Heart Attacks: Causes and Risk Factors
Article by John Parks
What is a Heart Attack?
When the flow of blood to the heart is obstructed, a heart attack occurs. If the blood flow is not restored quickly, lack of oxygen can cause damage to that part of the heart muscle and it can begin to die. Therefore, if you think you or someone else is having a heart attack, get help immediately. Treatment for a heart attack has a better chance of minimizing damage to the heart if it is given within one hour of the first symptoms.
People who have heart attacks most likely suffer from coronary artery disease which is brought about by the build up of fatty material known as plaque inside he coronary arteries. These arteries supply the heart with blood and oxygen. This buildup can take many years to occur. When a heart attack happens, some of this build up splits off and causes a clot. A big enough clot can partially or entirely prevent blood from getting to the heart muscle.
After having a heart attack, other problems can develop that include irregular heartbeats and even heart failure. Both of these conditions can cause death.
The heart muscle can heal and healing normally begins soon after the heart attack is over. Generally, it takes about two months. The heart attack created a wound on the heart, and as it heals, a scar forms. Unfortunately, this scar tissue does not function as well as muscle tissue of a healthy heart. The ability of the heart to pump efficiently is decreased and that decrease in pumping is directly related to the size of the scar.
What are the Risk Factors? (Who is at Risk?)
There are a lot of risk factors for heart attacks. Some are out of your hands, but there are others that you can control. The risk factors that you can’t control are:
1. Getting Older – About 83 percent of deaths from coronary heart disease occur in people over 65. Women over 65 who have heart attacks are less likely to recover than men.
2. Gender – Men are at much greater risk for heart attacks and they are more likely to have them earlier in life.
3. Heredity (and Race) – Children who have one or more parent with heart disease are at risk for developing it themselves. African Americans tend to suffer more from extreme high blood pressure than Caucasians, therefore increasing their chances for heart disease and heart attacks. American Indians, Mexican Americans, native Hawaiians, and some Asian Americans all have a greater risk of heart disease.
If you fall into any of these risk categories, you should make every effort to manage other risk factors that are controllable, like the following:
1. Smoking – Smokers up their risk factor two to four times more than those who don’t smoke.
2. High Cholesterol – The higher the cholesterol, the higher your chances of getting coronary artery disease. You should use diet and exercises to lower cholesterol, and if that fails, talk to your doctor about medication.
3. High Blood Pressure – This can make the heart work harder and increase your chances of heart attack and even stroke. Again, if diet and exercise don’t work to lower blood pressure, speak to your doctor about prescription medication.
Lack of exercise and obesity are also risk factors for heart attack and heart disease that can be controlled by you. Stress is also a contributing factor in that it affects behavior, like causing you to over eat, smoke, or drink alcohol.
For more information on heart disease, visit http://symptomsheartdisease.net
Skin Cancer?s Causes
There are many causes form skin cancer which is a malignant growth on base. Basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, and melanoma are the most common skin cancers.
The sunlight is a main cause of skin cancer. Besides the sunlight, the ultraviolet rays are very serious to skin, especially from 10am to 4pm. The ultraviolet rays which symbols for the sun’s beams is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light, but longer than x-rays which can negatively impact on the skin. The UV spectrum has many other effects on human health in the beneficial and damaging aspect.
Squamous cell carcinoma is due to exposure and contact with some types of minerals like hydrocarbons in soot, tar and oils.
Several types of chemicals which are overexposed like arsenic can go to the malady.
In fact, farmers, miners and sheep shearers are those who have high degree of exposure to arsenic.
Skin cancer is also from tanning booths. For many people, it is common to forget this disease’s adverse effect.
Immunosuppression helps your body safe by protecting itself from harmful foreign matter through the immune system. If you infect with HIV, your immune system will become weak down step by step. Your body at that time is difficult to fight with disease.
Sun-beds cause the most damaging kind of cancer of the skin which is malignant melanoma.
Malignant melanoma’s cause is from sun-beds.
This is one of the most damaging kind of skin cancer.
Some researches say that blacks or darker skinned people are not as susceptible as white people. Because black people’s skin consists of very high levels of melanin which keeps them far away from the sun’s harmful rays.
