October 2011

How to prevent your child from getting obese?

Obesity is an excess of fat that’s generally 20 % or more above the ideal body weight for a person’s age and height. It results when a person takes in or consumes more calories than he expends. Simply put the child eats more calories then his body burns.

Obesity in childhood and adolescence can be related to these factors:

• Sedentary lifestyles (couch potato children due to increased television viewing and decreased physical activity)

• Over eating

• Poor eating habits

• Stressful changes or life events, such as divorce, death and abuse

• Low self esteem

• Depression

• Family problems or problems with peers

The etiology of obesity is complex and usually multifaceted and the theories to explain this condition include:

• Genetic disposition - obesity in parents increases the probability of obesity in children , a child of parents with obesity has an 80 % chance of having obesity as a child.

• Biological factors – certain diseases and endocrine and metabolic problems can contribute to childhood obesity.

• Psychological factors – eating gives older children and adolescence a sense of well being, satiety and security – feelings that were developed when they ate during infancy.

Observation and comparison of height and weight to standard table indicate obesity. Measurement of the thickness of subcutaneous fat folds with calipers provides an approximation of total body fat. Body index mass can be calculated by dividing a person weight by the square of his heights. Obesity may lead to serious complications such as respiratory difficulties, hypertension, cardiovascular, disease, diabetes mellitus and renal disease as well as psychosocial difficulties.

You can prevent obesity by means of:

• Avoiding fast food establishments
• Proving low fat alternative for after school snacks
• Switching from whole milk to skin milk
• Exchanging fresh vegetables for fried snack foods
• Offering a variety of fresh and dried fruits

You can consult a doctor for more medical advice.

Top health boosting tips

Warm it up
Your digestive system works best when food is at room temperature, so get in the habit of removing chilled food from the fridge a little while before you eat in order to let it warm up slightly. Food also tastes better if it’s less chilled, so there’s o excuse!

Eat less more often
Eating consistently throughout the day provides your brain and body with a constant source of fuel. This 3-4 hour eating strategy can dramatically prevent dips in your blood-sugar levels, something which is especially important in preventing premenstrual stress.

Water it down
Drink water with your meals as well as throughout the day. As well as helping your body to absorb the nutrients from food, it also causes the fibre within food to swell, activating stretch receptors in the stomach lining to signal when you’ve eaten enough.

Chew gum
Chewing stimulates signals in the learning centre of the brain, which could help to preserve memory. Chewing gum also may, in a small way, help to keep you slim as it boosts the metabolic rate by about 20%. Choose sugar-free versions to prevent tooth decay and damage.

Feast on flowers
Flowers are a great way to add color to food as well as boosting health. For example, the delicate blue flowers of borage to summer drinks help to boost brain function and immunity.

Don’t be acidic
Some scientist believe that for optimal health the body should be slightly more alkaline than acidic. For this, 70 to 80% of the food you eat should be alkaline-forming foods such as leafy greens, most fruits, soy products and seeds, and only 20 to 30% should be derived from acid-forming foods like grains, red meat and dairy products.

Go live
For the best bacterial health kick, make sure the yogurt you buy contains live, active cultures and lists the Latin names of these beneficial bacteria. Many of the health-promoting properties of yogurt come from these bacteria.

Make a natural choice
Nutrition science research is finding increasingly that it is not one particular substance or another that give foods their disease-fighting power, but the interaction of all the food’s vitamins, antioxidants and other chemicals. To get the most benefit, try to eat food items in their natural form whenever possible.

Fish for variety
When we’re told to eat oily fish, salmon and mackerel immediately spring to mind, but don’t forget there are plenty of other fish containing health-giving omega-3 oils in varying amounts. If you’re bored with the usual suspects, try trout, sardine, tuna, pilchard, eels and herring.

Reduce the process
In general, the healthier choice is to eat foods as near to their natural state as possible. Choose organic and eat food raw, or lightly cooked. The fewer processes your food has been through, the better and generally tastier it is.

All right petal
A great way to add colour to salads is to sprinkle over some fresh nasturtium petals, which are high in vitamin C, or the seeds, which are high in iron and phosphorous. Both leaves and seeds – which are used in place of capers – are thought to help chest complaints and aid digestion.

Choose carbs for endurance
The body extracts energy more easily from carbohydrates, which it converts in to sugar, than from protein or fat, so if you have a really physical job or have an active day planned, it’s best to eat a diet high in carbohydrates. Get them from vegetables, grains and legumes (peas and beans).

Watching horror movies good for brain health

Scared of watching horror flicks? Well, its bad news for the ladies who are wary of watching such movies.

Excuses for not watching the movies will not work anymore. Studies have shown that horror movies can be good for mental health and brain of women.

The benefit of watching scary movies proves that it has a positive effect on the mind, body and soul. Horror movies are not completely out of sync with reality. After all, it is the reality that creates fiction. So, watching such movies and relating with them is not a task at all. Thus, knowing it is fiction, a figment of imagination makes the audience sure that it is not real. Traumatic experiences after watching these horror and scary movies are rare because of this.

Research suggests that while women watch horror flicks, the brain secretes neurotransmitter dopamine, glutamate and serotonin. Thus, increased brain activity gets the state of mind alert for a while. Additionally , threat signals that pass through the hypothalamus (in the brain) will stimulate the adrenal glands to produce adrenaline and opiates which has an anesthesia like effect.

After watching the movie for half and hour, the system of the body will be calm and the defense system will become more powerful. That is when the immune system in the body will be stronger for a while.

So, no more excuses ladies. Watch horror flicks and be sure of having a positive effect on your mental health and body. Those who complain of heart complications should avoid watching such movies. Get ready, turn out the lights and watch some 'healthy' movies like Omen, The Exorcist and The exorcism of Emily Rose.

Why is Psoriasis such a misunderstood condition?

World Psoriasis Day provides best opportunity to raise awareness and combat myths, says Consultant Dermatologist Dr. K. Satgurunathan
By Smriti Daniel

World Psoriasis Day was marked on October 29 and people with the disease are now increasingly coming forward to speak not only about its debilitating physical effects but the intense emotional burden the disease brings with it. A skin condition, psoriasis is associated with thickened, reddened skin which causes irritation, but even more noticeable are the flaky, silver-white ‘scales’ that sufferers shed. Patients with the disease may struggle with chronic itching and pain from the cracking and bleeding of their skin, explains Dr. K. Satgurunathan, Consultant Dermatologist, explaining that some develop the associated disorder of psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriasis is a particularly isolating condition because it is so misunderstood, explains Dr. Satgurunathan, adding that he believes Psoriasis Day should be used to push for improved access to treatment for patients and to combat the many myths that abound about the disease. One of the most common is that the disease is contagious, which it is not. “You cannot catch it from another person,” Dr. Satgurunathan assures. Other myths include the belief that psoriasis is caused by poor personal hygiene, when in fact it is an auto-immune disease with its roots in a genetic predisposition.

It must be noted, however, that psoriasis flare up can be triggered by external stimuli such as extreme stress, infections, trauma, hormonal changes and even certain medications. As always, there is nothing that excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can’t make worse, and psoriasis is no exception. Another misconception is often that psoriasis is mainly a cosmetic problem. “Some people believed that it affects just the skin and the joints, but it is now known that psoriasis affects other systems as well. For a lot of people, psoriasis is associated with obesity, heart disease, diabetes and hypertension,” explains Dr. Satgurunathan

That having been said, the cosmetic aspect of the disease has a profound and disheartening effect on the lives of those diagnosed with it. For many, the humiliation of shedding their scales over clothes and nearby furniture makes it difficult to go out. Even in milder cases, flaking on the scalp is often mistaken for dandruff, embarrassing the patient. Forming relationships and holding down jobs can prove challenging for many of them, and the disease has a very negative impact on self esteem. Psoriatic arthritis brings with it its own problems – limiting mobility and creating disfigurement, particularly in the small joints of the hand. The arthritis develops in an estimated 10% of the psoriasis cases and can be made dramatically worse by mental stress of any kind.

There are many different kinds of psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis is the most prevalent form, accounting for 80% of cases worldwide. In this type, the raised, inflamed, red lesions typically appear on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back and are covered in silvery white scales. Another form of psoriasis is known as Guttate and this type often first appears in children and young adults. Here red spots appear on the skin, but are not usually as thick as the plaque lesions. Other types of psoriasis include Inverse psoriasis (which is found in places like the armpits, groin and under the breasts, places which are particularly uncomfortable for overweight people and others with deep skin folds) and Pustular psoriasis in which blisters filled with white pus are surrounded by reddened skin.

Yet another form of psoriasis presents perhaps the most serious consequences. In Erythrodermic psoriasis, the whole body may be covered in inflamed skin which is then shed. As a result, patients may experience severe protein and fluid loss. The condition has also been associated with infections, pneumonia and congestive heart failure and can require hospitalization.

