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How to Paint Laminate Cabinets

2011-02-19T23:48:00.003-08:00

Paint Laminate Cabinets

Remodeling can become quite an expensive venture when it includes replacing cabinets. If the cabinets are in good condition, it is not necessary that they be replaced. With a little bit of time and a whole lot less money, they can be transformed into the cabinets you desire.Painting laminate cabinets is not as difficult as it may seem. If done correctly, the new paint can last for many years. Follow these steps to paint laminate cabinets and the finished project will be well worth the time and effort.

How to Dress for a 70s Party

2011-02-19T23:48:00.001-08:00

By Grace Covelli, eHow Contributor

updated: February 3, 2011

Dress for a 70s Party

So you're going to a seventies party and you don't know what to wear. No problem. This article will guide you through the steps of dressing like you've been there and done that. Here's how to dress for a seventies party

How to Clean a Down Comforter at Home

2011-02-19T23:47:00.005-08:00

Clean a Down Comforter at Home

Most down comforters tell you to dry-clean only but did you know that you can safely clean a down comforter at home? Dry cleaning can be expensive and sometimes cost almost as much as your comforter did in the first place. It's not as hard as it may sound and you can have the convenience of cleaning your comforter any time you feel the need. Don't let drycleaners take you to the cleaners.

How to Make Fabric Flowers

2011-02-19T23:47:00.001-08:00

Make Fabric Flowers

Fabric flowers are fun and easy to make, and a great way to use up scraps. You can sew or pin them onto bags or hair bows, or glue them onto napkin rings, scrapbook covers or other craft projects. There are many different ways to make fabric flowers. This simple method requires very little sewing (just enough to hold the layers of fabric together), and makes a flower that looks similar to a rose or camellia blossom. Fabrics such as plain cotton or calicos work best for making simple fabric flowers. You can make all the layers of the flower from the same fabric, or use contrasting fabrics for a more whimsical look

How to Remove Wallpaper Glue

2011-02-19T23:46:00.001-08:00

Removing wallpaper glue is like scrubbing pots and pans.

Now that you've removed your old wallpaper, what do you do about that glue that's still on the wall? Find out how to remove wallpaper glue here -- your room will appreciate the extra care and attention when you paint it or rewallpaper it again.

How to Estimate Taxes on a 1099-Misc

2011-02-19T23:44:00.003-08:00

You can estimate taxes to be paid for a form 1099-Misc.

You can prepare your own income-tax return every April or can pay a professional tax preparer to do it. If you're self-employed as a contractor or as a freelancer you may receive a form 1099-Misc at the beginning of the year instead of a W-2. You can estimate taxes on a 1099-Misc form by first determining the self-employment tax rate for the previous year

How to File a Return for a 1099 Misc Form

2011-02-19T23:44:00.001-08:00

File a return for a 1099-MISC form.

Internal Revenue Service Form 1099-MISC shows money paid to you during the course of the year but not by an employer who was withholding tax on your behalf. According to IRS.gov, the 1099-MISC form also includes the total amount of royalties and rents that you received during the year. If you received income that exceeds $600 in a calendar year, you are required to file the 1099-MISC forms with your personal

What Is the Purpose of the Form 1099 Misc?

2011-02-19T23:43:00.005-08:00

Form 1099-MISC is an official IRS form used to report non-wage income or fees paid to non-employees. Employers must file Form 1099-Misc with the IRS as well as provide earner with a copy. If you receive Form 1099-MISC as an individual earner, treat it like a W-2 form and use it when calculating your taxable income.

What it Reports

Form 1099-MISC is used to report independent contractor fees, royalties, rents, awards, contest winnings, prizes, health care, medical and legal payments.

Wages of the Deceased

When an employer pays the wages of a deceased employee to the decedent's estate, they must be reported on Form 1099-MISC.

Monetary Requirements for Services Rendered

If a company pays a non-employee independent contractor over $600 over the course of a year, they must provide that person with a 1099-MISC form.

Monetary Requirements for Royalties

When a company pays over $10 in royalties to a non-employee over the course of a year, they must provide that person with a 1099-MISC.

Monetary Requirements for Consumer Goods

If you sold more than $5,000 worth of consumer goods to be resold at a location other than permanent retail business, you will need to file a 1099-MISC for the buyer.

