Friday, July 3, 2009

Pathological Condition - Acute Myocardial Infarction

Acute Myocardial Infarction (MI) can be defined as condition in which, there is death or necrosis of myocardial cells. It is generally diagnosed at the end of the ambit of myocardial ischemia or acute coronary condition. Myocardial infarction occurs once myocardial ischemia oversteps a critical threshold and overcomes myocardial cellular repairing mechanism that is contrived for maintaining normal operating function and hemostasis. Ischemia at such critical threshold level for quite a longer period ends up in irreversible myocardial cell damage or in worst cases, even its death.

Classical symptoms of acute MI include fulminant chest pain (a typical radiating pain that travels from the left arm or left side of the neck to the heart), dyspnea (shortness of breath), nausea and/or vomiting, palpitation, profuse perspiration and anxiety (often called as sense of impending doom). Statistics say that women might experience less typical symptoms as compared to that of the men, most commonly dyspnea, weakness, gastrointestinal disturbance, and tiredness. Roughly, about one quarter of all myocardial infarctions are silent i.e. they do not show any chest pain or other signs.

Most of the cases of myocardial infarction are caused due to a commotion in the vascular endothelium that is linked with unstable atherosclerotic plaques those stimulate the formation of an intracoronary thrombus that ultimately ends up in coronary artery blood flow block. If such blockage persists for longer duration (approximately 20 to 40 min) there will be irreversible myocardial cell damage and cell death. The development of atherosclerotic plaques occurs over a period of years and even to the decades. However, the reason for initial vascular lesion that leads to the development of atherosclerotic plaques is still illusive.

Generally, it is high level of cholesterols in the bloodstream that restrict the blood flow to the cardiac tissues. Excessive body fats, high cholesterol and/or lipid profiles can be few of the main culprits for myocardial infarction. The blood vessels are nothing but the hollow pipe or tube-like cylindrical structure that allows the blood to flow flawlessly. High cholesterol levels start accumulating onto the walls of blood vessels and this, in turn, results in narrowing of the blood vessels. The blood supply is reduced and over the times, it could be cut-off for a while (ischemic conditions, where there is transient loss of blood supply). When the affected organ is heart, it is ischemic heart attack.

The damage

The severity of myocardial infarction is dependent on three main factors: the degree of the occlusion in the coronary arteries, the tenure of time of occlusions, and the presence or absence of circulation of the collateral blood. Usually, if there is more proximal the coronary occlusion, there will be more extensive chances of myocardium at risks of necrosis. Simply putting, larger the myocardial infarction, greater is the chance of death because of mechanical complications or pumping failure. If vessel occlusion is for prolonged period, there are more chances of permanent myocardial damage distal to that occlusion.

As the continuance of the occlusion will increase, the area of myocardial cell death will expand that finally extends from the endocardium to the myocardium (middle layer) and finally to the epicardium (innermost layer). The area of myocardial cell death will then spread laterally to area of watersheds or collateral perfusion and usually, after 6-8 hours have passed of coronary occlusion, most of the distal myocardium would have died. The magnitude of myocardial cell death reflects the extent of the myocardial infarction. If blood flow is successfully restored before the major damage to the myocardium, more heart muscle can be saved from the permanent damage or death and the life can be saved.

Dr. Maulik is an Ayurvedic Physician with Diploma in Healthcare Management and also Certified in Food and Nutrition. Dr. Maulik is also a freelancer and online consultant for Ayurveda and other alternative medicinal therapies. He is also spreading Ayurvedic Knowledge through his Beta website - http://www.ayurvedadosha.com, which is one stop place for ayurveda information and solution.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Travel Sickness and How to Deal With It

For those of us that get sick when abroad, it is just typical! You have all year round to be sick and then the one week that you are away from your mundane and boring life you can guarantee that the bugs will bite! There are plenty of common ailments that can strike whilst you are elsewhere, and perhaps travel sickness is the first you have to contend with. Travel sickness can weaken the body and leave you more susceptible to illness. However, because you only get one chance to go away, it is essential that you cope with travel sickness as and when it happens rather than waiting.

