Tags: Health, Cancer

Aproximately five out of ten people with hypertension are unaware of the condition. There are many contributers to HBP and one of them is a diet high in sodium. Salt or sodium chloride is utilized in many ways for instance chlorine production, manufacture of soaps and textiles. At the same time as salt is constructive in other spheres of our lives, high sodium consumption is clinically proven to be destructive to our body in high concentrations. People with high blood pressure are at higher risks.

It is imperative to note, salt produces Nitric Oxide in our body. Nitric Oxide is a chemical responsible for many pathological and physiological processes in mammals. Too much of Nitric oxide (NO) can be detrimental and toxic that can contribute to vascular tissue collapse, diabetes, arthritis and other conditions.

Several health organizations advise customers to take on average 4gm of salt daily. Yet, an average person consumes double of the recommended dosage.

Ways to lower your salt intake:

Dr. Sanders at University of Maryland advises that a good indication of too much salt is when a person can taste it.

The main the most important step is to substitute your ordinary table salt to more pure version of salt. For example, “Sea salt” or “Gray salt” can be changed instead of using ordinary table salt. This is the cleanest type of salt without additional chemicals. Look for salts such as roasted salt, sea salt, wasabi salt, green tea salt etc. in your supermarket or specialty store.

Tip on lowering Hypertension :

• Add spices to your diet
• Use natural salts
• Remove salt shaker from the table

The second vital step is to get rid of your salt shaker from the table or change it to “salt imitator”. This can totally reduce your salt consumption to a healthy norm. Generally almost all of processed foods, canned foods are already full of extra salt, so by avoiding these products and by reading nutritious boxes you can regulate your daily salt consumption.

Moreover, when eating out ask for your meal to be prepared with minimum or no salt at all. When you get your dish you can regulate the amount of salt you desire.

Based on current research, people with high salt consumption have a higher risk factor in developing high blood pressure than genetically inclined people.

To research more on Natural Treatments for Hypertension, visit this excellent review on Natural Cures for HBP.

Tags: Health, Medical

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To date, thousands of people all around the country have successfully brought suit next to employers, builders, and service providers for negligent exposure to asbestos. These lawsuits often yield much-needed harm awards that can aid offset medical bills bring upon yourself from luxurious treatment and therapy. But no court proceeding is guaranteed to go in your goodwill , which is why you require to have the backing of an experienced mesothelioma law firm prior to filing suit.

Finding the right attorney to manage your case is not an easy matter. The first thing you have to do is seem for a mesothelioma law firm in your area, if possible one that has a solid track record in pursuing similar claims and winning sizable awards for victims . You will also be recommended to find an attorney who lives n your town itself. It’s important to stay local for the reason that you’ll likely have to meet with your lawyers many times prior to, during, and after the trial . You don’t want to have to drive or even fly several hours for every meeting, so hooking up with a local mesothelioma law firm is a must.

Second, you should only deal with a mesothelioma law firm that offers a free discussion . Some attorneys charge high fees just to pay attention to the facts of your case, with no assurance that they’ll even take you on as a client. There’s no sense in paying someone just to have them turn you away at the last minute, particularly when so many other firms do offer a free consultation. In fact, you should try to meet with every mesothelioma law firm within sensible driving distance prior to choosing the one so you can get an thought of the differences between them. Then you can go ahead and hire the attorney that you experience most comfortable with. It is very significant to have a comfort level with your lawyer a sthen you will be able to connect with him well.

When trying to find a mesothelioma law firm, you should also look for one that obviously explains all your legal options , that offers to file at no cost, and that is really on your side in the matter. So many places are just out to make a quick buck from these types of lawsuits that you’ll be treated like a number as an alternative of a person. Don’t let that happen. If you don’t experience as though you’re going to get personal service, keep looking.

If you’re suffering the ill effects of long-term asbestos exposure, then it’s definitely worth consulting with a mesothelioma law firm to see if you’ve got enough grounds for bringing suit next to the responsible parties. While monetary compensation won’t return your health, it can at least aid lessen the financial burden that you and your family have to shoulder. When suffering from mesothelioma even that much of a aid can come as a big boon. Check with an experienced attorney today and talk with him openly about your case.

Read more on introduction to mesothelioma and diagnosis of mesothelioma

Tags: Medical, Illness

Tags: asbestos, mesothelioma, cancer,, introduction, to, mesothelioma,, diagnosis, of, mesothelioma

It is imperative for you to know some of the symptoms as a first line indication as to whether you or your babies have contracted it? If you find you have these symptoms then you need to take action quickly. Diabetes is a very crippling illness which more times than none ends in death and it needs not to be taken lightly.

Alkaline water has resulted in very high success in comforting the symptoms of diabetes and helping sufferers from relying on medication… but before taking any steps on your own it’s important to seek a diagnosis from a qualified physician.

In Type 1 diabetes, the symptoms can often come on suddenly and dramatically. It mostly shows up in childhood or early teens often after an illness, virus or injury. The extra stress can cause diabetic ketoacidosis. Without treatment, ketoacidosis can lead to coma and death.

Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes are often not obvious and you may think they are due to aging or obesity. It’s possible to have Diabetes 2 for many years without being aware that you have it. Steroids and stress can be big factors in the onset of Diabetes 2. It’s important to take this illness seriously; it can lead to unpleasant outcomes like blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, and nerve damage.

Here are some common symptoms of diabetes 1 and diabetes 2

Excessive and Unusual Tiredness:

When you contract diabetes your body is less likely to use glucose for fuel. It begins instead to metabolize fat to get the extra fuel it needs. This particular process is not efficient. The energy you had before vanish and you feel tired.

Weight Loss You Just Can’t Explain:

Because you can’t metabolize sugar, much of the fuel in your food is excreted in your urine via the kidneys. You may find yourself eating way more food than normal and still losing weight. You become dehydrated and lose even more weight.

Excessive thirst:

The high concentration of sugar in your bloodstream overcomes your normal kidney function. Instead of being re-absorbed for future use the sugar is passed out in your urine. The brain senses a need to dilute the blood and you experience this as thirst. As a result you find yourself drinking more water as the body tries to correct this sugar imbalance.

Increased Urination:

Your body tries to dispense the excess sugar by way of the kidneys. As a result of this you tend to pass more water and feel parched.

Overeating:

The body will try to increase its levels of insulin production to reduce the excess blood sugar. Insulin is the key that opens the muscles and lean tissue to receive the sugar. But in Type 2 Diabetes you become insulin resistant. Your muscles refuse to take up the sugar.

The other job for insulin is to make you hungry… you can’t absorb this extra insulin so you are driven to eat more.

Wounds Refuse to Heal:

When you have high blood sugar levels your white blood cells are not able to do their proper job. As a result your wounds heal slowly and often get infected.

Thickening of the Arteries

Long term diabetes can cause your arteries to thicken, reducing blood flow.

Your more susceptible to infections:

Because your immune system is no longer functioning as well as it should you’ll often find you are contracting skin and yeast infections as well as urinary tract infections.

Mood Swings:

Can include agitation, unable to pay close attention, or irritable- all are symptoms of very high blood sugar levels

Impaired Vision: You may find you have difficulty focusing and things appear blurry.

Don`t give up! There are herbal methods available . Alkaline water has proven to be highly effective in comforting the symptoms of diabetes and helping sufferers get off their medication.

Ordinary tap water can be run through an alkaline water ionizer and produce both short term and long term relief for diabetes sufferers. And this ionized water is rich in negative ions which act as a powerful anti-oxidant to neutralize the hordes of free radicals in our bodies.
Learn More About Alkaline Water Here

Tags: Aging, Health

cancer symptoms
Cancer is the second leading factor of deaths with heart diseases being the first. Though it is scary, awareness has increased and people have become more mindful of their health. Medical technologies have formulated methods which have made its detection, diagnoses and treatment possible and so prevent cancer deaths.
We should know the cancer symptoms , what it really does.
They target the cancer cells, attack them and eventually kill them. The dosage of the medicationgiven is based on magnitude of the illness, the stage to which the cancer has advanced and the patient’s reaction to the medication. Daily, weekly and monthly sessions of therapy are arranged. Though chemotherapy has drastic side effects with the normal cells of the body being destroyed in the process and susceptibility to infections increasing, chemotherapy is a very effective cancer treatment.
So what are the various symptoms?

Cancer symptoms can become evident with the advancement of cancer stages. The most common warning symptoms that indicate the presence of cancer are given below which are often experienced in all types of cancers.

Agitation and confusion
Anemia
Fatigue
Fever
Breathlessness
Coughing blood

treatment and diet for diabetes
Maintaining the normal glucose levels is the aim of every diabetic in this world. Diabetes occurs when the body is unsuccessful in releasing the needed doses of insulin or when the body is unable to fully utilize the insulin being produced.

There are many real causes of diabetes but can prove difficult to detect as they are simple and often imperceptible.

Frequent urination is experienced indicating that the sugar level in the blood has been plummeted. The kidneys work to remove this excessive sugar and toxins from the blood thus leading to dehydration.

This dehydration can then trigger the urge to drink water at short intervals and increase your thirst mechanism. Extreme thirst is a sure symptom of diabetes.

