Family Health.

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Stress

Time magazine's June 6, 1983 cover story called stress "The Epidemic of the Eighties" and referred to it as our leading health problem; there can be little doubt that the situation has progressively worsened since then.

1 According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, two-thirds of all family doctor visits are prompted by stress-related symptoms.

2 Stress is an extremely harmful problem facing millions of Americans every day! The effects of stress are numerous and varied, so it's vital to ensure you're getting proper nutrition to help combat the effects of stress. Numerous surveys confirm that adult Americans perceive they are under much more stress than a decade or two ago. A 1996 Prevention magazine survey found that almost 75% feel they have "great stress" one day a week with one out of three indicating they feel this much more than twice a week. In the same 1983 survey only 55% said they felt under great stress on a weekly basis. It has been estimated that 75 - 90 percent of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress related problems.

3 People under stress have fewer than half of the antibodies in their systems than subjects with less stress do. Stress can cause fatigue, irritability, cold hands, high blood pressure, headaches, weight gain and gastrointestinal disorders.

When you are under stress, your body responds with a “fight or flight” response, producing many physiological changes –including increased secretion of adrenaline, increased heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, and tension in the muscles. Digestion slows or stops, cholesterol levels rise, and the blood clots more easily. Hormones are secreted which inhibit the functioning of white blood cells which, in turn, suppresses immune system response. Because of how it affects the body’s immune response, stress increases illness and slows healing.

Often times, bodies under stress become nutrient deficient as nutrients are quickly depleted, while the body cries out for more energy. At the same time, the body does not absorb nutrients well under stress, so while nutrients are depleted, they aren’t replaced. In fact many of the disorders associated with stress arise from nutritional deficiencies, especially in relation to B-complex vitamins which ensure that the nervous system functions properly.

Give your body many nutrients, along with the B-complex vitamins, to ensure that your body has the best fighting chance against the damaging effects of stress. Take vitamins A, C, E, and selenium, which are antioxidants working together against damaging free radicals. Vitamin C also is essential to adrenal gland function, and is necessary for adrenal hormone synthesis and is often depleted with chronic stress. Chromium supports vitamin C metabolism in the body. Vitamin E is shown to prevent damage to the adrenal cells. The minerals magnesium and zinc are key ingredients, especially in reducing anxiety, fear, and even hallucinations in highly stressed individuals. Selenium is known for its ability to decrease anxiety attacks.

1. http://www.stress.org/
2. Martin, James. Alleviating Stress is imperative for Executive's Health. Charlotte Business Journal, Jan 10, 2003.
3. http://www.stress.org/
5. Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing, 3rd. Edition. p. 647.

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Sleep
Getting proper rest and sleep is critical for your body. When sleep deprivation robs the body of nutrients, serious deterioration in performance and the onset of problems can begin. Drowsiness can also decrease mental alertness, accounts for lower productivity at work, as well as automobile accidents each year.1

However, sleeping pills are not the answer. Long-term use of sleep aids can lead to sleep challenges.

Sleep deprivation can also be linked to problems such as the ability to be in a good mood, stress, and grief.

Sleeplessness is often a sign of poor nutrition. Magnesium, Zinc, and vitamin B nutritionally help the body to have deeper and more restful sleep.2 In addition, garlic has been shown to improve serotonin levels, which are involved in the regulation of sleep.3

1. http://www.mayoclinic.com/
2. ACSM Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Vol 31, No 5, May 1999.
3. Fillion, G. Designer Foods III (Transcript). Phytochemicals in Garlic, Soy and Licorice: Research update and Implications. May 23,24 and 25, 1994. Georgetown University Conference Center, Washington, D.C.

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High-Fat, Sugar Free Diet May Help Fight Cancer!

At the Wurzburg hospital in Germany, two researchers have been conducting clinical studies on cancer patients by feeding them a diet that eliminates most carbohydrates and sugar and includes high-fat plant oils, soy, and animal fats.

Their study is based on research by Nobel laureate Otto Warburg, who found that cancer cells feed on sugar.

The theory is simple: if most aggressive cancers rely on the fermentation of sugar for growing and dividing, then take away the sugar and they should stop spreading. Meanwhile, normal body and brain cells should be able to handle the sugar starvation; they can switch to generating energy from fatty molecules called ketone bodies — the body's main source of energy on a fat-rich diet — an ability that some or most fast growing and invasive cancers seem to lack.
Several patients dropped out of the trial because they couldn't give up sugar and sweets. One of the researchers said, "We didn't expect this to be such a big problem, but a considerable number of patients left the study because they were unable or unwilling to renounce soft drinks, chocolate and so on."

Isn't it interesting that so many people are so addicted to sugar that they won't give it up even to save their lives?

In the article linked below, Boston College's Thomas Seyfried says he's been trying to push research into high-fat, low carb diets to fight cancer, but has come up against resistance:

"Clinical studies are highly warranted," he says, attributing the lack of human studies to the medical establishment, which he feels is single-minded in its approach to treatment, and opposition from the pharmaceutical industry, which doesn't stand to profit much from a dietetic treatment for cancer.
Seyfried isn't kidding. Among the foods The American Cancer Society recommends for cancer patients going through treatment are pudding, ice cream, milkshakes, gelatin, fruit juices, cereal, frozen yogurt, custard, white bread, angel food cake, popsicles, fruit ices, sports drinks, and lemonade. They make the claim on their website that "good nutrition will not cure cancer." It's a bold statement considering the evidence and research being done to the contrary.

If you want to see how much information there is on this subject, just Google "sugar and cancer" and see what comes up. The medical establishment might have its collective head in the sand when it comes to dietary links to cancer, but we don't have to stay in the dark along with them.

Can a High-Fat Diet Beat Cancer?

[jamesrsnbm]

Massage can help with alot of health related situations stress and sleep just to name 2. Let me help you. Drop me an email.



Jamesrsnbm@yahoo.com

[rangi15]

Facts On The Common Cold.

Introduction

A common cold is an infection of your upper respiratory tract. It's relatively harmless — but it usually doesn't feel that way. If it's not a runny nose, sore throat and cough, it's watery eyes, sneezing and congestion. Or maybe all of the above. In fact, because any one of more than 200 viruses can cause a common cold, symptoms tend to vary greatly.

Unfortunately, if you're like most adults, you're likely to have a common cold two to four times a year. Children, especially preschoolers, may have a common cold as many as eight to 10 times annually.

The good news is that you or your child should be feeling better in about a week or so. If symptoms of a common cold aren't improving in that time, see your doctor to make sure you don't have a bacterial infection in your lungs, sinuses or ears.


Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of a common cold usually appear about one to three days after exposure to a cold virus. Signs and symptoms of a common cold may include:

Runny or stuffy nose
Itchy or sore throat
Cough
Congestion
Slight body aches or a mild headache
Sneezing
Watery eyes
Low-grade fever (up to 102 F)
Mild fatigue
The discharge from your nose may become thicker and yellow or green in color as a common cold runs its course. What makes a cold different from other viral infections is that you generally won't have a high fever. You're also unlikely to experience significant fatigue from a common cold.


Causes

Although more than 200 viruses can cause a common cold, the rhinovirus is the most common culprit, and it's highly contagious.

