Friday, January 21, 2011

Stroke


            A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is the rapidly developing loss of brain function(s) due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia (lack of blood flow) caused by blockage (thrombosis, arterial embolism), or a hemorrhage (leakage of blood). As a result, the affected area of the brain is unable to function, leading to inability to move one or more limbs on one side of the body, inability to understand or formulate speech, or an inability to see one side of the visual field.


A stroke is a medical emergency and can cause permanent neurological damage, complications, and even death. It is the leading cause of adult disability in the United States and Europe and it is the number two cause of death worldwide. Risk factors for stroke include advanced age, hypertension (high blood pressure), previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), diabetes, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking and atrial fibrillation. High blood pressure is the most important modifiable risk factor of stroke.

A stroke is occasionally treated in a hospital with thrombolysis (also known as a "clot buster"). Post-stroke prevention may involve the administration of antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin and dipyridamole, control and reduction of hypertension, the use of statins, and in selected patients with carotid endarterectomy, the use of anticoagulants. Treatment to recover any lost function is stroke rehabilitation, involving health professions such as speech and language therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy.
Strokes can be classified into two major categories: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes are those that are caused by interruption of the blood supply, while hemorrhagic strokes are the ones which result from rupture of a blood vessel or an abnormal vascular structure. About 87% of strokes are caused by ischemia, and the remainder by hemorrhage. Some hemorrhages develop inside areas of ischemia ("hemorrhagic transformation"). It is unknown how many hemorrhages actually start as ischemic stroke.

Signs and symptoms
Stroke symptoms typically start suddenly, over seconds to minutes, and in most cases do not progress further. The symptoms depend on the area of the brain affected. The more extensive the area of brain affected, the more functions that are likely to be lost. Some forms of stroke can cause additional symptoms. For example, in intracranial hemorrhage, the affected area may compress other structures. Most forms of stroke are not associated with headache, apart from subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebral venous thrombosis and occasionally intracerebral hemorrhage.

It was found that sudden-onset face weakness, arm drift (e.g. if a person, when asked to raise both arms, involuntarily lets one arm drift downward) and abnormal speech are the findings most likely to lead to the correct identification of a case of stroke (+ likelihood ratio of 5.5 when at least one of these is present). Similarly, when all three of these are absent, the likelihood of stroke is significantly decreased (– likelihood ratio of 0.39). While these findings are not perfect for diagnosing stroke, the fact that they can be evaluated relatively rapidly and easily make them very valuable in the acute setting.
Proposed systems include FAST (face, arm, speech, and time),] as advocated by the Department of Health (United Kingdom) and The Stroke Association, the American Stroke Association (www.strokeassociation.org) , National Stroke Association (US www.stroke.org), the Los Angeles Prehospital Stroke Screen (LAPSS) and the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS). Use of these scales is recommended by professional guidelines.

Diagnosis
Stroke is diagnosed through several techniques: a neurological examination (such as the Nihss), CT scans (most often without contrast enhancements) or MRI scans, Doppler ultrasound, and arteriography. The diagnosis of stroke itself is clinical, with assistance from the imaging techniques. Imaging techniques also assist in determining the subtypes and cause of stroke. There is yet no commonly used blood test for the stroke diagnosis itself, though blood tests may be of help in finding out the likely cause of stroke.

Physical examination
A physical examination, including taking a medical history of the symptoms and a neurological status, helps giving an evaluation of the location and severity of a stroke. It can give a standard score on e.g. the NIH stroke scale.

Imaging
For diagnosing ischemic stroke in the emergency setting:
•           CT scans (without contrast enhancements)
sensitivity= 16%
specificity= 96%
•           MRI scan
sensitivity= 83%
specificity= 98%
For diagnosing hemorrhagic stroke in the emergency setting:
•           CT scans (without contrast enhancements)
sensitivity= 89%
specificity= 100%
•           MRI scan
sensitivity= 81%
specificity= 100%
For detecting chronic hemorrhages, MRI scan is more sensitive.

Prevention
Given the disease burden of strokes, prevention is an important public health concern. Primary prevention is less effective than secondary prevention (as judged by the number needed to treat to prevent one stroke per year). Recent guidelines detail the evidence for primary prevention in stroke. Because stroke may indicate underlying atherosclerosis, it is important to determine the patient's risk for other cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease. Conversely, aspirin prevents against first stroke in patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction or patients with a high cardiovascular risk.




Courtesy: Various Sources Over Internet.

Low Blood Pressure



            Sometimes patients have pressure readings that are lower than 90 over 60, which is what is considered the bottom of the normal range. This condition, called hypotension, may cause nothing more than a sense of dizziness when moving quickly from a sitting to a standing position. However, hypotension can be indicative of an underlying medical condition, such as heart failure, infection, severe diabetes, shock, gland disorders or dehydration. Alcohol, anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications, diuretics, painkillers, and some other medications may also cause hypotension. A person’s blood pressure can change over time, so periodic monitoring should be a part of everyone’s preventative health care.
 

