health | MY SPECIAL DOCTOR

Probiotics beneficial, but beware of some possible side effects

22 February 20246 January 2024 by Renato Torlaschi

Probiotics are healthy strains of live bacteria and yeast; taking them can provide a number of benefits, but they can also cause side effects. An article in Medscape clarifies how probiotics promote health and how they can be safely taken.

As is well known, there are billions of bacteria and other microorganisms living in the gut-this community makes up the gut microbiota, and more and more research is showing its importance for digestion, gut health, and the whole body, for example, through supporting the immune system. Many bacteria provide benefits to their human hosts, but others cause harm: altering the natural balance of bacteria in the gut can lead to some problems. Products such as certain yogurts, supplements, and fermented foods, including kefir, sauerkraut, and tempeh, contain probiotics, and numerous research suggests that their consumption can lead to an increase in healthier bacteria, which help restore the balance of the gut microbiota.

There is evidence on the positive effects produced by probiotics for various conditions: eczema, obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic liver steatosis, and immune system function.

However, some side effects may occur. Among these, experts list: digestive symptoms, skin problems, allergy risks, increased risks of infections, and bacterial overproliferation syndrome (Sibo).

Finally, albeit rarely, beneficial probiotics may contain antibiotic-resistant genes and could transmit these genes to other strains of bacteria, including dangerous and infection-causing ones. Manufacturers routinely test for antibiotic resistance in the probiotic strains placed on the market; therefore, the advice is to always obtain probiotics from reputable manufacturers.

More generally, it is recommended to read the labeling carefully and not to exceed the indicated dosage, although very little evidence suggests the possibility of probiotic overdose. However, if a probiotic is suspected of causing symptoms or side effects, its dosage should be reduced or its intake discontinued.

Infertility in the life of a couple

26 February 20246 January 2024 by marisadarrigo

When we talk about infertility, it is impossible not to talk about couples as well. This is mainly because infertility is both a symptom and a problem of the couple itself. Before continuing by examining precisely what the effects of infertility are on both men and women, it is appropriate to give a more precise definition of what it means to be infertile.

Sterility

Infertility is the absolute lack of reproductive capacity in both women and men. An infertile couple is defined as one that fails to conceive after 12 months of unprotected intercourse occurring during ovulatory phase. Infertility, on the other hand, is defined as a defect in the nesting or development of the embryo, whereby the woman is unable to carry a pregnancy to term.

In addition to this one just described, another type of infertility can also occur, namely subinfertility. It occurs when both partners in a couple have minor impairments of their fertility (e.g., a lower-than-normal sperm count or an occluded fallopian tube), which do not render them individually infertile, but which added together prevent conception.

Fertility has an acme , both in men and women, around the age of 25. After age 32 it declines: gradually for men, much faster for women.

For the woman

Infertility for the woman can pose a threat to her identity, to her being a woman, daughter, lover and wife. It may involve the feeling of not “being done right.” It can also connect to the questions (“how am I made inside…will I have all the things right ?”) that the adolescent female asks about her sexual organs, internal and hidden. In a research conducted on a group of infertile women, it was found that their body pattern appeared to be characterized by: regressive elements, confusion and insecurity regarding their sexual identity, accentuation and omission of body parts, and the presence of aggressive impulses and uncontrolled emotionality.

For the man

Historically, that is, until the 20th century, infertility was considered a woman’s sole responsibility. The only form of infertility that was attributed to man was impotence. Over the centuries male fertility and sexual potency have come to be confused and overlap.

Faced with the phenomenon of infertility, couples have various reactions: some from the very beginning go to the doctor to request an intervention against a dreaded infertility but of which they have no concrete evidence at the moment; others never go through the whole diagnostic process to the end, they go as if on an alternating current; others, having done little or nothing on the level of diagnostic investigations, immediately begin an adoptive path; finally, there are some who go from one doctor to another.

Narrative medicine (preview)

26 February 20246 January 2024 by clemente.ferrara

Nowadays very often physicians identify patients no longer by their actual name, but by the room number in which they reside and perhaps the condition from which they suffer. It is a kind of commodification of the patient, who is seen almost as an object to be “repaired,” emptied of its human component. And it is precisely in response to this unfortunate habit that the concept of Narrative Medicine is gaining momentum. It is a new way of understanding the relationship between patient and doctor, where the latter tries to put himself in the patient’s shoes, listening to him carefully, letting him tell his worries, his worries and his fears about his health condition but not only.

Keep following our portal for an in-depth discussion of the subject matter by Prof. Carrieri.

Screening in medicine: what they are and why to do them

26 February 20246 January 2024 by clemente.ferrara

In the medical field, it is really crucial to be able to identify a disease in time as, if detected at an early stage, the chances of treatment and thus cure are greatly increased. This is precisely what Screening in Medicine is all about. It is a series of organized activities ( more like medical examinations) aimed at a large part of the population with the purpose of early and rapid detection of the presence of a disease in people who, at first glance, do not show symptoms.

Obviously, the condition identified through Screening must still be curable or at least its course must be modifiable as a result of early diagnosis. Otherwise, there would be no advantage in detecting a particular disease early.

Screening

Although there are different types of screening in medicine, aimed at detecting different diseases affecting human beings, all of them indiscriminately must comply with certain basic and indispensable characteristics. First and foremost, they must be highly safe examinations with an extremely minimal rate of side effects and risks to the patient. Another very important feature concerns the technical nature of the screenings; in fact, they should neither be too complex to perform (for doctor and patient) nor bothersome and/0 invasive for those undergoing treatment. Finally, the most important feature is undoubtedly reliability. In fact, Screenings must be absolutely efficient and reliable in detecting a disease and avoid revealing misdiagnoses.

Some tips

Screenings are highly recommended for those individuals who have an increased risk of developing a disease (e.g., for hereditary diseases). For these people it is appropriate to repeat checks at regular time intervals for as long as the disease is most likely to develop and especially for as long as any medical treatment is likely to have the best results in terms of duration and quality. It is also useful to articulate multiple levels of investigation since a possible positivity to a pathology does not always equate to a certain diagnosis but can give excellent indications on possible subsequent (more detailed) controls to undergo.

For a screening to be effective, the population to be screened must be precisely identified, the time interval to be allowed to elapse between screenings must be precisely calculated, and iter-therapeutic examinations must be organized in case of positivity at primary screening. Only with careful prevention and continuous monitoring of one’s physical condition can one defend oneself, or at least fight a potentially life-threatening disease more effectively.

Dried fruits: a year-round food

26 February 20246 January 2024 by clemente.ferrara

Dried fruits are often considered the queen of Christmas and the winter season. We love to consume peanuts, walnuts, pistachios and other kinds of dried fruits when we are gathered with the whole family at Christmas and New Year’s dinners and lunches. Dried fruit, however, is a food that should not be underestimated at other times of the year. In fact, it is not only tasty and “keeps us company” but also very rich in nutrients that are essential for the well-being of our bodies. Unfortunately, it is almost always mistakenly eliminated from various types of diets because it is considered caloric, but not everyone knows that taking 30 grams of nuts a day can bring enormous benefits to our health.

