Health

Mesothelioma

2009-06-07T20:18:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), the heart,^[1] the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart) or tunica vaginalis.

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways. Washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos can also put a person at risk for developing mesothelioma.^[2] Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking, but smoking greatly increases risk of other asbestos-induced cancer.^[3] Compensation via asbestos funds or lawsuits is an important issue in mesothelioma (see asbestos and the law).

The symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the lung and the chest wall) or chest wall pain, and general symptoms such as weight loss. The diagnosis may be suspected with chest X-ray and CT scan, and is confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. A thoracoscopy (inserting a tube with a camera into the chest) can be used to take biopsies. It allows the introduction of substances such as talc to obliterate the pleural space (called pleurodesis), which prevents more fluid from accumulating and pressing on the lung. Despite treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or sometimes surgery, the disease carries a poor prognosis. Research about screening tests for the early detection of mesothelioma is ongoing.

Mesothelioma Treatment

2009-06-07T20:15:00.000-07:00

Once an individual has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the next step is to discuss mesothelioma treatment options with his/her physician. Recent scientific research has produced significant breakthroughs with regard to treatment protocols for mesothelioma patients and more options are now available for managing the disease and supporting improved quality of life. Newly diagnosed patients always have many questions about the treatment options that would be most effective for them, including those about new treatment therapies like Alimta and Cisplatin and other chemotherapy drugs. In addition to these newer drugs that are being used to treat asbestos cancer, mesothelioma patients also have a number of "conventional" treatment options to consider, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

Clinical trials and experimental treatments are still other options that some mesothelioma patients may be eligible to participate in. Our site features a comprehensive mesothelioma cancer treatment section that includes important information for patients and families. We've included resources on top mesothelioma doctors such as Dr. Sugarbaker, as well as a comprehensive list of questions that you may wish to discuss with your personal physician when preparing a treatment plan. We are always providing new and informative resources regarding mesothelioma treatment including: Clinical Trials, conventional treatments, experimental therapies, and more. Check back often for the most recent advances in mesothelioma treatments.

Mesothelioma Attorneys

2009-06-07T20:07:00.000-07:00

Because Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that can take up to 20 years to develop, Mesothelioma attorneys need specific training and experience when seeking compensation for clients. Mesothelioma attorneys have a specific team of medical professionals who interpret health records and testing documentation to prove the specific correlation between a patient's side-effects and the Mesothelioma diagnosis.

Once the illness has been properly identified, Mesothelima attorneys must prove that the cause of the illness is the particular exposure to the toxic chemical, at a duration and amount significant enough to cause the health-related symtoms. Often it can take up to 50 years for a person to show the type of dehabilitation necessary for Mesothelioma attorneys to obtain compensation.

Not everyone who works with or was exposed to asbestos can prove that they have suffered injuries related to asbestos contamination. With years of prosecuting the cases that have bankrupted hundreds of asbestos companies, Mesothelioma attorneys have intimate knowledge of the specific evidence necessary to prove the direct correlation between absestos and asbestos-related illnesses such as Mesothelioma and lung cancer. Most recently, WR Grace & Co and its seven executives were charged in conspiring to hide asbestos contamination at a mine in Libby, Montana, which prosecutors claim was responsible for the illnesses of 1200 people resulting in 200 deaths.

ASBESTOS CANCER

2009-06-07T20:04:00.000-07:00

ASBESTOS CANCER

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a non-cancerous, chronic lung illness caused by exposure to asbestos.

Significant exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma and non-malignant lung and pleural disorders.

Risk depends on duration, frequency, concentration, & type of asbestos fibres.

Diseases from asbestos exposure take a long time to develop. Most cases of asbestosis occur in asbestos workers 15 or more years after initial exposure to asbestos.

Smoking greatly increases the likelihood of lung cancer in workers exposed to asbestos (although smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma).

Mesothelioma (asbestos cancer)

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer which may affect the lining of the lungs (pleura) and the abdominal cavity (peritoneum).

Most mesotheliomas are caused by exposure to asbestos.

Most cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed 30 years or more after the first exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women.

Risk increases with age.

Symptoms & Signs

Shortness of breath (this is the primary symptom)

A persistent and productive cough

Chest tightness

Chest pain

Loss of appetite/weight loss

A crackling sound in the lungs while inhaling.

Diagnosis

History of asbestos exposure.

Chest X-rays are the most common method of detecting asbestos-related disorders.

Other tests:

Physical Examination
Pulmonary Function Tests
Biiopsy/Bronchoscopy
CT scan

Treatment

Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined.

Getting Help

Only a doctor can make the diagnosis of mesothelioma. It is important to see a doctor if you have been exposed to asbestos and have any symptoms.

Job Stress, Health, And Unexpected Consequences: How Stress-Caused Health Problems Can Kill Your Career

2009-05-26T23:35:00.000-07:00

In Japan they have a word for what happens when you work too much, so much until you fall over dead: Karoshi, which means death by overwork. But even in Japan, most people don't usually die from working too much - they just get sick and suffer. And suffering, year after year, can be a prescription for career disaster...

Job stress results when we work too much or under bad circumstances, and it's not news to anyone that such stress can make us sick. But there's a wrinkle that flies under the radar in the stress and health discussion: Not only can an excessively stressful career make us sick, but once we get sick, our lower energy levels affect the quality and quantity of the work we can do, and sooner or later, our impaired performance can in turn ruin our careers.

Unfortunately, excess stress on a daily basis is something all too familiar to lots of people. And for all too many, it has already resulted in an assortment of health problems, ranging from the merely annoying, embarrassing, and slightly painful, such as cold sores, acne, neck pain, headaches, and hair loss, all the way to obesity, heart attacks, and even death.

Sometimes things can get so bad, that karoshi may seem like a merciful way out. But let's focus on the kinds of health consequences that result from stress that doesn't quite kill you and on the impact they can have on your career in turn. If the stress is ongoing, and it usually is, you may well end up suffering for years, alive but not so well.

We know that when the body experiences stress, it releases adrenalin and cortisol as part of our primitive fight-or-flight response. These important hormones help increase the oxygen level in the blood and boost the sugar in the blood - preparing us to either flee or fight.

That reaction may have been useful in an era where fighting or fleeing would have been considered reasonable options. But if your boss is yelling at you, neither bonking him on the kisser nor running away screaming qualifies as appropriate behavior. Instead, there you are, a sitting duck, flooded with stress hormones that have no place to go and serve no purpose except wreak havoc on your well-being.

What havoc? For example, the immune system is suppressed or damaged, which compromises your body's ability to resist infection. So you're the first to catch the office cold and the last to recover from it. And then there are a number of chronic health conditions are either caused or made worse by stress, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, migraine headaches, and heart disease. Some research suggests that stress can even cause cancer - or push the body over that critical hurdle where our immune system is just no longer strong enough to fight it off.

There are also slightly less obvious conditions, less obvious at least to the outside observer: depression, fibromyalgia, insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and adrenal burnout.

They all have in common that they'll sap your energy and make it very difficult to get much work done. Come performance review, you'll have some explaining to do. And if anything, that'll make your stress-levels even worse.

Can you see where this is heading? Stress may hurt your body, but it will also hurt your career if you don't manage to get on top of it. Ratcheting down your stress levels has got to be a top priority, because it may not only cost you your health but your job as well. And then, what will you do for health insurance?

Do it Yourself Health Care! Tips For When You Dont Have a Choice to Your Health

2009-05-26T23:34:00.000-07:00

With today's economic nightmare. Many people have opted to do away with health insurance. Not out of choice necessarily, but if they have been laid off, it usually goes with the job. So, as many have found, finding a "free" health clinic isn't as easy as many make it out to be. So, in the end, many have to find other options.

If you are on medications for a particular illness, don't worry, there are ways to get what you need in a reasonable amount of time. Today, you can find many online pharmacies that can help you with a variety of health issues and medications.

Be careful to make sure that you don't over medicate yourself, this can cause serious health issues and that is something you don't want to mess around with. If you have been on a medication for quite some time, you should still have a bottle, on the bottle you will find all the necessary information you may require to get a prescription online. You can find in most cases the correct dosages, even generic brands that are far less expensive than the name brands. Unfortunately, you won't get the discount you might have gotten when you had health insurance and merely had to pay the co-payment, but at least you can still take care of your health properly and stay on the medication that is needed.

The world wide web is full of online health stores and pharmacies that cover a huge array of health concerns. Even preventative measures to insure that you don't get sick. Many even have a way for you to ask the pharmacist that is in charge of the particular site to make sure that you are getting exactly what you need. This is quite helpful for many people.

