Emed News

Vitamin E for Treating the Liver Disease

2010-04-28T23:12:00.001-07:00

Vitamin E pills can helps people with a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease called steatohepatitis, researchers reported. There is currently no treatment for the disease, which is similar to the liver disease that is caused by excessive drinking and that can lead to cirrhosis and scarring the impair function of the organ, eventually proving fatal. It can affect people of all ages and most of them drink little, if any, alcohol. It is believed to be caused by abnormal metabolism of fats, which raises the level of damaging oxidants in the liver. An estimated 3% to 4% of Americans are afflicted with the problem, although many do not realize they have it.

Several small studies had previously suggested that insulin sensitizers and antioxidants might alter the progression of the disease. Research enrolled with 247 adults with the disease but without diabetes, dividing them into three groups. One group received 800 international units of vitamin E daily, the second received the diabetes drug pioglitazone and the third received a placebo. It was the largest clinical trial ever conducted for treating the disease.

Journal of Medicine reported 43% of the patients receiving vitamin E showed a major improvement in liver function, compared with 19% of those who received either placebo or pioglitazone. Pioglitazone reduced liver inflammation and improved retention of lipids in 34% of the individual receiving it, but the improvements were not statistically significant. But those taking the diabetes drug also had a 10-pound weight gain.

Grapes Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease and Type 2 Diabetes

2010-04-27T23:21:00.000-07:00

New study findings were presented at the Experimental Biology convention in Anaheim, California, showing the effect of grapes in the diet reducing the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Study of the Benefits of Grapes
Researchers at the University of Michigan Health System found in the animal study they conducted that adding grapes to a regular high-fat American style diet helped to prevent risk factors for metabolic syndrome which can be a precursor to developing type 2 diabetes. If a person has two or more of, can raise the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high insulin levels and increased fat around the waist. The University of Michigan Health System’s study found that grapes may decrease the risk of developing these conditions.

The study consisted of adding grape powder (derived from red, green and black grapes) to food given to one group of research rats while the other group of rats ate the same diet minus the grape powder. After three months, the group that ate the grape powder had lower blood pressure, lower triglyceride levels, reduced indicators of inflammation in the heart and blood and overall better heart function than the group that had no grape powder. The researches feel that the study shows that a grape-enriched diet can have positive effects in lowering the risk factors that can lead to heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Why Grapes are Effective in Lowering Risk of Heart Disease
Grapes contain phytochemicals, a naturally occurring antioxidant, which is believed to be the main reason that grapes have health benefits. Phytochemicals help to protect heart cells from the damaging effects of metabolic syndrome. The rats that ate the grape powder showed low levels of inflammation, oxidative damage and other indicators of cardiac stress. The University of Michigan Health System plans on conducting further research this summer on the effects of grapes and other fruits containing high levels of antioxidant phytochemicals in lowering the risk of heart disease.

Epilepsy Attacks in the Brain can be Cured

2010-04-26T22:44:00.000-07:00

An American study has shed new light on the mechanism behind epilepsy attacks in the brain. Epilepsy attacks, which can manifest as fits in some people, or "absences" in others, are caused by too much electrical signaling from the brain's neurons.

In epilepsy, excessive signaling between neurons, a major type of brain cell that communicates electrical signals across gaps called synapses, can lead to epileptic seizures. However, another class of brain cells called glia can regulate those signals. Among the glia are star-shaped cells called astrocytes-the particular focus of the research.

The astrocytes is known to have a wide range of functions, including supplying nutrients to other brain cells, and even helping the brain cope with damaged nerve cells and it is key to brain dysfunction and opens the potential for novel therapeutic strategies in epilepsy. The researchers focused on an abnormal condition called reactive astrocytosis, known to occur in many neurological diseases. The astrocytes swell to a large size and change expression levels of a number of proteins. The impact of reactive astrocytosis on brain function is difficult to investigate because it usually occurs in the context of brain inflammation and abnormal changes in surrounding cells.

In epilepsy, inhibition is not working properly, and uncontrolled signaling leads to epileptic seizures. Because both disrupted inhibition and reactive astrocytosis are known to occur in other neurologic conditions, including many psychiatric disorders, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease, our findings may have wide implications.

The researchers solved this problem by using a virus to selectively cause reactive astrocytosis without triggering broader inflammation and brain injury, in a mouse model. They were able to focus on how the altered astrocytes affected specific synapses in neurons in the brain's hippocampus.

Drug Addiction Disease is a Curable Complex Illness

2010-04-25T23:19:00.000-07:00

Addiction is a complex disorder characterized by compulsive drug use. People who are addicted feel an overwhelming, uncontrollable need for drugs or alcohol, even in the face of negative consequences. This self-destructive behavior can be hard to understand.

The answer lies in the brain. Repeated drug use alters the brain causing long-lasting changes to the way it looks and functions. These brain changes interfere with your ability to think clearly, exercise good judgment, control your behavior, and feel normal without drugs. These changes are also responsible, in large part, for the drug cravings and compulsion to use that make addiction so powerful.

Drug addiction symptoms or behaviors include:

Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly this can be daily or even several times a day
Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug
Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
Spending money on the drug even though you can't afford it
Doing things to obtain the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing
Feeling that you need the drug to deal with your problems
Driving or doing other risky activities when you're under the influence of the drug
Focusing more and more time and energy on getting and using the drug

Effective Treatment for Drug addiction
Medication and behavioral therapy, especially when combined, are important elements of an overall therapeutic process that often begins with detoxification, followed by treatment and relapse prevention. Easing withdrawal symptoms can be important in the initiation of treatment; preventing relapse is necessary for maintaining its effects.

And sometimes, as with other chronic conditions, episodes of relapse may require a return to prior treatment components. A continuum of care that includes a customized treatment regimen addressing all aspects of an individual's life, including medical and mental health services and follow up options (e.g., community or family based recovery support systems) can be crucial to a person's success in achieving and maintaining a drug free lifestyle.

What is jaundice in newborn conditions?

2010-04-23T23:44:00.000-07:00

Jaundice is a condition that makes a newborn's skin and the white part of the eyes look yellow. It happens because there is too much bilirubin in the baby's blood (hyperbilirubinemia). Bilirubin is a substance that is made when the body breaks down old red blood cells.

Jaundice usually is not a problem. But in rare cases, too much bilirubin in the blood can cause brain damage (kernicterus). This can lead to hearing loss, mental retardation, and behavior problems. In healthy babies, some jaundice almost always appears by 2 to 4 days of age. It usually gets better or goes away on its own within a week or two without causing problems.

In breast-fed babies, mild jaundice sometimes lasts until 10 to 14 days after birth. In some breast-fed babies, it goes away and then comes back. Jaundice may last throughout breast-feeding. This isn't usually a problem as long as the baby gets enough milk by being fed at regular times.

Your doctor probably will ask you to keep checking your baby at home to make sure the jaundice is going away. Your baby will need a follow-up exam within the first 5 days after birth. Call your doctor if the yellow color gets brighter after your baby is 3 days old.

Causes jaundice in newborns
Jaundice occurs because your baby's body has more bilirubin than it can get rid of. Bilirubin is made when the body breaks down old red blood cells. It leaves the body through urine and stool. During pregnancy, your body removes bilirubin from your baby through the placenta. After birth, your baby's body must get rid of the bilirubin on its own.

Breast-fed newborns can become dehydrated easily if feedings are spaced too far apart. This lack of enough milk in the body makes it harder for your baby to get rid of wastes such as bilirubin. Also, some of the things that make up breast milk can change the way the body removes bilirubin.

In rare cases, too much bilirubin may be caused by infections, a problem with the baby's digestive system, or a problem with the mom's and baby's blood types (Rh incompatibility). Your baby may have one of these problems if jaundice appears less than a day after birth.

Symptoms Jaundice in newborns
Jaundice can make your baby's skin and the white part of the baby's eyes look yellow. You may see the yellow color between 1 and 4 days after birth. It shows up first in the baby's face and chest. Babies who have bilirubin levels that are too high may have a high-pitched cry. They also may be sluggish and cranky.

Jaundice in newborns diagnosed
Your baby's doctor will do a physical exam and ask you questions. The doctor may ask about:

Your general health, especially during your pregnancy.
Whether your baby was born early (prematurely) or at full term.
Whether there were any problems with the birth.
Your baby's birth weight and whether the baby has lost or gained weight since birth.
Your baby's feeding and elimination habits.
Your blood type and whether you and the baby have a problem with Rh incompatibility.
Any family history of health problems that could cause jaundice.

Treating Methods for Jaundice in newborns
Most of the time no treatment is needed for jaundice, because it usually goes away on its own. If you are breast-feeding, you may be able to help reduce the jaundice by feeding your baby about 8 to 12 times a day.

Sometimes babies with jaundice are put under a type of fluorescent light. This is called phototherapy. The skin absorbs the light. This changes the bilirubin so that the body can more easily get rid of it in the stool and urine. The treatment is usually done in a hospital.

Thyroid disease Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

2010-04-22T22:44:00.000-07:00

Thyroid disease occurs when the thyroid gland doesn't supply the proper amount of hormones needed by the body. If the thyroid is overactive, it releases too much thyroid hormone into the bloodstream, resulting in hyperthyroidism ("Hyper" is from the Greek, meaning "over" or "above."). Hyperthyroidism causes the body to use up energy more quickly than it should, and chemical activity (like metabolism) in the cells speeds up. . When the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, the body uses energy slower than it should. This condition is called hypothyroidism ("Hypo" means "under" or "below.").

What causes thyroid disease?
There are several different causes of thyroid disease. The following conditions cause hypothyroidism:

Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland. This can lower the amount of hormones produced.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a painless disease of the immune system that is hereditary.
Postpartum thyroiditis occurs in 5 percent to 9 percent of women after giving birth. It is usually a temporary condition.
Iodine deficiency is a problem affecting approximately 100 million people around the world. Iodine is used by the thyroid to produce hormones. Although prevalent before the 1950s in the USA, iodine deficiency has been virtually wiped out by the use of iodized salt.
A non-functioning thyroid gland affects one in 4,000 newborns. If the problem isn't corrected, the child will be physically and mentally retarded.

What signs and symptoms can occur if thyroid function is affected?
If the thyroid is under-active, symptoms of hypothyroidism may occur. The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary widely, depending on the severity of hormone deficiency. Some of the complaints experienced by patients with hypothyroidism include:

Fatigue
Mental fogginess and forgetfulness
Feeling excessively cold
Constipation
Dry skin
Fluid retention
Non specific aches and stiffness in muscles and joints
Excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia)
Depression

Hyperthyroidism is suggested by a number of signs and symptoms. Patients with mild disease usually experience no symptoms. Symptoms are usually related to an increase in body metabolism are,

Excessive sweating
Heat intolerance
Increased bowel movements
Tremor (usually a fine shake)
Nervousness; agitation
Rapid heart rate
Weight loss
Fatigue
Decreased concentration
Irregular and scant menstrual flow

In older patients, irregular heart rhythms and heart failure can occur. In its most severe form, untreated hyperthyroidism may result in "thyroid storm," a condition involving high blood pressure, fever, and heart failure. Mental changes such as confusion and delirium may also occur.

How is thyroid disease treated?
The goal of treatment for any thyroid disorder is to restore normal blood levels of thyroid hormone.

Hypothyroidism is treated with a drug called levothyroxine. This is a synthetic hormone tablet that replaces missing thyroid hormone in the body. With careful monitoring, your doctor will adjust your dosage accordingly, and you'll soon be able to return to your normal lifestyle.
Hyperthyroidism, generally more difficult to treat, requires the normalization of thyroid hormone production. Treatment could involve drug therapy to block hormone production, radioactive iodine treatment that disables the thyroid, or even thyroid surgery to remove part or the entire gland.

The most popular treatment is radioactive iodine. This therapy often results in hypothyroidism, requiring the use of levothyroxine (synthetic replacement hormone) in order to restore normality.

Chagas Disease Causes and Prevention

2010-04-21T22:56:00.000-07:00

Chagas disease is a caused by parasite disease commonly transmitted to humans and other mammals by an insect vector, the infected blood-sucking bugs, sometimes called kissing bugs. The disease may also be spread through blood transfusion and organ transplantation, ingestion of food contaminated with parasites, and from a mother to her fetus.

Symptoms
The early symptoms may include

Fever
Flu-like symptoms
A rash
A swollen eyelid
Tiredness
Enlarged liver or spleen
Swollen lymph glands
Loss of appetite
Diarrhea
Vomiting

These early symptoms usually go away. However, if you don't treat the infection, it remains. Later, it can cause serious intestinal and heart problems.

Prevention and Treatment
Medicine given during the acute stage of infection is usually effective. Once the disease has progressed to the later stages, there is no effective cure. Prevention is the best method,

There is no vaccine or drug to prevent Chagas disease. When traveling to areas where Chagas disease occurs, follow these precautions:
Avoid sleeping in poorly constructed thatch, mud, or adobe houses. If that is not possible, use a bednet.
Use insecticides to kill insects and reduce the risk of transmission.
Be aware of the risk of contracting Chagas disease through blood transfusions. In many countries, the blood supply is not well screened.

Reduce the Salt in Food Prevent from Risk of many Diseases

2010-04-19T23:10:00.000-07:00

Gradually reduce the salt prevent from hypertension and heart disease. Cutting salt reduces blood pressure, a key factor contributing to heart attacks and stroke.

Healthy 19- to 50-year-old adults should consume 3.8 grams of salt a day. Any more can, in some people, lead to high blood pressure, which in turn causes stroke, heart and kidney disease. The most salt anyone should eat a day is 5.8 grams. Almost everyone gets more than this U.S. men's median intake of salt is between 7.8 and 11.8 grams per day, and women take in between 5.8 and 7.8 grams every day.

High level of salt intake health conditions
Excessive sodium intake has also been linked to other conditions, such as:

Heart failure
Kidney problems and kidney stones
Oedema
Stroke
Gastric cancer
Left ventricular hypertrophy
Osteoporosis

Reducing salt in your diet
High-sodium diets are linked to an increase in blood pressure and a higher risk for heart disease and stroke. Reducing the amount of sodium you consume can help lower high blood pressure or prevent it from developing in the first place. Keeping your blood pressure at healthy levels is important, because high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks or stroke.

Follow a healthy diet that is low in sodium (salt) and saturated fat. Don't cook with salt, avoid prepared foods that are high in sodium, and don't add salt when you're eating. Keep fat calories to fewer than 30% of the total calories you take in during a day. Your doctor can help you create a diet plan that is right for you.

Tips for reducing salt in the diet

Choose fresh, frozen or canned food items without added salts.
Select unsalted nuts or seeds, dried beans, peas and lentils.
Limit salty snacks like chips and pretzels.
Avoid adding salt and canned vegetables to homemade dishes.
Select unsalted, lower sodium, fat-free broths, bouillons or soups.
Select fat-free or low-fat milk, low-sodium, low-fat cheeses and low-fat yogurt.
Learn to use spices and herbs to enhance the taste of your food. Most spices naturally contain very small amounts of sodium.
Add fresh lemon juice instead of salt to fish and vegetables.
Specify how you want your food prepared when dining out. Ask for your dish to be prepared without salt.
Don't use the salt shaker. Use the pepper shaker or mill.

Alcoholic Liver Disease Symptoms and Diagnosis

2010-04-17T04:01:00.000-07:00

The liver is one of the major and complex organs in the body. It performs many of the body's vital functions. Alcohol is metabolized in the liver so that it can be eliminated safely from the body. Alcoholic liver disease usually occurs after years of excessive drinking and will reduce the quality of life for patients and for their families as well.

Liver cirrhosis is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. There are individual variations in the development of liver disease among those who drink heavily. One should drink sensibly and in moderation, as there may not be many signs or symptoms until the liver damage has been done.

3 Kinds Of Liver Disease
Heavy alcohol consumption causes three kinds of liver diseases:

Simple uncomplicated fatty liver (steatosis).
Fatty liver with inflammation (alcoholic hepatitis or steatohepatitis).
Cirrhosis.

Fatty liver is the earliest stage of liver disease marked by accumulation of fat in the liver cells. This occurs in almost all people who drink heavily. Apart from occasional right upper abdominal discomfort due to enlarged liver, there may not be any significant symptoms. Fatty liver does not cause serious damage to liver function and these changes are reversible if alcohol consumption is stopped.

Continued drinking may lead to alcoholic hepatitis. About 10 percent to 35 percent of heavy drinkers develop this condition which causes the liver to become inflamed. In its milder form, this will cause progressive liver damage and may last for years before it develops into cirrhosis.

In its severe form, binge drinking can cause acute alcoholic hepatitis within a few days with liver failure and life-threatening complications. Patients may feel nauseated, vomit, run a fever, have abdominal pain, and become jaundiced and even experience a change in mental status. This stage is also reversible, provided the drinking ceases.

Liver Cirrhosis
Liver cirrhosis is the more serious form of alcoholic liver disease and is irreversible. At this stage, healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue and the liver is not able to perform its normal vital functions. About 10 percent to 20 percent of heavy drinkers develop cirrhosis after 10 or more years of drinking. Generally, drinking 80 grams of ethanol daily for 10 to 20 years is required to develop cirrhosis. That amount corresponds to approximately one liter of wine, eight standard sized beers, or a half-pint of hard liquor each day.

Progression is more rapid in those who have hepatitis C or any other chronic liver disease. Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the disease and also the complications of cirrhosis. Apart from symptoms similar to alcoholic hepatitis, one can develop more serious complications such as accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (ascites), bleeding from esophageal or stomach veins, kidney failure, liver cancer or significant liver failure and show signs of acute changes in mental status and possibly coma. No cure exists for liver cirrhosis and the liver will never be normal again.

Diagnosis And Treatment
A long history of alcohol use is the best indicator of the alcoholic liver disease. Physical signs and lab tests with elevated liver enzymes, imaging in the form of ultrasound, CAT scan or MRI scan may help in diagnosis and to rule out other causes of liver disease. Though the liver biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis, it is not always necessary.

Completely stopping the consumption of alcohol and lifestyle changes is the cornerstone to prevent further progression of the disease. Smoking cessation and maintaining healthy weight are equally important.

Alcohol rehabilitation programs may be helpful, as well as joining support groups to help ease the stress associated with the illness. Many alcoholics take less than the recommended amount of nutrients and are malnourished. Some of the supplements (vitamin B1, B2, B6, folic acid, and medium chain fatty acids) may prevent the serious effects of alcohol to some extent.

No therapy exists for either alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis. Steroids have been studied for short-term use in severe alcoholic hepatitis with varying results. Liver transplantation is the only definitive treatment for severe liver failure. It is essential to remain abstinent before and after surgery and to comply with medications.

Alcohol use has also been associated with oropharyngeal and esophageal cancers, liver cancer, pancreatitis, osteoporosis and increased risk of accidental and suicidal deaths.

Anyone with liver disease who stops drinking improves his health and life expectancy. Those who do not stop will have a poor outlook and will likely suffer from a variety of complications of alcohol induced liver disease.

A High-Carb Diet Risks Heart Disease in Women

2010-04-14T23:17:00.000-07:00

Women, beware: A high-carb diet may double your risk of heart disease.

