Alzheimer's Disease Risk Increased By Problem Gene

A gene which is said to help the immune system control inflammation in the brain  has been linked to alzheimer's disease.

According to a recent study the problem version of the gene triples the chances of one developing  the disease.

Medical experts are excited about the discovery, because it paves the way for more research and new treatment. They believe that treatment to correct the gene's malfunction may help in the treatment of the alzheimer's.

The gene is called TREM2, and is present in only 1% of the population.

Until recently medical experts believed that only one gene raises the risk for alzheimer's disease. Whereas 17 % of the population has that gene, more than 1/2 of alzheimer's patients do.

The recent study has identifed the TREM2 as a another.

Read more about this gene in TheSpec.com.

Helping A Loved One With Depression

Depression is a mental disorder characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy and poor concentration. 

Depression affects people of any gender, age or background, it affects over 120 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of disability.

Depression can become chronic affecting the person's ability to take care of himself or to do everyday chores.

Depression can lead to loss of employment and relationships with family and friends.

If your loved one is suffering from depression there are things you can do to help and make them feel.
 better. 

The loved one will need support, but support is more than a shoulder to cry on.

If you are a care giver,  you must realize that treatment is important.
 
Here are some ways to go about giving your help.

• Get active in their care- If you are a care giver , get active in their care.
• Talk about it- let them know you care
• Stay in contact-Call, visit or involve them
• Focus on small goals- Praise their small achievements
• Keep informed
• Give them help to get to and from appointments
• Encourage and remind them to take medication
• Remind them to keep doctor's appointment

This article is about many ways you can help a family member or loved one who is suffering from depression.
View the ways and read about each in more detail, they are in slide format.

Click Here to begin.

Marriage -A Cure For Cancer

Another time when giving for health instead of another can be useful is during cancer treatment.

According to a recent study supportive care and social support may make marriage a miracle cure for cancer.

A study involving 168 patients with lung cancer found that 1/3 of those who were married were still alive after three years, while only 10% of those who were single were still alive.

The patients were treated with chemotherapy and radiation over a period of ten years.

Based on the result of the study, researchers are reporting  that marriage may be that miracle cure.

Whereas chemotherapy and radiation are approved treatment for cancer, social support from close family members can improve the quality of life.

Cancer is a major non-communicable disease taking the lives of millions each year. The main risk factors for the disease are unhealthy eating, physical  inactivity, smoking, overweight/obesity and air pollution.

According to the study marital status is a strong predictor of survival.

The strong social support given by a marriage mate and family members may account for the health benefits of marriage.

The  will and the motivation to survive on account of a marriage mate may also play a part.

Read more on the study.

Keep Pots at Back of Stove and Handles Turned In

Preventing burns during cooking is a fire and health safety precaution.

This is a story of a Toronto woman who suffered 2nd and third degree burns due to an accident while cooking.

Burns during cooking happen often, more than we think.

Here is an article on the best actions to take.

One is to keep pots at the back of stoves with handles yurned in.

The article is from the Spec.com

TheSpec - Burned: Keep pots at back of stove and handles turned...

Using Eggs to Treat Alllergy to Eggs

In the past food allergies were treated by giving the patient smallamounts of the food.

Eggs are no exception.

More than 2% of young children are allergic to eggs.

Doctors have managed to help some kids overcome their allergy to eggs by giving them daily amounts of eggs.

The study involved 55 children age 5-18 years.

Forty were given powdered egg white daily,while the other 15 were given corn starch.

Read more about the study and th eoutcome
TheSpec - Some egg each day to keep an egg allergy away?

Meditation, Exercise May Help With The Flu

According to researchers those who involve themselves in regular meditation or exercise regularly have fewer colds and flus than those who participate in neither.

The study involved 149 participants.

In a randomized trail they were split into three groups:

1-Those who participated in mindless meditation

2-Those who had regular moderate-intensity exercise

3-A control group that did neither.

Group 1 had 257 days of the cold or flu
Group 2 had 241 days
The control group had 453 days.

The study ran from September 2009 to May 2010.

Read about the report in the spec.com.
TheSpec - Meditation, exercise may help limit cold, flu, study...

Both meditation and regular exercise are effective in controlling blood pressure and in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

It is not surprising that they have a positive effect on the immune system.

The Elderly Not affected by Intensity of Aerobics

Aerobics and moderate intensity aerobics are recommened for overall health and vitality and to prevent non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and strokes.

More vigorous aerobics exercise may be necessary for those who need to lose weight and keep it off.

Researchers wanted to evaluate the different intensities of aerobic exercise on the elderly with mild cognitive impairment.

According to the result of study the intensity of aerobics had no effect on the participants.

The randomized study involved 48 patients in residential homes for the elderly.

