Archive for October, 2007

How To Eat Correctly In Reducing LDL and Triglycerides Levels

Friday, October 12th, 2007

There are few simple strategies you can adopt to reduce LDL and Triglycerides levels.

The first step is to consume fewer calories, limit cholesterol intake, and trade saturated fats for monosaturated fats found in olive, peanut and canola oils. Also, eat more fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as mackerel and salmon, and cut down red meats.

The second strategy to reduce cholesterol is simply to reduce its absorption from the gut. One way to do this is to consume foods rich in plant sterols.

A vegetarian diet is also a good way to reduce the satured fat in the body. After all, studies have shown that there is an estimated 25% lower incidence of coronary heart disease in vegetarians when compared to non-vegetarians.

However, there is a down-side to a purely vegetarian diet - vitamin B12 and the omega-3 fatty acids present in fish oils (both are protective against heart disease) are missing. The counter-argument by vegetarian buffs is that these oils can still be found in soy and flax seed oils.

Last but not the least, the proper diet is the primary steps in maintaining your health. Choose a good diet for yourself!

What is Benign Prostate Hyperplasia

Thursday, October 11th, 2007

Prostate hyperplasia, also known as Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH). Although it is not cancerous, it can cause the same prostate symptoms as prostate cancer. Prostate hyperplasia is present in about 90% of men over the age of 80. However, unless it causes the prostate gland to become grossly enlarged the symptoms are relatively mild and attributed to the rigors of old age.

The cause of prostate hyperplasia is not accurately known. Many researchers and oncologists believe that it is a hormone related condition. The male hormone testosterone is converted to a secondary hormone called dihydrotestosterone naturally in the body and when this secondary hormone binds with specific receptors in the tissues of the prostate gland, cellular growth and division becomes over-stimulated. Thus the prostate gland becomes enlarged so producing prostate hyperplasia.

Certain families of drugs can be used to reduce the amount of testosterone in the body or to stop the available testosterone from binding with the receptors in the prostate gland. This acts to stop prostate hyperplasia from developing further and may even reduce the size of the prostate gland over time. Unfortunately drug therapy for prostate hyperplasia is an ongoing therapy and if diagnosed with the condition you will be required to take drugs daily for the rest of your life.

Prostate hyperplasia symptoms are very similar to those of prostate cancer. Do take action if you notice the following:
* Difficulty urinating
* Urinary leakage
* Pain when urinating
* A feeling of urgency to urinate
* Increased night time urination
* Any other problems associated with urinating
As mentioned above prostate hyperplasia is usually easily controlled and treated with simple drug regimes. But if the symptoms are due to cancer, then surgery may be required.

Still you should not imagine the worst. A diagnosis of prostate hyperplasia does not necessarily mean that you are going to have prostate cancer. Admittedly some cases of prostate hyperplasia do progress and become cancerous. However, with early and continued treatment, the condition can be effectively controlled and enlargement of the prostate gland reduced.

Diabetes And Your Feet

Wednesday, October 10th, 2007

If you have diabetes, one of the most important things to know is to take care of your feet.

How Can Diabetes Cause Foot Problems?
Some people with diabetes develop complications. Two of the common complications, both of which can adversely affect your feet, are damage to nerves (neuropathy) and damage to blood vessels (vascular disease).

People with diabetes sometimes develop nerve damage to the feet- your entire foot, or a part of it, can become numb or insensitive to pain. If your foot is numb, you can walk all day with a very bad blister, or something in your shoe that is injuring you, and never know it. You could burn your foot badly and do not know to pull your foot away.

How Does Diabetes Damage Blood Vessels?
Diabetes can cause the lining of blood vessels to thicken, narrowing the space where blood flows. If the blood vessels to your feet are either clogged up or completely blockd, the skin and muscles of your feet will suffer.

This can mean that your feet are:
- Less able to fight off infection.
- Less able to heal if injured.
- Likely to develop gangrene (or areas of dead flesh) if the blood supply becomes completely blocked.

How Should I take Care Of My Feet?
If you have no existing nerve or blood vessel damage, you should still take sensible care of your feet.
- Wash and carefully dry your feet evey day. Take special care to gently dry between toes.
- Very lightly moisturise feet every day, but not between toes.
- Wear well-fitting and sensible shoes, like broad and deep sports shoes.
- Look at your feet everyday to check that they look healthy and normal. Report any changes immediately to your doctor.