An estimated 1% of Sri Lankans have psoriasis, says Dr. Satgurunathan, explaining that this figure is drawn from fairly old studies. Globally, the disease is believed to affect 1-3% of the population. The population most at risk appears to be adults, but there have been children with cases of psoriasis as well. Among these, many patients are unaware that they have psoriasis, as it is sometimes confused with other skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, or allergic rash. In such cases a correct diagnosis is an essential first step.

For those who do receive this, the lack of a cure can be very disheartening. However, “while psoriasis is not curable, it can be very effectively controlled with medication,” emphasises Dr. Satgurunathan, adding that especially when the precipitating factors can be managed effectively, a patient might be able to go for years without a serious flare up. There is no one standard treatment, however, and patients may have to find what works for them.

Treatment options rely on a combination of drugs that can be taken orally as well as topical applications. Unfortunately many cutting edge drug therapies remain too expensive and difficult to access in Sri Lanka. Raising awareness on Psoriasis Day might be one way in which to encourage authorities to rectify the situation.

New 'Toolkit' to Spot Teens With Mental Health Issues Because many adolescents with mental health problems are never diagnosed and treated, an expert team has come up with a "toolkit" aimed at identifying those kids and getting them the right help.

"One in 10 youths have a mental health condition that is severe enough to impair functioning, either at home, school or in the community," said Gary Blau, chief of the child, adolescent and family branch of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Blau spoke at a Friday news conference to unveil the toolkit, which appeared online simultaneously in Pediatrics. Although the journal is published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, that organization has not endorsed the toolkit. SAMHSA provided partial funding for the project.

"This toolkit will allow pediatricians, teachers and others that could help get the word out to families we can close the gap so the three out of four children with mental health disorders who aren't identified do get identified," said Dr. Peter Jensen, who was the lead investigator on the project.

About half of mental health disorders manifest themselves by the time a child has turned 14, and 75 percent manifest by age 24, Blau said.

Yet treatment is often years away for that child, added Lisa Hunter Romanelli, an assistant professor of clinical psychology in psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York City.

"That is too long in the life of a child," said Romanelli, who is also executive director of the nonprofit REACH Institute, whose mission is to shorten the length of time it takes for effective interventions to reach teens. Jensen is president and CEO of the institute.

Researchers convened over a period of several years to analyze data collected from more than 6,000 children and parents to identify the most common symptoms of mental health disorders and to see if children with these troubling signs were receiving appropriate care.

This information was then translated into warning signs that are written in "crisp, easy-to-understand language," said Jensen, who is vice chair of research in the department of psychiatry and psychology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. "They don't sound like mental health jargon. It was deliberate, to make them as parent-friendly as possible."

Because differentiating a true mental health disorder from the inevitable ups and downs of adolescence is difficult, the authors chose to focus on the more severe end of the mental health spectrum.

"We realized there was a potential for harm for parents to worry when they didn't need to be worried," said Jensen. "So we decided to target not the 15 percent or so who have these problems, but the 8 percent who are at the more severe end."

If your child has any of these 11 warning signs, he or she may have a mental health disorder and should be referred to treatment as soon as possible:

* Feeling very sad or withdrawn for two or more weeks
* Seriously trying to harm or kill themselves, or making plans to do so
* Sudden overwhelming fear for no reason, sometimes with a racing heart or fast breathing
* Involved in multiple fights, using a weapon, or wanting badly to hurt others
* Severe out-of-control behavior that can hurt the teenager or others
* Not eating, throwing up, or using laxatives to lose weight
* Intense worries or fears that get in the way of daily activities
* Extreme difficulty in concentrating or staying still that puts a teenager in physical danger or causes school failure
* Repeated use of drugs or alcohol
* Severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
* Drastic changes in behavior or personality

"This data substantiates what we already knew, that there are warning signs of significant mental illness, but children and adolescents aren't getting help because health care providers don't share the same language," said Dr. Abigail Schlesinger, medical director of outpatient behavioral health services at Children's Hospital Pittsburgh.

"This toolkit will help mental health providers and others on the front lines, such as teachers, people in the juvenile justice system [and] parents speak the same language," added Schlesinger, who was not part of the research team.

source: health.usnews

Effective natural tips to treat acidic problem

The problem of acidity is one biggest issue of today it is widely seen in every age people. Acidity means the formation of gas in stomach. Sometimes the problem of acidity strikes the heart activity and results in to heart attack so it is very essential to find the effective and beneficial way to remove this problem by home based treatment.

Here are some very effective remedial tips to remove the problem of acidity.

* Feed with alkaline food and drink.

* Do not drink sodas or those who have acid contents.

* Avoid acidic fruits, spicy foods.

* Eating bananas everyday is a good way to neutralize the hyperacidity of the gastric juices.

* When mixed as juices, cabbage and carrot are found beneficial in treating acid problems.

* Spinach and cucumber combined in a carrot juice is effective in treating acidic stomach.

* Another effective way of reducing the acid is to have cold milk, without sugar.

* Almonds that have been blanched and extracted as milk provides protein and binds the acid in the stomach.

* Raw goat milk is effective, drink this three times a day.

* Drink 2-3 glass of water early morning.

* Two spoons of honey with vinegar also effective.

Great sex equals great energy

Have More Sex

Some of us may reflexively laugh at the notion that daily sex will help you live to be 100, but don’t be so quick on the draw (no pun intended). There are a lot of serious health benefits to regular sex, not the least of which is increased energy. (In fact, I can hardly think of anything more energizing than a great sex life, but may be that’s just me).

But what’s no laughing matter is that many of us – including couples in committed relationships – go hundreds of days without sex. In fact, erectile dysfunction (ED) affects 30 million men in the United Stats and half the male population between forty and seventy. According to sexologist Laura Berman, M.D., 43 percent of women reported having some kind of sexual dissatisfaction and one-third of them specifically reported low sexual desire.

Stress, lack of energy, fatigue, depression, anger, and worry are all sexual-appetite killers, and few foods – even the erotic staples such as oysters and chocolate – are going to make much of a dent if your mind is somewhere else. On the other hand, sometimes low libido for men or women has a physical origin. As often or not, it’s a mixture of both desire plus the ability to do something about it.

What’s up with that? And what can we do about it? Read on.

FOOD FOR FOREPLAY
Assuming the “spirit is willing”, we still have to make sure the body is able. First order of business: Improve overall circulation. The beset way to do that is through exercise. Almost any kind will do as long as your heart is pumping, blood is flowing through your organs, and oxygen is cleaning out the cobwebs in the brain.

Exercise also raises “feel-good” chemicals in the brain called catecholamines, making it far more likely that you’ll feel amorous rather than exhausted. Certain yoga postures are said to be fantastic before sex, notably a shoulder stand for men and the butterfly pose for women.

Then there are the sexy foods. Here’s my list of the top eight foods that may increase libido naturally:

1. Almonds (or nuts). These contain important fatty acids that help the brain work better.

2. Avocados. Not only are they a sensual delight, but they also contain important fatty acids that help the brain and the heart.

3. Celery. Guys take note – celery actually contains a small amount of androsterone, a male hormone released in sweat that’s been known to turn women on.

4. Chile peppers. Hot peppers contain capsaicin, which can stimulate circulation.

5. Chocolate. It’s no accident that chocolate is the gift of love. It contains phenylethylamine, a chemical that’s released in the brain when you’re in love.

6. Oysters. High in zinc, which is essential for male sexual functioning, oysters have been associated with sex since the days of Casanova.

7. Figs. Figs are high in amino acids and are believed to increase sexual stamina. Plus, they’re sensual, juicy, and sweet – perfect for “food foreplay”.

8. Nutmeg. According to Daniel Amen, M.D., author of Sex on the Brain: 12 Lessons to Enhance Your Love Life, nutmeg is used in Indian medicine for enhancing desire. In one animal study, an extract of nutmeg had the same effect on mating heavier as Viagra did.

NATURE’S ENERGY APHRODISIAC
High-carbohydrate dishes such as pasta are more likely to lead to snoozing than romancing. Go with energy-producing protein and vegetables, and leave the table just a bit hungry. Some foods, by the sheer nature of their sensuality, can trigger amorous feelings – a juicy peach, for example, or a silky avocado. Foods with luscious textures and tastes are always mood-enhancing. The sheer sensuality of eating them, especially with a partner over a romantic dinner, may lead to even more sensual delights later on.

Finally, to turn on the brain naturally, engage your sense of smell. Almond and coconut are always good bets, and they make great scented candles. Lavender has been shown to be one of the most universal turn-ons, as have – believe it or not – the aroma of pumpkin pie and buttered popcorn for men, and baby power and licorice candy for women.

There’s no aphrodisiac on earth like romantic love – attraction is the ultimate aphrodisiac. It’s better than any supplement, food, or potion. You can’t buy it, eat it, or create it out of nothing, but if you have it – and you body is in good shape – you’re in for a great time.

Remember: Great sex equals great energy. Trust me on this one.

