Protect Your Body and Slow Down Aging With Antioxidants

The Challenge of Free Radicals to Your Body

Your body is under constant attack--not only from pathogens of all kinds--but also, at the molecular level, from "free radicals." Free radicals are unstable molecules that result inevitably from the oxidation of nutrients in your body to produce energy. If they are not effectively counteracted, they systematically damage the cells of your body. This accelerates aging and can ultimately lead to many chronic degenerative diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, cataracts, and arthritis.

Just as your immune system defends your body against various kinds of pathogens, your main defense against free radical damage is the antioxidant defense system. This consists of a group of compounds that effectively disarm free radicals before they attack your tissues.

They accomplish this disarming action by engulfing free radicals and then joining their molecular structure. Although this results in the new molecule becoming a free radical itself, it is much weaker than the original free radical and is, thus, much less likely to cause harm to the cells of your body. So this is a classic instance of "when you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Dr. Lester Packer spent his entire career researching the details of this process. He, along with a team of colleagues and other scientists, have established that it involves a dynamic interplay among five key antioxidants: vitamins C and E, Coenzyme Q10, lipoic acid, and glutathione. These key substances work together in such a way that they bolster each other and maintain a balance of the overall system that they comprise. By systematically rejuvenating each other, they are said to work "synergistically." Collectively, they are called "the antioxidant network."

You can read about all the details of how free radicals--if they are not quelled--damage the body, and also learn the specifics of how the antioxidant network works to protect you in Dr. Packer's recently-published, enlightening book, "The Antioxidant Miracle."

One very important conclusion of his work, which is stressed in his book, is that the modern diet does NOT provide an adequate intake of key antioxidants and that it is, therefore, crucially important for EVERYONE to supplement their diets with high quality antioxidants in order to slow down aging and help prevent the development of degenerative disease. As he points out very cogently, the research evidence indicates that some of these diseases, such as cataracts, can be prevented COMPLETELY through effective supplementation.

How To Get The Most Potent Antioxidant Available

Although there are a great many antioxidant products on the market, very few of them meet the crucially-important criterion established by Dr. Packer and his colleagues of supporting the entire "antioxidant network." Interestingly, there is now much research evidence showing that supplementing with a single antioxidant, such as vitamin E for example, actually seems to CONTRIBUTE to the development of degenerative disease. Further, due to inadequate quality control, many so-called antioxidants actually have little or no effect in quenching free radicals in the body and some of them have actually been found to have a PRO-oxidative effect.

There is one particular antioxidant supplement, however, that has been specifically designed to support the synergistic process of the antioxidant network. Under development for over three years before its release in 9/03, this product has been shown in comparative laboratory testing to be three times more potent than the next closest competitor of 90 antioxidant products tested. Moreover, it was shown to be 10 times more effective than the AVERAGE of these other products.

This product combines an unique glyconutritional complex, which mobilizes the body's own production of glutathione, with a freeze-dried extract of 12 vine-ripened fruits and vegetables, AND a carefully-balanced blend of five antioxidants: vitamin E, quercetin, grape pomace extract, green tea extract, and vitamin C from the Australian Bush Plum. (The Australian Bush Plum contains a much higher concentration of vitamin C than any other natural source on the planet.)

Another impressive fact about this supplement is that, as a part of its development, the company that created it also created a new, improved test for measuring the actual antioxidant potency of ALL antioxidants in the body--including those that are soluble in water, as well as those that are soluble in lipids. Previously, there had been no effective way to measure the lipid-based antioxidants.

Finally, this product stands out from the vast majority of other antioxidants in that it conforms to Good Manufacturing Practices, ensuring a very high degree of quality control.

If you would like to learn more about this product and how to purchase it, please click on the URL below and then click on "Ambrotose AO."

George Shears
Retired Psychologist & Wellness Consultant
218-482-5287
http://gshears.myglycostore.com/go/ambrotose

Do You Have A Healthy Brain? The Secret to Mental Agility

We all know to exercise our bodies to keep fit, but how often do you think about exercising your brain? And what type of exercise does it need anyway? What are the facts? What is the secret to mental agility?

Keeping mentally active will keep your brain in good shape. Getting older does not mean that you have to be forgetful!

Recent research into Alzheimer's disease found that people who were less active between the ages of 20 and 60 years are almost 4 times more likely to develop the disease. The brain, like the rest of the body, needs to be kept active to keep healthy.

You exercise your body to keep it in shape. Now it has been shown that exercising your brain can keep it in shape too.

That leaves us with the question of what to do to keep our brains active. The research discovered that how you spend your leisure time can affect the health of your brain.

Leisure activities can be divided into -

Passive activities, which include watching TV, participating in social activities, and listening to music.

Intellectual activities are reading, painting, playing a musical instrument, woodworking.

Physical activities, for example, gardening, playing sport, working out at the gym, walking, jogging.

The only 'activity' that the Alzheimer's patients had performed more frequently than the control group was watching TV!

The research team was lead by Robert Friedland, professor of neurology, University Hospitals of Cleveland. He said "A relative increase in the amount of time devoted to intellectual activities from early adulthood (ages 20-39) to mid-adulthood (ages 40-60) was associated with a significant decrease in the probability of having Alzheimer's disease later in life."

An intellectual or physical hobby stimulates the brain and may reduce neurodegeneration as seen in diseases such as Alzheimer's. So sitting watching the TV isn't enough for your brain, you need to keep it active. One way is by learning new things.

Many of the finalists in the Learning in Later Life Campaign 2000 to find England's oldest and most inspiring learners had art and painting as their hobby.

England's Oldest Learner was Fred Moore who was then aged 107 years. Fred continued with art classes until he died at the age of 109. The manager of his residential home said "Fred was a remarkable chap. He kept his memory, going back to the death of Queen Victoria, and always retained his great sense of humor."

So it's official then, learning a new hobby is good for you. Fancy learning to paint? Painting can be done indoors and outdoors, as well as by yourself or in a group.

It is never too late to start. Local night classes offer a range of options. Have a look at online courses too.

Remember you can have a healthy brain and enjoy a hobby too. Don't leave it until tomorrow, begin today!

About The Author

Catherine Calder is the author of the Acrylic Painting Course, a No-Draw step-by-step course ideal for anyone who wants to learn how to paint. Visit the Acrylic Painting section at www.learnanddo.com to see a free preview of the course, free report and free tips too.

servicedesk@learnanddo.com

Safe Driving And Alzheimer's Disease

Naomi was hopelessly lost. As she drove, absolutely nothing looked familiar. She noticed a fluttering in her stomach. She had to admit that she was in a lovely area, with large shade trees and a lovely lawn, but there were no houses where she could stop to ask directions. And the road seemed so narrow. She was starting to feel confused again. And there was nowhere to turn around. So she stopped the car and placed the gearshift into park.

Some time passed before a groundskeeper noticed the car on the golf course cart path. He called the police. A patrolman checked Naomi's identification and called her husband. The police officer then notified the state driver's licensing authority that Naomi should be retested.

Knowing when and how to take away the keys to the car is one of the most troublesome issues facing families who have a loved one with the illness. As we age, our eyesight and hearing may worsen. Depth perception plays tricks. Our reaction time slows. These elements of normal aging may interfere with our ability to drive a motor vehicle safely. For someone with Alzheimer's disease, these normal processes are complicated by additional symptoms related to the disease's effect on the brain. In fact, studies show that a person with Alzheimer's disease has twice the chance of being involved in a motor vehicle accident as a driver of the same age without the illness.

While a person in early stages of Alzheimer's disease may retain the ability to drive a motor vehicle, as the disease progresses, the time is likely to come when he or she is no longer safe behind the wheel. At the same time, the person with Alzheimer's disease will cling to whatever sense of independence he or she can.

The American Psychiatric Association says that some Alzheimer's patients with moderate impairment and all severely impaired patients pose unacceptable risks to themselves and others behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Even those in early stages of the disease may be unable to drive even short distances safely. Depending on the individual, family members and others have a responsibility to assess the situation and, when necessary, step in and take away the keys.

Warning Signs

How do you know when to restrict driving privileges in a person with Alzheimer's disease? Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable riding with him or her-or letting your children ride along-you may have unconsciously decided that the time has come. Another indicator is the person's inability to follow a recipe or perform simple household tasks. These types of activities require some of the same mental abilities necessary for safely operating a motor vehicle.

Deterioration in the ability to concentrate, as well as impairment of judgment seen in people who have Alzheimer's disease, add to the concern about such patients driving motor vehicles. According to the Alzheimer's Association, some things to watch for include the following:

1. Getting lost.

Anyone can get lost in an unfamiliar area. Those with Alzheimer's disease may become disoriented and be unable to find his or her way in familiar locales.

