DISEASE DIET INFO

Diabetes Mellitus - Types of Diabetes - Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:07:00 +0000

Diabetes mellitus often simply referred to as diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose, or sugar, levels are too high, as a result of the body either not producing enough insulin, or because body cells do not properly respond to the insulin that is produced. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas which enables body cells to absorb glucose, to turn into energy. If the body cells do not absorb the glucose, the glucose accumulates in the blood (hyperglycemia), leading to various potential medical complications.

Diabetes Causes

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar. Diabetes can be caused by too little insulin, resistance to insulin, or both.

To understand diabetes, it is important to first understand the normal process by which food is broken down and used by the body for energy. Several things happen when food is digested:

* A sugar called glucose enters the bloodstream. Glucose is a source of fuel for the body.
* An organ called the pancreas makes insulin. The role of insulin is to move glucose from the bloodstream into muscle, fat, and liver cells, where it can be used as fuel.

People with diabetes have high blood sugar. This is because:

* Their pancreas does not make enough insulin
* Their muscle, fat, and liver cells do not respond to insulin normally
* Both of the above

Diabetes Types

There are many types of diabetes, the most common of which are:

* Type 1 diabetes: results from the body's failure to produce insulin, and presently requires the person to inject insulin.
* Type 2 diabetes: results from insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to use insulin properly, sometimes combined with an absolute insulin deficiency.
* Gestational diabetes: is when pregnant women, who have never had diabetes before, have a high blood glucose level during pregnancy. It may precede development of type 2 DM.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by loss of the insulin-producing beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas leading to insulin deficiency. This type of diabetes can be further classified as immune-mediated or idiopathic. The majority of type 1 diabetes is of the immune-mediated nature, where beta cell loss is a T-cell mediated autoimmune attack.

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood. Many patients are diagnosed when they are older than age 20.Daily injections of insulin are needed. The exact cause is unknown. Genetics, viruses, and autoimmune problems may play a role.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by insulin resistance which may be combined with relatively reduced insulin secretion. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type.

It usually occurs in adulthood, but young people are increasingly being diagnosed with this disease. The pancreas does not make enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal, often because the body does not respond well to insulin.

In the early stage of type 2 diabetes, the predominant abnormality is reduced insulin sensitivity. At this stage hyperglycemia can be reversed by a variety of measures and medications that improve insulin sensitivity or reduce glucose production by the liver. As the disease progresses, the impairment of insulin secretion occurs, and therapeutic replacement of insulin may sometimes become necessary in certain patients.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) resembles type 2 diabetes in several respects, involving a combination of relatively inadequate insulin secretion and responsiveness. It occurs in about 2%–5% of all pregnancies and may improve or disappear after delivery. Gestational diabetes is fully treatable but requires careful medical supervision throughout the pregnancy. About 20%–50% of affected women develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

Even though it may be transient, untreated gestational diabetes can damage the health of the fetus or mother. Risks to the baby include macrosomia (high birth weight), congenital cardiac and central nervous system anomalies, and skeletal muscle malformations. Increased fetal insulin may inhibit fetal surfactant production and cause respiratory distress syndrome. Hyperbilirubinemia may result from red blood cell destruction. In severe cases, perinatal death may occur, most commonly as a result of poor placental perfusion due to vascular impairment. Labor induction may be indicated with decreased placental function. A cesarean section may be performed if there is marked fetal distress or an increased risk of injury associated with macrosomia, such as shoulder dystocia.

Other types

Pre-diabetes indicates a condition that occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Many people destined to develop type 2 diabetes spend many years in a state of pre-diabetes which has been termed "America's largest healthcare epidemic,"

Some cases of diabetes are caused by the body's tissue receptors not responding to insulin (even when insulin levels are normal, which is what separates it from type 2 diabetes); this form is very uncommon. Genetic mutations (autosomal or mitochondrial) can lead to defects in beta cell function. Abnormal insulin action may also have been genetically determined in some cases. Any disease that causes extensive damage to the pancreas may lead to diabetes (for example, chronic pancreatitis and cystic fibrosis). Diseases associated with excessive secretion of insulin-antagonistic hormones can cause diabetes (which is typically resolved once the hormone excess is removed). Many drugs impair insulin secretion and some toxins damage pancreatic beta cells. The ICD-10 (1992) diagnostic entity, malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus (MRDM or MMDM, ICD-10 code E12), was deprecated by the World Health Organization when the current taxonomy was introduced in 1999.

Diabetes Symptoms

High blood levels of glucose can cause several problems, including:

* Blurry vision
* Excessive thirst
* Fatigue
* Frequent urination
* Hunger
* Weight loss

However, because type 2 diabetes develops slowly, some people with high blood sugar experience no symptoms at all.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes:

* Fatigue
* Increased thirst
* Increased urination
* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Weight loss in spite of increased appetite

Patients with type 1 diabetes usually develop symptoms over a short period of time. The condition is often diagnosed in an emergency setting.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes:

* Blurred vision
* Fatigue
* Increased appetite
* Increased thirst
* Increased urination

Diabetes Treatment

The immediate goals are to treat diabetic ketoacidosis and high blood glucose levels. Because type 1 diabetes can start suddenly and have severe symptoms, people who are newly diagnosed may need to go to the hospital.

The long-term goals of treatment are to:

* Prolong life
* Reduce symptoms
* Prevent diabetes-related complications such as blindness, heart disease, kidney failure, and amputation of limbs

These goals are accomplished through:

* Blood pressure and cholesterol control
* Careful self testing of blood glucose levels
* Education
* Exercise
* Foot care
* Meal planning and weight control
* Medication or insulin use

There is no cure for diabetes. Treatment involves medicines, diet, and exercise to control blood sugar and prevent symptoms.

LEARN THESE SKILLS

Basic diabetes management skills will help prevent the need for emergency care. These skills include:

* How to recognize and treat low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
* What to eat and when
* How to take insulin or oral medication
* How to test and record blood glucose
* How to test urine for ketones (type 1 diabetes only)
* How to adjust insulin or food intake when changing exercise and eating habits
* How to handle sick days
* Where to buy diabetes supplies and how to store them

After you learn the basics of diabetes care, learn how the disease can cause long-term health problems and the best ways to prevent these problems. Review and update your knowledge, because new research and improved ways to treat diabetes are constantly being developed.

SELF-TESTING

If you have diabetes, your doctor may tell you to regularly check your blood sugar levels at home. There are a number of devices available, and they use only a drop of blood. Self-monitoring tells you how well diet, medication, and exercise are working together to control your diabetes. It can help your doctor prevent complications.

The American Diabetes Association recommends keeping blood sugar levels in the range of:

* 80 - 120 mg/dL before meals
* 100 - 140 mg/dL at bedtime

Your doctor may adjust this depending on your circumstances.

WHAT TO EAT

You should work closely with your health care provider to learn how much fat, protein, and carbohydrates you need in your diet. A registered dietician can help you plan your dietary needs.

People with type 1 diabetes should eat at about the same times each day and try to be consistent with the types of food they choose. This helps to prevent blood sugar from becoming extremely high or low.

People with type 2 diabetes should follow a well-balanced and low-fat diet.

HOW TO TAKE MEDICATION

Medications to treat diabetes include insulin and glucose-lowering pills called oral hypoglycemic drugs.

People with type 1 diabetes cannot make their own insulin. They need daily insulin injections. Insulin does not come in pill form. Injections are generally needed one to four times per day. Some people use an insulin pump. It is worn at all times and delivers a steady flow of insulin throughout the day. Other people may use inhaled insulin. See also: Type 1 diabetes

Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes may respond to treatment with exercise, diet, and medicines taken by mouth. There are several types of medicines used to lower blood glucose in type 2 diabetes. See also: Type 2 diabetes

Medications may be switched to insulin during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Gestational diabetes may be treated with exercise and changes in diet.

EXERCISE

Regular exercise is especially important for people with diabetes. It helps with blood sugar control, weight loss, and high blood pressure. People with diabetes who exercise are less likely to experience a heart attack or stroke than those who do not exercise regularly.

Here are some exercise considerations:

* Always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.
* Ask your doctor or nurse if you have the right footwear.
* Choose an enjoyable physical activity that is appropriate for your current fitness level.
* Exercise every day, and at the same time of day, if possible.
* Monitor blood glucose levels before and after exercise.
* Carry food that contains a fast-acting carbohydrate in case you become hypoglycemic during or after exercise.
* Carry a diabetes identification card and a cell phone in case of emergency.
* Drink extra fluids that do not contain sugar before, during, and after exercise.

You may need to change your diet or medication dose if you change your exercise intensity or duration to keep blood sugar levels from going too high or low.

FOOT CARE

People with diabetes are more likely to have foot problems. Diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves and decrease the body's ability to fight infection. You may not notice a foot injury until an infection develops. Death of skin and other tissue can occur.

If left untreated, the affected foot may need to be amputated. Diabetes is the most common condition leading to amputations.

To prevent injury to the feet, check and care for your feet every day.

Possible Complications

Emergency complications include:

* Diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar coma
* Diabetic ketoacidosis

Long-term complications include:

* Atherosclerosis
* Coronary artery disease
* Diabetic nephropathy
* Diabetic neuropathy
* Diabetic retinopathy
* Erection problems
* Hyperlipidemia
* Hypertension
* Infections of the skin, female urinary tract, and urinary tract
* Peripheral vascular disease
* Stroke

Source:health.nytimes

Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms and Treatment Solutions | Psoratic Arthritis Pain Relief

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:51:00 +0000

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Psoriatic arthritis is a specific condition in which a person has both psoriasis and arthritis. Psoriasis is a skin condition characterized by red, scaly raised areas. It may occur in localized areas or all over the body. In some cases, arthritis may develop before the skin disease is apparent. A person with psoriasis generally has patches of raised red skin with scales. The affected skin looks different depending on the type of psoriasis the individual has. Arthritis is joint inflammation.

Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease, meaning that your cells and antibodies (part of your immune system) fight your own tissues. Rarely, a person can have psoriatic arthritis without having obvious psoriasis. Usually, the more severe the skin symptoms are, the greater the likelihood a person will have psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriatic Arthritis Causes

The cause of psoriatic arthritis is currently unknown. It may have a combination of genetic (family), environmental, and immune causes. About 40% of people with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis have a close relative with the condition. Some cases of psoriasis may be linked to infections.

Variable Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis

There are typically 6 variants of psoriatic arthritis:

Swelling of both the joint and tendon so that the involved toe or finger resembles a sausage.
Involvement of the joints next to the finger nails - often those nails will contain tiny pits.
Similar appearance to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) - eg. symmetrical involvement of the hands, feet, knees or ankles.
Involvement of the spine - typically associated with the HLA-B27 gene.
A very destructive, deforming arthritis - rare.
Associated with the HIV infection - while uncommon, this typically occurs with a very severe form of psoriasis

Patterns of joint pain in psoriatic arthritis

Doctors have identified five types of psoriatic arthritis, and you may experience several of them over time. They include:

1. Pain in joints on one side of your body. The mildest form of psoriatic arthritis, called asymmetric psoriatic arthritis, usually affects joints on only one side of your body or different joints on each side — including those in your hip, knee, ankle or wrist. Fewer than five joints are generally involved, and they're often tender and red. When asymmetric arthritis occurs in your hands and feet, swelling and inflammation in the tendons can cause your fingers and toes to resemble small sausages (dactylitis).

2. Pain in joints on both sides of your body. Symmetric psoriatic arthritis usually affects five or more of the same joints on both sides of your body. More women than men have symmetric psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis associated with this condition tends to be severe.

3. Pain in your finger joints. Distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint predominant psoriatic arthritis is rare and occurs mostly in men. This type of arthritis affects the small joints closest to the nails (distal joints) in the fingers and toes. The nails, too, often show classic signs of psoriasis, including thickening, pitting and discoloration.

4. Pain in your spine. This form of psoriatic arthritis, called spondylitis, can cause inflammation in your spine as well as stiffness and inflammation in your neck, lower back or sacroiliac joints. Inflammation can also occur where ligaments and tendons attach to your spine. As the disease progresses, movement tends to become increasingly painful and difficult.

5. Destructive arthritis. A small percentage of people with psoriatic arthritis have arthritis mutilans — a severe, painful and disabling form of the disease. Over time, arthritis mutilans destroys the small bones in your hands, especially the fingers, leading to permanent deformity and disability.

Psoriatic Arthritis Treatments and Pain Relief

No cure exists for psoriatic arthritis, so treatment focuses on controlling inflammation in your affected joints to prevent joint pain and disability. Often, a multidisciplinary approach is used to treat both skin and joint symptoms.

Medications
Medications commonly used to treat psoriatic arthritis include:

1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) may help control pain, swelling and morning stiffness, and they're usually the first treatment tried for psoriatic arthritis. Prescription NSAIDs provide higher potencies than do over-the-counter drugs. But all NSAIDs can irritate your stomach and intestine, and long-term use can lead to ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Other potential side effects include damage to your kidneys, fluid retention and heart failure. In addition, NSAIDs may worsen skin problems. Still, these medications may be a good option for people with minor joint pain and stiffness.

2. Corticosteroids. If you have mild psoriatic arthritis, your doctor might recommend corticosteroids to control infrequent joint pain flares. Corticosteroids can be taken orally, or they can be injected directly into aching joints. Corticosteroid injections provide almost immediate relief and improve range of motion — sometimes for months. But because injected steroids can cause damage, their use is usually limited.

3. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Rather than just reducing pain and inflammation, this class of drugs helps limit the amount of joint damage that occurs in psoriatic arthritis. But because DMARDs act slowly, you may not notice the effects for weeks or even months. For that reason, your doctor may prescribe a pain reliever, such as aspirin, in addition to a DMARD. Examples of DMARDs include sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) and methotrexate. The latter, particularly, has potentially serious side effects, including lung disease and liver problems. Taking folic acid with methotrexate can relieve certain side effects such as a sore mouth and an upset stomach.

4. Immunosuppressant medications. These medications act to suppress your immune system, which normally protects your body from harmful organisms, but which attacks healthy tissue in people with psoriatic arthritis. Commonly used immunosuppressants include azathioprine (Imuran), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral) and leflunomide (Arava).

Immunosuppressants can have potentially dangerous side effects and usually are used in only the most severe cases of psoriatic arthritis. Because they suppress the immune system, all such drugs can lead to anemia and an increased risk of serious infection. And many of them can cause liver and kidney problems.

5. TNF-alpha inhibitors. Your doctor may recommend tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors if you have severe psoriatic arthritis. These drugs block the protein that causes inflammation in some types of arthritis. Drugs in this category include etanercept (Enbrel), adalimumab (Humira) and infliximab (Remicade). TNF-alpha inhibitors can improve signs and symptoms of psoriasis, as well. All carry a risk of serious side effects, however, including some that can be life-threatening. Be sure to discuss with your doctor whether the benefits you'll receive from these medications outweigh the risks. Keep in mind that these treatments, which must be injected, are very expensive, often costing thousands of dollars per treatment. If you and your doctor decide to use TNF inhibitors, check with your insurance company about coverage.

More severe arthritis requires treatment with more powerful drugs called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDS) such as:

* Leflunomide
* Methotrexate
* Sulfasalazine

New medications that block an inflammatory protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) are becoming the treatment of choice. These include:
* Adalimumab (Humira)
* Etanercept (Enbrel)
* Infliximab (Remicade)

Occasionally, particularly painful joints may be injected with steroid medications.

In rare cases, surgery to repair or replace damaged joints is needed.

Your doctor may suggest a healthy mix of rest and exercise. Physical therapy may help increase movement of specific joints. You may also use heat and cold therapy.

Surgery

Although surgery is rarely performed for psoriatic arthritis, your doctor may recommend some form of joint operation when other treatments fail to relieve your symptoms. Surgeons use various procedures to ease pain and restore mobility. Because these operations pose some risks, be sure you thoroughly discuss your options with your doctor.

Source:
- emedicinehealth
- mayoclinic

Acid Reflux During Pregnancy

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:29:00 +0000

Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs in up to 50% of pregnant women. Many women experience heartburn for the first time during pregnancy — and though it's common and generally harmless, it can be quite uncomfortable.

Heartburn (also called acid indigestion or acid reflux) is a burning sensation that often extends from the bottom of the breastbone to the lower throat. It's caused by some of the hormonal and physical changes in your body.

During pregnancy, the placenta produces the hormone progesterone, which relaxes the smooth muscles of the uterus. This hormone also relaxes the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach, allowing gastric acids to seep back up, which causes that unpleasant burning sensation. Additionally, the growing fetus causes an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, resulting in an increase in the development of reflux.

Progesterone also slows down the wavelike contractions of your esophagus and intestines, making digestion sluggish. Later in pregnancy, your growing baby crowds your abdominal cavity, pushing the stomach acids back up into the esophagus.

Many women start experiencing heartburn and other gastrointestinal discomforts in the second half of pregnancy. Unfortunately, it usually comes and goes until your baby is born.

It can be tough when you get pregnant. Acid reflux during pregnancy can be one problem that you will have to take care of. The discomforts are common when you are pregnant and some time you may even get pain. You can not use medicine since you are now pregnant. Most of medicines are not tested to the pregnant ladies to prove their safety. They can not do that. You have to bear in mind that using medicines is not safe.

Read more Acid Reflux During Pregnancy

Medication for Osteoporosis | Preventing Osteoporosis

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:52:00 +0000

What is Osteoporosis? |The Definition of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. Osteoporosis leads to literally abnormally porous bone that is more compressible like a sponge, than dense like a brick.

Normal bone is composed of protein, collagen, and calcium all of which give bone its strength. Bones that are affected by osteoporosis can break (fracture) with relatively minor injury that normally would not cause a bone fracture. The fracture can be either in the form of cracking (as in a hip fracture), or collapsing (as in a compression fracture of the vertebrae of the spine) and wrist. If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks.

In most cases, bones weaken when you have low levels of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals in your bones. Although it's often thought of as a women's disease, osteoporosis also affects many men.

The Symptoms of Osteoporosis

The osteoporosis condition can be present without any symptoms for decades, because osteoporosis doesn't cause symptoms unless bone fractures. Some osteoporosis fractures may escape detection until years later. Therefore, patients may not be aware of their osteoporosis until they suffer a painful fracture. Then the symptoms are related to the location of the fractures.

Fractures of the spine (vertebra) can cause severe "band-like" pain that radiates around from the back to the side of the body. Over the years, repeated spine fractures can cause chronic lower back pain as well as loss of height or curving of the spine, which gives the individual a hunched-back appearance of the upper back, often called a "dowager hump."

A fracture that occurs during the course of normal activity is called a minimal trauma fracture or stress fracture. For example, some patients with osteoporosis develop stress fractures of the feet while walking or stepping off a curb.

Hip fractures typically occur as a result of a fall. With osteoporosis, hip fractures can occur as a result of trivial accidents. Hip fractures may also be difficult to heal after surgical repair because of poor bone quality.

Symptoms occur late in the disease and they are:

- Loss of height as a result of weakened spines. A person may find that his/her clothes are no longer fitting and their pants looking longer. Patients may loose as much as 6 inches in height.

- Cramps in the legs at night

- Bone pain and tenderness

- Neck pain, discomfort in the neck other than from injury or trauma

- Persistent pain in the spine or muscles of the lower back

- Abdominal pain

- Tooth loss

- Rib pain

- Broken bones

- Spinal deformities become evident like stooped posture, an outward curve at the top of the spine as a result of developing a vertebral collapse on the back.

- Fatigue

- Periodontal disease

- Brittle fingernails

Symptoms of bone weakness from advanced osteoporosis:

* Thin bones
* Brittle bones
* Weak bones
* Fractures
* Fracturing easily
* Backache
* Loss of height
* Spine deformation

What Causes of Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis occurs when there is an imbalance between new bone formation and old bone resorption. The body may fail to form enough new bone, or too much old bone may be reabsorbed, or both.

Two essential minerals for normal bone formation are calcium and phosphate. Throughout youth, the body uses these minerals to produce bones. Calcium is essential for proper functioning of the heart, brain, and other organs. To keep those critical organs functioning, the body reabsorbs calcium that is stored in the bones to maintain blood calcium levels. If calcium intake is not sufficient or if the body does not absorb enough calcium from the diet, bone production and bone tissue may suffer. Thus, the bones may become weaker, resulting in brittle and fragile bones that can break easily.

Usually, the loss of bone occurs over an extended period of years. Often, a person will sustain a fracture before becoming aware that the disease is present. By then, the disease may be in its advanced stages and damage may be serious.

The leading cause of osteoporosis is a lack of certain hormones, particularly estrogen in women and androgen in men. Women, especially those older than 60 years of age, are frequently diagnosed with the disease. Menopause is accompanied by lower estrogen levels and increases a woman's risk for osteoporosis. Other factors that may contribute to bone loss in this age group include inadequate intake of calcium and vitamin D, lack of weight-bearing exercise, and other age-related changes in endocrine functions (in addition to lack of estrogen).

Other conditions that may lead to osteoporosis include overuse of corticosteroids (Cushing syndrome), thyroid problems, lack of muscle use, bone cancer, certain genetic disorders, use of certain medications, and problems such as low calcium in the diet.

What are the Risk Factors for Developing Osteoporosis?

Factors that will increase the risk of developing osteoporosis are:

* Female gender; especially women who are thin or have a small frame, as are those of advanced age.

* Caucasian or Asian race; especially those with a family member with osteoporosis, have a greater risk of developing osteoporosis than other women.

* Thin and small body frames;

* Family history of osteoporosis (for example, having a mother with an osteoporotic hip fracture doubles your risk of hip fracture);

* Personal history of fracture as an adult;

* Cigarette smoking; eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, low amounts of calcium in the diet, heavy alcohol consumption, inactive lifestyle, and use of certain medications, such as corticosteroids and anticonvulsants, are also risk factors.

* Excessive alcohol consumption;

* Lack of exercise;

* Diet low in calcium;

* Poor nutrition and poor general health;

* Malabsorption (nutrients are not properly absorbed from the gastrointestinal system) from conditions such as celiac sprue;

* Low estrogen levels (such as occur in menopause or with early surgical removal of both ovaries);

* Chemotherapy can cause early menopause due to its toxic effects on the ovaries;

* Amenorrhea (loss of the menstrual period) in young women also causes low estrogen and osteoporosis; Amenorrhea can occur in women who undergo extremely vigorous training and in women with very low body fat (example: anorexia nervosa);

* Chronic inflammation, due to diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis and chronic liver diseases);

* Immobility, such as after a stroke, or from any condition that interferes with walking;

* Women who are postmenopausal, including those who have had early or surgically induced menopause, or abnormal or absence of menstrual periods are at greater risk.

* Hyperthyroidism, a condition wherein too much thyroid hormone is produced by the thyroid gland (as in Grave's disease) or is caused by taking too much thyroid hormone medication;

* Hyperparathyroidism, a disease wherein there is excessive parathyroid hormone production by the parathyroid gland (a small gland located near the thyroid gland). Normally, the parathyroid hormone maintains blood calcium levels by, in part, removing calcium from the bone. In untreated hyperparathyroidism, excessive parathyroid hormone causes too much calcium to be removed from the bone, which can lead to osteoporosis;

* Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. When vitamin D is lacking, the body cannot absorb adequate amounts of calcium to prevent osteoporosis. Vitamin D deficiency can result from lack of intestinal absorption of the vitamin such as occurs in celiac sprue and primary biliary cirrhosis;

* Certain medications can cause osteoporosis. These include long-term use of heparin (a blood thinner), anti-seizure medications phenytoin (Dilantin) and phenobarbital, and long term use of oral corticosteroids (such as Prednisone).

How is Osteoporosis Diagnosed?

An examination to diagnose osteoporosis can involve several steps that predict your chances of future fracture, diagnose osteoporosis, or both. It might include:

1. An Initial Physical Exam

2. Various X Rays that detect skeletal problems. A routine x-ray can reveal osteoporosis of the bone, which appears much thinner and lighter than normal bones. Unfortunately, by the time x-rays can detect osteoporosis, at least 30% of the bone has already been lost. In addition, x-rays are not accurate indicators of bone density. The appearance of the bone on x-ray is often affected by variations in the degree of exposure of the x-ray film.

3. Laboratory Tests that reveal important information about the metabolic process of bone breakdown and formation. A number of lab tests may be performed on blood and urine samples. The results of these tests can help your doctor identify conditions that may be contributing to your bone loss.

The most common blood tests evaluate:

* blood calcium levels
* blood vitamin D levels
* thyroid function
* parathyroid hormone levels
* estradiol levels to measure estrogen (in women)
* follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) test to establish menopause status
* testosterone levels (in men)
* osteocalcin levels to measure bone formation.

The most common urine tests are:

* 24-hour urine collection to measure calcium metabolism
* tests to measure the rate at which a person is breaking down or resorbing bone.

4. A Bone Mineral Density test to detect low bone density. A bone mineral density (BMD) test is the best way to determine your bone health. BMD tests can identify osteoporosis, determine your risk for fractures, and measure your response to osteoporosis treatment.

The Treatment of Osteoporosis | Medications for Osteoporosis | Prevention of Osteoporosis

Because osteoporosis is difficult to reverse, prevention is the key to treatment.

Calcium and vitamin D are needed for strong bones. If calcium intake is not sufficient or if the body cannot absorb enough calcium, bone tissues become weaker. Throughout life calcium intake is important for bone formation. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in calcium absorption. Building strong bones by eating calcium-rich foods, maintaining a well-balanced diet and exercising during childhood and adolescence can be the best defense against osteoporosis.

Menopausal hormone replacement therapy -- either estrogen alone or a combination of estrogen and progestin -- was used for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. However, in July 2002, a landmark study revealed that hormone therapy increases the risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke in some women. Hormone replacement therapy is known to help preserve bone and prevent fractures, but is not generally recommended at this point for osteoporosis because the risks are thought to outweigh the benefits.

In women who have been on hormone replacement therapy in the past and then stopped it, the bone begins to thin again -- at the same pace as during menopause.

Evista is an osteoporosis drug that has some actions similar to estrogen, such as the ability to maintain bone mass. However, studies have shown that it doesn't increase the risk of breast or uterine cancers like estrogen. Evista can cause blood clots and often increases hot flashes.

Actonel, Boniva, and Fosamax (also available as generic) treat osteoporosis by inhibiting cells that break down bone and slowing bone loss. Actonel and Fosamax are usually taken once a week while Boniva is taken once a month. There are strict ways to take these medications, since if taken incorrectly, they can lead to ulcers in the esophagus.

Another new osteoporosis medication is Reclast, which is given as a once-yearly 15-minute infusion in a vein. Reclast is said to increase bone strength and reduce fractures in the hip, spine and wrist, arm, leg, or rib.

Forteo is a new medication used for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and men who are at high risk for a fracture. A synthetic form of the naturally occurring parathyroid hormone, Forteo is the first drug shown to stimulate new bone formation and increase bone mineral density. It is self-administered as a daily injection for up to 24 months. Side effects include nausea, leg cramps, and dizziness.

Calcitonin is another treatment option for osteoporosis. Calcitonin is a naturally occurring hormone that inhibits bone loss. It is available as a nasal spray or injection and is quite expensive. Undesirable side effects include nausea and skin rashes.

Calcium Supplements

The following calcium intake has been recommended by The National Institutes of Health Consensus Conference on Osteoporosis for all people, with or without osteoporosis:

* 800 mg/day for children ages 1 to 10

* 1000 mg/day for men, premenopausal women, and postmenopausal women also taking estrogen

* 1200 mg/day for teenagers and young adults ages 11 to 24

* 1500 mg/day for post menopausal women not taking estrogen

* 1200mg to 1500 mg/day for pregnant and nursing mothers

* The total daily intake of calcium should not exceed 2000 mg

Daily calcium intake can be calculated by the following method:

1. Excluding dairy products, the average American diet contains approximately 250 mg of calcium;

2. There is approximately 300 mg of calcium in an 8-ounce glass of milk;

3. There is approximately 450 mg of calcium in 8 ounces of plain yogurt;

4. There is approximately 1300 mg of calcium in 1 cup of cottage cheese;

5. There is approximately 200 mg of calcium in 1 ounce of cheddar cheese;

6. There is approximately 90 mg of calcium in ½ cup of vanilla ice cream;

7. There is approximately 300 mg of calcium in 8 ounces of calcium-fortified orange juice.

Vitamin D

An adequate calcium intake and adequate body stores of vitamin D are important foundations for maintaining bone density and strength. However, vitamin D and calcium alone are not sufficient treatment for osteoporosis. They are given in conjunction with other treatments. Vitamin D is important in several respects:

* Vitamin D helps the absorption of calcium from the intestines.

* A lack of vitamin D causes calcium-depleted bone (osteomalacia), which further weakens the bones and increases the risk of fractures.

* Vitamin D, along with adequate calcium (1200 mg of elemental calcium), has been shown in some studies to increase bone density and decrease fractures in older postmenopausal, but not in premenopausal or perimenopausal women.

Osteoporosis Prevention Through Nutrition and Diet

To ensure that people are getting enough calcium to build and maintain strong bones, doctors recommend eating plenty of calcium-rich foods, such as nonfat milk, low-fat yogurt, broccoli, cauliflower, salmon, tofu, and leafy green vegetables.

According to a panel convened by the National Institutes of Health, women who are still menstruating, or who are postmenopausal but taking hormone replacement therapy, should get 1,000 mg of calcium each day. This jumps to 1,200 to 1,500 mg per day for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Postmenopausal women not on hormone replacement therapy should get 1,500 mg/day.