If you feel you have an infection that requires an antibiotic and know in particular what you can take for this, you will find that there are quite a few online places that do carry antibiotics. They are reasonably priced and work great. However, if you are unsure of dosage, your best bet is to be sure to check with the customer service to be sure you don't over medicate yourself. This can cause issues from allergic reactions to stomach issues. So be careful should you have to medicate with an antibiotic.

An ounce of prevention goes a long way for many people. If you feel that you want to get yourself on a good regime to prevent any future illnesses, you will find that many online health stores carry a fine line of vitamins and natural supplements, be sure to read through so that you know you are getting exactly what you need to take care of yourself.

Is prescription medication bad for you or does it actually help? This is truly a question worth pondering. It seems like all of these problems we have with drugs now never really seemed to exist. Truthfully, addiction to as well as abuse of prescription medication is a fairly new development in recent years compared to other types of drug use and abuse. Part of this problem is due to the fact that technology as well as science has developed significantly over time.

Health and Money - On Line Jobs Can Improve Your Health

2009-05-26T23:32:00.000-07:00

It is terrible to see how many people suffer more and more each day because of money problems. Some have the tools to make it but don’t get a chance and others simply don’t have anything. 'Money stress' and 'money anxiety’ are terrible factors for your health. If you don't have a fixed income stress levels over money can easily escalate to cause most of the usual symptoms of anxiety.

These economic times are hard even for those that have a steady job; prizes escalate but salaries don’t…every thing gets more expensive and people have to do more and more to be able to provide for them self’s and their loved ones. Not to mention all those “extra” things you would love to have but that due to the economy you have to do with out. Sometimes they are merely luxury items but other times they can be health items; items that are a matter of life and death.

I spend many years working very hard as an engineer and even though I was earning a good salary I wasn’t able to save enough to provide for a healthy income for the future. I support a family of 7 and let me tell you, at the end of the month that check comes in very handy!

The thing is that when the end of the month comes around and you don’t have that check……oh boy, very bad news!. Thousands of people are in this situation and they are all suffering from anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety, social anxiety, anxiety over phobias, post traumatic stress disorder and more. These stresses will seriously damage your health. Money problems are the major factor in stress and anxiety.

These disorders were the reason why I started looking into the internet for online jobs. It was very frustrating for several years, but the menace of these anxieties made me stick to it and work hard to find that door that could lead me to a healthy and constant income. Were there is a will, there is a way.

I must say however that if you’re looking for quick cash, you are better off buying a lottery ticket. It doesn’t work like the advertisers want you to think. If you have enough money to invest calmly and you know the market and the system very, very well, then there is a chance you might make allot of money really fast. But that generally is not the case; easy money 99% of the times comes at a great expense.

This is my testimonial, if you work hard and start off with the goal of providing some extra cash, you will do fine. Little by little you learn more new things that will open your mind. Then you might want to concentrate all you’re efforts and investment into just one or two systems that you can master. Every thing is so detailed that you are better off concentrating all you’re skills in a way that better suits your specific talents.

Don’t let the disorders of “money anxiety” affect you. The internet is the future employment agency. There is enough there for everybody to develop their own skills and earn a decent living. Working from home provides also a more relaxed atmosphere that allows you to work better and produce more. This not only helps to deter anxieties, but is also a psychological boost; you are connected to the world in a way you could never think of. You are connected to real people through a keyboard!

So cheer up if you are looking for an online job to work from home. Start little by little and then specialize in what you find that you can do best. It is very interesting, and when you find something you like you can make money having fun. That’s great for your health! The system I use is reliable most of all because of all the new strategies I learn, which together with the online coaching they offer helps me provide a healthy income. There are lots to learn if you’re serious about working at home.

Companies Move From Health Insurance To Health Savings Accounts

2009-05-26T23:31:00.000-07:00

One of the largest issues facing the nation right now is the rising costs of health insurance. Many people can not afford to buy health insurance, because the premiums have been driven up to unimaginable heights over the last decade or so. Many companies are trying to help shoulder the burden of the large premiums by paying a certain percentage of the total cost every month for the employee. Many of these companies have tried to work around this problem in many ways.

Larger companies have tried to dodge the growing health insurance premiums by changing the requirements for employees to receive benefits. Many companies are making it harder for people to receive these benefits. Some companies are requiring the employee to work more hours per week than they used to have to work to receive benefits. Other companies are requiring that an employee work for the company for a longer period of time, before they are eligible for benefits.

Both of these approaches will save the company on health insurance costs, because they will not have to cover as many employees. However this is not the best approach for employees, because it makes it that much harder for them to obtain health insurance. Many other companies are trying to lower health insurance costs a different way.

I used to work for a company that had very inexpensive health insurance, and then supplemented it with a health savings account. The health insurance had very low premiums, but the deductible, and payouts for the health insurance were not very good. However the company would set their own deductibles, and co-pays, and then they would take money out of their health savings account to reimburse the employee the difference. This was a very good system, because they were not paying as much money out each month on premiums. They would only have to spend money from the health savings account when the employee actually needed it. Their goal was to eventually cut out the health insurance plan completely when the health savings account had grown large enough. At this time, the company would then save a considerable amount of money in premiums every month.

Why Leading Health Practitioners Are Recommending High Tech, Ionic Detox Footbaths For Health

2009-05-26T23:30:00.000-07:00

In our long history on this planet, only Man seems to have the desire to constantly change things. We convert our natural resources such as sand to glass, wood to paper and we grow food, combine seeds or grafts to create new and better types of food, we build structures and find new ways to make our lives better, faster, easier. Our never ending quest for the next best thing is unquenchable. While this can be a blessing it can also be a curse.

Before man reached the industrial age, except for some major cities, most of the earth was still clean and natural. The air was pure, the fresh water was clean and drinkable and our oceans were relatively untouched. In this state, our earth had an abundance of negative and positive ions.

Ions are atoms that have acquired an electrical charge by gaining or losing an electron. Positive ions make us feel tired, irritable and cranky. Negative ions make you feel refreshed and can dramatically improve your mood and sense of well being. What does this have to do with our health? Plenty!

Storms, water falls, rushing rivers or ocean waves all produce tens to hundreds of thousands of negative ions. Many people make vacation plans that somehow revolve around water. It could be the cottage at the beach, an island getaway, a water park or cruise. We unwittingly are drawn to places that produce negative ions. Water is not the only place these ions are produced. Forests, especially pine forests also produce these ions and promote a sense of well being.

Our ancestors walked along the beaches or crossed rushing rivers and explored the forests and lived and worked in more of a natural environment. Some of the health issues we see today were not present in our history. Chances are that if you live in a big city and spend your day in front of a computer you may be over exposed to positive ions and are in sore need of negative ions. This is where technology comes in. Ionic foot baths!

An ionic foot bath works by immersing your feet in the slightly salted water (sea salt) whereby positive and negative ions are emitted by the machine, which re-energize the body.

It is similar to walking in the sand along the beach only more powerful because your feet are in direct contact with the ions being made in the water. Water has an almost perfect balance of positive & negative ions. Since the body is composed of 70% water, its ability to interact with the water is very high. When you immerse a body mass into water, the vibration frequency of the water will affect the vibration frequency of the body due to the interaction of the magnetic & electrical field. It's an exceptionally wonderful and natural healing tool. It is a painless, actually relaxing, process and unlike prescription drugs, there are no harmful side effects.

An overall balancing effect occurs, along with a significant increase in the number of negative ions. Ions are atoms or molecules that have lost or gained electrons [Free radicals are unpaired electrons]. If the atoms or molecules lose electrons, they become positively charged ions. If they gain electrons, they become negatively charged ions.

Health practitioners all over the country are seeing results day after day. Many customers have stated positive results in reduced menopause symptoms, menstrual cramps, sexual health problems, skin problems, acne, sleep problems, restlessness, stress, toothaches, wrinkles, aches and pains and yeast infections, as well as faster disease healing and injury recovery. For some it is a sense of well being after such a session.

Bottom line, technology can recreate what we have lost as far as a foot bath goes. When you can’t get away, restore your sense of well being with an ionic foot bath!

Travel Health: Useful Medical Information For Good Health Before Your Departure, During Your Trip And After Your Return.

2009-05-26T23:25:00.000-07:00

The diseases most commonly seen in travellers are diarrhoea, malaria (if you travel in a malaria-infested area), accidents (when travelling by car or swimming), wound infections and sexually transmitted diseases.