How to Provide a 1099 Tax Form From a Non-Profit Corporation

2011-02-19T23:43:00.001-08:00

Form 1099-misc is provided by a company to an individual or entity when the individual or entity provides services and receives greater than $600 in compensation. Non-profit organizations are not exempt from filing Form 1099-misc. Form 1096 must accompany Form 1099-misc when it is filed. Form 1096 is a summary of the information contained on all Forms 1099-misc.

How to Calculate Taxes on Form 1099-Misc

2011-02-19T23:41:00.003-08:00

An independent contractor's income is reported on Form 1099-MISC.

The Least Expensive Cities to Live in the World

2011-02-19T23:41:00.001-08:00

Life is relatively expensive in North America and Europe compared to many places in the world. Many people who have earned money in the expensive parts of the world take advantage of this imbalance and move to one of the cheaper places to make their money go farther. Remember before you move that many cheap places are cheap for a reason: they may lack many amenities and comforts that a person from a wealthy country considers necessities.

Islamabad, Pakistan

Islamabad is a teeming city of over 1 million people located in the north of Pakistan. It is Pakistan's capital and cultural center. Moving to Islamabad from a place like North America is not for the faint of heart; while the exchange rate will make life very cheap for anyone bringing U.S. dollars with them, the pace of life and the standards of personal space may be unfamiliar to someone accustomed to North America. If you are interested in experiencing life in a truly foreign place, and want to stretch your dollars as far as they will go, you can't do better than Islamabad.

Managua, Nicaragua

Nicaragua has not had an easy time of it. Oppressed by the dictator Somoza for years, then suffering violence and civil war through the 1980s after Somoza's overthrow, Nicaragua has known a great deal of suffering. Partly because of these difficulties and its shaky economy, you can live in its capital city, Managua, for very little money. Managuans tend to be quite reserved people, but are helpful when you need it, particularly if you speak reasonable Spanish. Because of the widespread poverty, many people would be willing to rent out a room in their house to a foreigner, the rent being little to you but a huge amount to them. You will not find Managua to be a comfortable city by North American standards, but it is a very interesting one.

Karachi, Pakistan

Karachi may be the perfect example of what makes a cheap city. Due to political unrest, threats of terrorism and high crime rates, it is not a safe city to live in, particularly for foreigners. Utilities are unreliable, and life can be fairly uncomfortable. However, if cheap is what you are looking for, Karachi may be your kind of place.

Does an Ex-Wife Get an Ex-Husband's Social Security Benefits?

2011-02-19T23:40:00.003-08:00

An ex-wife can receive Social Security benefits based on her ex-husband's work record if she meets certain qualifications. According to the Social Security Administration, many ex-wives receive a higher benefit based on their ex-husband's work record than their own.

Living Ex-Husband

An ex-wife can receive benefits if she was married 10 years or more, has not remarried, is at least 62 years old and the benefits she receives based on her ex-husband's employment record is more than benefits under her work record. The ex-husband must also be eligible to receive Social Security retirement or disability payments. She can also receive benefits if the ex-husband is at least 62 years old, is eligible for benefits but has not applied, and has been divorced at least two years.

Deceased Ex-Husband

An ex-wife can receive benefits if her husband is deceased and she is age 60 or 50 and disabled, the marriage lasted 10 years, and her individual entitlements are less than the benefits she would receive under his work record.

Children

The ex-wife of any age can receive benefits from a deceased ex-husband if they share a child, natural or adopted, who is younger than 16 or disabled and eligible for benefits. The ex-wife's benefits will continue until the child turns 16 or is no longer considered disabled. There is no length of marriage restriction.

Who Pays Deceased Credit Card Debt?

2011-02-19T23:40:00.001-08:00

In addition to the pain and shock of losing a loved one, survivors must often deal with another unpleasant reality: debt collectors. Although collection agents may insinuate that a survivor is personally responsible for paying these debts, this is often not the case. That said, creditors are able to make claims against the deceased's assets.

Individual Accounts

A credit card essentially works like a loan. Each time it is used, the card company gives money to a merchant on behalf of the cardholder. In exchange, the cardholder is billed and charged interest on the amount borrowed.

