Teen Who Cries Blood Gets Help From Experts

Hello guys its been a month since i have not updated my blog as you know am schooling now and quite busy between my school and family. But i was so touched when i opened up my dashboard and found out that i have 24 comments to be moderated. Wow! you really amazed me guys and thank you very much for constantly reading my blog.

So today, i would like to share this rare story of a young boy who cries blood.

(CNN) -- Calvino Inman had just stepped out of the shower one evening in May when a glimpse of his reflection in the mirror caused him to panic. "I looked up and saw myself, and I thought I was going to die," says the 15-year-old from Rockwood, Tennessee. His eyes were streaming tears of blood.

Inman's mother, Tammy Mynatt, says she immediately rushed him to the emergency room, but by the time they arrived, the bleeding had stopped. Doctors couldn't see what the family was trying to explain. They returned home completely perplexed. When the bloody tears returned a few days later while Inman was on a camping trip, he was rushed back to the hospital.

Mynatt hoped that once doctors finally witnessed the phenomenon, there would be answers. But that wasn't the case. "The people at the hospital said they had never seen anything like it," Mynatt recalls. She says her son underwent an MRI, a CT scan and an ultrasound, but none of the tests had abnormal results. "'We don't know how to stop it,'" Mynatt remembers being told by doctors. "It just has to run its course."

Dr. Barrett G. Haik, director of the University of Tennessee's Hamilton Eye Institute, says there is an answer, sort of. He says "crying blood," a condition called haemolacria, is common in people who have experienced extreme trauma or who have recently had a serious head injury. But a case such as Inman's is still a medical mystery. "What's really rare is to have a child like this," Haik says. "Only once every several years do you see someone with no obvious cause."

Haik and a team of researchers published a 2004 study in the Journal of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery looking specifically at children who developed unexplained, spontaneous episodes of bloody tears between February 1992 and January 2003. Only four cases were recorded.

Because of the rarity of the condition, experts anticipate Inman will have multiple tests from a variety of specialists, including hematologists (blood specialists), ophthalmologists (eye specialists) and otolaryngologists (ear, nose and throat specialists).

Dr. James C. Flemming, also an ophthalmologist at the Hamilton Eye Institute, has been in touch with Mynatt and her son. He is reviewing Inman's medical records for possible treatment.

Flemming says complications to look for include blood clots, a growth or tumor near the eye, or even a simple infection. He also says the culprit could be something so tiny that none of the standard tests would pick it up. "It's a very hard thing to estimate," Flemming says. "You may have to watch expectedly for other symptoms to show up."

Inman's analysis would also include a psychological evaluation to rule out the possibility that the bloody tears were faked. "When you can't find an origin, you can't eliminate any of the possibilities" Haik explains. He says there have been cases where children seeking attention have found creative ways to simulate haemolacriatic symptoms.

Still, Mynatt and her son are relieved to at least have more guidance. In an interview with CNN affiliate WATE, Mynatt was near tears herself explaining her frustration: "I just truly want somebody to say they've seen this and they can help us."

And that's at least one reassurance Flemming and his team of experts at the Hamilton Eye Institute can offer. "We get more positive talk now than negative. It really feels like there's hope," Mynatt says, relieved.

But still, the possibility remains that after endless tests, the underlying cause may never be found. In all four cases Haik examined previously, the bleeding stopped on its own.

"As physicians, that's disconcerting, because we like to have the answers," Haik admits. Moreover, he says he knows from previous experience that the toll of not knowing is much worse for patients. "I could always see the fear in their faces because no matter what we studied, we couldn't find an answer."

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Is Anesthesia Related To Learning Disabilities?

According to Robert Preidt exposure to anesthesia during a Cesarean delivery doesn't increase the risk of learning disabilities in children, says a new study.

"We found that the incidence of learning disabilities was equal between children who were delivered vaginally and those who were delivered via C-section but with general anesthesia," study leader Dr. Juraj Sprung, an anesthesiologist at the Mayo Clinic, said in a news release from Mayo.

Sprung and his colleagues analyzed the medical and school IQ records of 5,320 children born between 1976 and 1982 to mothers in Olmsted County, Minn. Not only did they find that anesthesia use during delivery posed no threat to the babies, but the researchers also determined that babies whose mothers had received an epidural anesthetic (which numbs the lower part of the body) were much less likely to have learning disabilities later in life.

The risk was reduced by about 40 percent compared to children delivered vaginally and those delivered via cesarean section but without general anesthesia," Sprung said.

The findings from the study are preliminary and shouldn't prompt any changes to medical practice, said co-author and Mayo anesthesiologist Dr. Randall Flick.

"What we've found is an association between two things," he said. "One is the way a child was delivered, either vaginally or under regional or general anesthesia. The other is a difference in the incidence of learning disabilities as the child attended school. It's important to recognize there may be other factors that impact learning disabilities."

A report on the study is in the August issue of Anesthesiology.

SOURCE: Mayo Clinic, news release, July 2009

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Painkillers Might Help Men Avoid Prostate Problems

SATURDAY, June 20 (HealthDay News) -- Taking over-the-counter painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen might help men avoid prostate problems.

But even so, medical experts are quick to caution men not to self-dose or to take more than the recommended amounts of these medications, because harmful side effects can result.

"Our data suggest if men are taking these [medications] for another problem, it might prevent urological problems as well," said Jennifer St. Sauver, an epidemiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota who led a study that found that men who took nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) daily had a reduction of about 50 percent in enlargement of the prostate gland. The condition, called benign prostatic hyperplasia, affects many men after age 40.

The gland, about the size of a walnut, is below the bladder and surrounds the urine-carrying canal or urethra. The gland often enlarges in older men, making urination difficult.

But men in St. Sauver's study who took painkillers daily had more than a third fewer moderate to severe urinary problems than men who did not take daily painkillers.

Lower levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) also seem to be a benefit experienced by men who take NSAIDs regularly. PSA is a biomarker in the bloodstream that is used to assess the risk of getting prostate cancer.

Dr. Eric A. Singer, chief resident in urology at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York, led a team of researchers who found that regular use of NSAIDs yielded PSA levels 10 percent lower than in men who didn't use them. St. Sauver's study found lower PSA levels among NSAID users in her study as well.

Men taking acetaminophen also were included in Singer's study, and they had about the same reduction in PSA levels. But, because the number of men who took acetaminophen was low, the result was not great enough to be statistically significant, he explained.

Exactly how the medications seemingly prevent enlargement of the prostate and other problems isn't certain, St. Sauver and Singer agreed. But they speculated that the medication's anti-inflammatory action plays a major role.

However, men who take NSAIDs need to keep in mind that, if taken in excess, the drugs can cause kidney ailments and other problems, Singer warned. And too much acetaminophen has been associated with liver toxicity.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that extended use of NSAIDs can increase the chances of a fatal heart attack or stroke and also can cause ulcers or excessive bleeding in the stomach and intestines.