New research illuminates the health risk that foods with a high glycemic index pose to the body particularly in women. Carbohydrates with a high glycemic index raise blood sugar levels at a faster rate than foods with a low index. Foods that are high on the glycemic index tend to be white and starchy, like potatoes, white bread and doughnuts.

A study out of Italy finds women who ate the highest glycemic load in their diet had 2.24 times the risk of heart disease compared to women with the lowest glycemic load. Carbohydrate intake, glycemic index and glycemic load did not influence heart disease risk in men.

Researchers say while further studies are needed to better understand the relationship between glycemic load and heart disease in women, sex-related differences in lipoprotein and glucose metabolism may play a major role.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Link Cholesterol Eye Disease

2010-04-12T22:28:00.000-07:00

Two new studies provide more evidence of a genetic link between an eye disease that affects millions of older people and the regulation of so called "good" cholesterol in the body. The researchers don't fully understand the connection, nor are they near finding better treatments for the eye disease, known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Still, they say the results could lead to future advances.

Scientists had been exploring the cholesterol eye disease link for some time investigated by the National Eye Institute and lead author of one of the reports. But somehow, their studies did not get much attention. Hopefully now the genetic evidence is so strong that people will explore those possibilities.
An estimated 10 million or more people in the United States develop AMD each year, including about 25 percent of people over the age of 65 and 30 percent to 35 percent of those over 75. The disease affects an area of the retina known as the macula, causing people to lose the ability to see in the central area of their field of vision.

You cannot see straight. In the most severe cases, you cannot drive, and you cannot do day-to-day things in life. For some patients, the disease can cause blindness. The cause appears to be a blend of genes and environment. Genes alone do not cause the disease, and environment alone cannot cause the disease.

In the new studies, researchers examined the genetic makeup of hundreds of people with and without age-related macular degeneration. Those with the condition turned out to share a particular variant of a gene known as LIPC, which regulates the metabolism of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in the blood.

But what is the link, exactly? It's not clear if high levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol might somehow boost a person's risk of developing the eye disease. That would create a complication if treatments designed to prevent the eye disease harmed cardiovascular health by lowering levels of "good" cholesterol. The reverse a treatment that boosted HDL cholesterol but also raised the risk of the eye disease would be a problem, too.

In any case, the researchers believe there isn't a direct cause-and-effect relationship, in which the genes in question cause both high levels of good cholesterol and raise the risk of the eye disease. It's possible that the eye disease might have something to do with how the body transports nutrients in the blood.

Isotretinoin Leads to Inflammatory Bowel Disease

2010-04-11T23:46:00.000-07:00

With a new study citing a link between isotretinoin use and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and a recent lawsuit award of $25 million to a patient who developed IBD after using Accutane, it seems only natural that isotretinoin users would be a bit nervous.

If you take isotretinoin, are you at risk for developing IBD?

A new study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology shows a link between ulcerative colitis (a form of IBD) and isotretinoin use. Even according to this study, though, the absolute risk of developing ulcerative colitis was very small and previous studies have found IBD is no more common among isotretinoin users than among non-users.

So, if you are using, or have used, isotreinoin (like Sotret, Amnesteem, Claravis, Accutane, etc.) what should you do? First, there is no reason to panic.

Treat this information as you have the knowledge of other side effects of this medication know the risks and warning signs, and weigh the possible side effects against the benefits. Be proactive and talk to your doctor about all your questions or concerns, but don't let the hype terrify you.

Gum Disease in Your Mouth Causes Risky Diseases

2010-04-08T23:46:00.000-07:00

When it comes to our mouths, it's not just teeth that need care. Our gums are also an important part of our dental health.

The risk factors that are caused by Gum diseases are:

Head and Neck Cancer
For years people have been warned that persistent periodontitis can cause heart disease. Now a new study suggests that gum disease may also be a risk factor for cancers of the head and neck.

Alveolar bone is the ridge of bone that surrounds the roots of the teeth, holding them in place. Loss of this bone is typically seen with severe periodontal disease. With each millimeter of alveolar bone loss, the risk of head and neck cancer increased more than 4-fold, the report indicates. (One millimeter is about the size of the head of a pin.) The link was seen even in subjects who had never used tobacco and alcohol.

Increases Severity of AIDS
An acid produced in the mouth due to gum disease invigorates the virus that can lead to full blown AIDS, a Japanese researcher, billing the finding as a world first. A group of bacteria causes periodontal disease a chronic inflammation that erodes bony structure in the gum posing a threat to the teeth and the entire body.

The acid, which can also exist in rancid butter, hinders a kind of enzyme called HDAC that blocks HIV from proliferating. In-vitro experiments have shown that the virus in two kinds of cells related to the immune system rapidly proliferates after given culture fluid containing the gum disease-causing bacteria and butyric acid they produced. Serious periodontal disease could lead to the development (of AIDS) among HIV positive people although the probability largely depends on individual physical strength.

Preterm Delivery in Women
Gum disease raises the risk of preterm birth in pregnant women and it was thought that getting rid of gum disease may potentially reduce the risk of preterm delivery. Preterm delivery rates were roughly 13 percent in the women who made the four trips to the dentist and nearly 12 percent in those that did not.

That's not to say pregnant women should not get their teeth cleaned and treated as needed; they should, the researchers emphasize, noting that treating gum disease during pregnancy is safe. Worsening of gum disease occurs in about 25 percent of pregnancies. The bacterial infection attacks the teeth-supporting tissues below the gum line. Left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss as well as a host of other problems.

Linked with Diabetes
Patients who have gum disease, also called peridontitis, could also be at risk for another disease - type 2 diabetes. And it might be a good idea to screen people for diabetes during their dental visits for gum disease.

At this point, no dentist has signed on to test patients. It remains to be seen if this idea takes hold or if dental groups sign on to support it. But a link between gum disease and diabetes definitely exists, but just how they are related is not yet clear.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Symptoms And Treatment

2010-04-07T21:46:00.000-07:00

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection and inflammation of the female reproductive organs. It can scar the tubes that carry eggs from the ovary to the uterus which can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic pain and other problems. PID is the most common preventable cause of infertility in the United States. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are the most common causes, but other bacteria can also cause PID.

Symptoms of PID
Most women with PID have no symptoms. If you do, they may include:

an abnormal vaginal discharge
irregular periods, or having heavier periods than usual
pain in the lower part of your abdomen (tummy), which may spread to your legs
uncomfortable or painful sex
pain when urinating
Vaginal discharge that is usually yellow or green and may have an unpleasant smell.
Chills, high fever, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.
feeling sick or vomiting

Medical Treatment
Your health care provider will start antibiotic therapy for PID as soon as the diagnosis is made. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are suspected and treated in every person. Pain medication and IV fluids will be given if you need them.

Protect Yourself Against Shadow Disease

2010-04-05T22:28:00.000-07:00

For years, doctors have observed that patients with one illness may be stricken by another condition that's seemingly unrelated and sometimes more serious, known as a "shadow disease." One of the most well-known is the connection between migraines and heart attack or stroke. Now researchers are uncovering even more linked ailments and zeroing in on why they appear to travel in pairs.

It's difficult enough to deal with one type of chronic disease, but it's possible having one disease might raise the risk of developing another. Researchers are learning more about "shadow" diseases.

Studies show that these couplings occur for different reasons. In some cases, one disease creates damage that causes the second illness. In others, troublesome genes or poor health behaviors, such as smoking or lack of exercise, trigger one problem, then the other. Being alert to the following dangerous connections can help you avoid the shadow disease or get early diagnosis and treatment, leading to a better outcome.

Migraine
Its Shadow: Stroke or Heart Attack
If you regularly suffer from migraine pain (especially if you develop auras, which are visual or sensory phenomena that accompany the headache), your doctor has probably warned you about your susceptibility to heart attack or stroke. Frequency matters. If you have fewer than one migraine a month, you're 50 percent more likely to have a heart attack than nonsufferers.

Protect yourself: Unfortunately, existing research has not yet found that preventing migraines has the effect of lowering stroke or heart attack odds. However, by keeping your cardiovascular system as healthy as possible, you diminish your chance of a cardiac event, according to the National Stroke Association. To do this, control known hazards, such as high cholesterol and obesity, via diet and exercise. You should also quit smoking and limit alcohol intake.

Endometriosis
Its Shadow: Melanoma
A huge, study confirmed that women with endometriosis (in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the womb) are 62 percent more likely to suffer from melanoma. Researchers are unsure why endometriosis and the deadly skin cancer sometimes travel together, but one possibility is a genetic defect that triggers both conditions.

Protect yourself: If you have endometriosis, ask your doctor to scan your skin for melanoma advises.

High Blood Pressure
Its Shadow: Diabetes
Doctors have long wondered how high blood pressure and diabetes are related, because the two often appear together, especially in obese patients. Constantly elevated blood pressure, or hypertension, doubles your risk of developing diabetes, regardless of your BMI.

Protect yourself: If you have mild hypertension or are at risk for this problem, get tested for diabetes. You can help prevent onset of diabetes with lifestyle changes: Increase your physical activity, lose excess weight, limit salt, and stub out those cigarettes for good, suggests Conen.

Psoriasis
Its Shadow: Heart Attack
The rough, itchy patches of psoriasis are more than uncomfortable and unsightly: They may increase your odds of a heart attack, concludes a study that followed half a million people for 5 years. The risk of a cardiac emergency was related to the severity of the psoriasis, serious cases of the skin ailment could mean a more than doubled heart attack risk.

Protect yourself: Will controlling the skin disease diminish the inflammation that can cause a heart attack? New psoriasis medications are including Amevive (generic name alefacept). They're made from living sources, much as vaccines are. They may work, even if past treatments failed.

Metabolic Syndrome
Its Shadow: Kidney Stones
Metabolic syndrome is a serious health condition associated with coronary heart attacks, diabetes, and even early death. Excess abdominal fat, high blood triglycerides, low HDL (which is the good cholesterol), high blood pressure, and impaired glucose tolerance.

Protect yourself: Obesity is a key player in both metabolic syndrome and kidney stones, perhaps because overweight people are likely to consume excess protein and sodium, which may cause the painful crystals to develop. Your waistline reduces one of the metabolic syndrome traits and may diminish your chances of getting kidney stones.

Asthma
Its Shadow: Depression and Anxiety Disorders
Breathing difficulties may cause anxiety or even depression. Or psychological problems may make asthma worse.

Protect yourself: If you know you have either asthma or mental health problems and suspect you have the other, get tested for it. Seek help for any confirmed illnesses so you don't find yourself in a downward spiral, with each condition exacerbating the other one.

Severity of Sleep Apnea and CPAP

2010-04-05T00:25:00.000-07:00

If you have shallow breathing or pauses in breaths while you sleep, that's a clear sign of sleep apnea. This chronic condition often leaves people feeling sleepy during the day and can increase risk for high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, and diabetes.

A new study in the journal Ophthalmology links the most common form of sleep apnea - called obstructive sleep apnea to an eye disorder called floppy eyelid syndrome. In this condition, a patient has elastic upper lids that are easily folded up. This condition is hard to diagnose, and is most often seen in obese patients.

Researchers examined 102 patients with floppy eye syndrome and 102 controls. They found that about one-third of patients with floppy eyelid syndrome also had obstructive sleep apnea, and the association was still statistically significant when controlling for body mass index. The study also confirmed earlier findings that the cornea disease keratoconus is also associated with floppy eye syndrome. In this condition, the cornea becomes thin and cone-shaped.

There are two more common types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. The third type is a mixed apnea, a combination of the two previous types. As the name suggests, this is sleep apnea caused by an obstruction. The obstruction develops when one's upper airway muscles relax and collapse during sleep. It also develops when the weight of the neck narrows the airway.

Causes of Sleep Apnea
If you have sleep apnea, you may observe the following:

Excessive sleepiness even after a good night's sleep.
Snoring (The volume of the snoring does not absolutely indicate the severity of obstruction. There may not be enough air movement to make much sound if there is severe obstruction. On the other hand, the sign that is most suggestive of sleep apneas occurs when snoring stops).
Irregular breathing during sleep (gasping, long pauses, etc - a spouse or partner may notice these)
Poor concentration and memory.
Morning headaches.
Sexual dysfunction.
Excessive weight
Smoking
Congestive Heart Failure
Stroke or brain tumor

Treatment for Sleep Apnea
Apnea may have the tendency to complicate major surgeries Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment (CPAP).

With Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), people with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea such as Pramana can start sleeping well and feeling well-rested. CPAP, a non-invasive treatment, is the most widely accepted in treating patients with sleep apnea. It uses a machine that delivers air pressure through a mask placed over the nose while sleeping. The greater air pressure helps keep the airways open and prevents apnea. It can even halt snoring.

Celiac Disease Symptoms and Treatment

2010-03-31T22:15:00.000-07:00

Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is found mainly in foods but may also be found in everyday products such as medicines, vitamins, and lip balms.

When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging or destroying villi the tiny, fingerlike protrusions lining the small intestine. Villi normally allow nutrients from food to be absorbed through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream. Without healthy villi, a person becomes malnourished, no matter how much food one eats.

Symptoms of celiac disease
Symptoms of celiac disease vary from person to person. Symptoms may occur in the digestive system or in other parts of the body. Digestive symptoms are more common in infants and young children and may include

abdominal bloating and pain
chronic diarrhea
vomiting
constipation
pale, foul-smelling, or fatty stool
weight loss

Irritability is another common symptom in children. Malabsorption of nutrients during the years when nutrition is critical to a child's normal growth and development can result in other problems such as failure to thrive in infants, delayed growth and short stature, delayed puberty, and dental enamel defects of the permanent teeth.

Treating Methods
The only treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet. Doctors may ask a newly diagnosed person to work with a dietitian on a gluten-free diet plan. A dietitian is a health care professional who specializes in food and nutrition. Someone with celiac disease can learn from a dietitian how to read ingredient lists and identify foods that contain gluten in order to make informed decisions at the grocery store and when eating out.

For most people, following this diet will stop symptoms, heal existing intestinal damage, and prevent further damage. Improvement begins within days of starting the diet. The small intestine usually heals in 3 to 6 months in children but may take several years in adults. A healed intestine means a person now has villi that can absorb nutrients from food into the bloodstream.

To stay well, people with celiac disease must avoid gluten for the rest of their lives. Eating even a small amount of gluten can damage the small intestine. The damage will occur in anyone with the disease, including people without noticeable symptoms. Depending on a person's age at diagnosis, some problems will not improve, such as short stature and dental enamel defects.

10 Natural Foods Habits For Improving Appearance

2010-03-30T22:52:00.000-07:00

1. Blood oranges, cherries and blueberries

Collagen is a natural protein in your skin and muscles that provides resiliency, shape and texture. Unfortunately, collagen production decreases with age but you can fight back with dark fruit. Blood oranges, cherries and blueberries are full of antioxidants, which decrease aging and disease by lowering inflammation. Antioxidants also increase collagen production and thicken the skin, making you look younger and healthier. Antioxidants also decrease [the severity of] rosacea. Blackberries, raspberries, plums, pomegranates, cranberries, Asian dragon fruit and kiwis also contain antioxidants.

2. Shellfish, sunflower seeds and sardines
These foods may not taste great together, but individually they offer a powerhouse of essential fatty acids. Fatty acids nourish the skin, help maintain skin integrity and keep skin cells performing optimally. Essential fatty acids, a component of all cell membranes in the body, regulate the flow of nutrients, waste materials, and water in and out of cells which keeps you looking young. Flax seeds, tuna, walnuts, canola oil, soybean oil and pumpkin seeds are more good sources of essential fatty acids.

3. Dandelion, turnip and mustard greens
Foods that keep our livers cleansed of toxins, heavy metals and fats make our whole body function more efficiently. This makes us happier, which affects how we look. Plus, a healthy liver brightens our eyes and tightens our skin. Dense green foods such as broccoli, spinach and arugula as well as turnip, mustard and dandelion greens are recommended. Eating these slightly bitter greens has been shown to lessen your sweet tooth. Simple and refined sugars, high-glycemic carbohydrates, and refined, manufactured foods age us. Excess sugar has been linked to a process called glycation, in which sugar molecules bond to protein molecules, which has been linked to sagging, wrinkled skin.

4. Oregano, thyme and parsley
If you have puffy bags under your eyes in the morning, you are almost certainly consuming much more salt than you need. Another problem is alcohol; it dehydrates you and can make your skin sag. The worst combination is alcohol and salt, which causes puffy dark circles under your eyes. For reducing your sodium intake eliminate bloating. Instead of salt, season your meals with herbs and spices such as oregano, thyme, rosemary, parsley and garlic.

5. Crunchy vegetables
Fresh raw veggies are as good for your grin as they are for your skin! Celery, carrots, string beans and cauliflower contain cellulose, which helps scrub stains from your teeth giving you a whiter, brighter smile. Both the cellulose and the fiber in these foods act as abrasives that clean and remove bacteria from teeth. Crunchy veggies are especially effective for recent discolorations. If you've just consumed blueberries, coffee, mustard, red wine or cranberry juice, follow it up with fresh cucumber slices or an apple.

6. Sea vegetables
Polluted cells can't function at their optimum level. When our cells are functioning optimally, not only do we have more energy we look and feel great. Sea vegetables are one of our richest sources of minerals and phytochemicals. These veggies help detoxify, rebuild and nourish all the cells in our body. Unhealthy foods, stress and environmental pollutants cause cells to age prematurely, potentially leading to thinning hair and premature wrinkles. Sea vegetables reverse this process. For example, spirulina is a detox powerhouse. Hijiki, kelp, arame, wakame, and dulse also work wonders.

7. Meat, cheese and lentils
It may take 10 pounds of milk to make a pound of cheese, but fortunately you don't need to eat that much dairy or protein to repair your cells. As you age, your hair and skin cells become damaged, making you appears older. The protein in meat, chicken, low-fat cheese, cottage cheese, and certain vegetables promotes cell growth and repair, which translates to younger-looking skin, fewer wrinkles, less hair loss and a glossy mane. To take a break from meat or dairy, try soybeans and lentils instead (they contain more protein than any other legume).

8. Egg yolks, organ meats and whole-milk products
Vitamin A is especially important for skin repair, and decreased levels can lead to dry, flaky skin. A lack of vitamin A may cause your skin to heal poorly and wrinkle easily. The main sources of this vitamin are foods from animals, such as liver, eggs and whole-milk dairy products. Some plants carrots and broccoli, for example supply beta-carotene, which your body converts to vitamin A as needed. Apricots, nectarines, plums and cantaloupe are more great sources of beta-carotene.

Rabies Prevention, Symptoms and Diagnosis

2010-03-29T22:56:00.000-07:00

The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. The early symptoms of rabies in people are similar to that of many other illnesses, including fever, headache, and general weakness or discomfort.

As the disease progresses, more specific symptoms appear and may include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation (increase in saliva), difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia (fear of water). Death usually occurs within days of the onset of these symptoms. Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal.

Prevention
You can reduce the chances that your family is exposed to rabies. Vaccinate your pets dogs, cats, and ferrets can be infected by rabies. Report any stray animals to your local health authorities or animal-control officer. Remind kids that animals can be "strangers," too. They should never touch or feed stray cats or dogs wandering in the neighborhood or elsewhere.

Symptoms and Signs
The first symptoms of rabies may be very similar to those of the flu including general weakness or discomfort, fever, or headache. These symptoms may last for days.

