Even with the tremendous emphasis on diet, fitness, and nutrition in our society, the problem of obesity is increasing throughout the western world.
According to most experts, the cause of obesity is quite simple. A person gains weight when he or she consumes more calories than they burn. This involves both diet and level of physical activity, because it is primarily physical activity that burns off calories that are taken in through food.
Recent statistics for various countries around the world suggest that obesity has reached epidemic levels in the worst offending countries. By definition, a person is considered “obese” when his or her health is endangered by the amount of fat stored in his or her body.
According to a recent study, the percentage of people 15+ years old who are technically obese has reached 30.6% for the U.S.A., 24.2% in Mexico, and 22.4% in the U.K. European countries fare a bit better.
That means, almost 1 in 3 Americans are so severely overweight that they have health problems because of it.
** What happens when diets and exercise don’t work?
In spite of all the hype surrounding diet, exercise, and nutrition as solutions to the problem of obesity, millions of people cannot make these solutions work. They simply don’t have the will power, discipline, or motivation to enter into a long term program that requires a radical change of lifestyle.
The consequences for people who are overweight or obese are just as serious for those who cannot get their weight down using these traditional techniques. They are just as susceptible to heart disease, strokes, and diabetes. So it is certainly in their interest to find a “non-traditional” solution that will help them lose weight.
** Gastric Surgery works for some people
One interesting new technique for helping people lose weight involves various “gastric surgery” procedures. The object of most gastric surgery is to limit the amount of food passing through the stomach and intestine. It normally does this by constricting the size of the stomach so it is filled much faster, food moves through more slowly, and therefore the ability and desire to eat is significantly reduced.
One of the most successful and least invasive is the technique called Lap-Band Surgery, which involves using a device called the LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding System. The most important component of the LAP-BAND Systems is an adjustable band that circles the stomach about two thirds of the way up from the bottom.
The band is usually a silicone elastomer hollow ring filled with saline which is placed around the upper part of the stomach. This creates a new small stomach pouch in the top portion of the stomach. The larger part of the stomach is below the band. This way, the primary food storage area in the stomach is reduced.
Food in the stomach can still pass from the upper part of the stomach to the lower part for proper digestion, but the constriction makes this process go much more slowly. So a person who has had this procedure done can only eat enough to fill the primary stomach area above the band before feeling full. The net result is that he or she eats less, and gradually loses weight.
** Safest and least invasive
The Lap-band procedure is normally done using laparascopic surgery which is considered minimally invasive. With laparascopic surgery a few small incisions are made in the abdominal wall, and then narrow hollow tubes are inserted into the abdomen. The surgical tools and a small camera are then inserted through the tubes.
A small tunnel is made behind the top of the stomach. Then the band is pulled around the stomach to form a ring. The band is then locked in place with a simple locking device which holds the band securely in a circle around the stomach.
The band is then connected by a tube to a reservoir placed just beneath the skin. This allows the doctor to make adjustments to the band as the effectiveness of the system is monitored.
The size of the band controls the size of the passage (stoma) between the upper and lower portions of the stomach. The surgeon in charge of the procedure can later control the amount of saline in the band by adding solution to the reservoir or drawing it off through the skin with a fine needle. These adjustments can be done quickly and without further surgery.
** An effective alternative for combating obesity
In a clinical trial conducted in the U.S., 61% of lap-band surgery patients lost at least 25% of their excess weight. 52% lost at least 33% of their excess weight. 22% lost at least 50% of their excess weight, and 10% lost at least 75% of their excess weight.
This technique is not for everyone, but it is a very promising alternative to traditional diet and fitness regimes. The lap-band procedure requires a significant change in eating habits, and it takes time — doctors recommend a program of gradual weight loss over 18 months to 3 years.
But the payoff is significantly reduced weight and a longer, healthier life for many thousands of people.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a type of fat (lipid) made by the body. About 80% of cholesterol is made by the body, the other 20% comes from the diet. Cholesterol is a building block for cell membranes. Our body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones (e.g., progesterone, estrogen, testosterone), vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat.
