"QUEEN’s CLINIC"

Sudden cardiac death introduction
Sudden cardiac death is an unexpected, sudden death caused by sudden cardiac arrest (loss of heart function). Causes and risk factors of sudden cardiac death include (not inclusive): abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), previous heart attack, coronary artery disease, smoking, high cholesterol, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation after a heart attack, congenital heart defects, history of fainting, and heart failure, obesity, diabetes, and drug abuse. Treatment of sudden cardiac arrest is an emergency, and action must be taken immediately.




Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a sudden, unexpected death caused by loss of heart function (sudden cardiac arrest). It is the largest cause of natural death in the U.S., causing about 325,000 adult deaths in the United States each year. SCD is responsible for half of all heart disease deaths.

SCD occurs most frequently in adults in their mid–30s to mid–40s, and affects men twice as often as it does women. SCD is rare in children, affecting only 1 to 2 per 100,000 children each year.

How is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Different from a Heart Attack?

Sudden cardiac arrest is not a heart attack (myocardial infarction) but can occur during a heart attack. Heart attacks occur when there is a blockage in one or more of the arteries to the heart, preventing the heart from receiving enough oxygen–rich blood. If the oxygen in the blood cannot reach the heart muscle, the heart becomes damaged.

In contrast, sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the electrical system to the heart malfunctions and suddenly becomes very irregular. The heart beats dangerously fast. The ventricles may flutter or quiver (ventricular fibrillation), and blood is not delivered to the body. In the first few minutes, the greatest concern is that blood flow to the brain will be reduced so drastically that a person will lose consciousness. Death follows unless emergency treatment is begun immediately.

Emergency treatment includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation. CPR is a manual technique using repetitive pressing to the chest and breathing into the person's airways that keeps enough oxygen and blood flowing to the brain until the normal heart rhythm is restored with an electric shock to the chest, a procedure called defibrillation. Emergency squads use portable defibrillators and frequently there are public access defibrillators (AEDs, ambulatory external defibrillators) in public locations that are intended to be available for use by citizens who observe cardiac arrest.


What are the Symptoms of Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

Some people may experience a racing heartbeat or they may feel dizzy, alerting them that a potentially dangerous heart rhythm problem has started. In over half of the cases, however, sudden cardiac arrest occurs without prior symptoms.

What Causes Sudden Cardiac Death?

Most sudden cardiac deaths are caused by abnormal heart rhythms called arrhythmias. The most common life–threatening arrhythmia is ventricular fibrillation, which is an erratic, disorganized firing of impulses from the ventricles (the heart's lower chambers). When this occurs, the heart is unable to pump blood and death will occur within minutes, if left untreated.


What are the Risk Factors of Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

There are many factors that can increase a person's risk of sudden cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death, including the following:

Previous heart attack with a large area of the heart damaged (75 percent of SCD cases are linked to a previous heart attack).


A person's risk of SCD is higher during the first six months after a heart attack.


Coronary artery disease (80 percent of SCD cases are linked with this disease).


Risk factors for coronary artery disease include smoking, family history of cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol.
Other risk factors include:

Ejection fraction of less than 40 percent, combined with ventricular tachycardia.


Prior episode of sudden cardiac arrest.


Family history of sudden cardiac arrest or SCD.


Personal or family history of certain abnormal heart rhythms, including long or short QT syndrome, Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome, extremely low heart rates, or heart block.


Ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation after a heart attack.


History of congenital heart defects or blood vessel abnormalities.


History of syncope (fainting episodes of unknown cause).


Heart failure: a condition in which the heart's pumping power is weaker than normal. Patients with heart failure are 6 to 9 times more likely than the general population to experience ventricular arrhythmias that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest.


Dilated cardiomyopathy (cause of SCD in about 10 percent of the cases): a decrease in the heart's ability to pump


Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a thickened heart muscle that especially affects the ventricles.


Significant changes in blood levels of potassium and magnesium (from using diuretics, for example), even if there is not underlying heart disease.


Obesity.


Diabetes.


Recreational drug abuse.


Taking drugs that are "pro–arrhythmic" may increase the risk for life–threatening arrhythmias.

What is acne vulgaris?
Acne vulgaris, or acne, is a skin problem that starts when oil and dead skin cells clog up your pores. Some people call it blackheads, blemishes, whiteheads, pimples, or zits. When you have just a few red spots, or pimples, you have a mild form of acne. Severe acne can mean hundreds of pimples that can cover the face, neck, chest, and back. Or, it can be bigger, solid, red lumps that are painful (cysts).

Most young people get at least mild acne. It usually gets better after the teen years. But many adult women do have acne in the days before their menstrual periods.

How you feel about your acne may not be related to how bad it is. Some people with severe acne are not bothered by it. Others are embarrassed or upset even though they have only a few pimples.

The good news is that there are many good treatments that can help you get acne under control.

What causes acne?
Acne starts when oil and dead skin cells clog the skin's pores. If germs get into the pores, the result can be swelling, redness, and pus. See a picture of how pimples form.

