Archive for March, 2011

Uric Acid Arthropathy- A Painful Rheumatic Complaint

Uric acid arthropathy or gout is a rheumatic complaint that usually affects middle-aged people particularly men. This disease is caused by the accumulation of uric acid or sodium urate crystals in joints. Gout often attacks a single joint and is characterized by redness, swelling, throbbing, soreness and burning sensation.

Uric acid is a by-product of body’s metabolism and is removed through urination. Due to certain reasons, uric acid accumulates in the blood serum. With the passage of time, the concentration of sodium urate in the blood becomes so high that it starts to settle in the large joints. In severe cases, uric acid accumulates in the skin, giving it a yellowish colour or forming nodules on the tragus of ears.

In order to maintain the health of your joints, you should follow a balanced diet plan comprising of seafood, vegetables, fruits and lean meats. Make sure that you perform a physical activity on a regular basis.

It also makes a good idea to use a dietary supplement that takes care of your joints and bones. Regenovex One A Day Joint Health Capsules is an excellent joint care product for men and women. It is a fast acting product that is an advanced formulation of two naturally-derived functional ingredients; Hyaluronic Acid restores and maintains the health of joints whereas Marine Bionovex Oil soothes discomfort. Moreover, it helps joint flexibility and can be used with anti-inflammatory medicines. You should take 2 capsules daily for first 10 days and thereafter take one a day.


Treatments for Hair Loss

If you are facing the hair loss problem, then there are many ways to treat it and get your lost confidence back. Hair treatment depends on many factors such as how severe the loss is, the cost of the treatment and how much hair loss bothers you.

If your hair loss is due to another illness, treatment of the illness is the best remedy for hair loss. However, if hair loss is due to hereditary and environmental reasons, then medications, dietary supplements, grooming techniques, surgery and hairpieces make great treatments to re-grow hair on your scalp.

Among dietary supplements, Vitabiotics Wellman Tricologic Hair Growth & Condition makes a wise choice to use because it promotes healthy hair growth and hair follicles. The hair follicle has metabolic requirements for energy, oxygen and specific nutrients which facilitate protein synthesis for the production of scalp oils and hair growth. Hair follicle metabolism is influenced by the male’s body hormone balance as well. Tricologic contains specific nutrients that can influence this balance and positively influence hair follicle metabolism.

An inadequate diet, unhealthy lifestyle, improper hair styling and stress can have a negative impact on your hair health. Tricologic Hair Growth contains 30 bio-active ingredients including minerals, essential vitamins and other nutrients designed to nourish hair and maintain healthy hair follicle metabolism. This supplement also contains keratone Amino-lignan complex that helps maintain existing hair growth. You should take 2 or 3 tablets per day with a main deal and should not exceed the recommended daily intake.


Smoking Increases Your Risk for Health Problems

Not only does smoking cause cardiovascular problems, but is also responsible for the numerous lung diseases such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis and lung cancer. People who smoke raise their risk of lung cancer by more than 20 times. Moreover, smoking significantly increases your risk for other health problems.

Smoking is responsible for the thickening of arteries. As a result, the blood flow to heart is reduced. Smoking causes cancer of other organs such as mouth, throat, food pipe, prostrate, stomach, bladder, kidney and pancreas.

Smoking also leads to infertility and impotence. It is directly associated with erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Another negative effect of smoking is that it can lead to osteoporosis, which causes weakening and thinning of your bones. Cigarette smoke contains harmful chemicals that damage the youthful look of your skin and cause deep wrinkles and fine lines.

In order to avoid the smoking-related health problems, make sure that you quit smoking. Foods that are high in antioxidants help destroy the carcinogens and free radicals. Citrus fruits, nuts, green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits are very important in this regard.

It also makes a good idea to use a supplement that contains antioxidants in its formulation. Comvita Olive Leaf Antioxidant contains an extract made from fresh olive leaves that provides the combination of 12 key naturally occurring polyphenolic antioxidants. Oleuropein is the powerful antioxidant in olive leaves that helps destroy free radicals and carcinogens within your body. Comvita Olive Antioxidant is 30 times more powerful than the equivalent amount of pure olive oil. You should take 2 to 3 capsules per day.


Variant Angina

Variant or Prinzmetal angina is a type of angina that is caused by a coronary artery spasm. Muscle fibres surround the walls of the arteries. A sudden spasm or narrowing of the arteries may occur due to the rapid contraction of these muscle fibres. Narrowing of the coronary arteries reduces the supply of blood to the heart muscle and may cause angina.

Variant angina usually occurs in the early morning hours or during rest. Coronary artery spasm can also occur in those arteries narrowed by arteriosclerosis. Use of nicotine and cocaine can also cause prinzmetal angina and the spasm of artery wall can lead to a heart attack.

In order to avoid the risk of coronary artery spasm, one must quit smoking and use of nicotine. There are certain heart-healthy foods such as salmon, mackerel, nuts, whole grains and wheat germ that can help maintain the health of your cardiovascular system. These foods contain omega-3 fatty acids and B-vitamins that play an important role in maintaining the health of your heart.

