lifewithcare

Three Interesting Facts About Diabetes Mellitus

2010-02-04T04:15:00.000-08:00

Diabetes mellitus, affectionately referred to as just “diabetes” by almost everyone who has ever heard of the disease, is a condition you would not want to wish upon your worst enemy. Aside from forcing you to change almost every aspect of your lifestyle (say goodbye to All-You-Can-Eat wing night), it could lead to a series of unfortunate complications, such as having your foot cut off and that pesky little thing known as death. Terrifying aspects of a disease that can strike without warning aside, here are some interesting facts overlooked by almost everyone.

Have you ever wondered what the mellitus tacked on to the end of diabetes actually means? Aside from being a fancy word to make it sound more medical-y, it actually has an interesting albeit slightly disturbing history to it. In 1675, a doctor by the name of Thomas Willis, added the term, which is the Latin word for “honey,” due to the taste of the urine diabetes patients being deemed sweet. Although not the first person to notice this (it’s been known for well over a thousand years), the reason for its honey-sweet taste is courtesy of Matthew Dobson, who in 1776 discovered its source to be a build-up of a specific kind of sugar in the urine and blood.

Diabetes is all about urine. But what does that name actually mean? Like many medical terms, its history and meaning lies in the language of the ancient Greeks. It was coined by Aretaeus the Cappadocian, a second-century AD physician who noticed that those with the condition urinated frequently and gave off the appearance of “leaking water.” He named it diabetes, which comes from the Greek word ´¹±²±¯½µ¹½, which when parsed is composed of the prefix “dia,” meaning “across or apart, “ and “bainein,” meaning “to walk or stand.” When put together it means “to straddle,” with the noun form meaning “one who straddles” (diabetes).

To be more specific, the word also means “compass” or “siphon.” It wasn’t until 1425 when the term “diabete” was used to describe the condition in English.

Despite being highly manageable today, the ancients who first discovered the condition considered it to be an automatic death sentence. According to Victor Corneliu Medvei in his book The History of Clinical Endocrinology, despite Aretaeus’ attempts at treating the disease, he considered a diagnosis of this new condition to result in a life that is “short, disgusting and painful.”

In short, ancient conceptions of diabetes can be summed up in two words: urine and pain.

More great information on diabetes can be found at On Top of My Diabetes.

By: BradS1234

Article Directory: articledashboard

www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=39756 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Law

2010-01-06T00:40:00.000-08:00

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that is resistant to heat and has many other good qualities. In the United States, about 95% of asbestos used is chrysotile. Asbestos fibers are resistant to heat and they have been used as insulation materials in many residential and commercial buildings throughout the U.S. Here are a few examples of materials that may contain asbestos: vinyl floor tiles, pipe insulation, thermal system insulation on mechanical equipment, acoustical plaster ceilings, ceiling tiles, structural steel fireproofing, and roofing materials. The asbestos in these materials does not pose a health risk to building occupants when they are intact and well maintained. When the material becomes damaged and the asbestos fibers become airborne then an inhalation hazard will result. When inhaled asbestos is hazardous and may cause mesothelioma, lung disease and forms of cancer.

Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by asbestos exposure, which is a cancer of the lining around the abdomen, heart and lungs. Mesothelioma is caused when someone breathes in asbestos dust and fibers. The asbestos fibers and dust get lodged in the lungs or stomach lining, where it can remain for years before the damage becomes noticeable.Mesothelioma has a long latency period where it can take as long as 15 to 50 years for the illness to take effect. In addition to mesothelioma, asbestos exposure may also cause lung cancer, colon cancer, laryngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, and gastrointestinal cancer.

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Law
Mesothelioma law enables victims of asbestos exposure to file claims against the liable companies or individuals within the set deadlines of the statutes of limitation. Asbestos exposure victims can file a claim for medical expenses, loss of earnings, and pain and suffering. The families of victims that have already died from asbestos related diseases may be eligible to make a claim for compensation.

In order to recover fair compensation for damages in a mesothelioma lawsuit, all depends on having quality mesothelioma lawyer on your side. A mesothelioma law firm can help you and your family regain lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages. A plaintiff who has been awarded compensation for one asbestos-related condition like asbestosis may be able to return to court if they develop malignantmesothelioma at a later on down the road. In some cases, a plaintiff may have a better chance of recovering damages as part of a joint action lawsuit. An experienced mesothelioma attorney will sort through the complexities of asbestos litigation to determine the best procedure for each individual client.

