Getting to the Heart of Women’s Health
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the US. One in four people are afflicted with some form of the disease, which amounts to roughly 61 million Americans. CVD is attributed to 42% of all deaths, taking almost 1 million lives each year.
Common, yet serious, conditions that fall under the CVD umbrella are: atherosclerosis, angina, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attack, heart failure, stroke and arrhythmia. If cardiovascular conditions are detected early on, the odds of combating their effects and possibly reversing them altogether can be increased significantly.
Understanding Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular Disease encompasses all diseases related to the cardiovascular system, including dysfunctional conditions of the heart, arteries and veins that supply oxygen to vital life-sustaining areas of the body such as the brain, the heart itself and other vital organs.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is the most common of the cardiovascular conditions and lies at the root of most of the major diseases affiliated with the heart. Atherosclerosis is the hardening and narrowing of the arteries caused by the slow buildup of plaque on the inside walls of the arteries.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), occurs when atherosclerosis results in a partial or total blockage to the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the muscles of the heart. CAD is the most common underlying cause of heart attack.
Angina is the medical term used to describe chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough blood. Usually the pain starts in the chest behind the breastbone but may also occur in the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, throat, stomach or back. Angina can be a sign of an impending heart attack.
Heart attacks occur when a clot in the coronary artery blocks the supply of blood and oxygen to an area of heart muscle. Often, the blockage leads to cardiac arrhythmia, an abnormally high or abnormally low heart rate that causes a severe decrease in the pumping function of the heart and may bring about sudden death.
A Stroke is caused by an inadequate oxygen flow to the brain. Strokes that don’t result in death can be mild, known as Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA), or they can be severely damaging to the brain, causing paralysis and cognitive malfunction.
Heart Failure
Heart failure usually develops slowly, often over years. Some people may not become aware of their condition until symptoms appear years after their heart began its decline. Symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, swelling of the ankles and feet, and weight gain due to water retention.
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors
With so many people affected by cardiovascular disease, it is important to be familiar with the associated risk factors.
High Cholesterol- Cholesterol is an important factor in brain function, and is the structural material from which the hormones progesterone, testosterone, estrogen, DHEA and cortisol are made.
Proper ranges of cholesterol are important to the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Total blood cholesterol above 200, LDL cholesterol above 130, HDL cholesterol below 35 and lipoprotein levels greater than 30 are all indicators of problematic cholesterol.
High Blood Pressure- High blood pressure, or Hypertension, often results from excess fat or plaque buildup because of the extra effort it takes to circulate the blood.
Blood pressure levels at or below 120/80 are considered to be within the normal range. 140/90 or higher is considered to be within the high range. Blood pressure levels ranging from between 120-139/80-89 fall within the range of pre-hypertension, which means that you are more likely to develop high blood pressure unless you take action immediately to prevent it.
Diet- A healthy diet is essential. You should eat five to seven fruits and vegetables a day, whole grains, a handful of nuts, and low-fat meats, chicken and fish cooked in olive oil or other excellent tasty oils. Avoid sugars and processed foods.
Diabetes- Persons with diabetes lack the necessary hormone, insulin, to break down digested sugars, or are resistant to its effects. As a result, a person with diabetes is at the same level of risk for having a heart attack as a person who has had a prior heart attack.
Stress- When the body is consistently under a lot of stress, it releases too much of the hormone cortisol. This puts an extra strain on the heart as the blood pressure rises and the body retains too many excess fluids.
Lack of Exercise- Fall in love with exercise! The heart is like all other muscles in the body. In order to stay in good shape and function properly, it needs to be exercised. Exercise will help control other risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and stress management.
Diagnosing Cardiovascular Disease
Until recently, the ability to detect heart related conditions was limited and the ability to detect early onset was virtually impossible without the use of expensive and potentially dangerous procedures. Due to the advancement of technology and decades of valuable research, a new diagnostic machine, the CardioSpec, has recently been made available to physicians to detect cardiovascular disease with greater accuracy and specificity in less than 2 minutes and without the need for invasive procedures.
The CardioSpec is highly effective in diagnosing seven types of cardiovascular disease - coronary artery disease, heart attack, left ventricular dysfunction, left ventricular enlargement, conduction abnormalities, arrhythmia, and pulmonary heart disease - with more than a 90% accuracy rate. The diagnostic system works by evaluating the function of the heart directly, detecting subtle changes in the hearts function or injuries caused by obstruction of small coronary arteries, which cannot be detected by catheterization or angiography.
