Achalasia is typically diagnosed in adults, but can occur in children as well. There is no particular race or ethnic group that is affected, and the condition does not run in families. Three tests are most commonly used to diagnose and evaluate a swallowing problem:

• Barium swallow: The patient swallows a barium preparation (liquid or other form) and its movement the esophagus is evaluated using X-ray.
• Endoscopy: A flexible, narrow tube called an endoscope is passed into the esophagus and projects images of the inside of the esophagus onto a screen.
• Manometry: This test measures the timing and strength of esophageal (pump) contractions and lower esophageal sphincter (valve) relaxation.

If left untreated, achalasia can be debilitating. People with the condition experience considerable weight loss that can result in malnutrition. Lung infections and pneumonia due to aspiration of food can result, particularly in the elderly. Although the exact cause of achalasia is unknown, researchers think it may be linked to a virus.

There are several successful treatments available for achalasia, including:

Minimally

Invasive Surgery Today, select patients with achalasia can be treated successfully by a minimally invasive surgical technique called laparoscopic esophagomyotomy. Using five small incisions, a myotomy can be accomplished (called laparoscopic myotomy). It has been shown that the addition of a partial fundoplication minimizes reflux and protects the esophagus from damaging gastroesophageal reflux. This operation usually requires one day of hospital stay and recovery is typically accelerated when compared to conventional surgery. Up to two-third of patients are treated successfully with surgery, though some patients may have to repeat the surgery or undergo balloon dilation to achieve satisfactory long-term results.

Pneumatic (Balloon) dilation

Occasionally, achalasia can be treated non-surgically with balloon dilation. While the patient is under light sedation, the gastroenterologist inserts a specially designed balloon through the lower esophageal sphincter and inflates it. The balloon disrupts the esophageal muscle and widens the opening for food to enter the stomach. Some patients may have to undergo repeated dilation treatments in order to achieve symptom improvement, and the treatment may have to be repeated every few years to ensure long-term results.

Surgery

In this operation, the muscles of the valve between the esophagus into the stomach are cut. Traditionally, the myotomy is completed through an open incision in the abdomen or through an incision in the left side of the chest between the ribs. These types of incisions often required hospitalization of up to a week for adequate recovery.

Medication

Patients who are not appropriate candidates for balloon dilation or surgery may benefit from botulinum toxin (Botox) injections. Botox is a protein made by the bacteria that cause botulism. When injected into muscles in very small quantities, Botox can relax spastic muscles. It works by preventing nerves from sending signals to the muscles that tell them to contract. A smaller percentage of patients achieve good short-term results using Botox compared to balloon dilation. In addition, the injections must be repeated frequently in order to achieve symptom relief.

It must be remembered that treatment of achalasia does not fix the esophagus, it only attempts to improve esophageal emptying. This, however, is at the risk of allowing the stomach to empty it contents into the esophagus (reflux).

Regardless of the therapy, long-term follow up is necessary to assure that the esophagus can be preserved as a passive conduit. This requires adequate esophageal emptying after the treatment of choice and prevention of gastro-esophageal reflux. The obstructed esophagus or one that is subjected to reflux will dilate and expand and may eventually need to be replaced.

The symptoms of ADHD include inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity. These are traits that most people display at some point or another. Approximately half of adults diagnosed with the disorder had it as children. When ADHD persists into adulthood, symptoms may vary. For instance, an adult may experience restlessness instead of hyperactivity. Adults with ADHD have issues with interpersonal relationships and employment.

Types of ADHD

The exact cause of ADHD is unknown. Experts continue to study the brain for its evidence. They suspect that there are several factors that may contribute to the condition, including:

• Combined ADHD: It involves symptoms of both inattentiveness and hyperactivity
• Inattentive ADHD: It is marked by impaired concentration and attentiveness
• Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, which is marked by hyperactivity without inattentiveness

Symptoms of ADHD

• 1) A person with ADHD may have some or all of the following symptoms:
• 2) Difficulty paying attention to details
• 3) Tendency to make casual mistakes; producing work that is often disorganized
• 4) Easily distracted by irrelevant stimuli and frequently interrupting ongoing tasks to attend to trivial noises or events that are usually ignored by others
• 5) Inability to sustain attention on tasks or activities
• 6) Difficulty finishing work or performing tasks that require concentration
• 7) Frequent shifts from one uncompleted activity to another
• 8) Forgetfulness in daily activities
• 9) Failure to complete tasks at home or/and at work
• 10) Frequent shifts in conversation, not listening to others, not keeping one's mind on conversations, and not following details or rules of activities in social situations

For a diagnosis of ADHD, some symptoms that cause impairment must be present before age seven. Also, some impairment from the symptoms must be present in more than one setting. For instance, the person may be impaired at home or/and work. Also, there must be clear evidence the symptoms interfere with the person's ability to function at home, in social setup, or at work.