Metabolic syndrome Treatment


             Metabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It affects one in five people, and prevalence increases with age.

Metabolic syndrome is also known as metabolic syndrome X, syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome, Reaven's syndrome (named for Gerald Reaven), and CHAOS (in Australia). A similar condition in overweight horses is referred to as equine metabolic syndrome; it is unknown if they have the same etiology.
Definitions and diagnosis

There are currently two major definitions for metabolic syndrome provided by the International Diabetes Federation and the revised National Cholesterol Education Program, respectively. The revised NCEP and IDF definitions of metabolic syndrome are very similar and it can be expected that they will identify many of the same individuals as having metabolic syndrome. The two differences are that IDF state that if BMI > 30 kg/m2, central obesity can be assumed, and waist circumference does not need to be measured. However, this potentially excludes any subject without increased waist circumference if BMI < 30, whereas, in the NCEP definition, metabolic syndrome can be diagnosed based on other criteria, and the IDF uses geography-specific cut points for waist circumference, while NCEP uses only one set of cut points for waist circumference, regardless of geography. These two definitions are much closer to each other than the original

NCEP and WHO definitions.
IDF
International Diabetes Federation The IDF consensus worldwide definition of the metabolic syndrome (2006)
Central obesity (defined as waist circumference# with ethnicity specific values)
AND any two of the following:
•           Raised triglycerides: > 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L), or specific treatment for this lipid abnormality.
•           Reduced HDL cholesterol: < 40 mg/dL (1.03 mmol/L) in males, < 50 mg/dL (1.29 mmol/L) in females, or specific treatment for this lipid abnormality
•           Raised blood pressure: systolic BP > 130 or diastolic BP >85 mm Hg, or treatment of previously diagnosed hypertension.
•           Raised fasting plasma glucose :(FPG)>100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L), or previously diagnosed type 2 diabetes. If FPG >5.6 mmol/L or 100 mg/dL, OGTT Glucose tolerance test is strongly recommended but is not necessary to define presence of the Syndrome.

# If BMI is >30 kg/m², central obesity can be assumed and waist circumference does not need to be measured
WHO
The World Health Organization criteria (1999) require presence of diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose or insulin resistance, AND two of the following:
•           Blood pressure: ≥ 140/90 mmHg
•           Dyslipidemia: triglycerides (TG): ≥ 1.695 mmol/L and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ≤ 0.9 mmol/L (male), ≤ 1.0 mmol/L (female)
•           Central obesity: waist:hip ratio > 0.90 (male); > 0.85 (female), or body mass index > 30 kg/m2
•           Microalbuminuria: urinary albumin excretion ratio ≥ 20 µg/min or albumin:creatinine ratio ≥ 30 mg/g

Causes
            The exact mechanisms of the complex pathways of metabolic syndrome are not yet completely known. The pathophysiology is extremely complex and has been only partially elucidated. Most patients are older, obese, sedentary, and have a degree of insulin resistance. Stress can also be a contributing factor. The most important factors are:
1.         weight
2.         genetics
3.         aging
4.         sedentary lifestyle, i.e., low physical activity and excess caloric intake.
There is debate regarding whether obesity or insulin resistance is the cause of the metabolic syndrome or if they are consequences of a more far-reaching metabolic derangement. A number of markers of systemic inflammation, including C-reactive protein, are often increased, as are fibrinogen, interleukin 6 (IL–6), Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), and others. Some have pointed to a variety of causes including increased uric acid levels caused by dietary fructose.

Prevention
Various strategies have been proposed to prevent the development of metabolic syndrome. These include increased physical activity (such as walking 30 minutes every day), and a healthy, reduced calorie diet. There are many studies that support the value of a healthy lifestyle as above. However, one study stated that these potentially beneficial measures are effective in only a minority of people, primarily due to a lack of compliance with lifestyle and diet changes. The International Obesity Taskforce states that interventions on a sociopolitical level are required to reduce development of the metabolic syndrome in populations.

Treatment
The first line treatment is change of lifestyle (e.g., Dietary Guidelines for Americans and physical activity). However, if in three to six months of efforts at remedying risk factors prove insufficient, then drug treatment is frequently required. Generally, the individual disorders that comprise the metabolic syndrome are treated separately. Diuretics and ACE inhibitors may be used to treat hypertension. Cholesterol drugs may be used to lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, if they are elevated, and to raise HDL levels if they are low. Use of drugs that decrease insulin resistance, e.g., metformin and thiazolidinediones, is controversial; this treatment is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

A  study indicated that cardiovascular exercise was therapeutic in approximately 31% of cases. The most probable benefit was to triglyceride levels, with 43% showing improvement; but fasting plasma glucose and insulin resistance of 91% of test subjects did not improve.[22] Many other studies have supported the value of increased physical activity and restricted caloric intake (exercise and diet) to treat metabolic syndrome.
Restricting the overall dietary carbohydrate intake is more effective in reducing the most common symptoms of metabolic syndrome than the more commonly prescribed reduction in dietary fat intake.

