Acne - Overview

Here's how pimples generally develop:

• Your skin has millions of tiny hair follicles (also called pores), which are tiny holes in your skin.
• These pores are attached to oil glands under your skin, which make sebum - an oily, somewhat sticky substance that helps bring dead skin cells to the surface.
• Sometimes, these tiny hairs, sebum and dead skin cells clump together, forming a plug.
• The plug prevents the sebum from reaching the skin surface, causing further build-up of sebum.
• Sebum and dead skin cells create the perfect mix for a certain bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) to grow.
• In response, your body's natural defenses send bacteria-fighting white blood cells to try to destroy the bacteria; this produces redness, swelling, heat and/or pain.
• Now, once the wall of the plugged follicle breaks down, the sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria spill into the nearby skin.
• And that's what leads to acne lesions.

Fighting Back Against Acne

Just about everyone has had a pimple at some point in life. Usually, acne starts between the ages of 10 and 13 and can last for five to 10 years. Adult women with acne tend to see it worsen around the time of their periods, during pregnancy, when they stop birth control pills or if they wear greasy cosmetics.

The exact cause is not clear. It is believed that acne is linked to androgens (male sex hormones). These androgens stimulate the oil glands and hair follicles, causing acne flare-ups.

Acne can be passed down from your mother or father. Some medications can also cause acne, including lithium (for bipolar disorder) and barbiturates (used for seizures). Also, rubbing the face, scrubbing too hard or picking at lesions can make acne worse. Acne is not caused by greasy foods, chocolate or dirt.

If you have acne with too much facial hair and thinning hair on your scalp, it could mean you have a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome, in which cysts form in the ovaries. If you suspect you might have this, see a doctor.

The good news is that acne can be treated. You can try over-the-counter medications, such as products containing:

• Benzoyl peroxide.
• Salicylic acid.
• Sulfur.
• Sulfur and resorcinol.

If over-the-counter medications don't help, check in with your primary care doctor or with a dermatologist. Most cases of acne can be treated successfully with pills or with creams or ointments applied to the skin. Have patience. Acne is not a quick fix. It may take six to eight weeks before you see any improvement. If not, you may need a new medication. Bear in mind that what works for one person may not necessarily work for you.

For women with acne, your dermatologist may try:

• Topical retinoids, topical antimicrobials (such as benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics) or oral antibiotics that are prescribed for more severe inflammation. For acne that is resistant to all other approaches, your doctor may proscribe oral retinoids; these, however, can cause severe birth defects if you get pregnant while taking them. Women must use at least 2 forms of birth control while on these drugs.
• Birth control pills. These may decrease androgen activity in women who have flare-ups around the time of their periods.
• Spironolactone, which prevents oil production by androgen and decreases androgen production, causing fewer acne flares.

To clean your face, gently wash with mild facial cleansers and don't scrub - this can make your acne worse. Toners that have glycolic acid or salicylic acid may help remove surface oils that can lead to flare-ups. You may need a moisturizer if your acne medication is making your skin dry.

Talk to your doctor about getting treatment.

Nicotine-Reduced Cigarettes Could Boost Quitting

A gradual lessening of the drug may ease addiction, research suggests

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Providing smokers with cigarettes of gradually decreasing levels of nicotine over a number of weeks can help cut their nicotine addiction, a U.S. study finds.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, and San Francisco General Hospital Medical Center, included 20 adult smokers. They puffed on their usual brand for the first week of the study and then began a six-week program where they smoked cigarettes with steadily decreasing amounts of nicotine.

At the end of the six weeks, the smokers were free to start using their regular cigarette brands again, which most did. However, when checked a month later, they were smoking about 40 percent fewer cigarettes a day compared to when the study began.

The researchers also noted that about 25 percent of the smokers quit smoking entirely during the study.

The findings are published in the Nov. 14 issue of the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

"This study supports the idea that if tobacco companies were required to reduce the levels of nicotine in cigarette tobacco, young people who start smoking could avoid becoming addicted, and long-time smokers could reduce or end their smoking. This could spare millions of people from the severe health effects of long-term smoking," study team leader Dr. Neal Benowitz, professor of medicine, psychiatry and biopharmaceutical sciences, and chief, division of clinical pharmacology and experimental therapeutics at SFGH, said in a prepared statement.

Currently, the U.S. Congress is considering proposals to give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate tobacco products, including the reduction of nicotine levels in cigarettes.

Sources: HealthDay

Yoga Styles or Yoga Paths orTypes Of Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga

The basis of ashtanga yoga is the Yoga sutras (Sanskrit Verses) of Patanjali. We will consider the different aspects of yoga while remaining under the guiding principles of Patanjali's Yoga (Ashtanga Yoga). The Asana, Pranayama, Dharana, Dhyan & Samadhi or the Yama and Niyama are systematically described by Patanjali in his Sanskrit Sutras (verses).

1. yama (Principles)
2. Niyama (Personal Disciplines)
3. Asana (Yoga Positions or Yogic Postures)
4. Pranayama (Yogic Breathing)
5. Pratyahara (Withdrawal of Senses)
6. Dharana (Concentration on Object)
7. Dhyan (Meditation)
8. Samadhi (Salvation)

Hatha Yoga

The term Hatha Yoga has been commonly used to describe the practice of asana (postures). The syllable 'ha' denotes the pranic (vital) force governing the physical body and 'tha' denotes the chitta (mental) force thus making Hatha Yoga a catalyst to an awakening of the two energies that govern our lives. More correctly the techniques described in Hatha Yoga harmonise and purify the body systems and focus the mind in preparation for more advanced chakra and kundalini practices.

