Diet for Chronic Pancreatitis - Prevent Inflammation of the Pancreas

Pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancreas, which produces enzymes and hormone insulin for digestion suffers from inflammation which reduces the capacity of pancreas to absorb nutrition from the food products and provide it to body. The condition can be either acute or chronic, and it can cause bleeding in the region close to the pancreas. Chronic pancreatitis can be caused by excess intake of alcohol and the predominant symptom of the condition is presence of oil in stool. It can cause severe medical conditions such as blockages in intestine, fluid collection in pancreas, diabetes, mal-absorption and malnutrition.
Surgeries and drug therapies is given for the treatment of pancreatitis and in severe cases it can be life threatening. It has been found that antioxidants help in getting rid of free radicals which are harmful cells. Sometimes chronic pancreatitis is caused by low antioxidant level in blood and Vitamin A, C, E, selenium and carotenoids are components which account for high antioxidants. Food products high in minerals and vitamins are ideal for chronic pancreatitis patients.
Food products to avoid for the prevention of chronic pancreatitis are
1. Food products which can cause allergies such as milk and dairy products should be eliminated from diet. Wheat contains gluten which can cause allergies. Soy, preservatives, corn and chemicals which are added to certain food products and it can cause allergies.
2. Do not take alcohol.
3. Reduce intake of meat and non vegetarian food.
4. Refined food such as bread, pastas and sugar should be avoided.
5. Reduce intake of trans-fatty acid which is found in cookies, cakes, onion rings, processed food, margarines and crackers.
6. Caffeinated drinks coffee, stimulants, tobacco and alcohol should be avoided.
Patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis should take a low fat diet and stay away from alcohol. One should take easy to digest food items to prevent severe abdominal conditions and if one has a high level of triglycerides; one should be extra cautions to avoid complications. Regular exercises and staying way from stress is helpful in recovering from medical illness.
Following items can be included in diet
1. Drink a good amount of water in the day.
2. One can take herbal drinks such as green tea, tea made from holy basil or holy basil extract can be taken.
3. Rhodiola(Rhodiola rosea), Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) and Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis) should be taken every day as it is high in antioxidants. It is richest source of vitamin C. According to research on animals it has been found effective in treating pancreatitis.
4. Grape seed extract can be taken to improve antioxidants in body.
5. Ginger root (Zingiber officinale) is also high in antioxidant and it can be taken in green tea.
6. Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and Cinnamon Chinese bark (Cinnamomum verum) are commonly used in various cuisine preparations and it is effective in treating pancreatitis.
7. Food high in iron and vitamin B should be taken such as green leafy vegetables and sea vegetables.
8. Food products such as blueberries, tomatoes, cherries should be taken.
9. Olive oil or vegetable oil should be taken for cooking.
10. One should eat small meals and frequent meals instead of taking heavy three meals diet.

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How to Tame Your Child's Fever

Many of us are familiar with this scenario; you get home from work, and you notice that your child isn't as playful as he normally is. In fact, he seems disinterested in everything going on around him. A couple of hours later, he is burning up, and you wonder whether you should rush him to hospital, for what is obviously fever.
What is Fever?
Fever is an abnormally high body temperature. The normal body temperature is about 37oC, though there can be slight variations of 36.5oC to 37.5oC throughout the day. You measure temperature by placing a thermometer in the mouth, armpit, or in the child's bottom. Rectal temperature is the most accurate measurement. If you are a parent, it's advisable to have a thermometer at home. You can get one at most chemists.
Though fever in itself is not a disease, it is often an indicator of underlying disease.
When one has a fever, the body feels hot. Older children who can talk may complain of feeling cold. They may also have headaches, have no appetite, and show general lack of interest in activities that normally interest them. Younger children may just be irritable and refuse to feed. The rectal temperature will be above 38oC.
Causes of Fever

• Bacterial infections, ear infections, pneumonia (chest infection), and meningitis
• Malaria
• Viral infections such as common cold, flu, diarrhea
• Tumors, and other conditions, though these are less common.
• Unlike what is widely believed, teething does not cause fever, but puts the child at risk of getting infections since they put just above anything in the mouth to relieve itching. A mild fever may indicate a slight inflammation or soreness of the gums.

When should you worry?
Not all fevers should get you rushing to the emergency room in the middle of the night. A low grade fever is not reason for excess worry, especially if your baby has no other symptoms. Most fevers caused by a viral infection clear in two or three days. Go to hospital if your child has high fever (above 39oC).
Fever above 42oC can harm the baby's brain, and require very quick action. Very high fever can also cause convulsions even if there is no infection

• As you rush your child to hospital, you can use the other methods to lower the fever, such as reducing the layers of his clothes, and sponge bathing him with tepid water.
• If he his listless and lethargic. The child is not their usual happy self, is irritable and unwilling to feed.
• Is unconscious.
• Has difficulty breathing or breathes fast
• Has seizures
• In under three months and has a fever
• Has a fever that persist beyond 2-3 days or one that does not improve or gets worse despite treatment.
• Has another underlying condition such as cancer and sickle cell disease.