Because of such possibilities, "we are certainly not telling men to take NSAIDs to reduce PSA or prostate cancer risk," Singer said, despite the "good news" from the studies.

''Talk to your health-care provider about prostate health and prostate cancer screening," he advised, adding a reminder to "make sure your doctor knows what medications you are taking."

No one knows exactly why some men develop prostate cancer, and others don't. In the United States, though, almost 190,000 men are expected to be diagnosed with the disease this year, and about one in six will develop it at some point in their life, according to the American Cancer Society.

Age is the main risk factor for prostate cancer. U.S. government statistics show that the disease rarely occurs in men younger than 40 and most often strikes men older than 65.

To treat prostate cancer that has not spread beyond the gland, according to the Cancer Society, doctors most often recommend:

• Prostatectomy, surgery to remove all or part of the prostate gland
• Radiation, either via an external beam or implanted radioactive seeds
• Watchful waiting, the term used to describe deferring treatment until there are signs that the cancer is progressing
  

And, as treatment and detection methods have improved, the survival rate for prostate cancer has been improving in the United States in recent decades, according to the National Cancer Institute.

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Autistics Are Better At Problem Solving

According to a new Université de Montréal and Harvard University study published in the journal Human Brain Mapping that autistics are up to 40 percent faster at problem-solving than non-autistics. This is based on the investigation were participants were asked to complete patterns in the Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (RSPM) - test that measures hypothesis-testing, problem-solving and learning skills.


"While both groups performed RSPM test with equal accuracy, the autistic group responded more quickly and appeared to use perceptual regions of the brain to accelerate problem-solving," says lead author Isabelle Soulières, a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard University who completed the experiment at the Université de Montréal. "Some critics argued that autistics would be unable to complete the RSPM because of its complexity, yet our study shows autistics complete it as efficiently and have a more highly developed perception than non-autistics."

Fifteen autistics and 18 non-autistics were recruited for the study. Participants were 14 to 36 years old and matched according to their preliminary results on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. All subjects underwent magnetic resonance imaging to explore their neural activity during RSPM problem-solving. While autism is a common neurodevelopmental disability characterized by profound differences in information processing and analysis, this study showed that autistics have efficient reasoning abilities that build on their perceptual strengths.

"This study builds on our previous findings and should help educators capitalize on the intellectual abilities of autistics," says senior researcher Laurent Mottron, the new Marcel & Rolande Gosselin Research Chair in Autism Cognitive Neuroscience of the Université de Montréal and psychiatry professor. "The limits of autistics should constantly be pushed and their educational materials should never be simplified.

Adds Dr. Soulières: "The Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices are among the most complex tests to provide insight on how a person understands and formulates rules, manages goal hierarchies and performs high-level abstractions. Our wager was that autistics could complete such a test and they surpassed our expectations."

About the study:
The study, "Enhanced Visual Processing Contributes to Matrix Reasoning in Autism, published in the journal Human Brain Mapping, was authored by Isabelle Soulières, Gary E. Strangman, Cherif Sahyoun and Thomas A. Zeffiro of the Harvard University and Laurent Mottron, Michelle Dawson, Fabienne Samson and Elise B. Barbeau of the Université de Montréal.

Partners in research:
This study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Autism Speaks.

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A Health Story Of Our Body Anatomy

A story of our body anatomy! Interesting article and it is worth reading! Please finish reading so you will know the story of your body organs!

Time: When your body really starts going downhill

There's no denying the ticking of a woman's biological clock - but men are not immune, either. French doctors have found that the quality of sperm starts to deteriorate by 35, so that by the time a man is 45 a third of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Here, with the help of leading clinicians, Angela Epstein identifies the ages when different parts of the body start to lose their battle with time.

BRAIN Starts ageing at 20
As we get older, the number of nerve cells - or neurons - in the brain decrease. We start with around 100 billion, but in our 20s this number starts to decline.


By 40, we could be losing up to 10,000 per day, affecting memory, co-ordination and brain function.

In fact, while the neurons are important, it's actually the deterioration of the gaps between the brain cells that has the biggest impact, says Dr Wojtek Rakowicz, a consultant neurologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London .

We all assume Grey hair and wrinkles are the first signs of aging, but some parts of your body are worn out long before you look old.

These tiny gaps between the end of one brain nerve cell and another are called synapses. Their job is to ensure the flow of information from one cell to another, and as we age we make fewer.

GUT Starts aging at 55
A healthy gut has a good balance between harmful and 'friendly' bacteria.

But levels of friendly bacteria in the gut drop significantly after 55, particularly in the large intestine, says Tom MacDonald, professor of immunology at Barts And The London medical school. As a result, we suffer from poor digestion and an increased risk of gut disease.

Constipation is more likely as we age, as the flow of digestive juices from the stomach, liver, pancreas and small intestine slows down.

BREASTS Starts aging at 35
BY their mid-30s, women's breasts start losing tissue and fat, reducing size and fullness.

Sagging starts properly at 40 and the areola (the area surrounding the nipple) can shrink considerably.

Although breast cancer risk increases with age, it's not related to physical changes in the breast.

More likely, says Gareth Evans, breast cancer specialist at St Mary's Hospital, Manchester , our cells become damaged with age - as a result, the genes which control cell growth can mutate, causing cancer.

BLADDER Starts ageing at 65
Loss of bladder control is more likely when you hit 65. The bladder starts to contract suddenly, even when it's not full.

Women are more vulnerable to bladder problems as, after the menopause, declining estrogen levels make tissues in the urethra - the tube through which urine passes - thinner and weaker, reducing bladder support.

Bladder capacity in an older adult generally is about half that of a younger person - about two cups in a 30-year-old and one cup in a 70-year-old.

This causes more frequent trips to the loo, particularly as poor muscle tone means the bladder may not fully empty. This in turn can lead to urinary tract infections.

LUNGS Start ageing at 20
Lung capacity slowly starts to decrease from the age of 20.

By the age of 40, some people are already experiencing breathlessness. This is partly because the muscles and the rib cage which control breathing stiffen up.

It's then harder to work the lungs and also means some air remains in the lungs after breathing out - causing breathlessness.

Aged 30, the average man can inhale two pints of air in one breath. By 70, it's down to one.

VOICE Starts ageing at 65
Our voices become quieter and hoarser with age. The soft tissues in the voice box (larynx) weaken, affecting the pitch, loudness and quality of the voice.

A woman's voice may become huskier and lower in pitch, whereas a man's might become thinner and higher.

EYES start ageing at 40
Glasses are the norm for many over - 40s as failing eyesight kicks in - usually long-sightedness, affecting our ability to see objects up close.

As we age, the eye's ability to focus deteriorates because the eyes' muscles become weaker, says Andrew Lotery, professor of ophthalmology at the University of Southampton .

HEART Starts ageing at 40
The heart pumps blood less effectively around the body as we get older.