Early detection of cardiovascular disease could mean the difference between life and death. If you have any of the risk factors associated with CVD, see your physician as soon as possible. After a thorough evaluation, your physician can determine if you have CVD and begin to develop a treatment plan that works for you. CVD does not have to be a life sentence and with some significant lifestyle changes, you can be on the road to recovery. But the first step is ACTION. Call your doctor today.
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Dr. Connealy, M.D., M.P.H. began private practice in 1986. In 1992 she founded her medical practice in California. Her practice is firmly based in the belief that strictly treating health problems with medications does not find the root cause of the illness. Dr. Connealy writes monthly columns for Coast and Health magazines, and is a weekly cohost on Frank Jordan’s “Healthy, Wealthy and Wise” radio show. She routinely lectures and educates the public on health issues. Please visit http://www.perfectlyhealthy.net for products and more information. |
Uses Of Apple For Your Skin
Apple is a great fruit widely being used for cakes, pies and many health care products too. Everyone is familiar with the context ‘ An apple a day keeps the doctor away’ which is very true. Due to its useful components it has got a new found respect. The properties of the apple are mind-boggling. It has been increasingly used for shampoos, conditioners, face wash and many more. It is a true candidate of hair and skin care.
Home Based Recipes
Having Braeburn apples can protect you from the UV rays. It is one of the best qualities of apple which has components to protect you from UV rays.
Grind 1 cored and quartered apple in a blender. Add 1 tsp. honey, sage to the mixture. Refrigerate it for 10 minutes. Apply this mixture on your face. Keep it for 30 minutes and later rinse it. This can be used for normal skin.
Mix 1 tbsp apple juice with 5-6 drops of lime juice. Apply this on your face. Keep it for 15 minutes. Wash it with cold water. It is very good for oily skin.
Grate an apple and keep it in the refrigerator to cool. Apply this grated apple on your face for 15 minutes then rinse it with cool water. Works well for dry skin.
You can remove overnight blemishes by dabbing apple cider vinegar on your face before bed. A rejuvenated and radiant skin will await you in the morning.
Age spots can be lightened by patting areas with apple cider vinegar before bed.
Take 1/2 peeled cucumber, 1 egg white; 1/2 tsp. lemon juice, 1/2 tsp. lime juice, 1/2 tsp. apple mint leaves and a drop of lime essential oil. Mix the ingredients into a smooth paste except the essential oil which is added last and mixed well again. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. Apply it on your face. Leave it for 20 minutes. Wash it with warm water for a great effect.
Cut 1 apple in small pieces and liquidize it. Mix 1 tsp honey and sage to this liquidated apple and blend it well. Apply it on your face and relax for 15 minutes. Once done rinse it and pat dry.
Take 1/2 peeled and sliced apple, 1 tbsp. honey, one egg yolk, one tbsp. ascorbic acid, vinegar and 2 tbsp oil. Blend these ingredients for smooth paste. Apply this paste on your face, till dry and wash it lukewarm water.
Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautions while following instructions on the recipes from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
Kevin Pederson the webmaster for hair-n-skin-care site which guides us to the important skin and hair care tips. Skin Care with Natural Fruit - Apple It can fight many disease and is very much in vogue for facial masks.
Testosterone And Manhood
When I was asked to write about testosterone and manhood, I started to think of the different ages and the influence of testosterone. Testosterone is the hormone responsible for the development of manhood after the child reaches puberty. This influx of hormones has a great psychological influence, essentially turning boys in men. Muscle mass and strength increases, the sex drive develops, the voice deepens, and the man is endowed with the capacity to reproduce.
All these varied changes are driven by the hormone testosterone. It’s a deep and complex development that puts considerable stress upon teenagers. Once the change has taken place, a boy has become a man, and has hopefully adjusted well to these changes. During this tumultuous period parental involvement is greatly needed, as the boy needs positive role models, particularly from a devoted father who offers kind, active guidance every step of the way.
The next phase in a man’s life, generally speaking, is that in which he takes up a livelihood and begins family life as a husband and father. Till the age of about 40, most men have high enough testosterone levels to feel no physical decline in their manhood. But after 45 a decrease in testosterone becomes noticeable. This decrease is accompanied by an increase in estrogen, which causes such specific symptoms as hair loss, baldness, decrease of libido, more fat tissue, diminished muscle mass and strength, skin deterioration, and night-time bathroom visits.