One of the most common tests for fever is a complete blood count, which will identify the infection. Other tests will be guided by the symptoms, and may include x-rays and urine tests. The doctor will then advise you on the best treatment based on their findings.
Home remedies for Fever

• Taking off most of his clothes to help reduce the heat.
• Tepid sponging. Dip a towel in Luke warm water, wring it, and wipe the baby's body to cool them down.
• Give the child lots of fluid to avoid dehydration.

In addition, the doctor may prescribe some medicines - usually paracetamol, as syrups or suppositories for use whenever the child has a fever. These syrups can also be bought at a pharmacy or chemist. Do not use aspirin.
To keep fever at bay, prevent infection.
It is difficult to prevent fever in children. On fact, a fever is a sign that your child's immune system is active and fighting disease. However, it is possible to reduce infections through the following:

• Ensure that your child gets all immunizations as scheduled.
• Ensure proper hygiene including hand-washing
• Vitamin A supplementation every 6 months
• A good diet, adequate exercise and sleep will boost the immune system.

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How to Determine Your Fitness Level

If you haven't been exercising regularly, it's useful to determine your current level of health and fitness before you take off running (or walking). If you are under 35 and have no health problems that might interfere, you can begin an exercise program this minute. However, if you are over 35, have health problems, or have been sedentary for years, check in with your physician before beginning an exercise program. Your doctor will first applaud your new resolution. Then after you take a bow, he or she might want to perform a few tests, such as a blood-pressure check, and discuss any limitations you might have. After you've got the go-ahead, you can do some tests of your own to pinpoint where you need to focus your fitness efforts.

Determining Your Fitness Level

These are the four basic components you need to evaluate to determine your fitness level:

Cardiovascular (aerobic) fitness How effectively do your heart and lungs deliver blood and oxygen throughout your body? Do you have the stamina to do the activities you enjoy?

Muscle strength How strong are your muscles? How well will they protect your joints and bones and let you perform daily tasks as you age?

Flexibility How flexible are you? The range of motion of your joints decreases as you age, or when you become sedentary, and this eventually can limit everyday abilities such as bending or reaching. A regular stretching program can keep your muscles loose and your joints flexible.

Body composition What percentage of your weight is fat? Do you carry too much body fat compared to lean tissue? Does the amount of body fat interfere with your health, activities, or quality of life?
Fitness testing is useful both before beginning your personal exercise program and to evaluate your progress. When you see that you are inching closer to your fitness goals, you stay motivated. Repeat your fitness tests every two to three months to track fitness gains and increase your motivation.

Fitness Testing Information Online

There are tests that you can do in the privacy of your own home to evaluate these four elements of fitness. However, be aware that your results are only general indications of your fitness level. You might not be doing the test exactly right, or there might be errors in the calculation of results. Also, the online test might not take into account other variables, such as whether you're exercising with asthma, rehabilitating from a back injury, or doing physical work in your daily life. So, use the fitness tests, but take them as indicators, not gospel.

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Diabetes& Lasik

 Diabetic patients fear not a being a candidate for Lasik surgery. Being a diabetic entails having a history of taking very long to heal and sometimes not healing at all. Diabetes is when blood glucose levels are abnormally high and when the blood sugar level exceeds high levels or even drops down to lower levels a diabetic patient is at risk of dying, loosing their vision, loosing limbs etc. Diabetes has different types as in type one, type two and type two the higher the type the lower the severity of the illness. For a person with type one diabetes the body is completely unable to produce insulin and in type two diabetes patients the body produces insulin but the cells do not respond to it. Because the two types of diabetes is slightly different and usually developed with age and eating habits the symptoms for each go as follow

Type one diabetes:

• Blurry
• vision Excessive
• thirst Frequent urination
• Weight loss
• Hunger
• Fatigue

Type two diabetes:

• Blurred vision
• Amplified thirst
• Amplified urination
• Amplified appetite
• Fatigue

Most diabetics assume they are disqualified from being a Lasik candidates others never consider Lasik because of the horror stories. Truth is Los Angeles eye surgeons say being a diabetic does not automatically disqualify a patient from being a candidate for Lasik the answer is it might. For a person with diabetes it is extremely important to only speak to the most skilled Lasik doctor Los Angeles area has a great plenty of Lasik experts who will not fill your head with false hope, but inform you about the risk, statistics, and possibilities. The chances of a diabetic having complications from Lasik are 47%. 47% might not seem too steep for some because it is just not at 50% just yet. When that 47% is compared to that 7% chance of complication that a non-diabetic has than the risks begins to set in. when a diabetic undergoes Lasik it is important that the patient has always had, and will have control of their glucose levels because if the blood glucose levels are uncontrollable then this might cause for extremely blurry vision. In Beverly Hills Lasik Surgeons tell that one of the most important factors to know is that due to the diabetes the cornea will take more time to heal and there for the healing process is a bit different and there is more risk of the cornea growing abnormally and furthering the damage to the retina. This is why diabetics must go through extra testing and see more than one specialist to get the final answer on whether it is advised that they go through with Lasik.