Heart disease
            Heart disease or cardiopathy is an umbrella term for a variety of diseases affecting the heart

Coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease refers to the failure of the coronary circulation to supply adequate circulation to cardiac muscle and surrounding tissue. Coronary heart disease is most commonly equated with Coronary artery disease although coronary heart disease can be due to other causes, such as coronary vasospasm.
Coronary artery disease is a disease of the artery caused by the accumulation of atheromatous plaques within the walls of the arteries that supply the myocardium. Angina pectoris (chest pain) and myocardial infarction (heart attack) are symptoms of and conditions caused by coronary heart disease.
Over 459,000 Americans die of coronary heart disease every year. In the United Kingdom, 101,000 deaths annually are due to coronary heart disease.

Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy literally means "heart muscle disease" (Myo= muscle, pathy= disease) It is the deterioration of the function of the myocardium (i.e., the actual heart muscle) for any reason. People with cardiomyopathy are often at risk of arrhythmia and/or sudden cardiac death.
•           Extrinsic cardiomyopathies – cardiomyopathies where the primary pathology is outside the myocardium itself. Most cardiomyopathies are extrinsic, because by far the most common cause of a cardiomyopathy is ischemia. The World Health Organization calls these specific cardiomyopathies[citation needed]:
o          Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
o          Coronary artery disease
o          Congenital heart disease
o          Nutritional diseases affecting the heart
o          Ischemic (or ischaemic) cardiomyopathy
o          Hypertensive cardiomyopathy
o          Valvular cardiomyopathy – see also Valvular heart disease below
o          Inflammatory cardiomyopathy – see also Inflammatory heart disease below
o          Cardiomyopathy secondary to a systemic metabolic disease
o          Myocardiodystrophy

Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease is any of a number of specific diseases that affect the heart itself and/or the blood vessel system, especially the veins and arteries leading to and from the heart. Research on disease dimorphism suggests that women who suffer with cardiovascular disease usually suffer from forms that affect the blood vessels while men usually suffer from forms that affect the heart muscle itself. Known or associated causes of cardiovascular disease include diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperhomocysteinemia and hypercholesterolemia.

Types of cardiovascular disease include:
•           Atherosclerosis
•           Ischaemic heart disease – another disease of the heart itself, characterized by reduced blood supply to the organs.

Heart failure
Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure (or CHF), and congestive cardiac failure (CCF), is a condition that can result from any structural or functional cardiac disorder that impairs the ability of the heart to fill with or pump a sufficient amount of blood throughout the body. Therefore leading to the heart and body's failure.
•           Cor pulmonale, a failure of the right side of the heart.

Hypertensive heart disease
Hypertensive heart disease is heart disease caused by high blood pressure, especially localised high blood pressure. Conditions that can be caused by hypertensive heart disease include:
•           Left ventricular hypertrophy
•           Coronary heart disease
•           (Congestive) heart failure
•           Hypertensive cardiomyopathy
•           Cardiac arrhythmias

Inflammatory heart disease
Inflammatory heart disease involves inflammation of the heart muscle and/or the tissue surrounding it.
•           Endocarditis – inflammation of the inner layer of the heart, the endocardium. The most common structures involved are the heart valves.
•           Inflammatory cardiomegaly
•           Myocarditis – inflammation of the myocardium, the muscular part of the heart.

Valvular heart disease
Valvular heart disease is disease process that affects one or more valves of the heart. There are four major heart valve which may be affected by valvular heart disease, including the tricuspid and aortic valves in the right side of the heart, as well as the mitral and aortic valves in the left side of the heart.
            Blood pressure is a measurement of the force of blood against the arterial walls when the heart pumps. The pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is expressed as two numbers. For example, the optimal blood pressure for an adult is 120 over 80, or 120/80. The top number, called the systolic pressure, measures the highest pressure exerted when the heart contracts. The bottom number, called the diastolic pressure, shows the minimum pressure against the arteries when the heart rests between beats.

Diagnosis
Blood pressure is measured with a cuff and stethoscope while the arm is in a resting position. The cuff is placed about one inch above the bend of the wrist, and is inflated until the mercury dial reaches 30 points higher than the person’s usual systolic pressure, or 210 if previous data is not available. A stethoscope is placed on an artery in the inside of the elbow, and the air is slowly allowed to escape from the cuff. The point at with the sound of the pulse is first heard is the systolic pressure number; the point at which the sound disappears is the diastolic number.