If the card was issued only in the deceased's name, then he is the only person obligated to the credit card company. Thus, family members are not responsible for the balance of any card for which they did not apply.

Joint Accounts

If the deceased and his surviving spouse applied for any credit cards jointly, the surviving spouse is still liable for the balance of those joint accounts. However, being a joint account holder should not be confused with being an authorized user on one of the deceased's individual accounts. In the latter case, the spouse had no part in the application process. Rather, the agreement was only between the deceased and the lender; he simply chose to give his spouse access to his personal line of credit.

The Deceased's Estate

Immediately upon death, ownership of one's assets are temporarily transferred to a legal entity known as his estate. The deceased's creditors are then allowed to file claims against the assets held by his estate.

State law assigns creditors priority based on the nature of their claims. In general, burial and funeral costs get paid first, followed by medical bills related to final illness, followed by probate fees and any death taxes. Next, unsecured debt such as credit card balances are paid with any remaining assets in the estate. If assets still remain after the unsecured debt is paid, they are then distributed to the heirs and beneficiaries according to the deceased's will.

Insolvent Estate

If the estate doesn't have sufficient assets to cover the deceased's credit card debt, then the remaining balance simply goes unpaid. The credit card company is not allowed to sue surviving family members for additional funds.

Fraud

It is illegal to use a credit card for which the deceased is the sole account holder. A clear example of this would be an identity thief stealing the deceased's credit card information and using it to make online purchases. A more subtle example would be authorized users such as the deceased's spouse and children making charges on the card even though their names were not on the account.

Safest & Cheapest Place to Live Off Social Security

2011-02-19T23:39:00.004-08:00

In a report by Liz Pulliam Weston for MSN Money, one of five retirees will have to live solely off of their Social Security checks. As such, managing the expenses of living can be challenging, particularly if safety and economics are you concern. However, collecting Social Security does not mean that you have to live uncomfortably. There are places in the United States where you can live safely and affordably off of your monthly Social Security checks. You also have the option of moving out of the country.

Thomasville, Georgia

Thomasville, Georgia, has been critically acclaimed as one of the best places to retire in the United States. A CBS "Early Show" report in October 2005 chronicled this rural southern town -- known for its plantations and outdoor attractions -- for its low cost of living and low property taxes.

According to City-data.com, Thomasville has had no homicides within the last 8 years (as of 2010) and is below the U.S crime average in several important areas such as rapes, burglaries and assaults. Because of the wealth of outdoor activities and the existence of senior groups, your Social Security check can cover both your living and leisure expenses.

Tallahassee, Florida

With no state income tax and a low cost of living, Tallahassee, Florida, is not only one of the cheapest places to retire in the country but also an ideal place for those living solely off of their Social Security checks. At the Woodmont Senior Living Apartments, the monthly rental fee includes three daily meals, laundry services and scheduled transportation to important sites. In an October 2005 report for the CBS Early Show, Lisa Freeman, deputy editor of "Consumer Reports," noted the college town could be ideal because of low crime and inexpensive cultural and entertainment events. Tallahassee has two colleges.

Granada, Nicaragua

Granada, Nicaragua is the perfect locale for those receiving Social Security checks, according to a June 14, 2010 story by Kathleen Pedicord for "US News Money."

"You could live in Granada on roughly $900 monthly," Peddicord says. Since the average Social Security check in 2010 is roughly $1,000 monthly, there would be some money left over after living.

As a colonial, tourist attraction, Granada, Nicaragua is renowned for being one of the safest destinations in the country. However, the beaches of Nicaragua can be unsafe at night.

Boquete, Panama

Boquete, Panama can be accommodating if you have a limited income because of discounts on a variety of everyday needs such as medicine and housing. Prescription drugs and closing costs on the purchase of home and property are discounted. If you are concerned about losing much of the freedom you enjoy in the United States and the depreciation of the limited dollars you receive, Panama offers a democratic government and a monetary system based on the U.S. dollar. In Boquete, like the entire country, natives are friendly and crime is low.

What Is Tax Form 1099 G?

2011-02-19T23:39:00.002-08:00

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides tax Form 1099-G for the reporting of income from government sources. A taxpayer who receives such income should receive Form 1099-G from the appropriate government entity during January for use in filing his individual federal tax return. The various categories of income that can be listed on Form 1099-G are reported in various places on Form 1040.

