Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from 2015

Alanine Aminotransferase Screenings

ALT is contained primarily inside the liver, but also in lesser quantities in the kidneys, muscles, and pancreas. ALT at one time was referred to as blood serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT). ALT is valuated to check if the liver is impaired or unhealthy. Decreased amounts of ALT are generally contained in the bloodstream. However once the liver has been injured or diseased, it brings out ALT into the blood, which causes ALT amounts to rise. The majority of increases in ALT amounts are created by liver-related injury. The ALT procedure is often completed along with other screenings that look for liver impairment, like aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase , and bilirubin . Both AST and ALT amounts are reliable screenings for liver injury. Why Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) Tests are Performed The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) procedure is completed to: Discover liver illness, particularly cirrhosis of the liver and

Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis

Hypertrophic stenosis is a condition in which the pyloric muscle around the lower part of the stomach leading to the intestines becomes larger than normal. This causes the outlet of the stomach to become narrow, making it difficult for the stomach to empty its contents into the intestines. Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is a pediatric disorder that occurs between the ages of two weeks and five months. It is more common in male children and full term infants are more likely to be affected than premature infants. The cause of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is unknown.   Symptoms of Hypertrophic Stenosis A child with this condition will show the following signs: constipation or a decrease in bowel movements because food fails to reach the intestines. failure to gain weight or weight loss. excessive hunger. dehydration as evidenced by fewer wet diapers than normal for the baby or a decrease in urinating, crying without tears and weakness or fatigue. yellowing of the eyes. T

Anemia: Serious or Minor Illness?

Anemia is a condition where there are not enough red blood cells in the body, or there is not enough protein ( hemoglobin ) in the red blood cells. There are many different types of anemia ranging from mild to moderate, moderate to severe. According to Women's Health.gov, over three million people in the United States have anemia. Women and people with chronic health conditions are at greater risk than others (1). Is anemia really a serious condition? The answer is yes. Not having enough healthy red blood cells in the body, the cells that carry oxygen to vital organs, means the body is not getting the supply of oxygen it needs. Vital organs are effected and can be damaged, and eventually could lead to death. Anemia can be temporary or long term, diet induced or hereditary, and also could be an indicator of other medical conditions. What are the Types of Anemia and the Symptoms? Some types of anemia include: iron deficiency anemia (IDA) sickle cell anemia aplastic a

Alternative Treatments for Alopecia Sufferers

Alopecia is a term used to describe hair loss and may affect both men and women as well as young people. There are several different types of alopecia, which may cause loss of scalp hair, eyebrows and eyelashes. Types and Causes of Alopecia While the most commonly recognised form of alopecia is alopecia areata, there are three other types of the inflammatory condition. In The Essential Guide to Vitamins, Minerals and Herbal Supplements , Brewer (2010), highlights four types of alopecia, to include the following: alopecia areata – hair lost in patches, usually on scalp alopecia totalis – total loss of scalp hair alopecia universalis – loss of hair over entire body alopecia androgenetica – widespread hair loss, moth-eaten appearance The exact cause of alopecia still remains unknown, although stress is believed to be a significant factor in promoting hair loss, through reducing the supply of blood to the scalp. There are also possible links between the non-scarring conditio

Ankle Sprains

The ankle is a complex joint which allows the foot to perform a number of movements. It is connected to the foot bones by a number of ligaments at the sides and back of the joint. While these ligaments are normally very strong, extreme stretching or awkward movements can lead to injury of the ligaments. Ankle Injuries – Some of the More Common Causes The ankle is a rather mobile, flexible joint, however there are certain factors that increase the likelihood of a ligament injury: walking on uneven surfaces sudden twisting movement playing sports – especially jumping and landing awkwardly weak ankle muscles – not strong enough to protect the ankle previous ankle sprains, particularly if the treatment or rehabilitation was inadequate When a ligament injury of the ankle does occur, it can generally be classified into one of three grades of severity, depending on the extent of ligament damage and associated symptoms. Grade 1 Ankle Ligament Injury – Minimal Damage This typ

Antibiotics and How They Work

Since their development, antibiotics are the most widely prescribed drugs in the world. Ironically, the term antibiotics means "against life," but that couldn't be further from the truth. Antibiotics are used in the treatment of diseases like diphtheria and tuberculosis, but they're most frequently prescribed to fight the generous multitudes of classified infections. And what's most amazing is that only about 70 years ago, these medical maladies were killing tens of thousands of people every year. Chronicle of the History of Antibiotics Historical documentation cites that during World War I many soldiers died due to infections from their wounds. At that time there was only one drug used in an attempt to address infections and other war-related diseases, like dysentery and syphilis. The drug was an arsenic-based medicine called Salvarsan, but its effectiveness was not very high. Antibiotics were discovered in 1929, decisively on accident, when the Briti