Once the problem has been diagnosed and medications prescribed it is essential that one knows how to balance medications with methods that can lower the glucose levels. When combined with medications the below listed steps can help to maintain normal glucose levels.

Exercise has been one of the time-tested activities in keeping the blood glucose level down. Engaging in other physical activities besides exercise can also significantly lower the blood sugar level.
Taking precautions and adopting a healthy lifestyle can ease the depression and other negative tendencies.

causes of arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Our body produces white blood cells and antibodies to fight the infections. in this disease the immune system is not able to recognize the body’s tissue mistaking it as foreign and thus attacking it causing an inflammation.

What are the cure of rhematoid arthritis?

It can affect the joints of the hands and legs which include wrists, knuckles, elbows, knees, ankles or feet. Hips, shoulders, jaw, neck and back may also be affected. The general symptoms of RA are:

Rigidity: muscle and joint stiffness is usually experienced in the morning which can ease away later in the day. The extent of movement of the joints becomes limited and reduced.

You can treat RA at home by exercising lightly your joints to prevent them from becoming inactive and stiff. Swimming is considered to be the best exercise to treat RA as it reduces the strain and strengthens the muscles.

Tags: Aging, Health

To date, thousands of people all across the country have effectively brought suit against employers, builders, and service providers for negligent experience to asbestos. These lawsuits often give way much-needed damage awards that can aid offset medical bills bring upon yourself from luxurious treatment and therapy. But no court proceeding is certain to go in your favor , which is why you need to have the backing of an knowledgeable mesothelioma law firm previous to filing suit.

Finding the right attorney to manage your case is not an simple matter. The first thing you have to do is look for a mesothelioma law firm in your area, preferably one that has a solid track record in pursuing related claims and winning sizable awards for victims . You will also be suggested to find an attorney who lives n your town itself. It’s vital to stay local because you’ll likely have to meet with your lawyers numerous times previous to, during, and after the examination . You don’t want to have to drive or even fly several hours for each meeting, so hooking up with a local mesothelioma law firm is a must.

Second, you should only deal with a mesothelioma law firm that offers a free discussion . Some attorneys charge high fees just to pay attention to the details of your case, with no assurance that they’ll even take you on as a client. There’s no intelligence in paying someone just to have them turn you away at the last minute, especially when so numerous other firms do give a free consultation. In fact, you should try to meet with every mesothelioma law firm within sensible driving distance previous to choosing the one so you can get an thought of the differences between them. Then you can go ahead and sign up the attorney that you experience most relaxed with. It is very important to have a comfort level with your lawyer a sthen you will be able to link with him well.

When trying to find a mesothelioma law firm, you should also look for one that clearly explains all your legal choices , that offers to file at no cost, and that is truly on your side in the matter. So many places are just out to make a quick buck from these types of lawsuits that you’ll be treated like a number instead of a person. Don’t let that happen. If you don’t experience as though you’re going to get personal service, keep looking.

If you’re suffering the ill effects of long-term asbestos exposure, then it’s definitely worth consulting with a mesothelioma law firm to see if you’ve got sufficient grounds for bringing suit against the responsible parties. While monetary compensation won’t return your health, it can at least help lessen the financial load that you and your family have to shoulder. When suffering from mesothelioma even that much of a aid can come as a big boon. Check with an skilled attorney today and talk with him openly about your case.

Read more on introduction to mesothelioma and diagnosis of mesothelioma

Tags: Cancer, Medical

Some of the symptoms of PCOS are:

- Excess androgen: Ovaries of women with PCOS produce an excess of the male hormone androgen, causing reactions throughout the body. An excess of androgen can cause increased coarse hair growth on the stomach, face, chest and back. The excess male hormone can also cause male-pattern baldness and severe acne

- Ovarian cysts: Cysts are fluid filled sacs which can be generally found using an ultrasound image. Patients may have ovaries with no cyst activity and still have PCOS. Also patients with multiple ovarian cysts are not automatically considered having PCOS

- Infertility: The inability to have children due to PCOS

- Menstruation problems: The most common symptom of polycystic syndrome is the lack of or irregular menstration cycles.. Irregular is classified by having cycles fewer than 8 times per year.

- Excess weight: More than 50% of patients with PCOS will be classifed as obese

- Skin tags: Skin tags are small patches of excess skin, usually found on the neck or in the armpit area

- Diabetes: PCOS causes the body to ineffectively use insulin, resulting in high blood sugar levels and diabetes. Sometimes also called Prediabetes

- Darkened skin: Also called Acanthosis Negricans, this is the darkening of the skin in areas like the neck, armpits, inner thighs, vulva or under the breasts.

- Sleep apnea: People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times during the night and often for a minute or longer

Discover How Thousands Of Women Worldwide Instantly Relieve Their Constant Pain And Started Shrinking Their Ovarian Cyst Within 3 Days, Eliminating Them Completely Within 8 Short Weeks, All Without Ever Using Risky Drugs or Resorting To Surgery…Guaranteed!

Tags: Disease, Cancer

Type 1 diabetes has to be managed by insulin replacement therapy. The only way to replace insulin is to inject it through the skin. Insulin will make your blood sugar drop. You have to also be mindful of how much carbohydrate you ingest. If there is a mismatch between the carbohydrate in your blood and the insulin in your body, your blood sugar may go up or down. You should get some advice from your local diabetes unit

You blood sugar will go up and down througout the day. But if it goes too high or too low, it can really cause havoc with your body. When your blood sugar is high, you may find that you need to go to the toilet - a lot, you can become quite thirsty and you can even go into a type of coma. If your blood sugar drops too low, you may find yourself become shaky and confused. What follows is a short discussion about the factors that affect your blood sugar variations:

Reasons for a High Blood Glucose level

* Skipping your dose of insulin reduces amount of insulin in blood making the body cells unable absorb sugar in the blood leading to high concentration.
* Increasing the amount of carbohydrate will cause your sugar level to increase.
* If you are ill or under metabolic stress, your blood sugars can rise.
* There is something called the dawn phenomeon - basically it means that because you haven’t been doing much overnight, your blood sugar is higher.
* Taking other medicines, consult your doctor before using most types of medicines.
* Growth hormone, which mediates growth and is increased during puberty, will make your body relatively resistant to insulin and causes your blood sugar to rise.

Factors driving a Low Blood Sugar

* If, by error, you took too much insulin, your body’s cells would suck out insulin from your blood and leave you with a low blood sugar level.
* If you were to miss a meal or take in less carbohydrate than you had expected, you may find that your blood sugar drops.
* By exercising more than usual without eating enough food, the body uses more energy than it can supply leading to a deficit in blood sugar which supplies energy to body cells.
* If you drink alcohol on an empty stomach, your blood glucose will drop as a result of the alcohol on your digestion and cell function.
* Just as some medications can raise your blood glucose level, some can also drop your blood glucose level - this includes some that you can purchase over the counter, like aspirin. Always ask for advice before you take any medication.
* Women in their menstrual period, this is because hormonal changes may affect how well insulin works in the blood.

Tags: Illness, Aging

It is difficult to ascertain the real causes of cancer. Still, heredity is cited as the principal cause. Family history places one at a high risk of developing cancer. Such cancers as brain and ovarian are often associated with hereditary factors. Cancer may also result in people who may have at one time or another suffered from the diseases. This makes prior history another cause of the diseases. Nonetheless, there are other factors that often linked to external environment that cause diverse types of cancer.

Cancer is again attributed to air pollution and smoking. Still, radiation and sunlight are also said to result in cancer. In the United States the most common form of cancer is lung cancer which is as a result of cigarette smoking. Of the lung cancer cases that have been reported in the US, cigarette smoking is responsible for 90% of them. Those affected the most are the active smokers. However, a 24% probability exists for passive smokers to also develop lung cancer. Conversely, 1% of cases linked to lung cancer are said to be caused by air pollution. Vehicle, power plant and industrial emissions are said to be the major air pollutants, the causes of lung cancer.

A victim’s personal situation can be linked to the development of certain cancers. Case in point, cancer in women is likely to be caused by hormones. According to reports, early menstruation and late menopauses in women is likely to result in breast cancer. Concomitantly, the use of hormone replacement therapy by post menopausal women exposes them to the risk of developing breast cancer. While there is no evidence in support of this, birth control pills are also said to be probable causes of breast cancer.

Factors such as heredity and prior history with the disease are said to be the principal causes of cancer. However, particular cancers have particular causes. Consequently, breast cancer may be said to occur as a result of the use of hormone replacement therapy, hormones and even the use of birth control pills. Conversely, lung cancer is said to be caused by smoking and air pollution.