2. Ignoring traffic signals.

Failure to notice or obey stop signs, traffic lights or other highway markers may mean the driver didn't notice them. In addition, the driver may have lost the ability to associate the sign with its meaning. He or she may see the sign, but not know what it means.

3. Lack of judgment.

Inability to estimate the speed of oncoming traffic, deciding whether to stop for a yellow light or slide through the intersection, or becoming confused at a four-way stop sign are some examples of poor judgment while driving. Being slow to make decisions-or making poor ones-when driving can result in accidents that can harm the driver, as well as others on the road.

4. Driving too fast or too slowly.

Erratic driving at inappropriate speeds can indicate a lack of concentration, as well as poor physical coordination. It may also indicate poor judgment.

5. Anger and confusion.

You don't have to have Alzheimer's disease to experience road rage. Frustration during driving can make anyone flustered or angry. If the driver has Alzheimer's disease, however, watch for frequent occurrences of anger or confusion, as well as inappropriate or exaggerated reactions, while driving.

Taking Away the Car Keys

If your family member's ability to drive is impaired, you have a moral responsibility to take action to keep him or her off the road. However, accomplishing this goal may not be easy. Any suggestion that car keys be relinquished could be met with resistance, frustration, anger, or hostility-especially when it comes from a family member who may already be providing care by assisting with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, and meal preparation.

Ask the Doctor

Many Alzheimer's families turn to the loved one's physician for help with the issue. Your loved one may more easily accept advice not to drive from a health care professional he or she has an established trust relationship with. For one thing, a doctor is often seen as an authority figure. For another, such a third party can discuss the situation objectively and dispassionately with less chance of offending your loved one on a personal level. Many doctors understand the need for this intervention and will be willing to comply with requests of this nature from family members. In some cases, doctors will write the words "Do Not Drive" on a prescription slip. In others, you may need to ask the doctor to file a request for re-examination of your loved one's driving abilities by the state driver's licensing authority.

Contact the State Licensing Authority

All states have a system in place to require retesting of persons with mental or physical impairments. However, state laws and re-examination processes vary. They may include medical evaluation, as well as written and road tests. Laws also vary concerning who is authorized to request re-examination. They may include police officers, judges, state's attorneys, physicians, family members, neighbors, friends, or other drivers. In some states, all older drivers must take driving tests for annual renewals. Check with your state's driver's licensing authority to see what rules and procedures exist for revoking driver's licenses for impaired drivers.

If your loved one's driver's license is ultimately revoked, he or she should get a state issued photo identification card to use for check cashing, air travel, and other uses.

Protecting Insurance Coverage

Even with a doctor's advice not to drive, or a driver's license revocation, a person with Alzheimer's may still get behind the wheel. He or she may forget that driving is no longer allowed. Or, stubbornness, anger, or frustration may encourage him or her to grab the keys and hit the road. If that happens and an accident occurs, serious consequences-beyond the risk of personal injury or death to the driver, passengers, or others-may result.

For example, although some state laws require insurance companies to honor claims involving insured motor vehicles, even if driven by an unlicensed driver, an insurance claim can be challenged. Insurance coverage may be cancelled. And future applications for motor vehicle insurance can be denied. In some states, insurance companies can cancel policies if a driver's license is revoked, regardless of whether an accident has happened or not. Should a driver without coverage become involved in a motor vehicle accident, his or her assets will be at risk from claims by accident victims for property damage or personal injury.

These issues are particularly important for an unimpaired spouse of a person with Alzheimer's disease. Insurance cancellation will jeopardize the spouse's insurability. Acceptance under a new policy may be difficult because of the spouse's older age. And the new policy may cost much more than the previous one. State insurance laws vary, and some states have regulations pertaining to such situations.

One option is for the impaired driver to exclude himself or herself from the policy, enabling the unimpaired spouse to continue insurance coverage. But if the excluded driver drives anyway, a claim for personal injury or property damage to the driver's car may not be honored to the full extent of the policy's limits. (Liability claims by others would likely be paid, however.) If that happened, the policy would most likely be canceled.

Action Steps for Family Members

Depending upon your loved one's abilities and desire to drive, regardless of driver's license status or doctor's orders, family members can take steps to prevent an impaired driver from operating the car. Here are six steps you can take: 1. Sell the car. If the car won't be driven, it makes sense to sell it. However, Americans love their cars. Some even name them the way they would name a pet dog or cat. If your loved one is attached to his or her motor vehicle, your suggestion to sell it may meet strong objection, even if the impaired driver seems to understand that driving is no longer allowed. If the loved one wants to keep the car, or is comforted by seeing it in the garage or driveway, you can disable the car so it can't be driven. 2. Hide the car keys. If the car remains in the family, someone must control access to all copies of the keys. Lock them in a safe place unknown to the impaired driver. 3. Replace the car key. If the impaired driver resists or refuses to hand over his or her set of keys, quietly replace the car key with one that looks like it, but that doesn't work in the vehicle. 4. Remove the tires. Removing the tires will disable the vehicle, but in some residential areas, parking a car on blocks is not allowed, except-perhaps-in an enclosed garage. Check with your local jurisdiction before taking this step. 5. Disable the vehicle. Ask a mechanic to show you how to disconnect the car's battery or how to disconnect the coil wire between the coil and distributor. If a spouse or other household member needs to use the car, reconnecting them is relatively easy. 6. Park the car elsewhere. Park the car down the street, around the corner, or out of sight in a neighbor's garage to make it inaccessible.

Look for Alternatives

A person who has been driving for decades and who takes pride in his or her independence will likely resist attempts to restrict driving privileges. That independence is difficult to give up, especially in neighborhoods without good public transportation systems. The person may not want to burden friends or family to get where he or she wants to go.

In modern American culture, driving is important. For many, it involves self-esteem and status as well as mobility. For these reasons, those who have Alzheimer's disease are unlikely to admit difficulties they are experiencing when driving. So, family members and physicians must balance the person's convenience with the safety of the driver, as well as passengers and other drivers on the road.

When restricting driving privileges becomes an issue, you can ease the transition by investigating alternative methods of getting from place to place. Here are some choices you can make available to your loved one in place of a personal motor vehicle.

1. Friends and family.

Are you willing to provide all or part of your loved one's transportation needs? What about other family members? If friends say, "let me know if I can do anything to help," suggest they give your loved one a ride to the grocery store, hairdresser, or doctor's appointment. You can also ask for volunteers at your place of worship.

2. Public Transportation.

Gather information about bus routes, train schedules, and taxi services. See whether they offer discounts for older individuals or those with disabilities. Calculate round-trip fares from your loved one's home to frequently visited locations, such as the grocery store, doctor's office, barber shop, or library.

3. Government ­funded transportation.

Investigate availability of government-funded transportation for people with disabilities. Inquire about how to qualify for such programs.

4. Delivery Services.

To reduce the need for trips outside the home, look for pharmacies, office supply stores, restaurants, and other businesses and organizations that deliver goods and services to the home. Find a courier service that operates in your area, or see whether a taxi service will perform that function. Look into the Meals on Wheels program in your area.

About The Author

William G. Hammond, JD is a nationally known elder law attorney and founder of The Alzheimer’s Resource Center. He is a frequent guest on radio and television and has developed innovative solutions to guide families who have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s.

For more information you can visit his website at www.BeatAlzheimers.com
support@Alzheimers-Resource-Center.com

Fluoride in Drinking Water

Are there any benefits to be obtained from drinking water that has Fluoride added? Well, the jury seems to be out, and they have been out for a very long time, without producing a satisfactory answer as to whether it is beneficial or harmful.

Scientists have discovered that there is a Toxic interaction between Fluoride and Aluminium, which can lead to Alzheimer's Disease. Others say that Fluoridation is a corrosive poison that will produce serious effects over the long term.

A large number of local authorities, worldwide have included Fluoride in the Cocktail that is called drinking water, for many years, whilst others have steered clear of inflicting this on the public, without their consent. Some authorities feel, that if parents want their children to have Fluoride, they can obtain tablets themselves, some authorities even provide them free, if they are required, as cost is not usually a problem, Fluoride is not an expensive chemical.

It is very difficult not to use Fluoride, as most brands of toothpaste contain this chemical, though if you read the labeling on products, you will find that there are a few around, that are free of Fluoride, perhaps this is what you should be looking out for if you put any value on your health, of course the choice is yours.

Fluoride is supposed to help prevent teeth problems in growing children, it appears from a number of reports that it makes very little difference to the state of childrens teeth, large numbers of Dentists are very much in favour of fluoride in the water.

