Archive for the ‘Disease Prevention’ Category
The Best Heart Disease Prevention
The best efforts in heart disease prevention consider a wide range of factors, including smoking, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, obesity, exercise, diet and nutrition, and other contributors. It may sound like a lot, but making a few dietary and lifestyle changes can make a significant difference, and substantially lower your risk of a heart event.
Many people want to know how to prevent heart disease, but are afraid to ask or unwilling to do what it takes to lower their risk. Following are some of the main considerations, as well as what you can do to improve your cardiovascular health.
If you are smoker, try to cut down as soon as possible. There is a very strong link between cigarette smoking and heart disease, and studies show that quitting can actually reverse some of the damage incurred. The sooner you stop, the better off you are.
Heart disease prevention should include checking your blood indicators such as cholesterol levels, triglycerides, homocysteine and CRP. Elevated levels of one or more of these increased your chances of heart attack or stroke, so you should make sure all are within safe levels.
This is one of the most important ways how to prevent heart disease, and of these can be addressed through natural means, such as exercise and diet, which are basic elements of any heart disease prevention program. There are also herbal supplements discussed on this site which can help.
It is also important to check your weight, and if your doctor feels you are overweight he will recommend changes in your diet and encourage you to exercise more frequently. Again, the relationship between excess body weight and heart disease is proven. Sedentary people run twice the risk of developing heart disease as active people. If you want to know how to prevent heart disease, start by get off the couch.
Americans are known for making bad food choices, which is why we lead the world in cardiovascular disease. Only 27 per cent of American women and 19 per cent of men say they eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Many studies have shown the positive effects of diet and supplements in preventing heart disease.
Reducing alcohol intake to no more than two drinks per day will be another recommendation in a heart disease prevention program from your physician. Diet should include eating foods high in fiber and low in cholesterol, low in saturated fats and salt and low in processed or refined foods. Lots of whole grains, fruits and vegetables are recommended. Diet changes should be made in conjunction with lifestyle changes, including a walking program of 30 minutes a day.
Lastly, ensuring that you get heart healthy vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients is key, and since so many of our diets are lacking, supplementation can be the next best thing. A full supply of B family vitamins, Omega 3 fatty acids, calcium, magnesium and antioxidant herbal extracts are vital for heart health, and can be found in high quality supplements.
Now that you know how to prevent heart disease, discuss your options with you doctor. The sooner you start taking care of your heart the better off you’ll be.
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Learn About The Prevention of Heart Disease
Health experts believe that the prevention of heart disease, particularly arteriosclerotic heart disease, is possible. To be sure, some risk factors are uncontrollable, such as sex, age and genetics; but there are a number of dietary and lifestyle changes that can reduce the risk.
Arteriosclerotic heart disease may be referred to as arteriosclerosis and is characterized by a thickening of and loss of elasticity of the blood vessel walls.
Atherosclerosis, which is a very similar and often confused term, is defined as a form of or a stage of arteriosclerotic heart disease, in which plaque builds up on the inner lining of the blood vessel walls. The prevention of heart disease focuses primarily on preventing this build up of plaque.
Plaque that is found in the arteries of the heart is referred to as atheroma. This plaque is composed of an inflammatory accumulation of macrophage white blood cells. It is believed that increasing amounts of LDL or bad cholesterol begin circulating in the blood stream, with dietary changes and habits that begin in school age children and are often carried over into adulthood.
Current research indicates that LDL cholesterol irritates and damages the lining of the blood vessels, leading to the inflammatory responses that cause the plaque. It is apparently a very slow process. It is quite possible that efforts for the prevention of heart disease should begin at a very early age.
Some of the suggestions from the American Heart Association for the prevention of heart disease include controlling childhood obesity and improving the nutritional value of the typical child’s diet or the typical “school lunch”. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean sources of protein, such as fish or chicken, which is not fried or breaded, are heart healthy choices.
The best tests for detecting early arteriosclerotic heart disease are not commonly used or widely accepted. They are typically not covered by health insurance plans and often the disease is not detected until symptoms appear. According to data collected in 2004, a heart attack or sudden death is often the first symptom of arteriosclerotic heart disease. Thus, the yearly check-up is extremely important.
While doctors typically do not perform extensive tests for the early stages of heart disease, they do typically check weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. These are the best indicators that the medical community has at this time. Additionally, a simple blood test for C-reactive protein, produced by the body during the inflammatory process, can indicate that inflammation of the arteries is present.
High blood pressure, high levels of LDL cholesterol or C-reactive protein circulating in the blood stream, along with obesity, age and heredity are all risk factors for the development of arteriosclerotic heart disease. Blood sugar levels also play a role, uncontrolled diabetes, particularly Type II or adult onset diabetes is currently considered a risk factor.
However, adult onset diabetes appears to be related to improper diet, lack of exercise and obesity, as well. While reducing age or changing parents is not possible, controlling the other risk factors can help with the prevention of heart disease.