Anxiety

Tuesday, October 9th, 2007

Anxiety is a disorder in which the individual afflicted feels an intense, irrational fear and an impending sense of doom or dread.

In ‘layman’s terms’, you will be confronted with paralyzing fear for no apparent reason that will make you feel as if there is no possible way out of it. And you can experience this unprovoked fear at any time within the course of a day.

In addition to Anxiety Disorder, an individual may also have other common disorders that go hand-in-hand with such as Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Agoraphobia, or any other number of Phobias that make it all the more important to seek treatment for.

Anxiety may cause by the loss of body control.  When in the presence of others, the idea of losing control, along with feeling embarrassed is enough to cause anxiety.  Slowly, the nervousness builds up and will eventually become a full fledge anxiety attack.  It may be very difficult to avoid such thoughts.  One of the easiest ways to avoid this cause of anxiety is to keep busy and occupied. Past trauma can also be a cause of anxiety.  Often, victims of trauma suffer a history of anxiety attacks.  For example, when parents get divorced, it has a lasting impact on a child.  Later on in life, the trauma could be the cause of anxiety and depression.

Another common causes of anxiety is work, especially in people who work with computers.  In people who have to work with repetitive tasks, it is important to take breaks quite often in order to break up the work pattern.

There are various causes of anxiety.  Each person and situation is unique.  Therefore, in order to properly treat anxiety, you must know the root cause of the anxiety.  This will not only help you deal with the anxiety at the present time, but whenever it occurs.

Depression

Tuesday, October 9th, 2007

Depression is a serious medical condition with a variety of symptoms. Emotional symptoms can include sadness, loss of interest in things you once enjoyed, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, restlessness, and trouble concentrating or making decisions. Physical symptoms can include fatigue, vague aches and pains, headaches, and changes in weight or sleep patterns. For some, depression can include thoughts of death or suicide.

There’s no simple explanation why people experience depression. It’s a complex disease that may develop for a variety of reasons. It can affect anyone at any age, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or income level.

Some people become depressed after a major life change—the death of a loved one, a divorce, the loss of a job or a move. Even seemingly happy events, such as becoming a parent or getting married, can trigger depression. Or, even a smaller change can sometimes trigger depression.

If you think you may be experiencing some of the symptoms of depression, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about it.

Your primary care provider is a good place to start. He or she can evaluate your symptoms and determine whether depression is the underlying cause. Your doctor may suggest a course of treatment, or may refer you to a specialist, such as a psychiatrist. If you don’t already have a primary care provider, see if your friends, family members, or health insurance company can recommend someone.

It’s a good idea to prepare yourself for the visit. First, create a list of questions you want to ask, some notes about your symptoms and your medical history. The more detail you can provide, the easier it is for your doctor to make an accurate diagnosis. You may also want to ask a trusted friend or relative to come with you. He or she can take notes during the visit and provide support afterward.

Erectile Dysfunction

Monday, October 8th, 2007

Erectile dysfunction, or impotence, affects more than 18 million American men, according to a recent study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

What exactly is Eretile Dysfunction (ED). Well, different sources have different explanation. Generally, Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a condition whereby a man can’t get an erection to have sex or can’t keep an erection long enough to finish intercourse.

So what is the causes? Seriously speaking, there are no exact causes for erectile dysfunction. This problem could be caused by different things like: life style, physicist problems, job pressure, mental…and a lot more, but the fact is this, men should find a way to solve this issue.

Contracy to what many people thinks, it is not part of aging that causes ED. ED can occur at any age - even in men in their mid-30s, but it is more common in those above 65.

About treatment for ED, how ED is treated depends on what causing it. The fisrt step in treating ED is do not be SHY and FACE IT! Speak to your doctor! Remember, your doctor is the single best source of information regarding you and your health.

After your doctor checks you for medical problems and medicines that might cause ED, he or she may prescribe a drug to help with the condition. Some medications are taken orally, while others are injected in to the penis. However, remember that not everyone can take these medicines. Your doctor would be the most qualified to determine the right treatment.

Some ED condition not needed to be treated in medical ways. It can be treated by reducing the stress in your life. Reduce the stress and enjoy during intercourse. The ED condition may just disappear in that way…

What is Cholesterol?