Fluoride is, Hexafluorosilicic acid, a toxic industrial waste by-product, derived from Super-Phosphate, a fertiliser and Aluminium manufacturing. It is a fact that Sodium silicofluoride (Fluoride) has never been registered anywhere in the world as "safe" for human beings. It has been accepted scientifically and by some health and medical authorities that "Fluoridated drinking water, must not be used in the preparation of "Baby formula nutrition" because of the dangerously high potential, of children receiving a poisonous overdose.

International scientific studies have shown that there is very little difference, if any, between the incidence of decayed, missing or filled teeth in children, or adults living in Fluoridated, or non-Fluoridated areas.

Medical professionals and scientists are warning that water fluoridation has dangerous long term health consequences, yet we are still allowing authorities to force it upon our children.

Perhaps you should check out our Web Sites listed below, you will certainly learn a few things that will improve your health.

"Article by Alfred Jones, More Information at: http://www.SugarsR4U.com and http://www.RUsweetEnuf.com

Learn about Glyconutrients, The Essential Sugars for Life or Himalayan Goji Juice a Boost Immune System Vitamin. We can help with these problems".

What Prevents Alzheimer's?

The answer is still "we don't know," but we're getting closer.

Alzheimer's is not normal in the course of aging, and it's more than "a decline in memory." People suffering from Alzheimer's, through progressive destruction of brain cells, lose the ability to think, reason, learn and communicate, and also undergo personality changes. For the ten warning signs of Alzheimer's go here: http://www.alz.org/AboutAD/10Signs.htm . Alzheimer's is eventually fatal because the person cannot move or swallow.

Although around 12 million people worldwide have Alzheimer's, and 4-4.5 million in the US, research in this field is still new and not enough is known about either prevention or cure. Much of the research "suggests" but is not conclusive.

RISK FACTORS

The biggest risk factor is aging, with about 50% of people over 85 years of age having Alzlheimer's in the US. According to some sources, there's evidence it has the same risk factors as for heart disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol and elevated homocysteine, a protein building block.

In an article called "Homocysteine is a Strong Risk factor for Alzheimer's Disease," (New England Journal of Medicine, 2002 Feb 14; 346:476-483), researchers concluded that "an increased homocysteine level is a strong, independent risk factor for the development of dementia and Alzheimer's disease."

VITAMIN E

According to research done by Martha Clare Morris, ScD, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Chicago, Illinois, lots of vitamin E through food intake, not supplements is helpful. ( www.medscape.com) while another study at http://docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/8525697700573E1885256C00004A766D suggests that both food intake and supplements of vitamin E is helpful.

Foods high in vitamin E are wheat germ, almonds, vegetable oils, margarine, and seeds (especially sunflower seeds). 1 T. of wheat germ provides 34.6 mg. of vitamin E, ½ cup of chocolate covered almonds, 14.3 mg., 1 T. corn oil, 11-14 mg., 1 T. soybean oil, 8.8-14 mg.

According to the Almond Board of California, just one ounce of almonds provides more than 35% of the daily value of vitamin E.

FAT

According to studies reported in www.medscape.com, high intake of saturated fat doubles the risk of Alzheimer's disease, and moderate intake of trans fat increases the risk by 2-3 times. Lower risk is associated with high intake of both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. However there have been inconsistent findings, with another study finding no influence from high ingestion of polyunsaturated fats.

FISH AND n-3 FATTY ACIDS

There is some evidence that dietary intake of fish and n-3 fatty acids can protect against Alzheimer's but again, no causal association has been established.

Assuming that vitamin E and n-3 fatty acids and unhydrogenated, unsaturated fats help, your best bet would be to eat plenty of oil-based salad dressings, nuts, seeds, fish, mayonnaise, and eggs.

CURRY

If you love curry like I do, this information will be welcome. One of the lowest rates of Alzheimer's appears in Indian villages, with only 1% of people 65 and older having the condition. A recent study suggests that the reason might be a diet high in curcumin, a compound found in turmeric which is used in curry, which has long been used as an herbal treatment in that country. Researchers investigating this link will also be looking at rosemary and ginger, also high in the Indian diet, because their structure is similar to curcumin. [Source: "The Curry Spice Curcumin Reduces Oxidative Damage and Amyloid Pathology in an Alzheimer Transgenic Mouse," Lim, Chuet al.]

TESTOSTERONE

Another link in the chain may be testosterone levels. Dr. Sozos Ch. Papasozomenos and Dr. Alikunju Shanavas, from the University of Texas-Houston Medical School conclude from their studies that "testosterone given alone to aging men and given combined with 17-beta-estradiol to postmenopausal women would probably prove beneficial in preventing and/or treating Alzheimer's disease." [Reported in the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.] However, the case for hormones for postmenopausal women is far from settled and not at all clear.

LITHIUM

Another possibility is lithium. This long-standing treatment for bipolar disorder has worked as a preventative with mice, and may be useful for humans, though the side-effects are high, and it doesn't help people who already have Alzheimer's. [Source: Nature, 2003]

WEIGHT, WOMEN & ALZHEIMER'S

Researchers have also found a strong relationship in women between being overweight at age 70 and developing Alzheimer's 10-18 years later, although being overweight doesn't appear to effect men and Alzheimer's. (http://www.stopgettingsick.com/Conditions/condition_template.cfm/6880/24/1)

USE IT OR LOSE IT

Studies also suggest that keeping mentally active can ward off Alzheimer's [New England Journal of Medicine]. Oddly physical activity had no positive preventive effect except in the case of dancing. Researchers speculated that could be because music engages the mind. (http://www.stopgettingsick.com/Conditions/condition_template.cfm/6817/24/1)

These are just a few of the latest "suggestions." So little is known for sure, and we hope research continues. In the meantime, we do hear the same things over and over - good diet, exercise, and staying mentally active.

Resource: The Alzheimer's Association, http://www.alz.org

For medical advice, consult your personal healthcare professional.

©Susan Dunn, MA, The EQ Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc . I offer coaching, distance learning courses, and ebooks around emotional intelligence. I train and certify EQ coaches. Get in this field, dubbed "white hot" by the press, now, before it's crowded, and offer your clients something of real value. Immediate entry, no residence requirement. Mailto:sdunn@suasndunn.cc for free ezine. For daily EQ Tips, send blank email to EQ4U-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Arizona Senior Housing: Care Options for Seniors Who Can No Longer Live Alone

The following are a few of the care options available for seniors who can no longer live on their own and require assistance with their Activities of Daily Living (ADL), or require skilled nursing care. Every state is a little different in terms of availability and cost, state regulations, and the specific names used for each care option:

Assisted Living Home- A facility consisting of 10 or fewer residents in a private home setting located in residential neighborhoods. Residents have the option of choosing a private or semi-private room. Most homes provide for all levels of care. Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) is provided 24 hours a day. Assisted Living Homes are ideal for those who prefer to live in a home-like setting and do not require skilled nursing care. Monthly prices range from $1,500 to $3,000.

Assisted Living Center- A facility consisting of 11 or more residents. Many of these types of facilities are in the form of apartments or units. Each facility provides assistance with ADLs. Level of assistance may vary depending on the level of care the facility is licensed for. Monthly prices range from $1,800 to $4,500.

Alzheimer's/Memory Care- An assisted living facility consisting of a secure environment geared towards the specific needs of seniors with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. The staff has additional training to care for those who suffer from dementia. Many facilities offer specific activities geared towards memory loss in order to keep residents active, motivated and stimulated. Monthly prices range from $2,600 to $6,000.

Nursing Home/Skilled Nursing Facility- A facility consisting of skilled nursing care for seniors 24 hours a day. Registered/licensed nurses are on staff 24 hours a day. Therapeutic services are provided to residents when needed. The number of beds varies between facilities, and can range from 11 to over 100 beds. Monthly prices range from $4,000 to $6,000.

Home Care/Home Health Care- There are a variety of services offered to seniors who require assistance with their ADLs but wish to remain in their own home. Home Care agencies provide non-medical services including assistance with meal preparation, laundry services, bathing, dressing and other daily tasks. Home Health agencies provide medical care provided by licensed medical professionals as well as assistance with ADLs. Prices for home care range from $15 to $19/hr, and $100/hr for home health care.

Adult Day Health Care- A facility consisting of structured programs for seniors during the day. Such programs include meals, social activities, and therapy. Adult Day Care is often used for respite care for caregivers who work during the day, or need a break from daily caregiving duties. Facilities range from 16 to 100 seniors. Daily prices range from $40 to $100 depending on the program.