You can also take a dietary supplement on a regular basis that makes use of omega-3 fatty acids in its formulation. Natrol Extreme Omega 3 Fish Oil is a popular brand on the market that supports cardiovascular health, cognitive health, joint health and balanced mood with the super-powered benefits of fish oil. It contains essential omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA in its formulation that are essential for maintaining the health of heart. A daily serving of this supplement provides 430 mg of DHA and 646 mg EPA fatty acids.


Triceps Dips – An Excellent Strength Training Exercise to Strengthen Your triceps.

Triceps Dips is an excellent strength training exercise that targets triceps, also known as brachii muscles. Triceps are the muscles that run from shoulder to elbow on the backside of your upper arm. These muscles help straighten your elbows and facilitate a smooth movement of upper limbs.

In order to perform the basic triceps dips, you need a strong wooden bench. Next step is to keep your back close to the bench and place your feet hip-width apart. Now, lower yourself slowly until your arms are bent at 90 degrees. Hold the sitting position for a few seconds and then push back up until your arms are straight. Make sure that you perform 3 sets of 15 reps each.

Before doing triceps dips, you should perform some warm-up exercises to prepare your muscles and reduce the risk of injury.

If you want to add muscle mass to your triceps, then make sure that strength training exercises are accompanied by a dietary supplement that is designed to provide highest biological value protein. Protein is an essential nutrient that helps gain muscle and promotes quick muscle recovery.

EAS Myopro Whey Protein Powder is a pure whey protein supplement that provides protein and branched chain amino acids. BCAAs such as leucine, isoleucine and valine increase the size of skeletal muscles and strengthen the large muscle groups. Moreover, it also contains fat and calcium. Mix 1.5 scoops with 200ml of juice, skimmed milk or cold water. Drink 1-4 servings daily preferably 2 before and 2 after a strength training session.


Night-time Urination (Nocturia)

Nocturia or night-time urination is more common in elderly people especially men. This condition is caused by an enlarged prostrate that presses on urethra, thus preventing the bladder from emptying completely.

There are other causes of nocturia including intake of diuretic medicines that cause more urination, irritation of bladder due to cystitis, swollen legs due to a heart or kidney disease and diabetes. In diabetic patients, frequent urination is often caused by uncontrolled blood glucose levels as their bodies need to produce extra urine to excrete glucose.

In order to tackle the problem, you should take diuretic medicines in the morning. If you are diabetic, make sure that you keep blood glucose levels in check. You must avoid drinking late at night, particularly beer, soft drinks, coffee and tea. It is also a good idea to keep a diary of what you drink and how much you drink. This will help you identify drinks that may make night-time urination worse.

Seven Seas Pulse Fish Oil is a popular dietary supplement that one should use for everyday health maintenance. It contains long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that play a part in supporting healthy kidney and brain functions. Moreover, it also contains vitamin E which is a natural antioxidant and protector of cells. Another benefit of Pulse Fish Oil is that it helps keep your joints supple and promotes healthy heart. Two capsules a day should be taken with a cold drink. Do not exceed the recommended daily intake under any condition.


Several Approaches to Treat Anxiety Effectively

Anxiety can be defined as an unpleasant and unrealistic feeling of doubt or worry. Anxiety disorder is common among women and men all around the globe. It is often accompanied by the physical symptoms such as irritability, unusual tiredness, disturbed sleep and lack of concentration. There are different types of anxiety disorder such as phobias, OCD, PTSD, agoraphobia etc.

Severe anxiety disorders may interfere with the ability of an individual to live normally and can cause considerable suffering. There are several approaches that help relieve anxiety. Medications such as those containing alprazolam, citalopram, escitalopram or resperidone are often prescribed to patients. However, it is important to remember that medications are used to relieve anxiety or reduce the symptoms of depression and they should not be considered a cure on their own. Rather, they facilitate patients to concentrate on counselling.

Behaviour therapy helps people to understand the reasons behind the stress or anxiety and develop techniques to manage it. Behaviour therapy is conducted by a counsellor, behaviour therapist or psychologist.

Consumption of foods high in B vitamins such as green leafy vegetables, eggs, seeds, nuts, brewer’s yeast, barley and wheat germ helps relieve anxiety and its symptoms. It also makes a good idea to take a dietary supplement on a regular basis that contains vitamin B-complex in its formulation.

Higher Nature Super Nutrition Multivitamins is a true A-Z multivitamin and mineral formula that includes vitamins B plus trace minerals in its formulation. The B vitamins are in a form similar to food, which help relieve the anxiety symptoms and absorb maximum energy from food.

Not only does this supplement help replace all essential nutrients lost from the diet through cooking and environmental factors such as alcohol, smoking, pollution and today’s demanding lifestyle, but is also ideal for busy lives and compromised digestion. It is available in pleasantly flavoured, easy to swallow tablets with natural vanilla.


