Feb/120
The 10 Theories Behind Alzheimer’s Disease
Although I personally believe that Alzheimer’s is multi-factorial (i.e. there is not one sole cause that leads to its development or progression) below I have tried to link together the possible causes of Alzheimer’s into categories. These are listed in no particular order as, I believe, in their own small way they are all equally responsible – but if we can understand the possible causes we can then tackle them with the appropriate therapy, medication or intervention.
1. Chemical Factors.
The cells and the nerves of the brain need to be able to communicate and talk to each other in order to fully function and they do this via neurotransmitters or chemical messengers. Anything that can hinder the action of these messengers will therefore have a detrimental effect on the functioning of the brain.
Studies of Alzheimer’s sufferers have shown that they have lower levels of various neurotransmitters that are believed to influence intellectual functioning and behavior. The cause of these lower levels may be reduced production or something blocking their action – for example chemical imbalances or increased toxicity from heavy metals or homocysteine.
2. Vascular disturbances.
A poor blood supply to the brain may also be a causative factor. This may be due to a diminished supply caused by ageing or through injury such as stroke or direct head trauma. Studies have shown, for example, that there is an increased risk of dementia and other neurological conditions amongst ex boxers (who seem to be prone to having their heads hit!).
3. Pre-existing conditions.
Illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol have all been linked as causes of Alzheimer’s. Studies show that high or uncontrolled blood pressure decreases the blood supply to the brain. Other studies have shown that almost three quarters of people who die of heart disease have amyloid plaques (which I will cover in point 9) in their brains typical of Alzheimer’s.
4. Genetic Predisposition.
There have been two genetic / hereditary factors found that predispose a person to Alzheimer’s (particularly early onset Alzheimer’s disease) and these are either suffering from Down’s Syndrome (a genetic defect) or a family history of dementia (a genetic / hereditary condition) as it seems there is a slightly higher risk of developing the condition if a first degree blood relative (parent / brother / sister) has developed it previously.
Researchers have linked at least ten percent of late onset Alzheimer’s to the inheritance of a gene mutation (on chromosome 14) that directs production of apolipoprotein (ApoE) – a cholesterol carrying protein. There have also been other genetic mutations identified that may account for a predisposition to Alzheimer’s and these occur on chromosomes 1, 12, 19 and 21.
5. Slow acting infections.
A slow-acting virus has been identified as a cause of some brain disorders that closely resemble Alzheimer’s. These infections may precede the onset of Alzheimer’s by many years and create an inflammatory process that damages the brain predisposing it to disease and deterioration.
6. Autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmune diseases may trigger a response that causes the body’s normally protective immune system to begin to attack itself by producing antibodies which destroy its own cells.
7. Inflammatory conditions.
This is similar to the infection based theory in that researchers believe that Alzheimer’s may result from an inflammatory process that creates abnormal waste products out of normal molecules and these then attack brain tissue. There seems to be some basis for this theory as researchers have found that anti-inflammatory medication (such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) seems to reduce the risk of developing the disease and also slow the rate of its progression.
8. The Tau Theory.
Another major theory behind the cause of Alzheimer’s lays the blame on tau. Tau is a protein whose role is to act like the skeleton of a cell and organise its shape and function. Unfortunately, during the progression of Alzheimer’s the tau protein deforms losing its ability to support the cell and it eventually aggregates and creates a tangle of nerve fibres. These aggregations are another hallmark of the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
9. The Amyloid Hypothesis.
This theory seems to have the largest support. Amyloid precursor protein is a protein found throughout the body (although its function remains unclear) but in Alzheimer’s disease there is a malfunction in the processing of it which leads to the formation of a protein “beta-amyloid” fragment. These fragments slowly aggregate or clump together forming amyloid plaques which are characteristic of the disease. These clumps continue to build causing nerve disruption and destruction.
10. Disruption in the manufacture of nerve growth factors.
Another theory (that is gaining ground in areas of stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and spinal nerve damage) is that there may be a disruption in either the manufacture or processing of so called nerve growth factors. These “nerve growth factors” are usually proteins whose job it is to regulate and control nerve cell repair, survival and maturation.
