Archive for the 'Medical News Bits' Category

« Older posts
Newer posts »

The Sun May Protect You Against Heart Disease

January 14, 2008

Recent findings of Vitamin D deficiency as another risk factor for high blood pressure and heart disease made me realized that we always take for granted the beneficial effects of the sun.

The findings published in Circulation. January 2008 is the first to show prospectively the relationship between Vitamin D and the Heart:

_____________________________________________

Hazard ratio for heart disease according to level of 25-OH D

Level of 25-OH D
Hazard ratio (95% CI)
10–15 ng/mL
 1.53 (1.00-2.36)
<10 ng/mL
 1.80 (1.05-3.08)

_______________________________________________ 

The above findings suggest the Vitamin D Deficiency may increase your risk by more than 50% to develop heart disease.  Likewise it may also be an important risk for factor for the development of Hypertension.

It is estimated that approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of middle aged men and women are VitD deficient owing to lack of exposure to the sun.  The sun rays are important for the formation and activation of Vitamin D in the skin.  So hiding ourselves from the sun because of heat will increase our risk to develop Vitamin D Deficiency.

Vitamin D is also important for muskuloskeletal strength and in fact deficiency of Vitamin D may be responsible for a lot of muscle weakness noted in a population.

So how much sun exposure do I recommend?

Just like anything…do it in moderation…meaning not sunbathing but exposing your face, arms and legs to the morning sun at least 15 minutes per day should be sufficient. 

You can also check your Vitamin D level which can be done locally in your lab.

Enjoy the Health benefits of the SUN!

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips, Tips on Hypertension, Tips To Protect Your Heart | 1 Comment »

Anxiety and The Risk For Heart Attack!

January 11, 2008

Are you always Anxious? Jittery? Worried on something? Have you been suffering from anxiety that you just cant help it be worried that something may happen?

Anxiety is defined as a feeling of fearfullness and uncertainty. Transient anxiety due to family problems or death can be normal BUT once anxiety continues overtime and is affecting your daily activities and is getting worse then intervention should be made.

I have long suspected Stress secondary to anxiety can definitely be harmful.  Stress hormones that our body produces can be harmful and in fact Stress is now considered a risk factor for developing diabetes.  Now a new study published in the Journal of Cardiology, January issue considers anxiety as a risk factor for one to develop heart attack.

______________________________________________

Anxiety characteristics independently and prospectively predicted MI incidence after controlling for age, education, marital status, fasting glucose, body mass index, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure in proportional hazards models.

_______________________________________________

The above study is the first to show this relationship….and am sure more studies will come that will show Stress from whatever cause can lead to what we know now the Diseases of the New Century….

Remember…LIFE is Too Short….

  • Each day is a new day and once it passes…it’s one less day for you!
  • Live each day to the fullest…
  • Do things the best way you can and
  • Enjoy what you do best and Improve on Things you want to learn
  • Thank God for what you have.. and Stop being Bitter!
  • Learn how to appreciate things… understand why some things just dont work the way you desire. 

In short….

To Be Stress Free….ENJOY Being Alive!

Posted in General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, Personal Thoughts | 3 Comments »

Honey for Cough and Colds ?

January 10, 2008

If cough and colds medicnes are not that effective such that the US FDA recently made an announcement not to use these medications among children less than 6 years old… then what is our altrernative as parents with children arriving from school with cough and colds?

I have long heard about honey and its supposed “healthy” properties so I was not surprised when in a recent article published in Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Dec 2007 , honey was assessed to be a safe alternative to cough and colds medicine which for me is just timely!!!! 

In this study the, the children with cough and colds were given either honey, honey-flavored DextroMethorphan ( a cold remedy), or no treatment 30 minutes before bedtime.  ______________________________________________

Results:  Significant differences in symptom improvement were detected between treatment groups, with honey consistently scoring the best and no treatment scoring the worst.

In paired comparisons, honey was significantly superior to no treatment for cough frequency and the combined score, but DM was not better than no treatment for any outcome. Comparison of honey with DM revealed no significant differences.

Conclusions :  Honey may be a preferable treatment for the cough and sleep difficulty associated with childhood upper respiratory tract infection.

___________________________________________________________

The study used buckwheat honey which contains more phenolic compounds than other varieties.  Apparently these substances have been shown to have antioxidant properties whihc may have contributed to the improvement of the symptoms of cough and colds.   The question therefore whether the effect is limited to this kind of honey only remains unanswered.

For me honey is easy to get and safe to drink.  Based on the study… it worked. I would definietly try it on my kids and then let’s all share experiences once we have tried it.

Bring Home The Honey! 

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips, Personal Thoughts | 4 Comments »

Foods To Eat To Help Reduce Wrinkles….

January 7, 2008

______________________________________________

Using data from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we examined associations between nutrient intakes and skin aging in 4025 women (40–74 y).  Clinical examinations of the skin were conducted by dermatologists. Skin-aging appearance was defined as having a wrinkled appearance, senile dryness, and skin atrophy.

Conclusions: Higher intakes of vitamin C and linoleic acid and lower intakes of fats and carbohydrates are associated with better skin-aging appearance.

