August 15th, 2007 by Aaks
Obesity is because of eating too many calories and not getting enough physical activities to burn those calories. Excess calories are deposited in the body as fat.
Obesity increases the risk of several health problems like high blood pressure, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, gout, gallstones, colon cancer, sleep apnea and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
High blood pressure:
Blood vessels carry blood from heart to different organs of the body and back to heart. The blood vessels have thick but elastic walls for proper flow of blood. Decrease in elasticity of blood vessel wall increases pressure on blood passing through these vessels. Obesity decreases elasticity of blood vessels causing increase in blood pressure.
Diabetes in obesity:
Insulin is required for entry of carbohydrate into cells from the blood. The carbohydrate in cell is utilized for energy production by the cells. Excess deposition of fat in the body causes insulin resistance, because of which, insulin cannot perform its function and sugar cannot enter into cells and remain in blood. This leads to diabetes or high blood sugar. High sugar in blood leads to complications in various organs like kidney, eyes, blood vessel, and heart.
Atherosclerosis or fatty deposits in blood vessels:
Obesity is associated with increase in levels of bad cholesterol in blood. Increase cholesterol in blood causes atherosclerosis or deposition of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels. Atherosclerosis reduces the elasticity of blood vessels, narrows blood vessels and decreases blood flow through these vessels. All these changes lead to increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Heart diseases:
Coronary arteries are the blood vessels that supply blood to heart muscles. Atherosclerosis or fatty deposits in coronary arteries in obesity decreases blood supply to heart muscles. Decreased oxygen supply and blood flow to heart can cause angina (chest pain) and complete blockage of blood flow to heart can cause heart attack.
Stroke or paralysis:
Atherosclerosis in arteries of brain can reduce blood supply to the brain. This decrease in blood flow can result in stroke or paralysis.
Arthritis:
Obesity and overweight increases the load on the joints such as the knee, hip and lower back, which can cause the breakdown of cartilage in the joint. Cartilage is a cushion like structure in a joint required for smooth movement of joints. Breakdown of cartilage in obesity results in joint pain and stiffness and other features of osteoarthritis.
Gout:
A type of arthritis caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in joints. Obesity is associated with increased accumulation of these solid crystal-like masses in joints, which causes inflammation and pain.
Sleep apnea:
Overweight and excess fat around neck causes narrowing of airways and leads to sleep apnea. In sleep apnea, person snores heavily and stops breathing for short periods, which results in frequent awakening at night.
Fatty liver disease:
Obesity increases the risk of developing liver disease called fatty liver disease due to accumulation of fat in liver.
Gallbladder disease and gallstones:
Obesity increases cholesterol deposition in gall bladder, which can lead to formation of gallstones.
So, obesity can lead to a lot of health problems and other complications. For information on role of carbohydrate and management of obesity, please visit www.dietfordisease.com/obesity-carbohydrate.html website.
For details on role of nutrients in various diseases, please visit Diet for Disease and for information on management of obesity by blocking carbohydrate absorption, please visit Carbohydrate in Obesity website.
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August 15th, 2007 by Aaks
At some time in our lives we will have lower back pain. This typically happens for a variety of reasons. It will need your immediate attention. There is not many times that when you have lower back pain that you are not going to notice it. Our back is used for most activities in our daily lives, so it is difficult for it to go unnoticed.
Here are some ways for you to relieve lower back pain without surgery, so you may get on with your usual activities. For you to have lower back pain relief you must first know what caused the problem. Then you must know what is hurt. Here are some examples:
Mattress - if you have a poor mattress, this can cause you lower back pain. A poor mattress can and will cause low back pain the morning when you awake. In some cases it can be so severe that you will not hardly be able to move.
Obesity - when you are carrying extra weight and pressure that is caused to your lower back muscles, can and will cause you lower back problems.
Disc problems - if you have ever had a slip disc, you know that this can cause you extreme lower back pain.