A cold virus enters your body through your mouth or nose, but it's likely you also had a "hand" in your own illness. The virus can spread through droplets in the air when someone who is sick coughs, sneezes or talks. But it also spreads by hand-to-hand contact with someone who has a cold or by using shared objects, such as utensils, towels, toys or telephones. Touch your eyes, nose or mouth after such contact or exposure, and you're likely to "catch" a cold.


Risk factors

Children are especially susceptible to common colds because they haven't yet developed resistance to most of the viruses that cause them. But an immature immune system isn't the only thing that makes kids vulnerable. They also tend to spend lots of time with other children and aren't always careful about washing their hands and covering their coughs and sneezes.

As you age, you develop immunity to many of the viruses that cause common colds. You'll have colds less frequently than you did as a child, though you can still come down with a cold when you're exposed to cold viruses, have an allergic reaction that affects your nasal passages or have a weakened immune system.

Both children and adults are more susceptible to colds in fall and winter, when children are in school and most people are spending a lot of time indoors. In places where there is no winter, colds are more frequent in the rainy season.

Other beliefs about how you catch a common cold — such as going outdoors with wet hair or getting chilled — are starting to be seriously studied. In a small study at the Common Cold Centre in Wales, scientists tested 180 healthy volunteers. Half submerged their bare feet in ice water for 20 minutes, and half stayed dry. Within five days, nearly one-third of the chilled participants developed sore throats and runny noses, whereas only 9 percent of their warmer counterparts did.

Some researchers theorize that cold constricts blood vessels in the nose, slowing the white cells that fight infection and disrupting the first-line defense against germs. And with reduced immunity, dormant infections are more likely to develop into full-blown colds. This theory isn't universally accepted by any means. Many researchers insist that colds are more common in winter because people spend more time indoors where germs spread easily.


When to seek medical advice

Seek medical attention if you have:

Fever of 102 F or higher
High fever accompanied by achiness and fatigue
Fever accompanied by sweating, chills and a cough with colored phlegm
Symptoms that get worse instead of better or last more than about 10 days
In general, children are sicker with a common cold than adults are and often develop complications such as ear infections. Your child doesn't need to see the doctor for a routine common cold. But seek medical attention right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms:

Fever of 103 F or higher, chills or sweating
Fever that lasts more than 72 hours
Vomiting or abdominal pain
Unusual sleepiness
Severe headache
Difficulty breathing
Persistent crying
Ear pain
Persistent cough

Complications

Acute ear infection (otitis media). The most frequent complication of common colds in children, ear infections occur when bacteria infiltrate the space behind the eardrum. Typical signs and symptoms include earaches and, in some cases, a green or yellow discharge from the nose or the return of a fever following a common cold. Children who are too young to verbalize their distress may simply cry or pull on the affected ear.
Wheezing. A cold can trigger wheezing in children with asthma.
Sinusitis. In adults or children, a common cold that doesn't resolve may lead to sinusitis — inflammation and infection of the sinuses.
Other secondary infections. These include strep throat (streptococcal pharyngitis), pneumonia, chronic bronchitis in adults and croup in children. These infections need to be treated by a doctor.

Treatment

There's no cure for the common cold. Antibiotics are of no use against cold viruses. Over-the-counter (OTC) cold preparations won't cure a common cold or make it go away any sooner, and most have side effects. Here's a look at the pros and cons of some common cold remedies.

Pain relievers. For fever, sore throat and headache, many people turn to acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or other mild pain relievers. Keep in mind that acetaminophen can cause liver damage, especially if taken frequently or in larger-than-recommended doses. Be especially careful when giving acetaminophen to children; the dosing guidelines can be confusing. For instance, the infant drop formulation is three times as concentrated as the syrup commonly used in older children. Never give aspirin to children. It may have a role in causing Reye's syndrome — a rare but potentially fatal illness.
Decongestant nasal sprays. Adults shouldn't use decongestant drops or sprays for more than a few days because prolonged use can cause chronic inflammation of the mucous membranes. And children shouldn't use decongestant drops or sprays at all. There's little evidence that they work in young children, and they may cause side effects.
Cough syrups. In winter, nonprescription cough syrups practically fly off the drugstore shelves. But the American College of Chest Physicians strongly discourages the use of these medications because they're not effective at treating the underlying cause of cough due to colds. Some contain ingredients that may alleviate coughing, but the amounts are too small to do much good and may actually be harmful for children. In fact, the college recommends against using OTC cough syrups or cold medicines for any child younger than age 14. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns against giving cough and cold medicines to children younger than age 2. For young children, an accidental overdose could be fatal. Coughs associated with a cold usually last less than two to three weeks. If a cough lingers longer than that, see your doctor.

Prevention

Because so many different viruses can cause a common cold, no effective vaccine has been developed. But you can take some common-sense precautions to slow the spread of cold viruses:

Wash your hands. Clean your hands thoroughly and often, and teach your children the importance of hand washing. Carry a bottle of alcohol-based hand rub containing at least 60 percent alcohol for times when soap and water aren't available. These gels kill most germs, and are safe for older children to use themselves.
Scrub your stuff. Keep kitchen and bathroom countertops clean, especially when someone in your family has a common cold. Wash children's toys after play.
Use tissues. Always sneeze and cough into tissues. Discard used tissues right away, and then wash your hands carefully. Teach children to sneeze or cough into the bend of their elbow when they don't have a tissue. That way they cover their mouth without using their hands.
Be a little selfish. Don't share drinking glasses or utensils with other family members. Use your own glass or disposable cups when you or someone else is sick.
Steer clear of colds. Avoid close, prolonged contact with anyone who has a cold.
Choose your childcare center wisely. Look for a childcare setting with sound hygiene practices and clear policies about keeping sick children at home.
Consider the alternatives. Whether therapies such as vitamin C, zinc and echinacea relieve cold symptoms remains controversial. But the latest research seems to show that moderate doses of vitamin C can shorten the duration of a cold and that zinc nasal sprays or lozenges taken at the beginning of a cold may help reduce symptoms.

Self-care

You may not be able to cure your common cold, but you can make yourself as comfortable as possible. These tips may help:

Drink lots of fluids. Water, juice, tea and warm soup are all good choices. Avoid alcohol, caffeine and cigarette smoke, which can cause dehydration and aggravate your symptoms.
Try chicken soup. Generations of parents have spooned chicken soup into their sick children. Now scientists have put chicken soup to the test, discovering that it does seem to help relieve cold and flu symptoms in two ways. First, it acts as an anti-inflammatory by inhibiting the movement of neutrophils — immune system cells that participate in the body's inflammatory response. Second, it temporarily speeds up the movement of mucus through the nose, helping relieve congestion and limiting the amount of time viruses are in contact with the nasal lining. Researchers at the University of Nebraska compared homemade chicken soup with canned versions and found that many, though not all, canned chicken soups worked just as well as soups made from scratch.
Get some rest. Consider staying home from work if you have a fever or a bad cough, or are drowsy from medications. This will give you a chance to rest as well as reduce the chances that you'll infect others. Wear a mask when you have a cold if you live or work with someone with a chronic disease or compromised immune system.
Adjust your room's temperature and humidity. Keep your room warm, but not overheated. If the air is dry, a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer can moisten the air and help ease congestion and coughing. Be sure to keep the humidifier clean to prevent the growth of bacteria and molds.
Soothe your throat. Gargling with warm salt water several times a day or drinking warm lemon water with honey may help soothe a sore throat and relieve a cough.
Use nasal drops. To help relieve nasal congestion, try saline nasal drops. You can purchase these drops over-the-counter, and they're effective, safe and nonirritating, even for children. To use in babies, instill several drops into one nostril, then immediately bulb suction that nostril. Repeat the process in the opposite nostril. Doing this before feeding your baby will improve your child's ability to nurse or take a bottle.