Industries Affected by Asbestos
Asbestos was used in building construction industry to increase the overall strength of concrete slabs and pillars, as general insulation. It was also used as insulation around piping and boilers. From the late 1920's to the 1970s, asbestos was commonly applied in spray form, this exposed workers to airborne asbestos particles that could easily be inhaled. Since asbestos cannot be broken down by the body, the particles remain in the lungs causingMesothelioma and other forms of lung cancer.

Just like the construction industry, asbestos was used in shipyards to insulate pipes, gaskets, boilers and engines to prevent heat gain or loss. The fact that asbestos was lightweight made it extremely useful in ships. The peak of asbestos use in ship yards came during WWII when demand for ships was at an all time high.

Other industries were affected other then the construction and shipbuilding industry. The most common example of general industry exposure occurs in auto repair shops. In particular auto repair shops specializing in brake and clutch repair. For decades, asbestos was used in brake pads, break drums, and clutches. As a result, asbestos exposure can often occur during brake and clutch repairs.

Should You Wear A Breast Cancer Bracelet

2010-01-05T00:37:00.000-08:00

Chances are that you know someone that has been touched by breast cancer and that you want to find a way to get involved. In today's busy world, it is hard to find the time to volunteer to help others so many of us just write a check and hope that the money will help to find a cure for this disease. While giving money is noble, there are just times when you should a stand and show that you care.

One way to demonstrate your devotion for the cause is to wear a breast cancer bracelet. It shows everyone that you care and that you are a participant in the war to find a cure. Now you are thinking about whether or not the bracelet will be an odd shade of pink, match your clothes, look appropriate for the office and be a pleasure to wear. Vanity can creep in, but your choices for a breast cancer bracelet are almost unlimited.

Well, you are correct in your thinking that most of the breast cancer bracelets are pink, but they are not just an odd shade of pink. Their color varies and can be intertwine with other beads to create a beautiful piece of jewelry that will compliment your wardrobe.

You can purchase a pink tourmaline set with sterling silver, a solid sterling silver bangle, a Swarovski crystal and hematite, a stretchy bracelet with a crystal angel, or a mother of pearl bracelet. Just go into Google and type in breast cancer bracelet and you will be offered over 900,000 different places where you can go and look at the jewelry. Almost anything you can imagine is available. And, if you can not find exactly what you want, you can work with a company to have a special bracelet designed to your specifications.

If you are actively involved in the movement and are part of a group of ladies that get together often, you may want to have a special bracelet that all of you wear. This shows your unity and spirit when it comes to fight against breast cancer. People notice special jewelry and may even ask about it. This will give you an opportunity to tell them about the special significant of it and why you support such an important cause.

Another way to spread the news and to gain more support from the community might be to give away Pink Camo Rubber Bracelet. These can be purchased on the internet and are a great way to enlist younger supporters-those young women still in high school and college. What better way to educate them about the potential dangers of this disease and get them activity involved in working with other women and in support the cause.

No matter what type of breast cancer bracelet you choose, it should be significant for you. Maybe you wear it because you are a survivor of breast cancer or because you lost someone close to you from this disease. Why you wear it should be important to you!

For more information on breast cancer try visiting http://www.breastcanceranalysis.com - a website that specializes in providing breast cancer related information and resources including information on the breast cancer bracelet.
source:articledashboard

Fighting The Germs Off The Acne Medicine

2010-01-04T05:35:00.000-08:00

Acne is an inflamed disease of the skin, and it has many causes. One such cause is bacteria that is breeding in the pores of the skin. When the body's immune system is weak, it becomes allergic to this type of bacteria. Blood cells are attracted to fight the allergy, and the pores become blocked. Oil secretions begin to build up at these pores and provide a breeding ground for even more bacteria. Eventually, pimples form.
When faced with a bacteria causing acne, it is likely that you will begin to panic. Just imagine when you have red bumps that resemble small boils on your face. These red bumps get filledl with a nasty puss caused by the body fighting the infection of the bacteria. What can you do? Well, there are a number of things that you can do to fight the bacteria for acne treatment.

Treatments that kill the bacteria that cause acne included the use of antibiotics like tetracycline, doxycycline and minocyclne. These are to be taken orally. Also topical antibiotics or bactericides like Benzoyl peroxide or erythromycin can help. The bacteria also known as "P. acnes", does however become resistant to the antibiotics eventually. However Benzoyl peroxide, an oxidizer, does not seem to generate resistance by the bacteria. While the acne will come back, it is a short term and temporary cure and is applied topically.