The Hatha Yoga system includes asana along with the six shatkarmas (physical and mental detox techniques), mudras and bandhas (psycho-physiological energy release techniques) and Pranayama (pranic awakening practices). Fine tuning of the human personality at increasingly subtle levels leads to higher states of awareness and meditation.

1. Yogasana (Yoga Positions)
2. Six shatkarmas (physical and mental detox techniques)
3. Mudras and Bandhas (psycho-physiological energy release techniques)
4. Pranayama (pranic awakening practices)

Mantra Yoga

Japa Yoga, Requirements, State of Consciousness in Matra Yoga, Methods of Chanting, Effects of Mantra, How to Practice & Rules of Mantra Chanting)
Mantra Yoga -
Mantra Yoga has its origin in Vedic Sciences and also in Tantra, infact all the verses in Vedas are called mantras, it is said that any person who can chant or sing Vedas can achieve the ultimate salvation or union with supreme consciousness only by chanting the mantras, which is the aim Mantra Yoga

Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti is a Yoga of devotion or complete faith. This faith is generally in the God or supreme consciousness in any of the forms. It may be Lord Rama, Krishna, Christ, Mohammed, Buddha etc. It may be a Guru for his disciples.Important thing is the person interested in following this path should have very strong emotional bond with the object of faith. The flow of emotional energy is directed to this object. Mostly people suppress their emotions and that often reflects in the form of physical and mental disorders. This Bhakti Yoga releases those suppressed emotions and brings the purification of inner self .

Continuous meditation of God or object of faith gradually decrease the ego of the practitioner, which further prevents new distractions, fickleness or even pain and induces strong bonds of love. Slowly the practitioner looses the self identity and becomes one with the object of faith, this is a state of self realization.

Karma Yoga

Karma Yoga is a path of devotion to the work. One looses his identity while working, only selfless work remains. This state is very difficult to achieve. Generally some rewards or incentives or outcome follows the work and one is attached to this reward or incentive. This is not the Karma Yoga. Non-attachment with the work and becoming the perfect instrument of the super consciousness in this manifested universe is the ultimate aim of Karma Yoga.

In the initial stages of Karma Yoga, individual possesses strong sense of ego and consciously or unconsciously he is attached to the fruits of his efforts or at least praise or recognition but by continuous involvement in the work and change in mental attitude, one can surely disassociate himself from the ego and his own personality.

In this state the work becomes worship to the God, it becomes spiritual, also the individual becomes expert, skilled and Yogi. He achieves stability of mind in all conditions, he is not disturbed or excited or happy in any of the situations. He becomes divine & his actions represent God's will.

The essence of Karma Yoga as extracted from 'Bhagvad Gita' says: The world confined in its own activity except when actions are performed as worship of God. Therefore one must perform every action sacramentally and be free of your attachments to the results.

Jnana Yoga

Jnana Yoga is the process of converting intellectual knowledge into practical wisdom. It is a discovery of human dharma in relation to nature and the universe. Jnana Yoga is described by tradition as a means to obtain the highest meditative state and inner knowledge.

Jnana literally means 'knowledge', but in the context of yoga it means the process of meditative awareness which leads to illuminative wisdom. It is not a method by which we try to find rational answers to eternal questions, rather it is a part of meditation leading to self-enquiry and self-realisation.

Some of the components of Jnana Yoga are:

1. Not believing but realising
2. Self-awareness leading to self-analysis
3. Experiencing knowledge
4. Realising the personal nature
5. Developing intuitive wisdom
6. Experiencing inner unity

Kundalini Yoga (From the Tantras)

This system of Yoga is concerned with awakening of the psychic centers or chakras, which exists in every individual. (Please refer to the figure) There are six main chakras in the human beings.The mind is made up of different subtle layers. Each of these layers progressively are associated with the higher levels of consciousness. Each of these levels are related to the different chakra or psychic center located throughout the psychic body. There are no of other chakras apart from the six main, which are associated with planes below the human level. In all we have chakras that connect us to animal levels of mind, to the instinctive realms of being or to the sublime heights of consciousness.In Kundalini Yoga, higher-level chakras are awakened and also the activities associated with these higher psychic centers.The basic method of awakening involves deep concentration on these chakras and forcing their arousal. Asanas, pranayama, mudra and bandha and other forms of Yoga such as Mantra Yoga are also used to stimulate the awakening.


Kriya Yoga

The word kriya means 'activity' or 'movement' and refers to the activity or movement of consciousness. Kriya also refers to a type of practical or preliminary practice leading to total union, the final result of practice. Kriya Yoga does not curb mental fluctuations but purposely creates activity and awakening in consciousness. In this way all faculties are harmonised and flower into their fullest potential.

Kriya Yoga originated in antiquity and evolved over time through practise and experience. The full form of Kriya Yoga consists of over 70 kriyas out of which only 20 or so are commonly known.

The kriya practices are inscribed in numerous tantric texts written in Sanskrit. To date only a few of these have been translated into other languages. The most authoritative magna opus on the subject of Kriya.

The practices of Kriya Yoga were propagated by Swami Satyananda Saraswati from secret teachings described in the Yoga and Tantra Shastras. The kriyas, as taught by Satyananda Yoga™, are one of only two systems of Kriya Yoga recognized the world over, the other being that of Paramahamsa Yogananda.

Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga usually refers to the system of yoga that is described in the Yoga Sutras of Sage Patanjali. In this ancient text Sage Patanjali describes eight stages of yoga which are known collectively as Raja Yoga.