Causes
            Several factors can affect blood pressure, so one high reading does not necessarily mean that a person has hypertension, or high blood pressure. Immediate stimuli such as fear, pain, anger, and some medications can temporarily raise a person’s blood pressure. If a high reading has occurred, and one of these factors is present, then the person needs to be monitored repeatedly over a period of time to determine if this is a persistent condition, or if the reading was simply based on circumstances.
Risk Factor
            Hypertension is a leading cause of strokes, cardiovascular disorders, kidney, urological and neurological conditions, and pre-eclampsia in pregnant women. A pressure reading of 120 over 80 or lower is considered healthy. If the systolic number ranges above 120 to 139 or the diastolic number ranges above 80 to 89, a person is considered to have pre-hypertension. Systolic readings from 140 to 159 or diastolic readings from 90 to 99 are classified as stage 1 hypertension. Systolic measurements of 160 or above or diastolic measurements of 100 or above indicate the severe condition of stage 2 hypertension.
Treatment
            If a person has been determined to have hypertension it is vital that the condition be addressed. Some lifestyle changes can be helpful, such as eating healthy, maintaining proper weight, exercising regularly, and limiting salt and alcohol consumption. In some cases, these efforts are not enough and medication is indicated. Even if a patient is on medication, changes to a healthy lifestyle will help control the condition and may reduce the amount of medication necessary to maintain a healthy blood pressure reading.


Courtesy: Various Sources Over Internet.

Atherosclerosis Treatment


Atherosclerosis (also known as arteriosclerotic vascular disease or ASVD) is a condition in which an artery wall thickens as the result of a build-up of fatty materials such as cholesterol. It is a syndrome affecting arterial blood vessels, a chronic inflammatory response in the walls of arteries, in large part due to the accumulation of macrophage white blood cells and promoted by low-density lipoproteins (plasma proteins that carry cholesterol and triglycerides) without adequate removal of fats and cholesterol from the macrophages by functional high density lipoproteins (HDL), (see apoA-1 Milano). It is commonly referred to as a hardening or furring of the arteries. It is caused by the formation of multiple plaques within the arteries.
The atheromatous plaque is divided into three distinct components:
1.         The atheroma which is the nodular accumulation of a soft, flaky, yellowish material at the center of large plaques, composed of macrophages nearest the lumen of the artery
2.         Underlying areas of cholesterol crystals
3.         Calcification at the outer base of older/more advanced lesions.
Causes
           
Atherosclerosis develops from low-density lipoprotein molecules (LDL) becoming oxidized (ldl-ox) by free radicals, particularly reactive oxygen species (ROS). When oxidized LDL comes in contact with an artery wall, a series of reactions occur to repair the damage to the artery wall caused by oxidized LDL. The LDL molecule is globular shaped with a hollow core to carry cholesterol throughout the body. Cholesterol can move in the bloodstream only by being transported by lipoproteins.

The body's immune system responds to the damage to the artery wall caused by oxidized LDL by sending specialized white blood cells (macrophages and T-lymphocytes) to absorb the oxidized-LDL forming specialized foam cells. These white blood cells are not able to process the oxidized-LDL, and ultimately grow then rupture, depositing a greater amount of oxidized cholesterol into the artery wall. This triggers more white blood cells, continuing the cycle.
Eventually, the artery becomes inflamed. The cholesterol plaque causes the muscle cells to enlarge and form a hard cover over the affected area. This hard cover is what causes a narrowing of the artery, reduces the blood flow and increases blood pressure. Some researchers believe that atherosclerosis may be caused by an infection of the vascular smooth muscle cells; chickens, for example, develop atherosclerosis when infected with the Marek's disease herpesvirus. Herpesvirus infection of arterial smooth muscle cells has been shown to cause cholesteryl ester (CE) accumulation. Cholesteryl ester accumulation is associated with atherosclerosis.

Also, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is associated with cardiovascular diseases.
Diagnosis

            Areas of severe narrowing, stenosis, detectable by angiography, and to a lesser extent "stress testing" have long been the focus of human diagnostic techniques for cardiovascular disease, in general. However, these methods focus on detecting only severe narrowing, not the underlying atherosclerosis disease. As demonstrated by human clinical studies, most severe events occur in locations with heavy plaque, yet little or no lumen narrowing present before debilitating events suddenly occur. Plaque rupture can lead to artery lumen occlusion within seconds to minutes, and potential permanent debility and sometimes sudden death.