Gently exfoliating the skin can also help. This method can be done by using a cloth or a liquid scrub, or by using certain chemicals. Chemical exfoliating substances include salicylic acid and glycolic acid. Both of these agents cause a peeling of the top layer of skin, which prevents a build up of dead skin.

Another over the counter acne treatment is salicylic acid, which softens skin and gets rid of dead skin cells, which in turn unclogs pores. Many face wash products contain this ingredient. Also sulfur contained in many over the counter products works well for many people. Another product is glycolic acid, which is found in anti-aging products as well as acne medicines.

However, natural health practitioners prefer to recommend the use of natural acne treatment. Tea tree oil is gaining in popularity. It kills the bacteria and also reduces redness and inflammation. It works much the same as Benzoyl peroxide but causes less skin irritation. Tee trea oil can be easily found at health food stories.

Acupuncture is used by some and is thought to alleviate hormonal imbalances in the body. Those who use acupuncture also usually suggest lifestyle changes and a change in diet, including cutting back on dairy products.

Light therapy is another natural remedy to fight the bacteria that has many adherents. Many people believe that the bacteria that causes acne insensitive to light in the blue wavelength of the light spectrum. Light therapy means shining blue light onto a patient for fifteen minutes at a time twice a week, usually for four weeks. This treatment can be expenses, running about $150 per treatment. Not all patients have had good results, but some have. Also since light in this wavelength is not harmful to the skin, there are no side effects or after effects.

Some people think that acne is caused by poor hygiene and by eating certain foods. There is no scientific evidence linking diet to acne. But a good diet sure will not hurt in skin repair and damaged tissues.

Good personal hygiene also goes a long way in your acne treatment. Also using makeup that doesn't clog pores helps prevent the spread of bacteria and acne from getting worse.

Any of the above mentioned methods for acne treatment should help you in your fight against bacteria. You will see clearer skin as your bacteria is being wiped out. Practising good hygiene and adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle should also help in the acne inflammation. Good luck!

By: Damien Fowler

source: articledashboard-

What is mesothelioma?

2009-12-31T22:39:00.000-08:00

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a thin membrane that lines the chest and abdomen and surrounds the organs in these areas. The lining around the lungs is called the pleura and in the abdomen it is known as the peritoneum.

About 2000 people in the UK are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year.

Mesothelioma of the lining of the lungs, known as pleural mesothelioma, is much more common than mesothelioma in the peritoneum. For every one person with peritoneal mesothelioma, there will be about 12 people who have pleural mesothelioma.

Pleural mesothelioma
The pleura has two layers: the inner (visceral) layer, which is next to the lung; and the outer (parietal) layer, which lines the chest wall. The two layers of the pleura are usually in contact and slide over each other as we breathe. The membranes produce fluid, which allows them to slide over each other easily.

When mesothelioma develops in the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), the delicate membranes thicken and may press inwards on the lung. Fluid may also collect between the two layers of the pleura: this is known as a pleural effusion.

Peritoneal mesothelioma
The lining of the abdomen is known as the peritoneum. It also has two layers: the inner (visceral) layer, which is next to the abdominal organs, and the outer (parietal) layer, which lines the abdominal wall.

If the mesothelioma is in the peritoneum it is called peritoneal mesothelioma and causes thickening of the membranes surrounding the abdominal organs and a collection of fluid in the abdomen. The collection of fluid is called ascites| and causes swelling of the abdomen.

source: www.macmillan.org.uk-

The Lead For Having Nourishing Food

2009-12-31T22:23:00.000-08:00

Food has become much more than a source of sustenance in the last century. In today’s time food has formed into a leisure routine which many move to maximum portions. Food is selected by us based on taste instead of eating for getting nutrition and energy. Increased weight and increased danger for several medical conditions have been supported by the invasion of sugar salt and many other probable unwholesome things. Five essential points are given in this article which helps you in preparing your daily meal plan so that you are certain that you and your family are consuming healthy food.

Varied category of foods is the foremost guideline of healthy eating. Different types of food when consumed in required limits and if a number of foods are eaten everyday then is would keep the moderation in check. You should select fruits and vegetables of different colors so that you could be assured that your body receives all the necessary nutrients. One can mix fat free dairy products and many whole grains along with a varied variety of lean meat and poultry dishes.

The procedure of cooking is one of the factors to be kept in mind while wanting a nourishing meal. Certain food stuffs get less nourishing if they are prepared in butter or deep fried in oil. Potatoes can be referred to for instance. That healthy baked potato smothered in a zesty tomato salsa becomes much less valuable from a nutritional standpoint when it is diced and turned into a fat-filled French fry. While preparing the meal for attaining good health the methods of baking broiling or grilling should be done if feasible.

