Health

The H1N1 flu virus is a relatively new flu that has affected people worldwide and caused many deaths in certain groups of the population. It is a new influenza virus that made its untimely and dreaded debut in 2009. This type of flu is not limited to any one area of the country or world and has become a global threat to many people’s health. It is common name is the “swine flu” because after scientific study, it was originally found that some of the genes in this particular type of influenza were the same flu genes found in some pigs in North America.

However, the newest strain of the H1N1 flu that has hit the global population so hard beginning in 2009 is a different strain and genes have been found that relate more to pigs and birds found in Asia and Europe. The illness is rather highly contagious and seems to be contracted more by young people of college age than the elderly even though very young children and the elderly are at very high risk if they do contract it.

The symptoms include some typical flu symptoms such as vomiting, fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches and more. H1N1 symptoms can also include serious respiratory problems without fever which can make it very deadly for some. The symptoms are much more likely to be harsher and more serious than the more traditional flu viruses that have commonly be around for years. Symptoms can be moderate to severe and it’s hard to know how serious this flu will become when it is contracted. That’s why it is important to get to a doctor as soon as a person believes he or she may have the illness.

A new vaccine has been developed that may help to lower the risks of contraction of the disease. There are many public places to receive the H1N1 vaccine such as pharmacies or your local Fire Department. Also, you can receive the vaccine at your doctor’s office. It is assumed that those who have had this particular flu strain will build up the necessary antibodies naturally so that they will not repeat the illness if exposed. Also, those who have the vaccine are expected to be able to avoid contraction from the H1N1 flu. For further information about the H1N1 flu and how to avoid contracting it, be sure to check with your healthcare professional.

Vitamin B-12 is a water soluble vitamin which helps maintain healthy nerves cells and red blood cells. It functions as a methyl donor and works with folic acid in the synthesis of DNA and red blood cells and is vitally important in maintaining the health of the insulation sheath that surrounds nerve cells. Vitamin B-12 is also called Cobalamin as it contains the metal cobalt. During digestion hydrochloric acid in our stomach releases B-12 from proteins in foods. This vitamin B12 then combines with a substance called gastric intrinsic factor (IF). This complex can then be absorbed by the intestinal tract.

Deficiency:

Though Vitamin B-12 is water-soluble it does not get excreted quickly in the urine, but rather accumulates and gets stored in the liver, kidney and other body tissues. Thus its deficiency may not manifest itself until after 5 or 6 years of a diet supplying inadequate amounts. The most common vitamin B-12 deficiency disease is pernicious anemia characterized by large, immature red blood cells. You may suffer from underlying stomach or intestinal disorder that limits the absorption of vitamin B-12.It is seen that many patients exhibiting symptoms of Alzheimer’s actually suffer from Vitamin B-12 deficiency. Deficiency of vitamin B12 has also been associated with.

Common signs and symptoms associated with Vitamin B-12 deficiency include:

o Anemia, fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, and weight loss

o Neurological problems such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet

o Difficulty in maintaining balance

o Depression, confusion, dementia, poor memory

o Soreness of the mouth or tongue

o Asthma, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, tinnitus, diabetic neuropathy and low sperm counts

o In infants it will lead to movement disorders, delayed development, and megaloblastic anemia

Anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency can be treated by taking folic acid but it cannot correct the nerve damage also caused by B12 deficiency. Permanent nerve damage can occur if vitamin B12 deficiency is not treated.
Amount required:

The amount of vitamin B-12 required by our body is about 2 micrograms or 2 millionth of a gram/day. Larger amounts of this vitamin has to be supplied through diet or supplementation as it does not get absorbed very well. Vegetarians have to be careful as vegetables and fruits do not provide sufficient vitamin B-12. It has been recorded that mainly strict, long-term vegetarians suffer from its deficiency. The production of the intrinsic factor required to absorb the vitamin from the small intestine also starts to decline rapidly with age. The richest dietary sources of vitamin B12 are liver, especially lamb’s liver, and kidneys. Eggs, cheese and some species of fish also supply small amounts.

Supplementation:

Oral supplementation with vitamin B12 can be taken which is safe, efficient and not very expensive. If you take a B12 supplement containing ten micrograms or more everyday, it will be the same as consuming one microgram on three occasions through the day. 2000 micrograms of B12 consumed once a week would also provide an adequate intake. These B12 supplement tablet should be chewed or allowed to dissolve in the mouth to enhance absorption. You should not exceed more than what is required for maximum benefit.

It is best that you consult with your physician how much Vitamin B-12 you should consume as he can examine your body and tell you the dosage according to your body requirements.