Promoting healthy dietary behaviors may have additional benefit for skin appearance in addition to other health outcomes in the population.

__________________________________________________________

Vitamin C as anti-aging has some meat to it.  It is known that vitamin C as an antioxidant play a role in the synthesis of collagen, which is a protein that helps keep skin elastic.  It can therefore be presumed that higher intakes of Vitamin C can bring luster to ones skin.

Great sources of Vitamin C that we can buy anywhere include brussel sprouts, red cabbage, snow peas and broccoli as well as canned and fresh tomatoes and of course our fruits especially the freshly squeezed orange juice.

What is interesting about the study is that those that had a high fat or a high carbohydrate meal developed more wrinkles and senile atrophy of the skin suggesting the long notion that fat is really bad even for the skin!

I do recommend foods rich in vitamin C but not to take any Vitamin C supplements in the form of a tablet especially on top of food.  Not only will these excess supplements adidify the urine but likewise increases the likelihood of stone formation.

Lastly…. 

The Best Way to Prevent Wrinkles?… Sunscreen!

Posted in Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips, Personal Thoughts | 9 Comments »

Simple Steps To Control Your Blood Pressure

January 3, 2008

Go to fullsize imageAfter the holidays comes the Blues…. high sugar, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. These form the deadly triad which if coupled with obesity forms the Deadly Quartet called the Metabolic Syndrome.  Its deadly because of the complications associated with the combination of diseases resulting in stroke and heart attack.  But we can do something about them if we are dsicplined enough to do it for the new year.

Recently the Harvard Medical School Publication: The Harvard Healthbeat came up with easy suggestions that we can do to help control our Blood Pressure.  Medications come in handy but they can have side effects.

________________________________________________

1. Check it. You can’t do much about your blood pressure unless you know what it is. Your doctor should check it at every visit. Measuring it at home is even better. Relatively inexpensive home monitors are available in most pharmacies.

2. Get moving. Regular exercise, even something as simple as brisk walking, improves blood vessel flexibility and heart function. It can lower blood pressure by 10 points, prevent the onset of high blood pressure, or let you reduce your dosage of blood pressure medications.

3. Eat right. A landmark study called Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) showed that you can eat your way to better blood pressure. The DASH diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, poultry, fish, and nuts, and downplays red meat, sweets, sugar-containing beverages, and saturated fat and cholesterol.

4. Control your weight. If you are carrying too many pounds for your frame, losing weight can lower your blood pressure. You don’t need to become rail-thin — losing 10% of your current weight, or even 10 pounds, can make a big difference.

5. Don’t smoke. Nicotine constricts small blood vessels. Smoking a cigarette can cause a 20-point spike in systolic blood pressure. Quitting is tough, but there are now more aids to help.

6. Drink alcohol in moderation. A drink a day for women and one or two a day for men is good for the heart and blood vessels. Going beyond that can contribute to higher blood pressure.

7. Shake up your salts. Too much sodium and too little potassium boost blood pressure in people who are sensitive to salt. The imbalance is so great that the American Medical Association is calling for food makers and restaurants to cut the sodium content of food by 50% by 2016. Aim for less than 1.5 grams of sodium a day, and at least 4.7 grams of potassium.

8. Sleep is good. Burning the candle at both ends night after night can contribute to high blood pressure, not to mention increase the chances of developing heart disease or a sudden cardiac arrest. How much sleep is enough? At least six hours a night, though eight hours is probably more like it for most people.

9. Reduce stress. As surely as mental and emotional stress can raise blood pressure, meditation, deep breathing, and other stress-busting activities can lower it.

10. Stick with your medications. Taking pills to keep your blood pressure in check won’t make you feel any different. But it can keep you from having a stroke, heart attack, or other problem.

_______________________________________________

So be warned and be good this new year.  Resolve to keep our body healthy by keeping our lifestyle clean.  Our biggest enemy is really the habit of eating out and enjoying the food too much neglecting to consider that harm that can be done to our body with what we put in!

Following Simple Lifestyle Changes can make a Difference!

Posted in General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips, Tips on Hypertension | 7 Comments »

Intensive Blood Sugar Control Can Reduce Risk of DEATH

December 20, 2007

Go to fullsize imageFor my diabetic patients, it is very important that they understand that the reason for controlling their blood sugar is… to reduce the risk for complications like heart disease and stroke.

Now comes a new study that proves…tight control of blood sugar can indeed lower the risk of a patient to die from the disease…. published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice 2007

____________________________________________

The study concluded:

Normal mortality was attained in the elderly under intensive mutifactorial diabetes control ( Including control for BP and cholesterol)

Renal dysfunction, prior stroke, high LDL-cholesterol, and prior obesity were prominent risks for mortality, macroangiopathy and/or ESRD.

_____________________________________________

For me the bottom line in addressing any disease is based on two key  things:

  1. Discipline to live a healthy lifestyle! Remember…to live longer does not mean controlling blood sugar alone because if you continue to gain weight with high blood pressure and high BAD cholesterol due to poor choices of food then the end result is still early mortality due to complications!
  2. Follow Your doctor’s advise!.… But choose the right doctor for your specific disease to get the best solution to your problem because just like any job we want done… you find for the best person to do the job RIGHT! and not just to finish the job!…

In the end of the day… everything boils down to one conlcusion….

