Diet & Nutrition

How to Prevent Diabetes with Nutrition and Exercise

February 16, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Diabetes can be both a preventable as well as Hereditary disease. If your parents or siblings had Diabetes, especially Diabetes II, there is a good chance that you will be susceptible to the disease.

One of the first steps to prevent Diabetes is to start exercising on an almost daily basis for 30-90 minutes. The exercise regimen can involve running, brisk walking, swimming, intense cycling or any other activity which can boost the heart rate to above normal level and cause sweating. The type and intensity of exercise would depend upon the age of the person, overall fitness level, aptitude and liking for a particular type of exercise and time at hand.

For kids and young people an intense workout involving running, cycling as well as swimming is highly advisable. This would be akin to preparing for triathlon and can really be helpful in maintaining overall health in peak condition thereby keeping even the possibility of Diabetes at bay.

For retired and elderly people or people who are suffering from bone problems, arthritis, or are prone to injuries, a brisk walking regimen of 30-45 minutes is highly recommended. Brisk walking coupled with deep breathing is a great way to make sure that the kidneys, the pancreas, and the overall health are good so that the body is producing sufficient insulin. A healthy insulin level would help soak up enough glucose from the body so that one feels energized and healthy.

Eating a good hearty breakfast early in the morning is a great way to make sure that the body gets plenty of calories and nutrients when it needs the most, during morning and afternoon. This helps prevent starvation or hunger since the body no longer has to wait till lunch to get fuel and this can also boost metabolism and well being.

People should also be careful not to contract any viral infections by eating well cooked meals, avoiding questionable food items and food sources. This is because certain viral infections can inadvertently lead to an attack on pancreatic system leading to a dysfunctional insulin production system.

Filed Under: Diet & Nutrition Tagged With: Diabetes mellitus, Health

Using Erectile Dysfunction Drugs Safely

February 5, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

If your doctor has prescribed an erectile dysfunction drug, you can buy Cialis or whichever one he or she has determined will best suit your needs at a pharmacy. However, if your doctor feels you do not need medication for erectile dysfunction, be cautious when considering purchasing the drug online without a prescription.

Only those people who have a physical reason for experiencing erectile dysfunction — the inability to get an erection — should ask for a drug that treats this, and doctors should only prescribe one to those who need it. If you are able to get an erection through normal sexual stimulation and the erection is sufficient to allow you to engage in intercourse, then chances are you don’t need an erectile dysfunction drug.

If you buy Cialis simply because you think it will give you a harder erection and more sexual satisfaction, then you are wrong. Healthy men who are able to achieve an erection on their own will not see a noticeable difference in the size or firmness of one that comes from taking a sexual dysfunction drug.

What they may see are side effects, some of which may be serious. These can include an erection that lasts for more than four hours (that is, one that does not disappear after sexual climax has been achieved or one that does not even allow climax and ejaculation to occur). This can be a very dangerous side effect, as permanent damage to the penis and genital area overall can occur. If this happens and the result of the damage is blood flow is reduced to the penis, Cialis or anything else will not help that.

So while it is possible to purchase such drugs online, you should be aware of the risks involved before doing so and weigh the pros and cons. If you do decide to purchase medications online, be sure to buy from a reputable online pharmacy.

Filed Under: Diet & Nutrition Tagged With: Erectile dysfunction

What to Expect When Getting a Pap Test

January 27, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Cancer of the cervix is curable and preventable with a pelvic exam and a Pap test. Knowing what you can expect during the Pap test beforehand will help you be more relaxed and at ease when having your doctor’s appointment. A Pap test finds any cell changes in the cervix and problems that are treatable before turning into cancer. It is easier to cure cervical cancer if found early.

You will be instructed not to douche or use any type of vaginal creams at least 48 hours before your pelvic exam. You will lay down on an examination table, having a sheet put oer your stomach and legs. Next, you place your feet in the stirrups and have your knees to the side. The doctor or nurse will use a metal or plastic instrument that is called a speculum and looks into the vagina. They use a soft, small brush to gather a few cells from the cervix. This will only take a few seconds and the cells will be checked by the lab for cancer or any other problems. The doctor will look at the vaginal area, checking for signs of problems or infections. After your Pap test they will check the ovaries, tubes, and uterus by putting gloved fingers in vagina and pushing on outside with the other hand checking for any tenderness or lumps. This all only takes a few moments, when it is over you may get dressed.