What causes tension pneumothorax? A tension pneumothorax occurs when air is drawn into the pleural space from a lacerated lung or through a small hole in the chest wall. In either case, the air that enters the chest cavity with each inspiration is trapped there; it cannot be expelled through the air passage or the small hole in the chest wall.

Thus, tension or pressure is built up within the pleural space, which causes the lung to collapse and the heart, the great vessels, and trachea shift toward the unaffected side of the chest. Both respiration and circulatory function are impaired because with increased intrathoracic pressure, venous return to the heart is compromised, causing decreased cardiac output and impairment of peripheral circulation. In extreme cases, the pulse may be undetectable, known as pulseless electrical activity (PEA). The clinical picture is one of air hunger, agitation, hypotension, tachycardia, profuse diaphoresis, and cyanosis.

Relief of tension pneumothorax is considered an emergency measure.

If a tension pneumothorax is suspected, they should immediately be given a high concentration of oxygen to treat the hypoxia. In an emergency situation, a tension pneumothorax can be converted quickly to a simple pneumothorax by inserting a large-bore needle at the second intercostal space mid-clavicular line on the affected side. This will relieve the pressure and vent the intrathoracic air to the outside. A chest tube is then inserted and connected to suction to remove the remaining air and fluid and re-expand the lung.

If the lung expands and leakage from the lung stops, further drainage may be unnecessary. If the lung continues to leak, as evidenced by the re-accumulation of an inexhaustible volume of air during the thoracentesis, the air must be removed by a chest tube with water-seal drainage.

Tension pneumothorax is classified as either traumatic or spontaneous. Traumatic pneumothorax may be further classified as open or closed. Note that an open wound may cause closed pneumothorax if communication between the atmosphere and the pleural space seals itself off. Spontaneous pneumothorax. Which is also considered closed, can further classified as primary or secondary.

Spontaneous pneumothorax can result from:

-Ruptured congenital blebs

-Ruptured emphysematous bulllae

-Tubercular or malignant lesions that erode into the pleural space

-Interstitial lung disease, such as eosinophilic granuloma

-Traumatic pneumothorax can result from:

-Insertion of a central venous catheter

-Thoracic surgery

-Thoracentesis or closed pleural biopsy

-Penetrating chest injury

-Transbronchial biopsy

Treatment is conservative for spontaneous pneumothorax in cases where no sign of increased pleural pressure appear, lung collapse is less than 30% and the patient shows no sign of dyspnea or other indications of physiologic compromise. Such treatment consists of bed rest or activity as tolerated, careful monitoring of blood pressure, pulse rate or respiration and oxygen administration

When more than 30% of the lung has collapsed. Reexpansion of the lung is performed by placing a thoracotomy tube in the second or third intercoostal space at the midclavicular line. This procedure is done t o allow air to rise to the top of the intrapleural space. The tube is connected to an underwater seal with suction at low pressures.

Healthy diet reduces risk of prostate cancer metastasis

One of the best ways for men who have received PSA tests indicating they have prostate cancer to reduce their risk of suffering serious complications as a result of the condition is to eat a healthy diet, according to a new study.

A team of researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles showed that prostate cancer cells grew much slower in men who ate low-fat diets and took omega-3 supplements than those who consumed a traditional Western-style diet.

"The finding that the low-fat, fish oil diet reduced the number of rapidly dividing cells in the prostate cancer tissue is important because the rate at which the cells are dividing can be predictive of future cancer progression," said lead researcher William Aronson. "The lower the rate of proliferation, the lesser the chances that the cancer will spread outside the prostate."

Aronson added that people really are what they eat. He hopes the findings will show individuals that there is a very simple way to significantly reduce their risk of suffering prostate cancer complications.

source: privatemdlabs

Study reveals differences in brains of autistic children Researchers in california are doing work that could offer new insight into autism.

They are comparing images of autistic children's brains to those of children who do not have autism, and found a major difference in brain development.

"We found developmental delays in the autistic brains when compared to healthy children," says study author Xue Hua.

Hua and her colleagues discovered that by looking at computerized studies of brain images done on autistic and non-autistic children through adolescence.

A growth map derived from MRIs taken from a child who does not have autism over the course of a number of years and a map of an autistic child shows less and slower growth.

"Those are important for social and language skills. It offers possible explanation why autistic children act and think differently," says Hua.

That understanding may put some parents' minds at ease.

The maps clearly show the difference is chemical or biological, and no one's at fault.

The maps may ultimately lead to the development of new drugs that may help treat or even reverse those symptoms.

source: wcnc

IVF doubles risk of non-fatal ovarian cancer

IVF brings risks as well as benefits to childless couples.

A study looking at almost 30,000 women who were struggling to get pregnant found that tumours were more common in the group that had undergone IVF.

Scientists believe the difference is down to the hormone drugs that make women produce more eggs.

They say that further research into couples who have several years’ worth of assisted reproduction could lead to a recommendation that they stop IVF after more than three cycles, because of the increased danger of disease.

It comes just days after figures from Britain’s fertility watchdog showed that some women are producing as many as 80 eggs in a single session, prompting claims that this “intensive farming” is putting them at increased risk.

Lead researcher Prof Flora van Leeuwen, of The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, said: “If we find out that women who receive several IVF cycles or large doses of ovarian stimulating drugs are at a greater risk of ovarian cancer, then these women would need to be informed about these risks when continuing IVF treatment and possibly advised to discontinue treatment after three to six cycles (depending on which number of cycles would be associated with the high risk of ovarian malignancies).”

Current NHS guidelines state that couples who have been trying without success to conceive for three years should be offered three cycles of IVF, in which the woman’s ovaries are stimulated to produce eggs that are fertilised in the lab before being implanted in the womb.

But the new study, published in the journal Human Reproduction, is the latest to suggest that although IVF can help childless couples start a family, it also brings its own problems.

Researchers looked at data on 19,146 subfertile Dutch women who had undergone ovarian stimulation between 1980 and 1985 and 6,006 subfertile women who did not have IVF. This was then cross-checked with disease registers going up to 2007.

They found that of the total 25,152 women analysed, 77 had developed “ovarian malignancies”.

Of these, 61 were in the group that had undergone IVF, making them at twice as high a risk.

The researchers said that “surprisingly”, 31 had borderline ovarian cancer – non-fatal and slow-growing tumours that still require surgery - and 30 had the potentially deadly form of invasive ovarian cancer.

Prof van Leeuwen said: “Our data clearly show that ovarian stimulation for IVF is associated with an increased risk of borderline ovarian tumours and this risk remains elevated up to more than 15 years after the first cycle of treatment.”

She added that the increased risk of invasive ovarian cancer was a “cause of concern” because it requires extensive surgery and chemotherapy, and has poor survival rates. Ovarian cancer kills about 4,400 women in Britain every year, often because it is not detected until it has become advanced.

However Prof van Leeuwen insisted that the overall risk of developing ovarian malignancies remains “very low”.

Her new study will look at another 8,800 women who underwent IVF between 1995 and 2000, including those who had three or more cycles, to see if they are at particularly high risk of disease.

Prof Peter Braude, from King's College London, said: “This is an important and worthwhile long-term study which goes some way to answering the questions that so many IVF patients ask.

“However the results should be kept in proportion as the increase shown was from around five in 1,000 to seven per 1,000 women. This needs to be balanced against the intention of the treatment; for those infertile to conceive a child.

“The study should be continued and extended to those women who do conceive whose risk may be different from those who do not as has been shown in previous studies.”

source: telegraph

Acid reflux is pretty common Gastroesophageal reflux disease affects up to 20 percent of Americans every day, making it one of the most common medical conditions in the United States, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.

The causes of GERD include an abnormal lower esophageal sphincter, hiatal hernia, abnormal esophageal contractions and slow emptying of the stomach, according to the American Academy of Otolarynology — Head and Neck Surgery website.

“Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter does not close properly and stomach contents reflux back up into the esophagus,” according to about.com.

“The lower esophageal sphincter is a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that acts like a valve between the esophagus and stomach,” according to kansassurgical.com.

The esophagus carries food from the mouth to the stomach and when this value is functioning properly, food and liquids pass into the stomach but the sphincter prevents them from coming back up into the esophagus. When the lower esophageal sphincter is weak or loose, stomach acids can back up into the esophagus.

“When refluxed stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus, it may cause a burning sensation in the chest or throat, called heartburn or acid indigestion,” according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse website.
Heartburn every now and then is common, and having it occasionally does not necessarily mean you have GERD, according to the lapsurg.com, the Comprehensive Center for Laparoscopic Surgery. “Heartburn that occurs more than twice a week may be considered GERD, which can eventually lead to more serious health problems,” the website said.

GERD affects about 5-7 percent of the global population. This group experiences at least one episode of heartburn a day.