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Facts About Headaches

What are the different types of headaches?

A headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp or neck. Headaches are not created equal. The severity, symptoms and causes vary. The different types include tension, migraine, cluster, organic, rebound and chronic daily headaches, as well as many others. Headaches can plague anyone and can stop the strongest and bravest in their tracks. Despite the toll headaches still take on millions of people, enormous progress has been made in treating them. New medications, combined with non-drug therapies, are preventing, stopping or managing some of the toughest headaches around.

Tension
Tension headaches are often related to stress, depression or anxiety. Approximately 90 percent of all headaches are classified as tension-type headache. The pain is typically generalized all over the head. There appears to be a slightly higher incidence of this type of headache among women, because more females than males seek treatment.

Cluster
There are an estimated one million cluster headache sufferers in the United States, of whom 10 percent are afflicted with chronic cluster. Cluster headaches are sharp, extremely painful headaches that tend to occur several times per day for months and then go away for a similar period of time.

Hormone (Menstrual Migraine)
Women suffer migraines three times more frequently than do men, and, menstrual migraines affect 70 percent of these women. They occur before, during or immediately after the period, or during ovulation. Menstrual migraines are primarily caused by estrogen, the female sex hormone that specifically regulates the menstrual cycle fluctuations throughout the cycle. When the levels of estrogen and progesterone change, women will be more vulnerable to headaches. Because oral contraceptives influence estrogen levels, women on birth control pills may experience more menstrual migraines.
Migraine
More than just a “bad headache,” a migraine is a legitimate biological disease affecting nearly 30 million Americans; one in every four United States households has a migraine sufferer. Migraine is more common than asthma, diabetes and coronary heart disease combined.

What are some ways to treat headaches?

Most people with headaches can feel better by making lifestyle changes, learning ways to relax, and occasionally by taking medications. There are two goals when treating any type of headache: prevent future attacks and abort or relieve current pain. Prevention includes taking prescribed medications, avoiding or minimizing the causes, and learning self-help measures, such as biofeedback or relaxation exercises. If your doctor suggests medications, you should realize that they may take several weeks to become effective and they can have side effects. Thus, you must be patient and cooperate with your health care provider to find the optimal treatment.

What is a migraine?

Although the exact cause is not known, many experts consider migraine to be an inherited condition where the brain and its seritonin-controlled blood vessels are involved. These headaches can often be triggered by many factors, including stress, certain foods, glaring lights, physical exercise and changes in hormone levels. Migraine headaches usually occur on one side of the head, have a pulsating or throbbing quality, are moderate to severe in intensity and are worsened by physical activity.

What are the symptoms of a migraine?

Migraine is a characterized by throbbing head pain, which usually begins on one side of the head, although the pain may spread to both sides. These types of headaches are often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and/or sound. The combination of disabling pain and associated symptoms often prevents sufferers from performing daily activities. Symptoms, incidence and severity vary by individual.

What causes migraines and what can be done to treat them?

While there are not definite answers to the causes of migraine, health care professionals are gaining an understanding of what happens when a migraine attack is in progress. Many things may trigger a migraine. Triggers are not the same for everyone and what causes a migraine in one person may relieve it in another. Triggers may include one or more of the following categories: diet, activity, environment, emotions, medications and hormones, irregular sleep cycles and skipping or delaying meals.

Migraine can be effectively managed. With the help of a healthcare provider, patients can identify and alleviate their symptoms with an appropriate treatment regime. Medications generally fall into two categories:

• Preventive - Taken on a daily basis, preventive medications can help reduce the number of attacks in patients who experience any disability from migraine.
• Abortive - Abortive therapy treats the symptoms of migraine after the attack begins. Many medications available to treat an acute attack must be taken as soon as the attack occurs, otherwise they may be less effective.

Health care providers have many options available for the treatment of migraine, so if the first treatment plan is not effective, the next plan probably will be. The chances are very good that migraine attacks can eventually be greatly reduced or even eliminated entirely.

Migraine headaches are misdiagnosed as frequently as they are diagnosed correctly. They are often confused with tension-type or sinus headaches. To aid in the diagnosis, keep a headache diary and record when the headache began and how long it lasted, possible triggers, the location and character of the pain, and what you did to make it stop.

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Exercises for osteoporosis

1. Standing tall

You can prevent or treat osteoporosis by doing simple exercises to strengthen your muscles and improve your posture and balance.

Correct standing posture is the foundation for balanced seated and walking posture. To practice a good standing posture:

•     Stand with your head, shoulders and buttocks against a wall, with your heels two to three inches from the wall.
•     Pull in your chin and tighten your abdomen and buttocks.
•     Press your back against the wall, leaving a small space behind the curve of your lower back.

2. Walking posture

 

Walking strengthens your legs and heart and improves your balance. To maintain proper walking posture:

•     Hold your head high.
•     Keep your back and neck as straight as possible.
•     Gently tighten your abdominal muscles.
•     Let your shoulders and arms move freely and naturally.

