Why is Chronic Disease Prevention Important?

What is Chronic Disease? 

Chronic Disease is a condition that is long lasting and cannot be cured. It affects millions of people all over the world. The Center for Disease Control reports that chronic disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Chronic diseases are costly health problems but very often they can be prevented and in many cases controlled. The best way to control chronic disease is to put the patient and the family as the focal point of the situation and help them control it. When the patient and family are working in tandem with hospitals and doctors and taking charge of their illness, the effective management of the disease becomes easier and healthcare costs go down, making it an affordable situation for everyone involved.

Different kinds of chronic diseases 

The definition of a chronic disease is a disease that is almost permanent with no effective cure. The patient will have to live with the disease all their lives. Some well known chronic diseases are

• Allergy
• Alzheimer's Disease Caregivers
• Asthma
• Breast Cancer
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• Heart Disease
• Obesity and Overweight
• The Food and Fitness Environment

How to prevent Chronic Diseases 

Chronic diseases are on the rise today due to many causes. Pollution, bad nutrition, substance abuse, stress factors are just some of the contributors to diseases. The good news is that people are living longer these days but the bad news is that they are not living it healthily. We are a nation filled with people who have healthcare problems and we are unable to cope with it. The effects of the lifestyles of the previous generations are manifesting now. There is nothing much that we can do about existing problems, but we can learn from it, and ensure that we, nor our future generations end up in the same state. It is an unfortunate fact that most of these diseases could have been prevented if people had taken care of themselves.

Let us take a look at some preventable chronic diseases:

Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis etc could be hereditary, in which case it is plain bad luck for you. But here are a few things you can do, to ensure that you are not at a high risk for some of these chronic illnesses.

• Stop any kind of substance abuse. If you are unable to do it on your own, join a support group.
•  Have well balanced meals and eat at the right time. It is advisable to see a dietician and get a proper meal plan.
•   Do some form of exercise. Try to exercise in the open air at least a few times a week. A slow jog or swimming are great outdoor exercises.
•  Have routine checkups. Don’t keep putting this off. If there is something amiss, the earlier it is detected, the faster action can be taken.
•  Keep your stress levels down. Doing yoga and meditation will help.
•  If you are a woman and over 40, have regular checkups with your gynecologist
•  See a specialist if you feel unwell for a long period of time. A general practitioner is okay for a cold or fever, but if you find no relief, it is best to go to a specialist.
• Make sure that you have a health insurance plan. You never know when you may fall sick, so make sure that your premiums are up to date and you and your family are covered at all times.

These are just small things that you can do to make your life healthier!

Reference : http://cmcd.sph.umich.edu/what-is-chronic-disease.html

Why Should Nutritional Deficiencies be Taken Seriously?

Nutritional deficiencies give rise to nutritional diseases. Nutritional diseases are illnesses that occur due to deficiency in some kind of nutrient that your body needs. They may appear as eating disorders, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes etc. The human body is a finely tuned machine, but like any other machine it needs to be maintained with care. A well balanced intake of the different nutrients is essential for the smooth running of our body. Different kinds of foods contain various nutritious elements that our body requires. Our body will be healthy only when it receives an adequate amount of the important nutrients.

How to look out for nutritional deficiencies in your diet

RDA or Recommended Daily Allowances is a broad spectrum diet that helps you figure out how much nutrients your body requires. It also gives pointers on the kinds of food that you should eat to ensure that your body receives the supplements it needs. It is not wise to take too little or too much of these supplements. Fortunately, most of the nutrients that our body needs are found in the regular food we eat. People who have unhealthy food habits may suffer from a nutritional deficiency.

Some people have a nutritional deficiency in spite of eating well balanced meals. This could be due to hereditary factors, pregnancy or due to ill health. Someone who has just got over a bout of sickness may find that they have to take supplementary vitamins etc to recoup. They will show symptoms of the deficiency depending on what kind of supplement they lack. The usual symptoms are fatigue, sleeplessness, obesity, weight loss, depression etc. People who have a lesser iron content in their bodies may show anemic symptoms like dark circles under the eyes and paleness. Vitamin deficiencies manifest in various forms like cavities in the teeth, joint pain, low immunity etc. Here are a few signs that may help you find out if you need supplements and if so what kind of supplements you would need.

Vitamin A

Dryness in the nasal passage, vision impairment, dry skin, dulled senses, reduced immunity.

Vitamin D   

Children may develop rickets which could include any or all of the  following Muscle weakness.

 Delay in tooth development

Adults could manifest osteomalacia or osteoporosis which leads to brittle, soft bones that can break easily.

Vitamin E   

Body is unable to absorb fat

Vitamin K   

Clotting problems

Vitamin C   

Scurvy – this includes tooth loss, bleeding in the gums, breathlessness, low immunity, body ache, allergies, joint pains etc.