For most people, acne starts during the teen years. This is because hormone changes make the skin more oily after puberty starts.

You do not get acne from eating chocolate or greasy foods. But you can make it worse by using oily skin products that clog your pores.

Acne can run in families. If one of your parents had severe acne, you are more likely to have it.

What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of acne include whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. These can occur on the face, neck, shoulders, back, or chest. Pimples that are large and deep are called cystic lesions. These can be painful if they get infected. They also can scar the skin.

How is acne treated?
To help control acne, keep your skin clean. Avoid skin products that clog your pores. Look for products that say "noncomedogenic" on the label. Wash your skin once or twice a day with a gentle soap or acne wash. Try not to scrub or pick at your pimples. This can make them worse and can cause scars.

If you have just a few pimples to treat, you can get an acne cream without a prescription. Look for one that has benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. These work best when used just the way the label says.

It can take time to get acne under control. Keep using the same treatment for 6 to 8 weeks. You may even notice that it gets worse before it gets better. If your skin is not better after 8 weeks, try another product.

If your pimples are really bothering you or are scarring your skin, see your doctor. A prescription gel or cream for your skin may be all you need. Your doctor may also order antibiotic pills. A mix of treatments may work best. If you are female, taking certain birth control pills may help.

If you have acne cysts, talk to your doctor about stronger medicine. Isotretinoin (such as Accutane) works very well, but it can cause birth defects. And using Accutane may be associated with depression. Let your doctor know if you have had depression before taking this medicine. And if you are female, you must protect against pregnancy by using two forms of birth control. Even one dose of this medicine can cause birth defects if a woman takes it while she is pregnant. You cannot take isotretinoin if you are breast-feeding.

What can be done about acne scars?
There are skin treatments that can help acne scars look better and feel smoother. Ask your doctor about them. The best treatment for you depends on how severe the scarring is. You can have scar tissue removed or have a shot of collagen. Collagen smoothes a pitted scar by plumping up the skin underneath. You may get the best results with a combination of treatments.

What is ringworm of the skin?
Ringworm is an infection caused by a fungus that grows on the skin. Fungal infections of the skin are more common in warm, humid climates. In the United States, 1 to 2 people in 10 have a fungal skin infection.1

The medical term for many fungal infections is “tinea,” followed by a word that describes where the infection occurs. For example, ringworm of the skin (except on the scalp, beard, groin, feet, or hands) is called tinea corporis. Tinea cruris, or "jock itch," affects the groin area. Ringworm of the hands is tinea manuum.

What causes ringworm?
Ringworm is caused by fungi (plural of fungus). It is not caused by a worm or other parasite. The fungi that cause ringworm live and multiply on the outer layer of the skin.

The type of fungus that most commonly causes ringworm of the skin spreads from one person to another. You can get it by sharing towels, clothing, or sports equipment or by having direct contact with an infected person’s rash.

Another type of fungus is spread by cats and dogs. It is less common but causes more severe infections.

What are the symptoms?
Ringworm of the skin usually causes a very itchy rash. The rash is made up of circular patches with raised, red edges. The edges may be peeling or scaly or have bumps that look like blisters. The rash spreads from these edges, often leaving the center clear. This ring-shaped pattern is why it is called "ringworm." But this pattern is not always seen.

Jock itch is much more common in men than in women. It starts in the skin folds of the groin area and may spread to the inner thighs or buttocks. It usually does not affect the scrotum or penis. The rash is typically red and scaly. In rare cases, the rash forms blisters. The center of the rash may have a red-brown color. Most people get jock itch by accidentally spreading the fungus that causes athlete's foot to their own groin area.

Fungal infection of the hand looks like athlete's foot. The skin on the palm of the hand becomes thick, dry, and scaly, while skin between the fingers may be moist and have open sores.

Can ringworm be prevented?
Fungi thrive in warm, moist areas, such as locker rooms and swimming pools, and in skin folds. To prevent ringworm:

Do not share clothing, sports equipment, towels, or sheets. If you think you have been exposed to ringworm, wash your clothes in hot water with fungus-killing (fungicidal) soap.
Wear slippers or sandals in locker rooms, showers, and public bathing areas.
Shower and shampoo thoroughly after any sport that requires skin-to-skin contact.
Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing. Change your socks and underwear at least once a day.
Keep your skin clean and dry. Always dry yourself completely after showers or baths.
If you have athlete's foot, put your socks on before your underwear so that fungi do not spread from your feet to your groin.
Take your pet to the vet if it has patches of missing hair, which could be a sign of a fungal infection.
To prevent ringworm from returning after treatment, apply talcum or other drying powder to the affected area daily.

Best Ways to Ease Anxiety Disorders

Meditation may ease anxiety among people who suffer from anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). But a new study suggests meditation isn't necessarily better than other types of relaxation techniques at treating anxiety disorders.

Researchers reviewed two studies comparing meditation to other relaxation techniques, such as biofeedback, and found both alternative therapies were equally effective in reducing anxiety.