Recommended daily intake for men is 1,000 mg per day (25 to 65 years of age) and 1,500 mg per day from age 65 and up. One 8-ounce glass of skim milk has the same amount of calcium as whole milk, 300 mg.

Because most women take in only half or a third as much calcium as they need through their diet, most doctors recommend calcium supplements to make up the difference. Calcium supplements are available in many forms, but calcium citrate and calcium gluconate appear to be more effective at reducing bone loss.

To help the body absorb calcium, doctors suggest taking vitamin D (400 to 800 IU daily) supplements.

Calcium supplements can inhibit the absorption of certain drugs. Check with your doctor before beginning calcium supplements. You may need to take your supplements at a different time than your other medications.

Other Dietary Ways to Maintain Bone

In addition to eating calcium-rich foods, you should also avoid phosphorus-rich ones, which can promote bone loss. High-phosphorus foods include red meats, soft drinks, and those with phosphate food additives. Excessive amounts of alcohol and caffeine are also thought to reduce the amount of calcium absorbed by the body and should be avoided.

To help keep estrogen levels from dropping sharply after menopause, and thus help prevent osteoporosis, some practitioners advise postmenopausal women to consume more foods containing plant estrogens, especially tofu, soybean milk, and other soy products. However, there is no evidence to prove that these foods help prevent or delay the onset of osteoporosis.
At-Home Remedies

Here are two easy ways to increase the amount of calcium in your diet:

* Add nonfat dry milk to everyday foods and beverages, including soups, stews, and casseroles. Each teaspoon of dry milk adds about 20 mg of calcium to your diet.

* Add a little vinegar to the water you use to make soup stock from bones. The vinegar will dissolve some of the calcium out of the bones, for a calcium-fortified soup. A pint can contain as much as 1,000 mg of calcium.

Osteoporosis Prevention Through Exercise

Not only must you get enough calcium in your diet, you must also exercise to maintain strong bones. Studies have shown that weight-bearing exercises -- those that put stress on bones, such as running, walking, tennis, ballet, stair climbing, aerobics, and weightlifting -- reduce bone loss and help prevent osteoporosis. To benefit from the exercise, you must do it at least three times per week for 30 to 45 minutes. Although swimming and bicycle riding are great cardiovascular exercises, they do not appear to prevent osteoporosis because they do not put enough stress on bones.

resource :
- medicinenet
- emedicinehealth
- endocrineweb
- webmd

Lumbar Spine Surgery | Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:47:00 +0000

By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD

Lumbar spine surgery is meant to help alleviate lower back pain conditions which can be caused from disc damage (i.e. degenerative disc disease, herniated disc) or other lumbar spine conditions (i.e. spondylolisthesis). Surgery should be a last resort for dealing with back problems and back pain issues. This page provides an in-depth, up-to-date list of resources and information on decompression surgery topics, including decompression, microdiscectomy, and other lumbar spine surgery options

Understanding Lumbar Spine Trauma

By : Eeric Truumees, MD
Spine Surgeon, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI
Orthopaedic Director, Gehring Biomechanics Laboratory, Royal Oak, MI

The spine

The spinal column consists of 33 vertebrae (figure 1A):

* 7 cervical (neck)(figure 1B)

* 12 thoracic (each connects to the 12 pairs of ribs)

* 5 lumbar (low back)

* 5 sacral (in an adult they are joined together as one bone called the sacrum, which does not contain any discs)

* 4 coccygeal (joined to form the single coccyx, also called the tailbone)

Sadly, trauma to the low back (lumbar spine) is common. People find hundreds of ways to injure their low back: car accidents, sports injuries, workplace injuries, falls, and violence. Doctors divide lumbar spine injuries into two broad categories, low and high energy. An example of a low energy injury would be a fender bender in which one car is stopped and the other is going 5 miles per hour. This type of collision or a fall while in the shower can cause low back pain, but the types of injuries seen are very different from a high speed collision in which the passenger is ejected from the car. Knowing exactly what happened to you helps the doctor figure out exactly what type of back injury you have. Another important element lies in any risk factors you may have for back injuries. For example, patients with soft bone (osteoporosis) may break their spine with less energy than someone with strong, healthy bone.

Low back spine injuries are also divided by the part of the back that was damaged. Injuries can affect the bone (fractures), the disks (herniations), ligaments (sprain), or muscles (strain). Each of these tissues has different needs while healing and some take longer than others. Doctors will list the level or levels affected. L1 (Lumbar 1) is at the top of the low back, L5 is at the bottom. Below the lumbar vertebrae is the sacrum.

Next, spine surgeons grade the severity of injury. For example, fractures range from simple compression fractures, where the bone collapses upon itself like a Styrofoam cup getting squashed together, to burst fractures, when pieces of bone explode out into the tissues around the spine, including the nerves and spinal cord. The worst of these injuries are called fracture-dislocations. Here, the bone breaks but, because the ligaments are torn as well, the bones slide away from each other. This situation is very unstable and almost always needs surgery.

Often, how a back injury is treated will depend on whether the nerves or spinal cord are involved. Luckily, many low back injuries will not involve the spinal cord, which ends in the upper part of the low back (at the L1-2 disk). The lowest part of the cord is called the conus medullaris. If this part of the cord is injured, patients will have trouble with bowel, bladder, and sexual function.

Below the conus medullaris are individual nerves (the cauda equina). While nerve injuries are not usually as devastating as spinal cord problems, pressure on many nerves at once (called cauda equina syndrome) is an emergency because long term leg weakness and bowel and bladder problems often results. Injury to a single nerve (sciatica or radiculopathy) may be intensely painful, but is less likely to cause major, permanent problems. If the part of the leg that that nerve goes to is weak, surgery will often be recommended, as it is with patients with spinal cord or cauda equina problems.

Strains, while painful, do not usually affect the nerves or the stability of the spine. Sometimes braces are used. Usually patients will require physical therapy to regain back strength. Most of these problems get better over 6 to 12 weeks.

Sprains or injuries to the spine ligaments may be relatively simple injuries and treated like strains. Sometimes, however, one of the major stabilizing ligaments of the spine is injured and surgery is needed to prevent the spine from slipping. That problem is more common in the neck than the low back.

In the low back, most serious injuries involve fracture of the spine or a disc herniation. Many of these can be treated non-operatively. More instability, collapse or nerve involvement leads to surgery. The goals of surgery are typically to take the pressure off the cord and nerves, improve the alignment of the spine, and to provide stability. Many injuries don’t include all three problems. But, for major alignment and stability problems, surgical correction often requires screws and rods to hold the spine back together. Bone grafts are used to allow the patients bones to heal together (fusion).

In some cases, the need for surgery is clear from the start (for example, the patient is getting weaker and weaker). Other times, an attempt is made to get the injury, a fracture for example, to heal in a brace. If the spine heals as expected, the brace is removed and therapy is started. If the spine fails to heal or the spine continues to collapse, surgery will be recommended. This can occur weeks or months after the initial injury.

In trauma, surgery may need to be performed from the front of the spine. Here an incision is made along the side of the abdomen. Sometimes one of the lower ribs is removed. This allows the surgeon direct access to the big vertebral body (the main bone of the spine). Broken fragments of bone can be removed and a strut of bone or a metal cage can be put it to keep the spine aligned. In other cases, an incision is made in the middle of the back and screws and rods are used to hold the spine. Smaller pieces of bone graft are placed along the spine to encourage it to heal together. For particularly severe or unstable injuries, surgery from both the front and the back of the spine is performed. The details about the various types of surgeries performed are available on this website.

Understanding Spinal Stenosis

By : Chris Sliva, MD

Spinal stenosis occurs when the available space for nerves is decreased and in the lower back when nerves traveling through the lumbar spine, en route to the legs, become compressed. It is usually a degenerative condition usually seen as part of the normal aging process that develops in patients 60 years and older. The condition, while rare, can occur in younger patients who have a congenitally narrow spinal canal.

Common symptoms of spinal stenosis include a deep aching pain or cramping sensation in the lower back or buttocks. Frequently, these symptoms radiate into one or both thighs and legs and this develops with walking or other activity. Symptoms are generally relieved through sitting, lying down or by bending at the waist. In rare cases, patients can lose motor function and sensation in the legs.

It is not uncommon for patients to have an x-ray as part of their initial diagnostic testing. X-rays can diagnose other common conditions associated with spinal stenosis such as arthritis (spondylosis) or spinal instability (spondylolisthesis) and help rule out other problems such as a fracture or a tumor in the vertebrae. Unfortunately, x-rays cannot visualize spinal nerves; therefore, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study is utilized to detect spinal stenosis. For patients unable to undergo an MRI due to implanted devices such as pacemakers or a CT (computerized tomography), a myelogram may be used.

Usually, initial treatments are non-surgical. These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy and occasionally, epidural steroid injections. This approach may provide permanent or temporary relief. When symptoms are severe and progressive, surgery is indicated and it is usually recommended when back and leg pain limits normal activity and impairs quality of life.

There are several different surgical procedures and the choice of which is influenced by the severity and type of disease. The mainstay of treatment for spinal stenosis is a decompressive lumbar laminectomy to remove bone and soft tissue that is pressing on the nerves. In some patients, spinal instability make may it necessary for a fusion to be performed.

Following the surgical procedure, most patients notice relief of their leg discomfort and are able to walk longer distances. Physical therapy may be necessary for six to eight weeks after surgery for strengthening and conditioning.

It is most important to make an informed decision about your treatment. The potential benefits of surgery must be balanced with the risks for each individual patient in conjunction with any available treatment alternatives. Your spine surgeon will help you to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for surgery.

High Cholesterol Disease

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:45:00 +0000

What is Cholesterol?

Also called: HDL, Hypercholesterolemia, Hyperlipidemia, Hyperlipoproteinemia, LDL.

Cholesterol is a fatty molecule that is manufactured by your liver. You need cholesterol in order to help you manufacture certain types of hormones. Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance that your body needs to function normally. Cholesterol is naturally present in cell walls or membranes everywhere in the body, including the brain, nerves, muscles, skin, liver, intestines, and heart.

Your body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat. It takes only a small amount of cholesterol in the blood to meet these needs. If you have too much cholesterol in your bloodstream, the excess may be deposited in arteries, including the coronary (heart) arteries, where it contributes to the narrowing and blockages that cause the signs and symptoms of heart disease.

The main risk associated with high cholesterol is coronary heart disease (CHD). Your blood cholesterol level has a lot to do with your chances of getting heart disease. If cholesterol is too high, it builds up in the walls of your arteries. Over time, this buildup (called plaque) causes hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis causes arteries to become narrowed, slowing blood flow to the heart. Reduced blood flow to the heart can result in angina (chest pain) or in a heart attack in cases when a blood vessel is blocked completely.

A simple blood test checks for high cholesterol. Simply knowing your total cholesterol level is not enough. A complete lipid profile measures your LDL (low-density lipoprotein [the bad cholesterol]), total cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein [the good cholesterol]), and triglycerides—another fatty substance in the blood. Government guidelines say healthy adults should have this analysis every 5 years.

From The American Heart Association:
What’s the Difference Between LDL and HDL Cholesterol?

Why is LDL cholesterol considered “bad”?

When too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. Together with other substances it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, it can cause a heart attack or stroke. The levels of HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in the blood are measured to evaluate the risk of having a heart attack. LDL cholesterol of less than 100 mg/dL is the optimal level. Less than 130 mg/dL is near optimal for most people. A high LDL level (more than 160 mg/dL or 130 mg/dL or above if you have two or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease) reflects an increased risk of heart disease. That’s why LDL cholesterol is often called “bad” cholesterol.

Why is HDL cholesterol considered “good”?

About one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL cholesterol is known as the “good” cholesterol because a high level of it seems to protect against heart attack. (Low HDL cholesterol levels [less than 40 mg/dL] increase the risk for heart disease.) Medical experts think that HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it’s passed from the body. Some experts believe that HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaque in arteries, thus slowing the buildup.

What is Lp(a) cholesterol?

Lp(a) is a genetic variation of plasma LDL. A high level of Lp(a) is an important risk factor for developing fatty deposits in arteries prematurely. The way an increased Lp(a) contributes to disease isn’t understood. The lesions in artery walls contain substances that may interact with Lp(a), leading to the buildup of fatty deposits.

The triglyceride connection

Triglyceride is a form of fat. It comes from food and is also made in your body. People with high triglycerides often have a high total cholesterol, a high LDL cholesterol and a low HDL cholesterol level. Many people with heart disease also have high triglyceride levels. People with diabetes or who are obese are also likely to have high triglycerides. Triglyceride levels of less than 150 mg/dL are normal; levels from 150–199 are borderline high. Levels that are borderline high or high (200–499 mg/dL) may need treatment in some people. Triglyceride levels of 500 mg/dL or above are very high. Doctors need to treat high triglycerides in people who also have high LDL cholesterol levels.

High Cholesterol Causes and Risk.

Causes :

Several drugs and diseases can bring about high cholesterol, but, for most people, a high-fat diet and inherited risk factors may be the main causes. Your doctor will rule out the possibility that you have an underactive thyroid or kidney or liver disease.

* Heredity: Your genes influence how high your LDL (bad) cholesterol is by affecting how fast LDL is made and removed from the blood. One specific form of inherited high cholesterol that affects 1 in 500 people is called familial hypercholesterolemia, which often leads to early heart disease. But even if you do not have a specific genetic form of high cholesterol, genes play a role in influencing your LDL cholesterol level.

* Weight: Excess weight may modestly increase your LDL (bad) cholesterol level. If you are overweight and have a high LDL cholesterol level, losing weight may help you lower it. Weight loss especially helps to lower triglycerides and raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

* Physical activity/exercise: Regular physical activity may lower triglycerides and raise HDL cholesterol levels.

* Age and sex: Before menopause, women usually have lower total cholesterol levels than men of the same age. As women and men age, their blood cholesterol levels rise until about 60-65 years of age. After about age 50 years, women often have higher total cholesterol levels than men of the same age.

* Alcohol use: Moderate (1-2 drinks daily) alcohol intake increases HDL (good) cholesterol but does not lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. Doctors don't know for certain whether alcohol also reduces the risk of heart disease. Drinking too much alcohol can damage the liver and heart muscle, lead to high blood pressure, and raise triglyceride levels. Because of the risks, alcoholic beverages should not be used as a way to prevent heart disease.

* Mental stress: Several studies have shown that stress raises blood cholesterol levels over the long term. One way that stress may do this is by affecting your habits. For example, when some people are under stress, they console themselves by eating fatty foods. The saturated fat and cholesterol in these foods contribute to higher levels of blood cholesterol.

Risk Factor:

You're more likely to have high cholesterol that can lead to heart disease if you have any of these risk factors:

* Smoking. Cigarette smoking damages the walls of your blood vessels, making them likely to accumulate fatty deposits. Smoking may also lower your level of HDL, or "good," cholesterol.
* Obesity. Having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater puts you at risk of high cholesterol.
* Poor diet. Foods that are high in cholesterol, such as red meat and full-fat dairy products, will increase your total cholesterol. Eating saturated fat, found in animal products, and trans fats, found in some commercially baked cookies and crackers, also can raise your numbers.
* Lack of exercise. Exercise helps boost your body's HDL "good" cholesterol while lowering your LDL "bad"cholesterol. Not getting enough exercise puts you at risk of high cholesterol.
* High blood pressure. Increased pressure on your artery walls damages your arteries, which can speed the accumulation of fatty deposits.
* Diabetes. High blood sugar contributes to higher LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol. High blood sugar also damages the lining of your arteries.
* Family history of heart disease. If a parent or sibling developed heart disease before age 55, high cholesterol levels place you at a greater than average risk of developing heart disease.

Risk Factor Information

Rare cases of memory loss have been reported in people taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, such as Lipitor. But these reports were anecdotal and have not been substantiated by formal testing of cognitive function. In most of these cases, memory improved after the individuals stopped taking the statins. However, it's not clear whether the statin drugs caused the memory loss.

Decreased metabolism associated with underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) causes high cholesterol. Treatment of hypothyroidism with thyroid hormone may improve cholesterol levels. If you have high cholesterol — especially if you have no previous history of high cholesterol — your doctor may recommend checking your thyroid hormone levels to see if an underactive thyroid is causing or contributing to the problem.

LDL contains the highest amount of cholesterol. HDL contains the highest amount of protein. VLDL contains the highest amount of triglyceride, a blood fat. Like LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol is considered a type of "bad" cholesterol because elevated levels are associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease.
By lowering your triglyceride levels, you also lower your VLDL cholesterol levels. Healthy lifestyle changes such as losing excess weight and exercising regularly can help lower triglyceride levels. Also, avoid sugary foods and alcohol, which have a particularly potent effect on increasing triglycerides.

© 1998-2007 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "Mayo Clinic Health Information," "Reliable information for a healthier life" and the triple-shield Mayo logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

High Cholesterol Symptoms and Signs

High cholesterol is usually discovered on routine screening and has no symptoms. It is more common if you have a family history of it, but lifestyle factors (such as eating a diet high in saturated fat) clearly play a major role.

If you have a routine blood test during a physical exam or while attending a health fair or screening at a shopping center, your blood may reveal a high total cholesterol level, which would require further testing to determine your LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels (this is known as a lipid panel).

The National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines suggest that everyone aged 20 years and older should have their blood cholesterol level measured at least once every 5 years. It is best to have a blood test called a lipoprotein profile to find out your cholesterol numbers. This blood test is done after a 9- to 12-hour fast and gives information about the following items:

Your Total Blood (or Serum) Cholesterol Level

Less than 200 mg/dL: Desirable
If your LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels are also at desirable levels and you have no other risk factors for heart disease, total blood cholesterol below 200 mg/dL puts you at relatively low risk of coronary heart disease. Even with a low risk, however, it’s still smart to eat a heart-healthy diet, get regular physical activity and avoid tobacco smoke. Have your cholesterol levels checked every five years or as your doctor recommends.

200–239 mg/dL: Borderline-High Risk
If your total cholesterol falls between 200 and 239 mg/dL, your doctor will evaluate your levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides. It's possible to have borderline-high total cholesterol numbers with normal levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol balanced by high HDL (good) cholesterol. Work with your doctor to create a prevention and treatment plan that's right for you. Make lifestyle changes, including eating a heart-healthy diet, getting regular physical activity and avoiding tobacco smoke. Depending on your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and your other risk factors, you may also need medication. Ask your doctor how often you should have your cholesterol rechecked.

240 mg/dL and over: High Risk
People who have a total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL or more typically have twice the risk of coronary heart disease as people whose cholesterol level is desirable (200 mg/dL). If your test didn’t show your LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, your doctor should order a fasting profile. Work with your doctor to create a prevention and treatment plan that's right for you. Whether or not you need cholesterol-regulating medication, make lifestyle changes, including eating a heart-healthy diet, getting regular physical activity and avoiding tobacco smoke.

Your HDL (Good) Cholesterol Level

With HDL (good) cholesterol, higher levels are better. Low HDL cholesterol (less than 40 mg/dL for men, less than 50 mg/dL for women) puts you at higher risk for heart disease. In the average man, HDL cholesterol levels range from 40 to 50 mg/dL. In the average woman, they range from 50 to 60 mg/dL. An HDL cholesterol of 60 mg/dL or higher gives some protection against heart disease.

People with high blood triglycerides usually also have lower HDL cholesterol and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Progesterone, anabolic steroids and male sex hormones (testosterone) also lower HDL cholesterol levels. Female sex hormones raise HDL cholesterol levels.

Your LDL (Bad) Cholesterol Level

The lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. In fact, it's a better gauge of risk than total blood cholesterol. In general, LDL levels fall into these categories:

LDL Cholesterol Levels
Less than 100 mg/dL	Optimal
100 to 129 mg/dL	Near Optimal/ Above Optimal
130 to 159 mg/dL	Borderline High
160 to 189 mg/dL	High
190 mg/dL and above	Very High

Your Triglyceride Level

Triglyceride is a form of fat. People with high triglycerides often have a high total cholesterol level, including high LDL (bad) cholesterol and low HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

Your triglyceride level will fall into one of these categories:

* Normal: less than 150 mg/dL
* Borderline-High: 150–199 mg/dL
* High: 200–499 mg/dL
* Very High: 500 mg/dL

A triglyceride level of 150 mg/dL or higher is one of the risk factors of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome increases the risk for heart disease and other disorders, including diabetes.

By : American Heart Association

Medical Treatment

Several types of medicine are used to treat high cholesterol levels. Your doctor will decide which type of medicine is right for you. He or she may prescribe more than 1 of these drugs at a time because combinations of these medicines can be more effective.

Statins (also called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) slow down your body's production of cholesterol. These drugs also remove cholesterol buildup from your arteries (blood vessels). Examples of statins include atorvastatin (brand name: Lipitor), fluvastatin (brand name: Lescol), lovastatin (brand names: Altocor, Mevacor), pravastatin (brand name: Pravachol), rosuvastatin (brand name: Crestor) and simvastatin (brand name: Zocor).

Resins (also called bile acid sequestrants) help lower your LDL cholesterol level. Some examples of bile acid sequestrants include cholestyramine (brand names: Prevalite, Questran), colesevelam (brand name: Welchol) and colestipol (brand name: Colestid).

Fibrates (also called fibric acid derivatives) help lower your cholesterol by reducing the amount of triglycerides (fats) in your body and by increasing your level of "good" cholesterol (also called HDL, or high-density lipoprotein). Some examples of fibrates include fenofibrate (brand names: Antara, Lofibra, Tricor) and gemfibrozil (brand name: Lopid).

Niacin (also called nicotinic acid) is a B vitamin. When given in large doses, it can lower your levels of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, and increase your HDL cholesterol level. Even though you can buy niacin without a prescription, you should not take it to lower your cholesterol unless your doctor prescribes it for you. It can cause serious side effects. There are 2 types of nicotinic acid: immediate release and extended release.

Cholesterol absorption inhibitors help lower your cholesterol by reducing the amount that is absorbed by your intestines. Ezetimibe (brand name: Zetia) is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor. This type of medicine is often given in combination with a statin. The combination of ezetimibe and simvastatin (brand name: Vytorin) is an example.

Hormone replacement therapy: The risk of heart disease is increased in women after menopause. The increasing risk may be related to loss of estrogen that comes with menopause. Previously, women might have been treated with hormone replacement therapy (replacing the estrogen and perhaps progestin).

Source:
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff.

Cholesterol: The top 5 foods to lower your numbers

Can a bowl of oatmeal help prevent a heart attack? How about a handful of walnuts, or even your baked potato topped with some heart-healthy margarine? A few simple tweaks to your diet — like these — may be enough to lower your cholesterol to a healthy level and help you stay off medications.

1. Oatmeal and oat bran

Oatmeal contains soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "bad" cholesterol. Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, apples, pears, psyllium, barley and prunes.

Soluble fiber appears to reduce the absorption of cholesterol in your intestines. Ten grams or more of soluble fiber a day decreases your total and LDL cholesterol. Eating 1 1/2 cups of cooked oatmeal provides 6 grams of fiber. If you add fruit, such as bananas, you'll add about 4 more grams of fiber. To mix it up a little, try steel-cut oatmeal or cold cereal made with oatmeal or oat bran.

2. Walnuts, almonds and more

Studies have shown that walnuts can significantly reduce blood cholesterol. Rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, walnuts also help keep blood vessels healthy and elastic. Almonds appear to have a similar effect, resulting in a marked improvement within just four weeks.

A cholesterol-lowering diet in which 20 percent of the calories come from walnuts may reduce LDL cholesterol by as much as 12 percent. But all nuts are high in calories, so a handful (no more than 2 ounces or 57 grams) will do. As with any food, eating too much can cause weight gain, and being overweight places you at higher risk of heart disease. To avoid gaining weight, replace foods high in saturated fat with nuts. For example, instead of using cheese, meat or croutons in your salad, add a handful of walnuts or almonds.

3. Fish and omega-3 fatty acids

Research has supported the cholesterol-lowering benefits of eating fatty fish because of its high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids also help the heart in other ways such as reducing blood pressure and the risk of blood clots. In people who have already had heart attacks, fish oil — or omega-3 fatty acids — significantly reduces the risk of sudden death.

Doctors recommend eating at least two servings of fish a week. The highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids are in mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon. However, to maintain the heart-healthy benefits of fish, bake or grill it. If you don't like fish, you can also get omega-3 fatty acids from foods like ground flaxseed or canola oil.

You can take an omega-3 or fish oil supplement to get some of the beneficial effects, but you won't get all the other nutrients in fish, like selenium. If you decide to take a supplement, just remember to watch your diet and eat lean meat or vegetables in place of fish.

4. Olive oil

Olive oil contains a potent mix of antioxidants that can lower your "bad" (LDL) cholesterol but leave your "good" (HDL) cholesterol untouched.

The Food and Drug Administration recommends using about 2 tablespoons (23 grams) of olive oil a day to get its heart-healthy benefits. To add olive oil to your diet, you can saute vegetables in it, add it to a marinade, or mix it with vinegar as a salad dressing. You can also use olive oil as a substitute for butter when basting meat.

Some research suggests that the cholesterol-lowering effects of olive oil are even greater if you choose extra-virgin olive oil, meaning the oil is less processed and contains more heart-healthy antioxidants. But avoid "light" olive oils. This label usually means the oil is more processed and lighter in color, not fat or calories.

5. Foods fortified with plant sterols or stanols

Foods are now available that have been fortified with sterols or stanols — substances found in plants that help block the absorption of cholesterol.

Margarines, orange juice and yogurt drinks fortified with plant sterols can help reduce LDL cholesterol by more than 10 percent. The amount of daily plant sterols needed for results is at least 2 grams — which equals about two 8-ounce (237 milliliters) servings of plant sterol-fortified orange juice a day.

Plant sterols or stanols in fortified foods don't appear to affect levels of triglycerides or of "good" high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Nor do they interfere with the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins — vitamins A, D, E and K.

The American Heart Association recommends foods fortified with plant sterols for people with levels of LDL cholesterol over 160 milligrams per deciliter (4.1 mmol/L).

Consider your diet first

Before you make other changes to your diet, think about cutting back on the types and amounts of fats you eat, which can raise your cholesterol. That way, you'll improve your cholesterol levels and health overall.

When cutting fat from your diet, focus on saturated and trans fats. Saturated fats, like those in meat and some oils, raise your total cholesterol. Trans fats, which are sometimes used to make store-bought cookies, crackers and cakes, are particularly bad for your cholesterol levels because they raise low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "bad" cholesterol and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL), "good" cholesterol. You should try to limit the number of calories you eat daily to less than 10 percent from saturated fat, and eliminate as many trans fats from your diet as possible.

By Mayo Clinic Staff
May 10, 2008

Hepatitis A Disease

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:01:00 +0000

What is Hepatitis A ?

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV).

HAV is spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with HAV infection. This type of spread is called "fecal-oral." This can happen in a variety of ways, such as when an infected person who prepares or handles food doesn't wash his or her hands adequately after using the toilet and then touches other people's food. A person can also be infected by drinking water contaminated with HAV or drinking beverages chilled with contaminated ice. Contaminated food, water, and ice can be significant sources of infection for travelers to many areas of the world. For this reason, the virus is more easily spread in areas where there are poor sanitary conditions or where good personal hygiene is not observed.

Most infections in the United States result from contact with a household member or a sex partner who has hepatitis A; however the proportion of cases of hepatitis A among international travelers, illegal drug users, and men who have sex with men has been increasing. Casual contact, as in the usual office, factory, or school setting, does not spread the virus.

Sex involves close, intimate contact (vaginal, anal, or oral sex) and increases the risk of exposure to HAV in the feces of an infected person.

The Symptoms of Hepatitis A.

A lot of people have no symptoms at all. They do not know they have hepatitis A. Some people have a milder infection with some fatige and cold symptoms. Usually younger children have a milder infection.
Some of the possible symptoms include:

Flu like symptoms;fever,chills,diarrhea
Decreased appetite
Nausea
Jaundice (yellow color in the skin and the eyes)
Dark urine (tea color)
Pale stool
Belly pain
Fatigue

HAV has an incubation period of 3 to 5 weeks. People with HAV infection might not have any signs or symptoms of the disease. Adults are more likely to have symptoms than children. About 7 out of 10 adults have symptoms, while children less than age 6 years usually have no symptoms. In some people, symptoms of hepatitis A recur in 6-9 months; this condition is called relapsing hepatitis A.

Symptoms usually last less than 2 months; however, a few people are ill for as long as 6 months.

Treatments for Hepatitis A

There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A, but supportive treatment is given to address the symptoms. Full recovery is common. Hepatitis A infection confers lifelong immunity in individuals who have been infected.

Prevention and Personal Precautions

Most travellers are at low risk of acquiring HAV infection. However, cases of hepatitis A have occurred in travellers to developing countries who stay in rural areas or in standard-level tourist accommodations where the hygienic quality of the food and water supply may be inadequate. Taking food and water precautions is the best means of preventing hepatitis A infection. Moreover, hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable disease.

Because hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food and water. Key principles to remember are: boil it, cook it, peel it or leave it!

Eat only food that has been well-cooked and is still hot when served.
Drink only purified water that has been boiled or disinfected with chlorine or iodine, or commercially bottled water in sealed containers.
Carbonated drinks without ice, including beer, are usually safe.
Avoid ice, unless it has been made with purified water.
Boil unpasteurized milk.
Avoid unpasteurized dairy products and ice cream.
Avoid uncooked foods -- especially shellfish -- and salads. Fruit and vegetables that can be peeled are usually safe.
Avoid food from street vendors.
Wash hands before eating or drinking.