Many foods contain cholesterol and high intake of these foods can increase the level of cholesterol in the blood. Having too much cholesterol in the blood is not a disease in itself, but high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) can cause the formation and accumulation of plaque deposits in the arteries. Plaque is composed of cholesterol, other fatty substances, fibrous tissue, and calcium. When it builds up in the arteries, it results in the hardening and narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) in the major vascular systems.
Narrowing of the arteries around the heart (coronary heart disease) can prevent the heart from getting as much oxygen-rich blood as it needs, increasing the risk of a heart attack. Decreased blood flow to the brain can cause a stroke, and less blood flowing to the lower limbs may result in exercise-related pain or even gangrene.
Having a high cholesterol level does not cause symptoms and does not make you feel sick. If there is a huge excess, some people develop soft, yellowish skin growths called xanthomas, usually in the area near the eyes. Most people find out they have high cholesterol when they have their blood cholesterol measured as part of a medical check-up.
Types of Cholesterol
Cholesterol is not soluble in water and doesn’t mix easily with blood. In order to be able to travel in the bloodstream, the cholesterol made in the liver is combined with protein and other substances. This cholesterol-protein package is called a lipoprotein. Lipoprotein then carries the cholesterol through the bloodstream.
Lipoproteins can be high density (HDL), low density (LDL) or very low density (VLDL), depending on how much protein there is in relation to fat.
LDL (low density lipoprotein)
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is called the “bad” cholesterol. About 70% of cholesterol is transported as LDL. This is mostly fat and not much protein. LDL causes cholesterol to be deposited in the arteries. High levels of LDL are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease.
HDL (high density lipoprotein)
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is called the “good” cholesterol. It carries cholesterol from the body’s tissues back to the liver. About 20% of cholesterol is transported as HDL, which is mostly protein and not much fat. HDL cholesterol may help protect against atherosclerosis by preventing cholesterol from depositing on arterial walls as it circulates in the bloodstream.
Risks factors
There are several factors that may contribute to high cholesterol level in the blood:
Treatment
Lifestyle changes such as changing diet, managing weight, increasing exercise, and quitting smoking are the first steps to improving blood levels of cholesterol. If these changes are not enough, your physician might recommend cholesterol-lowering prescription medication.
Medications to improve blood cholesterol levels include:
But what if joint pain and stiffness are inevitable if you don’t take the medication, yet heart problems could occur if you do? Health officials say that, as with any drug, only you and your doctor can determine the level of risk that is acceptable with medications currently available to treat arthritis.
The unsettling news in late 2004 that the popular anti-inflammatory arthritis drugs Vioxx (rofecoxib), Celebrex (celecoxib), and Bextra (valdecoxib) could cause a heart attack or stroke or aggravate high blood pressure has left some patients wondering whether they should keep taking them.
Data from clinical trials showed that cyclooxygenase-2 selective agents, better known as COX-2 inhibitors, may be associated with an increased risk of serious cardiovascular problems, especially when used in high doses or for long periods in patients with existing cardiovascular disease, or in very high-risk situations, such as immediately after heart surgery. COX-2 inhibitors are the newest subset of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). COX-2 inhibitors were developed specifically to decrease the well-recognized gastric side effects and intolerance associated with the use of some NSAIDs.
Traditional NSAIDs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, act by blocking the production of a family of chemicals known as prostaglandins, which are not only important in the development of inflammation, but also play an important role in maintaining the integrity of the stomach lining. At least two enzymes are involved in this inflammation, namely cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Traditional NSAIDs inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2. Unfortunately, this non-selective inhibition of both COX enzymes also inhibits those prostaglandins involved in some of the important “housekeeping” functions of the body, such as helping blood to clot and protecting the stomach from ulceration.
It is this non-selective inhibition of both enzymes by aspirin and other non-selective NSAIDs that increases the risk of stomach ulcers and consequent bleeding. In theory, the newer COX-2 selective inhibitors only inhibit the enzyme involved in inflammation, leaving the other functions alone.
But Sandra Kweder, M.D., deputy director of the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of New Drugs, says that new studies have had a surprising twist. “The downside of the COX-2 selective inhibitors is that they appear to be associated–particularly when used for many consecutive months to years–with an increased risk of cardiovascular problems,” she says. Moreover, COX-2 inhibitors, like other NSAIDs, don’t influence the course of the disease–which doctors say is a common misconception among patients–because these drugs only provide for symptom relief.