Due to its contents of unsaturated fatty acids and polyphenol antioxidants, nuts are recommended to reduce the risk of heart disease and inflammation in the body. In addition, thanks to the caloric intake it provides to the body, it is also indicated for individuals who undergo special physical ( those who play sports, for example) or mental ( during periods of intense study) exertion. Finally, dried fruits are rich in good vegetable fats, vitamins, minerals and Omega 3 and, contrary to popular belief, are not fattening; in fact, they are especially good for those suffering from obesity and chronic diseases.

Walnuts

Among the various types of dried fruits, nuts certainly play a prominent role. Intake of 30 grams a day of walnuts ( the equivalent of 5 walnuts ) helps provide the body with the right amount of essential fatty acids and Omega 3 and Omega 6, which are essential for heart health and, much more than any other nuts, for that of the circulatory system. Vitamin E, B1 and B6 also are particularly useful in fighting skin aging and preventing cancer.

Pistachios

Another popular food is pistachios. Pistachios are rich in protein, thanks to the presence of arginine, an amino acid that is essential for our body’s health. They carry out constant action against the onset of free radicals and, thanks to the presence of vitamin E and carotenoids, help skin cells stay intact and healthy. Again, a 30-gram serving of pistachios would contribute to how to lower cholesterol and keep blood pressure under control.

Pine nuts

Finally, pine nuts are also worth mentioning. Like most dried fruits, pine nuts are rich in vitamins, protein, minerals and fiber. In addition to being a valuable aid against the onset of heart disease by improving the health of the cardiovascular system, it is also particularly good for combating the onset of diseases such as atherosclerosis. Finally, the vitamin K
contained within them helps to reduce disorders related to the menstrual cycle and improves blood circulation.

Source

Sunshine: here are the main benefits of sunlight exposure

26 February 20246 January 2024 by clemente.ferrara

Very often when people talk about the sun and exposure to the sun’s rays, they only and exclusively highlight the negative effects this act can have on our bodies: burns, skin damage and even skin cancer. Of course, these are true risks, but they refer to improper exposure to sunlight (e.g., exposure during the hottest hours without any kind of protection for the skin or eyes). What many people ignore, however, is that sunlight also brings a very high number of benefits to our bodies, clearly linked to controlled and responsible exposure.

In fact, many scientific studies have shown that proper exposure to the sun’s heat rays also and especially benefit our skin. In fact, thanks to the sun’s rays, the skin releases a chemical compound within the blood vessels that helps lower the pressure of blood, significantly decreasing the risk of infarction o stroke (consider that deaths from strokes and heart attacks are far greater than those from skin cancer).

The beneficial effects of sunlight

Premised already on the importance of exposing oneself to the sun only at the recommended times and with proper common sense, exposure to the sun’s rays is especially helpful for the production of vitamin D. Vitamin D is a substance that is not normally produced by our bodies but is taken in through supplements or, much more importantly, is synthesized by our bodies precisely through exposure to the sun, and it is crucial for the development of the body as it helps to strengthen the ‘bone apparatus, improve that respiratory and is also a panacea for the system immune. Finally, it is helpful in combating the most common cardiovascular diseases.

Help for the mind as well

In addition to the already mentioned numerous benefits that sun exposure brings to our bodies, it is also important to talk about the positive effect that the sun also has on our minds. In addition to stimulating Vitamin D production, the sun is also essential for the synthesis of melanin, a substance that allows us to tan and thus achieve that amber color of our skin that we all appreciate and that boosts our self-esteem by making us feel more attractive and beautiful. Sunshine also helps to regulate sleep-wake cycles, allowing us to rest better and also is the cause of improved mood. In fact, it is precisely the sun’s rays that are capable of activating certain neurotransmitters (serotonin) that act at the level of the brain, lifting our mood, driving away anxiety, worries and negative thoughts, making us more carefree and happy.

After this list of some of the many benefits that our bodies can derive from exposure to sunlight, we need to be reminded once again that exposure to the sun should be done in the most correct way possible, at the right times of day and with all the proper protections.

Yogurt: an ally for the well-being of our body

26 February 20246 January 2024 by clemente.ferrara

Yogurt is one of those foods that are very often underestimated but, on the contrary, are rich in nutrients that are essential for the well-being of our bodies, both in adulthood, but also and especially for young children. In fact, parents often do not give due importance to Yogurt, even though it represents a food that should always be present as part of a complete diet for their child. It represents a good substitute for milk; in fact, it can be included from the earliest stages of weaning, as it helps meet the calcium requirements of infants.

The nutritional values

As already anticipated, Yogurt is a food rich in nutritional values that provide for the well-being of our body. In addition to being highly digestible and with excellent satiating power, it is rich in high biological value protein, contains a higher availability of iron and zinc, and, in addition, has levels of folic acid 10 times higher than those of milk. Yogurt, moreover, is a popular food for both adults and toddlers. In fact, it is used by mothers mainly to make fruit more palatable for their children, but also for making tasty low-fat desserts that are ideal for healthy eating.

Yogurt and Sports

Yogurt is also highly recommended for those who engage in sports activity, both before and after exercise. If taken before exertion (soccer, gymnastics, swimming, dancing, etc…) it does not burden digestion but consistently provides the calories required by physical exertion. If taken after exercise, on the other hand, it replaces consumption without unnecessarily overloading the body or interfering with normal eating rhythms, allowing you to arrive at the next meal with a proper sense of appetite.

A health ally

There are many physical benefits that come from regular intake of Yogurt, and they affect multiple parts of our bodies. To begin with, Yogurt is an ally for preventing tooth decay and, most importantly, for controlling bowel activity in both constipation and diarrhea. This is due to the presence of two lactic acid bacteria (food microorganisms used in the production of fermented milk) which implement the transformation of milk into yogurt. These are milk enzymes that, until the product expires, are alive and viable in very large quantities (about 10 million live enzymes per gram of Yogurt). Streptococcus Thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus are the milk enzymes that carry out the transformation from milk to yogurt.

In the face of often wrong situations and lifestyles, whether due to stress, poor diet, drug use or otherwise, the normal balance of the bacterial flora can be easily altered, and this is where the lactic acid bacteria in general and, specifically, those contained in the Yogurt assume a key role in rebalancing the bacterial flora and bringing it back to a state of normalcy.

The approach to pain in the child

25 February 20246 January 2024 by psalari

How should we react when our little one complains of some kind of physical pain? The wise and recommended thing to do is to consult your pediatrician before giving your little one any kind of medicine. First, the pediatrician needs to acquire some information to understand the type and extent of the pain, and it is therefore good for parents (if the child is not yet able to express himself) to prepare to respond. He himself will recommend the most appropriate medications for each situation and type of pain.