Protection against hepatitis A through immunization with a vaccine

Who should obtain the new hepatitis A vaccine?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends hepatitis A vaccine for:

travelers to countries with high rates of hepatitis A;
people living in communities with high rates of hepatitis A;
people in certain outbreak settings;
laboratory personnel who work with hepatitis A virus;
sexually active homosexual/bisexual men;
people with existing chronic liver disease;
injecting drug users;
all children between the ages of 1 and 2

The hepatitis vaccine is widely available and is the best protection against infection. The vaccine is recommended for persons 12 months or older in age or who belong to one of the high-risk groups mentioned above. Short-term protection against hepatitis A is available from immune globulin, which can be given before and within 2 weeks after coming in contact with a person infected with acute HAV. Proper hand washing after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, and before preparing and eating food is strongly recommended.

Can a person get infected with HAV more than once?

No. Once you recover from the infection, you develop antibodies called anti-HAV that provide life-long protection from future infections. After recovering from hepatitis A, you won’t get it again and you cannot transmit HAV to others.

How does HAV different from Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV)?

HAV, HBV, and HCV are three different viruses that attack and injure the liver and cause similar symptoms in people with acute (recently acquired) disease.
HAV is spread by getting HAV-infected fecal matter into a person’s mouth who has never had hepatitis A (e.g., an HAV-infected person who doesn’t wash his or her hands after using the bathroom and then handles food for public consumption or an infected person who has sex with a person who has never had hepatitis A). HBV and HCV are spread when an infected person's blood or blood contaminated body fluids enter another person's bloodstream.
HBV and HCV infections can cause lifelong (chronic) liver problems. HAV does not.
There are vaccines that will protect people from HAV infection and HBV infection. Currently, there is no vaccine to protect people from HCV infection.
There are medications that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of chronic HBV and HCV infections.
If a person has had one type of viral hepatitis in the past, it is still possible to get the other types.

Scoliosis Disease

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:58:00 +0000

A. What is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a medical condition in which a person's spine is curved from side to side, shaped like a "S", and may also be rotated. To adults it can be very painful. It is an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. On an x-ray, the spine of an individual with a typical scoliosis may look more like an "S" or a "C" than a straight line. It is typically classified as congenital (caused by vertebral anomalies present at birth), idiopathic (sub-classified as infantile, juvenile, adolescent, or adult according to when onset occurred) or as having developed as a secondary symptom of another condition, such as cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy or due to physical trauma.

Kyphosis is a curve seen from the side in which the spine is bent forward. Lordosis is a curve seen from the side in which the spine is bent backward. People with scoliosis develop additional curves to either side, and the bones of the spine twist on each other like a corkscrew.

The condition can be categorized based on convexity, or curvature of the spinal column, with relation to the central axis:

Dextroscoliosis is a scoliosis with the convexity on the right side.
Levoscoliosis is a scoliosis with the convexity on the left side.
Rotoscoliosis (may be used in conjunction with dextroscoliosis and levoscoliosis, e.g. levorotoscoliosis) refers to scoliosis on which the rotation of the vertebrae is particularly pronounced, or is used simply to draw attention to the fact that scoliosis is a complex 3 dimensional problem.

B. Is Scoliosis Genetic?

There is a definite genetic connection, with around 25% of those with a scoliosis have a direct relative with a curvature. 80% of adolescence idiopathic scoliosis arises in girls, and 80% of these girls have their rib prominence on the right side.

Abnormalities at birth or improper development may be the biggest ways heredity plays a role in scoliosis.

Scoliosis is not caused by a child having poor posture or carrying too much weight in a backpack.

C. Types of Scoliosis

There are three other main types of scoliosis:

Functional: In this type of scoliosis, the spine is normal, but an abnormal curve develops because of a problem somewhere else in the body. This could be caused by one leg being shorter than the other or by muscle spasms in the back.

Neuromuscular: In this type of scoliosis, there is a problem when the bones of the spine are formed. Either the bones of the spine fail to form completely, or they fail to separate from each other. This type of scoliosis develops in people with other disorders including birth defects, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, or Marfan's disease. If the curve is present at birth, it is called congenital. This type of scoliosis is often much more severe and needs more aggressive treatment than other forms of scoliosis.

Degenerative: Unlike the other forms of scoliosis that are found in children and teens, degenerative scoliosis occurs in older adults. It is caused by changes in the spine due to arthritis. Weakening of the normal ligaments and other soft tissues of the spine combined with abnormal bone spurs can lead to an abnormal curvature of the spine.

Others: There are other potential causes of scoliosis, including spine tumors such as osteoid osteoma. This is a benign tumor that can occur in the spine and cause pain. The pain causes people to lean to the opposite side to reduce he amount of pressure applied to the tumor. This can lead to a spinal deformity.

D. Scoliosis Causes

Doctors don't know what causes the most common type of scoliosis. When a cause can't be identified, scoliosis is called idiopathic.

Various causes have been implicated, but none has consensus among scientists as the cause of scoliosis. Scoliosis is more often diagnosed in females and is often seen in patients with cerebral palsy or spina bifida, although this form of scoliosis is different from that seen in children without these conditions. In some cases, scoliosis exists at birth due to a congenital vertebral anomaly. Occasionally, development of scoliosis during adolescence is due to an underlying anomaly such as a tethered spinal cord, but most often the cause is unknown or idiopathic. Some therapists like the referenced Hanna Somatic therapist believe that trauma to an adult can cause, not just asymmetry but an actual curve to the spine visible on x-ray, although no documentation is offered in her article. Scoliosis often presents itself, or worsens, during the adolescence growth spurt.

Scoliosis isn't caused by poor posture, diet, exercise, or the use of backpacks.

E. Scoliosis Symtomps

The spine is an elegant structure — from the side it takes the form of an elongated S, the upper back bowing outward and the lower back curving slightly inward. Viewed from behind though, the spine should appear as a straight line from the base of the neck to the tailbone. Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine.

If a scoliosis curve gets worse, the spine will also rotate or twist, in addition to curving side to side. This causes the ribs on one side of the body to stick out farther than on the other side. Severe scoliosis can cause back pain and difficulty breathing.

The symptoms of scoliosis can include:

Uneven musculature on one side of the spine* A rib "hump" and/or a prominent shoulder blade, caused by rotation of the ribcage in thoracic scoliosis.
Uneven hip, rib cage, and shoulder levels.
Asymmetric size or location of breast in females.
Unequal distance between arms and body.
Slow nerve action (in some cases).
Different heights of the shoulders.

F. Chiropractic Care and Treatment for Scoliosis

Most children with scoliosis have mild curves — less than 20 degrees — and probably won't need treatment with a brace or surgery. Periodic checkups and X-rays are needed, though, to be sure the curve doesn't worsen (progress). Children who are still growing need checkups about every four to six months to see if there have been changes in the curvature of their spines.

The decision to treat scoliosis is based on many factors. While there are guidelines for mild, moderate and severe curves, the decision to begin treatment is always made on an individual basis. Treatment decisions depend on your child's age, maturity, sex, family history, curve size on X-rays and how much he or she is likely to grow.

There are three basic Chiropractic Care types of treatments for scoliosis:
(1) observation
(2) orthopaedic bracing
(3) surgery.

(1) Observation

Other treatments that have been studied for treatment of scoliosis include:

Electrical stimulation of muscles
Chiropractic manipulation
Exercise

There's no evidence that any of these methods prevent spinal curvature from progressing. Although exercise alone can't stop scoliosis, exercise may have the benefit of improving overall health and well-being.

(2) Orthopaedic Bracing

If your child has a curve of 25 to 40 degrees and is still growing, your doctor may recommend using a brace. Wearing a brace won't cure scoliosis, or reverse the curve, but it usually prevents further progression of the curve. Most braces are worn all the time, during the day and night. Scoliosis braces can prevent progression and the need for surgical treatment up to 90 percent of the time. Like many treatments, scoliosis braces are only effective if they are worn as directed. Both the child and the child's family need to understand the importance of wearing the brace.

Children who wear braces can usually participate in most activities and have few restrictions. Kids can take off the brace to participate in sports or other physical activities.

Once the skeleton is mature — about 15 to 16 years old for girls and 17 to 18 years old for boys — or if the curve is too large — more than 40 to 45 degrees — a brace won't help.

Braces aren't useful for the treatment of congenital scoliosis because the curve is caused by abnormally shaped bones in the spine.

Braces are of two main types:

Underarm or low-profile brace. This type of brace is made of modern plastic materials and is contoured to conform to the body. Also called a thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO), this close-fitting brace is almost invisible under the clothes, as it fits under the arms and around the rib cage, lower back and hips. A custom brace is molded to place corrective forces on the curve. Other types of braces place pads in areas to stabilize the curve.

Milwaukee brace. This full-torso brace has a neck ring with rests for the chin and for the back of the head. The brace has a flat bar in the front and two flat bars in the back. A Milwaukee brace may be used for curves in the upper spine. However, this brace is not commonly used today.

Other types of braces are being evaluated — some are worn only at night, others are made of material that is more flexible or use different mechanisms of pressure. However, there is currently no conclusive evidence available to support their effectiveness.

A brace isn't effective unless a child wears it as prescribed. A brace will feel uncomfortable and awkward at first. After an initial period of adjustment, however, wearing a brace begins to feel normal. Your child may need help building a positive attitude about wearing the brace and maintaining a healthy body image.

(3) Surgery

If your child's curve is greater than 40 to 50 degrees, your doctor will likely recommend surgery because scoliosis of this size tends to get worse throughout a child's lifetime. Scoliosis surgery involves techniques to fuse or join the vertebrae along the curve. Surgery is most commonly done through an incision in the middle of the back. For very rigid or severe curves, additional surgery may be needed through the side of the body.

"Fusion" means joining two pieces together. In the treatment of scoliosis, fusion involves connecting two or more of the bones in your spine (vertebrae) with new bone. The process is similar to what occurs when a broken bone heals. Eventually, the vertebrae fuse together preventing further progression of the curve. Doctors attach metal rods, hooks, screws or wires (implants) to the spine to hold the vertebrae together during the months after surgery while the bones fuse or heal together. The implants are left in the body, even after the bones have fused, to avoid another surgery. These implants can't be seen or felt. In addition to supporting the fused area, implants also apply force to the spine to help correct the deformity and help straighten the curve.

Scoliosis surgery is a complicated orthopedic surgical procedure. The operation takes several hours. Hospitalization can last five to seven days, and activities are restricted for several months. The results of surgery are usually very good, with dramatic improvement in the scoliosis curve size.

Complications may include bleeding, infection, pain, nerve damage or failure of the bone to heal. Rarely, another surgery is needed if the first one fails to correct the problem.

Resource :

* Wikipedia
* Mayoclinic

Back Pain | How to Eliminate and Treatment Back Pain?

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:12:00 +0000

A. What Are the Causes of Back Pain?

It is important to understand that back pain is a symptom of a medical condition, not a diagnosis itself. Medical problems that can cause back pain include the following:

Mechanical problems: A mechanical problem is a problem with the way your spine moves or the way you feel when you move your spine in certain ways. Perhaps the most common mechanical cause of back pain is a condition called intervertebral disc degeneration, which simply means that the discs located between the vertebrae of the spine are breaking down with age. As they deteriorate, they lose their cushioning ability. This problem can lead to pain if the back is stressed. Other mechanical causes of back pain include spasms, muscle tension, and ruptured discs, which are also called herniated discs.

Injuries: Spine injuries such as sprains and fractures can cause either short-lived or chronic pain. Sprains are tears in the ligaments that support the spine, and they can occur from twisting or lifting improperly. Fractured vertebrae are often the result of osteoporosis, a condition that causes weak, porous bones. Less commonly, back pain may be caused by more severe injuries that result from accidents and falls.

Acquired conditions and diseases: Many medical problems can cause or contribute to back pain. They include scoliosis, which causes curvature of the spine and does not usually cause pain until mid-life; spondylolisthesis; various forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis; and spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal column that puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. While osteoporosis itself is not painful, it can lead to painful fractures of the vertebrae. Other causes of back pain include pregnancy; kidney stones or infections; endometriosis, which is the buildup of uterine tissue in places outside the uterus; and fibromyalgia, which causes fatigue and widespread muscle pain.

Infections and tumors: Although they are not common causes of back pain, infections can cause pain when they involve the vertebrae, a condition called osteomyelitis, or when they involve the discs that cushion the vertebrae, which is called discitis. Tumors, too, are relatively rare causes of back pain. Occasionally, tumors begin in the back, but more often they appear in the back as a result of cancer that has spread from elsewhere in the body.

Although the causes of back pain are usually physical, it is important to know that emotional stress can play a role in how severe pain is and how long it lasts. Stress can affect the body in many ways, including causing back muscles to become tense and painful.

B. What is The Risk Factor of Back Pain?

Factors that increase your risk of developing low back pain include:

Smoking
Obesity
Older age
Female gender
Physically strenuous work
Sedentary work
Stressful job
Anxiety
Depression

C. Treatment and Drug for Back Pain

Most back pain gets better with a few weeks of home treatment and careful attention. A regular schedule of over-the-counter pain relievers may be all that you need to improve your pain. A short period of bed rest is okay, but more than a couple of days actually does more harm than good. If home treatments aren't working, your doctor may suggest stronger medications or other therapy.

Medications for Back Pain
Your doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or in some cases, a muscle relaxant, to relieve mild to moderate back pain that doesn't get better with over-the-counter pain relievers. Narcotics, such as codeine or hydrocodone, may be used for a short period of time with close supervision by your doctor.

Low doses of certain types of antidepressants — particularly tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline — have been shown to relieve chronic back pain, independent of their effect on depression.

Physical therapy and exercise
A physical therapist can apply a variety of treatments, such as heat, ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and muscle-release techniques, to your back muscles and soft tissues to reduce pain. As pain improves, the therapist can teach you specific exercises to increase your flexibility, strengthen your back and abdominal muscles, and improve your posture. Regular use of these techniques will help prevent pain from coming back.

Injections
If other measures don't relieve your pain and if your pain radiates down your leg, your doctor may inject cortisone — an anti-inflammatory medication — into the space around your spinal cord (epidural space). A cortisone injection helps decrease inflammation around the nerve roots, but the pain relief usually lasts less than six weeks.

In some cases, your doctor may inject numbing medication into or near the structures believed to be causing your back pain. Early studies indicate that botulism toxin (Botox) also may help relieve back pain, perhaps by paralyzing strained muscles in spasm. Botox injections typically wear off within three to four months.

Surgery
Few people ever need surgery for back pain. There are no effective surgical techniques for muscle- and soft-tissue-related back pain. Surgery is usually reserved for pain caused by a herniated disk. If you have unrelenting pain or progressive muscle weakness caused by nerve compression, you may benefit from surgery. Types of back surgery include:

Fusion. This surgery involves joining two vertebrae to eliminate painful movement. A bone graft is inserted between the two vertebrae, which may then be splinted together with metal plates, screws or cages. A drawback to the procedure is that it increases the chances of arthritis developing in adjoining vertebrae.
Disk replacement. An alternative to fusion, this surgery inserts an artificial disk as a replacement cushion between two vertebrae.
Partial removal of disk. If disk material is pressing or squeezing a nerve, your doctor may be able to remove just the portion of the disk that's causing the problem.
Partial removal of a vertebra. If your spine has developed bony growths that are pinching your spinal cord or nerves, surgeons can remove a small section of the offending vertebra, to open up the passage.

resource: Mayo Clinic

D. Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy (also called sclerotherapy) involves injecting painful ligaments and tendons with sugar solutions that are intended to stimulate production of connective tissue. The theory is that prolotherapy can strengthen these ligaments and tendons, and reduce pain. Studies of prolotherapy have reported conflicting evidence regarding its effectiveness in treating chronic back pain.

A review of five well-designed studies involving 366 participants concluded that prolotherapy alone was ineffective in treating chronic low back pain. However, when combined with other treatments — such as spinal manipulation and exercise — prolotherapy may improve chronic low back pain.

A typical course of prolotherapy treatment is six to 10 sessions, sometimes with multiple injections at each session. Prolotherapy is known to cause some pain at the injection site, but this is typically mild and temporary. As with any injection, there is a risk of infection, bruising, bleeding or tissue damage.

More research is needed to clarify what role, if any, prolotherapy plays in the treatment of chronic low back pain.

E. Disk Replacement

Disk replacement is a relatively new treatment option for degenerative disk disease. In this procedure, the damaged disk is removed and replaced with a metal and plastic disk.

Disk replacement appears to be as effective as spinal fusion in relieving low back pain. However, as with all emerging treatments, the indications for its use are still very limited.

Ideal candidates for disk replacement surgery:

Are between the ages of 20 and 60 years
Have only one degenerated disk
Have failed to respond to other forms of treatment

Disk replacement surgery isn't recommended for people who have systemic bone disease, such as osteoporosis, or who have had previous back surgery, including spinal fusion.
It's important to note that disk replacement surgery is more difficult than spinal fusion surgery. Also, the risks of removing the artificial disk if it fails or becomes infected are potentially serious.

By : Mayo Clinic neurologist Jerry Swanson, M.D.

F. Inversion Therapy

Inversion therapy is often promoted as a therapy for back pain. But there's no scientific evidence that it provides long-term pain relief.

Inversion therapy involves hanging upside down — supported by your ankles — to allow gravity to naturally decompress disks and nerve roots in your spine. Another form of inversion therapy entails lying on a table (inversion table) that gradually tips you head down — again, supported by your ankles.

Inversion therapy is one example of the many ways in which traction — stretching the spine — has been used in an attempt to relieve back pain. But traction is falling out of favor with many in the medical community. Well-designed studies that have evaluated traction for back pain have found no significant long-term benefit.

However, some people find that traction provides temporary pain relief. Those with sciatica or a pinched nerve may find traction beneficial as part of a more comprehensive treatment program.

A potential problem with inversion therapy is that it may significantly increase blood pressure in your head. For this reason, you should not try inversion therapy if you have heart disease, high blood pressure or eye diseases, such as glaucoma, or if you are pregnant.

By : Mayo Clinic neurologist Jerry Swanson, M.D.

G. Noninvasive Treatment

The goal of noninvasive treatment for back pain is twofold:

Reduce but not necessarily eliminate your pain
Help you improve your function so that you can resume as closely as possible your normal routine of work and leisure

After talking to you about the particular circumstances involving your back pain, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following common treatment options:

Back brace.

Many back braces or corsets (lumbar supports) are available without a prescription at pharmacies and medical supply stories. Or, your doctor may prescribe a specific brace customized for your back. The rationale behind braces is that they may support your abdomen and take some of the load off your lower back, they may restrict motion, and they may improve posture. But there's also concern that use of braces may result in the wasting away (atrophy) of some muscles that support the spine through lack of use. If you use a brace, limit the use to intermittently several hours a day. If you have a labor-intensive job that places stress on your lower back, a back brace or corset can help you when you first return to work after a back injury by avoiding too much strain on your spine.

Back braces and corsets may also make transitional movements — such as from a sitting to a standing position — more comfortable during an episode of back pain. There's insufficient evidence that back braces are more effective at relieving back pain than no treatment at all. The best course of action may be strengthening your trunk muscles to be the primary support for your back.

Pain medications.

You can take nonprescription medications, or your doctor may suggest prescription medications to relieve your discomfort until inflammation subsides and your body heals itself. Options include:

Over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics. Analgesics are medications that relieve pain. They include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), counterirritants and topical analgesics. NSAIDs, such as aspirin, naproxen sodium (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Another option is counterirritants, which you apply to your skin as a cream or spray. These nonprescription medications — which include Bengay, Icy Hot and capsaicin (Zostrix) — stimulate your sensory receptors of heat or cold to cover up or counter pain. Counterirritant products may temporarily relieve chronic pain. Topical analgesics, many of which contain salicylates — the main ingredient in aspirin — also can reduce inflammation. NSAIDs appear to provide some relief for acute back pain, but evidence is still lacking regarding effectiveness of NSAIDs in chronic low back pain. In addition, though NSAIDs are widely used for treatment of low back pain, long-term use can have side effects, particularly effects on the gastrointestinal system and the kidneys.
Anticonvulsants. Low doses of drugs more commonly used in the treatment of seizures and epilepsy are sometimes used to help people who have low back pain in conjunction with leg pain. These medications include gabapentin (Neurontin), topiramate (Topamax), clonazepam (Klonopin), carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol) and valproate (Depacon). These drugs aren't usually useful in treating low back pain. Instead, they're sometimes directed at treating the leg pain component in people who primarily have back pain associated with leg pain.
Antidepressants. Some antidepressant medications, taken in lower doses than would be used to treat depression, may help in the treatment of low back pain. Antidepressants may work in a variety of ways. For example, they may result in a higher level in your brain of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with pain control. Antidepressants may also reduce anxiety and muscle tension. The evidence on the effectiveness of antidepressant medications in the treatment of low back pain is mixed. Among this group of medications, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) appear to be the most effective. They include such medications as nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan) and imipramine (Tofranil). Medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) don't appear to be as effective as TCAs for back pain.
Opioids. In select cases, doctors may use certain narcotic medications (opioid analgesics) to treat low back pain. Examples of these medications include morphine (MS Contin, Oramorph SR, others), oxycodone (OxyContin), methadone (Dolophine HCL), fentanyl (Duragesic) and levorphanol (Levo-Dromoran). There is debate regarding the use of opioids, and they're not used as a long-term treatment. Among the reasons are side effects, as well as concerns about dependence. The most common side effects that limit their use include nausea and constipation, which can be severe. In addition, other common but less known important side effects include dizziness and sedation. Before your doctor prescribes opioids, have a thorough discussion with him or her about their benefits and drawbacks.

Cold or heat therapy.

Using cold and heat therapy may relieve pain and muscle tension in the initial days after back pain begins. Some studies show that heat is an effective approach for acute nonspecific back pain. As for chronic back pain, cold and heat likely won't cause harm and may be helpful, but there isn't scientific evidence at this time to prove that cold and heat are effective treatments for chronic low back pain. Cold or ice applied to your back can reduce inflammation and swelling by constricting blood vessels. The cold also acts to slow nerve impulses and make it less likely that your muscles will contract, in this way reducing pain.

To use cold packs, wrap an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables in a piece of cloth. Hold it on the sore area for about 15 minutes, several times a day. To avoid frostbite, don't place ice directly on your skin. Heat therapy increases blood circulation, which can aid healing of damaged tissues. Heat also allows tissues to stretch more easily, resulting in less stiffness, greater flexibility and less pain. To use heat therapy, take a warm bath, or use warm packs, a heating pad or a heat lamp for pain relief. Be careful not to burn your skin with extreme heat. If you find that cold provides more relief than heat, you can continue using cold packs, or try a combination of the two methods.

Electrical stimulation.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) delivers a tiny electrical current to key points on a nerve pathway. The current, delivered through electrodes taped to your skin, isn't painful or harmful. It's not known exactly how TENS works, but it may stimulate release of pain-inhibiting molecules (endorphins) or block pain fibers that carry pain impulses. However, it's unclear whether those who benefit from TENS achieve relief by some direct effect on their nervous system or from the belief that they will benefit from the therapy (the so-called placebo effect). Some people with chronic pain use TENS to help them function with less discomfort. But several studies have concluded that TENS has not been proved effective in relieving chronic low back pain.

Exercise and physical therapy.

Physical activity plays a strong role in recovering from back pain and particularly in helping to prevent future pain and loss of function. Physical activity can include one or many among a wide range of exercises that you do in the presence of a physical therapist, or exercises that you do on your own at home. An exercise program can include any or all of the following components: flexing, stretching, endurance training, strength building and aerobic.

Supervised programs that include stretching and strengthening exercises, which don't specifically target the back, are more beneficial in relieving chronic low back pain and improving function. Your doctor or physical therapist can tailor an exercise program to meet your individual needs. There is no one-size-fits-all approach.

Exercise programs are individualized because people have different levels of pain and differing injuries that caused the pain initially. Exercise doesn't appear to increase your risk of future back injuries and may help prevent back pain at work. Benefits of a physical activity program may include:

Pain reduction
Strengthening of weak muscles
Stretching of contracted muscles
Decreasing mechanical stress on your back
Improving your fitness to prevent injury
Stabilizing your back
Improving your posture
Improving your mobility
Decreasing the rate and severity of recurring back pain
Allowing quicker recovery from future flares of back pain

Some studies suggest that exercise therapy is more effective than are conservative or inactive treatments in people with chronic low back pain. Short-term, modest improvements were seen in such areas as pain, disability, strength and flexibility. Exercise and physical therapy are an important part of your treatment program and should become part of your permanent routine at home. Improving the strength, endurance and function of your back helps minimize the chance of recurrence of back pain. One study showed that people who didn't exercise after an initial episode of acute low back pain were more likely to experience a recurrence of low back pain than were people in the study's exercise group. Mild discomfort that you may feel as you begin an exercise program should gradually ease as your muscles become stronger. The key is to start an exercise program at a low level to ensure your comfort and proper technique, and then progress slowly as your symptoms allow.

Cognitive behavior therapy.

This type of talk therapy combines attempts to identify unhealthy, negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with healthy, positive ones. It's based on the idea that your own thoughts determine how you behave. Even if an unwanted situation hasn't changed, you can change the way you think and behave in a positive way. The therapy may have a role in the case of chronic low back pain for which no specific physical cause is evident.

Your doctor may talk to you about the psychological and social issues surrounding your chronic pain, such as whether you have stress, anxiety or depression, how your family has responded, how the pain has affected your work and other activities, and what you believe causes the pain to continue. You and your doctor may also talk about your readiness to accept that the condition will improve over time without any major medical intervention. Cognitive behavior therapy has been shown to be effective in relieving pain and improving function as one component of back care.

Multidisciplinary treatment programs.

A multidisciplinary approach to treating chronic low back pain involves, as the phrase suggests, a variety of therapies. These may include a combination of exercise, physical therapy, education, cognitive behavior therapy, vocational counseling and other strategies. Reviews of studies show long-term effectiveness of multidisciplinary treatment programs in lowering pain, improving function and reducing return to work time.

By Mayo Clinic Staff
May 13, 2008

H. Spinal Fusion

If the cause of your back pain seems to be motion between segments of your vertebrae, spinal fusion may be a way to prevent motion and stop the pain. Spinal fusion involves permanently connecting — or "welding" — two or more vertebrae together.

Spinal fusion was formerly used primarily for conditions such as scoliosis and other spinal deformities. Today, although most people with chronic low back pain don't need to undergo spinal fusion, it has become increasingly popular for treating low back pain. The number of spinal fusions for all causes in the United States has more than doubled since 1993. Spinal fusion has been used as a treatment for what's called discogenic pain — pain originating in the area of a particular disk and without involving leg pain (sciatica).

Evaluating your suitability

Before you and your doctor agree to surgery as an option, your doctor will want to make sure that you've given nonsurgical treatments a reasonable trial. Also, your doctor may conduct a study called a diskogram, which is a special X-ray examination that involves the use of a dye. The dye, injected into a disk, serves to make it appear better on an X-ray. The injection of dye may also produce a pain similar to your ongoing back pain, which helps your doctor pinpoint that disk as the source of your pain.

What to expect during the procedure

Spinal fusion surgery requires general anesthesia. The procedure may take from two to 12 hours, depending on how extensive the surgery is and the technique your surgeon uses. Surgery may involve a large incision, or may be done using newer techniques with smaller incisions.

To fuse the spine, your doctor needs small pieces of extra bone to fill the space between two vertebrae. This bone may come from your own body (autogenous bone), usually from a pelvic bone. Or, it may come from another person (allograft bone) by way of a bone bank. If the front of your spine is fused, the disk is removed first. Bone graft substitutes, such as genetically engineered proteins, are being developed as alternatives to using bones from your body or a bone bank. Sometimes, doctors also use wires, rods, screws, metal cages or plates. As with any surgery, spinal fusion carries risks, including pain at the donor site for the bone, infection and nerve injury.

The aftermath of surgery

Expect to be in the hospital for several days after surgery. You'll also likely experience considerable pain and discomfort after surgery, but your doctor will control pain with oral and intravenous medications. It takes from several weeks to several months to heal from this surgery, depending on your age, condition and what level of activity you plan to return to. The type of healing that needs to occur after spinal fusion is comparable to recovery from a broken bone. The earliest that X-rays might reveal bone healing after spinal fusion is about six weeks.

Spinal fusion removes some spinal flexibility. This can be beneficial if movement and instability between spinal segments is what causes your pain. However, the fused spine needs to be kept in proper alignment. You'll be taught how to move, sit, stand and walk in a manner that keeps your spine properly aligned. You may be able to start a physical rehabilitation program as early as about four weeks after spinal fusion surgery.

Set realistic expectations

Beyond the immediate potential risks of spinal fusion surgery, the areas of your spine adjacent to the fusion will bear more stress. This makes those areas more likely to experience future wear and tear. That may mean you'll need to undergo surgery again. About 20 percent of people who have spinal fusion surgery need another operation within 11 years.

Also, like any treatment for back pain, don't expect spinal fusion to eliminate your pain — just to improve it. For example, if your level of pain on a scale of 0 to 10 was a 7 before surgery, your doctor might regard a reduction to a pain level of 3 or 4 to be a successful result.