Thiamin(vitaminB1)

Low content of thiamin results in reduced appetite, gastric problems, lack of concentration and weight loss

Riboflavin(vitaminB2)

Inflammation in the nasal passage, dry lips, ulcers on the tongue and in mouth, anemia, reduced immunity

Niacin

Stomach problems, memory loss, dementia in worst cases

Vitamin B6 

Anemia, fits, allergies, gastric problems

Folate

 Anemia

VitaminB12

Cell damage

Biotin

Hair loss, depression, allergies, scaly skin

Stay healthy

Our body requires each of these nutrients in adequate amounts for healthy functioning. Children may require a different type and amount of supplements than adults. As we grow older, we may require additional supplements as our body slows down and the absorption of vitamins also decreases. This is one of the reasons that children and the elderly are advised supplements. Most adults get all these nutrients from a healthy meal plan. It is advisable to check your nutrition levels if you suffer from any of the above symptoms.

If you suffer from a nutritional deficiency, it is better that you take the right steps, right now to supplement your diet!

Reference: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/signs-of-vitamin-deficiencies-in-your-diet.html

Can Faulty Implants Cause Breast Cancer?

A breast implant is a medical prosthesis that is used to enhance the size of the breasts. People often use breast implants, to re create the look and feel of their breasts, after undergoing mastectomy due to cancer or cancer markers. Some people have breast implants inserted to correct deformities of the breast. Quite often, people have breast implants to increase the size of their breasts for cosmetic reasons. People who have small breasts feel that an increase in breast size enhances their looks, as well as their self esteem. It is a very popular surgery in our country. Here are some statistics for plastic surgery involving breast implants in the United States of America.

‘Every year the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) publishes annual cosmetic surgery statistics from the year before. The numbers released on Tuesday, March 12th reveal that breast augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery in the United States. In 2012, 0ver 330,000 women underwent this procedure. Of these patients, 72% chose silicone gel breast implants and 28% selected saline-filled implants. The number of women choosing silicone has skyrocketed since the FDA lifted the moratorium on these implants in November, 2006.’(courtesy-Huffingtonpost)

Types of breast implants 

There are three kinds of breast implants:

Saline – this implant has an elastomer shell made of silicon which is filled with a sterile saline solution.

Silicone – this shell is filled with viscous silicone gel

Composite – the composite shell are filled with miscellaneous fillers, such as soy oil, polypropylene string, etc

Faulty breast implants

There has been a recent health scare incident involving defective breast implants, and researchers and doctors are taking a closer look at breast implants and the components that go into making them. Breast implants that were checked were found to contain harmful substances. There has always been doubt on whether breast implants caused cancer as women were inserting artificial objects in their body. The risk of side effects due to faulty breast implants has also come under scrutiny. But, it has been found that as long as the breast implants used were of good quality, the side effects have been minimal.

What are the results of faulty breast implants? 

Cancer is not the only scare with faulty breast implants. If the implants are defective they could rupture within the breast. They could lose shape and contort the shape of the breast. They can cause infection inside the mammary glands. Some bodies may reject the breast implants as they are alien to the body giving rise to allergies, infections and other side effects. Sometimes, the inserts may not rupture, but instead start leaking. It may take days before there is any outward symptom of the leak and the damage could be high.

Some steps that can be taken to ensure that you have a safe implant

Any kind of surgery in which a foreign body is inserted into yours is cause for concern, until you are sure that your body is not rejecting it. If you have decided to go in for a breast enlargement surgery make sure:

· That you have researched the subject thoroughly and are aware of all the  
  things that can go wrong during and immediately after surgery

· Make sure that you know all the right questions to ask of your physician and 
  surgeon

· Take a second opinion. It is always wise.

· Make sure that you get a well known and experienced doctor

· Choose an implant after doing a thorough research and with the advice of 
  your doctor

· Make sure that you go for reviews and mammograms regularly, once you 
  have had your enhancement done

Doing your homework before going in for a breast enhancement is very important.

Reference: 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nalini-chilkov/breast-implant-surgery-_b_816077.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anthony-youn-md-facs/the-present-and-future-of_1_b_2864541.html

Why do children need nutrients?

"The child is the father of the man." Or "the mother" for that matter! What children eat when they are young goes a long way in the state of their health as they get older. Children are much more active than elders, and they need enough sustenance to nourish their bodies as they are also growing. They are also exposed to various germs in school, in the playground or even at the mall. They need to have the energy to constantly fight infections. A balanced diet for a child should include a good mix of proteins, carbohydrates, calcium, vitamins and minerals. They also need other nutrients which aid in different ways, but these are the big five. Are you making sure that your child is getting enough nutrients to keep them healthy and grow strong?