Ref: http://www.mayoclinic.com

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Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Overview
What is bird flu?

Bird flu is an infection caused by a type of avian influenza virus. This virus is common in wild birds. Most of the time, wild birds do not get sick from the virus. But wild birds can easily pass the virus to birds that are being raised for food—such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys—and cause them to get very sick.

Usually, bird flu virus is not passed from birds to people. But since 1997, some people have become sick with a serious, deadly type of bird flu. Most of these infections have been in Asian countries among people who have had contact with birds that are being raised for food.

What causes bird flu?

Bird flu is caused by an infection with a virus. Once a wild bird infects a farm-raised bird, the virus can easily and quickly spread among hundreds and thousands of birds. Sick birds must then be killed to stop the virus from spreading.

Most people do not need to worry about getting sick with bird flu virus. You cannot get bird flu from eating cooked chicken, turkey, or duck because heat makes the bird flu virus inactive.

People who come into contact with sick chickens, ducks, or turkeys have an increased chance of getting the virus. Bird flu virus can be passed through bird droppings and saliva. It can also live on surfaces such as cages, tractors, and other farm equipment.

Why are people so worried about bird flu?

In a few cases, experts think that bird flu was passed from a person to a person, not from a bird to a person. Because viruses can change quickly (mutate), experts worry that bird flu will one day be passed easily from person to person. This is a scary possibility because the bird flu virus is stronger than other types of flu viruses. Even though less than 150 people have gotten sick with bird flu, about half of them have died.

Experts also worry because the bird flu virus is so different from other flu viruses that our bodies do not have any immunity. Not having immunity means that our bodies have a hard time fighting the virus. It also means that healthy, young people can get sick just as easily as people who are older or less healthy.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of bird flu in people depend on the type of virus causing the infection. If you have traveled somewhere where there is bird flu and you have a fever and a hard time breathing, contact your doctor right away.

Symptoms of bird flu can be the same as common flu symptoms, such as:

A fever.
A cough.
A sore throat.
Muscle aches.
An eye infection (conjunctivitis).
More serious symptoms of bird flu include:

Pneumonia, a serious lung infection.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome, a life-threatening lung problem.
How is it diagnosed and treated?

If your doctor thinks you may have bird flu, he or she will do a physical exam and ask you questions about your symptoms and past health. Your doctor will also ask you where you have traveled recently and if you were around any birds. Then your doctor may order blood tests, nasal swabs, or other tests, such as X-rays, to help find out what is making you sick.

Treatment for bird flu depends on what the virus is doing to your body. In some cases, antiviral medicines may help make the virus less severe. But experts are concerned that bird flu is resistant to certain antiviral medicines. Viruses become resistant when they change over time and then the medicines that used to kill them no longer work well.

If you have bird flu, you will stay in a private hospital room to reduce the chances of spreading the virus to others. When your doctors and nurses are caring for you, they will wear gloves and gowns. Some people who have bird flu may need a machine to help them breathe better (a ventilator). Other people may need a machine to help the kidneys work better (kidney dialysis). About half of the time, bird flu leads to death.

So far, no cases of bird flu in humans have been found in the United States. Most cases have occurred in Asian countries.

What is being done to prevent the spread of bird flu? What can I do to prevent it?

The World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are preparing for the possibility that bird flu could spread to people all over the world (a pandemic). Experts are working on a shot (vaccine) to protect people from getting bird flu virus. They are also storing up large supplies of antiviral medicines. The United States’ government has also developed a flu plan. This is a plan to prepare for a pandemic and to make sure as few people as possible get the virus.

International health organizations now require that all infected birds be killed. Some countries have programs to clean up poultry farms and to check that all birds are healthy before they are sold. In 2004, the United States stopped buying poultry from most Asian countries.

Even though there is a lot of talk about bird flu, most people do not have to worry about getting it. No cases of bird flu in humans have been found in the United States. But you can take steps to lower your chances of getting infected.

If you are traveling to a country where there is bird flu:
Ask your doctor about getting a regular flu shot. It is best to do this at least 2 weeks before you leave. This will not prevent bird flu, but it may help you avoid getting the regular flu.
Avoid poultry farms and close contact with chickens, turkeys, or ducks.
Stay away from open-air markets where live birds are sold.
Keep your hands clean by washing them often with soap and warm water or using a hand gel that kills germs. If you use a hand gel, be sure to buy only gels made with alcohol. They do the best job of cleaning your hands.
Do not eat raw eggs or raw poultry. But you can safely eat cooked eggs, chicken, duck, and turkey because heat makes the bird flu virus inactive.

Author: Colleen Cronin
Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
W David Colby, MSc, MD, FRCPC, - Infectious Disease

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Key Facts About Influenza (Flu) Vaccine.

The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each fall.

There are two types of vaccines:


The "flu shot" -- an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.


The nasal-spray flu vaccine -- a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for "Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine"). LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 5 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

Each vaccine contains three influenza viruses -- one A (H3N2) virus, one A (H1N1) virus, and one B virus. The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists' estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year.

About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.

When to Get Vaccinated

October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can still get vaccinated in December and later. Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May.

Who Should Get Vaccinated

In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications. People who should get vaccinated each year are:


People at high risk for complications from the flu:

People 65 years and older;

People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that house those with long-term illnesses;

Adults and children 6 months and older with chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma;

Adults and children 6 months and older who needed regular medical care or were in a hospital during the previous year because of a metabolic disease (like diabetes), chronic kidney disease, or weakened immune system (including immune system problems caused by medicines or by infection with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV/AIDS]);

Children 6 months to 18 years of age who are on long-term aspirin therapy. (Children given aspirin while they have influenza are at risk of Reye syndrome.);

Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;

All children 6 to 23 months of age;

People with any condition that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions (that is, a condition that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, such as brain injury or disease, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other nerve or muscle disorders.)



People 50 to 64 years of age. Because nearly one-third of people 50 to 64 years of age in the United States have one or more medical conditions that place them at increased risk for serious flu complications, vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 50 to 64.


People who can transmit flu to others at high risk for complications. Any person in close contact with someone in a high-risk group (see above) should get vaccinated. This includes all health-care workers, household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children 6 to 23 months of age, and close contacts of people 65 years and older.

Is CDC recommending that flu shots go to "priority groups," as was recommended last season?

To ensure that those who are at highest risk of complications from influenza have access to vaccine this season, CDC recommends that people in certain priority groups receive inactivated influenza vaccine (i.e., the "flu shot") until October 24, 2005:

people aged 65 years and older, with and without chronic health conditions

residents of long-term care facilities

people aged 2-64 years with chronic health conditions

children aged 6-23 months

pregnant women

health-care personnel who provide direct patient care

household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age

Beginning October 24, 2005, all persons can get a flu shot.