Almost all cancers of the cervix are caused by a virus named HPVs (Human Papillomaviruses). If your test comes out unclear, the doctor may do an HPV test. You can have a Pap test done at your doctor’s office, health department, medical clinic, or a college health center. Anyone over 21 should have this exam done once in every 3 or 4 years. When you reach age 65 ask your doctor if you still require Pap tests.

Filed Under: Diet & Nutrition Tagged With: Cervical cancer, Pap test

What Is a Heart Attack?

January 25, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Heart attacks occur when the blood flow is blocked going to the heart muscle. It has to be restored quickly or that section of the heart muscle begins to die from the lack of oxygen. The leading killer of women and men in the U.S. is a heart attack. Excellent treatments are available for heart attacks today that prevent disabilities and save lives. Treatment is more effective if started within an hour of the start of symptoms. If you have symptoms or someone you know have symptoms of heart attack, don’t hesitate and call 911 immediately.

Heart attacks more often occur as the result of coronary artery disease (CAD). Plaque builds for years on walls of arteries that carry oxygen and blood to the heart. Eventually a clot can form, completely blocking blood flow to the heart muscle. This damage to the heart might cause severe, long lasting problems. Some severe heart problems are irregular heartbeat and heart failure. Ventricular fibrillation , if not quickly treated, can bring on death.

Getting help as quickly as possible can save a life and limit the damage done to the heart. Common symptoms and signs are:

Pain or discomfort in chest.
Shortness of breath
Discomfort in arms, back, stomach, jaw,and neck
Nausea, lightheadedness, vomiting, cold sweats, and fainting

Of the one million people who have heart attacks every year, almost half die. Many would recover if they had gotten help quicker. Half die within 1 hour of first symptom before reaching the hospital.

Tens of thousands of people survive heart attacks, return to work, and enjoy normal lives. Soon after suffering an attack and surviving, heart muscle begins healing and will usually take eight weeks. Scar tissue forms and doesn’t pump well like healthier tissue. Most survivors of heart attacks will need to make some very important changes to their lifestyle and probably take medication preventing further heart attacks.

Filed Under: Diet & Nutrition Tagged With: Coronary artery disease, Myocardial infarction

What is Angina?

January 18, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Angina is a discomfort or chest pain occurring when heart muscle is not receiving enough oxygen-rich blood. The pain can also be in the back, shoulders , arms, neck, or jaws. Sometimes it even feels like having indigestion. It is not a disease but a symptom usually of coronary heart disease(CHD) or other underlying problem of the heart. The most common kind of heart disease is CHD and occurs when plaque builds on the walls of coronary arteries that bring blood to the heart. Plaque makes the arteries narrow and stiff, reducing blood flow to heart muscle, thus causing the pain. A build up of plaque can cause a heart attack if it ruptures and causes a clot to form and blocks an artery. Angina can also cause coronary microvascular disease(MVD), a disease affecting smallest arteries in the heart. Studies show MVD affects women more than men.

The different kinds of angina are microvascular, stable, unstable, and variant. You should know how they differ because they are not treated the same. Most common is stable angina and occurs when heart works hard, pain goes away after resting or taking medicine for angina. Unstable angina requires emergency treatment because it is dangerous and unpredictable, signaling a heart attack might happen soon. Variant angina is very rare and occurs when resting and pain is severe, happening usually between 12 midnight and the early morning hours. This type of angina can be relieved with medication. Microvascular angina is more severe, lasting longer than other kinds, and may not be relieved by taking medication.

It is believed that almost seven million in the U.S. are suffering from some type of angina and occurs equally to women and men alike. Angina can be symptom of heart problems, however, all discomfort and chest pain is not necessarily a sign of having heart problems. Chest pain happens when a lung artery is blocked, a lung infection, major artery torn, or a panic attack. Any type of chest pain needs to be checked out by your doctor or a med center.

