5 Signs You Might Have a Chronic Disease

They say the best way to determine ones health condition is to consult a doctor because this professional has vast knowledge about human health. Every medical doctor is also equipped with a variety of high-end hospital medical equipments that can detect any abnormalities inside the body, especially for serious conditions wherein the patient experiences no signs or the symptoms are not revealed immediately. But do you know that there are some instances wherein even without using the most basic hospital medical equipment, one can also conclude whether something is abnormal in his or her body through the abnormal changes in ones physical appearance? Yes, that’s true! By merely looking at the appearance of a person or even without using hospital medical equipment, specialized doctor can say if the patient is suffering from a serious illness. Ok let’s start analyzing some of the abnormal changes that might be easily seen in a person's body.

Silvery Hair – This unusual change of a person’s hair is often associated with Griscelli syndrome or partial albinism with immunodeficiency. However, a person with silvery hair might be suffering also from Elejalde’s syndrome or a neuroectodermal melanolysosomal disease that is very common in Mexico.

Redness of Sclera – Sclera is the white outer layer of the eyeball. When this portion turns into red, this is an indication of an eye infection. However, for some instances, redness of sclera is also associated to other chronic diseases like Crohn’s disease, Reiter’s syndrome, Grave’s disease, etc.

Bronze Skin – A person whose skin colors appears in intense or metallic bronze is  often diagnosed with Addison’s disease. This disorder is involves a progressive destruction of the adrenal glands which then results to difficulty of secreting adrenocortical hormones. Bronze skin can also be associated with bronze baby syndrome,  hemochromatosis, chronic renal failure, biliary cirrhosis, or a drug reaction.

Yellow nails – Yellow or jaundice nails is often associated to a fungal infection. However, it can also indicate a more serious condition such as liver disease, lung disease, thyroid disorder, diabetes or psoriasis.

Reddish or “Strawberry” Hands – If the unusual changes of hands color is seen on children, this is often associated to an autoimmune disorder called Kawasaki disease. Inflammation of mid-sized blood vessels are not only seen in hands but throughout the body. Other conditions linked to inflamed hands are Raynaud’s syndrome, chronic liver disease, and other pregnancy-related issues for women.


image source: google image search engine

Foods that Often Trigger Allergies

Some people are born to have some allergies on foods, others are on the weather. There are also some who are allergic to animal furs while others are to smoke, dust, or even medicines. There are so many types of allergens but the one common factor that triggers ones allergies are foods.

Food Allergy over Food Intoleranc:e:

Food allergy is often misinterpreted as food tolerance and vice versa. So before we proceed to foods that often causes allergy, let’s make a distinction first between these two terms. The condition is called food allergies when the person’s immune system has an abnormal reaction to a certain food. This means that eating even a tiny amount of food could set off an allergic reaction and symptoms could strike within minutes of digestion. However, when the reaction does not affect the immune system, then it is called food intolerance. This simply means that a person can still safely eat a little portion of so called “prohibited” foods.

Common Food Allergies:

Fish

About 7 million Americans are allergic to flesh proteins, which are found in fish. Those who are allergic to cod tend to have allergy in other fish such as hake, pike, carp, and whiting. Sometimes fish allergy is confused with histamine (scomboid) fish poisoning. 

Shellfish

Allergy to shellfish is said to be lifelong. This simply means that when a person develops allergy to shellfish, there is a very little possibility that they will lose it. Shellfish includes crabs, shrimps, lobster, etc. About 60% of those with shellfish allergy would experience an allergic reaction during adulthood.

Eggs

Allergy on eggs usually affects young children. Most allergic reactions associated with egg involve the skin and it is also among the food allergies that are most likely to be outgrown before they reach adulthood. Approximately 1.5% of young children are reported to have allergies on eggs.

