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Ulcers, cracks and wounds – what your mouth can tell you about your health

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Greek philosopher Zeno of Citium he once said that we’ve got two ears and one mouth, in order that we can listen twice as much as we speak. It’s a sense shared by many parents, grandparents – and an American television personality Judge Judy – they wish to repeat. And for good reason.

But the mouth acts as greater than a way of communication or an entrance to food and drink. It can also be a technique to discover some internal diseases.

For example, a lot of us are conversant in the troublesome mouth ulcer. They are quite common and often occur on the inner lining of the mouth, the tongue, or the gums – the gums. And through the gums they’re irritating.

The commonest type are aphthous ulcersround or oval, swollen sores that sometimes start out yellow and then turn grayish. They often have a red border or “halo” around them.

They don’t last very long, and any soreness or irritation can be treated with easy painkillers or over-the-counter remedies like mouthwashes or sprays. It’s also a very good idea to avoid spicy, salty, or acidic foods, which can be irritating and painful when you have a canker sore.

We will not be sure what causes ulcers but connections have been drawn between physical damage brought on by biting the inside the cheek or tongue. Other possibilities include hormonal fluctuations, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and stress.

Just a few words of caution, though. Small canker sores are short-lived and should clear up inside three weeks. Be vigilant for sores that last more than three weeks, are situated near the back of the throat, or are larger than one centimeter in diameter. This is because growing, non-healing sores may indicate oral cancerOral cancer can also present as discolored patches or lumps within the mouth or throat, causing symptoms resembling difficulty swallowing or speaking, and hoarseness, amongst others.

It is significant to get most of these symptoms checked out by a physician or dentist as soon as possible. Also be alert for bleeding ulcers, which could suggest cancer or infection.

Ulcers and sores within the mouth can even be brought on by diseases affecting multiple organs. Crohn’s disease AND celiac disease The disease can cause recurrent ulcers – and patients may experience gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits.

Condition Behçet’s disease can cause painful, swollen joints and sores that appear not only within the mouth but additionally on the genitals. Ulcers can even be an indication of a weakened immune system.

So if you notice that you keep getting canker sores in your mouth – or you notice ulcers somewhere else or other accompanying symptoms – remember to see a physician.

Viral causes

Viruses can cause quite a lot of dots and spots to seem in and across the mouth.

Take for instance the herpes simplex virus, which causes blisters called herpeswhich often covers with a scab and heals after every week or two. Avoid skin-to-skin contact (e.g. kissing) the affected area during this time to stop transmission of the virus.

Then there’s hand, foot and mouth diseasea viral disease that happens especially in children. It causes a rash of sores and blisters on the hands, feet, and in and across the mouth.

Even measles The virus can cause a rash contained in the mouth often known as Koplik’s stains. Koplik’s stains are all the time associated only with measles. They are white spots that appear to be grains of sugar or salt on the inner lining of the cheeks. They often appear before a skin rash that starts on the pinnacle and then spreads to the body.

Cracks on the corners

Have you ever noticed pain or cracks appearing on the corners of your mouth – the areas which can be pulled up when you smile? angular stomatitisalso often known as inflammation of the corners of the mouth Or pearls.

This is a standard condition brought on by chapped or dry lips, either attributable to a viral illness or cold weather. But suppose as an alternative of healing, the cracks proceed to harm, blister or bleed.

The causes of angular stomatitis are: extensivefrom conditions like Crohn’s and celiac disease to unwell-fitting dentures and infections like thrush. Cracks within the corners of the mouth can also indicate various vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Iron deficiency is feasible or low levels of zinc, folate and vitamin B2 (riboflavin) or B12.

The general rule is that if you notice any sores, ulcers, or cracks in or around your mouth that last more than a couple of weeks, bleed, and don’t heal, you should see a physician immediately.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

Phenergan is no longer recommended for children under 6 years of age due to the risk of hallucinations. Here’s what you can use instead

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The Australian Drugs Regulatory Authority has issued an order safety warning over Phenergan and related products containing the antihistamine promethazine.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has stated that over-the-counter products shouldn’t be given to children under six years of age due to concerns about serious unwanted side effects akin to hyperactivity, aggression and hallucinations. Breathing may turn into slow or shallow, which can be fatal.