Treatment
If atherosclerosis leads to symptoms, some symptoms such as angina pectoris can be treated. Non-pharmaceutical means are usually the first method of treatment, such as cessation of smoking and practicing regular exercise. If these methods do not work, medicines are usually the next step in treating cardiovascular diseases, and, with improvements, have increasingly become the most effective method over the long term. However, medicines are criticized for their expense, patented control and occasional undesired effects.

Prevention
Combinations of statins, niacin, intestinal cholesterol absorption-inhibiting supplements (ezetimibe and others, and to a much lesser extent fibrates) have been the most successful in changing common but sub-optimal lipoprotein patterns and group outcomes. In the many secondary prevention and several primary prevention trials, several classes of lipoprotein-expression-altering (less correctly termed "cholesterol-lowering") agents have consistently reduced not only heart attack, stroke and hospitalization but also all-cause mortality rates. The first of the large secondary prevention comparative statin/placebo treatment trials was the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S) with over fifteen more studies extending through to the more recent ASTEROID trial published in 2006. The first primary prevention comparative treatment trial was AFCAPS/TexCAPS with multiple later comparative statin/placebo treatment trials including EXCEL, ASCOT and SPARCL. While the statin trials have all been clearly favorable for improved human outcomes, only ASTEROID showed evidence of atherosclerotic regression (slight). Both human and animal trials that showed evidence of disease regression used more aggressive combination agent treatment strategies, which nearly always included niacin.

Diet and dietary supplements
Niacin (vitamin B3), in pharmacologic doses, (generally 1,000 to 3,000 mg/day), sold in many OTC and prescription formulations, tends to improve (a) HDL levels, size and function, (b) shift LDL particle distribution to larger particle size and (c) lower lipoprotein(a), an atherosclerosis promoting genetic variant of LDL. Additionally, individual responses to daily niacin, while mostly evident after a month at effective doses, tends to continue to slowly improve further over time. (However, careful patient understanding of how to achieve this without nuisance symptoms is needed, though not often achieved.) Research work on increasing HDL particle concentration and function, beyond the usual niacin effect/response, even more important, is slowly advancing.



Courtesy: Various Sources Over Internet.

Alzheimer's disease Treatment


             It is the most common form of dementia. This incurable, degenerative, and terminal disease was first described by German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and was named after him. Most often, it is diagnosed in people over 65 years of age, although the less-prevalent early-onset Alzheimer's can occur much earlier. In 2006, there were 26.6 million sufferers worldwide. Alzheimer's is predicted to affect 1 in 85 people globally by 2050.
Although the course of Alzheimer's disease is unique for every individual, there are many common symptoms. The earliest observable symptoms are often mistakenly thought to be 'age-related' concerns, or manifestations of stress. In the early stages, the most commonly recognized symptom is inability to acquire new memories, such as difficulty in recalling recently observed facts. When AD is suspected, the diagnosis is usually confirmed with behavioral assessments and cognitive tests, often followed by a brain scan if available.
As the disease advances, symptoms include confusion, irritability and aggression, mood swings, language breakdown, long-term memory loss, and the general withdrawal of the sufferer as their senses decline. Gradually, bodily functions are lost, ultimately leading to death.
            In advanced stage the patient is completely dependent upon caregivers. Language is reduced to simple phrases or even single words, eventually leading to complete loss of speech. Despite the loss of verbal language abilities, patients can often understand and return emotional signals. Although aggressiveness can still be present, extreme apathy and exhaustion are much more common results.  Patients will ultimately not be able to perform even the most simple tasks without assistance.  Muscle mass and mobility deteriorate to the point where they are bedridden, and they lose the ability to feed themselves. AD is a terminal illness with the cause of death typically being an external factor such as infection of pressure ulcers or pneumonia, not the disease itself.
Diagnosis
Alzheimer's disease is usually diagnosed clinically from the patient history, collateral history from relatives, and clinical observations, based on the presence of characteristic neurological and neuropsychological features and the absence of alternative conditions. Advanced medical imaging with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) can be used to help exclude other cerebral pathology or subtypes of dementia. Moreover, it may predict conversion from prodromal stages (mild cognitive impairment) to Alzheimer's disease.
Causes
Some scientists suggesting that a close relative of the beta-amyloid protein, and not necessarily the beta-amyloid itself, may be a major culprit in the disease. The theory holds that an amyloid-related mechanism that prunes neuronal connections in the brain in the fast-growth phase of early life may be triggered by aging-related processes in later life to cause the neuronal withering of Alzheimer's disease
Another hypothesis asserts that the disease may be caused by age-related myelin breakdown in the brain. Demyelination leads to axonal transport disruptions, leading to loss of neurons that become stale. Iron released during myelin breakdown is hypothesized to cause further damage. Homeostatic myelin repair processes contribute to the development of proteinaceous deposits such as amyloid-beta .
Prevention
At present, there is no definitive evidence to support that any particular measure is effective in preventing AD. Global studies of measures to prevent or delay the onset of AD have often produced inconsistent results. However, epidemiological studies have proposed relationships between certain modifiable factors, such as diet, cardiovascular risk, pharmaceutical products, or intellectual activities among others, and a population's likelihood of developing AD. Only further research, including clinical trials, will reveal whether these factors can help to prevent AD.