More study is needed regarding the long-term efficacy of spinal fusion to treat discogenic pain. A study published in the May 2005 issue of the British Medical Journal concluded that people who are candidates for spinal fusion may obtain benefits similar to those of surgery from an intensive rehabilitation program. A 2007 systematic review of several studies, including the 2005 British Medical Journal study, stated it wasn't possible to reach a definitive conclusion about whether fusion surgery might be effective in treating discogenic pain. The review did state that the nature of nonsurgical treatment of back pain "may be critical" in determining whether it's a better approach than fusion.

A 2004 opinion article in the New England Journal of Medicine stated that "the emphasis of research efforts should shift from examining how to perform fusion to examining who should undergo fusion. The indications for this invasive and expensive procedure remain unclear despite its rapidly expanding use." A 2007 article in the New England Journal of Medicine addressed the issue of who needs back surgery, and concluded that for people with major disability or major spine trauma, surgery "may preserve life or function." However, "absent major neurologic deficits, patients with herniated disks, degenerative spondylolisthesis, or spinal stenosis do not need surgery, but the appropriate surgical procedures may provide valuable pain relief."

At the time you and your doctor discuss whether you're a good candidate for spinal fusion, he or she may mention a newer option — disk replacement therapy. The Food and Drug Administration approved this therapy in 2004. However, it's still too early to know the long-term outcome of disk replacement therapy.

By Mayo Clinic Staff
May 13, 2008

I. Chiropractic

Spinal manipulation: Osteopathic or chiropractic manipulation appears to be beneficial in people during the first month of symptoms. Several studies have been performed on this topic and have produced conflicting results. The use of manipulation for people with chronic back pain has been studied as well, also producing conflicting results. The effectiveness of this treatment remains unknown. Manipulation has not been found to benefit people with nerve root problems.

J. Acupunture

Current evidence does not support the use of acupuncture for the treatment of acute back pain. Scientifically valid studies are not available. Use of acupuncture remains controversial.

K. Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS)

TENS provides pulses of electrical stimulation through surface electrodes. For acute back pain, there is no proven benefit. Two small studies produced inconclusive results, with a trend toward improvement with TENS. In chronic back pain, there is conflicting evidence regarding its ability to help relieve pain. One study showed a slight advantage at 1 week for TENS but no difference at 3 months and beyond. Other studies showed no benefit for TENS at any time. There is no known benefit for sciatica.

Prostate Cancer Treatments, Symptoms, Diagnosis

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 06:28:00 +0000

A. What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer
is a disease in which cancer develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Cancer occurs when cells of the prostate mutate and begin to multiply out of control. These cells may spread (metastasize) from the prostate to other parts of the body, especially the bones and lymph nodes. Prostate cancer may cause pain, difficulty in urinating, erectile dysfunction and other symptoms.
The prostate is the gland below a man's bladder that produces fluid for semen. The gland surrounds the first part of the urethra. The urethra is the passage through which urine drains from the bladder to exit from the penis. Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages. It is rare in men younger than 40.

Levels of a substance called prostate specific antigen (PSA) is often high in men with prostate cancer. However, PSA can also be high with other prostate conditions. Since the PSA test became common, most prostate cancers are found before they cause symptoms. Symptoms of prostate cancer may include:

- Problems passing urine, such as pain, difficulty starting or stopping the stream, or dribbling
- Low back pain
- Pain with ejaculation

Prostate cancer treatment often depends on the stage of the cancer. How fast the cancer grows and how different it is from surrounding tissue helps determine the stage. Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or control of hormones that affect the cancer.

B. What Causes Prostate Cancer?

What causes prostate cancer and why some types behave differently are unknown. Research suggests that a combination of factors may play a role, including :

Testosterone, the male hormone, does not cause prostate cancer but is known to feed its growth. Therefore, some prostate cancer treatments are aimed at blocking the body's production of testosterone.
Age, men over age 50 are at risk for prostate cancer and risk increases with age. As studies into aging continue, scientists may find that the aging process produces biochemical reactions that contribute to abnormal cell growth. This is an area of intense research.
Heredity, if a man's father or an older sibling has had prostate cancer, he is at increased risk. Also, African American men are at increased risk.
Scientists are looking at genes that may be responsible for inherited prostate cancer. The genes under investigation are called Hereditary Prostate Cancer Genes 1 and 2 (HPC1, HPC2) and HPCX.
It is not yet known to what degree these genes are responsible for prostate cancer. It may be that genetically acquired prostate cancer develops differently than cancer from other causes, but more research into this theory is needed.
Genetics, researchers are finding that genetic flaws are responsible for many cancers. Recent research has shown that a genetic defect may keep some men from developing a certain enzyme. This enzyme could mount a defense against cells vulnerable to cancer-causing agents in the environment.
Diet, some studies have found that a diet high in animal fat may increase a man's risk for developing prostate cancer, while a diet high in fruits and vegetables (especially tomato-based products) may decrease the risk.

C. What Are The Syptoms of The Prostate Cancer?

The three most common types of prostate disease are:

Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Prostatitis
Prostate cancer

Although these diseases have different causes, they have similar symptoms. This is why it's important to be checked for prostate cancer as part of your yearly physical examination. Your doctor will often refer you to a urologist (a doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary tract and the male reproductive system) if you have symptoms of any of the following diseases.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Often called BPH, benign prostatic hyperplasia is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. It is very common but rarely causes symptoms before age 40. According to the American Urological Association about half of men between the ages of 51 and 60 and up to 90% of men older than age 80 have BPH.
Symptoms of BPH include:
* Difficulty urinating
* An urge to urinate even when the bladder is empty
* Frequent urination, especially at night
* A weak or intermittent stream of urine and a sense of incomplete emptying when urinating .
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate. This can be caused by a bacterial infection. Men of all ages can get prostatitis, and it can occur in any size prostate (enlarged or not).
Symptoms of prostatitis include:
* Difficulty urinating
* Frequent urination, especially at night
* Pain or burning during urination
* Chills and fever along with urinating problems
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer, in its early stages, may not cause any symptoms. But as it progresses, symptoms often appear.
Symptoms of prostate cancer include:
* A need to urinate frequently, especially at night
* Difficulty starting urination
* Inability to urinate
* Weak or interrupted flow of urine (dribbling)
* Painful or burning urination
* Painful ejaculation
* Blood in urine or semen
* Frequent pain or stiffness in the back, hips, or upper thighs

by Paul O'Neill, MD on December 01, 2006

D. Prostate Cancer Treatment.

One of the most important factors in deciding how to treat prostate cancer is staging. The size, location, and whether your cancer has spread will help your medical team plan the right treatment.

For most men, the decision will rest on a combination of clinical and psychological factors. Men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer today will likely live for many years, so any decision that is made now will likely reverberate for a long time. Careful consideration of the different options is an important first step in deciding on the best treatment course.

Active Surveillance. The concept of active surveillance, or watchful waiting, has increasingly emerged in the past years as a viable option for men who, for one reason or another, have decided not to undergo immediate surgery or radiation therapy. During active surveillance, the cancer is carefully monitored for signs of progression. A PSA blood test and DRE are usually administered every six months along with a yearly biopsy of the prostate. If symptoms develop, or if tests indicate that the cancer is growing, treatment might be warranted.
Prostatectomy (Surgery). A surgical approach toward the treatment of prostate cancer can be used to remove all or part of the prostate. Typically, men with early-stage disease or cancer that is confined to the prostate will undergo radical prostatectomy, or surgical removal of the entire prostate gland plus some surrounding tissue.
Radiation Therapy. Radiation involves the killing of cancer cells and surrounding tissues with directed radioactive exposure. Some forms of radiation therapy: External Beam Radiation Therapy ( CT scans and MRIs are used to map out the location of the tumor cells, and x-rays are targeted to those areas. With 3D conformal radiotherapy, a computerized program maps out the exact location of the prostate tumors so that the highest dose of radiation can reach the cancer cells within the gland ) , Brachytherapy ( tiny little metal pellets containing radioactive iodine or palladium are inserted into the prostate via needles that enter through the skin behind the testicles. As with 3D conformal radiation therapy, careful and precise maps are used to ensure that the seeds are placed in the proper locations ).
Hormone Therapy. Also known as androgen-deprivation therapy or ADT, is designed to stop testosterone from being released or to prevent the hormone from acting on the prostate cells. Although hormone therapy plays an important role in men with advancing prostate cancer, it is increasingly being used before, during, or after local treatment as well. The most common types of hormone therapy are : Orchiectomy ( Because about 90% of testosterone is produced by the testicles, surgical removal of the testicles, or orchiectomy, is an effective solution to blocking testosterone release. This approach has been used successfully since the 1940s, but because it’s a permanent and irreversible surgical solution, most men opt for drug therapy instead.), LHRH Agonists ( LHRH, or luteinizing-hormone releasing hormone, is one of the key hormones released by the body before testosterone is produced. (Note that LHRH is sometimes called GnRH, or gonadotropin-releasing hormone.) Blocking the release of LHRH through the use of LHRH agonists or LHRH analogues is one of the most common hormone therapies used in men with prostate cancer.).
Chemotherapy. The term "chemotherapy" refers to any type of therapy that uses chemicals to kill or halt the growth of cancer cells. The drugs work in a variety of ways, but are all based on the same simple principle: stop the cells from dividing and you stop the growth and spread of the tumor.
Cryotherapy. Cryotherapy, also known as cryosurgery or cryoablation, has been around for years, but until a few years ago, it was rarely used. With this approach, probes are inserted into the prostate through the perineum (the space between the scrotum and the anus), and argon gas or liquid nitrogen is delivered to the prostate, literally freezing to death the prostate cells and any prostate tumors. Cryotherapy is also used as a secondary local therapy in men who underwent radiation therapy as initial treatment for early-stage prostate cancer.
High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound. works in exactly the opposite way compared with cryotherapy: with HIFU, the prostate cells are heated to death. A probe is inserted into the rectum, from which very high-intensity ultrasound waves are delivered to the target area.

resources : Prostate Cancer Foundation

E. Prostate Cancer - Prevention

Eat more low-fat, high-fiber foods, such as:

Soy products, like tofu and soy beans.
Tomatoes and foods that contain tomato sauce.
Vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.

Researchers are looking into other things that may help prevent prostate cancer. More research is needed in all these areas.

Finasteride is a pill that is used to treat enlarged prostates. It prevents prostate cancer from starting in 1 out of 4 men (25%). But men who take finasteride and do get prostate cancer may have a higher risk of getting more serious (high-grade) tumors than normal.
Taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) every day may help protect men who are 60 or older from prostate cancer.
One recent study suggests that drinking red wine may prevent some prostate cancer.

Researchers are studying the possibility that vitamins D and E, selenium, and green tea may help prevent prostate cancer.

@ 1995-2007, Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

Autoimmune Disorders Types, Symptoms, and Treatments

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:27:00 +0000

A. What are Autoimmune Disorders?

An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune disorders.

B.Causes of Autoimmune Disorders

The cause of autoimmune diseases is unknown, but it appears that there is an inherited predisposition to develop autoimmune disease in many cases. In a few types of autoimmune disease (such as rheumatic fever), a bacteria or virus triggers an immune response, and the antibodies or T-cells attack normal cells because they have some part of their structure that resembles a part of the structure of the infecting germ.

Normally the immune system's army of white blood cells helps protect the body from harmful substances, called antigens. Examples of antigens include bacteria, viruses, toxins, cancer cells, and foreign blood or tissues from another person or species. The immune system produces antibodies that destroy these harmful substances.

But in patients with an autoimmune disorder, the immune system can't tell the difference between healthy body tissue and antigens. The result is an immune response that destroys normal body tissues. The response is a hypersensitivity reaction similar to allergies, where the immune system reacts to a substance that it normally would ignore. In allergies, the immune system reacts to an external substance that would normally be harmless. With autoimmune disorders, the immune system reacts to normal body tissues.

What causes the immune system to no longer distinguish between healthy body tissues and antigens is unknown. One theory holds that various microorganisms and drugs may trigger some of these changes, particularly in persons who are genetically prone to autoimmune disorders.

Autoimmune disorders fall into two general types:

Systemic Autoimmune Disease: those that damage many organs, include: rheumatoid arthritis (joints; less commonly lung, skin), lupus [Systemic Lupus Erythematosus] (skin, joints, kidneys, heart, brain, red blood cells, other), Scleroderma (skin, intestine, less commonly lung), Sjogren's syndrome (salivary glands, tear glands, joints), Goodpasture's syndrome (lungs, kidneys), Wegener's granulomatosis (sinuses, lungs, kidneys), Polymyalgia Rheumatica (large muscle groups), Temporal Arthritis / Giant Cell Arthritis (arteries of the head and neck).
Localized Autoimmune Disease: those where only a single organ or tissue is directly damaged by the autoimmune process, include: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease (thyroid),celiac disease, chron's disease, ulcerative colitis, Multiple sclerosis*, Guillain-Barre syndrome (central nervous system), Addison's disease (adrenal), Primary biliary sclerosis, Sclerosing cholangitis, Autoimmune hepatitis (liver), Raynaud’s phenomenon (fingers, toes, nose, ears)

An autoimmune disorder may result in:

The destruction of one or more types of body tissue
Abnormal growth of an organ
Changes in organ function

An autoimmune disorder may affect one or more organ or tissue types. Organs and tissues commonly affected by autoimmune disorders include:

Red blood cells
Blood vessels
Connective tissues
Endocrine glands such as the thyroid or pancreas
Muscles
Joints
Skin

C. Symptomps of Autoimmune Disorders.

Symptoms of an autoimmune disease vary widely and depend on the specific disease. A group of very nonspecific symptoms often accompany autoimmune diseases, and may include:

Signs and tests:

The health care provider will perform a physical exam. Specific signs vary widely and depend on the specific disease.

Tests that may be done to diagnose an autoimmune disorder may include:

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
C-reactive protein (CRP)

D. Treatment of Autoimmune Disorders

The goals of treatment are to reduce symptoms and control the autoimmune process while maintaining the body's ability to fight disease. Treatments vary widely and depend on the specific disease and your symptoms.

Some patients may need supplements to replenish a hormone or vitamin that the body is lacking. Examples include thyroid supplements, vitamins, or insulin injections.

If the autoimmune disorder affects the blood, the person may need blood transfusions.

Measures to help with movement or other functions may be needed for autoimmune disorders that affect the bones, joints, or muscles.

Medicines are often prescribed to control or reduce the immune system's response. Such medicines may include corticosteroids and immunosuppressant drugs such as cyclophosphamide or azathioprine.

The treatment for autoimmune disorders is similar to the treatment for multiple chemical sensitivities, i.e., identifying and unlearning the specific allergic reactions, detoxification, and supporting adrenal and immune system function. However, the parts of your body that have been impacted by an autoimmune reaction, glands, organs, joints, even the nervous system, may also need attention. These will begin to heal themselves after the autoimmune reaction is cleared, but may also need healing, supplements or more conventional rehabilitation practices. Furthermore, in the cases where joint, organ, glandular, neural structures have been significantly impaired, major medical intervention and support is indicated, e.g., insulin or knee replacement.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The outcome depends on the specific disease. Most are chronic, but many can be controlled with treatment. Symptoms of autoimmune disorders can come and go. The sudden, severe development of symptoms is called a flare up.

Traits in Common

That such different-seeming diseases as psoriasis and diabetes could stem from a common cause actually is a relatively new notion, according to Noel R. Rose, MD, PhD, professor of molecular microbiology and immunology and pathology at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Back in the early days of the last century, he says, the idea took hold that if the immune system were to benefit us, it would have to be warding off foreign invaders from outside the body.

Now, scientists know that the immune system is a set of actions and reactions that can be triggered by a number of things besides an invading germ, virus, or bacteria. One thing that puts you at risk for being attacked by your own immune system is your genetics, says Rose. In other words, if your parents have a predisposition to autoimmune disease, you may, too. "And it's an overlapping inheritance," Rose says. "If you have one autoimmune disease, you may have more -- and you may have different ones than your parent did (or your siblings do)."

Another common characteristic of all autoimmune diseases is that it is thought that an outside agent is required to start the process. Even with a genetic tendency, a person may not develop an autoimmune disease without an environmental influence to set it off. Examples of these are infections, certain foods (iodine or gluten products), and toxins (some drugs, smoking, certain hair dyes, chemicals in the workplace).

Dozens of culprits have been identified. Shomon reels off a list of possible suspects in the more common autoimmune ailments: hair dye and certain drugs for lupus, silica exposure for scleroderma; gluten for diabetes; mycoplasmas for rheumatoid arthritis; measles virus for Epstein-Barr; coxsackie virus for diabetes; smoking for thyroid, lupus, and arthritis; hepatitis B infection for multiple sclerosis. She says physical trauma can also touch off the immune response.

As the disease develops -- or more than one, as Rose points out -- vague symptoms start to appear, such as joint and muscle pain (very common), general muscle weakness, possible rashes or low-grade fever, trouble concentrating, or weight loss. More specific signs can point toward something being wrong: numbness and tingling in hands and feet (also common), dry eyes (common), hair loss, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, or repeated miscarriages can also be caused by an autoimmune response.

Research Continues

Although autoimmune disorders can make life miserable, they usually are chronic and not fatal, Shomon says. Most are handled by a range of doctors from internist to rheumatologist to dermatologist. "There is no such thing as an autoimmunologist," she says. Usually, it's the researchers that are seeking to attack the disorders as a common group.

According to Rose, some approaches being tried include a complete "reboot" of the immune system -- the famous bone marrow transplant. "This is only tried if other treatments have failed," he says. "The idea is that if the entire immune system is erased, it might to a better job the second time around." Doctors at Johns Hopkins use a chemotherapy drug called cyclophosphamide to "reboot" the immune system. This has showed promise in a number of lupus patients.

If the causative agent of the disease is known, a vaccine can be developed. Immunoglobulin or antibodies are being used in children with the heart disease called Kawasaki disease, as well as Guillain-Barre and multiple sclerosis.

What You Can Do Now

If you suspect you may have an autoimmune problem, it's very important to identify and deal with any food allergies, according to Shomon. The main offenders are wheat, diary, corn, soy, fish (especially shellfish), nuts, and fruits. High sugar, she contends, stresses the immune system. Make sure you eliminate trans fats and other bad fats and get enough good fats such as olive oil, fish oil, and avocado.

You also want to minimize infections -- wash your hands frequently. Take care of your teeth for the same reason: Gum diseases leak triggers into the body. Some people even lavage their noses with warm salt water to remove possible troublemakers.

Each autoimmune disorder also will have separate dietary and therapeutic recommendations. It's important to follow your doctor's orders. This is not a quick fix -- it's a lifestyle.

SOURCES:

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

Mary J. Shomon, author, Living Well With Autoimmune Disease. Noel R. Rose, MD, PhD, professor of molecular microbiology and immunology and pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.

Foods for Long Live and Disease Prevention

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 03:36:00 +0000

The time to start eating them is now

By Carol Sorgen
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic - Feature

Reviewed By Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD/LD

If you've made it this far in life, chances are strong that you may live into your 80s or even 90s. But will you be living well?

"We probably can't extend life much beyond what we already have done," says William Hart, PhD, MPH, associate professor of nutrition and dietetics at the St. Louis University Doisy School of Allied Health Professions. "But we can help make those last five to 10 years of life more enjoyable. Living longer isn't much fun if you're not healthy enough to enjoy it."

So what's the secret to staying healthy as you get older? Exercise, of course. Also, the right food. To get started, add these five nutrients to your diet.

Soy to Manage Your Cholesterol

"No, adding soy to your diet does not mean pouring more soy sauce on your Chinese food," says Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, LDN, director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. It does mean adding soy foods such as tofu, soy milk, soy nuts, or the green soybeans called edamame by the Japanese.

Soy has an impressive resume, along with some inevitable controversy. Adding soy to your diet has been shown to significantly lower cholesterol, which can reduce your risk of heart disease. Plus, soy is high in iron, which many women need. Some women also say that soy helps them manage hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause, although those benefits have not been proven by long-term clinical studies.

Still, its cholesterol-lowering benefits are powerful enough. Indeed, the right diet can lower cholesterol as much as medication, according to a study reported July 2003 in The Journal of the American Medical Association. That four-week study found that a diet of soy fiber, protein from oats and barley, almonds, and margarine from plant sterols lowered cholesterol as much as statins, the most widely prescribed cholesterol medicine. Soybeans themselves provide high-quality protein, are low in saturated fat, and contain no cholesterol, making them an ideal heart-healthy food. To lower your cholesterol, the American Heart Association suggests you look for products that provide 10 grams of soy protein per serving, and try to eat three or more servings per day.

Fiber for Your Whole Body

Once upon a time our diet was made up mostly of whole foods loaded with fiber. While we may have fallen to a wild beast or infection, fiber helped keep our cholesterol and blood sugar levels low, and kept our bowels functioning smoothly.

Now in our frenzied lifestyle, we're more likely to grab fast food, or use prepared foods at home that have only a passing acquaintance with dietary fiber. It's a little known fact: Most of us should double the amount of fiber we eat if we want to reap its benefits.

"I don't think it would be a bad idea to flip the food pyramid and suggest 9-11 servings of fruits and vegetables a day instead of the 5-7 we recommend now," says William Hart. "None of us eats enough fiber." The average American eats 12 grams of fiber a day; most health organizations recommend 20 to 35 grams.

Studies have shown that dietary fiber - including foods such as apples, barley, beans and other legumes, fruits and vegetables, oatmeal, oat bran and brown rice -- clearly lower blood cholesterol. High-fiber foods are also digested more slowly, so they don't cause spikes in blood sugar levels like white bread, potatoes and sweets do. Of course, everyone knows that fiber helps keep you regular, but so do laxatives. Fiber, however, has an added plus: High-fiber foods help us feel full, making it easier to control weight.

You get more nutritional "bang for your buck" with high-fiber food, says Hart.

Antioxidant "Superfoods" to Protect Your Cells and Heart

When you're thinking "superfoods," think color, says Beverly Clevidence, PhD, a research leader at the USDA's Diet and Human Performance Laboratory. That means foods that are deep blue, purple, red, green, or orange. The carotenoids and anthocyanins that provide the color for these foods contain health-enhancing nutrients that protect against heart disease and cancer, and also improve our sense of balance, our memory, and other cognitive skills.

Your "superfoods" color chart should include:

Deep green -- Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli may help prevent colon cancer, while spinach and kale are good sources of calcium. And kale also helps fight against age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in older Americans.
Red -- Red tomatoes, especially when cooked, are beneficial sources of lycopeine, which helps protect against prostate and cervical cancer.
Orange/yellow - Squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, and yams promote healthy lungs and help fight off skin cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma.
Deep blue/purple - Eggplant, plums, blueberries, blackberries (strawberries, raspberries, and cherries come under this category as well) lower your risk of heart disease by helping the liver "sop up" extra cholesterol, as well as improve your mental functioning.

"I've definitely been adding berries to my diet throughout the year," says Clevidence.

You don't have to limit your berry intake to in-season either. Fresh, frozen (without sugar), or dried...the benefits are the same.

Got milk? If you want to keep your bones strong and lessen your chance of fractures as you get older, add calcium-rich foods such as low-fat cheese and milk to your diet. Calcium also keeps teeth strong, helps your muscles contract, and your heart beat. Recent studies have even shown that calcium may lower your risk of colon polyps, and help you lose weight. Researchers at Purdue University found that women who consume calcium from low-fat dairy products, or get at least 1,000 milligrams a day, showed an overall decrease in body weight.

Water is also essential if you're eating high-fiber foods. Water helps fiber do its job."

As you get older, the amount of minerals in your bones decrease. Too little calcium increases your risk for osteoporosis and, with it, disabling or life-threatening fractures.

Dairy products are the best source of calcium. Choose skim milk, low-fat yogurt, and low-fat cheese to avoid saturated fats. A single serving can provide you with 20% of the 1,200 milligrams a day you need. You can also add calcium to your diet with calcium-enriched cereals and orange juice. Foods such as dark green vegetables, dried beans, and sardines also contain calcium.

Won't taking a calcium supplement do the trick? Sure, says William Hart, but calcium-rich foods are also high in protein needed for bone and muscle strength.

While you're adding calcium to your diet, don't forget to exercise. Your bones will thank you later. "Calcium alone isn't enough. Add weight-bearing exercise as well," says Hart. Take the stairs, park at the far end of the parking lot, walk wherever you can. You'll help the calcium do its job."

Water for Energy and Your Skin

Most people don't drink enough water," says nutritionist Susan Ayersman. "We need water to flush out toxins, keep our tissues hydrated, keep our energy up."

Water is also essential if you're eating high-fiber foods, says Leslie Bonci at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Water helps fiber do its job.

Don't stint on water just because you don't want to get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, says Bonci. "Just be strategic about when you drink it," she says. "Drinking throughout the day, and not just before you go to bed should keep you from having to get up during the night."

If plain water doesn't quite do it for you, add slices of lemon, lime, or orange for flavor without calories. Or try a sprig of mint for a refreshing change of pace.

The Bottom Line

Don't be overwhelmed with all these suggestions. You don't need to add everything in at once. "Make haste slowly," says Bonci. "Add a bowl of oatmeal in the morning, replace a glass of milk with soy milk...just take it one step at a time."

Agrees Hart: "It's simply a matter of deciding to get the foods into your diet."

Originally published January 2004.
Medically updated August 2007.

SOURCE: William Hart, PhD, MPH, St. Louis University Doisy School of Allied Health Professions. Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, director of sports nutrition, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Beverly Clevidence, PhD, research leader, Diet and Human Performance Laboratory, USDA Agricultural Research Service. Susan Ayersman, CCN, Kronos, The Optimal Health Company. The American Dietetic Association website. The American Heart Association website.

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noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:43:00 +0000

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Breast Cancer Disease and Diet Prevent

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 03:36:00 +0000

A. Breast Cancer Causes

Genetic. Family history has long been known to be a risk factor for breast cancer. First-degree relatives, (mother, sister, daughter) are most important in estimating risk. Several second-degree relatives (grandmother, aunt) with breast cancer may also increase risk. About 5-10% of breast cancers are believed to be hereditary, as a result of mutations, or changes, in certain genes that are passed along in families.
Lyfestyle and dietary. Breast cancer seems to occur more frequently in countries with high dietary intake of fat, and being overweight or obese is a known risk factor for breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women. The use of alcohol is also an established risk factor for the development of breast cancer.
Benign Breast Disease. Fibrocystic breast changes are very common. Fibrocystic breasts are lumpy with some thickened tissue and are frequently associated with breast discomfort, especially right before the menstrual period.
Environmental. Radiation treatment increases the likelihood of developing breast cancer but only after a long delay. For example, women who received radiation therapy to the upper body for treatment of Hodgkin disease before 30 years of age have a significantly higher rate of breast cancer than the general population.
Hormonal. Hormonal influences play a role in the development of breast cancer.

B. Breast Cancer Symptoms

Early breast cancer usually does not cause pain. In fact, when breast cancer first develops, there may be no symptoms at all. But as the cancer grows, it can cause changes that women should watch for:

A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area.
A change in the size or shape of the breast.
Nipple inversion is a common variant of normal nipples, but nipple inversion that is a new development can be of concern.
A green or bloody fluid that comes from the nipple.
A change in the color or feel of the skin of the breast, areola, or nipple (dimpled, puckered, or scaly).

A woman should see her doctor if she notices any of these changes. Most often, they are not cancer, but only a doctor can tell for sure.

C. Breast Cancer Diagnosis

An abnormal area on a mammogram, a lump, or other changes in the breast can be caused by cancer or by other, less serious problems. To find out the cause of any of these signs or symptoms, a woman's doctor does a careful physical exam and asks about her personal and family medical history. In addition to checking general signs of health, the doctor may do one or more of the breast exams described below.

Palpation. The doctor can tell a lot about a lump—its size, its texture, and whether it moves easily—by palpation, carefully feeling the lump and the tissue around it. Benign lumps often feel different from cancerous ones.
Mammography. X-rays of the breast can give the doctor important information about a breast lump. If an area on the mammogram looks suspicious or is not clear, additional x-rays may be needed.
Ultrasonography. Using high-frequency sound waves, ultrasonography can often show whether a lump is solid or filled with fluid. This exam may be used along with mammography.

Based on these exams, the doctor may decide that no further tests are needed and no treatment is necessary. In such cases, the doctor may need to check the woman regularly to watch for any changes. Often, however, the doctor must remove fluid or tissue from the breast to make a diagnosis.

Aspiration or needle biopsy. The doctor uses a needle to remove fluid or a small amount of tissue from a breast lump. This procedure may show whether a lump is a fluid-filled cyst (not cancer) or a solid mass (which may or may not be cancer). Using special techniques, tissue can be removed with a needle from an area that is suspicious on a mammogram but cannot be felt.

If tissue is removed in a needle biopsy, it goes to a lab to be checked for cancer cells. Clear fluid removed from a cyst may not need to be checked by a lab.

Surgical biopsy. The surgeon cuts out part or all of a lump or suspicious area. A pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells.

When Cancer Is Found

When cancer is present, the pathologist can tell what kind of cancer it is (whether it began in a duct or a lobule) and whether it is invasive (has invaded nearby tissues in the breast).

Special laboratory tests of the tissue help the doctor learn more about the cancer. For example, hormone receptor tests (estrogen and progesterone receptor tests) can help predict whether the cancer is sensitive to hormones. Positive test results mean hormones help the cancer grow and the cancer is likely to respond to hormonal therapy. Other lab tests are sometimes done to help the doctor predict whether the cancer is likely to grow slowly or quickly.