When high doses are administered to young children, difficulties in learning and understanding, including reversible cognitive deficit and mental disability, may occur. – said the TGA.

The latest warning follows international and Australian concerns about the drug in young children, which is commonly used to treat conditions akin to hay fever and allergies, motion sickness and for short-term sedative effects.

What is promethazine?

Promethazine is a “first generation” antihistamine that has been sold over the counter in Australian pharmacies for a long time for a spread of conditions.

Unlike many other drugs, first-generation antihistamines can cross the blood-brain barrier. This means they affect your brain chemistry, making you feel drowsy and sedated.

In adults, this will likely be useful for sleep. However, in children, these drugs can cause serious unwanted side effects on the nervous system, including those mentioned on this week’s safety alert.

We’ve known about this for a while

We have known about the serious unwanted side effects of promethazine in young children for a while.

Advice regarding 20 years ago In the United States, the drug was not recommended for use in children under two years of age. In 2022, an Australian Medicines Advisory Committee made its own suggestion to increase the age to six. New Zealand released similar warnings and advice in May this 12 months.

Over the last ten years, there have been 235 cases of serious unwanted side effects from promethazine in each children and adults reported to the TGA. Of the 77 deaths reported, one was a toddler under six years of age.

Reported unwanted side effects in each adults and children included:

  • 13 cases of accidental overdose (leading to 11 deaths)
  • eight cases of hallucinations
  • seven cases of slow or shallow respiration (leading to 4 deaths)
  • six cases of decreased consciousness (leading to five deaths).

TGA security alert comes after an internal investigation by the manufacturer of Phenergan, Sanofi-Aventis Healthcare. This investigation was initiated in 2022 advice from the Medicines Advisory Committee. The company has now updated its information for consumers and healthcare professionals.

What can you use instead?

If you have allergies or hay fever in young children, non-sedating antihistamines akin to Claratine (loratadine) or Zyrtec (cetirizine) are preferred. They provide relief without the risk of sedation and other disturbing unwanted side effects of promethazine.

If symptoms of a chilly or cough occur, parents must be reassured that these symptoms will normally subside with time, fluid intake, and rest.

Saline nasal sprays, adequate hydration, a humidifier or elevating the child’s head can relieve the congestion related to hay fever. Oral products containing phenylephrine marketed for nasal congestion must be avoided because evidence shows that this is the case This article was originally published on : theconversation.com

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Health and Wellness

Why Elon Musk’s Grok Could Pose a Threat to Medical Privacy

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elon musk, DEI, remote work, jobs


Owner of X and candidate for the White House cabinet Elon Musk asked users to submit MRI results, CT scans and other medical information to its AI chatbotGrok reviewed it and a few people fell for it, he reports.

Musk presented this concept to X in late October 2024.

“Try uploading X-rays, PET, MRI, or other medical images to Grok for analysis. It’s still early stages, but it’s already quite accurate and will be extremely good,” he wrote. “Let us know where Grok is doing it right or where it needs work.”

Some individuals who voluntarily submitted photos were comfortable that Grok “did do well” together with his blood test results and breast cancer detection, but others waved red flags against the platform.

Josh Sharp, who goes by @showinvestment on social media, identified how a broken collarbone was viewed as a dislocated shoulder.

Radiologist Docteur TJ provided an in-depth evaluation of the MRI image, which he described partially as “too gross.”

Another example is a robot confusing a mammogram of a benign breast cyst with a picture of the testicles.

Grok was launched in May 2024 after raising $6 billion in an investment financing round through Musk’s tech startup, xAI. Grok is just not the primary of its kind: Google’s Gemini or OpenAI’s ChatGPT also enable the transfer of medical images.

While some praise the technology’s potential advances, medical privacy experts don’t not on this camp.

“It’s very personal data, and there’s no telling exactly what Grok will do with it,” said Vanderbilt University biomedical informatics professor Dr. Bradley Malin, according to “Sending personal information to Grok is more like, ‘Whee!’ Let’s throw out this data and hope the corporate does what I need it to do.”