Tags: Illness, Disease

Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer starts in the cells of the breast tissue.and covers an area larger than just the breast.It extends up to the colar bone and from the armpit across to the breastbone in the centre of the chest.It can also be found in men but is very rare.Breast Cancer can happen at any age,but most cases occur in women over the age of 50.It can be found and successfully treated if detected early.
Breast Cancer Tests:
Mammography is a low-dose x-ray of the breasts.
Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) a physical examination of the breast by a trained professional.
Some women have a higher risk for breast cancer and should consider testing regularly if you had breast cancer before; you have a history of breast biopsies; you have a family history of breast cancer.
You can also be more aware of how your breasts normally look and feel so that changes can be readily recognised. bear in mind that the breast feel different during the menstrual cycle.
Signs to look for:
• A lump or swelling in the armpit.
• Changes in size and shape of breast.
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin(orange peel skin)
• Redness, swelling and increased warmth in the infected breast.
• Inverted nipple, nipple turns inward.
• Crusting or scaling on the nipple.

Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer starts in the cells of the cervix and grows very slowly. The cells of the cervix start to change and become abnormal. These abnormal cells are precancerous, meaning that they are not cancer. Precancerous changes to the cervix are called cervical dysplasia. Cervical cancer and cervical dysplasiain the early stages often do not cause any symptoms. Having regular tests can detect both and they can be treated successfully if diagnosed early.
Having multiple sexual partners , or becoming sexually active at an early age can put you at greater risk for developing cervical cancer. These factors increase your risk of being exposed to HPV. HPV is a group of viruses that can be passed easily from person to person through sexual contact. HPV infections are common and usually go away without treatment because the immune systemgets rid of the virus. Certain types of HPV virus can cause changes to cells in the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer Tests:
Pap Test : laboratory examination of cells taken from the cervix to detect changes. It can detect changes early before cancer develops.
Pelvic Examination: A physical examination of the organs within the pelvis through the vagina.
These tests should be taken every 1 to 3 years.once you become sexually active.Even if you have stopped having sex, continue to have the tests.
Signs to Look for:
• Abnormal bleeding or bloodstained discharge from the vagina between periods
• Unusually long or heavy periods
• Bleeding after sexual intercourse
• Watery discharge from the vagina
• Increased discharge from the vagina
• Bleeding from the vagina after menopause

Colorectal Cancer
Most colorectal cancers start in the cells that line the inside of the colon and rectum.Colorectal cancer often grows slowly and in a predictable way.. It may not cause any symptoms in its early stages as the abdomen has lots of room for the cancer to grow and develop.Screening tests often can detect the cancer before symptoms develop ,and it can be successfully treated if diagnosed early.

Colorectal Cancer Tests:
If you are 50 years or older , have a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) every 2 years.
Colonoscopy: a test that lets the doctor look at the lining of the entire colon, using a thin flexible tube with a light and camera at the end.
Sigmoidoscopy: a test that lets the doctor look at the lining of the rectum and lower part of the colon,using a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera at the end.
Double Contrast Barium Enema: an x-ray of the colon and rectum,that uses a special dye called barium,that helps the doctor see the lining of the colon more clearly.
Higher risk if:
A family member has the disease; a personal history of colorectal cancer; diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease or polyps; inherited condition of colon cancer.
Signs to look for:
• General discomfort in the abdomen(bloating , fullness, cramps)
• Change in bowel habits eg. Diarrhea or constipation
• Blood in the stools
• Narrower than usual stools
• Urgent need to have a bowel movement
• Feeling that the bowels have not been completely emptied.
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue
• Weight loss.

Skin cancer
The different kinds of skin cancer begin in different kinds of cells in the skin.(Basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma cell
The best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect your self from the sun. Protect skin from the sun especially between 11a.m. and 4p.m.,or when the UV index is 3 or higher. Stay in the shade or indoors , out of the sun during these times. Cover your skin if you have to be exposed to the rays of the sun,and wear a hat. Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Wearing sunglasses can prevent damage to the eyes. Avoid using indoor tanning equipment. Check skin regularly.

Signs to Look for:
Changes in shape colour and size of birthmarks and moles
Sores that don’t heal
Patches of skin that bleed itch,or become red and bumpy.

Tags: Cancer, Health

In order to answer the question what causes cancer, it is vital to know that these factors can be both external as well as personal. External environmental causes of cancer identify those environmental pollutants, which increase the cancer risk. Over 85 percent of cancers cases arise owing to lifestyle preferences individuals make placing them at high risks of developing cancer. For instance, tobacco causes over 30 percent cancer deaths. The risk of developing cancer due to environmental factors is incomparable. Ultra violet rays from the sun, sunlamps and tanning beds cause different skin cancer types such as melanoma. Various environmental causes of cancer amount from people’s way of life and exposure to agents found in the water or air.

Over years, epidemiologists have estimated the new cancer cases and death percentages caused by environmental agents. For instance, about 30% cancer deaths are attributed to tobacco. Other cancer cases are caused by water and air pollution, occupations, medical procedures and medicine. When establishing what environmental factors cause cancer, it is important to bear in mind some of these environmental factors. Another environmental cause of cancer is ionizing radiation. Exposure to radiation from sources like radon, cosmic rays, atomic bombs, nuclear bomb tests done on the ground and X-ray is a cause of cancer.

Carcinogens identify substances believed to increase the risk of developing cancer. To make out what causes cancer, bear in mind environmental carcinogens. In some instances, carcinogens damage the DNA directly while in some, the cause is indirect. This explains why not each exposure to a carcinogen leads to cancer. The extent and intensity of exposure to ecological carcinogens determines the chances of developing cancer. Some ecological carcinogens include chemicals, infectious agents, and air pollution. Exposure to particular chemicals, parasites, and bacteria are known risk factors for various cancer types.

Generally, the main environmental causes of cancer are related to the personal environment of an individual and include lifestyle choices such as tobacco use and diet among others. External environmental factors referring to agents in the environment like environmental pollutants, sun exposure and radiation also increase cancer risks.

Tags: Illness, Aging

Anyone who has suffered through acid reflux knows just how painful a condition it can be. Also known as GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease), this annoying state occurs when acid in the stomach back up, or reflux, into your esophagus. The muscular tube that leads from your throat straight to your tummy is known as your esophagus. Usually during acid reflux, the materials from the stomach remain, which causes heartburn, and can cause nausea. If left untreated over time, it can lead to damage of the esophagus.

If you are experiencing acid reflux, you will find that the materials in your stomach will move back up your throat and into your mouth, with the acid causing a burning sensation in your throat. You may even find undigested pieces of food make its way back up.

What Causes Heartburn?

Normally blamed on a defective lower esophageal sphincter, there is treatment for acid reflux once you establish the causes. The esophageal sphincter can be found as a tough rim of muscle that surrounds the lower end of the esophagus. The sphincter contracts, which pushes your food into your stomach.

GERD occurs when the sphincter can not push the food into the stomach, either because it is not strong enough, or, it relaxes completely, resulting in allowing chemicals and food in the stomach to rush back into the esophagus.

Other potential reasons associated with acid reflux include a hiatal hernia and a “weak” or “slow” esophagus that doesn’t contract strongly enough to move the food to the stomach in a timely manner.

How Is Acid Reflux Treated?

Before you speak to your doctor about what pills you can take to relieve acid reflux, you may want to consider a few lifestyle changes first. Eat smaller meals, lose some weight, quit drinking alcohol, quit smoking and remain active and awake for at least a couple of hours after meals. These are all sound suggestions whether you have acid reflux or not.

There are some over the counter drugs that can ease symptoms of heartburn such as Pepcid and Zantac. These Histamine Receptor Antagonists work by decreasing the amount of acid in your stomach. If you want to neutralize the acid, consider Mylanta and Tagamet.

A couple of quick points to consider:

- acid reflux cannot be cured, but it can be treated and managed if you modify your lifestyle, and with some medications designed to help remedy heartburn

- recent studies from the US Department of Health suggest that 7 million people in the US suffer from acid reflux

- while not being the main cause for acid reflux disease, spicy foods can in fact worsen symptoms associated with acid reflux disease in some people

Finally, if there is still no relief from acid reflux symptoms, doctors may prescribe proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium and Prevacid. These medicines prevent the release of acid into the stomach and intestines. Finally, promotility agents, such as Reglan, may be used to force the esophagus to empty more quickly and to speed digestion. If you are experiencing acid reflux, talk to your doctor to determine which treatment options are best for you.

Tags: Disease, Illness

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma that accounts for roughly 5% of all mesothelioma cases. Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that grows on the lining of the heart. The lining of the heart is extremely important because it plays an important role in protecting the heart from damage and so pericardial mesothelioma is an extremely serious condition. Pericardial mesothelioma becomes a terminal illness if not treated aggressively in its early stages.

Like all other forms of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is caused by inhalation of asbestos dust and fibres. Once inhaled, asbestos fibres become lodged in the lungs. From the lungs, the fibres can either pass into the lymphatic system and then be transported to the lining of the lungs or they can gradually move across to the lining of the heart over a long period of time. Over a long period of time, asbestos fibres can accumulate on the lining of the heart and this is when pericardial mesothelioma becomes a likelihood. Due to the fact that asbestos is still present in many public buildings, the possibility of pericardial mesothelioma is a reality for everyone, although for most, very unlikely.

Those with the highest chance of having mesothelioma are those who have been in constant contact with mesothelioma for a length of time as short as a few months. These are people like construction workers and asbestos manufacturers. Those who are in contact with people who are constantly exposed to asbestos are also at risk due to the fact that asbestos fibres can stick to clothes and hair and so can be carried around.