Raja Yoga is a comprehensive yoga system which deals with the refinement of human behaviour and personality through the practice of the yamas (restraint) and niyamas (disciplines); attainment of physical health and vitality through asanas (postures) and pranayamas (pranic breathing techniques); management of mental and emotional conflicts and development of awareness and concentration through pratyahara (sensory withdrawal) and dharana (concentration); and developing the creative aspect of consciousness for transcendental awareness through dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (absorption in the universal identity).

Swara Yoga

Swara is Sanskrit word, meaning sound or note. It is also a continuous flow of air through one nostril. Yoga means union, so Swara yoga is a science which is realization of cosmic consciousness through control and manipulation of breath.

Swara Yoga is science which is a complete study, observations, control and manipulation of breath or Swara. Pranayama is only related to control of breath in various ways. In swara yoga, you will find association of breath in relation to activities of sun, moon, various seasons, physical and mental conditions of individuals etc. So Swara Yoga is more comprehensive in theory and practices related to breath.

Pranayama - A Science of Breathing

Breath and Prana

Breathing is a vital process which starts at the time of birth and stops at the death. The important Oxygen is provided to all the parts, organs and cells of the body. The maximum time a person can survive without oxygen is about 4 minutes. All the metabolic processes require oxygen. Oxygen is life, a vital force. This vital energy is called Prana.

What is Pranayama?

The process of controlling the Prana is called Pranayama. So pranayama is the science related to vital force supplying energy and controlling the body mind complex.

Breathing is the process of taking in this vital energy and removing the waste products out of our body and mind. Generally breathing includes inhalation and exhalation but pranayama includes retention of breath (known as “Kumbhaka” in Sanskrit) as well. This is a very important process. The air can be retained in the lungs or out of the lungs. The ancient texts say that retention of air, increases the level of prana (energy) in the body, also it regulates the flow of pranic energy through out the body. So pranayama helps remove all the ailments and also can stop the aging process of the body.

Mind and breath

The mind, consisting of thoughts and emotions is closely related to the breath. When the mind is calm and relaxed, the breathing is smooth and slow. If you are stressed breathing is fast & shallow but mostly through chest. When one gets angry, the breathing becomes fast and forceful, in depressed states sighing, when in pain gasping, in anxiety shallow and rapid. In this way, the mental and emotional states affect breathing.

Rhythmic Breathing is Pranayama –

All the processes and organs like heart, brain, digestive organs, endocrine glands in the body have rhythms. Also the breathing has specific rhythms. Pranayama is Rhythmic breathing, bringing the breath in natural rhythm by controlling the process of inhalation, exhalation and retention.

Physiology of Yogic breathing –

In process of breathing, one uses diaphragm, intercostals muscles in the chest. The diaphragmatic breathing is called vertical breathing and is considered a more efficient way to inhale air than inhaling while expanding the chest which is called horizontal breathing. .In pranayama, one should utilize the diaphragm efficiently to get more oxygen without making more efforts. The diaphragm is attached to the organs like heart and lings, also the liver, spleen, pancreas and stomach from the bottom side. Efficient movement of the diaphragm makes the functioning of these organs more efficient.

We will see Deep breathing & Fast breathing from Pranayama Perspective in next article.

YOGA ( pranayam )

With the ever-increasing incidence of lifestyle diseases like cardio-vascular and nervous system disorders, the time has come for us to address this ourselves, fair and square WITHOUT external dependence.

Did you know that reprogramming your natural breathing technique would not only help in preventing these problems but also help in the “reversal” of several such harmful conditions? Yes, it’s not only possible but proven too. In fact leading cardiac experts are advocating the benefits of “correct” breathing to their patients.

Surprising as it is, almost none of us use the full capacity of our respiratory organs. This is aggravated by our sedentary lifestyles and leads to several complications popularly called - lifestyle disorders.

The first question that comes to mind is – “How can I alter my natural breathing process?” Well, astonishing as it may seem, it’s true. By training our body to breathe in a particular fashion, we re-program our involuntary system to adopt this new way of breathing.

This breathing technique is called the “Full Yogic breath” or simply Yoga breathing.

Without wasting time, I’ll plunge right away into the technique followed by its overwhelming benefits.

First, lie down on your back, relaxed, with hands and legs outstretched and eyes looking up at the roof. Gently close your eyes and relax.

Step 1: Abdominal breathing

Observe your natural breath. You will notice that as you inhale the abdomen rises and then falls with exhalation. Watch this for a few moments to check this flow. Now begin to deepen, lengthen and extend that movement. That is, while inhaling, let the abdomen rise to its limit and at exhalation let it fall completely. Keep the chest still during this entire process – only move the abdomen. Continue this for 20 breaths and then rest.

Step 2: Thoracic (chest) breathing

Again observe your normal breath, this time focusing your attention on the chest. You will notice the chest moving slightly up at inhalation and down with exhalation. Again observe this pattern for a few moments. Now again, begin to deepen, lengthen and extend that movement. This time, on inhalation expand and lift the rib cage, filling the lungs completely. Then on exhalation, let the lungs collapse fully, sinking to the limits. In this step, keep the abdomen still, moving only the chest. Do this for 20 breath cycles and then stop.

Step 3: Full Yogic breathing

This combines the above 2 steps in the following way:
First inhale by filling the abdomen and then CONTINUE inhaling as you expand and fill the chest. Then exhale first from the chest as it empties and falls and then CONTINUE exhaling from the abdomen as it draws inwards completely. This is one round of the full yogic breath. Repeat this for 20 rounds.

Remember the pattern… Inhaling - abdomen then chest; Exhaling – chest then abdomen.