To Live LOnger Requires Discipline!

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Personal Thoughts, The Diabetes Facts, What's New in Diabetes | Leave a Comment »

Red Meat and Your Risk for Cancer…

December 18, 2007

I eat meat…. who doesn’t?  I know of few friends that are purely vegetarians but I can only count them with my one hand.  I try to introduce veggies to my kids as often as I can but food is finished faster if there is meat especially red meat from fried chicken!!!!

Now comes a new study linking red meat consumption to increased cancer risk.  This study was recently published online in PLOS Medicine, December of 2007 with a conclusion from the editorial below:

_______________________________________________

…Red and processed meat intake appears to be positively associated with risk of cancer of the colon and rectum, esophagus, liver, lung, and pancreas in a new, large US cohort study of 500,000 men and women.

….However, this study provided little support for an association with other cancer sites. Current dietary guidelines recommend selecting meats that are lean, low-fat, or fat-free, thus promoting limited consumption of red and processed meats.

…..Overall, the strongest risk factors for cancer in the US are smoking and obesity. However, understanding the complex interaction of diet with smoking and obesity, and how specific foods and nutrients are metabolized, may provide further clues into the etiology and, most importantly, the prevention of cancer.

_______________________________________________

It is also important to note that while red meat is indeed a risk factor for cancer…majority of patients on red meat are also taking processed foods which are high in fat and therefore associated with obesity which in itself increases ones risk to develop cancer.  And therefore the interaction of the different risk factors is in itself a matter of importance.

For this holiday season…let us therefore examine the way we lead our lives … the way we eat and the way we take care of our health. It is really up to us to interpret and practice the things we know that are healthy and avoid or shy away from the things we know that are harmful. 

….Which way to go and adopt the practice in our lifestyle is up to us!….

Be Informed! and Live Well!

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips, Personal Thoughts | 4 Comments »

Diabetes and Obesity: The Cancer Link…

December 11, 2007

New studies recently surfaced regarding the increased risk of diabetics or obese individuals to different kinds of cancer.  The hyperinsulinemic state associated with these two metabolic conditions may be responsible to predisposing these individuals to a higher cancer risk.

The American Cancer Research Society website published recent researches linking the two conditions to cancer:

_______________________________________________

1.Women with diabetes are 1.5 times more likely to develop colorectal cancer than those who do not have the metabolic disorder, according to researchers at the University of Minnesota.

2.Women with invasive breast cancer and high blood levels of C-peptide (a marker of insulin secretion) face a risk of death nearly three times higher than women with lower blood levels of C-peptide, according to findings from the Health, Eating, Activity and Lifestyle (HEAL) Study, a long-term observational study of breast cancer patients. The effect was most notable, researchers say, among women in their 40s.

3.Gaining weight following a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer could increase a woman’s risk of death from the disease by more than half, according to researchers leading the Collaborative Women’s Longevity Study. In fact, the researchers associated weight gain with a measurable increase in risk of death due to all causes, not just breast cancer.

_______________________________________________

But this risk is not uniform to all types of cancer. Diabetics for example have been shown to have lower risk to develop prostate cancer.  As to why remains unclear but maybe related to diabetics having a lower testosterone level.

New reasons for us to really be aware of the dangers of gaining weight to the level of being overweight and to avoid being obese.

So….. 

This Holidays…Think Healthy and Be Wise!

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Personal Thoughts, The Diabetes Facts, The Truths on Obesity | 1 Comment »

“Don’T Sit Close To TV Or Else You Go Blind” and Other Myths About The EYE!

December 8, 2007

Hearsays are what the physicians hate the most.  Patients always have some hesitancy to follow some of our advices due to what they hear from their friends or relatives.  Good if the problem is not life threatening but if so, almost always the skill of the physician is put to the test versus that of the popular beliefs based on hearsay within the community.

Since childhood, I was told not to sit too close to a TV or else Ill go blind.  Or not to go straight to bed if my hair is wet otherwise Ill also get blind.  Am sure a lot of parents continue to counsel their kids based on hearsays that have been passed from generation to generation.

I cam across a nice compilation of myths regarding the eye and its care from the Harvard Health Publications: The Harvard Health Beat which I want to share:

______________________________________________

5 common eye myths dispelled

  1. Myth: Doing eye exercises will delay the need for glasses.Fact: Eye exercises will not improve or preserve vision or reduce the need for glasses. Your vision depends on many factors, including the shape of your eye and the health of the eye tissues, none of which can be significantly altered with eye exercises.

  2. Myth: Reading in dim light will worsen your vision.Fact: Although dim lighting will not adversely affect your eyesight, it will tire your eyes out more quickly. The best way to position a reading light is to have it shine directly onto the page, not over your shoulder. A desk lamp with an opaque shade pointing directly at the reading material is the best possible arrangement. A light that shines over your shoulder will cause a glare, making it more difficult to see the reading material.

