Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Healthy Diet to Prevent Heart Diseases
• Hypertension: Normal blood pressure for an average adult lies between systolic pressure between 110 to 130 and diastolic 70 to 90. A person who smokes or is obese or contributes to any factor, causing blockade of vessels may suffer from High Blood Pressure.
• Unhealthy eating habits and Obesity: This is one of the main causes of cardiac arrest across the globe. Obesity causes increase in cholesterol levels. Fatty food sticks to arteries and nerves, which causes heart diseases.
• Tobacco: This is also a recognized reason for cardiac arrests around the world. Tobacco blocks nerves, which makes the body insufficient for carrying oxygen to the whole body.
Other sources of heart diseases may be heredity, lack of exercise, emotional stress, high fat diet, birth control pills, alcohol etc.
Heart diseases can be prevented by adopting preventive measures. Healthy eating habits are the most vital step to be adopted. To snack or eat unhealthy food is the major cause for heart attacks and diseases. Various diet charts can be available online or through consultation with your physician.
People suffering from Hypertension should eat food, which prevents hypertension. They should avoid foods, which are high in cholesterol, salt and fat. People prone to heart diseases should have certain compulsory components in their diet like fruits, vegetables, pulses, grams and dairy products which have lower fat content. One should look for "partially hydrogenated" food. This type of food prevents accumulation trans-fat. Poly-unsaturated fat might reduce the risk of heart attacks and lower blood pressure. This type of fat is available in nuts like walnuts and almonds, and they should be accompanied with pulses and grams. Some steps should be kept in mind, when one is managing his /her diet to prevent heart attack.
Some of them are:
• Control on the amount of food: One should not overload the plate with all the food he likes to eat. There should always be a concerted effort to eat less and healthy. Always keep a check on the number or amount of servings.
• Consuming fruits and vegetables: A person who wishes to take preventive methods should always promote vegetarianism. Eating meat causes heart risk, because it contains a high amount of cholesterol and fat. Fresh and low sodium fruits and vegetables should be preferred. Frozen fruit juice can also be substituted.
• Consumption of whole grain and pulses: Grains like Oats, Whole-wheat flour, barley etc. should be chosen. Such grains provide the right amount of protein that is required.
Heart Murmur in Children - Is It Common?
The first thing to do in such a situation is to identify its type. Keep in mind that being well informed about the condition will certainly help both your child and you. So make sure to gather every possible bit of information on the subject. Irrespective of the particular type of heart murmur your child has developed, do a thorough research on the subject and find out all you possibly can. Without any doubt, this information will come very handy to you regarding the various treatment options for heart murmurs. Keep in mind that the heart murmur does not mean a death sentence.
In case the murmur which your child has is indeed a serious condition, he or she will be referred to a cardiac specialist for sure who will evaluate your child's condition further. He will take the necessary measures to decide the degree of heart damage already happened and what type of treatment will be the best to adapt in the present condition.
There are generally two different types. They are classified as innocent and abnormal. In the case of innocent murmur, there is really very little to be concerned about because most of these children will grow out of it and so these types of murmurs are not considered as a health risk.
The second type, known as abnormal heart murmur mostly happens due to some defect in the structure of the heart such as a hole present in the heart at birth. In case such defects are serious enough to cause backing up of blood in the heart, the child may show difficulty while fed from a bottle continuously. The child will have to stop to breathe in between. Also, a bluish tint can be found in the child's lips, and he or she may show an inability to grow.
Generally, in order to determine how bad a child's murmur is, the cardiac specialist may classify it in various ways. Initially, the murmur is ranked on a scale of 1 to 6 for its loudness or intensity. A Grade 1 heart murmur will be very low in loudness so that they will be really very difficult to hear. On the other hand, a grade 6 heart murmur will be really loud and easily audible. Another classification of the heart murmur will be based on whether they are blowing, soft or harsh having high-frequency. Yet another classification is based on the location on the chest where the murmur can be best heard. This will be evaluated along with the information such as where the heart murmur is heard in a particular heart beat cycle.
In case your child has been diagnosed to have an abnormal murmur that is due to a valve defect or due to a hole in their heart which was present at birth, surgery is the most probably recommended solution to repair such a defect. Medications may also be prescribed in order to control and alleviate the symptoms present.
Monday, 17 September 2012
Heart Disease - What Signs Should You Be Looking for?