As the infection progresses, someone infected with rabies may develop any of these symptoms:

irritability
excessive movements or agitation
confusion
hallucinations
aggressiveness
bizarre or abnormal thoughts
muscle spasms
abnormal postures
seizures (convulsions)
weakness or paralysis (when a person cannot move some part of the body)
extreme sensitivity to bright lights, sounds, or touch
increased production of saliva or tears
difficulty speaking

In the advanced stage of the infection, as it spreads to other parts of the nervous system, these symptoms may develop:

double vision
problems moving facial muscles
abnormal movements of the diaphragm and muscles that control breathing
difficulty swallowing and increased production of saliva, causing the "foaming at the mouth" usually associated with a rabies infection

Rabies Diagnosis
Though the behavioral symptoms of rabies are classic, a diagnosis based solely on the symptoms can be difficult because they are similar to other diseases, conditions, and complications. The inability to swallow, for example, could be caused by an object lodged in the throat. Many factors can trigger aggressive, strange behavior and many animals are easily provoked when injured.

The only way to be 100% sure that an animal is rabid is to perform a direct fluorescent antibody test (dFA) on the brain tissue, which requires that the animal be euthanized. This is the most rapid and reliable test for rabies and it has been used for more than 40 years.

The dFA test is based on the principle that infected animals have rabies virus antigen (a protein) in brain tissue that reacts to antirabies antibodies (proteins produced by the immune system to fight disease and infection). The test involves inserting fluorescently labeled antirabies antibody molecules into the brain tissue, which bind to the rabies virus antigens and give off a bright glow when viewed through a special fluorescent microscope. A dFA test can also detect the presence of rabies antigens in the skin.

Tests that do not require euthanasia can be used to examine serum, spinal fluid, and saliva, but none of them can rule out rabies with 100% certainty. These tests are used only in humans and animals that cannot be euthanized.

Lyme Disease and Prevention Tips

2010-03-28T22:29:00.000-07:00

The arrival of spring means more time for children and adults to spend time outdoors and enjoy the warm weather, It also portends an ominous threat; the risk of contracting Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is a bacterial illness caused by a bacterium called a "spirochete." The actual name of the bacterium is Borrelia burgdorferi. Lyme disease is spread by ticks when they bite the skin permitting the bacterium to infect the body. Lyme disease can cause abnormalities in the skin, joints, heart and nervous system.

Following are some prevention tips and information about what to do if you believe you may be infected:

Avoid tick habitats: Whenever possible, avoid entering areas that are likely to be infested with ticks, particularly in spring and summer when nymphal ticks feed. Ticks favor a moist, shaded environment, especially areas with leaf litter and low-lying vegetation in wooded, brushy or overgrown grassy habitat. Both deer and rodent hosts must be abundant to maintain the enzootic cycle of B. burgdorferi. Sources for information on the distribution of ticks in an area include state and local health departments, park personnel, and agricultural extension services.
Use personal protection measures: If you are going to be in areas that are tick infested, wear light-colored clothing so that ticks can be spotted more easily and removed before becoming attached. Wearing long-sleeved shirts and tucking pants into socks or boot tops may help keep ticks from reaching your skin. Ticks are usually located close to the ground, so wearing high rubber boots may provide additional protection.
The risk of tick attachment can also be reduced by applying insect repellents containing DEET (n,n-diethyl-m toluamide) to clothes and exposed skin, and applying permethrin (which kills ticks on contact) to clothes. DEET can be used safely on children and adults but should be applied according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines to reduce the possibility of toxicity.
Perform a tick check and remove attached ticks: The transmission of B. burgdorferi (the bacteria that causes Lyme disease) from an infected tick is unlikely to occur before 36 hours of tick attachment. For this reason, daily checks for ticks and promptly removing any attached tick that you find will help prevent infection. Embedded ticks should be removed using fine-tipped tweezers. DO NOT use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish, or other products. Grasp the tick firmly and as closely to the skin as possible. With a steady motion, pull the tick's body away from the skin. The tick's mouthparts may remain in the skin, but do not be alarmed. The bacteria that cause Lyme disease are contained in the tick's midgut. Cleanse the area with an antiseptic.
Taking preventive antibiotics after a tick bite: The relative cost-effectiveness of post-exposure treatment of tick bites to avoid Lyme disease in endemic areas (areas where the disease is known to occur regularly) is dependent on the probability of B. burgdorferi infection after a tick bite. In most circumstances, treating persons who only have a tick bite is not recommended. Individuals who are bitten by a deer tick should remove the tick and seek medical attention if any signs and symptoms of early Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, or babesiosis develop over the ensuing days or weeks.
Strategies to reduce tick abundance: The number of ticks in endemic residential areas may be reduced by removing leaf litter, brush- and wood-piles around houses and at the edges of yards, and by clearing trees and brush to admit more sunlight and reduce the amount of suitable habitat for deer, rodents, and ticks. Tick populations have also been effectively suppressed through the application of pesticides to residential properties. Community-based interventions to reduce deer populations or to kill ticks on deer and rodents have not been extensively implemented, but may be effective in reducing the community-wide risk of Lyme disease. New approaches such as deer feeding stations equipped with pesticide applicators to kill ticks on deer, and baited devices to kill ticks on rodents, are currently under evaluation.
Early diagnosis and treatment: The early diagnosis and proper antibiotic treatment of Lyme disease are important strategies to avoid the morbidity and costs of complicated and late-stage illness.

Tips For Preventing Hair Loss In Healthy Way

2010-03-26T22:50:00.000-07:00

Regardless of how vain a person is, losing your hair is never a good feeling. It's overwhelming to brush your hair in the morning and see strand after strand falling out. It's just as difficult when you wake up to see lots of hair left on your pillow after you've slept. It doesn't matter how old a person is. Losing your hair makes you look and feel differently. There are lots of medical avenues you can pursue if you're hoping to stop your hair loss, but they can be really expensive and aren't always effective. There are also some home remedies for hair loss prevention that can help you keep the hair you have, while encouraging new hair to grow in.

Here's a quick list of some home remedies for hair loss prevention you can try now:

Increase the calcium in your diet. Most people just don't get enough calcium and we all already know that it's important for keeping our bones strong and healthy. It's good for your hair too. Calcium is essential for keeping the hair follicles strong and resilient. You can either start eating more dairy products or start taking calcium supplement every day. If you're already on medications, it's a good idea to ask your doctor before starting anything new, even supplements or vitamins.
Wash your hair less. Most people grow up in a household where they're told to wash their hair everyday. You don't really need to. Unless you have a profession that makes you sweat all day, everyday, you really only need to wash your hair once or twice a week. This can go a long way towards keeping the hair you have strong. When hair becomes dried out it gets brittle and can break easily.
Massage your scalp. Keeping the blood flowing to your scalp can help to keep your hair healthier and stronger. You can always do this yourself, but it's also nice to trade the favor of a massage with your partner. Be careful when you're massaging around the temple area as you don't want to apply too much pressure there.
Relax more. Did you know that many people lose their hair because they're so stressed? Hair can become brittle and dry because of stress so if you're under a lot, change something. Sometimes it's just important to simplify your life. Stress is really damaging to a person's body in many ways so it's always good to find an outlet that will help you reduce it. Some suggestions are to meditate, exercise more or journal your thoughts. These can all be really helpful.
A big part of keeping your hair is taking better care of it. By doing these few, simple things, you can help your hair stay healthier and encourage the growth of new hair too. Before you know it, you won't feel nearly as self conscious about your hair loss.

Study: Diabetes Risk in kidney Disease

2010-03-25T22:17:00.000-07:00

According to a report published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology, many Americans suffer from kidney disease and do not know it. Researchers studied nearly 8200 adults, finding that 42% of those with undiagnosed diabetes also had chronic kidney disease, while CKD was seen in 18% of those with prediabetes.

Scientists provide new insight into how tumors hide from the immune system in a report published in the journal Science. Researchers found that a particular protein that is normally secreted by the lymph nodes to signal the immune system to start working is also secreted by tumors. In this way, the tumor signals to the immune system that it is a friend not foe and consequently goes undetected by the immune system.

According to another report published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology, most patients awaiting a kidney donation are willing to accept one from a donor that puts them at increased risk of infection. Researchers surveyed nearly 200 potential kidney transplant patients. 59% of these patients said they would under some conditions accept a kidney from a donor even if they were at increased risk of viral infection.

Diabetes is the most important risk factor for kidney disease, but the new results suggest that harmful effects on the kidneys may be occurring even before diabetes is diagnosed.

"Persons at risk for diabetes and their health care providers should be aware that earlier screening for both diabetes and kidney disease may be warranted."

Painkillers Use May Reduce Risk of Breast and Ovarian Cancers

2010-03-24T22:52:00.000-07:00

It is thought the painkillers reduce levels of the female hormone oestrogen in the system which can fuel certain forms of cancer. A team from Harvard investigated 740 women and found that those who took painkillers for 15 days per month had on average, oestrogen levels 10 per cent lower, than non-users.

The reduction was 12 percent to 15 percent, depending on which estrogen form was evaluated. All the women in the study had been through the menopause. The results are published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

The results suggest that among postmenopausal women, regular users of aspirin and other analgesics may have lower oestrogen levels than non-users.

Exactly painkillers lower estrogen levels not certain, one hypothesis is that the painkillers inhibit the expression of an enzyme, aromatase that converts testosterone to a form of estrogen. The data is very strong linking lower estrogen levels to lower risk of breast cancer.

Further studies were established if how much the reduced levels of oestrogen translated into a reduced risk of breast or ovarian cancer. Although the overall risks and benefits would need to be weighed, analgesics could be implemented as a chemopreventive and may decrease the risk of several cancers.

Sickle Cell Disease Risk and Health Care

2010-03-23T22:50:00.000-07:00

African American children with sickle cell disease are at high risk of intellectual disabilities, hearing and vision deficits and frequent severe headaches, federal researchers said.

Children with the inherited disease are at least four times as likely as similar children without it to have fair or poor health status, twice as likely to have recently visited a mental health professional and more likely to have received special educational services, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

The results are not surprising to physicians treating the problem in children, but they do document what many had suspected. Sickle cell disease, which affects about one in every 350 black children, is a genetic disorder that causes red blood cells to assume a sickle shape under stress, clogging blood vessels and producing episodes of excruciating pain, called crises.
Two-thirds of patients have some type of blood vessel problem in the brain by the time they are 20, and 15% have severe strokes. The only effective medication is hydroxyurea, which reduces crises by 50% and mortality by 40%. But most adults are not treated. As a result, the median age of death for sickle cell patients is now 39, down from 42 in 1995.
In the new study, epidemiologist used data from a national survey to identify 192 black children with sickle cell disease and 19,335 healthy black children.

The team found that children with the disorder were seven times more likely to suffer anemia the defining condition of the disease 50% more likely to suffer hay fever, 80% more likely to have food allergies, 120% more likely to have frequent diarrhea, 150% more likely to have headaches and migraines, 160% more likely to have hearing problems, and 230% more likely to have some intellectual disability.

Some of the parents who said their children had sickle cell anemia were incorrect, and that their children actually had sickle cell trait a more common, less severe condition in which the child carries only one copy of the sickle gene.

Living With Sickle Cell Anemia
You can't prevent sickle cell anemia because it's an inherited disease. However, you can take steps to reduce its complications.

With good health care, many people who have sickle cell anemia can live productive lives. They also can have reasonably good health much of the time and live longer today than in the past. Many people who have sickle cell anemia now live into their forties or fifties, or longer.

If you have sickle cell anemia, it's important to:

Adopt or maintain a healthy lifestyle
Take steps to prevent and control complications
Learn ways to cope with pain

If you have a child or teen that has sickle cell anemia, you can take steps to learn about the disease and help your child manage it.

Joint Pain Origin and Prevention

2010-03-22T22:26:00.000-07:00

Joint pain is very common as we get older. It is not unusual, once we hit about 50 and beyond, to complain of creaking knees and sore backs and hips. For some people, this pain begins even earlier. Sometimes it is due to overuse and feeling things more in our bodies than when we were younger, but very often the discomfort in our joints is due to a specific health condition.

Joint pain may be caused by issues like osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis, osteoporosis, or even an infection. Polymyalgia rheumatic (PMR) and temporal arteritis (TA) also affect the joints. PMR affects larger joints in the body, like the shoulders and hips, while TA affects blood vessels to the head.

And let's not forget fibromyalgia, a chronic health condition that causes joint pain throughout the entire body. Depression too may cause joint pain studies have found that people suffering from back, joint, and/or abdominal pain may also be dealing with depression.

So if you've spent the whole weekend doing yard work and you wake up on Monday morning feeling very sore and achy in your knees and back, chances are good you overdid it and in a few Advil later, you'll be back to normal. But if you are consistently dealing with pain in your back, hips, shoulders, ankles, or other joints more days than not, it's definitely time to head to your physician.

Chances are good that you will leave with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis, as it's the most common reason for joint pain. However, at least one of the other explanations could be at fault and in all cases, proper medical care is essential, so don't delay in seeking medical advice.

Why do we get these joint pains in the first place? There are upwards of 100 types of arthritis, and many feel it's an illness that comes from a combination of problems like genetics and diet.

In the case of osteoarthritis, the pain comes from the deterioration of the cartilage in the joints. Gout, which is also a form of arthritis, causes joint pain because uric acid crystals end up in the joints, usually in the arms and legs. Over time, gout can lead to osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is caused by inflammation in the joints, typically on both sides of the body. RA is an auto-immune disorder, which means that something causes the body to attack itself; researchers believe viral or bacterial infections are to blame.

Prevent And Reduce Joint Pain
For example, because being overweight can play a large role in developing sore joints, staying at a healthy weight can really make a big difference. If you are heavier than you should be, losing some weight can literally take a load off your joints and reduce pain.

Eating fish, which is high in omega-3, can help your joints as well. The all-important omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce joint pain and stiffness in people suffering from arthritis.

Here are the five most powerful arthritis fighters, which, when taken together, provide your best protection against arthritis and other joint problems:

Glucosamine rebuilds your body's natural shock absorbers
Chondroitin Sulfate reduces inflammation and more
Boswellin
Betaine (trimethylglycine)
Curcumin: a powerful anti-inflammatory

Vitamin D Boosts Immunity Against Tuberculosis

2010-03-21T22:14:00.000-07:00

Tuberculosis is a type of infection. Like many other infectious diseases, TB can infect individuals with compromised immunity more easily than those with normal immunity. Certain vitamins such as vitamin D are needed for a person's immunity; maintaining a sufficient level of vitamin D may help reduce the risk of acquiring TB.

No trial seems to have been carried out to demonstrate the efficacy of vitamin D in preventing TB; however, evidence has emerged that suggests that possibility.

An article in the Oct 2008 issue of The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal suggesting that the overwhelming majority of children with TB suffered by vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency.

The research is examined 64 children with either active or latent TB infection who attended the authors TB clinic during a 2-year period. They found that 86 percent were either vitamin D deficient, (defined as having serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D at lower than 20 nmol per liter), or insufficient, defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D at lower than 75 nmol per liter.Of 26 children with active TB, only one was vitamin D replete, which could mean that about 95 percent of children with active TB had vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency.

These researchers discovered that patients with active TB had lower serum vitamin D concentrations than healthy controls.

Vitamin D is known to help produce antimicrobial peptides that can fight both bacteria and viruses, while also preventing infections, according to a nonprofit organization that aims to educate people about the importance of vitamin D to their health.

Back Pain Prevention Tips and Treatment Therapies

2010-03-18T21:54:00.000-07:00

Most low back pain is triggered by some combination of overuse, muscle strain, and injury to the muscles, ligaments, and discs that support the spine.

You can choose from a number of alternative therapies for treating your low back pain. Some are short-term "repair" treatments, and others give you the self-care tools for managing your back symptoms over a lifetime.

Think through your daily activities and change those that may be causing back pain. Your list might include lifting a small child throughout the day, a long commute to work, sitting in front of a computer all day, wearing high-heeled shoes, or doing yard work or landscaping work.

Comprehensive rehabilitation programs offer a variety of treatments and specialists. A comprehensive rehabilitation program is considered one of the most effective approaches for treating chronic low back pain, and may be your best bet for finding the right combination of treatments.

Therapies for lower back pain

Exercise therapy for back pain is considered an effective approach for treating and managing chronic low back pain. Daily activity and physical therapy exercises can be effective in relieving back pain and can lead to long-term improvement for low back pain. Also see:
Fitness: Increasing core stability.
Exercise to reduce pain.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy may reduce both acute and chronic low back pain and disability.
Back school is an educational program which gives practical information about back care, posture, body mechanics, back exercises, and preventing long-term back problems that has shown mixed results but is considered likely to be beneficial for treating chronic low back pain.
Intradiscal electrothermic therapy (IDET) treats chronic low back pain related to a damaged spinal disc.
Spinal cord stimulation may be used for some types of chronic pain when other treatments have failed, but there is not strong evidence that it works.

Preventive Measures for Back Pain

Exercise to help relieve back pain. See a physical therapist or other spine specialist for exercises specific to your condition. Studies show that doing exercises can help people with chronic low back pain return to their normal daily activities.
Reduce the stress in your life.
Get the support you need. Work with your doctor to come up with a chronic pain treatment plan. Ask family members or friends when you need a helping hand.
Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Try not to bend or twist your back as you lie down.
Avoid tobacco smoke. Smoking slows tissue healing.

7 Bedtime Habits Running Your Sleep

2010-03-17T23:01:00.000-07:00

An estimated 65 percent of Americans said they encounter sleep problems a few nights each week, according to a recent study by the National Sleep Foundation. Sleeping too little is linked with an increased risk for obesity and depression. But before you reach for a sleep aid from the nearest pharmacy, it's worth re-examining your nighttime routine. Some of your favorite evening rituals could be responsible for that tossing and turning.

1. Going from Night Owl to Early Bird
Who says bedtime is just for kids? Take extra care to maintain your sleep schedule, especially on the weekends. The body responds to routine. If your bedtime is sporadic 11 p.m. some nights, 1 a.m. others your mind won't be properly prepared to snooze on the weekdays.

2. Bringing Books to Bed
Reading before bed is a habit for many. Problem is, your body has likely adapted to that routine it won't go to sleep until you've logged a couple chapters. Retreat to a comfy couch or window nook instead for your literary fix. The bed should be off limits for anything other than sleep or sex.

3. Facebooking into the Wee Hours
The brightness of your computer screen stimulates the brain. Plus, it's difficult for your mind to stop fretting about your digital to-do list, even after you've logged off. Avoid late-night surfing and shut down your computer. Give yourself time to wind down without any electronics.

4. Skimping on a Good Bed
A good mattress will cost you anywhere from $500 to more than $3,000. Consider it money well spent. Decent mattresses do your homework! Will give you a more restful sleep. The same is true for quality bedding and pillows. Opt for a soft pillow if you're a back or stomach sleeper. Buy a firmer pillow if you sleep on your side.

5. Setting a Bright Alarm Clock
The looming glare of your alarm clock can be distracting when trying to sleep. The goal is to have as dark a room as possible. Block the bright numbers with a book or consider buying a small travel clock. Your cell phone alarm may also do the trick.

6. Counting Sleep
When you just can't fall asleep, it's useless to stay in bed. If you've been trying to fall asleep for more than 30 minutes, the National Sleep Foundation suggests doing something mundane, like balancing a checkbook, reading or watching TV. An activity that demands marginal brainpower will lull your mind. Before you know it, you'll be crawling back into bed genuinely tired.

