Archive for November, 2011

Symptoms of Panic Attacks

Friday, November 11th, 2011 No Commented
Under: Anxiety

Panic attack is a sudden onset and peak rapidly (usually within 10 minutes or less) and takes about 20 minutes (but sometimes much less or more).

The symptoms that may characterize a panic attack are:

Palpitations / tachycardia (irregular beats, heavy shaking in my chest, feel the beat in the throat)

Fear of losing control or going crazy (such as, the fear of doing something embarrassing in public or fear to escape when it hits the panic or lose your temper)

Feelings of confusion, instability (dizziness and vertigo)

Tremor fine or large shocks

Sweating

Feeling of choking

Pain or discomfort in the chest

Feelings of unreality (perception of the outside world as strange and unreal, giddiness and detachment) and depersonalization (altered sense of self characterized by feelings of detachment or estrangement from their thought processes or body)

Chills

Hot flashes

Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations)

Nausea or abdominal distress

Feeling of suffocation (or close the throat)

The frequency and severity of panic attacks varies widely over time and circumstances. For example, some people have moderately frequent attacks (Once a week), which occur regularly for months. Others report more frequent short series of attacks ( Every day for a week), interspersed with weeks or months without seizures or with less frequent attacks ( two each month) for many years.

There are also so-called limited-symptom attacks, very common in people with panic disorder, which attacks occur when only some of the symptoms of panic, without exploding in a real attack. Most people with limited-symptom attacks, however, were full of panic attacks at some point during the disturbance.

During a panic attack, automatic and uncontrolled catastrophic thoughts fill the mind of the person who has trouble thinking clearly and so afraid that these symptoms are really dangerous. Some fear that the attacks are signs of an undiagnosed illness, life-threatening (heart disease, epilepsy). Despite repeated medical examinations and reassurance, may remain frightened and convinced that they are physically vulnerable. Others fear that the panic attacks show that they are “going crazy” or losing control, or who are emotionally weak and unstable.

The above where the signs I sadly used to have one I was younger. Instead of living my life, these discomforts ruled over me. Thanks God that one day I found a way, a cure and people ready to help me. Remember that If I was able to overcome panic attacks, you can too.

The Accu Chek Performa – A Reliable Blood Glucose Meter

Thursday, November 10th, 2011 No Commented
Under: Alternative

If you’re among the millions who need to track your blood glucose levels, then the Accu Chek Performa is a meter that you can count on. This meter is made with your convenience in mind by keeping things simple.

Made in the USA by Roche Diagnostics this meter is one of the most accurate and reliable on the market today because it is backed by the technical expertise of Roche Diagnostics out of Germany, the meters designer.

Ensuring Accuracy is Simple with Control Testing

Like anything that is a calibrated instrument, the meter needs to be tested to ensure that it is providing the most accurate results. Control testing is used to validate test results, which gives you peace of mind to know that you are getting reliable test results or that you need to have your meter recalibrated or replaced.

The point of control testing is two-fold, first it is to establish the meter is working correctly and secondly it is used to validate the test strips are providing reliable input to the meter.

To be sure that you are getting the right results from your control test there are a few thing you need to make sure of:

  • Make sure the strips are not expired
  • That the strips have been stored in a dry location with temperatures that range between thirty-six and eighty-ninedegrees (2 to 32 degrees Celsius).
  • The test strip number matches the number from the container it was stored in
  • Only use Accu Chek Performa test strips
  • Only use Accu Chek Performa control solutions

Accurate Reliable Results

The results that you will get from the meter will be very reliable and accurate so much so that they are relied upon by medical professionals, so you can feel confident that you will be making educated decisions about your treatment in your daily life.

This level of reliability is a result of the technology that is incorporated in the meter that performs self checks detecting any faults or errors with the meter. To help take the reliability and accuracy even higher a code chip, that is inserted into the meter, is included with the test strips. The code chip is calibrated exactly to specific test strips, which ensures accuracy.