You have permission to use this article as long as the author's full bio is present as well as any hyperlinks to author's website.

Torey Farnsworth has over 12 years of experience working with seniors. Ms. Farnsworth’s vast expertise encompasses a wide variety of senior issues ranging from adult care to elder law. Her legal experience includes long term care planning, estate planning, ALTCS eligibility and Medicaid planning. Ms. Farnsworth is also a certified caregiver with the State of Arizona as well as a Certified Senior Advisor. Ms. Farnsworth has spent her career in senior care as her family owns and operates assisted living homes.

Ms. Farnsworth owns and operates a senior care placement business in Arizona called Horizon Senior Care Referral. Her placement services are free to seniors and their families. For information on placement services in Arizona, visit http://www.adultcarecentral.com

Could Underarm Deodorant Be Linked To Breast Cancer?

The Dangers About Your Personal Care Products That May Shock You Or Harm You

I would like to ask you these shocking questions:

Could the underarm deodorant you're using be linked to Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer?

It could if it has aluminum in it. Check the the back of the label.

Could the mouthwash you use be linked to oral/throat cancer?

It could if it has alcohol in it. Again, check the back of the label.

Could you be using engine degreaser or garage floor cleaner to wash your hair and brush your teeth?

Could you be rubbing antifreeze and/or break fluid all over you and your children without even knowing it? If you think that people are aware of these statistics, they are not, and that can be terribly dangerous!

What You Don't Know Can Hurt You

Take a look at the ingredients on the back of those lotions, moisturizers, hair conditioners, wrinkle creams, or baby wipes. Just about everybody has at least one of these five products in their homes. If you check the back of the label of those products just mentioned, most likely you will find an ingredient called Propylene Glycol. Did you know that you can find this same ingredient in the back of a container of prestone antifreeze. That ingredient has been proven to cause kidney and liver damage once it's absorbed into the bloodstream.

Next, take a look in the back of a label of a bottle of shampoo, or a tube of toothpaste. Most likely, you will find something called Sodium Lauryl or Laureth Sulfate (SLS or SLES) which are found in engine degreasers and garage floor cleaners. Once these lethal ingredients are absorbed into the bloodstream, studies have shown that they can cause abnormal development of children eyes, cataracts, and even hair loss! That's something I never knew and really surprised me!

This Information Was Not Meant To Scare You, But To Inform You

This information wasn't given to you to scare you, but to help you make a wise decision about your health and your families as well when it comes to personal care products. Scientists say that long term exposure to ingredients such as Sodium Lauryl or Laureth Sulfate (SLS or SLES) could start to build up on your liver, kidneys, and many other vital organs and tissues, which could eventually lead to cancer. The government knew that these ingredients were being added to these personal care products and didn't do anything about it. That was definitely shocking to me!

To learn more about the harmful ingredients that go into personal care products, please visit: http://www.ad-alyzer.com/727/product_watch. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this article.

About The Author

Hello, my name is Reginald Turner. After learning what goes into the products we use and what it can cause, that not only cause me to take action for myself, but for my family as well when it comes to personal care products. I hope this article inspires you to do the same.

kosheer7@optonline.net

Symptoms and risk factors of high blood pressure

High blood pressure or what is medically referred to as hypertension affects about 80 million Americans. Today, it is the most common of all the cardiovascular diseases in industrialized nations and is in fact the leading cause of stroke and heart attack. The figure actually translates to one of every four Americans or probably even more because most do not even know that they have one. In fact, in studies conducted, it was found that about 30 percent of the people affected by high blood pressure are not even aware of the condition until after it has gone past the serious stage.

Awareness Campaign

This is perhaps why there are a lot of efforts being done to create awareness of the condition. Alarmed by the increasing mortality rates of the problem, medical practitioners especially cardiologists stress the importance of regularly monitoring high blood pressure, as this will help prevent the condition from developing into coronary heart disease and even stroke.

Signs and symptoms

Regular high blood pressure check-ups are the only way to go for unlike other medical conditions, hypertension does not exhibit signs and symptoms specific to the problem. Headaches, dizziness and nosebleeds, which frequently occur with people with high blood pressure will often mistake the symptoms from ordinary physical ailments, often from stress.

Some people with mild cases of high blood pressure or hypertension will feel a dull ache or pain as well as numbness at the back of the neck when they wake up in the morning. Other symptoms include: Excessive perspiration; muscle cramps; weakness; frequent urination and rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations). There will also be chest pains or tightness near the heart, nausea, swelling of the legs and even memory loss.

These symptoms, however, do not typically manifest until after hypertension has advanced to the more serious stage, which is often already life threatening. That is if they do manifest at all. Most people do not even manifest any symptoms and what is dangerous about "not knowing" is that they would continue doing the things that would further exacerbate the conditions.

In addition to not having any symptoms, high blood pressure can strike anybody. Although there are people who are more likely to develop the condition, high blood pressure can happen to almost everybody.

A lifestyle problem

Unlike other diseases caused by virus or bacteria, hypertension is essentially a lifestyle problem. Those who are most at risk are those whose diet consist of food rich in fats and cholesterol, those who love to eat salty foods and those who are fond of drinking alcoholic beverages as this can increase the pressure of the blood. Age is also a factor. The older one gets, the greater the risk in developing hypertension. This is because as one gets older, the less likely that the body can process fats and cholesterol. Hypertension, in fact, occurs most often in people who are over 35 years old. Men seem to develop the condition more often than women between ages 35 to 55. Women, however, develop the condition after menopause.

People with family history of heart disease and high blood pressure may also be more susceptible to developing the condition. Lack of physical activity may also be a factor although moderation is advised because too much physical activities and strenuous work can also exacerbate the condition. Other risk factors that may play a role in the development of the problem are stress and race.

Mild Exercise Induced Asthma

If your doctor has diagnosed mild exercise induced asthma, there are a number of things you should know to help you manage your condition more efficiently. The most important of these is - is it really mild exercise induced asthma?

Doctors used to believe that exercise induced asthma was a different kind of asthma than the type that causes shortness of breath and nighttime coughing. They supported their beliefs about this with the fact that exercise induced asthma was seldom diagnosed in adults. The reason for that turned out to be far simpler than doctors expected: children get short of breath after exercising more often than adults because children are more likely to engage in physical activity than adults. Not only that, those adults most likely to engage in vigorous physical activity are also most likely to be fit.

So what does all this have to do with a diagnosis of mild exercise induced asthma? Simply this: in at least two studies at the University of Iowa's pulmonary division, more than half the children and adults who had been told by doctors that they had exercise induced asthma actually had nothing wrong with them at all. They simply believed that they should be able to engage in more physical activity than they could before getting out of breath. For those people, medication had no effect, since lungs can't be induced to take in more than 100% of their capacity of air.

If, on the other hand, you have asthma, exercise is one of the things that can trigger an asthma attack. More specifically, the increased needs of your body for air during exercise can trigger an asthma attack. On the other hand, doctors have also found that mild exercise is an excellent way to increase your overall health and increase your lung capacity. So what's the answer?

There are several, according to doctors who specialize in treating asthma. First, choose your exercise wisely. Swimming is a hands-down favorite exercise for people with asthma because the air is not dry or irritating. The stretching and extension associated with swimming may also help keep chest and bronchial muscles looser than other exercises. Some other things you can do to reduce the chances of having an asthma attack when you exercise include:

Do not exercise outdoors when the air is cold and dry. Cold, dry air is an asthma trigger in and of itself. Exercising encourages faster, deeper breathing, which simply gets cold air into your lungs that much faster. If your preferred exercise requires it - say, if you're a skier - try wearing a face mask when you ski to help trap warm, moist air for you to breathe.

Do not exercise vigorously when pollen counts are high or air quality is low. The same thing applies as applies to cold air. When you exercise, you are breathing harder, faster and taking in more of the irritants than you would if you were more sedate.

Use your inhaler about 15 minutes before exercising. If you're prone to shortness of breath and asthma attacks when exercising, taking 1-2 puffs from your inhaler about 15 minutes before a workout, game or gym class may relax the bronchial tubes enough to avoid problems.

High blood pressure medications

High blood pressure medications are given to control and treat elevated blood pressure. High blood pressure medications need to be carefully monitored by a competent physician to ensure the optimum dosage is prescribed.

Whatever the type of drug used, the renal function needs to be tested on a regular basis. This is a good indicator of how well the medication is working and controlling the high blood pressure.

Diuretics are often chosen as one of the high blood pressure medications. This is prescribed particularly in edema cases due to multifaceted causal factors like cardiomyopathy or enlargement of the heart. Frusemide is a very generally used medication for this type of problem, but there is a problem of potassium loss when taking Frusemide, thus causing hypokalemia. This can be overcome by prescribing a potassium supplement.