  3. Myth: Eating carrots is good for the eyes.Fact: There is some truth in this one. Carrots, which contain vitamin A, are one of several vegetables that are good for the eyes. But fresh fruits and dark green leafy vegetables, which contain more antioxidant vitamins such as C and E, are even better. Antioxidant vitamins may help protect the eyes against cataract and age-related macular degeneration. But eating any vegetables or supplements containing these vitamins or substances will not prevent or correct basic vision problems such as nearsightedness or farsightedness.

  4. Myth: It’s best not to wear glasses all the time. Taking a break from glasses or contact lenses allows your eyes to rest.Fact: If you need glasses for distance or reading, use them. Attempting to read without reading glasses will simply strain your eyes and tire them out. Using your glasses won’t worsen your vision or lead to any eye disease.

  5. Myth: Staring at a computer screen all day is bad for the eyes.Fact: Although using a computer will not harm your eyes, staring at a computer screen all day will contribute to eyestrain or tired eyes. Adjust lighting so that it does not create a glare or harsh reflection on the screen. Also, when you’re working on a computer or doing other close work such as reading or needlepoint, it’s a good idea to rest your eyes briefly every hour or so to lessen eye fatigue. Finally, people who stare at a computer screen for long periods tend not to blink as often as usual, which can cause the eyes to feel dry and uncomfortable. Make a conscious effort to blink regularly so that the eyes stay well lubricated and do not dry out.

______________________________________________

Hope this post will remind everyone that myths will continue to be with us but the access of new information technology should now help us decide to follow them or not! Gone are the days that we rely on what our grandparents say about something and believe in everything they say about the ins and outs of daily living.

In Health… Rely Only on FACTS!

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Personal Thoughts | 4 Comments »

Dark Chocolate and Your Heart

December 6, 2007

More and more studies have found new reasons for us to enjoy dark chocoalate this holiday season… or we are just looking for excuses to indulge in one. 

But a new study published in the Journal Circulation in November of 2007 showed the potential mechanism why Dark Chocolate especially the 70% cocoa can be healthy:

______________________________________________

Conclusions— Dark chocolate induces coronary vasodilation, improves coronary vascular function, and decreases platelet adhesion 2 hours after consumption. These immediate beneficial effects were paralleled by a significant reduction of serum oxidative stress and were positively correlated with changes in serum epicatechin concentration.

__________________________________________________________

The above conclusion points out that indeed dark chocolate can increase blood flow to the heart and more so in patients who are already on medications like ACE inhibitors and Beta blockers. Therefore beneficial to prevent blockage of blood vessel that can lead to heart attack!

But caution to those who will start indulging in Dark chocolate.  Remember the color of the chocolate does not necessarily mean its dark.  It’s the content of the cocoa and more so the content of the flavanol.  This study was done using 70% cocoa.

But before grabbing a chocolate…make sure you are careful not to over do it.  Remember …chocolate is rich in calories and fat! But at least we now have reasons to take a bite before and after a meal without feeling too much guilt!

A Bite of Dark Chocolate for the Holidays!

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips, Personal Thoughts | 2 Comments »

The Motivation To Lose Weight….

November 30, 2007

Go to fullsize imageI just found this new finding very intriguing and really true.  We doctors need to know what motivates people to lose weight so we can focus our attention to achieve the goal with more success.

In one study done in University of Bath in UK revealed some interesting facts:

“Fear of looking unattractive can be a stronger motivation for keeping people going to the gym than the hope of looking good”

This is really something… I guess this is where marketing strategies of beauty products are engaged in. You see beautfiul actresses marketing beauty products luring women to use the same products so as to look like them!  And I guess they’re pretty successful.

But what happens is when fear can motivate people to lose weight and look good…  once that fear subsides, either because they feel they have lost weight and now look good.. the motivation from fear goes away.  And I believe this is one reason why the yo-yo phenomenon in losing weight comes in.  You lose now then you gain….

Motivating people using the positive outlook should be the way to go.  How losing weight results now in better health  for a more lasting effect!

Motivating Poeple The Right Way Is Key To Better Health and Better Life!


__________________________________________________________________________

 adtxtimg5.gif 2/18/08

Notes From Our Marketing Friends: 

People are becoming fitness freaks and are very conscious to lose weight. Many health centers and weight loss centers provide people with healthy weight loss program. This includes many supplementary diets like the south beach diet and many others. However such diets must not be taken without consulting the physicians.
__________________________________________________________________________

Posted in Exercise and Activity Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, Personal Thoughts, The Truths on Obesity, Weight Loss Tips | 5 Comments »

Vitamin E and Heart Disease Among Diabetics…

November 27, 2007

Vitamin E has received a lot of good news and bad news. Now you read it being the antioxidant of choice in one study…then the next…it shows the opposite result.  Majority of these studies however are epidimeological and observational in nature and not well controlled prospective studies.  The HOPE and NIH studies were prospective studies that did not show positive effect of Vitamin E on heart disease.

Recently a new data on the possible important role of Vitamin E came about in a new prospective study which is worth looking published in the Journal Atherocsclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology….