Of course, like anything, correctly the results will not be accurate or reliable, so following the easy instructions provided with the meter is the best thing you can do to ensure you are getting results that are precise. If you are unsure that your test results are any good perform a control test to be certain that the meter is testing well within the required parameters.

Results – Putting Them to Work for You

Being able to track your results is something that enables you to take control of your situation, especially if you are pre-diabetic or type 2 diabetic, you could definitely improve your condition and maybe even reverse it if you make good decisions based off of the results you are tracking. Of course anyone with type 1 diabetes would benefit as well.

What makes the tracking powerful is the meters ability to store five-hundred results in its memory. Taking five-hundred results and laying them out in a chart or graph makes certain trends and spikes apparent, which in turn allows you to make adjustments to your treatment plan that can have a profound effect.

The meter is also capable of transferring the test results to a PDA or computer, with the right software, so you can track and chart your results as well as your doctor.

Identifying certain trends and spikes is a valuable tool, but being able to identify why there may have been a spike or why certain trends are popping up is even more valuable and that is what you can do with by flagging and day or event, a feature that makes this meter a real asset.

Staying On Time & Safe

To make this meter even more convenient a clock and calendar feature is included. Now you don’t have to miss a test by using the alarm setting that is included with the clock feature.

To help keep you safe you can set another alarm to sound if your results are outside of your normal test results. Speak to your health care provider to help you determine what your high and low glucose level is to help you avoid any false alarms.

This meter, with all its great abilities and features has one more feature that is the icing on the cake. If there is ever an error while you are testing you will get an alarm notifying you of the error, even if you don’t set any of the alarms systems.

Uterus Fibroids – To Worry or Not To Worry

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 No Commented
Under: Nutrition

Fibroids on uterus are tumours in the uterus and they are made up of smooth muscle tissue. Uterus fibroids can cause complication in pregnancy. Some of the symptoms of uterine fibroids include bloating or discomfort in the area, urinary and intestinal symptoms, abnormal heavy bleeding, intense pelvic and back pain, and a pregnant-like appearance.

Diagnose and treatment of fibroids
They are found mostly during a routine internal examination if your doctor notices a lump or an irregular uterus. If painful or recurring symptoms persist, your doctor may ask you for an ultrasound to distinguish fibroids from cysts, tumours and other pelvic masses. If the fibroids grow on the inner lining of the uterus or inside the uterine cavity, they can also be seen using a hysteroscope, which is a viewing tube inserted up through the vagina and cervix into the uterus. Fibroids can be treated by applying surgical and non-surgical methods. Asymptomatic fibroids do not need treatment.

  • Hormone therapy

This includes drug treatments, lowering the oestrogen levels and causing the fibroids to shrink. However, the drugs often cause menopause-like symptoms such as hot flushes, vaginal dryness and decreased bone density and thus a course of treatment usually lasts only three to six months. Fibroids can often continue growing once the hormone therapy is stopped.

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  • Hysterectomy

The uterus is removed from the body. After this surgical treatment, women cannot conceive and hence it is avoided.

  • Myolysis

A needle is inserted directly in the fibroids to freeze or electrify and destroy them.

  • Uterine Artery Embolization

Polyvinyl beads are utilized to block the uterine artery which starves the fibroids.

  • Myomectomy:

The fibroid is removed surgically without removing the uterus.

  • Endometrial ablation

This is used for fibroids that grow in the inner layer of the uterus. Endometrial tissue is removed from the inner lining of the womb, where the fibroid has grown, using laser energy, and a heated wire loop, microwave heating or hot fluid in a balloon.

 

Some of the above treatments carry varying degrees of side effects, as an alternative people often look for safer fibroids natural cure. Natural treatment includes herbal therapy, acupuncture and aroma therapy. Drinking sufficient amounts of filtered water can help as a simple fibroids natural cure. Complete bed rest must be taken when symptoms grow worst. Foods rich in iron (such as lean red meat and spinach) must be taken and also iron supplements, if needed to avoid anaemia caused by heavy menstrual bleeding. A hot water bottle against your tummy or have a warm bath can be taken to get a relief from pain.