Monday, October 8th, 2007

Cholesterol ia s sterol (a combination of steroid and alcohol), a lipid found in the cell membranes of all body tissues. Cholesterol is insoluble in blood, but is transported in the circulatory system bound to one of the varieties of lipoprotein, spherical particles which have an exterior composed mainly of water-soluble proteins.

There are two types of lipoprotein take important role in the body:
1. HDL (igh Density Lipoprotein). This is known as the “good cholesterol” as it has a protective effect on the body, carrying harmful fatty deposits away from the arteries and back to the liver.

2. LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein). This is known as the :bad cholesterol” as it transports the fatty deposits to the tissues encouraging a build-ip on the artery walls. The LDL cholesterol is very sticky. This build-up causes a conditio called atherosclerosis which leads to the narrowing of the arteries, restricting blood flow and so increasing the risk of heart disease or stroke.

Cholesterol is important for the formation of cell membranes and hormones. It plays a part in the production of steroid hormones (such as Estrogen, Testosterone and Cortisone), the transportation of fats around the body, the creation of Vitamin D (vital for strong bones and teeth) and to build cell membranes.

Our body needs cholesterol and it is synthesized in the liver. The problem is not the cholesterol itself but in the excessive cholesterol – particularly the “bad “ LDL cholesterol which contributes to plaque build up in the arteries. The food we eat (particularly the saturated fat) can elevate LDL. An excess of LDL cholesterol can accumulate in the arteries that feed the heart and brain and this can lead to a heart attack. (The “good” HDL cholesterol contributes by taking away excess cholesterol).
 

Types of diabetes

Sunday, October 7th, 2007

The American Diabetes Association adopted the following classification in 1979.

Type –1, insulin-dependent diabetes

Type-2, non insulin-dependent diabetes

There are two other kinds of diabetes, known as gestational diabetes and secondary diabetes. There is also a special kind of diabetes in India called malnutrition related diabetes.

Type-1 Insulin-Dependant Diabetes

This is the most severe form of diabetes. It develops when pancreas makes little or no insulin. Without insulin in the blood stream, sugar does not get into the cells, and remains in the blood. People with type-1 diabetes depend on injections of insulin to regulate their smaller metabolism.

Type-2 Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes

This type of diabetes is also known as adult onset diabetes. It seldom develops before the age of 40 years, although it may occur at any stage. Infect the incidence of type-2 diabetes in adolescents in on the rise. But because the symptoms are milk, these may not notice and the condition remains undetected for a long period and till later years.

One common factor in both type-1 and type-2 diabetes is elevated blood sugar levels. However, unlike type-1 diabetes, type-2 is not a disease of the immune system. While people with type-1 diabetes must use insulin to live, most of those with type-2 diabetes are able to control the disease and even reverse it. This is possible by a combination of appropriate diet, proper weight control and adequate exercise.

The Causes and Effects of Hypertension

Sunday, October 7th, 2007

 In order to know how to control the hypertension, we must know the causes and effects of hypertension.

Hypertension is the state of having high blood pressure. The possible candidate of having hypertension mioght have blood pressure that is higher than 140/90 mmHg.

There are many causes of hypertension. Hypertension can originate from a lot of things.

Idiopathic hypertension can be caused by genetic.

Improper diet with increased intake of fatty and high-cholesterol food, high-salt content food can cause hypertension.

The high emotional pressure during working or studying can also heighten the risk of hypertension.

The problems with kidney’s blood vessels will have the higher chance of acquiring hypertension. Renal parenchymal and renal vascular diseases are the two most common kidney ailments that can cause hypertension.

Patients with heart problems, chances are, the blood pressure becomes erratic. The blood pressure can either be low or high, depending upon the reaction of the heart and body.

If hypertension persists, there are different problems that could arise out of it.

People with hypertension can contrast a stroke at anytime. The chances of stroke are very high.

Hypertension can also cause faulty vision. When the fine blood vessels of the eyes break because of high blood pressure you could have blurry vision, which can even lead to blindness.

Hypertension can also damage the kidneys as the kidney’s blood vessels can thicken with high blood pressure.

So remember to check blood pressure regularly for a fuller, healthier life!
 

Welcome To Health And Fitness Blog

Sunday, October 7th, 2007

Hello Everyone!

Thanks for visiting this page. You will find a lot of useful information in this page regarding your health and we promise to provide you the best information on health and fitness for you. Keep In Touch!

From,

Sit Wai


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