This is because blood vessels become less elastic, while arteries can harden or become blocked because of fatty deposits forming on the coronary arteries - caused by eating too much saturated fat.

The blood supply to the heart is then reduced, resulting in painful angina. Men over 45 and women over 55 are at greater risk of a heart attack.

A recent study by Lloyds Pharmacy found the average person in the UK has a 'heart age' five years older than their chronological age, probably due to obesity and lack of exercise.

LIVER Starts ageing at 70
This is the only organ in the body which seems to defy the aging process.

'Its cells have an extraordinary capacity to regenerate,' explain David Lloyd, a consultant liver surgeon at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

He says he can remove half a liver during surgery and it will grow to the size of a complete liver within three months.

If a donor doesn't drink, use drug or suffer from infection, then it is possible to transplant a 70-year-old liver into a 20-year-old.

KIDNEYS Starts ageing at 50
With kidneys, the number of filtering units (nephrons) that remove waste from the bloodstream starts to reduce in middle age.

One effect of this is their inability to turn off urine production at night, causing frequent trips to the bathroom.

The kidneys of a 75-year-old person will filter only half the amount of blood that a 30-year-old's will.

PROSTATE Starts ageing at 50
The prostate often becomes enlarged with age, leading to problems such as increased need to urinate, says Professor Roger Kirby, director of the Prostate Centre in London . This is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia and affects half of men over 50, but rarely those under 40.

It occurs when the prostate absorbs large amounts of the male sex hormone testosterone, which increases the growth of cells in the prostate.

A normal prostate is the size of a walnut, but the condition can increase this to the size of a tangerine.

BONES Start ageing at 35
'Throughout our life, old bone is broken down by cells called osteoclasts and replaced by bone-building cells called osteoblasts - a process called bone turnover,' explains Robert Moots, professor of rheumatology at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool .

Children's bone growth is rapid - the skeleton takes just two years to renew itself completely. In adults, this can take ten years.

Until our mid-20s, bone density is still increasing. But at 35 bone loss begins as part of the natural ageing process.

This becomes more rapid in post-menopausal women and can cause the bone-thinning condition osteoporosis.

The shrinking in size and density of bones can lead to loss of height. Bones in the back shrivel up or crumble between the vertebrae. We lose two inches in height by the time we're 80.

TEETH Start ageing at 40
As we age, we produce less saliva, which washes away bacteria, so teeth and gums are more vulnerable to decay.

Receding gums - when tissue is lost from gums around the teeth - is common in adults over 40.

MUSCLES Start ageing at 30
Muscle is constantly being built up and broken down, a process which is well balanced in young adults.

However, by the time we're 30, breakdown is greater than buildup, explains Professor Robert Moots.

Once adults reach 40, they start to lose between 0.5 and 2 per cent of their muscle each year. Regular exercise can help prevent this..

HEARING Starts ageing mid-50s
More than half of people over 60 lose hearing because of their age, according to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf.

The condition, known as presbycusis, happens due to a loss of 'hair cells' - tiny sensory cells in the inner ear which pick up sound vibrations and send them to the brain.

SKIN Starts ageing mid-20s
The skin starts to age naturally in your mid-20s.

According to Dr Andrew Wright, a consultant dermatologist with Bradford NHS Trust, as we get older production of collagen - the protein which acts as scaffolding to the skin - slows, and elastin, the substance that enables skin to snap back into place, has less spring and can even break.

Dead skin cells don't shed as quickly and turnover of new skin cells may decrease slightly. This causes fine wrinkles and thin, transparent skin - even if the first signs may not appear until our mid-30s (unless accelerated by smoking or sun damage).

TASTE AND SMELL Start ageing at 60

We start out in life with about 10,000 taste buds scattered on the tongue. This number can halve later in life.

After we turn 60, taste and smell gradually decline, partly as a result of the normal ageing process.

This can be accelerated by problems such as polyps in the nasal or sinus cavities. It can also be the cumulative effect of years of smoking.

FERTILITY starts ageing at 35
Female fertility begins to decline after 35, as the number and quality of eggs in the ovaries start to fall.

The lining of the womb may become thinner, making it less likely for a fertilised egg to take, and also creating an environment hostile to sperm.

Male fertility also starts to drop around this age. Men who wait until their 40s before starting a family have a greater chance of their partner having a miscarriage, because of the poorer quality of their sperm.

HAIR Starts ageing at 30
Male hair loss usually begins in the 30s. Hair is made in tiny pouches just under the skin's surface, known as follices.

A hair normally grows from each follicle for about three years, is then shed, and a new hair grows.

However, with male-pattern baldness, changes in levels of testosterone from their early-30s affect this cycle, causing the hair follicles to shrink.

Each new hair is thinner than the previous one.. Eventually, all that remains is a much smaller hair follicle and a thin stump of hair that does not grow out to the skin surface.

Most people will have some grey hair by the age of 35. When we are young, our hair is coloured by the pigments produced by cells in the hair follicle known as melanocytes.

As we grow older, melanocytes become less active, so less pigment is produced, the colour fades, and grey hairs grow instead.

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The Healthy Way Of Eating Fruits

We all think that eating means simply buying fruits, cutting it and just popping into our mouths. You will be much more benefited if you know how to eat!

The correct way of eating fruits

Fruits should be take in empty stomach, not as a deserted meal as is often done. If you eat fruit like that it will also sere a major role to detoxify your system, supplying with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.

Fruits is the most important food

Lets say you eat 2 slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. As fruits digest faster than bread, the slice of fruits digest quickly and ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but its passage is blocked by the bread which takes longer to digest.

In the meantime the whole meal ferments and turns to acid. Consequently when fruits, come into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil. So it is better to eat fruits in empty stomach or before your meal!.

You have heard people complaining:

• every time i eat watermelon i burp
• when i eat durian my stomach bloats up
• when i eat banana i feel like running to toilet, etc.

Actually this all will not arise if you eat the fruits in empty stomach. The fruits mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas and hence bloat!

Graying hair, balding and nervous outburst, dark circles under the eyes - all this will not happen if you take fruits in empty stomach

It is incorrectly presumes that some fruits like orange and lemon are acidic and will enhance acidity in the stomach. Research however shows that all fruits become alkaline in our body.

When you need to drink fruit juice, drink only fresh fruit juices, NOT from the cans.

Don't drink juices that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get nutrients at all.

So stop making "durian porridge" if you want nutrients. Cooking fruits destroys all the vitamins. Eating the pulp or the whole fruit is far better than drinking the juice as the fiber is good for you.

If you drink the juice drink mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it.

A 3-day "fruit fast" is a very simple and very effective way to cleanse and de-toxify your body.

Just eat fruits and drink fruits juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!

During the "fruit fast" you can eat different fruits at different times, although occasionally mixed fruit salad would also be permissible and more interesting.

If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits you have the secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.

Wishing you all a healthy life.

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Do Artificial Sweeteners A Healthy Substitute?