The use of drugs

The drug of first choice in mild-to-moderate pain without inflammation, such as In the case of teething, growing pains and migraines, it is acetaminophen administered orally, which pmay be administered from day one due to the excellent relationship in terms of effectiveness and safety. Paracetamol acts within 30 minutes or so, and its analgesic effect lingers for 4-6 hours. Il paracetamol can also be employed even on an empty stomach, to a dosage higher than that indicated for fever, as directed by the pediatrician, but always In relation to the child’s weight e without exceeding over the course of one day the threshold of 60 mg/Kg In children younger than 3 months of age e di 80 mg/Kg In larger ones. Rectal administration of the drug is to be left
always as an alternative, for example in case thechild is unable to take anything by mouth because of vomiting. For pain associated with inflammation after the third month of life and over 5.6 kg in weight, the ibuprofen, to be administered on a full stomach, based on weight and with an interval of at least 6-8 hours (as opposed to 4-6 hours for acetaminophen) and without exceeding the maximum dosage of 30 mg/Kg in a day.

In any case, it should be remembered that i treatment of pain, in order for it to be effective, must take place according to a fixed schedule and not on an as-needed basis

. Finally, if the pain is associated with local manifestations, such as discharge from the ear or redness or swelling after a fall, or if it should increase in intensity, it is always advisable to consult the pediatrician.

Among all disorders, pain is the one that most undermines the child’s physical and psychological integrity and in addition distresses and worries his or her family members, with a significant impact on quality of life and care. For this reason, it should not be underestimated, nor should it be trivialized: even in cases where there are reasons to suspect that a child may be feigning sickness, for example as an excuse for shirking a school commitment, it is always advisable to proceed with the appropriate checks rather than risk not caring or treating him or her roughly.

Melanoma: a serious danger to the health of our skin

26 February 20246 January 2024 by MinnieLuongo

Sea or mountains, who doesn’t like the sun in summer? Beware, however, of the negative effects it can have on our skin, especially if it is fair and full of freckles and moles. In fact, the most feared risk is melanoma, which is the third most frequent cancer in Italy under the age of 50.

Its onset is linked to genetic and environmental factors, starting with exposure to ultraviolet rays, of which burns are the effect. Burns are even more deleterious when they involve toddlers and, especially, children of parents with or survivors of melanoma. In fact, these children have a higher risk of developing cancer than the general population.

Prevention

The best prevention is early diagnosis. How? Every adult should observe their entire body surface every 2 to 3 months, and see a dermatologist when a mole changes color, shape, or size, or when a new mole appears. In addition, people with familiarity or many moles should have a checkup once a year. At that time, the dermatologist will evaluate the characteristics of all skin lesions, either with the naked eye or with the help of a noninvasive technique, dermoscopy. This is because melanoma is sometimes not recognizable to the naked eye and can be mistaken for a typical mole.

Everyone should know the “A-B-C-D-Erule,” which is useful for early diagnosis. A mole is suspected when:

A – It is asymmetrical

B – Presents irregular edges

C – Has a varied color: from light brown to dark brown to black

D – Has a diameter greater than 5 mm

E – It presents an evolution: changes in color, shape and/or size of the mole, elevation and the appearance of symptoms such as itching and/or bleeding are all suggestive of malignancy.

We always and frequently apply protective creams, do not stay too long in the sun, remembering that a parasol is not enough to protect us while a T-shirt and hat are useful. We can then enjoy the many benefits of the sun’s rays without risk. And when summer is over, let’s get checked by the dermatologist!

Short-term and long-term memory

26 February 20246 January 2024 by pcarrieri

Memory is a function of the central nervous system that enables all animal beings to be able to make the best use of knowledge from experience: thus, old and new difficulties or problems from the outside world can be dealt with in an increasingly appropriate way.
In humankind in particular, memory has assumed a fundamental value both in the dissemination of language and in the development of culture.
The basis of memory is first and foremost learning, the ability to acquire new information from the outside world. This information, stored in particular brain areas, can be retrieved and used.
The three different moments underlying mnemonic processes are:
1 – the acquisition of new information or experiences from the outside world;
2 – the consolidation and preservation of information;
3 – the recall and use of archived information.
One of the most important aspects of memory is the consolidation of acquired information, which takes place through formation of new proteins, activation of genes, and changes in synapses and dendrites.

VARIOUS FORMS OF MEMORY
Based on how long information is stored in brain structures, two different forms of memory can be distinguished:
1 – short-term memory
2 – long-term memory
In short-term memory, information is retained only for a short period of time, seconds or minutes; in long-term memory, information is also available for long intervals of time, even years.

SHORT-TERM MEMORY

Short-term memory is the ability to retain and recall a memory acquired shortly before for only a very short time interval (thirty seconds to two minutes). Within short-term memory, there is what is known as immediate memory or working memory, which allows information to be stored and used only to implement a particular task.

LONG-TERM MEMORY

It is the process of learning that is completed with the preservation and subsequent consolidation of the acquired information. This process can occur actively with the individual’s personal commitment, but also without direct participation. It is also worth noting the distinction of long-term memory into implicit and explicit.
Implicit memory, also called procedural memory, is that related to the performance of activities, such as swimming, riding a bicycle or playing a musical instrument. It is closely related to training and is recalled to mind unconsciously. Explicit memory, also called declarative memory, is related to events, people, situations, places or objects. It is called to mind consciously and always needs awareness. It is the memory of spoken language or related to previous experiences. Forms of explicit memory are:
– episodic or autobiographical memory, which is about personal experiences or events in one’s life;
– semantic memory, which refers to notions, concepts or general cultural knowledge. However, not all memories are stored. Proper memorization requires a selection of information, which is based both on the subject’s interest in a particular topic or event and on his or her ability to pay attention and concentrate. Long-term memory, as opposed to short-term memory, involves a whole series of changes to neurons, synapses and dendrites. Processes of neurogenesis, with formations of new neurons, are probably also involved in a particular encephalic structure called the hippocampus, which, contrary to common belief, continues to produce new neurons throughout life.

The 10 tips to avoid headaches on vacation

26 February 20246 January 2024 by MinnieLuongo

Summer headaches are a companion one would gladly do without, as is well known by the many Italians who, as soon as they arrive on vacation, are assailed by sudden episodes of headache, with more or less severe pain. Several reasons can trigger this discomfort right at the beginning of our well-deserved summer relaxation. These include the stress the body undergoes due to the lifestyle change that marks the beginning of the vacations, the change in eating habits, the disruption of the sleep-wake rhythm, and, also, changes in climate and altitude. Fortunately, it is possible to counteract this type of headache, due to an overall alteration of our biological clock, by resorting to simple expedients, which we can summarize in a sort of decalogue:

1 – Preparations: in the days leading up to departure, prepare for the change of pace by trying to rest and taking a few short breaks.

2 – In your suitcase: pack anti-inflammatory remedies and analgesics useful for blocking pain if needed.

3 – When traveling: prefer a healthy and nutritious diet, starting with a good breakfast of readily available sugars (such as honey, jam and fruit).

4 – Sleep: During the first few days of the vacation season, try to avoid abrupt changes in your lifestyle, such as your sleep-wake rhythm, remembering that sleeping too much for the body also causes headaches, especially for those who are predisposed.

5 – Physical activity: to help the body adapt to the new rhythm, taking long walks in the fresh air is sufficient.