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects medical information shared with physicians or in a patient portal because federal guidelines protect it from being shared without consent. However, the protection doesn’t cover social networking sites – it only applies to doctor’s offices, hospitals, health insurers and a few firms they work with.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Health and Wellness

Essence of the week: Cherry Blossom EDT L’Occitane is a fragrance inspired by spring, perfect for any season – Essence

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We all know L’Occitane almond shower oil gets a lot of love – and for good reason (I’m taking a look at you #BeautyTok).

But there is one other gem of this brand that deserves just as much attention: Cherry Blossom Eau de Toilette. Since its launch in 2007, this fragrance has remained a favorite amongst my group of friends, appreciated for its delicate and refined elegance. To be honest, I feel this is what L’Occitane is known for as a brand. And although this scent is often related to the airy freshness of spring, it is a scent that brings a touch of beauty and heat to any season.

The first spritz of Cherry Blossom EDT is soft and alluring, with a subtle hint of cherry and freesia that feels fresh without overdoing it. It’s light and uplifting, like the kind of scent you employ when you would like to feel good but not an excessive amount of (like me most days). As it settles on my skin, notes of cherry blossom and lily of the valley bloom, striking the perfect balance of femininity without feeling overly sweet or dated. There’s nothing heavy or “old school floral” about this scent – it’s fresh, modern and understated in a way that feels sophisticated.

What really makes this fragrance stand out is the base. Brazilian rosewood, amber and musk give it a soft warmth that wraps you want your favorite cashmere scarf. It’s cozy but never heavy, beautifully balancing the delicate flowers. The overall effect is a scent that feels effortlessly polished – the olfactory equivalent of “quiet luxury.”

I do know, I do know – cherry blossoms evoke spring, but that is why this scent works so well all 12 months round. In the colder months, it is a refreshing break from heavy, spicy scents. I mean, I like my ouds and cognacs, but no… Bright notes of cherry and freesia bring a breath of fresh air, while warm base notes of amber and musk give the composition a comforting, grounded feel. It’s like carrying a little bit of spring with you, even when the weather is not sunny. And given the conflicting rumors we’re hearing – at the very least on the East Coast – about how much snow will fall this season, you would possibly just should keep it in your radar.

Why I find it irresistible: While everyone gravitates towards the Almond L’Occitane collection, their EDT Cherry Blossom has turn out to be an unexpected favorite of mine that I still reach for. What I like most about it is how versatile it is. It’s lightweight enough to accommodate skilled meetings or running errands during the day, but still feels special enough for dinner dates or quiet moments at home. The way it evolves on the skin – from a fresh, floral burst to a soft, warm texture – makes it feel personal, like a fragrance created just for you. It’s not flashy or trendy, but that is what makes it timeless.

Perfect pairs: As an eau de toilette, Cherry Blossom advantages greatly from thoughtful layering that highlights its delicate character and prolongs its presence throughout the day. And because Cherry Blossom has a softer sillage, it’s perfect for on a regular basis wear. If you would like to extend its durability or make it a bit more dynamic, layering is the best solution. Start with L’Occitane Cherry Blossom Shower Oil to create a fragrant base, then follow with the Shimmering Body Milk for extra depth and hydration.

If you wish to mix and match, pair Cherry Blossom EDT with complementary fragrances. Kayali Vanilla 28 adds a cozy sweetness that blends beautifully with the floral notes, while Commodity Milk+ brings out the creamy warmth of the base. On the fun side, the marshmallow and ambrette notes of Ellis Brooklyn SWEET add a delicate, sweet touch that prolongs the persistence of the cherry blossom accord. Spray the fragrance base first, let it settle, after which top with cherry blossom for a custom scent that can last all day.

EDT Cherry Blossom by L’Occitane is a masterclass in subtle sophistication. Founder Olivier Baussan put it perfectly: “It is because cherry blossoms fly away with the first breath of spring that they are so rare and precious.” This fragrance captures ephemeral beauty in a bottle. Final Verdict: If you appreciate fragrances that whisper slightly than shout, that talk of sophistication slightly than trends, L’Occitane’s Cherry Blossom EDT is value considering. It’s the olfactory equivalent of finding the perfect light – subtle, beautiful and absolutely fascinating.

Fragrance is deeply personal, but some fragrances gain universal appeal due to their masterful composition. This is one of them.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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