Filed Under: Diet & Nutrition Tagged With: Angina pectoris, Heart disease

Bacterial Skin Infections

January 8, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

The skin provides exquisite protection from bacteria and other ailments that come in contact with it. Through the tight knit organization of cells and the exterior structure of the skin, bacteria are able to exist on its surface, but not gain a foothold to cause an infection. However, there are numerous bacteria that can penetrate the skin and spread, causing vicious ailments as a result.

Some of the more common types of bacteria that are well known to penetrate skin Streptococcus and Staphylococcus, more commonly known as strep and staph. These types of bacteria tend to develop in people when their immunise systems are temporary jeopardized, and use the opportunity to move from the surface of the skin into an infectious state. Generally, a strep or staph infection occur in someone who is already ill or hospitalized and in an extremely weak state.

Additionally, there are cases in which people are simply at greater risk to infection over the vast majority of others due to a pre-existing condition such as HIV and other immune weakening ailments that leave a larger opening for the infection to mastitize.

Fortunately, with extreme cases excluded, there are things the average person can do to help reduce their risk of getting one of these vicious skin bacterial infections. The number one way is to keep your skin healthy and clean. The healthier the skin, the stronger the barrier it poses against infections. Additionally, ensure that any cuts or injuries existing on the skin are properly treated and not left unattended to for a period of time, as that provides an open invitation for staph.

Bacterial skin infections are a fairly common ailment and can turn life threatening. However, simply caring for your skin in terms of keeping it clean and moisturized, as well as treating open wounds on its surface properly will greatly reduce your risk to infection.

Filed Under: Diet & Nutrition Tagged With: Infection, Staphylococcus

LDL, HDL, Triglycerides – Oh My. Understanding Your Cholesterol Test.

December 28, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

So, you have gone for your physical and now the doctor is reporting the results of your cholesterol test. He tells you a few numbers and then goes on with the conversation about your diet and exercise without much regard for the fact that you probably have no idea what those numbers actually mean. Here’s a quick run-down to help in decoding your test results:

Total Cholesterol: The biggest of the numbers is the sum of the fats in your blood (LDL, HDL & triglycerides). A desirable number is less than 200 where a number higher than 240 is considered high and increases your risk of heart disease. If your number is high, your doctor may discuss medications with you to reduce your total cholesterol thus lowering your health risk.

LDL: Low Density Lipoproteins (bad cholesterol) is usually the next highest number. LDLs carry cholesterol to where it is needed by circulating from the liver to other organs. It has a habit of lingering which keeps the fat in the blood longer, thus leading to issues related to heart disease including stroke, heart attack, and atherosclerosis. Less than 100 is optimal, but over 190 is considered very high. There are various levels of concern in between.

HDL: High Density Lipoproteins (good cholesterol) takes cholesterol to the liver for processing and does not hang around in the blood. Since HDLs have a protective role against heart disease, the higher the number the better greater than 60 is considered high but below 40 can work against you and contribute to heart disease.
Triglyceride levels: the triglyceride level is not normally discussed unless there is a problem. Any level over 150 is considered high and treatment should be discussed with your doctor.

These are basic guidelines for the cholesterol test. Everyone’s risk factors are different and should be handled as a unique individual. Only you and your doctor can decide what you need to maintain good heart health.

Filed Under: Diet & Nutrition Tagged With: Cholesterol, High-density lipoprotein, Low-density lipoprotein

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Technology’s “Gift”

December 25, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

It’s true that technology has brought a lot of benefits to our society, but it has also brought its share of issues. One major issue for computer users is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. If you have it, you probably know it; and if you don’t, make sure you take steps to avoid it.

The syndrome occurs when the nerve running from the forearm into the hand (median nerve) compressed at the wrist. The tunnel through which the nerve runs (the carpal tunnel) is narrow and also houses the tendons. We all know that when a nerve is pressed or pinched bad things happen.