- Diarrhoea is caused by contaminated food and drinking-water. You must therefore be careful if your are travelling in poor hygiene conditions.

- Malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes, so the first thing to do is to protect yourself against these mosquitoes.

- In order to prevent accidents during travelling, it is wise to apply the same precautions as those taken at home. In addition, it is very important that all wounds should be thoroughly disinfected in order to avoid infection.

TRAVELLER’S DIARRHOEA

Many intestinal infections are attributable to infections picked up by mouth or hands. With a little care most of these illnesses can be prevented. Hepatitis A, typhoid fever, polio and cholera still occur in countries with poor hygiene, but these diseases are easily prevented.

However, the chance is rather large that you will still contract a light and/or nondangerous form of traveller's diarrhoea. Traveller's diarrhoea almost always spontaneously clears up after a few days, but can nevertheless be irritating. And a risk to your overall and travel health.

In the first place measures must be taken against dehydration. Likewise, treatment of the symptoms must be considered in order to reduce the number of bowel movements and relieve other symptoms such as fever, vomiting and stomach cramps. Sometimes a more serious form of diarrhoea occurs, for which specific treatment with antibiotics is indicated or where hospitalisation or fluid replacement appears unavoidable.

It takes only a few basic preventive measures to make your trip a success : Total prevention of traveller's diarrhoea is impossible and it is obvious that preventive measures can seldom be strictly followed at all times. But following preventive measures do significantly reduce the risk of contracting serious diarrhoea: In order to maintain good travel health wash your hands before eating and avoid (if possible):

- raw vegetables and fruits that you have not peeled yourself
- uncooked or unpasteurized dairy products
- insufficiently cooked sea foods (+ Hepatitis A !) and meat
- “local meals” which do not smell fresh
- ice-cream bought from street merchants (industrial ice straight from the deep-freeze is probably safe).

Cooked meals should be served hot. The place where you eat is also important. A meal taken from a stall presents a greater risk than a meal taken in a restaurant. Avoid restaurants where there are a lot of insects.
Avoid tap water and ice-cubes. Bottled water and soft drinks are safe. Watch out for bottle caps that have already been used.

It is very important to disinfect drinking-water on adventure trips. Total sterilisation of drinking water is impossible. The following measures considerably reduce the contamination risk and safeguard your travel health:

- Boiling the water is very effective.
- A good alternative is chemical disinfection with chlorine drops (e.g. Hadex®, Drinkwell chloor®; available in sport shops specialized in outdoor activities) or chlorine tablets (Certisil Combina®; chloramine tablets; available at the pharmacy). Their effect can be improved by first filtering unclear water. Silver salts (Micropur®, Certisil Argento®) are not very suitable to disinfect water, but they keep disinfected water germ-free for a long time.

For adventurous travellers conscious to travel health it is best to buy a portable water-filter. The use of antibiotics in order to prevent diarrhoea before it occurs can be dangerous + Also the use of other preventive medications is not recommended.

How to treat diarrhoea?

It is extremely important to consume sufficient liquid and salt in order to prevent dehydration. You can do this by taking salt solutions, but tea with lemon, broth, soft drinks and fruit juice, supplemented with salt crackers are tastier. Commercial salt products are available on the market (ORS-solution).

Taking an anti-diarrhoea preparation (loperamide, e.g. Imodium®) can greatly reduce the number of bowel movements, with a considerable reduction of the complaints as a result. Imodium® may only be used by adults and older children and only for treating ordinary watery diarrhoea: 1 capsule after every loose movement up to a maximum of 4 per day.

Antibiotics are indicated :

1. If blood, mucus or pus are present in the stools.
2. If after 24 to 48 hours, there is no sign of improvement and the diarrhoea is accompanied by fever (above 38.5 C) or severe abdominal cramps, or if there are more than six stools per 24 hours and especially when these also occur at night.
3. Or if because of travel circumstances a quicker solution is absolutely desirable . Appropriate antibiotics are only to be used on doctor’s prescription

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

Casual sexual contacts tend to be higher while on holiday abroad. Sexually transmitted diseases, particularly AIDS, form therefore an important risk for travellers. Quite often unintentional and unsafe sexual contact takes place under alcohol influence. Prevention while on holiday abroad is no different from the precautions you take at home. Adequate use of a condom, preferably bought at home, is absolutely essential. Only a water-soluble lubricant should be used, but it only offers a partial guarantee (e.g. KY gel). Vaccination against hepatitis B is advised. Always consult your doctor if you think you are at risk, even when there are no symptoms.

MALARIA (swamp fever, malaria)

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by a parasite (called Plasmodium) transmitted by the bite of the Anopheles mosquito. There are four different types of which Malaria falciparum is the most dangerous and the most widespread. The incubation period – the time between an infecting bite and the appearance of the disease – varies from ten days to four weeks (rarely several months).

The symptoms include attacks of fever, but can initially be quite similar to influenza. If adequate treatment is not started in time, an attack may sometimes result in death within a few days.

Where does malaria occur?

Malaria only occurs in those areas in which Anopheles mosquitoes are present : in the tropics and in a large number of subtropical areas. From a height of 1.500 to 2.500 m onwards, depending on temperature and climate, Anopheles mosquitoes are either rare or non-existent.

In most big cities there is little or no risk at all of infection, except in Africa where a real risk exists.

Risk also exists in the suburbs of the big cities in Asia (e.g. in India). In a number of areas the risk varies according to the season.

How can malaria be prevented?

It is very important for travel health to avoid mosquito bites : the Anopheles mosquito only bites between dusk and dawn, is rather small and hardly makes any noise.

- In the evening wear light-coloured clothing which covers your arms and legs as much as possible. Apply repellent cream with a DEET basis (20 to 50%, for children and pregnant women preferably 20 to 30%) to the uncovered parts of your body. Repeat this every four to six hours (it will not protect you all night).

Non containing DEET repellents were less examined; Autan-Active. and Mosegor. are however excellent safe products.

- Sleep in rooms that leave no access to mosquitoes, (mosquito nets on the sills, electrically-warmed anti-mosquito plates, air-conditioning) or sleep under a mosquito net impregnated with permethrine or deltamethrine hung over the bed with the edges tucked under the mattress.

If these measures are carried out correctly, the risk of malaria will be reduced by 80 to 90% and travel health is maintained

The intake of pills as prevention

There is no drug efficient enough to prevent malaria 100%, which means that quite often a combination of measures is preferable. Also the drugs used have changed over the years. Moreover, the advantages and disadvantages of drugs should be considered against the risk of malaria infection. These risks are dependent on the visited country, and on the region, the season, the duration of your stay and the kind of trip.

Some people might be troubled by the side effects while taking antimalarial drugs. These are usually mild and are not always a reason to stop taking the pills. Sometimes it may be necessary to change to another type of medication due to intestinal problems, allergic reactions or other intolerance symptoms.

Therefore it is the doctor who can best decide for each individual which drug to use. This explains why individuals from the same group may end up taking different drugs.

Finally, as no drug is 100% effective in preventing malaria, it is important that if an attack of fever occurs in the first three months after your return from the tropics, a malaria infection should be considered as a possibility despite the correct use of the drug prescribed.

However, it is reassuring to know that malaria, provided it is recognised in time, is easy to treat without any danger of recurrent attacks. The belief that "once malaria always malaria" is totally untrue.

You can find even more travel health tips in the next pages:

DISEASES FOR WHICH VACCINATIONS ARE AVAILABLE: http://www.spain-holidays-advisor.com/vaccination.html

MORE TRAVEL HEALTH TIPS : http://www.spain-holidays-advisor.com/more-travel-tips.html

Cancer

2009-05-10T18:48:00.000-07:00

Cancer, Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer

Researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have found that women in a large study who used estrogen replacement therapy after menopause were at increased risk for ovarian cancer.

Cancer is a disease caused by normal cells changing so that they grow in an uncontrolled way. The uncontrolled growth causes a lump called a tumour to form. If not treated, the tumour can cause problems by spreading intonormal tissues nearby or by causing pressure on other body structures.

Girls' diet and the amount of exercise they take can determine their risk of breast cancer in later life, it says.
Carcinoma - cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs.

At this time there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. his includes both women still being treated and those who have completed treatment.) Survival rates are discussed in the section ".