Some of the more obvious signs and symptoms include a shortness of breath during movement that would not otherwise be expected to leave you exerted. This can be compounded with heart palpitations or an irregular rhythm which is unusual to yourself. Another common symptom can be a nauseas sick feeling accompanied by sweating for no explainable reason. Some individuals with heart related problems may also become aware of periods of weakness in either side of their bodies. All of these conditions are worrying enough in themselves but this is made much more concerning by the fact that the indicators for heart disease are also the same symptoms that are associated with the onset of a heart attack. The key here is to understand that any of these signs should not be ignored and should be referred to a physician as soon as possible.
While some signs and symptoms may not necessarily mean that the individual currently suffers with heart disease, there are certain factors which are beyond the control of us as a population. For example, statistics have shown that men are more prone to be sufferers of heart disease. Age can also be a deciding factor beyond our control and influence, so this should be considered when thinking about visiting a doctor to check on the health of your heart. Whilst heart disease is a huge concern, there are in existence a range of very effective treatments which can be used to address heart disease. In addition, there are many lifestyle options which can help to reduce the impact and also act as a preventative measure for those considered to be in at risk groups. Having a better understanding of the signs associated with heart problems will undoubtedly leave you in a better position to care for the health of your heart and take action quicker should you have a concern.
Wednesday, 12 September 2012
How Crowded Teeth Can Increase Your Chance of Heart Disease
Did you know that having overlapping (or crowded) teeth can affect your overall health?
It may seem crazy but a study done by the Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics evaluated the risk of harmful bacteria gathering around your teeth when they are overlapping. They found that even with as little as 3mm of crowding of the lower anterior teeth, there is more risk for developing chronic inflammation of the gums. Chronic problems like periodontal disease are usually not painful and they get worse with time. It is only at a later age that the manifestations of the process that has been going on for years and even decades becomes noticeable.
This is exactly what happens with crowding of the teeth. When the teeth are overlapping it is much harder to clean, brush and floss the teeth. They accumulate more plaque and tartar which, in turn, causes accumulation of bacteria. As the tartar builds up the type of bacteria in the gums changes from aerobic ( bacteria that need oxygen to survive) to anaerobic ( bacteria that survive without oxygen). These anaerobic bacteria have been linked to some very scary diseases such as coronary heart disease. The journal of Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology and Endodontology published a study in 2003 where they found "Periodontal disease appears to be associated with a 19% increase in risk of future cardiovascular disease". This risk is most prominent in people who are 65 years or younger.
What does this mean for you?
Just like everything else in life, prevention is the best, most affordable and most effective treatment. Periodontal disease can have many causes including your oral habits, genetics and how much crowding you have. There is not much you can do about genetics, but you can easily correct the crowding of lower anterior teeth with invisalign. By correcting the crowding you will decrease the chances of harboring harmful bacteria under your gums and around your teeth. These bacteria can not only lead to tooth loss and gum disease, but can have serious repercussions for your overall health as you get older. It is worth an investment now to prevent harmful periodontal disease for many years to come.
More and more adults are discovering that getting straight teeth does not mean having to wear ugly braces for years. As invisalign braces are becoming more commonplace, it is much easier to get your teeth straight in a reasonably short period of time. Most adults have to wear invisalign for about 12 months and the cost of braces can be spread over many months to make it more affordable than ever.
ExperTrans language - multilingual services
ExperTrans voice-overs services
ExperTrans interpreting translation services
How to Save Your Heart From the Heat
Increasing heat and humidity are uncomfortable for most of us, but for those with bad heart conditions, they can be dangerous and even deadly. Our heart and our bodies are programmed to maintain a steady temperature for proper functioning of our vital organs like heart, brain, kidney and lungs. In summers the body tries to cool itself through perspiration and dilation of the blood vessels. This result's in increased heart rate and lower blood pressure that can cause problems for those with heart disease. Medication taken by many patients with heart disease can also cause problems in extreme heat.
During this weather, Diuretics water pills are used to reduce fluid retention in patients with heart failure, may actually cause dehydration, this in Dturn results in huge reduction of water levels in body and may result in death.
However, patients should be warned against drinking large amount of fluids recommended to the general public during heating spells, as this could add significant stress on heart and the cardiovascular system.
Keep your cools, individuals with heart disease should follow the same guidance as healthy individuals, but with extra helping of precaution.
Stay inside during the hottest part of the day is the wise choice for all those having such problems. If your home is not air conditioned or air cooled, try to find some place in the house that is the coolest like basement. Limit your outdoor activities. Wear loose fittings, light cotton clothing. Stay hydrated and avoid caffeine and alcohol. Have someone check in on your health.