Presently, cases of mesothelioma are increasing including pericardial mesothelioma. Elderly men who are approaching 60 - 70 years of age are just starting to suffer from pericardial mesothelioma due to its long latency period (amount of time the symptoms take to show) of 30 - 50 years. They are suffering because this was the generation who worked with asbestos and amongst asbestos when asbestos was an extremely popular building material in the 1950s - 1970s. These men are now lodging multi-million dollar lawsuits against the companies who exposed them to the dangers of asbestos.

Pericardial mesothelioma has a number of symptoms but these only start to take effect in the cancer’s latest stages when it is almost fully matured and developed. These symptoms include persistent coughing, shortness of breath, chest pains and palpitations. Other symptoms typical of all types of mesothelioma include loss of appetite, nausea and weight loss. What often makes pericardial mesothelioma so difficult to treat is that its symptoms are typical of many other more common diseases such as pneumonia. To be treated effectively, pericardial mesothelioma needs to be treated aggressively in its early stages and so many patients’ treatments are given too late because of a delay in diagnosis.

Treatments for pericardial mesothelioma are very limited and as yet, success rates for curing pericardial mesothelioma are very low. The chances of a patient’s survival depend largely on how early the cancer is treated and how aggressively. Treatment methods include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, dual therapy and surgery. Chemotherapy uses drugs to try to kill off cancerous cells. Radiation therapy uses radiation to try to kill off cancerous cells although this is extremely difficult in the case of pericardial mesothelioma because too much radiation can badly damage the heart.

Dual therapy is a combination of both chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Surgery comes in two different types, aggressive surgery and palliative procedures. Aggressive surgery is only used on the strongest of patients such as young and healthy men and consists of removing a large portion of the cancer and attempts to gain control over the cancer. Palliative procedures are a more passive way of dealing with pericardial mesothelioma and just attempts to relieve the patient of the symptoms.

Research is being done into pericardial mesothelioma in research stations all over the USA and many pharmaceutical companies are also attempting to find new drugs for chemotherapy. So far, much research has been unsuccessful.

For more information on pericardial mesothelioma such as the risks, causes, symptoms and treatments go to:

http://www.pericardialmesothelioma.co.uk
http://www.pericardial-mesothelioma.co.uk
http://www.asbestos-resource.co.uk

Tags: Medical, Illness

Today, most people with diabetes are only treating the symptoms. And many medications given to people with diabetes are actually
compounding the underlying cause of the disease.

The best way to manage your diabetic condition is to address the
actual cause. Doesn’t that make more sense? So let’s look at what
type 2 diabetes really is.

The Simple Explanation

Other than the genes you inherited, there are two primary causes of diabetes:

1) a long-term diet that has been high in carbohydrates, and

2) nutritional deficiencies.

Your body breaks down carbohydrates into sugar (glucose) which then enters your blood stream. The more carbohydrates consumed, the higher your blood sugar goes. In response, your body produces insulin. Insulin’s job is to push the blood sugar into the cells so they can use it for energy.

On the surface of the cells in your body are insulin receptors, which act like little doors that open and close to regulate the inflow of blood sugar.

After many years of consuming a high-carbohydrate diet, your cells have been bombarded with so much insulin that these doors begin to malfunction and shut down.

With fewer of these doors open, your body needs to produce even more insulin to push the glucose into the cells. More insulin causes even more doors to close and as this vicious cycle continues a condition called “insulin resistance” sets in.

When your body can no longer produce enough insulin to push the blood sugar into the cells, type 2 diabetes develops. It is simply an extreme case of insulin resistance.

The key point for you to understand is that your energy, wellness and longevity are primarily dependent on improving the sensitivity of your cells to insulin — how well your cells open and close the doors and clear sugar from the blood.

What’s the Bottom Line?

Since type 2 diabetes is really a severe case of insulin resistance, the solution to your condition is to find a way to increase the sensitivity of your cells to insulin and help your body get the sugar out of the blood and into the cells so it can be metabolized and turned into energy. (This inability to metabolize sugar is one of the reasons why most diabetics often feel tired and fatigued.)

The Deadly Effects of Excess Insulin

Your “metabolism” is the food processing and energy production system of your body. It is made up of many extremely fine-tuned internal processes, and can be thrown off by even the tiniest of imbalances.

Insulin is the master hormone of your metabolism. When it is out of balance and your insulin levels are consistently elevated, a long list of deadly complications are created:

* Heart Disease
* Hardening of the Arteries
* Damage to Artery Wallsv
* Increased Cholesterol Levels
* Vitamin & Mineral Deficiencies
* Kidney Disease
* Fat Burning Mechanism Shutdown
* Accumulation & Storage of Fat
* Weight Gain

In his best-selling book, “Protein Power,” Dr. Michael Eades wrote, “When insulin levels become too high… metabolic havoc ensues with elevated blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, diabetes, and obesity all trailing in its wake. These disorders are merely symptoms of a single more basic disturbance in metabolism, excess insulin and insulin resistance.”

Nutritional Deficiencies from Excess Insulin

Science has shown that excess insulin also causes your body to become deficient in many vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. It’s a proven fact that being deficient in these nutrients is directly linked to and a cause of high blood sugar levels.

Chromium

Chromium is essential to proper metabolism and maintaining safe sugar levels. Excess insulin depletes your body’s chromium. In “Protein Power,” Dr. Eades further states, “The insulin receptor, the structure on the surfaces of your cells that actually become resistant to insulin, requires chromium to function properly. Deficiency of chromium is rampant - it affects 90% of the American population - because a diet high in starch and sugar puts a heavy demand on the insulin system to handle the incoming carbohydrate load, and that demand depletes chromium.”

Chromium is critical to blood sugar metabolism and, and as a diabetic you can be pretty sure that you are severely deficient in this nutrient. If you ever wondered where your “sweet tooth” and sugar cravings come from, now you know - chromium deficiency!

Calcium and Magnesium are also depleted by excess insulin, which can cause many problems, as they are critical to over 200 biochemical processes in your body.

Other very important nutrients that excess insulin causes
deficiencies in are Zinc, Selenium, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vanadium, B Complex vitamins, essential fatty acids, and many more.

Now that you know how and why people develop type 2 diabetes and know some of the consequences of not controlling your blood sugar level, here are your choices:

You can continue on with what you’ve been doing…

Or you can research the science and testimonials surrounding
Glyconutrients.

Fortunately, your body has miraculous healing powers, is very
resilient and operates in a very intelligent manner. If you give it the right fuel and the right nutrients, it will respond very quickly. Some exercise and the right attitude also help!

The first step is to switch your body from an out-of-control,
nutrient-depleting and fat-storing machine into a clean, nutrient-rich, fat-burning machine!

To do this you must:

1) Restrict the carbohydrates in your diet, and
2) Take the right nutritional supplements.

These two actions are not optional or negotiable! Your body will only burn fat (and properly utilize nutrients) if its metabolism is balanced. Doing 1 and 2 above on a regular basis is the only way to address the root cause of your diabetic problem and balance your body’s metabolism for the long-term.

Jason Carriere is an alternative health advocate and wellness crusader, specializing in glyconutrient education.

Tags: Aging, Cancer

Diabetes affects the manner in which the body handles carbohydrates, fats and proteins. If neglected, diabetes can have serious complications. The diabetic people have high blood sugar level. The blood sugar level is regulated by insulin - a hormone produced by the pancreas, which depends on your eating habits.

The symptoms of diabetes included excessive urination, excessive thirst and hunger, sudden weight loss, blurred vision, delay in healing of wounds, dry and itchy skin, repeated infections, fatigue and headache. These diabetes symptoms may be due to other reasoons also.

There are two different types of diabetes.

Type I Diabetes (juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes): The reason for type I diabetes is due to pancreas unability to produce insulin.

Type II Diabetes (non insulin dependent diabetes or adult onset diabetes): This diabetes is a result of body tissues becoming resistant to insulin. It is usually hereditary.

If neglected, diabetes can lead to various complications such as damage to the kidneys, heart disease, nerve damage, hypoglycemia (drastic reduction in glucose levels). Diabetes is a serious disease and there is no treatment of it. However, it can be brought under control by proper diabetes diet plan. Fortunately, with a healthy lifestyle and with diet management you can lead a healthy life.

Copyright 2005 P. Mehta http://www.fatfreekitchen.com

[You have permission to publish this article in your web sites, ezines or electronic publication, as long as the piece is used in its entirety including the resource box, all hyperlinks (clickable) and references and copyright info.]

——————————————————-

This article has been written by http://www.fatfreekitchen.com For more information on diabetes and how to manage it, visit the web site
Diabetes Symptoms, Diabetes Types & Causes
Please note that this article is not a subsitute for medical advise.

——————————————————–

Tags: Disease, Health

The question of acid reflux being a hereditary condition has not been researched
very often. However, specialists have concluded that genetically speaking the
chances of getting this disease by inheritance may account for 50% of the
sufferers. They have also concluded so far that the other 50% is due to diet.