A Heart-Healthy Diet for Controlling Cholesterol

Eating a fiber-rich diet can improve heart health . Fiber-rich foods may prevent or improve diabetes and other conditions that are associated with heart and other cardiovascular diseases. Dietary fiber can be found in many types of food and can be a delicious staple in everyday meals and snacks. Combine foods high in fiber with polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and plant sterols and stanals for a heart-healthy diet that will lower the bad low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and raise the good high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) cholesterol . Soluble Fiber Foods high in fiber lower LDL cholesterol. Fruits such as apples, bananas and pears have soluble fiber . Kidney beans are packed full of soluble fiber as are barley and oats. A heart-healthy serving of oatmeal can provide as much as six grams of fiber. Adding fruit can increase the amount of fiber to 10 grams, which is sufficient to lower LDL cholesterol and overall cholesterol. W

Balanced Diet

Health professionals recommend that to stay fit and healthy you should aim to eat at least five different portions of fruit and vegetables every day. For some people though this can seem like a lot to take in. Luckily, there are simple ways to make this easier and help you to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. Breakfast It has long been known that eating a low fat breakfast can help to keep you slimmer but it is also a great opportunity to get one or two of your five a day. If you’re eating cereal then why not try adding a chopped banana or a cupful of berries? Not only will the fruit count towards your daily quota but it will also help to jazz up your old favourites. If you prefer eggs and bacon then add some grilled mushrooms or a grilled tomato on the side. Omelettes are easy to make healthier too by adding any variety of vegetables that you like to the mix before cooking (mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers, spinach, sweet corn - whatever it is that you like). Juice There are h

A Snacking Revolution

The website Graze.com delivers healthy snacks and fruit to people's desks and homes weekly for a low price. The site enables the customer to choose and rate their favourite munchies so the buyer can snack with pleasure and no guilt. Benefits of Snacking Believe it or not, there are benefits of eating between meals, provided the snacks eaten are healthy and nutritious. It gives busy people energy throughout a tough working day, helps to prevent overeating at meal times, and provides people easy opportunities to achieve the tough goal of eating five fruit and vegetables a day. Graze.com was conceived by managing director Graham Bosher, also the man behind Lovefilm.com. The aim of his company is to improve the working person's eating habits, so to avoid that horrible post-lunch slump at the desk. Their are over 150 snack packs to choose from, and the firm is delivering over 80,000 boxes per month. Range of Snacks The range of snacks the website offers is extensive.

A Sweetener That Provides Missing Minerals

It's ironic that the byproduct of unhealthy refined sugar processing is full of beneficial and assimilable iron and magnesium, among other important nutrients. Why? Sugar cane has roots that go down as far as 15 feet below the ground. Thus the the mineral depleted topsoil is bypassed, enabling the plant to absorb minerals from richer, unspoiled bottom soil. After sugar cane is processed to obtain refined empty calorie glucose spiking insulin debilitating white table sugar, the black gooey mess known as molasses is left with all the nutrients. The very best grade of molasses is unsulfured blackstrap molasses. It's not the best for sweetening, but it is the highest in nutrients. Unhealthy sulfur is an added preservative that you can do without. A List of Nutrients From just one tablespoon of unsulfured blackstrap molasses, you get an abundance of the following nutrients: Magnesium : Many nutritional experts call this the master mineral because it is essential to more m

Adequate Fiber is Essential to a Healthy Diet

Dietary fiber , originating in plant tissue, is indigestible. Although it has no calories and no nutritional value, fiber in the diet plays a tremendous role in preventing disease and maintaining good health. How Fiber Works in the Body As fiber is consumed and passed through the body organs, it acts as a sponge, absorbing many times its own weight in liquid. This causes the feces to become soft and bulky and more easy to be expelled from the body. This quick passage through the intestines and out of the body is important, as constipation is a source of discomfort and the beginning of many illnesses. The fiber also acts as a buffer against colon of the cancer as if reduces the contact that the toxin-filled feces has with the walls of the colon. Likewise, it is believed by some scientists that the increases liquid-content of high-fiber stool will be effective in diluting carcinogen-causing agents. Types of Fiber and How They Function in the Body There are two types of fiber