6 – Environment and climate: as far as possible, avoid marked changes in time zone or altitude, especially in the first few days of vacation, when the body is not yet accustomed to the new environment.

7 –Nutrition: do not upset your habits when you sit at the table. On vacation a few deviations from the rule are allowed, but without overdoing it.

8 – Relaxation: rest should also be gradual: in fact, engaging in recreational activities is helpful to gradually shift from the working pace of the city to the holiday pace.

9 – First symptoms of headache: do not wait for them to intensify but intervene as soon as possible with appropriate medication. In the event, however, that headache attacks do not subside, seek medical advice and, if necessary, refer to a specialist.

10 – Live the vacation with serenity: do not turn the vacation into a stressful time filled with commitments, albeit pleasant ones.

Only in this way will we reap genuine benefits from the vacation before diving back into the daily grind of our work activities.

One in ten Italians drop out of medical care each year due to high costs

25 February 20246 January 2024 by clemente.ferrara

Once again in the crosshairs is Italy’s national health care system. This time, however, it is fortunately not malpractice-related news even though, nevertheless, the consequences of this Assogenerici Association report could lead to unpleasant situations for a significantly higher number of citizens. The central theme of this news story relates to the costs of Italian health care (whether public or private) that are gradually becoming more and more onerous, putting in serious difficulty a good portion of the population that, as a consequence of the economic crisis that has gripped our country for too many years now, no longer has the ability to afford the purchase of drugs to treat themselves or to support a series of medical therapies fee.

Assogenerici’s figure

A worrying figure emerged following statements by Henrique Hausermann, president of Assogenerici (National Association of Generic and Biosimilar Drug Industries) who spoke in Florence at the “Forum of Sustainability and Opportunities in the Health Sector.” According to his statements, “Every year, one in ten Italians give up buying medications or discontinue treatment for economic reasons, that is, because of the excessive burden of out-of-pocket spending. For this reason,” Hausermann continued, “I believe a comprehensive rethinking of reimbursement mechanisms is needed to focus resources on the most vulnerable segments of the population by identifying a fair copayment system by income bracket. This is a disturbing fact that cannot and should not go unnoticed. Having the ability to care for oneself is an inalienable right of every individual citizen and should not be hindered by the economic component, which is increasingly the“queen” of almost all areas of modernity.

Such a situation can prove fatal for all those citizens with serious illnesses that require constant and prolonged medication intake, or for all individuals who need to undergo specific medical treatments and therapies. In this regard, the president of Assogenerici ( the official representative body of the generic equivalent and biosimilar drug industry in Italy ) concluded his speech by stating: “Looking forward, the proper management of resources cannot fail to include hospital pharmaceutical spending in the Drg ( diagnosis-related group, that is. A system to classify all patients discharged from a hospital Into homogeneous groups based on the absorption of committed resources ), the only strategy capable of enabling the proper assessment of the needs and outputs of care guaranteed to citizens.”

To all this we must add that very long waiting times for free medical services often drive patients to private centers that offer their services at significantly high costs. Such a situation only increases the sense of rejection and discouragement in patients.

Melanoma: everything you need to know about this disease

25 February 20246 January 2024 by Dr. Nazzaro

melanoma is a malignant tumor that originates from melanocytes, cells that contain the pigment, called melanin, responsible for skin coloration. It can develop in the skin all over the body, but in rare cases it can arise in the mucous membranes, such as the mouth, genitals, and ocular conjunctiva. The incidence of this cancer continues to rise. It is one of the most frequent cancers, with an incidence ranging from 55 per 100,000 population in Australia to 0.4 per 100,000 in Japan. In Italy the incidence is about 6-13 cases per 100,000 subjects.

It is one of the major cancers that arises at a young age and currently in Italy constitutes the third most frequent cancer in both sexes under the age of 49 as more than 50% of melanoma cases are diagnosed by the age of 60, in contrast to other cancers that mainly affect the elderly population. The most affected site is the trunk in men and the lower limbs in women.

The risk factors

Risk factors for melanoma are divided into personal and environmental. As for the former, it plays a moto important role the family history in fact even though inheritance depends on multiple genes, patients with family members with melanoma have an increased risk of developing melanoma, just as it has been reported that individuals with melanoma have a ninefold increased risk of developing a second melanoma. An additional personal risk factor has been described in individuals with phototypes I and II (light eyes and hair, very fair skin), with numerous freckles and frequent sunburn.

As for environmental risks, on the other hand, the most important risk factor is certainly cumulative sun exposure, as well as exposure to artificial UV rays (tanning lamps). Other factors are:

Intense and intermittent sun exposure
Previous sunburns
Exposure to artificial UV radiation, especially if aged <35 years old

Therapeutic strategies

Early stage melanoma is treated surgically. The dermatologist or surgeon will excise the suspicious lesion and, after histologic confirmation of melanoma, margin enlargement surgery will follow. The aim is to ensure a margin of healthy skin around the malignant lesion so as to reduce the risk of local recurrence.

In more advanced stages, however, the oncologist will take charge of the patient and discuss with him or her the treatment strategy to be adopted, most often chemotherapy, explaining any side effects. Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment, that is, it acts on any cancer cells that may be present. Treatment involves the administration of one or more anticancer drugs. Intake is either oral or intravenous, which enters the bloodstream carrying it throughout the body. Chemotherapy can be given in an outpatient setting, at your primary care physician’s office, or at home. This of course depends on the patient’s health condition and prescribed therapy. Chemotherapy is usually chosen as therapy when the melanoma has metastasized.

Wifi: are electromagnetic waves a danger to our health ?

25 February 20246 January 2024 by clemente.ferrara

If you go to a restaurant, bar, mall or any other type of store, you will most likely find a sign somewhere that says “Wifi Free.” This happens because nowadays it is essential for everyone to have an Internet connection at all times, 24 hours a day, preferably one that is unlimited and free like the one offered by Wifi. Owning and being able to offer (in the case of businesses or hotels) a Wifi connection has now become a very important quality standard that can influence, and by a great deal, users’ choices. Even in the home, moreover, the use of Wifi has increased by leaps and bounds over the years, hand in hand with the increasing development of technology and the spread of devices that are always connected to the network (smartphones, tablets, PCs).

How Wifi works

Everyone uses it but few really know how this type of connection works. Wifi is a technology that, through related devices, allows user terminals (cell phones, teblets, etc…) to connect with each other through a local area network wirelessly according to the specifications of the IEEE 802.11 standard. In turn, this local area network connects to the Internet through a router and can take advantage of all the connectivity services that are offered by an ISP (Internet Service Provider, i.e., one of the many telephone operators). Clearly, only those electronic devices that are integrated with the wifi protocol specification are able to connect. This whole interconnection structure can operate, as a matter of course, through electromagnetic waves that connect the various devices with each other and with the Internet network.