Use of the Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine

It should be noted that vaccination with the nasal-spray flu vaccine is always an option for healthy persons aged 5-49 years who are not pregnant. This vaccine is not subject to prioritization and can be given to healthy 5-49 year olds at any time.

People Displaced by Hurricane Katrina

Influenza vaccination is recommended for all people 6 months of age and older who have been displaced by hurricane Katrina and are living in crowded group settings. See http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/katrina/vaccrecdisplaced.asp

Who Should Not Be Vaccinated

Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. They include:

People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.

People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.

People who developed Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.

Influenza vaccine is not approved for use in children less than 6 months of age.

People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.

Vaccine Effectiveness

The ability of flu vaccine to protect a person depends on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine, and the similarity or "match" between the virus strains in the vaccine and those in circulation. Testing has shown that both the flu shot and the nasal-spray vaccine are effective at preventing the flu.

Vaccine Side Effects (What to Expect)

Different side effects can be associated with the flu shot and LAIV.

The flu shot: The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that could occur are:

Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given

Fever (low grade)

Aches

If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and usually last 1 to 2 days. Almost all people who receive influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it. However, on rare occasions, flu vaccination can cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. As of July 1, 2005, people who think that they have been injured by the flu shot can file a claim for compensation from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). For more information go to http://www.hrsa.gov/osp/vicp/.

LAIV: The viruses in the nasal-spray vaccine are weakened and will not cause severe symptoms often associated with influenza illness. (In clinical studies, transmission of vaccine viruses to close contacts has occurred only rarely.)

In children, side effects from LAIV can include

runny nose

headache

vomiting

muscle aches

fever

In adults, side effects from LAIV can include:

runny nose

headache

sore throat

cough

Ref: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC)

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Drug Makers Withdraw Cough, Cold Meds For Infants.
THURSDAY, Oct. 11 (HealthDay News) -- Leading drug makers announced a voluntary withdrawal Thursday of oral cough and cold medicines marketed for use in infants.

The move affects only "infant" oral medicines, not those intended and labeled for use in children age 2 and older. And it comes as U.S. regulators review the products' safety, following reports of dozens of deaths since 1969.

"The reason the makers of over-the-counter, oral cough and cold medicines for infants are voluntarily withdrawing these medicines is that there have been rare patterns of misuse leading to overdose recently identified, particularly in infants, and safety is our top priority," Linda A. Suydam, president of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), said in a prepared statement.

The move was applauded by health experts in the field.

"Recalling the products until the public and health care providers are fully educated about the safety and effectiveness of these products is the right thing to do right now," said Catherine Tom-Revzon, the clinical pharmacy manager at Children's Hospital at Montefiore in New York City.

She added, "Combination products are dangerous if parents do not know what ingredients are in them and extra doses of single ingredients are given. Children under two are at higher risk for side effects compared to older children. What's worse is that infants can't tell us if their hearts are racing or they are overly drowsy. "

According to the CHPA, the cough and cold medicines that are being withdrawn are:

Dimetapp(R) Decongestant Plus Cough Infant Drops,
Dimetapp(R) Decongestant Infant Drops,
Little Colds(R) Decongestant Plus Cough,
Little Colds(R) Multi-Symptom Cold Formula,
PEDIACARE(R) Infant Drops Decongestant (containing pseudoephedrine),
PEDIACARE(R) Infant Drops Decongestant & Cough (containing pseudoephedrine),
PEDIACARE(R) Infant Dropper Decongestant (containing phenylephrine),
PEDIACARE(R) Infant Dropper Long-Acting Cough,
PEDIACARE(R) Infant Dropper Decongestant & Cough (containing phenylephrine),
Robitussin(R) Infant Cough DM Drops,
Triaminic(R) Infant & Toddler Thin Strips(R) Decongestant,
Triaminic(R) Infant & Toddler Thin Strips(R) Decongestant Plus Cough,
TYLENOL(R) Concentrated Infants' Drops Plus Cold,
TYLENOL(R) Concentrated Infants' Drops Plus Cold & Cough.
Last month, U.S. health experts urged the federal Food and Drug Administration to consider banning the sale of over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for young children. The recommendation, from FDA safety officials, would apply to decongestant use in children under 2, and antihistamines in those younger than 6, according to FDA documents.

An FDA advisory panel is scheduled to consider the recommendation during a meeting on Oct. 18 and 19, and will then offer an opinion to the full agency. The FDA typically follows the recommendations of its advisory boards but is not required to do so.

In the safety review released Sept. 28, the FDA experts recommended that all infant cough and cold products be removed from the market. They also recommended that the sizes of the droppers, cups and syringes packaged with products be standardized to reduce the possibility of confusion and overdose, The New York Times reported.

An FDA review of records filed with the agency between 1969 and September 2006 found 54 reports of deaths in children associated with decongestant medicines made with pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine or ephedrine. It also found 69 reports of deaths associated with antihistamine medicines containing diphenhydramine, brompheniramine or chlorpheniramine, the Associated Press reported.

Most of the deaths involved children younger than 2.

Dr. Daniel Rauch, director of New York University Medical Center's Pediatric Hospitalist Program, said the manufacturers' decision to withdraw the drugs "confirms multiple years of evidence that these medications don't work and are potentially dangerous. When parents think these medications will work, and they don't, the natural response is to give an infant more medication, leading to potentially dangerous side effects. Kids get sick, and parents need to realize it will pass."

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association, which represents makers of over-the-counter medicines, said it and its member companies have put forth recommendations to the FDA to strengthen the labels on all oral OTC children's cough and cold medicines from "ask a doctor" before using to "do not use" in children under 2 years of age.

More information

To learn more about the voluntary withdrawal, visit the Consumer Healthcare Products Association. http://www.otcsafety.org/

Ref: Steven Reinburg, Reporter For Health Day.

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Shhh....This Is Your Brain On Sleep.

As we struggle to allot enough time to the job, kids, family, friends, Lost, and Joaquin Phoenix message boards, sleep stands out as a suspiciously long block of idle hours. We set the alarm early, stay up late, and order a tall whatever-we-want to help us get by on the minimum. But the fact is: When you lose sleep, you lose your health.

Experts say most of us need about 8 hours of sleep a night, but half of us don't get it. And more than 80 percent of working women report exhaustion. According to the National Sleep Foundation's annual survey, in 2005 U.S. adults got, on average, just 6.9 hours of sleep a night. Now researchers are discovering that a decline in sleep time means a decline in your health. Some examples:


Getting just an hour or two less sleep than needed per night can impair brain function.


Insufficient sleep is associated with cancer, heart disease, obesity, and dia-betes not to mention early death.


It's also a risk factor for depression, infertility, miscarriage, and postpartum depression.

To top it off, sleeping less to do more doesn't even work: People who skimp on sleep may be devoting more hours to getting things done, but they work more slowly and accomplish less. "There really isn't a good substitute for sleep," says Donna Arand, Ph.D., a psychologist and the clinical director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Kettering Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio.

Scientists haven't yet grasped all the functions of sleep, but they know that sleep is needed every bit as intensely as food or water. It enables our bodies to regulate temperature and fight off infection. It may help our brains retain things we learned the previous day. If you take a peek inside your body and brain during a typical night's sleep, you'll find out how it rejuvenates you and why you should care.