Coincidentally, preliminary results from a three-year trial on the non-selective NSAID Aleve (naproxen) also suggested that long-term use may be associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular problems.
Since the results of studies on both non-selective and selective NSAIDs are preliminary and conflict with data from earlier studies of the same drugs, the FDA issued a public health advisory in December 2004 concerning use of all NSAIDs, pending further review of data that continue to be collected. The agency has recommended, among other things, that physicians limit the use of COX-2 inhibitors until further review.
“Monitoring the drug safety of marketed products requires close collaboration between our clinical reviewers and drug safety staff to evaluate and respond to adverse events identified in ongoing clinical trials or reported to us by physicians and their patients,” says Kweder. “The most recent actions concerning [NSAIDs] illustrate the vital importance of the ongoing assessment of the safety of a product once it is in widespread use.”
Others Weigh In
The concerns with the safety of so many pain relievers used to treat arthritis underscores the importance of arthritis as a major health care issue in the United States. Arthritis experts, patient advocacy groups, and other health organizations also are weighing in on the uncertainty of NSAIDs, and are recognizing the need for developing new and safer medications.
The American College of Rheumatology is advising physicians to follow current treatment guidelines and manufacturers’ dosage recommendations for NSAIDs. Treatment guidelines exist to help doctors choose the best options for their patients, based on current scientific studies.
The Arthritis Foundation said in a statement that the findings about the drugs should not have any immediate impact on the clinical use of them.
“Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs continue to play an important role in the management of arthritis pain,” says John H. Klippel, M.D., president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation. “Patients who derive benefit from these drugs should remain on their treatment regimen, and discuss concerns with their physicians,” he says.
But Charles A. Birbara, M.D., a rheumatologist and associate professor of medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, Mass., says that he has prescribed COX inhibitors cautiously in older people or those with cardiovascular or renal disease ever since early clinical studies discovered a possible risk in this patient population.
“I’m not always willing to take a risk with my patients, because we clearly don’t have a complete understanding of all the potential clinical issues associated with use of these drugs,” he says. Even before the controversy, Birbara notes that the long-term effects of COX-2 agents were unknown. Besides, he says, there are other treatment options available that are equally effective.
“There are so many wonderful things happening with respect to current therapies of arthritis,” he says. “Clearly, we are so much better able to control inflammatory arthritis with new biologic agents.” Birbara adds that so many people whose lives were diminished by joint disease can now look forward to an unrestricted lifestyle, which was “not even imaginable just a few short years ago.”
Richard Shirley, 64, an avid birdwatcher from Wrentham, Mass., battled rheumatoid arthritis in nearly every joint in his body for more than 25 years before he saw Birbara. He couldn’t button his shirt cuffs, walk frontward down a flight of stairs, or get in and out of a car without a struggle. At times, his hands were so swollen he couldn’t grasp small objects or make a closed fist. Shirley had his wedding ring resized so it would fit.
“Richard had seen a number of physicians and had been on many medications to treat his disease,” Birbara says. “However, the aggressive nature of his arthritis was not very responsive to standard medications.” According to Birbara, X-rays of Shirley also showed evidence of joint destruction.
“Doctor Birbara has a zero tolerance for hot and inflamed joints,” Shirley says, “because that’s when the damage is done.” Shirley also believes, from his own experience, that each person needs to work with his or her physician to find the appropriate medicine. For him, a new biologic product made the difference.
Finding the right treatments for those at greatest risk for the potential complications of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions, Birbara says, hopefully will lessen the burden of this disease, not only in the United States, but for the entire world.
Heart Diseases: New Guidelines for Detection and Treatment of Arterial Disease
The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association launched different guidelines related to peripheral arterial disease in order to help doctors and all healthcare professionals to treat in a better way this common condition. According to statistics, more than 12 million people suffer from Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) in the United States.
PAD is a really serious illness, since it can cause amputation of the extremities, rupture of an aortic aneurysm, severe hypertension, kidney failure, but also heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death.
It is a disease in which arteries supply blood to the arteries outside the heart, to parts such as legs, feet, kidneys, and intestines. This arterial disease can cause damages to physical health of people, by diminishing for instance their ability to walk.