I have noticed that the supply of artificial sweeteners are increasingly available in market today. Be it sold in the pharmacy, grocery stores and other health stores. Artificial sweeteners and the huge list of products sweetened with them are marketed to you relentlessly as "healthy foods" or "healthier" than sugar or corn syrup sweetened products. But are they really?

Below are some of the most popular artificial sweeteners on the market today:

• Splenda (sucralose)
  
• Aspartame
  
• Saccharine
  
• Acesulfame Potassium (aka - acesulfame K)

These artificial sweeteners are used in abundance in almost every "diet" drink, "lite" yogurts, puddings, and ice creams, most "low-carb" products, and almost all "reduced-sugar" products. and or sugar substitute for diabetic patients. Heck, even most protein powders are loaded with artificial sweeteners too (just look on the ingredients and you'll usually see one of them).

Splenda is probably one of the worst offenders of claiming to be "healthy" as they say that it's made from real sugar. Don't be fooled! It's still an artificial substance. What they don't tell you is that Splenda is actually a chemically modified substance where chlorine is added to the chemical structure, making it more similar to a chlorinated pesticide than something we should be eating or drinking.

This is one of the biggest misconceptions that I see all of the time and it saddens me to see so many people poisoning their family with dangerous artificial sweeteners like splenda, while falsely thinking they're doing something healthy.

The truth is that artificial sweeteners are not even close to being "healthy", and as you'll discover in a minute, can easily be just as bad for you, if not worse, than sugar or corn syrup. Most people think that they are doing something good for themselves by choosing the "diet" drinks or "lite" yogurts compared to the sugar-laden versions, but the problem is that you're exposing yourself to a whole new set of problems with the artificially sweetened drinks and foods.

You're probably frustrated by all of the contradicting messages you hear each day about which foods are good for you and which are bad. I'm sure just today you probably saw some clever ad or commercial somewhere screaming health benefits for a food product that is loaded with artificial sweeteners. Don't worry. Continue reading and you will discover the truth.

The fact is, artificial sweeteners vs. sugar or corn syrup is really just a battle between two evils. Which evil is worse?

Problems with sugar or high fructose corn syrup sweetened products are : excess empty calories, blood sugar spike, and resulting insulin surge this creates in your body not only promotes fat gain, but also stimulates your appetite further, making things even worse.

On the other hand, artificial sweeteners save you calories, but there's growing evidence that they can increase your appetite for sweets and other carbohydrates causing you to eat more later in the day anyway. Therefore, you don't really save any calories at all. Also, studies have shown that artificial sweeteners can stimulate high insulin levels in your body too, which again can promote fat storage.

All of the 4 artificial sweeteners listed above are nasty chemicals that the human body is simply not meant to ingest. However, most of us are ingesting a whole lot of these chemicals on a daily basis. Aside from the problems I touched on so far, other health issues that have been related to artificial sweeteners in scientific studies as well as observations are:

• some have been linked to potential cancer risks
  
• negative effects on the liver, kidneys, and other organs
  
• stimulating cravings
  
• gastrointestinal problems
  
• developmental problems in children and fetuses
  
• headaches
  
• and too many more issues to list

Now some of the above potential health problems are definitely not proven as fact in studies. However, some of them have been shown in animal studies given high doses. Also, if you do some research, you'll find hoardes of people that attribute the use of artificial sweeteners over the years with all sorts of illnesses in themselves or in family members.

Regardless of the fact that any real health problems for actual human use are not proven yet, I don't know about you, but I'd rather protect myself and my family and steer clear of these possibly dangerous artificial chemicals.

Of course, despite all of the health issues potentially associated with artificial sweeteners, the companies that sell the products will continue to claim that they are fully safe. Don't believe them! The bottom line is that the body was not designed to deal with foreign substances like artificial sweeteners. Right or not?

So what are your options for alternatives? Well, your best alternatives for sugar or corn syrup are either raw honey, organic maple syrup, or even a little-known high antioxidant syrup called sorghum syrup (common in the southern US). Even though these alternatives still have the same amount of calories as sugar or corn syrup... honey, organic maple syrup, and sorghum syrup actually provide some nutrients and antioxidants, so it's not just empty calories. Empty calories such as white refined sugar stimulate your appetite more because your body is lacking nutrients.

Now you're probably thinking that you'd like to still save on calories but avoid the nasty artificial sweeteners. Good news... You can!

You've probably heard about Stevia. It's an alternative sweetener where you can still save a little on calories and sugar but don't want to harm your health with artificial sweeteners.

Stevia is not artificial like the other chemical sweeteners I mentioned above. Stevia is a natural non-caloric herb that's been used for thousands of years in some parts of the world. It is a South American herb and when dried into a powder, has a sweetness about 200-300 times stronger than sugar.

One problem with using Stevia is that the pure powder is a very powerful sweetener, so you can easily use too much. However, I've found some good Stevia products that use a bulking agent added so that you can measure out the stevia powder in direct comparison to measuring sugar.

I've yet to see any negative reports or health concerns regarding stevia and only positive potential health benefits. Do yourself a favor (and your family), and if you are currently an artificial sweetener junkie, please consider switching to stevia.

You may try these products:



A Cookbook guide for your Stevia recipes:

Stevia Sweet Recipes: Sugar-Free-Naturally

Stevia: Naturally Sweet Recipes for Desserts, Drinks, and More

The Stevia Cookbook: Cooking with Nature's Calorie-Free Sweetener

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Pounding Head? Discover 13 Sure-fire Herbal Remedies

They can be caused by a number of things including dehydration, hunger, grinding your teeth, a food allergy, sleeping on your neck wrong, giving up caffeine, and of course STRESS. Whatever the cause, there’s no mistaking that throbbing discomfort that plague so many Americans. Here are 13 natural remedies to attack your agony head on.

Tension, Hormonal, Seasonally-Occurring? Try...

1. Magnesium - Replaces a magnesium deficiency that can cause head discomfort.
   
2. Vitamin B-12 - Refills a Vitamin B-12 deficiency that can trigger discomfort.
   
3. Ginger - Stimulates circulation, thins the blood, and helps blood flow to the surface.
   
4. Valerian - Relaxes the mind and, encourages a healing sleep.
   
5. St. John’s Wort - Promotes a positive outlook after too many “blue” days.
   
6. Licorice - In Chinese herbal medicine, licorice root is an ingredient found in almost all herbal formulas for the purpose of “harmonizing” the separate herbs involved. One of its many active constituents—glycyrrhizin—has been found to possess anti-inflammatory action.
   
7. Angelica - For centuries, Angelica Root has been hailed as the ultimate remedy and a blood purifier. Angelica is believed to be a health-protective herbal, as it blooms on the day of Saint Michael the Archangel.
   