Electromagnetic waves health

The topic of Wifi, however, has often sparked quite a bit of controversy related to the potential danger, to our health, of electromagnetic waves emitted by the ruoter to allow various devices to connect to the Internet. In fact, many individuals place the wifi ruoter in the least-used room of their home (kitchen and bedroom are avoided) with the intent of subjecting themselves as little as possible to the effects of electromagnetic waves. But what are the health risks ? Many people suffer from a particular condition called I”Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity,” also called EHS. It is a kind of intolerance to electromagnetic waves emitted by various wifi (and other) devices that would cause disturbances such as headache, nausea, difficulty concentrating, nervousness, fatigue, sleep disturbances, to more important manifestations such as. burns, redness and patches on the skin, palpitations and digestive problems.

The conditional in this case is a must because it is a disease that is not officially recognized in any European country except Austria, but still causes significant agitation and concern among the population. “Hypersensitivity to Wi-Fi simply means that an individual is sensitive to lower amounts of electromagnetic radiation than in the normal population. And the fact that this syndrome is not recognized as a disease, however, explains Maria Grazia Petronio, vice president naz. of theIsde-Medici per l’ambienteAssociation–must not make us forget the people who suffer from real symptoms, who ask to be taken care of and instead find no answers.”

No evidence

Despite various concerns, however, at present there is insufficient evidence to prove an actual correlation between electromagnetic waves emitted by wifi technology and the health status of individuals, the latest study by the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (Scenhir) shows. In fact, according to Maria Rosaria Scarfi, of theInstitute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment. of the CNR, it would make no sense to create alarmism; “It is true that Wi-Fi is a relatively recent technology, but we are still talking about electromagnetic fields. And these have been known for a long time. Wireless connection to the Internet is a valuable tool. In the absence of hard evidence, accusing it of posing a danger makes no sense.”

Meteorism: a disorder that affects young and old alike

25 February 20246 January 2024 by psalari

IMeteorism means distention of the abdominal wall due to gas accumulation in the intestines. It is a term widely used in adult and sometimes proposed not so much as a symptom, which in fact it is, but almost as a disease. It can actually occur in children as well, in whom it takes on a different meaning depending on the age group and the consequences it can have on both digestion and general well-being.

The causes

In other words, it is a phenomenon, or, if you prefer, disorder, which can be entirely nonspecific or become a valuable clue pointing toward a precise diagnosis. In the infant, for example, the most common cause is aerophagia, which is the ingestion of air, most often promoted by suboptimal breast anchorage or, in the case of formula feeding, a hole in the teat that is too small. Also in the first weeks of life, another determining factor is the feeding of the baby not at the first signs of hunger (waking from sleep, eye movement, tongue snapping and lip movements) but after the “explosion” of crying, which causes the baby to swallow air. Colic is then another physiological phenomenon that results in tension of the abdominal wall and, according to some, is an expression of a maturing process of the digestive tract.

The role of milk

Meteorism, however, can also be due to gastroenteritis, digestive difficulties, and food allergies: in the infant in first place we find cow’s milk protein allergy, while from weaning the most likely events are lactose and gluten intolerance. Lactose, in particular, in order to be absorbed, requires the intervention of lactase, which breaks it down into its two constituent units, glucose and galactose. The reduction of this enzyme, which occurs in some individuals, results in the retention of this sugar and its fermentation by the intestinal bacterial flora: hence the two unmistakable signs, meteorism and diarrhea, that occur after the intake of milk, dairy products and other foods containing Lactose. The suspicion initially arises on the basis of this direct association, but it can be easily and definitively confirmed by performing a simple test suggested by the pediatrician.Once the diagnosis is made, however, for the child it does not mean having to give up such an important food as milk and all foods that are sources of lactose: thanks to research, in fact, a preparation has been prepared that allows it to be degraded, thus obviating the lactase deficiency.

If a child, therefore, has not previously suffered from meteorism, it is always good to first observe the progress of this disorder and particularly whether it is affected by diet. In the case of its persistence or accentuation, it is always a good idea to consult your pediatrician in order to make a careful assessment, which will allow the appropriate investigations and necessary steps to be taken to limit or possibly avoid discomfort to the child, whether small or large.

Questions about lesser-known practical aspects of vaccination

25 February 20246 January 2024 by psalari

Here are some examples that report very common questions among parents about vaccination for their children.

Giorgia
My son is 13 years old and has his vaccination booster on June 1: is it the case
Have him do the papilloma virus one as well? (I would keep it, heh)
– Yes, if the center allows it

Donatella
I was wondering, since there is some misinformation about it, if there are any
special contraindications for children prone to allergies, and in case, for
what types of allergies you need to proceed with caution!
– Only severe allergy sufferers require special precautions (for example, with the vaccines containing traces of gelatin), which more often than not result in.
In protected site vaccination. A small minority of children do not
can also be vaccinated in a protected environment and benefits from the
ground protection.

Flavia
I would like to get information about the new meningitis vaccine and whether those who have done
The unique one more than 10 years ago should do it again.
– The latest vaccine released on meningitis covers meningococcal B and is now included in vaccinations to be given to newborns. For comprehensive protection coverage against serogroups A, C, W135 and Y is also appropriate

Vittorio
What does a doctor respond to when faced with side effects that I read about a
Lombardy region circular addressed to doctors “child paralysis ”
“brain damage “? What is the rate of this collateral damage?
In the circular as the last collateral damage was … death of the child …. but
I don’t want to believe it.
– Vaccines, like drugs, can give rise to side effects even
serious and unforeseeable. The incidence data are the result of reports
from the local area and can be found at www.epicentro.it. They must
be read with caution, however (for example, for a combination vaccine the
individual components are included among the undesirable effects). It is always
appropriate to consult with your pediatrician and be clear that the logic
of vaccinations is that of cost-effectiveness, just as
an insurance policy involves, yes, a cost, but it offers enormous advantages in
case of need.

Simona
I would like to know more about the papilloma virus vaccine, if there is a
casuistry and at what age to do it, and whether we should inform ourselves or whether like other vaccines
we are contacted by the ASL.
– Not all ASLs routinely send the summons, which, moreover, could
also not to be received in case of postal mismatch. Instead, it is appropriate that the parents, with the vaccination calendar in hand, directly request
information to the area vaccination center. Regarding HPV in the
www.epicentro.it finds a wealth of authoritative information.

Federica

My daughter has to do it in a year, and honestly if it was also for adults I would do it too
– HPV exposure follows a behavioral risk profile. Nothing
would prohibit vaccination (privately) at any age, but it makes sense to
protect individuals who are not yet sexually active.

Victory
For the Lombardy region, so far papilloma virus vaccination is
provided for girls between the ages of 11 and 12 (notice home by letter).
Although it has now been extended to males in all regions of Italy with the
new Vaccine Plan, the vaccination centers in Milan that I contacted did not
they carry out. It needs to be done privately. Where and at what price I have not yet understood.
– The vaccination plan takes a few months to be applied to
regime. Vaccines can also be given privately, in some
Co-payment cases where not yet available or outside the
stipulated age limits.

Alessandra
A boy and his family are against vaccines because they argue that a vaccine
caused type 1 diabetes in his older brother. Thank you
– Type 1 diabetes recognizes a clear familiarity and is believed to be triggered by
A nonspecific viral infection. There is no evidence that vaccines can
trigger it, regardless of the fact that if a child is genetically
predisposed, with the frequency of the community runs a high risk not
Otherwise avoidable.