According to experts, the new guidelines supply a succinct diagnostic and treatment guidebook for patients suffering from PAD and for physicians, doctors’ assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses who are now offering care to treat them.
A key source of the power of these recommendations is that they are so broad-based in their origin from every vascular specialty, as they attempt to reach a broad-based audience of clinicians. Everyone can use these Guidelines and a large segment of the public can benefit from them, said Alan T. Hirsch, chairman of the writing committee.
Some highlights of the guidelines include recommended questions and observations that can uncover hidden signs of peripheral arterial disease; recommendations on when an aneurysm should be treated with surgery or catheter-based therapy, as well as when watchful waiting is the best way; among other things.
Most women would love to know if there was a natural yeast infection cure. If your yeast infection is not that serious, you can treat it naturally. There are a lot of ways and steps on how to prevent yeast infections from occurring.
The first natural yeast infection cure is simply to eat a well-balanced diet. You should eat well and never skip meals. It is important to take your diet seriously because there are some foods that may cause and ignite the growth of yeast. Eating chicken, beef, fish, vegetables, yogurt, seeds, nut, eggs and oils is beneficial in the fight against yeast infections. What you should avoid eating are those foods made with refined and simple sugars. This includes brown sugar, white sugar, raw sugar, molasses, grain sweeteners and honey. If you cant or dont want to exclude sweet tasting food from your diet you can use Stevia as a substitute. Eating a lot of raw garlic can be helpful. You should avoid drinking milk and alcohol. You should also avoid eating mushrooms, fruits and dried fruits.
It is important to avoid foods that contain mold or yeast. This includes cakes, muffins, baked goods, cheese, breads, melons, dried fruits and peanuts. Increasing your fiber intake can help. You can take one teaspoon to one tablespoon of soluble fiber which contains psyllium husks, guar gum, pectin and flaxseeds. This can be mixed in an 8 oz glass of drinking water which should be taken two times a day. It is necessary to drink this during an empty stomach.
Taking nutritional supplements is also effective. One capsule of Acidophillus contains probiotic lactobacillus which should be ingested daily. This controls growth of candida, by keeping our intestinal tract more acidic which discourages the growth of candida or yeast. Acidophillus produces hydrogen peroxide, which directly stops and kills candida. Many researches have proven that supplementing with hydrogen peroxide will reduce the occurrence of the antibiotic generated yeast infections. Controlling bacteria can help in restoring the microbial balance in the digestive system, thereby, fighting the growth of yeast.
Good hygiene habits prevent the production of yeast. You should aim to stay fit and healthy. Poor hygiene can contribute to yeast infections. If you tend to wear synthetic clothing, your skin will not breathe freely which can encourage yeast growth to take place. You should avoid wearing tight clothes and go with loose, breathable cotton items. People who perspire heavily should understand clearly that wearing tight, synthetic clothes invites the growth and formulation of yeast.
Now that you know and understand there are steps to you can take to achieve a natural yeast infection cure, it is important that you take these suggestions on board and stop yeast infections from reoccurring.
New Free Guide Highlights How Uninsured Americans Can Get Free Or Discounted Medicine
More than 45 million Americans, or one in seven, need help paying for their medicine, and many are not aware that there are programs available that can help people get the medicines they need-programs that may provide medication at a fraction of the cost or even for free.
To help consumers learn about these government and private programs, Merck & Co., Inc., a global research-driven pharmaceutical company, has developed the Guide to Affordable Medicine. The Guide to Affordable Medicine can help patients learn how to find the right program for them, determine their eligibility to enroll, understand how to navigate the paperwork and approval processes and answer commonly asked questions.
“We know that people without prescription coverage are less likely to use medications and more likely to stop therapy that could potentially save lives, keep them out of the hospital, and allow them to lead more productive, healthier lives,” said Nancy Wicks, Executive Vice President, Merck Patient Assistance Program, Inc. “The most unfortunate part is that there are many programs that the uninsured could take advantage of, if they only knew about them. This new resource is designed to help people understand the range of options available to them.”
Eligibility for these programs differs based on a number of factors, including age, income, disability status, health insurance and prescription drug coverage, among others. The Guide is divided into easy-to-read sections to help readers find the appropriate program:
• Medicare-For people over age 65 or disabled, who need help affording their medicine.