Anyone with heart problems or high blood pressure experiencing symptoms like heavy sweating, Muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headaches, fainting, should seek immediate medical attention and cools down by taking a cold shower immediately.
The best advice for avoiding heat stress is to keep as cool as possible. Air condition can provide lifesaving relief from heat stress, especially if you have the heart disease.
If you do not have air conditioning, spend as much time as possible in cool shopping malls, senior centers, libraries, movie theaters, or in the coolest room in your home. Indigenous methods such as air coolers, water checks, etc. are also quite effective.
Your body needs more water in hot weather do not wait until you are thirsty to have water. If you have the heart disease, check with your doctor for advice on how much water you should drink, as discussed earlier right amount of intakes at right time are vital for your heart's health.
So enjoy the summers, but stay cool.
ExperTrans language - multilingual services
ExperTrans voice-overs services
ExperTrans interpreting translation services
Tuesday, 11 September 2012
How to Read Food Labels for a Healthier Heart
In the United States, it is unlawful to sell packaged food or beverage products without a label with nutritional information. This is good, especially if you are trying to make healthy eating choices. Unfortunately, many people have difficulty understanding food labels. They are misinformed by the media all the time. Let's see if this article can give some basic instruction on how to read food labels.
• First of all, look at the nutritional label. Are there several words that are chemical names you cannot pronounce? If you are shopping for a healthier heart, put that product back on the shelf. The first simple key is to try to buy foods in as close to their natural state as you can. Those long words are chemicals added for color, preservatives, and artificial flavoring. As much as you can, avoid those foods. Keep it simple. Keep it basic.
• Next, notice what a serving size is and how many servings are in the container. It is flawed logic to assume that a bottle of soda, for example, holds one serving. All of the information on the label will be based on a single serving. For example, say a single serving contains 25% of the daily value (based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet) of sodium. If the container holds 2 servings and you eat both servings in one setting, you have consumed half of the recommended salt for the day. And if you are on a reduced calorie diet, say 1400 calories, you should not have any more sodium for the rest of the day. And that can be harder than you might think, since there is sodium in many foods. For example, cheese or butter-type products and any carbonated beverages cannot be made without salt. Watch your sodium carefully as it can cause water retention that could lead to congestive heart failure and hypertension.
• Understanding food labels with regard to a healthy heart means you want to look at the calories per serving and usually next to it on the label are the number of calories of fat. All types of fat in the product are included in this number. If it is more than 1/3 of the total calories, it is probably a bad idea for you to eat this food. "Probably" because you want to then look at the listing for fat. There are different types of fat, some are bad for you and some are essential for your healthy heart.
- Saturated fats- These are bad for your health. They increase cholesterol and can cause heart disease.
- Trans fats- Avoid these as much as you can. They are very bad for you.
- Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats- These fats lower cholesterol and clear arteries. They are essential for good heart health.
Certain specific fats such as Omega3 and Omega6 are very important to your health. They are good for your heart. All fats have a caloric value of 9 calories per gram. Decrease the amount of bad fats and increase the good fats.
Obviously, there is more to learn about understanding food labels, but these basics will get you started in the right direction toward your healthy heart.
ExperTrans language - multilingual services
ExperTrans voice-overs services
ExperTrans interpreting translation services
Tuesday, 4 September 2012
Minimally Invasive Atrial Myxoma Surgery Allows a Cure and a Quick and Painless Recovery
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with atrial myxoma, you'll be relieved to find out that there are very effective open heart surgical procedures to cure this disease. Most cardiac surgery centers can only offer a traditional approach to this problem by performing the operation through a foot-long split of the breast bone, known as a median sternotomy. This article will help you become familiar with a minimally invasive option to cure atrial myxomas in a much less challenging way for your recovery and well-being.
A minimally invasive myxoma surgery is carried out through a 2" incision placed in the skin fold under the right breast that allows access to the chest cavity by opening a space between the fourth and the fifth rib. There is no bone breaking involved and very minimal bleeding. This surgical field affords an excellent exposure and resection of the atrial myxoma. The tiny incision can then be numbed up with a long acting local anesthetic to insure a pain-free awakening in recovery room. It is very rare for this operation to require any blood transfusion.
