Read More Not sure what you should keep stocked in your medicine cabinet? A pharmacist offers her best tips. Physicians today have an arsenal of medications they can prescribe to help their patients in the battle against heart disease. If you are a heart patient, you can expect to be taking one or more of these highly effective medications. As a heart patient, it’s important to understand what each medication does and how to … Read More ” “https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-your-heart-a-good-candidate-for-a-leadless-pacemaker/200OK Is Your Heart a Good Candidate for a Leadless Pacemaker?

A leadless pacemaker can reduce complications from surgery and infection. The device works well for some heart patients, but not for all. Find out if you’re a good candidate. If your heartbeat is irregular, too slow or too fast, there is reason for concern. But there’s often a fix for this problem. For many patients, the answer is a pacemaker — an implantable electrical device that can help regulate your heart. And that technology has improved in important ways in recent years. /**/ if ( CCHealth.isMobile() ) { googletag.ccHealth.push({id: ‘billboard_300x250_mobile’, lazyLoad: false}); } /**/ Advertising Policy Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.

Policy Traditional pacemakers — ones that require surgery to implant the device and wires to connect it to the heart — can have unwanted complications, says cardiologist Daniel Cantillon, MD. Leadless pacemakers are an effective way to sidestep those issues. “Having the option of a leadless pacemaker is important because surgical incisions are the most common complications for traditional pacemakers,” he says. “And, in an analysis of patient data, we’ve found that one in six pacemakers are, in fact, affected by complications.” Here’s what you need to know about leadless pacemakers and whether one might be right for you.reduslim compresse dimagranti Important differences Leadless pacemakers are self-contained. Doctors implant them into the heart’s right ventricle via a catheter threaded through the leg, which is then removed once the device is deployed internally. /**/ if ( CCHealth.isMobile() ) { googletag.ccHealth.push({id: ‘billboard2_300x250_mobile’, lazyLoad: false}); } /**/ Advertising Policy They require no wires and no surgical pocket in the heart. They help keep a patient’s heart from beating too slowly, a condition called bradycardia. Symptoms of bradycardia may include: Dizziness Lightheadedness Fatigue Difficulty breathing with exertion Are you a good candidate? The devices work well for roughly 10 percent of patients with bradycardia who require a pacemaker,  Dr. Cantillon says. Within this group, those who will most benefit from leadless pacemakers experience three types of problems, he says. /**/ if ( CCHealth.isMobile() ) { googletag.ccHealth.push({id: ‘billboard3_300x250_mobile’, lazyLoad: false}); } /**/ Advertising Policy Atrial fibrillation — Patients with atrial fibrillation can have alternating periods of very fast and slow heartbeats (the so-called “tachy-brady syndrome”).

A pacemaker can prevent your heart from beating too slowly. Doctors sometimes use the device in conjunction with drugs that keep the heart from beating too quickly, Dr. Cantillon says. Intermittent heart block — For those whose hearts pause due to intermittently failing electrical impulses (heart block), the device can fill in the gaps with pacing. Such patients require pacing infrequently, but the need often is critical, Dr. Cantillon says. “Without a pacemaker, the heart can pause during these ‘power outages,’ ” he says. “That can cause poor circulation, loss of consciousness, falls and injury as a result.” Traditional pacemaker problems — Scar tissue can develop around pacemaker wires, causing venous occlusive disease. This causes blood vessel blockages, intense headaches, and other problems, Dr. Cantillon says. Traditional pacemakers also require incisional access, which is prone to infection when the batteries need to be replaced. To address these problems, a doctor will remove the traditional pacemaker, treat the patient and then implant a new leadless device.

