Archive for the ‘Disease Prevention’ Category
The recent outbreak of swine flu has been a hot topic of discussion and for good reason. About 4,000 candidate cases have been reported in several countries across the world. The first reports came out of Mexico when a new illness with flu-like symptoms was found. There have been 13 reported deaths from the illness. Of those 13, 12 were in Mexico and 1 in the US. The outbreak is currently a level 5 pandemic.
The virus has spread though out the US and become a serious issue in many states. Numerous schools have shut down to reduce the chance of the virus spreading. Athletics in both Texas and Alabama high schools have been shut down entirely. These steps taken to prevent spread of the virus show the seriousness of the issue.
The swine flu is actually somewhat inaccurately named. While it is no doubt a type of swine influenza, it is not a virus that is being contracted from pigs. It is only a human-to-human issue at this point. The virus is a new strain that has formed from 4 known, component strains. The components are a strain of the human influenza virus, a strain of the avian influenza virus and two strains of swine influenza virus. Since swine flu is a newly detected virus, there is not yet a vaccination for the virus.
Preventing Contraction of the Swine Flu
The tips to avoiding swine flu are basically the same as for the normal human flu. You should frequently wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap. If you cough, you should cough into a napkin and dispose of the napkin and wash your hands. At a minimum, make sure that you always cover nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough.
The Need for Health Insurance
Given the fast spread of swine flu, it is important to have health insurance so that we can afford to get the care that we need to fight the new virus. Since there is not yet a vaccination, there might be a long road to recovery. The bills that result will likely make a difficult time even more stressful. With a good health care plan, this added stress will not be an issue.
To get more information on swine flu or to get information on the health care options that are available to you, visit this Texas health care insurance website.
Why are some people seemingly able to eat a diet loaded with heart clogging fried foods and fats, while others seem destined to poor health regardless of their diet? This question has plagued medical researchers for decades. The answer is now beginning to unravel, in part due to advancements in decoding the human genome, and an understanding of the intricate genetic interactions which respond to diet and lifestyle decisions we make every day.
Genes Provide the Missing Link to Heart Disease
Scientists are able to watch gene alterations or switching in virtual real time, as they observe the positive or negative influences of specific food items in each meal. According to a study published in the journal Nature, researchers have identified nearly 100 genes which specifically control up to a third of the inherited factors controlling our cholesterol, specifically LDL cholesterol and triglycerides that are known factors in the development of coronary artery disease and heart attack risk.
Our Genes Aren’t Set in Stone
This study demonstrates for the first time that certain individuals are predisposed to developing abnormal types of oxidized LDL cholesterol through a hereditary link. Based on the results, up to 20% of people are at increased risk for developing heart disease, as their genes have been ‘switched’ in favor of developing a poor blood lipid profile.
This does not mean that you’re condemned to poor health due to heredity. Our genes respond to the cues they receive from the foods we eat and the lifestyle we lead. A predisposition to heart disease is not destined. Fortunately, there are several simple steps you can follow to reduce and virtually eliminate the risk for coronary artery disease, regardless of the genetic cards you’ve been dealt.
Step 1: Eat Fat with Your Heart in Mind
Diet is the single most important factor which controls the actions of your genes. The nutritional content of each bite of food directly impacts and influences how each gene activates, and scientists are able to track subtle changes which take place after each meal. Diets which are high in hydrogenated trans fats such as fried foods are particularly damaging from a genetic perspective.
It’s important to understand that not all fats are the same when it comes to heart health. For a half century, saturated fats have been maligned, and most have been advised to avoid them at all cost. Nothing could be further from the truth, as these fats play an essential role in cellular health.
Omega-3 fats from fish and fish oil are essential to the prevention and treatment of heart disease. Ensure that the ratio of Omega-6 fats (from vegetable oil sources) to Omega-3 fats is no higher than 4:1 to reduce systemic inflammation and proliferation of coronary disease.
Step 2: Limit Refined Carbs and Wheat Based Foods
Extensive scientific data is mounting which correlates excessive consumption of wheat-based foods with progression of coronary artery disease. Wheat has been a part of the human diet for a relatively short period of our evolutionary history, and genetically we’re not well equipped to digest these grains.
To make matters worse, most foods made with wheat have been highly refined, stripping out any beneficial fiber which cause wild swings in blood sugar levels. Limit or fully eliminate wheat and refined carbs to avoid dangerous triglyceride and oxidized LDL cholesterol levels.
Step 3: Supplement with Heart Friendly Nutrients
People who are genetically predisposed to heart disease, as well as those with the desire to prevent this silent killer will want to supplement with a targeted nutritional cocktail which has been shown to stop coronary artery disease in its tracks. The B complex vitamins along with C and E provide critical support for the heart, as long as they are taken in their natural forms.