The common age is easy to have cancer is from 20- 39. According to estimation, nearly 85% of cancer cases are due to the sun. Therefore, you should use cream against the sunlight or use clothing, hat, glass under the sun. It will reduce the risk of skin cancer for you.
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Causes and Symptoms of Heart Attacks in Women
Article by Ann Stewart
Over the years doctors were not able to clearly diagnose impending heart attacks in women. This was mainly due to their symptoms are not the same as those of men. They were often diagnosed with anxiety or panic attacks, only to experience more severe heart attacks at a later date.
Heart attacks are caused by blockages in the coronary arteries. The symptoms of most heart attacks in men are severe chest pain, nausea, shortness of breath, the numbing of the left arm, or a feeling of impending doom.
Symptoms of heart attacks in women include:
- Shortness of breath- Pain in the abdomen, in the back, in the jaw or in the throat – A sensation of uneasiness or feeling “sick” that is difficult to describe
Many women die before receiving medical attention. Their symptoms may have been absent, too sudden, or had not been diagnosed previously. Also, most women are not aware that they have heart problem.
Although heart attacks are more frequent in menopausal women, the incidence in pre-menopausal group has been growing.
Possible reasons for the higher mortality in women may be due to the use of hormone replacement therapy, the higher rates of depression among women, and more cardiac damage with heart attacks in women than in men.
The main identified causes of heart attacks in women are:
” Excessive sugar intake is the number one risk factor for heart attacks in women” Excessive animal fat intake is the number two risk factor” High blood pressure” Smoking accounts for the vast majority of heart attacks in women under 45 and those with family histories of heart disease” Calcium supplements cause a significant increase in heart attacks especially in older women despite benefits for bones! ” Obesity, especially in the stomach area” Blockages in small arteries deep in a woman’s body ” Clots in blood vessels of the heart and brain” Anxiety” Mental stress” Sleep disturbances” Arteriosclerosis, the thickening of the arteries (previously termed hardening of the arteries)” Unusual fatigue
It must be noted here that estrogen is a major culprit. It raises blood pressure (one of the top three reasons for heart attacks in women), increases triglycerides, promotes clotting (a leading cause of heart attacks), and raises levels of C-reactive protein (causing inflammation associated with heart disease)
There is good news, however! Doctors estimate that about half of all heart attacks in women stem from treatable factors (as opposed to non-treatable factors such as heredity and age):
” Enough vitamin B6 reduces heart attacks by 70%. Its “pandemic” deficiency in Western cultures is the prime cause of heart attacks, and supplements of it as the key to avoiding and curing heart disease” Walking can not only significantly reduce the risk. Women who walked a total of three hours per week or who exercised vigorously for at least 90 minutes a week had one third fewer heart attacks than women who got no exercise” The fats in nuts have been linked to a reduced risk of heart attacks” Eating one serving a day of whole-grain foods reduced heart attacks by 34 percent in another study of 34,000 postmenopausal women.
Furthermore, drinking coffee does not increase the risk.A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals that low dose aspirin therapy does not have the same benefits for women as it does for men.
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Diabetes Causes, Incidence, And Risk Factors
Gestational diabetesType 1 diabetesType 2 diabetesMetabolic syndrome
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar. Diabetes can be caused by too little insulin, resistance to insulin, or both.
To understand diabetes, it is important to first understand the normal process by which food is broken down and used by the body for energy. Several things happen when food is digested:
A sugar called glucose enters the bloodstream. Glucose is a source of fuel for the body.
An organ called the pancreas makes insulin. The role of insulin is to move glucose from the bloodstream into muscle, fat, and liver cells, where it can be used as fuel.
People with diabetes have high blood sugar. This is because:
Their pancreas does not make enough insulin
Their muscle, fat, and liver cells do not respond to insulin normally
Both of the above
There are three major types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood. Many patients are diagnosed when they are older than age 20. In this disease, the body makes little or no insulin. Daily injections of insulin are needed. The exact cause is unknown. Genetics, viruses, and autoimmune problems may play a role.
Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. It makes up most of diabetes cases. It usually occurs in adulthood, but young people are increasingly being diagnosed with this disease. The pancreas does not make enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal, often because the body does not respond well to insulin. Many people with type 2 diabetes do not know they have it, although it is a serious condition. Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common due to increasing obesity and failure to exercies.