7. Exercising Late at Night
Daytime workouts will keep you invigorated for hours. That's why you don't want to exercise within three hours of hitting the sack. Intense physical activity raises your body temperature and pumps your energy level both interrupt a calm transition into sleep.

Vitamin D for Heart Disease Prevention

2010-03-16T22:13:00.000-07:00

Extra sunshine and vitamin D supplements may help ward off heart disease in people with low vitamin D levels, two new studies suggest.

The studies build on the researcher's previous work linking low levels of vitamin D to an increased risk for heart disease.

Vitamin D vs. Heart Disease: Study Details
The first study involved more than 9,400 patients whose blood tests revealed low vitamin D levels during a routine trip to the doctor. Their average vitamin D level was 19.3 nanograms per milliliter; levels of 30 are generally considered normal.

At their next follow-up visit, about half had raised their vitamin D levels to above 30 nanograms per milliliter.

Compared with patients whose vitamin D levels were still low, patients who raised their vitamin D levels were 33% less likely to have a heart attack, 20% less likely to develop heart failure, and 30% less likely to die between the two visits.

In the second study, the researchers placed more than 41,000 patients into three categories based on their levels of vitamin D normal, moderate deficiency, and severe deficiency. Then they combed their medical records to see who had been diagnosed with heart disease or stroke.

As expected, patients with severe deficiency were most likely to have been diagnosed with heart disease or stroke.

Then the researchers put all the information into a computer algorithm to see if there is an optimal level of vitamin D when it comes to heart disease prevention.

Anti-HIV lectin In Banana

2010-03-15T23:19:00.000-07:00

The Journal of Biological Chemistry, scientific journal, concluded that banana lectin, a naturally occurring chemical, has the ability to stop the transmission and prevention of HIV.

This novel research from the University of Michigan Medical School found BanLec, "a jacalin-related lectin isolated from the fruit of bananas, a potential component for an anti-viral microbicide that could be used to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV-1. BanLec is an effective anti-HIV lectin and is similar in potency to T-20 and maraviroc, two anti-HIV drugs currently in clinical use."

Michael D. Swanson, a doctoral student in the graduate program in immunology at the University of Michigan Medical School and lead author of the study, said "the problem with some HIV drugs is that the virus can mutate and become resistant, but that's much harder to do in the presence of lectins. Lectins can bind to the sugars found on different spots of the HIV-1 envelope, and presumably it will take multiple mutations for the virus to get around them."

According to University of Michigan Health System, the "authors say even modest success could save millions of lives. Other investigators have estimated that 20 percent coverage with a microbicide that is only 60 percent effective against HIV may prevent up to 2.5 million HIV infections in three years."

David Marvovitz, M.D., professor of internal medicine at the U-M Medical School, led the study and explained, "HIV is still rampant in the U.S. and the explosion in poorer countries continues to be a bad problem because of tremendous human suffering and the cost of treating it. That's particularly true in developing countries where women have little control over sexual encounters so development of a long-lasting, self-applied microbicide is very attractive."

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Treatment

2010-03-14T23:04:00.000-07:00

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, a neurological disease characterized by loss of mental ability severe enough to interfere with normal activities of daily living, lasting at least six months, and not present from birth. AD usually occurs in old age, and is marked by a decline in cognitive functions such as remembering, reasoning, and planning.

A person with AD usually has a gradual decline in mental functions, often beginning with slight memory loss, followed by losses in the ability to maintain employment, to plan and execute familiar tasks, and to reason and exercise judgment. Communication ability, mood, and personality may also be affected. Most people who have AD die within eight years of their diagnosis, although that interval may be as short as one year or as long as 20 years. AD is the fourth leading cause of death in adults after heart disease, cancer, and stroke.

Common Alzheimer's Treatments
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease. However, there are medications that can help control its symptoms. In addition, treatments are also available to help manage agitation, depression or psychotic symptoms (hallucinations or delusions) which may occur as the disease progresses. Consult a physician before taking any medications.

Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Namenda
Treatment for Anxiety, Depression and Psychosis

Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, there are four drugs, called cholinesterase inhibitors, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that are designed to regulate its symptoms and delay its course. Those suffering from Alzheimer's disease have low levels of acetylcholine, an important brain chemical involved in nerve cell communication.

Cholinesterase inhibitors slow the metabolic breakdown of acetylcholine, and make more of this chemical available for communication between cells. This helps slow the progression of cognitive impairment and can be effective for some patients in the early to middle stages.

The four FDA-approved cholinesterase inhibitors are:

Razadyne (galantamine)
Exelon (rivastigmine)
Aricept (donepezil)
Cognex (tacrine)

Namenda
Namenda (memantine) was the first drug approved by the FDA to treat the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. It appears to protect the brain's nerve cells against excess amounts of glutamate, a messenger chemical released in large amounts by cells damaged by Alzheimer's (and some other neurological disorders).

When glutamate attaches to cell surface "docking sites" called N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, this permits calcium to flow freely into the cell, which in turn may lead to cell degeneration. Namenda may prevent this destructive sequence by adjusting the activity of glutamate. Namenda is generally well tolerated; the most common side effects are dizziness, confusion, headache and constipation.

Treatment for Anxiety, Depression and Psychosis
An Alzheimer's disease progresses, people experience depression, agitation and psychotic symptoms (paranoid thoughts, delusions or hallucinations).These behaviors may be manifested verbally (screaming, repetitive questions, etc.) or physically (hoarding, pacing, etc.), and they can sometimes lead to aggression, hyperactivity or combativeness.

The symptoms may have an underlying medical origin such as a drug interaction or physical pain, and if this is a suspected cause a physician should be consulted. Agitation or psychotic behavior may also be triggered by something different in the person's environment. Often, a change in routine, caregivers or surroundings can cause fear, anxiety or fatigue and lead to agitation. The individual may be unable to communicate, be frustrated by his or her limitations, misunderstand what is happening or simply forget how to respond appropriately.

In these cases, non-medical intervention is recommended to determine the source of the problem, modify the environment and change the behavior. If non medical intervention does not work or the person becomes a danger to himself or others, a physician should be consulted to evaluate the need for medical treatments for depression, psychosis or anxiety.

Flu vaccination for kids

2010-03-11T21:21:00.000-08:00

If you want to stop flu from spreading, start by vaccinating the kids.

That little bit of common sense just got a big scientific boost from a study that shows unvaccinated adults can be protected against flu if enough nearby children vicinity get immunized.

The idea is an old one. But the work, just published, provides the strongest evidence so far that immunizing youngsters works to the benefit of an entire community.

Public health people call it "herd immunity." If enough individuals in the "herd" are immune, the rest have a much lower chance of infection. If the virus is the spark, there's just a lot less dry kindling lying around.

Herd Immunity means some infections can be eradicated from the face of the planet. Smallpox is the one example of disease eradication to date which vaccinated from kids. And there's no doubt that flu outbreaks are driven by children. In a typical flu season, more than 40 percent of school age kids get the flu up to four times the rate among adults.

Canadian researchers enlisted the help of four dozen Hutterite communities to see if vaccinating school kids would indirectly protect unvaccinated adults. Hutterites are Anabaptists and live in tight knit rural religious enclaves.

In half the communities, 83 percent of children between 3 and 15 got flu vaccine -- and almost no adults did. In the other half, the school kids got vaccinated against hepatitis A, to serve as a control group. Both study participants and medical personnel were kept in the dark about who got which vaccine.

By the end of the 2008-2009 flu seasons, adults living in communities where schoolchildren got flu vaccine had 60 percent lower flu rates than adults in control communities.

This isn't the first study to suggest vaccinating school kids protects grownups against flu. Texas researchers have compared vaccinated and unvaccinated towns; but they weren't able to separate flu cases from other kinds of respiratory illness.

Japan did an enormous "natural experiment" between 1977 and 1994, when a law required all school children to get flu shots. Wintertime flu deaths in the elderly virtually disappeared. But after the law was repealed, older Japanese started dying of flu again. But the Japanese experience wasn't a carefully controlled study.

Now that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are saying everybody should get flu shots, does it matter if a study finally proves that vaccinating schoolchildren protects others? Yes, because nobody expects 100 percent of the population to get immunized, ever. So it might be smart to target school children for special efforts.

Hepatitis B Vaccine For Babies

2010-03-10T21:21:00.000-08:00

About one in five babies born to mothers with hepatitis B aren't getting treatments that have been shown to prevent the infection in newborns, a new study finds.

Given within 24 hours of birth, the hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin can protect 85 percent to 95 percent of newborns from becoming infected, even if they were exposed at birth.

Researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed medical records of 4,762 mothers and 4,786 infants. The records represented about 25 consecutive live births from 190 U.S. hospitals, each of which was surveyed about their hepatitis B prevention policies in their labor and delivery departments.

Records showed that 18 women tested positive for hepatitis B at the time of admission to the hospital. While 62 percent of their newborns received the hepatitis B vaccine and immunoglobulin, nearly 14 percent left the hospital unvaccinated and nearly 20 percent did not receive immunoglobulin before discharge, according to the study.

Of 320 women whose hepatitis B status was unknown, meaning they may or may not have been tested for the virus, only about 52 percent of their infants were vaccinated within 12 hours of birth. About 20 percent of these babies left the hospitals without being vaccinated.

"A key message of the study is that hepatitis B virus transmission is almost entirely preventable through vaccination and prophylaxis," said study author Bayo Willis, a CDC epidemiologist. "We really need hospitals to have correct policies in place and to implement those policies so that every newborn is protected before they leave the hospital."

Donating a Kidney is Not Dangerous for Life

2010-03-09T21:45:00.001-08:00

With the chronic shortage of kidneys for transplantation, more and more people are turning to family members, friends or other living donors. In fact, the number of live donor kidney transplants in the United States has nearly doubled over the last 15 years--from about 3,000 to nearly 6,000. But the question that has always accompanied the trend is whether people who donate one of their kidneys are putting their own health at risk over the long-term.

People who donate one of their kidneys are likely to live just as long as someone with two healthy kidneys, assuming they survive the initial somewhat riskier period.

Dorry Segev of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and colleagues studied 80,347 people who donated a kidney around the United States between April 1, 1994 and March 21, 2009, there were 25 deaths in the first 90 days after donation surgery during the 15-year period. That translates into a risk of 3.1 per 10,000 cases, which is lower than the risk from gallbladder removal.

But more importantly, the overall risk of death between the donors and a similar group of 9,364 people who did not donate a kidney was essentially identical within a year of the surgery and for the 12-year follow-up period.

That indicates that people do not put themselves at increased risk of shortening their lives by agreeing to give up one of their kidneys.

"Whatever happens when people donate kidneys, on average, it doesn't affect the rest of their lives and that has never been proven in a study and scope."

Nutritional supplements For Prostate Cancer

2010-03-08T21:55:00.000-08:00

Nutritional supplements and alternative therapies are becoming increasingly popular for both the prevention and treatment of many types of cancer. However, many patients tend to use dietary supplements without discussing them as an overall treatment plan in addition to medical therapies. In the case of some cancer treatments, certain supplements are not advised because they interfere with therapies such as radiation.

In the case of prostate cancer, supplements are marketed to men who have had unpleasant side effects associated with treatment such as impotence. Researchers from William Beaumont Hospital published a study in the March issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology discouraging the practice.

Other studies have found that these may have negative effects for some tumor sites after the use of chemotherapy, but the interaction with radiation therapy was not well-known, although preliminary studies indicate an interference with the treatment.

The researchers found that radiosensitivity the susceptibility of the cell to respond to radiation - of the malignant cells were not affected; however two of the supplements inhibited the growth rate of the normal prostate cell lines. This can lead to complications in the normal prostate tissue. The third supplement increased cellular radiosensitivity of some normal cell lines by inhibiting DNA repair.

Although doctors are concerned about men with prostate cancer who take extremely high doses of nutrition supplements and its potential for negative effects on treatment, it appears that taking a standard multivitamin may be okay to take with the physician's approval. A small study on 52 men presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology in November 2009 did not find harmful effects of normal levels of vitamin or antioxidant supplementation on radiation therapy for prostate cancer; however they also did not find a significant benefit in the treatment. Men who took a standard multivitamin had no difference in PSA response than those not taking supplements.
Men taking supplements marketed specifically for prostate health may inadvertently be getting hormonal therapy. Some dietary supplements may contain phytoestrogens or synthetic hormones which may stimulate the growth of the cancer cells.

"Cancer patients turn to supplements to aid in their treatments for a variety of reasons, but this study proves that what some patients believe is helping them may actually be harming them. It is very important for all patients to discuss any type of supplement they may be taking with their physician and especially important for prostate cancer patients receiving radiation therapy as this study shows that it may be negatively affecting the effectiveness of their treatments."

Coffee a Day For Healthy Heart

2010-03-07T21:22:00.000-08:00

A new study has just revealed that coffee is indeed heart healthy. The study has showed that a cup of coffee a day can help with the prevention of irregular heartbeats. The final conclusion of the study showed that if a person drank four or more cups a coffee a day that they can could decrease their chances of irregular heartbeats by nearly 20 percent.

The study has said that while coffee has not been proven as a preventive measure for arrythmia, the medical term for irregular heartbeat, there is no concrete evidence to show that caffeine is a catalyst for irregular heartbeat. The study was conducted by the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, California. The study has drawn some criticism due to the fact that it had been always said that previous studies showed coffee triggered some kind of heart papiltation and that the main ingredient of caffeine was main cause.

The study was unveiled on Friday, March 5, 2010, at the American Heart Association’s 50th Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease, Epidiomology, and Prevention in San Francisco, California. The study involved 130,054 men and women. The study also showed that people in the study who drank one to three cups a day showed a nearly 10 percent reduced risk.

Common Cold Symptoms, Treatment and How it differs from Flu

2010-03-04T21:04:00.000-08:00

The common cold is arguably the most common illness in humans. The common cold is probably the most common illness in humans and this is caused by viral infection. A lot of different types of virus can cause colds and we know that over 200 types of virus can lead to symptoms of colds. Colds are spread from person to person through tiny droplets of mucous that enter the air from the nasal passages of people who are infected.

What are the symptoms of the common cold?
Symptoms of the common cold include nasal stuffiness or drainage, sore or scratchy throat, sneezing, hoarseness, cough, and perhaps a fever and headache. Many people with a cold feel tired and achy. These symptoms will typically last anywhere from three to 10 days.

How is the common cold spread?
The common cold is usually spread by direct hand-to-hand contact with infected secretions or from contaminated surfaces. For example, if a person with a cold blows or touches their nose and then touches someone else, that person can subsequently become infected with the virus. Additionally, a cold virus can live on objects such as pens, books, telephones, computer keyboards, and coffee cups for several hours and can thus be acquired from contact with these objects.

What is the difference between the common cold and influenza (the flu)?
Many people confuse the common cold with influenza (the flu). Influenza is caused by the influenza virus, while the common cold generally is not. While some of the symptoms of the common cold and influenza may be similar, patients with the common cold typically have a milder illness. Patients with influenza are usually sicker and have a more abrupt onset of illness with fever, chills, headache, body aches, dry cough, and extreme weakness.

Though differentiating between the common cold and influenza can be difficult, there is laboratory testing available to confirm the diagnoses of influenza.What is the treatment for the common cold?
There is no cure for the common cold. Home treatment is directed at alleviating the symptoms associated with the common cold and allowing this self-limiting illness to run its course.

Supportive measures for the common cold include rest and drinking plenty of fluids. Over-the-counter medications such as throat lozenges, throat sprays, cough drops, and cough syrups may also help bring relief. Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or antihistamines may be used for nasal symptoms. Saline sprays and a humidifier may also be beneficial.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) and ibuprofen (Advil and others) can help with fever, sore throat, and body aches.

Use of Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

2010-03-03T21:17:00.000-08:00

Computed tomography (CT) is highly accurate in detecting adrenal masses and should be used as the first diagnostic modality to define and localize them, investigators concluded.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration unveiled a plan Tuesday to reduce radiation exposure from three types of increasingly widespread imaging procedures: computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine studies and fluoroscopy.

These three imaging techniques are the largest contributors to total radiation exposure among Americans. They use much higher radiation doses than other imaging procedures, such as standard X-rays, dental X-rays and mammography, potentially increasing the lifetime risk of cancer.

Some practitioners also believe that CT is easier to perform than ultrasound because it is fewer operators dependent and requires less personnel and time than ultrasound. Computed tomographic scans are rapid volume scans that can provide multiplanar reconstruction, whereas ultrasound has always been a 2-dimensional modality.

In addition to the cancer risk, accidental radiation exposure can result in injuries, such as burns, hair loss and cataracts. "The amount of radiation Americans are exposed to from medical imaging has dramatically increased over the past 20 years."

"The goal of FDA's initiative is to support the benefits associated with medical imaging while minimizing the risks."

While the extent of the cancer risk is a topic of debate, most experts agree that exposure to unnecessary radiation from these devices should be reduced. For example, the radiation from a CT scan of the abdomen is the equivalent of about 400 chest X-rays and a dental X-ray has about half the radiation of chest X-ray.

"Early diagnosis of disease, improved treatment planning, and image-guided therapies that helps save lives every day."

What Aspirin may o to your Health?

2010-03-02T21:15:00.000-08:00

"An aspirin a day" has become a staple of conventional heart-health wisdom. But for millions, this deceptively powerful regimen could be causing irreparable harm.

Are you one of the 40 million Americans who take a low-dose aspirin every day (or every other day) to prevent a heart attack or stroke? Who gave you that idea? Your spouse, a friend, or maybe a TV or magazine ad telling you that aspirin protects your heart by "keeps your blood flowing freely?"

Aspirin, that familiar, inexpensive little white pill, has long been known to carry cardiovascular benefits in addition to its powers as an anti-inflammatory painkiller.

Who is Aspirin for?
Identifying the exact groups of patients who will gain the most benefit from aspirin in relation to the risks the drug brings a higher risk of bleeding, including in the brain, and possible gastrointestinal problems is a bit more difficult than one might think.

Suggests that older folks with no clinical cardiovascular disease who were flagged as being at increased risk identified by a simple test that compares blood pressure in the ankle with that in the arm and can indicate peripheral artery disease might not gain any protection from that daily aspirin, even though PAD is a form of cardiovascular disease.
Who should not use Aspirin?
If it wasn't your doctor, and you're a generally healthy person who is taking aspirin because you hope it will keep a heart attack or stroke at bay, you should probably stop. Mounting evidence, reported recently in a number of leading medical journals, suggests doing so is a bad idea if you're healthy and not at significant risk for a heart attack.

Furthermore, these studies now show that the potential risk of cerebral hemorrhage, serious gastrointestinal bleeding, and ulcers anywhere from your mouth to your anus outweighs any heart benefits the aspirin might provide.

The study, led by researchers at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, tested whether people identified by the comparative blood pressure test known as the Ankle Brachial Index as being at higher risk for cardiovascular trouble would benefit from aspirin therapy.

The study subjects were people ages 50 to 75 who were identified as being at greater risk by the ABI test. Compared with those who took a placebo, subjects who took a coated, 100-mg aspirin daily did not benefit in any significant way measured by any difference in fatal or nonfatal coronary events and death from any cause. Subjects were followed for an average of eight years. Of 3,350 participants, 20 taking the panacea had a hemorrhage that required a hospital stay, compared with 34 taking the aspirin.