Aloe Vera Heals Your Body

Typically aloe vera is thought of as a healing plant, the liquid being used most often for burns or abrasions to the skin . However, these are not the only benefits to the aloe vera plant. The pulp from the aloe vera plant is used in juices and in recipes to provide the same type of healing inside the human body. Benefits of Aloe Vera Aloe vera is loaded with vitamins and includes many essential vitamins that humans need on a daily basis, except for vitamin D . Aloe vera is also anti-inflammatory, which is one of the reasons it is used so often in beauty care products. It is often used externally to aid in healing; however, the juice and pulp of the aloe vera plant can be ingested internally to provide even more health benefits. The aloe vera plant grows 12 months of the year, which increases its appeal for farmers and gardeners. How Aloe Vera Helps the Inside of the Body Aloe vera juice aids in digestion and helps the circulatory system because it helps with cell growth a

Are Zero Trans Fat Cookies a Myth?

What is Trans Fat ? Trans fat is another name for unsaturated fat. Unsaturated fat is the worst type of dietary fat. The National Academy of Sciences has released notices that there are no safe amounts of trans fats for consumption. They have clearly indicated that trans fats are neither a recommended part of a healthy diet nor a safe part of a healthy diet. Most researchers have found that trans fats increase the risk of heart disease , increase bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol. Many nutritional organizations recommend limiting the consumption of trans fatty acids to only a trace amount. Girl Scout Cookies In 2005 The Girl Scouts launched a campaign to make their cookies “trans fat free”; however several of their cookies still have minimal amounts of trans fat which add up. In 2006 The Girl Scouts released an announcement that all of their cookies met the FDA requirements to be considered trans fat free. However, this requirement only states that the cookies have to

Acid vs Alkaline

For years the importance of maintaining a healthy pH balance was largely ignored by dietitians. However, physicians take the matter very seriously. Too much acid or acidosis can pose very dangerous health risks including but not limited to kidney failure, heart disease, liver failure, cancer and insulin deficiency. Often these conditions are attributed to other causes because the symptoms are cumulative and not immediate. Severe acidosis is comparatively rare but many people may suffer the effects of chronic low grade acidosis without knowing or understanding what it making them ill. What is pH Balance The letters "pH" actually stand for potential of hydrogen. The behavior of hydrogen atoms determines whether the body is acidic or alkaline. Ideally the body's pH should be 7.0 but a slightly alkaline 7.1 is fine also. Water's pH is 7, which is considered neutral. The general rule is pH under 7 is acidic, pH over 7 is alkaline. When the body's pH is lowe

Are Chilli Peppers Good For You?

The humble chilli pepper has quite a reputation: from the humble jalapeño to the ferocity of the scotch bonnet there is a variety for all capsaicin hot heads. Chillis and chilli sauces have been popular for some time, many people claiming for the “endorphin rush” that eating them is thought to produce, and several varieties of different strengths and flavours have been grown. The Dorset Naga is reportedly the hottest of them all, measuring up to and over one million Scoville Heat Units, the scale used to measure pepper heat. To get an idea of scale a pimento pepper measures a paltry 100-500 units, so if you find these too hot to eat it's a safe bet that the Naga would be inedible. Chillis Affect Appetite and Metabolism The chemical in chillis that give them their heat is capsaicin, a waxy compound that has very little taste or odour in its own right but interacts with a family of ion channels known as the vanilloid receptors. The major channel, known as TRPV1, is located

Antioxidants Keep You Healthy

In the natural process of cell respiration – oxidation – an oxygen electron is lost and becomes a free radical, an unstable molecule that can go on to damage cells and DNA. Antioxidants disable free radicals by donating electrons. Free radicals also form due to air pollution, radiation, pesticides and smoking. Antioxidants are a broad category that includes phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals and fiber. People gain these antioxidants by eating fruits , vegetables , grains , nuts , spices and herbs – a healthy way of eating. Antioxidants Maintain Great Health Scientists believe antioxidants lower the risk of cancer by preventing free radicals from damaging DNA, and ease heart disease by controlling inflammation. Antioxidants support the immune system and are anti-aging. The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends consuming a wide variety of plant food, between five and nine half-cup servings per day, to keep in good physical shape. Barry Sears, Ph. D., of The Zone Diet

