Jul 10
28
Gum Disease
Often taken for granted, the monotonous task of brushing and flossing our teeth daily has never been more important in order to avoid gum disease and the risks gum disease place on our overall health. It has been estimated that 75% of Americans have some form of gum disease, which has been linked to serious health complications and causes various dental problems that are often avoidable.
What is Gum Disease?
Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is mainly caused by bacteria from plaque and tartar build up. Other factors that have the potential to cause gum disease may include:
- Tobacco use
- Clenching or grinding your teeth
- Certain medications
- Genetics
Types of Gum Disease Include:
- Gingivitis – The beginning stage of gum disease and is often undetected. This stage of the disease is reversible.
- Periodontitis – Untreated gingivitis may lead to this next stage of gum disease. With many levels of periodontitis, the common outcome is chronic inflammatory response, a condition when the body breaks down the bone and tissue in the infected area of the mouth, ultimately resulting in tooth and bone loss.
Signs of Gum Disease Include:
- Red, bleeding, and/or swollen gums
- Bad breath
- Mobility of the teeth
- Tooth sensitivity caused by receding gums
- Abscessed teeth
- Tooth loss
Posted in Dental Care by .
Don’t let yourself be defined by breast cancer — once you become a patient, it can be easy to get caught up in treatment and emotions. But you are a survivor — so take good care of all aspects of your health, gather your posse, and head into a healthier future. Here are some tips to help you with self-care.
1. Healthy Diet and Hydration
Food and drink can be part of your arsenal during treatment – they can help alleviate side effects as well as build up your strength and stamina. Try eating plant proteins (mushrooms, legumes, beans) which are easier to digest than meats. If you eat meat, avoid processed meats with nitrates. To help maintain or regain weight, add milk, cheese, and eggs to your diet, or use sauces and gravies that have some fat content. Since treatment can be very drying, drink 8 eight-ounce glasses of water daily; cut down on or avoid caffeine, and swear off alcohol. When constipation is a problem, blend some smoothies using frozen strawberries, blueberries, and yogurt. Gelatin and puddings can also be easy to digest.
2. Ask For Help
Hang up your Superwoman suit, because you may not have the energy or stamina to get through treatment alone. You can authorize someone else to pick up your medications at the pharmacy, and ask for help with cooking meals, picking up groceries, and cleaning house. It’s okay to ask for medications to help alleviate side effects, and if you have health insurance, ask if the additional medications are covered. At your clinic, ask about Road to Recovery, if you need a ride to or from treatments. Your clinic may also be able to help you find home healthcare and financial assistance in your local community.
3. Exercise Your Body
Gentle exercise during treatment, such as regular walks, can help you avoid anemia by increasing your oxygen capacity and supporting your red blood cell count. After treatment is completed, increasing your exercise gradually will help erase your fatigue and rebuild muscle tone. Getting your circulation going may also help with chemobrain, and it can certainly improve your mood and your outlook on life. Try yoga, tai chi, swimming or water aerobics.
Posted in Cancer by .
A report released December 11, 1997, by the Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention reinforces the results of their 1996 report which clearly indicates 50 percent of all cancer is preventable by investigation of realistic means of modifying individual lifestyle factors, public policies, and clinical practices. The 1996 report states that clearly 50 percent of all cancer risks could be reduced by following a modified diet that includes: low- fat, high fiber, and little or no red meat, as well as, through increased exercise, limiting alcohol use, and quitting smoking.
The 1997 report found clear evidence relating the risk of colon cancer and lack of physical activity; 15 percent of all colon cancer cases are preventable by adding just thirty minutes of exercise to your daily schedule. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths, claiming almost 55,000 lives last year alone.
“Exercise is clearly related to a reduced risk of colon cancer,” said Dr. Graham Colditz of the Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention. “And you keep reducing your risk more with even more activity.”
According to the report more than 60 percent of adults do not get enough regular physical activity and almost 50 percent of our children are not getting enough exercise. The report calls for increased physical education in schools and more public funding for safe outdoor areas such as bike paths, playgrounds, and walk ways for children and adults to get more physical activity.
Women can significantly reduce their risk of cervical cancer by seeing their gynecologists regularly for Pap smears and physical examinations. The Pap smear is the only screening tool for cancer which has reduced the number of deaths from any type of cancer. Mammograms should begin usually between the age of 35- 40 for a baseline mammogram. A baseline mammogram establishes a pattern for comparison with future mammograms.