Pregnancy - during a pregnancy you can have intense lower back pain. In fact there is labor called back labor which is quite intense.
Each of the above problems will have its own different ways to relieve lower back pain. You will need to see a doctor to determine what is the cause of the pain.
How to Treat and Relieve Lower Back Pain
Some of the methods listed below will help you find relief from back pain without surgery or drugs. Now there are quite a few ways to achieve back pain relief. Here are some ways to get relief from back pain without surgery.
Ice / hot patches - these will provide relief for up to 16 hours and are mainly used by back pain relief athletic due to excessive exercise.
Topical pain relief treatments - you have the natural pain relief sprays and topical pain relief ointments that can be applied to the area of the pain for some relief.
Drugs - Tylenol, Advil and Aleve will help relieve lower back pain, but you should consult your doctor first.
There are also magnets for pain relief. This has become a very popular method of late. There are patches and belts that have magnets built into them so you can just strap them around you so the magnets can help relieve the lower back pain.
A lot of low back pain relief can be found in your local store. The over the counter drugs will provide some pain relief. That is why you should consult your doctor to make sure you are taking the right treatment. You don’t want to guess the wrong treatment.
Treatments on how to relieve back pain are in most cases harmless. An injury to your back is another thing. Trying to diagnose your back pain incorrectly due to an injury is a risk you should not take.
Tips
If you exercise and keep the lower back muscles strong will prevent lower back pain. If you use exercises like, yoga and Pilates that involve a bunch of stretching will help relieve lower back pain if you are over weight or have a muscle strain.
There are some back pain the will put you down and immobilize you until you find lower back pain relief. Whenever you are having lower back pain, you need to talk to your doctor to make sure that you are doing the right things to relieve lower back pain. If you do this, you have a good chance to have a healthy and normal life. You want to find a way that will provide relief from back pain without surgery, that is the goal.
If you need more information on this topic and other pain relief topics visit: Arthritis Pain Relief
Steve Madigan has attained expert status in the area of tendonitis. His website Thumb Tendonitis tendonitis is one of the best resources on all types of tendonitis cures, treatment and remedies. Steve and his son Tim have also written an ebook called Putt Lights Out to help people overcome their putting problems in golf, located at Putting Instruction
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August 15th, 2007 by Aaks
Unfortunately, many people lose a good night’s sleep all because of the mattress on which they sleep. If you find you wake feeling tired or sore, that you have difficulty falling asleep, or toss and turn throughout the night, the problem could very well be your mattress. The truth is that a restless night will result in a miserable day, making it difficult to concentrate and function at full capacity. While the mattress could be the problem, it is important that you consider a number of factors when buying to ensure you end up with the right mattress.
The proper mattress will make you feel rested and rejuvenated. Making a choice on a mattress can be difficult. One of the first things you need to do is educate yourself on mattress types.To help you with the process, we have provided some helpful information to consider.
? Latex Foam – The primary benefit to a latex foam mattress is that the pressure of the body is distributed evenly. This means you never experience pain from pressure points, allowing you to enjoy a deep, restful sleep. Typically, people who suffer from sleep disorders or back problems would find the latex foam mattress one of the better options.
? Adjustable Bed – Many physical conditions including spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, and degenerative spondylolisthesis would benefit most from an adjustable bed mattress. With this option, you can adjust the position of the mattress, helping you find the most comfortable position for sleeping. Although usually high priced, adjustable bed mattresses offer various head and feet elevations depending on specific need.
? Spring – The spring mattress is probably one of the most common and affordable types. Some of the newer styles on the market are excellent but one of the primary issues is that the springs are not very forgiving. For this reason, we strongly recommend you choose the best you can afford to ensure high quality.
? Sleep Number – One of the newer types of mattresses on the market, the sleep number is divided into two sides, allowing each person to adjust the firmness according to personal preference. For instance, a firm mattress of 85 might be perfect for one person while the individual on the other side of the mattress likes a 25 setting, which is much softer.