What Is Adjusted Gross Income?

2011-02-19T23:39:00.000-08:00

What Is Adjusted Gross Income?

Adjusted gross income is the figure used by the Internal Revenue Service to determine a taxpayer's eligibility for certain tax benefits. AGI is calculated by adding together all qualified income and subtracting all qualified adjustments. It is in the taxpayer's best interest to get his adjusted gross income as low as possible. Lower AGI qualifies the taxpayer for more tax benefits and ultimately results in a smaller tax bill.

Function

To determine your adjusted gross income, you must first calculate your gross income. This is the total of all the money you made during the calender year. Some sources of qualified income are tips, business income, alimony you receive, unemployment benefits, taxable Social Security benefits, income on rental property, royalties, money distributed from retirement accounts, taxable refunds, taxable interest, dividends and capital gains from securities you sold at a profit. Some income is not factored into gross income. These include money from public assistance and income on tax exempt local and state bonds. Add everything up and you have your gross income.

Identification

To find your adjusted gross income, subtract qualified adjustments from your gross income. Qualified adjustments include moving expenses, alimony you pay to others, early withdraw penalties on savings accounts, educator expenses, 50 percent of self-employment tax, health insurance premiums for the self employed, interest on student loans, qualified tuition and fees paid by students, and qualified Individual Retirement Accounts contributions. Standard deductions and itemized deductions that are calculated on a Schedule A are considered later on IRS tax forms so should not be subtracted from the gross income at this time.

Features

Adjusted gross income is sometimes called net income. This is because AGI is the net amount of income that is taxed after tax credits and payments are factored in. The first page of the IRS forms 1040 and 1040A are devoted to calculated adjusted gross income. It is the number on line 37 of the 1040 and line 21 of the 1040A at the bottom of page one. The adjusted gross income is then transferred to the top of page two on both forms.

Misconceptions

Adjusted gross income should not be confused with modified adjusted gross income. MAGI is similar to AGI, but certain things are not factored in. These include passive income and losses, interest on student loans, student tuition and fees, taxable Social Security, self-employment tax and Individual Retirement Accounts. Because of this, MAGI is usually higher than AGI, but lower than your gross income.

Considerations

Modified adjusted gross income is important because it determines whether you are qualified to receive certain tax benefits. These include Social Security benefits, a tax deduction on traditional IRA contributions and whether you qualify to contribute to a Roth IRA. All of these things have limits based on adjusted gross income. If your MAGI is too high, you don't qualify. Adjusted gross income is used to calculate the taxes you pay after tax credits and payments are factored in.

The Average Salary of a Catholic Priest

2011-02-19T23:36:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for a career that provides an opportunity to stack up worldly wealth, any job in the clergy probably isn't your best option. If you've heard the call, however, you may be curious about your ability to support yourself should you become a Catholic priest, as you're bound to have expenses like any member of the laity. Before you dedicate your life to the church, investigate the financial impact of your decision.

Average Salary

As of Nov. 5, 2010, the average salary of a Catholic priest for advertised openings in the United States was $40,000, according to Simply Hired. Yearly compensation from area to area varies widely, however, swaying as wide as $29,211 in Phoenix to $44,566 in Miami during 2010, according to Salary Expert. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook notes that a priest's take-home cash earnings may be significantly less--less than $20,000.

Other Earnings

The Occupational Outlook Handbook notes that a Roman Catholic Priests' compensation package offers a lot more than cash compensation. Housing in a rectory, a stipend for a vehicle and food and health care are frequently provided by the church, helping raise a priest's bottom-line compensation to levels more in line with salaries reported by salary-watching agencies.

Education

To become ordained as a Catholic priest, a man must obtain a significant level of education. A four-year college degree is required, which is then followed by a four-year period of study in seminaries following graduation from college. Although men must pay their way through college, the church provides scholarships and grants so that none are turned away from attending seminaries because of financial need.

Career Outlook

A declining number of men entering seminary and becoming ordained has increased the demand for priests, and a continued shortage of ordained priests is expected to continue, making employment opportunities for ordained Catholic priests abundant.