If the diagnosis is cancer, the patient may want to ask these questions:

What kind of breast cancer do I have? It is invasive?
What did the hormone receptor test show? What other lab tests were done on the tumor tissue, and what did they show?
How will this information help the doctor decide what type of treatment or further tests to recommend?

The patient's doctor may refer her to doctors who specialize in treating cancer, or she may ask for a referral. Treatment generally begins within a few weeks after the diagnosis. There will be time for the woman to talk with the doctor about her treatment choices, to get a second opinion, and to prepare herself and her loved ones.

Information provided by the National Institutes Health

D. Diet Can Help Prevent Cancer

Can eating the right foods actually help prevent cancer? According to Dena McDowell, MS, RD, a registered dietician for the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center, the answer is yes. Studies indicate that if you eat a well-balanced diet and maintain other healthy habits like exercising and eliminating tobacco, it will help reduce your risk of cancer by as much as 70%.

"There is a strong connection between what you eat and whether you develop cancer in your lifetime," says McDowell. "The American Cancer Society Nutrition Guidelines call for a diet that is as plant-based as possible. That means more fruits, vegetables and legumes," she said. "I tell people that when they are in the grocery store, shop the perimeter of the store first. That is where the fresh produce, dairy products and meats are located."

Mix It Up
It is important to eat a wide variety of foods each day, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains or cereals, lean meats, poultry without skin, and fish, legumes (beans), and low-fat dairy products. "Most of us eat a diet that is too low in fiber. I recommend increasing the amount of fiber in your diet by eating more fruit, vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals, and legumes," McDowell said.

Just how much of the various foods should you eat? "There is a new food guide pyramid that helps you decide how much of each food group to eat," McDowell said. "Try to include vegetables and fruits at every meal and as snacks." You can take a look at the new pyramid and other useful information including a plan for your daily needs based on age and gender by going to mypyramid.gov (free registration is required for using some areas of the website.)

As for carbohydrates, McDowell suggests choosing whole-grain, complex carbohydrates. Despite their popularity, she is not a proponent of low-carbohydrate diets. "If you don't eat carbohydrates, you won't have any energy. However, I do recommend avoiding white bread, white potatoes, and pasta, otherwise known as refined carbohydrate foods," she said.

Foods to Choose
With all of the food choices available to us, how can you tell which ones are the best? "Ten foods have been labeled 'super foods' by the American Cancer Society because of their cancer-fighting abilities," McDowell said. Try to incorporate these foods into your diet whenever you can:

Berries (raspberries, blueberries, etc.)
Broccoli
Cold water fish (salmon, tuna)
Flax seed (use as a food additive or in bread)
Legumes ("Go meatless at least once a week," McDowell said.)
Low-fat dairy products
Spinach (fresh)
Soy foods such as tofu; although "You may want to avoid soy foods if you have breast cancer. There is a potential relationship between the two," McDowell said.
Sweet potatoes/pumpkin/squash (rich in Vitamin A or Beta Carotene)
Walnuts (rich in Omega 3 fatty acids)

Portion Size Counts
Determining serving sizes can be confusing - and people tend to underestimate how much they're actually eating. What counts as a serving? Following are some examples:

1 medium piece of fruit
2 cups leafy greens
1 cup fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables
1 slice bread, ½ hamburger bun, ½ bagel
½ cup pasta, rice or mashed potato
½ cup cooked cereal
1 oz. dry cereal
3 oz. cooked meat, poultry or fish
3 slices of thin sliced deli meats
½ cup beans
1/3 cup nuts

"Buy fresh food as often as possible. Learn to read product labels because they can help you choose foods that are better for you," McDowell said.

Cancers Linked to Diet
Several types of cancer are directly linked to diet, according to research. In the typical American's diet, about 40% of calories come from fat. "Some evidence indicates that diets high in fat might increase the risk of cancers of the colon, breast, prostate, and the lining of the uterus (the endometrium). Diets low in fat may reduce these risks while they help to control weight and also reduce risk of heart attack and stroke," McDowell said.

Obesity is also a risk factor for kidney, pancreatic, and oral/esophageal cancers. "To reduce the fat in your diet, choose more low-fat or fat-free dairy, legumes, lean meats, poultry or fish. Skip rich sauces that are made with butter, cream or mayonnaise, and limit fried foods," McDowell said.

Diets rich in foods containing vitamin A, vitamin C, and beta carotene may also reduce the risk of certain cancers, such as bladder, breast, colorectal, and stomach cancer. Many vegetables and fruits contain vitamins A and C and beta carotene, such as dark green leafy vegetables, red, yellow and orange vegetables and fruits and citrus fruits and juices.

Using Herbs and Supplements
"The supplement market is a multibillion dollar industry that is not regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), therefore, consumers must be well informed," McDowell said. To make the best choice, look for the USP label on the product, which means it has been standardized; take no more than 150% of the daily value of any given nutrient; look at current research regarding the supplement and make sure the research is peer reviewed - not just a claim that the company has made. "Make sure to inform your doctor of any supplements that you are taking, and talk to your pharmacist about the possibility of any nutrient-drug interactions," she said.

Changing Your Habits
The benefits of a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and grains are numerous. "Not only will you decrease your risk of cancer, you will be able to better manage your weight, and reduce your risk of heart disease," McDowell said.

Speaking of managing your weight, McDowell recommends trying to lose some weight if you are overweight. Most importantly, get some exercise. "A goal for adults is to exercise for 60 minutes or more five days a week. Children and teens should get sixty minutes every day," she said.

If you drink alcohol, limit your consumption to one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men. "Avoid mixed drinks with sugar or juice. Instead, choose dark beers and wines," McDowell said. "If you don't drink, don't start."

Likewise, don't smoke. Tobacco causes about one-third of all cancer deaths - more than all the other reliably known cancer causing agents added together, according to the National Institutes of Health. Heart disease and emphysema caused by smoking kill even more people than cancer.

It takes years to form bad habits, so don't expect to change them overnight. Instead, consider some ongoing changes. For example, add fruits and vegetables gradually over a period of weeks. Each time you shop, choose a low-fat dairy product in place of one made with whole milk. Instead of buying a loaf of white bread, try one made with 100% whole grain flour such as whole wheat or rye.

"It isn't necessary to give up all the foods you like to help protect yourself from cancer. Instead, try to increase the number of times you choose foods that may reduce your risk of cancer," McDowell said.

JoAnn Petaschnick
HealthLink Contributing Writer

Pictures of Types of Breast Cancer

Non–Invasive and Invasive DCIS and LCIS:
Ductal Carcinoma in situ (DCIS) Enlarge image	Range of Ductal Carcinoma in situ (DCIS) Enlarge image	Lobular Carcinoma in situ (LCIS) Enlarge image	Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) Enlarge image	Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) Enlarge image
Non-Invasive (In Situ) Cell Growth Subtypes:
Solid Enlarge image	Cribiform Enlarge image	Papillary Enlarge image	Comedo Enlarge image	Vascular and Lymphatic Invasion Enlarge image	Tumor Heterogeneity Enlarge imag

Images source:
breastcancer.org

Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 03:58:00 +0000

A. What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

There are over 100 types of arthritis, rheumatic diseases and related conditions. The two most common types of arthritis areosteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is a chronic disease, in which various joints in the body are inflamed, leading to swelling, pain, stiffness, and the possible loss of function. The joint inflammation begins in the synovium. Continuous inflammation of the synovium slowly destroys the cartilage, narrowing the joint space and eventually damaging bone.

B. The Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Morning stiffness, lasting for at least an hour, present daily for at least 6 weeks.
Arthritis of 3 or more joints, lasting for at least 6 weeks.
Arthritis of the hand joints, lasting for at least 6 weeks.
Symmetric arthritis, lasting for at least 6 weeks.
Rheumatoid nodules.
Positive rheumatoid factor (blood test).
Joint changes on x-ray.

C. The Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis focuses on relieving pain, reducing inflammation, slowing or stopping joint damage, and improving the person's sense of well-being and ability to function. A combination of treatments is almost always used.

Rest and exercise: Both rest and exercise help in important ways. People with rheumatoid arthritis need a good balance between the two, with more rest when the disease is active and more exercise when it is not. A physical therapist is useful in instructing the person with arthritis how to exercise without further damaging the joints.
Joint protection: Splints, braces and supports can protect the joints and help prevent further damage. A doctor or a physical or occupational therapist can help get a splint and ensure that it fits properly. Other ways to reduce stress on joints include self-help devices, devices to help with getting on and off chairs, toilet seats, and beds; and changes in the ways that a person carries out daily activities.
Diet: However some people are able to lessen their symptoms by a change in diet. The best diet plan for a person with RA is simply a healthy balanced diet. Eat 1 to 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight . The most commonly reported triggers of symptoms are dairy protein, corn, wheat, citrus fruits, eggs, red meat, sugar, fats, salt, caffeine, and nightshade plants like potatoes and eggplant. 200 kcal/day fasts consisting of fruit and vegetable juices showed some short-term improvement in symptoms. The vegetarian diet positively influenced measures of inflammation and disease activity.
Weight Control
Effects of Long Chain Fatty Acids. The types and amounts of fatty acids in the diet affect prostaglandin metabolism and a change in prostaglandin concentrations can effect the body's immune responses. A diet high in polyunsaturated fat and low in saturated fat with a daily supplement of eicosapentaenoic acid allowed for decreased morning stiffness and fewer tender joints, with symptoms returning after discontinuation of the diet. Daily supplementation with 18 g of fish oil has also led to an improvement in tender joint score and grip strength when compared to an olive oil supplement (20). As noted by Davis (21) vegetarians can improve their omega-3 intake with the use of flax seed and other plant foods.
Medications: NSAIDS (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Available over the counter or by prescription, they fight inflammation or swelling and relieve pain. NSAIDS are usually the first drug prescribed to a person newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. NSAIDS may relieve pain and swelling, but they do not slow the disease process. DMARDS (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) are also known as SAARDS (slow acting anti rheumatic drugs. As their name might suggest these medications take some time to be effective, up to several months. Most of them were originally invented to treat other diseases but were noted to have a positive effect on rheumatoid arthritis. Most of them do not have any common properties other than their ability to slow down the progression of the disease. The most common DMARDS used include methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, gold and leflunomide (Arava). Another new treatment is a device called the Prosorba column. It mechanically removes inflammatory antibodies from the blood. The blood is first removed from the body through a catheter (a process called apheresis) and then passes through a column coated with a substance called protein A, which binds to the antibodies. The blood is then returned to the patient.Oral corticodsteroid, such as prednisolone and prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone) usually work quickly to control inflammation. Corticosteroids can also be injected directly into the joint for relief of inflammation limited to one particular joint. Recent studies have shown the antibiotics in the tetracycline family to have a positive impact on the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Topical pain-relieving creams,rubs, and sprays can be applied directly to the skin for temporary relief. There are many brands available over the counter.
Traditional Therapy. Traditionally, Rheumatoid Arthritis therapy has involved an approach in which doctors prescribed aspirin or similar drugs, rest, and physical therapy first, and prescribed more powerful drugs later only if the disease became much worse.
Surgery: Several types of surgery are available to patients with severe joint damage. These procedures can help reduce pain, improve the affected joint's function and appearance, and improve the patient's ability to perform daily activities. Surgical procedures include joint replacement, tendon reconstruction, and synovectomy.

OSTEOARTHRITIS DISEASE AND DIET

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 02:24:00 +0000

Osteoarthritis is caused by the breakdown of cartilage in one or more joints. Cartilage is a protein substance that serves as a "cushion" between the bones of the joints. Cartilage is composed of 65 to 80 percent water, collagen (fibrous proteins), (proteins and sugars which interweave with collagen), and chondrocytes (cells that produce cartilage).

Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide over one another. In osteoarthritis, the surface layer of cartilage breaks down and wears away. This allows bones under the cartilage to rub together, causing pain, swelling, and loss of motion of the joint. Over time, the joint may lose its normal shape. Also, bone spurs - small growths called osteophytes- may grow on the edges of the joint. Bits of bone or cartilage can break off and float inside the joint space. This causes more pain and damage.

Now you can be a confident expert on osteoarthritis . OK, maybe not an expert. But you should have something to bring to the table next time you join a discussion on osteoarthritis .

Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease, wear-and-tear arthritis, and osteoarthrosis. Osteoarthritis most often occurs at the ends of the fingers, thumbs, neck, lower back, knees, hips feet, and spine.
Among the over 100 different types of arthritis conditions.

Osteoarthritis Symptoms
By : Mayo Clinic Staff

Osteoarthritis symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time. Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

* Pain. Your joint may hurt during or after movement.
* Tenderness. Your joint may feel tender when you apply light pressure to it.
* Stiffness. Joint stiffness may be most noticeable when you wake up in the morning or after a period of inactivity.
* Loss of flexibility. You may not be able to move your joint through its full range of motion.
* Grating sensation. You may hear or feel a grating sensation when you use the joint.
* Bone spurs. These extra bits of bone, which feel like hard lumps, may form around the affected joint. Specific joints are affected:

Fingers: Bone enlargements in the fingertips (first joint) are common. These are called Heberden nodes. They are usually not painful. Sometimes they can develop suddenly and are painful, swollen, and red. This is known as nodal osteoarthritis and occurs in women older than 45 years.
Hip: The hips are major weight-bearing joints. Involvement of the hips may be seen more in men. Farmers, construction workers, and firefighters have been found to have an increased incidence of hip osteoarthritis. Researchers think that a heavy physical workload contributes to OA of the hip and knee.
Knees: The knees are also major weight-bearing joints. Repetitive squatting and kneeling may promote osteoarthritis.
Spine: Osteoarthritis of the spine can cause bone spurs or osteophytes, which can pinch or crowd nerves and cause pain and potentially weakness in the arms or legs.
Pain with no benefit from common pain relievers.
Confusion regarding the diagnosis (Osteoarthritis can be confused with rheumatoid arthritis.)
Disability or loss of mobility, especially if sudden

When to see a doctor

If you have swelling or stiffness in your joints that lasts for more than two weeks, make an appointment with your doctor. If you're already taking medication for osteoarthritis, contact your doctor if you experience side effects such as:

* Nausea
* Abdominal discomfort
* Black or tarry stools
* Constipation
* Drowsiness

What Causes of Osteoarthrotis?
By: emedicine heallth

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in your joints deteriorates over time. The smooth surface of the cartilage becomes rough, causing irritation. Eventually, if the cartilage wears down completely, you may be left with bone rubbing on bone — causing the ends of your bones to become damaged and your joints to become painful.

It isn't clear what causes osteoarthritis in most cases. Researchers suspect that it's a combination of factors, including:

* The aging process

* Joint injury or stress

* Heredity

* Muscle weakness

* Endocrine: People with diabetes may be prone to osteoarthritis. Other endocrine problems also may promote development, including acromegaly, hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, and obesity.

* Posttraumatic: Traumatic causes can be further divided into macrotrauma or microtrauma. An example of macrotrauma is an injury to the joint such as a bone break causing the bones to line up improperly (malalignment), lose stability, or damage cartilage. Microtrauma may occur over time (chronically). An example of this would be repetitive movements or the overuse noted in several occupations.

* Inflammatory joint diseases: This category would include infected joints, chronic gouty arthritis, and rheumatoid disease.

* Metabolic: Diseases causing errors of metabolism may cause osteoarthritis. Examples include Paget disease and Wilson disease.

* Congenital or developmental: Abnormal anatomy such as unequal leg length may be a cause of osteoarthritis.

* Genetic: A genetic defect may promote breakdown of the protective architecture of cartilage. Examples include collagen disturbances such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

* Neuropathic: Diseases such as diabetes can cause nerve problems. The loss of sensation may affect how the body knows the position and condition of the joints or limbs. In other words, the body can't tell when it is injured.

* Other: Nutritional problems may cause osteoarthritis. Other diseases such as hemophilia and sickle cell are further examples.

What is Osteoathritis Treatment ?

Keep your body weight at Ideal body weight.
Avoid food that are high in fat, high in sugar, high protein.
Drink at least 8 glasses of filtered water a day.
NO alcohol, NO tobacco, NO Dairy Products.
Spinach, cranberries, plums, buckwheat, nuts, is High In Oxalic Acid Antioxidant.
Diet : Vitamins C and E may provide some protection. Vitamin D and Calcium are recommended for strong bones. The recommended daily dose of Calcium is 1000-1200 mg. The current guideline for Vitamin D is 400 per day. Avoid more than 1200 IU of vitamin D per day. Calcium; vitamin D is also used to prevent osteoporosis.
Exercise is helpful in osteoarthritis in several ways. Swimming, walking, running , cycling, aerobic, strengthening . Regular exercise may help to strengthen the muscles and potentially stimulate cartilage growth. Avoid high-impact sports.
Assistive devices or Orthoses . These assistive devices are used to improve function of moveable parts of the body or to support, align, prevent, or correct deformities. Splints or braces help with joint alignment and weight redistribution. Other examples include walkers, crutches or canes, and orthopedic footwear.
Acupuncture.
Supplement : evening primrose oil, ginger, niacin, omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil, alpha- acid, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Chondroitin and glucosamine are dietary supplements used together to help ease the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Heat: Hot soaks and warm wax (paraffin) application may relieve pain.

Thyroid Disease

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 02:53:00 +0000

The following paragraphs summarize the work of thyroid disease diet experts who are completely familiar with all the aspects of thyroid disease diet. Heed their advice to avoid any thyroid disease diet surprises.

If your thyroid disease diet facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don't let important thyroid disease diet information slip by you.

What is the Thyroid? The thyroid is a small gland, shaped like a butterfly, located in the lower part of your neck. The function of a gland is to secrete hormones. The main hormones released by the thyroid are triiodothyronine, abbreviated as T3, and thyroxine, abbreviated as T4. These thyroid hormones deliver energy to cells of the body.

When word gets around about your command of thyroid disease diet facts, others who need to know about thyroid disease diet will start to actively seek you out.

What Diseases and Conditions Affect the Thyroid?

The most common problems that develop in the thyroid include:

1. Hypothyroidism -- An underactive thyroid.

Hypothyroidism means a reduced level of thyroid hormone (thyroxine). This can cause various symptoms, the most common being: tiredness, weight gain, constipation, aches, dry skin, lifeless hair and feeling cold.

Treatment is usually easy by taking a tablet each day to replace the missing thyroxine. Treatment usually works well and symptoms usually go. Hypothyroidism means a reduced level of thyroid hormone (thyroxine). This can cause various symptoms, the most common being: tiredness, weight gain, constipation, aches, dry skin, lifeless hair and feeling cold. Treatment is usually easy by taking a tablet each day to replace the missing thyroxine. Treatment usually works well and symptoms usually go.

2. Hyperthyroidism -- An overactive thyroid.

Hyperthyroidism means having an overactive thyroid gland. It results in an excess of the thyroid hormones, making the body's functions "speed up" and causing symptoms such as restlessness, anxiety and weight loss. Hyperthyroidism means having an overactive thyroid gland. It results in an excess of the thyroid hormones, making the body's functions "speed up" and causing symptoms such as restlessness, anxiety and weight loss.

Hyperthyroidism, over-production of T3 and T4 can cause the body's metabolism to speed up resulting in characteristic symptoms.

The thyroid hormones are thyroxine (also called T4 because it contains four iodine atoms) and triiodothyronine (also called T3 because it contains three iodine atoms). These are released into the blood stream.

3. Goiter -- An enlarged thyroid.

Smoking may increase your risk of developing an enlarged thyroid gland, known as a goiter, in areas that suffer iodine deficiency.

Cigarette smoke contains thiocyanate, a chemical that can interfere with the thyroid's ability to use iodine. In the research, Danish experts studied adults with some iodine deficiency, and discovered that smokers were almost three times more likely than nonsmokers to have a goiter.

4. Thyroid Nodules -- Lumps in the thyroid gland.

Thyroid nodules are very common. A nodule is a swelling or lump, which can be a solid or liquid filled cyst or mass. Most are benign, but a small percentage can be cancerous. So you should always have a nodule evaluated by your physician as soon as you notice it. Symptoms of a nodule can be varied.

Some people have hyperthyroidism symptoms -- such as palpitations, insomnia, weight loss, anxiety, and tremors -- and others have hypothyroidism symptoms -- weight gain, fatigue, depression. Some will cycle back and forth between hyperthyroid and hypothyroid symptoms. Some people mainly have difficulty swallowing, a feeling of fullness, pain or pressure in the neck, a hoarse voice, or neck tenderness. And finally, many people have nodules wiht no obvious symptoms related to thyroid dysfunction at all.

5. Thyroid Cancer -- Malignant thyroid nodules or tissue.

Although there are several types of thyroid cancer the vast majority are papillary, follicular, or a mixture of these two types of cancer. This cancer is extremely slow growing compared with most other cancers; therefore, it offers a very excellent chance of cure. So good was the "cure rate" that for many years it was not felt necessary to follow patients after their surgery: "The patient with thyroid cancer will generally outlive his surgeon".

Thyroid cancers represent approximately 2% of clinically detected malignancies. The most common tumor types, arising from follicular epithelium (i.e., papillary, follicular, and Hürthle cell cancers), occur three times more often in women and increase in incidence with age. Medullary thyroid cancer arising from parafollicular C cells represents less than 10% of all thyroid cancers but has special importance because of its common familial occurrence.

Thyroid tissue (both normal tissue and cancerous tissue) produces a protein called thyroglobulin which is measured by performing a blood test

A rare type of thyroid cancer (medullary cancer) produces a hormone called calcitonin. Medullary cancer is more malignant than papillary or follicular cancer just described.

A fourth type of thyroid cancer called anaplastic cancer is very malignant, but it is less common than the other types and occurs primarily in elderly people.

6. Thyroiditis -- Inflammation of the thyroid.

Thyroiditis is an inflammation (not an infection) of the thyroid gland. Several types of thyroiditis exist and the treatment is different for each.

The three types of thyroiditis are: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (autoimmune thyroiditis), subacute painful thyroiditis (granulomatous thyroiditis), and subacute painless thyroiditis (silent lymphocytic thyroiditis, postpartum thyroiditis).

- Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common type of thyroiditis and the most common cause of hypothyroidism.

Hashimoto’s disease is a member of the family of “auto-immune” diseases such as Rheumatoid arthritis.

- Subacute painful thyroiditis, which is probably caused by a virus, usually begins suddenly. In this disorder, inflammation causes the thyroid gland to release excessive amounts of thyroid hormones, resulting in hyperthyroidism, almost always followed by transient hypothyroidism and finally normal thyroid function.

Subacute painful thyroiditis often follows a viral illness and begins with what many people call a sore throat but actually proves to be neck pain localized to the thyroid. Many people with subacute painful thyroiditis feel extremely tired. The thyroid gland becomes increasingly tender, and the person usually develops a low-grade fever (99 to 101° F). The pain may shift from one side of the neck to the other, spread to the jaw and ears, and hurt more when the head is turned or when the person swallows. Subacute painful thyroiditis is often mistaken at first for a dental problem or a throat or ear infection.

- Subacute painless thyroiditis occurs most often among women, typically just after childbirth, and causes the thyroid to become enlarged without becoming tender. The disorder recurs with each subsequent pregnancy. For several weeks to several months, a person with subacute painless thyroiditis has hyperthyroidism followed by hypothyroidism before eventually recovering normal thyroid function.

Thyroid Diet

The Thyroid Diet will help many previously unsuccessful dieters get diagnosed and treated and proper thyroid treatment may be all that’s needed for you to successfully lose weight.

The Thyroid Diet discusses optimal dietary changes, including how a thyroid sufferer should focus on a low-glycemic, high-fiber, lower-calorie diet, optimal timing of meals for maximum hormonal impact, thyroid-damaging foods to avoid, helpful herbs and supplements, and more.

Getting a good amount of fiber is one of the basic tactics that most thyroid need to follow in order to lose weight. Fiber has so many benefits for hypothyroid people trying to lose weight. With slowed digestion, and sometimes even constipation as a result, fiber can help promote regularity. Fiber also slows the digestive process, and can help prevent dramatic swings in blood sugar. Fiber can help lower cholesterol. And, fiber can help you lose weight, because it fills you up, and may reduce your hunger levels. With 17 grams of fiber in each serving, this is the most fiber-intense drink mix you can find. With 0 calories, but packed with nutrition, it's a really excellent way to go high-fiber as part of your weight-loss effort.

In a study reported on in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it was found that green tea extract resulted in a significant increase in energy expenditure (a measure of metabolism), plus also had a significant effect on fat oxidation. While some of the effects were originally theorized to be due to the caffeine content of green tea, the researchers discovered that the tea actually has properties that go beyond those that would be explained by the caffeine. Moss also feels that green tea may be a good choice for thyroid patients because, unlike caffeine, " green tea has the potential to accelerate metabolism -- which can help weight loss slightly -- without overstimulating your adrenal glands."And even a small effect can go a long way, when you are dealing with a metabolism that may not rebound entirely, despite hypothyroidism treatment.

Osteoporosis : Prevention, Maintenance Bones, Food to Avoid

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Tue, 22 May 2007 01:33:00 +0000

A. What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes thinning and weakening of normal bone. The definition of osteoporosis is a decrease of the density of bone mass. When this occurs, a patient with osteoporosis will have weaker bones and have a higher risk of bone fracture. Osteoporosis is not arthritis, which leads to problems within joints due to cartilage wear. Instead, osteoporosis is a problem of the bone, and its ability to adequately support the weight of your body. There are two main categories of osteoporosis, Type I and Type II.
Type I osteoporosis occurs only in post-menopausal women, and is due to estrogen deficiency. Type II osteoporosis occurs in both men and women (about two times more frequently in women), and is due to aging, and calcium deficiency over many years.

B. What causes osteoporosis?

As people age, the amount of bone in their body steadily decreases. Women are especially prone to developing thin bone because they don't develop as much bone while younger, and the rate of bone loss in women is greater than men. Because of this, age and gender are the most important risk factors for developing osteoporosis. Both men and women achieve their "peak bone mass" in the third decade of life. After that time, bone mass gradually, but steadily decreases. In pregnant and l

From Jonathan Cluett, M.D.,
Your Guide to Orthopedics.

How Does Pregnancy or Breastfeeding Affect the Risk of Osteoporosis?

During pregnancy, the developing fetus accumulates about 30 grams of calcium to build its own skeleton. That’s 30,000 mg of calcium that must be transferred from the mother’s body to the fetus. During breastfeeding, another 300 to 400 milligrams of calcium are removed from the mother’s body daily in the form of breast milk. In fact, a woman breastfeeding twins can lose as much as 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily through milk production.

A Woman’s Body Can Conserve Calcium

With such substantial demands on calcium during pregnancy and breastfeeding, researchers have investigated how having children might affect a woman’s risk of osteoporosis later in life. Fortunately, when a woman is pregnant, her body becomes more efficient at absorbing calcium from foods and her kidneys adapt by decreasing calcium losses in the urine.

Even with these adjustments, there is typically some bone loss during the last months of pregnancy. During breastfeeding, additional bone loss occurs, even with a high calcium intake. After weaning, bones can increase their uptake of calcium and rapidly restore calcium back to pre-pregnant levels if adequate calcium is present in the diet.

In the vast majority of normal healthy women, pregnancy and breastfeeding a baby results in a temporary loss of calcium from bones that is rapidly replenished after breastfeeding is finished.

Consequently, there is typically no effect on the long-term risk of osteoporosis.

Some Rare Problems for Bones

Although it is uncommon, some women have experienced low bone density and bone fractures during or shortly after pregnancy or during breastfeeding. Little is known about the causes of these rare occurrences, but they may be related to a woman having low bone density at the start of pregnancy. If bone density is too low, her bones may be unable to tolerate the normal temporary losses of calcium that occur. Researchers also think that unusual hormone fluctuations can be involved in some cases.

An old adage says that a woman should expect to lose a tooth for every child she has. If calcium intake is limited, there may be a touch of truth to this. A study published in the January 2007 issue of the Journal of Periodontology reported that female rats were more likely to lose supportive bone around the teeth when they were nursing their young and consuming a lower calcium diet. It makes sense to take a hint from the rats and keep up the calcium in your diet during breastfeeding.

Pregnant Teens causes Osteoporosis?

A pregnant teenager has high calcium needs for her own skeletal development. Consequently, there is some concern that the demands of fetal development could compromise the accumulation of peak bone mass for the teen mother. This concern is controversial, but provides extra reasons to encourage overall good nutrition and adequate calcium intake.

The Bottom Line

Bone density and fracture incidence are about the same in women who have had many children and those who have never been pregnant. A woman’s bones are well designed to deal with the demands of pregnancy as long as her diet provides an adequate supply of all nutrients.

_Sources

_{Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General. (2004), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Office of the Surgeon General. (Report)}

_{Kovacs, Christopher S. “Calcium and Bone Metabolism During Pregnancy and Lactation.” Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia 10 (2005): 105-18. (Article Abstract)}

_{Shoji, Kanako, et al. “Effects of Lactation on Alveolar Bone Loss in Experimental Periodontitis.” Journal of Periodontology (2007): 152-56. (Article Abstract)}

Genetics and Race Play Important Roles

Many things affect your odds of developing osteoporosis. But your genetic and racial background can be significant risk factors. Osteoporosis does run in families, so if your family has a history of the condition, it is even more important for you to take steps now to have healthy bones throughout your life.