Jordan
I would be interested to know what vaccines are recommended for adults today
(hepatitis?) and which recalls (tetanus shot?).
– For adults, vaccines should be remembered in case of travel/stay in areas
endemic (for example, there is an ongoing hepatitis A epidemic in Apulia), the
dTPa to be recalled every 10 years (or during pregnancy), and the vaccine against
pneumonia and zoster after age 64.

Nickel allergy: intolerant people in Italy are 32%.

25 February 20246 January 2024 by clemente.ferrara

Nickel is a heavy metal found in many everyday objects. Indeed, it can be found in jewelry (especially earrings and watches) in zippers, jeans buttons, but also in bracelets, keys, coins, and many other items. Usually nickel is harmless to most of the population, but there are individuals, however, who have developed an intolerance to this metal, which causes them skin problems. In fact, nickel allergy is the most common cause of allergic contact dermatitis, which is a condition that generates eczema-like skin lesions: boils, itching, blisters and redness.

Statistics

According to the most recent findings, the number of individuals who have developed a form of allergy to this metal has increased significantly. In fact, in Europe about 20% of the population is allergic to nickel, in Italy the number even grows to 32.1% with a majority in favor of women ( the ratio to men is 3 to 1 ). Although it is an intolerance that occurs most frequently in the elderly, children and infants are also not excluded from this phenomenon, accounting for about 16 percent of the intolerant population.

Symptoms

Nickel allergy manifests, as specified, with eczema local affecting essentially the portion of the skin that comes into direct contact with metal, e.g., the earlobes in the case of earrings, the wrist for watches, the neck for necklaces, and the area below the navel, which often comes into contact with jeans buttons. The face and scalp may also show symptoms. In this case, possible “culprits” include cell phones, glasses, piercings and even hair clips.

However, nickel is also present in nature, specifically in soil and water, thus being absorbed by living things that in turn end up, more often than not, on our tables. Nickel is therefore present in many of the foods that become part of our diet, especially for fruit and vegetables, where nickel levels are about 4 times higher than in animal products (meat, milk, eggs…).

The test

As is the case with any form of allergy or intolerance, it is crucial to find out the causes as soon as possible by resorting to the help of tests and examinations. In the case of nickel, this is a completely noninvasive test. It mainly concerns the application of some patches with allergens on the back skin. Because contact allergies do not present immediate symptoms, the patches are kept on for about 2 days, and reading by the specialist may occur as late as 3-4 days after application.

Health: shock waves against erectile dysfunction

25 February 20246 January 2024 by MinnieLuongo

Treating impotence even without drugs. News that will make many men happy: truly promising results are coming from the first study of the Italian Society of Andrology (SIA) regarding the treatment of the much-feared erectile dysfunction, which for many males is still-though wrongly I– a taboo. Although we need to tread lightly for the time being, preliminary results speak for themselves: 70 percent of patients “recovered” from impotence through the use of low-intensity shock waves. Therefore, we are facing a new treatment option for those who complain of mild to moderate erectile dysfunction, estimated to be one-third of the more than three million patients in our country. The treatment causes no side effects, is noninvasive, and is quick and painless. The Italian multicenter study, coordinated by the SIA, was conducted on about 100 patients and is still ongoing, with positive results for that 70 percent of patients, who stopped using drugs (so-called love pills) to return to spontaneous sexuality, while in the most severe patients the response to oral therapy improved in 40% of cases.

The survey

The survey, launched a year ago, involved patients aged 18 to 65 years with organically based erectile dysfunction being treated at hospital or university centers in Florence, Naples, Trento, Bari, and Trieste. This is the first study coordinated by a Scientific Society conducted on shock wave therapy for erectile dysfunction, with the aim of independently evaluating possible outcomes and the most appropriate indications. Patients underwent an average of six shock wave sessions with 3,000 low-voltage shots; then the effect was evaluated with a penile echocolordoppler and sexual activity questionnaires. “The six-month follow-up data are very promising,” explains Alessandro Palmieri, SIA president and study coordinator. In men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction, therapy is successful and provides marked improvement in 70% of cases. Success in this case means possible cure: erectile dysfunction drugs have revolutionized sexual habits but remain “on-demand” cures, unable except in rare cases to restore erectile function. Shock waves, on the other hand, are able to reestablish the erection mechanism, allowing a return to natural sexuality without the need for relationship programming. However, this is still an emerging technique, and research is tasked with investigating the mechanisms of action of the method. This requires data from multicenter studies to define the long-term effects of treatment.”

A technology born in Israel

The method was developed in Israel a few years ago and is a physical therapy already used in other body districts, for example, for the treatment of kidney stones or as analgesic therapy. “Shock waves are high-energy acoustic waves,” explains Nicola Mondaini, SIA advisor. “They are applied to the penis through specific devices in sessions that last about 10 minutes, to be repeated for a total of six treatments in total. Physical therapy is thus brought exactly where it is needed and works by stimulating penile circulation, through the gradual growth of new blood vessels ( neo-angiogenesis), restoring spontaneous erection to the patient because circulation in the penis returns to normal and can provide an efficient erection.

Triathlon: swimming, cycling and running in one discipline

25 February 20246 January 2024 by clemente.ferrara

Have you ever heard about Triathlon? Most of you have probably already heard this name on TV or, almost certainly, you have come across some video on the Internet in which men and women competed in a race that combined swimming, running and cycling. And Triathlon is just that: a multi-disciplinary sport, based primarily on endurance, in which the athlete must pass, in sequence and without interruption, a new test, a cycling test and finally a running test.

This is a very demanding sport, a challenge that can only be overcome if one undergoes constant, high-level training, coupled with healthy and proper nutrition, a crucial point of any sport or discipline, to a greater extent in competitive sports.

The various distance categories

The route set by the Triathlon is not always the same, but changes depending on the total distance to be covered. It starts from the “Supersprint” in which, as the name implies, it is not so much endurance but speed that determines the winner, in which 400 meters of swimming, 10 kilometers of cycling and 2.5 kilometers of running alternate nonstop. An intermediate course is instead represented by the Triathlon “Olympic” in which you have to face 1500 meters of swimming, followed by 40 km of cycling, and then finish, again without rest, with 10 km of running. The most extreme and challenging level, suitable only for iron men and women is, as the name implies, the Triathlon “Iron Man“in which professional athletes will have to contend with 3800 meters of swimming, 180 kilometers of cycling and, to finish, an impressive 42,195 kilometers of running.

These are, especially in the last case, very demanding tests, suitable for athletes who follow a very strict training and nutrition regimen, but not only. In fact, we are talking about competitions suitable for athletes who also possess good coordination skills, having to express during their effort completely different sports gestures such as swimming, cycling and running.