Courtesy: Various Sources Over Internet.

Treatment for Asthma


Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
Classification

Asthma is clinically classified according to the frequency of symptoms, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV), and peak expiratory flow rate. Asthma may also be classified as atopic (extrinsic) or non-atopic (intrinsic), based on whether symptoms are precipitated by allergens (atopic) or not (non-atopic).
While asthma is classified based on severity, at the moment there is no clear method for classifying different subgroups of asthma beyond this system. Within the classifications described above, although the cases of asthma respond to the same treatment differs, thus it is clear that the cases within a classification have significant differences. Finding ways to identify subgroups that respond well to different types of treatments is a current critical goal of asthma research.
Signs and symptoms
Common symptoms of asthma include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing. Symptoms are often worse at night or in the early morning, or in response to exercise or cold air. Some people with asthma only rarely experience symptoms, usually in response to triggers, where as other may have marked persistent airflow obstruction.
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease coexists with asthma in 80% of people with asthma, with similar symptoms. This is due to increased lung pressures, promoting bronchoconstriction, and through chronic aspiration.
Sleep Disorders
Due to altered anatomy of the respiratory tract: increased upper airway adipose deposition, altered pharynx skeletal morphology, and extension of the pharyngeal airway; leading to upper airway collapse.
Cause
Asthma is caused by environmental and genetic factors. These factors influence how severe asthma is and how well it responds to medication. The interaction is complex and not fully understood.
Diagnosis
There is currently not a precise physiologic, immunologic, or histologic test for diagnosing asthma. The diagnosis is usually made based on the pattern of symptoms (airways obstruction and hyper responsiveness) and/or response to therapy (partial or complete reversibility) over time.
Treatment
Treatment of acute symptoms is usually with an inhaled short-acting beta-2 agonist (such as salbutamol). Symptoms can be prevented by avoiding triggers, such as allergens and irritants, and by inhaling corticosteroids. Leukotriene antagonists are less effective than corticosteroids and thus less preferred.
Prevention
The evidence for the effectiveness of measures to prevent the development of asthma is weak. Ones which show some promise include: limiting smoke exposure both in uterus and after delivery, breastfeeding, increased exposure to respiratory infection per the hygiene hypothesis (such as in those who attend daycare or are from large families).

Extra Uses of Coconut Oil


Health benefits include:
- May help promote weight loss
- Provides an immediate source of energy
- Supplies fewer calories than other fats
- Supplies important nutrients necessary for good health
- Is highly resistant to spoilage (long shelf life)
- Is heat resistant (the healthiest oil for cooking)
- Protects against heart disease, cancer & diabetes
- Acts as an antioxidant in its resistance to attack by free radicals,
protecting against degenerative diseases, in general.
- Protects from a range of infectious diseases.

Moisturizer/Lotion – For problems with dry skin and coconut oil has been a great solution!

Aftershave – do you have sensitive skin? Coconut oil will help heal your skin after shaving.

Deodorant – coconut oil alone can be used as a deodorant, but even more effective in combination with cornstarch/arrowroot powder and baking soda!
Hair Conditioner -use as a leave in hair conditioner!

Hair Gel– both my husband and I use coconut oil as a hair gel. It works amazingly well to scrunch and preserve my curls for the day and to keep his hair in line.

Toothpaste -try our homemade toothpaste recipe!
Make up remover – use a cotton swab and a dab of coconut oil and you would be amazed at how well it works! I use it mainly to remove my mascara, and it not only removes my make-up, but also moisturizes my eyes and skin at the same time.

Chapstick - I have real problems with chapped lips and coconut oil is the only thing that truly helps without peeling my lips. Love it!
Lubricant
Sunscreen

Pregnant/Nursing
Belly Balm - I cannot guarantee that this will solve stretch marks, but it is very comforting to a stretching belly!
Nipple Cream - what better solution to nourish cracked, sore, or dry nipples

Baby,Diaper Salve
Cradle cap – having issues with dry skin on your baby’s scalp? Coconut oil will not only nourish your baby’s skin, it also helps eliminate cradle cap
Lotion – rub it all over that baby’s body!

Some Other Uses Are:

Skin Care: Coconut oil works wonders as a moisturizer for all skin types, especially dry skin and aging skin, leaving you refreshed and looking wide-awake. No headstand required! The fat in the oil helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles without any irritation. Coconut oil can also help with skin problems like psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin conditions. In fact, the oil is frequently used in expensive skin care products. Try our easy, inexpensive recipe for a great honey and coconut oil moisturizer.