Of all the digestive diseases in the world, acid reflux is considered to be the
most common. It is estimated that nearly 1 in 5 people suffer from acid being
regurgitated into the mouth and esophagus and/or heartburn. It is also known
that a regular cycle of acid reflux occurrences gives people a higher risk of
getting esophageal cancer.

In July 2003, scientists did studies with 2000 pairs of non-identical and
identical twins, and found that 43% of the total who suffered frequent
gastrointestinal symptoms and the chances of them developing acid reflux, were
suffering or would suffer do to hereditary genetics. However, whether acid
reflux is hereditary or not, there are other main causes. It is known that
there are at a minimum of ten possible considerations.

Coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages account for the first possible
cause. These trigger problems by relaxing the digestive system and let the
stomach’s contents to regurgitate into the esophagus.

The second possibility is chocolate which contains known amounts of theobromine.

This can relax the esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to spurt back
into the esophagus.

Fatty and fried foods are another possible culprit. Such foods stay in the
stomach a lot longer and reduce the speed of digestion. This causes
over-filling of the stomach and the risk of food regurgitation.

Tomatoes and foods containing tomatoes can also cause acid reflux. Again,
tomatoes and the like will relax the digestive system.

Alcohol helps to increase the amount of acid in the stomach. It also relaxes
the digestive system, greatly increases the risks.

Another troublemaker is tobacco smoking. As cigarette chemicals enter the lungs
and the blood, they also impede on the ability of the digestive system and
esophagus to work properly.

Meal sizes are a critical factor. Too large a meal over fills the stomach and
can prevent the esophageal sphincter (lower) from closing. Again, the chance of
regurgitating food into the esophagus increases.

Citric juices and fruits can relax the lower esophagael sphincter. It can also
add further acid to the stomach.

Food consumption in the few hours before going to bed is a definite trigger.
Once you lie down with a full stomach the pressure is increased on the lower
esophageal sphincter.

Finally, tight fitting clothes and belts can impede on digestion. Anything that
puts pressure on the abdominal area will do the same to the stomach. This will
force food out of the stomach and into the esophagus.

Tags: Cancer, Disease

Pericardial Mesothelioma is an extremely difficult cancer to treat and presently, all treatment methods used have a poor success rate. The chances of a patient’s survival depend largely on how early and how aggressively the cancer is treated. If pericardial mesothelioma is treated when it has fully matured and developed then the chances of survival are very slim and the prognosis for a patient could be only a couple of months.

The latency period of pericardial mesothelioma (30 - 50 years), and its symptoms which are ordinary of other more common diseases such as pneumonia, make it extremely difficult to diagnose and therefore difficult to treat in its early stages. In this way, a lot of pericardial mesothelioma treatments do not aim to cure patients but instead focus on reducing the symptoms.

Before a patient is treated, a doctor will evaluate him or her, and afterwards decide which treatment method is most suitable for the patient’s situation. The patient’s age, medical history, general well being and even weight are taken into account before the doctor will decide which of the three treatments are most appropriate. These treatments are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Surgery

There are two different types of surgery that can be used one of which is called aggressive surgery. This is the most dangerous of all the treatment methods available and only the fittest of people are deemed strong enough to undergo this. Aggressive surgery consists of removing large chunks of cancerous cells from inside the patient. This is extremely dangerous in the case of pericardial mesothelioma seeing as the cancerous cells are in extremely close proximity to vital organs such as the heart and lungs. Extremely skilled surgeons are needed to perform this operation.

The second type of surgery is palliative procedures and this type of surgery is used only for the purpose of reducing the symptoms of the cancer. Palliative procedures are performed when pericardial mesothelioma is in its latest stages and is practically impossible to cure.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the most well known cure of cancers and involves using drugs to kill of cancerous cells. However, many of the drugs used do not have a high success rate although researchers are discovering new combinations of drugs that work more effectively. Many pharmaceutical companies are also endeavouring to find new drugs. Researchers predict that they will soon discover a drug with a significantly improved success rate.

Radiation Therapy

This form of treatment uses doses of radiation to kill cancerous cells. However, in the case of pericardial mesothelioma this is extremely difficult because as well as damaging cancerous cells, the radiation also damages vital organs such as the heart and lungs. This makes using radiation therapy most effectively extremely difficult. The dose of radiation is usually too weak to make a significant impact on curing pericardial mesothelioma.

Dual Therapy

Dual therapy is just a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. This consists of using surgery to remove the majority of the cancer cells and then using chemotherapy and radiation therapy to kill off any remaining cells. This has proved to be an effective treatment method however also very dangerous. Only the fittest young people are able to undergo this treatment.

For more information on pericardial mesothelioma such as the risks, causes, symptoms and treatments go to:

http://www.pericardialmesothelioma.co.uk
http://www.pericardial-mesothelioma.co.uk
http://www.asbestos-resource.co.uk

Tags: Health, Illness

Diabetes affects around 16 million Americans and about 800,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Diabetes attacks men, women, children and the elderly. It spares no race.

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, blindness in Adults and amputations. It is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and birth defects and it shortens life expectancy by up to 15 years. So you can see what I am up against. It is up to me to make sure that none of these things ever happen to my daughter. My daughter Ashley has Diabetes Type 1. She will be 10 years old March 15th. Ashley has been a diabetic for 5 years.

Five years ago I was totally overwhelmed by all that information. I felt helpless and depressed. I was sure this was a death sentence for my daughter. This was because of my total ignorance of Diabetes. A person can live a full life with Diabetes. It just takes some extra care. A good diet plays an important part in a Diabetics life. They need to put together a meal plan with their doctor & dietitian. My daughter has several meals a day. She has breakfast, a snack, lunch, a snack, dinner & another snack. She has these meals at the same time every day. This is important. It helps keep her body on a schedule and her blood sugar regulated. Skipping meals and snacks may lead to large swings in blood sugar readings. To keep blood sugar levels near normal a Diabetic must balance the food they eat with the insulin the body gets from injections and with physical activities. Blood sugar monitoring gives you the information you need to help with this balancing. Near normal blood sugar readings will help you feel better. Normal is between 70 and 120. They will also reduce your chances of complications.

Lets talk about how a Diabetic needs to eat. Everyone needs to eat nutritious foods. Our good health depends on eating a variety of foods that contain the right amount of Carbohydrate, Protein, Fat, Vitamins, Minerals, Fiber and Water. Carbohydrate, Protein and Fat are found in the food that you eat. They supply your body with energy. Your body needs insulin to use this energy. Insulin is made in the pancreas. If you have Diabetes, either your pancreas is no longer producing insulin or your body can’t use the insulin it is making. So your blood sugar levels are not normal.

Starch and Sugar in foods are Carbohydrates. You can find starch in breads, pasta, cereal, potatoes, beans, peas and lentils. Natural sugars are in fruits, milk and vegetables. There are added sugars in desserts, candy, jam and syrup. All of these Carbohydrates can affect your blood sugar. When you eat Carbohydrates they turn into glucose and travel in your bloodstream. Insulin helps the glucose enter the beta cells in your pancreas where it can be turned into energy and stored. Eating the same amount of Carbohydrate daily at meals and snacks can help you control your blood sugar levels. Protein is in meats, poultry, fish, milk and other dairy products, eggs, beans, peas and lentils. Starches and vegetables have small amounts of protein. The body uses protein for growth, maintenance and energy. Your body needs insulin to use the protein you eat.

Fat is in margarine, butter, oils, salad dressings, nuts, seeds, milk, cheese, meat, fish, poultry, snack food, ice-cream and desserts. There are three different types of fat. Monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and saturated. Everyone should eat less saturated fats found in meats, dairy products, coconut, palm or palm kernel oil, and hardened shortening.

Saturated fats can raise your blood levels of cholesterol. The fats that are best are the monounsaturated fats found in canola oil, olive oil, nuts, and avocado. The polyunsaturated fats found in corn oil, soybean oil, or sunflower oil are good too. After you eat fat it travels through your bloodstream. You need insulin to store fat in the cells of your body. Fats are used for energy.

So you can see what a big role insulin plays in your body. Good diet is very important for a Diabetic. Excersize is also very important. A Diabetic can live a healthy full life if they do three things. Eat healthy, Excersize, and inject the right amount of insulin. It takes dedication and hard work. But in the end it is totally worth it because it is your life.

Devoting her last 8 years to Diabetes Education, Kimberly maintains her website ElviraDarkNight.com and publishes the Living Life as a Diabetic Newsletter as well as dispatches donated Diabetic supplies to needie individuals without Health Insurance. Kim would like to personally invite you to become informed on issues of Health, Nutrition & Diabetes.

Tags: Medical, Aging

Everyone from infants to elderly people can suffer from acid reflux. It happens when stomach acid is refluxed or regurgitated back into the esophagus. There are many possible causes. An above normal level of acid in the stomach can be as a result of an ulcer. Eating too fast can cause undigested foods to clog up and cause acid to be refluxed. Acid reflux can also occur if a person does any exercise too soon after eating. In fact, there are five major symptoms that you should look for if you think you suffer from acid reflux. If these symptoms worsen or your ability to function is compromised for long time periods then you should see a doctor.