Mention the word diabetes and the vast majority of people will assume that you are talking about either type 1 diabetes, which affects about 10% of diabetes sufferers, or type 2 diabetes, which is the most commonly seen form of the disease and is currently growing alarmingly. But did you know that there is a third type of diabetes which has no connection whatsoever with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, apart from sharing the name diabetes.

Diabetes, whether type 1 or type 2, is a condition in which the body is unable to process sugar satisfactorily and, for this reason, it is sometimes known as sugar diabetes. By contrast, diabetes insipidus, is a condition in which the body is unable to process water correctly and, accordingly, it is sometimes known water diabetes.

Diabetes insipidus is characterized by an unusually high intake of fluid, high output of urine and, in some cases, an excessive thirst. The symptoms of diabetes insipidus include the frequent need to urinate, awakening at night to urinate or involuntary urination while sleeping. Also, the volume of urine output increases because the body is unable to concentrate it and it is usually very pale in color or colorless in appearance.

There are four types of diabetes insipidus:

Neurogenic Diabetes Insipidus

Neurogenic diabetes insipidus (also commonly referred to as pituitary diabetes insipidus) is caused by a lack of the hormone vasopressin, which is produced by the pituitary gland and is needed in order for the kidneys to function properly and to concentrate urine.

Gestagenic Diabetes Insipidus

Gestagenic diabetes insipidus (also known as gestational diabetes insipidus) occurs during pregnancy and is often the result of destruction of vasopressin within the placenta.

Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus occurs when, in spite of the normal production of vasopressin, the kidneys still fail to properly concentrate urine. This form of diabetes insipidus can be inherited and can also be the result of kidney disease and taking certain types of drug.

Dipsogenic Diabetes Insipidus

Dipsogenic diabetes insipidus is a type of primary polydipsia in which an excessive fluid intake suppresses the effects of the hormone vasopressin. This is usually caused by an abnormality in the part of the brain that regulates thirst. Dipsogenic diabetes insipidus is easily confused with neurogenic diabetes insipidus and the only way to identify which form of the disease you are looking at is to measure the body’s production of vasopressin.

There is also a second type of primary polydipsia known as psychogenic polydipsia which, as its name would suggest, has a variety of psychosomatic causes.

Despite the fact that there is some similarity in the symptoms of diabetes and diabetes insipidus it seems strange, and more than a little confusing, that the medical profession should have decided to give these two quite different conditions the same name.

Imagine one white sheep among hoards of black ones and chances are that you would immediately think of your 100 grey strands among a million black ones. Hair that prematurely turns grey is an embarrassment for many and a nagging problem for the youth of today.

Although with age, hair tends to turn grey, but graying at an early age that is, prematurely, is totally demotivating and discomforting causing a young person to look much older than he/she actually is.

But what actually is the reason for our hair turning grey? “Well, there is no one reason”, says, Dr Anjali Dange, dermatologist and hair transplant surgeon, “it’s a culmination of various factors that lead to graying of hair among youngsters between 20 and 35 years and among children who are as young as seven years”. “In fact”, quips Dr Dange, “one in every five adults in their 20′s suffer from grey hair”.

A grey hair strand means that the cells in hair follicles cease to produce the pigment that gives hair its color. “And once the production of grey hair in hair follicles starts, there is no way it can go back to produce the natural hair colour” says Dr Dange

So what exactly causes our hair to turn grey?

The reasons for hair turning grey range from hereditary or genetic factors, wherein grey hair are passed down to the next generation to an unhealthy and incomplete diet that lacks essential nutrients like copper, iodine, iron, vitamin B12. Stress and anxiety also contribute significantly towards premature graying of hair.

Besides, other important causes are:

Chronic cold
Not washing hair regularly thereby inviting dandruff
Using electric dryers and concentrated hair dyes
Chronic constipation, anemia, and thyroid problems
Hormonal imbalance
Illness and infectious diseases
Chemotherapy and radiation
Hair also tends to turn grey due to constant exposure to the sun or wind, as it can lead to hair follicles turning weak and brittle, thereby reducing their pigment producing capacity.

“However”, says, Dr Dange, “there is no sure shot treatment by which you can get rid of grey hair totally. Once the pigment is lost, it cannot come back. Thus the only alternative we now have is to hide our silver locks by colouring them with dyes or henna (mehendi)”.Hence, now the challenge lies in how you maintain the lusciousness of your hair, despite the use of chemicals present in the dyes.

The same opinion is shared by ayurvedic practitioner, Vrushali Kalap when she says, “in ayurveda too, there is no way to prevent or cure premature graying of hair, as it happens due to pitta dosha, however, we can control the frequency with which our hair turns grey.” She recommends breaking Vitamin E tablets and mixing the powder in coconut oil and then applying it on the scalp as a treatment against grey hair.