Different types of body tissues are made up of different types of body cells. For example, there are bone cells in bone and breast cells in the breast.
The report continues: "Further research should focus on nutrition in children and breast cancer risk to prevent the disease.
Looking at some specific types of cancer, the research showed a 76 percent higher risk of death for women with cancer of the uterus and a 61 percent higher risk of death for breast cancer if they also had diabetes. For colorectal cancer, there was a 32 percent higher risk of death for diabetics.
All cancers begin in cells, the body's basic unit of life. To understand cancer, it's helpful to know what happens when normal cells become cancer cells.

Previous studies looking at the effect of postmenopausal hormones on ovarian cancer risk have been inconsistent. Some reported increased risk with estrogen use while others reported either no effect or a protective one. Most of these earlier studies were relatively small and limited by incomplete information about ovarian cancer risk factors.
Dr Leslie Walker, director of information for Cancer Research UK said: ?We are already worried about rising rates of obesity and unhealthy lifestyle in children. This study shows the negative aspects of our affluence in potentially influencing breast cancer risk.
It is not clear from this study whether the increased risk with estrogen use is due to higher doses of estrogen, longer duration of estrogen use, or both dose and duration. It is also not clear whether long-term use of lower-dose estrogen is associated with ovarian cancer.

Most women in this study were on the combined therapy for less than four years, so more data will be needed to determine whether estrogen-progestin use increases risk. The effect of long-term use of estrogen-progestin therapy is not known.
The 18 years long Minnesota Colon Cancer Control Study included 46 plus thousand patients between the ages of 50 and 80. It demonstrated only a 0.6% reduction in the incidence of colorectal cancer. Statistically speaking, this difference is even less than the chance outcome of one thousand coin flips.

Mesothelioma

2009-05-10T18:45:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma, Cancer, Mesothelium

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a thin membrane that lines the chest and abdomen and surrounds the organs in these areas. The lining around the lungs is called the pleura and in the abdomen it is known as the peritoneum.
Mesothelioma is the term used to describe a cancerous tumor which involves the mesothelial cells of an organ, usually the lungs, heart or abdominal organs. Pleural mesothelioma or cancer of the lung lining is the most common form of mesothelioma cancer.
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the cells that make up the lining of the lungs, the inside of the ribs, and around the abdominal organs. In the past it was thought that cigarette smoking caused mesothelioma. However, with medical research it has been proven that it is caused by asbestos exposures.

Malignant mesothelioma affects the lining or membranes of certain large cavities in the body. These cavities, called the serous cavities, house certain major organs in the body including the heart, lungs, abdomen and others. The membranes that surround these cavities are called the serous membranes.
Tumors of the mesothelium can be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). A malignant tumor of the mesothelium is called a malignant mesothelioma; however, malignant mesothelioma is often simply called mesothelioma.
Its only known cause in the United States is previous exposure to asbestos fibers.

While very thin, this layer of cells is vitally important to organ function and the health of the inner body structures. There are three recognized types of mesothelioma.
In about 10 per cent of mesothelioma cases, asbestos fibres that have been swallowed can move through the stomach wall and cause cancer cells to develop in the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma).
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form, often presenting with symptoms in the chest area.
Benign mesotheliomas can often be removed surgically, are generally not life-threatening, and are not usually related to asbestos exposure. Malignant mesotheliomas, however, are very serious. Fortunately, they are rare - about two thousand people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the U.S. each year.

Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.
Once asbestos is inhaled it can effect many of the bodys different organs including the throat, lungs, stomach, heart and testicles.
Pleural Mesothelioma: This type of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. It is the most common form of malignant mesothelioma, with around 70 percent of cases being pleural in origin.
Most people with malignant mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they breathed asbestos. Usually, this involves men over 40 years of age. Others have been exposed to asbestos in a household environment, often without knowing

Before You Buy A Diabetic Supplement Ask Yourself These Six Critical Questions

2009-04-06T08:34:00.000-07:00

by: Robert P. Tracy

Type 2 diabetics are some of the biggest consumers of over-the-counter, non-prescription alternative health supplements in the United States. And the most common remedies they seek are to help them lower their weight or reduce their blood sugar levels.

Buying these products is often an impulse purchase � they�ve just been diagnosed with a potentially fatal disease and their reaching out for anything promising fast and easy results (most doctors don�t help the situation by consoling their patients with bland, general advice to �diet and exercise�, leaving most to Type 2s to fend for themselves).

Before buying a supplement, diabetics are urged to ask six questions:

� Is the products claim too good to be true? Go on the Internet and Google �Diabetes Supplements�. You�ll be bombarded with thousands of remedies guaranteed to lower your blood sugar level in days and help you lose 40 pounds in a week. The U.S. FDA, responsible for monitoring alternative health supplements notes that if a manufacturer offers a �quick fix� run fast and far.
� Is the product compatible with your current diabetes (or other) prescribed medication? Before taking anything, including vitamin tablets, it�s always a good idea to check with your doctor. Minor changes in diet, exercise and supplementation can have a negative effect on prescription drugs. Always check with your physician first.
� Are the product claims supported by clinical testing? Any one can and does make claims about products. Some even claim to have tested and substantiated their claims. But the greatest assurance you can have is independent clinical testing of the product, by a reputable, well-known or recognized medical institution. Also, patents give added substance to the manufacturer�s claims, indicating a degree of substantiated product uniqueness.
� Does the product contain the correct purity, dosage and proper manufacturing of ingredients to ensure that it works effectively and safely? One of the biggest ploys supplement manufacturers use to bilk unsuspecting customers is to use a documented beneficial ingredient. But they�ll use it is smaller doses than is effective, minimizing or negating its benefits. It saves them money. It wastes your money and possibly health. Check dosage. Also, some suppliers water down ingredients with yeasts, fillers and other worthless ingredients. Check for a USP or NF seal of verification that the product is what it says it is and contains what is says it contains.

� Is the product made in a country with high standards of quality manufacturing? News reports over the last few years highlight the fact that not every country is concerned with quality manufacturing practices or sanitary control. Molds, heavy metals, bacterial spores and poisonous filler ingredients have been found in products that lack the strength of US FDA enforcement. Consider the source, as the saying goes, before buying.

If you still have doubt about your purchase, go to the US FDA site at www.cfsanfda.gov. They provide valuable information, guidelines and the latest warnings and recalls about alternative health supplements.

Diab-X, http://www.ProvenResultsHealth.com/ Helping diabetics and pre-diabetics discover healthier living through natural, herbal remedies. Key ingredients in Diab-X help by promoting normal blood sugar levels, healthy body weight BMI, proper insulin function, healthy cholesterol, and normal blood pressure. Please visit us at: http://www.ProvenResultsHealth.com/ Or call Toll Free: 888-600-6856

Diabetes Mellitus - Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

2009-04-06T08:29:00.000-07:00

By Juliet Cohen

Diabetes is a chronic condition.

Diabetes can be caused by too little insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar), resistance to insulin, or both. DM exhibits wide geographic variation in incidence and prevalence diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder caused by an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin, an anabolic hormone. Diabetes mellitus is defined as fasting blood glucose of 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or more.

There are two basic forms of diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Formerly known as insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM), childhood diabetes or also known as juvenile diabetes, is characterized by loss of the insulin-producing beta cells of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas leading to a deficiency of insulin. It should be noted that there is no known preventative measure that can be taken against type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes appears most often in middle-aged.

Diabetes causes many changes in the body. Neuropathy (damage to the nerves) affects sensation to the feet, so that pain is not felt. Diabetes affects approximately 17 million people (about 8% of the population) in the United States. In addition, an estimated additional 12 million people in the United States have diabetes and don't even know it. Diabetes is the third leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease and cancer. Males are at greater risk in regions of high incidence, particularly older males, whose incidence rates often show seasonal variation. People with diabetes often develop bacterial and fungal infections, typically of the skin. When the levels of sugar in the blood are high, white blood cells cannot effectively fight infections. Diabetes is a major risk factor for stroke and coronary heart disease, which includes heart attack.

Serious medical illness and surgery produce a state of increased insulin resistance. Controlling your blood sugar is essential to feeling healthy and avoiding long-term complications of diabetes. Diet, exercise and weight reduction should be the cornerstone of management. The treatment of markedly symptomatic patients with newly discovered type 2 diabetes and glucose levels lower than 400 mg/dL is controversial. Medications used to treat diabetes include insulin. Medications such as thiazides, used to control high blood pressure, and niacin, used for high cholesterol, also may increase blood sugar. Everyone needs regular aerobic exercise, and people with diabetes are no exception. The good news is that the same exercises that are good for your heart and lungs also help lower your blood sugar levels
. Drugs and foods known to affect the CYP3A4 system need to be used cautiously in patients treated with atorvastatin, lovastatin, or simvastatin because these agents are largely metabolized through that system.