Symptom number one is a sensation of burning in the area in front of the lungs and heart. The onset can happen within minutes after eating or even during eating. This is the most uncomfortable and severe of the symptoms. Unfortunately, people mistake this for a heart attack. The best solution is to take an antacid and try to lie down for three minutes. Usually, when you feel more comfortable the symptom will simply disappear. Another remedy is to drink water, which will lubricate the digestive tract, and help jammed food go down.

Symptom number two is persistent daily burping and coughing. This can indicate that there is excessive gas in the stomach. The movement of stomach gas can also force acid back out. The coughing is a result of stomach acid getting near the lungs. However, if the cough continues for two weeks or more without any other cold like symptoms then you should see a doctor.

A long period of voice loss is the number three symptom. If you are coughing continuously, you do risk losing your voice because the throat becomes dry. Acid reflux can give a person the impression they are getting a cold, but this is deceptive. A doctor can only make a diagnosis based on keeping a watch on the cough, any throat dryness, and any other symptoms for a week’s time. If the symptoms and the cough have disappeared at the end of this then it probably was a cold. If it is acid reflux, the symptoms will reoccur or may continue for an indefinite period.

Symptom number four is a sour taste inside the mouth. This can go on for a few months and needs to be assessed by a doctor.

Symptom number five is a hoarse voice, usually as a result of the persistent cough. Though this may also be another symptom of the common cold, a combination of them needs a visit to the doctor. There are a few tests the doctor can do to properly diagnose acid reflux. Then and only then will the doctor prescribe medication to control your acid reflux.

Tags: Health, Disease

I am a diabetes expert. No I’m not a doctor or a nurse. I am a mom. A mom to a 13 year old girl named Ashley who has Juvenile Diabetes. Ashley was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes just before her fifth birthday. She went into a diabetic coma and almost died. None of that would have happened if I had known the warning signs. In this article I am going to give you some information on diabetes and the warning signs.

There are two types of Diabetes. Type I - Juvenile Diabetes and Type II - Adult Onset Diabetes. Here we are going to concentrate on Type I.

With Type I , which mainly occurs in young people, the pancreas produces very little or no insulin. This disease is now being classed as an Auto-immune disease. This is what can happen. A person becomes ill with a flu-like virus. Normally the white blood cells would attack these invading organisms and the person would begin to get better. But, in a person prone to diabetes the white blood cells become confused and attack the beta cells in the pancreas. To better understand this let me explain what the pancreas does. The pancreas is a gland positioned behind the stomach. It has two major functions. The first is to produce enzymes that help to digest food. The second is to produce the hormones insulin and glucagon. These two hormones are important because they play a major part in regulating the glucose (sugar) level in your blood by keeping it at an even or normal level. When your pancreas becomes damaged it is unable to manufacture insulin. Insulin helps your beta cells absorb sugar. Your body needs the sugar to produce energy. Your body, unable to use glucose because of the lack of insulin, is forced to obtain energy from fat instead. This is very dangerous and if not treated eventually leads to a coma.

If you are aware of them the warning signs are very easy to see. The warning signs of Juvenile Diabetes are: irritability, frequent urination which is associated with abnormal thirst, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, weight loss despite a normal (or even increased) intake of food, and unusual hunger. Something usually not mentioned but, which happened with my daughter was nightmares & sleep walking. In children, frequent bedwetting - especially by a child who never previously wet the bed - is another common sign. Just before going into a coma you will notice breath that smells like acetone (ex:fingernail polish remover). This is a sign of ketoacidosis. You should get this person to the hospital immediately.

People with Type I Diabetes are subject to episodes in which blood glucose levels are very high (hyperglycemia) and very low (hypoglycemia). Either of these conditions can lead to a serious medical emergency. To better understand this you should know that a normal blood glucose level is between 70 - 120. When my daughter went into a diabetic coma her level was over 1,000. She has been as low as 19. This is very scary. This is what I notice when Ashley becomes low. You look into her eyes and she looks far away. Her eyes are glassy and vacant looking. She becomes confused, disoriented and sometimes combative. Her speech is slow and often slurred. Her hand will tremble and she says she feels shaky. Sometimes Ashley does not recall these episodes.

Episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) which strikes suddenly, can be caused by a missed meal, too much excersize, or a reaction to too much insulin. The initial signs are hunger, dizziness, sweating, confusion, palpitations, and numbness or tingling of the lips. If not treated the individual may go on to experience double vision, trembling and disorientation; they may act strangely and may even lapse into a coma.

In contrast, a hyperglycemic (high blood glucose) episode can come on over a period of several hours or even weeks. The risk of hyperglycemia is greatest during illness. When insulin requirements rise; blood sugar can creep, ultimately resulting in a coma, a reaction also known as diabetic ketoacidosis. One of the warning signs of developing hyperglycemia is the inability to keep down fluids. Possible long term complications include stroke, blindness, heart disease, kidney failure, gangrene, and nerve damage.

So you see I am a diabetes expert. It was important for me to know my enemy. My enemy is diabetes and with education I can fight it.

Devoting her last 8 years to Diabetes Education, Kimberly maintains her website ElviraDarkNight.com and publishes the Living Life as a Diabetic Newsletter and also dispatches donated Diabetic supplies to needie individuals without Health Insurance. Kim would like to personally invite you to become informed on issues of Health, Nutrition & Diabetes.

Tags: Aging, Medical

Mesothelioma is a rare, deadly form of cancer which can occur in a number of types. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, a group of natural fibres which are extremely dangerous if inhaled as fibres. When fibres are inhaled they become lodged in the alveoli of the lungs and over a period of time these fibres make tissue and cells abnormal and cause mesothelioma cancer. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma cancer, accounting for approximately 75% of all mesothelioma cases.

The next most common form, peritoneal mesothelioma, accounts for 20% of all mesothelioma cases and pericardial mesothelioma accounts for the remaining 5%. Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs, peritoneal mesothelioma attacks the peritoneum, which is the lining of the abdomen and pericardial mesothelioma affects the tissue surrounding the heart. All three of these types of cancer occur in extremely important areas of the human body and this is one of the reasons why it is so difficult to treat. Treatment methods such as radiation therapy can only be conducted with strict radiation dosage restrictions due to the possibility of damaging a vital organ such as the lungs or the heart.

Aggressive mesothelioma surgery is undertaken only by the strongest of mesothelioma patients because weaker patients are at risk of death within the first month after the operation. An experienced doctor will evaluate a patient before deciding that surgery is the best treatment method. He will take into account age, medical record, disabilities, allergies, sex, even weight. The operation will then take place. Mesothelioma surgery consists of cutting open a patient and removing the majority of cancerous cells from either the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart in an attempt to gain long term control over the cancer. Due to the proximity of the cancer to major organs of the body, the operation can only be performed by extremely skilled surgeons. There is a chance that a patient will die during the operation.

A second type of mesothelioma surgery is called palliative procedures. This is a far less dangerous and aggressive form of surgery which does not attempt to gain long term control over the cancer. Palliative procedures are designed to lessen the symptoms for a patient when it is almost certain that the patient will die inevitably from the cancer.

Mesothelioma surgery can also be coupled with radiation therapy and chemotherapy in what is known as dual therapy. Patients would undergo surgery to get rid of the majority of the cancerous mesothelioma cells and then chemotherapy and radiation therapy would be used to kill off any remaining cells. This combination of treatments has proved to be effective and has one of the highest success rates for treatments of mesothelioma cancer.

For more information on pericardial mesothelioma such as the risks, causes, symptoms and treatments go to:

http://www.pericardialmesothelioma.co.uk
http://www.pericardial-mesothelioma.co.uk
http://www.asbestos-resource.co.uk

Tags: Aging, Medical

Diabetic frozen shoulder is a major problem. The pain and limited function that it causes can seriously limit the normal activities of day-to-day life. Frozen shoulder is much more common in diabetic patients and this article aims to explore the nature of the Frozen Shoulder - Diabetes connection.

There are many ways that diabetes can affect the muscles and joints. Sugar sticks to the collagen in cells and affects its ability to function. Diabetes can damage blood vessels and a poor blood supply results in scarring and damage in the body’s elastic tissues.

We know that some diabetic patients can have problems with changes in the gristle of their hands - and in men, the penis. Most experts think that diabetic frozen shoulder arises for the same reasons

Diabetes is known to affect the shoulder in several ways. Diabetic frozen shoulder seems to be the commonest - with up to 20% of diabetic patients developing frozen shoulder at some time or other.

Calcium spots in the tendons and muscle around the shoulder are also seen more commonly in diabetic patients - this probably relates to the fact that high blood sugars can impair blood flow through small vessels. Tendons are particularly vulnerable to this and respond by depositing calcium. These calcium deposits can sometimes be painless but often cause severe discomfort or limited movement. They usually show up on x-rays.

Slow healing and impaired nerve function are also common in diabetic patients and contribute to the fact that the frozen shoulder pain takes longer to settle than it does in other, non diabetic, patients.

Diabetic patients are much more likely to have problems with their shoulders than others. Insulin dependant diabetics are particularly at risk - with some studies showing that they are six times more likely to develop diabetic frozen shoulder than the rest of the population.