No side effects were associated with meditation, but 33%-44% of the participants in the studies dropped out, which suggests that people with anxiety disorders may have a hard time sticking to a meditation regimen. Consequently, researchers say more studies are needed to determine the role of meditation in treating anxiety disorders.

Meditation vs. Relaxation
In the study, researchers reviewed research on meditation and other types of relaxation techniques. Only two studies that compared meditation to other relaxation techniques met the researchers' requirements for review.

The first compared transcendental meditation to relaxation therapy and EMG (electromyography) biofeedback.

Transcendental meditation involves focusing the mind on an object until the mind achieves stillness. EMG biofeedback measures muscle relaxation and teaches people to control their own level of muscle relaxation.

The second study compared mindfulness meditation, which encourages awareness of one's thoughts while maintaining detachment, to Kundalini yoga. Kundalini yoga includes a meditative form of breathing known as pranayama.

Researchers say both studies showed that meditation was comparable to other forms of relaxation therapy in reducing anxiety overall. But the small number of people involved in the studies makes it difficult to draw any firm conclusions about the effectiveness of meditation in the treatment of anxiety disorders.

In particular, the results showed:

All relaxation and meditation techniques resulted in improved scores on measures of anxiety, current mood, and symptoms of distress, but sleep disturbances did not improve.
Work, social functioning, and family relations also improved among all treatment groups, but marital relations and sex life were not affected.
Kundalini yoga wasn't as effective in treating obsessive-compulsive disorders as mindful meditation, although participants who practiced this form of yoga had more improvement on scores of perceived stress and purpose in life.

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wrinkles

Introduction

Although wrinkles can signify wisdom, most people nowadays would rather not have them.

Many products and procedures promise to reduce wrinkles. Some do little or nothing (like the products that claim they reduce "the appearance of fine lines," which means that they don't reduce the lines themselves). Others can achieve a fair amount of success.

Skin ages all over the body, but much more so where there has been sun exposure. Changes brought on by sun damage (photoaging) include "dryness" (really roughness), sagginess, skin growths like keratoses ("liver spots"), and wrinkles.

Most wrinkles appear on the parts of the body where sun exposure is greatest. These especially include the face, neck, the backs of the hands, and the tops of the forearms. Wrinkles come in two categories: fine surface lines and deep furrows. Wrinkle treatments are in general much more effective for fine lines. Deeper creases may require more aggressive techniques, such injection of fillers or plastic surgery.

What factors promote wrinkles?

Factors that promote wrinkling include:

Smoking
Light skin type (people with blue eyes and easily burned skin are more prone to sun damage)
Heredity (some families wrinkle more)
Hairstyle (some styles provide cover and protection against sun damage)
Dress (hats, long sleeves, etc.)
Occupational and recreational habits (farming, sailing, golfing, using tanning booths, and so forth)
Some of these factors are beyond our control. The main preventive measures we can take are to minimize sun exposure and not smoke.

SPF numbers on sunscreen labels refer to protection against UVB radiation (shortwave ultraviolet light, the "sunburn rays"). More and more sunscreens offer protection against UVA radiation (longer-wave ultraviolet light) as well. UVA rays are the ones you get in tanning salons; they may not cause immediate sunburn but do promote sun damage and skin cancer risk over time. (Sorry, but there is no such thing as a "safe tan.") Sunscreens that block UVA indicate this on the label and include such ingredients as Parsol 1789. The FDA has recently approved Mexoryl, another UVA-blocking ingredient, which has been available in Europe for some time.

What is otitis media?

Otitis media is inflammation of the middle ear. Otitis media can be acute or chronic.

Acute otitis media is usually of rapid onset and short duration. Acute otitis media typically causes fluid accumulation in the middle ear together with signs or symptoms of ear infection; a bulging eardrum usually accompanied by pain, or a perforated eardrum, often with drainage of purulent material (pus). Fever can be present.

Chronic otitis media is a persistent inflammation of the middle ear, typically for a minimum of a month. This is in distinction to an acute ear infection (acute otitis media) that usually lasts only several weeks. Following an acute infection, fluid (an effusion) may remain behind the ear drum (tympanic membrane) for up to 3 months before resolving. Chronic otitis media may develop after a prolonged period of time with fluid (effusion) or negative pressure behind the eardrum (tympanic membrane). Chronic otitis media can cause ongoing damage to the middle ear and eardrum and there may be continuing drainage through a hole in the eardrum. Chronic otitis media often starts painlessly without fever. Ear pressure or popping can be persistent for months. Sometimes a subtle loss of hearing can be due to chronic otitis media.

How common is acute otitis media?

Otitis media is the most common diagnosis in sick children in the U.S. Young children, infants, and preschoolers are particularly prone. Almost every child has at least one bout of acute otitis media before the age of 6.

Why do young children tend to have ear infections?

The Eustachian tube is shorter and more horizontal in young children than in older children and adults. This allows easier entry into the middle ear for the microorganisms that cause infection and lead to otitis media.

What are the risk factors for acute otitis media?