Nuts and Legumes

An estimate of 1.8 million Americans are allergic to nuts and legumes, which are primary storage of proteins. Nuts include walnut, almond, hazelnut, coconut, cashew, pistachio, and Brazil nuts. Peanuts, on the other hand, falls under legumes but the proteins present in peanuts are similar in structure to those in nuts. Allergy to peanuts is considered as lifelong.

Milk

This is another allergy-causing food that affects primarily the kids. According to studies, 90% of children with allergy on milk will lose the said aversion by the age of three.

Prevention:

So, are you allergic or your child has allergies on these mentioned foods? Then the surefire way prevent this condition is to stay away from these allergens.

Why is Proper Handwashing so Important for Nurses?

December 4-10 is credited as National Handwashing Awareness Week. The celebration aims to increase public awareness about the importance of handwashing. For health care workers such nurses, handwashing has been part of their standard operating procedure. For these professionals who often appear wearing a nursing scrubs and support hose, handwashing is a vital requirement since they have hands-on daily contact with their patients. And it is only through properly washing of hands before and after holding something in which they can control the spread of infection from one patient to another or from nurse to patient in the hospital.

Handwashing may seem to be just a very simple procedure for nurses in support hose but has a vital role in ensuring safety of their patients against infectious diseases. And while writing this article, I found this very interesting infographics regarding the different disease-causing agents that might exist in nurses’ hands once they failed to wash their hands.

Hepatitis A virus – this is among the infectious and epidemical viruses that attack the liver. It might exist in the hands of a person wearing a nursing scrubs and support hose since the mode of transmission is through fecal-oral route.

Staphylococcus – This bacteria that appear in grape-like clusters under the microscope are the most commonly causes of skin infection. It can be acquired from other person who are already infected by the said bacteria however, could be prevented if proper infection control will be observed.

Pseudomonas  -  This bacteria is commonly found not just in homes but also in hospitals. Hence; patients and health care workers wearing support hose are also susceptible to acquire this disease-causing pathogen. Pseudomonas is usually transmitted through direct contact but indirect contact is also possible.

Haemophilus – The bacteria is known for causing quite serious illnesses such as meningitis, epiglottitis, pneumonia, generalized infection, etc. Haemophilus bacteria, which are transmitted through direct contact, inhibit in the respiratory tract of healthy person and do not immediately revealed signs and symptoms.

Shigella – Shigella are contagious bacteria that primarily cause intestinal infection. A person infected by shigella bacteria will experience bloody diarrhea and severe intestinal pain. The bacteria is also transmitted through fecal-oral route hence; observing good sanitation such as proper handwashing is very important.

Streptococcus Pneumoniae – Also known as pneumococcus, this bacterium causes serious infections of the lungs, middle ear, lining of the brain, and bacteria. These pneumococcal diseases most commonly occur among young children but elderly or those with serious medical conditions or chronic disorders that primarily affect the lungs, heart, or kidney as well as those who are alcoholics, diabetics, with sickle cell anemia, and the likes. The bacteria is spread through airborne or direct exposure to the  respiratory droplets of infected person.

All these bacteria could be prevented if everyone will make it a habit to wash their hands before and after holding something.

Today is World AIDS Day

red ribbon is used for world aids day

December 1, 2011 is World AIDS Day and here are a few facts:

• Worlds AIDS Day is first observed in 1988 and this year marks the 23rd anniversary.
• This year's theme for the said celebration is "Getting to Zero" Zero New HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination, and Zero AIDS Related Deaths.
• The purpose of designating this special day is to increase  public awareness and education about AIDS/HIV disease.
• HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus - a virus that attacks the body's immune system

Worldwide Statistics of HIV/AIDS (updated November 2011)

• More than 34 million people now live with HIV/AIDS.
• 3.4 million of them are under the age of 15.
• In 2010, an estimated 2.7 million people were newly infected with HIV.
• 390,000 were under the age of 15.
• Every day more than 7,000 people contract HIV—nearly 300 every hour.
• In 2010, 1.8 million people died from AIDS.
• 250,000 of them were under the age of 15.
• Since the beginning of the epidemic, more than 60 million people have contracted HIV and nearly 30 million have died of HIV-related causes.

image source: google image search engine

A Healthy Gift Idea for Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner and for sure most Americans are now so busy finding for the best presents they could give to their love ones since giving gifts is among the highlights of this celebration. And when it comes to Thanksgiving gifts, nothing is better than giving our loved ones with something that will offer benefits to the health like a cornucopia basket filled with healthy fruits and vegetables that are in season. So what are the healthy fruits and veggies that are in season?