We don’t yet really know why diabetic frozen shoulder problems arise but it seems to relate in part to how well each individual controls their blood sugar levels.

Textbooks tell you that all shoulder complaints are more common in diabetes but in my experience diabetic frozen shoulder is the most troublesome and most frequent. Diabetics not only get frozen shoulder more often than others but it lasts longer and is more painful for them when they do.

Some experts think that shoulder problems in diabetics are so common that they should be regarded as a complication of diabetes and not a coincidental event.

There has been a lot of research recently into the frozen shoulder - diabetes link but it is still rather unclear why diabetic patients get such problems with their shoulders. It seems to relate to the effect that diabetes and a high blood sugar has on the collagen containing cells in the body. Collagen is a protein that is involved in making ligaments, tendons and - of course - joint capsules.

Diabetic frozen shoulder eventually resolves itself in most cases but can cause a major problem with day to day function for those unlucky enough to suffer from it.

Dr Gordon Cameron is a specialist in joint pain based in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is an expert in frozen shoulder treatment and in arthritis pain relief.

Dr Cameron also specialises in the treatment of gout

Dr Cameron has also created an electronic book on the subject of frozen shoulder. You can explore it and download a copy on his website by following the links to Frozen Shoulder above.

Tags: Illness, Cancer

In order to monitor your blood pressure at home, you will need to purchase a blood pressure monitor for home use. They range in price from $40 to about $130, depending whether it is a simple manual model or a more advanced model with automatic pump. If you live by yourself, a fully automatic model is probably a better choice. The manual blood pressure monitors can be hard to pump up.

What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is defined as the amount of pressure that is exerted on the interior of the blood vessels (arteries) as blood flows through them. Blood pressure is measured as two numbers: when your heart contracts (beats), it pumps a large volume of blood through your blood vessels and the pressure increases: this is called the “diastolic pressure”. When your heart relaxes between beats, the blood pressure goes down: this is called the “systolic pressure”.

Traditionally, blood pressure is measured as millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), since the classical blood pressure meters contain a column of mercury and blood pressure was defined as how many millimeters the column of mercury was going up or down. The diastolic and systolic numbers provide very important information about your health: the numbers will be higher if it is more difficult for the blood to flow through your blood vessels. Blood pressure that is considered “normal” falls within a certain range: 120/80. You are considered to be hypertensive when your systolic pressure is above 140 and your diastolic pressure is above 90.

How to measure your own blood pressure?
To accurately keep track of your blood pressure, it is important that you measure your blood pressure daily and perhaps a few times each day. Do not measure it within two hours of eating and remember that your blood pressure will be higher when you are upset or have just finished exercising. Follow these simple steps to accurately measure your own blood pressure (and watch the video below):

1. Make sure you are calm
2. Place the cough over the left arm (and follow manufacturer’s directions): there should be a mark or arrow to indicate in which direction you should place the cough on your arm
3. Have your arm resting on a flat surface (a table for example), with the palm of the hand facing upward (relaxed)
4. Ask someone to pump up the cough for you or use a model with an automatic pump: for most models, you should pump it up at least 20 points above what you think the systolic pressure is, but don’t go too far above 200
5. The cough releases the air slowly and the monitor will start measuring
6. You will see an error message if you did not inflate the cough enough or if the sensors in the cough fail to detect a heart beat

To compare your blood pressure monitor reading to your doctor’s reading, take the monitor with you next time you see your doctor. Blood pressure monitors are calibrated before they leave the factory, but to make sure your monitor’s readings are accurate, you can also measure a family member or friend’s blood pressure for verification.

There are a number of ways by which you can control your high blood pressure. Your doctor may prescribe a medication that will lower your blood pressure. You can also follow a low-fat, low-salt diet. Exercising regularly can also lower blood pressure. If your blood pressure is slightly elevated, you may consider a blood pressure supplement. Always talk to your doctor before adding supplements or herbs to your diet as to prevent any herb-drug interactions.

Tags: Cancer, Medical

The condition of acid reflux is also commonly known as heartburn. This is a condition that is characterized by the inflammation of the esophagus, caused by the backing up of food from the stomach into the esophagus. This food is partially or mostly digested and usually has a high acidic content, which causes pain and/or discomfort in many people.

Several treatments have been used successfully in the fight against heartburn (acid reflux). Some of these forms of treatment include one or more of the following:

1. Baking Soda and Water: Usually a teaspoon of baking soda mixed in a glass of water will help most people, since it neutralizes excess acidity. This is one of the most natural ways to cure heartburn/acid reflux.

2. Alka-Seltzer: This is a tablet that dissolves in water that is taken orally as a liquid. This product has a similar effect as baking soda and water. It can be purchased at a pharmacy or grocery store without a prescription.

3. Pepto-Bismol: This is a liquid medication that is taken orally to help alleviate the effects of heartburn. This is available without a prescription.

4. Clear Soda (such as Sprite or 7-UP): The carbonation in clear sodas can help to relieve the acid buildup in a person’s stomach and can also help a person to release gas.

5. Tums: These are tablets that come in chewable form which contain calcium carbonate, an ingredient that helps relieve symptoms of upset stomach and heartburn. It is termed an antacid.

6. Prescription Medications: Those who need relief from chronic heartburn (acid reflux) can consult a doctor or other qualified health care professional. They may prescribe more potent or different medications than those sold over-the-counter in stores. They will also provide instructions on how to take these.

7. Exercise: Those who engage in regular exercise will also find relief from heartburn in many cases. Usually it is good to do a variety of aerobic and anaerobic movements. Examples of an aerobic exercise involve fast-paced step exercises and dance movements, as well as jogging, stair climbing, and bicycling. Types of anaerobic exercise include weight and resistance training and stretching exercises. More information can be found about specific exercise programs that can help people.

8. Diet Changes: If heartburn sufferers want relief, they may need to alter their diets.

9. Heat or Feet Pillows: Heartburn sufferers can also prevent or relieve acid reflux, particularly at night, if they raise their head or feet with pillows, or other object (such as a bed wedge). Propping up of the head usually works best since gravity can help keep food from creeping upward into the esophageal area.

10. Relaxation: If people take time to rest and relax, they are able better able to reduce the amount of stress that could lead to poor choices. For example, it could reduce a person’s desire to consume large amounts of alcohol which can certainly aggravate the pain and discomfort associated with heartburn.

There are also remedies for acid reflux other than the ones described above. There are many published guides on how to lessen or eliminate heartburn. Guides regarding diet and exercise can also be found quite easily. The fastest and easiest way to find these articles is to do a site search or to search in your favorite Web browser.

Tags: Disease, Cancer

Your blood glucose levels are the benchmark by which a diagnosis is made. Daily monitoring, at intervals prescribed by your doctor, gives you a reading of your blood sugar at fasting, mealtime and post-meal levels. This helps you manage your diet effectively. Your doctor will also test your A1C levels regularly to measure your average glucose levels over a 1-3 month period. This test is the best measure of your overall condition, so don’t miss any of your appointments!

Treatments for diabetes include medications to even out your blood sugar levels throughout the day, with others to protect kidney and heart function. Diabetics typically develop heart or circulatory related problems. Your doctor will check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels at appointments, as serious complications can be warded off with medications or lifestyle treatments for diabetic related conditions.

Diabetes may affect the eyes, specifically damaging the retina and optic nerve. A yearly eye exam is necessary in the management and treatment of diabetes. Early diagnosis can reverse some damage.

Now for some good news: many of the effective treatments for diabetes are entirely in your control. Your diet and lifestyle are paramount. One major dietary culprit in the development of diabetes is found in soda and other beverages containing high levels of sugar. If you consume lots of soda, you can dramatically cut your blood sugar levels by absolutely cutting soda from your diet. This can be the single best change you can make to treat diabetes.

If you’re overweight, lose it! Make your goal sensible, perhaps 1-2 pounds per week. This helps keep your heart healthy and gives you more energy to stay active.

Tags: Aging, Medical

What is pericardial mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma is a serious heart condition which consists of cancerous cells building up on the lining of the heart. Similarly to pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma, this is a terminal illness due to the importance of the area on which it grows.

What causes pericardial mesothelioma and who are most at risk?

The primary cause of pericardial mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos dust and fibres. Therefore those at risk are those who are most likely to have inhaled these deadly fibres such as construction workers and asbestos manufacturers. Those in contact with these people also have a chance of getting pericardial mesothelioma because these people may have asbestos fibres stuck to their clothes or hair.

What are the symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma?

The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma change from patient to patient. Usual symptoms include persistent coughing, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, chest pain and palpitations. Other symptoms patients may experience are nausea, weight loss, vomiting and loss of appetite.

What are the treatments available for pericardial mesothelioma?