Upper respiratory infections predispose to acute otitis media. Exposure to groups of children (as in child care centers) results in more frequent colds, and therefore more earaches. Exposure to air with irritants, such as tobacco smoke, also increases the chance of otitis media. Children with cleft palate or Down syndrome are prone to ear infections.

Children who have episodes of acute otitis media before 6 months of age tend to have more ear infections later in childhood.

What are the symptoms of acute otitis media?

Young children with otitis media may be irritable, fussy, or have problems feeding or sleeping. Older children may complain about pain and fullness in the ear (earache). Fever may be present in a child of any age. These symptoms are often associated with signs of upper respiratory infection such as a runny or stuffy nose or a cough.

The buildup of pus within the middle ear causes pain and dampens the vibrations of the eardrum (so there is usually temporary hearing loss during the infection).

Severe ear infections may cause the eardrum to rupture. The pus then drains from the middle ear into the ear canal. The hole in the eardrum from the rupture usually heals with medical treatment.

Headaches are one of the most common medical complaints
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Headaches are one of the most common medical complaints -- nearly everyone gets a headache at some point. Over 45-million Americans (about one in six) suffer chronic headaches each year. Headaches therefore have a big economic impact -- when you have a throbbing pain in your head, it's hard to work. The cost of these headaches in absenteeism and medical expenses is estimated as high as $50-billion per year.
A headache is a pain sensed in the nerves and muscles of the head and neck, as well as the meninges (the membranous coverings of the brain and spinal cord). Your brain itself cannot sense pain, so a headache has nothing to do with your brain hurting. It is really a pain somewhere around your brain, being picked up by nerve endings located in your head.
There are two main reasons why people get headaches, and doctors therefore classify headaches into two broad categories: primary and secondary.
Primary headaches are not associated with any underlying medical condition.
Secondary headaches are associated with medical conditions like infections, fever, head injury, hypoglycemia, tumors, dental conditions or increased pressure in the skull and/or sinuses (sinus headaches).
There are three main causes for primary headaches:
Migraine - Migraine headaches can be caused by reduced blood flow to various areas of the cerebral cortex.
Symptoms of migraines include sensitivity to light and noise, nausea, vomiting and intense throbbing pain that is usually on one side of the head.
A neurotransmitter, serotonin, is thought to be involved in migraines because many of the drugs used to treat migraines alter the binding of serotonin to various receptors.
Tension - Tension headaches are caused by muscular strains in the head and neck and/or emotional stress.
Tension headaches are usually dull, steady, aching pains on both sides of the head.
Sometimes, tension headaches develop into throbbing pains, leading researchers to believe that they may be closely related to migraines.
Eye strain (poor vision) can trigger frequent tension headaches.
Cluster - Cluster headaches are headaches that occur repeatedly over a period of weeks or even months.
Cluster-headache pain usually occurs on one side of the head and is centered around the eye.
The causes of cluster headaches are unknown, but may be related to changes in blood flow because substances that affect blood flow, such as alcohol, can trigger cluster headaches.
Primary headaches can also be caused by too much blood flow. For example, if you have read How Caffeine Works, you know that caffeine reduces blood flow in the brain. Some pain relievers contain caffeine to take advantage of this effect. If you have been taking caffeine every day and you stop, you can get an incredible headache because of the increased blood flow in your brain.
Secondary headaches result from some other problem with your body. For example, How Viruses Work talks about why you get a headache (and other pains) when you have the flu. Once you eliminate the disease, you eliminate the secondary headaches.
Most headache pain can be treated with over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin) and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. As mentioned above, migraines have been helped by drugs that block serotonin, such as sumatriptan (Imitrex). Cluster headaches have been treated with sumatriptan, steroids (Migranal) and narcotics.
If you experience chronic or frequent headache pain, see your physician -- it may be a symptom of an underlying medical condition.

tasha dear plz try to post in a lil bit large font
it will be easy to read
thanx for this info

Obesity is a physical condition that results from excessive storage of fat in the body. Obesity has been defined as a weight more than 20% above what is considered normal as per the body mass index, which is calculated from an individual's age, height, and weight. Presence of fat tissue is essential as natural energy reserve in our bodies. But excess fat tissues result in obesity and causes health disorders.



Obesity Symptoms
Watch out for increased waistline
In obesity, there is an increase in the size and the number of fat cells throughout the body. This causes a buildup of excess body fat.

One of the places where this excess body fat can most easily be seen is around the waistline. A waist measurement of 40 inches or more in men and 35 inches or more in women is linked to an increased risk for heart disease and other health problems associated with obesity.

Obesity treatment using Jujube
The leaves of jujube or Indian plum are another valuable remedy for obesity. A handful of leaves should be soaked overnight in water and this water should be taken in the morning, preferably on an empty stumach. This treatment should be continued for at least one month to achieve beneficial results.
Obesity treatment using Cabbage
Cabbage is considered to be an excellent home remedy for obesity. Recent research has revealed that a valuable chemical called tartaric acid is present in this vegetable which inhibits the conversion of sugar and other carbohydrates into fat. Hence, it is of great value in weight reduction. Substituting a meal with cabbage salad would be the simplest way to stay slim.