Let's start at the beginning, as your day is winding down....

9:34 P.M.
It's been a crazy week, but with your 2-year-old tucked in, tonight you found a much-needed hour to address invitations to your mom's retirement party. Now it's not even 10 o'clock and you're actually in bed, alone, with a mug full of peppermint tea and a new cookbook you've been dying to page through. When you start having trouble grasping the distinction between chiffon and meringue, you realize you're getting drowsy and reach for the light.

10:01 P.M.
At this moment your bloodstream is full of a sleep-triggering chemical called adenosine. Adenosine is created whenever your body does work. So as you went about your day thinking, talking, driving, digesting adenosine was accumulating, gradually telling your brain that it was time to sleep. If you were to drink a cup of coffee right now, it would jolt you awake because caffeine wedges itself into the places in brain cells where adenosine would normally attach, preventing the fatigue signal from reaching your brain.

10:03 P.M.
When you're awake, the electrical activity in your brain is varied slow, fast, strong, faint. But when you fall asleep, your brain waves slow and synchronize. You initially enter a doze, known as Stage 1 sleep, from which you can be easily awakened. Falling asleep should take at least 5 minutes; tonight it took you 2. According to experts, that's a sign of a problem it means you're overtired. "One of the major misconceptions is that it's a good thing if you fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow," says Kathryn Lee, Ph.D., a sleep specialist and nursing professor at the University of California at San Francisco. "Actually, it means you're a sleep-deprived person."

Over the next hour or so, you transition into increasingly intense slumber. Next comes Stage 2. This is "baseline" sleep over the course of the night you'll spend half your time in this state, but not all at once. Right now you spend just 15 to 20 minutes here before entering Stages 3 and 4, known as slow-wave sleep, the deepest and most restorative kind. You're breathing evenly and slowly, the very picture of serenity. Then everything changes. You shift into REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Your brain emits a cacophony of electrical signals, it's as active as when you are awake. But you're not awake, of course. REM sleep is the phase when most dreaming occurs. Your eyes dart back and forth, and the muscles in your arms and legs are paralyzed. Sleep researchers believe this inertia may have evolved to prevent us from acting out our dreams.

11:38 P.M.
One 90- to 110-minute sleep cycle ends and the next begins. Each of the following cycles will contain a different proportion of light, medium, deep, and REM sleep.

Although experts don't yet fully understand what sleep is for, they know it is crucial: Rats normally live 2 years or more, but when deprived of sleep they die within 3 weeks. If you stay awake for 24 hours straight, you will involuntarily begin undergoing regular bursts of "microsleep" 2- to 3-second intervals in which you essentially lose consciousness. An Australian study published in the journal Nature found that people kept awake for 28 hours did as poorly on a hand-eye-coordination test as did people who were legally drunk (having a blood alcohol concentration of 1.0).

But you don't have to pull an all-nighter to feel the effects of sleep loss. The past few nights, you've stayed up late to work, pay bills, help your husband pack for a business trip. You think you do fine on 6 hours' sleep, but you're actually accumulating a "sleep debt." Recent research shows that spending just a couple of hours less in bed each night for a week or two -- basically your normal schedule lowers your spirits. "Sleep deprivation has significant impacts on mood in healthy individuals," says J. Todd Arnedt, Ph.D., a University of Michigan sleep specialist. "People get more depressed; they may get more anxious." Sleep loss also slows your reflexes and impairs your memory, judgment, and mental acuity. In a landmark 2003 University of Pennsylvania study, people who were limited to 6 hours of sleep per night for 2 weeks did significantly worse on tests of alertness and reasoning than people who got their full 8 hours.

But get this: The subjects in the Penn study had no idea how impaired they were. They reported an initial increase in sleepiness, but as time wore on they did not complain of additional exhaustion, though their test scores continued to decline. "One of the first things that goes in our brain is our insight," says Joyce Walsleben, Ph.D., a psychologist at New York University's Sleep Disorders Center. "A sleepy person generally does not perceive how badly they are functioning."

Thankfully, your sleep debt can be paid, and you don't have to make up every lost hour. When you're overtired you slip more quickly into slow-wave sleep and stay there longer, which helps you recover faster. But don't make a practice of playing catch-up repaying your sleep debt works only in small doses (and there's no set ratio for how much makeup time is needed). If the deprivation is chronic, catching up won't work. "When you stress the system, you can recover. Will it always recover 100 percent? Some of those problems are more likely to stay with you as time goes on," says Damon Salzman, M.D., director of the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in White Plains, New York.

3:21 A.M.
You're awakened by a noise...Olivia! You grope for your slippers, go into her room, then sit with her as she sinks back to sleep. If only it were that easy for you. Back in bed, you can't stop your mental gears from grinding. Should you ask your sister to chip in for the party expenses? What will you say in your toast?

3:56 A.M.
You glance at the clock for the third time and feel the pressure. Recent research reveals that getting an hour or two less sleep than you need on a regular basis doesn't just slow your brain and make you irritable, it's a risk factor for illness, including heart disease and diabetes. Sleep loss also hampers your immune system, making you more susceptible to colds and the flu. And it might make you fat. People who sleep less than 7 hours a night are more likely to be obese, and in 2004 researchers at the University of Chicago discovered one of the reasons why. In people who had slept just 4 hours for two consecutive nights, they found an 18 percent decrease in leptin, a hormone that tells your brain you're full, and a 28 percent increase in ghrelin, a hormone that triggers hunger.

4:03 A.M.
You happen to be in the second half of your menstrual cycle. That means your body is producing lots of progesterone, a reproductive hormone that in animal experiments has been shown to induce sleep. So you fall back to sleep. If instead you were about to get your period, a time when progesterone levels drop, you might have had more trouble. If this is a monthly problem, experts suggest you take sleeping pills just for those couple of days.

4:25 A.M.
The time between now and your alarm the last few hours of sleep may be especially important: Recent research suggests that this is when your brain rehearses what you learned the previous day. And "sleeping on it" does more than help you remember new things it may make you better at them. In a 2002 study, scientists asked people to type a sequence of numbers over and over. The volunteers got faster with practice, then plateaued. Tested later in the day, they performed no better, but the next day, after the benefit of a good night's sleep, they sped up an additional 20 percent. Curtailed sleep eliminates those sorts of gains.

So as for that cake-decorating class you took yesterday: Right now, your brain is reviewing how to color the icing and choose the appropriate nib for the pastry bag. Thanks to tonight's sleep, when you bake a cake for your mom's party, you'll fashion sugary roses more expertly than you did in class. "It will feel sort of magical to you, but your performance will have improved," says Robert Stickgold, Ph.D., a Harvard Medical School neuroscientist who coauthored the typing study.

7:00 A.M.
Banh banh banh banh...You fumble for the alarm. You've never been a morning person now it turns out your preference for sleeping in is genetic. Coordinating basic daily needs to earth's 24-hour light/dark cycle is so crucial to survival that even the most primitive creatures possess internal biological clocks. These clocks tell them when to forage for food, when to rest, when to mate, when to migrate. In humans the clock regulates sleep through the release of the hormone melatonin that substance sold as a sleep aid at health food stores.