Scientists Narrowing in on Genetic Testing

Scientists are steadily gaining an understanding of which genes affect bones. A day will come when genetic testing will be able to rank an individual’s risk for osteoporosis. It may not be too far in the future. But, even if you knew that your risk of osteoporosis is low, it is still worth it to keep up activities that promote bone health -- such as exercise and eating calcium-rich foods -- because those things often reduce the risks of other diseases, as well.

Does Race Affect the Risk of Osteoporosis?

Although there are racial differences, the disease occurs in all racial groups. However, generally, whites have a greater risk of bone fracture than Asians and Asians have a greater risk than blacks.

Making racial comparisons is complicated because people of different races generally differ from each other by more than just their genes. Besides the genetic differences, they may have very different diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors. For this reason, studies that investigate the effects of diet and exercise on bone health must compare people of similar racial makeup for the study conclusions to be valid.

For example, I have seen faulty claims that since whites have the highest incidence of osteoporosis and consume more milk products than other races, it proves that milk is not good for your bones. The poor logic of this statement was well illustrated by a study that was part of a large study conducted by T. Colin Campbell and colleagues from Cornell University. His group measured the bone mineral density (BMD) of morethan 800 Chinese women from five different counties in China. They found that the women with the greatest BMD resided in a pastoral district where milk was a common part of the diet. Their milk consumption resulted in significantly greater consumption of calcium, phosphorus, and protein. So, with all things being genetically similar, increased intake of these nutrients translated into better bones.

The Bottom Line

Regardless of your family and genetic risk, it is still beneficial to to maintain healthy behaviors that are known to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, such as lifting weights and eating adequate amounts of calcium-rich foods.

_Sources

_{Huang, Qing-Yang and Annie Wai Chee Kung. “Genetics of osteoporosis.” Molecular Genetics and Metabolism 88 (2006): 295-306.}

_{Hu, Ji-Fan, Xi-He Zhao, Jian-Bin Jia, Banoo Parpia, and T. Collin Campbell. “Dietary calcium and bone density among middle-aged and elderly women in China.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 58 (1993): 219-27.}

Osteoporosis - Overview and Tips On Maintaining Bone Strength

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by progressive loss of bone density. This results in thinning of bone tissue making one more susceptible to fractures, or broken bones. Although the incidence of osteoporosis is greater in women, men are also affected. Over ten million individuals in the United States today are affected by osteoporosis. It is a disease that is responsible for greater than 1.5 million fractures annually, making it a significant health care issue.

Osteoporosis occurs when the body fails to produce enough new bone or when too much bone is reabsorbed by the body. Throughout life, new bone is formed and old bone is reabsorbed. During infancy, childhood, and adolescence new bone is developed faster than old bone is removed. As a result, bone strength is maintained and may also become denser.

This process occurs until approximately age thirty. At this point peak bone mass is achieved. After this stage, bone re-absorption occurs in excess of bone formation resulting in weaker bone tissue.

Various risk factors are associated with the development of osteoporosis. These can be categorized into modifiable and non modifiable factors. Non modifiable risk factors include gender, ethnicity, body type, age, and past family history. Women are more susceptible to developing osteoporosis than men as are the elderly versus the young. Small “thin boned” body types are more at risk than larger “big boned” types. Caucasians and Asians are also at higher risk for developing osteoporosis than other ethnicities. Modifiable risk factors include inactive lifestyles, cigarette smoking, diets low in calcium and vitamin D, and low estrogen levels such that occur after menopause.

There are multiple ways to prevent the development of osteoporosis. Having a diet high in calcium and vitamin D is one important preventative measure. Calcium is important to maintain bone strength, however vitamin D plays a role in the absorption of calcium thus both are needed. Weight bearing exercises are another way to assist in maintaining strong bones. Bone tissue responds to the forces placed on them during exercise by becoming stronger. Lastly, avoiding cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption is one more way to prevent the onset of osteoporosis.

In fact, all nutritional treatments for osteoporosis and bone health include calcium and vitamin D, but they also include other elements like ground flax seeds, ipraflavone, vitamin K, natural hormones, reduction of smoking, caffeine, and alcohol, and just as important is the use of resistive exercise to increase bone strength.

Prevention Easier than Treatment for Osteoporosis

It is much easier to build healthy bones while we are young, than try to repair them when we are old. After the age of 30, it becomes increasingly difficult to build new bone, so the younger you start, the better:

You should get at least 1200 milligrams of calcium per day from your diet or supplements. Studies show that the calcium from dairy products is the most absorbable form of dietary calcium, however you can also get calcium from anchovies, salmon (with bones), and calcium-fortified foods. If you don’t get enough calcium from your diet, take a calcium supplement. Other minerals like magnesium, and boron are important for bone health too. If you aren't sure if you need more calcium, take this screening test.
Don’t Smoke. There are so many reasons not to smoke, and this is just another one. Smoking leads to an increase in the risk of bone fractures. If you smoke, you need to quit. If you don’t smoke, don’t start.
Watch the caffeine. Caffeine may be linked to calcium loss from bones, so limit your intake of caffeinated beverages.
Get out in the sun. Your body needs vitamin D to properly absorb calcium. Your body makes vitamin D from sun exposure. You don’t need to be a sun-worshipper; just a few minutes a day is enough. If you live in the northern latitudes, you might want to add vitamin D as a supplement in the winter months.
Get some exercise. For kids, this is easy. Keep them active and they will build strong bones. As an adult, you need some resistive exercise, like weight lifting to put stress on the bones. This type of stress is good stress because it signals the bones to keep the much-needed calcium and other minerals in your bones.

If you are past the age of 30, and you are concerned about bone loss. See your doctor to have a test done that will determine how strong your bones are. If your bones are not as strong as they should be for your age, ask a nutritionist to help you set up an intensive diet and supplement program to repair your weakened bones.

Why Would Cola-Type Sodas Affect Bones?

It's not known precisely why soda-like drinks were linked to higher bone loss in women in this study, and the authors note that more research is needed. But other studies have proposed that people who drink plenty of sodas are likely to drink fewer calcium-containing beverages like milk. However, this study did not find this to be the case.

Two components found in cola -- but not in most other soda flavors -- are phosphoric acid and caffeine. Again, it's unclear if these two chemicals are the culprits.

The phosphorus part of phosphoric acid is a major component of bone mineral content, along with calcium. However, if phosphorus content of the diet is too high compared to calcium, it can alter hormone levels in a way that could increase bone loss. This should not be a problem if calcium intake is adequate.

Furthermore, caffeine can cause a very small reduction in calcium absorption. Some studies reported that caffeine also increases calcium loss in the urine, however this was later shown to be untrue when evaluated over longer periods of time. Bone health researcher Dr. Robert Heaney, professor of medicine at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., put the caffeine issue into perspective, saying, “...the solution is not to decrease the caffeine intake of the Western world, but to provide adequate sources and intakes of calcium.”

Is Carbonation of Beverages Bad for Bones?

Carbonation (the addition of carbon dioxide gas to beverages) does not appear to have any effect on bone health. This is not surprising, since the body produces large amounts of carbon dioxide and is very efficient at releasing it in expired air. The amount of carbon dioxide in a carbonated beverage is rather minor compared to the amounts that the body produces.

Is Fructose in Soft Drinks Bad for Bones?

Some studies have indicated that high intake of fructose (from high fructose corn syrup) and other sugars can temporarily increase calcium loss in the urine. However, fructose does not affect total calcium loss when evaluated over a 24-hour period. So, as long as overall calcium intake is adequate, fructose is unlikely to be a significant factor.

To Drink or Not To Drink?

Therefore, the question is, “To drink or not to drink soda?” It is unlikely that sodas have a significant impact on bones because of their ingredients. Any harm to bone health is most likely due to what sodas do not contain: important bone minerals like calcium.

Non-cola sodas do not appear to have any negative effect on bones – especially if they are diet sodas. The cola-type sodas generally contain caffeine that temporarily increases calcium loss in the urine, but has no effect on 24 hour losses.

Keeping adequately hydrated is an important component of good nutrition for just about every function of the body.

If you are the type of person who just doesn’t like to drink enough water, adding a few diet sodas in your daily diet is unlikely to have negative effects on your bones. However, this assumes that the sodas are not displacing an adequate intake of foods, drinks, and/or dietary supplements that provide all the needed bone nutrients.

Sources :
Heaney, Robert P. “Effects of Caffeine on Bone and the Calcium Economy.” Food and Chemical Toxicology 40 (2002): 1263-70.

Heaney, Robert P. and Karen Rafferty. “Carbonated Beverages and Urinary Calcium Excretion.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 74 (2001): 343 - 347.

Tucker, Katherine L., et al. "Colas, but not Other Carbonated Beverages, Are Associated with Low Bone Mineral Density in Older Women: The Framingham Osteoporosis Study." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 84 (2006): 936 - 942.

Milne, David B. and Forrest H. Nielsen. "The Interaction Between Dietary Fructose and Magnesium Adversely Affects Macromineral Homeostasis in Men." Journal of the American College of Nutrition 19 (2000): 31-7.

Bones Need To Get Enough Calcium

Providing your bones with enough calcium each day is one of the major components of a bone health regimen. For each day that you don’t absorb enough calcium to meet your needs, there is a net loss of calcium from your bones. If you fail to meet your needs day after day, there will be a steady decline in bone density and your risk of osteoporosis increases over time.

How Calcium Gets To the Bones

Getting calcium from your food to your bones requires a series of steps that involve digestion of food and freeing calcium from various food components that bind it. If the calcium remains bound up, it never gets into the body. The calcium just passes through the intestinal tract and your bones never see it.

When calcium can break free from other components in food, it has a good chance of being taken up (absorbed) by the cells along the intestinal tract. These intestinal cells can then release the calcium into the blood. Typically, about 30 percent of the calcium in food is taken up into the blood. However, the amount of calcium absorbed depends on the type of food consumed. The amount of calcium absorbed from a food can range from about 5 to 50 percent of the quantity in the food.

How To Get Enough Calcium To Your Skeleton

Don’t ask, “How much calcium is in that food?” Ask, “How much calcium can I absorb from that food?” In the U.S., the recommended daily calcium intake for adults (age19 to 50 years) is 1000 mg. This recommendation is based on the assumption that people can absorb about 300 mg of calcium from a diet that contains 1000 mg of calcium. This recommendation also assumes that the diet is composed of foods common to the U.S. diet, including milk products. If 300 mg of calcium is absorbed from the daily diet, it is likely enough calcium to replace all the calcium lost from the body that day. Consequently, there would be no net loss of calcium from the bones.

What Makes a Food a Good Source of Calcium?

For a food to be labeled a “good source” of calcium, U.S. food labeling law requires the legal serving size to contain at least 100 mg of calcium. That’s one tenth of the total daily recommended calcium intake (adults 19 to 50). However, there is a better way to think about this that takes into account how much calcium you can ABSORB from a food.

Using available information about the amount of calcium that is absorbed from various foods (fractional absorption), it is possible to determine “good sources” of calcium based on the ABSORBABLE calcium you need each day. So, if you should absorb about 300 mg of calcium each day, a “good source” should provide 10 percent of that or 30 mg of ABSORBABLE calcium in a customarily consumed amount of the food.

The table below lists some good food sources of absorbable calcium and shows what percentage of the calcium is typically absorbed from each food.

Some Good Food Sources of Absorbable Calcium

Type of Food & Amount	Calcium per Serving (mg)	Percent Absorbed	Amount Absorbed per Serving (mg)
Plain lowfat yogurt (1 cup)	448	32	144
Fruit flavor lofat yogurt (1 cup)	338	32	108
Milk, skim (1 cup)	316	32	101
Milk, 2% fat (1 cup)	285	32	91
Orange juice, calcium fortified (1 cup)	300	25	75
Cheese, mozzarella, part skim (1.5 ounces)	310	32	100
Soymilk, calcium fortified (1 cup)	300	24	72
Chinese Mustard Greens, cooked (0.5 cup)	212	40	85
Chinese Cabbage, cooked (0.5 cup)	79	54	43
Sardines, canned in oil (3 ounces)	324	27	88

Source

Titchenal, C. Alan and Joannie Dobbs. “A system to assess the quality of food sources of calcium.” Journal of Food Composition and Analysis (in press, corrected proof)) Available online 7 September 2006.

Getting Enough Calcium In

Choosing good calcium sources isn't as easy as it might seem.

Simple lists of the amount of calcium in foods can be misleading. Many factors can affect the amount of calcium the body can obtain from those foods.

Foods containing calcium that our bodies can absorb readily are considered to be highly bioavailable sources of calcium. Foods with compounds that interfere with calcium absorption are considered to have poor calcium bioavailability. For example, spinach is high in calcium, but only about five percent of that calcium can be absorbed due to a conflicting food component known as oxalate. Other foods with low calcium bioavailability are rhubarb, most beans, nuts, and seeds. These foods all contain calcium, but only limited amounts can make it to the bones.

For example, almonds are frequently listed as a food source of calcium. After all, one ounce of almonds contains 80 mg of calcium, about twice as much as one ounce of milk. But due to the limited absorption of calcium from almonds and their high calorie content, you need to consume about 1000 calories of almonds to absorb 100 mg of calcium. Instead, you could absorb this much calcium from 90 calories of non-fat milk or about 100 calories of calcium-fortified soy milk or orange juice.

Some foods are not predictable sources of calcium. A good example is tofu which is available in many different types and forms. The calcium in tofu is well absorbed, but you must check the nutrition label to see if the brand you buy contains a significant amount of calcium.

Milk is the classic high calcium food because it is a concentrated calcium source that is readily absorbed. Other good sources include some green vegetables and calcium fortified foods.

Coronary Artery Disease | Coronary Heart Disease Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Sat, 19 May 2007 11:50:00 +0000

What Is Coronary Artery Disease?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle (the coronary arteries) become hardened and narrowed. The arteries harden and narrow due to buildup of a material called plaque (plak) on their inner walls. The buildup of plaque is known as atherosclerosis (ATH-er-o-skler-O-sis). As the plaque increases in size, the insides of the coronary arteries get narrower and less blood can flow through them. Eventually, blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced, and, because blood carries much-needed oxygen, the heart muscle is not able to receive the amount of oxygen it needs. Reduced or cutoff blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart muscle can result in:

* Angina (AN-ji-na or an-JI-na). Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart does not get enough blood.

* Heart attack. A heart attack happens when a blood clot develops at the site of plaque in a coronary artery and suddenly cuts off most or all blood supply to that part of the heart muscle. Cells in the heart muscle begin to die if they do not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. This can cause permanent damage to the heart muscle.

Over time, CAD can weaken the heart muscle and contribute to:

* Heart failure. In heart failure, the heart can’t pump blood effectively to the rest of the body. Heart failure does not mean that the heart has stopped or is about to stop. Instead, it means that the heart is failing to pump blood the way that it should.

* Arrhythmias (a-RITH-me-as). Arrhythmias are changes in the normal beating rhythm of the heart. Some can be quite serious.

CAD is the most common type of heart disease. It is the leading cause of death in the United States in both men and women.

Heart disease is also referred to as coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, atherosclerotic heart disease or hardening of the arteries. It is a condition in which fatty substances gradually build up in your blood vessels, causing the vessels to become more narrow and restricting the flow of blood through the vessel. This buildup is common in the small arteries of the heart, brain, kidneys, legs and neck.

The arteries in your heart (coronary arteries), which are about the size of a strand of spaghetti, are blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients that feed the heart muscle. At birth the inside walls of the arteries are smooth, like the inside walls of a new water pipe, allowing blood to flow easily through the vessel.

Just as water pipes may gradually develop a buildup of minerals and debris on the inside surface causing the water to flow more slowly, the arteries may gradually develop a buildup of plaque on the inside surface of the arteries, restricting the blood flow. Plaque is made up of cholesterol, which is fatty deposits, and fibrous tissue, which is scar tissue that forms where an artery has been damaged. Plaque may have begun to build up in your arteries when you were young; however you may not notice any problems or effects until later in life. Usually symptoms begin when there is at least a 75 percent blockage in your artery. Plaque may also build up in more than one place in your artery.

The narrowings that result from the buildup of plaque in heart disease are also known as plaques, lesions, clogged areas, atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis. When plaque builds up, it restricts the flow of blood to the heart, thereby restricting the amount of oxygen and nutrients that the heart receives from the blood. If you increase your heart activity with any exercise, exertion or mental or emotional stress, you are increasing your heart' s need for oxygen, which is already in limited supply. If the heart does not receive enough oxygen, it is experiencing ischemia, which may cause heart pain known as angina or a heart attack.

Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease

The amount of buildup and the location of the blockages determine the symptoms you will experience when you have heart disease (coronary artery disease/atherosclerosis). Symptoms of heart disease include angina and heart attacks. Each of these has its own symptoms as well.

If you have experienced the symptoms of heart disease, such as chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness, you should consult your physician. There are several tests your physician can run to help diagnose coronary artery disease, as well as the severity of the disease, if you are found to have it. Your physician may run one or more tests. Click on one of the tests listed in the more info section for a more detailed description of each procedure, as well as information about preparation, length and the effects of each test.

Coronary Artery Causes, Incidence, and Risk Factors:

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in the United States for men and women. According to the American Heart Association, about every 29 seconds someone in the U.S. suffers from a CHD-related event, and about every minute someone dies from one.

The lifetime risk of having CHD after age 40 is 49% for men and 32% for women. As women get older, the risk increases almost to that of men. (See also heart disease and women.)

There are many factors that increase the risk for CHD. Some of the risks are based on family history (genetics), and others are more controllable. Risk factors include:

* Family history of coronary heart disease (especially before age 50)
* Male gender
* Age (65 and greater)
* Tobacco smoking
* High blood pressure
* Diabetes
* High cholesterol levels (specifically, high LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol)
* Lack of physical activity or exercise
* Obesity
* High blood homocysteine levels
* Menopause in women
* Infection that causes inflammation in the artery wall. (There is some evidence that suggests this, but the theory is being studied.)

Coronary Artery Treatments

Regulate your cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol levels are one of the most modifiable risk factors you could have for developing atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.

Ideally, you would want your total cholesterol levels to be below 200 mg/dL and your LDL cholesterol levels to be below 100 mg/dL (the new guidelines designate that certain high risk individuals should have this number at or lower than 70 mg/dL. Your HDL cholesterol (also known as the "good" cholesterol) should be above 40 mg/dL. Having high levels of HDL is a good thing, since it can exert a cardioprotective effect. Research has shown that aggressively treating cholesterol levels may prevent heart disease.

Stop smoking!

Many correlate smoking with lung cancer, however, nicotine addiction can be closely linked to another significant condition: heart disease. Smoking raises LDL cholesterol, lowers HDL cholesterol, and increases platelet aggregation. When this is coupled with the irritation smoking exerts on the arterial lining, it is a recipe for a potential disaster. According to the World Health Organization, you could cut your risk of CHD by half after quitting for one year, and with each subsequent year, your risk drops lower.

Check your blood pressure

Hypertension is a silent killer that also places you at risk for heart disease. Many people do not know they have high blood pressure until a routine visit to their health care practitioner. It doesn't necessarily affect cholesterol levels, but if it is ignored its effects can be deadly.

Eat healthy

Maintaining a healthy diet plays an important role in good heart health. This would include consuming a diet high in whole grains, fiber, fruits, and vegetables while limiting your consumption of saturated fats and trans fats (these are fats found in many cookies and snack foods).

Get some exercise.

Your heart is a muscle and exercise can benefit this. Moderate exercise can raise HDL levels, lower LDL levels, lower blood pressure, and prevent weight gain. During the week, you should exercise about 30 minutes 5 to 6 days out of the week. Even if you are not a marathon runner or a gymnast, you would be surprised how much benefit you can derive out of running up those steps instead of taking the elevator, or taking a brisk walk on a nice day.

Lose weight

If you are obese, losing 5-10% of your body weight can improve your cholesterol levels. Being overweight places you at risk for not only high cholesterol levels, but also type II diabetes mellitus. These two conditions are major risk factors for developing heart disease. By controlling your weight, you are also controlling your cholesterol and helping your heart to stay healthy.
How Is Coronary Artery Disease Treated ?

Treatment for coronary artery disease (CAD) may include lifestyle changes, medicines, and special procedures. The goals of treatment are to:

* Relieve symptoms
* Slow or stop atherosclerosis by controlling or reducing the risk factors
* Lower the risk of having blood clots form, which can cause a heart attack
* Widen or bypass clogged arteries

Lifestyle Changes

Making lifestyle changes can help treat CAD. For some people, these changes may be the only treatment needed:

* Eat a healthy diet to prevent or reduce high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol and to maintain a healthy weight
* Quit smoking, if you smoke
* Exercise, as directed by your doctor
* Lose weight, if you are overweight or obese
* Reduce stress

Coronary Artery Medicines

In addition to making lifestyle changes, medicines may be needed to treat CAD. Some medicines decrease the workload on the heart and relieve symptoms of CAD. Others decrease the chance of having a heart attack or dying suddenly and prevent or delay the need for a special procedure (for example, angioplasty or bypass surgery).

Several types of medicine are commonly used to treat CAD.

* Cholesterol-lowering medicines help to reduce your cholesterol to a doctor-recommended level.

* Anticoagulants (AN-te-ko-AG-u-lant) help to prevent clots from forming in your arteries and blocking blood flow.

* Aspirin, and other antiplatelet medicines, help to prevent clots from forming in your arteries and blocking blood flow. Blood contains small cells called platelets which clump together to form clots. Antiplatelet medicines reduce the ability of platelets to form clots. Aspirin may not be appropriate for some people because it increases the risk of bleeding. Discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor before starting aspirin therapy.

* ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors help to lower blood pressure and reduce strain on your heart. They also may reduce the risk of a future heart attack and heart failure.

* Beta blockers slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure to decrease the workload on your heart. Beta blockers are used to relieve angina and may also reduce the risk of a future heart attack.

* Calcium channel blockers relax blood vessels (arteries and veins) and lower your blood pressure. These medicines can reduce your heart's workload, help widen coronary arteries, and relieve and control angina.

* Nitroglycerin widens the coronary arteries, increasing blood flow to the heart muscle and relieving chest pain.

* Long-acting nitrates are similar to nitroglycerin but are longer acting and can limit the occurrence of chest pain when used regularly over a long period.

* Glycoprotein IIb-IIIa inhibitors are very strong antiplatelet medicines that are used in hospitals during and after angioplasty or to treat angina.

* Thrombolytic agents dissolve the clots that can occur during a heart attack. Thrombolytic therapy is administered in the hospital. Thrombolytic therapy and other treatments for heart attack are more effective the sooner they are given after a heart attack starts. You need to get to a hospital as soon as possible if you think you are having a heart attack.

Coronary Artery Surgery Special Procedures

* Angioplasty. This procedure opens blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. It can improve blood flow to your heart, relieve chest pain, and possibly prevent a heart attack. Sometimes a device called a stent is placed in the artery to keep the artery propped open after the procedure.

* Coronary artery bypass surgery. In this procedure arteries or veins from other areas in your body are used to bypass your narrowed coronary arteries. Bypass surgery can improve blood flow to your heart, relieve chest pain, and possibly prevent a heart attack.

Angioplasty or bypass surgery may be used to treat CAD if:

* Medicines and lifestyle changes have not improved your symptoms.
* Your symptoms are getting worse.

Some people may need to have angioplasty or bypass surgery on an emergency basis during a heart attack to limit damage to the heart.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Your doctor may prescribe cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) for angina or after bypass surgery, angioplasty, or a heart attack. Cardiac rehab, when combined with medicine and surgical treatments, can help you recover faster, feel better, and develop a healthier lifestyle.

Almost everyone with CAD can benefit from cardiac rehab.

Cardiac rehab often begins in the hospital after a heart attack, heart surgery, or other heart treatment. Rehab continues in an outpatient setting after you leave the hospital.

The cardiac rehab team may include:

* Doctors
o Your family doctor
o A heart specialist
o A surgeon
* Nurses
* Exercise specialists
* Physical therapists and occupational therapists
* Dietitians
* Psychologists or other behavior therapists

Rehab has two parts:

* Exercise training. This helps you learn how to exercise safely, strengthen your muscles, and improve your stamina. Your exercise plan will be based on your individual ability, needs, and interests.

* Education, counseling, and training. This helps you understand your heart condition and find ways to reduce your risk of future heart problems. The cardiac rehab team will help you learn how to cope with the stress of adjusting to a new lifestyle and to deal with your fears about the future.

For more information on cardiac rehab, consult "Recovering from Heart Problems Through Cardiac Rehabilitation: Patient Guide" from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
How Can Coronary Artery Disease Be Prevented or Delayed?

Preventing or delaying coronary artery disease (CAD) begins with knowing which risk factors you have and taking action. Remember, your chances of developing CAD increase with the number of risk factors you have.

Know your family history of health problems related to CAD. If you or someone in your family has CAD, be sure to tell your doctor. Make sure everyone in your family gets enough exercise and maintains a healthy body weight.

By controlling your risk factors with lifestyle changes and medicines, you may prevent or delay the development of CAD.

CAD can cause serious complications, but by following your doctor's advice and changing your habits, you can prevent or reduce the chance of:

* Dying suddenly from cardiac problems
* Having a heart attack and permanently damaging your heart muscle
* Damaging your heart because of reduced oxygen supply
* Having irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)

Home Remedies and Alternative Therapies for Coronary Artery Disease

There is no substitute for medical care when considering a serious—even potentially fatal—condition such as coronary heart disease. The first thing to do if you notice any symptoms of a heart problem, including chest pain, is to see your doctor. Medical treatment may be required to prevent heart attack. However, your doctor may recommend nonmedical measures, such as:

* exercise conditioning,
* relaxation techniques such as yoga, and
* a low-fat diet.

These measures may help ease the symptoms of coronary heart disease, especially angina, and may help ease the effects of some risk factors. For example, relaxation techniques may help you overcome stress and block pain impulses by refocusing your concentration. These techniques include meditation, yoga, biofeedback training, and self-hypnosis. For maximum benefit, you should choose a relaxation technique that you are comfortable with and practice it for 20 minutes once or twice a day. In addition to the direct positive effect on your cardiovascular system, relaxation techniques may help you make other lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking and contribute to a general sense of well-being.

Vitamin therapy may also work in conjunction with your medical treatment. High doses of niacin can lower blood cholesterol levels, reducing the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries. In addition, recent studies indicate that vitamin E, an antioxidant vitamin that also inhibits blood clotting, may help reduce the risk of heart attack. However, do not take any more than the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of any vitamin without first consulting your doctor; some vitamins in high doses can have toxic effects.

Other more controversial, alternative therapies include garlic, which may be consumed as deodorized pills, and fish oil (omega-3 fatty acid) supplements. Ongoing studies indicate that large amounts of garlic may have a modest cholesterol-lowering effect. Any benefits of fish oil supplements are offset by the increased calorie and fat intake. Thus, experts recommend eating one or two servings of salmon, cod, or other cold-water fish a week rather than taking fish oil pills.

Still other alternative therapies provide no benefit and should be avoided. These include chelation therapy, a technique used to remove heavy metals such as lead from the blood.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)/Heartburn

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Mon, 14 May 2007 01:32:00 +0000

What Causes GERD?

Under normal conditions, when you eat and drink, the muscle at the bottom of your esophagus closes off so food and liquids will remain in your stomach. This muscle is the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

However, GERD occurs chiefly because of the following three reasons: The esophagus's normal defenses are overwhelmed by the acid content of the stomach, the contents of the stomach are too acidic, or the food is not cleared from the esophagus fast enough.

When "refluxed" stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus, it causes a burning sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn. The fluid may even reach the back of the mouth, and this is called acid indigestion. Occasional heartburn is common but does not necessarily mean one has GERD. Heartburn that occurs more than twice a week may be considered GERD, and it can eventually lead to more serious health problems.

From : Sharon Gillson
Your Guide to Heartburn / GERD

Definition Of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which food or liquid travels backwards from the stomach to the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach). This action can irritate the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms.

Alternative Names Peptic Esophagitis; Reflux esophagitis; GERD; Heartburn - chronic Causes

Gastroesophageal reflux is a common condition that often occurs without symptoms after meals. In some people, the reflux is related to a problem with the lower esophageal sphincter, a band of muscle fibers that usually closes off the esophagus from the stomach. If this sphincter doesn't close properly, food and liquid can move backward into the esophagus and may cause the symptoms.

The risk factors for reflux include hiatal hernia, pregnancy, and scleroderma.

Symptoms of GERD

* Heartburn
o Involves a burning pain in the chest (under the breastbone)
o Increased by bending, stooping, lying down, or eating
o Relieved by antacids
o More frequent or worse at night
* Belching
* Regurgitation of food
* Nausea and vomiting
* Vomiting blood
* Hoarseness or change in voice
* Sore throat
* Difficulty swallowing
* Cough or wheezing

GERD Exams and Tests

* A positive stool guaiac
* Continuous esophageal pH monitoring showing reflux
* Endoscopy showing ulceration or inflammation of the esophagus
* Esophageal manometry showing abnormal sphincter pressure
* A barium swallow showing reflux
* A positive Bernstein test for gastric acid reflux

Treatment of GERD ( Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease )

General measures include:

* Weight reduction
* Avoiding lying down after meals
* Sleeping with the head of the bed elevated
* Taking medication with plenty of water
* Avoiding dietary fat, chocolate, caffeine, peppermint (they may cause lower esophageal pressure)
* Avoiding alcohol and tobacco

Medications that alleviate symptoms include:

* Antacids after meals and at bedtime
* Histamine H2 receptor blockers
* Promotility agents
* Proton pump inhibitors

Anti-reflux operations ( Nissen fundoplication ) may help a small number of patients who have persistent symptoms despite medical treatment. There are also new therapies that can be performed through an endoscope (a flexible tube passed through the mouth into the stomach) for reflux.

