10 things you need to know about your heart problems
Filed under: Drugs, Women Heart Health, Men Heart Health, Aging Heart Health, Surgery
You've been diagnosed with a heart problem. You have a lot of questions but you can't seem to get your head around this, this thing that's just been dropped on you like bomb. You probably feel very alone but believe it or not, situations like this are pretty common so WebMD has come up with this handy list of things you should ask your doctor about your heart condition. You need to know the facts, what can be done and where you'll end up on this roller coaster of life--and you might not know which questions to ask. Either that or you're too overwhelmed to think it through. You can even print the list out and take it to your doctor.
If you've gone through this before, what information did you find the most useful?
How to get healthy without really trying
Filed under: Diet, Prevention, Exercise
Healthy living is such an ordeal, isn't it? Not really, of course, but it can certainly seem that way if you've spent the better part of the last several years being a couch potato. If you'd like to clean up your lifestyle but the idea of changing too much too soon has been scaring you off, take heart. Experts say that it really doesn't take the much to be healthy. For instance, just adding one serving of fruits and vegetables to every meal will equal three of the recommended 5 to 9 servings. And three 10-minute walks a day are enough to decrease your risk for cardiovascular disease. If you're consistent in adding in small changes to your routine, before you know it your lifestyle will look a lot healthier than it did just a few months ago.
If you're interested in trying out "stealth health," check out these suggestions from WebMD to get started.
Obesity epidemic: Some scary statistics
Filed under: Obesity
We're constantly going on about this obesity epidemic we're in the midst of, and you might be thinking along the lines of 'What's the big deal?' but it is a big deal and according to WebMD it's only getting worse -- exponentially worse.By 2015, it's predicted that 75% of people will be overweight or obese. That might seem like years away, but it's only 8 years from now -- not even a decade. African Americans are expected to be most affected by obesity and Asians will be the least affected. Obesity has more than doubled since the 1970s -- how high does it have to get before we realize that this is a crisis? Will the rate of obese and overweight people ever stop climbing?
So if, in 8 years, you're a healthy weight, you'll be part of a slim minority. Please be part of that minority.
Heart health and family history
Filed under: Family history, Prevention
When we first applied for life insurance, my marathon running husband was shocked to find out that his premium would be twice as high as mine. The reason, according to our agent, was his strong family history of early heart disease. Though we knew that genetics play a role, we thought that a healthy lifestyle would balance things out. Not so, at least in the eyes of life insurance companies.A healthy lifestyle does have a significant impact on your heart health, but if you've been wondering just how much of a role family history plays in your personal risk of cardiovascular disease, check out this article from WebMD. It covers the basics of family history and may help initiate a conversation about prevention with your doctor.
Don't nag: Tips to support a spouse with diabetes
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset
Gerri Weiss's husband, Michael, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 22 years ago. Thanks to feedback from the Weiss family and other experts, WebMD offers the following ways spouses can help their partners with diabetes. Here are six tips along with a short recap of each one:
Tip No. 1: Offer Help, but Don't Be the Diabetes Police: Gerri had to learn that Michael owns his disease, and it was his decision whether or not to share the numbers flashing from his glucose monitor. Gerri and Michael struck a balance by agreeing he would always share if his blood sugars were "ok" or "not ok", without handing over a detailed printout of his daily blood sugar swings. Gerri learned to nag less and rely on Michael to take care of himself.
Tip No. 2: Adopt Healthy Habits for the Whole Household: The Weiss family ate healthier as a unit, thanks to Michael's stricter diet regimen. Bring diabetic cookbooks into the kitchen or learn how to prepare healthier versions of your favorite meals. Keep junk food out of the house.
Tip No. 3: Help Make Time for Exercise: Exercise regularly with your spouse and you can both benefit. Or offer your spouse assistance in daily errands or other duties to yield a window of time for them to exercise.
Tip No. 4: Educate Yourself: Learn how to treat hypoglycemia and carry glucose tablets or other remedies with you at all times. Do not be afraid to call 911 if your spouse loses consciousness.
Tip No. 5: Be Prepared for Mood Swings: Mood swings can be common in a diabetic, especially when facing low blood sugar. Expect them and do not take it personally. Frequent and/or intense mood swings could signal psychological stress -- open up a conversation and discuss counseling options.
Tip No. 6: If Sexual Problems Arise, Talk About It: Whether erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness, vaginal infections or just plain exhaustion from low blood sugar is dampening your physical relationship, talk together about the problem. Counseling or even medical advice can provide valuable help.
If you are a spouse of a diabetic or wondering how your spouse can help you with your diabetes, don't miss this article!
Genes found that predict heart disease
Filed under: Family history, Research
Scientists in Europe have just found 6 specific genes that may be a key to heart disease. Data shows that people with variations in one or more of these genes have a much greater risk of suffering a heart attack or heart disease before the age of 66. These genes only seem to predict risk, however, not the definite future. Not everyone identified with a "genetic predisposition" ultimately gets sick, so it's still very much worthwhile to eat a heart healthy diet and get plenty of exercise.