Avoiding Burnout

Having a very active lifestyle can make it hard to incorporate certain things in your life. Most people struggle with sticking to an exercise regime. It can be extremely hard trying to commit to an exercise regime when life is so hectic. A new and demanding job, a baby on the way, moving into a new home or just adjusting to all the financial, social and familial responsibilities that we have as adults can run you ragged and leave little time for much else. Usually exercise is on the back burner until all these things are dealt with. It can be hard. You can take advice from people, watch different infomercials to try to inspire you but ultimately that “blah” feeling will set in. Getting rid of the “blahs” can be difficult but always beneficial. Leading an active life can be good but if your body isn’t used to regular exercise focused on stretching the muscles and raising the heartrate. You could go from “blah” to burnout. There are ways to get rid of the blahs without much fuss. If

Machines to Avoid During Workout Programs

Workout programs can be great for a person's health and body, but they can also cause damage if they are done incorrectly. There are machines at the gym the can damage joints and muscles, and these machines should not be used by the average person during workout programs. The Seated Rotation Machine Can Damage the Back Avoid using the seated rotation machine during a fitness routine. This machine puts a lot of stress on the back and does nothing to reduce love handles, it can be a waste of time to include this in a fitness routine. The seated rotation machine will work the muscles in the sides of the lower stomach, but there is a popular misconception that this machine will help get rid of love handles and it will not. If someone wants to get rid of their love handles they need to do a cardiovascular workout such as the stair climber so that they burn more calories, which is the only way for a person to lose weight . Stay Away From the Seated Leg Extension

Listeriosis Bacterial Infection and Symptoms

A listeriosis infection is caused by consuming contaminated foods that contain a bacteria labeled as listeria monocytogenes . Listeriosis symptoms can in some cases become dangerous and even sometimes life-threatening. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, listeriosis infections have become a major health care issue in the United States. What Causes Listeriosis Infections In order to prevent this bacterial disease, it’s essential that awareness is raised and individuals understand what causes a listeriosis infection. The bacteria known as L. monocytogenes is commonly carried through wild or domestic animals, water and soil. Additionally, the bacteria can spread to meats and vegetables, as the soil and water which contains this bacteria can easily transfer to these types of foods. For those who consume these contaminated foods, it is likely that they may become ill. Pregnant women are at an increased risk, as the listeriosis infection is more

Diabetes Food Pyramid

This diabetic food pyramid functions in a similar way to the regular food pyramid. One of the main differences is that the diabetic food pyramid focuses on limiting sugar intake . Diabetes is a disease that prohibits people from eating sugar at the same levels that they used to. This does not mean that all diabetics have to avoid sugar like vampires avoid the sun! Some people have mild cases that enable them to eat sugar once in a while. Others have to avoid it at all costs. The diabetic food pyramid is a lifesaver to many people. Just by looking at the pyramid they can tell which foods to eat and which ones not to. It also suggests serving sizes and suggestions for planning whole meals. The diabetic food pyramid has six categories of food groups. At the bottom the main group is grains, starchy vegetables, and beans. The second grouping on the diabetic food pyramid includes vegetables and fruits . The third includes diary products, meats and other sources of protein. At the t

Frequently Asked Questions About Open Back Surgery For Degenerative Disc Disease

If your physician has advisable that you participate unstoppered backwards surgery to impact degenerative round disease, then you probable hit a whatever questions. Below are whatever of the most ofttimes asked questions attendant to unstoppered backwards surgery. Hopefully this article module wage the aggregation you need. Otherwise, attain an designation with your rachis specialist. Q: How is unstoppered backwards surgery for degenerative round disease performed? A: The mass preoperative move is ofttimes taken: A doc makes a super cutting in a patient’s backwards or cavum nearby the strained intervertebral disc, dissecting membrane and another fleecy tissues. - The strained round is distant in its entirety. - An intervertebral detain is positioned in locate of the disc. - Surgical element is utilised to enter the intervertebral detain to the conterminous vertebrae. - Bone affixation touchable is inserted into the intervertebral cage, and module yet primer the detain t

Is There Such a Thing as Non-Invasive Back Surgery?

The construct of non-invasive backwards surgery haw seem inherently contradictory. After all, how crapper a preoperative machine genuinely be noninvasive? Isn’t the nature of surgery that it is inherently intrusive? While this haw hit been genuine in eld past, past advancements in scrutiny profession hit revolutionized whatever backwards procedures, allowing whatever surgery to be complete on an outpatient foundation without modify requiring generalized anesthesia. While they haw not be thoughtful every non-invasive in the truest sense, they’re as minimally intrusive as you crapper imagine. How is this possible? Historically, if an individualist was discompose from habitual backwards pain, and every conservative, nonsurgical treatments unsuccessful to have the results that they required, the exclusive actual boulevard that remained was an unstoppered rachis surgery, much as spinal fusion. During this operation, the enduring would be admitted into the hospital, sedated, and a super cu