Outlook (Prognosis) of GERD

The majority of people respond to nonsurgical measures with behavioral modification and medications.

Possible Complications

* Inflammation of the esophagus
* Stricture
* Esophageal ulcer
* Hoarseness, bronchospasm
* Chronic pulmonary disease
* Barrett's esophagus (a change in the lining of the esophagus that can increase the risk of cancer)

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if symptoms worsen or do not improve with lifestyle changes or medication.
Prevention

Avoid foods and activities that worsen symptoms. Maintain a healthy weight.

Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology

Gastroesophageal reflux disease image

A band of muscle fibers, the lower esophageal sphincter, closes off the esophagus from the stomach. If the sphincter does not close properly, food and liquid can move backward into the esophagus and cause heartburn and other symptoms known as gastroesophageal disease (GERD). To alleviate symptoms dietary changes and medications are prescribed. For a patient who has persistent symptoms despite medical treatment, an anti-reflux operation may be an option.

Normal anatomy

The esophagus is a narrow, muscular tube that leads from the mouth to the stomach. The esophagus carries food from the mouth to the stomach. A sphincter at the junction of the esophagus and the stomach prevents reflux of food and acid from the stomach into the esophagus.

Indication

When the lower esophageal sphincter doesn't function properly, acid and food can reflux up from the stomach into the esophagus. This can lead to pain (heartburn) and damage to the lower esophagus. This damage can cause strictures (narrowing) of the esophagus, and eventually, cancer of the esophagus. Frequently, dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter is associated with a hiatal hernia, in which the lower esophagus and upper part of the stomach slips up into the chest.

From Sharon Gillson,
Your Guide to Heartburn / GERD.

6 Steps To Preventing Heartburn-
related Complications

There are several complications that can occur with long-term heartburn / acid reflux. These complications include Barrett's esophagus, esophageal cancer, esophagitis, and esophageal strictures. There are, however, six steps you can take that can drastically reduce your chances of developing one of these complications.

1. Make the necessary lifestyle changes
Heartburn symptoms can often be relieved if sufferers make a few lifestyle changes. Many people can significantly reduce the occurrence of symptoms by avoiding heartburn triggers and behaviors that contribute to acid reflux flare-ups.

2. Watch what you eat
If you suffer from acid reflux, you need to know what foods are safe to eat and what foods to avoid. Most heartburn sufferers indicate their heartburn is worse after eating. If you can reduce the occurrences of food-related heartburn, this can go a long way in reducing the risk of complications. For example, drinking carbonated drinks may increase your risk of esophageal cancer. There are the foods with little risk of causing heartburn, foods that can be consumed in moderation, and foods that should be avoided completely. Also, knowing how to prepare foods will reduce heartburn. Check out this recipe index for heartburn-free recipes. Another resource to help you with your dietary needs as a heartburn sufferer is the Dining Out Guide For Heartburn Sufferers.

3. Keep track of your heartburn triggers
When you experience chronic heartburn, the first step to controlling your heartburn is to record what may trigger your attacks, the severity of the attacks, how your body reacts, and what gives you relief. The next step is to take this information to your doctor so the both of you can determine what lifestyle changes you will need to make and what treatments will give you maximum relief, and prevent complications. You can use this heartburn record as an example of what to track.

4. Learn how to prevent heartburn before it happens
Here are a few tips to significantly reduce the occurrence of acid reflux symptoms, and in most cases prevent the acid reflux before it starts. With less acid reflux episodes, there is less chance of esophageal damage.

5. Reduce nighttime heartburn
Nighttime heartburn can be the most dangerous. If frequent nighttime heartburn occurs, the risk of complications increases. There are several reasons reasons for this. For example, refluxed acid tends to remain in the esophagus for longer periods, allowing it to cause more damage to the esophagus. There are, however, a few ways to prevent nighttime heartburn.

6. Take prescribed medications
You should always contact your doctor if your heartburn occurs two or more times a week. While under the care of your physical, he or she may prescribe prescription medications or suggest over-the-counter remedies. There are alternative "home" remedies for easing heartburn. Discuss these with your doctor also.

10 Lifestyle Changes That Can Prevent Heartburn

Heartburn symptoms can often be relieved if sufferers make a few lifestyle changes. Follow these ten suggestions to significantly reduce the occurrence of acid reflux symptoms.

Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
Large meals expand your stomach and increase upward pressure against the esophageal sphincter.

Limit your intake of acid-stimulating foods and beverages.
Eat foods that rarely cause heartburn and avoid those foods that will often cause heartburn.

Don't lie down for about two hours after you eat.
Gravity helps to keep the stomach juices from backing up into the esophagus and assists the flow of food and digestive juices from the stomach to the intestines.

Elevate your head a few inches while you sleep.
Lying down flat presses the stomach's contents against the LES.

Maintain a reasonable weight.
Obesity increases abdominal pressure, which can then push stomach contents up into the esophagus. According to some statistics, approximately 35% of overweight persons experience heartburn. The good news is that for many people, as little as a 10% decrease in weight will improve their heartburn symptoms.

Don't smoke.
Nicotine relaxes the esophageal sphincter. Smoking also stimulates the production of stomach acid. Read this article to learn other ways smoking can worsen heartburn.

Don't drink alcohol.
If you still want to drink alcoholic beverages, follow these tips.

Relax.
While stress hasn't been linked directly to heartburn, it is known that it can lead to behaviors that can trigger heartburn. Follow these relaxation tips to alleviate stress, and thus make stress-related heartburn less likely.

Don't wear belts or clothes that are tight fitting around the waist.
Clothing that fits tightly around the abdomen will squeeze the stomach, forcing food up against the LES, and cause food to reflux into the esophagus. Clothing that can cause problems include tight-fitting belts and slenderizing undergarments.

Keep a heartburn record.
Record what triggered your acid reflux episodes, the severity of each episode, how your body reacts, and what gives you relief. The next step is to take this information to your doctor so the both of you can determine what lifestyle changes you will need to make and what treatments will give you maximum relief. To get you started, you can use this Heartburn Record

From Sharon Gillson,
Your Guide to Heartburn / GERD.

Diabetes Disease Diet | High Fiber Diet for Diabetes Disease

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Fri, 11 May 2007 01:41:00 +0000

Sugar substitutes, can reduce calorie intake and help weight loss efforts. Sugar substitutes are so much sweeter than sugar that very small amounts are needed to create a sweet taste. That is what keeps the calories of the substitutes at a minimum. They also contribute almost no carbohydrates to foods, so diabtetics can enjoy more sweet foods without affecting blood glucose levels. There are five FDA approved artificial sweeteners; Saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame-k, sucralose, and neotame.

The Three Major Diabetes Food Plans:

There are three main food plans that people with diabetes use to manage their eating -- the exchange plan, the counting carbs plan, and the continuous carbohydrate plan. Why do you need a food plan? Using a food plan helps you keep track of your food intake, and eating close to the same amount of carbs, proteins and fats everyday helps you figure out how your body reacts to food. Knowing how foods affect your blood sugar gives you the tools to maintain better control. Keeping track of carbohydrates is something that people with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes should do.

Before You Start:

Carbohydrates are the most important part of the food you eat. They directly affect your blood glucose almost immediately after you eat them. All three plans detailed below help you keep your carbs in balance. For each of the plans, 15 grams of carbohydrate equals one carb choice. How do you know what 15 grams of carbs is? It's not always easy. First, set up an appointment with a dietitian, if you can. Also, most food labels list nutrition facts like carbs.

Exchange Meal Plan:

This plan divides food into six categories: starches, fruits, vegetables, milk, meat and fats. The serving sizes listed have similar amounts of calories, proteins, carbohydrates and fats. There is a food list to help you see what category your food falls into. It's called the exchange plan because it offers you the flexibility to trade one food on the list for a similar food. For example: exchanging 3/4 cup of cold cereal for a half of an English muffin. Exchange food lists are available from your dietitian.

Counting Carbohydrates Food Plan:

Counting carbohydrates is a more flexible plan. It only keeps track of your carbs. Carbs affect blood glucose levels quickly. Insulin works with the carbs and breaks them down for energy. You adjust your dose according to the amount of carbs you are going to eat at that meal. The units of insulin per grams of carbs is figured out by your doctor or dietitian based on your body's response to carbs. This requires careful tracking and blood glucose testing to see how carbs affect your blood sugar.

Constant Carbohydrate Food Plan:

This plan is the simplest to use and is the choice for many when they are first starting out. You only need to keep track of the carbohydrates in your diet. A dietitian or your doctor will help you establish how many carbs you should eat everyday. Usually insulin or other diabetes medication doses also remain constant. You keep the number of carb choices the same at each meal. Try to keep your daily eating and exercise routine the same.

Summing It Up:

No matter which plan you use, remember to check blood glucose levels often and write down the numbers and also how many carbs you have eaten that day. Good record keeping will give you and your doctor an accurate picture of how effective your food plan and medication schedule are. And that helps you maintain good control and keep your numbers in a good range for you.

Sources:

Clark RD, LD, Amanda, Stephanie Kovarick, RD, LD, CDE, Melissa Voigt, BA, and Joy Hayes, MS, RD, LD, CDE. "Using the MyPyramid.gov Website as a Tool for Diabetes Self-Management Education." Diabetes Spectrum 2006 19:122-126. 11 Jan. 2006.

FIBER AND DIET for DIABETES

Eating Right for Diabetes Nutrition and Health

Although it has been shown that fiber intake does not seem to have an affect on colon cancer risk, it does reduce the risk of developing other serious conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

Experts recommend eating between 20 and 35 grams of fiber every day. Sometimes it’s hard to get enough fiber, especially when so many foods today are processed for the sake of convenience.

What can you eat that will give you the fiber you need?

* Whole grain breads and cereals. Make sure that whole grain is the first ingredient, for example, a loaf of wheat bread should have “whole wheat flour” as it’s first ingredient.
* Brown rice. Brown rice still has the bran layer intact. White rice is polished so that the bran layer is removed.

Brown rice takes longer to cook than white rice, about 45 minutes.

* Dried beans and peas. Soak beans overnight in cool water. The next day, drain off the water, add fresh water and cook until tender.
* Fresh fruits and vegetables. Leave the skin on, whenever possible, for even more good fiber.

Increase your fiber intake gradually to avoid discomfort. Drink 6-8 glasses of water each day to keep things moving.

From Debra Manzella, R.N.,

Getting Fiber on a Low Carb Diet

Is It True that Low Carb Diets Are Low in Fiber?:

It is a common misconception that reduced carbohydrate diets are automatically low in fiber. In fact, most non-starchy vegetables and low sugar fruits are quite high in fiber, and a well-constructed low carb diet emphasizes vegetables and other sources of fiber. Unfortunately, most people, at least in the US, don’t get close to the recommended amounts of daily fiber, no matter how many carbs they are eating! But there is no reason for you to be one of those people.

What is Fiber?:

Fiber is that part of plant food that is indigestible by humans. It passes through our digestive systems without being broken down and absorbed into our bloodstreams as other food components are. Think of a cow eating grass – that cow needs extra stomachs, chews its cud, etc, to digest the grass. We can’t digest grass because we don’t have specialized digestive systems. That indigestible stuff is fiber.

How is Fiber Beneficial?:

When people think of the benefits of fiber, they usually think of preventing constipation. It’s true that fiber bulks up our stool and tends to make people more “regular”. But fiber has other benefits as well, some of which are very pertinent to low carb diets, including lowering the impact of sugars and starches on blood glucose. A high fiber diet is associated with lower risk for heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and diverticular disease.

What Are the Different Types of Fiber?:

Fiber has three different properties that matter to human health. The property most nutritionists talk about is solubility, the ability to disperse in water.. Soluble and insoluble fiber are the labels most commonly used to describe fiber. However, there are two other properties of fiber that are turning out to be important: fermentability (how easily the fiber ferments in the colon), and viscosity (the ability to gel with water) of the fiber, which may be more important than solubility.

What is Insoluble Fiber?: Insoluble fiber is what we usually think of when we think “fiber” or “roughage”. Wheat bran and most vegetables are examples of sources of insoluble fiber. It is tough, and doesn’t easily break down. Insoluble fiber tends to increase the “speed of transit” through our digestive systems, and increases regularity of bowel movements.

What is Soluble Fiber?: A lot of soluble fiber is viscous, allowing it to absorb and retain water, forming a gel. This type of soluble fiber actually slows digestion down. Because of this, it has a tendency to stabilize blood glucose, and permit better absorption of nutrients. It tends to reduce blood cholesterol. It also increases satiety, so people aren’t inclined to eat as much. Sources of soluble fiber include flax, beans, peas, oatmeal, berries, apples, and some nuts and seeds.

What is Fermentable Fiber?:
Some fiber will ferment in the colon, producing compounds that help support colon health, and possibly have other benefits. There is some evidence that it is this type of fiber that may reduce the risk of colon cancer. Most soluble fiber is highly fermentable. Pectins (found in apples and berries) and the fiber in oats are examples of fiber with a large fermentable component. Inulin and oligofructose are also highly fermentable, as is resistant starch.

Does Fiber “Count” as a Carbohydrate?:

Although most fiber sources are carbohydrates, fiber doesn’t raise blood glucosem so low carb diets don’t “count” fiber. (Fiber can provide calories, but not as glucose, but as products of fermentation in the colon.) In fact, fiber helps to moderate the effect of “usable carbs” on the bloodstream, so it furthers the goals of low carb diets. To the extent that is creates satiety, it may also help prevent weight gain, and aid in weight loss.

How Much Fiber Should a Person Eat?:

Generally, recommendations for adults are between 25 and 40 grams per day, and that 20-30% of the total fiber intake be soluble fiber. Most people have a much lower fiber intake than is recommended. Researchers who study the diets of our prehistoric ancestors say that they ate upwards of 100 grams of fiber per day, so we probably can handle very high amounts of fiber without difficulty.

Do I Have to Eat Fiber in Food? Can’t I Just Take Pills? :

While fiber supplements can be helpful additions to a high-quality nutritious diet, they should never stand in for high-fiber foods, which are also rich in antioxidants and other nutrients essential to health. There is some evidence that simply taking pure fiber as a pill, or sprinkling high fiber additions over your food doesn’t carry all the same benefits as when it is in food. Also, some high-fiber additives such as wheat bran contain compounds (phytates) which block the absorption of some nutrients, so large amounts of this should be avoided.

Guidelines for Consuming Fiber

* If you are unused to eating a lot of fiber, increase amounts gradually to prevent intestinal distress.
* Make sure you drink lots of water when taking fiber supplements or eating high-fiber foods, as all fiber absorbs at least some water. Fiber can, in rare cases, cause intestinal blockage if eaten with insufficient fluid.
* Since large amounts of fiber can reduce absorption of some medications, it is best to take medication either an hour before or two hours after the fiber.
* Chitin and chitosan come from the shells of crustaceans and should be avoided by people allergic to seafood.

What Low Carb Foods are High in Fiber?

As stated above, vegetables and fruits that are low in carbs tend to be also high in fiber. Flax is very high in fiber and very low in carbohydrate. Some bran cereals are good choices, such as All Bran. Possible supplements include those that are psyllium-based.

Fiber Counts in Low Carb Foods

Fiber Counts in Common Low Carb Foods Interestingly, almost all the non-starchy vegetables and low-sugar fruits are the ones that are highest in both fiber and nutrients. So if you just want a list of high-fiber vegetables and fruit, you just have to look at the lists of those which are low in carbohydrates. If you are looking for numbers, one good guide for those limiting carbs is to look at the ratio of usable carb (or effective carb compared to fiber – in other words, how much carbohydrate do I have to eat to get a gram of fiber? Here is a list, roughly in order on this carb/fiber scale. For foods not on this list, I recommend Nutritiondata.com. Note: I know there are discrepancies here. These are taken from Version 18 of the USDA Database. For an explanation of some of the incongruities, see Understanding Carb Counts.

Almost All Fiber

Flax!! There is almost no usable carbohydrate in flax seeds. It is very high in both soluble and insoluble fiber (about one third of the fiber is soluble), and has a pile of nutrients to boot. Flax is just could be the ultimate low carb fiber source. 1 T ground flax has 2.0 grams of carbohydrate, 1.9 of which is fiber.

Vegetables that are close to all fiber: Mustard Greens, Chicory, Endive
More Fiber Than Usable Carbohydrate
Wheat Bran

* ¼cup raw, 3 grams usable carb, 6 grams fiber

High Fiber Cereals

* Check the labels carefully, but a few high fiber cereals are also low or fairly low in carbohydrate. Examples: All Bran with Extra Fiber; Fiber One

Collard Greens

* 1 cup chopped, cooked, 4 grams usable carb, 5 grams fiber

Avocado, Hass

* 1 medium avocado, 3 grams usable carb, 12 grams fiber

Spinach and Chard

* 1 cup chopped, cooked – 3 g usable carb, 4 g fiber
* Frozen 1 10 oz package – 3 g usable carb, 8 g fiber
* 6 cups of raw spinach or chard=about 1 cup cooked

Broccoli

* 1/2 cup chopped, cooked, 1 gram usable carb, 3 grams fiber
* 1 cup chopped, raw, 4 grams usable carb, 2 grams fiber

Cauliflower

* ½ cup pieces, cooked,1 gram usable carb, 2 grams fiber
* 1 cup raw, 2 grams usable carb, 2.5 grams fiber

Blackberries

* 1 cup, raw, 6 grams usable carb, 8 grams fiber

About as Much Usable Carb as Fiber

Asparagus

* 1/2 C pieces, 2 grams usable carbs, 2 grams fiber

Celery

* 1 cup chopped, 1.5 grams usable carb, 1.5 grams fiber

Eggplant

* 1 cup raw, cubed, 2 grams usable fiber, 3 grams fiber
* 1 cup cubed, cooked, 5 grams usable carb, 3 grams fiber

Lettuce, Romaine

* 1 cup shredded, .5 gram usable carb, 1 g fiber

Mushrooms

* 1 cup, sliced, raw, 1 gram usable carb, 1 gram fiber

Radishes

* 1 cup raw, sliced, 2 grams usable carb, 2 grams fiber

Red Raspberries

* 1 cup, raw, 7 grams usable carb, 8 grams fiber

High Fiber, but Not As Much Fiber as Usable Carb

Rice Bran

* 1/4 cup – 8 grams usable carb, 6 grams fiber

Cabbage

* 1 cup raw, chopped, 3 grams usable carb, 2 grams fiber
* 1/2 cup cooked, chopped, 2 grams usable carb 1 gram fiber

Bell Peppers

* 1 cup chopped, raw, 4 grams usable carb, 3 grams fiber

Snow Peas (edible pod)

* 1 cup whole, raw, 3 grams usable carb, 2 grams fiber

Zucchini Squash

* 1 cup cooked, sliced, 4 grams usable carb, 3 grams fiber

Strawberries

* 1/2 cup sliced, 5 grams usable carb, 2 grams fiber

From Laura Dolson,
Your Guide to Low Carb Diets.

Where is The Sugar Hiding?

Sugar is everywhere in your supermarket! It's in plain sight in many foods, such as cereals, cakes, cookies and candy. But it's also lurking under many different names in products that you might never suspect. Foods such as canned soup and spaghetti sauce can also be heavy on the sugar.

Even though sugar and other simple carbohydrates can play a part in a well balanced diabetes diet, hidden sources of sugar can wreak havoc with the best laid nutritional plans.

Sugar travels incognito under many different aliases. Here are just a few. There are the usual suspects such as table sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, cane sugar, corn syrup, and sorghum, honey and maple syrup.These are common forms of sucrose.

But then it can get a little bit tricky. There are other sugars that also end in "ose" just like sucrose does.
Glucose, (aka dextrose), lactose, maltose and fructose are in many products. Even though fructose doesn't affect blood sugar as easily as sucrose, it is still a sugar and must be counted as a simple carbohydrate when you're keeping track.

Even more sneaky are the "ols" which are basically sugar alcohols. A lot of chewing gums and breath mints have these sugars in them. You may have seen sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol and maltitol listed in the ingredients for these and other products.

How can you defend yourself against these masked marauders? Be aware and read the labels. If it ends in "ose" or "ol", it's most likely a sugar.

From Debra Manzella, R.N.,
Your Guide to Diabetes.

Living Longer Diet - Diet with Fruits and Vegetables

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Thu, 10 May 2007 05:54:00 +0000

It's hard to get through your first cup of morning coffee without reading a headline about food. Eat blueberries! Such antioxidant-rich foods will clear your arteries and help prevent the buildup of Alzheimer's plaque in your brain. Add in a cup of green tea in the morning and swish down an ounce or two of dark chocolate with a glass of red wine in the evening and you will be nicely tanked up on healthy fuel for the day.

Or will you? Almost every day, it seems, new studies emerge on the antiaging properties of various foods. One day, soy is good; the next, we find out soy's health benefits may have been oversold. To add to the confusion, this year The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published a study that found caloric restriction—eating about 25 percent less than normal—could extend your life.

So which headlines should we believe? And why should we believe them? The answers lie in research that shows exactly how various foods work at the cellular level. In particular, antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables are emerging as powerful medicine in the fight against cellular aging.

Here's how it works. In the normal process of metabolism, cells produce unstable oxygen molecules—called free radicals—that damage cells. Worse still, the older we get, the more free radicals we produce. Recent studies suggest that the havoc free radicals wreak "plays a central role in virtually every age-related disease, including cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and atherosclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and type 2 diabetes," says Mark Mattson, Ph.D., chief of the Laboratory of Neurosciences at the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health.

It sounds pretty grim, but in this battle there are, thankfully, superheroes. Enter the vibrant world of antioxidants—substances that bind with free radicals and inhibit them from damaging cells. They are abundant in the most colorful fruits and vegetables, including spinach, broccoli, spirulina (blue-green algae), red apples, cranberries, blueberries, cherries, and grapes, as well as in chocolate and red wine. When you hear doctors say that eating five helpings of fruits and vegetables a day is good for you, antioxidants are the main reason. In the past five years an impressive body of research has emerged showing how antioxidants may protect the body and brain against the ravages of aging.

Paula Bickford, Ph.D., a researcher at the University of South Florida Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, is particularly interested in the role of antioxidants in brain health. The brain is a good place to study the benefits of antioxidants, says Bickford, because it has one of the highest percentages of fats of any organ in the body, and it is in our fats that free radicals inflict much of their damage.

As we age, "communications between neurons become damaged, kind of like what happened to the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz," she explains. "Oxidative damage caused the Tin Man to grow rusty—until Dorothy came along and oiled him." Similarly, antioxidants help to "regrease the lines of communication" in the cells in our brain, says Bickford.

To measure how the communication between cells was affected when groups of rats ate different diets, Bickford and her colleagues placed electrodes in the brains of 20-month-old rats—the equivalent of 60-year-old humans. She then fed one group of rats a diet supplemented with spirulina, another with apples, and a third with cucumbers, which lack the antioxidant qualities of spirulina and apples. Bickford and her colleagues were surprised by the robustness with which "both the spirulina and apple groups demonstrated improved neuron function in the brain, a suppression of inflammatory substances in the brain, and a decrease in oxidative damage." By contrast, there was no improvement in rats fed a diet containing cucumbers. Bickford, who calls the findings "dramatic," reproduced her results in another study, in which rats fed a spinach-rich diet had a reversal in the loss of learning ability that occurs with age.

Most recently, Bickford examined whether eating a diet high in antioxidant-rich spinach and blueberries makes a difference in lab animals suffering from stroke and Parkinson's. "We've seen very positive effects with both of these diseases, as well," she says. "We believe that antioxidants can help people either to delay the onset or to slow the progression of a range of diseases that we tend to get as we age."

Tempting though it may be now to go out and gorge on antioxidant-rich dark chocolate, resist the urge. The hottest discovery in the search to find the fountain of youth through the foods we eat is to—gulp!—eat a lot less of them. A 2006 article in JAMA caused a stir by announcing that in both men and women, caloric restriction—as spartan as 890 calories a day—resulted in a decrease in fasting insulin levels and body temperature, two biomarkers of longevity. Why? Because restricting calories also helps to eliminate those nefarious free radicals. Mattson explains: "When you overeat and more energy comes into the cells than you burn off by being active, you are going to have more excess free radicals roaming around." Still, he advises, don't panic over the idea of having to subsist on 890 calories a day. Mattson, who calls such a diet "starvation," believes we can all gain the benefits of healthy eating with a lot less pain.

Richard Miller, M.D., Ph.D., a researcher and professor of pathology at the University of Michigan, agrees. He has spent the last 20 years studying the ways in which dietary and genetic changes can slow the aging process. The research has shown that mice, rats, and monkeys that have undergone severe caloric restriction demonstrate all kinds of mental and physical benefits such as better mental function, less joint disease, and even fewer cases of cataracts. But it's unrealistic to try to replicate that in humans. "To copy what's happening in the lab, a man weighing 200 pounds would have to decrease his caloric intake by 40 percent for life, which would put him at about 120 pounds," Miller explains. "That's just not tenable."

Instead, Mattson and Miller advocate a more moderate approach. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average man in the United States consumes about 2,475 calories a day. That's roughly 500 more, on average, than he really needs. Likewise, the average American woman consumes 1,833 calories, yet probably needs only about 1,600. One way to ratchet down your caloric consumption would be to follow this simple equation: men should aim for about 500 calories at both breakfast and lunch, while women should strive for about 300 at each meal. Both sexes can then shoot for 1,000 calories at dinner.

Bickford, who prefers to think of caloric restriction as caloric selection, underscores the importance of getting as much of your caloric intake as you can not only from antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables but also from nuts and flaxseed, which are loaded with vitamin E and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. In fact, Bickford takes a page out of her own lab studies and starts her day with an antioxidant smoothie. You can try it at home by blending together one cup of frozen blueberries with half a tablespoon of spirulina (available in any health food store), half a cup of nonfat plain yogurt, one teaspoon of ground flaxseed, one tablespoon of almond butter or a half-handful of almonds, and a dash of soy milk. Consider what's in that blender as a gas tank full of high-antioxidant fuel for the day.

Of course, one can't help but ask: what's the fun of living to 102 if you're subsisting on spirulina shakes? Not to worry. If you splurge on a stack of pancakes with eggs, bacon, and sausage—packing in 2,000 calories before 10 a.m.—you can always take heart in new data about to emerge from Mattson's lab, which show that periodic fasting—skipping a meal here and there—can also help to eliminate free radicals quite beautifully. "From an evolutionary standpoint we just aren't used to constant access to food," he explains. "Our bodies are used to going days without eating anything. Yet all of a sudden, we are taking in calories all day long."

In other words, we have gone from thousands of years of intermittently restricting our calories and eating a high-antioxidant diet to, in the past century, constantly eating a low-antioxidant diet. And that means more free radicals and more disease. So indulge in the pancakes or the cheese steak, but not both. Then skip a couple of meals and make your next one an all-out antioxidant feast. It may be counter to the don't-skip-meals philosophy our mothers all taught us; yet as it turns out, Mother Nature just might know better.

By Donna Jackson Nakazawa

Acid Reflux Disease Diet

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Wed, 09 May 2007 11:14:00 +0000

Acid Reflux Disease Diet Planning

Acid reflux disease diet planning will help you control your acid reflux. With a proper diet you can cut down on acids, and reduce your chronic heartburn. Even though you are cutting certain foods out of your diet to reduce acids, you still need to make sure you are eating a balanced diet. Once you know what foods are causing your chronic heartburn it will be easy to avoid them and plan your diet. You may want to talk to your doctor and make sure you are still eating properly. You may need to start taking vitamins to insure a proper diet.

Getting on a proper diet plan is one of the best ways to help prevent acid reflux and heartburn. This is also a great way to get into better shape, as the diet you plan can affect you in many different ways beyond simply preventing your acid reflux. The acid reflux disease diet that you choose can be very important as to the rest of your life, giving you a great opportunity to prevent all sorts of other digestive problems that may be related to acid reflux and keeping you in better, overall shape. This proves that there is more than one good reason to start an acid reflux disease diet.

Acid Reflux diet can also involve cutting out a lot of foods that aggravate the symptoms of acid reflux. Foods with a lot of spice or pepper in them are generally discouraged, as are fruits and vegetables that are especially gassy. These foods do nothing but rip and tear at the digestive system in terms of acid reflux, making them a very unwelcome addition to the acid reflux disease diet. The unfortunate thing is that you may, in fact, be cutting out some rather healthy options for the rest of your overall balanced health, but these can be replaced with the right supplements and additional nutrients from other sources.

Cutting, Picking, And Choosing

As you pick what foods you are going to drop from your regular diet, you should replace them with a suitable alternative so that your body does not create other problems due to a lack of a certain vitamin or nutrient. Always consult a medical professional before going on any sort of serious diet as it could seriously impact your health if you make the wrong choices. You should always have your health in mind, first and foremost, even before discomfort and other painful problems. Your acid reflux disease diet is important but it must not rob the body of proper nutrition.