There are various different treatments for pericardial mesothelioma although none of these have a high success rate. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, dual therapy and surgery are the treatment methods available. Chemotherapy includes using drugs to kill off cancerous cells and radiation therapy uses doses of radiation to kill cancer cells although this is difficult in the case of pericardial mesothelioma due to the surrounding vital organs such as the heart and lungs. Dual therapy is a treatment combining radiation therapy with chemotherapy. Surgery comes in two forms; aggressive surgery and palliative procedures. Aggressive surgery is a very difficult procedure and consists of removing large chunks of cancerous cells in an attempt to gain long term control over the cancer. Palliative procedures just attempts to lessen the symptoms for the patient.

How much exposure to asbestos is needed for there to be a possibility of getting pericardial mesothelioma?

This depends on how strong and resistant the person is to disease and on the concentration of asbestos in the environment around him. It is possible to get pericardial mesothelioma from as little as a couple of months of exposure to asbestos although on average it would take a couple of years for enough asbestos fibres to build up to cause cancer.

What is the prognosis for pericardial mesothelioma?

This is highly dependent on how early and how aggressively the cancer is treated. If pericardial mesothelioma is treated when it has fully developed and matured then the chances of a patient’s survival is very small. The prognosis could be only a couple of months.

Is there any promising research into cures for pericardial mesothelioma?

Research into cures of pericardial mesothelioma and all other forms of mesothelioma is being done in numerous research labs all over the USA. Many pharmaceutical companies are also working hard to research new drugs for chemotherapy. So far, research has been mostly unsuccessful.

For more information on pericardial mesothelioma such as the risks, causes, symptoms and treatments go to:

http://www.pericardialmesothelioma.co.uk

http://www.pericardial-mesothelioma.co.uk

http://www.asbestos-resource.co.uk

Tags: Cancer, Illness

Having diabetes certainly limits some of the food you can eat, but with the right diabetic recipes you can still enjoy fine food. Sometimes, it is hard to know what foods are safe for you to eat. For your safety, you and your dietitian should work together to design a meal plan that’s right for you and includes foods that you enjoy. A diabetes diet meal plan is a guide that tells you how much and what kinds of food you can choose to eat at meals and snack times. A good meal plan should fit in with your schedule and eating habits.

Keep in mind that while many diabetic recipes are fairly simple and fast to make, some diabetic recipes may be more complex and take longer. The right meal plan will also help keep your weight where it should be. It is important to gather the right diabetic supplies when planning your diabetic recipes. Whether you need to lose weight, gain weight, or stay where you are, your diabetic recipes will be sure to help.

Some tips on finding tasty Diabetic Recipes.

Fortunately, there is almost certainly to be a diabetic recipe of your favorite food. For example, because of the high sugar content of most desserts, many diabetics felt that they would have to give them up. However, there are many diabetic recipes for desserts that will be safe for people with diabetes to eat. There are also many diabetic safe breads, salads, sandwiches, appetizers, and any other food category you can think of. If you have diabetes and don’t want to give up your favorite foods, try a safe diabetic recipes instead such as a diabetic cake recipe, free diabetic recipe or diabetic cookie recipe.

About The Author

Mike Yeager
Publisher

http://www.a1-recipes-4u.com/

Tags: Medical, Health

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This article is intended to inform people with diabetes in regards to their diabetic supplies. When I found out that my sister was diagnosed with the disease I started to research more and came across some useful information that might be helpful to others.

Diabetes is the country*s sixth leading cause of death by disease. As you may know it is the leading cause of blindness, kidney disease, heart disease and amputations. Diabetes claims the lives of more than 193,000 Americans each year. Approximately 18.2 million Americans have diabetes, but one-third of those are undiagnosed. And many people that do have diabetes pay for their diabetes supplies. If you have insurance and live in the United States, you may be eligible.

As of May 2004, forty-six states have some type of laws requiring health insurance coverage to include treatment for diabetes. The states not included are Alabama, Idaho, North Dakota and Ohio.

As of 2002, two states, Georgia and Wisconsin passed an expansion of current coverage requirements. In 2003 Hawaii adopted a resolution to clarify its mandate of diabetes education coverage. No new laws were passed during the first four months of 2004.

About 17 million Americans have diabetes today, including about 16 million with Type 2. In addition, at least 16 million more Americans have pre-diabetes — a condition that raises a person*s risk of getting type 2 diabetes. However, a diagnosis of pre-diabetes does not mean that diabetes is inevitable, and the new campaign aims at encouraging people to take modest steps that will reduce their risks. Nationally, diabetes has increased nearly 50 percent in the past 10 years alone, according to CDC estimates.

It is good news that more states are passing laws to further expand health coverage regarding diabetes. If you have diabetes and insurance, most likely you can get your supplies at now cost.

Go to this url: http://www.nadmedia.net/diabetes-supplies-atnocost.asp and click on the “get more information” link to see if you qualify for no cost diabetes supplies.

This article was written using various sources. Some of the statistics may not be up to date at the time of this writing.

About The Author

Rob Wiley has spent the last 13 years serving the media industry in fields involving graphic design, marketing, website design and development. His experience has been shared with numerous businesses that have profited from his advice and skills. Read this and other articles at: http://www.Nadmedia.net/articles

Tags: Cancer, Medical

Some people who suffer from chronic heartburn finally go to the doctor and discover they actually have acid reflux syndrome, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Acid reflux syndrome happens if the acids from the stomach leak into esophagus. This can be caused by the valve separating the esophagus from the stomach not closing properly or completely. Acid reflux treatment will vary from person to person. It all depends on how critical a state the disease is in and the person’ physical condition. Sadly, there is not a single cure for all due to different underlying factors causing the syndrome, but a change in diet can have positive effects for most people.

Can acid reflux be cured? Not really, but it can be treated and managed effectively to give the sufferer relief. Not to treat the syndrome just because it can not be cured can allow it to become a health risk and possibly lead to serious complications. In an attempt to relieve or eliminate the symptoms one of the most important things to consider is diet. Although over-the-counter antacids can give quick relief, it is only temporary. Before using stronger medications, most physicians ask patients to first make some lifestyle changes, specifically around their diet. A change in diet is the best overall long term solution to overcome acid reflux and get back to a normal life.

Normally an acid reflux diet restricts the quantity of certain foods, foods that will increase stomach acid. Each person is different, but common acid reflux triggers are tomato-based foods (ketchup, spaghetti sauce), citrus fruits, chili peppers, fried foods, alcohol, and yes even chocolate. Why is it that any time you talk about a diet, regardless of the type, there is a given rule of no chocolate? Bummer! A great online resource for common foods to avoid you can check out: Natural Supplement Warehouse.

Your best bet would be to make a personal log. For a period of time, say two weeks, carry around a little note book and keep track of everything you eat and when your acid reflux is acts up. At the end of the two weeks review the log and look for patterns of eating certain foods and shortly there after having an acid reflux attack. Add these foods to your restricted list.

Finally, a quick search of the internet will yield a list of acid reflux diet cook books to help you make delicious meals that you won’t pay for later. As with any change in diet or exercise make sure to check with you physician before starting. Good luck and good health.

Tags: Medical, Disease

Treatment for malignant mesothelioma varies due to a number of factors: the location of the cancer, the stage or severity of the cancer , and a patient’s personal preference. Naturally, mesothelioma sufferers whose cancer is caught and treated earlier have a greater chance of prolonging their life. Traditional mesothelioma treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, or a combination of the three which are outlined below.

Surgery

Surgical treatment for mesothelioma is employed to either remove the cancer from the affected area of the body (i.e., the lung or abdominal cavity) or to alleviate pain. If the mesothelioma has spread, it may be impossible to remove all of the cancer with surgery; however surgical intervention may help lessen pain.

Types of Surgery

Pneumonectomy

Pneumonectomy refers to the surgical removal of a lung. There are two types of pneumonectomies:

Traditional Pneumonectomy - In which the diseased lung is removed.

Extrapleural Pneumonectomy - In which the diseased lung, as well as part of the pericardium, diaphragm or parietal pleura on the same side of the chest, are removed.

Palliative Procedures

These procedures do not cure mesothelioma, but rather function to alleviate or control symptoms:

Thoracentisis - In this procedure, a needle is inserted into the chest cavity, either to drain fluid for diagnosis, or to drain fluid to relieve pain.

Pleurectomy/Decortication - This surgery removes the pleura in order to reduce pain or prevent the recurrence of pleural effusion.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells and/or to keep cancer cells from multiplying. The drugs may be administered intravenously or taken in pill form, and are often used in combination with surgery. Chemotherapy may also kill healthy cell in addition to the cancer cells, so side effects can be quite severe, including: nausea, vomiting, fatigue, hair loss, constipation, decreased appetite and mouth sores.

Radiation

Radiation treatment involves the use of high level radiation to target and kill cancer cells in a localized area. The therapy is delivered in several courses, each one breaking down the cancer cells so they may be excreted by the body. Like chemotherapy, radiation may kill or injure healthy cells and thereby cause unpleasant side effects such as: fatigue, hair loss, skin irritation, nausea and difficulty breathing.

Neal Parmar CEO of NPP Entrepreneur and the webmaster at http://www.lawyermesothelioma.net Lawyer Mesothelioma - Offering Expert Information, Malignant Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Cancer Research, Mesothelioma Lawyer, Mesothelioma Attorney, Mesothelioma Asbestos Diseases.

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