Posts Tagged ‘Risk’

Iron: Too Much Can Harm You

Comments: 0October 10th, 2011 by admin



Several studies have shown that high blood levels of iron are associated with an increased risk of suffering heart attacks and cancers, particularly those of the esophagus and bladder. A study from Harvard showed that it may be the meat source of iron, rather than just the iron itself, that causes the heart attacks and cancers.

People who eat a lot of meat, fish and chicken have higher blood levels of iron than vegetarians. The iron in meat, fish and chicken is called heme iron, which is absorbed at a very high level, around 10-20 percent. On the other hand, the iron that you get from plants is absorbed very poorly; only one to three percent of the iron from leafy green vegetables and other plant sources of iron is absorbed.

Even though there is an association between high iron levels and cancer and heart attacks, we do not know if the iron causes these diseases. You can find out if your iron level is too high by asking you doctor to draw blood for a test called transferrin iron binding saturation. People with a transferrin iron binding saturation of more than 60 percent are at increased risk for developing heart attacks and cancers. If your level is greater than 60 percent, you can reduce your intake of iron by restricting meat, fish, chicken and iron-supplemented foods, and you can get rid of extra iron by donating blood six or more times a year.

Hemochromatosis is an inherited condition in which a person stores too much iron. It is easily treated by donating blood periodically, and when that is done the person will lead a perfectly normal life. Problems only occur when the condition is not diagnosed.

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Posted in anemia

Genital Herpes is More Prevalent Than You Think

Comments: 0June 17th, 2011 by admin



There are two major problems we are facing with genital herpes today. One is the lack of testing leaving many people infected without knowing it. The other is the ignorance by many people of just how widespread it is making it all the more likely this incredibly annoying disease is not going to go away any time soon. Those who are sexually active and especially with multiple partners are all at risk.

Unfortunately, genital herpes is not curable, only symptomatically treatable. Many people don’t even know they have it. They may have only had one outbreak years ago and mistaken it for something else.

A friend of mine had a scare when a woman he had been seeing for several years (not exclusively) told me after he had had sex with her recently that she thought she was having a genital outbreak and he may have been exposed. She told him she had it years ago one time and took something like Valtrex and got rid of it and had never had a recurrence until recently. She was under the false impression that that meant she was no longer putting others at risk of passing it along.

Some quick facts on HSV (Herpes):

About 1 in 4 to 1 in 5 of those in the US over age 12 test positive for HSV 2 with a blood test that accurately distinguishes between HSV 1 and 2. The scary part is out of those who are positive, only 1 in 10 knew it before they were tested.

70% of new herpes infections are transmitted from someone showing no symptoms at the time they infected their partner.

For women, a negative pap smear for herpes doesn’t mean she isn’t infected.

The current test known as herpes select is a blood test that accurately distinguishes between types 1 and 2 and is available through the major labs Quest and Labcorp.

A positive test doesn’t indicate when you got it only that you do have it.

It’s also important to know it can take several months after exposure for you to test positive. So those who have multiple partners or move from partner to partner frequently are putting themselves and their partners at a much higher risk.

A study on risk produced the following facts:

The risk is about 10% per year that an infected male will transmit HSV 2 to an uninfected female. That is, if 100 infected men were having one-on-one sex with 100 uninfected women, about 10 women would get infected per year. It’s a little less likely for a woman to pass it to a man – about 4 men out of 100 will get it.

This study was based on no condom use, no sex during herpes outbreaks and no use of daily herpes medications.

Talking about STDs can take all the spontaneity and romance out of sex. Talk about a mood killer. But rather you kill the mood than get something that’ll kill you. Or better yet, get all this unpleasant talk out of the way long before getting physical with somebody.

If you’ve been having your fun and have managed to avoid catching it, don’t forget, the next new partner you hook up with may be carrying it and pass it to you without knowing it until after the fact.

When you are out there whether it’s on dating sites or where ever you are meeting a sexual partner, many people claim they are STD free and tested regularly. While that may be true, what most people don’t realize is that it usually only means they get tested for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and maybe warts (which are easy to spot). Unless you specifically request a herpes test, you most likely didn’t get tested for it. This is something that should really be addressed in the public health arena.

A majority of the population has HSV 1 known as the cold sore virus. This can passed orally to give someone genital herpes type HSV 1. HSV 2 can’t be passed genitally to oral, only genital to genital. A person can have one and not the other, or they can have both. However, HSV 1 doesn’t turn into HSV 2 or visa versa. Having one type doesn’t make you immune to getting the other.

So, to summarize, HSV 1 can be transferred orally to genital or genital to genital. HSV 2 is only transferred genital to genital.

***UPDATE***I recently discussed this with a dermatologist who informed me that we’re still not for sure on whether HSV 2 can be transmitted from genital to oral. So it looks like things aren’t figured out yet. Your best bet is to keep your immune system strong though healthy lifestyle choices and being careful out there. Sorry spontaneity is exciting, but it can also result in some unfortunate consequences.

Herpes testing should be made mandatory as part of your annual blood work testing if you are sexually active – not just HIV. although hsv isn’t fatal, it still carries a social stigma with it.

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Posted in anemia

Tests Used to Determine an Anemia Diagnosis

Comments: 0April 24th, 2011 by admin

There are several tests if not many used to determine an anemia diagnosis. Prior to initiating tests for this particular condition, the medical professional that is evaluating the patient will inquire about the family history as it pertains to health. Typically, the basic symptoms of anemia are discussed and also the individual being tested will be asked if they have experienced any of the symptoms presented.