These are all undesirable effects. And men with a sedentary lifestyle often experience these symptoms earlier than men who are more physically active.
Beside applying Prosperon, a natural hormone cream, healthy diet and more physical exercise and keeping a healthy weight are the most important things you can do. Being happy and enjoy a good relationship are a plus. Not only for your testosterone levels but specifically for men’s general health. Prosperon adds 6- 12 mg progesterone. Progesterone is a precursor in men for the hormone testosterone. By applying 6-12 mg progesterone you increase the testosterone level in men. It is that simple. If you do not apply more then the 6- 12 mg there are NO Side Effects. Only beneficial anti aging effects. Less boldness, more toning of the muscles and skin, increased libido, more manly feeling, less difficulties which aging
Warmly Pieternel
© 2005-06 Pieternel van Giersbergen
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About The Author |
We Are Not Immune: Women and Heart Attacks
Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in America.
Approximately 1 in 3 women die each year due to heart
attack or stroke. Nearly twice as many women die of heart
disease or stroke, than they do of any form of cancer,
including breast cancer.
Women are less likely than men to seek medical attention
when having a heart attack. For this reason it is important
to know the warning signs and symptoms and what to do in
the event you feel you are having a heart attack.
Signs and symptoms of a heart attack:
Shortness of breath, often without any chest pain
Flu-like symptoms such as nausea, clamminess or cold
sweats
Unexplained fatigue, weakness or dizziness
Pain in the chest, upper back, shoulders, neck, or jaw
Feelings of anxiety, loss of appetite, discomfort.
If you notice one or more of these warning signs, don’t
wait more than a few minutes. Do not wait longer than 5
minutes. Call 911 right away!!
If you are driving in your car at the time, it is imperative
that you pull the car over as soon as possible. You could
lose consciousness at any moment.
If you have any available and you have no known allergies
to aspirin, chew 1 regular tablet of aspirin while you wait for
medical help to arrive.
Here are some tips on how you can avoid having a heart
attack.
Quit smoking
Eat a healthy diet and cut back on foods high in
saturated fats and sodium.
Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
Exercise regularly. This may sound difficult if you’re
not one who exercises but start out slowly. A brisk
walk 30 minutes a day can reduce your risk of a heart
attack.
Lose weight if you are overweight.
Control your blood pressure if you have
hypertension.
A healthy lifestyle that includes exercise and eating right
could help decrease your risk of heart disease and heart attack
and increase your longevity.
Articles relating to women
Progesterone Benefit
Progesterone occurs naturally in the human body and is produced by the adrenal glands in both sexes, the ovaries in women, the placenta during pregnancy, and the testes in men. Progesterone has several important roles in women. It maintains a normal menstrual cycle and plays an important role during pregnancy by preparing the tissues lining the uterus for implantation by the fertilized egg. It also helps prepare the breasts for milk production. The growing fetus also uses Progesterone to produce steroid hormones that are essential for normal fetal development. Progesterone plays a protective role in preventing some breast and uterine cancers. It also stimulates normal bone growth and thyroid function.
When given as a supplement, Progesterone can help initiate and maintain a pregnancy. Short-term Progesterone and estrogen replacement therapy can help minimize some of the distressing symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes. Progesterone may also help control dysfunctional uterine bleeding, painful periods, and overgrowth of the endometrial lining in postmenopausal women. As a birth spacing option, Progesterone prevents ovulation and prevents sperm from reaching the fallopian tube. Other uses of Progesterone are in the suppression of milk secretion following delivery, and in the treatment of certain endometrial cancers.
Progesterone is also an intermediate compound in the biochemical pathways that lead to the production of other important hormones such as testosterone, estrogen and cortisol. Testosterone plays a role in maintaining both the male and female sex drive, and also helps maintain strong bones and energy levels. Estrogen plays a key role in the development of female sexual characteristics and in the menstrual cycle. In post-menopausal women, estrogen decreases bone reabsorption, reverses atrophy of the vulva and vagina, and exerts a protective effect against cardiovascular disease. Cortisol plays a role in glucose metabolism, provides increased energy during periods of stress, and has an anti-inflammatory action.
Progesterone provides detailed information about progesterone, natural progesterone, progesterone benefit, progesterone creams and more. Progesterone is the sister site of Colostrum Milk.