GOLDEN RULE: All of the above steps should be done WITHOUT strain. The natural tendency is to heave with effort. The right way is to make it smooth and effortless. Go slow and easy.

Initially you will experience unevenness or bumps in this breathing process – as if there are 4 separate parts to the full yogic breath. This is natural considering the years we have spent breathing improperly.

Instead, try to picture this breath as a continuous wave like pattern – as if the breath moves up from the navel to the throat with every inhalation and then, down from the throat to the navel with each exhalation. It may take a few weeks of practice to perfect a “SMOOTH flowing pattern with MINIMUM effort and with MAXIMUM capacity.”

This is the desired effect!! Over time, the yoga way of breathing will come naturally to you.

And now for the all-important benefits…

The full yogic breath is the basic building block of the powerful yoga breathing techniques, also called ‘Pranayama’ in Sanskrit, which are known for their multifarious benefits.

But the tangible benefits of the full yogic breath are that it:

• Releases acute and chronic muscular tensions around the heart and digestive organs.
• Helps sufferers of respiratory illnesses such as asthma and emphysema to overcome the fear of shortness of breath. It actually increases lung capacity.
• Encourages proper nervous stimulus to the cardio-vascular system
• Dramatically reduces emotional and nervous anxiety
• Improves detoxification through increased exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen
• Amplifies the auto immune system by increased distribution of energy to the endocrine system
• Calms the mind and integrates the mental / physical balance.

And the real icing is that it contributes to both vitality and relaxation through this single practice.

With such powerful all-round benefits, do you really need to be “motivated” to get going?

Go ahead, and take charge of your life like never before.

All the best,

Ghanshyam Kukra

What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects cells (called mesothelium) that line the pleura (chest cavity) or the peritoneum (abdominal cavity). Most people with mesothelioma have worked in jobs where they breathed in fibers of asbestos. Others have been exposed to asbestosis fibers in their homes, often without knowing it.

The disease process

Irritant dust particles present in some work environments or homes can cause chronic lung disease, generally called pneumoconiosis. The type of pneumoconiosis caused by asbestos fibers is called asbestosis. Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was commonly added to many products in the past to strengthen them, as well as to provide heat insulation and fire resistance. Asbestos in a home or building is not hazardous until it becomes damaged over time, releasing asbestos fibers into the air. Breathing in these fibers can cause scarring in the lungs and gradual destruction of the lung tissue. Over time, asbestos may trigger the development of mesothelioma.

Because of the long delay between exposure to asbestos and the onset of mesothelioma, exposure that occurred even decades ago (for example, among shipyard workers during World War II), may place a person at risk for developing this type of cancer. An exposure lasting only one or two months can result in mesothelioma developing 30 or 40 years later. People diagnosed with mesothelioma today were usually exposed in the 1940s through the 1970s.

Survival rates

Like most cancers, the outlook for recovery (prognosis) often depends on how early the disease is diagnosed and how aggressively it acts and is treated. Patients are often told that the expected survival time is only 12 to 18 months. However, specialists at leading cancer centers often have better statistics. For example, the five-year survival rate has approached 40 percent for selected patients at Brigham and Women's Center in Boston.

How Is Mesothelioma Treated?

Like most cancers, the outlook for recovery (prognosis) for people with mesothelioma depends on when the disease is diagnosed and how aggressively it is treated. The treatment plan depends on the stage and location of the cancer, as well as the age and desires of the patient. Treatment generally involves some combination of:

• Surgery (to remove the cancer or buildup of fluid)
• Radiation (the use of high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells)
• Chemotherapy (drugs that kill cancer cells)

Surgery

Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest (pleurectomy) or abdomen, and some of the surrounding tissue to get out all of the cancer. Depending on how far the tumor has spread, a lung may also be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm is also removed.

If fluid has collected in your chest or abdomen, your doctor may drain the fluid out by putting a needle into the area and using gentle suction to remove the fluid. Removal of chest fluid for diagnosis or for therapy is called thoracentesis; removal of abdominal fluid is called paracentesis.

Radiation

Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells or reduce the size of the tumor. Radiation may be administered from a machine outside the body (external radiation therapy) or by inserting materials that produce radiation (radioisotopes) through thin plastic tubes into the cancer area (internal radiation therapy).

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs may be taken as pills or they may be put into your body by a needle into a vein or muscle. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the drug enters the blood, travels through the body (that is, through your entire system), potentially killing cancer cells anywhere in the body. For mesothelioma, chemotherapy may also be put directly into your chest (intrapleural chemotherapy). Recent approval of a new program using pemetrexed (Alimta®) and gemcitabine (Gemzar®) have shown beneficial results and good tolerability.

Treatment by stage

Therapies will vary according to the stage of disease, which is determined at the time of diagnosis. If the cancer is localized (found in only one place in the chest), treatment probably will consist of surgery to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue. If the cancer is present in a larger area, treatment may involve more extensive surgery, external radiation and/or chemotherapy.

Treatment for advanced disease may include thoracentesis or paracentesis to reduce discomfort, as well as drugs placed directly into the chest to prevent further fluid buildup. Surgery and radiation may relieve symptoms, and various types of chemotherapy may be used.

Other treatments

Not all patients respond to standard therapy, and some standard treatments have undesirable side effects. For these reasons, new approaches to therapy are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. These new therapies often combine traditional treatments with something entirely new.

Recent studies reported at the American Society of Clinical Oncology showing that combining a new drug called Alimta® (pemetrexed) with cisplatin have shown good results.

Clinical trials

Clinical trials are currently underway to test new drugs and procedures to fight mesothelioma.