What is Heartburn?

Heartburn is a burning feeling rising from the stomach or lower chest up towards the neck. It is caused by acid from the stomach backing up into the gullet (oesophagus or swallowing pipe). See also Dyspepsia, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and oesophagitis.

How do you get Heartburn?
Normally, a ‘valve’ at the lower end of the swallowing pipe (the lower oesophageal sphincter) opens when you swallow and closes when food has passed. In some people, this does not work properly and does not close off when it should, usually after a meal.

Heartburn can be infrequent or can occur regularly in patients with conditions such as acid reflux disease.

In patients with acid reflux disease, heartburn usually gets worse after they eat, or when they lie down or bend over.
How serious is Heartburn?
Heartburn symptoms produce a lot of discomfort and can affect feelings of well-being when they appear regularly. Heartburn may signal other problems such as oesophagitis (inflammation of the oesophagus) or GERD, which can be more serious. Patients may then require stronger medicines to control symptoms if heartburn persists, so it is important to seek a doctor’s advice.

How long does Heartburn last?
The symptoms of heartburn can be frequent and may last several weeks, months or longer if left untreated. Because they may appear now and again they may be experienced for a long time before a decision is taken to seek medical advice. They can also re-occur after treatment.

How is Heartburn treated?
Medications commonly used in the treatment of heartburn include:

Acid suppressants, such as histamine H2-antagonists (blockers). Histamine is a chemical released in the body under many different conditions. In the stomach it can release more acid, so blocking histamine’s action reduces acid production.

Proton-pump inhibitors also work on the cells in the stomach wall, which make acid, to reduce the amount of acid produced and released into the stomach chamber.

Other medicines (called pro-kinetic agents) increase the movement of the stomach. They work by increasing the pressure of the lower oesophageal sphincter (the point where the oesophagus joins the stomach) and promote emptying of the stomach.

Antacids are medicines that are commonly used to treat acid-related symptoms, like heartburn or indigestion, and work by neutralising acid in the stomach. However, they are not usually recommended to treat the frequent heartburn suffered by people with GERD.

Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Failure
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Your kidneys are vital for the excretory process of wastes in the
body. As you know, these waste buildups are excreted as urine. When
the kidneys job of cleaning blood toxins and waste products
deteriorates, "Chronic Kidney Disease" occurs.

Mostly, kidney failure occurs in asymptomatic patients. Risk of
sudden death is also counted.

In a small market, we gathered blood and urine samples of 100 people
who claim to be healthy. Surprisingly, 22 people were suffering from
chronic kidney disease, and 37 people were in need of special
medical attention for kidney disease! Only 41 people were considered
normal!

Why the majority of kidney disease victims did not notice their
declining kidney function?

In the case of Mr. A at 32 years old, he felt sudden severe headache
and palpitation. He seek medical attention and was diagnosed with
kidney disease. He had to go through a strict diet. However, after 6
years of hard life, he is now forced to undergo kidney dialysis. In
most cases of kidney disease, renal impairment is almost
irreversible and has a small chance of recovery.

EARLY SYMPTOMS OF KIDNEY DISEASE

As the kidney function decreases, symptoms will appear like
headache, weakness, dizziness, and low level of urination. Anemia,
hypertension, and frequent urination can also be counted. In many
cases, there are no signs of such symptoms at all.

According to medical information, apart from high blood sugar
levels, high blood pressure, eating fatty and salty foods, stress,
cigarette smoking, and bacterial infections can cause kidney
disease. Also, hard work or hard athletic exercise increases the
blood flow and the kidney cannot accommodate filtering the blood.
It's also bad to take a lot of milk or other sports drinks that
might produce too much protein as it may cause reduced kidney
function.

Early detection of kidney disease can be done by urine test. At
home, you can simply use urine test strips. If the result is not as
expected, then, consult your doctor.

We have a news magazine written about two Japanese pro-wrestlers who
never thought that they are suffering from kidney disease.

A popular pro-wrestler, packed with muscle and power, in his final
match, lost and carried to a hospital. His sidekicks and doctors
thought that the wrestler had some internal injuries occurred during
his fight. But medical test showed unexpected kidney disease with
him. The wrestler was sent for immediate surgical operation, but the
damage was too serious. He never regained from kidney disease. After
few days, the wrestler was gone.

Kidney disease is too dangerous, and could lead to death without any
symptoms. Another popular pro-wrestler was losing recently for all
his fights. To regain power, he had to eat a lot of meat and drink a
lot of milk. One day, after his fight, he was also rushed to a
hospital. Medical test showed that he was suffering from an advanced
stage of kidney disease. He and his family never imagined that
kidney disease was killing him. He is now under dialysis.

Water is an important structural component of skin cartilage, tissues and organs. For human beings, every part of the body is dependent on water. Our body comprises about 75% water: the brain has 85%, blood is 90%, muscles are 75%, kidney is 82% and bones are 22% water. The functions of our glands and organs will eventually deteriorate if they are not nourished with good, clean water.