Alpha blockers are also used in the treatment of high blood pressure. These act by reducing the passing of impulses to blood vessels so there is free flow of blood within the arteries and veins.

Alpha-beta blockers block regions in heart and thereby causing reduced amounts of blood pumped out by heart, with subsequent reduction in blood pressure may also be used as one of the high blood pressure medications. Nervous system inhibitors, angiotensin antagonists, vasodilators are routinely used in tackling of high blood pressure.

High blood pressure medications often comprise of medications such as broad spectrum antibiotics. If the patient has concurrent infections in the body, care needs to be exercised to avoid organ damage by prescribed drugs. For example, the renal system may be affected and doxycycline may not damage renal tissue unlike other tetracycline group of medications.

Similarly, drugs like non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers should not be used in cases of persons having tachycardia or other types of cardiac arrhythmias. There can be specific problems with usage of these types of drugs, particularly when the drugs related to high blood pressure medications are to be used for a long time.

Though high blood pressure medications are effective, one should not forget the basics of treating high blood pressure such as a change in the life style of people who are prone to hypertension. Drugs can control the symptoms, but a change in lifestyle and eating habits can often make them disappear altogether which is much more effective. Taking drugs can often have unwelcome side effects on other organs of the body especially if not prescribed correctly.

Exercise and Hypertension

Exercise is usually an activity that comes at the bottom of many peoples "to do list"; when in reality it should be at the top. Exercise is important because it helps to keep our heart nice and healthy, assists in keeping our blood pressure within normal limits and gives us a good feeling factor.

When deciding on what type of exercise to start especially if you suffer from high blood pressure you should take a couple of considerations into account. The first one (and probably the most important one), is it should be an exercise you enjoy, because if you enjoy it, you're more likely to stick to it.

The second consideration you should take into account when planning your exercise regime is it must be a rhythmic exercise, because if it's rhythmic, it will be more likely you are using the larger muscle groups in your body. Taking a brisk walk or going swimming are ideal examples of a rhythmic type of exercise.

Many people complain they can't swim or they dislike walking as they live in either a dangerous or polluted environment. However this is an excellent chance to think outside the box and really go for a complete change of ideas and thoughts.

For instance, how do you know you don't like swimming if you have never learnt how to do it? Book yourself onto a course of swimming lessons and give yourself the opportunity to learn. It's also an excellent way of meeting new friends plus you are learning a new skill.

Walking can be done in places other than your immediate neighbourhood. Look in your local newspaper or guide to see if there are any walking clubs in your area (I bet there are), buy yourself a pair of stout boots and some suitable clothes, and join up.

Walking clubs plan some super excursions to all types of lovely places, and it's a wonderful way of not only helping you to become fit and reduce your blood pressure, but you also get a chance to see some of the lovely countryside that otherwise you would probably have missed. You can visit your local park or nearest open space to start practicing your walking skills.

At the end of the day, the secret of any exercise regime whether it is to just get fit, or help your health problems is to start it modestly. Another tip is to keep it to yourself. If you tell other people about your plans to take up exercise, you may find yourself the butt of their good natured teasing. You may also find you put yourself under stress because you know they are watching you and just waiting to slip up. Many people feel guilty when they see other people making an effort to do something they know they should be doing, and seeing them fail helps to keep them in their comfort zone.

Finally make sure you tell your doctor of your plans to take up exercise. If you do have some health problems such as hypertension or cardiovascular disease, he may want to check you over to make sure he's happy for you to start. He will also probably give you a lecture about not over doing it. Having said all that, he will also probably be very pleased that you're making the effort.

Beat the pressure - types of blood pressure medication

Your blood pressure is a powerful force which causes blood to stream through the body from the arteries where the pressure is high, throughout the organs of the body, and into the veins where the pressure becomes low. Your blood pressure is generated by the pumping of blood by your heart into the arteries as well as resistance to the flow of blood by your arteries.

Systolic blood pressure (which is the top number of your blood pressure) represents the pressure in your arteries occurring as the muscle of the heart contract and pump blood into the arteries. The diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) represents the pressure in the arteries when the muscle of the heart relaxes after it contracts.

Medicinal cures for hypertension

Medications used to treat hypertension or high blood pressure, are called anti-hypertensive's. There are several types or classes of anti-hypertensive drugs, used to treat high blood pressure and each type has an effect on a person's blood pressure in different ways.

After careful consideration, a doctor will choose an antihypertensive medication that is best for a patient's age, medical history and any other medical factor he feels is relevant. It's important he gets it right.

There are many kinds of high blood pressure medicines. Many people with high blood pressure have swelling to their ankles for instance. This is because of a build up of fluid in their body.

Diuretics or "water pills" enable this excess fluid to be flushed out of the body when urinating. This then reduces the blood volume in the body which also helps in reducing the blood pressure. Other types of anti- hypertensive medicines assist in relaxing tight blood vessels which helps the flow of blood run more smoothly.

Because there is no known cure for hypertension, treatment for high blood pressure is normally a life-long process with the blood pressure being monitored on a regular basis to ensure patients are receiving optimum effect from their medication.

A standard blood pressure reading for healthy adults is usually shown to be below 120 systolic and 80 diastolic, or 120/80. Nonetheless, age and a medical history should always be taken into account as older people tend to have higher blood pressure readings.

Modifying your lifestyle is an excellent way of reducing your blood pressure. A person with high blood pressure who is overweight, and takes very little exercise, would probably find that modifying their lifestyle would assist in reducing their blood pressure to an acceptable level without the need to take medication.

A person with Stage 1 or Stage 2 hypertension usually requires two or more types of medicine to control their blood pressure.

Types of Blood Pressure Medications

Diuretics

Diuretics work in the kidney and flush excess water and minerals from the body. They have to be carefully monitored though as it is easy to overdose and deplete the body of important minerals.

Beta-blockers

Beta-blockers decrease nerve impulses to the heart and blood vessels. This helps the heart beat slower and less forcefully. The blood pressure then drops to a more acceptable level and the work of the heart is made much easier.

ACE inhibitors

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors avoid the formation of a hormone called angiotensin II. This hormone usually causes blood vessels to narrow which then forces the blood pressure to go up to quite often dangerous levels. ACE inhibitors cause the vessels to relax and the blood pressure can be maintained at a more acceptable level.

Angiotensin antagonists

Angiotensin antagonists also protect blood vessels from angiotensin II. this ensures the blood vessels become wide enough for the blood to flow smoothly and helps the blood pressure reduce.

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs)

CCBs prevent calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels. This causes blood vessels to relax and pressure goes down to a more acceptable level.

Alpha-blockers

These lessen nerve impulses to blood vessels. This then allows blood to pass through the arteries more easily, causing the blood pressure to reduce.

Alpha-beta-blockers

Alpha-beta-blockers work in a similar way to alpha-blockers. However they also slow down the heartbeat, as beta-blockers do. This means less blood is pumped through the blood vessels and the blood pressure reduces accordingly.

Nervous system inhibitors

These relax the blood vessels by controlling and monitoring nerve impulses. This causes the blood vessels to become wider so the blood can flow more easily. This then encourages the blood pressure to reduce.

Vasodilators

These work by opening up the blood vessels. They relax muscles in the blood vessel walls this then helps the blood pressure to reduce. However vasodilators can have side effects such as severe headaches.

Asthma Cough Productive Treatment

A persistent, chronic, nighttime cough is one of the most common symptoms of mild asthma. It also can be a symptom of several other pulmonary problems. If your child coughs often at night, how do you tell if it's asthma - or something else?

Without a medical evaluation, you really can't. Even doctors find it difficult to diagnose asthma when its only presenting symptom is nighttime coughing. In general, an asthma cough is a non-productive cough - one that doesn't bring up any mucus. It may sound as if something is rattling, or have a wheeze at the end of it. More often than not, there's a spasmodic quality to the cough - it may continue until the child is completely out of breath and gagging, or even until they actually vomit.

What if your child is coughing up mucus and sputum? Well, say doctors, chances are that it's not an asthma cough if it's productive. In most cases, a productive cough accompanies a cold, or lingers for a week or two beyond it. It may also be a symptom of other seriously lung problems, though, so if a cough persists more than 5-7 days, be certain to contact your doctor. Treatment of a night-time cough obviously depends on the underlying cause of the cough, but most doctors agree that if a cough is productive, treatment shouldn't suppress the cough, since the body needs to bring up all the 'junk' that's clogging the lungs and airways. In fact, if there's obvious congestion that isn't being brought up, an expectorant can help break it up and allow it to be coughed out.