Generally, a mattress of any kind is rated by firmness – firm, plush, and pillow top. For the best back support, you would want the firm mattress. A plush mattress can also be firm but provide a little more give while a pillow top offers the most comfort and give.
In addition, you want to consider the warranty of the mattress. Since mattresses are expensive, you want to ensure you purchase a mattress set that will provide you with a minimum of five years support and comfort.
When shopping around for mattresses, we recommend you visit a number of manufacturers, actually lying down on the mattresses to test them out. This way, you would have a better feel according to your body. Once you find a specific type of mattress you like best, you could then shop online or through discount stores to find better prices.
Article provided courtesy of Bedding Plus - a resource for teen girl bedding, bed comforters and luxury bedding.
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August 15th, 2007 by Aaks
Although arthritic conditions may not originate in the lumbar region, they can also affect the back and result in arthritis back pain. Commonly, there are a few types of arthritic conditions that may need back pain treatment as well, such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions may not begin in the spine, but may ultimately travel to the lumbar region.
Osteoarthritis refers to the loss of protective cartilage that results in abnormalities surrounding the bone. Osteoarthritis strikes in two forms: primary, the most common, progressive type that sets in around age forty-five and the secondary form resulting from a trauma or injury. Osteoarthritis also affects the spine and it can be painful at any age. The condition commonly affects the small joints in the hands, the hip, the knee and the spine. A typical symptom of Osteoarthritis is pain without activity upon waking up. The pain subsides with movement and intensifies in damp weather. In addition, sitting for a prolonged period of time also causes the spine to hurt.
Typically, back pain patients suffering from Osteoarthritis are advised to maintain a regular regimen of gentle exercise and proper weight balance. In addition, they are also prescribed with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) which can help them to relieve the back pain and allow the recovery of weak muscles.
Another common arthritic condition that may lead to arthritis back pain is rheumatoid arthritis. This form of arthritis, usually affects the knee, hip, hand, neck and spine areas. It is usually more common in women than in men. The first symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is malaise and fatigue, including morning tenderness and prolonged stiffness of the joints, particularly in the hands and feet. As symptoms intensify, drug therapy is used to prevent irreversible cartilage loss or deformity. If joint swelling worsens, the inflammation process proceeds to the cartilage and bone. In the final stages, overgrowth of cartilage and destruction of the bone throw ligaments out of position.
One effective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is to remain active during the day. You should exercise for at least twenty minutes a day to help build muscle strength. Besides this, NSAIDS are being used to reduce swelling and pain in the joints. If NSAIDS do not work, you may instead be given cortisone to reduce inflammation.
For more information on effective back pain remedies, quick cures for back pain or fun back pain exercises, you can visit this site: Back Pain Clinic
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August 15th, 2007 by Aaks
So you want to build muscle in your arms and legs and it seems like no matter how many reps you do or how many sets you do your arms do not get any bigger. Well let me let you in on a few secrets and you will find that your arms and legs will get bigger in no time, all that it takes is the right routine and the quality of the exercise not the quantity. In this article I will let you in on some tips to add those much wanted extra inches to both your arms and your legs.
Are you ready for the first secret which is not really even a secret at all? It is basically common sense. You have to work out your larger muscles such as your back and legs to get bigger arms. If you think about it if your legs and back and chest are not big then you are going to first of all look funny but secondly your body wouldn’t be proportioned right. You see men do not and should not look like Popeye the sailor man. So make your larger muscles strong and your arms will get super big in no time.
Another tip for all you guys out there that are looking to get bigger. Your triceps make up most of your arms not your biceps. If you did not know that now you do. I bet some of you guys out there are hitting your head with your hand saying duh!!! This secret which is really again common sense will make a huge difference for you the next time that you lift weights.