Stress Relief: Long day at the office, kids won’t stop screaming and your dog left a little “present” on your vintage bedspread? Relieve mental fatigue by applying coconut oil to the head in a circular, massaging motion. The natural aroma of coconuts is extremely soothing thus helping to lower your stress level.

Digestion: The saturated fats in coconut oil have anti-bacterial properties that help control, parasites, and fungi that cause indigestion and other digestion related problems such as irritable bowel syndrome. The fat in coconut oil also aids in the absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, making you healthier all around. Try this delicious vegan, creamed spinach recipe.

Fitness: Coconut oil has been proven to stimulate your metabolism, improve thyroid function, and escalate energy levels, all of which help decrease your unwanted fat, while increasing muscle. Because of this, coconut oil has shot to popularity by being the world’s only natural low-calorie fat. Sign me up!

Healing: When applied on scrapes and cuts, coconut oil forms a thin, chemical layer which protects the wound from outside dust, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil speeds up the healing process of bruises by repairing damaged tissues. Plus, it smells a heck-of-a-lot better than anything from the pharmacy.

Hair Care: Coconut oil is one of the most nutritious products you can put on your hair. Massage a bit of the oil onto your scalp and presto – no more dandruff. Since it provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair, it’s used in a ton of over-the-counter hair products anyway. 


http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/coconut_oil.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_oil

http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Home Remedies for Teeth Whitening


Do's and Don't for Teeth Whitening
Following are some of the simple tips for teeth whitening:

Do not take sugary foods in any form. Chocolates are also not good. If you do consume such foods, never forget to wash your mouth thoroughly with strong gargles so as not to leave any sweet residue in the mouth.

Do not take excess tea and coffee. These beverages contain strong alkaloids which can stain the teeth.

Smoking also makes the teeth lose the white coloration of the teeth.

Chewing betel leaf (paan) is done in several Indian regions. This is also disastrous to the whiteness of the teeth.

Include pungent, bitter and astringent foods in your daily diet. These tastes have an astringent effect on the teeth that helps to maintain them clean. They also take care of the excess buildup of plaque on the teeth, which makes them lose their pearly white color.

Brush your teeth after every meal, or at least in the morning and before going to bed. While brushing your teeth, take care to sweep out all the embedded food particles.

Excess consumption of antibiotics is also harmful for teeth and gives a stain.

Eat guava, apple, sprouts, carrot, sugarcane, and cucumber fruits to prevent yellowing of teeth.

Drink lots of water as this makes your skin hydrated and removes plaques from your teeth.

Include green and fibrous vegetables in your diet to keep your teeth white and bacteria free.


Following are some of the effective home remedies for teeth whitening:
Add 1-2 drops of hydrogen peroxide in half tablespoon of baking soda and mix it. You can use this natural teeth whitener for couple of days in a week. Their can be little irritation in the gums in some cases, but it will not harm your mouth and teeth.

Prepare a mixture of charcoal of babul wood, roasted alum and some rock salt. Rub this on the teeth instead of using the conventional toothpaste. This will give you white and long-lasting healthy teeth.

You can also use sodium bicarbonate regularly each morning as a toothpowder instead of toothpaste. Sodium bicarbonate replenishes the lost mineral content of the teeth, which helps them to regain their whiteness.

Strawberries, tomatoes and amalaki are rich in vitamin C. Apply them directly on the teeth. Vitamin C helps in removing the plaque on the teeth and makes them whiter.

You can also rub an orange peel on the teeth every night before going to sleep. The vitamin C of the orange peel will combat with the microorganisms all through the night..

Prepare a mixture of baking soda (half tablespoon), vinegar (half teaspoon), and pinch of table salt. This is very beneficial in removing teeth stains and keeps your teeth white and bacteria free.

Mix one teaspoon baking soda and a pinch of home used iodine rich salt. You can use this as a natural teeth cleanser. This is an effective home remedy for teeth whitening. Sage leaves (salvia) are used extensively for teeth whitening. Brush the stained teeth using sage leaves to make your teeth sparkly white.

Following are some of the effective herbal remedies for teeth whitening:
Babul is very popularly used in teeth whitening. The tannin present in babul helps in increasing the whiteness of teeth. The twigs of the babul are used as disposable toothbrushes.

Margosa (neem) is a traditional herbal remedy for teeth whitening. Neem twigs are used as toothbrushes. Neem oils contain astringent and antiseptic properties that fight bad breath, kill microorganisms accumulated on the teeth and combat dental caries and cavities.

The aerial roots of the banyan are also used as disposable toothbrushes. The banyan roots have astringent properties that not only make the teeth whiter but also make the teeth and gums healthier.