Treating a Sinus Infection

Dear visitiors,
I am posting some tips for curing sinus,because i am also suffering from sinus and i know how painful it is and how it give us a headache for many days ,the days that never ends.I will be thankful if someone give these advise to those people's who are suffering from SINUS.

Follow these suggestions to ease pain and congestion

(HealthDay News) -- Sinus infections can be caused by either a virus or a bacterium. While bacterial infections respond to antibiotics, viral infections -- usually stemming from a common cold -- just need to run their course.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases offers these suggestions to help reduce symptoms of a sinus infection:

• Take a decongestant to help a runny or stuffy nose.
• Over-the-counter saline nasal sprays can help with nasal congestion, but should only be used for a few days.
• Take a pain reliever to soothe pain associated with sinus infection.
• Apply gentle heat to the sinuses to ease discomfort.
• Breathe steam from a vaporizer or hot cup of water to help soothe inflamed sinuses.

I hope this tips can be helpful for all those people who are suffering from SINUS.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders aren't just about food. They are mental disorders that can become lifelong conditions. They can be deadly. You must get help if you suspect you or your child has an eating disorder. The earlier an eating disorder is treated, the better the chances for overcoming it.

Eating disorders are complex, arising from behavioral, emotional, psychological, social and perhaps even genetic issues. People with eating disorders use their control of food to deal with intense feelings. Ultimately, these behaviors damage physical and emotional health.

Three percent of teen and adult women and 1 percent of men have anorexia, bulimia or binge-eating (compulsive overeating) disorder. Children in elementary school are developing signs of eating disorders. Forty percent of fourth graders say they diet either "very often" or "sometimes," according to research published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Fifteen percent of young women have disordered eating attitudes and behaviors, reports the Journal of Counseling Psychology. Experts say eating disorders, with onset typically between the ages of 13 and 14, and then again at 17 and 18, are now being seen in children as young as 10.

Eating disorders can cause significant medical problems, including:

• Slow heart rate and disturbances in the heart's rhythm.


• Dangerously low blood pressure.


• Dangerously low body temperature.


• Osteoporosis (brittle, weak bones).


• Slowed growth or development.


• Problems with periods.


• Infertility.


• Electrolyte abnormalities that can lead to heart rhythm disturbances.


• Dehydration.

Prognosis

With counseling, about 50 percent of people who develop eating disorders overcome them. This is especially true for younger sufferers who are still developing attitudes about themselves and food. For others, eating disorders can be a lifelong battle. Psychotherapy, medications such as antidepressants and nutritional counseling can help most people.

What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease marked by a loss of bone mass and a consequential reduction in bone strength. In the U.S, 10 million people are thought to already have the disease and almost 34 million more may have low bone mass. Of the 10 million, 8 million are women and 2 million are men.

How is bone formed in the body?
An ongoing process of bone turnover and growth continues throughout a person's life. There are two types of cells involved in this process. These are called osteoblasts (bone-forming cells) and osteoclasts (bone-destroying cells). In the first step of bone formation, the osteoblasts make a protein called collagen, and the collagen is twisted around to form a matrix that fills in cavities left by the osteoclasts. The collagen matrix is then hardened by calcification. The process of bone remodeling is carefully regulated. Hormones produced by the parathyroid and thyroid glands tell the osteoclasts to break down bone when calcium is needed in the blood. When calcium phosphate in food is absorbed, it affects the levels of calcium in the blood. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium so that it can be used in bone building.

Bone formation exceeds bone loss throughout childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. During these developmental stages, bones continue to grow until they reach their peak mass or density. Between ages 32 and 35, the tables are turned, and bone loss exceeds bone formation. As we age, the bone loss may reach such a level that it is considered to be a disease (osteoporosis). Although a net loss of bone is inevitable, preventative measures involving preparation and discipline can be introduced to help minimize the loss.
What are risk factors for developing osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis has many risk factors

Menopause. When women enter menopause, they stop producing estrogen, and the rate of bone loss increases. In the seven to 10 years following menopause, the rate of bone loss increases from about 1 percent a year to 3 percent per year. Men continue to lose bone mass at a steady rate of about 1 percent a year. Because women have smaller skeletons than men, they have less bone mass from the outset, contributing further to the higher incidence of osteoporosis in women than in men. Women who have had their ovaries surgically removed before menopause are also at risk of developing osteoporosis.

Low levels of physical activity. Weight-bearing exercise thickens your bones by increasing blood flow to them. The increase in blood flow is accompanied by increased access to nutrients used in the bone-building process. Low levels of physical activity, on the other hand, lead to weaker bones and an increased chance of developing osteoporosis.

Smoking and alcohol consumption. Research has shown smoking cigarettes lowers estrogen levels in women and consequently speeds up the rate of bone loss. Alcohol reduces bone formation by interfering with osteoblast cell activity.

Diet. When dietary calcium intake is inadequate, the body is deprived of the raw materials it needs to maintain bone mass and strength. Low levels of calcium intake prevents young people from reaching their peak bone mass. The failure of older adults to get enough calcium in their diets means they will be less likely to ward off bone loss later on.

Medical history and medications. Medical conditions such as thyroid disease, kidney problems, malabsorption syndromes and liver conditions can cause osteoporosis. In addition, certain medications, particularly steroid drugs used to treat asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, can have a detrimental effect on bones, especially when taken for a long time.

The Food and Drug Administration announced in 2004 that a "black box" warning, highlighting that prolonged use may result in loss of bone density, will be added to the labeling of Depo-Provera®, an established injectable drug approved for use in women for prevention of pregnancy.

Family history. If someone in your immediate family has osteoporosis, then the chances are greater that you have inherited a tendency to develop this disease.