The best way to gain muscle in your legs are squats squats and more squats there is other ways to gain leg muscle but when done right this is the most effective way. Everyone wants leg muscles but nobody wants to do squats saying that it is bad on your knees. This is true if they are done incorrectly but if they are done correctly then they are very safe and effective.
Remember that there are thousands of ways to build muscle in your arms and legs, and everyone is different and has different workout needs for there individual body but there are workouts that people are doing that are ineffective. So study the body and try different things out but keep these tips in mind if you want bigger arms and legs.
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Have you recently been diagnosed with high blood sugar or type 2 diabetes? You are certainly not alone as millions of Americans are afflicted with this disease every year. Knowing more about high blood sugar levels and what it all means is key in maintaining good health. Here are some of the questions to ask your doctor in order to improve your blood sugar levels.
-What is my hemoglobin level? This is a number given based on the results of a blood sugar level over a 3 month period.
-How often should I check my blood sugar? At what times of the day?
-How can I get my blood sugar levels back into a normal range?
-Do I need a dietician to help me improve my diet and eating habits?
-Will exercise help to improve my diabetes and blood sugar? What types of exercise will work the best?
-Has this diagnosis had any effect on my eyesight or my kidneys?
-How are my feet? Do I need to be concerned?
-What happens if I start to bottom out with my blood sugar level?
These are some of the more important questions you will want to ask your doctor if you find out you have high blood sugar or are diabetic.
Not knowing enough about this health issue can e deadly. Don’t sweep it under the rug and think it will go away. By educating yourself and taking the steps to get it under control you will be on your way to a long and healthier future.
By the way, you can find out more about Diabetes And Blood Sugar as well as much more information on all types of diabetes issues at http://www.Diabetes.InfoFromA-z.com
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Diabetes is a word derivative of ‘diabenein’ which means ’straddling’ in Greek. Diabenein lead to the term diabetes for its siphoning effect, in which diabetics are urged to pass urine often.
Diabetes Mellitus or diabetes is a metabolic disorder of pancreas. The pancreas is located exactly below the rib cage towards right. Because of this metabolic disorder, insulin is either not produced or is not converted by the body. Diabetes because of inadequacy or absence of insulin is categorized as Type-1 diabetes and this can attack at a very young age and is commonly well known as juvenile diabetes. The attack of Type-2 diabetes is in the advanced ages of forty plus. Type-2 diabetes is distinguished by the body’s inability to use insulin.
Importance of Insulin
Post digestion, the hormone has a decisive role to play. In a process that is normally known as carbohydrate metabolism, liver produces glucose in slow steps and is released to the circulatory system. It is this insulin that regularizes the glucose levels in your circulatory system by helping it to channelize it to cells where it is changed into energy. This apart, insulin has many other duties to perform too. It regularizes fat accumulation in you, consumption of amino acids by tissues and cells apart from toning the small vessel muscles.
Who Is At More Risk
Persons overly fatty and are irregulars in eating, abuse alcohol regularly, and are chain smokers are prone to diabetes. If you have a history of diabetes in your family you are more or less likely to be a candidate to acquire it. Although not conclusively proven, type 2 diabetes passes through genes.
Is Diabetes Preventable
The onset of diabetes can be postponed by taking sufficient precautions. The advent of diabetes can be discovered much in advance by analyzing various parameters that are said to be leading to the disease. A regimen of proper diet, strict exercise and discipline definitely helps prevent/delay the onset of Type-2 diabetes. There are millions of people that are living a simple diabetes free life even after being diagnosed for their potential.
Does It Affect a Particular Ethnic Group
No one is sure as to which community or an ethnic group is grossly at risk for acquiring the deadly disease. Every ethnic group across the oceans is equally at risk to diabetes. Dr. Santamaria of University of Calgary, Canada, is heading a research instituted by the University. He had established why white blood cells destroy islets of langarhans. This really is a step forward in comprehanding reasons for Type-2 diabetes.