8. Skunk Cabbage - Also known as symplocarpus foetidus,this herb soothes the nervous system, which helps to reduce stress and mental fatigue.
9. Chamomile - Calms the body. Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Indians used this herb to treat disorders of the kidneys, liver, and bladder, and mind. Chamomile works well to promote healing.
10. Kava Kava - It’s been used for three thousand years by the people of the South Pacific for ceremonial, social and medicinal purposes. Today, kava is proven to relax and de-stress.

Regular, Ongoing Head Distress? Try...

1. Melatonin - Physiologists know that melatonin helps to regulates sleep patterns, and thus promote overall health.
   
2. Cayenne - This herb enhances delivery of more oxygen to your brain, and relieves discomfort.
3. 5-HTP - Your body needs 5-HTP to make serotonin, needed for normal nerve and brain function. It promotes calmness and sleep.
   

Feel better by taking care of your everyday stress in healthy ways. Visit Botanic Choice to discover other natural de-stressers. It's also good to avoid dehydration or hunger. Take your regular breaks and lunch times. Eat and drink sensibly. Most importantly, be good to yourself!

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your physician.

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7 Dieting Mistakes

You've started a new diet. You've been good all week, making sensible meals, managing your portions, even exercising a little...then the weekend hits. You eat too much. You drink too much. You give up.

Not so fast! A couple of slip ups won't undo all your hard work. The key is to know the dieting pitfalls you're likely to make and plan ahead to avoid them.

Here are the top seven dieting mistakes. How many are you making?

1. Skipping breakfast.Research shows that people who don't eat breakfast actually weigh more than those who do. There's a mistaken belief that if you skip breakfast, you're saving calories. Problem is you end up snacking and eating more at other meals because you're body is so starved for food. Always begin your day with a healthy breakfast. Black coffee, an egg, whole wheat toast and a half grapefruit has only 250 calories and will stave off hunger pangs till lunch.
   
2. Too many liquid calories. Did you know that a regular soda can pack on 15 pounds in one year? Not to mention lattes, fruit smoothies and alcohol. These liquid calories do little to satisfy any hunger and the calories add up fast.
   
3. Not exercising. If 30 minutes is too much to even think about, start with 10 and see how it goes. If exercising is a drag to you, try something fun like bowling, playing ping-pong, or dancing. The idea is to get moving and have so much fun you'll stick with it.
   
4. Using extreme diets. These don't work and can be very detrimental to your health. When you deprive your body of food two things happen: your metabolic rate slows down to make up for few calories and your desire to binge increases. In addition extreme dieting may lead to the bloating of fat cells, shrinking of muscle cells, accumulation of toxic fats and fatigue. Rather than thinking "diet" think lifestyle change.
   
5. Mindless munching. Even if it's not on a plate, it still counts. A couple of cheesy crackers before dinner, test-tasting a sauce, finishing food from your kids plates while washing dishes, all adds up to more calories. On average figure 25 calories per bite. Do that 4 times in a day and you've just added 100 extra calories to your waistline without even realizing it.
6. Going overboard on low fat. It's psychological. You pick a low-fat snack and you justify eating more of it because it IS low fat. Research backs this up. More food, even if it is non- or low-fat still means more calories.
   
7. Not taking vitamins and supplements. In a perfect world, we'd get all the nutrition, vitamins and minerals from our three perfectly balanced daily meals. Truth is, few of us do. Even if you think you're eating right, modern food processing can deplete whatever nutrients were in the food originally. That's why many take daily vitamins and supplements. While it's important for everyone, it's especially important for those who are trying to lose or maintain weight. It starts with a good, high-quality multivitamin. For those seeking weight loss support AND total health, nothing beats Apple Cider Vinegar Plus™, which is a proprietary formula fortified with green tea for calorie burning and energy.

As quickly as the pounds add up, they can also come off. The key is knowing what your pitfalls are and how to avoid them.

For natural weight control remedies, visit Botanic Choice.

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Health Update: The Truth about Free Radicals

If you're confused by all the talk about free radicals and antioxidants you're not alone. Technical terms, biological reactions, organic compounds… It's enough to confuse a scientist! You don't want jargon. You don't want hype. You want the facts. Well, here they are.

What Are Free Radicals?

Think back to your high school chemistry class. You may recall that at its most basic level, the human body is comprised of atoms. In addition to a nucleus, neutrons and protons, each atom has a pair of electrons orbiting around it. Because atoms constantly seek stability through paired electrons, it will often share its electrons with other atoms.

Sometimes, however, an electron breaks off. I'll tell you more about why in a moment. But what you're left with are two fragments, each containing unpaired, highly energized, highly unstable electrons. These are the infamous free radicals and they're looking to pair up with another electron. (Think singles bar.) And, they're not above breaking up another atom to get what they want. As you can imagine, this mayhem can cause a chain reaction of free radicals zipping around, bouncing into others, puncturing cell membranes, and wreaking havoc throughout your system, including your DNA.

Where do free radicals come from?

Free radicals are normal. They're the by-product of metabolism when you convert food into energy. So the good news is that, for the most part, your body knows how to deal with them. The bad news is that many of us have an excessive amount of free radicals – too many for our body to handle. The result? An overtaxed system that becomes vulnerable to a wide range of health concerns from daily annoyances, to accelerated aging, to major life-threatening problems.

While aging and stress can contribute to the creation of additional free radicals, other more avoidable sources include the American high-fat diet, chemically treated foods, pesticides, trans-fats, tobacco, refined sugar, and alcohol.

Antioxidants to the rescue

Although you can't eliminate free radicals from your body completely, you can stay a step ahead by adopting a healthier diet, avoiding harmful chemicals and by using antioxidants.

Free radicals want to pair off with another electron and they're not picky about where it comes from. Antioxidants are their willing partner. The free radicals lap up their extra electron like a drooling 6-year old eating an ice cream cone.

Many people who want to boost their immune system take antioxidant supplements, including Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and other immune boosters.

Armed with this knowledge, you too can now fight free radicals with my weapon of choice – antioxidants, and have a long, healthy life.

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How Aging Process Affects Your Skin Health And Beauty?

The aging process begins when we enter the world and the effects of aging are evident in our bodies through out our lives. Beginning in our 20's, the signs of aging start to become noticeable. Genetically programmed chronologic aging causes changes in collagen and elastin, the connective tissues that supply firmness and elasticity to the skin. The genetic program of individuals is different, so the loss of skin firmness and elasticity occurs at different rates and different times in one individual as compared to another. As skin becomes less elastic, it also becomes drier and underlying fat padding begins to disappear. With the loss of underlying support by fat padding and connective tissues, the skin begins to sag; it appears less supple and wrinkles form.

Although wrinkles, lines and age spots are formed by the natural effects of getting older, one way to prevent them from appearing early on in life is to avoid direct sunlight and use sunscreens with SPFs 15 or higher. And, although most of us have some form of sun-damaged skin, there are ways to regain healthy, smooth skin. After many years of research, scientists, dermatologists and plastic surgeons have discovered that a variety of natural ingredients and vitamin extracts significantly help slow down and even reverse the signs of aging skin. These ingredients are now found in many physician developed and physician recommended anti-aging skin care products, which are specified below.