Variables

The amount of money a Catholic priest brings home at the end of the month varies widely by the size of his parish, the community in which he lives and the cost of living in his part of the country. Because of this, you should investigate local opportunities for a more accurate estimate of a priest's earning power in your area.

About Degenerative Spondylosis

2011-02-19T23:34:00.003-08:00

About Degenerative Spondylosis

Degenerative spondylosis also called degenerative disk disease or osteoarthritis of the spine, is a condition that affects the spinal column. It creates changes in the disks that separate the vertebra in your back. It can lead to many symptoms and create disability. Understanding what happens with this disease will help you to choose the right form of treatment and manage your symptoms.

Identification

Your spinal column is made up of bones called vertebrae that are separated by disks. The disks provide a space between the vertebrae allowing your spine to move. With degenerative spondylosis this space becomes smaller. With age the disks begin to shrink naturally and the vertebrae may develop bony spurs or growths. See the picture above. These degenerative changes put pressure on the nerves around the spine. It can happen in the neck (cervical), mid back (thorasic) or low back (lumbar) areas.

Causes

Some degenerative changes that happen in the spine are a normal part of aging. Bones change with wear and tear and the disks naturally lose fluid with age. In some people for reasons not well understood, this process is worse then others. Degenerative spondylosis can also occur after an injury, it can be genetic or secondary to another medical condition.

Symptoms

The symptoms you experience will vary based on where in the spine the degnerative spondylosis is, and the severity of the condition. There may be pain and stiffness in the back, or pain that radiates to other areas. There may be numbness, tingling or muscle weakness in the arms and legs. You may lose range of motion in the spine and have trouble turning your head, or with twisting and bending motions. If the damage presses on nerves that send signals to the intestines, you may have problems with digestion and bowel movements. Some people with degenerative spondylosis have no symptoms at all and in others the symptoms are severe.

Diagnosis

Degenerative spondylosis can be diagnosed by providing your physician with a complete medical history of your symptoms and a physical examination. In the later stages of this condition, x-rays can be used to see changes in the spinal column. MRI's are helpful to show damage to surrounding m,muscle or tissues. Your doctor will also do routine blood tests to rule out any other conditions that might be causing your symptoms.

Treatments

The first stage in treatment is to see if your symptoms can be managed with non surgical techniques. Loosing weight to take pressure off the spine is essential. The right exercise program will help to improve your flexibility and strengthen the muscles in your back. Your physical therapist can help you to design the right program and show you what exercises to avoid. Inactivity is discouraged as this can lead to blood clots and muscle weakness. Ice and heat therapy can help, as well as massage and acupuncture. If your pain is severe, medication may be used. In extreme circumstances when you can no longer walk or the pain is unbearable, surgery can be tried to take pressure off the nerves.

Degenerative Arthritis Bone & Disc Disease

2011-02-19T23:34:00.001-08:00

Many medical terms seem to overlap and can cause confusion. This is often the case in describing degenerative joint disease, degenerative bone disease and degenerative disc disease. While they all involve a degenerative process, they refer to different conditions.

Degenerative Joint Disease

Arthritis is a disease that causes damage to your joints. There are two broad categories of arthritis: Rheumatoid, which arises from a fault in your body's immune system and can cause inflammation and swelling in the linings of your joints; and osteoarthritis, which is generally the result of wear and tear on your joints. Degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease is simply an alternate name for osteoarthritis. Degenerative refers to the chronic nature of arthritis in general and the progressive damage it causes to the cartilage and bone in affected joints.

Degenerative Bone Disease

While arthritis may affect the ends of the bones, degenerative bone disease may more likely describe osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones lose some of the minerals that make them firm. While it is not degenerative condition in the same way as arthritis or degenerative disc disease, without proper treatment, it can be progressively debilitating.
Another type of degenerative bone disease is Paget's disease, in which your body's renewal process becomes abnormal, often leading to fragile and misshapen bones. Pain, including low back pain, especially at night, bowlegs, fractures and osteoarthritis in the joints are all possible outcomes of this condition, which mainly tends to affect older people.