Holy Basil is another useful herbal remedy for teeth whitening. The leaves of the holy basil are dried in the sun and powdered and used for brushing teeth. The leaves help in maintaining dental hygiene and make the teeth whiter. It is also used for protection from problems such as pyorrhea (i.e. bleeding of gums).

Some Other Remedies to Remove Stains From Tooth

Take a teaspoon of lemon juice and a tsp of salt. Make a paste. Apply this on the yellowish tint.

Use the inner white part of an orange peel to rub teeth for a lovely white shine.

Take half teaspoon of bi-carbonate of soda mixed with a little water to form a paste. Rub this on your teeth.

Dried & powdered Bay leaves combined with dried orange peel is an excellent whitener.

Strawberries, oddly enough are said to have cleansing and bleaching properties that can help remove of tea and coffee stains, especially from dentures. Crush the strawberries gently and rub the pulp onto your teeth. Rinse with water.


Dentizyme is an herbal remedy; it consists of a unique blend of bio-active plant enzymes, organic botanicals, rainforest botanicals, and essential oils. Dentizyme users report fewer or no gum disease symptoms, they also report that their gums look pinker and healthier along with excellent teeth whitening results and teeth stains are said to disappear entirely with continued use of this herbal extract.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Uses of Vanila


Medicinal Uses : Anti – bacterial and anti –tubercular . Used for rheumatic aswellings and some nervous troubles






http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanilla


http://www.ehow.com/how_2310220_vanilla-medicinal-purposes.html


http://www.indepthinfo.com/vanilla/benefits.shtml

Thumpa


Medicinal Uses: Juices of the plant is applied externally for psoriasis , chronic skin eruptions and painful swellings . Flower is given with honey for coughs and colds . Herb is used as antipyretic.






http://ayurvedicmedicinalplants.com/


http://crdd.osdd.net/indipedia/index.php/Medicinal_plants_of_India



Water Therapy To Cure Diseases

Water Therapy

Drink six 6 glasses of water (1.5 liter) everyday and avoid medicine, tablets, injections, diagnosis, doctor fees etc. You can never believe before practicing. Here is the list of diseases that can be cured by this water therapy:

Head Ache
Blood Pressure / Hypertension
Anemia (Blood shortage)
Rheumatism (Pain in joints/muscles)
General Paralysis
Obesity (Fatness)
Arthritis
Sinusitis
Tachycardia
Giddiness
Cough
Asthma
Bronchitis
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Meningitis
Kidney Stones
Urogenital Diseases
Hyper acidity
Gastro – entitis
Dysentery
Rectal Piodapse
Constipation
Hostorthobics
Diabetes
Eye diseases
Ophthalmic Hemorrhage & Opthalmia (Reddish eye)
Irregular Menstruation
Leukemia
Uterus Cancer
Breast Cancer
Laryngitis
HOW TO DO THIS WATER THERAPY?

Early morning, after you get up from bed, (without even brushing your teeth) drink 1.50 litters of water i.e. 5 to 6 glasses. You may wash your face thereafter.
Here it is very essential to note that nothing else, neither drinks nor solid food of any sort should be taken within 1 hr. before and after drinking these 1.5 litters of water.
It is also to be strictly observed that no alcoholic drinks shall be taken the previous night.
If required, boiled and filtered water may be used for this purpose. Is it possible to drink 1.50 litters of water at one time? This is a BIG QUESTION? To begin with, one may find it difficult to drink 1.50 litters of water at one time, but one will get used to it gradually. Initially, while practicing you may drink four glasses first and then the balance two glasses after a gap of 2 minutes.Initially you may find the necessity to urinate 2-3 times within an hour, but it will become normal after quite some time.
By research and experience, the following diseases are observed to be cured with this therapy within the indicated days as below:

Constipation        :
1 day
Acidity        :
2 days
Diabetes      :
7 days
Cancer         :
4 weeks
Pulmonary TB       :
3 months
BP & Hypertension         :
4 weeks

NOTE:
It is advised that persons suffering from Arthritis or Rheumatism should practice this therapy thrice a day i.e. morning, mid day and night, 1 hour before breakfast, lunch and dinner for one week and twice a day subsequently until the disease disappears.

HOW DOES PURE WATER ACT ?
Consuming ordinary drinking water by the right method purifies human body.

It renders the colon more effective by forming new fresh blood, known in medical terms as Haematopaises.

That the mucousal folds of the colon and intestines are activated by this method, is an undisputed fact, just as the theory that new fresh blood is produced by the mucousal fold.

If the colon is cleansed then the nutrients of the food taken several times a day will be absorbed and by the action of the mucousal folds they are turned into fresh blood.

The blood is all-important in curing ailments and restoring health and for this water should be consumed in a regular pattern.


Courtesy: Various Sources over internet


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