However, some researchers have commented Type-2 diabetes as being more common among Americans of African, Asian, Hispanic and Hawaiian origins. Nevertheless, people of Alaska are at two times the danger of diabetes onset than non Hispanics. On the other side, Northern Europeans are at higher risk for type 1diabetes than type 2 diabetes in contrast to Americans of any origin.
Alevoor Rajagopal, a diabetic himself, voices for the cause of awareness about health care. He is also a business consultant supporting the cause of fair practices in car insurance deals.
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Were you aware that it is entirely possible that you could have diabetes right now and not even be aware of it? This is true and is supported by the latest studies on diabetes. Current estimates indicate that there are currently more than six million people who have diabetes and are undiagnosed as having the affliction.
It is almost as if diabetes is becoming an epidemic. One of the primary reasons for that in the United States is that we lead such busy lives, and as a direct result, our diets are chock-full of way too many simple sugars. Is a lousy diet in and of itself enough to trigger diabetes in someone? Current studies say yes.
A recent report by the American Diabetes Association shows that more than 48 million Americans have the beginning signs of diabetes, sometimes as known as “pre diabetes”. This is determined by measuring the blood glucose levels and finding that the results of between 100 and 124 milligrams. Not only does this put that person at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, it also puts that person at risk for heart disease and stroke.
The role of blood sugar in the body is the responsibility of fueling the cells and providing sufficient energy that is required for our general health. But the blood sugar levels need to be kept under control, which is the goal of diabetes prevention as well as diabetes management for people who have already been diagnosed with diabetes.
Although it may sound like the same old song and dance, losing weight and increasing your levels of exercise will go a long ways towards helping to control and improve your blood sugar levels, whether or not you have been diagnosed with diabetes. This fact has been backed up in study after study, and maintaining an optimum weight for your size and age, combined with regular exercise is the single best thing most people can do for keeping their blood sugar under control.
But one of the accompanying problems with this is the factor of fatigue. For diabetics and those in a pre-diabetic status, fatigue is a very common symptom, and therefore many people who need it most simply do not have enough energy to implement a regular health exercise regime. It is like a snowball going downhill – that lack of energy has the net result of less exercise, which then results in the higher figures for glucose.
There are some fairly simple tests that your doctor can run to determine if you are diabetic or in a pre-diabetic state. Without going into medical terminology, you should ask your doctor to run these tests and make sure that your glucose levels are normal for you. He or she will be able to tell you what is normal and what is abnormal, but one of the best defenses for diabetes is an early diagnosis, so that you can make lifestyle and diet changes before the devastating effects of full blown diabetes set in. You may not have to make any changes at all, but almost all of us could stand to eat a healthy meal on a more regular basis!
For more insights and additional information about Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms please visit our web site at http://www.diabetes-data.com
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The chronic condition associated with the way the body metabolizes glucose (sugar) is called diabetes. When the disease surfaces in adults or involves non-insulin dependency, this form of the condition is known as type 2 diabetes. Although type 2 diabetes is often preventable, an increasing amount of people is developing diabetes symptom and signs, as a result of a growing obesity problem throughout the United States.
Type 2 diabetes is resistant to the effects of insulin, which plays an important role in the regulation of sugar absorption within the body. Others produce some insulin, but not enough to sustain a desirable glucose level. When left untreated, the outcome of type 2 diabetes can threaten your life. That is why it is vital to know what a diabetes symptom is and how to effectively manage or prevent the condition. While some people are able to control their type 2 diabetes with a balanced diet and routine exercise, others require medication or insulin therapy to reach acceptable levels of blood sugar.
When Left Untreated
With type 2 diabetes, there are both short-term and long-term complications that influence the overall health of a diabetic. Some people will ignore an early diabetes symptom, especially when they feel fine for most of the time. Silently, the condition attacks major organs, such as the heart, nerves, eyes, and kidneys. Short-term complications associated with type 2 diabetes include hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), increased ketones in urine, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and dizziness. When ignored, a patient may suffer seizures or lose consciousness and enter into a coma.