Believe it or not, travel sickness actually happens to between 60% and 80% of the world's population at one time or another. Fortunately for those individuals that fly, it happens to most people while travelling in a car, but that is not to say that travel sickness does not apply on a plane! It does. If you start to feel dizzy or sick whilst flying then you are almost certainly experiencing travel sickness. There are things that you can do to prepare yourself in an attempt to avoid travel sickness in advance though:

• Avoid eating heavy, greasy, salty and spicy foods before you go. These will just serve to saturate and unsettle the stomach.
• Avoid drinking the night before flying to ensure that you are in good health when you take off! Getting drunk the night before may be a great way to see you off, but not if it makes you ill on the plane!
• Take some time to relax because anxiety can increase the problem. Your nerves can quite easily cause breathing problems, which could then lead to vomiting so make sure that you take your time and breathe!
• When you are flying and feel as though you are going to be ill, do not read or look downwards in any way because this will serve to disorientate you. However, you should keep moving so take a walk up the aisle every now and again.
• Drink plenty of water. This will keep sickness at bay somewhat because you are replacing the fluid that you are sweating and perhaps vomiting out. Water will also avoid unsettling your stomach, but carbonated drinks and acidic drinks like juices will upset the balance.

If you do happen to experience travel sickness or other illness when abroad, natural cures such as peppermint and ginger root can help you to fight nausea and calm your stomach. There are also some anti-sickness pills that may prove to be effective that you can purchase from a pharmacy. However, you should always drink plenty of water to re-hydrate your body and visit a doctor if symptoms do not abate for upwards of 24 hours.

Sam Serio is a partner in Websketching of Chincoteague, a full service internet marketing firm. He is also a true advocate for Chincoteague Island, Va. tourism. Chincoteague Island is the premier family vacation destination spot on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and the home of the world famous Chincoteague Wild Ponies. To learn more about this amazing island please visit http://www.chincoteagueislandvacations.com and http://www.chincoteagueoutlook.com and Discover Chincoteague Island!

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Common Male Yeast Infection Symptoms Simple Home Test and Cures

The primary symptom that all the men experience is with the digestive problems and all other comes under the same symptom. The symptoms of male yeast infection include bad breath, constipation, bloating, frequent intestinal gas, indigestion, frequent diarrhea, sexual dysfunction, mood swings and irritability, lack of energy or fatigue, memory loss, flaky dry itchy skin, jock itch, athlete feet and problems related to the prostate.

Most of the folks develop a habit of having pastas, sweets, and chips etc, all these food items contribute to these male yeast infections and quite likely you will feed it until you notice the infections to a greater extent. The simple test to check out whether you have the male yeast infection is to spit two times in a glass of water as soon as you wake up in the early morning, even before you get out of the bed. Check out the glass after 15 minutes and see whether your spit dissolved and disappeared into the water. If the spit dissolves and disappears in water it indicates that you are not infected.

However, if the spit in the glass becomes cloudy, sinks to bottom, with strings, appearing like web of the spider, it indicates that you are affected with yeast infections. After 30 minutes, if there is residue in the bottom of the vessel it indicates that you are affected with parasites and it is necessary to start the treatment at the earliest. In some cases, you can predict in first five minutes of time.

In order to cure the male yeast infection, the following things must to be followed. Firstly sugar intake has to be controlled, and then you must avoid consumptions of yeast foods, soy foods, dairy, tuna, shellfish, swordfish, fructose, aspartame, trans-fats and splenda, so as to cure yeast infections, or otherwise to prevent them. Eating more white meat and vegetables is preferable than pork and beef. You should also drink more water daily, which is free from fluorides and chlorine. Ensure that the food you take should contain more vegetables and have white meat instead of going for beef and pork type of meats.

As a matter of fact, simply drinking more water daily can cure male yeast infection in a while too, but you must ensure that you drink pure and chlorine free water. Vinegar is the best natural cure of all yeast and fungal infections.

You can find more ways to detect male yeast infection symptoms effectively, and also find all forms of yeast infection cures in my upcoming series of articles.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Health Drinks May Not Be So Healthy After All

Health living is now a popular trend and thus emerged many companies offering health products and services. According to experts, taking vitamins and mineral supplements in liquid form can be quite effective in achieving optimum health. This is because in this liquid form, the body can absorb the nutrients it needs easily. This is the reason why health drinks are so popular today, that many companies come up with health drinks in liquid form such as those in juices while others come up with powder form which can be mixed with water, to be consumed.