Treatment for Diabetes Mellitus

* Serious medical illness and surgery produce a state of increased insulin resistance.
* Controlling your blood sugar is essential to feeling healthy and avoiding long-term complications of diabetes.
* Diet, exercise and weight reduction should be the cornerstone of management.
* Medications used to treat diabetes include insulin. Medications such as thiazides, used to control high blood pressure
, and niacin, used for high cholesterol, also may increase blood sugar.
* Drugs and foods known to affect the CYP3A4 system need to be used cautiously in patients treated with atorvastatin, lovastatin, or simvastatin because these agents are largely metabolized through that system.

Type Of Diabetics And Diabetes Health Management

2009-04-03T17:33:00.000-07:00

By: Jasmine Yap

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is first treated with weight reduction, a diabetic diet, and exercise. For type 2 diabetics,

diabetic management consists of a combination of diet, exercise, and weight loss, in any achievable combination depending on the patient. James Barnard from UCLA, the study showed that type-2 diabetics could lose weight and control their blood sugar levels by diet alone. The key to a healthy diabetic diet for healthy weight maintenance, is BALANCE. The document discusses what constitutes a balanced diet, and includes sections on meal planning, weight management, and the importance of physical activity for diabetics.

Stabilize that blood sugar Many people don't realize there's a place for pork in a diabetic diet. This sheet describes the value of small amounts of sugar in the diabetic diet, and explains briefly the difference between sucrose, glucose and fructose. This sheet outlines briefly the alternatives to sugar for those on a diabetic diet. These medications combined with diet and exercise keep the diabetic's blood sugar within that desirable range. Diabetics and anyone wanting to reduce sugar in their diet. Overall, diabetic diets can include moderate amounts of sugar, as long as they are carefully monitored. In terms of diet modifications, diabetics can control blood sugar levels by appropriately managing the carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in their meals.

The diabetic person must pay particular attention to their diet - aiming to keep blood sugar at consistent and acceptable levels. Canning Fruit can be safely canned without sugar for the diabetic or reduced-calorie diet. The GI diet is definitely useful for diabetics striving to keep their blood sugar regulated. It is quite important for diabetics to understand the principles of carbohydrate counting and how to help control blood sugar levels through proper diet. To keep blood sugar levels under control, a diabetic diet strikes a balance among the carbohydrates, fats, and protein you take in. Healthy diets for diabetes type b, grapefruit diets depression and birth control pills, new fad diets diabetic sugar free diets low testosterone apnea.

Diabetes patients have an increased risk of high blood pressure, so regular monitoring is important on low-fat, vegetarian diets are ideal for diabetics. The diabetes diet can also be found on the Internet, including diabetic meal plans with recipes, portion sizes, detailed nutritional analyses, and educational materials. A balanced diabetic diet can save you from diabetes symptoms that plague people with diabetes. Whether your diabetes requires insulin, a diabetic diet and exercise, or oral medications, you'll find helpful information about its impact on your life and you should follow a diabetic diet to keep your diabetes under control. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is treated with insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet. Every person having diabetes must consult a Registered Dietitian to prepare for his diabetic diet plan. For general information on the diabetic diet. Now, some diabetes educators are saying diabetics shouldn't worry about a specific diet and simply concentrate on healthy eating.

You need to get enough sleep (usually about eight hours), follow your diabetic diet and get regular exercise. Some adult onset (non-insulin dependent or type 2) diabetics can be controlled with diet and exercise alone. Type 2 diabetics who are not controlled by diet and exercise alone may require one or more medications to achieve glycemic control. The most important component of any diet plan should be exercise, and in a diabetic diet plan this is doubly so. Even so, a good diet and regular exercise can minimize the amount of insulin these diabetics require. Talk to your doctor about cutting back on processed food carbohydrates and increasing your exercise activity while following diabetic diets.

Usually a low fat diet is recommended as part of a diabetic diet plan. The back page of the diabetic exchange booklet is where the dietitian writes the individual meal plan, including snacks. Creating a customized meal plan using dietary guidelines essential to the treatment of all diabetics. Bernstein advocates in his diet plan for diabetics. The best diabetic diet plan is usually a personally balanced plan, and most dietitians can help create one. But finding a good diabetic diet plan is often difficult for diabetics. Any diet plan which advises on large meals once a day, or concentrates calories in any way will not be suitable for diabetics. The diabetic diet plan Diabetics have two main problems when trying to diet. A diabetic diet or meal plan should be based on the specially designed diabetic food pyramid.

Prescription drug prices adipex without a prescription history of birth control diet for diabetics steroid use in sports foreign pharmacy zyban michael thurmond diet. You have a lot of questions that need answers, one of which is how well can you control your disease with a diabetic diet. Nutritional needs: Dietary control is an integral part of management for the diabetic. Control of dietary fat in relation to diabetic complications in children.

The dietary exchange and nutrients listed after each recipe is based upon the recipe shown here from the Diabetic Cooking magazine. This is one of the first detailed studies specifically examining the dietary composition of elderly, institutionalized diabetic patients. Nutritional status and dietary management of elderly diabetic patients. Effect of dietary corn oil on lipaemia in diabetic children.

Many diabetics would prefer to take a pill or insulin injection and not worry about diet. Along with taking Insulin, I have also had to go from a diabetic diet to a renal diet. However, increasing evidence shows that monounsaturated fats (found abundantly in almonds) is beneficial to insulin regulation in the diabetic diet. Some vegetarian diabetics have reported such improvements to their health on a meat-free diet that they have had to inject less insulin.

A diabetic diet limits how much carbohydrate (kar-bo-hi-drate), fat, and protein you eat. In general, vegetables contain only a few grams of carbohydrate (5 grams per serving) and can be used more liberally in the diabetic diet. A diabetic diet helps you schedule your carbohydrate intake so that your cells can get the glucose that they need. A diabetic on a 1600 calorie diet should get 50% of these calories from carbohydrate. High carbohydrate diets have been traditionally associated with a diabetic diet. A diabetic diet has to be low in fat (especially saturated fat), high in carbohydrate, and high in fibre.

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Types of Diabetes

2009-04-03T17:30:00.000-07:00

Before we start discussion about type of diabetes we must know what exactly is diabetes?

growth and energy. Almost every food we eat broken down to glucose, the form or sugar which is the fuel for our body.
After digestion, glucose passes into the bloodstream, where it is used by cells for growth and energy. For glucose to get into cells, insulin must be present. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach.
When we eat, the pancreas automatically produces the right amount of insulin to move glucose from blood into our cells. For the people having diabetes this is the place of disorder, there pancreas either produces little or no insulin, or the cells do not respond appropriately to the insulin that is produced.
Types of diabetes: The three main types of diabetes are
Type 1 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes
Gestational diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent diabetes)
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease results when the body's system for fighting infection stops in a part of body. In diabetes, the immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. A person who has type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily to live.

Type 2 Diabetes (previously known as non-insulin dependent diabetes)
The most common form of diabetes is type 2 diabetes. Nearly 90 to 95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2. This form of diabetes is strongly genetic. About 80 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight.
Type 2 diabetes is increasingly being diagnosed in children and adolescents. However, type 2 diabetes in youth are not in common.
When type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, the pancreas is usually producing enough insulin, but for unknown reasons, the body cannot use the insulin effectively, a condition called insulin resistance. After several years, insulin production decreases. The result is the same as for type 1 diabetes--glucose builds up in the blood and the body cannot make efficient use of its main source of fuel.

Gestational Diabetes: (Gdm)
Gestational diabetes develops only during pregnancy. Like type 2 diabetes, it occurs more often in African Americans, American Indians, Hispanic Americans, and among women with a family history of diabetes. Women who have had gestational diabetes have a 20 to 50 percent chance of developing type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years.

About the Author:
For more more information about types of diabetes please visit http://www.diabetic-help.net

Diabetes Management Tips

2009-04-03T17:25:00.000-07:00

By: Charles Kassotis

Do you or someone you care about have diabetes? This common disease is usually progressive over several years' time, and it can create many kinds of health problems for those who have it. If you suspect you have symptoms of a diabetic nature, make a list of their type and frequency and let your doctor know right away. Symptoms may include increased thirst and urination, fatigue, and weight loss, among others. The sooner you get a firm diagnosis, the better outcome you are likely to have.