3. Wall arch

To stretch your shoulders and calves and tone your back and abdomen:

•     Stand facing the wall, arms at your sides, feet six inches apart and six inches from the wall.
•     While inhaling, tighten your abdominal muscles and stretch both arms up to touch the wall (1).
•     Exhale and lower both of your arms to the starting position.
•     While inhaling, reach up with your right arm to touch the wall and stretch down with your left arm (2).
•     Exhale and lower your right arm to the starting position.
•     Switch arms. While inhaling, reach up with your left arm to touch the wall and stretch down with your right arm (3).

Repeat each movement five times.

4.Chin tuck

To stretch your neck, as well as practice correct positions of your head and shoulders:

•     While seated, look straight ahead.
•     Pull your chin in toward your neck, but keep looking straight ahead; don't let your head bend forward.
•     Push your hands down on your thighs to help straighten your back.

Hold this position for a few seconds. You'll feel a stretch in the back of your neck. Repeat this exercise five times.
5. Shoulder blade squeeze

To stretch your chest and strengthen your upper back muscles:

•     With your feet flat on the floor, sit slightly forward in a sturdy chair, keeping your back and neck straight.
•     Look straight ahead and bend your arms at the elbows (1).
•     Gently move your elbows and shoulder blades back as far as you can and still be comfortable (2).
•     Hold the position for five seconds while breathing normally. Return your arms to the starting position. Repeat this exercise five to 10 times, depending on your ability.

6. Pelvic tilt

To strengthen your lower back and abdominal muscles:

•     Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor (1). Maintain a normal curve in your back; don't arch your back.
•     Tighten your abdominal muscles.
•     Tilt your pelvis up slightly without lifting your hips to flatten your back against the floor (2). Avoid using your leg and buttock muscles.

Hold the position for five seconds while breathing normally, and then relax. Repeat this exercise 10 times.

7. Back and shoulder stretch

To stretch your upper back and shoulders:

•     Lie on the floor. Bend your knees, tighten your abdominal muscles and stretch your arms above your head (1).
•     Keeping your arms straight, spread them out and lower them until they're level with your shoulders (2 and 3).

Hold the position for a few seconds while breathing normally. Then return your arms to the starting position. Repeat this exercise five to 10 times, depending on your ability.

8. Chest stretch

To flatten your upper back and stretch your chest:

•     With your feet flat on the floor, sit in a chair with your hands resting comfortably behind your neck (1).
•     Inhale while gently moving your elbows backward (2).

Hold the position for a few seconds, breathing normally, before returning to the starting position. Repeat five to 10 times, depending on your ability.

9. Sitting knee extension

To strengthen your thigh muscles:

•     Sit in a chair with your feet flat against the floor, your back straight and your hands on your thighs. Tighten your abdominal muscles and look straight ahead.
•     Slowly straighten one knee while lifting your heel a few inches from the floor. Don't slouch or round your back.

Hold this position for a few seconds while breathing normally. Relax and return to the starting position, and then switch to the other leg. Repeat five to 10 times with each leg, depending on your ability.

10. Calf stretch

To stretch your calf muscle, heel cord and the back of your thigh:

• Stand with your feet parallel, hip-width apart. Place your hands on the back of a chair for balance.
• Flatten your abdomen, straighten your back and shoulders and bend your knees slightly.
• Slide one foot backward, keeping it flat on the floor, until your back leg is straight.
• Lean your weight forward onto your bent front knee.

Hold this position for a few seconds while breathing normally. Repeat five times with each leg.

11. Upper back lift

To strengthen your back muscles:

• Lie facedown on the floor with a pillow under your abdomen and hips (1). Use a rolled hand towel to cushion your forehead, if you wish.
• Keep your arms resting at your sides as you tighten your abdominal muscles.
• Inhale and raise your head and chest a few inches from the floor (2). Keep your head in line with your neck and torso. Focus on keeping your shoulders down — don't let them shrug up toward your ears.

Hold for five seconds, breathing normally, before returning to the starting position. Rest for a few seconds. Repeat five to 10 times, depending on your ability.

12. Shoulder strengthening

To strengthen the muscle along the back of your shoulder, the muscle on the back of your upper arm (triceps) and your upper back muscles:

• Stand with your left leg in front of the right and your left hand on the back of a chair. Bend your front (left) knee while holding a 1- to 2-pound weight in your right hand (1).
• Move your right hand backward, straightening your arm behind you, and hold for a few seconds (2).
• Return to your starting position and repeat five to 10 times.
• Perform the exercise with the weight in your left hand and with your right knee bent. Repeat on this side five to 10 times.

If your doctor approves, you can gradually increase the weight's poundage, but don't exceed 5 pounds.

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Side Effects Noni Juice Benefits

Noni is derived from the fruit of the Noni Tree or the Minora Citrifiola, a plant found on many Pacific Rim islands.

Modern science has recently verified what the islanders have known for centuries: noni juice has healing and regenerative properties.

It has recently been discovered that noni juice contains a chemical called proxeronine that, when ingested, becomes a naturally occurring chemical called xeronine, which is necessary for the creation and balancing of a number of proteins essential to the maintenance and regeneration of vital organs, muscles, skin and hair.