Asthma coughs, on the other hand, are most often dry coughs caused by bronchial spasms. Since there's nothing to bring up, there's no way for an asthma cough to be 'productive', though you may hear rattling or 'crinkling' sounds if you listen to the chest of a child when they cough. Most doctors now believe that the actual cause of an asthma cough is an irritant or allergen of some kind that sets off an excessive immune reaction. The airways swell as histamine is produced, and the muscles around the bronchial passages go into spasms to attempt to force the irritant up through them.

When dealing with an asthma cough, productive treatment should include regular use of a bronchodilator to help loosen up the muscles around the bronchial tubes. Those muscles put a stranglehold on the airways and make it almost impossible to force air in and out of them. Relaxing them can soothe the most evident symptom of childhood nighttime asthma. Productive treatment often also includes the use of an anti-inflammatory - most often inhaled steroids - to reduce chronic swelling of the bronchioles and make it easier for them to empty.

You can also try a few 'natural remedies' to help reduce episodes of night-time asthma coughing - as long as you keep using the treatment your doctor gave you. Some herbalists suggest a cup of hot black or green tea with honey before bedtime - the theophyline and caffeine in the tea are both older treatments for asthma, and the honey can sooth a dry, irritated throat. Add a banana or two to your daily diet, or make sure to eat plenty of magnesium-rich vegetables and meats - magnesium helps control muscle contraction, and many people with asthma have low magnesium levels. Finally, avoid having irritants in your (or the child's) bedroom. No pets, no stuffed animals, nothing that might trap dust mites or dust - major causes of allergic reactions in childhood asthma.

Asbestos Related Lung Cancer

For most of the last century, asbestos was known as the miracle mineral. It was used extensively in building for insulation, and woven into nearly every type of item that could be manufactured. As early as 1897, there were reports that asbestos could cause serious lung damage in those that were exposed to it, but those reports were either intentionally suppressed or ignored. By 1931, though, the British government had started to take action to address the concerns about lung cancer in those who worked with asbestos. By the early 1970s, the United States government had followed suit and begun to formulate safety rules for handling asbestos. By that time, it was about fifty years too late for thousands upon thousands who had been exposed to asbestos in the workplace, the home and the environment.

The effects of exposure to asbestos in the environment and the workplace include lung scarring, pleural plaques, asbestosis, lung cancer and a particularly virulent, aggressive cancer known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is related almost exclusively to exposure to asbestos. It is cancer of the pleura - the lining around the lungs rather than in the lungs themselves. Even a very short term exposure decades ago may result in mesothelioma. Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma dramatically. A smoker who was exposed to asbestos has a 50 to 90 times greater chance of developing lung cancer, including mesothelioma than a non-smoker. By contrast, a non-smoker exposed to asbestos has a five times greater chance of developing lung cancer.

Mesothelioma and other asbestos related lung cancers are diagnosed through a combination of medical history, imaging technologies like x-rays, MRIs and CAT scans, and biopsy and tissue sampling. Those who know that they were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or environment should have regular screenings for lung abnormalities, as the incubation period between exposure and development of lung cancer can be as long as 50 years.

As with any lung cancer, early diagnosis is the best indicator of survival. The generally accepted statistics for those who are diagnosed with asbestos related lung cancer or mesothelioma are grim. In some cases, a patient diagnosed with mesothelioma may be told that his life expectancy is 8-12 weeks, but there are many mitigating factors that may affect that. Patients in some clinical trials that use a multi-treatment approach to treating mesothelioma have approached a 40% five year survival rate - nearly that of those diagnosed with other types of lung cancer.

Mesothelioma seems to respond best to aggressive treatment that combines surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Because mesothelioma is so often diagnosed in the later stages, surgery is seldom an option, but there are some promising new advances in chemotherapy to treat asbestos related lung cancers.

In February of 2004, the FDA approved the first drug specifically to treat mesothelioma, Alimta manufactured by Eli Lilly. Clinical trials with Alimta showed that using Alimta in combination with another drug commonly used to treat lung cancers, cisplatin, increased the life expectancy of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. In a time where new advances are happening nearly on a weekly basis, even a few months of extended life can offer hope for a cure.

Alcohol and blood pressure

Alcohol has a significant effect on high blood pressure, so it's important people pay more attention on the association of alcohol and blood pressure and its effect on their health.

People who drink excess amounts of alcohol often show signs of having higher blood pressure then non-excessive drinkers. This becomes significant, especially in cases where people are regular drinkers. If the alcohol intake is kept fairly limited i.e. occasional drinking then the blood pressure level is not so prone to lean towards dangerously high levels.

For example, a person may have an alcoholic beverage, such as twelve ounces of beer or five ounces of wine, each of which is considered a single drink per day, Therefore males may take one or two drinks and be within safe levels. But a female may take only one drink in comparison to this as females do not have the same level of tolerance towards alcohol as males. When, the intake of alcohol is increased over this safe level by both sexes, there is an impact on the elasticity of the blood vessels and this in turn can increase their blood pressure reading towards medically dangerous levels.

Alcohol and blood pressure changes due to drinking habits are causes for concern by physicians who deal with these types of hypertension patients, as other problems they need to take into account are people drinking alcohol in excess may develop weight increase problems due to the increase in calories.

If the blood pressure is raised because of weight problems, then yet further medication may have to be administered to control the high blood pressure. This can be difficult to prescribe as the alcohol in the person's body can have an adverse effect on the medication being prescribed for them.

Considering the strong association between alcohol and raised blood pressure, it's obvious that drinking less alcohol is much more preferable to drinking excessively large amounts. Therefore people with cardiac disorders such as myocarditis, severe hypertension or congestive cardiac failure should avoid alcohol based beverages if at all possible. If they cannot avoid alcohol completely, they should keep their drinking down to a very low level.

Though calcium and magnesium in the body can become decreased due to the intake of alcohol, supplementing them may cause their own indirect problems such as increases in blood pressure. Therefore any patient with an alcohol dependence problem should have all their medications very thoroughly and carefully prescribed and monitored by their physician taking their alcohol dependence into account.

Anyone with a drinking problem is prone to increased blood pressure and one of the problems of trying to correct the blood pressure with medication is the effect alcohol has on the prescription. It can very often enhance its potency thus causing further medical problems.

Any patient who has an alcohol problem and raised blood pressure should be advised and encouraged to reduce their drinking as much as possible. Guidelines and limits should be given for drinking by their physician and these should be adhered to as much as possible by the patient.

A Lung Cancer Glossary - O - Z

A Lung Cancer Glossary - O - Z

A diagnosis of lung cancer - or even the possibility of it - can plunge someone into a world of unfamiliar words and terms for tests, conditions, medicines and treatments. Knowing the words that your health care provider is using can help you make good decisions about treatment options and choices. Below are definitions of many of the terms that you'll encounter when discussing lung cancer with your treatment providers.

> peripheral neuropathy (puh-RIF-uh-rul noo-RAH-puh-thee) - A side effect of some anti-cancer drugs. Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet. > PET scan -Positron emission tomography scan. An imaging technique that may be used to find cancer in the body, or to determine how active the cancer is. > phlegm (flem) - Thick mucus from the airways of the body. > pleura (PLOO-ruh) - The thin lining that covers the lungs and the inside of the chest wall that cushions the lungs. Mesothelioma is cancer of the pleura. > pleural effusion (PLOO-rul eh-FYOO-zhin) - When too much fluid collects between the lining of the lung and the lining of the inside wall of the chest. A doctor may collect the pleural fluid and examine it for the presence of cancerous cells. pneumonectomy (noo-muh-NEK-tuh-mee) - removal of a lung. Pneumonectomy is one of the surgeries that may be used to remove a cancer from the body > primary cancer - The first or original cancer. > prognosis (prahg-NOH-sis) - The course a disease is likely to follow and its projected outcome > pulmonologist (pull-min-AH-luh-jist) - A doctor who specializes in studying and treating diseases of the lungs. > Quercetin (KWUR-suh-tin) - A flavonoid found in apples, green tea and a number of other foods. In at least one study, people who had diets high in quercetin had a 58% lower chance of developing lung cancer than those with lower quercetin intakes. A nutritionist may suggest quercetin supplements or adding more foods containing quercetin to the diet to help prevent recurrence of cancer > Radiation therapy (ray-dee-AY-shin THAIR-a-pee) - Cancer treatment that kills cancer cells by exposing them to radiation. > radiation oncologist (RAY-dee-YAY-shun ahn-KAH-luh-jist) - A doctor who has special training to treat cancer patients with radiation. > radon (RAY-dahn) - An odorless, colorless gas known to increase risk of lung cancer. The EPA estimates that up to 15% of all homes have dangerous levels of radon > recurrence - Cancer that returns after a period of time when there was no cancer. > resection - Surgery to remove tissue, an organ, or part of an organ. A lung resection is one form of surgery used to treat early stage lung cancer. > Selenium (suh-LEN-ee-um) - A mineral that is required in small amounts by the body. The National Cancer Institute is in third stage of clinical trials to study the effects of selenium supplements on preventing recurrence of cancer. Some doctors and nutritionists recommend adding selenium to the diet of patients who've undergone treatment for lung cancer based on the early results from the trials. > small cell lung cancer - A type of lung cancer made up of small, round cells. SCLC is rarer than non-small cell lung cancer, spreads more rapidly and is harder to treat. > sputum (SPYOO-tim) - Mucus brought up from the lungs when you cough > sputum cytology (SPEW-tim sie-TAH-luh-jee) - A screening test for lung cancer in which doctors study the sputum to see if it contains any cancerous cells. > squamous cell carcinoma (SQUAY-mus SEL kar-sin-OH-muh) - A type of non-small cell lung cancer that begins in the squamous cells of the lungs. > stage - How far the cancer has advanced. Treatment options and prognoses are based on the stage of the diagnosed cancer > Thoracic surgeon - a surgeon who specializes in treating diseases of the lungs, chest and heart > TNM - A system for describing stages of cancer. T describes the size of the tumor and whether it has grown into nearby tissues. N describes any lymph nodes involved. M describes metastasis. > trachea (TRAY-kee-yuh) - The airway connecting the larynx to the lungs; windpipe.