Diabetes results from the body's reduced ability to make insulin. When this happens, body organs can be affected as the circulation slows, leading to slow wound healing times and loss of feeling in the extremities. Eventually, without treatment, diabetes can progress to organ failure, especially the kidneys and heart, as well as possible blindness, strokes, and other problematic conditions.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, ask your doctor about a personal management plan. Read all the information you can find about your condition, and ask your doctor any questions about things you don't understand. It may be helpful to borrow library books or visit online medical Websites to find out how others cope and what types of possible new cures or treatments are on the horizon.

Your doctor may advise you to change your diet to one that is low in sugar, fat, and salt. He or she may want you to begin a daily exercise program unless you already have one. You might have to do finger sticks for your blood sugar each day, perhaps after eating or at others times, to check blood readings. Depending on the status of your disease, you may have to take pills or give yourself daily injections. When your blood sugar levels get too high or too low, you could experience life-threatening complications.

It may be a good idea to wear a bracelet or necklace identification tag, so that if you should happen to pass out or become dizzy from blood sugar changes, someone will know how to help you. Carrying a small amount of sugar in the form of orange juice or a candy bar might be helpful if you begin to feel light-headed or your levels start to drop. Let coworkers and friends know about your condition so they can take appropriate steps if you experience difficulties from your diabetic condition.

Joining a support group could help to relieve anxieties and put you in touch with others who have been where you are. Their experience and insight can help you to adjust with a new diabetic diagnosis or a significant change in your condition. This could be particularly welcome if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, since this may impact the status of your diabetes.

Although diabetes is a complex condition and more needs to be known about its development and progress, there is hope and success for many who struggle with the side effects of this disease. Help is available, so don't hesitate to ask for and make use of it.

About the Author:
For lots more information on diabetes detection and control, visit The Diabetes Directory at http://www.diabetesdir.com

Diabetes Associations

2009-03-31T23:17:00.000-07:00

A person with diabetes
needs to acquire the necessary education and knowledge about his condition in order to know how to avoid the onset of acute or chronic complications, and to be able to attack and swiftly remedy any problem. This way life can be enjoyable, healthy, productive, and happy and, above all, free of complications.

Diabetes associations are the perfect places where people with Diabetes and their families will be able to find all kinds of Diabetes related information and education that they need, from from the most basic and simple to the most complex and in-depth aspects concerning to this "Life condition".

There are lots of leading nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy. These associations are dedicated to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

To fulfill this mission they funds research, publishes scientific findings, provides information and other services to people with diabetes, their families, health professionals and the public. They also actively involved in advocating for scientific research and for the rights of people with diabetes. They usually provide consumer information on many diabetes-related topics---meal planning, exercise, complications of diabetes, nutrition, and more. They often work with municipal, provincial, territorial and federal governments and policy-makers to ensure they recognize diabetes as one of the most significant public health issues in World today, and take action to address it.

Some of the pioneer diabetic associations who are providing commendable contribution in the fight against diabetics are listed below.

AUSTRALIA
Diabetes Australia
517 Phipps Place
Deakin ACT 2600
Australia
Tel. 61-6-2835277
UNITED KINGDOM
British Diabetes Association
10 Queen Anne Street
London WIM OBD
Tel.44-71/323-1531

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
American Diabetes Association
1660 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel. 1-800-2323472 (USA only)
1-703-549-1500
SWEDEN
Swedish Diabetic Association
P.O. Box 1545
S 171 29 Solna
Tel. 46-8/629 85 80

Swedish Endocrine Society
c/o Adamson Dept. of Medicine
Danderyd Hospital
s-18288 Danderyd
Tel. 46-1/6556413

SWITZERLAND
Swiss Diabetes Association
Forchstrasse 95
CH-8032 Zurich
Tel.41-1/383 13 15

By : Diabetes associations.

Treatments of Diabetes

2009-03-31T23:16:00.000-07:00

Before the discovery of insulin in 1921, everyone with type 1 diabetes died within a few years after diagnosis. Although insulin is not considered a cure, its discovery was the first major breakthrough in diabetes treatment.

Today, healthy eating, physical activity, and insulin via injection or an insulin pump are the basic therapies for type 1 diabetes. The amount of insulin must be balanced with food intake and daily activities. Blood glucose levels must be closely monitored through frequent blood glucose checking.

Healthy eating, physical activity, and blood glucose testing are the basic management tools for type 2 diabetes. In addition, many people with type 2 diabetes require oral medication and insulin to control their blood glucose levels.

People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care. Much of the daily care involves keeping blood glucose levels from going too low or too high. When blood glucose levels drop too low from certain diabetes medicines--a condition known as hypoglycemia--a person can become nervous, shaky, and confused. Judgment can be impaired. If blood glucose falls too low, a person can faint.

Treatment of type 1 diabetes: Type 1 Diabetes must be treated with insulin shots. This involves injecting insulin under the skin -- in the fat -- for it to get absorbed into the blood stream where it can then access all the cells of the body which require it. Insulin cannot be taken as a pill because the juices in the stomach would destroy the insulin before it could work.

Lack of insulin production by the pancreas makes type 1 diabetes particularly difficult to control. Treatment requires a strict regimen that typically includes a carefully calculated diet, planned physical activity, home blood glucose testing several times a day, and multiple daily insulin injections.

Treatment of type 2 diabetes: Treatment typically includes diet control, exercise, home blood glucose testing, and, in some cases, oral medication and/or insulin. Approximately 40 percent of people with type 2 diabetes require insulin injections.

By : Treatments of Diabetes

Controlling Blood Sugar In Type 2 Diabetes Without The Use Of Drugs

2009-03-31T23:14:00.000-07:00

I was told in rapid succession that I was suffering from intermittent claudication (that's blocked arteries in the legs), high blood pressure
, Diabetes Type 2. and that I was overweight.

Not a lot of pleasure there! The intermittent claudication made it increasingly difficult to do much, so that in effect I had become a prisoner to my house and garden. Exercise was out of the question, my legs simply couldn't cope, but it was hoped that angioplasty to each leg would cure the problem. It didn't.

My high blood pressure, I was assured, could be treated by a cocktail of drugs and by weight loss. The cocktail of four different drugs worked, but I could not seem to lose weight.

So I was given a choice: the blood sugar levels could be controlled either by drugs or by diet. Since I was already taking four different drugs for blood pressure, I thought it best to try diet control. I was also hopeful that this might help me to lose weight. But where to start? My diabetic nurse provided me with a blood sugar monitor and said I should aim to stay under 9 as my reading. My Doctor said to stay under 7. Now she has reduced this to under 5. My current long-term reading is 5.3. A big drop from the high readings I used to produce.

So what did I do? At first I was taking blood samples three times a day and was truly astonished at how my blood sugar jumped about. Plain porridge and water, which I absolutely loved, would produce a reading of 16 and yet, being a slow release multigrain, I had always assumed it would be good for my health
. A single apple, showed a reading of 12! Tea with milk but no sugar, 10. Obviously there was more to this than met the eye.

The first learning point was that the body needs water and lots of it. Out went sugared fizzy drinks and in came plain boiled water. The Swedes call it Silver Tea, I'm told, and it is very refreshing. Now a cup starts every day and two or three more follow. Low calorie tonic water is also useful (the quinine helps prevent cramps), mineral water (I especially like carbonated forms), low calorie Ginger Beer and cold filtered tap water.

The next, crucial, learning point: control your carbohydrate intake, in my case to under 40gms a day. Eliminate bread, cakes, sweets, pasta, rice, cereals, biscuits, sugars, fruit juice, potatoes, honey, jam, marmalade, baked beans. Reading the food labels is a real eye opener!

Instead, increase your intake of vegetables and low carbohydrate foods & fruits. All of the following are particularly good: Broccoli, cabbage, spinach, runner beans, brussels sprouts cauliflower, broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, courgettes, aubergines, swede, squashes, celeriac, green salads. Fruit can be very high in sugars, so use in moderation. Choose rhubarb, grapefruit, raspberries, loganberries, strawberries, blueberries, all of which are O.K. Do not add sugar, of course, so sweeten with cinnamon instead. Avocadoes are low in carbohydrates, but high in fat, so eat no more than half a fruit a day. Add nuts and seeds to your diet, again in small amounts.

As far as alcohol is concerned, all beers are out. One or two glasses of red wine a day are acceptable.

Avoid processed foods as much as possible and certainly do NOT eat hydrogenated fats of any kind. They are to my mind a food industry con. and of no use to any one other than manufacturers of processed food.