Rhytidectomy commonly known as facelift is a type of cosmetic surgery used to give a more youthful facial appearance. There are multiple surgical techniques. It usually involves the removal of excess facial skin, with or without the tightening of underlying tissues, and the redraping of the skin on the patient's face and neck.

Sagging or wrinkled skin occurs naturally with increasing age. Folds and fat deposits appear around the neck, and deep creases form between the nose and mouth. The jaw line grows jowly and slack. Genetics, deprived diet, smoking, or obesity can contribute to early or severe skin problems.

As a restorative surgery, a facelift does not change primary appearance and cannot stop the aging process. It can help repair some of the evident signs of aging. Fixing damage to skin, fat, and muscles can reinstate a younger look.

A facelift can only be performed surgically; non-surgical rejuvenation treatments cannot achieve the same results, but may help delay the time at which a facelift becomes appropriate and complement the results of surgery.

Asthma is a lung disease affecting the airways that carry air to and from lungs. People who suffer from this chronic condition (long-lasting or recurrent) are said to be asthmatic.

Asthma is caused by a combination of complex environmental and genetic factors. These factors influence both its severity and its responsiveness to treatment. It is believed that the recent increased rates of asthma are due to changing heritable factors and changing living environment.

Asthma Attack & its consequences:

An asthma attack is when symptoms are worse than usual. They can come on suddenly and can be mild, moderate or severe.

• The muscles around your airways tighten up, narrowing the airway.
• Less air is able to flow through the airway.
• Inflammation of the airways increases
• Surge in production of mucus in the airways, affecting the flow of air

An Asthmatic should see your doctor on timely basis. This way one can find out what triggers asthma symptoms and how to avoid them. Prescribed medications help in management of asthma.

Adverse reactions to drugs are common. Drug allergies are a group of symptoms caused by an allergic reaction to a drug. Almost any drug can cause an adverse reaction. Reactions range from irritating or mild side effects such as nausea and vomiting to life-threatening anaphylaxis.

A true drug allergy is caused by a series of chemical steps in the body that produce the allergic reaction to a drug. This happens when the body believes the drug is a foreign substance that is dangerous. The body tries to attack the drug with histamine and other substances in order to expel it from the body. A drug allergy may also occur without your body producing histamine. Instead, it might produce other types of antibodies, or have other reactions that do not produce antibodies.

Asthma Attack & its consequences:

Penicillin and related antibiotics are the most common cause of drug allergies. Other common allergy-causing drugs include:

• Anticonvulsants
• Insulin
• Iodinated x-ray contrast dyes
• Sulfa drugs

Common Symptoms:

• Hives
• Itching of the skin or eyes
• Skin rash
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, or face
• Wheezing

Prevention of Drug Allergies:

There is generally no way to prevent a drug allergy. If you have a known drug allergy, avoiding the drug is the best way to prevent an allergic reaction.

Your health care provider may also recommend "desensitization." This procedure must be done under close medical supervision. It involves giving very small doses of the medicine over a specific period of time. Do not try this without your health care provider's supervision.

Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints. The most common form, osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), is a result of trauma to the joint, infection of the joint, or age. Other arthritis forms are rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and related autoimmune diseases. Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection.

There are over 100 types of arthritis. Here is a description of some common ones, together with the causes:

Osteoarthritis

cartilage loses its elasticity. The cartilage, which acts as a shock absorber, will gradually wear away in some areas. As the cartilage becomes damaged tendons and ligaments become stretched, causing pain. Eventually the bones may rub against each other causing very severe pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis :

this is an inflammatory form of arthritis. The synovial membrane is attacked, resulting in swelling and pain. If left untreated the arthritis can lead to deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis is significantly more common in women than men and generally strikes when the patient is aged between 40 and 60. However, children and much older people may also be affected.

Infectious arthritis (septic arthritic)

It is usually caused by bacteria, but could also be caused by fungi or viruses. Bacteria, fungi or viruses may spread through the bloodstream from infected tissue nearby, and infect a joint. Most susceptible people are those who already have some form of arthritis and develop an infection that travels in the bloodstream.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) –

JRA means arthritis that affects a person aged 16 or less. JRA can be various forms of arthritis. There are three main types:

• 1) Pauciarticular JRA, the most common and mildest. The child experiences pain in up to 4 joints.
• 2) Polyarticular JRA affects more joints and is more severe. As time goes by it tends to get worse.
• 3) Systemic JRA is the least common. Pain is experienced in many joints. It can spread to organs. This can be the most serious JRA.