However, many so-called "healthy drinks," may not be as good as they claimed to be. Some health drinks, for example, energy drinks are high in sugar content and caffeine. Consuming too much energy drinks can lead to heart palpitations, anxiety, insomnia and irritability. Juice drinks are usually high in sugar content and regular consumption of it will lead to an increase in your waistline as well as the risk of getting diabetes.

So for those who are into healthy drinks, it is time to learn how to determine which are the ones that can help you achieve optimum health and which ones do not. When shopping for health drinks, be sure to check the labels and avoid those which have the following ingredients:

  • artificial flavors and sweeteners. Artificial flavors are commonly found in colas, sweet juices and candy bars and also in most health drinks that are flavored-based. These artificial flavors and sweeteners can cause pH imbalances in the blood.
  • high fructose corn syrup. This is the major cause of weight gain as it is a concentrated sugar. Excessive consumption can lead to abnormal blood sugar levels that may eventually cause diabetes.
  • processed vitamins. These vitamins have been heated, liquefied and isolated and thus they have been broken down and the the body will not benefit from them.
  • phosphoric acid. This acid is usually found in detergents, fertilizers and other pharmaceuticals products. Consumption of this acid can lead to the irritation of the skin and eyes.
  • artificial coloring such as the yellow 6, yellow 5 and red 40.
  • modified food starch.

No doubt that ready-made commercial health drinks are convenient especially for the busy working people, nothing beats making your own health drink. All you need is a juicer, ice, plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and you can get fresh, natural health drinks everyday.

To learn more about health drinks, visit http://www.squidoo.com/healthdrinks

Helen is a keen researcher and writer of health and health related topics. Visit her website at http://www.strongandhealthy.info

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

The Benefits of Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is produced from the flower of the manuka bush which grows in New Zealand and parts of Australia. Scientific studies have shown that it is extremely effective in treating a variety of health conditions because it has a variety of powerful properties. It is effective in destroying bacteria, virus, fungus and other microbes.

Manuka honey is also an antioxidant, which means it contains an extra molecule that can attach to another molecule and prevent or slow down oxidation which is damaging to the cells. This honey can also reduce infection because of its anti-septic qualities, and reduces pain caused by swelling and inflammation.

Manuka honey, which can be taken orally, can eliminate or lessen a wide variety of health conditions such as stomach aches, stomach ulcers, strep throat, sore throat, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, and even common cold symptoms. It can be given to young children, but not to babies under the age of 18 months.

Another A that manuka honey has been shown to be useful in treating is anti-wrinkle. The addition of manuka honey to an anti-wrinkle serum aids the production of collagen fibers to strengthen the skin and improve elasticity. It also regenerates new cells, rejuvenates the skin, and gives you a younger, healthier glow.

Because manuka is able to absorb impurities and kill bacteria in the pores of the skin, it is an ideal treatment for acne and other similar skin conditions, such as rosacea, dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis. Plus it helps to fade skin redness and eliminate pain caused by these conditions.

Fungal infections such as athlete's foot, ringworm, jock itch, nail fungus can be treated by manuka honey because of its powerful anti-fungal properties. Because of its ability to penetrate the surface of the skin, makes it possible for the cream to reach the areas where its anti-inflammatory action can do more to relieve the pain.

Manuka honey is a potent addition to first aid lotions and hand-sanitizing gels. It helps prevent scarring, helps destroy anti-biotic-resistance bacteria, and moisturizes the skin. It has also been shown to be effective in treating MRSA and other staph infections.