In recent years biologists have discovered at least 10 "clock" genes, and these genes, it turns out, occur in more than one variety. Some people inherit genes that make them natural early birds; others are born to be late risers. It's biology that makes your inner morning person reassert itself after cramming for a deadline. "When the pressure to change goes away, you're likely to slip back," Dr. Salzman says.

Now that you've showered, though, you're feeling unusually chipper. It's been a while since you felt so rested. You actually have the energy to multitask, scanning the headlines as you make Olivia's lunch. And when you snap her into her car seat to drive her to day care and yourself to work, that extra sleep will make you both safer. The National Transportation Safety Board estimates that driver fatigue causes at least 100,000 auto accidents a year; crashes are more likely in people sleeping less than 6 hours a night.

Maybe, you think, you should try harder to get enough sleep. You make an effort to accomplish so many other things. And what could be more important than your mood, your health, and your family's safety? "It's just a matter of prioritization," says Eric Olson, M.D., codirector of the Mayo Sleep Disorders Center in Rochester, Minnesota. "People have to decide where sleep falls in how they're going to spend the 24 hours we're all limited to."

Ref: Emily Laber-Warren, Women's Health.

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Eliminating The Threat Of Mold.

If April showers bring May flowers, they also bring mold. Mold can be a danger to your health and longevity. Read on to find out why and what you can do to protect yourself.

Mold is Everywhere
The Chinese medical tradition has long recognized the harmful impact of mold and yeast on the human body. Damp conditions can produce an overgrowth of yeast in the human body that throws off the delicate balance of digestion, absorption, and elimination functions.

Initial bodily symptoms of mold infestation may include sneezing, runny nose, sinus congestion, itchy eyes and skin, tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Over time, these allergic symptoms may worsen depending on your individual immunity. Exposure to mold can lead to conditions ranging from sinus ailments and headaches to serious problems such as intestinal conditions and liver damage.

Mold Solutions
In your environment, improper construction such as poorly sealed windows, poor drainage in the landscaping, and below-ground rooms can all contribute to mold infestation. Here are some preventative measures you can take to keep your surroundings free from mold:

1. Dehumidify: Mold requires moisture to thrive, so if your area gets a lot of rain, a dehumidifier is a must. It keeps the humidity optimal for your health and prevents excess mold spores from being released into the air. Since the bathroom is usually most moist room, try keeping a dehumidifier in the bathroom or hang a moisture-absorbing material, such as volcanic rock in a bag (sold in many hardware stores).

Be sure to empty the dehumidifier's water tray daily to ensure that water doesn't collect and feed the mold organisms. Also, clean the dehumidifier weekly to avoid contributing to bacterial or mold infestation. Try soaking it in this eco-friendly cleaning solution: one cup of apple cider vinegar mixed with one gallon of water.

2. Bake Your House Seasonally: During and after a rainy season, "bake" your home by closing all doors and windows and turning up the heat to above 100° for a weekend while you are away.

Most mold species require a temperature between 40 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit, so this heating up of your house to over 100° will virtually wipe out any mold population that may have been residing in your house or workplace. Be sure to remove your plant from your house during house baking.

3. Repair Water Leaks Immediately: Fix any leaks or flooding right away so that you don't allow mold to grow and multiply. Make sure you thoroughly dry out the affected area, whether it's a carpet or drywall. Unfortunately, wall construction made with drywall will most likely require removing drywall, disinfecting and drying the affected area, and replacing with new drywall.

(A water damage company can help you with this process.) Also, inspect for poor drainage and water pooling outside, because a high concentration of mold spores around a building can find its way inside.

4. Bring the Sunshine In: Since mold prefers damp and dark environments, opening blinds and windows during the day and letting the sunlight into your house or work is the best way to counter the unhealthy buildup of mold because the UV rays from the sun will kill most mold species.

5. Maintain Good Health: There is no better prevention of mold-induced illness than to maintain a good immune function. Healthy diet, regular exercise, adequate rest and sleep, and avoiding emotional and physical extremes are the best ways to protect yourself.

I hope future days find you mold-free and healthy! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

May you live long, live strong, and live happy!

Dr. Mao - Ask Dr Mao www.askdrmao.com

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Anxiety

Feeling worried or nervous is a normal part of everyday life. Everyone frets or feels anxious from time to time. Mild to moderate anxiety can be an effective means of helping you focus your attention, energy, and motivation. However, if anxiety is severe, you may have feelings of helplessness, confusion, and extreme worry that are out of proportion with the actual seriousness or likelihood of the feared event. Anxiety that becomes overwhelming and interferes with daily life is not normal. This type of anxiety may be a symptom of another problem, such as depression.

Anxiety can cause physical and emotional symptoms. A specific situation or fear can cause some or all of these symptoms for a short time. When the situation passes, the symptoms usually go away.

Physical symptoms of anxiety include:

Trembling, twitching, or shaking.
Feeling of fullness in the throat or chest.
Breathlessness or rapid heartbeat.
Lightheadedness or dizziness.
Sweating or cold, clammy hands.
Excessive startle reflex.
Muscle tension, aches, or soreness (myalgias).
Fatigue.
Sleep problems, such as the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, early waking, or restless, unsatisfying sleep.
Anxiety affects the part of the brain that helps control creative expression and complex communication. This makes it more difficult to express yourself creatively or function effectively in relationships. Emotional symptoms of anxiety include:

Restlessness, irritability, or feeling on edge or keyed up.
Excessive worrying.
Fearing that something bad is going to happen; sense of impending doom.
Inability to concentrate; “blanking out.”
Constant feelings of sadness.
Anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders occur when people have both physical and emotional symptoms. Anxiety disorders interfere with personal relationships with others and affect daily activities. Women are twice as likely as men to have problems with anxiety disorders.

Many people, including children and teenagers, develop anxiety disorders in which many of these symptoms occur when there is no identifiable cause. Many people with an anxiety disorder say they have felt nervous and anxious all their lives. This problem can occur at any age. Children who have at least one parent with the diagnosis of depression are more than twice as likely to have an anxiety disorder than children with nondepressed parents.

Generalized anxiety disorders often occur with other problems, such as depression, substance abuse, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). An anxiety disorder also can be caused by a physical problem, such as heart or lung disease. A complete medical examination may be needed before an anxiety disorder can be diagnosed.

Panic attacks
Panic attacks occur when a person has distinct periods of intense fear and anxiety when there is no clear cause or danger. These symptoms come on suddenly and without warning. Panic attacks are a common anxiety-related disorder. Panic attacks can sometimes occur in otherwise normal, healthy people and will usually last for several minutes.

Physical symptoms that can occur during a panic attack include feelings of choking or suffocating, chest pain, nausea, shaking, sweating, pounding of the heart, and feeling dizzy or faint. Sometimes these symptoms are so intense that the person fears he or she is having a heart attack. Many of the symptoms of a panic attack can occur with other illnesses, such as hyperthyroidism, coronary artery disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A complete medical examination may be needed before an anxiety disorder can be diagnosed.

People who have repeated unexpected panic attacks and worry about the attacks are said to have a panic disorder.