The figure of the coach

Since this is a very demanding discipline, it is essential to have an experienced and certified coach who can follow the athletes step by step throughout their physical and mental preparation for the competition. In this regard, it is indeed fortunate that the team of experts collaborating on our portal includes Paolo Barbera, a Triathlon professional of the highest caliber. Barbera is a Certified Federal Triathlon Coach with years of experience in this field. In addition to this, Coach Barbera is a nutrition expert and co-founder of Active Kids, a medical center specializing in the prevention and treatment of pediatric and adult obesity and sports initiation.

Solar time: here’s why it’s good for our brains

25 February 20246 January 2024 by clemente.ferrara

For many people, the solar time brings with it many negative aspects, related to the fact that the days become shorter and the darkness of night overtakes more quickly, giving us the impression that we do not have enough time to carry out our regular daily chores. Actually, this is not quite the case; in fact, in some respects it is quite the opposite. In fact, giving up an hour of evening glow in exchange for an hour of full morning light has so many beneficial effects on our bodies, starting right from our brains.

And it is precisely these positive aspects that need to be focused on, especially for those individuals who are negatively affected by the transition from the summer months (associated with heat, vacations, and relaxation) to the winter months (when we return to the routine of school and work and temperatures drop precipitously). As an article in The Conversation magazine reports, an extra hour of sunshine in the morning brings great benefit to our brains, our moods and makes for a much more productive day. Let’s see why!

Nature and autonomous clock

All life on our planet is marked by the alternation of day and night during the 24-hour period. These two “moments” of the day mark our rhythms and influence our biological functions beyond what can be perceived by sight. For this reason, in fact, we become sleepy as evening approaches, and it is more difficult to wake up if we are in an environment that is still dark. In fact, the intensity of light is perceived by special cells in the retina that are directly connected with the suprachiasmatic nucleus, a group of neurons that is responsible for regulating the circadian rhythms ( the changes in biological activities ) of our body. And this is where what we most commonly call the “biological clock” is located.

Get off to a flying start thanks to the sun

This whole mechanism allows our brain to regulate the amount of hormones to be produced based on the amount of light around us. About 30 minutes after morning awakening, there is a major release of cortisol (called cortisol awakening response, CAR). This hormone is critical for starting the day with the right drive and energy needed. Higher amounts of cortisol in fact have been associated with higher learning capacity and better brain plasticity, as well as a more pronounced ability to make decisions and plan. The release of this hormone occurs more strongly when we wake up in an environment filled with natural light, and its beneficial effects on the body are greater.

For this reason, being able to have an extra hour of sunlight in the morning only gives us a greater charge to start our daily routine in the best and most hassle-free way possible.

Jogging: an exercise for the well-being of mind and body

26 February 20246 January 2024 by clemente.ferrara

Doing physical activity, as everyone knows by now, is a winning choice for those who want to achieve good physical fitness, especially in the run-up to summer, but also to find a time to relax and relieve their minds after a busy day of work or study. Some sports
are not for everyone, requiring special facilities (perhaps far from one’s home), suitable equipment (often very expensive) and a teacher/coach to accompany us during exercise.

However, there is one activity that is accessible to everyone (or almost everyone) that does not involve any particularly expensive equipment or even require a special facility, but can be practiced almost anywhere and without any kind of restriction: we are talking about jogging.

Jogging, also commonly known as running, is a very simple but equally effective exercise that can bring numerous benefits to our bodies, as well as being an effective stress reliever for our minds. A pair of comfortable shoes, appropriate clothing, and a road to run on-this is all we need to practice Jogging.

Physical well-being

Starting from the physical point of view, this sport is of fundamental importance for toning muscles, especially those of the lower part of our body, firming and strengthening legs, calves and buttocks. In addition to this, practicing jogging reduces the risks related to diseases cardiovascular diseases as it improves blood pressure and increases levels of “good cholesterol” (HDL).

Running, of course, helps to burn calories, which is why it is a suitable activity (in the right ways and at the right times) for all those individuals who are intent on losing weight (in one hour of intense running you can burn about 700 to 800 calories). Jogging is also an excellent exercise to strengthen joints and increase bone density, reducing its decrease in older age. Finally, running, being a comprehensive activity that affects the whole body, brings high benefits on the cardiovascular system, and if we consider that diseases of this system are the cause of 40% of deaths, we can deduce that those who jog consistently are more likely to live longer Than those who do not practice it.

An aid for the mind

Running represents one of the most effective ways to combat the stress of daily life, a way to create a space for ourselves to exercise that can distract us from our normal activities. When you jog you get rid of your thoughts and discharge your anxieties and worries. In addition to this, those who run consistently increase the production of serotonin, which is essential for mood regulation, and the growth of self-esteem.

Chromotherapy: the importance of colors for a person’s mental and physical well-being

25 February 20246 January 2024 by clemente.ferrara

Colors have always been a part of all people’s lives. Some fascinate us, such as those that artists pour onto their canvases in the creation of their masterpieces, others frighten us, such as the color of blood that we cannot but relate back to physical pain, and still others manage to soothe us, such as the green of an immense expanse of lawn or the soft blue of the sky. But what else can we say about colors ?

In response to this question, chromotherapy, or the science that deals with the meaning of colors and how and to what extent they influence the activities of the human mind, was born. The areas in which color therapy works are many: food (the color of various foods), clothing, personal care (more and more often we hear about spas offering showers with color therapy) and even on home furnishings. In fact, color and color graduation play an important role in the lives of individuals, with strong repercussions on our mood. So let’s find out what the main colors of the light spectrum are and what effects they have on our bodies.

Red

Red has always been regarded as the color of fire, blood and sexual excitement. It is related to strength, vitality and passion. In fact, it has been shown that painting the walls of a home red can increase blood pressure and accelerate the heart rate. It is also used in color therapy to combat burns and rash disease, as well as for asthma, depression, and impotence.

Blue

Blue is the opposite color to red, and is contrasted with it because of its calming, soothing and refreshing effect (clear reference to water). For this reason, blue is used to combat phenomena such as stress, anxiety and insomnia. It is also believed, although this is obviously not scientifically proven, that blue is also useful against inflammation of various parts of the body, depending on its different shades.

Green

Green is obviously the symbol of nature, plants and trees. It thus represents the sense of harmony and balance of existence, but it has also always been associated with the feeling of hope. According to proponents of color therapy, green would have positive effects on the nervous system by calming migraines and nerve-related diseases, as well as spreading a general feeling of harmony and calm.

Yellow

According to chromotherapists, yellow would represent the intellectual part of the brain. Its benefits would include aiding concentration (useful for study and work), but it would also be able to instill joy, a sense of protection and happiness.

Clearly, it should be pointed out that in the color therapy approach, there is nothing scientifically proven to prove the actual beneficial contribution that colors would have on our health. However, it remains interesting and fascinating to learn about and observe this particular methodology aimed at patient care.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders

25 February 20246 January 2024 by psalari

Medicine, accustomed as it is to conventions and classifications, distinguishes diseases into organic and functional. The former are those associated with actual damage: this is the case, for example, with gastroenteritis caused by infection by a bacterium or virus, which settles in the intestines giving rise to diarrhea. Functional diseases, on the other hand, despite the occurrence of sometimes even intense symptoms, are characterized by the absence of injuries documentable: diarrhea, to refer to the situation just hypothesized (but an entirely similar consideration applies to the diametrically opposite condition, constipation), is triggered or maintained by factors that are not clearly identifiable or quantifiable, such as a particular emotional state.