Long-term type 2 diabetes complications sometimes causes disability and in the worst cases – death. A few common examples include heart and blood vessel disease, neuropathy (nerve damage), nephropathy (kidney damage), eye damage (blindness), foot damage, poor blood flow, skin and mouth concerns (bacterial infections), osteoporosis (low bone density), and Alzheimer’s disease.
What is a Common Diabetes Symptom?
While the first sign of a type 2 diabetes symptom seems undisruptive at first, these signs may plague your health and body for many years without the clear indication that you are suffering a serious medical condition. Some of the common type 2 diabetes symptoms include:
- Increase in Thirst: As excessive amounts of sugar accumulate in the bloodstream, fluid is pulled from the tissues, often leaving a patient thirsty.
- Frequent Urination: As a type 2 diabetic becomes increasingly thirsty, they may drink more than usual, which causes them to urinate more frequently.
- Increased Appetite: When type 2 diabetes causes a deficit in insulin (which is responsible for moving sugar into the cell), the organs and muscles in the body lose energy. This process causes an intense hunger to surface, which may continue even after a meal is eaten.
- Weight Loss: Type 2 diabetics are known to lose weight, even if they have increased the amount of food they eat on a regular basis. This diabetes symptom is caused when energy sugar supplies are so low that muscle tissues and fat storage shrinks.
- Fatigue: When the cells lack a reasonable amount of sugar, an individual may become tired and cranky.
- Vision Problems: Type 2 diabetes may cause a blurring of the vision when blood sugar levels are too high and the fluid pulled from tissues affects the lenses of the eyes. Some victims are also unable to effectively focus as a result.
- Infections and Slow-Healing Wounds: The ability to heal and combat infections is affected with type 2 diabetes. In women, they may suffer an increase in the number of bladder and vaginal infections.
Keep in mind that just because you may exhibit one or more of these diabetes symptoms does not automatically mean you have diabetes. But if the symptoms persist, it may be worth the effort to check with your doctor.
For more insights and additional information about Diabetes Symptoms please visit our web site at http://www.diabetes-data.com
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Are you over 35 years of age? Do you have type 2 diabetes mellitus? Are you at high-risk for cardiovascular disease? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider beginning an exercise program.
Although there are many drugs available to treat diabetes and vascular complications, exercise has been demonstrated to be a safe, effective method to reduce risk of heart disease and diabetic complications. Findings from clinical studies also suggest that physical activity may delay or prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic medical condition that is associated with many risk factors for heart attack including elevated glucose, high blood pressure, high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and low HDL (“good”) cholesterol.
People with diabetes are often (but not always) overweight. Scientists and doctors have learned over the years that if people exercise, they can gain better control of their glucose levels, improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels, decrease risk of a heart attack, and live a longer, healthier life.
However, there are special considerations for people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes who are going to begin an exercise program. The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation with diagnostic studies before embarking on a fitness program.
If you have diabetes and one or more of the following risk factors, your physician may recommend an exercise stress test before starting your exercise program:
- Age 35 or older
- Age 25 or older and have had type 2 diabetes for over 10 years or type 1 diabetes for over 15 years
- Any risk factor for coronary artery disease
- Proliferative retinopathy or nephropathy
- Peripheral vascular disease
Scientists have recognized that people with diabetes and an abnormal stress test are at higher risk for dying and having a heart attack in the future. Therefore it is important that you consult a physician before beginning an exercise program.
The author is Managing Editor of Diabetes And Vascular Education (DAVE.md) an online resource for healthcare professionals, patients and others seeking the latest news and information on diabetes and vascular disease. Under the direction of an internationally-recognized editorial board, DAVE.md is committed to being an independent, unbiased educational resource on diabetic and vascular complications. Visit Diabetes And Vascular Education to learn more about diabetes ways to reduce risk of heart attack, and practical advice on exercise.
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