Acid reflux in dogs is actually a condition that is known as Gastroesophageal reflux, and it is characterized by a reverse flow of intestinal or gastric fluids that is uncontrollable, and brings the fluids up into the tube that connects the stomach and the throat to one another, the esophagus. There are a couple of different things that may cause an occurrence of acid reflux in dogs, including a brief relaxation of the esophageal sphincter, the muscular opening at the base of the esophagus. Another cause for acid reflux in dogs is chronic issues with vomiting. In both dogs and cats this acid reflux can be relatively common, and although younger animals tend to be at a greater risk, acid reflux in dogs and cats may occur at any age.
This disease is not a healthy occurrence in dogs or in any other animal for that matter because the stomach acid, bile salts, pepsin and other gastrointestinal components are capable of causing damage to the protective lining of the esophagus. This can quickly result in an inflammation of the esophagus, a phenomenon known as Esophagitis.
The first step to analyzing the symptoms when you believe that your dog has Gastroesophageal reflux is to take a look at his or her behavioral history. The history of your dog\’s behavior can reveal a lot. For example, if a dog is spitting up or regurgitating food, whining or howling to indicate pain during swallowing, is losing weight or appears to have less of an appetite than usual, these are potential signs that your dog is dealing with this condition. Physical examinations may not always be able to reveal concrete findings regarding acid reflux in dogs. Severe esophagitis on the other hand may be easier to diagnose as it offers additional symptoms including fever and extreme amounts of salivation.
Acid reflux is capable of causing esophagitis with a varying amount of damage possible. Mild esophagitis caused by acid reflux in dogs may be limited to a mild amount of inflammation of the sensitive lining of the esophagus, while more severe levels of esophagitis may cause damage to deeper layers of tissue within the esophagus, causing greater harm. Acid reflux may occur in dogs any time that an anesthetic is administered, as this causes the gastroesophageal sphincter to relax enough to create the reverse flow of the stomach\’s contents into the esophagus. If the dog is positioned improperly during anesthesia or fails to fast properly before anesthesia is admitted, acid reflux may occur as a result.
Because younger dogs are still developing, their underdeveloped gastroesophageal sphincters put them at greater risk. The best means of diagnosis is the use of an esophagoscopy. This is an examination that uses an internal camera in order to view the esophagus and its lining. Changes in the mucus lining the inside of the esophagus will indicate whether or not acid reflux has caused damage to the sensitive tissue.
Most treatment for acid reflux in dogs can be done at home. Food should be withheld for a day or two, and then a low fat and low protein diet should be administered. Acid reflux in dogs can be combated by feeding small and frequent meals, and dietary fats and proteins should be significantly limited. This is because the fat in the food can decrease the strength of the muscle keeping the esophagus and stomach separated, and the protein in the food can stimulate the secretion of gastric acid into the esophagus. Another option for combating acid reflux in dogs is to administer medicine in the form of a gastrointestinal pro-kinetic agent. These medications are capable of improving the movement of the stomach contents through the intestines, and are also capable of strengthening the gastroesophageal sphincter. Even when on medication, however, a change in diet is necessary for combating acid reflux on a long term basis.
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Cloud computing is a well known computing service which is totally based on the internet network. Basically in cloud computing, the mutual resources, shared data and software are made available to the computer systems and the other systems on their demand. You can easily recognize the cloud computing service as a paradigm of the shift of the data from the mainframe computer to the client and server. All the details are specially hidden from those users that do not have a control over the infrastructure of the technology in the shared cloud. Cloud computing is a phenomenon which is described to deliver a standard model to the IT services which are totally based on the internet. It provides a very easy and efficient way to access the remote computing which is provided by the internet. The key features which made the use of Cloud computing very much are mentioned below:
1. Agility
The access to cloud-computing is really very quick which made it the first choice of the users. Users can share the resources rapidly. Agility is one of the most important features of the Cloud-Computing.
2. Location and Device Independency
The most attractive feature of the cloud-computing is that, it is a fully location and device independent application. You can use any device for cloud-computing from anywhere throughout the world. You can either use your PC or your mobile for it, all you require is a web browser to access the content as the content can easily be shared with the help of the internet.
