Articles by George McKenzie on ArticleSnatch.com

A Little Stage Fright Will Make Your Speech Even Better

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400

We all know what stage fright is, and I don't know of anyone who has never gotten it sometime in their life. I our worked in radio and TV for more than 30 years, and I can tell you this about stage fright. Even now, if I have to get up and speak in front of a group of people in a live audience, I get nervous--something that never happened when I was looking into a camera or sitting in front of a microphone. Many of the top entertainers in the world say they've gotten stage fright too, so don't feel as if stage fright only happens to you. Famous people who are known to have suffered from serious stage fright include Barbra Streisand, Donny Osmond, Kim Basinger, and even Sir Laurence Olivier. Stage fright symptoms are probably caused by adrenalin (a.k.a. epinephrine), which is a hormone commonly associated with fear. When the brain perceives danger or a stressful situation arises, adrenalin starts pumping, and anxiety increases. Symptoms of stage fright include: * A general feeling of anxiety before, or during, the beginning of a speech or presentation. * Cold hands, sweating hands, or shaky hands. **End Summary** Topics: stage fright]]> making a speech]]> speech]]> public speaking]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information on stage fright, click on Stage Fright . George McKenzie is a retired TV anchor, correspondent and radio talk show host.

Is Lindsay Lohan Already Headed for a Liver Problem?

Sat, 28 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Actress Lindsay Lohan has made a lot of news lately because of repeated arrests for "alleged driving under the influence." Besides the fact that she may face jail time like Paris Hilton and her career is quickly becoming "radioactive," there may also be a liver problem in her near future--even though she's only in her early 20's. Most people think it takes years for someone to develop cirrhosis and liver disease from abusing alcohol, but doctors say someone in their 20's--even someone in their teens--can develop liver trouble by drinking too much. "Whether the reports about Ms. Lohan are true or not, people in their teens and 20's should be made aware that liver damage, even cirrhosis, can happen to them," according to Dr.Ratnakar Kini of the Department of Digestive Health and Diseases, Chennai, India. Early in 2007, there were reports that Lohan may already have liver damage caused by excessive drinking. The ˜National Enquirer' claimed that the liver problem was diagnosed when Lohan was hospitalized to have her appendix removed. According to the Enquirer, "Lindsay's liver panel shows her drinking is taking a terrible toll on her health. **End Summary** Topics: Lindsay Lohan]]> liver problem]]> liver damage]]> liver disease]]> liver damage]]> cirrhosis]]> Paris Hilton]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information, click on Common Liver Problems . George McKenzie is a retired TV anchor, medical reporter and radio talk show host.

Pink Eye Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Pink eye, or pinkeye, is a common name for a condition known medically as conjunctivitis. Pink eye is an inflammation of the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. This membrane is know as conjunctiva. These membranes sometimes come in contact with bacteria, viruses, allergy-provoking substances, irritants, and toxic agents. They may also be affected by various diseases that attack the body. Pink eye can be alarming, especially to parents, because it often makes the eyes extremely red. Pink eye can also spread rapidly. Causes of Pink Eye There are many causes of pink eye, and those causes can generally be classified as either "infectious" or "non infectious." Infectious pink eye can be caused by the same bacteria and viruses responsible for colds and other infections, including ear infections, sinus infections, and sore throat. The same types of bacteria that cause the sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can contribute to pink eye. Non-infectious pink eye can, for example, be caused by allergies. This type of pink eye tends to happen more often among children who also have other allergic conditions such as hay fever. **End Summary** Topics: pink eye]]> pinkeye]]> eye]]> conjunctivitis]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information on topics related to this article, click on Conjunctivitis or Pink Eye . George McKenzie is a retired TV anchor, medical reporter and radio talk show host. He often contributes articles to the Health Information Network , a resource site about health and wellness.

Fluid in the Ear: Short Term Pain, Long Term Hearing Problems?

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Statistics tell us that almost all parents have heard a doctor say, "Your child has fluid in the ear" at least once before the child is four years old. Serous otitis media, or middle ear fluid, starts with a cold or respiratory infection. The space behind the eardrum, normally filled with air, becomes filled with fluid instead. Once the cold clears, the fluid will generally drain out of the ear through the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the nose. However, the Eustachian tube does not drain as effectively in children, so fluid remains in the ear. When this happens, sound waves are blocked and diffused, causing a loss of hearing. If a child has a mild case of fluid in the ear, he or she may not show any symptoms or signs of discomfort. But fluid in the ear can also lead to a painful middle ear infection, known as acute otitis media (AOM).Acute otitis media occurs when germs grow in the fluid in the middle ear, causing an ear infection. **End Summary** Topics: fluid in the ear]]> ear infection]]> ear]]> otitis media]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information on the topics covered in this article, click on Fluid in the Ear George McKenzie is a retired TV anchor, medical reporter and radio talk show host.