Gradually the symptoms will get worse. Starting with tingling or burning around the thumb and index finger, symptoms will progress to decreased strength and throbbing pain. Symptoms often occur at night, and if left untreated can lead to muscle atrophy. Women are much more likely to develop the syndrome than men since the tunnel is usually smaller; but people with metabolic disorders or diabetes are more susceptible.

Ignoring the issue can lead to permanent damage of the median nerve. Physicians utilize specific tests to diagnose the condition while ruling out other causes of wrist pain and numbness. There are various treatments for the syndrome ranging from drugs and exercise to surgery. Depending on the extent of the damage and symptoms, a doctor may recommend wearing a brace and anti-inflammatory drugs. Alternative therapies, such as chiropractic and acupuncture, are unproven but may be helpful in temporarily alleviating the symptoms.

The surgery to release the carpal tunnel is one of the most common procedures performed in the United States today. It can be done endoscopically or through an open incision and involved severing the band of tissue around the wrist to reduce the pressure on the nerve. Therapy and rest usually results in complete recovery.

Filed Under: Diet & Nutrition Tagged With: Carpal tunnel, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Median nerve, United States

Magazines for Men’s Health

December 10, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Men and women both have access to media outlets and informational resources that claim to want to better their health. The term, “health” has been tossed around to incorporate everything from the way we wear our hair to the annual doctor visits that are necessary to ensure our overall health. Today, healthful living does not only mean the way we eat or the sports we play, but rather the holistic nature of taking care of ourselves.

Men have always been characterized as the more fearless and strong gender, but modern times have pushed the strength of women upon men in terms of not just physicality but emotional stability and health. That being said, magazines are a paramount portal for which men can ascertain not only the best gym workouts for their unique goals but it serves as a resource for techniques against stress and advice on relationships.

Because magazines are tangible and can be stored for later reference, they can be invaluable forms of information throughout the year. Whether the issues at hand are sex, work, or play, men’s magazines target the male that wants to remain informed about the latest and most beneficial information related to taking the reigns in his own life. Today, magazines are both accessible online and at your local newsstand or bookstore.

By going online or grabbing a magazine off your own living room shelf, you are able to turn to a page that addresses your interests thereby offering the instantaneous tools, advice, and commentary that will help any man make the changes he seeks to live a more healthy life. As they differ from other forms of media, magazines tend to specialize in specific topics that pertain to the target audience and when it comes to men’s magazines, the topics remain love, sex, fitness, and nutrition.

Filed Under: Diet & Nutrition Tagged With: Magazine, Magazines and E-zines, Men

Eat your Fruits and Vegetables

December 5, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

From maintaining our physiological to our superficial conditions, there are many reasons to heed the advice of parents, teachers, and doctors that tell us to eat our fruits and vegetables. Whether it be to prevent cancer and other ailments or to have shinier hair and clearer skin, fruit and vegetable consumption have been known to produce healthful behavior and well-being. Even if you are avid about taking a multi-vitamin, it should not replace your need to eat fruits and vegetables. The nutrients that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables provide have been linked with improving the quality of your heart, vision, intestinal health, and digestion.

With all of these benefits having been proven to be associated with eating your fruits and vegetables, it’s a wonder that most of us do not consume the recommended daily quantity. The recommended cup value for fruit and vegetable consumption relies on an individual’s daily caloric intake, physical expenditure, and other related statistics. However, the average person of average weight and height need not consume any more than 2-4 cups of fruit and vegetables per day. This manageable amount of life-saving nutrients comes in a variety of sources including leafy greens like lettuce, unstarched vegetables like onions, Vitamin-A rich cantaloupe, and mangoes pumped with Vitamin C.

The colorful and tasty varieties can attract anyone who wants to add these disease fighting menu items into their diet. Simple tips like adding bananas to your corn flake cereal in the morning or experimenting with different combinations of vegetables in your own tossed salad are easy ways to integrate these vital ingredients into your lifestyle. By adjusting your diet to include these low calorie and dietary fiber rich food items, you will help ensure your body is equipped to handle the illnesses and diseases that threaten your physical and emotional wellness.

Filed Under: Diet & Nutrition Tagged With: Food and Related Products, Fruit, Nutrition