Buy only genuine, non-reconstituted lean meat, poultry, game and fish. Reduce your saturated fat intake by cooking on a griddle and cutting off any excess fat. Cook with olive and nut oils, as these unsaturated fats are good for you. Never use lard. Add game to your repertoire of ingredients, along with plenty of oily and white fish such as salmon, haddock, tuna, swordfish, mackerel & kipper.

I have never once felt hungry with this change in my eating habits to simple whole foods. I still find I miss eating plain yoghurt, vanilla ice cream and various cheeses. But then I occasionally do give myself a small treat - provided I stay within my allowance.

The results are good for my health:

My good cholesterol is high
My bad cholesterol is low
My type II diabetes blood sugar is well controlled by diet alone
I have lost 10 lbs in weight.

My next task is to lose another 30 lbs. I know now that this is achievable. The more weight I lose, the more able I am to increase my activity levels - and the more incentive I have to control my calorie intake. At last I feel that I am taking back control of my body and discovering that you really are what you eat!

By : Barry Gorman

Diabetes: The Importance Of Education

2009-03-31T23:11:00.000-07:00

Information on diabetes is an important educational factor in helping people to combat the onset of this common disease in particular type 2 diabetes. Often this condition can have been prevented with healthy eating and regular exercise therefore reducing obesity especially in young children and adolescents. Of course this is not always the case though. What is the case is that many people who are not over weight or unfit can and do indeed suffer from diabetes, most likely type 1 diabetes.

It is very important for all of us to know what type of symptoms to look for so we can then start to manage this disease fast and effectively once it has taken hold. These symptoms may include unexplained weight loss, excessive hunger (polyphagia), thirst (polydipsia), frequent urination (polyuria), dehydration, leg pain when walking (claudication), fatigue, dizziness and itching (pruritus). If you believe you suffer from any of these then please consult your doctor for a complete check up.

Once you know that you have this disease then it is very important for you to manage it correctly. If you do not manage it correctly then you run the risk of having possible heart attacks, strokes, blindness, kidney failure, blood vessel diseases that may require an amputation, nerve damage, and impotence in men.

You must follow the information on diabetes that your doctor or medical office gives you including diet. Managing your treatment correctly is so vital to staying alive and living in as good a condition as possible.

There are many good sites online that give information on diabetes that can help you understand more about the causes, symptoms, treatments, the difference between type 1 and type 2. Take a good look and read as much as you can. The importance of educating your self about diabetes is detrimental to you and your families well being.

By : Susan Dean

Glucose Monitor: A Diabetics Gauge To Correct Insulin Levels

2009-03-30T23:23:00.000-07:00

Many diabetics, in particular ones with type 1 diabetes will have the need for a glucose monitor to measure how much glucose (sugar) is in their blood so they can replenish themselves with the correct amount of insulin that they need. It is important for these levels to be kept in balance so as to prevent and or reduce the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).

Every diabetic will however, have his or her own program to follow that is specifically designed for their use only. This means everyone needs different levels of treatment. Before using a glucose monitor the diabetic patient will be educated in how to use this equipment and of course how often to do the checking. It is extremely important to have been taught this as misusing or misreading these measurements could be life threatening to them.

To use one of these machines you should always wash and dry your hands thoroughly first and then use the lancet to prick a fingertip. It is a good idea to then hold your hand downwards and hold the pricked finger until a small drop of blood appears, then catch the blood with the test strip. Then you follow the instructions of your monitor for inserting the test strip into the meter. After you have your results and you have recorded it you then will know how much insulin you need to give yourself.

Your instructions will also tell you how to clean and store your meter. Make sure that you do follow these instructions, as it is important to have your monitor working in perfect order every time.

Finding quality monitors to suit your individual needs is quite easy. You have the option of buying one through the medical center you are already dealing with or you can take a look online at the many companies that sell direct to you. You will find a large variety of options to choose from along with great bargain prices. While you are doing that why not take the time to read all the information you can about diabetes such as the symptoms, treatments and much more on the many sites online.

By : Susan Dean

Diabetes: Two Steps You Must Take to Avoid Vision Loss

2009-03-30T23:21:00.000-07:00

Back in the 1950's and 60's most people didn't rate diabetes as a major problem. Back then, all the focus was on dealing with more prominent diseases such as polio and tuberculosis. If diabetes was thought about, it was more in the context of cutting out sugar in your coffee, rather than as a serious threat to your eyesight or your life.

That's all changing. It's not too much to say that diabetes is now reaching epidemic levels in most of the western world. According to the American Diabetes Association there are over 20 million diabetics in the United States alone, with a staggering one third undiagnosed. It's also going to get a lot worse with another 41 million Americans already showing pre-diabetic signs.

Diabetes is a disease that mostly affects blood vessels and in it's extreme forms can lead to serious heart disease, stroke and kidney damage. Clearly these life threatening diabetic vascular diseases deserve priority attention, but high on the critical list for diabetics is the risk of serious eye disease and loss of vision.

Vision is one of our most critical senses and in this "need for speed" information era, over 70% of our sensory information comes through our eyes. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, diabetics are 25 times more likely to lose vision than those who are not diabetic. With diabetes already being the number one cause of blindness in the United States, it's no wonder eye care professionals are predicting a devastating increase in vision loss as the diabetic epidemic grows alarmingly.

Newly diagnosed diabetics often have nothing more than minor vision fluctuations which settle when blood sugar levels improve with treatment. Early on it's easy to believe everything is fine. After some years though, continuing high blood sugar can gradually damage the blood vessels at the back of the eye in the retina. This causes a problem called diabetic retinopathy and the longer you have diabetes the more likely you are to have retinopathy. The risk increases further when there is poor control of blood sugar levels. More than 70% of diabetics develop some changes in their eyes within 15 years of diagnosis.

Retinopathy is graded as Non-proliferative or Proliferative. Non-proliferative retinopathy is the common milder form, where small retinal blood vessels break and leak. There may be some mild retinal swelling but it rarely requires treatment unless it causes hazy central vision or straight lines appear bent.

Proliferative retinopathy is the less common, but more serious form where new blood vessels grow abnormally within the retina. If these vessel scar or bleed they can lead to potentially serious vision loss including blindness. Early laser treatment can seal leaking vessels and slow the progress of diabetic retinopathy, but can't reverse existing vision loss.

For now, there is no "magic pill" to eliminate the risk of diabetic eye damage, but you can do two important things to help prevent the more serious complications. Poor blood sugar control is one of the main causes of serious diabetic retinopathy. The critical first step is making sure you stabilize and control your blood sugar with a healthy diet and regular exercise. The second step is to make sure you have a yearly diabetic eye examination. An experienced eye care professional can pick up subtle diabetic eye changes long before you notice any vision change, and more importantly, early enough to do some good.

If you, or your family are affected by this rising tidal wave of diabetes: take action now to reduce your risk of vision loss. Don't be a victim!

By : Nicky Pilkington

Diabetes and Exercise

2009-03-30T23:10:00.000-07:00

There are two main types of diabetes, type I and type II. Type I diabetes is characterized by the pancreas making too little or no insulin. An individual with diabetes type I will have to inject insulin throughout the day in order to control glucose levels. Type II diabetes, also known as adult onset diabetes, is characterized by the pancreas not producing enough insulin to control glucose levels or the cells not responding to insulin. When a cell does not respond to insulin, it is known as insulin resistance. When a subject is diagnosed with type II diabetes, exercise and weight control are prescribed as measures to help with insulin resistance. If this does not control glucose levels, then medication is prescribed. The risk factors for type II diabetes include: inactivity, high cholesterol, obesity, and hypertension. Inactivity alone is a very strong risk factor that has been proven to lead to diabetes type II. Exercise will have a positive effect on diabetes type II while improving insulin sensitivity while type I cannot be controlled be an exercise program. Over 90% of individuals with diabetes have type II.

Exercise causes the body to process glucose faster, which lowers blood sugar. The more intense the exercise, the faster the body will utilize glucose. Therefore it is important to understand the differences in training with type I and type II diabetes. It is important for an individual who has diabetes to check with a physician before beginning an exercise program. When training with a diabetic, it is important to understand the dangers of injecting insulin immediately prior to exercise.

An individual with type I diabetes injecting their normal amount of insulin for a sedentary situation can pose the risk of hypoglycemia or insulin shock during exercise. General exercise guidelines for type I are as follows: allow adequate rest during exercise sessions to prevent high blood pressure, use low impact exercises and avoid heavy weight lifting, and always have a supply of carbohydrates nearby. If blood sugar levels get too low, the individual may feel shaky, disoriented, hungry, anxious, become irritable or experience trembling. Consuming a carbohydrate snack or beverage will alleviate these symptoms in a matter of minutes.