Unfortunately, the amount of xeronine in the human body is steadily declining due to the effects of air and water pollution and constant exposure to modern chemicals.

Researchers have suggested that this depletion of xeronine is a major cause in the rising incidence of illness in our modern world.

The main noni juice benefits are:

Noni juice strengthens the immune system.

Noni juice  improves digestion.

Noni juice has high anti-oxidant properties and scientific research reveals that it has more antioxidant properties than grape seed extract and pycnogenol.

Noni juice also acts as a pain reliever and has been found to be almost as effective as morphine sulphate. This is important because morphine sulphate has toxic side effects while noni juice has none.

Noni juice is effective in killing bacteria and fungus because it contains terpenes and scopoletin.

It also acts as an anti-inflammatory, getting similar results to pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory medications without the side effects.

Noni juice benefits has been found, in some scientific studies, to reduce the size of tumors and the number of cancer cells.

There are many claims about the benefits of Noni Juice. Rather than being a medication with side effects, noni juice is a food with powerful healing properties.

Therefore, it is probably wise to view noni juice as a supplement or food that will enhance your health and assist the body to heal, rather than a cure-all for specific illnesses.

Nevertheless, many people do drink the juice to help improve specific ailments and claim it alleviates or improves stress related illnesses, allergies, asthma, headaches, skin diseases, weight loss, diabetes, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, high blood pressure and fibromyalgia.

Both the Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have suggested Noni Juice is quite safe.

Therefore, if you are looking for a natural health supplement to increase your energy or help protect you from illness without side effects noni juice is well worth considering.

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What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a disorder of the brain. It was first described by Alois Alzheimer in the year 1906. After significant research, valuable insights have been gained with regards to the disease. The following are some of the facts of Alzheimer’s disease:

• A progressive, fatal disease: More than five million Americans suffer from the disease. Alzheimer’s disease destroys cells in the brain, leading to memory loss and cognitive and behavioral problems. This has an adverse impact on work and social life. The symptoms of the disease increase over time, and at its worse, can be fatal. In terms of causes of death in the United States, it stands as the seventh cause. The warning signs and the stages of the disease must be known to all.

• A form of dementia: Besides memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease causes degeneration of the intellectual abilities, causing a disruption to routine life. Of all the dementia cases, Alzheimer’s accounts for nearly 70 percent. Vascular dementia, mixed dementia, and frontotemporal dementia are some of the types of dementia.

• No known cure: By focusing on the symptoms of the disease, the disease can be treated to a great extent. Thus, millions of lives can benefit. Research focuses on ways to treat and prevent the disease. Alzheimer’s Association tracks latest developments.

The human brain undergoes change as individuals age. Elderly individuals have impaired thinking and problems related to memory. Memory loss to a great extent is an indication of Alzheimer’s disease. Confusion, too, is a common symptom.

There are more 100 billion neurons in an adult brain. Each neuron interacts with other neurons to form networks. Some neurons are closely associated with cognitive abilities and memory. Other neurons are associated with the senses of sight, hearing, and smell. Certain muscle movements, too, have corresponding neurons. A large number of brain cells deteriorate and perish in Alzheimer’s disease.

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Discover The Best Way To Lose Weight - Choosing The Best Weight Loss Plan

Finding thebest way to lose weightcan be problematic these days. There are after all, thousands of weight loss products all claiming to be the latest and greatest miracle cure for obesity. The choice can be overwhelming and most people fall prey to the insidious marketing of the latest fads.

The rise of "quick fix" weight loss products such as the pink patch, the cabbage soup diet and all manner of weight loss scams mean most people never find the best way to lose weight. Fortunately, this article is designed to help you choose the best weight loss plan to help you not only discover the quickest way to lose weight, but also to give you the insight into how you can keep the weight off permanently.

Everybody knows that good nutrition is essential if you are to get in great
shape and stay that way. By following a high quality, healthy diet to lose
weight you will be able to create the kind of body you are proud of, and others
are jealous of. The following 5 dieting strategies ensure that your nutritional
habits are the best they can be; this is the first step to finding your personal
best way to lose weight...

1.) Choose a diet program that is easy to follow.

An easy weight loss program is one that is simple to adhere to. That means that the whole diet plan is laid out nicely without the need for guesswork. You would be surprised at how many popular diet strategies leave it up to you to fill out your weekly meal plan. By making you figure out exactly what you should be eating each and every day these types of plans can cause your motivation to lose weight to falter. By choosing a diet that is already set-out for you, you take the guess work out of dieting and are able to stay on track far
more easily.

2.) Ensure your nutritional strategies are focused on the long-term.

Quick fix diets may be all the rage but they aren't going to help you lose weight over the long-term and the best way to lose weight is consistently. The popularity of short-term diets is one of the main reasons for the spate of what I term "yo-yo dieters" - you know those people who jump from diet to diet, losing weight then gaining it all back again. Perhaps this is something you've been guilty of? When you choose a rapid weight loss diet be certain it isn't too drastic that you can't stick with it over the long haul. The real secret to permanent weight loss is to create a quality dietary lifestyle.