The average adult loses about 2.5 litres water daily through perspiration, breathing and elimination. Symptoms of the body's deterioration begins to appear when the body loses 5% of its total water volume. In a healthy adult, this is seen as fatigue and general discomfort, whereas for an infant, it can be dehydrating. In an elderly person, a 5% water loss causes the body chemistry to become abnormal, especially if the percentage of electrolytes is overbalanced with sodium.One can usually see symptoms of aging, such as wrinkles, lethargy and even disorientation. Continuous water loss over time will speed up aging as well as increase risks of diseases. If your body is not sufficiently hydrated, the cells will draw water from your bloodstream, which will make your heart work harder. At the same time, the kidneys cannot purify blood effectively. When this happens, some of the kidney's workload is passed on to the liver and other organs, which may cause them to be severely stressed. Additionally, you may develop a number of minor health conditions such as constipation, dry and itchy skin, acne, nosebleeds, urinary tract infection, coughs, sneezing, sinus pressure, and headaches.

So, how much water is enough for you? The minimum amount of water you need depends on your body weight. A more accurate calculation, is to drink an ounce of water for every two pounds of body weight.


Just multiply your weight with 33 to get the minimum water need per day in milliliters.

According to dear Stephan O Rihiley who is among one of the leading obesity researcher and a very well known genteticist and a friend aswell. One of the two cause of Obesity is due to a genetic defect and cannot be cured until or unless the patient is injected with a harmone known as Leptin. Leptin is manufactured by fat cells and it plays a part in deceasing fat which were previously attributed to fat cells along with hypothalamus.

If my memory serves me correct there was this doc at RockFeller University named as Professor Jeff or something, he experimented this phenomenon of leptin on some poor mouse. I think he won Noble for Bio aswell.

These days 90% patients of obesity are checked for leptin defeciency and more then 3/4th are leptin negative.

So, Miss Queen Victoria Cabbage or jujubu or some green leaves cannot be used as a treatment of obesity. Kindly do some research before posting. These things can be used as a part of a nutrituos meal but in no way I repeat in no way be used as a treatment of obesity.

Thnxx..

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a condition in which you have trouble falling or staying asleep. Some people with insomnia may fall asleep easily but wake up too soon. Other people may have the opposite problem, or they have trouble with both falling asleep and staying asleep. The end result is poor–quality sleep that doesn't leave you feeling refreshed when you wake up.


Types of Insomnia

There are two types of insomnia. The most common type is called secondary insomnia. More than 8 out of 10 people with insomnia are believed to have secondary insomnia. Secondary means that the insomnia is a symptom or a side–effect of some other problem. Some of the problems that can cause secondary insomnia include:

Certain illnesses, such as some heart and lung diseases
Pain, anxiety, and depression
Medicines that delay or disrupt sleep as a side–effect
Caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and other substances that affect sleep
Another sleep disorder, such as restless legs syndrome; a poor sleep environment; or a change in sleep routine
In contrast, primary insomnia is not a side–effect of medicines or another medical problem. It is its own disorder, and generally persists for least 1 month or longer.

Overview

Insomnia is a common health problem. It can cause excessive daytime sleepiness and a lack of energy. Long–term insomnia can cause you to feel depressed or irritable; have trouble paying attention, learning, and remembering; and not do your best on the job or at school. Insomnia also can limit the energy you have to spend with friends or family.

Insomnia can be mild to severe depending on how often it occurs and for how long. Chronic insomnia means having symptoms at least 3 nights per week for more than a month. Insomnia that lasts for less time is known as short–term or acute insomnia.


Outlook

Secondary insomnia often resolves or improves without treatment if you can eliminate its cause. This is especially true if the problem can be corrected soon after it starts. Better sleep habits and lifestyle changes often help relieve insomnia. You may need to see a doctor or sleep specialist to get the best relief for insomnia that is persistent or for which the cause of the sleep problem is unclear.


What Causes Insomnia?

Causes of Secondary Insomnia

Secondary insomnia is often a symptom of an emotional, neurological, or other medical disorder, or of another sleep disorder.

The emotional disorders that can cause secondary insomnia include depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are examples of common neurological disorders that can cause secondary insomnia.

A number of other diseases and conditions can cause secondary insomnia, including:

Conditions that cause chronic pain, such as arthritis and headache disorders
Conditions that cause difficulty breathing, such as asthma or heart failure
Overactive thyroid
Gastrointestinal disorders, such as heartburn
Stroke
Sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome, also can cause secondary insomnia. In addition, secondary insomnia can be a side–effect of certain medicines or commonly used substances, including:

Caffeine or other stimulants
Tobacco or other products with nicotine
Alcohol or other sedatives
Certain asthma medicines (for example, theophylline) and some allergy and cold medicines
Beta blockers (medicines used to treat heart conditions)
Causes of Primary Insomnia

Primary insomnia is not due to another medical or emotional condition and typically occurs for periods of at least 1 month. Whether some people are born with a greater chance of having insomnia is not clear yet. A number of life changes can trigger primary insomnia, including:

Major or long–lasting stress and emotional upset
Travel or other factors such as work schedules that disrupt your sleep routine
Even after these causes go away, the insomnia might stay. Trouble sleeping may persist because of habits formed to deal with the lack of sleep. These habits include taking naps, worrying about sleep, or going to bed early.