______________________________________________________________________

Methods- 1434 DM individuals  55 years of age with the Hp 2-2 genotype were randomized to vitamin E (400 U/d) or placebo. The primary composite outcome was myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death. At the first evaluation of events, 18 months after initiating the study, the primary outcome was significantly reduced in individuals receiving vitamin E (2.2%) compared with placebo (4.7%; P=0.01) and led to early termination of the study.

Conclusions—Vitamin E supplementation appears to reduce cardiovascular events in individuals with DM and the Hp 2-2 genotype.

_____________________________________________________________________

Since 40% of our diabetic population has the Hp 2-2 gene…It’s probably about time for us to rethink whether all diabetics should take Vitamin E or not…

However the bottom line is:  more studies need to be done and outcome studies to support this new finding!

Vitamin E Is Worth a Second Look!

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Personal Thoughts, The Diabetes Facts, What's New in Diabetes | 1 Comment »

Resting To Burn Fat Faster….

November 24, 2007

exerc.jpgHere’s one good news to those who hate long hours of exercise to get a benefit! 

A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology this June of 2007  showed that:

“repeated bouts of exercise cause enhanced fat metabolism compared with a single bout of prolonged exercise of equivalent total exercise duration.”

The exercise regimen that they tested?

… Exercise for 30 minutes…take a break for 20 minutes… then exercise again for 30 min…. 

The rest period resulted in more fats being burned than no rest period at all…

So just like any activity… the body needs to rest and rejuvenate!

Remember…

Overdoing Even A Good Thing May Do More Harm!!!

 

__________________________________________________________________________

adtxtimg3.gif 2/18/08 

Notes From Our Marketing Friends: 

One should apply healthy cleaning strategies at ones home. Use dust cleaners to avoid dust allergy. Many sort of allergies lead to serious diseases like eczema etc. Go for proper eczema treatment is you are suffering form eczema. Dirty carpets are the source of much kind of allergies. Use handy vacuum cleaner to ensure the complete cleanliness of the carpets.
__________________________________________________________________________

Posted in Exercise and Activity Tips, General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, Weight Loss Tips | Leave a Comment »

What is An A1c?…. A New Guideline For The Diabetics….

November 23, 2007

http://martonhouse.wordpress.com/category/work-life-balance/I have to write about this new guideline in interpreting A1c for my Diabetic Patients who have been loyal followers of this website.  Or to those who are not used to doing home glucose monitoring and rely solely on A1c results in their blood test to check if their control is good or not.  Although I am not advocating to do away with monitoring…in fact I strongly advise all diabetics to do so!

Recently a new calculation was made to correlate A1c to average blood glucose levels.  Now there is a computation one can do and based on data from continuous home glucose monitoring, the correlation is now better than what it used to be.

This is a new information I gathered from the American Association of Diabetes Glucose Control Trials from the ADA News as reported in Diabetes in Control:

__________________________________________________________________ 

Prior to this new information, the A1c was tied to the results of the DCCT, where a 6% was equal to 135mg/dL.  This came about when they checked the A1c and then looked at a couple of thousand finger sticks and averaged them out.  Now with the use of hundreds of thousands of readings, not just with the finger sticks but also with the use of continuous blood glucose monitors, we have more accurate results.  The equation yields a linear correlation over a wide range of A1c. This means that a 6% is no longer an average of 135mg/dL:  The new numbers:

o 6% = 126 mg/dl
o 7% = 155 mg/dl
o 8% = 182 mg/dl
o 9% = 211 mg/dl
o 10% = 239 mg/dl

_______________________________________________

So for all patients who wonder what this A1c means…now this new information will help you decide what to do to your lifestyle especially if you go beyond the A1c of 6.5% that we recommend to help prevent the onset of complications. 

Remember a single blood sugar alone does not give you the whole picture…so if your physician keeps on checking just a Fasting blood sugar and tells you you’re doing fine…demand for an A1c level!

Posted in Medical News Bits, The Diabetes Facts, What's New in Diabetes | Leave a Comment »

More Sleep Time To Prevent Childhood Obesity

November 22, 2007

Go to fullsize imageChildhood Obesity is getting to be a huge problem not only in developed countries but worldwide!  The AACE Philippine Chapter in fact recently launched our Power of Prevention Program aimed at preventing Obesity among children where different school prinicpals and administrators were invited to the launching initially to involve Metro Manila school children. 

Now comes a remedy to wegiht gain among children that we can do at home!  A new interesting study was recenlty published in Pediatrics November 2007 issue , linking the lack of sleep or inadequate sleep among children and the risk of being overweight.

______________________________________________

Of 785 children, 50% were male, 81% were white, and 18% were overweight in 6th grade.

  • Shorter sleep duration in 6th grade was independently associated with a greater likelihood of overweight in 6th grade.
  • Shorter sleep duration in 3rd grade was also independently associated with overweight in 6th grade, independent of the child’s weight status in 3rd grade.
  • Sleep problems were not associated with overweight.

__________________________________________________________

So how many hours of sleep should our children have?  This study provided us some insights:

  • Sixth-graders with less than 8.5 hours of sleep a night had a 23 percent rate of obesity,
  • Well-rested peers with more than 9.25 hours of sleep had at 12 percent rate of obesity.