Corn – Good for the heart and best source for energy. Corns are cholesterol free, very low sodium, good sources of vitamin C, manganese, folate and dietary fiber.

Brussels Sprouts – They are good for the heart and contain lots of cancer-protection substances. Brussels sprouts are low fat, saturated fat free, very low sodium, cholesterol free, low calorie, good source of dietary fiber, high in vitamin C, good source of folate.

Pumpkin – Good for the heart and eyes. Pumpkins are fat free, cholesterol free, sodium free, good source of vitamin C and excellent source for vitamin A.

Sweet Potato – Sweet potatoes are fat free, saturated fat free, low sodium, cholesterol free, good source of dietary fiber, high in vitamin A, high in vitamin C, good source of potassium.

Pineapple – Contain lots antioxidant protection and immune support, vitamins for energy production, and with anti-inflammatory properties. Pineapples are fat free, saturated fat free, very low sodium, cholesterol free, and high in vitamin C

Grapes – Contains lots health-supportive phytonutrients that help boost almost all systems of thebody. Grapes are fat free, saturated fat free, very low sodium, cholesterol free

Cranberries – Good for the heart, for digestive tract, for kidney, and contain lots of anti-cancer properties. in fact, this fruits has been featured in my last post regarding dash diet. Cranberries are fat free, cholesterol free, sodium free, and good source of vitamin C as well as fiber

Pear – Good for the eyes, heart, colon, and helps prevent postmenopausal breast cancer. Pears are fat free, saturated fat free, sodium free, cholesterol free, excellent source of dietary fiber, good source of vitamin C.

By the way, when it comes to fruits baskets or simply cornucopia baskets, you can always find them both in local and online stores

The DASH Diet: Serving it Right

At risk of hypertension or currently suffering from high blood pressure? Here’s good news to everyone! According to the book entitled The DASH Diet Action Plan: Based on the National Institutes of Health Research: Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, adopting healthy eating practices such as including more fruits and vegetables in everyday diet at the same time opting for low-fat or non-fat dairy, low-sodium diets  instead of processed foods are among the effective preventative measures to lower blood pressure and support healthy weight loss.

Below are some list of DASH diets (obtained from Yahoo! Health), which according to healthcare professionals who are expert in using stethoscopes when served correctly, they are guaranteed to lower the blood pressure level of an person.

4 Stalks of Celery a Day

Studies have shown that consumption of celery has a number of benefits to both man and animals. This food for lowering blood pressure is no longer new as Doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine has already been using celery or celery root to hypertensive patients for almost a century now because it is rich in phthalides, a phytochemical that helps relax the muscle tissue in the artery walls so as to increased blood flow.

2-6 Ounce of Cold Water Fish a Week

Doctors who use littmann cardiology stethoscopes and doctors who use fetoscopes both agreed that consumption of cold-water fish (2-6 ounce per week) really have health benefits. This type of fish is said to be rich in anti-inflammatory omega 3-fats that helps lower blood pressure and other toxins that causes heart attack and stroke.

1 Serving of Broccoli a Day

Being hailed as a super-food because of its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, the ability of broccoli to reduce the risk of hypertension is without doubt. Aside from antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, this super-food is also packed with lots of fiber, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin C, which all helps normalize blood pressure.