Gastrointestinal functional disorders

What then are functional gastrointestinal disorders? They can be defined as a set of recurrent or chronic, age-varying symptoms that are independent of an underlying disease. In the first 2 years of life they may be physiological, that is, an expression of normal development, such as infant regurgitation, or, later, they may result from abnormal behavioral responses to internal or external stimuli, such as functional constipation caused by painful defecation.

Thus, at the basis of functional gastrointestinal disorders we find physiological, psychological and sociocultural factors capable of amplifying the perception of symptoms, which are experienced as severe, disabling and burdened with major repercussions on daily activities. Examples of functional disorders, in addition to those mentioned above, include colic, cyclic vomiting syndrome, and dyschezia (pain at the time of stool emission) in early childhood, abdominal migraine, functional dyspepsia, and irritable bowel syndrome in preschool, school, and adolescent ages.

Diagnosis and treatment

Two other elements need to be highlighted: first, there are no diagnostic indicators. In other words, there are no laboratory tests or benchmarks to be able to make the diagnosis, which is therefore based on as objective a set of symptoms as possible. Secondly, the care cannot be limited to medication but requires an approach that takes into account genetic and environmental factors (family influences, emotionally important events, infections, and so on), which may influence the child’s psychosocial development and cause him or her to be more susceptible to stress or bowel dysfunction (altered motility, altered immune system or visceral hypersensitivity). If, for example, a child suffers from functional diarrhea, treatment will have to contemplate the use not so much of medication but of dietary and especially behavioral measures, both for the child and his or her family members.

In the current view, in short, every intestinal disorder deserves to be transcoded not under the trivial label of a pretext contrived by the child to avoid a challenging test, but in the logic of a more complex effect resulting from the interaction between the organic sphere and the environment.

Informed consent: a right of every patient

25 February 20246 January 2024 by avettori

Informed consent, understood as the obligation to inform the patient, is the acceptance by a patient of medical treatment, care, therapy proposed to him or her by a physician. It thus represents the patient’s right to choose, accept, or in some cases refuse a specific treatment to which physicians would like to subject him or her. This is an inalienable right, which is also enshrined in the constitution.

A key element for consent to be legitimate is clear and adequate information about the entire treatment process to which the patient should undergo.

Clear and detailed information

The physician has the bbligation to illustrate in every detail the treatment he or she intends to propose to the patient, making clear what, if any, risks or dangers may be encountered. The patient needs to be aware of what the diagnosis is, the proposed treatment, the benefits, the risks, and even the dangers of not taking action. Only in cases where the patient receives clear, detailed information from the physician that is understandable to him or her can consent be considered valid and legitimate. Indeed, if a situation arises in which the patient is not fully aware of what he or she is (or is not) consenting to, the consent is to be considered null and void.

The document

In compliance with clear regulations that protect both parties, there is an official document that the patient is required to sign to authorize doctors to proceed with treatment. Such a document is written both for the protection of the patient, who can have an even clearer view of the procedure (or therapy) to which he or she is to undergo, and for the physician, who can prove, in the case of complications of any kind, that the patient was perfectly agreeable to continuing with the health care service. Despite this, the patient always has the option of reconsidering and no longer accepting treatment, thus availing himself of the so-called“right not to treat,” even if it might endanger his health.

The questions to be asked

Before undergoing any kind of therapy, it is good for every patient to ask very important and precise questions to their doctor, such as:

Is the surgery that I will have to undergo necessary ?
Are there therapeutic alternatives ?
What are the most frequent complications and risks ?
Can the same surgery be done using minimally invasive surgical techniques ?
Should I experience pain after surgery, will appropriate pain relief therapies be used ?
After how long will I be able to return to my living habits ?
Are there any particular prescriptions that I will have to follow on nutrition and treatments ?

In any case, the key element is clarity, but the patient’s trust in his or her doctor is also no less important.

ALIMENTAZIONE E NUTRIZIONE	NATURA SPORT LUOGHI	COLTIVARE LA SALUTE	MENOPAUSA	MAMMA IN FORMA
MEDICINA TRADIZIONALE CINESE	CARDIOCHIRURGIA	FARMACI E DISPOSITIVI MEDICI	GENITORIALITÀ	LA CULTURA DELLA SALUTE
LE UTILITIES DELLA SALUTE	MEDICINA GENERALE	MEDICINA NATURALE, TERMALE	MENTE E CERVELLO	DISTONIA NEUROVEGETATIVA
MODI DI ESSERE	SALUTE E SOCIETÀ	SANITÀ E PAZIENTI	SESSUALITÀ	TERZA ETÀ
TUMORI	URGENZE

ALIMENTAZIONE E NUTRIZIONE	NATURA SPORT LUOGHI
COLTIVARE LA SALUTE	MENOPAUSA
MAMMA IN FORMA	MEDICINA TRADIZIONALE CINESE
CARDIOCHIRURGIA	FARMACI E DISPOSITIVI MEDICI
GENITORIALITÀ	LA CULTURA DELLA SALUTE
LE UTILITIES DELLA SALUTE	MEDICINA GENERALE
MEDICINA NATURALE, TERMALE	MENTE E CERVELLO
DISTONIA NEUROVEGETATIVA	MODI DI ESSERE
SALUTE E SOCIETÀ	SANITÀ E PAZIENTI
SESSUALITÀ	TERZA ETÀ
TUMORI	URGENZE

APPARATO DIGERENTE	APPARATO RESPIRATORIO	APPARATO UROGENITALE	CUORE E CIRCOLAZIONE	CUTE
INFETTIVOLOGIA	OCCHI	ORECCHIE NASO E GOLA	OSSA E LEGAMENTI	SISTEMA ENDOCRINO
SISTEMA NERVOSO

APPARATO DIGERENTE	APPARATO RESPIRATORIO
APPARATO UROGENITALE	CUORE E CIRCOLAZIONE
CUTE	INFETTIVOLOGIA
OCCHI	ORECCHIE NASO E GOLA
OSSA E LEGAMENTI	SISTEMA ENDOCRINO
SISTEMA NERVOSO

CULTURA E SALUTE	AGGIORNAMENTI
PERCORSI

Sterility

For the woman

For the man

Screening

Some tips

Walnuts

Pistachios

Pine nuts

The beneficial effects of sunlight

Help for the mind as well

The nutritional values

Yogurt and Sports

A health ally

The use of drugs

Prevention

Assogenerici’s figure

The risk factors

Therapeutic strategies

The causes

The role of milk

Statistics

Symptoms

The test

The survey

A technology born in Israel

The various distance categories

The figure of the coach

Nature and autonomous clock

Get off to a flying start thanks to the sun

Physical well-being

An aid for the mind

Red

Blue

Green

Yellow

Gastrointestinal functional disorders

Diagnosis and treatment

Clear and detailed information

The document

The questions to be asked

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