However, certain home remedies that prevent greying of hair need to be followed in order to control the frequency with which our hair turns grey:

Best remedies:

Do not constantly keep changing shampoos.
Apply oil at least twice a week. This will nourish your hair follicles and will make them stronger.
Limit your intake of coffee, alcohol, fried and oily foods as these can play havoc with the nourishment of hair and its moisture content resulting in premature greying.
Gooseberry (Amla) can promote hair growth and can bring natural darkness to your hair. Dried amla pieces, should be boiled in coconut oil till the solid matter becomes like charred dust. This darkish oil is very useful against premature greying.

The season of the flu has arrived. Seasonal flu can make you miserable and wish you were dead. To the elderly or infirmed, it can cause death. There are many categories of people who need to get the flu shot. Health care workers. Anyone over 50 years of age. Children between 6 months and 5 years of age. Pregnant women. Anyone residing in a nursing home or long-term care facility. Children on long-term aspirin therapy from age 6 months to 18 years. Children and adults with chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease or other health problems. Immuno-compromised people on chemotherapy or people with HIV. Anyone with lung problems or compromised breathing. Anyone who lives or works with individuals with chronic health conditions listed above.

The flu vaccine is not going to prevent everyone from getting the flu, but it will prevent or reduce most complications from the flu. Flu patients can lose significant time from work and often are bed-ridden for days. The vaccine does not have live virus in it so that you are not getting the flu. Needle phobia is probably a big reason why some people don’t get the flu vaccine. There is vaccine in the form of a nasal mist which has been shown to reduce the chances of getting the flu by 92%. Do not get the flu vaccine 1. If you are allergic to eggs. 2. If you have had Guillain-Barre syndrome in the six weeks following a previous flu shot. 3. If you have had a previous reaction to the flu shot.

Flu shots are available through doctor’s offices, health clinics, pharmacies, and even through places of employment. Many health insurance companies pay for the flu shot and so do Medicare and Medicaid. Some places offer it free as a community service. October is the month to start thinking about the flu.

Are you looking for help with kidney stones? Specifically, calcium kidney stones? Many patients with this common disease have a difficult time passing them if the stones are bigger than 5 mm.

In this article, you will learn a few natural remedies that work specifically to dissolve and pass calcium stones. So if ‘drinking plenty of water’ is not working, you may want to try these simple home treatment tips.

Natural Remedies Dissolve Calcium

Did you know that about 90% of all stones in your kidneys are composed of calcium? I tell you this because calcium is an extremely brittle mineral that can actually be dissolved by a variety of acids.

Many people scoff at a remedy that uses acids to dissolve the calcium compounds. The reason why such a remedy works is because the liver, which filters out the junk the body takes in, does not filter acids. Therefore, acids can make their way to the kidneys to begin their work on dissolving the kidney stones.

Though this may sound ‘too good to be true’; it does actually work! Thousands of people with 5 mm kidney stones are bigger will try these remedies each week and find success. Here are a couple remedies you should try today.

Tips to Help with Kidney Stones

1. Continue to drink water! I am sure you have been drinking plenty of water since your doctor recommended it weeks ago but continue to do so. Research has found that distilled water with no minerals is probably your best option because it will not add to the composition of the stones. You should also aim to drink at least 100 ounces daily through the whole day.

2. Vitamin C is also a great remedy that does not get talked about. Vitamin C is actually an acid called ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is found in numerous vegetables and fruits. Supplementing about 2000 mg daily is adequate. The better option is to eat at least 5 vegetable servings daily and 2 fruit servings. Not only do fruits and vegetables have ascorbic acid to dissolve the calcium deposits, they also have fiber to flush the stones once they are partially dissolved.

3. Supplementing phosphoric acid regularly has also helped thousands of patients too! Phosphoric acid is an interesting acid because it is used in many of the beverages we drink plus it is also found in cleaning supplies. This acid is harmless to the human body but has been shown to dissolve calcium build-up. Dissolving calcium build-up is why many cleaning suppliers add this acid to their cleaning products.

Because phosphoric acid can be found in common beverages we drink everyday, it makes the perfect remedy. The only shortfall to using phosphoric acid is that you must drink 2 liters of this acidic beverage.

Renal diabetes occurs due to a low-sugar level in the kidneys. A patient with renal diabetes has normal blood glucose levels, but the kidney fails to reabsorb the normal amount of glucose back into the blood. The excess glucose is excreted into the blood stream. Renal diabetic cookbooks provide recipes that cater to the specific nutritional needs of these patients.

A renal diabetic cookbook contains a wealth of nutritional information for renal diabetics. Exchange values and nutrient content are provided for each recipe. Most diabetics complain about the lack of variety in their menus. Renal diabetic cookbooks help solve this problem by providing a wide variety of recipes ranging from stuffed, baked, steamed, fried, barbequed and microwave food.