Vitamin A (Retinol) - Topical Vitamin A has been suggested to help build collagen fibers within the skin in addition to its more superficial exfoliating property. This is the basis for its use in minimizing the appearance of fine wrinkle lines. Vitamin A or Retinol is the main ingredient found in TYK Young Again, M.D. Forte, DDF and SkinScience products.

Vitamin C - Vitamin C or ascorbic acid acts as an antioxidant and is considered vital in wound healing because it aids in stabilizing collagen. When applied topically, vitamin C can reduce fine lines and wrinkles and may lessen the severity of sunburns. This healing ingredient is found in SkinCeuticals, Cellex C and Obagi Cffectives skin care products.

Vitamin E - Vitamin E is another antioxidant that shows to have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin. When applied topically, vitamin E has been shown to improve moisturization, softness and smoothness and also provides modest photo protection. Vitamin E is found in Cellex C, Exuviance and MD Forte products.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) - AHAs are designed to smooth fine lines and surface wrinkles, to improve skin texture and tone, to unblock and cleanse pores, to improve oily skin or acne, and to improve skin condition in general. AHAs are the main ingredients found in MD Forte, TYK Young Again, Super Skin and SkinScience products.

Glycolic Acid - Glycolic acid is the most active and beneficial of the Alpha-Hydroxy-Acids (AHAs) in skin care. Once inside the cells, the acid triggers new formations of collagen to plump cells and the ground substances in the skin to reduce wrinkles on the skin's surface. Glycolic acid is proven to be very effective in the treatment of acne as well as in cosmetic uses. Glycolic acid is found in products by Gly Derm, MD Forte, Z. Bigatti and Super Skin.

N-6 furfuryladenine (kinetin) - The nature-identical plant growth factor, furfuryladenine, retards the aging of plant cells as well as in vitro human skin fibroblasts. This natural, anti-aging ingredient has been proven to reduce wrinkles and fine lines and is exclusively found in Kinerase creams and lotions. This is a proven alternative for people with sensitive skin or people who are sensitive to products containing Retinol and Vitamin C.
Copper Peptides are the latest scientific breakthrough in skin rejuvenation. Copper has been found to naturally firm the skin, enhance elasticity, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Copper is the main ingredient in products by Neova and Osmotics.

Pal-KTTKS - Pal-KTTKS is an effective ingredient for reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It's found to promote a smoother, younger complexion quickly, without with out expensive and painful chemical peels, surgery or injections. This patented peptide solution is found in StriVectin-SD.

Green Tea Extract - Green tea's anti-inflammatory and anti-growth qualities are found in many skin care products designed to reduce the appearance of puffiness, wrinkles, fine lines and large pores. Green Tea is found in the Dr. Brandt skin care line, Z. Bigatti and Gly Derm products.

TNS - The biotechnology of the skin's natural healing process has arrived with the first tissue repairing complex containing growth factors found in normal, healthy skin. Unlike anything else currently on the market, TNS is the next level of skin rejuvenation that delivers dramatic results, for smoother, softer, younger looking skin. TNS is found in SkinMedica's TNS Recovery Complex.

Many customers ask which anti-aging product is best and we always respond by saying that there is no best product. Since every individuals skin is different, the results of using anti-aging products will be different as well. We recommend that you consult with a skin care professional prior to use of any new skin care product to determine your skin type, skin condition and possible sensitivities to active ingredients. Your skin care professional may recommend specific products, or you can try a few on your own based on your consultation. If you are not happy with the first product you try, try another one. It's important that you choose a product and skin care regimen that makes you feel 100% comfortable with the look and feel of your skin.

Customers also inquire about when they should expect to see results from using anti-aging products. Again, we respond by saying that results will be different for each individual, generally due to the condition of ones skin prior to use. However, across the board, we say not to expect a miracle, as there is no anti-aging product on the market that provides overnight results. Whether you are trying to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness or age spots, the process is gradual and takes anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks depending on the severity of your problem areas. After allowing the products time to take effect as well as following product directions, you can be sure to notice significant improvement in the appearance of your skin.

To see the quickest results, you will have to undergo professional cosmetics procedures. While procedures such as laser treatments, injections and dermabrasion produce the fastest, most noticeable improvements, they are all are somewhat painful or uncomfortable and very costly. In addition, pre and post treatment plans are required to achieve maximum results, which consist of using skin care products, that are also proven to be safe, effective, painless and less expensive alternatives to professional cosmetic procedures.

Please note that with the use of any new skin care product, it is highly possible that your skin will react to the ingredients. You may experience irritation, redness, dryness or a mild breakout, which should only last for the first 3-5 days of use. If you experience any of these reactions for a longer period of time, please discontinue use and consult a skin care professional. It is also recommended that prior to using any new skin care product to consult with a skin care professional.

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12 Food Good For Your Heart

Since February is heart month, i would like to post contents all related to heart. Here is your guide to foods that are good for the heart:

Aubergines supply some of the heart-protective nutrient vitamin E and, like other vegetables, are a useful source of potassium which helps keep blood pressure normal.

Blackcurrants are one of the richest sources of vitamin C. 100 g. of blackcurrants will give more than three times the recommended daily allowance. Vitamin C is vital to protect against heart disease.

Blackberries are rich in vitamin E, which can help prevent damage to the arteries caused by free radicals and provide enough soluble fibre in the form of pectin to help reduce LDL.

Broccoli and Broccoli Sprouts belongs to the crucifer family of vegetables, They contain a number of chemical compounds including carotenoids and indoles, which inhibit the production of cancer cells. Broccoli is very rich in vitamin C - weight for weight, it contains more than an orange. It contains antioxidant vitamin E and is a good source of calcium and B2. Because broccoli is a good plant source of iron, It contains sulphoraphane - which may help protect the heart from high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

Onions contain allium compounds that have been linked to a reduced risk of some cancers. They are rich in a phyto-chemical called quercetin (especially the red onion) which is a strong antioxidant which may also help to improve circulation and regulate blood pressure.

Oily fish such as sardines are a really good source of omega 3s and sardines eaten with the dissolved bones are an incredible rich source of minerals. Unlike Tuna, canned sardines retain their beneficial oils.

Sunflower seeds are rich in powerful antioxidant vitamin E. Mix them with pumkin seeds for a healthy blend of beneficial omega -6 and omega -3 fats, try sprinkling them onto salads.

The red colour of tomatoes is due to the antioxidant lycopene, research has linked eating plenty of tomatoes, especially cooked, canned, pastes and sauces reduced risk of heart disease. Tomatoes are great source of antioxidant vitamins C and E, flavonoids and potassium, which may help to regulate blood pressure.

Garlic performs a number of healthy functions in the body. It is said to reduce the risk of heart disease by decreasing total blood cholesterol.