“Although common, GERD is often unrecognized — its symptoms misunderstood,” according to dorchesterhealth.org. A treatable disease when correctly diagnosed, serious complications can result when it is not treated properly. Signs and symptoms of GERD include the following:

• Burning sensation in the chest or throat
• Hoarseness
• Chronic cough
• Asthma
• Bitter taste in the mouth

“Certain conditions make a person more susceptible to GERD,” according to acid-reflux.com. “For example, GERD can be a serious problem during pregnancy. The elevated hormone levels of pregnancy probably cause reflux by lowering the pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter. At the same time, the growing fetus increases the pressure in the abdomen. Both of these effects would be expected to increase reflux.”
“Certain foods promote or worsen symptoms of acid reflux,” according to blog.foodfacts.com. “Citrus, tomato and coffee directly irritate the mucosa. Other foods to avoid include garlic, onions, fatty foods, spicy foods, mint, caffeinated drinks, peppermint, alcohol and chocolate. Overeating as well as going to bed within two to three hours of supper should be avoided since gastric distention promotes reflux.

“Weight gain and smoking have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of GERD and thus should be avoided,” the website continued. “Reflux symptoms may be reduced simply by elevating the head end of the bed or by using a wedge under the upper body.”

Other suggested lifestyle changes, according to heartburn.about.com, include the following:

• If you smoke, stop.
• Do not drink alcohol.
• Lose weight if needed.
• Eat small meals.
• Wear loose-fitting clothes.
• Avoid lying down for three hours after a meal. Gravity helps drain food and stomach acid into your stomach if you are sitting up.

source: coastalcourier

Take Vitamin D for Peak Performance

Recently, a nutritional newsletter I subscribe to had the following headline:

“Vitamin D Improves Physical Performance”.

That got my attention.

I’ve long felt that vitamin D is one of the most underrated vitamins on the planet, for reasons I’ll discuss in a bit. I’ve also long felt that most of us are far too sun phobic for our own good, as the sun is our best source of vitamin D.

But as great as I think both sunlight and vitamin D are for health and for the prevention of disease, I wouldn’t have spent all this time on them in this book if they didn’t also have an important connection to energy. Three recent studies indicate that they do.

A STUDY IN EFFECTIVENESS
One 2005 study by Netherlands researchers, reported at the American Society of Mineral and Bone Research’s 27t annual meeting in Nashville, showed that low levels of vitamin D were associated with low physical performance.

“This study shows that neuromuscular performance in (people) with lower levels of vitamin D was significantly lower than those with adequate levels”, said Ilse Wicherts, a doctoral candidate at the Vu University Medical Center in Amsterdam and one of the researchers on the study. “The change in performance scores with increasing serum (vitamin D) was significant”, she said.

Granted, this study was done on older people, where physical performance is a matter of some urgency; the folks whose physical performance is impaired literally can’t get up out of a chair without help. But there’s no reason to think that the effect of vitamin D that they demonstrated in this older population doesn’t happen with young ‘uns as well. Why would it not?

Even more recently, researchers writing in the Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences analyzed data from a study known as the InChianti study (Invecchiare in Chiant, Italy). The InChianti study is a large, population-bsaed stud of older people aimed at identifying risk factors for late life disability, something every one of us wants to avoid like the plague.

The study looked at more than 1,000 participants aged sixty-five and older in the Chianti area of Italy. It found that vitamin D status was inversely associated with poor physical performance. Those with the lowest levels of vitamin D performed the worst on a battery of physical performance tests, including handgrip strength, balance, and the like. Those with the highest levels performed the best. Interestingly, nearly 30 percent of the sample had vitamin D levels that would be considered deficient. We can only guess at how many had vitamin D levels that were less than optimal.

SPRING TO LIFE WITH VITAMIN D
Although the effect of vitamin D on physical performance is documented, you might think we’d have to play connect-the-dots to make any assumptions or reach any conclusions about energy and well-being. But we don’t Researchers writing in the prestigious Nutrition Journal specifically investigated the effect of vitamin D supplements on well-being.

First, they gathered outpatients in an endocrinology clinic who, by any measure, had levels of vitamin D in their blood lower than what is considered desirable by even the most conservative estimates. Current opinion is that desirable vitamin D concentrations of less than 40 by the winter. They gave the participants one of two doses of vitamin D supplements – either 600 IUs per day or 4,000 per day.

The subjects were asked to fill out the Seasonal Health Questionnaire, a standard instrument to screen for seasonal affective disorder, as well as an additional ten questions that functioned as a well-being questionnaire, which could easily have been labeled an “energy” questionnaire, since well-being is pretty much as synonym for energy and vitality. They answered the following questions both before the start of the supplementation program and after the completion of the three-month research project.

1. Has your general health been less than average lately?
2. Have you felt less rested upon waking from sleep lately?
3. Have you experienced a down feeling or inappropriate guilt?
4. Have you felt less socially active lately?
5. Have you been indecisive lately?
6. Have you felt less productive or less creative lately?
7. Has you appetite increased or decreased?
8. Have you experienced any cravings for carbohydrates (bread, pasta, rice, sugary foods) more than normal?
9. Has it been more difficult to deal with daily stress?
10. Have you felt irritable or anxious lately?

The well-being score for this part of the study was simply the total number of “yes” responses. The lower the score, the better the well-being.

Both vitamin D groups exhibited highly statistically significant (meaning dramatic, and almost definitely not coincidental) improvement in well-being. The response was greater with the higher does of vitamin D than with the lower dose, but there was improvement with both doses. The only group that did not improve was a subgroup of participants who had been consuming the higher dosage (4,000 IUs) since the previous year, and that’s because they were already so high on the well-being scale to begin with.

In case you’re wondering, the authors clearly state that, based on a ton of research, “vitamin D consumption in the amount of 4,000 IUs per day is safe and physiologic for adults”. Did I mention that the current Recommended Daily Allownace is 400 IUs? (Actually, I didn’t. I just wanted to make sure you were paying attention).

SUN OR SUPPLEMENT
So the connection between vitamin D, energy, and well-being is pretty clear. Patients in the northern United States who show up at doctors’ offices with diffuse musculoskeletal symptoms have low levels of the vitamin in their blood. Women in Saudi Arabia who have low back pain do, too (and they respond well to supplementation of what we would consider a very high level of vitamin D – 5,000 to 10,000 IUs per day). Depression score in the northern latitudes are worst between December and February, when vitamin D levels are at their lowest. And one study of healthy students concluded that as little as 400 to 800 IUs of vitamin D supplementation per day for only five days during the winter improved mood.

Given that many of us don’t actually go in the sun at all or don’t have a lot of access to it, I think it makes sense to take a vitamin D supplement. In fact, I think it’s a no-brainer. Not only can it improve your energy and performance, but it clearly has anticancer activity as well. And most of us are massively deficient.

Here’s something else to think about, particularly if you’re overweight. Vitamin D is stored in your body fat, so if you have enough of it in your cellular bank account, you can always release it when you need it, such as in the winter. But in obese people, vitamin D gets sucked into the fat cells and it can’t get out. Research by Michael Holick, M.D., Ph.D., of Boston University Medical Center, suggests that because of this, overweight people are much more prone to vitamin D deficiency; their vitamin D bank account system just doesn’t work as well. So if you are overweight, that’s all the more reason why you should supplement with an even higher dose of vitamin D if you want to get all the great-anticancer fighting benefits of this vitamin.

Beauty lies in the lens

Considering the risks and responsibility involved, no ophthalmologist will be quick to approve the use of lenses.

In high school there are divisions and cliques, maybe not as distinct as those in Mean Girls or Freaks and Geeks, but they are still there. The groups give rise to a number of stereotypes and labels. One such example is that of the ‘nerd’—the typical hallmark of one are the spectacles. However, with the coming of Harry Potter and even some Indian movies such as Kal Ho Naa Ho, spectacles aren’t considered as dorky anymore. There are stories of kids deliberately doing poorly at the eye doctor’s (ophthalmologist) to get a prescription. However, the wish to be rid of them, at least on occasion, still persists every now and then.

In this scenario, the contact lenses make their entry. They may be used to just correct the vision, but some may also want to use coloured lenses. Parents and ophthalmologists are reluctant in allowing the use of contact lenses in preteens and teens. Firstly, the eye continually changes throughout the first 20 years, when finally the vision becomes static. Secondly, contact lenses are high maintenance and failing to adhere to the lens care regimen can have permanent consequences for the eyes.

Considering the risks and responsibility involved, no ophthalmologist will be quick to approve the use of lenses. But, if you must, then precautions are necessary. Here are a few to guide you:

Before buying contacts, visit your eye specialist with a list of all the relevant questions. Buy them from a reputed optician; don’t sneak off with your friend to a dingy shop where they are available on sale. Negotiate with your parents to allow you their use on a trial basis. The most widely used lenses are the soft lenses. Also get a case and a recommended lens solution to go with it. The most convenient to use are the daily wear disposable lenses but they are expensive. Lenses are available in a wide price range depending on brands, how frequently they need to be replaced, quality, etc.