For me this study tells us one thing:

  • By putting your kids to sleep earlier… means less TV time…means less chances to munch on junk food…resulting in a lesser risk to gain weight!
  • Sleep is as important as healthy food and physical activity when it comes to Weight control.

Put Premium on Sleep Than Being Awake Especially For Our Children!

______________________________________________________

 adtxtimg8.gif 2/18/08

Notes From Our Marketing Friends: 

There are many sensitive issues that a lactating mother must be keeping in mind. During lactation mother should follow healthy food recipes to avoid any kind of deficiency in her. As a lactating mother feeds her baby on her milk, so she should take complete care her breasts. There are many lactation equipments now available in the market that helps a mother to nourish her baby with her milk. These include medela breast pump, maternity bras and large cup nursing bras etc.
__________________________________________________________________________

Posted in General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, Weight Loss Tips | 2 Comments »

Tips On How To Be Healthy MINUS The Vitamins!

November 20, 2007

Supplements insluding Multivitamins continue to make market leaders in terms of income.  Many people inlcuding myself take multivitamins as part of the daily requirement to hopefully supply the vitamins not taken by our daily meals.  But do we have proofs that we really need them? Or are we better off without them?

I came across a new article from the Harvard News Letter which answered this specific questions published in November of 2007:

______________________________________________ 

Most experts agree that supplements add little, if anything, to a well-balanced diet. Exercise, however, is proven to achieve the benefits claimed for vitamins, even for people who eat properly, reports the November 2007 issue of Harvard Men’s Health Watch.

One leading reason people take vitamin supplements is to protect against cancer. But sadly, this strategy has been a flop. While studies continue on whether vitamin E and selenium can help reduce prostate cancer risk, data already show that beta carotene actually boosts the risk of lung cancer in smokers. And zinc, as well as high doses of folic acid, may also do more harm than good for men seeking to ward off prostate cancer.

The bottom line: Supplements do not reduce cancer risk.

In addition, vitamins are not recommended for heart disease prevention.

  • Trials of B vitamins have failed to demonstrate protection against heart disease. 
  • But people who eat fish twice a week enjoy a reduced risk of heart attack and sudden cardiac death.
  • Leafy, green vegetables and whole grains also help protect against heart disease.

If supplements can’t protect you against cancer or heart disease, what can? Current evidence suggests that exercise may be a crucial weapon in reducing the risk of some cancers.

  • Studies show that active people are less likely to develop colon cancer than sedentary individuals, and that
  • women who exercise can reduce their breast cancer risk. 
  •  Exercise’s effect on prostate cancer, however, is less clear; studies have produced varying results.
  • Evidence is also incomplete for lung and pancreatic cancers.

But when it comes to reducing the risk of heart disease, regular exercise is associated with a sharp reduction in heart attacks and cardiac deaths.

_______________________________________________

We always look for shortcuts! I guess this is true to everybody in every walk of life.  Why make it more difficult if there’s a shorter way to achieve the same goal.  BUT…life is not that simple especially when it comes to better health!

There has been no single study to date to prove otherwise…that exercise can do harm than good… from prevention studies to community data. But we all know it’s good to do it…we just refuse to indulge ourselves to it and instead look for a pill that can do the same job…which up to now remains a fantasy than a reality! 

Dont be fooled in believing that Supplements can do the Health Job for you!  Remember….

In Health…There Are No ShortCuts!
__________________________________________________________________________

 adtxtimg1.gif 2/18/08:

Notes From Our Marketing Friends: 

With the advancement in the technology everything is now in the access of the people while sitting at home. Many drug store are operating online. You can buy drugs and medicines from them. For example you can buy fioricet online as well as other medicines like aspirin etc. There are many online pharmacies which offer private medicines like generic cialis online as well.
__________________________________________________________________________

Posted in General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips | Leave a Comment »

Does Avandia Cause Heart Attack? : The Ongoing Controversy

November 16, 2007

Recently, The US FDA made a new ruling regarding the controversy on whether the popular antidiabetic agent Avandia can really cause heart attack.  Below are important excerpts of the FDA ruling released as of November 14, 2007:

_______________________________________________

People with type 2 diabetes who have underlying heart disease or who are at high risk of heart attack should talk with their health care provider about the revised warning as they evaluate treatment options. FDA advises health care providers to closely monitor patients who take Avandia for cardiovascular risks.

Avandia is approved to be used as a single therapy or used in combination with metformin and sulfonylureas, other oral anti-diabetes treatments.

During the past year, FDA has carefully weighed several complex sources of data, some which show conflicting results, related to the risk of chest pain, heart attacks and heart-related deaths, and deaths from any cause in patients treated with Avandia.

At this time, FDA has concluded that there isn’t enough evidence to indicate that the risks of heart attacks or death are different between Avandia and some other oral type 2 diabetes treatments. Therefore, FDA has requested that GSK conduct a new long-term study to evaluate the potential cardiovascular risk of Avandia, compared to an active control agent. GSK has agreed to conduct the study and FDA will ensure it is initiated promptly.

