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December 8, 2011

Is the Muffin Test a Reliable Alternative to the Oral Glucose Test for Diabetes?

A recent October 2011 study tested how effective a muffin diabetic test was for the purpose of diagnosing diabetes. Normally a patient exhibiting diabetic symptoms will do an oral glucose tolerance test to see if they actually have the disease. This test includes a person fasting overnight and then drinking a sugary glucose substance the following morning, and then a doctor monitors the patient’s blood glucose levels to see how their body reacts to increases in blood glucose levels. However, patients, particularly women, do not like this test – they find the oral glucose taste unbearable. From this study, researchers suggest that there is an appropriate alternative to this sugary glucose mixture – the muffin. The muffin is a deceptive breakfast choice – it probably contains too much sugar to be labeled as a healthy breakfast option. Moreover, as Dr. Michael Traubb, the doctor heading this study at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, indicates “a muffin more closely resembles what someone really eats – it may provide just a more adequate test.” For, it is

Nonetheless, there are many medical critics of this study. While they agree that muffins are “probably more convenient,” they take issue with the obvious – muffins vary greatly, while the glucose mixture used for the oral glucose tolerance test is standardized.

However, the findings from this study seem to prove that the muffin test for diabetes is just as accurate as the oral glucose tolerance test. Perhaps the muffin test should be used as a complement to the oral glucose test instead of a replacement. Do you think a muffin is an appropriate substitute for the oral glucose test?

The muffin test was administered to a group of twelve women, of which two of those women were diagnosed with diabetes. Those same women then received the oral glucose test. One of the two women ‘diagnosed’ via the muffin test was also diagnosed via the oral glucose test.

Advocates of the test deem that the muffin test is cheaper, and it doesn’t give women stomach problems; stomach side effects are normally a problem with the oral glucose test. Thus, it will be interesting to see whether this test gains popularity in future years as a reliable test for diabetic symptoms.

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November 16, 2011

Pesticides and Prenatal Development

Filed under: toxins — Tags: organic pesticides, pesticide, pesticides — jmullen @ 11:21 pm

Three new medical studies from April 2011 reached a similar conclusion: common plant and household pesticides have adverse effects on a prenatal’s future cognitive development. The studies tested different types of pesticides, including organophosphate (OP) pesticide, otherwise known as organic pesticide, which is utilized on fruits and vegetable, and chlorpyrifos (CPF), which is a popular pesticide used to kill insects and other pests. Nonetheless, not all insect pesticides pose a threat to a prenatal’s future development. For example, DEET, a popular insect and mosquito repellent pesticide, doesn’t seem to have any adverse effects on prenatal health, at least when applied in the doctor recommended small quantities.

How did the studies measure prenatal exposure to pesticides?

The researchers took urine and blood samples from mothers in their third trimester to analyze increases and decreases, caused by the presence of either OP or CPF, of certain metabolite levels.

How pesticides effect prenatal development:

The studies reached the following conclusions about how OP and CPF adversely affects a prenatal ‘s future cognitive development:

Exposing a prenatal to OP risks a decrease in mental development at 12 months. Additionally, prenatal who are exposed to organic pesticides exhibit decreased perceptual reasoning.
Prenatal exposure to CPF results in an average IQ deficit of 7.0 points, as well as a memory deficit, when compared to their ‘unexposed’ seven year old counterparts.
Of course, overexposure to pesticides have been linked to childhood cancers, especially leukemia.
It is important to note that doctors have widely recognized for some time how vulnerable prenatals and babies are to pesticides and chemicals. For example, doctors discovered in 2010 that premature infant inflammation was caused by phthalates, which are chemicals found in plastic.

Conclusions:

While clinical doctors warn against taking any study’s findings as absolute, when three studies arrive at the same result, the discovery can not be ignored. As such, the researchers caution against CPF’s continued usage for agricultural purposes, particularly when pregnant women are at risk of exposure. Moreover, a pregnant woman must take the necessary precautions to avoid both OP and CPF, in order to ensure the future healthy mental development of her child.

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November 15, 2011

How Drinking Water May Lower High Blood Pressure

Filed under: glucose,healthy diet — Tags: lower high blood sugar, signs of low blood sugar, what causes high blood sugar, what is high blood sugar — mjones @ 7:27 pm

What is High Blood Pressure?