Learn how to properly insert and remove the lens. Perhaps watch a video or ask someone to demonstrate it for you. Handle them only after washing your hands and always deposit your lenses in the case at the end of the day, in the respective right and left side. This can be a hassle in people with different visual acuity in different eyes. Do not reuse lens solution or solution that has expired. Lenses should be never washed with water because it can contain very harmful bacteria. Regularly rinse or air dry your lens case whenever lenses have been removed, perhaps by turning it over so the solution cleans it. Again the case is not to be cleaned with water either. The lens solution should not be put in another bottle. And most importantly, never share lenses and follow the additional instructions of your doctor and on the labels.

If you ever experience redness, itching, dryness, sensitivity to light, blurry vision, visit your eye specialist immediately. Contact lenses affect the tear film of the eye and natural protective barriers to infection, prevent the surface of the eye from getting adequate amounts of oxygen, can injure the eye mechanically, and finally, can allow germs to grow with improper care.

With dust and humid weather, lens care becomes even more essential. Always keep your lens case and a backup of glasses with you. Remember, using contact lenses is not the same as using hair gel, so if you must, I suggest you invest in a chic pair of specs.

Published in The Express Tribune.

Tips to avoid injury to brain and spine Falls are the leading cause of injury to seniors in the United States. Each year more than 11,000,000 Americans over age 65 are injured from a fall. Many suffer a life-changing traumatic brain or spinal cord injury. In an effort to raise awareness of this issue, the ONS Foundation for Clinical Research and Education will present Brain and Spine Injury Prevention for Seniors, a free seminar on November 1, 2011 at 6 p.m. at the Greenwich Hospital Noble Conference Center.

Neurosurgeon Dr. Scott Simon of the ONS Foundation will talk about how to avoid accidents that can lead to a life-changing injury. Admission is free. Registration is required.

Falls can happen during normal everyday activities like climbing stairs, getting out of the bathtub or walking the dog. Most occur at home. For someone over 65, a bad fall can mean a lengthy hospital stay, stressful rehabilitation, a loss of independence, or worse. Fortunately, there are things that seniors and their family members can do to lower the risk of falling. Research shows that simple modifications can substantially cut risks.

Becoming aware of the most common causes of accidents is key to prevention. Some are more obvious than others, like tripping on electric cords, small pets under foot, or a displaced rug. Other factors may be more subtle, such as the use of certain medications, alcohol use, and vision or hearing loss. Medical conditions including arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes or depression can contribute to a fall. People who experience changes in balance and coordination should also be aware of their increased risk.

At Brain and Spine Injury seminar on November 1, Dr. Simon will emphasize the importance of understanding your medications, making your home safe from tripping hazards and maintaining your health in order to lower your risk for a serious, or potentially catastrophic, fall.

“The statistics on the impact of falls for seniors are staggering. The purpose of this talk is to help people preserve their health and their independence, well into their senior years,” said Dr. Simon. “The best way to do this is to help people understand the major risks for injuries both in and out of the home.”

source: connecticutplus

Brain tumour culprit `identified`

Washington: Scientists have identified a new biochemical mechanism which they claim allows brain tumours to survive and grow, a finding that may pave the way for new and effective treatments for some of the most aggressive tumours.

An international team, led by the University Hospital of Heidelberg, says that they have identified the key role played by kynurenine, a by-product of metabolism of essential amino acid tryptophan, in favouring the brain tumour growth and at the same time suppressing anti-tumour immune response.

The discovery offers new therapeutic perspectives and gives hope for the treatment of gliomas, the most common and aggressive type of brain tumour in both adults and children, say the scientists.

The team, led by Prof Michael Platten, was also able to identify the receptor expressed by tumour cells that kynurenine acts through -- the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), the `Nature` journal reported.

While particularly relevant in the development and persistence of gliomas, the kynurenine pathway also has a role in other brain cancers, and is implicated in other neuro- degenerative diseases.

The scientists said the breakthrough could potentially lead to viable therapeutics for a range of conditions, including Alzheime`s disease, motor neuron diseases, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson`s disease.

"We are currently looking at all the molecules deriving from the tryptophan metabolism through the kynurenine pathway that can be linked to tumour persistence and immune suppression," team member Professor Gilles Guillemin said.

An oral drug able to block enzymes leading to kynurenine production has been developed and the drug could potentially be available for clinical trials within a few years, he added.

The survival time for patients with gliomas, particularly the more aggressive tumours such as glioblastoma multiforme, has not changed in decades despite changes in therapeutic approaches. The mechanism elucidated here offers an entirely novel approach to therapy.

source: PTI

Can Cancer Ever Be Ignored? The article “Can Cancer Ever Be Ignored?” reveals a nightmare of sloppy science. P.S.A. testing poses zero risk. It is not invasive, not radioactive, not even expensive. It is treatment that poses risk. Failing to distinguish between these two entirely different things is bad medicine, bad policy, simply bad thinking. Obviously, we have lots of work to do.

We should be searching for better treatment options, better ways of distinguishing between aggressive and nonlethal cancers, better ways of identifying high-risk patients. But advising men not to be screened accomplishes nothing, except to relieve physicians of their responsibility to inform patients fully and treat them appropriately.

DAVID BERMAN,
New York

Good grief! Can this “bitter fight over prostate screening” really be happening? Does screening really come down to a question of do it or don’t do it? My own case is instructive. When I was 60, I had a P.S.A. measure a bit below the standard that can trigger a doctor’s call for a biopsy, but given my family’s history of prostate cancer and my physician’s physical-exam diagnosis, I was sent for a biopsy. The biopsy showed a quadrant of my prostate loaded with cancer and evidence that the cancer may have escaped the prostate gland into the surrounding area.

As a result, I received 30 days of tabletop radiation, followed by a radiation-seed implant. Ten years later I have few aftereffects from these procedures and am in overall good health. Had the P.S.A. measure not been done, I am not sure what my destiny would be. The question for me is not whether the P.S.A. test saves lives; the question is, What is the most successful method for treating prostate cancer once it is detected? The P.S.A. is just part of the diagnostic toolkit, not the demon it is represented to be in this so-called bitter fight.

JOHN P. MASON,
Colesville, Md.

People always respond to these articles with personal stories about how they were diagnosed with prostate cancer after a P.S.A. test and now they are alive and well many years later. What they all fail to understand is that large studies show that they are just as likely to be alive and well now even if they never had the P.S.A. test and were never treated for prostate cancer at all.

SRB,
Mansfield, Conn.,
via nytimes

Efficient tips for healthy snacking

AU natural
If you’re a fan of peanut butter, but not of the high levels of unhealthy trans fats – which can’t be properly digested by the body – it contains, switch to a natural product. While no lower in calories, these are free of hydrogenated oils. Great spread on crackers or oatcakes and eaten with an apple as a mid-morning snack.

Care for carob
If you want an alternative to caffeine-rich chocolate that is cocoa and dairy free, try chocolate substitutes made with the tree bark of the carob tree. These taste naturally sweet and so will contain quite a lot less guar than many chocolate bars.

Cut the cheese content
Instead of smothering your pizza or salad with lots of high-fat low-flavour cheese, switch to a highly flavoured cheese like Parmesan, extra mature Cheddar or a blue cheese such as Stilton or Gorgonzola, and use a smaller amount. A tablespoon of Parmesan contains only 2 g of fat (one of which is saturates).

Service-Station Trap
Car journeys can be long and you might find yourself eating to keep awake. And, of course, service stations are waiting for you with a tempting array of super-sized snacks. To avoid the temptation, set off on your journey with a good choice of healthy snacks to see you through.

Stay well stocked
Lots of people get hungry for sugary snacks in the evening, and if you’re at home watching TV it can be difficult to resist that bar of chocolate. Keep healthy snacks to hand – low-fat yogurt, dried or fresh dates, figs or mango, oatcakes – and only have the chocolate if you still want it after you’ve had two healthy snacks.

Keep it fresh
All fruit is healthy but dried fruit is significantly higher in calories than fresh fruit. This is because the moisture is taken out, leaving more sugar per serving. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s best to stick to fresh fruit, which you can eat more of for the same number of calories.

On the move
Next time you reach for a snack when you’re out shopping or in the car, stop and think whether you’re rally hungry. Are you bored, tired? Does it just happen to be there? Carry a healthy snack such as nuts or oastcakes in your bag for times like this.

Look below the surface
Don’t be fooled into thinking yogurt-coated nuts and raisings are healthy foods. They are filled with calories, sugar and fat without any of the active cultures of fresh yogurt. In fact, the yogurt taste is often just flavouring. Just 20 yogurt-covered nuts provide around 460 calories, 32 g fat and 8 tsp sugar. Instead, choose nuts in the shell – they will take longer to eat, giving your brain more time to recognize you are full.

Air-Popped corn
Popcorns is a great filler and fibre provider and has only 100 calories and 3.5 g fibre per regular serving – much less than nuts and dried fruit. But choose air-popped corn rather than fried, and don’t add lashings of salty or sweet toppings.