Who Is At Risk For Insomnia?

Insomnia is a common disorder. One in 3 adults occasionally has insomnia. One in 10 adults has chronic insomnia. Insomnia affects women more often than men, and it can occur at any age. However, older adults are more likely to have insomnia than younger people. People especially prone to insomnia include those who are:

Under a lot of stress
Depressed or who have other emotional distress
Working at night or having frequent major shifts in their work hours
Traveling long distances with time changes (jet lag)

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Insomnia?

The main symptom of insomnia is trouble falling and/or staying asleep, which leads to lack of sleep. The lack of sleep can cause others symptoms, such as:

Waking up feeling tired or not well rested
Feeling tired or very sleepy during the day
Having trouble focusing on tasks
Feeling anxious, depressed, or irritable

How Is Insomnia Diagnosed?

Your doctor will usually diagnose insomnia based on your medical history, sleep history, a physical exam, and a sleep study if the cause of your insomnia is unclear.

Medical History

Your doctor will ask questions to find out whether there is a medical cause for your insomnia. These include questions about whether you:

Have any new or ongoing health problems
Have painful injuries or health conditions (such as arthritis)
Take any medicines (over–the–counter or prescription)

What is pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and close to the duodenum. The duodenum is the upper part of the small intestine. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine through a tube called the pancreatic duct. These enzymes help digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in food. The pancreas also releases the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. These hormones help the body use the glucose it takes from food for energy.

Normally, digestive enzymes do not become active until they reach the small intestine, where they begin digesting food. But if these enzymes become active inside the pancreas, they start "digesting" the pancreas itself.



Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly and lasts for a short period of time and usually resolves. Chronic pancreatitis does not resolve itself and results in a slow destruction of the pancreas. Either form can cause serious complications. In severe cases, bleeding, tissue damage, and infection may occur. Pseudocysts, accumulations of fluid and tissue debris, may also develop. And enzymes and toxins may enter the bloodstream, injuring the heart, lungs, and kidneys, or other organs.

What are the causes of acute pancreatitis?

Some people have more than one attack and recover completely after each, but acute pancreatitis can be a severe, life–threatening illness with many complications. About 80,000 cases occur in the United States each year; some 20 percent of them are severe. Acute pancreatitis occurs more often in men than women.

Acute pancreatitis is usually caused by gallstones or by drinking too much alcohol, but these aren't the only causes. If alcohol use and gallstones are ruled out, other possible causes of pancreatitis should be carefully examined so that appropriate treatment—if available—can begin.


What are the symptoms of acute pancreatitis?

Acute pancreatitis usually begins with pain in the upper abdomen that may last for a few days. The pain may be severe and may become constant—just in the abdomen—or it may reach to the back and other areas. It may be sudden and intense or begin as a mild pain that gets worse when food is eaten. Someone with acute pancreatitis often looks and feels very sick. Other symptoms may include

swollen and tender abdomen
nausea
vomiting
fever
rapid pulse
Severe cases may cause dehydration and low blood pressure. The heart, lungs, or kidneys may fail. If bleeding occurs in the pancreas, shock and sometimes even death follow.


How is acute pancreatitis diagnosed?

Besides asking about a person's medical history and doing a physical exam, a doctor will order a blood test to diagnose acute pancreatitis. During acute attacks, the blood contains at least three times more amylase and lipase than usual. Amylase and lipase are digestive enzymes formed in the pancreas. Changes may also occur in blood levels of glucose, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate. After the pancreas improves, these levels usually return to normal.

A doctor may also order an abdominal ultrasound to look for gallstones and a CAT (computerized axial tomography) scan to look for inflammation or destruction of the pancreas. CAT scans are also useful in locating pseudocysts.

Complications

Acute pancreatitis can cause breathing problems. Many people develop hypoxia, which means that cells and tissues are not receiving enough oxygen. Doctors treat hypoxia by giving oxygen through a face mask. Despite receiving oxygen, some people still experience lung failure and require a ventilator.

Sometimes a person cannot stop vomiting and needs to have a tube placed in the stomach to remove fluid and air. In mild cases, a person may not eat for 3 or 4 days and instead may receive fluids and pain relievers through an intravenous line.

If an infection develops, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Surgery may be needed for extensive infections. Surgery may also be necessary to find the source of bleeding, to rule out problems that resemble pancreatitis, or to remove severely damaged pancreatic tissue.

Acute pancreatitis can sometimes cause kidney failure. If your kidneys fail, you will need dialysis to help your kidneys remove wastes from your blood.

Pancreatitis in children

Chronic pancreatitis is rare in children. Trauma to the pancreas and hereditary pancreatitis are two known causes of childhood pancreatitis. Children with cystic fibrosis, a progressive, disabling, and incurable lung disease, may also have pancreatitis. But more often the cause is not known.