3.) Be certain to restrict calories optimally.

Don't fall into the extreme diet trap of reducing calories below 15-20% of your maintenance level (the number of calories your body needs to function at its optimum). It may seem to make sense that if you severely restrict calories you'll lose more weight but this isn't the whole truth. You see when you drop
 
calories too low for an extended period of time you run the high risk of evoking your body's "starvation mode". When this happens you will find your metabolic rate drops to a crawl and you begin to burn less fat and store more. You ma lose weight quickly initially but most of this weight will be lean muscle mass and water weight, not fat so you'll actually end up increasing body fat percentage. Focus on fat loss, not solely weight reduction.

4.) Ensure your weight loss diet plan is balanced.

Forget those hard-core carb or fat restricted diet plans. Many of these types of extreme diet programs advise you to dramatically reduce a certain food group and sometimes even advocate the complete elimination of an entire macronutrient from your diet altogether. Your body needs each macronutrient
- carbohydrates, fats and proteins, in order to function efficiently. The best way to lose weight is to utilize a healthy diet plan that balances each food group sufficiently and focuses more on when you eat certain foods rather than suggesting you eliminate them altogether. There are very few really bad foods, only bad times to eat them!

5.) Make sure your diet is personalized.

This final point is absolutely key if you are to find the best way to lose weight. Unfortunately it is also one that most weight loss diet plans don't utilize. Almost every popular diet out there is generic in nature and only gives a very broad overview of what needs to be done. The best weight loss plan is one that is individualized to your own personal needs and circumstances. Only choose a diet that tells you exactly how many calories to eat each day based upon your personal details - ages, gender, weight and exercise regularity. When you do this you give yourself the very best chance of losing a lot of weight and keeping it off forever.
 
Start losing weight today!

This articled should have given you an understanding of exactly what type of rapid weight loss diet you need in order to ensure you to develop the right kind of plan to lose weight. If you have been struggling with your weight for a long time then you really should check out the revolutionary diet program that many affirm is the very best way to lose weight by clicking through the link right now. Today is the start of a new you!

The 30 Day Diet is a personalized online diet plan that will help you lose weight fast and keep it off forever. You choose your plan, you choose your food, you see REAL success. Discover the very best diet plan and start losing more fat today!

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Symptoms of Breast Cancer

It is important that women are aware of how their breasts feel normally, so they will notice any breast cancer symptoms at an early stage, when treatment often has a better outcome. Men, too, should be on the alert for any changes in their breast tissue. Breast cancer can be present for years without causing any symptoms. The first sign that something is wrong for most women is when they find a lump in the breast or the nearby armpit.

The breast cancer symptoms could be any of the following -

•     A lump or thickening in or near the breast - Not all lumps in or near the breast are due to breast cancer. Some of the lumps may be due to hormonal changes. If the lumps persist, then evaluation should be done to rule out cancer of the breast. Lump in the breast is the commonest breast cancer symptom.

•     A lump or swelling under the arm - A lump or swelling in the armpit indicates enlargement of lymph node which is an important symptom of cancer of the breast. Lymph node enlargement could be due to many reasons including cancer. Persistent lump needs evaluation.

•     Changes in the size or shape of the breast, especially those caused by arm movements or by lifting the breasts - These changes indicate that the breast tissue is enlarged. These may be normal due to hormonal changes. If they are due to hormonal changes, they will be cyclical. If the size does not fluctuate and if it keeps increasing in size and changing in shape, then breast cancer has to be ruled out.

•     Dimpling or puckering of the skin of the breast - Dimpling or puckering of skin is due to involvement of the skin by the cancer tissue. The external appearance would be like the skin of an orange (peau d'orange).

•     Changes in the look or feel of the skin of the breast, the nipple or the area around the nipple

•     Bleeding or discharge from the nipple - Bleeding from the nipple is always abnormal and has to be investigated adequately to rule out breast cancer. Bleeding is an important symptom. Discharge other than blood from the nipple may or may not be normal. If the discharge is from one breast only, if it is a new discharge, then it is not normal and have to be investigated.

•     The nipple turns in and becomes inverted or points differently

•     Discomfort or pain in the breast, particularly if new and persistent - Pain in the breast may occur due to hormonal changes during menstrual cycle. It occurs in both the breasts and it is normal. If the pain does not follow the menstrual cycle and if it is new or persistent or occurs in one breast only, it is considered abnormal. Breast pain is one of the important symptoms that should not be ignored.

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Diabetes: Preventing Diabetic Complications

What is Diabetes?

Your body changes most of the food you eat into glucose (a form of sugar). Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that allows glucose to enter all the cells of your body and be used as energy.

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when a person’s body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use insulin properly. When you have diabetes, the sugar builds up in your blood instead of moving into the cells. Too much sugar in the blood can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease and damage to the nerves and kidneys.

There are 2 types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t produce any insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Between 90-95% of people who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

What are diabetic complications?

Diabetic complications are health problems caused by diabetes. Diabetes causes your blood sugar level to be higher than normal. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage your blood vessels and nerves. This damage can cause problems in many areas of the body. This handout explains common diabetic complications and how to prevent them.