Is Katrina Cough Real?

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

"Katrina cough" is believed to be a collection of respiratory illnesses that may be due to exposure to mold, dust, and related allergens resulting from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Doctors in the New Orleans area began seeing an increase in respiratory complaints by patients in the months following the storm. These patients described a cough, congestion, runny nose, sore throat and headaches. Most patients were treated with antihistamines, nasal sprays, or antibiotics. Doctors still aren't sure whether Katrina cough and its symptoms are actually related to the hurricane, and no one knows exactly how many patients have experienced symptoms. The American Lung Association of Louisiana did a study of approximately 1,600 people in the twelve months following Katrina, and about 25% of those screened had reduced lung function in the mild to moderate range. But the Louisiana Office of Public Health conducted a study of emergency room visits in New Orleans following the hurricane and the study showed no increase in the rate of New Orleans-area respiratory illnesses. Other health experts say patients' problems, such as gastroesophageal reflux, could have many different causes which can be made worse by stress. **End Summary** Topics: cough]]> Katrina cough]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information on topics related to this article, click on Stop Coughing . George McKenzie is a retired TV anchor, medical reporter and radio talk show host. He often contributes articles to Health Information Network , a resource site about health and wellness.

What Killed Napoleon? Mystery Solved-And Myth Debunked

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

It was not a sinister political conspiracy that killed Napoleon Bonaparte, one of the most powerful men of the 19th century. It was stomach cancer, the same disease that now causes about eleven thousand deaths each year in the United States alone. Theories that Napoleon was poisoned with arsenic have abounded since 1961, when an analysis of his hair showed elevated levels of arsenic. But the most recent review of Napoleon's autopsy report, written shortly after his death in 1821, concludes the original diagnosis of stomach cancer was correct. The report describes a tumor in the French emperor's stomach that was approximately four inches long. Dr. Robert M. Genta of the University of Texas and an international team of researchers, upon reviewing the report, concluded that such a large growth could not have been a benign stomach ulcer. "I have never seen an ulcer of that size that is not cancer," Dr. Genta said. Dr. Genta is a professor of pathology and internal medicine. Further analysis suggested that Napoleon's stomach cancer had reached a stage that would have bee virtually incurable even with modern medical technology. **End Summary** Topics: Stomach cancer]]> stomach ulcer]]> stomach]]> Napoleon]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information on topics related to this article, click on Stomach Cancer . George McKenzie is a retired TV anchor, medical reporter and radio talk show host. He often contributes articles to Health Information Network , a resource site about health and wellness.

Swimmer's Ear: It's Not Just From Swimming

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Swimmer's Ear (also known as otitis externa) is an infection of the ear and/or outer ear canal. It can cause what is commonly referred to as an ear ache (or earache). It can also cause the ear to itch or become red and inflamed. Moving your head or even touching the infected area can be very painful. Someone with Swimmer's Ear may also experience an unpleasant drainage of pus from the infected area. Swimmer's Ear is often caused by infection with a germ called Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This germ is common in soil and water. It's microscopic so that it can't be seen with the naked eye. Anyone, at any age, can be afflicted by swimmer's ear, but it occurs far more often in children and young adults. Most people get swimmer's ear through contact with contaminated water. But even those who haven't been swimming can get it through contact with a contaminated object. Symptoms of swimmer's ear usually begin to occur within a few days. **End Summary** Topics: Swimmer's Ear]]> ear]]> ear infection]]> fluid in the ear]]> ear ache]]> earache]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information on the topics covered in this article, click on Swimmer's Ear George McKenzie is a retired TV anchor, medical reporter and radio talk show host.

The Cause of Stomach Ulcers: Bacteria? Or Bad Lifestyle?