3. Multi-tenancy
Multi-tenancy enables the users to share the resources between large groups of users. With the help of this property the load capacity increases. It also helps in the utilizing the resources very efficiently. It enables the centralization of the infrastructure.
4. Reliability
The best feature of cloud-computing is that it improves the reliability in the condition when the numerous unnecessary websites are used. The reliability is the necessary property of the cloud-computing, which increases in the case when the redundant websites are accessed.
5. Security
The security in the it is really very improved because the data is centralized over here. This centralization of data increases the security over the focused resources. The security provided by the cloud-computing is much better than the security provided by the other traditional systems.
These superb features of the cloud computing makes it the first choice of the users. You can also rely on this amazing service very easily.
Acid reflux, also known as GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease) is the phenomenon where stomach juices including acid travel back (reflux) to the esophagus from the stomach. Research done recently shows that some one in five people in the developed world must put up once a week with symptoms related to acid reflux, while a further one in five suffer from the distress and sometimes pain of these symptoms at least every month. However, most patients do not really know what GERD is.
What are the local causes of acid reflux?
Gastro esophageal reflux disease happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (the name for the circle of muscle that is the valve between the stomach and the esophagus) does not shut correctly and lets stomach juices be thrown back up, or reflux, into the esophagus. When the esophagus lining is impacted by these juices, this produces the burning sensation in the chest and/or the throat, which is called heartburn.
Although it seems strange, heartburn may also be symptomatic of too little stomach acid. The level of stomach acid has to be enough for digestion to be effective, and prevent the stomach from being obliged to work much harder for the food to be digested. In time, the extra effort of the stomach can lead to acid reflux happening.
As well as the immediate factors leading to gastro esophageal reflux disease, there are also genetic factors (beyond our control) and several other internal factors and cofactors, that make for a context encouraging GERD. A long-term solution can only come from treating the internal factors primarily responsible for causing GERD.
What are the symptoms of acid reflux?
Healthy people also get occasional heartburn, and this alone does not mean that you have a gastro esophageal reflux disease. Diagnosis of GERD is typically based on a recurring (twice weekly or more) manifestation of heartburn. Symptoms may be different for some GERD patients, such as chest pains, morning hoarseness or problems swallowing. Other patients experience a sensation of food getting stuck in their throat or choking or stricture. Recurring dry coughs are also symptoms for this last group of patients.
What are the dangers of acid reflux?
Neglected GERD can have not only unpleasant, perhaps painful symptoms, but can also generate grave complications. Firstly, tissue damage scars can cause constriction of the esophagus and problems in swallowing. Secondly, gastric acid can inflame the esophagus over time to lead to ulcers or bleeding. Thirdly, some victims can develop a condition where cells in the lining of the esophagus take on abnormal shapes and colors, a condition known as Barrett’s esophagus. Protracted Barrett’s esophagus may result in cancer, notably for adults who are more than 60 years old.
Solutions for acid reflux
Treating gastro esophageal reflux disease can be done in one of three ways: a surgical operation; prescription or over-the-counter medicaments; and holistic therapy, using dietary and lifestyle changes, detox, and specific herbal supplements. In very many cases, gastro esophageal reflux disease can be resolved and stopped by natural solutions, avoiding the dangers of surgical treatment or prescribed medicaments. This holistic approach to GERD is also confirmed by a review of recent research that indicates that acid reflux is a medical condition provoked mostly by factors of diet, lifestyle and behavior.
So what is acid reflux? Seen in the context of conventional medicine that compares it to other similar recurring conditions, acid reflux is to be treated by constantly ingesting drugs, antacids and over the counter medicament that only bring temporary relief.
Seen from the holistic viewpoint, gastro esophageal reflux disease is the danger signal for a major internal imbalance that must be corrected. Alternative treatments for GERD therefore (homeopathic cures, herbal treatment, diet and lifestyle alterations and detoxification), by solving the internal cause of acid reflux, are inherently better compared to conventional cures that only bring superficial relief.