Low body weight. People who have a low percentage of body fat (less than 15 percent) may be more likely to develop osteoporosis than people with higher percentages. The lower your body fat, the less weight you bear on your bones, and the less dense they become to support your weight.

Will I have any symptoms if I develop osteoporosis?

Most women don't know they have the disease until they have a fracture, often involving the wrist or hip, after a minor fall. Other women may find themselves getting shorter as they age or developing a hunched back (dowager's hump).

How can I be tested to determine if I have osteoporosis?

Bone density tests are a practical way to accurately measure bone density and diagnose osteoporosis. They can alert your doctor to the early stages of osteoporosis before a fracture occurs. Bone density testing is safe and painless, but it does involve a very small dose of radiation.

During the exam, bone density measurements of your spine, hip, wrist, heel or femur (thigh bone) may be taken. The test measures the bone mineral density of each area. These measurements are then compared to a reference group based on your age, weight, sex and ethnic background. The doctor makes a diagnosis of your bone status and determines your risk of developing fractures.

What are the best ways to minimize bone loss?

Exercise. Experts agree weight-bearing exercise is essential in minimizing bone loss and maintaining the highest possible density in your skeleton. Typical weight-bearing exercises include walking, jogging, bicycling, stair climbing or dancing. Also, experts suggest you do some type of weight-training. Weight training can strengthen all major muscle groups: arms, shoulders, chest, back, abdomen, hips and legs. Weight training involves the use of dumbbells or other objects, such as bands and tubes that provide resistance. Talk with a physician and a trainer before starting any exercise regimen.

Calcium. Women need to ingest 1,000 milligrams to 1,200 milligrams of calcium each day. Nevertheless, studies show the average person ingests only 450 mg to 550 mg a day. If the daily intake of dietary calcium is too low, the body uses calcium stored in the bones. Although it is generally known that dairy products are good sources of calcium, many people do not know of other food sources, including canned sardines and salmon, canned or fresh oysters, broccoli, collard greens, turnips, soybeans, tofu and almonds. Calcium supplements can be taken if dietary intake of calcium continues to be inadequate.

Medications. Prescription medications can help slow bone loss and even help rebuild bone.

What medications are available?

Teriparatide (Forteo®), a synthetic form of a natural human hormone called parathyroid hormone, is the first osteoporosis medication to increase the rate of bone formation in the bone remodeling cycle. The drug forms new bone, increases bone mineral density and bone strength. Teriparatide can be taken by men or postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The drug can be used by people who have had an osteoporosis-related fracture or who cannot use other osteoporosis treatments. Side effects include nausea, leg cramps and dizziness.

Medications that help slow the resorptive phase of the bone-remodeling cycle are:

Bisphosphonates. Alendronate sodium (Fosamax®) and risedronate sodium (Actonel®) prevent and treat postmenopausal women by reducing bone loss, increasing bone density and reducing the risk of fractures. Side effects are not common but may include abdominal pain, nausea, heartburn or irritation of the esophagus, the tube leading to your stomach.

Calcitonin. This is a naturally occurring hormone. Miacalcin® and Calcimar® are two synthetic forms of calcitonin that help slows bone loss, increase spinal bone density and may relieve pain from bone fractures. Calcitonin reduces the risk of spinal fractures but may not decrease the risk of other fractures. Calcitonin can be taken as an injection or nasal spray. The injectable form may cause an allergic reaction and side effects including flushing of the face and hands, urinating more often, nausea, and a skin rash. Side effects for the nasal version are not common but may include nasal irritation, back pain, bloody nose and headaches.

Estrogen therapy (ET) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). ET and HRT can help prevent osteoporosis. ET may reduce bone loss, increase bone density in the spine and hip, and reduce the risk of hip and spinal fractures in postmenopausal women. However, estrogen may increase the risk of cancer in the uterine lining and other cancers.

To lower this risk, doctors often prescribe the hormone progestin with estrogen, in a combination called HRT, for women who have an intact uterus. Side effects may include vaginal bleeding, breast tenderness, mood disturbances and gallbladder disease. Prempro®, a combination therapy, reduces the risk of hip and other fractures as well as colon cancer. Talk to your doctor about the slight increased risk of breast cancer, strokes, heart attacks and blood clots.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). Raloxifene (Evista®) prevents and treats postmenopausal osteoporosis. SERMs have the helpful effects of estrogen therapy without the potential disadvantages. Raloxifene increases bone mass and reduces the risk of spine fractures. Side effects are not common but may include hot flashes and deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot starting in the legs).

Men

More study is needed to find out the best way to treat men with osteoporosis. If a man has low testosterone levels, a doctor may prescribe testosterone replacement to help prevent more bone loss. Doctors aren't sure if this medication can reverse bone loss. Drug therapy has not been as well studied in men as extensively as in women, but bisphosphonates can help slow bone loss.

How can you prevent osteoporosis?

By building up strong, healthy bone tissue during the skeleton's formative years.
By preventing excessive bone loss during midlife and old age.

Bone is a living tissue that continually remodels itself during life. Some bone cells absorb bone tissue, while others re-form the bone's surfaces. Normally, these processes are well-balanced. A person's peak bone mass occurs at about age 35, then begins declining because the two processes - the breakdown of bone and the development of bone tissue -go out of balance.

The best way to build up a healthy amount of bone mass before you turn 35 is to get plenty of weight-bearing activities such as walking or running and to eat a healthy diet with enough calcium. Calcium sources include milk and other dairy products, dark green, leafy vegetables such as broccoli, canned sardines or salmon with bones.