Diabetic Neuropathy (nerve damage)

Diabetic neuropathy makes it hard for your nerves to send messages to the brain and other parts of the body. If you have nerve damage, you may lose feeling in parts of your body or have a painful, tingling or burning feeling.

Neuropathy most often affects the feet and legs. If you have neuropathy, you may not be able to feel a sore on your foot. The sore can become infected and, in serious cases, the foot may have to be amputated (removed). People who have neuropathy may continue walking on a foot that has damaged joints or bones. This can lead to a condition called Charcot foot that causes swelling and instability in the injured foot. It can also cause the foot to become deformed. However, this problem can often be avoided.

If you have diabetes, check your feet every day. If you see swelling, redness and feel warmth in your foot, see your doctor immediately. These can be signs of Charcot foot. Your doctor should also check your feet frequently.

Warning signs of nerve damage

Call your doctor if you have:

·                    Numbness, tingling or burning feelings in your fingers, toes, hands and/or feet

·                    Sharp pain that is worse at night

·                    Cuts, sores or blisters on your feet that don't hurt as much as you would expect, and that also heal very slowly

·                    Muscle weakness and difficulty walking

·                    Erectile dysfunction (in men) and vaginal dryness (in women)

Diabetic Retinopathy (eye problems)

The retina is the part of the eye that is sensitive to light and sends messages to your brain about what you see. Diabetes can damage and weaken the small blood vessels in the retina. This damage is called diabetic retinopathy.

When the blood vessels of your retina are damaged, fluid can leak from them and cause swelling in your macula. The macula is the central part of the retina and give you sharp, clear vision. The swelling and fluid can cause blurry vision and make it hard for you to see. If retinopathy gets worse, it may lead to blindness.

Laser surgery can often be used to treat or slow down retinopathy, especially if the problem is found early. People who have diabetes should have an eye exam once a year.

Warning signs of eye problems

Call your doctor if you have:

·                    Blurry vision for more than 2 days

·                    Sudden loss of vision in 1 or both eyes

·                    Black or gray spots, cobwebs or strings that move or drift when you move your eyes (called floaters)

·                    Flashing lights in your vision that aren't really there

·                    Pain or pressure in your eye(s)

Diabetic Nephropathy (kidney damage)

Diabetes can also damage the blood vessels in your kidneys so they can't filter out waste. This damage is called diabetic nephropathy. Some people who have nephropathy will eventually need dialysis (a treatment that eliminates waste from the blood) or kidney transplant.

The risk for nephropathy is increased if you have both diabetes and high blood pressure, so it is important to control both of these conditions.

Protein in the urine is usually the first sign of nephropathy. This should be checked yearly.

Heart Disease and Stroke

People who have diabetes are at greater risk for heart disease and stroke. The risk is even greater for people who have diabetes and smoke, have high blood pressure, have a family history of heart disease or are overweight.

Heart disease is easiest to treat when it is caught early. It is very important to see your doctor on a regular basis. He or she can test for early signs of heart disease.

The recommended cholesterol level for a person who has diabetes is the same as for someone who has heart disease. If your cholesterol is higher than the recommended level, your doctor will talk to you about lifestyle changes and medication to help get your cholesterol under control.

What can I do to prevent or delay diabetic complications?

To prevent problems, keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible and follow your doctor's instructions. The following are some other tips:

·                    Eat a variety of healthy foods. Avoid foods that are high in fat, cholesterol, salt and added sugar.

·                    Maintain a healthy weight. If you're overweight, your doctor can give you advice on how to lose weight safely.

·                    Control your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

·                    Be physically active on a regular basis.

·                    Quit smoking.

·                    See your doctor regularly, even when you feel fine. Your doctor will check for early signs of complications.

·                    Call your doctor right away if you have any of the warning signs listed in this handout.

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AIDS

AIDS is the leading cause of death worldwide for people aged fifteen to fifty-nine. What started out as a disease that impacted a small segment of society has ballooned into an epidemic that affects people of all backgrounds throughout the world. The impact of AIDS not only includes ill health and death for those afflicted, but it also has resulted in economic crises, food shortages, and poverty in several countries.

One of the reasons AIDS severely impacts the world is due to the numbers of people infected. According to UNAIDS 2009 report, worldwide some 60 million people have been infected, with some 25 million deaths, and 14 million orphaned children in southern Africa alone since the epidemic began.

Today an HIV-positive person with access to treatment has much greater hope than infected people in the 1980s. With proper medical treat
ment, HIV-positive people can live relatively normal lives working, playing, and raising families for decades.

AIDS is caused by HIV, a very fragile RNA type of retrovirus, which like any other microorganism lives inside the living cells of the body. Outside body it doesn’t survive for more than half and hour.

There are two types of HIV virus, i.e. HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is present all over the world and in India more than 80% people are affected by it. HIV-2 is mainly found in Africa and also presents in India. Some people are infected with both the viruses. People only infected with HIV-2 live longer than those infected with HIV-1 and chances of transmission of HIV-2 from mother to child are very rare.