You need to be quite selective in terms of what you will cut out because any sort of improper impact to the makeup of your body's nutrition could end up causing you far worse problems than acid reflux. This, unfortunately, is a part of creating a diet that can cut away some of the vital nutrients of an overall healthy eating plan. To create the best acid reflux disease diet, you should ensure that you always replace something you have taken out with a suitable alternative and always consult a dietician or a doctor for more help if you are unsure of what to do.

Easy Acid Reflux Recipes
Remy Jirek

Introduction
Acid reflux recipes are available to those who suffer from acid reflux. When you suffer from acid reflux or chronic heartburn it is important that you know what foods are irritants. Some foods will cause you to have more severe heartburn than others. There are certain foods that are more friendly and are recommended for eating, and use in recipes. There are also recipes available to you to help you prepare easy meals at home that will not cause heartburn. If you suffer from acid reflux it is important for you to know which foods are friendly and will not irritate your condition.

For all sufferers of acid reflux, eating mildly and specially selected recipes can bring a fair improvement. Some nutritionists contend that Acid Reflux is not a disease at all but a mere condition that is the result of unhealthy eating habits. The following are some friendly foods and acid reflux recipes for easy home preparation.

Healthy Food For Use In Acid Reflux Recipes

Many vegetables, fruits, and drinks are friendly to people suffering from acid reflux condition and can be used in acid reflux recipes. Fresh and dried apples, and bananas are friendly fruits. Vegetable baked potato; broccoli, cabbage, carrots, green beans and peas are healthy vegetables. Friendly animal foods include ground beef (extra-lean), steak (London Broil), skinless chicken breast, egg whites, egg substitute, and fish with no added fat.

In dairy foods, friendly acid reflux items include dairy cheese (feta or goat), cream cheese (fat-free), and sour cream (fat-free). Multi-grain bread, cereal, bran or oatmeal, corn bread, Graham crackers, Pretzels, Rice (brown or white), and rice cakes are harmless grain-based foods. Filtered pure water is the best drink, and perhaps the only entirely harmless one, for acid reflux condition.

Vegetable Broth

Vegetable broth as described here is alkaline and rich in minerals. Alkalinity neutralizes the acid and provides relief. Vegetable broth can be taken as a simple soup, or as a stock for cooking. Acid reflux recipes for vegetable broth vary in ingredients. The simplest one includes two cups each of red skinned potato peelings, celery tops, beet tops, and carrots. Also needed are three cups of celery stalk, one small onion, one small zucchini or yellow squash, sprig of parsley, and two and a half quarts distilled water. Simply chop all vegetables into very fine pieces. Place in the water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 20 minutes. Cool a little for instant use and strain and refrigerate for future use.

Lemon Chive Salad Dressing

Salads of reflux friendly items are very easy to prepare and ideal acid reflux recipes. Lemon chive salad dressing is classic vinaigrette for green salads. To prepare, you would require one lemon juiced, sea salt (pinch), three tablespoons extra-fine sugar, six tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, the same quantity of minced chives and freshly ground black pepper. Now combine lemon juice, salt and sugar in a bowl. Whisk until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Continue whisking in the olive oil, chives and several grinds of pepper. Keep whisking until dressing is emulsified.

Savory Lentils with Texmati Brown Rice

This is a unique preparation among acid reflux recipes. To a large pot bring one pound of rinsed organic lentils to a boil in eight cups of water. Add other ingredients: one chopped onion, three cloves of garlic (chopped), two sliced carrots, two chopped stalks celery, one bay leaf, two sprigs of thyme, and Organic Texmati brown rice (follow instructions on package). Reduce to the simmer, partially covered. Cook until tender (about 20 to 30 minutes), stirring occasionally and adding more liquid as needed. Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve over organic Texmati brown rice. Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve with a light green salad, dressed with the lemon chive dressing.

Avoiding Foods That Cause Acid Reflux
Remy Jirek

Introduction
Avoiding foods that cause acid reflux is very important to those who suffer from acid reflux. Changing your diet can be the most helpful thing you can do to control you acid reflux or chronic heartburn. By avoiding the foods that trigger your acid reflux you will be doing yourself a big favor. Even if you are on medication to control your acid reflux you can sill experience some heartburn if you eat a lot of acidy or spicy foods. Avoiding these types of food is the best way to avoid this problem.

Acid reflux is a painful condition experienced by millions of people every year. In fact, many feel the incidence of acid reflux is on the rise and attribute the increase primarily to the modern diet which is packed with foods high in fat, sugar, caffeine and preservatives - all food components that have been linked to acid reflux. Many physicians suggest the key to successfully managing acid reflux disease is a modified diet, and this is normally the first treatment option attempted.

Acid reflux is basically severe, recurring heartburn, which occurs when stomach contents are pushed upward out of the stomach and into the esophagus. Because the stomach contains very powerful acids used in food digestion, this reflux causes severe pain, and when prolonged, can permanently damage esophageal tissues.

Reducing Symptoms by Changing your Diet: Foods that Cause Acid Reflux

Most acid reflux sufferers can find relief by eliminating foods that cause acid reflux from their diet. Generally, those with acid reflux disease should avoid high fat foods (such as fried foods, high fat meats and high fat dairy products) as well as foods that are high in acid.

Acidic foods that cause acid reflux include citrus fruits (i.e. lemons, grapefruits and oranges) as well as the juices made from them, and high acid vegetables like tomatoes and raw onions. Some beverages can cause (or at least aggravate) acid reflux disease, including sodas, coffee, tea and most other caffeinated beverages. Chocolate is also a common food that causes acid reflux.

Not to despair! There are many foods that are permissible when dieting to avoid acid reflux. Those with the disease can indulge in lean meats, fruits like apples and bananas, and vegetables like carrots, peas, green beans and baked potatoes. Most grains are also acceptable, including whole wheat bread, white bread and both brown and white rice.

An added benefit of eliminating foods that cause acid reflux disease is that these foods typically have a high caloric content. Following the acid reflux diet then, may cause you to lose weight, which is normally a good thing for most acid reflux sufferers - being overweight, and especially being obese is associated with aggravated acid reflux symptoms.

As always, you should consult your doctor before starting a new diet plan. If eliminating the foods that cause acid reflux does not completely eliminate your symptoms, your doctor can suggest other changes and both over the counter and prescription medications may also help.

Acid Reflux Syndrome At A Glance

Remy Jirek

Introduction
Acid reflux syndrome is becoming more and more common. With acid reflux and chronic heartburn becoming more popular it is important for people to learn about this disorder. Knowing what causes acid reflux, what the symptoms are, and what treatment is available are all important. You also might want to know that acid reflux can occur at any age, from infants to the elderly. If you do suffer from acid reflux talking to your doctor about your options is also very important. Your doctor may even do some tests to see if you have this disorder.

More precisely known as the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), acid reflux syndrome is commonly called acid reflux, reflux, and heartburn (which in fact is the burning effect of the condition experienced by the patient). Essentially, acid reflux is a disorder in which the acid contents of the stomach flow back into the esophagus (hence the name reflux). The reflux causes pain and inflammation in the lower part of the esophagus.

Symptoms Of Acid Reflux Syndrome

While heartburn remains the main symptom of acid reflux, a number of associated symptoms are reported including difficulty in swallowing, cramping, sore throat, hoarseness, pain below the breastbone, spitting up at night, unusually high salivation, coughing, bad breath, shortness of breath, and vomiting. Symptoms may appear when one lies down after eating but feels relieved upon sitting up.

Severe heartburn can spread to jaw, neck, arms, and back. Regurgitating stomach contents into the mouth is a common symptom among those suffering from heartburn. This leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. Frequent occurrence of reflux is threatening to health because it leads to reflux esophagitis, esophageal narrowing, esophageal ulcer, and Barrett's syndrome, which is a change in the lining of the esophagus that can lead to esophageal cancer.

Causes Of Acid Reflux Syndrome

The main cause of reflux of acid from the stomach is poor functioning of lower esophageal sphincter (LES). While it remains tightly closed in normal conditions, a number of factors can cause the LES to open and let stomach acids reflux. These factors include eating very heavy meals, lying down soon after eating (within two hours), and use of certain drugs like diazepam, meperidine, morphine, prostaglandins, calcium channel blockers, nitrate heart medications and others.

In prone individuals, greasy food and certain food items like chocolate and peppermint can also relax the LES and increase the chances of reflux. Items like caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine may aggravate the symptoms of acid reflux syndrome.

Victims Of Acid Reflux Syndrome

Acid reflux can strike anyone independent of his/her age or sex etc. However, it is most likely to affect people who are overweight, are suffering from hiatal hernia, recurring vomiting, or scleroderma (hardening of skin and connective tissue). Among women, reflux has also been reported to occur more frequently during pregnancy.

Diagnosis

Diagnostic tests for acid reflux syndrome x-rays (taken after the patient takes a barium solution) and esophagoscopy in which a flexible viewing tube is inserted into the esophagus for a close examination. Biopsy may be taken during this test and tested for Barrett's syndrome. Esophageal manometry (which measures pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter) and the Bernstein test (which measures the acidity in the esophagus) might also be carried out.

Treatment Of Acid Reflux Syndrome

In mild cases of reflux, taking antacids after meals and at bedtime suffices as treatment. Recommended position in lying down is raising the head of your bed so as to keep the acid flowing away from the esophagus during sleep. Avoiding fatty foods and drinks such as coffee and alcohol that can aggravate reflux goes together with treatment. Drugs for acid reflux syndrome include histamine receptor blockers that help to reduce stomach acids, proton-pump inhibitors (which are more effective at inhibiting acid production), prokinetic or motility drugs (that make the lower esophageal sphincter close more tightly), and omepraxole or lansoprazole, (which can quickly heal esophageal inflammation). In severe reflux conditions, when other treatment methods do not prove effective, surgery is performed. Figures show that less than 25% of reflux patients require surgery.

Acid Reflux Disease Treatment Options
Remy Jirek

Introduction
Acid reflux disease treatment provides the sufferer with a few different options. If you suffer from chronic heartburn you know how painful it can be, and how important treatment can be. If left untreated more problems can arise. When choosing treatment you do have a few options. You can try a holistic remedy, or a homeopathic remedy, or change your lifestyle. Talking to your doctor is your best option as he can help you decide which lifestyle changes will help you the most. Your doctor can also decide whether or not you will need prescription medication to control your acid reflux.

Millions of people experience the intense pain of acid reflux on a regular basis. Acid reflux disease is thought to result from a problem with the esophageal sphincter muscle, which closes the opening between the stomach and the esophagus. When the muscle does not work correctly, stomach contents (including strong stomach acids necessary for digestion) escape the stomach and move into the esophagus. This results in burning and pain, and if left untreated can even cause tissue damage to the esophagus. So what should those suffering from acid reflux do?

Medical Acid Reflux Disease Treatments

Perhaps the most important piece of advice for someone suffering from acid reflux symptoms is to visit a doctor. Doctors can pinpoint the cause of acid reflux and can also make sure the acid reflux disease treatment used is appropriate. A wide variety of over the counter and prescription drugs are available, but some doctors recommend lifestyle changes first. Only if these lifestyle changes are ineffective are drugs offered as an acid reflux disease treatment. The good news is that these drugs are highly effective for many people suffering from acid reflux. In a very slim minority of cases, when both medical treatments and lifestyle changes fail, surgery may be a last-ditch effort.

Lifestyle Changes

Many doctors attribute the increase in acid reflux to the modern diet filled with simple carbohydrates, high fat goods and relatively low levels of physical activity. Additionally, being overweight makes it more likely you will suffer from acid reflux; it's likely that increase pressure on the stomach (caused by carrying excess weight in the midsection) make it difficult for the esophageal sphincter to function appropriately. Thus, one acid reflux disease treatment that is often suggested is to follow a low fat diet. Additionally, many doctors suggest completely eliminating things that can aggravate acid reflux disease including carbonated beverages, high acid fruits and vegetables and caffeine.

Many who suffer from acid reflux disease find the symptoms worsen at night. This likely occurs because lying flat makes it easier for stomach acid to escape the stomach, there is no force of gravity to keep contents inside the stomach when lying in the prone position. An additional acid reflux treatment that relates to ones lifestyle, then, is to sleep on an incline. Rising a bed just a few inches can be an effective acid reflux disease treatment. For those who sleep with someone who doesn't want to incline, or whose bed prohibits rising only one end, wedge pillows, which simply elevate the head and shoulders can also be purchased.

read more : acid reflux disease diet…

Green Tea for All Disease

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Mon, 07 May 2007 11:24:00 +0000

Green Tea May Help Prevent Autoimmune Disease

By ruth

Results from an animal trial suggest that green tea may help prevent autoimmune diseases such as , a chronic disease in which white blood cells attack the moisture-producing glands that produce tears and saliva.

Researchers studied the salivary glands of the water-consuming group and a green tea extract-consuming group to look for inflammation and the number of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cells that gather at sites of inflammation to fend off foreign cells.

The group treated with green tea had significantly fewer lymphocytes, Dr. Hsu says. Their blood also showed lower levels of autoantibodies, protein weapons produced when the immune system attacks itself, he says.

Researchers believe that epigallo-catechin-3 gallate (ECGC), a compound found in green tea, helps suppress inflammation, and protects against TNF-alpha, a group of proteins and molecules involved in systemic inflammation

Green Tea Compound May Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

By ruth

Soon, green tea is going to be a panacea for all diseases, I think. Because of its content, green tea has been demonstrated to have potentials in preventing or treating autoimmune diseases,HIV infection, cancer, and others.
A new study also suggests that EGCG may also provide therapeutic benefits to people with rheumatoid arthritis.

The researchers looked at whether the green tea compound has the capability to block the activity of two potent molecules, IL-6 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which also are actively involved in causing bone erosion in the joints of people with rheumatoid arthritis.

In untreated cells, a sequence of molecular events occurred that resulted in production of the bone-destructive molecules. But the scientists found that pre-incubation with EGCG was capable of inhibiting the production of these molecules. EGCG also inhibited the production of prostaglandin E2, a hormone-like substance that causes inflammation in the joints.

Of course, this study, having used cell models, is still far from conclusive. Similar therapeutic or preventive effects will still have to be demonstrated in animal, and subsequently, human trials.

Green Tea May Cut Death Risks

By ruth

Considering the various diseases green tea can protect us from, is it any wonder if drinking green tea reduces our risks of dying due to these diseases?
An 11-year study monitoring more than 40 thousand Japanese adults showed that consumption of 5 or more cups of green tea per day led to lower risk of death in general and to cardiovascular disease, in particular.

These inverse associations of all-cause and CVD mortality were stronger among women, although the inverse association for green tea consumption was observed in both sexes. In women, compared with those who consumed less than 1 cup/d of green tea, those who consumed 5 or more cups/d had a 31 percent lower risk of CVD death.

When it comes to cancer, however, they found no significant association between green tea consumption and death from cancer.

If you’d like to read the study in detail, you can read the JAMA article here: Green Tea Consumption and Mortality Due to Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, and All Causes in Japan.
The Chemistry and Applications of Green Tea seems to be a sound and well-reviewed reference for the basic chemistry, metabolism, and various other aspects of tea polyphenols and their applications.

Green-tea chemical offers hope of HIV drug

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Scientists in Texas and the U.K. have found that a chemical from green tea reduces HIV's ability to infect cells.

The scientists from the University of Sheffield and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston found that as little as two cups of green tea could provide enough of the chemical epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) to inhibit HIV cell binding by 40 per cent.

However, they do not recommend that people start drinking gallons of green tea as an HIV preventative. Rather, they are conducting research to find out if EGCG or a chemical like it would make a good HIV drug.

Epigallocatechin gallate is a catechin, one of a large family of chemicals called bioflavonoids that are found in tea, red wine and many fruit and vegetables. Most are colored red or purple and/or taste bitter; many have antioxidant properties and have been investigated for some time as possible anti-cancer and cardiovascular drugs.

Baylor's Dr. Christina Nance and her team found that EGCG exerts a more direct effect on HIV infection. The molecule likes to bind to CD4, the cell-surface molecule which HIV first binds to as well.

This was discovered by Japanese scientists in 2003, but by using computers to image the exact shape of the proteins and working out the electronic processes involved, Nance's team worked out that ECGC sticks to exactly the same amino acid (component) of the CD4 molecule as gp120 -- the "docking module" of HIV -- does.

"When it binds there, the gp120 envelope protein, and thus HIV, can't," Nance said.
Her team's findings are published in a recent issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

The history of HIV medicine is full of promising-looking compounds from plants that had some effect on the HIV virus in the test tube but, when tested in animals and humans, either produced no effect or only did so at toxic doses. The previous Japanese research had indicated that the same would be true of EGCG -- huge doses would be needed.

But Nance said that "physiological levels" of EGCG -- that is, 0.2 micromols per liter, or the amount in just a cup or two of green tea -- inhibited HIV binding by 40 percent.
The team is now using computer-imaging tools to examine more closely the way that EGCG binds to CD4 in the hope of developing improved molecules that will bind to it more closely.
It is also investigating the possibility of a small trial of ECGC in humans to see if it blocks HIV infection in real life.

If EGCG or something like it does lead to an HIV treatment, it won't be a first. The story of the integrase inhibitors, which has now finally resulted in the launch of a new drug, raltegravir, started when researchers looked as substances from green coffee beans.
And another drug now undergoing trials, bevirimat, was derived from chemicals found in birch-tree bark.

Will a mug of English Breakfast have the same effect? No. Black tea leaves contain EGCG, but in much lower quantities. That's because black tea leaves are fermented, during which process many of the cathechins are oxidized to darker-colored molecules called theaflavin and thearubigen. (Gus Cairns, Gay.com U.K.)

Green Tea Cuts Risks of Bile Stones and Gall Bladder Cancer
By ruth

The reports:
According to a population-based study from China, drinking at least one cup of tea a day cuts the risk of cancer in the gallbladder and bile ducts by about 40 percent.

Don’t ask me how; they‘re not sure either. They believe its due to the anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties of polyphenols found in tea called epigallocatechin gallate.
I hope I’m one of those with a very low risk of contracting this type of cancer. Or that there is some other food item, some other option, with the same medicinal benefit.

Types of Cardiovascular Disease | Cardiovascular Disease and Healthy Diet

noreply@blogger.com (Feliciana) — Sun, 06 May 2007 13:39:00 +0000

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) includes dysfunctional conditions of the heart, arteries, and veins that supply oxygen to vital life-sustaining areas of the body like the brain, the heart itself, and other vital organs. If oxygen doesn't arrive the tissue or organ will die. Cardiovascular disease include:

1. Coronary Artery Disease

In general this result because excess fat or plaque deposits are narrowing the veins that supply oxygenated blood to the heart. Excess buildup of fat or plaque are respectively termed arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis. Equally significant would be inadequate oxygen flow to the brain, which causes a stroke. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body. Healthy arteries are flexible, strong and elastic.

2. Heart attack

A heart attack is an injury to the heart muscle caused by a loss of blood supply. A heart attack occurs when one or more of the tiny arteries supplying your heart with oxygen-rich blood become blocked.

3. Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy means diseases of the heart muscle. Cardiomyopathy can be classified as primary or secondary and ischemic or nonischemic

* Primary cardiomyopathy occurs in the absence of other cardiac conditions.

* Secondary cardiomyopathy is caused by a known medical condition (such as hypertension, valve disease, congenital heart disease, or coronary artery disease).

* Ischemic cardiomyopathy is caused by coronary artery disease and heart attacks. Lack of blood damages the heart muscle, causes damage to it, resulting in cardiomyopathy.

* Nonischemic cardiomyopathy includes the four types of heart muscle disease listed below. These forms of cardiomyopathy are not related to coronary artery disease (poor coronary artery blood supply). There are four types of nonischemic cardiomyopathy:

Dilated Cardiomyopathy .The heart's ability to pump blood is decreased because the heart's main pumping chamber, the left ventricle, is enlarged, dilated and weak.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a complex type of heart disease marked by thickening of the heart muscle, left ventricular stiffness, mitral valve changes and cellular changes.
Restrictive Cardiomyopathy. Is a condition in which the walls of the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles) are abnormally rigid and lack the flexibility to expand as the ventricles fill with blood.
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD). The heart muscle of the right ventricle (RV) is replaced by fat and/or fibrous tissue. The right ventricle is dilated and contracts poorly. As a result, the ability of the heart to pump blood is usually weakened. Patients with ARVD often have arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), which can increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest or death.

4. Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease is a type of defect or malformation in one or more structures of the heart or blood vessels that occurs before birth.

The most common congenital heart problems include:

- Heart valve defects. Narrowing or stenosis of the valves or complete closure that impedes or prevents forward blood flow. Other valve defects include leaky valves that don't close properly and allow blood to leak backwards.

- Defects in the walls between the atria and ventricles of the heart (atrial and ventricular septal defects). These defects allow abnormal mixing of oxygenated and unoxygenated blood between the right and left sides of the heart.

- Heart muscle abnormalities that can lead to heart failure.

This diagram of the adult heart illustrates the structures that are affected by congenital heart diseases, with the estimated incidence of each disease per 1,000 live births indicated in parentheses. AC, aortic coarctation; AS, aortic stenosis; ASD, atrial septal defect; AVSD, atrioventricular septal defect; BAV, bicuspid aortic valve; DORV, double outlet right ventricle; Ebstein's, Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve; HLHS, hypoplastic left heart syndrome; HRHS, hypoplastic right heart; IAA, interrupted aortic arch; MA, mitral atresia; MS, mitral stenosis; PDA, patent ductus arteriosus; PS, pulmonary artery stenosis; PTA, persistent truncus arteriosus; TA, tricuspid atresia; TAPVR, total anomalous pulmonary venous return; TGA, transposition of the great arteries; TOF, tetralogy of Fallot; VSD, ventricular septal defect. (Image courtesy of F. Yeung, University of Toronto, Canada.)

5. Aneurysm

An aneurysm is a bulge or weakness in a blood vessel (artery or vein) wall. An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge in the wall of an artery. Normally, the walls of arteries are thick and muscular, allowing them to withstand a large amount of pressure. Occasionally, however, a weak area develops in the wall of an artery. This allows the pressure within the artery to push outwards, creating a bulge or ballooned area called an "aneurysm."

There are two major types of aneurysms:

a. Aortic aneurysms can occur in two main places:

Abdominal aortic aneurysms occur in the part of the aorta that passes through the middle to low abdomen.
Thoracic aortic aneurysms occur on the aorta as it passes through the chest cavity. These are less common than abdominal aneurys

b. Cerebral aneurysm, which occur in an artery in the brain.

Aneurysms may be caused by:

* Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which weakens arterial walls
* Hypertension (high blood pressure)
* Local injury to the artery
* Congenital abnormality. A number of conditions, such as Marfan syndrome are present at birth and can cause weakness of the artery walls.
* Aging
* Syphilis use to be a common cause of thoracic aneurysms, but that is no longer as common.

6. Valvular Heart Diseases

Valvular heart disease occurs when your heart's valves do not work correctly.

Your heart valves lie at the exit of each of your four heart chambers and maintain one-way blood flow through your heart. The four heart valves make sure that blood always flows freely in a forward direction and that there is no backward leakage.

Blood flows from your right and left atria into your ventricles through the open mitral and tricuspid valves.

Valve disease can be congenital (present at birth) or may be acquired later in life. The Types of Valve Disease:

- Valvular stenosis. This occurs when a valve opening is smaller than normal due to stiff or fused leaflets. The narrowed opening may make the heart work very hard to pump blood through it. This can lead to heart failure and other symptoms . All four valves can be stenotic (hardened, restricting blood flow); the conditions are called tricuspid stenosis, pulmonic stenosis, mitral stenosis or aortic stenosis.

- Valvular insufficiency. Also called regurgitation, incompetence or "leaky valve", this occurs when a valve does not close tightly. If the valves do not seal, some blood will leak backwards across the valve. As the leak worsens, the heart has to work harder to make up for the leaky valve, and less blood may flow to the rest of the body. Depending on which valve is affected, the conditioned is called tricuspid regurgitation, pulmonary regurgitation, mitral regurgitation or aortic regurgitation.

7. Pericardial Diseases

Pericardial disorders include inflammation (pericarditis), fluid accumulation (pericardial effusion) and stiffness (constrictive pericarditis). The pericardium is a thin fibrous membrane sac that surrounds the heart.

The pericardium consists of:

- An inner layer (visceral pericardium) – envelopes the entire heart
- An outer layer (parietal pericardium) – the outer fibrous sac
- A middle fluid layer – a small amount of fluid lies between the two layers to prevent friction between the two surfaces. Pericarditis is inflammation of any of the layers of the pericardium.

Pericarditis can be caused by:

- After heart surgery
- Infections
- After a heart attack
- Trauma
- Tumors
- Cancer
- Radiation
- Auto-immune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma)
- No cause may be found

8. Heart failure

Heart failure, often called congestive heart failure, is a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the needs of your body's organs and tissues. The "poor pump" is unable to keep up with the body’s constant need for oxygen and nutrients during heart falure. In response:

- the walls of the heart stretch to hold more blood
- the heart muscle walls thicken to pump more strongly.
- the kidneys cause the body to retain fluid and sodium. This increases the amount of blood circulating through the heart and blood vessels.
- your body tries to compensate by releasing hormones that make the heart work harder. Over time, these compensatory mechanisms fail and symptoms of heart failure begin to appear. Like an over-stretched rubber band, the heart’s ability to stretch and shrink back decreases. The heart muscle becomes over-stretched and is unable to pump blood effectively.

Blood backs up into the arms, legs, ankles, feet, liver, lungs or other organs; the body becomes congested. This is called congestive heart failure.

Heart failure is most often caused by:

- coronary artery disease
- cardiomyopathy
- Conditions that overwork the heart: high blood pressure (hypertension), valve disease,
thyroid disease, kidney disease, diabetes mellitus or heart defect

9. High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) is the excessive force of blood pumping through your blood vessels. High blood pressure also causes many other types of cardiovascular disease, such as stroke and heart failure.

10. Stroke

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted (ischemic stroke) or when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures (hemorrhagic stroke). Both can cause the death of brain cells in the affected areas. Stroke is also considered a neurological disorder because of the many complications it causes. Other forms of cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure, increase your risk of stroke.

11. Peripheral Arterial Disease and Claudication

Also known as peripheral vascular disease, atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries -- is a disorder that occurs in the arteries of the circulatory system. Peripheral arterial disease is a disorder in which the arteries supplying blood to your limbs — usually your legs — become narrowed or blocked. When this happens, your legs receive less blood than they need to keep up with demand. Claudication may then develop. When the obstruction is mild, you may have such symptoms as pain in your legs only during strenuous exercise. As the disease progresses and arteries become more obstructed, you may have pain or cramping in your legs even at rest.

Other symptoms of advanced peripheral artery disease may include:

* A burning or aching pain in the feet and toes while resting, especially at night while lying flat
* Cool skin in the feet
* Redness or other color changes in the skin
* Increased occurrence of infection

12. Arrhythmia or Abnormal Heart Rhythms

An abnormally high or abnormally low heart rate. Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) occur when the electrical impulses in your heart that coordinate your heartbeats don't function properly, causing your heart to beat too fast, too slow or irregularly. Other forms of cardiovascular disease can cause arrhythmias.

Arrhythmias may be caused by many different factors, including:

- Coronary Artery Disease
- Electrolyte imbalances in your blood (such as sodium or potassium).
- Changes in your heart muscle.
- Injury from a heart attack.
- Healing process after heart surgery.

Heart-Healthy Diet

A heart-healthy diet is a diet high in vitamin C , low in sodium, cholesterol, and fat. Foods that best meet these requirements are whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. A diet high in sodium, fat and cholesterol is associated with higher blood pressure, increased weight, and elevated blood cholesterol levels, all of which increase the chances that atherosclerosis will occur. Vitamin C helps to regenerate Vitamin E. Beta-carotene was shown to increase the risk of heart disease in a controversial study involving smokers, but for non-smokers the evidence is less ambiguously in favor of reduced risk. The Vitamin B Complex 50 promotes energy metabolism. Cayenne increases blood circulation. N-Acetyl L-Cysteine, L-Glutathione Reduced, Vitamin C and Selenium work together in absorbing free radicals from the system. Hawthorn is beneficial for the heart system.

Eaten Less Salt Can Reduce Cardiovascular Problem

People who significantly cut back on the amount of salt in their diet could reduce their chances of developing cardiovascular disease by a quarter.

Researchers in Boston also found a reduction in salt intake could lower the risk of death from cardiovascular disease by up to a fifth.

While there is already a substantial body of evidence showing that cutting back on salt lowers blood pressure, studies showing subsequent levels of cardiovascular disease in the population have been limited and inconclusive.

This research provides some of the strongest objective evidence to date that lowering the amount of salt in the diet reduces the long term risk of future cardiovascular disease, say the authors of the report.

The reduction in the risk of developing cardiovascular problems as a result of the sodium reduction intervention was substantial.

Soluble fiber has been shown to lower blood cholesterol. The pectin in apples, pears, oranges, grapefruit and bananas is soluble fiber; as is the glucan in oat bran, peas, beans and whole wheat spaghetti; and as is the psyllium in the laxative Metamucil.

The Omega-3 fatty acids lower blood triglycerides, but their main benefit for preventing heart disease by being a precursor of prostaglandin, which inhibits platelet aggregation and dilates blood vessels. Although these fatty acids are present in fish, the richest source is linseed (flaxseed) oil, which is 55% linoleic acid.

Magnesium may regulate heart rhythm and reduce blood clots