Child Obesity Prevention

2010-03-01T20:59:00.000-08:00

A new study has suggested that efforts to prevent childhood obesity should begin far earlier than currently thought-perhaps even before birth.

To reach the conclusion, boffins tracked 1,826 women from pregnancy through their children's first five years of life.

It's never too late for parents and doctors to help children who are overweight or obese to lose weight. But obesity research is pointing more and more to a pivotal time of life when the parameters for future weight appear to be established. And that time period is before conception to age 2.

Most obesity prevention programs target kids age 8 and older. Scientists at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute's Department of Population Medicine, an affiliate of Harvard edical School, now say that factors that place children at higher risk for obesity begin at infancy, and in some cases, during pregnancy. Their research also suggests that risk factors such as poor feeding practices; insufficient sleep and televisions in bedrooms are more prevalent among minority children than white children.

"This early life period-prenatal, infancy, to age 5-is a key period for childhood obesity prevention, especially for minority children," says Elsie Taveras, lead author of the study and an assistant professor of population medicine at Harvard Medical School, as well as the director of the One Step Ahead Program at Children's Hospital Boston.

"Almost every single risk factor in that period before age 2, including in the prenatal period, was disproportionately higher among minority children."

For the study, which appears online March 1 in the journal Pediatrics, researchers interviewed 1,343 white, 355 black and 128 Hispanic pregnant women at the end of the first and second trimesters, in the first few days following delivery, and when the children were 6 months and 3 years of age. The women also completed questionnaires when the children were 1, 2 and 4 years old.When compared to Caucasian women, the researchers found that minority women were more likely to be overweight when they became pregnant and Hispanic women had a higher rate of gestational diabetes, both risk factors for childhood obesity. Although the prevalence of two other risk factors-smoking and depression-during pregnancy was higher among African-American and Hispanic women, those rates dropped considerably when the researchers adjusted for socioeconomic status, suggesting that at least those two risk factors may be impacted by income and education levels.

When researchers looked at other risk factors during children's first five years, they found that African-American and Hispanic infants are more likely than their Caucasian counterparts to be born small, gain excess weight after birth, begin eating solid foods before 4 months of age and sleep less. During their preschool years, the study suggests, minority children eat more fast food, drink more sugar-sweetened beverages and are more likely to have televisions in their rooms than Caucasian children.

Asthma Symptoms and Treatment

2010-02-28T22:27:00.000-08:00

Asthma is a predisposition to chronic inflammation of the lungs in which the airways (bronchi) are reversibly narrowed. Asthma is a long-term disease that can't be cured. The goal of asthma treatment is to control the disease.

Treatment of asthma can be divided into long-term control and quick-relief medications.

Long-term control medications are taken daily to maintain control of persistent asthma. They primarily serve to control airway inflammation.

The quick-relief medications are taken to achieve prompt reversal of an acute asthma "attack" by relaxing bronchial smooth muscle.

Many asthma medications can be administered orally or by inhalation. Metered-dose inhalers (MDI's) are the most widely used method, but dry powder inhalers are becoming popular. Nebulizer therapy is reserved for patients who are unable to use MDI's because of difficulties with coordination.

Common Asthma Symptoms

Chest Tightness
Coughing
Fatigue
Shortness of Breath
Wheezing

Treatment of Asthma
Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled with proper asthma management.

The first step in asthma management is environmental control. Asthmatics cannot escape the environment, but through some changes, they can control its impact on their health. Listed below are some ways to change the environment in order to lessen the chance of an asthma attack

Clean the house at least once a week and wear a mask while doing it
Avoid pets with fur or feathers
Wash the bedding (sheets, pillow cases, mattress pads) weekly in hot water
Encase the mattress, pillows and box springs in dust-proof covers
Replace bedding made of down, kapok or foam rubber with synthetic materials
Consider replacing upholstered furniture with leather or vinyl
Consider replacing carpeting with hardwood floors or tile
Use the air conditioner
Keep the humidity in the house low

The second step is to monitor lung function. Asthmatics use a peak flow meter to gauge their lung function. Lung function decreases before symptoms of an asthma attack - usually about two to three days prior. If the meter indicates the peak flow is down by 20 percent or more from your usual best effort, an asthma attack is on its way.

The third step in managing asthma involves the use of medications. There are two major groups of medications used in controlling asthma anti-inflammatory (corticosteroids) and bronchodilators.

Causes and Prevention of Suicide

2010-02-26T21:44:00.000-08:00

Suicide is the act of taking one's own life on purpose. Suicidal behavior can range from thoughts of killing oneself to actually going through with the act.

Mental health experts and advocates nationwide agree that preventing teen suicide is possible but that it requires community wide work and a heavy dose of education.

"What we have to do is teach parents that depression is an illness, and it's medical, and it can be treated," said Paula Clayton, medical director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. "If you don't treat it, it can be fatal."

"There is a high correlation between mental illness and suicide"

The federal Centers for Disease Control's most recent statistics show that 33,300 people died by suicide in 2006, with 1,771 of those being children ages 10 to 19. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 24.

The number of those who die by suicide increases with age. The rate for youths ages 10 to 14 who die by suicide is one per 100,000. That number grows to seven per 100,000 for ages 15 to 19 and nearly doubles to 13 per 100,000 for ages 20 to 24.

"It is important to be honest and direct with your child," said Mercedes Coleman, director of education for Crisis Support Services of Alameda

For the past 23 years, the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention has been a leading agency working to prevent suicide with an extensive education program, research and advocacy.

"The current economic situation also causes a lot of stress for students, who may be the first generation in America to have a lower standard of living than previous generations."

A combination of biological, emotional, intellectual and social factors play a part in suicide risk. Factors that may contribute to teenage suicidal risk include:

Sadness
Stress
Poor school performance
Peer pressure
Grief
Learning disabilities
Illness or physical disabilities
Desire to be perfect
Lack of friends
Questions about sexual identity
Feelings of being disliked

What can be done to prevent the condition?
Suicide prevention consists of taking a person's suicide threats seriously. Others should also watch for signs that a person is planning to commit suicide. Steps include:

Listening carefully to the person at risk
Offering an open, non-judgmental conversation
Offering the person a positive solution
Discussing options for seeking help
Offering support for the person in finding help and treatment

Ways to Fight Against HIV and AIDS

2010-02-25T22:13:00.000-08:00

Conventional HIV therapies have resulted in fewer deaths and longer life spans. But as people live longer with HIV, there need to be more therapy choices available to them. We all know that eventually, HIV resistance makes therapies less effective. Over time, HIV medication resistance can eliminate all available conventional therapies, leaving the patient without further treatment choices. For this reason, it is important that scientists look past conventional ways to fight the virus. The following information details the work of three research teams not afraid to look outside the box for the next HIV therapy.

For many years, cancer patients have been treated with radioactive substances in hopes of shrinking their cancer and extending their lives. Now nuclear medicine specialists at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine are studying radioactive antibodies and their ability to kill HIV. So far the results have been favorable. In their studies using HIV-infected mice, researchers attached two radioactive isotopes to the antibodies that normally attach to proteins found on the surface of HIV-infected cells.

By attaching only to HIV infected cells, the lethal radiation killed the infected cells while leaving the healthy, functioning CD4 cells unharmed. By killing infected cells, HIV replication is slowed or halted, which in turn may slow the progression from HIV to AIDS. In the case of this study, researchers are now looking for a pharmaceutical sponsor that is interested in taking trials to the next step - developing an FDA-approved therapy against HIV.The "test and treat" program will apply new genetics tests to map how HIV-1C spreads within a community. DNA from a simple blood spot now can be genetically analyzed to pinpoint who infected whom within the village. This should show whether people with new infections band together in "transmission clusters" and thereby provide a clearer focus for future prevention efforts.

By targeting therapy to the most highly infectious it seems possible to significantly reduce the rate of new infections in others, but also in larger population's potentially whole nations where a common HIV strain is dominant.

Chronic Disease Causes and Prevention

2010-02-24T21:40:00.000-08:00

A chronic disease is a disease that persists over a long period. The symptoms of chronic disease are sometimes less severe than those of the acute phase of the same disease. Chronic disease may be progressive, result in complete or partial disability, or even lead to death. Examples of chronic disease include diabetes mellitus, emphysema, and arthritis.

Four Common Causes of Chronic Disease
Four modifiable health risk behaviors responsible for much of the illness, suffering, and early death related to chronic diseases.

Lack of physical activity
Poor nutrition
Tobacco use
Excessive alcohol consumption

Chronic Disease is a killer and a leading cause of diminished quality of life among residents in Clark County. Chronic diseases are among the most common and costly of all health conditions, such as

Cardiovascular Disease
Cancer
Diabetes

8 Ways to Prevent Chronic Disease

Reduce all of your risk factors for chronic disease. People often think if they quit smoking, they can still be overweight. Or if they reduce their cholesterol, they can be a couch potato. Find out the risk factors for the disease that runs in your family, and chip away at each and every one of them. Every risk factor is related to chronic inflammation, so until you get rid of all of them, you still live with that chief disease-causing culprit.
Exercise. Exercise fads are frustrating, because their promoters sell people on the idea that they need to try every new time-consuming, expensive trend that comes along. To prevent chronic disease, find something you love to do, like dancing, walking, or gardening, and do it with a passion.
Mind, spirit, and positive attitude. Happy and hopeful people are generally healthier and longer-lived than the perennially depressed, angry, fearful, and pessimistic. To prevent chronic disease, pursue activities and people that lift your spirits!
Adequate rest. Many biochemical reactions that occur during rest are necessary for both physical and mental health. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to a shorter lifespan, and is associated with chronic increased inflammation. Between seven and eight hours appears to be best for the majority of adults.
Good medical care. Become a more resolute and informed participant in your own health care. Get regular checkups. To prevent chronic disease, find a physician who values preventive medicine.
Good macronutrition. Good macronutrition consists of eating the right types and percentages of the nutrients that make up most of our nutritional intake by weight carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Ideally, your range should be 45-65% carbohydrates, 20-35% fats, and 10-35% proteins.
Good micronutrition. To prevent chronic disease, make sure you get enough micronutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients (active nutrients found in plants, such as lycopene). A vast body of research clearly points to the need for supplementation for virtually everyone living in the developed world.
Healthy environment, good hygiene. Take measures to avoid air pollution outside and inside your home and office and unhealthy water. To prevent chronic disease, keep your body clean, and practice monogamy and safe sex.

High blood pressure Prevention

2010-02-23T21:14:00.000-08:00

Those are the findings in a recent study on high blood pressure, conducted by the Institute of Medicine. High blood pressure, or hypertension, claims the lives and limits the quality of life for untold millions of Americans every year.

Neglecting high blood pressure is a very costly proposition for the United States. The Centers for Disease Control spent $57 million on heart disease and stroke prevention last year, while it cost the health care system at least $73 billion. Hypertension is linked to heart attacks, is a leading cause of strokes and kidney failure, and plays a role in blindness and even dementia.

For women, the guidelines don't focus on heart risk. Instead, the task force recommends certain women should take aspirin regularly if they are 55 to 79 and are in danger of having an ischemic stroke, for reasons that could include high blood pressure and diabetes.

The report said that high blood pressure could be reduced by as much as 22 percent by taking simple steps including reducing salt in the diet, eating more fruits and vegetables.
Healthy lifestyle habits for preventing and controlling high blood pressure.

Reducing Salt and Sodium in Your Diet.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight.
Being Physically Active.
Limiting Alcohol Intake.
Quitting Smoking.
Work in the garden or backyard, or go out dancing or to an aerobics session daily.
Other things too may help prevent hypertension, like calcium, potassium, fish oils, magnesium and stress management.

Therapies to Strengthen Immune System in Flu Fighters

2010-02-21T21:28:00.000-08:00

Alternative medicine homeopathy, acupuncture, naturopathy, even mind-body medicine has a role in preventing and treating the flu, practitioners say.

Vaccination is the best defense against flu viruses, whether seasonal or the H1N1 pandemic virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Though flu activity has quieted down, viruses are unpredictable and activity can rise and fall throughout the season and it's not over yet.

Four practitioner's alternative and complementary therapies about their approaches to preventing and treating the flu.

AcupunctureThis ancient Chinese therapy uses needles inserted at various locations on the body to relieve pain and restore well-being. And it works on flu symptoms, says a licensed acupuncturist and practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine.

"Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be helpful to build the immune system and assist the body to get rid of pathogens,"

The location of the acupuncture needles he applies called acupuncture points are customized to "suit each individual's needs,"Using acupuncture and Chinese herbs to strengthen a person's immune system is "very individual and specific,"

Some people have stronger immune systems than others; these people would require less treatment, but "generally, to build one's immune system, a course of four weekly treatments initially, followed by regular 'tune-ups,' could be quite helpful."

Treatment for H1N1, as with other flu's and colds, is highly individualized and would "depend on the symptoms that patient is experiencing at that time, and as the symptoms change, so does the treatment." But once they've tried this treatments, people "do come back" when they're suffering from flu and cold symptoms.

MeditationLong-term, unrelieved stress can be hazardous to your immune system, says a meditation lecturer and teacher for the Center for Mind Body.

Persistent stress causes high levels of cortisol (often called the stress hormone) to remain in the body instead of returning to normal levels, and that's bad for the immune system. "Our bodies stop producing immune cells and the ones that we already have don't function very well,"

A suppressed immune system can't provide the "functional and plentiful T cells to help us fight off infections like the flu," And while long-term stress might not cause the flu, it makes people a much easier target for the flu "by wiping out our immune systems" and making them "defenseless against infections."

How can we de-stress to protect our immune system? "Meditation allows people to access a place in you which is calm and peaceful."

Studies have shown that 20 minutes (of meditation) two times a day will effectively turn around the effects of stress for 24 hours, people can get a great effect out of a little bit (of meditation) here or there throughout the course of the day."

NaturopathyNaturopaths receive training in conventional medicine like that of a family doctor. Prescriptions for flu prevention and treatment include common-sense advice like frequent hand washing and proper cough procedures, in addition to eating well (more fresh fruit and veggies, whole grains) and consuming less processed foods (sugar, fast foods, sugary drinks, meat), moderating stress and getting adequate sleep.

As a naturopath, though patients "a variety of natural substances to support one's immune system based on the individual's underlying health challenges. This is the foundation in preventing illness and decreasing the severity and length of the illness, should one contract a cold or flu." "Same approach to health" during the H1N1 outbreak last year.

HomeopathyHomeopathy seeks to stimulate the body's ability to heal itself by giving very small doses of highly diluted substances, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a branch of the National Institutes of Health. It's based on the principle of "like cures like," reports NCCAM: "a disease can be cured by a substance that produces similar symptoms in healthy people."

Homeopathic practitioners use natural substances in their treatments.
"Best protection is immune and self support (which) begins with a loving relationship with the children, warm beds and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and good quality protein in the diet and good sleep is very important." Once the basic requirements of self-care are met, there are other options to consider.

Blood Tests to Track Cancer Disease

2010-02-18T21:33:00.000-08:00

Personalised blood tests which could track whether cancer treatment is working or if the disease has come back have been developed by US researchers.

The test identifies tumour DNA "rearrangements" which are specific to the individual patient.
In the future, this "genetic fingerprint" could be used to pick out tiny remnants of a tumour, Science Translational Medicine reports. Such techniques are currently very expensive but costs are falling.

The researchers hope that one day the technology could be used to spot cancer recurrence before they would be picked up by scans.

DNA from volunteer patients was scanned for rearrangements of large chunks of genetic information which occur in cancer cells but not normal cells.

Known as personalised analysis of rearranged ends (Pare), the technique was developed using six sets of cancerous and normal tissue samples taken from four patients with bowel cancer and two with breast tumours. They found between four and 15 DNA rearrangements in each of the six samples.

Using blood samples from two of the colorectal cancer patients, they found the test was sensitive enough to detect this marker or "fingerprint" DNA that had been shed by tumours into the bloodstream.

In tests on one patient, after surgery the levels of the marker DNA dropped due to the removal of the main tumour. Then they rose again, suggesting that some cancer remained.

After chemotherapy and another round of surgery levels of the DNA markers fell once more. The test was still picking up signs of the tumour which tallied with a small cancerous lesion in the patient's liver where the cancer had spread.

Cost to Detect Cancer
Further research is needed to ensure such a test could accurately detect cancer recurrence. One current drawback is the expense with genetic sequencing costing about £3,200 per patient but, say researchers, costs are falling as the technology improves making the approach potentially more feasible.

Depression Impacts and Treatments

2010-02-17T21:32:00.000-08:00

Depression is one of the most common psychological problems, affecting nearly everyone through either personal experience or through depression in a family member. Each year over 17 million American adults experience a period of clinical depression. The cost in human suffering cannot be estimated. Depression can interfere with normal functioning, and frequently causes problems with work, social and family adjustment. It causes pain and suffering not only to those who have a disorder, but also to those who care about them. Serious depression can destroy family life as well as the life of the depressed person.

Impact of Depression

Causes tremendous emotional pain
Disrupts the lives of millions of people
Adversely affects the lives of families and friends
Reduces work productivity and absenteeism
Has a significant negative impact on the economy, costing an estimated $44 billion a year

Depression treatment tips

Learn as much as you can about your depression. It’s important to determine whether your depression symptoms are due to an underlying medical condition. If so, that condition will need to be treated first. How severe your depression is also has a role in treatment; the more severe the depression, the more intensive the treatment is likely to be.
It takes time to find the right treatment. It might take some trial and error to find the treatment and supports that works best for you. For example, it might take a few tries to find a therapist that you click with if you decide to pursue therapy. Or you may try different types of exercise, finally to find that what’s best for you may be a twenty-minute walk after work. Be open to change and a little experimentation.
Don’t rely on medications alone. It’s hard to escape ads about medication as a treatment for depression. Although medication can be effective for severe depression, studies have shown that therapy can be as effective or even a more effective treatment for many types of depression. Therapy and/or lifestyle changes may be all you need, and they come without the side effects of medication. If you do decide to try medication, remember that medication works best when you pursue therapy as well.
Get social support. The more you cultivate your social connections, the more protected you are from depression. If you are feeling stuck, don’t hesitate to talk to trusted family members or friends. Asking for help is not a weakness but a sign of strength.
Treatment takes time and commitment. All of these depression treatments take time, and sometimes it might feel overwhelming or frustratingly slow. That is normal. Recovery has its ups and downs.
Lifestyle changes that can treat depression. Exercise, Nutrition, Sleep, Social Support, Stress Reduction make changes in your life to help manage and reduce stress. Too much stress exacerbates depression and puts you at risk for future depression.