All soda is evil (the diet ones too)
Having a soda habit isn't healthy, most people know that. But what may surprise you is that all soda is bad for you, diet types included. Recent research shows that as little as 1 soda per day (diet or regular) greatly increases a person's risk for developing metabolic syndrome, which is a precursor for both heart disease and diabetes.The diet soda industry is all up in arms over this news, saying there's no evidence or proof that it's the diet soda that's to blame based on how the study was done. And they're right -- there isn't. But something here is fishy, and considering there's such a significant connection it seems better to cut back on the soda habit and be safe, rather than ignore the connection completely and be sorry.
No kidding around -- kids hearts hurt by secondhand smoke
Filed under: Prevention, Smoking, Women Heart Health
Imagine being 11-years-old and already have artery damage from being exposed to secondhand smoke. That's what researchers from Finland's University of Turku found when they studied 402 children who had either had no exposure to secondhand smoke, light exposure, or heavy exposure.When they did ultrasound testing on the children, they found that those who had been exposed to secondhand smoke had reduced artery function. The more exposed a child was, the greater the damage to their cardiovascular system. Though researchers aren't certain what this means for these kids in the long run, they say that research in adults suggests that this kind of damage is not reversible.
A whopping 60% of kids are exposed to secondhand smoke in the United States. Not only does living with a smoker increase the risk of health problems like asthma, ear infections, and cardiovascular damage, but kids who live with smokers are more likely to smoke themselves.
Warning signs of type 1 diabetes emerge over days or weeks
Filed under: Type 1, Childhood
The recent post about the death of the little girl in Wales from undiagnosed diabetes gave me a heavy heart. It also sparked a memory of the weeks leading up to my brother's type 1 diagnosis.
I actually profited from my brother's warning signs. In the six weeks or so leading up to his diagnosis, he was devoid of energy. He was also incredibly thirsty, trying to satiate a steadily rising blood sugar wracking his teenage body. I was only nine years old, but recall delivering gallons of ice cold water to him as he lethargically lay on the couch. For each gallon, he paid me $1.00. He proposed the deal out of desperate thirst. I only thought it an oddly-made fortune, and happily watched the rising stack of dollars bills.
As my brother's symptoms worsened, my mom's worry and frustration rose. A eureka moment arrived when she watched my brother drag his feet while playing ping-pong with my dad. Suddenly a thought popped in her head -- could it be diabetes? She called a doctor friend, only to have her notion dismissed. Stubbornly suspicious, she headed to a pharmacy to pick up a urine test strip to measure blood glucose ... this was back in the 1970s, remember those? The pharmacist steered her away from the test strips and recommended my brother get a blood test. Long story short, he was tested the next day. His blood sugar was off the charts. The lab had to dilute his blood three times to finally measure a 990 mg/dl blood sugar. After two weeks in the hospital, he was stabilized and sent home on a new regimen for life.
This article in WebMD clearly outlines the warning signs of type 1 diabetes. Early symptoms include frequent urination, extreme thirst, weight loss,and increased hunger (not always) over a few days or weeks. Rapidly rising blood sugar can also result in ketoacidosis, a deadly condition characterized by flushed/hot/dry skin; loss of appetite/abdominal pain/vomiting; strong, fruity breath; rapid, deep breathing; and possible coma.
Spread the word, we need more awareness on early warning signs of type 1 diabetes.
Pomegranate Helps Diabetic Hearts
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Adult Onset, Diet, Research, Products
Pomegranate juice was shown to reduce the risk of arthrosclerosis in diabetics who participated in a study conducted over three months. The pomegranate juice also appeared to slow the absorption of unhealthy LDL cholesterol by immune cells.
People with diabetes have increased risk for atherosclerosis, contributing to coronary heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, and other circulation problems. The results of this study suggest that the antioxidants found in pomegranate juice may be beneficial in reducing these heart-related risks associated with diabetes. The sugars in pomegranate juice are attached to unique antioxidants, which actually make these sugars protective against atherosclerosis. Researchers examined the effects of drinking a concentrated pomegranate juice that is the equivalent to about a 6-ounce glass of freshly squeezed pomegranate juice for three months in 10 healthy adults and 10 adults with type 2 diabetes (who were not dependent on insulin therapy). Drinking pomegranate juice did not affect overall cholesterol levels, but researchers found it reduced the uptake of LDL (bad) cholesterol by immune cells, which is a major contributing factor to atherosclerosis.
Albeit a little tart, the reputation of the pomegranate falls heavily on the sweet side. One pomegranate delivers 40% of an adult's daily vitamin C requirement. Food manufacturers' favor using pomegranate extracts instead of the juice because it contains no sugar, calories, or additives. Factor in the folic acid, the free-radical destroying antioxidants, and the overall health benefits of the Chinese apple and ask your arteries if it's worth a 6 ounce glass. I'm guessing the answer is yes.