When the first erectile dysfunction treatments were discovered people didn’t really trust them much. It took some time for the world to accept this phenomenon and approve it. Impotence doesn’t leave people much choice therefore they have to believe and trust that the medication that the market is full of is going to help. Advertising and money make the drug a very successful business. Creating a popular name for the drug means creating a best-selling product. It is one way of earning big bucks. Men that suffer from erectile dysfunction are willing to give lots of money for the cure and that works for manufacturers’ benefit. Since the problem of importance has been announced and discussed (it was always present but people were more reserved about it) the market has seen different drugs that “looked” quite promising. But as we all know the result is what really matters.
How did it all begin?
Sildenafil is one of the active ingredients used for erectile dysfunction pill production. When researches came up with this marvelous discovery they realized that the ingredient didn’t come on its’ own – it had a package of side-effects with it. They were eager to test the ingredient and figure out the effect it has on men that are sexually unhappy. When the ingredient was tested and recognized as one of the ingredients that definitely work and progress in one’s body, doctors started using it in actual drugs.
Time is not standing still and business is not waiting for anything. Once somebody sees a drug working and people responding to it, different manufacturers start coming up with analogies. There were lots of medications introduced after Sildenafil came out – some of the drug equivalents were serious competition, some were not. Different companies tried to top the success of Sildenafil and manufactured fake “Sildenafil” drugs – but not only did those pills sell badly because of their inability to help, they were also very destructive to the body.
Viagra is the name of the drug you can hear on every street. No matter if you are reach or poor, doctor or student you can afford a pill if you need to purchase it. It doesn’t matter which area you live in – Bronx or Manhattan – this drug will be prescribed to anybody, because it is works and medicine is not divided into categories. There are no drugs that are for poor or rich – there are drugs that work or don’t work.
We don’t want to get anybody thinking that Viagra is a pill that you can take once and never have a sexual problem ever again. The pill is to be taken every time one hour before the sexual act. The effect it gives is enough to last more than dozen hours.
But please, make sure your decision doesn’t come on its own. You have to be taken care of. Doctors are there to hold your hand literally when you want them to because medication is to be taken very seriously. There are a few precautions while taking Viagra. The pill is not of a damaging nature but if an overdose happens it is better to eliminate it immediately with the help of medical assistants. You can order this drug with the help of our site as well as at any drug-store in your town – whichever suits you best. And whatever you do please don’t forget to remember – drugs are not toys.
TECHNOLOGY
An Essay
By
VIKRAM KARVE
DEFINITION OF TECHNOLOGY
In our everyday lives, most of us use a number of words that we assume have a universal, agreed-upon, and accepted meaning for all people in all contexts.
Often, the more frequently the word is used, the more we take for granted that our usage is the only possible usage of the term.
One such popular word freely bandied about and very much in-vogue jargon now-a-days is “technology”.
Let us explore the meaning of the word “technology”.
The word “technology” comprises two parts – “technikos” & “ology”
The historical derivation of the term technology comes from the Greek word technikos, meaning “of art, skillful, practical.”
The portion of the word ology indicates“knowledge of” or a “systematic treatment of.”
Thus, the literal verbatim derivation of the term technology is literally “knowledge of the skilful and practical.”
However, this definition is too general in nature and we have to transcend this narrow view of technology since every technology starts from a human purpose, from the intention to satisfy some human need or behaviour.
Indeed, technology is the manipulation of nature for human purpose – yes, manipulation of nature, so let us use a slightly different definition of technology.
We will define technology as the knowledge of the manipulation of nature for human purposes.
This definition retains the notions of both knowledge and practicality (human purposes) but adds the new concept of manipulation of nature.
This implies that all practical or technical skills ultimately derive from alterations or manipulation of nature.
Technology depends on a base in the natural world (Science) but extends the natural world through the phenomenon of manipulation (Engineering).
Since we want to manipulate nature, the ability to predict what nature will do when manipulated is most useful, indeed imperative.
ETHICS OF TECHNOLOGY
By our very definition, technology manipulates nature for human purposes.
Technology manipulates nature.
Man is a part of nature.
By manipulating nature, man manipulates himself.
Thus, technology manipulates man, influences, even governs human behaviour, and in turn impinges on societal behaviour, traditions and culture.