Colon cancer Risk factors and Preventive Tips

2010-02-16T20:53:00.000-08:00

Colon cancer is a common type of cancer. A number of risk factors increase the likelihood of developing colon cancer. A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of developing cancer. Some risk factors can be changed (like diet) but others can not (like having inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]). Some risk factors for colon cancer are:

IBD: People who have IBD (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) are at an increased risk of developing cancer.
Age: Older people, specifically over the age of 50, are more likely to get colon cancer, but it can occur in younger people, too.
Diet: Studies have shown that a diet high in fat and calories and low in fiber can contribute to colon cancer.
Being overweight: Maintaining a healthy weight is important to overall health and preventing the development of cancer.
Polyps: A colon polyp is a growth on the wall of the colon or rectum. Some polyps in some people can develop into colon cancer. The presence of polyps increases the risk of colon cancer, which is why screening colonoscopies are recommended to check for polyps and to remove any that are there.
Personal medical history: A person with a history of colon cancer has an increased likelihood of developing a second colon cancer.
Family history: A person whose parent, sibling, or child has had colon cancer is at an increased risk, particularly if the person had cancer at a young age. A genetic syndrome known as HNPCC (hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer) syndrome puts affected people at great risk of developing colon as well as uterine, gastric, urothelial and pancreaticobiliary cancers. Screening is particularly critical in these patients.

Preventing colon cancer
Screening for colon cancer is important for prevention. Most colon cancers develop from benign polyps. Discovering these polyps during a colonoscopy and having them removed may help prevent colon cancer. Ask your doctor how often you need colonoscopies for colon cancer surveillance.

In brief, the following lifestyle choices may help lower the risk of developing colon cancer, and lead to a healthier life.

Get five servings of vegetables, fruits and whole grains a day for fiber, calcium and folic acid.
Limit consumption of red meat and saturated fat.
Exercise five days a week for at least half an hour.
Quit smoking.
Avoid alcohol.
Maintain a healthy weight.

Honey Wound Care Treatment

2010-02-15T20:43:00.000-08:00

Honey isn't just for sweetening tea anymore. Doctors at the Hunterdon Wound Healing Center are using it as part of their treatment program.

Honey was used as a first aid treatment more than 4,000 years ago in ancient Egypt. Today, doctors are using a medical grade product called Leptospermum honey native to New Zealand and Australia as an effective agent in topical wound care. It is especially useful for treating non-healing diabetic wounds and in cases where antibiotic resistance, such as MRSA, is an issue.

Medical Director of the Hunterdon Wound Healing Center, said, "The medical grade honey helps to decrease bacteria and maintain moisture in the wound to allow it to heal. It also helps to remove tissue that is unhealthy, which can prolong the healing process, and stimulates new tissue growth."

Symptoms and Treatment of Malaria

2010-02-14T21:13:00.000-08:00

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by a parasite (plasmodium) which is transmitted from human to human by the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

Symptoms of Malaria

Malarial attacks present over 4 to 6 hours with shaking chills, high fever, and sweating, and are often associated with fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, dry cough, muscle or joint pain, and back ache. The attacks may occur every other day or every third day.
Cerebral malaria and death can occur, sometimes within 24 hours, if the infection is caused by plasmodium falciparum.Treatment of Malaria

Medical treatment should be sought immediately. The effectiveness of antimalarial drugs differs with different species of the parasite and with different stages of the parasite's life cycle. Your physician will determine the treatment plan most appropriate for your individual condition.

Drugs include chloroquine, mefloquine, primaquine, quinine, pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine (Fansidar), and doxycycline. Some plasmodium have developed resistance to certain medications, and therefore, alternative medications will be prescribed

Anti-Cancer Diet Tips

2010-02-11T20:47:00.000-08:00

Are you interested in doing all you can to improve your health and fight off cancer? By making smart food choices, you can protect your health, feel better, and boost your ability fight off disease.

Focus on plant-based foods

Breakfast: Add fruit and a few seeds or nuts to your whole grain breakfast cereal (oatmeal!).
Lunch: Eat a big salad filled with your favorite beans and peas or other combo of veggies. Always order lettuce and tomato (plus any other veggies you can!) on your sandwiches. Order whole grain bread for your sandwiches. Have a side of veggies like cut up carrots, sauerkraut or a piece of fruit.
Snacks: fresh fruit and vegetables. Grab an apple or banana on your way out the door. Raw veggies such as carrots, celery, cucumbers, peppers, etc. are great with a low-fat dip such as hummus. Keep trail mix made with nuts, seeds and a little dried fruit on hand.
Dinner: Add fresh or frozen veggies to your favorite pasta sauce or rice dish. Top a baked potato with broccoli and yogurt, sauteed veggies, or with salsa. Replace creamy pasta sauces, with sauteed vegetables or tomato sauce made with healthy olive oil.
Dessert: Choose fruit instead of a richer dessert. Or a single square of dark chocolate.

Bulk up on fiber

Use brown rice instead of white rice
Substitute whole-grain bread for white bread
Choose a bran muffin over a croissant or pastry
Snack on popcorn instead of potato chips
Eat fresh fruit such as a pear, a banana, or an apple (with the skin)
Have a baked potato, including the skin, instead of mashed potatoes
Enjoy fresh carrots, celery, or bell peppers with a hummus or salsa, instead of chips and a sour cream dip
Use beans instead of ground meat in chili, casseroles, tacos, and even burgers (bean burgers taste great!)

Cut down on meat

Keep meat to a minimum. Try to keep the total amount of meat in your diet to no more than fifteen percent of your total calories. Ten percent is even better.
Eat red meat only occasionally. Red meat is high in saturated fat, so eat it sparingly.

Prevention Drug for Heart Disease

2010-02-10T20:32:00.000-08:00

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the drug rosuvastatin (Crestor) for people who have not been diagnosed with heart disease, leaving some preventive cardiologists shaking their heads.

Crestor costs $1,500 a year. It comes with side effects, including muscle pain, gastrointestinal disorders, a "confused state" and an increased risk of diabetes. And the FDA's expanded use of Crestor will encourage dependence on pharmaceutical drugs, critics say.

"Is this the best way to spend money to promote good health?" wondered Northwestern cardiologist.
Instead, "our strongest push should be to encourage healthy lifestyle changes,"

That means focusing on diet and exercise, which the FDA says you should, do while taking Crestor, anyway.

The FDA approval means Crestor can now be marketed to men over age 50 and women over age 60 that have at least one traditional cardiovascular risk factor (smoking, high blood pressure, family history) and high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker for inflammation. Elevated CRP is associated with the buildup of cholesterol and other fatty material in the coronary arteries.

Cholesterol medication is designed to lower so-called "bad" cholesterol. And it can play a vital role in certain situations, said Devries. But high levels of CRP "can be treated with weight loss, exercise, and smoking cessation, reduced intake of sugar-boosting carbohydrates and reduced intake of unhealthy fats".

Moreover, a Mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiac problems by more than 70 percent, he said.

"Public health efforts should be focused on developing innovative programs to encourage health lifestyles-changes that have a far broader potential for improving health and at a lower cost than any FDA approval can achieve"

Tips for Healthy Skin

2010-02-09T20:56:00.000-08:00

Foods Healthy Skin

One of the top tips for healthy skin care is to eat healthy foods. Here are some of the best foods for healthy skin.

Foods containing Omega-3 fatty acids (eg. Tuna, mackerel, herrings and sardines)
Foods containing Vitamin A or beta-carotene (eg. Sweet potato, carrot, mango and spinach)
Foods containing zinc (e.g. Beef, peanuts, roasted pumpkin)
Fresh fruit and vegetables
Water
Tea

Skin Care Tips

Protect yourself from the sun
Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when the sun's rays are the strongest.

Sleep And Skin Rejuvenation
Getting a good night's sleep is important for healthy skin care. As people sleep, skin rejuvenation takes place and the cells undergo a process of repair. This is important because this is the time when the skin is restored and recovers from any harm it has suffered during the day. To help skin stay healthy, you should ensure you get at least seven (preferably eight) hours of sleep a night.

Hydration
Skin hydration is very important, especially for people with dry skin. Drinking lots of water is one way of keeping skin hydrated. Water also helps brings nutrients to the skin. It is important to avoid dehydrating drinks, like cola, coffee and alcohol.

Lungs Cancer Causes and Preventive Tips

2010-02-08T20:04:00.000-08:00

Lung cancer happens when cells in the lung begin to grow out of control and can then invade nearby tissues or spread throughout the body. Large collections of cancer cells are called tumors. More than one in four cancer cases are diagnosed lung and lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths more common among men and women in the United States.

Lung cancer prevention Lung cancer can often be associated with known risk factors for the disease. Many risk factors can be changed, but not all can be avoided.

Tobacco: Studies show that smoking tobacco products in any form is the major cause of lung cancer. People who stop smoking and never start again lower their risk of developing lung cancer or of having lung cancer recur (come back). Many products, such as nicotine gum, nicotine sprays, nicotine inhalers, nicotine patches, or nicotine lozenges, as well as antidepressant drugs, may be helpful to people trying to quit smoking. Never smoking lowers the risk of dying from lung cancer.
Second-hand tobacco smoke also causes lung cancer. This is smoke that comes from a burning cigarette or other tobacco product, or smoke that is exhaled by smokers. People who inhale second-hand smoke are exposed to the same cancer-causing agents as smokers, although in weaker amounts. Inhaling second-hand smoke is called involuntary or passive smoking.
Environmental Causes: There are other causes of lung cancer in the environment, but their effect on lung cancer rates is small compared to the effect of cigarette smoking.
Cancer-causing agents that may be found indoors, especially in the workplace, include asbestos, radon, arsenic, chromium, nickel, tar, and soot. These substances can cause lung cancer in people who have never smoked, and combine with cigarette smoke to further increase lung cancer risk in smokers. Many countries are working to control these cancer-causing agents in the workplace.
Air pollution may also increase the risk of lung cancer. Studies show that lung cancer rates are higher in cities with higher levels of air pollution.
Beta Carotene: Studies show that heavy smokers who avoid taking beta carotene supplements may avoid further increasing their risk of lung cancer compared with smokers who do take beta carotene.
Diet and Physical Activity: Studies show that a diet rich in fruit, and possibly vegetables, may help lower the risk of lung cancer, while heavy alcohol drinking may increase the risk of lung cancer. In addition, studies show that people who are physically active may have a lower risk of lung cancer than those who are not, even after taking cigarette smoking into account.
Chemoprevention: Chemoprevention is the use of specific natural or man-made drugs to reverse, suppress, or prevent cancer growth. Chemoprevention is an area of active clinical research. It has not yet become standard therapy.

Preventive tips and Symptoms of H1N1

2010-02-07T21:01:00.000-08:00

H1N1 virus is mostly entered through nostrils and mouth/throat. While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps

Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications). This is not a joke. Make it a ritual habit, makes it part of your daily routine. DO NOT BE LAZY!

"Hands-off-the- face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you do not trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Do not underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.
Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (such as citrus fruits). If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that they also have Zinc to boost absorption.
Drink as much warm liquid as you can (such as teas, soups and broths). Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

Symptoms of H1N1 Swine Flu
Symptoms of H1N1 swine flu are similar to those of the seasonal flu and include:

Fever
Body aches
Cough
Sore throat
Headache
Fatigue
Occasionally vomiting and diarrhea

What to Do if You Get Sick
If you are sick with a fever and cough or sore throat, you should contact your health-care provider.

Tips For Dental Hygiene

2010-02-05T20:50:00.000-08:00

While the following brushing and flossing tips may contain useful general guidelines. Lot many tips are followed by all of us to keep our smile in one piece. The former and principal thought that comes into our mind concerning this will be the dental care tips like brushing and flossing. It is true that brushing helps in removing bacteria, which results in tooth decay and gum diseases. In addition to that get the teeth professionally cleaned, at least twice a year for perfect dental care.

Brushing Tips

Use a soft bristled brush, preferably one with rounded, synthetic bristles. Look for the American Dental Association seal of approval. Replace your toothbrush approximately every two to three months or as soon as the bristles are worn or bent.
Be sure your brush is the right size (in general, smaller is better than larger).
Place the bristles at a 45 degree angle to the gum line, and slide the tips of the brush under the gums.
Gently jiggle the bristles or move it in small circles over the tooth and gums.
Brush the outside, the inside, and the chewing surfaces of your teeth. For chewing surfaces, use a light back and forth motion.
For the front teeth, brush the inside surfaces of the upper and lower jaws: Tilt your brush vertically and make several strokes up and down with the front part of the brush over the teeth and gum tissues.
Brushing your tongue will help freshen your breath. Debris and bacteria can collect on your tongue and cause bad breath.
Since your toothbrush will only clean one or two teeth at a time, change its position to clean each tooth properly.
Brush at least once every day, preferably at bedtime. Adding a brush time after breakfast increases your chances of thorough daily plaque removal.
Take your time: A thorough brushing should take at least 3 minutes.
Don't brush your teeth too vigorously, and don't use a hard bristled toothbrush, since it causes the gums to recede and exposes root surfaces. It also wears down the tooth structure. Both of these conditions can lead to tooth sensitivity.
A pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste is sufficient.
Replace your brush when the bristles begin to spread, as a worn out toothbrush will not properly clean your teeth.

Flossing Tips

Wrap about 18 inches of floss around the middle fingers of your hands.
Hold the floss tightly, using your thumbs and forefingers, and gently guide it between your teeth. Don't "snap" the floss as this can cut the gums!
When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C-shape against one tooth and gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel pressure against the tooth.
Gently scrape the side of the tooth with the floss.
Repeat this method on all your teeth.
Move to a clean area of floss after one or two teeth.

Headaches and Relief of Headache

2010-02-04T21:20:00.000-08:00

Headaches are extremely common: most people have a headache at some time in their life. Most headaches disappear on their own (with a little time) or with the help of mild painkillers.

Experts used to think that the pain of tension headache stemmed from muscle contraction in the face, neck and scalp, perhaps as a result of heightened emotions, tension or stress. But research suggests that there doesn't appear to be a significant increase in muscle tension in people diagnosed with tension headache.
Changes in brain chemicals
Researchers now suspect that tension headache may result from changes among certain brain chemicals serotonin, endorphins and numerous other chemicals that help nerves communicate. Although it's not clear why the chemical levels fluctuate, the process is thought to activate pain pathways to the brain and to interfere with the brain's ability to suppress the pain.
Triggers
It's likely other factors also contribute to the development of tension headaches. Potential triggers may include:

Stress
Depression and anxiety
Poor posture
Working in awkward positions or holding one position for a long time
Jaw clenching

Relief of Headache
The same lifestyle choices that promote good health may reduce the frequency and severity of your tension headaches. Consider the basics:

Eat healthy foods. Don't skip meals especially breakfast.
Exercise regularly. During physical activity, your body releases certain chemicals that block pain signals to your brain. If your doctor agrees, choose any exercise you enjoy. Walking, swimming and cycling are often good choices. But it's important to start slowly. Exercising too vigorously can trigger some types of headaches.
Get enough sleep. Wake up and go to bed at the same time every day even on weekends. Relax before you go to bed. If you don't fall asleep within 15 minutes, get up. Read or do another quiet activity until you become drowsy. Keep in mind that medications that contain caffeine or other stimulants, including some headache medications, may interfere with sleep.
Avoid excess caffeine. Sometimes caffeine helps curb headaches. In fact, many headache medications contain caffeine. But heavy daily caffeine use more than 600 milligrams of caffeine a day, or about four to seven cups of coffee can cause headaches and irritability.
Keep stress under control. Rather than looking for ways to squeeze more activities or chores into the day, find a way to leave some things out.

Prevention and Examination for skin cancer

2010-02-04T04:17:00.000-08:00

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the world. The good news is that most types of skin cancer are preventable and curable. Prevention strategies and early detection are the key, Such as:

It should begin early in life. The damage from ultra violet B occurs early although the cancer may appear years later.
Regular use of sun screens and protective clothing.
Avoid tanning salons and mid-day sun exposure.
Early detection -If you have moles that are bothering you or are doing strange things such as changing size, shape, color, or if they bleed constantly, you should consult a doctor. This will lead to simpler treatment, higher cure rates and lower morbidity.
Long-term follow up is important. It helps in detection of recurrence, metastasis and new skin cancers.

Natural therapies

Antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin A (beta-carotene), vitamin C, and vitamin E can help reduce the risk of cell damage, especially when taken in conjunction with the minerals zinc and selenium
Essential fatty acids, such as those found in Evening Primrose and Fish Oils, are also essential for the health of the skin

Self-examination
To detect melanomas or other skin cancers, use the A-B-C-D-E skin self-examination guide, adapted by Dermatology:

A is for asymmetrical shape. Look for moles with irregular shapes, such as two very different-looking halves.
B is for irregular border. Look for moles with irregular, notched or scalloped borders the characteristics of melanomas.
C is for changes in color. Look for growths that have many colors or an uneven distribution of color.
D is for diameter. Look for growths that are larger than about 1/4 inch (about 6 millimeters).
E is for evolving. Look for changes over time, such as a mole that grows in size or that changes color or shape. Moles may also evolve to develop new signs and symptoms, such as new itchiness or bleeding.

How healthy is your heart?

2010-02-03T04:33:00.000-08:00

How healthy is your heart? Young or old, everyone can benefit from taking stock of their dietary habits, especially when it comes to keeping the old ticker in good shape. You probably already know the basics: Fruits and vegetables are great options, as are lean meats and fish. A handful of nuts a day are a smart choice, as are cutting down on refined carbohydrates, Trans fats and high-sodium foods. But what about less well-known, but potentially heart-healthy options, like flaxseed or psyllium fibre? Do these functional foods and supplements offer hope, or just hype?

A Meal "from" and "for" the Heart
Making a lovely dinner for a nice occasion does not require a lot of rich and fatty ingredients. A light white fish takes around 15 minutes to bake and it contains heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids the compounds that have been associated with lower risk for colon and prostate cancers.

No matter which eating plan you follow, the following guidelines are recommended:

Total fat intake should be less than 30 percent of total calories daily.
Saturated fatty acid intake should be less than 10 percent of total calories daily.
Polyunsaturated fatty acid intake should be no more that 10 percent of total calories daily.
Monounsaturated fatty acids make up the rest of total fat intake, about 10 to 15 percent of total calories daily.
Cholesterol intake should be no more than 300 milligrams per day.
Sodium intake should be no more than 3000 milligrams per day.
Beware of chemicals in your food like caffeine, MSG, and other food additives.

February is heart month, so we'll be taking a closer look at the influence functional foods and supplements can have on heart health. This week, we'll focus on different sources of soluble fibre, a type of fibre often recommended for controlling cholesterol levels.

First Aids For Burns

2010-02-01T21:53:00.000-08:00

What causes burns?
You can get burned by heat, fire, radiation, sunlight, electricity or chemicals. There are 3 degrees of burns:

First-degree burns are red and painful. They swell a little. They turn white when you press on the skin. The skin over the burn may peel off after 1 or 2 days.

Second-degree burns are thicker burns, are very painful and typically produce blisters on the skin. The skin is very red or splotchy, and may be very swollen and usually heal in 2 to 3 weeks.

Third-degree burns cause damage to all layers of the skin. The burned skin looks white or charred. These burns may cause little or no pain because the nerves and tissue in the skin are damaged and usually take a very long time to heal.

How are burns treated?

1. Use cold water or cloths soaked in cold water on burned areas for 15 minutes or until the pain subsides. Do not use ice at all. Doing this could result in frostbite.

2. Cover the area loosely with a dry cloth, such as sterile gauze. Hold it in place by taping only the edges of the gauze. Change the dressing the next day and every 2 days after that.

3. Do not use ointments. Aloe vera can be applied over closed skin 3 to 4 times a day. For a more severe burn less than 3'' x 2'', use Second Skin Moisture Pads, etc.