Most Common Effects Caused By Anxiety Attacks

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 No Commented
Under: Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling that is characterised by nervousness, fear, apprehension and worrying. Feeling of fear and worrying is justified in some cases like before examination, interview or stage performance and death of loved ones. Mild anxiety is vague and goes away with time but severe anxiety for a long time can cause various effects on health. Anxiety is serious if it is having an impact on the normal functioning of the body. The effects of anxiety can be on both physiological and psychological level. During an anxiety attack, number of physical, mental and behavioural changes is experienced by the person.

Effect of anxiety on the physical level: Short term anxiety that is experienced while walking down the dark street alone at night and a dark shadow appears, brings on many physical symptoms. These symptoms are shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, cold and clammy palms. The increase in heart rate is due to the sympathetic nervous system which results in increased blood flow to the heart and blood vessels. During an anxiety attack, signal is sent to the autonomic nervous system of the brain which activates the sympathetic nervous system. This prepares the body for fight/flight response. The rate of respiration increases due to the fight/flight response resulting in deep and rapid breathing. Symptoms like breathlessness, choking feeling and pain in the chest may also occur. Confusion, blurred vision, dry mouth and hot flushes are some of the effects of short term anxiety attack.

Long term anxiety can gradually have an impact on all the organs of the body. It is characterised by long lasting anxiety related to nonspecific life events and situations. Prolonged anxiety brings on various health problems like headaches, migraine, sensation of lump in throat and difficulty in swallowing and acute exacerbation of asthma. Various body pains are due to the constriction of blood vessels due to the effect of anxiety. Anxiety also affects digestive system causing indigestion, pain in abdomen, heartburn and diarrhoea. Overall immune system of a person is affected making him more prone to other illnesses. One of the major effects of anxiety is sleeplessness.

Effect of anxiety on mental plane: One of the major effects of anxiety is sleeplessness. Person is unable to fall asleep or remain asleep due to the constant thinking going on in the mind. Disturbed sleep can also be because of bad dreams or nightmares. This irregular sleep pattern can further cause disturbing symptoms like irritability, aggression and lethargy. Prolonged anxiety can have an effect on brain causing confusion and difficulty in concentration due to crowded thoughts in the mind. Irrational fears and phobias and extreme agitation are seen due to disturbed emotions. Behavioural symptoms like shaking and repetitive movements of the hand and legs are indications of anxiety. Severe anxiety has many features of depression. There is increased sensitivity to various external impressions like light, noise and sound.

The effects of anxiety are treated by removing the underlying cause behind the anxiety. Treatment includes combination of medicines, psychotherapy and behavioural therapy.

Early Death? Choose to Opt Out!

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011 No Commented
Under: Main

When we decide to opt out of something, it means that we choose not to participate. Typically we don’t associate “opting out” with early death. In reality, however, we can choose to” opt out” of the diseases most likely to kill us, through healthy lifestyle changes.

The term “opt out” is often used in reference to things such as email marketing, telemarketing, or perhaps even doing the dishes or renewing NFL season tickets! But, have you ever considered “opting out” of early death? Were you even aware that you had this choice?

You may at this point suggest that “opting out” of early death cannot be guaranteed. That is true, but then again, nothing in life is for certain. Then, why bother to opt out of anything? When we opt out of junk email or telemarketing, we still get some anyway, but probably much less than we used to receive. Perhaps we get 90-95% less of these nuisance emails and phone calls. So, although not guaranteed, we are really stacking the odds in our favor. Well, then, what if you could reduce your chance of premature death by 90 or 95 %? What if you could reduce your chances of a heart attack to virtually negligible? Would you do it? Would you choose to”opt out”?