Gestational diabetes is high blood glucose that develops at any time during pregnancy in a woman who does not have diabetes. Women who have gestational diabetes are at high risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease later in life.
Diabetes affects more than 20 million Americans. Over 40 million Americans have prediabetes (early type 2 diabetes).
There are many risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including:
Age over 45 years
A parent, brother, or sister with diabetes
Gestational diabetes or delivering a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
Heart disease
High blood cholesterol level
Obesity
Not getting enough exercise
Polycystic ovary disease (in women)
Previous impaired glucose tolerance
Some ethnic groups (particularly African Americans, Native Americans, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic Americans)
Symptoms
High blood levels of glucose can cause several problems, including:
Blurry vision
Excessive thirst
Fatigue
Frequent urination
Hunger
Weight loss
However, because type 2 diabetes develops slowly, some people with high blood sugar experience no symptoms at all.
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes:
Fatigue
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Nausea
Vomiting
Weight loss in spite of increased appetite
Patients with type 1 diabetes usually develop symptoms over a short period of time. The condition is often diagnosed in an emergency setting.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes:
Blurred vision
Fatigue
Increased appetite
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Signs and tests
A urine analysis may be used to look for glucose and ketones from the breakdown of fat. However, a urine test alone does not diagnose diabetes.
The following blood tests are used to diagnose diabetes:
Fasting blood glucose level — diabetes is diagnosed if higher than 126 mg/dL on two occasions. Levels between 100 and 126 mg/dL are referred to as impaired fasting glucose or prediabetes. These levels are considered to be risk factors for type 2 diabetes and its complications.
Oral glucose tolerance test — diabetes is diagnosed if glucose level is higher than 200 mg/dL after 2 hours. (This test is used more for type 2 diabetes.)
Random (non-fasting) blood glucose level — diabetes is suspected if higher than 200 mg/dL and accompanied by the classic diabetes symptoms of increased thirst, urination, and fatigue. (This test must be confirmed with a fasting blood glucose test.)
Persons with diabetes need to have their hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level checked every 3 – 6 months. The HbA1c is a measure of average blood glucose during the previous 2 – 3 months. It is a very helpful way to determine how well treatment is working.
Treatment
The immediate goals are to treat diabetic ketoacidosis and high blood glucose levels. Because type 1 diabetes can start suddenly and have severe symptoms, people who are newly diagnosed may need to go to the hospital.
The long-term goals of treatment are to:
Prolong life
Reduce symptoms
Prevent diabetes-related complications such as blindness, heart disease, kidney failure, and amputation of limbs
These goals are accomplished through:
Blood pressure and choleterol control
Careful self testing of blood glucose levels
Education
Exercise
Foot care
Meal planning and weight control
Medication or insulin use
There is no cure for diabetes. Treatment involves medicines, diet, and exercise to control blood sugar and prevent symptoms.
LEARN THESE SKILLS
Basic diabetes management skills will help prevent the need for emergency care. These skills include:
How to recognize and treat low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
What to eat and when
How to take insulin or oral medication
How to test and record blood glucose
How to test urine for ketones (type 1 diabetes only)
How to adjust insulin or food intake when changing exercise and eating habits
How to handle sick days
Where to buy diabetes supplies and how to store them
After you learn the basics of diabetes care, learn how the disease can cause long-term health problems and the best ways to prevent these problems. Review and update your knowledge, because new research and improved ways to treat diabetes are constantly being developed.
SELF-TESTING
If you have diabetes, your doctor may tell you to regularly check your blood sugar levels at home. There are a number of devices available, and they use only a drop of blood. Self-monitoring tells you how well diet, medication, and exercise are working together to control your diabetes. It can help your doctor prevent complications.
The American Diabetes Association recommends keeping blood sugar levels in the range of:
80 – 120 mg/dL before meals
100 – 140 mg/dL at bedtime
Your doctor may adjust this depending on your circumstances.
WHAT TO EAT
You should work closely with your health care provider to learn how much fat, protein, and carbohydrates you need in your diet. A registered dietician can help you plan your dietary needs.
People with type 1 diabetes should eat at about the same times each day and try to be consistent with the types of food they choose. This helps to prevent blood sugar from becoming extremely high or low.
People with type 2 diabetes should follow a well-balanced and low-fat diet.