Magnesium, Selenium, Chromium and Potassium are essential minerals. It’s important to note that a daily multi vitamin doesn’t provide the proper amount or type of these critical nutrients. Choose a non-synthetic source made from whole foods. The amino acids Lysine and Proline in combination with Vitamin C (The Pauling Therapy) can be used for advanced protection against heart disease.
Research has uncovered the genetic link to heart disease which many have suspected since the beginning of modern medicine. We’re now able to use gene mapping to understand how this disease develops, and more important, how we can affect our diet and lifestyle to reduce our risk factors, and prevent and even treat coronary artery disease.
Are you suffering from the disease of addiction? Want some advice from people who have successfully entered long term recovery? Follow these tips below:
1. Change your friends – Unfortunately, the very root of our addiction problems sometimes lie within our circle of friends. Are there any particular friends you consistently hang out with that lead you into substance abuse? It’s time to reassess what a friend really means to you and the kind of friends you should hang out with to lead a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes this means changing your phone number and moving to sever negative relationships. This can be hard but in the end, it may save your life.
2. Change your environment – Just as you should review your friendships, you should also think about the places you go to hang out. Maybe it’s a nightclub, or a ballgame where they serve beer. Or perhaps it is a certain part of town you have frequented that makes you feel temptation. If these places cause you to relapse, you should avoid them at all costs. This might mean staying at home or visiting constructive environments instead like a museum.
3. Occupy your free time – Boredom can be a dangerous opponent in your recovery process. You may have found that the times you used drugs, smoked or drank alcohol were partly attributed to having nothing to do. Try reading your local paper to find cultural events, activities and cool things to do that don’t involve substance use.
4. Exercise – It’s a fact that if you feel depressed, you are more likely to use drugs to self medicate. One way to fight depression is to make yourself feel healthy and happy. Combining weight lifting with cardiovascular exercise will increase your strength and stamina as well as your overall sense of well being.
5. Diet – Diet is the other half of making yourself feel health and happy. Avoid fast food restaurants and anything high in cholesterol or sodium. Also quit drinking soda, eating candy, desert or anything with artificial flavoring. When you exercise and have a good diet, other things in your life will improve in addition to a sense of well being such as a higher sex drive and a better sex life!
6. Work – Boost your self esteem by feeling a sense of accomplishment and productivity. It’s a great feeling when your boss warms up to you or when you start a business and see it develop. Work is a great way to replace the focal point of your life from addiction to prosperity. This will boost your self esteem and reinforce your sobriety.
7. Build relationships – You may have noticed that as an addict, the drug becomes the center of attention in your life. Flip the table around! Whenever possible, make an effort to bond with your friends and family. They will return their support to you in a time of need.
8. Get a sponsor – There is nothing like having a mentor in recovery to help with your journey to a new way of life. Sponsors have been the key to so many success stories of addiction recovery. It’s just like having a big brother there to watch your back and guide you onto the right path.
9. Visit support groups – Whether or not you are shy or believe in support groups, you should give them the benefit of the doubt and try one out sometime. At first you might be resistant to what they teach… but you might begin to secretly enjoy them and appreciate the value of what they are doing for your life. Millions before you have received life changing wisdom from support groups.
10. Try having faith – Whether or not you believe in God, you may want to consider the powerful side effects of being a spiritual person; peace and serenity. After all the years of drug use… don’t you want to release yourself from the chaos? Faith will bear many fruits in your life and give you a whole new outlook on the road ahead.
Cancer is a disease that damages your DNA and causes your cells to grow in a rapid and out of control way. This growth eventually leads to the formation of a cancerous (malignant) tumour which can then spread to other areas of the body. It is not know exactly what triggers cancerous growths. However, there are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk of contracting this disease. In this article I will be expanding on this topic by providing you with three top cancer prevention tips.
1) AVOID CIGARETTE SMOKE:- Cigarette smoke contains over 70 carcinogens (substances that are known to cause cancer). Inhaling cigarette smoke transports these carcinogens to your lungs. These carcinogens can then travel from your lungs to other areas of your body through the blood and the lymphatic system. Therefore, by not smoking and avoiding smoky atmospheres you can significantly reduce your cancer risk.
2) EAT A HEALTHY DIET:- Research suggests that eating a diet that is rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals can help prevent cancer. Vitamins and minerals contain a selection of powerful anti-oxidants that can help protect your DNA from damage. Fibre helps your body properly absorb the vitamins and minerals that are in the foods you eat. Therefore, one top tip for preventing cancer is to eat lots of fresh, natural fruits and vegetables which are a rich source of all the above.