Infections are rare with leadless pacemakers, he says, and venous occlusion is unheard of with them. Why a leadless pacemaker may not work for you Among eligible patients, there are still some who shouldn’t use them, Dr. Cantillon says. You fall into this category if: You have a filter device in the inferior vena cava, the large blood vessel responsible for returning blood from your lower body to your heart. This filter helps prevent blood clots from reaching your heart. You have a mechanical valve on the right side of your heart. You have blood vessel disease in your legs that prevents a doctor from running wires and catheters to your heart. You have blood clots in both legs. If a leadless pacemaker won’t work for you at this time, it can still become an option in the future. Researchers continue to focus on developing leadless pacemakers that will work for the remaining 90 percent of patients with bradycardia who require a pacemaker, Dr.

Cantillon says. ” “https://health.clevelandclinic.org/tag/essential-tremor/200OK Occasional trembling and shaky hands can occur at any age, but are more likely the older you get. Here are five things to keep in mind when you or a loved one notice a tremor. A hand tremor, or unsteady or slow gait may prompt worries about Parkinson’s disease. Only a neurologist can distinguish it from other, less severe problems. ” “https://health.clevelandclinic.org/retail-therapy-shopping-compulsion/200OK Is It Retail Therapy? Or Do You Have a Shopping Compulsion? When we say we’re going to the mall for a little retail therapy, most of us are being humorous. But does shopping really help us to feel better? When we say we’re going to the mall for a little retail therapy, most of us are being humorous. But does shopping and purchasing new things really help us to feel better? Or is it just an excuse to spend money? /**/ if ( CCHealth.isMobile() ) { googletag.ccHealth.push({id: ‘billboard_300x250_mobile’, lazyLoad: false}); } /**/ Advertising Policy Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy Research suggests there actually is a bit of therapeutic value in window-shopping or visiting your favorite boutique for a few hours – your mood and spirits get a boost.

Restoring control Some research has shown that making shopping decisions can help to restore a sense of personal control over one’s environment, and so can help to ease feelings of sadness, says clinical psychologist Scott Bea, PsyD. A 2014 study by University of Michigan researchers showed that shopping was up to 40 times more effective at giving people a sense of control, and they were three times less sad compared to those who only browsed. The study suggests that when you’re feeling as if things aren’t going your way, walking into a store and getting exactly what you want can feel like an achievement, Dr. Bea says. Distracting us from ourselves Shopping also stimulates the senses. The bright lights and colorful displays of the stores and the smell of popcorn and soft pretzels from the food court combine for an entertaining experience that can distract us from our everyday thoughts and worries. That’s not a bad thing, Dr. Bea says. “Shopping gets us sensing and that gets us out of our own thoughts,” Dr. Bea says. “Many times, if we can get away from thinking about ourselves, we can feel better.” /**/ if ( CCHealth.isMobile() ) { googletag.ccHealth.push({id: ‘billboard2_300x250_mobile’, lazyLoad: false}); } /**/ Advertising Policy Whether you’re hunting for something specific or just browsing around, window shopping can positively impact your mood, too. Simply thinking about the future, and the enjoyment or fun that a new possession may bring, can be mood-boosting. “We’re enamored with possibilities,” Dr.

Bea says. “I think in those ways, shopping produces a kind of delightful brain chemistry with relatively low hazard.” Reward yourself If you enjoy retail therapy, try using it to reward yourself for a new, positive behavior like working out or eating healthy. It’s even better if you save for that reward rather than buying something immediately with a credit card. Saving for a reward gives you something to look forward to. Tracking your accumulating funds and thinking about what to buy can build anticipation and happy thoughts, which can be just as pleasurable as actually buying the reward, Dr. Bea says. “If you plan it out and say I’m going to save for this or I’m going to reward myself and accumulate those funds to do a little retail therapy, then that can feel really, really good,” Dr. Bea says. When shopping is a problem For some people, shopping is a problem. About 7 percent of American consumers – about 20 million people — are compulsive shoppers. /**/ if ( CCHealth.isMobile() ) { googletag.ccHealth.push({id: ‘billboard3_300x250_mobile’, lazyLoad: false}); } /**/ Advertising Policy Compulsive shoppers have a preoccupation with buying and shopping, marked by frequent buying episodes or overpowering urges to purchase items. Their behavior is linked to feelings of worthlessness and a lack of power. “The condition has a lot in common with eating disorders, sex addiction, and gambling addiction,” Dr. Bea says. “It becomes compulsive when it becomes a way to deal with stress or loss, and it can become very hard to control.” Research conducted at Indiana University drew a direct correlation between these urges and the search for a rush or high by drug or alcohol addicts. The study showed that compulsive shoppers experience blackout episodes similar to alcohol-related blackouts, in which the buyer does not recall making purchases.