The revision of Avandia’s existing boxed warning – FDA’s strongest form of warning – includes the following statement:

A meta-analysis of 42 clinical studies (mean duration 6 months; 14,237 total patients), most of which compared Avandia to placebo, showed Avandia to be associated with an increased risk of myocardial ischemic events such as angina or myocardial infarction. Three other studies (mean duration 41 months; 14,067 patients), comparing Avandia to some other approved oral antidiabetic agents or placebo, have not confirmed or excluded this risk. In their entirety, the available data on the risk of myocardial ischemia are INCONCLUSIVE!

The previous upgraded warning, added to certain diabetes drugs (in class of drugs related to Avandia) on Aug. 14, 2007, emphasized that these types of drugs may worsen heart failure, a condition in which the heart does not adequately pump blood, in some patients. GSK is also developing a Medication Guide for patients to provide additional information about the benefits and risks and safe use of Avandia.

To date, no oral anti-diabetes drug has been conclusively shown to reduce cardiovascular risk. Consequently, the agency also will be requesting that labeling of all approved oral anti-diabetes drugs contain language describing the lack of data showing this benefit.

Today’s action follows recommendations made at the July 2007 joint meeting of FDA’s Endocrine and Metabolic Drugs and Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committees. At the meeting, members voted 22-1 to recommend that Avandia stay on the market, pending a review of additional data. The committee also advised that information warning of the potential for increased risk of heart attacks should be added to the drug labeling. _______________________________________________

Ever since the data on avandia came into light after the Niessen article, further analysis of that article showed flaws in the statistical analysis.  It is therefore not surprising to me why this drug will not be pulled out in the market solely because of that article.  The medical community looks at actual facts rather than what is reported in newspapers or the media.

Based on my experience, the benefits of this drug continue to outweigh the potential risks…and just like any other drugs… all one needs to do is use the right drug for the right patient profile!

Meaning..never use this drug if the patient has heart failure or heart disease.  And this is true to all antidiabetic agents as reported by the US FDA as the risk of heart attack has not been shown to be different among the different oral agents. 

Plus…all patient with Diabetes…by the time of diagnosis… more than 5o% or probably ALL already have ongoing heart disease because by the time ones fasting blood sugar is abnormal…the disease process has been ongoing for 7 to 10 years already!

Therefore and Again… I always emphasize to all patients at risk: Lifestyle Change.  If one has the risk to develop Diabetes … do something NOW!  

Remember… All medications have risks!  But the benefits should always outweigh the risks before any drug is started on any patient!

Posted in Medical News Bits, Personal Thoughts, The Diabetes Facts, What's New in Diabetes | 3 Comments »

How Often Can Surgery Go Wrong?

November 14, 2007

Go to fullsize imageMore often than not… we will have one surgery in our lifetime.  And among my diabetics… almost always, eye surgeries are common because of chronic complications arising from uncontrolled blood sugar or high blood pressure.  Cataract formation is so common that surgery is often advised to improve vision.

You may have heard of horror stories of wrong surgeries done on the wrong patient or the wrong leg or the wrong eye!  How common can this be?

Recently in the November issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology comes a rather alarming data on the issue of wrong surgery on the wrong eye!

______________________________________________________________

Objective  To investigate the hypothesis that surgical confusions rarely occur but are unacceptable to the public; occur in predictable circumstances; involve a wrong lens implant more often than a wrong eye, procedure, or patient.

Methods  A retrospective series of 106 cases, including 42 from the Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company and 64 from the New York State Health Department.

Results  The most common confusion was wrong lens implants, accounting for 67 cases (63%). Wrong-eye operations occurred in 15 cases, wrong-eye block in 14, wrong patient or procedure in 8, and wrong corneal transplant in 2.

Conclusions  Surgical confusions occur infrequently. Although they usually cause little or no permanent injury, consequences for the patient, the physician, and the profession may be serious. Measures to prevent such confusions deserve the acceptance, support, and active participation of ophthalmologists.

_______________________________________________

Doctors are humans and we make mistakes.  However wrong surgery on a wrong patient is almost always avoidable if universal precautions are adopted.  The team approach to confirming the patient’s identity on several occasions from different personnel can avoid this problem.

I always advise this to my patients who will undergo a procedure:

  1. Ask for a schedule early in the morning.
  2. Schedule the procedure on a Monday after a Sunday… when the surgeon has had plenty of rest!
  3. Look for the right surgeon and not just any surgeon.
  4. Be sure to ask around for the surgeons reputation and expertise.

Can Surgery go wrong? It can but can definitely be avoided if one is vigilant enough to avoid a disaster! It’s a matter of choosing the right guy to do the right procedure!!!

Precaution Is The Key!

Posted in Medical News Bits | 2 Comments »

Snoring and The Risk of Diabetes

November 13, 2007

Just came back from a successful preceptorship at the UCSF- Stanford University- Whittier Institute for Diabetes in San Francisco and San Diego.  There were only 10 MDs from the Asia Pacific region being taught by more that 12 professors.  It’s actually more than a 1:1 learning from the 4th Best institution in Endocrinology from the survey in The US News and World Report 2007.

One very interesting topic we discussed was snoring and the risk of developing diabetes.  Needless to say…snroing can be very common and yet often negelcted symptom.  We alwaus associatet snoring as… the person is either being too tried from work or just in a deep good night sleep.  But now studies have shown that snoring is indeed an unhealthy sign of future disease risk.