After age 35, continue a calcium-rich diet and exercise program. Many people take calcium supplements. However, it's important if you are considering using supplements to check with your doctor first, especially if you have a history of kidney stones. People who take calcium supplements unnecessarily or who take too much could end up with painful kidney stones.

Postmenopausal women can consider taking estrogen because estrogen replacement therapy prevents bone loss. However, there are risks and benefits to taking estrogen. Only you and your doctor can decide whether taking estrogen is right for you.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration announced in 2004 that a "black box" warning, highlighting that prolonged use may result in loss of bone density, will be added to the labeling of Depo-Provera, an established injectable drug approved for use in women for prevention of pregnancy.

What Is Cholesterol?

You've heard about cholesterol and know that you have to "watch it" to stay healthy. But what is cholesterol, and what exactly are you watching?

What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a soft wax-like substance in your bloodstream and in your cells. When you have too much of the wrong kind of cholesterol, you could increase your risk for developing heart disease, heart attacks and other heart disease complications.

Everyone has cholesterol. Your body needs cholesterol to produce cell membranes and some hormones and gets this cholesterol in two ways: some of it is made in the body and the rest comes from your diet. Eating too much of foods with high cholesterol can hurt you. These foods are animal products such as meats, poultry, fish, eggs, butter and whole milk. Plant foods such as fruit, vegetables and cereal don't have cholesterol.

But beware. Some foods that don't have animal products may have trans fats, which cause your body to create more cholesterol. Also, getting too much saturated fat found in foods such as some vegetable oils and items made with them can cause the body to make too much cholesterol.

Good and bad
Cholesterol can't dissolve in the blood and is carried from cell to cell by lipoproteins. You have two types of these lipoproteins. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is known as the "bad" cholesterol. Too much can cause your arteries to clog.

High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is known as the "good" cholesterol. You want to have this in your body because it protects you by carrying cholesterol away from your arteries and may even help reduce your risk of heart attack.

Your triglyceride level is also important in your cholesterol picture. Triglycerides are the chemical form in which most fat exists in food and in the body. They come from fats found in foods and are also made in the body. Calories not used right away are changed to triglycerides and stored in fat cells. Between meals, your hormones regulate the release of triglycerides to give you energy.

High levels of triglycerides are associated with a high risk of heart attack and stroke. People who have high triglyceride levels also have high total cholesterol and low HDL. People with diabetes or who are obese tend to have a high triglyceride level as well.

Your total blood cholesterol level
Blood cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Your total blood cholesterol generally falls into these categories:

• Desirable - Less than 200 mg/dL.


• Borderline high risk - 200 to 239 mg/dL.


• High risk - 240 mg/dL and higher.

Lowering total cholesterol
You can reduce unhealthy cholesterol levels by eating foods low in saturated fats, cholesterol and trans fats. Exercise and weight loss can also help. If you have tried reducing cholesterol through diet and exercise and you still have trouble, your doctor may prescribe medications.

Preventing High Cholesterol
You can help prevent high cholesterol by:
1. Eating a diet low in saturated fat
2. Exercising

Treating a Heart Attack

If an electrocardiogram (EKG) shows that you are having a heart attack, several medications can be used to help your heart. Here is a description of some common drugs to treat you during a heart attack.

Nitroglycerin

Nitroglycerin helps open up the vessels that supply blood to the heart. This medication, often administered under the tongue, works quickly to reduce or relieve chest pain. Nitroglycerin also can be given intravenously (through the veins) so that it works quicker.

A person who uses nitroglycerin tablets at home is usually told to take a tablet as soon as there is chest pain. The pills can be repeated at five-minute intervals for a total of three tablets. If chest pain is still present after taking these doses of nitroglycerin, you should call 911. Don't drive yourself to the hospital.

Thrombolytic agents

These are the newest medications available to treat a heart attack. Thrombolytics, or "clot busters" as they are often called, are given intravenously to dissolve the blood clot that is causing the heart attack. When given during the first hours of a heart attack, thrombolytics can save heart muscle that would otherwise be destroyed during a heart attack. This is one reason why you should get immediately. Your doctor will determine if you can get this treatment, since some medical conditions may prevent you from receiving thrombolytic agents. Emergency angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting procedures are often carried out instead of using thrombolytic agents.

Anticoagulants

If you have chest pain that could signify the onset of a heart attack, you may be told to chew an aspirin before being brought to the hospital. If you are not having a heart attack, the aspirin will not harm you. If you are having a heart attack, the aspirin will "thin" your blood and possibly prevent further clotting. Another medication called heparin is often given intravenously for a few days after a heart attack. Heparin also "thins" your blood and reduces the risk of more clotting. "Thinning" your blood actually refers to reducing its tendency to clot.

Beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers

These medications are often given to help reduce the heart's requirements for oxygen after a heart attack. They can be administered by mouth or intravenously. Your doctor may have you continue beta-blockers after leaving the hospital.

Anti-arrhythmic agents

Since the heart is irritable after a heart attack, anti-arrhythmic drugs to prevent life-threatening, abnormal heart rhythms are sometimes used.

Is It a Heart Attack or Heartburn?

You'll know when you're having a heart attack by that telltale elephant-sitting-on-your-chest feeling, right? Probably, but not always.
Women, more so than men, often have something other than that classic crushing or squeezing pain in the chest when they're having a heart attack. Women may feel fatigue, weakness, abdominal or back pain, nausea, or dizziness. Neither they nor their doctor may recognize those as signs of a heart attack.

"Some women go to the emergency room with GI (gastrointestinal) problems, and they are told they have reflux or an ulcer," says Rita Baron-Faust, author of Preventing Heart Disease: What Every Woman Should Know.