3) EXERCISE REGULARLY:- Studies suggest that regular exercise is another great way to prevent cancer. It is not known exactly why exercise helps prevent cancer but it is thought as little as thirty minutes of activity per day can lower your chances of contracting cancer. Therefore, doing a little exercise daily is another fantastic cancer prevention tip.
There are still a lot to of things to be learnt about cancer. However, as you can see from this article there are things you can do to significantly reduce your risk of contracting this disease. By avoiding cigarette smoke, improving your diet and doing some more exercise you can hopefully avoid cancer completely. Furthermore, these tips should improve your overall health which is an added bonus.
Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Cancer is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.
There are several easy steps you can take for the prevention heartburn. This article will focus on natural heartburn cures. I’ll cover over-the-counter medications for treating heartburn in another article. Heartburn could be a symptom of Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), commonly called “Acid Reflux”, which can cause serious damage to the esophagus. The information contained in this article is not a substitute for medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition.
The primary step to take in the prevention of heartburn is a change of dietary habits. Certain foods trigger or aggravate heartburn by causing abnormal stomach acid production and should be avoided. The following foods have been proven to cause the symptoms of heartburn to occur: caffeinated drinks – like coffee and soft drinks, alcohol, fried foods, spicy foods, citrus fruits, chocolate, and tomatoes. Avoiding or limiting consummation of these foods is an important step in curing your heartburn naturally.
Some studies suggest that drinking alcohol is the number one cause of heartburn symptoms. Excessive drinking can also cause inflammation of the pancreas which can feel like heartburn.
In addition to the other health risks caused by smoking, it can also cause an increase in stomach acid leading to heartburn. You can help relieve your heartburn by quitting smoking. Regular smokers have been shown to be 70% more susceptible to acid reflux disease as compared to non-smokers. And the symptoms of those who have already developed acid reflux are worsened due to smoking. Of course, quitting smoking has other health benefits and is an important step in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Exercise should be a part of everyone’s life. It assists in curing a large range of body disorders including helping to rid heartburn by aiding in digestion and the movement of food down the intestinal tract. Intense exercise shouldn’t be performed within a few hours of eating. Taking a short 10 to 15 minute walk after a meal will aid in digestion – in addition to helping to reduce stress, another major cause of heartburn.
An easy natural heartburn cure is to avoid eating two hours before sleeping. Likewise, you should avoid lying down after eating a meal. Elevating the head of the bed by 6 to 8 inches has proven to be an effective way to hamper the back flow of gastric fluids. The combination of not eating for two to three hours before sleeping and the elevation of the head of the bed has brought relief to many heartburn sufferers.
To summarize, heartburn can be spurred by the eating certain foods, sleeping or lying down soon after eating a meal, smoking, drinking alcohol, and lack of exercise. Though there are a number of medications for the treatment of heartburn the best way to cure heartburn is to prevent it from occurring through changes in diet and lifestyle. Following these simple tips in combination work well in the natural healing of heartburn and in the prevention of the serious health risks that can occur from acid reflux.
It is legendary to note that prevention is better, safer and smarter than cure. Modern practices often prove otherwise. We are all getting busy, busy doing whatever our heart pleases, whatever that gives us pleasure and take little cognizance of the most important things we ought to guard! – Our health.
It is rational maybe to think that we can go on and on, drinking those juicy drinks, taking stimulants and nicotine-contained products, feeling high and smoking. Then when there exists a problem, we rush for a quick fix and then move on. Life is also rational to in turn reward us with what we give to it. What do you think life would reward you with? I can never understand this, you can never also foretell the consequences (grave) my dear. The only way out to any problem especially health-related ones is prevention. Do regular check-ups with your doctor, keep up with exercises regularly, drink water regularly and watch your body reward you with good health.
Heartburn should be of utmost concern to you if you desire a holistic healthy lifestyle. Heartburn, you should understand can be responsible for cancer of the esophagus and other related diseases. Here are highly effective tips guaranteed to help prevent heartburn Avoid caffeine and nicotine-containing product like alcohol, coffee. Fatty foods, onions, chocolate, citrus fruit or juices, tomatoes etc Eat slowly – eat moderately, slowly does not have to be ridiculously sluggish Stop smoking Eat frequent smaller meals instead of three larger ones
Avoid much pressure on the stomach including frequent bending over, wearing tight clothes, lifting Avoid too much food intake that could lead to obesity The motive behind all these is to minimize the excess production of the stomach acid so it does not reflux – when the stomach acid backs up to the esophagus causing irritation. That’s it on preventing heartburn.