In a study published in the Journal of Epidimeology… it was noted that snoring actually increases a persons risk to develop Diabetes….

______________________________________________

Purpose: To examine the association between snoring and risk of developing type II diabetes mellitus, the authors analyzed data from the Nurses’ Health Study cohort.

Methods: This analysis included 69,852 US female nurses aged 40–65 years without diagnosed diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer at baseline in 1986. Snoring patterns were ascertained by questionnaire.

Results: During 10 years of follow-up, 1,957 women were diagnosed with type II diabetes. In analyses adjusted for age and body mass index, snoring was associated with risk of diabetes

  1. for occasional snoring vs. nonsnoring, relative risk (RR) = 1.48 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.29, 1.70);
  2. for regular snoring vs. nonsnoring, RR = 2.25 (95% CI: 1.91, 2.66); p for trend < 0.0001).
  3. Analyses stratified by body mass index, smoking history, or parental history of diabetes showed a consistent association between snoring and diabetes within the categories of these variables.

Conclusion: These results suggest that snoring is independently associated with elevated risk of type II diabetes.

_________________________________________________________

Snoring can be benign but can also be due to a more difficult disease called Obstructive Sleep Apnea where patients intermittently stop breathing with episodes of snoring suggesting obstruction.  Inability to breath causes them to cough and then resume sleeping.  Unfortunately these patients dont get into deep sleep and therefore feels tired when they wake up and tend to sleep or nap while awake in the chair or anywhere they feel sleepy.

We now know lack of sleep can be a stress factor that can contribute to increasing ones risk to develop diabetes.  It is therefore not surprising that snoring as a sign of sleep apnea is one way of being sleep debt!

Treating sleep apnea therefore in a person who is diabetic or at risk to develop diabetes can definitely have an impact on ones health…by improving his risk profile and improving blood sugar control.

My recommendation therefore for all  my diabetics who snore is to get a sleep study.  The sleep lab can determine what kind of sleep disorder one has and then implement measures to help one sleep including the administration of a CPAP machine.

Ask your partner if you snore… discuss it with your specialist and demand for a sleep study.  Treating sleep apnea can have a tremendous impact in controlling your blood sugar including ones risk to be overweight!  Plus.. you feel better when you wake up and a better sense of well being.

Snoring Can Be Bad For Your Health!

Posted in Medical News Bits, The Diabetes Facts, What's New in Diabetes | 4 Comments »

The Benefit of Taking Siestas Or A Nap…

November 2, 2007

We’re know how to take naps and siestas in the past… BUT this habit is becoming a rarity rather than a need with the changing times.  However, new studies have come up that in regions where naps continue to be practiced, the incidence of cardiac problems seem to be on a decline… and now a new study may give us the reason why. 

Siesta apparently is associated with lowering of BP and as a result it reduces the strain to the heart in an article published in Journal of Applied Physiology  October of 2007 issue. 

____________________________________________________________________

The siesta habit is associated with a 37% reduction in coronary mortality, possibly because of reduced cardiovascular stress associated with daytime sleep.  Whether the most important behavior is the daytime nap itself, a supine posture, or the expectancy of a nap is unknown.

We present the first detailed description on healthy individuals of the acute changes in cardiovascular function during defined phases of the daytime sleep-onset period. These responses were compared with lying awake and standing.

Following a night of restricted (4 h) sleep, nine healthy participants (aged 34 ± 5 yr) were allowed to sleep at 1400 for up to 1 h. Polysomnography was used to calculate three phases of daytime sleep onset: phase 1, a baseline period of relaxed wakefulness before lights out; phase 2, the period between lights out and onset of stage 1 sleep; and phase 3, the period between onsets of stages 1 and 2 sleep.

Differences (means ± SD) in blood pressure, heart rate, and forearm cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) between phases were analyzed. During the 9.7 ± 13.8 min of phase 2, systolic and diastolic blood pressure was 4.7 ± 4.5 and 3.6 ± 2.8 mmHg lower than baseline, whereas CVC was 9.5 ± 4.3% higher than baseline (P < 0.05). Subsequent changes in cardiovascular function during the sleep itself were trivial (P > 0.05). The above changes were not observed when subjects stood or laid supine in relaxed wakefulness for 1 h (P > 0.05).

Our findings suggest that the period between lights out and sleep onset is associated with the largest acute reduction in blood pressure during one afternoon siesta.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Now we know why siestas make us feel good and “healthier”.  In fact studies have shown that this blood pressure reduction may actually be the reason why there is lower coronary mortality rates in Mediterranean and Latin American populations where siestas are common… the effect of naps on the heart!

Simple take home message from this study: 

  1. Take time to rest and a nap…if you can have it in between breaks…go for it. 
  2. Sleep is likewise important… now it shows that sleep debt is unhealthy and dangerous!

Life is too short not to enjoy it BUT make sure you get enough rest and sleep to enjoy the beauty of life to live longer!

Siestas Equate To Better Health! 

Posted in General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, Personal Thoughts | 1 Comment »

« Older posts
Newer posts »