A Lung Cancer Glossary - A - C

A diagnosis of lung cancer - or even the possibility of it - can plunge someone into a world of unfamiliar words and terms for tests, conditions, medicines and treatments. Knowing the words that your health care provider is using can help you make good decisions about treatment options and choices. Below are definitions of many of the terms that you'll encounter when discussing lung cancer with your treatment providers.

> adenocarcinoma (ADD-in-oh-kar-sin-OH-muh) - a type of small cell lung cancer > adjuvant therapy (ADD-joo-vent THAIR-uh-pee) - Treatment given after the main treatment to help cure a disease. For instance, chemotherapy given after surgery to kill off any remaining cancer cells is adjuvant therapy. > antiangiogenesis therapy (AN-tee-an-jee-oh-JEN-uh-sis THAIR-uh-pee) - a treatment that stops new blood vessels from forming in tumors, thereby limiting tumor growth. > asbestos (ess-BEST-iss) - a natural material made from a mineral. Asbestos was widely used for nearly a century. The tiny fibers of asbestos can become trapped in the lungs, causing lung cancer many decades later. > biological therapy (bye-uh-LAH-juh-kul THAIR-uh-pee) - Treatment to increase the body's immune response to cancer. Also called immunotherapy > biopsy (BY-ah-psee) - To remove cells or tissues from the body for testing and examination under a microscope. > bronchi (BRAHNK-eye) - The large airways that connect the windpipe to the lungs. > bronchial carcinoma (BRAHN-kee-yul kar-sin-OH-muh) - Cancer that grows in the > bronchi - the large airways that connect the lungs to the windpipe. > bronchoscopy (brahn-KAH-skuh-pee) - Using a lighted tube to look inside the windpipe, the bronchi or the lungs. The tube is inserted through the patient's nose or throat and is often used to help doctors find cancerous sites. > CAT scan - Computerized axial tomography. Also called a CT scan. A set of detailed pictures taken from different angles of the inside of the body. The pictures are combined to provide a three-dimensional cross section that can help doctors pinpoint the location of a tumor. > cervical mediastinoscopy (SUR-vuh-kul MEE-dee-eh-stye-NAH-skuh-pee) - A surgical procedure that allows doctors to examine the center of the chest. It can help doctors determine the stage of lung cancer and determine if it has spread to the lymph nodes. The doctor inserts a special instrument through a small incision made in the neck in order to see the inside of the chest. > chemoprevention (KEE-moh-preh-VEN-shin) - Using drugs, vitamins and other means to try to prevent or slow the progress of cancer. It may be used to prevent the recurrence of cancer after treatment. > chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAIR-up-ee) - Using drugs to treat cancer. > chest X-ray - An X-ray of the inside of the chest is often the first step in diagnosing lung cancer and determining the location of a tumor or lesion. > clinical trial - A kind of research study where patients volunteer to test new ways of screening for, preventing, finding, or treating a disease. Clinical trials may provide the best chance of survival or treatment in cases of lung cancer that are not otherwise treatable, or offer options that are not available through traditional cancer treatments.

A Lung Cancer Glossary - D -

A diagnosis of lung cancer - or even the possibility of it - can plunge someone into a world of unfamiliar words and terms for tests, conditions, medicines and treatments. Knowing the words that your health care provider is using can help you make good decisions about treatment options and choices. Below are definitions of many of the terms that you'll encounter when discussing lung cancer with your treatment providers.

> Dysphagia (dis-FAY-jee-yuh) - Trouble swallowing. > Dyspnea (DISP-nee-yuh) - Shortness of breath. > EGFR inhibitors - Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors. A class of anti-cancer drugs that block cancer cells from reproducing and growing. > Emphysema (em-fuh-ZEE-muh) - A disease that affects the tiny air sacs in the lungs. > Extensive stage SCLC - the latter stage of small cell lung cancer. Extensive SCLC is cancer that has spread beyond the lungs and into other parts of the body. > First line therapy - the first course of treatment used against a disease. > Gene therapy - A treatment that changes the structure of the genes. It may be used to help the body fight cancer, or to alter cancer cells to make them more susceptible to treatment > Large cell cancer - A type of cancer where the cells are large and abnormal. > Larynx - the voice box. It is often affected in cases of lung cancer. > Limited stage SCLC - Early stage small cell lung cancer. Limited stage SCLC is cancer that is still confined to the lung where it started. It offers the best chance for treatment. > Lobe - a part of an organ, particularly a lung. > Lobectomy - surgery to remove a lobe of an organ. In lung cancer, if the cancer is confined to a single lobe of one lung, a lobectomy may be performed to remove the cancer. > Lymph nodes - Small glands located throughout the body. Lymph glands filter a fluid called lymph that contains white blood cells. They're a vital part of the body's immune system. One aspect of determining the stage of a cancer is to determine whether the lymph nodes have been invaded by cancerous cells. > Mediastinum (mee-dee-uh-STYE-nim) - The area between the lungs where the heart, esophagus, bronchi and windpipe are located. > Mesothelioma (mez-uh-thee-lee-YOH-muh) - A tumor in the lining of the lungs. Mesothelioma is linked almost exclusively to asbestos exposure. > Metastasis (muh-TASS-tuh-sis) -the process by which cancer spreads to other parts of the body > Metastasized - cancer that has spread beyond its original site. Once cancer has metastasized, it is in the later stages and difficult to control or treat. > MRI - Magnetic resonance imaging. MRIs may be used to locate and view tumors. > Neoadjuvant therapy (NEE-oh-ADD-joo-vent THAIR-uh-pee) - Treatment given before the primary or main treatment. For instance, giving a course of medicine to sensitize cancer cells to radiation is neoadjuvant therapy to the radiation therapy, which is the main treatment. > Nutritionist (noo-TRISH -uhn-ist) - a medical professional who studies nutrition and diet. A nutritionist can help develop a healthy diet, and recommend particular foods and supplement that may help reduce side effects of cancer treatment, and prevent recurrence of cancer after treatment > Oat cell cancer - another name for small cell lung cancer. It's a descriptive name used because the small cells look like grains of oat. > Oncologist (ahn-KAH-luh-jist) - A cancer specialist

Foods that lower blood pressure

Foods that lower blood pressure should be consumed by anyone who suffers from or is in danger of raised blood pressure. Drugs are important in reducing the blood pressure, but natural blood pressure lowering foods should be eaten as often as possible.

Garlic as well as onions can lower the blood pressure, as the case with multiple varieties of vegetables. Fish oil can also be considered one of the foods that lower blood pressure.

Increased cholesterol can have an unfavorable impact on the blood pressure as it can encourage it to rise to unhealthy levels. Low fat dairy food is priority food items suitable for people with increased blood pressure.

Fruit and vegetables are a major part of the blood pressure lowering food group, this includes Oranges, potatoes, and cabbage etc. Some of these can also be useful in supplying vitamin C which is also useful in assisting with lowering blood pressure.