Posted in Cancer by .
Jul 10
26
10-Steps to Prevent Breast Cancer
Ann Kulze, M.D. is the author of Dr. Ann’s 10-Step Diet (Top Ten Wellness and Fitness, October 2004), a primary care physician, spokesperson for Ruby Tuesday’s Restaurant and mother of four. Dr. Ann designed these ten steps to show you how YOU can prevent breast cancer in your life.
1. Maintain a healthy body weight (BMI less than 25) throughout your life. Weight gain in midlife, independent of BMI, has been shown to significantly increase breast cancer risk. Additionally, and elevated BMI has been conclusively shown to increase the risk of post-menopausal breast cancer.
2. Minimize or avoid alcohol. Alcohol use is the most well established dietary risk factor for breast cancer. The Harvard Nurses’ Health study, along with several others, has shown consuming more than one alcoholic beverage a day can increase breast cancer risk by as much as 20-25 percent.
3. Consume as many fruits and vegetables as possible. Eat seven or more servings daily. The superstars for breast cancer protection include all cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower) ; dark leafy greens (collards, kale, spinach) ; carrots and tomatoes. The superstar fruits include citrus, berries and cherries. Note: it is best to eat cruciferous vegetables raw or lightly cooked, as some of the phytochemicals believed to offer protection against breast cancer are destroyed by heat.
4. Exercise regularly the rest of your life. Many studies have shown that regular exercise provides powerful protection against breast cancer. Aim for 30 minutes or more of moderate aerobic activity (brisk walking) five or more days a week. Consistency and duration, not intensity, are key!
5. Do your fats right! The type of fat in your diet can affect your breast cancer risk. Minimize consumption of omega-6 fats (sunflower, safflower, corn and cottonseed oils), saturated fats and trans fats. Maximize your intake of omega-3 fats, especially from oily fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, lake trout and herring). Consume monounsaturated oils (canola, olive oil, nuts/seeds, avocados) as your primary fat source, as these foods have potential anticancer properties. Specifically, canola oil is a good source of omega-3 fats; extra virgin olive oil is a potent source of antioxidant polyphenols, including squalene; and nuts and seeds provide you with the cancer protective mineral, selenium.
Posted in Cancer by .
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common problem with the intestines. In people with IBS, the intestines squeeze too hard or not hard enough and cause food to move too quickly or too slowly through the intestines. IBS usually begins around age 20 and is more common in women.IBS is also called functional bowel syndrome, irritable colon, spastic bowel and spastic colon. It’s not the same as inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis.
What are the symptoms of IBS?
Common symptoms of IBS
- Bloating and gas
- Mucus in the stool
- Constipation
- Diarrhea, especially after eating or first thing in the morning
- Feeling like you still need to have a bowel movement after you’ve already had one
- Feeling a strong u rge to have a bowel movement
- Abdominal pain and cramping that may go away after having a bowel movement
The box to the right lists common symptoms of IBS.The symptoms may get worse when you’re under stress, such as when you travel, attend social events or change your daily routine. Your symptoms may also get worse if you don’t eat enough healthy foods or after you’ve eaten a big meal. Some people are bothered by certain foods. Women who have IBS may notice more frequent symptoms during their menstrual periods.How is IBS diagnosed?
Your doctor may start by asking you questions about your symptoms. If your symptoms have had a pattern over time, the pattern may make it clear to your doctor that IBS is the cause.
If your symptoms have just started, something else may be the cause. Your doctor may need to do some tests, such as a blood test or colonoscopy, to make sure that your symptoms aren’t caused by something other than IBS.
How is IBS treated?
Why may fiber be helpful?
- Soluble fiber helps both diarrhea and constipation. It dissolves in water and forms a gel-like material. Many foods contain soluble fiber such as apples, beans and citrus fruits. Psyllium, a natural vegetable fiber, is a also a soluble fiber. You can buy psyllium supplements (some brand names: Fiberall, Metamucil, Perdiem) to drink and you can add it to other foods.
- Insoluble fiber helps constipation by moving material through your digestive system and adding bulk to your stool. Insoluble fiber is in whole grain breads, wheat bran and many vegetables.