Technology is an entity that intervenes in the life of human beings in multifarious ways, directly or indirectly, trying to alter behaviours.
Thus, Technology has an Ethical Dimension.
The very raison d’etre of technology is human purpose.
What is the fundamental purpose of human life?
Is it to increase standard of living?
Is it to improve quality of life?
Or is it to have greater satisfaction in life?
We can distill all these various aspects into a single holistic concept: VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE.
Thus, the cardinal aim of technology is to enhance the value of human life.
TECHNOLOGY and the VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE
Let us define the value of human life as the balance or ratio between satisfaction or happiness and pain or suffering.
In the context of this definition, the ultimate purpose of technology is to enhance the value of human life, with a long-term perspective, by maximization of happiness and satisfaction and a concomitant reduction or minimization of pain and suffering (physical, mental and emotional).
As a generalization, people want a better life.
A better life may usually mean things like freedom from want, access to and possession of at least some of the “nonessentials”, comforts or luxuries, good health, a reasonable life expectancy, the absence of emotional stress, satisfying human relations (resulting from gratifying work experience and meaningful interpersonal relationships), intellectual stimulation, and personally rewarding leisure activities.
HUMAN NEEDS and VALUES
Human needs and values change through time as technology advances.
Man tends to accept the fruits of new technology more readily (satisfaction, happiness, comfort) whereas he is reluctant to accept changes in his personal life.
Thus, social and cultural changes always lag behind technology causing a mismatch and disconnect which consequently leads to unhappiness, dissatisfaction, pain and suffering (emotional) and concomitant lowering of the value of human life.
A crude but practical way of classifying human values is to divide needs into those that are essentially physiological and those that are psychological.
Most new technologies cater to the physiological aspect by performing Dangerous, Dirty, or Difficult jobs (the 3 D’s) thereby enhancing the value of human life.
As regards the psychological aspect, an example pertaining to Information Technology (IT) may be in order.
Information Technology (IT) caters to two unique categories of psychological needs of humans:
Cognitive Needs – which refer to the human need for information so as to be ready to act or make decisions that may be required, and
Affective Needs – which refer to the emotional requirements of human, such as their need to do challenging work, to know their work has value, to feel personally secure, and to be in control.
Undue emphasis on cognitive needs and consequent neglect of affective needs may cause emotional pain that counterbalances the gains from technology and this may be detrimental to the “value of human life” as a whole.
TECHNOLOGY IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Effects and Consequences of Technology
In our haste to milk technology for immediate economic advantage, we often lose sight of the long-term consequences: the higher order and indirect effects, especially the delayed and unintended effects of technology.
The Sorenson multiple effect network methodology is a useful technique for an analyzing the impact and consequences of technology.
Let us introduce the term malefit to represent harmful effects and consequences of a technology in contrast with benefit as a useful output.
We may categorize the consequences of a technology [Effects vs Consequences] as:
EFFECTS CONSEQUENCES
(i) First Order : Benefits
(ii) Second Order : Direct Malefits
(iii) Third Order : Indirect Malefits
(iv) Fourth Order : Unintended Malefits
(v) Fifth Order : Delayed Malefits
Such analyses definitely help in assessing the impact of various consequences of a technology on the value of human life in the long-term perspective in holistic manner.
Early identification of factors detrimental to the value of human life may prove useful in technology impact assessment to reduce mismatches and smoothen out incongruities.
CONCLUSION
We must not lose sight of our basic premise that the cardinal aim of technology is to increase the value of human life by maximising happiness and minimising suffering.
Ethical Technology Management comprises a harmonious blend of rational thinking and empathic understanding wherein one studies, analyses and mitigates the conflicting interplay between human cognitive and affective processes.
It may be apt to conclude with a comment by RM Pirsig, who states that, “The way to solve the conflict between human values and technological needs is not to run away from technology. That is impossible. The way to resolve the conflict is to break down the barriers of dualistic thought that prevent a real understanding of what technology is… not an exploitation of nature, but a fusion of nature and the human spirit into a new kind of creation that transcends both”.
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2009
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
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