Now that we have covered the causes of Alzheimer’s, please feel free to investigate my other articles, free newsletter and my book The Alzheimer’s Alternative which will show you how to treat and slow the progression of this condition
Dec/110
Control Your Diabetes
What Is Diabetes? Why Do We Need To Slash Down Our Sugar Intake?
Of course nobody wants to suffer from the painful diabetes ending results. When glucose builds up in the bloodstream, the cells become starved for energy because they do not have access to the glucose and in short term and long term frequent glucose build-up increases the acidity of the blood, damaging many of the body’s organs, including the eyes, kidneys, nerves and/or heart. Insulin is a substance that is necessary to breakdown our sugar intake into small particle to be able to maximize by our body to produce fuel and energy for our day to day activities. As the diabetes begins to climb around the world,the government and other health care providers are initiating efforts to invest in health education, diagnosis and treatments for this chronic, unbearable – but controllable – disorder. As we all know, millions of people all over the world have tried to let go of their mouth-watering and tasty sugar products.
Types of Diabetes
The major treatment of type-1 diabetes, even in its earliest stages, is the delivery of artificial insulin by means of injection combined with careful monitoring of blood glucose levels using blood testing monitors. Eye problems can lead to trouble seeing or going blind. Type-1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes since its affect majority of the diabetic children. Insulin may be given by injections using a syringe, insulin pump, or insulin pen. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Gestational diabetes may occur in women who is age 25 years old or older, but some women have greater risks in developing gestational diabetes.
Diabetes Treatment
Ask for help from your friends and family if you are feeling which will help you to overcome the stress. A health care team may help you take care of your diabetes as well as you doctor, dentist, diabetes educator, dietitians, friends and family. In no time you will be able to continuously enjoy life without the worries of your diabetes. Quit your smoking and your excessive intake of alcohol.
Alternative Diabetes Cures Through The Herbal Way
Once we encounter difficulty in absorbing sugar, diseases like diabetes may be at hand. When our body malfunctions or suddenly experience any abnormality, it may only conclude that there is something wrong within. Diabetes consists of three types, one is the Type 1 diabetes, the second is the Type 2 diabetes and the third one is gestational diabetes. Since bitter melons are considered to have twice the potassium compared to bananas at the same time increase the amount of beta cells, these melons may help the pancreas to produce insulin. Diabetes hinders our body’s process of in-taking foods that we need to converted into energy. Once you feel the diabetes symptoms you should seek immediate medical help. When we digest food, pieces of the grounded foods are converted through a processes.
Dec/110
Diabetes Causes and Prevention
Diabetes is a disease that affects the body natural ability to change carbohydrates and sugars into energy. There is no known cause for the onset of diabetes. However, there are certain factors that place a person at higher risk of contracting diabetes.
The risk factors of diabetes can include:
A family history of diabetes Obesity Poor diet Physical inactivity
Different Types/Different Causes of Diabetes
There are three main types of diabetes -type-1, type-2, and gestational. Type-1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and most often affects children and young adults. An autoimmune disease is one in which the body ability to fight infections is decreased causing the body to attack its own cells. In type-1 diabetes, the body often attacks the beta cells in the pancreas -the cells that produce insulin in the body. The main diabetes causes of type-1 diabetes are:
Infections with specific bacteria or viruses Food-borne chemical toxins Cows milk -an unidentified component in cow milk can trigger an autoimmune reaction in the body. Young infants who are given cow milk have a higher risk of contracting type-1 diabetes.
The main diabetes causes of type-2 diabetes are:
Increasing age Obesity Physical inactivity Poor diet The main diabetes causes of gestational diabetes are: Hormones produced during pregnancy blocking actions of insulin Mother body can’t produce enough insulin
Common Causes of Diabetes
There are some common diabetes causes that include genetic causes as well as environmental causes. The risk of diabetes is higher if there is a family history of diabetes. Environmental factors that can lead to the onset of diabetes include poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity, and stress. Diabetes is a disease that can be prevented -or controlled once a diagnosis has been made.