Do not leave your taste in order to have a nourishing meal. Another factor in healthy eating is to prepare dishes with plenty of seasoning and spices to bring out the natural tantalizing flavors and aromas of the food. A large amount of spices are liberated from risky fat and other chemicals and sodium that can bring about health troubles. Choose fresh herbs and spices whenever possible for the best tasting and healthiest fare. If the healthy meal would taste yummy then your family members and you would not avoid having the food.

Having a meal can create problems if you opt for eating a nutritious meal. Having a meal out would not have to sacrifice healthy food. You could eat a grilled meat rather than fried and also get the sauces and dressing separately to have a check on the intake. Do not intend to finish the entire meal served at a time in a restaurant because some of them serve more than the required portion for a normal person. Alternately you can ask them to parcel the remaining food to enjoy it the following day.

You need not diet if you desire to reduce your weight. Several diet plans are not useful for loosing weight that is why there are plenty of diet programs nowadays. You are much better off to choose a healthy diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables as well as plenty of whole grains. Include fat free dairy products and poultry and lean meat to the mix. An exercise routine and correct calorie intake will help to reduce weight gradually.

Taking a healthy meal is an essential factor of having a good lifestyle. Having the perfect food is providentially not so tough as it is considered to be. As you adhere to the mentioned points you can not only savor your meals but also be fearless about putting on excess weight or increasing the dangers of other health troubles which are caused by your diet choice.

By: Dawn Sandoval

Article Directory: articledashboard-

Heal Your Asthma With Two Holistic Solutions

2009-12-26T19:02:00.000-08:00

Asthma was never a fatal condition until steroids were used to treat it. Steroidal treatment stops your kidneys from manufacturing your own steroids, so when an attack comes, you can’t make the adrenaline needed to see you through.

But if you understand what this condition is all about and how to treat it holistically, then there is a good chance that you won’t need steroids again.

First of all asthma is all about too little carbon dioxide in your blood, and nothing to do with not enough oxygen. When you don’t have the right amount of carbon dioxide in your system, the best and fastest way your body can increase the levels is to prevent the intake of air for a few moments.

Your body does this by constricting your throat, by increasing the mucus in your airways, or any other way it finds suitable. It is a frightening time and you can feel as if there is a weight on your chest, and that you may suffocate.

Scary though this is, it’s normal and natural. It lasts only moments. Then your carbon dioxide levels increase and the problem is resolved. Your breathing goes back to normal.

So the best way to overcome your ailment is to learn to hold your breath. Practice every day for a period that is comfortable for you. Try increasing that every day. Then when you can feel an attack coming on, just hold your breath. The moment will pass.

A note of caution, don’t try this exercise for the first time during an attack. Practice first.

There’s also a wonderful homeopathic medicine which can help you through the episodes. But you need to know what your unique symptoms are and match them to those of the medicine.

The medicine is called Arsenicum album. It’s asthma symptom picture includes:

worse around midnight to 2 am
worse lying down, better sitting up
you are anxious about your health
you suffer in the cold, can hardly ever be too warm
you may have a suffocative feeling when the attack comes on, as if your lungs are full of smoke or dust

If your asthma symptoms fit into those of the medicine picture listed, then it’s likely to not only give you relief from the acute condition, but to resolve it totally and permanently, in time.

By: Madeleine Innocent

Article Directory: www.articledashboard

Written by Madeleine Innocent. Do you want to learn more about natural health, in particular homeopathy? Check out my free ebook An Introduction to Some Common Homeopathic Remedies, by clicking on the website link below. Good Health Naturally www.twolegsandfour.com.au

Mesothelioma Prognosis And Care

2009-12-25T23:59:00.000-08:00

Around 2,000 new mesothelioma cases are diagnosed in the US on a yearly basis. Once the patient of mesothelioma is diagnosed, a health care provider will discuss prognosis and will give a result of the impact of cancer on your body. To get rid of poor prognosis, early detection is an absolute must. Recent study has come to the conclusion that mesothelioma symptoms may not make its presence felt until 15 to 30 years after asbestos exposure.

Diagnosis of mesothelioma normally takes place when it has reached the advanced stages of development. The main reason behind this is that patients take plenty of time in displaying symptoms that are associated with mesothelioma. Apart from that, mesothelioma symptoms are pretty general and quite a number of times resemble less complicated conditions, which makes the process of diagnosing cancer lot tougher.