Crunches- An Effective Exercise to Get Rid of Abdominal Fat

Crunch is a magnificent resistance training exercise that helps you train upper-body muscles by utilizing your own body weight. Crunches target your abdominal muscles and lower back. Strong abdominal muscles play an important role in improving your mid-frame and preventing back related problems. When combined with proper eating habits and cardio exercises, crunches can really make your stomach muscles firm and toned. Another benefit of performing crunches is that it helps shed unwanted fat, making you look fit, attractive and feel good about yourself.

In order to perform the Basic Crunch, lie on your back on the floor or on the mat. Make sure that you place hands by your ears and bend your knees with feet flat on the ground. Next step is to curl your shoulders forward by slowly lifting your upper back, shoulders and head. It is important that you keep your lower back on the ground. Hold the position for 5 seconds and then bring your head back to its starting position.

You should breathe in as you lower down and breathe out as you lift to tense the abdominals. When performing this exercise, make sure that you keep your head in line with your spine. It is important to maintain a steady and slow movement throughout the exercise. You should also suck in your gut so that your lower back muscles press against the floor.

Hard strength training sessions should be followed by foods that boost energy. Nutrisport Energy Boost makes an effective carbohydrate and protein drink with electrolytes. It helps replace body fluids that are lost during strenuous exercises. Moreover, it helps conserve muscle glycogen. Another important function of Nutrisport is that it offers 24%-28% greater increase in endurance than carbohydrate only drinks.


Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is a disease that is characterized by the inflammation of bones and bone marrow. It can be sub-classified on the basis of location, duration, route and causative species of bacteria.

Microorganisms can infect bones through local areas of infection, via blood stream or penetrating trauma. In infants and children, the infection often spreads to the large joints and may cause arthritis. In young adults and elderly, the maxilla, pelvis, humerus, femur, tibia and vertebra are especially vulnerable to osteomyelitis.

Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacter species are responsible for this disease in newborns. In children from 1 to 14 years of age, Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae are commonly isolated. In adults, Staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus species are more common.

Children usually have bloodstream-sourced osteomyelitis whereas adults are infected by an injury that often exposes the bone to local infection. There are numerous factors such as sepsis, fractures of the bones, endocarditis and amyloidosis that may complicate osteomyelitis. Diagnosis is often made based on a radiologic result, which often shows a lytic centre with an irregular ring of sclerosis. As far as the treatment of osteomyelitis is concerned, a prolonged antibiotic therapy is required to cure the infection which may last for months or even years.

In order to maintain the health of your bones, make sure that you incorporate a combination of improve immune system and joint care supplements into your routine. Optibac Daily Immunity Healthy Immune System is an advanced formula of probiotics that helps support the body’s resistance to infection and promotes a healthy immune system. High 5 Joint Protection is designed to reduce the inflammation and accelerate the body’s natural repair process. It contains maximum strength micronutrients and powerful natural anti-inflammatory ingredients designed to reduce inflammation.


Vitiligo- An Embarrassing Skin Disorder

Vitiligo is a skin disease that occurs due to the depigmentation of the skin cells. In this disorder, the loss of colour is due to the absence of melanocytes. Melanocytes are the pigment cells that give brown colour to one’s skin.

Although vitiligo can affect all races, it is more common in people with darker skins. It can strike at any age but research shows that 60 percent of patients are under 25 when it first appears. Vitiligo affects approximately 1 person in every 300 of the population. Many researchers believe that it is a hereditary disease as around 45 percent of patients have a family history of vitiligo.

The symptoms are both physical and psychological. Physical symptoms include pigment loss in areas that are exposed, particularly back of the hands, face and neck. The hair in areas of vitiligo can often go white, a condition known as leukotrichia. Often the areas of depigmentation are symmetrical with both halves of the body equally affected.

As far as the psychological impacts of vitiligo are concerned, it can deprive an individual of his or her confidence. It can result in social anxiety and embarrassment. As it is more obvious in darkly pigmented individuals, it can result in a severe loss of self-confidence especially for those who have patches on exposed skin.

There are several treatments that tend to hide white skin areas, prevent further pigment loss or even reverse depigmentation. One can cover depigmented areas by applying camouflage creams over skin. Topical and systemic corticosteroids can be used to clear the white patches. Photochemotherapy treatment combines the ultraviolet irradiation with a light-activated drug. In dark-skinned patients, skin grafting can be used to stimulate repigmentation. In case of mild vitiligo, patients are often advised to consume foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins B as both nutrients help restore pigmentation and natural look of the skin.

Seven Seas Cod Liver Oil Plus Multivitamins is a combination of cod liver oil with omega-3 fish oil and vitamins A, D and E. This supplement makes an ideal gift for vitiligo patients because it helps maintain healthy skin. Moreover, it keeps joints supple and flexible and helps release energy. Another advantage of this supplement is that it helps maintain strong teeth, bones and promotes healthy nails and hair. You should consume one capsule a day with a cold drink.


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