Before engaging in exercise, it is important for blood sugar levels to be tested to make sure that they are not below 80 to 100 mg/dl range and not above 250 mg/dl. Glucose levels should also be tested before, during, after and three to five hours after exercise. During this recovery period (3-5 hours after exercise), it is important for diabetics to consume ample carbohydrates in order to prevent hypoglycemia.

Exercise will greatly benefit an individual with type II diabetes because of its positive effects on insulin sensitivity. Proper exercise and nutrition are the best forms of prevention for type II diabetics. It is important for training protocols to be repeated almost daily to help with sustaining insulin sensitivity. To prevent hypoglycemia, progressively work up to strenuous activity.

As with individuals with type I diabetes, carbohydrates should also be present during training to assist in raising blood sugar levels if the individual becomes low.

By : Nicky Pilkington

Diabetic Diets - What to Eat and What to Avoid

2009-03-30T23:08:00.000-07:00

When a person has diabetes, their body does not produce enough insulin to manage the blood sugar levels within the body. This means that a person will have to resort to other measures for controlling their blood sugar levels by following a diabetic diet accompanied with regular exercise.

Other ways to ease the complications of diabetes is to take medication, such as daily injections of insulin or taking a pill, such as glucophage.

The people who are most likely to become diabetic are individuals who are overweight, as well as inactive.

In addition, many develop diabetes because people in their family are susceptible to it due to heredity. It is also the lifestyle of a person that contributes to this occurrence.

Avoiding exercise, eating lots of fats and sugar within your diet, as well as being overweight or obese, are some of the factors surrounding diabetes. It can occur at anytime with signs including frequent urination and excessive thirst.

When someone is diabetic, they are unable to produce or correctly use insulin throughout their body, which is the hormone that is responsible for changing sugar, starches and other food into energy.

One of the ways to follow a diabetic diet is to eat foods from all of the four basic food groups, as well as decrease the consumption of alcohol, fat, and sweets.

You can incorporate a wide variety of nutritious foods into a diabetic diet.

A diabetic's diet must follow this lifestyle change wherever they may be.

When eating out at a restaurant, there are a few tips to follow when deciphering the types of food items and meals you should look out for or avoid.

When choosing something that will adhere to your diabetic diet, you should avoid foods that are described as being "creamed," "fried" or "saut�ed." These foods are most likely to contain loads of fat.

Foods that contain a lot of cheese, butter, oil or mayonnaises should be avoided on diabetic diets. If you must taste these foods during your meal, you should order them to arrive as a side item.

Other foods that can stray from diabetic diets include those that are prepared with sweet and sour sauce, as well as teriyaki and barbeque. They contain high amounts of sugar and carbohydrates that should be avoided while on a diabetic diet.

Diabetic diets should count the number of calories from fat as being 30% less than the total number of calories eaten throughout one day.

Diabetic diets should include foods that are low in saturated fats and cholesterol, such as skinless poultry, fresh fruit, and vegetables.

When on a diabetic diet, you should stay away from red meats, eggs, as well as whole-milk dairy products.

Diabetic diets work better when the dairy in your life comes from low-fat or fat-free selections.

10-20% of your daily calories on a diabetic diet should come from proteins in foods, such as lean meat, fish, and low-fat dairy products. The rest of a diabetic diet should consist of carbohydrates coming from whole grains, beans, as well as fresh vegetables and fruit.

Overall, there is no official diabetic diet to follow and it really depends on the individual diabetic.

If you are able to work closely with a dietician, doctor
, or nutritionist, you will be able to find a balance within your diabetic diet and exercise routine.

By : Stephen Todd

Problems and Symptoms in Different Types of Diabetes

2009-03-30T23:06:00.000-07:00

There are three different types of diabetes and each category has its own problems and symptoms that are specific to it. The first of these types of diabetes is Type 1, also known as "insulin dependent". This type of diabetes is called Juvenile diabetes because it manifests anytime in the first 30 years of someone's life. This type of diabetes needs to be controlled with the use of insulin, which must be given one or more times each day. Someone that has been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes will have to maintain a strict diet of what they eat and they'll have to monitor their blood levels several times each day so that they know exactly where their blood sugar level is at.

If these blood sugar levels aren't carefully monitored and managed kidney damage can occur. Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes include thirst, an increase in urination, urine that seems to have a dark color to it, vision that is blurred, tingling in the feet and hands, and sudden loss of weight.

The second kind of diabetes is Type 2, also known as "non-insulin" diabetes. This type of diabetes will usually occur in the later years of someone's life. The cause is often poor health and poor nutrition. In most cases this type of diabetes doesn't require the use of insulin. The most important way to manage Type 2 diabetes is with a proper diet and exercise. It is vital that person's with Type 2 are under the care of a doctor who can help them to manage their health. Symptoms of Type 2 are thirst, an increase in urination, burred vision, stomach cramps, and sores that don't heal properly.

The third type of diabetes is Gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy. The mother to be will feel very tired, have frequent headaches, and experience dizziness. This type of diabetes will usually go away after the baby has been delivered but the mother will still require careful monitoring. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms and conditions be sure to consult with your doctor.

By : James Hunt

What Is Diabetes?

2009-03-30T23:03:00.000-07:00

With diabetes such an epidemic today, it is essential that you know exactly what it is. Why? Well, to prevent getting diabetes yourself that is!

In layman terms, "diabetes" is the inability of the body to process sugars properly. When we eat or drink, our "pancreas" produces a hormone called "insulin". Insulin is released into the blood and helps to regulate the amount of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. Diabetes is a condition where this process does not function correctly.

The reason why diabetes occurs is because no insulin is being produced (often called Type 1 Diabetes) and requires the sufferer to use insulin injections, or insulin is produced but the body becomes resistant to it. This renders the insulin ineffective. This is normally called Type 2 Diabetes and is rapidly becoming more common.

The danger is that while diabetes is not immediately life threatening the long term effects of high blood sugar can be damaging to one's health. Uncontrolled diabetes and prolonged high blood sugar levels can, in later life, cause problems to many organs including the kidneys, eyes, nerves and the heart.

This may sound grim, however controlling blood sugar by a combination of medicine, diet and exercise will vastly reduce the long term complications. Recent research shows that 2 in every 100 people have diabetes. Alarmingly half of these people do not even know they have it. Many people have diabetes without being aware of it because someone with diabetes looks no different from anyone else.

How do you find out if you have diabetes? The simplest way to check if you have diabetes is to arrange a blood sugar check with your doctor. A tiny sample of blood, obtained by pricking a finger is checked using a small electronic tester.

A normal blood sugar level is generally between 72 - 126 mg/dl or 4 - 7 mmol/l (where 1 mmol/l = 18mg/dl). If the body is unable to keep the blood sugar level within these limits, then diabetes is diagnosed. Diagnosis of diabetes can occur out of the blue during a routine check-up but more often it follows from the sufferer experiencing the "symptoms" of diabetes. These symptoms can be many or few, mild or severe depending on the individual.

Common Diabetes Symptoms:

Loss Of Weight - Glucose is the form of sugar which is the body's main fuel. Diabetics cannot process this properly so it passes into the urine and out of the body. Less fuel means the body's reserve tissues are broken down to produce energy with a resultant loss in weight.

Thirst - Often it seems no matter how much you drink your mouth still feels dry. The problem is compounded before diabetes is diagnosed by sufferers drinking huge amounts of sugary drinks! Of course this only increases the blood sugar level and leads to increased thirst.

Urinating More Often - Sufferers need to urinate often and pass large volumes each time. In addition this symptom takes no account of time so sleep is constantly disturbed by having to visit the bathroom during the night. It is a mistake to think this is caused by the increased thirst and drinking more. On the other hand, high sugar levels in the blood spill over into the urine making it syrupy. To counter-act this water is drawn from the body causing dehydration and therefore thirst.

If you have experienced any of these symptoms it does not necessarily follow that you are diabetic however it might be advisable to visit your doctor to be sure. If it does turn out that you have diabetes please do not panic! It can come as a shock and it will mean some changes in your life. While it is incurable it can be treated so the long term complications are reduced or even eliminated.

By knowing exactly what diabetes is - and recognizing the symptoms early on - you can prevent it from ever building up within you. Start today by monitoring your health and daily eating habits. Or as they say, preventing is better than finding a cure later on!

By: Mary Williams