Seeing that a lot of medical conditions often result in anemia, the doctor will also determine if any of those have been or are being experienced. A physical may also be issued in order to determine if an anemia diagnosis is appropriate. Diagnostic tests will then be usually issued.

Blood Count Test For Anemia Diagnosis

The blood count test is one of the most important when it comes to an anemia diagnosis. The one that is used is called a “CBC” or “Complete Blood Count”. This particular test evaluates a lot of different aspects of the blood. This type of blood test will check the hemoglobin levels of the body.

This substance is enriched with high levels of iron and working to ensure that all areas of the body receive the appropriate amount of oxygen. It is an established that if the hemoglobin is lower than average, anemia may develop. The blood count test will also measure the level of hematocrit in the blood of the sufferer.

This is the actual measurement analysis related to how much space is required when it comes to the red blood cells. If there are low hematocrit levels in the body, this could mean that the subject has or is at risk for anemia. Other tests will evaluate the blood to determine if anemia is an issue.

Conclusion

There are many different tests used to determine an anemia diagnosis. While the one identified as the “Complete Blood Count” is considered to be one of the most common tests given. There are more tests out there. These include, but are not at all limited to:

• Iron Test

• Reticulocyte Tests

• Reticulocyte Count

• Hemoglobin Electrophoresis

If you, or a loved one, have symptoms that are like those that are experienced while suffering from anemia, it is very important to know and understand that there are many Alzheimer’s diagnosis tests may incorporate all of the aforementioned types and more. If this progressive disease is identified early enough, there is a high possibility that it may be treated successfully.

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Posted in anemia

Hay Fever

Comments: 0April 17th, 2011 by admin



Did you know that hay fever affects 20% of all Americans? You will find that there are plenty of on going research projects that are trying to come up with better medications and better treatments for this disorder. There are a lot of people who will miss days of school or workdays because they are severing from hay fever.

You will want to think about the discomfort of having hay fever. There are a lot of people who will have hay fever as a child, severely, but then they will simply grow out of it. Some people will do the opposite and get worse and worse as they grow up.

For those who have asthma already, you will want to take hay fever very seriously. You will see more of the symptoms of the disorder than most people. You will find it not only difficult to breath, but you will also want to live with hay fever attacks. You may find it so life threatening, you don’t want to underestimate the power of a hay fever attack. You will want to think about getting tested because you are putting your life at risk.

Hay fever is commonly arises because of the allergens in the air. You will find that there are spores, dust, and even pet dander that may cause you to have hay fever. You don’t want to put yourself at rise for such disorders. You will also find that there are many flowering plants and the grass that will let off such pollens. There are also small pollen particles that are associated to trees.

Only your doctor can help to determine rather or not there is an appropriate treatment. You will want to learn how to control your hay fever, rather than have the hay fever control you. You will want to learn how you can reduce the severity of your symptoms. You will also want to think about learning how to avoid some of the seasonal allergies so that you don’t go through the symptoms of hay fever.

How do you know if you have hay fever? You’ll know that you have hay fever because you will constantly be touching your nose and you will feel like your whole face is puffy. You will not only notice a change in your nasal and mouth, you will want to think about your total health. Your head is going to be very fuzzy and you’ll have some issues with the way that you see as well. You’ll know when you have hay fever because you are going to want to stop and take a break until it passes.

A lot people will miss work or school because of the disorder, and you can’t let it get the best of you.

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Posted in Allergy And Sinus

Cure For Leukemia From Nature

Comments: 0November 29th, 2009 by admin



Many people are now looking for natural cures to things such as leukemia. This is becoming more and more common among those that are suffering from this disease. There are many different reasons that people have for looking for natural cures for their illnesses. Some of them are because the patient may not like the chemical treatment that the doctor is offering. There can be severe and dangerous side effects and the patient may not find it worth the risk. If this is the case then they may turn to natural treatments to help them with their battle. You should certainly have hope because there are options for those seeking a cure for leukemia from nature out there.

Medical Treatment for Leukemia

The main medical treatment for leukemia is chemotherapy. The effects of chemotherapy may be detrimental to the patient in many ways. The patient may get fatigue and feel like they don’t want to get out of bed. This can lead to depression and depression is far from good when you are trying to get your body to heal. Chemotherapy can also cause nausea or vomiting this is a side effect that many people simply do not like. It can make you feel very ill and that is not always good for getting your body to want to heal either.

Another common side effect from chemotherapy treatment is that you will often times lose your hair. This is undesirable and may be something that many are not willing to deal with. With chemotherapy you may find that you lose all of you hair and then are in need of a wig just to hide the fact that your hair is missing. You may also lose a good bit of weight as well. This could mainly be the cause of the nausea and vomiting enabling you from being able to eat or even keep down any amount of food.

Natures cure for leukemia

One of the most common known cures for leukemia is vitamin A. It is said that vitamin A has had great cure rates since the studies that have been done on it. In the studies vitamin A was injected directly into the fat of the person with leukemia. This deposit of vitamin A was said to be deposited into a “fat bubble” or into “bubbles of fat” to increase or enhance bio-availability.

There were 34 patients that were in the study and all they received was the vitamin A. Out of these 34 patients that received the vitamin A, 10 of these patients where still cancer free after five years even though none of these patients received the chemotherapy treatments. This was said to be astonishing by those who preformed the study.

These patients received only vitamin A for the natural treatment they did not receive any of the other natural remedies that are proven to help with leukemia as well. There are many other herbs and vitamins that if taken in conjunction with the vitamin A are thought to increase the success rate of the vitamin A treatment.

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Posted in leukimia