They were placed in one of three groups:
1-Performed aerobics exercise at 40% heart rate reserve
2-Performed aerobic exercise at 60% heart rate reserve
3-Performed recreational activities.

Their functional ability and cognitive level were assessed:
1-Before the intervention
2-At the end the study (3 months)
3-Three months later

On completion of the study, all patients in the aerobic training improved marginally.

There were no differences regarding cognitive level and functional ability among those in the aerobic training program and those who performed recreational activites.

The study was published in the Clinical Rehabilitation in May, 2012

Childhood Obesity Linked C'Section Births

A recent study found that children born by cesearean section are twice as likely to be obese in childhood.

The study from 1999-2005 involved 1,255 pairs of mothers and children. The mothers joined the study before 22 weeks of pregnancy.

The babies were measured and weighed at birth and at 3 years of age.

One in four of the deliveries were by cesearean section.


The study also fund that mothers delivered by cesearean tended to weigh more that those delivered vaginally.

Click here to read more about the study.

Caregivers’ Mental Health Improve With Meditation.

Giving for health has benefits to both the giver and the receipient, this is the same in the case of caregivers.

To maintain this two way effect, caregivers can take care of their health while taking care of family members.

Chronic stress that is associated with caregiving places caregivers at risk for depression.

This is a recent study which shows how yoga meditation can reduce depression and boost mental health.

TheSpec - Caregivers’ mental health may improve with short...

The Challenges Of A Caregiver

In the United States of America 53 million people are affected with alzheimers, a new case is diagnosed every 70 seconds.

Caring for a family member with alzheimers can be challenging to both the patient and the care giver. In this video of The Center for Disease Control (CDC), two families talk about the disease and its effects on their loved one.

The signs and symptoms of the disease are also discussed.

Enjoy!

Taking Care of The Family's Heart Health

You can be an advocate for the family's healthy heart by taking certain actions at home.

Each year cardiovascular diseases take the lives of 17 million people, with 80% of these deaths occuring in low and middle income countries. 7.3 percent of these are due to heart disease and 6.3 % due to strokes.
Cardiovascular disease is a major non-communicable disease and the # 1 cause of deaths globally. Fortunatley most of these deaths cna be prevented.

Cardiovascular diseases are:

• Strokes



• Coronary heart disease



• Congenital heart disease



• Peripheral artery disease



• Rheumatic heart disease

It is important that the global efforts to fight heart disease do not rest on policy makers and world leaders only, but on individual homes and families.

This year the them for World Heart Day was: 'One World.One Home. One Heart.'

The World Heart Federation and The World Health Organization (WHO) are challenging us all to take charge of our family's heart health and become our home's advocate for healthy living.


We have one heart and not two, if the heart is bad it leaves us without a good one. Fortunately most of the deaths by heart attacks can be prevented by:
1-Preventing cardiovascular disease
2-Knowing the warning signs of a heart attack

Prevention
Heart disease can be prevented by eliminating the risk factors that cause cardiovascular disease. Awareness of these risk factors and their impact on heart health is a major step in preventing heart attacks.

The majority of deaths can be prevented by healthy eating, regular exercise and no smoking. These lifestyle habits are the key actions in preventing heart attacks.

This year for World Heart Day we are raising awareness of the actions that families can take at home to prevent premature deaths due to heart disease.

These are some of the actions:
*Ban smoking from home
* Stock your home with healthy food for health eating.
Click Here for a guide to healthy eating and shopping.

*Limit the amount of time spent sitting for leisure- Less than two hours of watching TV

*Increase physical activity- Go cycling, hiking or on walking trips
* Walk or bicycle instead of using the car whenever possible
Click Here for easy ways to keep physically active

*Have your blood pressure, glucose levels and cholesterol checked by a health professional

*Assess your weight health using the body mass index (BMI)
Click Here to start

If your body mass index is over 25, plan to lose 5-10% of body, this applies to each member of the family.
Click Here To start

The Warning Signs
Over 70% of heart emergencies occur in the home with another family member present.
Knowing the warning signs of a heart attack can save the life of a family member.

The warning signs are:

• Chest discomfort


• Discomfort or pain spreading to one or both arms, the back, the neck, jaw or stomach


• Shortness of breath without discomfort


• Shortness of breath with discomfort


• Cold sweats


• Nausea or vomiting


• Unexplained weakness

If you suspect a person is having a heart attack, call for emergency help immediately.

Children Not Getting Enough Vitamin D3-Study

According to a recent study children in the USA are not getting enough vitamin-D during the Summer months.

Researchers found that only children with fair, white skin living in the northern United States do, and if no sunscreen is used.

Experts believed that everyday outdoor exposure to the sun was sufficient to give people the recommended daily dose.

Researchers wanted to know if that type of exposure was enough to give children 600 iu per day.