See: Diabetes diet
HOW TO TAKE MEDICATION
Medications to treat diabetes include insulin and glucose-lowering pills called oral hypoglycemic drugs.
People with type 1 diabetes cannot make their own insulin. They need daily insulin injections. Insulin does not come in pill form. Injections are generally needed one to four times per day. Some people use an insulin pump. It is worn at all times and delivers a steady flow of insulin throughout the day. Other people may use inhaled insulin. See also: Type 1 diabetes
Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes may respond to treatment with exercise, diet, and medicines taken by mouth. There are several types of medicines used to lower blood glucose in type 2 diabetes. See also: Type 2 diabetes
Medications may be switched to insulin during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Gestational diabetes may be treated with exercise and changes in diet.
EXERCISE
Regular exercise is especially important for people with diabetes. It helps with blood sugar control, weight loss, and high blood pressure. People with diabetes who exercise are less likely to experience a heart attack or stroke than those who do not exercise regularly.
Here are some exercise considerations:
Always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.
Ask your doctor or nurse if you have the right footwear.
Choose an enjoyable physical activity that is appropriate for your current fitness level.
Exercise every day, and at the same time of day, if possible.
Monitor blood glucose levels before and after exercise.
Carry food that contains a fast-acting carbohydrate in case you become hypoglycemic during or after exercise.
Carry a diabetes identification card and a cell phone in case of emergency.
Drink extra fluids that do not contain sugar before, during, and after exercise.
You may need to change your diet or medication dose if you change your exercise intensity or duration to keep blood sugar levels from going too high or low.
FOOT CARE
People with diabetes are more likely to have foot problems. Diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves and decrease the body’s ability to fight infection. You may not notice a foot injury until an infection develops. Death of skin and other tissue can occur.
If left untreated, the affected foot may need to be amputated. Diabetes is the most common condition leading to amputations.
To prevent injury to the feet, check and care for your feet every day.
Causes of Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are not necessarily as common as say coughs and colds but it is one of the top reasons why people come rushing to the emergency wing of the hospital. Urine liquid is usually colored white or yellow so when you see that your urine is in a different color, say pink, then you worry so you troop to the hospital. When you sense a different kind of pain somewhere below your stomach, you begin to rattle because you know it is not just a simple case of indigestion.
When that sot of thing happens you also rush to the clinic or the hospital. After initial interview and certain tests, you are then confronted with the results – you have kidney stones. So how in the world did you get kidney stones?
Not a lot of people are aware of kidney stones. Sure there are medical groups who push for more education about the kidney but most people only hear of kidney transplants. These are pretty major stuff already, kidney stones are very basic but it is a good place to start when it comes to discussing kidney and the importance of a healthy functioning kidney. The formation of kidney stones spring from crystal that are not excreted through urination but the real question is why does this happen. Doctors are not quick to point at any one particular cause but what can be done is discuss the several factors that can be attributed to this condition. Then maybe, the factors can be isolated as per patient’s case.
For one, it can be hereditary so if your parents and grandparents have it then most likely you will have kidney stones as well. It has been observed that a person with a family history of kidney stones are prone to forming kidney stones as well. This is probably the reason why urinary tract infections, kidney relate disorders such as cystic kidney diseases and some metabolic disorders like hyperparathyroidism which are all found to be linked to kidney stone formation are believed to be inherited as well.
Certain food in major food groups are also seen as potential causes of kidney stone formation. However people in the medical field believe that eating these food are major causes of kidney stone formation. People who tend to form high calcium which leads to the formation of one kind of stone called calcium oxalate are requested to limit or avoid certain foods.
These include spinach, beets, soybean crackers, peanuts, okra, chocolate, sweet potatoes, grapes, celery, fruit cake, strawberries, marmalade and liver. These are a bunch that includes delectable delights which is really sad news for those who have to cut down on them so work on keeping those kidneys healthy to keep enjoying those treats.
Just as the causes of kidney stones are quite a blur so are the symptoms and in fact most of the signs go unnoticed. For this reason kidney stones ahs been aptly called as the silent stones. These silent stones should eventually be found out. Scanning the urinary system through special tests called computerized tomography, more popularly known as CT scan, or an intravenous pyelogram help doctors detect kidney stones.
The results from these tests are also vital in finding out the proper course of action to treat the existing condition.
this is how they remove my stone. tht stone cause me the whole pain !!!!
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