Cut the coffee
There might be a coffee bar on every street corner, but that doesn’t mean you need to stop for a top-up at every one! Coffee drinks can be really high in fat and calories because of the milk and syrup – mocha coffee has 11 g fat, cappuccino 6 g and regular white coffee 1 g fat, so choose carefully – and don’t dip in a sweet snack.

It had better be celery
Celery is a super snack food – not only is it crunchy and refreshing, it genuinely does take your body the same amount of calories to eat and digest it as it gives you. Avoid smothering it with creamy dips and go for healthy versions instead, such as hummus made with olive oil or low-fat yogurt mixed with garlic and fresh herbs.

Serve yourself a salad
So that you’ve always got a healthy option when you open the fridge door, make up a large bowl of salad a couple of times a week and get into the habit of serving it with every meal, adding extra vegetables to your diet.

Choose decaf
Many people swear by the caffeine in tea, coffee, chocolate and many soft drinks to give them a boost whenever they’re flagging, but caffeine addiction can lead to fatigue and lack of concentration. Give yourself a break for a few days or switch to decaffeinated drinks – even if just a cup or two a day.

Fishy Pate
To help you get your extra portions of fish, make your own fish pate using canned fish with your favorite sauce – think horseradish with salmon and mackerel, or tomato with tuna – to use as a sandwich spread during the week.

Keep it individual
Never take a whole box or packet of snacks or food to eat in front of the computer, television or while reading, because you might absentmindedly eat more than you intend. Serve yourself an individual portion in a bowl instead, and get yourself a refill only if you really want more.

Danger zones
Most people have “danger times” for snacking during the day (for a lot of women it’s around 4 pm). Make an effort not to be around fatty snacks at this time, or take along a healthier alternative such as nuts and seeds.

Crab a crape
Keep a bunch of grapes in your fridge and grab a handful when you fancy something sweet. They release sugar quickly, so are great for satisfying cravings – wait ten minutes and only reach for the chocolate if the grapes really don’t hit the spot.

Can you burn if off?
For each pound of body weight you want to burn off, you need to use up roughly 3500 calories, so unless you’re about to become a marathon runner, think carefully about which snacks you choose.

Up water levels
Drinking water is essential for keeping your system healthy – not only does it keep your cells hydrated and help you organs function optimally, it also keeps food flowering through the digestive system, which means you’ll derive more benefits from your healthy foods.

Sugar-free your immunity
Cutting down on snack foods containing refined sugar can limit your susceptibility to fatigue, colds and winter bugs. High levels of sugar affect immunity by reducing the efficiency of white blood cells.

Low-cal your hot drinks
Try using skimmed, or fat-free milk instead of your usual whole or semi-skimmed version in hot drinks where calories can add up without you realizing. This could save you 30 calories per cup of tea or filter coffee, even ore if you drink cappuccino or latte. And ditch the syrups and flavorings.

Go bananas
For an energy boost to help you through a late-afternoon dip in energy, choose a banana. They’re packed with potassium for extra energy.

Pack up the car
If car journeys are a time you find it difficult not to snack, pre-empt your cravings by packing fruit and vegetables in snack-sized portions, or healthy rice cakes or dried fruits. Pack enough for the family, so you won’t be tempted by their snacks.

How to detect chemical free vegetables?

Nowadays, every retail store has it own vegetable mart but how far are these good? Which one of them is the best and how to check nutritional value may be a question in every homemaker's mind. Today, we will discuss on how to know if your vegetables are chemical free and natural. Take a look.

Preferring organic vegetables will definitely reduce the intake of chemicals (such as pecticides and insecticides). But despite that the homemakers will need to wash them thoroughly to eat clean. Organic vegetables don't mean clean vegetables so washing them should be a routine task.

People often mistake while buying vegetables in organic marts. They think the organic tag or label on the foods mean that they are totally free from contamination which is not true. There are many organic pesticides available in the market that are made of poisonated plants. The remains are unsafe even for the human body so washing should never be avoided.

These Simple Tips Will Help You Choose The Chemical Free Vegetables For Healthy Eating

1. Even if the vegetables are certified by the indian department of agriculture, the vegetables need to be check in terms of their freshness, smell and colour. Even if vegetables aren't sprayed chemicals the customers need to understand that the soil should also be organic (free from pesticides for at least 3-4 years)

2. For the already existing pesticide residues, you need to wash them well in warm water or can even slice them and boil in water to kill the germs. Draining the veggies is a must as the water that is used for washing may contain the remains. Wiping and peeling the muddy skin is even safe. Note: do not peel the vegetables too much as the nutritional value will get lost.

3. One most important thing that a homemaker needs to understand is that the organic label on the vegetables will talk about whatever was used in the vegetable cultivation but once they are transported to the sellers, they come in contact with a lot of people (sellers and customers) and have bacteria and other germs so cleaning is important.

4. When you are cleaning vegetables, soak them in a tub containing water and some vinegar. This will kill the germs and pesticides. Then wash them well with plain water.

Washing vegetables in boiling water may reduce the concentrates of nutrition.

source: living.oneindia

How diseases can be treated through the eyes The eye is the window to the body. In Iridology and Sclerology, the state of one’s health can be ascertained through the eye. An expert in the field, Dr Gilbert Ezengige, tells WALE ADEPOJU more on the importance of the profession.

By merely looking into the eye, a weak or sick organ of the body can be detected and corrected. These and more are done by either an iridologist or sclerologist.

Iridology is the study of the iris to assess the health status of vital organs of the body. While sclerology is the study of the sclera - the hard, firm, foibrosis outer coat of the eye, to assess the health status of vital organs of the body.

This practice offers practitioners the platform in early detection of diseased organs and proffer sustainable cure. The practice is one of the helpful alternative methods in preventive medicine.

According to an expert in both fields, Dr Gilbert Ezengige, a diagnosis can start on a patient with the use of simple tools, such as magnifying lens, iridology and sclerology charts and pen light to detect a sick organ or debilitating diseases hiding in the body.

Surprise as it may seem, this ancient practice, is offering healing to the sick, said Ezengige “By examining the eyes, iridologists and sclerologists can pinpoint stressed organs that need treatment before they manifest in either symptoms and signs that can be picked by other care givers,” he added.

The method, he said, provides an overview ‘snapshot’ of the state of body’s organs and its non-invasive and painless procedure. “All that is needed to be done is to identify hypo and hyper functions of various organs of the body,” he added.

And for doubting Thomases on the effectiveness of the condition, he said: “The practice does not concern itself with the high sounding names of disease names but rather shows the root causes of health imbalances. This is because it shows the stages of a disease process, which could be at acute, chronic or degenerative stages. It is a holistic approach to treatment because it evaluates the body, mind and soul. It also helps nutritionally minded doctor to know the nutrients that should be supplied to his patients,” said Ezengige.

Another benefit of the practice is that the procedure could assist a practitioner to zero in to a particular extra laboratory, radiographic or sonographic test that may be required of a patient to undergo, “As it could be used to pinpoint patients’ inherent weaknesses and disease predispositions. An expert who knows his onions would easily interpret simples things, such as the radii solaris indicative of the parasitic lines, toxic colon indicative of high enema or colonic irrigation and the patient’s health requirements.

“In the same vein, a nerve rings shows the nervous tension in the body of an edgy, tensed individual and cramp conditions in the body. The arcus senilis shows poor blood circulation in the brain region and poor memory of patient. Through the sclera diagams, congestion in the colon (Large Intestine) is detected while fork line in the heart region signify heart problem in the patient under investigation.”

source: thenationonlineng

Why men develop diabetes easily

Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition, which is on the increase all over the world. Nonetheless, experts reason that men stand a higher risk of developing diabetes more easily and at a young age than women, because of the way fat is distributed around men’s body, reports Sade Oguntola.

Historically, men have not been comfortable discussing issues about their health, particularly conditions like diabetes, depression or sexual dysfunction. This has resulted in shorter and less healthy lives for men compared to women.

But times have changed, and so must men. Today’s men need a strong grasp of diseases like diabetes and their related conditions, actively engage their health care providers, get informed and proactively manage their health. It is worrying that men develop type 2 diabetes at a higher rate than their female counterparts.

Type 2 diabetes is caused by too much sugar in the blood, which occurs when the body’s ability to regulate sugar levels in several different organs becomes disturbed. The condition is linked to excess fat in some of these organs such as the liver and muscles. There are several risk factors for developing the disease, including age, ethnicity, family history, and of course, being overweight. Sadly being overweight was a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. A diet that is low in carbohydrates and fibre, or high in fat can also increase risk. In addition, an inactive lifestyle is also a factor.

Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes may include fatigue, thirst, weight loss, blurred vision and frequent urination. Some people have no symptoms. A blood test can show if you have diabetes.

The prevalence of diabetes in Nigeria is estimated at 4.7 per cent while the average in Africa is 3.8 per cent. A total of 13.1 million people in Africa have diabetes and this is projected to double by 2030.

Unfortunately, in the year 2009, over 79,000 deaths in Nigeria were attributed to diabetes, while the total African mortality (death) was 332,000.