A daily glass of pomegranate juice slows down the damage caused by cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart disease, it also reduces blood pressure and more than doubles the levels of health-boosting antioxidants in the blood.

Soya beans provide protein, antioxidants ,vitamins and minerals. Antioxidants protect our hearts by preventing bad, LDL cholesterol from damaging artery walls. This is the first step in preventing clogged arteries. Soy also helps keep blood from becoming sticky, and forming clots, which could lead to a stroke or heart attack. Soy protein and soy fibre both help lower LDL cholesterol.

Pumkin as their yellow-orange colour suggests, pumpkins are lavishly supplied with betacarotene, the antioxidant which is converted to vitamin A in the body. Betacarotene has a range of beneficial effects on the body, preventing the tissue damage caused by free radicals that can lead to heart disease, cancer and accelerated ageing. Half a cup of pumpkin provides a quarter of the recommended daily allowance of betacarotene (which is deficient in most Western diets), 10 per cent of the RDA of vitamin C and a healthy dose of heart-protecting potassium.

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10 Foods You Should Consider To Have A Healthy Heart

Eating for optimal heart health is really no different than eating to get lean. And exercise recommendations are the same too - make time to move regularly (at least 5 hours per week), add 2-3 days of higher intensity, short duration sprints and make sure you're hitting the weights several times each week.

As for nutrition, here are the top 10 foods you should include regularly if you want to be in optimal health - you can not only decrease the risk of disease, but specific foods can virtually prevent heart disease (and many others as well).

1. Wild salmon (canned or fresh) - at least 12 oz/week
2. Raw nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans, etc) - 1 oz/day
3. Rolled oats (steel cut, whole, or quick oats are best) - 1 serving/day
4. Beans (black, kidney, chick peas, etc) - ½ cup, most days of the week
5. All fruit - at least 5 servings per day
6. All vegetables - at least 5 servings per day
7. Olive oil
8. Barley -- ½ cup 3-5 times per week
9. Fresh garlic - used regularly in cooking
10. Unsweetened, brewed tea (black, green, or white) - at least 2 cups daily

And these are not the only foods (or categories of foods) that can surely boost heart health, but there are others that can do the opposite and really put you at risk overtime.

These need to be drastically limited, if not eliminated.

1. Trans fat (listed as partially or fully hydrogenated oil on food labels)
2. Sugar (and it's 30+ aliases, included raw and organic sugars)
3. Fried foods
4. White foods (including breads, cereals, and other carbohydrate based products with 0 grams of fiber)
5. Breakfast cereals with less than 3 grams of fiber and over 10 grams of sugar

Always remember, keep that 90/10 rule in mind - 90% of the time, follow smart eating rules and principles. The other 10% of the time you can be a bit more lax.

To make sure you reach the 90% compliance get started with the http://mealplans101.com software. You will find that it is super easy to reach that 90% compliance rule.

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Important Things You Should Know About Chest Pain

My parents are here with me in Malaysia for holiday for a month. Last Tuesday night while he was finishing his dinner, he stopped eating because he felt like he swallowed 1 tiny fish bone. Then my mother immediately asked him to drink more water and eat banana to bring down the bone that stuck to his throat. However, after for a while he said that pain goes down somewhere between his chest.

My father had a mild stroke 1 year ago and now he is doing ok. He can pronounce the word properly though it fells like it is difficult for him to speak. He can now do jogging slowly though he walks slow.

So yesterday, he said that pain is getting stronger that everytime the pain strikes the becomes breathless. So i send to him to the clinic. His blood pressure is ok for his age 130/80 but the doctor said that his heart is under stress and squezzing that's why he is having chest pain. Whether due to his long walking every morning in the park, his food intake and or skipping his hypertension medication. However, is given some medication for pain and heartburn. After 2 days, there would be another test like ECG to determine if he needs a heart specialist. Right now with the medication, the pain is lesser though the discomfort feeling is still there sometimes and hoping he would be better today or tomorrow.

So to ease some worries and help understand my father illness, i browsed some articles related to chest pain. I would like to share this to you all hoping this would help you in case you may experience the same.

What is Chest Pain?
It is often used to describe any pain, pressure, squeezing, choking, numbness or any other discomfort in the chest, neck, or upper abdomen, and is often associated with pain in the jaw, head, or arms. It can last from less than a second to days or weeks, can occur frequently or rarely, and can occur sporadically or predictably. With such a broad definition, you can see why the term “chest pain” is itself of little help to doctors.

Chest pain is one of the most frightening symptoms a person can have. It is sometimes difficult even for a doctor or other medical professional to tell what is causing chest pain and whether it is life-threatening.

• Any part of the chest can be the cause of the pain including the heart, lungs, esophagus, muscle, bone, and skin.
  
• Because of the complex nerve distribution in the body, chest pain may actually originate from another part of the body.
• The stomach or other organs in the belly (abdomen), for example, can cause chest pain.

Causes of Chest Pain (Potentially life-threatening)

A. Cardiopulmonary

• Acute coronary syndrome
  • Unstable Angina Pectoris - Angina is chest pain related to an imbalance between the oxygen demand of the heart and the amount of oxygen delivered via the blood. It is caused by blockage or narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. Angina is different from a heart attack in that the arteries are not completely blocked, and it causes little or no permanent damage to the heart. "Stable" angina occurs repetitively and predictably while exercising and goes away with rest. "Unstable" angina results in unusual and unpredictable pain not relieved totally by rest, or pain that actually occurs at rest.
  • Myocardial infarction ("heart attack") - A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the arteries that supply the heart (coronary arteries) becomes blocked. With decreased blood flow, the muscle of the heart does not receive enough oxygen. This can cause damage, deterioration, and death of the heart muscle.
• Aortic dissection - The aorta is the main artery that supplies blood to the vital organs of the body, such as the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and intestines. Dissection means a tear in the inner lining of the aorta. This can cause massive internal bleeding and interrupt blood flow to the vital organs.
• Pericarditis - This is an inflammation of the pericardium, which is the sac that covers the heart.
• Pulmonary embolism - A pulmonary embolus is a blood clot in one of the major blood vessels that supplies the lungs. It is a potentially life-threatening cause of chest pain but is not associated with the heart.
  
• Pneumonia - Pneumonia is an infection of the lung tissue. Chest pain occurs because of inflammation to the lining of the lungs.
• Hemothorax
• Pneumothorax and Tension pneumothorax: Pneumothorax often called a collapsed lung, this condition occurs when air enters the saclike space between the chest wall and the lung tissue. Normally, negative pressure in the chest cavity allows the lungs to expand. When a spontaneous pneumothorax occurs, air enters the chest cavity. When the pressure balance is lost, the lung is unable to re-expand. This cuts off the normal oxygen supply in the body.
• Arrhythmia - atrial fibrillation and a number of other arrhythmias can cause chest pain.