4. Do not break blisters. If they break on their own, apply an antibacterial spray or ointment or treatment prescribed by your doctor. Keep the area loosely covered with a sterile dressing.

5. Prop the burned area higher than the rest of the body, if you can.

Health and Fitness For Young Women

2010-01-28T22:09:00.000-08:00

"A lot of women in their 20s make the mistake of putting off establishing good eating and fitness habits, but this is the best time to create a foundation of healthy living"

Here are five key health tips for women in their 20s:
1. Establish an exercise routine (that you enjoy!) Staying active will help you develop a strong body that looks and feels good as you age. It can lower your risk for disease, reduce stress and protect your bones and joints.

2. Maintain healthy eating habits
Stop worrying about your weight, and start thinking about your health. Eating mostly whole foods, including lots of veggies, fruits and whole grains, is the key to feeling and looking your best. Start by adding an additional serving of fruits and vegetables to every meal.

3. Protect your skin
You're never too young to start taking care of your skin. Healthy habits today will pay off in later years. The key to healthy skin lies beyond which soap you use.

4. Get a good night's sleep
Not getting enough sleep can interfere with your memory and ability to reason and concentrate, make you more susceptible to injury, increase stress levels and reduce your body's ability to fight infection or heal. If you have trouble getting a good night's rest, try going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day or taking a hot shower before bed.

5. Manage stress
It's easy to get overwhelmed with balancing a new job, friends and everything else happening in your life. Breathe; slow, deep, diaphragmatic breaths can trigger a relaxation response in your whole body.

Cervical Cancer: A Preventable Disease

2010-01-27T20:45:00.000-08:00

Cervical Cancer and HPV

The human papilloma virus (HPV) has recently been shown to be the most important risk factor for cervical cancer (a risk factor is something that increases one's risk of getting a particular disorder). There are other risk factors such as smoking, immunosuppression (reduced immune function), multiple full-term pregnancies, oral contraceptive use, and others; however, these are beyond the scope of the present article, whose purpose is to focus on the single most important risk factor, the HPV virus.

The HPV Vaccine

Given the above, it's easy to see why the medical community is so excited by the recent availability of a vaccine for the HPV virus; since this virus is the #1 cause of cervical cancer, its administration can significantly reduce its occurrence. In effect, cervical cancer may now be considered to be a largely preventable disease. The amount of human suffering and death that can now be prevented from happening is staggering to this author.

The HPV vaccine is relatively simple to administer and is not associated with any known adverse medical consequences. After the initial dose, it is re-administered two and then six months later (it is given in the arm, like most other vaccines). It is available for girls/women between the ages of 9 and 26 (the reasoning here is that after age 26 the cervical cells may be less likely to be protected by the HPV vaccine; this upper-age cutoff may change however, as more clinical data are accumulated over time).

Optimally, the HPV vaccine should be given before a woman becomes sexually active, since the best way to prevent cervical cancer is to prevent infection by the HPV virus in the first place. However, having had unprotected sex (remember, virtually everyone that has EVER had unprotected sex is almost certain to have had the virus at some point) is not a reason to forego the vaccine; the vaccine will interfere with viral activity even if the virus is still present (really cool!).

The HPV vaccine has also recently been approved for boys as well (the reasoning here is to reduce the available "pool" of virus in the population as well as to prevent genital warts, which are quite painful).

10 Easy Tweaks to reduce fat and calories

2010-01-21T22:04:00.000-08:00

Switching to eating a healthier diet and cutting calories doesn't need to be an "all or nothing" and can be easier than you think.Following are tips on how to save calories without giving up all your favourite foods, as well asideas on how to getmore nutritional value out of your meals.

Ten quick and easy ways to reduce fat and calories
Calculate how many of these changes you could make in your diet and how many calories per week you would save. Multiply your weekly saving by 52 and divide by 3,500: That's how many pounds you could potentially lose (or not gain) if you make these changes (3,500 calories equals a pound.)
1. Specialty coffee drinks are full of sugar, fat and calories.Opt for regular coffee and add 1% milk. Substituting a cup of black coffee for one specialty coffee can cut anywhere from 80 to 500 calories a day out of your diet. If you want a latte or cappuccino, ask for skim milk and get a small or medium size (substituting 8 oz of skim milk for whole milk will save 90 calories).
2. Soft drinks: Club soda has zero calories and zero grams of fat. Drinking a can of it instead of regular cola would save 144 calories. If you findthe taste of club soda too bland, add lemon, lime or a splash of cranberry.
3. Alcohol: Avoiding sugary mixes can reduce calories significantly (exactly how much depends on the size and type of drink).Drink light beer instead of regular and save 75 or more calories.
4. Substitute 4 oz of ground turkey breast (skinless) for 4 oz of ground beef and save around 150 calories and 10 grams of fat.Try turkey chili, turkey burgers and ground turkey in your pasta sauce instead of beef.
5. Instead of dipping raw vegetables in ranch dressing, use hummus. A 1/4cup of hummus has only 110 calories, 5 grams of fat and no cholesterol, compared to 296 calories and 15 grams of fat for the same amount of ranch dressing.
6. When making scrambled eggs or omelets, instead of using two whole eggs use 1 whole egg and 2 egg whites. This is 40 fewer calories, 4fewer grams of fat, and a lower cholesterol intake- 213 mgs instead of 426 mgs.
7. Trade 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise for mustard, and save 103 calories and 11.7 grams of fat. Plain yellow mustard has zero calories and zero grams of fat.
8. Instead of regular sour cream choose plain 1% yogurt(a 2-tablespoon serving will save 40 calories and 5 grams of fat).
9. Skip the ice cream and satisfy your sweet craving with chocolate yogurt or a pure-fruit-juice Popsicle and save about 100 calories.
10. Opt for soft and skim-milk cheeses instead of hard: one ounce of hard cheddar or Monterrey cheese has about 110 calories and 9 grams of fat.The same serving of soft goat cheese has 75 calories and 5.5 grams of fat (light soft goat and feta cheeses are also available).Skim mozzarella, cottage cheese and light ricotta cheese are also good choices.

Is there cure? For Health care

2010-01-21T01:20:00.001-08:00

There's a lot of strum and drag, and understandably so, about the details of the various health care bills that are circulating in Washington. Trying to keep up with the details will literally make your head hurt. So maybe we should come at it from a different angle. Instead of focusing on details, let's focus on the problems the variety of bills is intended to solve.

The reason health care reform is so difficult is that it presents three equally re-enforcing problems. First, we want to make bigger health care to as many people as possible. Second, we want it to be very high-quality care: we want tolerant and immediate access to the best doctors, drugs, diagnostics, and actions. Third, we want someone other than ourselves to pay for it: very few of us are ready, much less able, to pay out of receptacle for the high-quality care we want.

Hence the dilemma. It's comparatively easy to come up with a system that addresses any two of these three problems. But it's virtually not possible to design one that adequately addresses all three. For instance, you could design a system that gives you instant access to high quality care and covers everybody. Let's call this Option A. Option A already exists, in point of fact: anybody with the means to do so can go see a doctor and pay out of pocket. But since few can, the "expansion" is for naught.

Flu symptoms

2010-01-21T00:54:00.000-08:00

For most people, flu is completely harmless - but that doesn't stop you from feeling totally miserable! The symptoms of flu can make a healthy person have to stay in bed for a week - but there are ways to ease your symptoms if you have flu.

Flu symptoms

Typical symptoms include:

* a high temperature (fever)
* sweats
* aches and pains
* dry cough
* sore throat
* sneezing
* headache

Some other illnesses start with symptoms similar to these - but can be a lot more serious (such as meningitis, malaria or pneumonia). If you have any additional symptoms, you should contact your doctor. More info on symptoms of meningitis, malaria and pneumonia.

If you are showing signs of these symptoms, it's possible that you could have swine flu - check the symptoms of swine flu here.

If you're feeling unwell but can still get out of bed and carry on as normal, it might just be that you've got a bad cold - take our cold or flu quiz to find out.
Beat the bugs

Simple things like just eating healthily, getting enough sleep and drinking plenty of water can help your body to fight off bugs. General hygiene measures like washing your hands regularly can also help to stop you from picking up bugs in the first place. Unfortunately, there isn't a secret way to completely protect yourself from flu.

Get more advice on beating coughs, colds and flu

You could be entitled to a flu vaccination which would help to stop you from getting flu. Get more info on the flu jab
Ease the symptoms

If you're feeling rotten with flu symptoms, there isn't a magic cure - but there are some ways to ease your symptoms.

* take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature - and ease aches and pains (a paracetamol-based flu remedy could help)
* drink plenty of fluids
* medicines like throat lozenges and decongestant spray can help
* stay in bed and rest

Regain your health in yoga

2010-01-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

Yoga makes your backbone more flexible, strengthens your abdominal muscles and removes common tension from your body.

Yoga was developed in India as a method of meditation but it can merely be used to improve health and fitness.

Yoga is suitable for all ages and abilities and will mainly appeal to those looking for a class that works to create a balance in mind as well as body.

A typical yoga class will teach activities to stretch and strengthen the body, control breathing and develop meditation techniques.

Drinking water maintains for Good health

2010-01-13T03:17:00.001-08:00

Drinking water is so good for health. When you were a kid in school, you learned that each one molecule of water is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. You may also have learned that it was great fun to fill up your squirt guns by water, at least until the principal caught you. What you may not have learned, however, was how much water you wanted in order to be a healthy human being.

Your body is estimated to be about 60 to 70 percent of water. Blood is mostly water, and your muscles, lungs, and brain all control a lot of water. Your body requires water to regulate body temperature and to provide the means for nutrients to travel to all your organs. Water also transports oxygen of your cells, removes waste, and protects your joints and organs.

Cancers to Lip, Mouth and Oropharynx

2010-01-11T04:48:00.000-08:00

The majority - around 90% - of cancers to lip, mouth and oropharynx are squamous cell cancers. Rarer types of cancer affecting the mouth contain salivary gland carcinoma, lymphoma and melanoma. These unusual types are not covered by this guidance.This sort of cancer is rare in people under 50 and is more common in men. There are several well recognized risk factors including smoking, drinking, and chewing tobacco or betel nut. The risks are higher intended for someone who both smokes and drinks. Mouth cancer has started to affect younger people who do not smoke or drink terribly – these mouth cancers are thought to be linked with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection.

These cancers are more common in people who are immune suppressed either because they are taking immunosuppressant drugs or since they have AIDS. There are two conditions of the mouth that are precancerous and they are called leukoplakia and erythroplakia. They are not cancer of the mouth in themselves, but can extend into cancer if not treated. Life long treatment and follow up is essential.

5,300 people develop lip, mouth and oropharyngeal cancer every one year in the UK. The five year survival is just over 50%. Results for people with lip cancer are much better at around 90%; this is because changes in the lip are noticed early compared to changes within the mouth.

Hypernephroma of Renal cancer

2010-01-08T01:43:00.001-08:00

You have two kidneys. They are fist-sized organs taking place either side of your backbone above your waist. The tubes within filter and clean your blood, taking out waste products and making urine. Kidney cancer forms in the inside layer of tiny tubes inside your kidneys. It happens most frequently in people over 40. Risk factors contain smoking, having certain genetic conditions and misusing pain medicines for a long time.

Frequently, kidney cancer doesn't have early symptoms. However, see your health care source if you notice

Blood in your urine
A lump in your abdomen
Unexplained weight loss
Pain in your side
Loss of appetite

Treatment depends on your age, your overall health along with how advanced the cancer is. It may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or biologic therapy. Biologic therapy boosts your body's own capacity to fight cancer.

Choosing wisely in healthy eating

2010-01-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

Healthy eating means choosing wisely when making decisions regarding what and how much to eat. Eating a variety of healthy foods and the right quantity, helps to maintain a healthy body weight and reduces our risk for chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

There a lot of factors that influence the foods we eat, such as cost, availability, advertising, lack of time, and our knowledge about foods and what is good and not so good for us. By first identifying and then addressing the factors that control our eating habits the most, we can work on improving these habits and our overall health.

For more tips and useful information on healthy eating please visit the many wealth and links on this site. There might be some changes you and your family can make today!

Little Moves Append to Burn up Calories

2009-12-29T05:37:00.000-08:00

Its not only your diet and exercise schedule that helps you to lose weight. While your little moves does burn a lot of calories, making other small changes to your lifestyle adds up to a big difference.

Avoiding little conveniences. From escalators to driving around to find the best parking spot, we go about our day missing several chances to squeeze in a bit of exercise. Stop looking for the easiest way to do things. The hard way is not really that hard and does not take a lot of extra time.
Pacing when you are on the phone. If you usually spend your phone time just lying or sitting around, its time to make some changes. Get up and moving or, if you still want to lie around, do a few Pilates exercises while you talk on the phone.
Not emailing at work. Assuming your companys culture allows it, you will burn a few more calories if you walk over to a co-workers desk instead of emailing them a question. Done several times a day, the calories will start to add up.
Fidget. Do not just sit still. Keep moving at all times. Shake your foot if you keep your legs crossed, do knitting while you working. Anything that gets your body moving.
Dress casually. If you are dressed in professional clothes, you may be less likely to try exercises for fear of getting sweaty. Wearing your sneakers and something comfortable means you will get out and get moving.
Take the longest route. Whenever you have to go somewhere, go out of your way. Those few extra steps will help you burn more calories.

While none of these things alone will cause you to lose more weight, they all contribute to a healthy lifestyle and burn a few calories, which may even add up to a few pounds a year.

Too Much of Treatment Can be Harmful

2009-12-15T04:44:00.002-08:00

Hopefully by now people are realizing that more is not necessarily better. A new revise reported at the American Heart Association 2009 Scientific Sessions showed that patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) receive large doses of ionizing radiation per hospital admission.

Ionizing radiation has the capability to affect the large chemical molecules of which all living things are made and cause changes which are biologically important.

The researchers did not state that the tests were not indicated. But they pointed out that physicians need to carefully evaluate the indications for tests involving radiation and consider decreasing the dose based on the admitting diagnosis.

With various specialists ordering tests looking at their precise body part, someone needs to be tracking the patient's total radiation dose. We have learned that there is great variation across the country in testing and procedures done, depending upon where the patient is and where the doctor trained. It may be time to take a look at cardiovascular imaging tests and determine if over testing is occurring.

Just look our Best doctors list to feel yourself healthy.

Basic Health Tips that has to be Practiced Everyday!

2009-11-26T04:45:00.000-08:00

In todays world, we seem to be moving at a lot faster pace but not getting any exercise. Our movement seems to be by computer, telephone, car, train, plane and a multitude of other fast paced modes of transportation along physical and informational highways.

We never seem to have the time to actually exercise by riding a bike or swimming, hiking or just playing a nice game of football at the park down the street. We have a telephone, computer, gps and Ipod in one hand and a shake, hamburger and fries in the other. This is surely a recipe for unhealthy living.

We need to learn to empty both hands and let them relax a little. Sit down or lay down and let the world slow down around you. This doesnt mean drop into your bed in exhaustion, it means take some time to yourself, sit by the pool, read a book or other form of literature (reading the Wall Street Journal doesnt count). Listen to some relaxing music, practice some deep breathing techniques and really learn how to help your body totally relax.

Eat a more balanced meal ( this doesnt mean balancing a shake and a hamburger in both hands while trying to control the steering wheel) and eat at regular intervals. Actually sit down and have a nice healthy bowl of soup, or a nice balanced meal with meat, veggies and other good for you items. Take time to yourself, get reacquainted with your family and friends.

Having A Good Sleep Helps To Get Rid Of Pressure

2009-11-20T04:47:00.000-08:00

Too little sleep can lead to great problems or troubles. An important risk factor for high blood
pressure is sleeplessness, as identified by the American Heart Association Journal Hypertension.

James E Gangoisch, PhD, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher at the Columbia University Medical Center, says, "It has been known that one of the reasons for hypertension is, sleeping disorders. This could be the reason for not getting enough sleep."

High blood pressure and short sleep (five hours or less) relationship is showed in first study. High blood pressure is considerably less in people who get sever hours or more of sleep than those who sleep five to six hours. A normal healthy person is advised to have at least 8 hours of good sleep.

Lack of sleep also can result in obesity. The heart rate and blood pressure are normally low during sleep. Over a long period of time, the average work done by the heart increases in people deprived of sleep, which causes irreversible changes in the heart and blood vessels.

All in all a good night sleep is very essential for good health.

What Causes Skin Cancer and its Effects?

2009-11-16T04:07:00.000-08:00

Skin Cancer Causes Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, most commonly from sunlight, is overwhelmingly the most frequent cause of skin cancer.

Other important causes of skin cancer include the following:

Use of tanning booths
Immunosuppression—impairment of the immune system, which protects the body from foreign entities, such as germs or substances that cause an allergic reaction. This may occur as a consequence of some diseases or can be due to medications prescribed to combat autoimmune diseases or prevent organ transplant rejection.
Exposure to unusually high levels of x-rays
Contact with certain chemicals—arsenic (miners, sheep shearers, and farmers), hydrocarbons in tar, oils, and soot (may cause squamous cell carcinoma)

People who had at least one severe sunburn early in life have a greater risk of developing skin cancer. Treatment for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma is straightforward. Usually, surgical removal of the lesion is adequate. Malignant melanoma, however, may require several treatment methods, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Depression Can Be a Real Pain For All!

2009-11-09T04:36:00.000-08:00

Ever heard someone say, "He's a real pain in the neck"? Did you know that stress in your life can quite literally be expressed as pain and illness?

Any illness that has physical symptoms, but has the mind and emotions as its origin is called a psychosomatic illness. Although you may be told that it's "all in your head", these illnesses are not imaginary. The aches and pains are very real, but because your doctor is looking for an actual physical cause, they are very tricky to diagnose and treat. The key is to look for a source of stress in the person's life that the person is not coping with. By treating the underlying stress and depression, it may be possible to heal the physical problems as well.

The first step is learning to recognize when we are under extreme stress. One way is by taking a Life Stress Test. This simple test rates various life events on a point scale. If you score high, then you are at high risk for developing stress-related illness. Another simple test to determine if you're feeling stressed: take both your hands and touch your neck. If your hand feels significantly colder than you neck, you are stressed. If they are warm, you are relaxed. Other ways you may show stress: sweaty palms, tense muscles, butterflies in the stomach, or rapid heart beat. Learn to recognize the signs of stress unique to you.

The third and final component: willingness. That's right, willingness. We have to be willing to let go of our expectations about what we must do. We have to be willing to let go of old guilts and shoulds that are guiding our behavior. We have to allow ourselves to just be human. It's okay for men to cry and be emotional. It's okay for women to let someone else have a turn with the household chores. It's okay to fall short of your goals if you're doing the best that you can. Some of our biggest stressors actually come from within ourselves!

Stay Healthy in the Computer Era by the Benefits of Walking and Jogging

2009-11-04T03:07:00.000-08:00

As we move deeper into the computer Era, a lot of people become glued to their computer screens and forget to exercise. Its not that we do not know about the benefits of walking and jogging anymore, its just that we are becoming more interested in the cyber world these days that we tend to ignore the real world.