What more with diabetes reaching an epidemic level in many countries of the world and the fact that men appear to be at higher risk for diabetes makes it imperative to take the “modern man” challenge: get out, get active, get informed! Ironically, a new study has revealed that men apparently don’t have to be as overweight as women to develop type 2 diabetes.

For the study, researchers analysed data collected from 51,920 men and 43,137 women in Scotland with diabetes and compared their Body Mass Index (BMI) rates (measured within one year of diagnosis), taking into account factors like age and smoking status. Body Mass Index is a person’s weight in kg divided by their height in metres squared and is used in health research and practice as a measure of obesity.

They found mean BMI at diabetes diagnosis in men was 31.83, but 33.69 in women and the difference was most marked at younger ages.

Why would men develop diabetes with less weight gain than women? The researchers reason that men stand a higher risk of developing diabetes more easily and at a young age than women because of the way fat is distributed around their body.

Generally, men without diabetes have more fat around the abdomen and in the liver than women, who on the other hand tend to carry a greater proportion of their body fat under the skin as well as in thighs and buttocks, which is thought to be less risky for type 2 diabetes and other health problems.

Certainly, the disparity between men and women could also be due to the fact women now a days, have gone calorie conscious irrespective of age and they follow a strict regime which encloses regular exercise and balanced diet.

What’s the connection between obesity and diabetes? According to experts, the increase in incidence of diabetes world over is a sort of evolutionary backlash. Humans today are programmed to resist famine, because over time, the only people who survived and propagated are those who are well-equipped to survive famine. Now an overabundance of food has become more dangerous than a lack of it. With food becoming more available and less expensive all over the world, obesity and diabetes have followed.

Part of the body’s protection against famine is insulin resistance. That means that our muscles are not as receptive to insulin, which is critical to moderating blood sugar. To make matters worse, more than half of people who are obese also have insulin resistance. That means their pancreas have to work even harder to produce more insulin so their muscles know it’s there.

In an overfed state, the pancreas is forced into an overproduction of insulin because there is so much food to process, and the pancreas quickly becomes exhausted and cuts down on insulin production.

When the pancreas gives up, or slows down production, blood sugar starts to rise. That’s when people get the symptoms of diabetes, including excessive thirst, excessive urination and blurred vision.

Paradoxically individuals can do a lot to guard against diabetes, stated Dr Olubiyi Adesina, a diabetes expert at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State. He stated that there was considerable research supporting simple measures that are protective against diabetes.

Dr Adesina, a member of Strategy for Improving Diabetes Care, Nigeria (SIDCAIN), declared that such simple steps as exercising, weight control and increased fruits and vegetable intake were helpful in people with blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes, do not become diabetic.

According to him, “exercise helps the body to burn fat. A high level of body fat, in particular abdominal body fat, decreases the body’s sensitivity to insulin. This decreased sensitivity to insulin is one of the major causes of type 2 diabetes. Through exercise, the body’s sensitivity to insulin is increased, thus helping the body to prevent the onset of diabetes.”

In addition, exercise helps to lower stress levels, control anxiety, and relieve depression. People with low stress levels and who have a positive outlook on life are less likely to get diabetes. The stress hormones trigger the body’s “fight or flight” response. These hormones cause the liver to release sugar into the blood for the anticipated need for energy.

Nonetheless, fruits are loaded with vitamins, minerals, fibre and perfectly filled with water that allows better absorption of their natural nutritive properties. The natural water and fibre content of fruit actually causes a slow release of sugar into the bloodstream. This is quite unlike the instant sugar impact of no-fibre, high-chemical, heavily processed white bread that is also quite dehydrating.

Furthermore, since foods with high fibre content allow the blood sugar levels to slowly rise, this reduces stress on the pancreas and decreases a person’s risk for developing diabetes.

It is very important that people with diabetes have regular check-ups, control their weight and cholesterol, follow an exercise programme, lower high blood pressure, and not smoke. If you know that you have diabetes, you should already be under the care of a doctor. If you think that you have diabetes but are not sure, see your doctor for tests.

source: tribune

Radiotherapy reduces breast cancer mortality NEW DELHI: A new study says after breast-conserving surgery, radiotherapy to the conserved breast halves the rate at which the disease recurs in the next 10 years and reduces breast cancer death rate by about a sixth in the next 15 years.

These proportional benefits vary marginally among different groups of women, the study has concluded on the basis of analysis of 10,801 breast cancer patients and 17 trials. This is the largest study on the topic till date.

Published in the medical journal 'The Lancet' on Thursday, it says the reduction in cancer recurrence is seen within the first year after radiotherapy and lasts throughout the first decade. Within 10 years of the diagnosis, 35% of women, who did not have radiotherapy, had a recurrence as compared to only 19% who had radiotherapy.

The effect of radiation on breast cancer mortality takes longer to appear than its effect on recurrence. However, within 15 years of diagnosis, 25% of women, who did not have radiotherapy, had died as compared to only 21% who had radiotherapy.

Dr Hemant Singhal, director, Medanta Breast Service said, in the West, 80% of women would undergo breast-conserving surgery. But in India more patients are forced to undergo full removal of breast since tumours are larger.

"Around 3%-5% of women get local recurrence of the cancer. For many with early-stage breast cancer, breast-conserving surgery can remove any macroscopic disease that has been detected. However some microscopic tumour might remain that could lead to recurrence. If cancer is detected early, the breast can be saved," Dr Singhal said.

Dr Anupama Hooda Nehra, chief of medical oncology at Max Hospital, said, "For women who undergo breast-conserving surgery, a six-week radiation regimen is compulsory. Risk of local resurgence of the cancer is double among women who undergo a breast-conserving surgery and don't get radiation as compared to those who undergo mastectomy."

The authors of 'From the Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group' say: "The findings show that radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery not only substantially reduces the risk of recurrence but also moderately reduces the risk of death from breast cancer."

source: TOI

Why some people feel sleepy all the time?

The reason some people feel sleepy all the time could be lack of energy and dehydration. Lack of energy means that you must have a normal food intake that should be healthy and nutritious. You could research on the food guide pyramid for better visual understanding in terms of the proper food intake and proportions per food items that one must consume. In a meal, it must be complete with carbohydrates, protein and vitamins and minerals.

Another factor for making you feel sleepy is due to dehydration. There was a discovery that most people are chronologically dehydrated and don't even know it. Dehydration causes a person to feel extremely sleepy or tired.

Here are some effective tips to get rid of sleepiness.

1. Take adequate sleep 8hrs a day.

2. Drink plenty of water, eat healthy food, walk some for exercise every day (involving stretching).

3. You might want to try a diffent routine, alternate the things you usually do in the day especilly if you just stay at home. Add more on your fun or worthwhile activities and make your scheduling so you won't get bored thinking of the daily routines. Try to make your schedule hectic.

4. Lessen wheat and other grains (except rice), and dairy products.

Take food supplements like multi-vitamins, amino-acid, Vit C for alertness and iron, which is considered to be a premium energy giver to the body.
Take soy protein shakes proven as energy providers and so, is green tea.

5. Wear sturdy athletic shoes with orthotics if you have flat feet - makes a huge difference in energy level, and getting into motion. More foundation
for living life.

6. There may also be some unconfrontable stress, but if there is, you'd be better able to cope with it with these foundation in place.

7. See your dentist if you have TMG problems and teeth grinding when sleeping, causing sleep disturbance.

8. Visit a sleep clinic in your area, if there's a need to take drugs for cases like narcolepsy.

Actually, there are several things, which you can do to improve your diet and delete some of the poor lifestyle choices that you have made in the past. All these would help you to get an improved feeling through out the day, where you are bouncy both in your mind and body.

Glass of wine 'strengthens the bones density'

Just one glass of wine a day can strengthen bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis, according to a new study.

British researchers who looked at the relationship between diet and fracture risk found moderate amounts of wine appeared to boost bone density in the spine.

But other alcoholic drinks, such as beer and spirits, did not have the same effect.

The results, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, come from a study involving over 1,000 pairs of female twins in Britain aged in their mid-fifties.

Although some smaller studies have suggested alcohol might have a protective effect, heavy drinking is known to be a major risk factor for weak bones.

Osteoporosis is a bone-wasting disease that affects an estimated three million people in the UK.

One in three women and one in 12 men develop it at some point in their lives.

Women who use steroid drugs, smoke, drink heavily and have a family history of the disease are most at risk.

It progresses when osteoclasts, cells that break down old bone by removing the calcium and phosphorous that gives it strength, start to outnumber osteoblasts, rival cells responsible for making healthy new bone.

Right the way through life old bone is being destroyed by osteoclasts and new bone is formed by osteoblasts. But after the ages of 30 to 35, there are fewer osteoblasts than osteoclasts.

Osteoporosis develops when the balance tips too far in favour of the osteoclasts. With an ageing population, the NHS faces an increasing burden from fractures.