Signs of a shopaholic Signs of a shopping compulsion include: Shopping is the only way you can make yourself feel better Shopping becomes a “have-to” rather than a “want-to” You buy things you regret the next day and then return them You have credit card debit you can’t pay down Therapy and support groups can help the compulsive buyer, Dr. Bea says, as well as educating family members on the issue. “Shopaholics really benefit from an education, and learning what’s leading to this behavior,” he says. “Cutting up your credit cards isn’t going to do it.” ” “https://health.clevelandclinic.org/tag/air-quality/200OK Keeping the air quality high in your home, car and workplace is important for your health. Find out how to minimize indoor air pollution. Experts and studies contend that air pollution can affect respiratory and cardiovascular health. Find out who benefits most from air purifiers. Fall allergies got you down? Here are 5 expert tips for surviving the season. ” “https://health.clevelandclinic.org/options-for-preserving-your-childs-fertility-during-cancer-treatment/200OK Options for Preserving Your Child’s Fertility During Cancer Treatment It can be overwhelming enough when your child is diagnosed with cancer, yet infertility caused by cancer treatment should be a top concern among parents facing this reality. A pediatric oncologist walks us through why this is a conversation worth having. It can be overwhelming enough when your child is diagnosed with cancer, yet infertility caused by cancer treatment should be a top concern among parents facing this reality. /**/ if ( CCHealth.isMobile() ) { googletag.ccHealth.push({id: ‘billboard_300x250_mobile’, lazyLoad: false}); } /**/ Advertising Policy Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy Research shows that as many as 75% of cancer survivors are interested in eventually having children, so knowing your child’s fertility preservation options is an important conversation you’ll need to have. “In the past, the approach had been to try to cure the child first and deal with the later effects as they came up,” says pediatric oncologist Seth Rotz, MD. “But because childhood cancer survival has improved, there’s more of an emphasis on reducing long-term impacts, and one of the major ones is infertility. It’s one of the most common and life-altering complications experienced by adults treated for childhood cancers.” Factors such as the child’s gender, age at treatment and genetic makeup influence the risk of permanent infertility. For these reasons, counseling parents (and the child if he or she is old enough) before treatment about infertility risk and preservation is essential. Dr.

Rotz says that often times discussing a child’s future fertility can be overwhelming for parents to think about, especially after just getting a cancer diagnosis, but it’s an important conversation to have – even if it feels like you’re talking about things that are a long time away. Fertility options for children with cancer When your child is diagnosed with cancer and offered a treatment plan, but sure to speak with your doctor about the fertility risks. /**/ if ( CCHealth.isMobile() ) { googletag.ccHealth.push({id: ‘billboard2_300x250_mobile’, lazyLoad: false}); } /**/ Advertising Policy Start by asking these questions: Will the cancer treatment affect my child’s ability to have a future family? What are the options to try to preserve my child’s fertility? Will fertility preservation affect how well the cancer treatment works? Your doctor will determine if your child’s fertility risk from treatment is high, moderate or low. He or she might offer some possible options to consider or they might refer you to a fertility preservation specialist.

  Sometimes there are therapies that can be started now, which might help the child start a family in the future. Fertility preservation will also be depend on whether or not your child has entered puberty, but options can include:   Ovarian tissue banking.Egg banking.Sperm banking through surgical extraction.  Shielding or shading during radiation treatments.