Degenerative Disc Disease

This condition is not really a disease, and although it may progress as part of the normal aging process, the symptoms actually tend to subside over time. DDD refers to damage to the discs that act as cushions between the vertebrae in the spine. This is one of the leading causes of low back and neck pain and most often appears in people in their 30s and 40s, especially if they are very active or their job involves heavy lifting. The pain tends to be much worse in the early stages, as a result of inflammation, instability in the spine and muscle spasms. The damaged disc becomes less inflamed and stiffens over time, so the back actually stabilizes, and the painful episodes subside.

When to Seek Medical Help

Osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease both result from the normal wear and tear of daily physical activities. If either becomes so debilitating as to prevent you from carrying out your normal activities, it's time to talk to your doctor, who will order x-rays or an MRI and possibly some lab tests to be sure your arthritis is of the degenerative, rather than the systemic, variety.
As you age---and especially if you're female or you have a family history of the condition---you should be tested for periodically for osteoporosis. Your doctor will order bone density tests for this.
If you are older and experiencing increasing low back or hip joint pain, especially if it's worse at night, or you have unusual headaches or hearing loss, and especially if you notice that your bones seem to be getting more misshapen or your bones are breaking unexpectedly, you need to see your doctor, who will be able to differentiate between osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and Paget's.

Treatment

Osteoarthritis and DDD can often be managed by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including exercising and eating moderately. If you're already debilitated from one of these conditions, a physical therapist can help develop an exercise program for you. Over-the-counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are generally adequate to help you manage pain. Joint replacement or disc replacement surgeries are also possible if your condition becomes untenable.
Medical management for those with Paget's or osteoporosis usually involves prescription medicines. You also need to keep your weight down, eat healthy foods and follow a prescribed exercise program that focuses on weight-bearing activities that stimulate bone growth, as well as strengthening and flexibility. Because your bones are at risk, it's important to clear paths in your home, so you're less likely to fall.

How to Prevent Degenerative Disc Disease

2011-02-19T23:33:00.003-08:00

Degenerative disc disease, or Spondylosis, is a disease that affects the spine and back. It is caused by the natural degeneration of bones of the spine during the process of aging. The water and protein content in the bones slowly reduces as we age. By leading a well-regulated and healthy lifestyle you can prevent the uncomfortable symptoms of degenerative disease.

Signs & Symptoms of Degenerative Joint Disease

2011-02-19T23:33:00.001-08:00

Degenerative joint disease refers to the wearing away of the joint surface. Cartilage between the joints erodes and bones become deformed. Osteoarthritis is commonly associated with this "wear and tear" pattern, though end-stage rheumatoid arthritis looks the same.

Identification

An early sign of degenerative joint disease is stiffness in the morning of the affected joint that lasts 15 minutes or longer. A similar stiffness is evident following activity.

Signs

Other signs of the disease are pain, cracking or popping sounds, instability, and tenderness or warmth in the afflicted joint. Changes in weather may bring on discomfort.

Symptoms

Degenerative joint disease symptoms tend to subside overnight and increase throughout the day with activity.

Hands and Spine

Signs of degenerative joint disease specific to the hand are bony lumps in finger joints or at the base of the thumb. When the spine is involved, pain can radiate through the neck and shoulders.

History

Degenerative joint disease has likely been under way in the body for months or years before the first signs or symptoms are noticed. Typically, it is observed after the age of 50.

Signs and Symptoms of Degenerative Hip Joint Disease

2011-02-19T23:32:00.003-08:00

Degenerative hip joint disease, or osteoarthritis, is a progressive condition resulting in the erosion of the hip joint cartilage and, in severe cases, atrophy of the bone.

Hip Pain

The most common symptom of degenerative hip joint disease is hip pain. Depending on the severity of the hip disease, pain can range from mild and intermittent in earlier stages of the disease to severe and chronic in more advanced cases.

Hip Stiffness

Hip stiffness is a common symptom of degenerative hip joint disease. The degree of hip stiffness normally coincides with the severity of the disease.

Shortened Leg

Severe cases of degenerative hip joint disease often cause a shortening of the affected leg. This results from both a thinning of the hip joint cartilage as well as a wearing away of the bone.

Thigh Atrophy

Thigh atrophy, characterized by weakened and shrunken thigh muscles, is a common sign and is due to the altered hip and leg biomechanics that commonly occur as a result of hip joint disease.