The big five

Let us take a look at the five important nutrients that are needed to provide a child with a balanced diet.

Proteins

Proteins are called the building blocks of the human body. Proteins optimize tissue build up and build new cells. They help give you energy for activities. Each and every cell in the human body has proteins. This makes it a very important nutrient. Food like dairy products, eggs, meats, lentils and beans are high in protein content.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates generate the energy that our body needs for our daily activities. It usually forms the bulk of our diet as we burn up the carbs when we go about our daily chores. It helps the brain, nervous system and heart in their functions. Carbohydrates are converted to sugar once digested. This sugar is called glucose. Glucose provides the body with energy. The more active one is, the more carbs one needs to fuel the body. Children are very active usually and burn carbs much faster that adults. If your child is easily tired, then you should up their intake of carbs. Carbohydrates are made of starch and are found in rice, flour, sugar and most other staple foods.

Calcium

Calcium is essential for the human body as it helps make the bones, teeth etc strong. It is a vital ingredient in a child’s diet as they are in their growing stages. A good dose of calcium in their diet will help the bones grow stronger. Calcium is found mostly in dairy products like milk, yoghurt, cream, cheese etc.

Vitamins

There are different types of vitamins that the body uses for various purposes. They perform a number of roles in the functioning of the body. They make bones stronger, boost the body’s energy, heal wounds, raise immune levels, help vision etc. Vitamin A helps your eyes. Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron. Vitamin B helps the body release energy during activities. Different foods are high in different types of vitamins. For example carrots are a great source of Vitamin A and beetroots and liver are good sources of Vitamin C. A good balance of meat and vegetables will ensure that your child is getting enough vitamins.

Minerals

Both vitamins and minerals are called micronutrients as they are available only in small amounts in the food we ingest. Some of the minerals that our body needs are iron, fluoride, zinc and copper. Each helps in different ways. They have many functions like protecting the body cells and enhancing enzyme activity to name a few.

There are many ways to incorporate these essential nutrients in your child’s diet. With a diet comprising of a good balance of nutrients your child will grow healthy and strong.

Preventing Diabetes: What Everyone Should Know

Diabetes is a common ailment that gives rise to many problems. Diabetes occurs when a person’s blood sugar levels are high. There are two types of diabetes which vary depending on the ability of the body to produce insulin. Type 1 diabetes is when the body does not produce insulin. Juvenile diabetes, insulin dependant diabetes and early onset diabetes fall into this category. It usually manifests during childhood or early adulthood. Type 2 diabetes is when the amount of insulin produced by the body is inadequate. Let us take a closer look at these two types of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes

This type of diabetes is not very common. People with a type I diabetes will have to take insulin injections on a daily basis for the rest of their life. They will also have to be careful with their diet. It mostly occurs in children and young adults. The reason for this diabetes is usually genetics but sometimes it gets triggered for unknown reason.

Type 2 diabetes

This is the most common type of diabetes. The reason for this diabetes is usually unhealthy lifestyle. It can also be hereditary. People who have parents or grandparents who are diabetic should be extra careful and lead a healthy lifestyle. This kind of diabetes can kept in check with exercise and balanced diet. But it is a progressive disease and will steadily get worse till it reaches a point where the person will have to resort to medication.

Symptoms of diabetes

The signs for type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are similar. Here are some of the early warning signs of diabetes.

·        Frequent urination

·        Thirst

·        Weight loss

·        Exhaustion

·        Numbness in the extremities 

Preventing diabetes

There are many steps you can take to prevent diabetes. If it is type I diabetes, there really is no prevention. But if it is type 2 diabetes, you can make a lifestyle change to prevent it. Some of the things that you can do are:

Eat healthy food

Eating a balanced meal and reducing your intake of sweets and food rich in carbohydrates will help. You should also cut down on very spicy food and use less oil in the food that you eat. Cutting out junk food, fizzy drinks and sugar is good. Consulting a dietician and getting a balanced diet is a good idea.

Eat at a proper time

It is important to have three good meals which are well balanced and a small snack in between.  Many people, because of work timings eat their meals at irregular hours and this is not good for the body. Make sure that you eat your food at the right time every day.

Keep fit

If you are a fitness fanatic and enjoy going to the gym and working out, you are already on the path to better health. If you are not doing any kind of physical activity, walking daily is a good form of exercise. By exercising on a regular basis you will be keeping your weight under control. Obesity is one of the factors that may lead to diabetes.

Avoid unhealthy habits

Alcohol, smoking and drugs are all not good for the body and if you are doing any of these on a regular basis, the chance of getting diabetes is more. So, the faster you kick the habit, the better it will be for you.

Making a change in lifestyle will certainly help in preventing diabetes. Not only will you keep diabetes at bay, but by leading a healthier lifestyle you will be preventing a number of other diseases that come with age.