• Medicaid-For people who lack health insurance and have a limited income.
• Patient Assistance Programs-For people who have a limited income and no prescription drug coverage, and have exhausted all other payment options.
• Prescription Discount Card Programs-For people who don’t have prescription drug coverage, but earn too much to receive public assistance.
• Children’s Insurance-For people who lack insurance coverage for their children under age 19.
According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, there are over 33 million people in the U.S. who care for an aging relative or friend. Caregivers need to be aware that drug errors can happen and may be serious, but often are preventable.
The problem stems largely from the multiple drugs seniors are prescribed and the complex network of physicians and pharmacists caring for them. According to Medco Health Solutions, Inc., the average senior takes nine prescription medications a year. One in four seniors sees four or more different physicians and uses three or more different pharmacies.
To help prevent errors:
• Make and take a medication list including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, any vitamins or herbal supplements and present it to the doctor and pharmacist.
• Understand how medications should be administered, possible side effects and how to recognize if they occur. Changes such as poor eyesight, hearing trouble or decreased endurance may indicate an adverse reaction to a medication.
• Ask any specialist the patient sees to send a full medical report, including drugs prescribed, to the patient’s primary care doctor.
Seniors now also have to decide about the new Medicare Part D prescription drug program. It provides much-needed relief for many seniors with little or no drug coverage but may require research to determine which plan is best.
Consider the following:
• Weighing Medication Costs: Seniors currently on medications should determine if the plan covers their drugs and at what cost. They should also consider the cost of generics since they may be substantially lower. In addition, under some plans the deductible is waived for generic drugs.
• Access to Pharmacies: Each plan has its own pharmacy network. If several months of the year are spent in another state, a national plan may be best. Some plans include a mail-order prescription service.
• Patient Safety: A plan that includes a drug utilization review (DUR) program that identifies potential errors provides an important safety net.
What is gentian violet?
Gentian violet sounds like something that is very sophisticated but actually it is not. It certainly is not a color but rather gentian violet is just a quite popular treatment for thrush. Thrush occurs because of infections on the skin or mucous membranes inside the mouth and may infect both infants and adults.
People at special risk for developing thrush are the following: newborn babies, denture users, adults with diabetes or other metabolic disturbance, people undergoing antibiotic or chemotherapy treatment, drug users, people with poor nutrition and people with an immune deficiency. These people or the people around them, whichever is applicable, should be extra observant so that any signs or symptoms of thrush can be detected and then treated right away otherwise the condition has a chance of worsening.
It is a belief of many that gentian violet is the most effective treatment of nipple soreness for breastfeeding mothers. The mothers who have used gentian violet can attest that relief is rapid so meaning it usually works right when you need it meaning as soon as possible but make sure that the dosage is right. To be discussed in the paragraphs to follow are some of the suggestions to people who use and about to use gentian violet for thrush. These next items will indeed be very useful to gentian violet users.
Gentian violet can be messy so timing, though not everything in this case, of the application of this treatment is essential. Most mothers prefer to doing the treatment just before they get a good nights sleep because during those house they can keep their nipples exposed thus no need to worry about staining their clothes while the application is in progress.
The effect of the gentian violet for thrush is sort of immediate and in most cases thrush is one hundred percent gone by the third day if not then consider applying affected areas for a few more days. If problem persists then it is time to consult your doctor.
If baby is irritable while being nurse by a mother who uses gentian violet for thrush then the mother should stop using the gentian violet immediately and then go see a doctor instead for other possible suggestions for the treatment of the thrush.
There are other ways to cure thrush but gentian violet is still the one thing that people readily look for when thrush occurs. In this case there is a need to make sure that it is the genuine gentian violet for thrush and not some rip off medicine that you have in hand. This is so because some people are questioning the credibility of gentian violet and some attribute the failed times of gentian violet to fake products that do not have same ingredients as the real gentian violet.
These are just some of the things that users of gentian violet for thrush should be aware of. The notes are just easy to remember. It is now possible for you to recall how and why gentian violet should be used for thrush. If unfortunately one day you wake up and discover that you have thrush then you can use the information in this article for your own good. Otherwise you can always provide the information you have read to a very worried mother whose kid has thrush but who knows nothing about gentian violet.
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