Phobias
Phobias are irrational, involuntary fears of specific places, objects, activities, or situations. Most people deal with phobias by avoiding the situation or object that causes them to feel panic (avoidance behavior). Phobias are a common anxiety-related disorder.

A phobic disorder occurs when the avoidance behavior becomes so extreme that it interferes with your ability to participate in your daily activities. There are three main types of phobic disorders:

Fear of being alone or in public places where help might not be available or escape is impossible (agoraphobia)
Fear of situations where the individual might be exposed to criticism by others (social phobia)
Fear of specific things (specific phobia)
Review the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections to determine if and when you need to see a health professional.

Ref: Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC - Healthwise.

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8 Simple Steps To Great Sleep.

Experts say it's possible to get a good night's sleep by making only minor adjustments. No magic's involved, just consistency. Try these tips for about 6 weeks, and you'll get better, deeper, sounder sleep.

Stay on schedule. Your body loves a reqular sleep routine, so try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day. That means no napping or sleeping in on weekends. If you can't fall asleep, get out of bed (go into another room if you have to), and do something quiet. Don't let yourself fall asleep outside the bedroom. Go back to bed when you're sleepy, and repeat this process as often as you need to during the night.

Dress for sleep. Put on whatever's comfortable, but don't layer it on in bed. Body temperature drops prior to falling asleep, rises during the night, then falls before you wake up. Think lighter pjs rather than heavy ones.

Upgrade your mattress. Give your body the support it needs to relax by sleeping on a good, firm bed.

Watch those pre-bed workouts. Exercising several hours before turning in will relax you; strenuous physical activity done too close to bedtime may make you feel wired.

Move the boob tube. Research on children shows that kids who had the most sleep disturbances were those who had a television in their bedroom and used TV to fall asleep. (And the same goes for adults.)

Don't get buzzed. Avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages within 4 to 6 hours of bedtime. Caffeine stimulates the brain, so steer clear of that after-dinner cup of coffee. And alcohol might make you conk out quicker, but it can shorten the time you spend in deeper stages of sleep and cause you to wake up during the night. The same goes for cigarettes.

Detox the bedroom. Eliminate disturbing sounds and light. If your alarm clock has illuminated numbers, throw a cloth over it. Turn down the thermostat; lower body temperature promotes sleep. Use the bed only for sleep and sex. Decorate your bedroom in soothing shades of green and blue; reds, oranges, and yellows can be overstimulating.

Eat a "sleepy snack." A low-fat, low-calorie carbohydrate snack should help put you out. Try these:


1 1/3 cups of breakfast cereal without milk

3 fig bars

1 cinnamon-raisin English muffin

1 bowl of cinnamon-spice instant oatmeal

1 toaster-size frozen waffle with 1 tablespoon of maple syrup

Ref: Lori Davis - Prevention.

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Chronic Fatigue Sydrome (CFS)

Topic Overview
What is chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)?
Chronic fatigue syndrome causes such devastating tiredness or fatigue that you can't perform all of the normal, daily activities you used to. There are other symptoms as well, but fatigue lasting 6 months or more is the main one. Some people battle CFS for years.

The disease is not well understood. Most experts now believe that it is a separate illness with its own set of symptoms. However, some doctors do not believe this. There are no tests that can confirm a diagnosis of CFS. Because of this, many people have trouble accepting their disease or getting their friends and family to do so. Having people who believe your diagnosis and support you is very important. Having a doctor you can trust is critical.

Your fatigue is real, not imaginary. It is your body's reaction to a combination of emotional and physical factors.

What causes CFS?
Doctors don't know what causes CFS. Sometimes it begins after an illness such as the flu, but there is no proof of any connection. It's likely that a number of factors or triggers come together to cause CFS.

What are the symptoms?
Severe fatigue is the main symptom. If you have CFS, you may feel exhausted all or much of the time. You may be depressed and have problems sleeping. It may be harder for you to think clearly, to concentrate, and to remember things. You may also have a fever, headaches, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, and tender glands in your neck or armpits. Your symptoms may flare up after a mental or physical activity that used to be no problem for you.

How is CFS diagnosed?
No tests can diagnose CFS. Doctors can diagnose it only by ruling out other possible causes of fatigue. Many health problems can cause fatigue, and most people with fatigue have something other than chronic fatigue syndrome.

How is it treated?
There is no treatment for CFS itself, but many of its symptoms can be relieved through treatment. A good relationship with your doctor is important because the two of you will need to work together to find a combination of medicines and behavior changes that will help you get better. Some trial and error may be necessary because no single combination of treatments works for everyone.

Counseling and a gradual increase in exercise have both been proven to help people with chronic fatigue syndrome get better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning about chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS):
What is CFS?
What causes CFS?
Can I prevent CFS?
What are the symptoms of CFS?
How does CFS progress?
What increases my risk for CFS?

Being diagnosed:
Who can diagnose CFS?
How is CFS diagnosed?

Getting treatment:
How is CFS treated?
What medications will I need to take?

Living with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS):
What can I do at home to relieve symptoms of CFS?
When do I call my health professional?
How can cognitive-behavioral therapy help me?
How can graded exercise help me?

Ref: Cynthia Tank - Healthwise.

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What is high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat. Your body needs it for many things, such as making new cells. But too much cholesterol in your blood increases your chances of having a heart attack and stroke.

You get cholesterol from the foods you eat and from your liver. Your liver makes most of the cholesterol your body needs.

Desirable cholesterol is less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
Borderline-high cholesterol is 200 to 239.
High cholesterol is 240 or higher.
What are the different kinds of cholesterol?
Cholesterol travels through your blood attached to a protein. This cholesterol-protein package is called a lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are either high-density or low-density, based on how much protein and fat they have.

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are mostly fat with only a small amount of protein. LDL is the bad kind of cholesterol because it can clog your arteries. If you have high cholesterol, your doctor will want you to lower your LDL.

LDL levels:
Best LDL is less than 100 mg/dL.
Near best LDL is 100 to 129.
Borderline-high LDL is 130 to 159.
High LDL is 160 to 189.
Very high LDL is 190 and above.
See an illustration of a clogged artery (atherosclerosis).

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) help clear the bad cholesterol from your blood and keep it from clogging your arteries. HDL is the good kind of cholesterol. High levels of HDL (60 or above) can protect you from a heart attack.

HDL levels:
Desirable or high HDL is 60 mg/dL or above.
Undesirable or low HDL is less than 40.
Triglycerides are another type of fat in your blood. If you have high triglycerides and high LDL, your chances of having a heart attack are higher.

Triglyceride levels:
Borderline high is 150 to 199 mg/dL.
High is 200 or above.
Very high is 500 or higher.
What causes high cholesterol?
High cholesterol may run in your family. The foods you eat also may cause high cholesterol.