Once in body, HIV attacks CD4 type of White Blood Cells (WBCs) in blood and gradually kills them. These CD4 type of WBC helps us to fight against various infections. Once they are destroyed our body’s resistance to fight infections goes down and person suffers from lots of infections. This end stage of HIV infection is called AIDS. It takes many years for AIDS to develop and till that time infected person usually remains healthy.

"It is estimated that by the end of 20th century there were 40 million people infected with HIV all over the world and India has been leading with highest number of cases (ranging from 10-20 million). We may not be infected but will definitely be affected indirectly by it. Hence it is a duty of every citizen of India to have detailed knowledge about this disease".

Due to lack of knowledge about AIDS people have fear in their mind against the victims of this disease. Because of fear of social boycott, AIDS patients and their relatives hide their HIV status. Many doctors (due to fear of getting infection) also refuse to treat these patients. There is danger of AIDS for everybody and only thing that can save us is to be completely informed.

HOW DOES HIV SPREAD

Infected person’s blood and fluid are rich in HIV. However tears, saliva, sweat or urine do not pose any danger.

HIV is transmitted by

·         Unprotected sexual contact with infected person

·         Infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, birth process and through breast – feeding

·         Use of infected needles and instruments without sterilization or sharing of needles and syringes by HIV drug addicts

HOW HIV CAN BE DETECTED

You can not tell by looking at person’s face whether he or she is infected with HIV. The infected people look perfectly healthy and feel well for years. The infection can only be detected by doing a blood test i.e. ELISA HIV antibody test. If someone is found to be positive by ELISA and confirmed by second test  the person is said to be seropositive.

SPOT TEST:

This is simple rapid test for finding out the HIV status of a person in which the result can be given to the patient within half an hour. Rarely there are chances of a false positive report and hence a positive report should be confirmed by doing ELISA test.

WESTERN BLOT (WB) TEST:

Specialized and costly confirmatory test for HIV. Done only to confirm a positive ELISA or SPOT test report. Ever since the standard of ELISA and SPOT test has improved the role of this test seems to be very little in diagnosis of HIV infection.

CD4 AND VIRAL LOAD TESTING:

Very costly tests and done only in those affording patients who are willing to start anti-HIV (antiretroviral) drugs.

It is mandatory to do pre-test and post-test counselling of all the patients before and after the test respectively.

CARE OF HIV / AIDS PATIENT

GENERAL CARE:

·         Sympathetic attitude, family and public support

·         Patient should be advised to take adequate rest and diet rich in proteins and vitamins

·         Patient should be advised not to donate blood or organs

·         Patient should be advised to use condom with any sexual partner

·         As far as possible patient should avoid eating outside food

·         Patient should be encouraged to give up all habits i.e. smoking, alcohol or chewing pan or tobacco

·         Patient should drink boiled water

·         Patient should be advised to do regular exercise or yoga

If patients follow above general care tips they can live 1-2 year longer.

SYMPTOMATIC TREATMENT:

·         Early treatment of common problems like fever, cough, diarrhea etc. from family doctor

·         Early detection and treatment of opportunistic infections like TB etc.

SPECIFIC ANTI-HIV TREATMENT:

Many new anti-HIV drugs which prevent the spread of the virus and can postphone various complications are now available at selected places in market and few of them are also manufactured in India. These medicines can prolong the life of the patient but not cure him.

PRVENTION IS THE ONLY CURE FOR HIV / AIDS

Prevention is simple easy and the only answer we have got today unless we find some cure. HIV can be easily prevented by adopting simple measures such as:

SAFE SEX .SAFE BLOOD, SAFE NEEDLES and SAFE MOTHERHOOD

How to Help AIDS Patients

• We should sympathise and empathise with them
• We should Provide them family and social support
• We should Allow them to be a part of the family as he / she was prior to disclosure of the infection
• We should Allow them to get back to their work as soon as soon as he / she is physically fit, since HIV infection doesn’t require special rest
• We should Keep them engaged in some activity, as an empty mind is a devil’s workshop
• We should Make efforts to reduce their stress
• We should Encourage them to exercise and meditate as these help prolong the life span
• We should Provide them with a high protein, high vitamin diet and clean potable water (boiled)
• We should Convince them to stop all addictions such as tobacco cigarettes, alcohol or other psychotropic / recreational drugs
• We should Register them with a health care facility for regular checks and follow up
• We should Take immediate steps to treat even minor ailments. However, it is not necessary to disclose their HIV status to their family physician
• We should Purse them at any appropriate time, to make a will
• We should Provide foster care to their children
• We should Help them to  fight against  discrimination meted out to them by hospitals , doctors and employers
• We should educate family members and friends about HIV / AIDS, if they already know the HIV status of the patient.

CONCLUSION

AIDS does not discriminate caste, creed, race, religion, educational or social status. Prevention of AIDS is our joint responsibility. Education and awareness is the only weapon in our hand. Let us accept the challenge to fight against AIDS. We must support and care for the people with AIDS with compassion and understanding.

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