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Archive for the ‘Diseases’ Category

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the US today. Coronary heart disease involves a closing off of the blood vessels that provide oxygen and nutrients to the heart. This narrowing of the blood vessels is mainly caused from plaque building up on the walls of the vessels. This is often referred to as atherosclerosis. Fatty materials and other substances make up this plaque that forms. This can severely restrict or even stop the flow of blood to the heart.

There may or may not be symptoms with heart disease. The first symptom may be a heart attack which can result in death. The most common symptom associated with coronary heart disease is chest pain. This pain usually occurs when there is a lack of oxygen to the heart. The degree of pain felt varies depending on the individual and his or her condition. Many people experiencing these symptoms have described it as a squeezing pain that feels like their heart is being squeezed. The pain most often occurs under the breast bone, but may occur in other areas such as the arm or neck.

There is a strong correlation between obesity and heart disease. The more overweight your body is, the more chance you have of developing heart disease, according to many studies. If your body is in a healthy range, it is more likely that your body can effectively manage blood circulation and fluid levels to take care of the heart.

The gold standard for measuring obesity is calculating BMI or body mass index and measuring waist size. Men should have a waist size of 40 inches or less to remain healthy. BMI is measured by comparing a person’s weight with their height to determine the amount of body fat. Obesity is mainly caused by eating more calories than your body can expend. In rare instances, there may be other causes.

Living a sedentary lifestyle and not getting enough exercise is also a cause of obesity. When you are not exercising, your body burns fewer calories and stores excess calories as fat. It is also important to eat the right kind of food. When you consume high amounts of saturated fats, trans fats and foods that are high in cholesterol, the risk of obesity and heart disease is even greater.

To calculate BMI, multiply your weight by 703. That number is then divided by your height multiplied by itself. You are considered to be obese if your BMI number is greater than 30. If your BMI number is greater than 40, you are considered to be extremely obese.

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• its not just some old wives tale: the cold weather does make us more prone to colds and flu although the cold temperature does not cause these diseases (yes we know its viruses that do) the fact that people tend to congregate indoors more in winter makes

Lymphedema sufferers can find relief with a pneumatic compression device. There are approximately three million people in the United States that suffer from Lymphedema. These devices or compression pumps are used to remove the excess fluid from the limbs, thereby relieving pain and pressure and allowing the person a normal life. Often, because of the swelling caused by this condition, there are a number of tasks normally taken for granted that suddenly become too difficult for someone suffering from Lymphedema. They can be as simple as changing their clothes or taking a shower, going to the grocery store or even walking within their home. The swelling is often so severe that the affected limb will become several times larger than normal.

When a pneumatic compression device or Lymphedema pump is used, typically on the arms or legs, they help the buildup of fluid to be moved away from the area and back to the Lymphatic system. This is the natural way for the body to rid itself of this fluid; however, for those who suffer from Lymphedema, the lymph glands become blocked and the fluid cannot drain. In addition, there are many people who have circulatory problems that may benefit from the use of these pumps.

The cause of Lymphedema is not always known although sometimes it is due to surgery for certain types of cancer. A pneumatic compression device is often used by those who have had surgery or radiation treatment for breast cancer, prostate, uterine and bladder cancer. These are the most common forms of cancer for which treatment resulted in the development of Lymphedema. The pump has a sleeve that is attached and when it is placed on the swollen limb and inflated and deflated, this action helps the fluid to disperse and return to the Lymphatic system.

This treatment may be necessary several times a week and with this handy pump, they may be done within the comfort of your own home. Before the availability of a pneumatic compression device, people with this condition had to go to a specialist regularly for treatment.

The importance of ridding the body of this swelling cannot be stressed enough. Without the proper treatment there are a number of problems that can develop due to the buildup of fluid. The area may develop sores or ulcers that do not heal, resulting in gangrene. This will necessitate amputation of the limb. The swelling also prevents immune cells from being able to get to the part of the body that is swollen and this is where they are needed the most. Incorporated channels in the sleeve of the pneumatic compression device are responsible for moving fluid away from the swollen area. When the pump is used, these channels are inflated and deflated effectively pushing the fluid away from the area.

The benefits are many including a quiet operation that is easily used while enjoying music or the television. Additionally, the cost is typically covered by insurance companies with a statement from a physician affirming that the device is medically necessary.

It’s not just some old wives’ tale: the cold weather does make us more prone to colds and flu. Although the cold temperature does not cause these diseases (yes, we know, it’s viruses that do), the fact that people tend to congregate indoors more in winter makes it easier for us to catch other people’s viruses.

Also, a study published in the Oxford Journal of Family Practice showed that the closing of blood vessels near the surface of the skin, which happens when our bodies get chilled, makes us more vulnerable to viruses by depriving our nasal cavity of protective mucous.

But this does not mean colds and flu are unavoidable during the winter season. There are things you can do to keep healthy.

1. Keep warm.If chilling makes us more vulnerable to the cold and flu viruses, help your body protect you by keeping it warm: Wear a hat. Keep your feet dry. Put on the right coat or jacket as protection from the weather.

2. Strengthen your immune system.Why is it that two individuals could be exposed to exactly the same germs but only one of them gets sick? The answer is immunity. This can be from previous exposure to the germs, or it can be from beefing up the immune system by eating and sleeping right.

So get the sleep that you need. If you can’t get all your required eight hours at night, take power naps during lunch breaks and coffee breaks or during your commute. Also, boost the level of vitamin C in your body by eating your fruits and vegetables – the recommended dose is five servings per day. Make sure too that you keep well hydrated. The body needs water to rid itself of wastes, so a well-hydrated body is a healthier body – one that is better able to fight disease.

3. Keep your hands clean.The world is full of germs, and one of the most common ways they enter our body is through our eyes, nose, and mouth. Now in civilized society, it is not common for people to sneeze in others’ faces. But if somebody sneezes on his hand then touches your office doorknob or your phone or your keyboard, they are spreading germs to those things. If you touch these things then touch your face, you are delivering germs to your eyes, nose, and mouth, allowing them easy entrance to your body.

To prevent this scenario, it is wise to have disinfectant wipes with you at all times. Use them to wipe anything in your surrounding that you feel may have been contaminated before you touch them yourself. Keep your hands clean, too, by washing them often for at least 20 seconds each time. This is the most effective way of disinfecting your hands, though if you really can’t wash, alcohol is an acceptable substitute. Finally, avoid touching your face.

Now what if it’s too late and you already have caught the bug? In addition to seeing your doctor, you can also chug up some chicken soup, which, according to recent studies, is really effective in easing cold symptoms. For clogged nose, you can try saline nasal washes; they are a safe and effective way to clear out stuffy mucus. For scratchy throats, try herbal teas with lemon and honey, which has been demonstrated to relieve cough symptoms better than the cough-suppressing drug dextromethorphan.

All these methods have been promoted by grandma for years, and recently, they have also received researchers’ thumbs ups. So why not listen to your elders this time and feel better, healthier, and more virtuous too!