Hyperglycemia is what is otherwise known as high blood sugar. Hyperglycemia symptoms can be fully asymptomatic—blood glucose levels can rise well above normal for significant periods without producing any permanent effects or symptoms. Chronic hyperglycemia, however, is what is most commonly referred to as type 2 diabetes.

What are the Causes of High Blood Sugar?

Dr. Lise Bankir is in search of a possible cause and effect relationship between water intake, and blood sugar levels. Bankir and her team of researchers at the French National Institute, INSERM, have not yet found a direct biological cause-and-effect relationship; they have, however, found a correlation.

According to the researchers, a hormone called vasopressin—an antidiuretic which helps regulate water retention in the body—may be the missing link. When we are dehydrated, vasopressin levels go up, causing the kidneys to conserve water, but research shows that higher vasopressin levels may also cause elevated blood sugar. Vasopressin receptors in the liver are responsible for producing glucose (sugar) in the body; one study found that injecting healthy people with vasopressin caused temporary hyperglycemia.

Bankir’s findings are based on 3,615 French adults who were between the ages of 30 and 65, and had normal blood sugar levels at the onset. About 19 percent said they drank less than half a liter (17 ounces) of water each day, while the rest drank up to a liter or more. Over the next nine years nearly 565 participants developed abnormally high blood sugar, and 202 developed type-2 diabetes. The individuals who drank 17 ounces of water a day or more showed a 28 percent less likely chance of developing high blood sugar than those who drank less than that.

There is the possibility of people simply reaching for sugary or alcoholic drinks over water when thirsty, which could lead to weight gain and impaired blood sugar control. In response to this point, Bankir stressed that the study, while unable to take general eating habits into account, did account for for sugary and alcoholic drinks, as well as body weight, and exercise levels.

“Healthier behaviors correlating with higher water drinking could account for the observed association.” There was no strong statistical link between water intake and risk of developing diabetes, however.
Bankir is not discouraged; she cites further, larger studies as being needed. This study was “too small to get a significant result,” but a larger study may be able to detect a statistically significant link.

Your Blood Sugar Level

For humans, the mean normal blood sugar level in humans is about 80 to 110 mg/dl (milligrams/deciliter). The hormone insulin is normally responsible for keeping blood glucose levels in balance. Patients with type-2 diabetes are often insulin resistant, and because of such a resistance, may suffer from a relative insulin deficiency. Synthetic forms of insulin are administered into the body with an insulin injection pen.

Remedies for High Blood Sugar

It is important to stay within a healthy blood sugar range, as diabetes can develop at any point in life. Outside of the aforementioned proper water intake, here are some other methods on how to control blood sugar, or if needed, to lower blood sugar quickly.

• Self Test – If you test your blood sugar with a finger stick method, and find that it’s over say 200 or 250 mg/dl, then you know that you are high, whether or not you have actually developed thirst and frequent urination.
• Exercise – One of the easiest and most effective ways to keep blood sugar control (as well as the body in general) in-check. And it’s free.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – Studies have shown the benefits apple vinegar pills as contributing to lower blood sugar levels.
• Vitamins for Diabetics – Vitamins supply the body with the materials they need to operate correctly. One of the more potent vitamins for fighting high blood sugar is chromium.
• Cinnamon – Has been shown to reduce blood sugars, (although not as effectively in menopausal women.) Sprinkle a couple teaspoons on your apple sauce, yogurt, or take it in capsule form for superior blood sugar regulation.

The Future of High Blood Sugar

Hopefully Bankir is on the right track, and one day researchers will discover the link(s) between water intake and blood sugar; furthermore, how that in relationship contributes to diabetes.

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November 14, 2011

Beware of Illnesses in Your Swimming Pools

Filed under: illnesses — Tags: healthy living, illnesses in pool, protecting yourself, take care of wounds — Kcondon @ 10:46 pm

Many people swim to keep cool during the summer months. Outdoor swimming pools are more susceptible to contamination for a variety of reasons. Windblown debris and dirt can affect water quality, as can unsanitary water sources, like rain, that contain algae. Bird droppings can also find their way into the pool. These are less possible in indoor pools however, there is still a big chance of contamination due to the dirt and products people bring into the water. Swimmers contaminate the water with sweat, sun screen, cosmetics, saliva, urine, and fecal matter. Although swimming pools have a filtration system to eliminate dirt and debris, along with chlorine to kill any pathogens in the water, there is still a chance of contracting a recreational water illness. Here are a few things you can do to ensure you that you and other swimmers avoid contracting any water-related illnesses:

Don’t swim while ill with diarrhea. A person who is ill with diarrhea can contaminate the water with fecal matter. This causes pathogens to wander in the water, eventually contaminating swimmers.
Patients with Cryptosporidiosis should not swim for an additional week after the diarrhea has completely finished. Doctors recommend this because once you have diarrhea, you may still expel particles without your knowledge, which can contaminate the pool you are swimming in.
Don’t swallow the water. Pathogens that cause diarrhea illness in swimmers can be transferred through the mouth. We do not drink the water we bath in since it contains all the dirt from our bodies, so why would we drink our swimming water?
Keep your ears as dry as possible when you swim, and dry your ears after swimming. Most medical experts recommend that everyone, including children, use a bathing cap, ear plugs or a custom swimming mold to prevent water from entering the ears. You can eliminate water from your ears by pulling the earlobe in different directions while you are faced down. Medication should be used for people who contract an ear illness due to swimming. Contact your doctor to see what medication is right for you.
Don’t swim when you have open wounds. Open wounds are a great way for pathogens to enter your body, so a person with an open wound should wait until the wound is completely healed before they return to swimming. If you must swim, a great option to protect your wound is by using a waterproof bandage to cover the wound and protect it from infection.

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October 31, 2011

How to Treat Stretch Marks

Filed under: Stretch Marks — Tags: get rid of stretch marks, stretch mark cream, stretch mark removal cream, treating stretch marks — Kcondon @ 10:17 pm

Stretch marks occur in several stages of life and affect both men and women. Stretch marks are deep scars, or scar tissues, that appear as stripes on the surface of the skin. Stretch marks often appear on the stomach, legs, buttocks, breasts, back and virtually anywhere skin is. Stretch marks cause both physical and psychological damage. Stretch marks make people feel embarrassed and self conscious about themselves.

Stretch marks are caused by extreme stretching of the skin that cannot return to its original position and condition. This comes in the form of losing and gaining large amounts of weight. Stretch marks generally first appear during puberty when the body is going through a large and fast change. Bodybuilders who gain muscle too quickly get stretch marks. As women age, they become more susceptible to stretch marks as the skin loses elasticity. Unfortunately there is no known remedy to fully repair the damaged fibers that cause stretch marks and get rid of stretch marks. However, there are ways of treating stretch marks that can lighten and improve their look.

The first form of treatment is over the counter medication. Stretch mark removal creamsuch as Mederma and Cellex-C serum softens skin, minimizes scars and stimulates collagen and elastic production. By showing your stretch marks to your family doctor, you may be able to get a prescription stretch mark cream for more severe stretch marks. Exercise helps prevent stretch marks from developing further. Exercise reduces fat gain and allows the skin to expand naturally. Drink 6 to 8 cups of water to keep the skin hydrated, making the skin soft and supple. Hydrated skin can repair itself more easily than dry. A healthy diet high in vitamin A and C allows the skin to make collagen and elastin, to repair itself.

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July 21, 2011

You Might Not Want to Sit Down For This

Filed under: Healthy Eating — Tags: burns more calories, eating better, eating healthy food, regular exercise — Kcondon @ 9:13 pm

In today’s world we’re taught that doing almost anything will kill you or increase your chances of dying. There seems to be a new study released every week proving the ever increasing likelihood of death. With all this thrown at us, we tend to neglect much of what we hear because it is just too overwhelming. This new study about the effects of sitting, should not be neglected, because it’s results show that sitting down is killing us. You might want to stand for this.

To claim that sitting down for long periods of time, i.e. a normal shift at work, is killing us can’t be done without the proof. Kelly Golob DC, along with many other reputable researchers have published their studies with hard hitting statistics. Many of us spend about 8.3 hours sitting which is more than we sleep (7.7) each day. Our bodies are not designed for this type of lifestyle. The consequences include increased health risks and a general loss of the years in our lives.

The stats reveal that sitting for more than 6 hours a day would make you 40% more likely to die 15 years premature compared to a person who sits for less than three hours a day. If that blew your mind, hold on to something because this implies even with exercise. On average we spend 9.3 hours a day sedentary, 6.5 hours a day doing a low intensity physical activity (walking and standing), and 0.7 hours a day doing a medium to vigorous activity (running and sports).

As you know sitting makes us fat. Obese people only sit 2.5 hours a day more than thin people. Looking between 1980 and 2000 ,exercise rates stayed the same, sitting time increased by 8%, and obesity doubled. Now 1 in 3 Americans are obese. Did you know just chewing gum burns more calories than sitting or even standing?