3- 4 Cups of Whole Oats a Day

According to research, whole grain oats is full of fiber and magnesium that both have beneficial effects on blood pressure. Therefore, aiming for one serving of whole grain oats everyday can help reduce the person’s risk for high blood pressure. Besides lowering blood pressure, whole grain oats help slow atherosclerosis or the deposition of plaques of fatty materials in the inner walls of arteries.

 1 Cup of Cooked Black Beans a Day

Including a cup of cooked black beans in everyday diet can help maintain the blood pressure at a normal level. Black beans are good sources of folate or folic acid, a B-complex vitamin that is very essential in maintaining the blood pressure at a normal and healthy level. Not to mention the great amount of fiber and magnesium that black beans provide.

1 Cup of Berries a Day

Whether they are fresh or frozen, most doctors using littmann cardiology stethoscopes would recommend their hypertensive patients to eat at least one serving or one cup of berries a day. Berries, either raspberry, blueberries, or strawberries are very rich in fiber, calcium, vitamin C, potassium and other antioxidants that help get rid of plaques buildup in the inner walls of arteries.

1 Serving of Low-Fat Dairy per Meal

Researches show that those who consume a serving of low-fat dairy per meal have lesser chances of incurring high blood pressure. Including low-fat dairy in everyday diet is imperative as it increases the bioavailability of calcium at the same time offer blood-pressure lowering calcium and potassium. Best sources of low-fat dairy products that are guaranteed to prevent hypertension are skim milk, cheese, and yogurt.


image source: health.yahoo.net

Understanding the Disease that Ended Steve Jobs Life

It is already SOP in the blogger world to tackle issues that are in current trend so, I decided to write about what to expect when diagnosed with pancreatic cancer - the disease that ultimately claimed the life of Apple CEO and founder, Steve Jobs.

By the way, let me give you first some insights about pancreas and its importance to our digestive system. The pancreas is the pear-shaped organ measuring about 6 inches long that lies behind the stomach and in front of the spine. It has two important roles played - to produce enzymes that are essential for metabolism and to produce hormones like insulin and glucagon, which ensures a balanced blood sugar level.

image source:medicineworld.org/news/pancreasnews.html

The pancreas is just one of the organs in the digestive system that is susceptible for an abnormal growth of cells or tumors. These tumors may come in various forms or characteristics. Some tumors are benign while others are malignant. There are also tumors that are common while others are rare. And in the case of Steve Jobs, medical practitioners who often come in a white lab coat and a littmann stethoscope hanging on their neck found a rare form of pancreatic tumor in the endocrine gland - the part of the pancreas that is responsible for producing insulin. What makes neuroendocrine pancreatic tumor rare is that is only 1 out of 100,000 people had this type of disease. Aside from that, the abnormal cell grows slowly and less aggressive, which is deemed as among that reasons why Steve Jobs was able to live 6 years longer the moment he was diagnosed.

What causes pancreatic cancer?

According to healthcare professionals who basic medical instrument is a littmann stethoscope, people who are at risk to develop pancreatic cancer are those with:

1. Damaged DNA mutation. This can be bother inherited from the parents or acquired as the person age 
2. Pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas. Although the reason is not yet clear, but chronic pancreatitis can lead to abnormal growth of cells in the pancreas.
3. Diabetes. It appears to be a symptom for pancreatic cancer.
4. Poor lifestyle. Eating fatty or carcinogenic foods, smoking cigarettes are just some unhealthy lifestyle habits that increases the risk for pancreatic cancer
5. Chemical exposure. People who are exposed to hazardous chemicals like gasoline have bigger chances of developing pancreatic cancer.

What to expect when diagnosed with pancreatic cancer?

Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer can only be seen/felt by the patient when the tumor has grown and spread out of the pancreas. The common signs and symptoms include:

1. Yellowing of the skin, gums, and white of the eyes
2. Constant lower back pain
3. Sudden weight loss
4. Loss of appetite
5. Generalized body malaise or the feeling of weakness and discomfort
6. Feeling of sickness in the stomach characterized by an urge to vomit