Home Décor Gets a Bling Makeover From Ms. BB
Daahling, do you smile each time you walk through your front
door? Does your living room sparkle, your bathroom shine, and
your bedroom sizzle? If not, Ms. BB will show you how a little
bling can turn your home into a castle where you will surely
feel like a beautiful princess.
How many years have you looked at that same old furniture in
your living/family room? Day in, day out - is it simply boring
you, Daahling? It is easy to bling it up with colorful, beaded
throw pillows on the couch, in the chair, and even on the floor.
Are you on a tight budget? Try this quick fix. Buy two brightly
colored fabric placemats, put one on each side of your old
pillow, tie each corner with a jeweled pony tail ring ~ Bling,
Bling, you instantly have a sparkling new look!
Please do not let your bathroom look like a dungeon, Daahling.
After all, you spend a lot of time in there, so add some bling.
Buy jeweled garland at a craft store and drape around the shower
curtain rod and/or towel bars. It is easy to accent with several
functional pieces that are already blinged up with jeweled or
shiny designs that add color and gleam. Look for beads and
rhinestones on soap dishes, toothbrush holders, tissue box
covers, and candle holders. If you can not find the perfect
piece, simply glue on a few rhinestones and colorful beads from
the craft store to create an original work of art! These are fun
to coordinate in bright colors and patterns to match your color
scheme. Don’t forget to add a beautifully jeweled hand held
mirror to your vanity for a touch of elegance.
For a sophisticated touch that is always in style, make
Swarovski your new best friend. Accent all of the rooms in your
castle with colorful crystals. From jeweled napkin holders in
the dining room to colorful crystal surrounding your favorite
photo on the mantel, go all around your house and let your
imagination run wild. These Austrian crystals are optically
pure, highly polished, precisely cut, and simply beautiful. They
shimmer with grace on the rims of picture frames, tea lights,
vases, and bowls in every color of the rainbow. For a special
accent choose a collectible egg carriage to set your castle
aglow. Crystals add elegance to any room and are sure to make
you smile each time you look at them, Daahling!
For a simply maavelous accent piece, choose a collectible egg
Cinderella Carriage that even your prince will love. The natural
beauty of crystals will add instant elegance to any room, and
they are sure to make you smile each time you look at them!
Daahling, please visit Ms. BB at http://BlingSpa.com for more
Bling Makeovers and Bling Therapy with healing gemstones. Simply
maavelous Bling accent pieces for the home can be found at
http://BlingBlingMarketplace.com ~ where the In-Crowd shops.
Solving the Male Sex Problem
The male sex problem, like the saying goes to every problem there is a solution. Almost every man goes through some type of male sex problem, we’re not perfect. Whether it is penis size or lack of potency men have had to confront an embarrassing problem and find a way to save what’s most precious to us, and we miss out on a lot if we can’t solve a male sex problem.
Some of the most common male sex problems involve penis size, premature ejaculation, orgasms, sperm volume, potency, energy, stamina and many others. Almost no one is safe and if you’re reading this article it’s because you to are one of the many men who suffer from a male sex problem and need to find a REAL solution.
You need a product, a solution that will really solve your solution with out fooling you with “to good to be true” results like growing a 12 inch penis, your not a tree. You first have to know that you can only expect REAL results, which means improving your male sex problem and giving you a little bit more impressive results. For example, if your male sex problem is penis size, the average penis size is 5.8 inches so you can expect to gains 1-2 inch gradually over time. Also, don’t expect that you’ll just go to sleep and wake up the next day cured of your male sex problem. The real solution will allow you to see the results within the first month and gradually improve with time.
So how can your male sex problem be solved? Nature provides all the answers… Yes, nature. The new revolutions of all natural male enhancers are the real and safest solution to cure most male sex problems. It’s been known for some time that certain herbs and plants provide great results for the male organ and improve male potency. What the male enhancement industry has done is put these natural ingredients together into a balanced formula to give your body the right amount needed to start making your sex problem history.
Make sure that when you purchase any type of penis pill or male enhancer that it is 100% natural. I recommend that you check that the ingredients contain herbs such as Horney goat weed, Maca, L - Arginine among other minerals and amino acids. Always check for a guarantee and make sure is FDA approved.
With an all natural male enhancer your male sex problem is solved. You will improve stamina, ejaculate farther, increase sperm volume and also gain some inches. Aside from those great benefits all natural male enhancers also provide your body with vitamins and minerals that give you energy and helps in prostate health!
V. Anicama works as a freelance author of health articles.