When you sit your body goes into a meltdown. While sitting the activity in your legs shut down, the number of calories burning drop down to 1 calorie a minute and the enzymes that burn fat drop 90%. If you have been sitting for 2 hours then your good cholesterol drops 20%. People with sitting jobs are 2 times more likely to get cardiovascular disease than people with standing jobs. Time spent sitting in the office is inevitable for some but going home and sitting on that couch as you watch TV for 3 hours or more makes you 64% more likely to die from heart disease. If those stats haven’t increased your heart rate then this stat might. Each extra hour you watch TV means an 11% increase in death risk.

After hearing all this, you might become a little depressed or hopeless, especially if you’re a frequent sitter. Many times articles similar to this one are followed by “but it’s ok if you…” or a remedy, but this one isn’t, because sitting down for long periods of time is seriously killing us. Obviously you can’t just quit your job because that’s what pays the bills. This leaves only one realistic way to fight for your life. The obvious thing is exercising and eating better but you should be doing this already. Little things that will help save you a few more years is stretching, walking, and doing jumping jacks during your breaks after long periods of sitting. Sitting on a 135 degree angle on your chair burns more calories as well. So honestly if you’re stuck with that 8 hour sitting work day, all you can do is sit less out of the office, take exercise breaks, and of course eat healthy food and put effort and time into regular exercise.

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June 27, 2011

Know Your Enemy: The Common Cold

Filed under: common cold — Tags: common cold, cough suppressants, nasal decongestant sprays, sinus cavity — Kcondon @ 7:12 pm

Naturally humans are vulnerable to illnesses, due to their biological structure. The common cold is the most common illness to humans, having been around since the time of man. The cold is medically referred to as upper respiratory viral infection. There are more than 200 different self-limited contagious viruses that cause the common cold. With so many viruses out there the human body can never build up a permanent resistance.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) stated that children have about six to ten common colds per year while adults have an average of three. The viruses that carry the cold are very versatile and persistent. One way that colds are spread from human to human is through tiny droplets of mucus in the air that are breathed in which resonate from the nasal passages of infected humans. Another is by the virus being transferred from a surface onto the human’s mouth, nose, or eyes. The first three days of infection are when the infected person is most contagious, having the highest concentration of cold virus in their sinus cavity.

The effects of the cold virus range depending on the severity of the virus and the immune system of the host. A cold can ruin a person’s day to a couple of weeks. Viruses can even lead to complications in the immune system and even mutate and worsen if not treated efficiently. The symptoms include nasal decongestion or drainage, sore throat, sneezing, coughing, light fever, headache, body aches and fatigue. The effects of the mucus first begin with clear nasal discharge, then progress into a yellowish or greenish color. The immune system weakens and then begins to build immunity to that particular virus.

The matters remaining are the prevention and termination of the common cold. The single best way is to keep your hands and household germ free. Keeping a bottle of hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) to use when water is not available to wash ones hands before eating or touching ones face is a great way to destroy viruses. Also covering ones mouth and using disposable wipes will prevent the wide spread of the virus. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is critical in having a strong immune system which includes good nutrition, sleep, and physical exercise. Stress can easily put one’s body out of homeostasis. Controlling one’s mind and body is vital in preventing and fighting a cold off. Sometimes additional help is needed to fend off a virus. This support generally comes as a medication of some sort. During the hardships of a common cold people tend to take nutrients and vitamins. Some natural medications strengthen the immune system like vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Every year, millions of people use over-the-counter products to terminate the common cold. The most effective over-the-counter medication for pain relief is Aspirin, Tylenol, and Advil. The best antitussives, also known as cough suppressants, are Claritin and Allegra. Some prefer nasal decongestant sprays like Sudafed and Dristan. There are several other medication options available with differing effects but one thing remains the same, they cannot work magic. To overcome a cold you must be patient and get plenty of rest.

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May 16, 2011

Say No to Alternative Methods of Asthma Relief

Filed under: Asthma — Tags: Asthma, asthma relief — Paul @ 6:56 pm

For the past eight years, the University of Montréal has been taking information from 2,000 families about methods of treating children with asthma. This study shows that 13% of parents use alternative therapies such as dietary supplements, acupuncture, and homeopathy, to help reduce children’s asthma and think that these alternative methods of asthma relief are actually very helpful.