Low fat yogurt, cheese without fat or with less fat, low calories cheese, cottage cheese with fat levels of just one per cent are other examples of the few dairy products that have advantage as foods that lower blood pressure. These dairy products are capable of reducing the blood pressure in the hypertensive patients quite effectively, mainly because of the low fat content in them. Therefore it's important the label of any dairy product is checked carefully for the amount of fat it contains.

Excess alcohol especially on a daily basis can raise the blood pressure; alcohol should always be taken in moderate amounts especially by a person in a hypertensive state.

Foods that lower blood pressure should have the sodium content carefully monitored as sodium is well known to increase blood pressure.

Non-vegetarians should choose meat with less fat. For example, the white meat that comprises chicken or turkey without skin may be considered one of the foods that lower blood pressure. Similarly, egg white may be chosen instead of whole eggs as the yolk is thought to contain high levels of cholesterol.

Calcium and vitamins like vitamin E are usually associated with factors that cause reduction in the blood pressure and omega-3 fatty acids are another food that is considered to be healthy.

Eating a healthy diet which comprises of all the right foods, can have huge benefits to a person with high blood pressure and can often be the deciding factor of whether they need to take hypertensive drugs or not.

You're never too old to change your lifestyle. and you'll see the benefits of changing eating patterns not only in the reducing of high blood pressure, but also the added bonus of weight loss.

Heart Failure and High Blood Pressure

Over time, even a moderately raised blood pressure can greatly increase the workload of the left side of the heart. The heart is endeavouring to pump as much blood as it can into the aorta and the rest of the arterial system against an ever increasing resistance which is offered by the constricted and diseased arterioles.

Enlargement of the heart can be detected by different types of examinations which include a physical examination, chest x-ray and an ECG (Electrocardiogram).

Any type of muscle tends to become more bulky when it is used excessively, and the muscles of the heart are no exception. One of the earliest signs of heart failure is a thickening in the wall of the left ventricle. This is the lower left sided pumping compartment from which the aorta emerges.

Eventually the continued effort by the heart to continue pumping starts to falter, and the left side starts to show signs of failure. The blood supply to other organs and tissues in the body starts to dwindle with an associated weakness and lethargy in the person affected.

A build up of pressure occurs in the left ventricle which prevents the blood from draining from the lung veins into the atrium which is the upper compartment of the heart. The lung tissues then become congested which produces a cough and breathlessness.

The cough which is produced can be either dry or can produce a frothy blood stained phlegm. It can be especially worse at night and if an acute attack occurs, it can be very frightening to the person involved who will think they are choking to death.

This breathlessness is usually first noticed during a prolonged exercise period, but later as the heart failure becomes progressively worse, it will be apparent even with mild exercise or even at rest.

Unless urgent action is taken, the blood pressure reduced and the heart failure relieved, the right side of the heart will also become affected. The pressure will then build up in the right atrium which will in turn cause back pressure into the veins draining blood into it.

A characteristic outward sign that heart failure has reached this stage is enlargement of the external jugular veins on either side of a person's neck. These veins which carry blood flow from the scalp and face are often partially visible anyway due to their close proximity to the skin, however in the case of this stage of heart failure; they become much more noticeable and can become vulnerable to injury.

Other signs of right sided heart failure include " Swollen feet and ankles. " Enlarged liver, " Swollen abdomen " Reduced urine flow. " Loss of appetite

Highs and Lows-taking control of blood pressure

The heart is a small but powerful pump beating steadily throughout your life and once it stops beating, you die! It circulates five litres of blood around your body every minute. The smaller blood vessels through which blood passes produce a resistance to this blood flow, and the pumping heart action against this resistance creates the blood pressure necessary for the circulation of the blood. This flow of blood is necessary for maintaining nutrition to the major organs, such as the heart, kidneys, liver and brain. So everyone has a blood pressure to sustain their circulation and stay alive.

In today's society, high blood pressure is on the increase, but it's not known as the silent killer for nothing as many people do not have their blood pressure checked or if they do, don't follow their doctors advice. Therefore they are a time bomb just waiting to go off.

Just ignoring your high blood pressure neither cures it or makes it go away and leave you in peace. If you have high blood pressure, you need to deal with it (period). Once you admit to the fact your blood pressure is raised, then you start to deal with it by following the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor, and if necessary making those all important lifestyle changes you probably desperately need to make.

Lifestyle changes can include such radical measures as losing weight, reducing the salt intake in your diet, and if this isn't enough then taking prescribed medication.

Having a high blood pressure does not mean you are terminally ill or you have to "take things easy" (As such anyway). A high blood pressure is a warning to you that your health is being compromised and very often your high blood pressure can be reduced to within normal limits by improving your weight, diet and general lifestyle. It's important though that you still have it monitored on a regular basis. High blood pressure can't be cured, though it can be controlled. Unfortunately once you've been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you'll usually find it's with you for the rest of your life. If you care watching and treating it carefully, it will be fine, but start mistreating your blood pressure and you'll find it will become unstable again.

Understanding your high blood pressure

It's important to see where the fine dividing line is when it comes to blood pressure and whether it is high, low or even normal, because so many different factors depend on the category. High blood pressure affects one in six people, which bluntly is a heck of a lot of people. To compound this, many people are walking around completely unaware their blood pressure is high which makes them a prime candidate for stroke, cardiac disease and other medical problems.

High blood pressure also appears to run in families, so if anyone close to you have high blood pressure, it's always a good idea to keep a close eye on your own.

New Blood Pressure guidelines

New blood pressure guidelines include steps to be followed in regard to high blood pressure and its management. New blood pressure guidelines involve a non-medical approach to the supervision of blood pressure problems in patients such as the use of alternative medicines and healthy lifestyle advice. Earlier guidelines related mostly to an approach to this problem with the use of drugs.

One of the first pieces of advice is to avoid a sedentary lifestyle. This usually means a need for an increase in physical activities. It has been found that many people with high blood pressure benefit from raising their fitness levels as it helps to reduce their elevated blood pressure to within a more normal limit. It has even been suggested that the time of day can also have some effect on the benefits of your exercise with morning being considered the best time to take your exercise.

The new blood pressure guidelines also include recommendations for the successful management of factors relating to stress. Its important people are aware that stress factors increase in various circumstances and stress caused by etiological factors have an unfavorable impact on their blood pressure. Therefore we should be more logical when identifying this stress-causing factor and in discovering strategies to remove those stress factors causing problems. This can be accomplished by examining those areas of our lives which cause us stress and discovering ways of reducing and eliminating it.

Avoiding excess alcohol is another guideline mentioned that assists in reducing blood pressure. Alcohol in small amounts can be beneficial, but when drunk to excess, can cause excess strain on the heart and the organs thus elevating the blood pressure. This is often because of the sheer bulk of the alcohol consumed especially if it is beer.

Diet is also an important factor discussed in new blood pressure guidelines. People with high blood pressure should ensure they avoid food with increased amounts of fat salt and dairy products. All these types of foods have been shown to have a negative effect on blood pressure and when their intake is reduced, the blood pressure goes down.

Excess weight is a predominant factor in high blood pressure, and often just losing excess weight can decrease a person's blood pressure to with normal limits. Many obese people's blood pressure is often at dangerous levels,

Alternate medicines such as herbs or onions and garlic have been discovered to have excellent qualities which help to reduce high blood pressure. Alternate medicine is mentioned in new blood pressure guidelines as an excellent source. Herbs containing L-arginine, which is an amino acid, are very helpful in reducing raised blood pressure. However it is important that anyone who does suffer with high blood pressure discuss alternative medications with their doctor to ensure they are not susceptible to any side effects.

Recent drugs that have been proved effective in the reduction of blood pressure include calcium channel blockers and drugs to take care of side effects like vomiting in an effective manner. Omeprazole for example is a drug that helps in tackling the ulcerative changes caused by anti-inflammatory drugs given to tackle side effects of some drugs related to the management of hypertension.

Reducing Hypertension with Exercise

In today's fast paced society where we live our lives to the very limit, the value of exercise is placed very low on our "to do" list. This is often because by the time we have lived through the rat race of our working day, struggled home, sorted out the children and maybe cooked a meal, we are too exhausted to even contemplate going to the gym or even just going for a walk to unwind or relax.

However the fact remains that exercise is an important fight in the battle against hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Exercise as a treatment in the prevention of these types of diseases is far more cost effective both in monetary and lifestyle terms. Regular exercise has been found to not only improve cardiac problems by up to 300%, but its also been found that people who have these types of diseases can eventually be moved onto lower doses of their medication. This is of course excellent news considering that many of them have some quite severe side effects.

Many people assume they have to join a gym when they start an exercise program, but even though it is an excelle