Jul 10
24
Tip for Whitening Your Teeth Easily
Whiter teeth can really improve your appearance. You can confidently talk to anybody knowing that you are carrying a set of healthy, white teeth. There are numerous ways to whiten teeth and this article will discuss some of the useful yet easy ways on how to do that.
Looking back at old times, there are no available toothpastes with formulation of fluoride to whiten teeth. There are no whitening products that are being applied. But we can observe that people at early times also have white teeth. Here are some interesting things they do to keep their teeth healthy:
• Mashed strawberries or sage leaf were applied and massaged on teeth’s surface.
• Toasts (usually burnt) are often applied on teeth. The mixture of ground burnt bits, some powder and flavored oil are used as toothpaste then.
• Food particles left in between tooth are often rinsed only by gargling water.
• Cotton soaked in baking soda and lemon juice mixture is wiped to the teeth.
• Baking soda mixed with hydrogen peroxide is the most expensive whitening product then.
Posted in Dental Care by .
Jul 10
20
Cancer-Fighting Food
As researchers continue to wage war against cancer, many have begun to focus on what could be the most promising ammunition to date: diet.
“The easiest, least-expensive way to reduce your risk for cancer is just by eating a healthy diet,” says Rachael Stolzenberg-Solomon, PhD, MPH, RD, a researcher at the National Cancer Institute.
When it comes to a diet rich in cancer-fighting substances, most experts agree that it should consist of a predominantly plant-based diet. “If you have two-thirds of plant food on your plate, that seems to be enough to avoid excessive amounts of food high in saturated fat,” says Karen Collins, RD, nutritional advisor for the American Institute for Cancer Research.
That seemingly simple advice could mean a drastic change in diet for many people.
“People who are thinking that this is like a diet, and are trying to choke this stuff down, it’s never going to last,” Collins tells WebMD. “You’re looking at creating something for a lifetime. If it takes you awhile, but each month or so you enjoy [one more vegetable], then that’s great,” Collins.
You may want to start with some of the following food substances, all of which show promise as cancer-fighting agents.
Folate-Rich Foods
This B-complex vitamin can be found in many ‘good for you’ foods. Plus, manufacturers of cereals, pastas, and breads often fortify their products with folate.
How It Works
“The thought is that when someone has low levels of folate, it’s more likely for mutations in DNA to occur,” Stolzenberg-Solomon says. Conversely, adequate levels of folate protect against such mutations.
Cancer-Fighting Abilities
In a large-scale study, researchers evaluated the effects of folate on more than 27,000 male smokers between ages 50 and 69. Men who consumed at least the recommended daily allowance of folate — about 400 micrograms — cut by half their risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
How to Get It
Starting with breakfast, a glass of orange juice is high in folate; so are most cereals (check the box to see how much). For lunch, try a hearty salad with either spinach or romaine leaves. Top it with dried beans or peas for an extra boost. Snack on a handful of peanuts or an orange. At dinner, choose asparagus or Brussels sprouts as your vegetable.
Posted in Cancer by .
Jul 10
19
Do and Don’t for morning sickness
Nausea and vomiting can be one of the first signs of pregnancy and usually begins around the 6th week of pregnancy. It can occur at any time of the day, and for most women it seems to stop around the 12th week of pregnancy.
Morning sickness is not harmful to you or your baby, but if you experience excessive vomiting and cannot keep your food down, you may have hyperemesis gravidarum. Hyperemesis gravidarum can be harmful to you and your baby if severe and left untreated, due to the possible lack of nutrients and electrolyte imbalance. The most important thing is to inform your health care provider when these symptoms appear and discuss possible options for treatment.
Morning Sickness:
More than half of all pregnant women experience morning sickness. Morning sickness is the nauseated feeling you get during pregnancy. Morning sickness can be, but is not always, accompanied with vomiting. The nausea is often a result of the increased hormones in your body. Many health care providers think morning sickness is a good sign because it means the placenta is developing well.
There are a number of do’s and don’ts you can try to help alleviate your symptoms.
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Helpful Do’s and Don’ts:
Do:
- Eat small meals often
- Drink fluids 1/2 hour before or after a meal, but not with meals
- Drink small amounts of fluids during the day to avoid dehydration
- Eat soda crackers 15 minutes before getting up in the morning
- Avoid foods and smells that increase nausea
- Ask someone else to cook for you and open the windows or turn on fans if the odor bothers you
- Get plenty of rest and nap during the day
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