Fortunately, there is an easy way to stay healthy and that is good old exercise. Not clicking the computer mouse and bending the fingers to hit the computer keyboard cannot be considered as exercise. Hitting a few buttons on the computer keyword hardly burns a few calories a day. To stay healthy and fit, we need to get out of our chairs and walk or jog. To get health benefits from walking and jogging, people need to put on their running shoes and hit the gym or the road at least three times a week. According to experts, one needs to spend 30 minutes a day on the road or on the thread mill to get the full benefits of walking and jogging.

Walking and jogging are natural and effective ways to stay healthy and fit. Even if you are already several pounds off your idea weight level, you can still walk and jog around the neighborhood without risking injuries.

Food Toxin Might Cause Liver-Cancer

2009-10-22T02:07:00.000-07:00

Scientists from University of California have acknowledged a protein that triggers the deadly food toxin found in fungi on nuts and grains, which if consumed in large quantities can cause liver cancer.

Because of lax or nonexistent regulation, large numbers of people in developing countries are chronically exposed to immense amounts of toxin, called aflatoxin.It can colonize and pollute nuts and grains before harvest or during storage.The combination of aflatoxin and hepatitis B virus exposure increases the likelihood of liver cancer occurrence by 60 times.

The contaminant destroys cancer-preventing gene in humans called p53. Without p53 protecting the body, aflatoxin can compromise immunity, interfere with metabolism, and cause severe malnutrition and cancer.

Lead investigator Sheryl Tsai found a protein called PT, which is crucial for aflatoxin to form in fungi."The protein PT is the key to making the poison".Presently, destroying the mold rather than just the PT is the method of decontamination, however it's expensive.

"This finding will guide to an increased understanding of how aflatoxin causes liver cancer in humans," said Dr. Frank Meyskens.

"It should allow for the improvement of inhibitors and, hopefully, a new chemoprevention approach to this deadly cancer,"

Lung Cancer Facts and its severe issues

2009-10-19T04:28:00.000-07:00

Lung cancer is a syndrome caused by the rapid growth and division of cells that make up the lungs. Lung cancer is sometimes called "bronchogenic cancer", or it may be described by its particular histological type, that is the type of tissue that is diseased.

Under customary circumstances, lung cells reproduce in an orderly fashion to maintain tissue health and to repair injuries. However, when growth control is lost and cells divide too much and too fast, a cellular mass or tumor is formed. If the tumor is confined to a few cell layers (for example, surface cells) and it does not invade surrounding tissues or organs, it is considered benign. By contrast, if the tumor spreads to surrounding tissues or organs, it is considered malignant, or cancerous.

If cancerous cells shatter away from the original tumor, travel, and grow within other body parts such as the brain, bone, liver, adrenal glands, the opposite lung, or lymph nodes of the chest or collarbone (clavicle) regions the process is known as metastasis.

Lung cancer disease is among the most common cancers in the Western world. In 2008, approximately 215,000 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed in the United States and about 162,000 people died from the disease. Lung cancer is the leading cause for cancer death in men, and since the late 1980s it has surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause for cancer death in women. Findings from the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) indicate that the upward trend in cancer-related death is due to the rapidly increasing rate of lung cancer mortality.

A High-Fat Diet can Enhance Your Risk of Pancreatic Cancer

2009-07-29T22:50:00.000-07:00

A fresh report published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute shows that a diet rich in fat from red meat and dairy can increase your risk of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is on the fourth place of deaths caused by cancer in the U.S. and some of the known connections to developing it are obesity, diabetes and smoking. The American Cancer Society estimates that over 45,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2009 and out of those, around 35,000 will not survive.

1,337 men and women developed pancreatic cancer during the study. According to the results, a diet with high amounts of total fats gave a 53 % higher risk of pancreatic cancer among men and 23 % higher risk among women, compared to men and women who had the lowest-fat diets. The risk for both men and women who had a high intake of saturated fats from animal sources was increased by 36 %, compared to those with low intakes.

Earlier research on the correlation between dietary fat from animals and pancreatic cancer has given inconclusive results, but with this study there is new proof.

According to Health News, the strategic director of pharmacoepidemiology at the American Cancer Society, Eric J. Jacobs said that the study "provides important evidence that a diet high in animal fat may increase risk of one of the leading causes of cancer death." And, "While further confirmatory research about animal fat and pancreatic cancer is still needed, results of this study support the American Cancer Society's recommendations to limit red meat and emphasize plant foods to help reduce risk of a variety of cancers."

Impact of Cancer on Health-Related Quality of Life of Older Americans - Summary

2009-07-23T22:50:00.000-07:00

The impact of cancer on Health-Related Quality Of Life (HRQOL) is defectively understood because of the lack of baseline HRQOL status before cancer diagnosis. To our knowledge, this is the first population-based study to quantify the nature and extent of HRQOL changes from before to after cancer diagnosis for nine types of cancer patients and to compare their health with individuals without cancer.

The Scrutiny, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry data were linked with the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (MHOS) data; data were collected from Medicare beneficiaries who were aged 65 years and older from 1998 through 2003. Cancer patients (n = 1432; with prostate, breast, colorectal, lung, bladder, endometrial, or kidney cancers; melanoma; or non-Hodgkin lymphoma [NHL]) were selected whose first cancer diagnosis occurred between their baseline and follow-up MHOS assessments. Control subjects without cancer (n = 7160) were matched to cancer patients by use of propensity scores that were estimated from demographics and comorbid medical conditions.

Patients with all cancer types (except melanoma and endometrial cancer) reported statistically considerable declines in physical health (mean scores: prostate cancer = -3.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -2.5 to -4.2; breast cancer = -3.5, 95% CI = -2.5 to -4.5; bladder cancer = -4.3, 95% CI = -2.5 to -6.1; colorectal cancer = -4.4, 95% CI = -3.3 to -5.5; kidney cancer = -5.7, 95% CI = -3.2 to -8.2; NHL = -6.7, 95% CI = -4.4 to -9.1; and lung cancer = -7.5, 95% CI = -5.9 to -9.2) compared with the control subjects (mean score = -1.8, 95% CI = -1.6 to -2.0) (all P < .05).

These findings provide validation of the specific venomous effects of cancer on HRQOL and an evidence base for future research and clinical interventions aimed at understanding and remediating these effects.

Vaginal and Vulvar Cancers

2009-06-03T03:32:00.001-07:00

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. Cancer is always named for the part of the body where it starts, even if it spreads to other body parts later. When cancer starts in the vagina, it is called vaginal cancer. The vagina, also called the birth canal, is the hollow, tube-like channel between the bottom of the uterus and the outside of the body. When cancer starts in the vulva, it is called vulvar cancer. The vulva is the outer part of the female genital organs. It has two folds of skin, called the labia. Vulvar cancer most often occurs on the inner edges of the labia. When vaginal and vulvar cancers are found early, treatment is most effective. Treatment of vulvar cancer, in particular, often leads to a cure.

Signs and Symptoms

Early on, most vaginal cancers do not cause signs and symptoms. But if there are symptoms, they may include:

* Bleeding that is unusual for you because of when it happens or how heavy it is.
* Pain in your pelvis, the area below your stomach and in between your hip bones, especially when you pass urine or have sex.

Many women who have vulvar cancer have signs and symptoms. They may include:

* Itching of the vulva (mostly on the labia) that does not go away.
* Changes in the color of the skin of the vulva, so that it looks redder or whiter than is normal for you.
* Skin changes in the vulva, including what looks like a rash or warts.
* A sore on the vulva that does not go away.

It is important for you to pay attention to your body and know what is normal for you. If you have any of these symptoms for more than two weeks, talk to your doctor, nurse, or other health care professional right away. Symptoms may be caused by something other than cancer, but the only way to know is to see your health care professional.

Resolve dehydration problems

2009-04-28T02:11:00.000-07:00

Dehydration generally occurs when a person happens to loose more fluids than he or she takes in. Dehydration isn't a serious problem. It can happen to anyone- teens, babies or young children. Our body contains nearly two thirds of water. If a person gets dehydrated the amount of water in his or her body falls below the level needed for normal body function. If a person loses larger amounts of water then he can feel quite sick. A person may face dehydration problem due to gastrointestinal illness or while playing sports etc.

Teens face gastrointestinal problems which lead to vomiting and diarrhea. This can cause dehydration problem. A person can face dehydration problem while playing sports. It's rare to reach a level of even moderate dehydration during sports or other normal outdoor activity. But if you don't take in fluids you may face dehydration problem. Dieting can sap a person's water reserves as well. Some of the symptoms of dehydration include: feeling dizzy and lightheaded, having a dry or sticky mouth and producing less urine and darker urine. You can prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids during hot, dry and windy days. Dehydration problem can be resolved by drinking lot of fluids. But if you still feel dizzy every time you stand up, it is better you visit a doctor. Doctor would analyze you and enable to drink more fluids.

Vaginal and Vulvar Cancers

2009-04-24T03:08:00.000-07:00

Male Breast Cancer

2009-02-02T05:05:00.000-08:00

Male breast cancer is rare. It happens most often to men between the ages of 60 and 70. Risk factors for male breast cancer include exposure to radiation, a family history of breast cancer and having high estrogen levels, which can occur with diseases like cirrhosis or Klinefelter's syndrome.

Symptoms of male breast cancer include lumps, changes to the nipple or breast skin, or discharge of fluid from the nipple. Treatment for male breast cancer is usually a mastectomy, which is surgery to remove the breast. Other treatments include radiation, chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy.

Testicular Cancer

2009-01-26T23:24:00.000-08:00

Testicular cancer is much less common than prostate cancer, accounting for approximately 1 percent of all cancers in American men. This type of cancer is most often found in men ages 15 to 35. A few studies have suggested a link between vasectomy and an increased risk of testicular cancer, but the evidence is inconsistent and the association in some studies may be due to factors other than vasectomy. It is also possible that the vasectomy procedure increases the rate at which an existing, but undetected, testicular cancer will progress. At this time, it is believed that there is either no association or a weak association between vasectomy and testicular cancer, although more research is needed before definitive conclusions can be reached. Men concerned about prostate cancer or testicular cancer should talk to their doctor about the symptoms to watch for and an appropriate schedule for checkups.

Cancer Will Change Your Life

2009-01-22T00:52:00.000-08:00

Cancer is a major illness, but not everyone who gets cancer will die from it. Close to 9 million Americans alive today have a history of cancer. For them, cancer has become a chronic (on-going) health problem, like high blood pressure or diabetes. Just like anyone with a chronic health problem, people who have cancer must get regular checkups for the rest of their lives, even after cancer treatment ends. But unlike other chronic health problems, if you have cancer you probably will not need to take medicine or eat special foods once you have finished treatment.If you have cancer, you may notice every ache, pain, or sign of illness. Even little aches may make you worry. While it is normal to think about dying and healthy to explore your feelings about death, it is also important to focus on living. Keep in mind that cancer is not a death sentence. Many people with cancer are treated successfully. Others will live a long time before dying from cancer. So, make the most of each day while living with cancer and its treatment.

Tonsils and Adenoids

2008-12-30T02:12:00.000-08:00

Your tonsils and adenoids are part of your lymphatic system. Your tonsils are in the back of your throat and your adenoids are higher up, behind your nose. They help protect you from infection by trapping germs coming in through your mouth and nose. Sometimes your tonsils and adenoids become infected themselves. Tonsillitis makes your tonsils sore and swollen. Enlarged adenoids can be sore, make it hard to breathe and cause ear problems.

The first treatment for infected tonsils and adenoids is antibiotics. If you have frequent infections or trouble breathing, you may need surgery. Surgery to remove the tonsils is tonsillectomy. Surgery to remove adenoids is adenoidectomy.

Alcohol and diet

2008-11-13T04:19:00.001-08:00

Alcohol comes from fermenting starches and sugars. Alcohol has about 7 calories per gram. These are measured "empty" calories because alcohol contains no advantageous nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. Alcohol has about 7 calories per gram. These are considered "empty" calories because alcohol contains no beneficial nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. A 12-ounce beer contains about 150 calories. Sugary, carbonated beverages and fruit juices contribute additional calories when mixed with alcohol in a cocktail. Beers, wines, and liquors all contain different amounts of alcohol. In general, a 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and a 1.5-ounce shot of liquor have about the same amount of alcohol and the same number of calories.

Beer is 3 - 8% alcohol. "Light" or lower-calorie beers are closer to 3% alcohol. "Hard" liquors contain about 40% alcohol and tend to be higher in calories. White wines average 12% alcohol, and red wines average 14% alcohol. "Proof" means the alcohol content of distilled liquors.

Food Allergy

2008-11-05T03:13:00.000-08:00

Food allergy is an abnormal response to a food triggered by your body's immune system. Allergic reactions to food can sometimes cause serious illness and death. Tree nuts and peanuts are the leading causes of deadly allergic reactions called anaphylaxis.

In adults, the foods that most often trigger allergic reactions include
- Fish and shellfish, such as shrimp, lobster and crab
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts, such as walnuts
- Eggs

Problem foods for children are eggs, milk (especially in infants and young children) and peanuts.
Sometimes a reaction to food is not an allergy. It is often a reaction called "food intolerance". Your immune system does not cause the symptoms of food intolerance. However, these symptoms can look and feel like those of a food allergy.

Ovarian Cancer

2008-10-23T06:39:00.000-07:00

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. Cancer is always named for the part of the body where it starts, even if it spreads to other body parts later. When cancer starts in the ovaries, it is called ovarian cancer. Women have two ovaries that are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus. The ovaries make female hormones and produce eggs.

Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system.† But when ovarian cancer is found in its early stages, treatment is most effective. Ovarian cancer often causes signs and symptoms, so it is important to pay attention to your body and know what is normal for you. Symptoms may be caused by something other than cancer, but the only way to know is to see your doctor, nurse, or other health care professional.

Giardiasis

2008-10-20T06:17:00.001-07:00

Giardiasis (GEE-are-DYE-uh-sis) is a diarrheal illness caused by a one-celled, microscopic parasite, Giardia intestinalis (also known as Giardia lamblia). Once an animal or person has been infected with Giardia intestinalis, the parasite lives in the intestine and is passed in the stool. Because the parasite is protected by an outer shell, it can survive outside the body and in the environment for long periods of time.

During the past 2 decades, Giardia infection has become recognized as one of the most common causes of waterborne disease (found in both drinking and recreational water) in humans in the United States. Giardia are found worldwide and within every region of the United States.

Girls Health - Fitness

2008-10-15T05:33:00.000-07:00

You need to exercise for about 60 minutes every day. Setting aside 60 minutes all at once each day is one way to get in enough exercise. If you wait until the end of the day to squeeze it in, you probably won't exercise enough or at all. If you're not active for 60 minutes straight, it's okay to exercise for 10 or 20 minutes at a time throughout the day.

Different exercises

No matter what your shape - apple, pear, ruler, or hourglass - there's an exercise for you!

* Pick exercises you like to do and choose a few different options so you don't get bored. Get some great exercise ideas.
* Aim to exercise most days of the week. If you're not very active right now, start slowly and work your way up to being active every day.

There are three levels of physical activity.

* Light - not sweating; not breathing hard (slow walking, dancing)
* Moderate - breaking a sweat; can talk but can't sing (walking fast, dancing)
* Vigorous - sweating, breathing hard, can't talk or sing (running, swimming laps)

Rotavirus Infection

2008-09-23T02:23:00.000-07:00

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea among children, resulting in the hospitalization of approximately 55,000 children each year in the United States and the death of over 600,000 children annually worldwide. The incubation period for rotavirus disease is approximately 2 days. The disease is characterized by vomiting and watery diarrhea for 3 - 8 days, and fever and abdominal pain occur frequently. Immunity after infection is incomplete, but repeat infections tend to be less severe than the original infection.

Treatment:

For persons with healthy immune systems, rotavirus gastroenteritis is a self-limited illness, lasting for only a few days. Treatment is nonspecific and consists of oral rehydration therapy to prevent dehydration. About one in 40 children with rotavirus gastroenteritis will require hospitalization for intravenous fluids.

Heat Stress

2008-09-22T03:07:00.000-07:00

Heat-induced occupational illnesses, injuries, and reduced productivity can occur with excessive exposure to a hot work environment. Heat-induced disorders include transient heat fatigue, heat rash, fainting, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Aside from these disorders, heat poses the threat of injuries because of accidents caused by slippery palms as a result of sweating, fogged up safety glasses, and dizziness. Severe burns can also occur as a direct result of accidental contact with hot surfaces and steam. The links below provide acess to more information on heat-induced occupational illnesses, injuries, and reduced productivity, as well as methods that can be taken to reduce risk.

Hearing Loss

2008-09-19T04:09:00.000-07:00

Impairments in hearing can happen in either frequency or intensity, or both. Hearing loss severity is based on how well a person can hear the frequencies or intensities most often associated with speech. Severity can be described as mild, moderate, severe, or profound. The term "deaf" is sometimes used to describe someone who has an approximately 90 dB or greater hearing loss or who cannot use hearing to process speech and language information, even with the use of hearing aids. The term "hard of hearing" is sometimes used to describe people who have a less severe hearing loss than deafness.

signs and symptoms of scabies infestation

2008-09-17T23:11:00.000-07:00

Scabies is an infestation of the skin with the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabei. Infestation is common, found worldwide, and affects people of all races and social classes. Scabies spreads rapidly under crowded conditions where there is frequent skin-to-skin contact between people, such as in hospitals, institutions, child-care facilities, and nursing homes.

signs and symptoms

* Pimple-like irritations, burrows or rash of the skin, especially the webbing between the fingers; the skin folds on the wrist, elbow, or knee; the penis, the breast, or shoulder blades.
* Intense itching, especially at night and over most of the body.
* Sores on the body caused by scratching. These sores can sometimes become infected with bacteria.

Chronic fatigue syndrome

2008-09-16T06:41:00.000-07:00

Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is a debilitating and complex disorder characterized by profound fatigue that is not improved by bed rest and that may be worsened by physical or mental activity. Persons with CFS most often function at a substantially lower level of activity than they were capable of before the onset of illness. In addition to these key defining characteristics, patients report various nonspecific symptoms, including weakness, muscle pain, impaired memory and/or mental concentration, insomnia, and post-exertional fatigue lasting more than 24 hours. In some cases, CFS can persist for years. The cause or causes of CFS have not been identified and no specific diagnostic tests are available. Moreover, since many illnesses have incapacitating fatigue as a symptom, care must be taken to exclude other known and often treatable conditions before a diagnosis of CFS is made.

2008-09-15T05:44:00.001-07:00

Hematologic cancers include leukemias, lymphomas, and myeloma, all of which involve the uncontrolled growth of cells that have similar functions and origins.
Leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood. The two primary types of leukemia are lymphocytic leukemia, which involves an increase of white blood cells called lymphocytes; and myelogenous leukemia (also known as myeloid or myelocytic leukemia), which involves an increase in white blood cells called granulocytes. Leukemia can be acute or chronic. Acute forms of leukemia progress rapidly, whereas chronic forms of leukemia progress slowly, leading to different approaches to diagnosis and treatment.

Lymphoma is a general term for a group of cancers that originate in the lymph system. The two primary types of lymphoma are Hodgkin's lymphoma, which spreads in an orderly manner from one group of lymph nodes to another; and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which spreads through the lymphatic system in a non-orderly manner.

Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells. In myeloma, the cells overgrow, forming a mass, or tumor, that is located in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue found in the center of the bone, where red and white blood cells and platelets are made.