I think you'll agree that a study of manuka honey is definitely worth your time.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Bleeding Hemorrhoids - How to Stop the Bleeding

There are many factors that cause bleeding hemorrhoids like having weak rectal vein walls and valves, constipation, pregnancy, low-fiber diet, irregular bowel movement, prolonged sitting or standing, and anal sex. Bleeding hemorrhoids are painful, irritating, and the whole bloody experience can make one nauseated and disgusted. Is there a way to stop the bleeding? Here are some tested and proven remedies that can help you cope with bleeding hemorrhoids:

Eat fiber-rich food

Usually, the kind of food one eats is a major cause of bleeding hemorrhoids as well as other diseases. Having a high-fiber diet with lots of fruits and vegetables can help improve digestion and produce soft bowels which are easy to eliminate. In addition, you get the nutrients your body needs to heal itself naturally and prevent hemorrhoids from worsening. Avoid too much sugar, spices, caffeine, and salt in your diet.

Drink plenty of fluids

Drinking six to eight glasses of water a day can do wonders to your body and in relieving yourself from bleeding hemorrhoids. You can also substitute water with fresh fruit and vegetable juices to keep the digestive process flow naturally. However, you must avoid caffeinated drinks like coffee and soda as well as alcoholic drinks that can make your body acidic.

Keep your body moving

Exercise is another excellent method that can help you cope with bleeding hemorrhoids. Take a walk early in the morning or after office hours. If you are at work, stand every now and then and walk a bit to relax your bottom. Regular exercise can speed up metabolism and keep your digestive system from working efficiently.

Go when you need to go

Never postpone your bowel movement or stop yourself from defecating when the need arises. Eliminate your wastes regularly to avoid fecal matter to remain in the large intestine. Otherwise, stool will become drier and harder and you have to strain to get it out. Avoid exerting too much pressure in the blood vessels and veins in the anal and rectal regions by defecating when needed.

Keep your anus clean and dry

In order to stop bleeding hemorrhoids, you must keep your anus clean and dry. Simply use plain water or natural cleansing products in cleaning your bottom especially after defecating. Avoid using soap as much as possible since it can irritate the skin. After which, pat it dry with a clean towel and sprinkle with baby powder or cornstarch to absorb moisture. Do not scratch or rub too hard since this can only worsen hemorrhoids instead of healing them.

Bleeding hemorrhoids are a serious health condition that needs to be treated immediately. Learn how to cope with bleeding hemorrhoids by eating fiber-rich food, drinking plenty of fluids, exercising, defecating regularly, and keeping your anus clean. Protect yourself from hemorrhoids and have a healthier body.

Top rated Hemorrhoids Treatment Products
Hemorrhoid Treatment Options

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

What Leads to Urinary Tract Infection?

The human body releases several waste products like sweat, stool and urine. The sweat is eliminated from the body through the pores on the skin, while stool is released during the bowel movements. Similarly, the urinary tract and kidney play a very important role in the excretion of urine from the body. The urine consists of metabolic byproducts like salts, toxins and water that is removed from the body through urinary secretion.

The urinary tract system consists of kidney, uterus, urethra and urinary bladder. The main function of the kidney is to control the concentration of essential nutrients in the blood. Hence, any damage to the kidneys can increase the proportion of nutrients to uncontrollable level. Kidneys are also responsible for maintaining the water balance inside the body, so that every body tissue gets ample water for its sound growth and functionality.

Once, the kidneys filter the waste, the urine enters the urinary bladder and exits through the urethra during the urinary excretion. However, sometimes the urinary tract gets infected due to attack of Ecoli bacteria on the urinary system. Initially, the bacterium resides near the anus but moves towards the uterus due to improper cleaning during the bowel movements.

Eventually, the bacterium enters the urinary bladder and sticks to the bladder walls. Thus, the bug multiplies itself and attacks the bladder walls leading to bladder infection. Later on, the urinary infection is accompanied by several urinary problems like blood or pus in urine, frequent urge to urinate, pain during urinary secretion etc. Hence, the condition can become worse and infect the kidneys in long run leading to kidney damage.

Hence, if you are suffering from urinary tract infection, then you must consult a doctor immediately. You can also consume D-mannose, a natural sugar solution that detaches the Ecoli bacteria from the bladder walls and evacuates the bug from the urinary bladder. Thus, the infection will be cleaned within few days and resume normal functioning of the urinary system.

About the Author:-

Robert Henry is connoisseur in the field of medication. He has been writing some amazing articles on urinary tract symptoms and cures of the disease. His knowledgeable articles have brought amazing changes in the lives of several individuals.