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

When human beings began migrating from Africa some sixty thousand years ago, they brought the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers with them. A team of scientists researching human migration patterns has found genetic evidence that Helicobacter pylori, a corkscrew-shaped bacterium which can cause stomach ulcers, has been present in human beings for the last six hundred centuries. But as occasionally happens in scientific research, findings that give us answers to one mystery have generated questions about another. For instance, Professor John Atherton of the University of Nottingham in England asks, "If Helicobacter has been in humans ever since we have been out of Africa, why have stomach ulcers only arrived recently?" Further research is now needed to answer the question of why stomach ulcers only started showing up in humans in modern times. Cases of stomach ulcers were rare before the Industrial Revolution, leading many to believe that ulcers are caused by stress and lifestyle. But in 1985, Australian microbiologist Barry Marshall swallowed a petri dish full of Helicobacter pylori to prove his theory that bacteria, rather than stress and spicy foods, were the primary cause of stomach ulcers. **End Summary** Topics: stomach]]> stomach ulcer]]> stomach cancer]]> Helicobacter pylori]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information on related topics, click on Stomach Ulcers George McKenzie is a retired TV anchor, medical reporter and radio talk show host.

Liver Disease: Dangerous and Possibly Deadly

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

There are dozens of diseases that affect the liver. The two most common causes of liver diseases are viral infections and drugs. Though there are different causes of liver diseases, the clinical signs and symptoms are divided in to two categories. Due to liver cell damage Due to obstruction to bile flow Signs and symptoms due to liver cell damage: In liver cell damage there is defective synthesis of proteins and defective detoxification. The signs and symptoms include Jaundice Dark urine Vague abdominal pain Loss of appetite Fever occasionally Bleeding Fluid collection - Late manifestation Brain, lung and kidney dysfunction in the final stages Signs and symptoms due to obstruction to bile flow: In bile flow obstruction there is defective excretion from the liver and defective absorption of fat and fat soluble vitamins from the intestines. The signs and symptoms include Jaundice Itching Bleeding Pale stools Dark urine Vitamin A,D,E and K deficiency Common Liver Diseases: Viral hepatitis: Among the different viruses that affect the liver, the most significant ones are the hepatitis viruses. The types of hepatitis viruses affecting the liver are Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. **End Summary** Topics: liver]]> liver disease]]> liver damage]]> hepatitis]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information, click on Liver Health Articles . George McKenzie is a retired TV anchor, medical reporter and radio talk show host.

Enlarged Liver: Silent Danger To Your Health

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

The liver is one of the largest organs in the human body, second only to the skin. The liver is also one of the most multi-functional organs, performing dozens of tasks that are necessary to human health. The liver aids in the absorption of food. The liver also removes a number of toxic substances from the body. Usually, an adult liver is approximately the size of a small football. Sometimes, however, the liver becomes enlarged. This is known as hepatomegaly. An enlarged liver is not a disease. It's a sign of an underlying problem. When an enlarged liver is present, prompt medical attention is needed. Treatment of an enlarged liver depends on the cause--and the causes can be many. In fact, there are more than 90 known causes of an enlarged liver. The most common include: Alcoholic liver cirrhosis Chronic hepatitis B Fatty liver (see Liver symptoms) Hepatitis Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Hepatitis C Liver cirrhosis Liver cysts Liver infection Polycystic liver disease Viral hepatitis Certain forms of cancer, notably leukemia, and some common infections such as malaria and mononucleosis can also cause an enlarged liver. **End Summary** Topics: enlarged liver]]> liver]]> liver disease]]> cirrhosis of the liver]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information, click on Liver Health Articles . George McKenzie is a retired TV anchor, medical reporter and radio talk show host.

Got A Cough Without A Cold? Check Your Blood Pressure Medication

Tue, 06 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

It's a cough that comes on unexpectedly, and just won't go away. This persistent cough can wake you up in the middle of the night and interrupt your meals with repeated hacking. Cough medicines and over-the-counter cough remedies bring little relief, and even anti-bacterial prescription cough medicines seem useless. A doctor looking for an infection will see a normal throat that shows no redness nor inflammation. People who have never smoked can suffer from this cough, although it sounds like the kind of cough many long-time smokers exhibit. What is this mystery cough? Well, if the cough fits the description above, it could be a side effect of blood pressure medication. The so called ACE inhibitors, or common blood pressure drugs such as captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Zestril or Prinivil), may cause a chronic, dry, hacking cough. Some people taking these medications also report that their throat feels slightly raw and sensitive to touch. It can be especially noticeable when there's some pressure on the throat, such as someone might experience when their throat is propped against a pillow at night. **End Summary** Topics: cough]]> persistent cough]]> chronic cough]]> blood pressure medication]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information on the topics covered in this article, click on Stop Coughing George McKenzie is a retired TV anchor, reporter and radio talk show host. .