According to the most recent research, it appears that using a combination of approaches for the prevention of heart disease is more effective than a single approach. Among these approaches are: making dietary changes, losing weight (particularly around the abdomen), reducing blood sugar levels to low normal and taking certain dietary supplements.
Controlling blood pressure and lowering LDL cholesterol may be achieved through dietary changes or prescription medications may be necessary. The same is true for reducing blood sugar levels. The dietary supplements that may help with the prevention of heart disease include anti-oxidants, the B-vitamins and folic acid.
Mangosteen puree, a dietary supplement, contains the most antioxidants available from a single source. These antioxidants destroy free radicals that can cause cellular damage leading to arteriosclerotic heart disease.
Mangosteen is an exotic fruit from Southeast Asia, and should not be confused with the more mundane mango. Mangosteen is an excellent source of B-vitamins and folic acid which helps lower homocysteine, an amino acid found in meat. High blood levels of homocysteine are related to the early development of arteriosclerotic disease.
In addition, the mangosteen contains natural anti-inflammatory properties which may be helpful for the prevention of heart disease.
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Congo Fever in Pakistan: Prevention, Symptoms and Treatment
After massive threat of Dengue fever now Pakistan is in danger of another endemic disease, Congo Fever. Congo Crimean Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is fatal viral disease caused by domestic and wild animals. Basically it is caused by Tick (Chichar in Urdu) which is an external parasite lives on the blood of animal. The danger of this disease in Pakistan is increasing at the eve of Eidul Azha because of mass slaughter of sacrificial animals during this religious occasion.
Employees of livestock department and those handling sacrificial animals will at great risk. According to Health Department of Pakistan sacrificial animals being imported from Iran, Afghanistan and India posed a big threat because these countries were facing endemic of Congo Virus. Lahore is in severe danger of this disease because most of the sacrificial animals being imported from India illegally (they are 60 % cheaper than local animals). This year patients of Congo fever in Pakistan were reported in Rawalpindi, Karachi and Gilgit-Baltistan. Congo fever has high mortality rate which is almost 50%.
Preventive measures against Congo fever/Preventions
1- This disease spread from Ticks (Chichar) so healthy animals can avoid this disease.
2- Limited contact with animals is also important.
3- Buy sacrificial animals from small and ventilated markets.
4- While visiting cattle markets cover your face and hand.
5- Use insect repellents to save your animals from ticks.
Symptoms of Congo fever
1- Patients get high temperature in beginning.
2- Pain in joints and in different parts of body starts.
3- Bleeding from gums, skin and large intestine also starts and red spots appears on body.
4- All the symptoms of Congo fever are similar that of Dengue fever.
Treatment of Congo fever
1- There are no specific medicines for this disease.
2- Usage of different medicines at early stage can save human life.
it is fatal disease and it destroys the platelets in human blood. It is better to take preventive measures to avoid this fatal disease.
The South Beach Diet and Heart Disease Prevention
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in America. According to the Center for Disease Control, each year just under eight hundred thousand Americans have their first heart attack, and another half a million individuals who have already had one or more heart attacks have another heart attack. In 2010, heart disease cost the United States over three hundred billion dollars, including health care services, medications and lost work productivity. However, the good news about heart disease is that it’s largely preventable. With a healthy diet and regular physical activity, you can dramatically reduce (and even eliminate) your risk of heart disease.
An often overlooked fact about the South Beach Diet is that, not only is it an incredibly effective way to lose weight and slim down, it was originally designed to help the patients of cardiologist Arthur Agatston reduce their risk of heart disease. In the 1980s, a low-fat diet that reduced cholesterol was the suggested method of taking high risk heart disease patients and reducing their risk of heart disease. However, Dr. Agatston realized that most of his patients had a hard time sticking to a low-fat diet. So Dr. Agatston did some research, and realized that because most of his patients had experienced high sugar levels from eating a standard American diet, a low-fat diet caused them to drop to low blood sugar levels that made them feel hungry and caused them to eat more sugars to curb the hunger.
Sound like any experiences you’ve had with other diets? We bet it does!
Dr. Agatston’s solution was to develop the South Beach Diet, which included enough carbohydrates and fats that a user never felt hungry. The trick was to teach the dieter how to eat the good kinds of carbohydrates and fats so that he or she didn’t continue to gain weight. The South Beach Diet Phase One removes the bad carbohydrates and fats from the diet, and then in the South Beach Diet Phase Two the good carbohydrates and fats are reintroduced to the diet. Once you’ve mastered the South Beach Diet, you’ll not only see yourself losing weight, you’ll see your cholesterol shifting in a positive direction. This is because you’re no longer eating the types of food that lead to high cholesterol and, subsequently, heart disease. You will have learned how to satisfy your food cravings with fats and carbohydrates that don’t actively contribute to the risk of heart disease.
