OrganizedWisdom Health - Wellness

Asthma

TaraSal — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:25:58 GMT

Asthma is a disease in which the airways in the lungs become inflamed and constricted. These airways become swollen and very sensitive. When pollen, pollutants, or other asthma-triggering substances are inhaled, the muscles around the airway passages tighten. This causes less air to enter the lungs. Sometimes, breathing may become so difficult that an asthma attack becomes life-threatening.

Fast Facts:

Wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing are all symptoms of asthma.
Narrowing of the bronchial tubes is referred to as bronchospasm.
Treatment includes eliminating exposure to triggers, using medications for immediate relief, using medication for prevention, and seeking emergency care when necessary.

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Importance of Blood Sugar Control in Diabetes

CatherIN — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:55:53 GMT

Controlling your blood sugar level now can allow you to feel better, be healthier, have more energy, help avoid the symptoms of high blood sugar, and help prevent the potentially life-threatening complications of diabetes. Managing your blood sugar can also help slow down or possibly prevent some diabetes related problems. High blood sugar levels can eventually lead to blood vessel and nerve damage throughout the body.

Fast Facts:

Your doctor can help you decide how often you should check your blood sugar level.
Nerve damage, stroke, and heart, kidney, eye, and gum disease are possible diabetes complications that may develop over time if blood sugar levels are not controlled.
Your doctor can help you work out a plan to control your blood sugar by adjusting your diet, exercise, and medication, if needed.

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Swine Flu Prevention

Mindy6197 — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:50:26 GMT

There are several preventive measures you can take to help prevent the swine flu (also known as H1N1 virus). One of the most important things you can do is washing your hands often with soap and water or by carrying an alcohol based hand sanitizer with you. It is also advised to avoid contact with anyone sick with a flu-like illness.

Fast Facts:

Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough can also help prevent swine flu.
Following all of your public health officials instructions and by avoiding crowded places may also be beneficial in preventing swine flu.
Do not rub your eyes, nose, or mouth as it can increase the spread of germs.

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Catechins

Crdelucas — Wed, 06 May 2009 01:10:22 GMT

Catechins are antioxidants found in plants which belong to the family of flavonoids. They were first isolated from the plant extract catechu - the derivative of the name. Catechins are approximately twenty-five percent of the dry weight of fresh tea leaves where epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is most abundant. Laboratory studies have shown effectiveness in the reduction of strokes, heart failure, cancer, and diabetes with the use of EGCG.

Fast Facts:

Laboratory studies in animals showed positive results with tea catechans inhibiting specific enzymes that lead to cancer.
Catechins are present in white tea, green tea, black tea, and Oolong tea made from Camellia sinenis.
Catechins are also found in chocolate, fruits, vegetables, and wines.
Cocoas and chocolates are made from Theobroma cacao.

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Lifestyle Factors Linked to Type 2 Diabetes

SScroggins — Fri, 01 May 2009 19:16:10 GMT

Researchers believe that a modification of lifestyle could prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes in men and women over the age of 65. Physical activity, diet, smoking habits, use of alcohol, and body mass index were examined in older adults, and researchers have determined that healthier lifestyles could prevent up to 90% of diabetes in the elderly. Participants reduced their risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 35% by modifying current behaviors in each area.

Fast Facts:

Researchers studied patients who were deemed to be at a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
A moderate physical activity level combined with a healthy diet can decrease the risk of diabetes in older adults by up to 50% or more.
The incidence of diabetes in the elderly is on the rise, with that being the fastest growing segment of the population.

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Diabetes Insipidus and Frequent Urination

Crdelucas — Fri, 01 May 2009 03:34:12 GMT

Frequent urination (polyuria) is one of the symptoms associated with diabetes insipidus (DI). It occurs when the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is disrupted in the kidneys. Large volumes of diluted urine are produced when the kidneys are unable to retain water, which in turn causes excessive thirst. Dehydration and frequent urination are common symptoms of diabetes insipidus.

Fast Facts:

DI is a rare form of diabetes and different from diabetes mellitus (DM). Blood sugar and insulin levels are not affected by DI.
ADH is also known as vasopressin which is produced in the hypothalamus.
There are four types of diabetes insipidus. They are: central, nephrogenic, dipsogenic, and gestational.
Eating disruptions, weight gain, and growth interference are symptoms of DI in children.
DI urine is different from urine of people with DM; it is insipid rather than sweet.

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Home Blood Pressure Monitoring

Jkg0679 — Fri, 01 May 2009 00:54:03 GMT

Home blood pressure monitoring allows a patient with known or suspected high blood pressure to keep track of their blood pressure levels. Home blood pressure monitoring is done using a home monitor. There are a variety of these monitors on the market. A health care professional can give recommendations as to which ones are appropriate for a particular patient.

Fast Facts:

Blood pressure is the force of blood circulating on the walls of the blood vessels.
Blood pressure is a key vital sign.
Home blood pressure monitors take the measurement at the upper arm.

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High Blood Pressure Prevention

Jkg0679 — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:39:03 GMT

Prevention of high blood pressure, also called hypertension, begins by making lifestyle changes. Consuming a healthy diet and exercising can help lower your risk of developing high blood pressure. High blood pressure can also be prevented by quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption.

Fast Facts:

High blood pressure is a condition that occurs when a person's blood pressure is elevated.
High blood pressure can lead to a stroke, heart attack, heart failure, arterial aneurysm, and chronic renal failure.
There are two types of high blood pressure: primary and secondary.

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How to Measure Blood Pressure

Jkg0679 — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:50:52 GMT

Blood pressure is usually taken while the patient is seated and resting their arm on a table, slightly bent. Health care workers will wrap the blood pressure cuff snugly around the patient's bare upper arm. They will place a stethoscope over the artery on the inside of the elbow and below the cuff. Then health care workers will close the valve on the rubber inflating bulb and squeeze rapidly until the dial reads slightly higher than the usual systolic pressure. They will open the valve slowly, allowing the pressure to decrease gradually until the first pulse is heard. This is the systolic pressure. They'll continue releasing the pressure slowly until the sound disappears. This is the diastolic pressure.

Fast Facts:

Blood pressure is the force of blood circulating on the walls of the blood vessels.
Blood pressure is a key vital sign.
Blood pressure can be taken at other places of the body as well.

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How to Prevent High Blood Pressure

Mindy6197 — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:14:47 GMT

Preventing high blood pressure can be as easy as creating a healthy lifestyle. Some common ways to prevent high blood pressure include eating healthy, exercising daily, and reducing stress. Patients who exercise daily can reduce high blood pressure by up to fifty percent.

Fast Facts:

Other ways to prevent high blood pressure include reducing salt intake and avoiding alcohol.
Dietary supplements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, garlic and fish oil can help in preventing high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is most commonly seen in adults over the age of thirty.

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