Data from a survey of nearly 10,000 people including 2000 children were examined. They used a skin-type scale which placed them into categories based on skin complexion and tolerance to sunlight.

There were six categories ranging from type 1 ( very fair, usually burns, difficulty tanning) to type 6 (black, never burns, tans easily).

The results of the study showed that only the fair skin children (type 2) were able to achieve the minimum recommended daily dose of vitamin D3 from the sun.

Children with skin type 3-4 may achieve the recommended daily requirements, but without the use of sunscreen.

The children with the darker skin ( type V and type VI) may never achieve optimal production.

Read the report

Childhood Obesity Needs Medical Intervention

In a survey of 2,179 Americans including 728 parents, only 54% said they would consider it very important to seek medical attention for an overweight or obese child.

More than 80% said it was important to seek help for symptoms of asthma and diabetes.
More that 70% said they would do so for learning disability.

The survey shows that many parents would not seek medical intervention for childhood obesity, but would do so for the problems associated with it.


Of those who took the survey:
1-80% of the parents said they were best suited to prevent obesity in the child.
2- 83% said they look to schools for assistance.
3- More than 90% said they would take their child to a doctor for weight related issues if the teacher said the child had a health problem.

Only 54% consider it very important to seek the help of a doctor.

Childhood obesity has tripled in the last 30 years and parents lack of understanding of its seriousness is a major concern.

Based on the results of the survey, for childhood obesity to be treated, parents and teachers need to be educated not only in mangaging weight, but in knowing when medical intervention is necessary.

There is an affordable way to learn weight control and management at home.
Click Here for details.

Myths & Misconceptions About Diabetes

There are many mistaken beliefs about diabetes, there are myths surrounding the causes and treatment. This article will create awareness by identifying them and disclosing the facts.

They are:
1-Diabetes is not that serious

2-Eating too much sugar causes diabetes

3-Being overweight causes diabetes

4-Having diabetes means you must eat foods different from everyone else

5-A diabetes diagnosis means you automatically need insulin

6-Only older people get diabetes

Read the report and view the slides for details

Screening For Prostate Cancer May Not Reduce Deaths

According to a recent research report screening men for prostate cancer may not reduce the number of deaths from the disease.

With the blood test prostate specific antigen (PSA) doctors look for high levels of the antigen in the blood to make a diagnosis. PSA and a physical examination are the routine screening for prostate cancer

PSA and a physical examination have become the routine screening for the disease but became controversial and in some cases viewed as risky.

According to the study there was no difference in the number of prostate cancer deaths between those who were screened and those who where not.

The study involved 9,026 men, 1,500 were randomnly selected and screened every three years from 1987-1996. The others were not screened.

Researchers reported that the death rates from prostate cancer was similar in both groups.

Read More:
Prostate Cancer Test Doesn't Cut death risk.

Have a "true" snack.: 10 Healthful Snacks That Won't Break the Calorie Bank - US News & World Report

May be you feel like snacking, but you are on a calorie-control diet.
May be you missed lunch today.
May be you just feel hungry.
Well! Don't be despair, there are some healthy snacks that wouldn't cost you in calories.

View the slides Here:
Have a "true" snack.: 10 Healthful Snacks That Won't Break the Calorie Bank - US News & World Report

Your iPod and BlackBerry Can Hurt Your Health - US News and World Report

The way you use your iPod or Blackberry could be risky to your health.

According to a recent report there are ways to promote health while using them:
-Don't multi-task
-Take a break from texting to exercise
-Keep the volume down

Read the report:
Your iPod and BlackBerry Can Hurt Your Health - US News and World Report

Do your texting while standing or walking,this will burn excess calories and keep you physically active.

Obesity Could Raise Risks of General Anesthesia - US News and World Report

Obese patients are at risk for serious complications during anaesthesia.

According to a recent study, they are twice as likely to develop air way complications as non-obese ones while under general anaesthetic.

Read about this study:
Obesity Could Raise Risks of General Anesthesia - US News and World Report

Obesity is an avoidable health risk factor that can be reduced by consumer/patient health education. Online programs are available to teach people how to eliminate or reduce it.

Knowledge and awareness of these health risk factors can prepare one for medical interventions such as general anaesthetic.

Read about one program:
http://wellingdigital.wordpress.com

8 Ways to Stick to Your Diet While Friends Indulge - On Fitness (usnews.com)

8 Ways to Stick to Your Diet While Friends Indulge - On Fitness (usnews.com)

Can Diet Soda Boost Your Stroke Risk? - US News and World Report

According to  recent research, people who drink diet soda are more liklely to develop strokes than those who don't.

The study involved 2, 564 participants age 69 on average,  they were asked about the type of soda they drink and how often.
Researchers found those who drank the diet soda were 61% more likely to have a vascular event.
 

Read the report:
Can Diet Soda Boost Your Stroke Risk? - US News and World Report