Knee Pain

Due to the nerve pathways that run from the hip joint down into the lower leg and knee area, it is common for degenerative hip joint disease to cause knee pain.

Lyme Disease Signs & Symptoms

2011-02-19T23:32:00.001-08:00

Lyme Disease Signs & Symptoms

Lyme disease occurs in thousands of people every year, but if the disease is diagnosed early enough, treatment is usually effective. If you live in an area where there are ticks, especially where Lyme disease occurs frequently, it's smart to know the symptoms and be alert for the disease.

Function

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to humans by the deer tick. The deer tick is common in the Northeast, Northwest and Midwest, where the majority of the Lyme disease cases are reported. The longer a tick is attached to you, the higher your risk of contracting Lyme disease.

Identification

Most people infected with Lyme disease get a large rash at the spot of infection. The rash is commonly referred to as a "Bull's Eye" rash because the center will appear normal but be surrounded with a red ring. The rash does not hurt, but it may feel itchy and could appear anywhere from a week to a month after the person has been infected.

Size

Deer ticks, which transmit Lyme disease, are hard to detect because they are small--adults are only a couple of millimeters wide when fully grown.

Features

Along with the rash, people infected with Lyme disease may also experience headaches, dizziness, and weakness. Joint pain can also spread through the legs. Known as "Lyme arthritis", the pain mainly affects the knees but can spread to other parts of the body and cause permanent pain even when the Lyme disease has been cured.

Considerations

While the majority of cases do have a rash, 70 to 80 percent, in some cases a rash may not appear and the Lyme disease could be challenging to detect if no symptoms occur. Some of the signs and symptoms can also be associated with other tick diseases such as babesiosis, tick-borne relapsing fever and tularemia. A blood test will help determine which disease you have.

Symptoms of Degenerative Bone Disease

2011-02-19T23:31:00.001-08:00

Degenerative bone disease is a progressive bone tissue disease more commonly known as osteoporosis. There are several signs, symptoms and treatments of osteoporosis.

Signs & Symptoms

People can go without symptoms of osteoporosis for years, and then suffer small fractures in their hips or wrists from falls. Other symptoms can include pain or aching in the back from "vertebral compression fractures." (Merck Online Manual)

Diagnosis

If osteoporosis is suspected due to fractures and pain from minor falls, testing can be done with regular X-rays, bone density tests and CT scans. Other more complex tests may be necessary depending on the patient (age, risk factors) and the equipment available.

Treatments

Treatments should include modifying risk factors, calcium and vitamin D supplements, drugs to help prevent fractures and weight-bearing exercise. Pain reduction, increasing bone mass, reversing bone loss and preventing fractures are all part of the patient's treatment plan.

Risk Factors

A number of risk factors predisposes a person to osteoporosis, including a sedentary lifestyle, being thin, inadequate vitamin and mineral intake, cigarette smoking, genetics and race.

Prevalence

Osteoporosis is more common in women than in men, and Asians and Caucasians are at highest risk. However, the risk is increasing among Hispanic women. (National Osteoporosis Foundation)

Signs & Symptoms of Cylliac Disease

2011-02-19T23:30:00.003-08:00

Celiac disease is a digestive condition that damages the small intestine when gluten is consumed. The disease causes malabsorption, which is an inability to absorb certain nutrients. This leads to vitamin deficiencies, stunted growth and other illnesses. There is no cure for celiac disease.

General Symptoms

General symptoms of celiac disease include bloating, abdominal pain and intermittent diarrhea. Some people with the disease have no symptoms.

Less Obvious Symptoms

Less obvious symptoms of celiac disease include anemia, joint pain, irritability, muscle cramps, mouth sores, depression and bone disorders.

Malabsorption Symptoms

Celiac disease can cause malabsorption. Symptoms of this include weight loss, fatigue, gas, bloating, abdominal cramps and, in children, stunted growth.

Complication Symptoms

Malnutrition is a long-term complication of celiac disease. Symptoms include anemia, osteoporosis and miscarriage, and malnutrition can lead to cancer and liver disease.

Treatment

Celiac disease is treated by removing gluten from the diet. Your doctor may recommend adding vitamins to your diet to compensate for any deficiency.