Because of this, there is hardly a surprise that the prognosis for the majority of patients is not good, but lots of health care providers can advice treatment routines like radiation, chemotherapy and surgery to assist in dealing with the disease.

Stages of Mesothelioma and other factors

Health care providers normally address the cancer with regard to stages. There are four different kinds of stages. The significant factor here is that once mesothelioma cancer has reached the advanced stage, treatment routines are not going to be that effective. If you are diagnosed with stage three or four mesothelioma, surgery is not going to be useful.

Apart from cancer stage and patient age, there are other factors as well that affect prognosis. It includes mesothelioma type, tumor size, tumor location and whether it can be removed through surgery and effects of other symptoms. Malignant mesothelioma is normally diagnosed in people that has attain the age of more than 50. Few individuals already have number of medical issues because of old age, making treatment quite tough.

Complications Associated with Mesothelioma

Some of the complications associated with mesothelioma are mentioned below.

* Digital clubbing
* Pain in chest region
* Pleural effusion
* Ascites
* Pleural thickening
* Respiratory failure

Kinds of Mesothelioma

Find below information of various kinds of mesothelioma.

* Benign Mesothelioma - It is non-cancerous kinds of mesothelioma. Benign mesothelioma is rare form of cancer and is not fatal if treated on time. It can occur in the body either in form of cysts, tumors or plaques.

* Pleural Mesothelioma - It affects the lung membranes. Pleural mesothelioma is quite identical to lung cancer.

* Perineal Mesothelioma - It affects the heart lining.

* Malignant Mesothelioma - It affects the membranes of certain big cavities.

* Peritoneal Mesothelioma - It affects the abdominal membrane. Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most occurring form of mesothelioma.

* Pericardial Mesothelioma - The rarest type of mesothelioma cancer which comprises of only 5% of all the mesothelioma cases is pericardial mesothelioma. It has been observed that middle aged people are most likely to develop this type of mesothelioma and men are more vulnerable to this cancer due to their exposure to asbestos.

By: Chris M. Alexander
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Type2 Diabetes Diet

2009-12-25T21:20:00.000-08:00

Diabetes is a prevalent disease in our society today. As many as 23.6 million people have diabetes and nearly 90% of those have type two. These numbers have doubled in the last 20 years and led to the CDC calling it an epidemic. If you have type two diabetes you know there are several things you must do to manage its effect on your life. A type two diabetes diet is perhaps the most important.

Type two diabetes is the most common form of the disease. One of two things is occurring in the body either the liver is not producing enough insulin or the cells are not making proper use of it.

Type 2 diabetes is a form of diabetes that develops when the body does not respond properly to insulin produced by the pancreas, as opposed to type 1 diabetes, in which the pancreas makes no insulin at all. At first, the pancreas keeps up with the added demand by producing more insulin. In time, however, it loses the ability to secrete enough insulin in response to meals.

When you consume food, the body breaks it down sugars and starches into glucose. Glucose is fuel for the different cells in the body and is taken from the blood into the cells via insulin. Therefore, if the insulin levels are inadequate or the cells are resistant to insulin then the cells are not being fed which can lead to a whole host of problems. There are a couple of ways this is dealt with, one is with medications and the other is diet and exercise.

Probably the biggest dietary change for the type 2 diabetic is cutting sugar and simple carbohydrates out of their diet. Sodas, candy, and baked goods are to be avoided because they pose the greatest threat to the diabetic; hyperglycemia otherwise known as high blood sugar.

Instead of the empty calories to be found in high sugar and processed foods you should eat a diet of nutrient rich foods that provide the necessary health benefits that only they can provide. Fruits, vegetables, and protein from lean meats and nuts are a good place to start with a type 2 diabetic diet.

The other important aspect of the diet for those with type 2 diabetes is how often you eat during the day. Instead of eating two or three big meals you need to be eating five or six smaller meals throughout the day. This helps avoid the big blood sugar spikes that are associated with eating big meals. Eating smaller meals will keep you blood sugars at a steady level which is easier to control.

Type 2 diabetes is controllable through diet and excercise in most cases. One of the most common myths about type 2 diabetes is that their is a special "diabetes diet", when in fact the diet for a type 2 diabetic is really no different than that of the general population, with additional emphasis on controlling weight, glucose levels and mitigating risks for heart disease. Heart disease is higher in those diagnosed with diabetes, so limiting the intake of fats, especially saturated fat, salt, and increasing the amount of fiber consumed through friuts and vegetables, will dramatically decrease the risk for heart disease.

By: Health and Glamour
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