In the latest study, scientists from the University of East Anglia and Kings College London studied dietary patterns in post-menopausal twins to see how food and drink related to the number of broken bones.

After quizzing volunteers on their eating and drinking habits, researchers carried out scans to measure the thickness of their bones in the hip joint, the spine and the top of the femur - the major bone linking the thigh to the hip.

The results showed wine drinkers had higher bone density in the spine and the hip than non-drinkers, or those that preferred other types of alcohol.

Researchers did not find any substantial benefit to bones from a diet high in fruit and vegetables but did discover a traditional English diet of fish and chips, baked beans, meat pies and cooked meats had a damaging effect on bone strength.

In a report on their findings the researchers said: 'Moderate intakes of alcohol from wine were associated with a higher bone mineral density and the consumption of a traditional 20th-century English diet was linked with a lower bone density."

It's not clear how wine can build bone strength but previous research suggests it may be due to chemicals, called polyphenols, found in the skin of grapes rather than the alcohol it contains.

source: telegraph

Serious conditions that triggers heartburn

Heartburn-like pain is a common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). But several other conditions can cause a burning feeling in your chest.

Most of the time, your doctor will be able to identify whether you have heartburn or GERD by doing tests.

Here are nine other conditions that can cause heartburn-like pain.

1. Angina
Angina, or chest pain caused by lack of blood flow to the heart, can feel a lot like heartburn.
"The major key is if you're getting heartburn when you're doing strenuous or moderate activity," says Dr. Ryan Madanick, a gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, in Chapel Hill.

If you're 50 or older and getting heartburn—especially if you haven't had this kind of pain before—it can raise suspicion of angina. Suspicions can also be raised if you're younger but have heart risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease.

2. Gallstones
Although gallstones don't always cause symptoms, a stone blocking your bile duct can hurt, usually in the middle or upper-right side of the abdomen.

Pain may be cramping, dull, or sharp, and often strikes minutes after you eat.

If you're experiencing stomach pain after meals that doesn't improve after you take an over-the-counter acid-suppressing medication, gallstones should be suspected, says Dr. Joel Richter, a gastroenterologist and chairman of the department of medicine at Temple University School of Medicine, in Philadelphia.

3. Stomach Ulcer
Ulcers can cause a gnawing, burning sensation, usually felt in the upper abdomen. The pain can find its way up to the chest, Madanick says.

Acid-suppressing medications may relieve ulcer pain. But ulcers are usually caused by Helicobacter pylori, a type of bacteria that inflames the stomach lining, so you will need to take antibiotics to clear the infection.

Certain anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen), and osteoporosis drugs called bisphosphonates, can also cause stomach ulcers.

4. Hiatal Hernia
A hiatal hernia occurs when a portion of the upper stomach pokes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity, rather than staying in the abdominal cavity where it belongs.

This can push food and stomach acid up into the esophagus, causing heartburn. Other signs of hiatal hernia include chest pain, belching, and nausea. If you have heartburn due to hiatal hernia, your doctor will typically prescribe acid-suppressing drugs, and recommend lifestyle changes like eating smaller meals, avoiding alcohol, and not eating right before bed. In rare cases, surgical repair may be warranted.

5. Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer is rare, but its incidence is rising rapidly in the United States, Madanick says.

"If you have heartburn, it might be a sign of esophageal cancer, but it's highly unlikely," he says. Your doctor may decide to order an upper endoscopy to examine your esophagus if you've got long-standing heartburn, especially if you smoke or drink heavily, both of which are risk factors for esophageal cancer.

This test involves passing a tube with a light and a camera at one end down your throat into your esophagus. During the test, your doctor can look for abnormal areas as well as collect tissue samples to test for cancer.

6. Gastroparesis
Poor control of diabetes can lead to nerve damage, which can affect the workings of your digestive tract.

This is called gastroparesis, and it dramatically slows the movement of food through the stomach and can cause heartburn.

Treatment can include dietary changes such as eating smaller meals, avoiding fat and fiber, medications, and, for people with very severe symptoms, inserting a feeding tube or an implanted device that emits electrical pulses mimicking stomach contractions.

7. Esophagitis
Esophagitis, or inflammation of the esophagus, can result from frequent acid reflux. This condition can in turn lead to more heartburn, as well as difficulty swallowing.

The esophagus can also become inflamed from taking certain painkillers and osteoporosis medications, particularly if the pills are taken without water, allowing them to remain in the esophagus.

A third type of esophagitis, called eosinophilic esophagitis, occurs when white blood cells known as eosinophils invade the esophagus. The condition is often allergy-related, so treatment requires identifying and avoiding the offending foods. Doctors may also prescribe steroid medications to ease inflammation.

8. Pleuritis or Costochondritis
Inflammation of the lining of the lungs and chest cavity, known as pleuritis or pleurisy, can cause heartburn-like chest pain. Pleuritis should be suspected "if the pain or burning gets worse when you take deep breaths or move around," Madanick says.

Pleuritis is most commonly caused by a viral or bacterial infection, and resolves when the infection does.

Costochondritis—an inflammation of the cartilage anchoring ribs to the breastbone—can cause sharp pain along the breastbone or sternum. It can be related to injury or infection, and typically is treated with anti-inflammatory medicines, pain relievers, and rest.

9. Anxiety
Although anxiety won't cause GERD, it can cause heartburn and make GERD symptoms worse, Madanick says. A person can have both anxiety-related heartburn and GERD-related heartburn.

"One of the signs that it's not just reflux is that treating the reflux problem doesn't make it any better," he says.

Reducing anxiety and stress through, for example, exercise, relaxation, and therapy, can also ease heartburn.

Madanick says that, as with other conditions that masquerade as GERD, "many times the only times we will see a patient…is when the over-the-counter medications haven't worked, because the medications tend to be very effective for treating simple heartburn."

source: foxnews

Healthier diet, stronger sperm?

"Specifically, a healthy diet composed of a higher intake of fish, fresh fruit, whole grains, legumes and vegetables seems to improve sperm motility," Gaskins explained, "which means a higher number of sperm actually move around, rather than sit still."

For years, nutritionists have rallied around the notion that "you are what you eat."

Now, new research suggests this adage might even extend to the strength and quantity of sperm.

The observation stems from a pair of studies slated for presentation Monday at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine annual meeting in Orlando, Fla., both of which highlight an apparent linkage between nutrition and semen quality.

The upshot: Diets rich in red meat and processed grains seem to impair the ability of sperm to move about, while diets high in trans fats appear to lower the amount of sperm found in semen.

"The main overall finding of our work is that a healthy diet seems to be beneficial for semen quality," said Audrey J. Gaskins, lead author of the first study. Currently a doctoral candidate in Harvard School of Public Health's department of nutrition in Boston, Gaskins' colleagues included researchers from both the University of Rochester and the University of Murcia in Spain.

"Specifically, a healthy diet composed of a higher intake of fish, fresh fruit, whole grains, legumes and vegetables seems to improve sperm motility," Gaskins explained, "which means a higher number of sperm actually move around, rather than sit still."

Gaskin's conclusions are based on work with 188 men between the ages of 18 and 22, who were recruited in Rochester. Food questionnaires were completed, and participant diets were categorized as being either "Western" in content (including red meat, refined carbs, sweets and energy drinks) or so-called "Prudent" (composed of fish, fruit, vegetables, legumes and whole grains).

Semen tests were then conducted to assess sperm movement, concentration and shape.

Although diet seemed to have no impact on either sperm shape or number, motility was impacted, with "Western" diets linked to reduced movement, even after accounting for factors such as race, smoking history and body-mass index (BMI).

Gaskins stressed, however, that more work is needed to better understand exactly how nutrition can affect sperm.

"This was a small study, and we don't know if there's something else about the men that causes them to have worse motility," she noted. "We don't know if nutrition actually causes the change. So, for now all we can say is that there's an association between nutrition and sperm quality."

On a similar front, a second study led by Dr. Jorge Chavarro, an assistant professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, revealed that men who eat diets that contain a relatively high amount of trans fat had lower sperm concentration levels. What's more, the amount of trans fat found in their sperm and semen went up.

The conclusion was drawn from work with nearly 100 men, all of whom underwent a nutritional and semen quality analysis.

Even after adjusting for a wide array of factors such as age, drinking and smoking histories, BMI, caffeine intake and total calories consumed, the authors found that although trans-fat intake appeared to have no impact on sperm movement of shape, the more trans fatty acids consumed the lower an individual's sperm concentration.

Dr. Edward Kim, from the University of Tennessee's graduate school of medicine in Knoxville, reacted to both studies with enthusiasm and caution.

"I think that this research is certainly very suggestive that dietary factors may have an impact on male infertility," said Kim, who also serves as president of the Society for Male Reproduction and Urology.

"And the studies point us in a direction that suggest that a healthy lifestyle may correlate with better quality sperm," he added. "But clearly further research in this area is needed to come up with definitive conclusions."

Because both studies were presented at a medical meeting, the data and conclusions should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

source: usatoday

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