In general, the recipes in a renal diabetic cookbook are high in fiber and low in cholesterol, salt, sugar and saturated fat. These books also include dietary and cooking style tips that are helpful for patients. Some of these books have sections on planning special meals such as canning and freezing food, and some include the latest food exchange lists from the American Dietetic Association and American Diabetes Association. The recipes in a renal diabetic cookbook list the nutritional values of various dishes. This is of great help for a patient who must manage intake of calories in accordance with the prescribed dietary chart.

Authors of renal diabetic cookbooks research extensively before presenting innovative recipes for dishes that are typically not allowed for a diabetic. For instance, some cookbooks contain recipes for delicious desserts such as cakes, cookies, bars, pies, pastries and puddings. The ingredients and preparation style in all these dishes are suitably modified to fit a diabetic?s needs.

Most diabetic cookbooks include a section that deals with a listing of calories, carbohydrate, protein, fat, sodium, potassium and cholesterol that is contained in each dish. Renal diabetics understand the importance of controlling phosphorus. Most renal diabetes cookbook authors keep this in mind when developing recipes.

The B complex vitamins are just a few of the essential nutrients your body needs everyday to be as healthy as it can be.

While all these nutrients are important, the B vitamins are nearer to the top of the priority list because they are the ones that help in blood building and energy. One B vitamin has particular influence on the blood. What is another name for folic acid? The vitamin that is influential in blood building? It’s Vitamin B9.

Folic acid, also the Vitamin B9, is responsible for helping in the production of red and white blood cells. The healthy manufacturing of these cells is required for a number of organ functions.

For these organs to be able to attend to normal function, they are going to need a constant supple of nutrients and oxygen, two of the very things that blood cells are responsible for delivering.

What happens when these blood cells are compromised? The biggest condition that occurs in this case is anemia. Anemia can arise in different levels, the worst being megaloblastic anemia in which the bone marrow red blood cells are in depletion. The lack of B12 is apparently the root cause.

When this happens, you begin to experience a high level weakness and fatigue. Making sure to include vitamin B9 and B12 into your daily dietary intake is one of the most important thing s you can do to prevent this kind of medical condition. These two complex B vitamins should always be coupled together.

The surest way to get folic acid and B12 is through a multivitamin supplement. You can get them in your food, but the supplies are going to be low due to loss of nutrients in food during cooking.

Scientists have also found that nutritional levels in food have been severely depleted because of farming practices using fertilizers, herbicides and other chemicals.

The best kind of multivitamin supplement also need to be the one that is formed following strict GMP guidelines. In this way, you can be assured you are actually getting benefit from the supplement’s ingredients.

You should also look for a few additional ingredients in your choice of multivitamin supplement. Natural ingredients that are in the form of herbal extracts should be some that you have in your supplement due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties some of these herbs carry.

Such herbal extracts are of the herbs bacopa, alfalfa, olive leaf, myrrh, and ginger. Making sure to take these in a multivitamin supplement is going to be the best way you can receive maximum health benefits.

What is another name for folic acid? Aside from being known as a folate and B9, it is also one of the greatest nutrients your blood needs to be healthy.

We must know what normal blood glucose levels are. After Fasting (may be diabetic patient’s sugar level after not eating for 8 hours) blood sugar should be between 70 milligrams per deciliter to 100 mg/dl. Your blood sugar should not be above 100 mg/dl at any given time; if it goes, then this suggests a pre-diabetes condition. And a level of 100 to 199 suggests pre-diabetes. The Glucose levels over 200 suggest that you have diabetes.

You can maintain normal glucose levels even as a diabetic. There are several steps that are lowering diabetic patient’s blood glucose. Following are some of them.

Start lowering diabetic patients’ carbohydrate intake this will help them to lower their body’s sugar. More carbohydrate makes more sugar if you are diabetic patient, carbohydrate must be your very distant relative just take them very minimum as possible. If you cannot track the foods which you have to take then you cannot manage the normal sugar in your body. Find the diabetic diet plan by some advisors or you can even find them by Internet search. If a diabetic takes pre-calculated amount of carbohydrate, then this makes their insulin stay tuned as normal every day.

If you are a diabetic patient, stop taking snacks often and limit yourself with the three times food. Snacking habit makes your body’s glucose growing. Consult with professionals they can guide you.

Diabetic can observe other diabetic patients to keep track and maintain their own glucose levels in their body.

Psychological support must be needed to maintain normal blood glucose levels. Diabetic patients should not be panic from the sayings of some doctors like “Diabetics cannot be cured, but only maintained”. Don’t get fear hearing these kinds of words. They can easily maintain normal blood sugar levels.

Test your body’s sugar more frequently. May be checking once a day is helps you to maintain the glucose as normal.