Pancreatitis At A Glance
Pancreatitis begins when the digestive enzymes become active inside the pancreas and start "digesting" it.
Pancreatitis has two forms: acute and chronic
Common causes of pancreatitis are gallstones or alcohol abuse.
Sometimes no cause for pancreatitis can be found.
Symptoms of acute pancreatitis include pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, fever, and a rapid pulse.
Treatment for acute pancreatitis can include intravenous fluids, oxygen, antibiotics, or surgery.
Acute pancreatitis becomes chronic when pancreatic tissue is destroyed and scarring develops.
Treatment for chronic pancreatitis includes easing the pain; eating a high–carbohydrate, low–fat diet; and taking enzyme supplements. Surgery is sometimes needed as well.

What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a life-long disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood.


Causes and risk factors of Diabetes:
Diabetes can be caused by too little insulin (a hormone produced by the
pancreas to control blood sugar), resistance to insulin, or both.The lack of
insulin results in an inability to metabolize glucose, and the capacity to store
glycogen (a form of glucose) in the liver and the active transport of glucose
across cell membranes are impaired.

There are two distinct types of diabetes.

Insulin-dependent
Noninsulin-dependent
Insulin-dependent Diabetes
Insulin-dependent diabetes (Type I), also called juvenile-onset diabetes, is
the more serious form of the disease; about 10% of diabetics have this form.

Causes of Insulin-dependent Diabetes:
It is caused by destruction of pancreatic cells that make insulin and usually
develops before age 30. Type I diabetics have a genetic predisposition to the
disease. There is some evidence that it is triggered by a virus that changes the
pancreatic cells in a way that prompts the immune system to attack them.

Symptoms of Insulin-dependent Diabetes:
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Weight loss in spite of increased appetite
Fatigue
Nausea
Vomiting
Patients with type Insulin-dependent Diabetes usually develop symptoms
over a short period of time, and the condition is often diagnosed in an
emergency setting.

Treatment of Insulin-dependent Diabetes:
Treatment includes a diet limited in carbohydrates and saturated fat,
exercise to burn glucose, and regular insulin injections, sometimes administered
via a portable insulin pump. Transplantation of islet cells has also proved
somewhat successful since 1999, after new transplant procedures were developed,
but the number of pancreases available for extraction of the islet cells is far
smaller than the number of Type I diabetics. Patients receiving a transplant
must take immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection of the cells, and many
ultimately need to resume insulin injections, but despite that transplants
provide real benefits for some whose diabetes has become difficult to control.

No insulin-dependent diabetes
No insulin-dependent diabetes (Type 2), also called adult-onset diabetes,
results from the inability of the cells in the body to respond to insulin. About
90% of diabetics have this form, which is more prevalent in minorities and
usually occurs after age 40.

Causes of no insulin-dependent diabetes:
Although the cause is not completely understood, there is a genetic factor
and 90% of those affected are obese.

Symptoms of type insulin-dependent diabetes:
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Increased appetite
Fatigue
Nausea
Vomiting
Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes usually develop symptoms over a
short period of time, and the condition is often diagnosed in an emergency
setting.

Treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes:
As in Type I diabetes, treatment includes exercise and weight loss and a diet
low in total carbohydrates and saturated fat. Some individuals require insulin
injections; many rely on oral drugs, such as sulphonylureas, metformin, acarbose,
or a dipeptidyl peptidase–IV (DPP-IV) inhibitor.

Signs and tests for insulin-dependent diabetes
A urine analysis may be used to look for glucose and ketones from the
breakdown of fat. However, a urine test alone does not diagnose diabetes. The
following blood glucose tests are used to diagnose diabetes:

Fasting blood glucose level — diabetes is diagnosed if higher than 126 mg/dL
on two occasions. Levels between 100 and 126 mg/dl are referred to as impaired
fasting glucose or pre-diabetes. These levels are considered to be risk factors
for type 2 diabetes and its complications.
Random (non-fasting) blood glucose level — diabetes is suspected if higher than
200 mg/dL and accompanied by the classic symptoms of increased thirst,
urination, and fatigue. (This test must be confirmed with a fasting blood
glucose test.)
Oral glucose tolerance test — diabetes is diagnosed if glucose level is higher
than 200 mg/dL after 2 hours (This test is used more for type 2 diabetes.)
You should also ask your doctor how often to you need your hemoglobin A1c
(HbA1c) level checked. The HbA1c is a measure of average blood glucose during
the previous 2 to 3 months. It is a very helpful way to determine how well
treatment is working.

Ketone testing is another test that is used in type 1 diabetes. Ketones are
produced by the breakdown of fat and muscle, and they are harmful at high
levels. The ketone test is done using a urine sample. High levels of blood
ketones may result in a serious condition called Treatment.

Self-Testing for diabetes
If you have diabetes, your doctor may tell you to regularly check your blood
sugar levels at home. There are a number of devices available, and they use only
a drop of blood. Self-monitoring tells you how well diet, medication, and
exercise are working together to control your diabetes and can help your doctor
prevent complications.

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