Other causes

• Cardiopulmonary
  
  • Stable Angina Pectoris - this can be treated medically and although it warrants investigation, it is not an emergency in its strictest sense
  • Pleurisy - an inflammation which can cause painful respiration
• Upper gastrointestinal ailments
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other causes of heartburn - occurs when acidic digestive juices flow backward from the stomach into the esophagus. The resulting heartburn is sometimes experienced as chest pain.
  • Hiatus hernia (which may not accompany GERD)
  • Achalasia, nutcracker esophagus and other neuromuscular disorders of the esophagus
  • Functional dyspepsia
• Problems of chest wall structures
  • Costochondritis or Tietze's syndrome - a benign and harmless form of osteochondritis often mistaken for heart disease. This is an inflammation of the cartilage between the ribs. Pain is typically located in the mid-chest, with intermittently dull and sharp pain that may be increased with deep breaths, movement, and deep touch.
  • Spinal nerve problem
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Chest wall problems
  • Breast conditions
  • Herpes zoster - Also known as shingles, this is a reactivation of the viral infection that causes chickenpox. With shingles, a rash occurs, usually only on one small part of the body. The pain, often very severe, is usually confined to the area of the rash. The pain may precede the rash by 4-7 days. Risk factors include any condition in which the immune system is compromised, such as advanced age, HIV, or cancer. Herpes zoster is highly contagious to people who have not had chickenpox or have not been vaccinated against chickenpox for the five days before and the five days after the appearance of the rash.
• Psychological
  • Panic attack
  • Anxiety
  • Clinical depression
  • Somatization disorder
  • Hypochondria
• Others
  • Hyperventilation syndrome often presents with chest pain and a tingling sensation of the fingertips and around the mouth
  • Da costa's syndrome
  • Bornholm disease - a viral disease that can mimic many other conditions
  • Precordial catch syndrome - another benign and harmless form of a sharp, localised chest pain often mistaken for heart disease
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Lead Poisoning
  • High abdominal pain may also mimick chest pain.

Chest Pain Treatment at Home:

Heart Attack
If you suspect that you or someone you are with may be having a heart attack, call 911 for emergency services or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.

• While waiting for the ambulance, have the patient chew two baby aspirin or at least half of a regular aspirin - at least 160 mg. There is no evidence that taking more than this helps more, and the patient could have unwanted side effects if they take too much.
  
• It is important to chew the aspirin before swallowing it because chewing decreases the time the medicine takes to have an effect.
  
• Chewing an aspirin in the early stages of a heart attack may reduce the risk of death and it may also reduce the severity of the attack.

Angina
If the patient has had angina and has nitroglycerin tablets available, have the patient place one under the tongue. This may aid in increasing blood flow to blocked or narrowed arteries.

• If the chest pain continues in the next five minutes, take another tablet under the tongue.
  
• If, after three nitroglycerin tablets, the patient does not have relief of the chest pain, immediately call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Esophagus
If the pain is from acid reflux (GERD), it may be relieved with antacids. Even if the patient's pain goes away after taking an antacid, do not assume they are not having a heart attack. The patient should still be evaluated in a hospital emergency department.

Prevention
Prevention is always better than cure.

• Don't smoke.
  
• Maintain a healthy weight.
  
• Eat nutritious, low-fat foods in moderate quantities.
  
• If you drink alcohol, use alcohol moderately.
  
• Engage in physical activity or exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.
  
• Control high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
  
• If you have diabetes, control your blood sugar every day.

For Acid reflux (GERD) can be prevented to a certain extent in most people:

• Avoid foods and other substances that bring on or worsen symptoms, especially fatty foods
  
• Stop smoking
  
• Use alcohol in moderation, if at all
  
• Avoid eating large meals
  
• Avoid eating for three hours before bedtime
  
• Avoid lying down right after eating
  
• Elevate the head of your bed

More information on chest pain causes and symptoms.

Recommended eBooks:

Stop Heartburn Fast!
Heart Attack Survivor: a field Guide
Panic or Anxiety Attack: Treatment and Symptoms
Panic Away Official Site -Treat Panic Attacks and Anxiety
Your Heart Needs the Mediterranean Diet - Emilia Klapp
Cholesterol and the French Paradox
Stop Smoking! Quit Smoking Forever With Quit Smoking Success Plan

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Uncover The Truth About Coconut Oil Versus Olive Oil

by Dr. Hotze

As a mother of 1 child and having a husband with a heart problem and diabetes, all i wanted is the best for them especially in terms of food. My sister-in-law will always tells me to be careful with foods with coconut milk because it is high in cholesterol and that when ever possible use olive oil or at least use it when frying for my husband's food.

When i was still single it never occurred to me or heard from my folks about the bad side of coconut milk on your health. Recalling from the past, our great, great people are mainly using coconut milk and oil whether cooking, shampoo or apply on their skin as lotion.

So, to make my confusion clear, i decided to research online on the above mentioned oils and i chose the article of Dr. Hotze. Here it is:

For the past few years, there has been a lot of media attention placed on the great health benefits of the Mediterranean diet with olive oil. During that same period, a lot of negative attention was placed on coconut oil stating that it is unsuitable in a healthy diet.

Coconut oil comes from pressing the flesh of the coconut, yielding a fresh coconut milk emulsion that is approximately 40% oil. Coconut oil received negative attention because it is one of the few vegetable oils that are saturated. A large majority of nutritionists and doctors advise that saturated fats raise cholesterol levels and therefore should be avoided.

Olive oil comes from pressing tree ripened olives. It has a distinctive fruity, olive flavour and comes in various levels of purity. Olive oil is a monounsaturated fat.

There have been studies showing the positive heart health benefits of olive oil. Typically, coconut oil has been taken to task as having an unhealthy impact on the heart. However, one study contradicts this theory. When coconut oil was fed as 7% of the energy to patients recovering from heart attacks, the patients had greater improvement compared to the untreated controls.-1 In addition, populations that consume coconut oil regularly versus other oils have lower rates of heart disease:

“Coconut oil is a saturated fat that is of the medium-chain fatty acid variety. Thus making it actually GOOD for YOU. Medium chained fatty acids are absorbed directly for quick energy, and contribute to the health of the immune system. They are not stored in the bodies cells, therefore, are not stored as fat. Coconut oil actually speeds up the body’s metabolism, making it an excellent partner in weight loss.” (Vibrant Healthy Living Now!)

Some researchers postulate that coconut oil may be one of the most useful oils to prevent heart disease because of its antiviral and antimicrobial characteristics.-2 It has also become a favorite among athletes and those serious about fitness:

“One health benefit of coconut oil that many health buffs and fitness enthusiasts wish to reap from its use is that it promotes faster metabolism of the human body. This means faster burning of body fats.” (From Organic Coconut Oil)

Both olive oil and coconut oil are great choices for your cooking needs. They can provide distinctive health benefits and coconut oil may not be the terrible oil it was once thought to be.

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