Alternative therapies have been used on children under the age of 6 which has actually resulted in negative effects for the child’s health. The children who used alternative treatments for asthma had a 50% greater chance of having an asthma attack that needed to be treated in the Emergency Room.

To prevent the risk of an asthma attack, it is best to speak to your doctor or find out what may trigger your asthma from occurring; whether it is an allergen or physical activity. Asthma is treated in two ways; long term control and quick relief. It is best to find both long term control and a quick relief for the moments you need a rescue. Long term medication such as pills, will help reduce inflammation and quick relief will help control symptoms that flare up unexpectedly.

Furthermore, there have been no studies to prove that alternative therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic medicine, or herbal therapy help reduce asthma symptoms. Before trying any methods to help relieve your child of their asthma symptoms, consult a doctor or pharmacist on information on asthma and what you can do to help your child. Pharmacists at DoctorSolve.com are also available to help if you require asthma medication or if you have any questions about what you can do to treat asthma.

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April 12, 2011

Rise in the Price of Prescription Drugs

Filed under: healthcare,medication — Janine @ 12:33 am

Price of Prescription Drugs According to the investment bank Barclays Capital, there will be a rise of 6-9% on brand name drugs. Barclays Capital analyzed the prices of 130 top selling drugs. According to the study, Benicar, a blood pressure pill, had the biggest jump in price by 29.3%. In addition, Lipitor rose by 12.4% and Plavix rose by 13.2%.

This increase in prices reflects the industry’s efforts to work against the efforts of government and commercial health plans to control costs on medications as well as to make up revenue on brand drugs that will soon be losing their patent protection.

Typically, health plans negotiate rebates to lower their cost. Rebates for private health plans average 14.3% on a brand drug. Over the past year, drug prices have negatively impacted revenue when rebates and discounts are considered. Drug companies are preparing for a fall in revenue as firms lose their exclusive rights to produce specific drugs due to patents expiring.

Between 2002 and 2009, drug prices have gone up an average of $58.96 per prescription while rebates for private health plans went up by $12.57. In 2008, about $7,681 was spent by US health care per resident. In the US, prescription drugs have about $300 billion in yearly sales and prices are still rising! Brand name drug prices are becoming more expensive than any other medical goods or services.

Top selling drug firms are preparing to compete against generic drugs when their patent ends. When the patent ends, it is eligible to become a generic so a company can sell discount prescription drugs. A generic drug contains the exact same ingredients, has the same dosage, and has the same side effects; the only differences are that the generic version will look different and is much cheaper! For example, you could choose to buy Tylenol, when it’s generic, acetaminophen, is actually more affordable.

Another way Americans are saving money is by buying drugs online from Canada. Drugs from Canada are 35-55% cheaper than in the US. Buying drugs such as Lipitor online from an online pharmacy is much more affordable than buying prescription drugs from a local US pharmacy.

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March 31, 2011

Battle against Microscopic Dust Mites

Filed under: allergy control products — Janine @ 9:29 pm

Dust Mites About 10% of the world’s human population is locked in a forever long battle with tiny critters about 0.3 millimetres in length. To some, the word dust mite is a horror story. The effects that result from this eternal struggle are coughing, respiratory problems, wheezing, runny nose , sneezing, decongestion in the sinuses, hives, inflammation of the skin, itching of the nose, eyes, throat, or skin, redness in the eyes, and tearing eyes.

The battle fields can essentially be anywhere. They can even be right under your nose, literally. Dust mites most commonly reside in carpets, fabrics, around the house and even on your body. Optimal environments for dust mites are areas in a calm environment, like ones house, that is humid and has dust mite food. Examples of this are human dead skin cells and dried semen. The fight against the allergic effects of the dust mite might seem daunting and hopeless for the people who are allergic to them. The truth is there are ways to combat dust mites. Minimizing the existence of dust mites in the bedroom is the best path to relief.

The most effective ways of defeating dust mites are: using dust proof covers, having wood floors, washing cloths and blankets in warm water, vacuuming often, keeping the closet door shut, keeping a humidity of 40-50% and avoiding heavy curtains and blinds. The most important thing to do is clean your house often. In many cases, depending on the severity of the allergy, medication is necessary. The medication that will provide the best relief and end the nightmares of the symptoms of dust mites are Accolate, Zyrtec, Allegra, Atarax, Benadryl, Claritin, nasal sprays and any sinus decongestants. With the proper prescribed medication and the aforementioned steps to reduce dust mite count, one is on the path to allergy relief against dust mites.

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