"Or, one symptom of a panic attack is fear you're having a heart attack, so there is the assumption that a woman is having a panic attack."
Yet, doctors say the cause of chest pain isn't easy to diagnose.

"Heart attacks can present in such weird ways in general," says Stephen A. Siegel, clinical assistant professor of medicine at New York University School of Medicine, New York, whose medical specialty is cardiology. "I've seen patients who have had pain in their ear.

"Coronary artery disease is a major killer of men and women in the United States. Women tend to think of heart disease as a man's disease because men tend to develop it 10 years earlier than women. However, once a woman reaches menopause, she catches up and even exceeds a man's risk. That's because her estrogen, which protects against heart disease, drops in menopause.

Women's heart attacks more damaging
Women are nearly twice as likely to die from a heart attack as men, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Women's heart attacks tend to be more damaging and more likely to happen again. Also, women generally don't do as well with bypass surgery as men do.
No one knows exactly why the scales seem to be tipped against women. One theory is that because women develop heart disease at a later age than men, they usually have more health problems, Siegel explains. Their vessels are stiffer. They have had a longer exposure to high cholesterol and a thicker buildup of cholesterol plaque in their coronary arteries. Furthermore, they may never get the typical pains that men often get - the chest pain or pressure, which may radiate into the arm or neck, sometimes accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating or nausea.

When researchers asked about 60 women who had survived heart attacks whether they had known the warning signs beforehand, more than half said that they had not, according to a presentation at a Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology's annual meeting.
Many studies also show women take one to two hours longer than men to go to the emergency room after symptoms start.

What's worse, Baron-Faust says, is that some patients tend to "self-diagnose" and attribute their discomfort to heartburn or stress and other problems unrelated to cardiac conditions. Unfortunately, their doctors don't always pick up on the true cause. Women also are far less likely to be referred for diagnostic testing that would reveal underlying heart disease.

"Women get treated less aggressively than men," Siegel says. "There's no doubt there's a gender bias, but I think a lot of it is an age bias."

Signs of a heart attack
Whether you're male or female, Siegel says you should know learn the signs of a heart attack and to act fast.

How can you tell if you have heart pain? The classic tightening, squeezing or burning feeling in the chest, called angina, occurs when the heart doesn't get as much blood - and therefore, as much oxygen as it needs. The feeling is almost always associated with physical activity, or exertion.

"If it comes on with exertion and goes away with rest, that's angina. If it comes on with exertion and does not go away with rest, then that's a reason for urgent evaluation. It could be a heart attack," Siegel says.

Some people tend to dismiss angina because it does not feel like sharp, knife-like chest pain. In fact, sharp pains in the chest are unlikely to be a sign of angina. They also may confuse it with indigestion because their pain can be brought on by emotional stress or a heavy meal.
Time is the enemy if you suspect you are having a heart attack. If you have nitroglycerin tablets, take them. Nitroglycerin reduces the pain of angina by widening blood vessels to allow more blood to reach the heart muscle. Aspirin - and it must be aspirin, not ibuprofen or acetaminophen - also works. Aspirin keeps the arteries open by preventing clotting.

Research published in the journal Circulation found that, almost 10,000 more people would survive heart attacks if they would chew one 325-milligram aspirin tablet when they first had chest pain or other signs of a heart attack

HealthTips

How to Take Your Pulse


your pulse is usually taken during a routine doctor's visit. From time to time,though, you may want to check it yourself. You may have wondered how fast your heart beats while you're exercising or you may have felt an irregular or faster than normal thumping in your chest.
Each time your heart muscle contracts, it sends a wave through your arteries. This creates a pulse beat that you can feel when you place your fingers over an artery. Taking your pulse is easy. Here's how:
Get a watch with a second hand so you can count seconds.
Place the first two fingers along the palm side of your left wrist just below where your wrist and thumb meet.
Move your fingers around until your pulse is easier to feel. Begin counting the beats.
Count the number of beats for a full minute. You can also count the beats for 20 seconds, and multiply by three for the number of beats per minute.
If you have a hard time feeling your pulse at your wrist, you may want to try feeling your pulse at your neck. Here's how you can feel the pulse of the carotid artery. Take the same two fingers and gently place them between the wind pipe and neck muscle (on either side), just under the lower jawbone. Be careful not to press too hard or rub your neck while you're feeling for a pulse. Count the heartbeats as described above.
If you're having a hard time finding your pulse, don't worry. Your heart is still beating! At your next doctor's visit, ask the nurse or doctor to show you how to take it. Sometimes it just takes practice.
What's normal? Everyone's heart rate is different. Normal adult rates range between 60 and 80 beats per minute when resting or mildly active. The number rises while you're more physically active or exercising. Ask your doctor what's normal for you. If you're trying to exercise more vigorously, for example, learn what your "target" heart rate is. If you're straining, your rate will be higher than usual. If it's a low or moderate number, you may want to work out a little harder to raise your heart rate.
Irregular heartbeats The beats-per-minute number is just one thing worth checking. Your pulse also can reveal irregular heartbeats. This means how steadily your heart beats, not how quickly or slowly.
Notice whether beats are evenly spaced and steady. A normal heartbeat is so regular that you can predict when the next beat will occur. There may be skipped beats or extra beats.
If you have an irregular heartbeat, it may be atrial fibrillation or another heart rhythm problem. Atrial fibrillation is more common in people over 65. It can put you at higher risk for a stroke.
If think you might have an irregular heartbeat, talk to your doctor. Your doctor may want to see you for an exam.