The South Beach Diet is also a life-long diet. Phase Three of the diet doesn’t have the dieter following a set diet, but instead simply gives a set of guidelines about healthy eating that the dieter has learned throughout the first two phases so that he or she can eat healthily moving forward. So you’re not just “fad dieting” to lose weight and not ultimately make yourself healthier. You’re making a healthy, whole-life change. The South Beach Diet, in combination with a moderate exercise program, can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease in the future. And that’s an important thing for your and your family’s happiness!
Periodontal Disease – Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure and is Less Painful
What is a periodontal disease? It is simply an infection off your gum tissue which is also known as ‘gum disease’. A periodontist is someone who specialized in treating this disease.
Depending on how far advanced your condition is you may or may not have loose teeth or bad breath. This disease, contrary to common opinions affects people of all ages. It is only that people begin to worry and notice the damage after that damage has occurred. Therefore, people foolishly think they don’t have this problem, when in fact, many do.
The early phase of a this disease is called gingivitis, which you may have heard of before. Treatment and x-rays will be expensive. But despite the best office car, knowing what to do at home will be the ultimate predictor of your success at conquering this disease. Professionals agree, what you do at home is the most important.
Treatment can be expensive and painful. In advanced situations surgical treatment may become necessary. You may also need medicine to help you cope with the disease and the pain from surgery.
If you have excellent dental care habits, that is a plus. However, it does not guarantee that you will not develop this problem. Flossing and a quality mouthwash can be helpful too. Tobacco chewers and smokers have an elevated risk for this disease as do diabetics.
The treatment and assessments for periodontal disease are done in stages to keep track of the disease and how well you have controlled it. Next, follow the links below to learn what you can do to stop gum disease and prevent it from coming back again.
Alzheimer’s & Heart Disease-An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth A Pound of Cure
There are some exciting results from recent clinical trials and research that shows that
you may be able to reduce the risks of Alzheimer’s disease by following a heart healthy diet
regimen.
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s but recent studies indicate that prevention of
Alzheimer’s disease may be possible by including nutrient rich foods in the
diet.
The research results from several neurological studies and white papers presented to
prestigious medical journals report that diet may play a major role in the prevention of
Alzheimer’s disease.
The research funded by the Alzheimer’s Disease Research
Center at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine offers T a ray of hope in an otherwise
grim area of medical research.
The reality of advanced Alzheimer’s is “once the gooey amyloid material accumulates
and the nerve endings are poisoned and the cells have died, it is very hard to think
seriously about repairing damage that severe” states Dr. Gandy, who conducts research
on Alzheimer’s disease.
The simple solution for this complex diseases may be “eating healthy”. Heart healthy foods
seem to reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s.
“When patients reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease they also reduce their risk
factors for Alzheimer’s”. reports Dr. Nikolaos Scarmeas, an assistant professor of neurology
at Columbia University Medical Center in New York , “People who eat a diet rich in fruits,
vegetables, olive oil, legumes, cereals and fish have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s
disease”.
Dr. Scarmeas continued – “These nutrient rich foods could be helping avoid Alzheimer’s
disease by providing protection from oxidative stress or by reducing inflammation in the brain”.
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements Slow Decline
Another nutrient dense ingredient found in Omega-3 fatty acid supplements have been shown in
associative studies to slow the cognitive decline in some patients with very mild Alzheimer’s
disease. However, these supplements do not appear to affect people with more advanced cases
of the disease, according to a team of Swedish researchers.
Foods Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in foods like salmon, tuna and flaxseed. These fatty acids contain
heart healthy fats. In still another study from the University of Wisconsin, Omega -3 fatty acids
were shown to be “flammable” inside our bodies and burned off cholesterol raising types of fat thus
reducing the risk for high cholesterol and heart related problems.
How Does Omega-3 Prevent Alzheimer?
“The ways by which omega-3 fatty acids interferes in Alzheimer’s disease
pathophysiologic features are not clear, but since anti-inflammatory effects are an
important part of the profile of fish oils, they are conceivable also for Alzheimer’s
disease,” writes Dr. Gandy.
Researchers write. “It is possible that when the disease is clinically apparent,
the neuropathologic involvement is too advanced to be substantially attenuated by anti-inflammatory
treatment.” Dr. H. Gandy
In laymen’s terms, starting a preventative healthy eating regimen including omega-3 supplements can be
beneficial in the prevention and the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. As a preventative measure, omega-3′s should be part of a healthy diet. However, in the latter stages of Alzheimer’s, there is little that can be done
to repair damaged brain tissue.
Abnormal changes takes place in the brain of a person suffering from Alzheimer’s disease .
As these changes occur, a person with Alzheimer’s disease will advance through the stages of
the Alzheimer’s.
Over the course of the disease nerve cells, responsible for learning and memory functions
start to break down and eventually die. As a result, certain aspects of brain functioning
that control memory, behavior, personality, and other bodily functions, can be lost.
These recent papers reveal a consensus that focus on the concept that diet is a critical
component in controlling and perhaps preventing Alzheimer’s disease. Several clinical
trials and the resulting reports point clearly to the idea that early intervention will
have the greatest effect on controlling symptoms.