Well, we do indeed have the choice to” opt out” of most heart attacks and strokes as well as diabetes and obesity. We can also opt out of many cancers, such as lung, colon, breast and prostate. How so? By adopting a healthier lifestyle, which protects us from these and other chronic diseases, stacking the odds in favor of longevity… instead of early death.

The environment within our bodies can be conducive to disease development or it can be protective against disease. A healthy lifestyle, including nutritious meals, regular exercise, and inner peace contributes to a strong immune system which fights off disease, often in the early stages, before the disease process debilitates or kills us. A healthy lifestyle can also can reverse narrowing in our heart or neck arteries, that otherwise would contribute to heart attacks and strokes. A healthy lifestyle often can reverse impotence, without Viagra. It also reverses diabetes and hypertension, decreasing the need for prescription drugs (and their many nasty side effects).

We are really the first generation of Americans who have the choice to opt out of early death due to these typically American or so called Western diseases. Fifty years ago, medical research was not adequate to recommend what constitutes a truly “healthful” meal. Bacon and porterhouse steaks were considered healthful meals, but in truth, when eaten too often, they were contributing to many heart attacks and strokes and subsequent premature deaths. We now know that fruits, vegetables, and whole grains optimize our bodies’ natural healing elements.

Fortunately, medical research now strongly supports healthy lifestyle changes for preventing and reversing many diseases, including those which kill most Americans… .So consider making healthy lifestyle changes today.

You really can make the choice to “opt out” of early death!

Worried About Heart Disease?

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011 No Commented
Under: Heart Disease

The flavonoids are a group of phytonutrients (plant based nutrients with health boosting properties) that can be found in fruits, nuts, vegetables and teas. Their health benefits have generated a great deal of interest in recent years with studies suggesting that they can prevent heart disease, regulate estrogen levels and more. In this article I will be taking a more detailed look at this topic and discussing 4 flavonoid benefits.

1) MAXIMISING YOUR METABOLISM:

One of the interesting flavonoid benefits is that they can increase your metabolic rate. They do this by helping your body produce the metabolism boosting hormone triiodothyronine (also known as T3) which means by consuming these plant based nutrients you can burn a greater amount of calories each day.

2) LOWERING YOUR HEART DISEASE RISK:

Heart disease is one of the largest reasons for premature deaths in the UK. The good news is that the flavonoids can keep your heart in perfect working order. They do this by directly boosting your heart health and also by preventing blockages in the blood vessels which ensures there is always a health supply of blood going to your heart.

3) REGULATING ESTROGEN LEVELS:

Estrogen is the main sex hormone in females. In women it supports the growth of sexual characteristics and the reproductive system. In men it is used in much smaller amounts to break down testosterone (the primary male sex hormone). Whilst this hormone has benefits for both genders, it can be dangerous if estrogen levels in the body become too high. High estrogen levels can lead to cancer (a disease that causes your cells to grow in a rapid, uncontrollable way), heart disease and osteoporosis (reduced bone mineral density). Fortunately, 1 of the useful flavonoid benefits is that they act as phytoestrogens (substances that control estrogen levels in the body) and minimise these harmful effects.

4) TREATING DIABETES:

Diabetes is a nasty disease which causes your blood glucose levels to become extremely high. It is caused by either your pancreas failing to produce enough insulin (the hormone that allows your cells to take glucose from the blood) or body’s cells failing to respond to insulin. The good news is that the flavonoids can have a positive effect on diabetes. They do this by stimulating the production of insulin, allowing your body’s cells to take glucose from the blood (in a similar way to insulin) and reducing the damage that diabetes can cause.

SUMMARY:

As you can see, the flavonoids pack a powerful punch when it comes to health. So make sure you consume these plant based nutrients. Pick up some fruits, have a handful of nuts, mix vegetables in with your meals and have regular cups of tea to fully enjoy these flavonoid benefits.