Causes include:

Your diet. Eating too much saturated fat and cholesterol can cause high cholesterol. Saturated fat and cholesterol come from animal foods such as beef, pork, veal, milk, eggs, butter, and cheese. Many packaged foods contain saturated fat such as coconut oil, palm oil, or cocoa butter. You will also find saturated fat in stick margarine and vegetable shortening. Cookies, crackers, chips, and other snacks usually contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oil or trans fat, which can raise cholesterol.
Your weight. Being overweight may raise triglycerides and lower HDL.
Your activity level. Not exercising may raise LDL and lower HDL.
Your overall health. Having diseases such as low thyroid can raise cholesterol. Cigarette smoking may lower HDL.
Your age. After you reach age 20, your cholesterol starts to rise. In men, cholesterol levels usually level off after age 50. In women, cholesterol levels stay fairly low until menopause. After that, they rise to about the same level as in men.
Your family. A disease called a lipid disorder can also cause high cholesterol. This rare problem is inherited from family members, and it changes how your body handles cholesterol. If you have a lipid disorder, your cholesterol may be well over 250 mg/dL. It may be harder to treat.
What are the symptoms?
High cholesterol doesn't make you feel sick. But if cholesterol builds up in your arteries, it can block blood flow to your heart or brain and cause a heart attack or stroke.

In some people, cholesterol deposits called xanthomas may form under the skin. They look like small bumps.

How is high cholesterol diagnosed?
Your doctor will use a blood test to check your cholesterol.

A lipoprotein analysis is the most complete test. It measures your total cholesterol: HDL, LDL, and triglycerides. You cannot have food for 12 hours before this test.
A simple cholesterol test can measure your total cholesterol and HDL. You can eat before this test. Sometimes doctors do this test first and then order a lipoprotein analysis if you have high cholesterol or low HDL.
How is it treated?
You and your doctor may decide first to treat your high cholesterol without medicine. Changes to your lifestyle and diet may be all you need. These changes include eating foods low in saturated fat, being more active, losing weight if you need to, and quitting smoking if needed.

If you cannot lower your cholesterol enough after trying lifestyle changes for a few months, you may need to take a medicine called a statin.

If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or coronary artery disease (CAD), your doctor may want you to take a statin right away. This is because your chance of having a heart attack is higher.

Use this Interactive Tool: Are You at Risk for a Heart Attack?

Research shows that people who have a high risk for heart attack could benefit from taking higher doses of statins to lower their LDL cholesterol as much as possible. The more these people can lower their LDL, the less likely they are to have a heart attack. 1

Things that increase your risk for heart attack include:

Having high blood pressure.
Smoking.
Having low HDL (good) cholesterol.
Having peripheral arterial disease, which is narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the legs, abdomen, pelvis, arms, or neck.
Having diabetes.
Having a family history of heart disease.
Being age 45 or older if you are a man, and age 55 or older if you are a woman.

Ref: Author: Ellie Rodgers - Healthwise

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Panic Attacks And Panic Disorder.

Topic Overview

What are panic attacks and panic disorder?
A panic attack is a sudden bout of intense fear or anxiety that causes frightening but not life-threatening symptoms such as a pounding heart, shortness of breath, and the feeling of losing control or dying. Usually from 5 to 20 minutes long, a panic attack may be triggered by stressful circumstances or it may occur unexpectedly.

The body has an automatic fear response that prepares you to either cope with or run away from danger. A panic attack results when this "fight or flight" response either overreacts or becomes activated when it is not needed at all. During a panic attack, your nervous system reacts as if you are facing a life-threatening situation, even though you may not be in danger. This response causes alarming physical symptoms and feelings.

Panic disorder is diagnosed when you have repeated panic attacks, you worry about having another attack, and you avoid places that you think may cause one. It is possible to have panic attacks without developing panic disorder, and panic attacks may occur with other anxiety disorders.

What causes panic attacks and panic disorder?
Although the exact causes of panic attacks and panic disorder are still not clear, several factors may be responsible. These include an imbalance of brain chemicals (neurotransmitters), a family history of panic disorder, ways of thinking that increase your stress or anxiety, and unresolved psychological issues. Panic attacks sometimes occur as a result of a stressful situation or they can happen with no apparent trigger.

Panic attacks can also be caused or triggered by:

Certain medications (such as those used to treat asthma and heart conditions).
Too much nicotine or too much caffeine.
Alcohol abuse.
The use of drugs such as methamphetamines, marijuana, cocaine, or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).
A health condition such as an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
What are the symptoms?
During a panic attack, you may have a feeling of intense fear, terror, or anxiety along with difficulty breathing or rapid breathing (hyperventilation), chest pain or tightness, a racing or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, sweating, and shaking.

If you have repeated, unexpected panic attacks and change your behavior because you worry you will have another attack, you may have panic disorder. If you avoid public places because you are afraid that they may cause you to have a panic attack or that it will be difficult to escape if you do, you also may have agoraphobia, a disorder in which you fear and avoid public places or situations from which escape is difficult.

Cultural factors may play a role in the symptoms of panic disorder. African Americans with panic disorder frequently report episodes of feeling that they can't move during sleep (sleep paralysis). In Hispanic cultures, "ataque de nervios" is an anxiety syndrome that has symptoms similar to panic disorder. 1

How are panic attacks and panic disorder diagnosed?
You may be asked questions and given tests during your examination that will help your health professional decide if your symptoms are caused by heart problems, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), or another health condition. You also may be given a mental health assessment, an interview during which you may be asked questions in oral or written form.

You may experience panic attacks only a few times throughout your life, or you may have them on a regular basis, such as weekly or even daily. Panic disorder is diagnosed when you have two or more unexpected panic attacks that interfere with daily living, you worry intensely about having another attack, and you change your lifestyle to avoid situations that might trigger a panic attack. 2

As many as half of people who have panic disorder also have agoraphobia. 3 Panic disorder and depression also frequently occur together.

It is possible for panic attacks or agoraphobia to occur as a result of a mental condition other than panic disorder, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or another anxiety disorder.

How are panic attacks and panic disorder treated?
Treatments for panic attacks and panic disorder are very effective and include counseling and medications. These treatments help minimize or eliminate panic attacks and can help decrease the fear of future attacks. Early diagnosis and treatment of panic attacks is very important and can prevent other conditions associated with panic disorder, such as depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse. Most people with panic disorder get better with treatment and are able to resume a normal lifestyle, although relapse can occur, especially if treatment is stopped too soon. 4, 3

Who has panic attacks and who develops panic disorder?
Panic attacks are very common. As much as 35% of the general population has a panic attack in the course of a year. 5 Women have panic attacks more frequently than men, and women who have recently gone through menopause may be even more likely to have panic attacks. 6

About 2% of the general population develops panic disorder at some point in life, and some people are more likely than others to develop the condition. 7 It may be passed down through families; your risk of having panic disorder is higher if you had a parent with panic disorder, especially if your parent also had depression or bipolar disorder. 8, 9 It is twice as common in women as in men and may be associated with the menstrual cycle. 3

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning about panic attacks and panic disorder:
What are panic attacks and panic disorder?
What causes panic attacks and panic disorder?
What are the symptoms of panic attacks and panic disorder?
Who develops panic disorder?

Being diagnosed:
How are panic attacks and panic disorder diagnosed?
What is a mental health assessment?

Getting treatment:
How are panic attacks and panic disorder treated?
What medications are used to treat panic attacks and panic disorder?
Is other treatment available for panic attacks and panic disorder?

Ongoing concerns:
Can panic attacks and panic disorder be prevented?
When should I call my health professional?
Should I take medication to treat panic disorder?
Is my chest pain a symptom of a heart attack?
What is agoraphobia?

Ref: Stuart J Bryson