Cough Medicine Abuse Rising as

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Cough medicine is quickly becoming a drug of choice among teenagers and pre-teenagers looking for a quick, cheap, and hard-to-detect high. Since most cough medicine can be bought over-the-counter, it's easily accessible to young people, and most parents are generally unaware that cough medicine, taken in quantity, can produce a "buzz" that appeals to kids looking to get high. Such cough medicine abuse is called "robo-tripping" because Robitussin cough medicine is the cough medicine many kids choose. Cough medicine abusers often go to extraordinary lengths to get the cough medicine they want, according to police. Some drug store chains have noticed an increase in in shoplifting of cough medicines, although sometimes the bottles of cough medicine themselves never leave the store. The Wilmington Star newspaper recently reported that just before Christmas, a man walked into a drug store, grabbed three bottles of different types of cough medicine, took them into a restroom, and drank them all. Many such incidents are never reported. And unfortunately, many parents who have never heard of "robo-tripping" and are completely unaware of the dangers of cough medicine abuse. When used in compliance with label directions, cough medicine produces few side effects. **End Summary** Topics: cough]]> cough medicine]]> cough medicine abuse]]> robo-tripping]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> George McKenzie is a retired TV reporter and radio talk show host. For more information on the topics covered in this article, click on Stop Coughing

Whooping Cough On The Rise, Up 2500 Percent in Thirty Years.

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Just when most people thought whooping cough had disappeared forever, the Center for Disease Control has recommended additional booster shot for children up to the age of eleven and for adults up to age 64. The CDC recommendation came after studies revealed that whooping cough, which fell to an all-time low of 1000 cases in the United States in 1976, has increased 25-fold in the three decades since then. During the 1930s and 1940s, about 200,000 people a year got whooping cough, and about 4,000 a year died from it. Whooping cough is especially dangerous for infants because it attacks their fragile lungs and causes serious breathing problems. Whooping cough immunizations were introduced in the 1940s, and the number of of whooping cough cases nationally fell to a low of about 1,000 a year in 1976. But now the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that whooping cough is the only vaccine-preventable disease that is increasing in the U.S. According to medical experts, the increase has probably resulted from waning immunity to whooping cough in adolescents and adults because their childhood shots for whooping cough wear off over time. **End Summary** Topics: cough]]> whooping cough]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> George McKenzie is a retired TV reporter and radio talk show host. For more information on the topics covered in this article, click on Whooping Cough

The Human Liver: What Is the Liver, What Does the Liver Do?

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500

The liver is the largest gland in the body. It is the second largest organ in the body next to skin. It weighs 1300 gm to 3000 grams. It is about 1/18th of the total body weight in the children and about 1/50th of the total body weight in adults. The liver is an important organ in the body related to synthesis of various proteins, storage of glucose, certain vitamins and metabolism of carbohydrate, protein and fats and detoxification of certain unwanted chemicals in the body. The liver is a reddish brown wedge shaped organ occupying the right upper quadrant of the abdomen called the right hypochondrium. It extends into the upper middle quadrant called the epigastrium and the left upper quadrant called the left hypochondrium. The liver is anatomically divided in to right and left lobe by the falcifiform ligament and the ligamentum venosum. The liver is functionally divided in to right and left lobes by the right and the left hepatic ducts. Furthermore, the liver is also divided in to eight functional lobes by the 8 branches of the hepatic artery. **End Summary** Topics: liver]]> liver disease]]> liver damage]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information, click on Liver Health Articles . George McKenzie is a retired TV anchor, medical reporter and radio talk show host.

Liver Damage and Lindsay Lohan: A Warning Signal for Teens and Twenty-Somethings?

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500

News reports that actress-singer Lindsay Lohan may have liver damage will probably come as a surprise to many people in their teens and 20's. Many young people think liver damage only happens to middle-aged people who have abused alcohol for years or even decades. "Whether the reports about Ms. Lohan are true or not, people in their teens and 20's should be made aware that liver damage, even cirrhosis, can happen to them," according to Dr.Ratnakar Kini of the Department of Digestive Health and Diseases, Chennai, India. According to the reports, Lohan has liver damage caused by too much drinking. The ˜National Enquirer' claims that the problems were discovered during Lohan's recent stint in hospital to have her appendix removed. "Lindsay's liver panel shows her drinking is taking a terrible toll on her health. Her liver enzymes are extremely elevated, and doctors warned her if she doesn't quit boozing she could die." Lohan, who is 20 years old and not yet of legal drinking age, is famous for her excessive partying. **End Summary** Topics: liver]]> liver damage]]> cirrhosis of the liver]]> Lindsay Lohan]]> alcohol abuse]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information, click on Liver Health and Wellness . George McKenzie is a retired TV anchor, medical reporter and radio talk show host.