If your doctors are not familiar with these techniques or they do not think it could be done with a minimally invasive approach, you can find abundant information online, including step-by-step narrated surgical videos and pictures. You should feel free and entitled to discuss your research with your doctor and ask him provide your clinical information for an expeditious review by an expert minimally invasive heart surgeon. Do your homework and be proactive. Most minimally invasive centers can provide additional information and support for your search. It is becoming increasingly common to see out-of-state patients travel to reputable minimally invasive and bloodless heart surgery centers to receive their cure and treatment for this heart tumor. Most patients can travel back home six to seven days after their surgery.
So many people spend countless hours shopping for a pair of shoes or a new car. Shopping for your own health certainly deserves all your attention.
Rheumatic Fever: A Disease of Developing Countries
Some 50 years ago, rheumatic fever was one of the main childhood disease in North America and Europe that damaged heart valves of many people. These damages exhibit themselves in many elderly people as mitral stenosis, a most commonly observed heart valve disorder. But, nowadays rheumatic fever is a very rare condition in developed countries due to the use of effective antibiotics. Apart from that, standards of living have also increased with an opportunity for better housing and nutrition. Still, a few occurrences have been reported in the US in recent times but none were reported in the UK. Even though this is the situation in developed countries, rheumatic fever still affects numerous people in developing countries.
Generally, rheumatic fever develops afterwards a streptococcal bacterial infection of the throat. Such a condition happens when the immune system of our body attacks the body's own tissues due to infection.
Major symptoms
Rheumatic fever surfaces at about 1-4 weeks after the sore throat has cleared up. Commonly found symptoms includes:High fever.Swelling and aching of the joints, like knees, ankles and elbows.Characteristic pink rashes on the limbs and trunk.
In case the heart muscle gets affected, chest pain and shortness of breath may persist for some more weeks till the inflammation settles down. Also, keep in mind that a heart valve inflammation once happened, may cause a permanent damage to the valve that may lead to scarring and thickening of the valve many years later. Excessive tiredness is also another symptom of valve damage.
Steps to Be Taken:
Once rheumatic fever is diagnosed, in order to confirm the streptococcal infection a blood test is performed by taking a swab from the throat. An X-ray may also be needed to have a look at the size of the heart and to confirm whether it is inflamed or not. Another test to be conducted will be ECG. ECG will help to monitor electrical activity of the heart and to take the interior image of the heart valves.
Once diagnosed, the patient is given antibiotics to fight the infection. Also, two weeks full bed rest is advised. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines will be given to reduce the joint inflammation and fever. In addition to these, corticosteroids will be prescribed in order to reduce the inflammation. Low-dose antibiotic intake may also be required for up to five years in order to avoid recurrence of the illness.
Studies show that for around 1 in 100 people, the rheumatic fever attack becomes fatal and may cause death. Also, note that the risk of a recurrent attack is highest in the initial three years after the first infection in young people with damaged valves. After around ten years, 2 in 3 people will have a heart valve disorder that is detectable.
Lowering Cholesterol Naturally by Consuming Fiber-Rich Food
Fiber can lower blood cholesterol by reducing the amount of bile reabsorbed in your intestines. You see, when fiber interferes with the absorption of bile in your intestines, the bile becomes excreted in your feces. The liver then produces more bile salts to make up for the previous loss of bile. Your body uses cholesterol to produce bile salts. Hence, your liver produces more LDL receptors to acquire the necessary cholesterol to produce more bile salts.
Such receptors are responsible for getting rid of cholesterol out of the LDL molecules in your bloodstream. Because of this, more bile salts are produced from your liver if more LDL cholesterol is pulled from your blood. Lowering cholesterol naturally is indeed possible by increasing your intake of fiber. In fact, researchers have proven that a five- to ten-gram increase in soluble fiber intake can reduce LDL cholesterol by about five percent.
Some of the fiber-rich food you can find in your local grocery store are oatmeal, oat bran, barley, and pysillium. These food products are actually rich in beta glucan which is a soluble form of fiber. They can lower your LDL and total cholesterol. Other food that are rich in fiber are fruits, cereals, nuts, and green vegetables. You should also have more legumes such as lentils, peas, and dried beans.
You may also intake supplements that contain fiber. Keep in mind that fiber binds to cholesterol. If you do not have enough fiber in your body, the cholesterol will not easily be expelled. This could build up and lead to unpleasant circumstances such as fatal diseases.
Whole grains are also ideal. Lowering cholesterol naturally can be achieved by swapping white bread for whole wheat bread. You should also swap all your carbohydrate-rich food including rice for whole grains since they are healthier. Instead of eating white rice, you should eat brown rice. While the refined grains that you have probably been used to eating contain iron and B vitamins, they do not contain fiber.