Prevention and Control in Diabetes
While the symptoms of diabetes are not life threatening, diabetes can lead to other more serious diseases and illnesses. People who have been diagnosed with diabetes are at a higher risk of diseases and illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, neuropathy and nerve damage, foot conditions, and blindness. It is extremely important to control your diabetes in order to avoid the onset of these more serious and sometimes life-threatening illnesses.
There are medications that can be used in the control of diabetes, as well as many natural remedies. However, the single most important aspect of a diabetic management plan is a healthy diet and exercise. A healthy diet should consist of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, carbohydrates in healthy portions, Omega-3 fatty acids, proteins in healthy portions, and fiber. A healthy diet not only helps your overall health, but also can be a major factor in offsetting the symptoms of diabetes. The longer you can prevent the symptoms of diabetes, the longer you can decrease the risks of more serious illnesses associated with diabetes.
A regular exercise routine is also an important factor in the prevention and management of diabetes. All parts of your body are designed to work together in order to sustain life. By keeping your muscles toned and your blood flowing correctly, you can help your body to fight off infections and your body will be able to help in managing the symptoms of many illnesses. Strong muscles in the abdomen are essential for helping your digestive system work normally.
A Long, Healthy Life
It is possible to live a long, healthy life. You can help ensure that your body will work properly for a long time by beginning a healthy diet and routing exercise program early in life. The old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” has real meaning. By choosing to live a healthy lifestyle, you are choosing to consciously help your body fight of the symptoms of many illnesses and diseases. And, while some diseases are hereditary, such as diabetes, and you may still be at risk, by choosing to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you are helping your body become prepared to delay the onset of symptoms and to control the symptoms once they appear.
Sep/110
Diabetes and Its Early Symptoms
Diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s ability to convert glucose (sugar) into energy, resulting in high blood sugar levels.
When the body is working normally, food is digested and converted into fuel which supplies energy to the body cells. In a diabetic person, this fuel cannot enter the cells. Without treatment, diabetes can cause serious long-term health problems.
How the body gets energy
The digestive system breaks down food, resulting in a sugar called glucose. While some of this glucose is stored in the liver, most of it enters the bloodstream and travels to the cells to be used as fuel.
In healthy persons, the blood glucose level is regulated by several hormones, including insulin. This insulin is produced by the pancreas which is a small organ between the stomach and liver. The pancreas secretes other important enzymes that help to digest food. It is the insulin which allows glucose to move from the blood into the liver, muscles and fat cells where it is used for fuel.
Symptoms of Diabetes
There are many early signs of diabetes which can be easily noticed. If these symptoms of diabetes are treated early, there is a very good chance that it would be contained.
Always feeling thirsty but the thirst is not related to physical activities or hot weather Frequent urinating even at night Feeling tired and run down throughout the day Loss of weight even though there is no change to lifestyle and/or exercise regime Tingling sensation or numbness in the hands or feet Itchy or dry skin Frequent bruises and wounds that take an abnormally long time to heal Blurred vision The above can also be related to other medical conditions or causes, but if they occur on a regular or frequent basis, these could be the signs and symptoms of diabetes.
By: Ken Soh (For more related topics on diabetes, go to www.diabetesandinfo.com.)
Sep/110
Diabetes Screening
Gestational diabetes mellitus is actually a disorder characterized by high blood glucose, which is related to insulin resistance. It can be discovered at any point during pregnancy. This is specifically because there are no known causes for this disease, and many women do not exhibit symptoms. Gestational diabetes mellitus is found only in pregnant women. There is a similarity between gestational diabetes mellitus and Type 2 diabetes.
Because not all pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus experience symptoms, diagnosis can be difficult. This is one reason why screening for gestational diabetes when pregnant is so important. There are a number of tests involved with screening GD when pregnant. These may all be performed on the pregnant woman, or simply a few.
Women, with gestational diabetes mellitus, who do experience symptoms can see a variety. One of the symptoms is experiencing increased thirst. This is often accompanied by increased urination. Another symptom of gestational diabetes mellitus is nausea and vomiting. Some women even contract infections. The most common is yeast and bladder infections.
The primary purpose for the screening process is to detect if there is a high level of glucose in the expectant mother’s blood. So, samples are drawn in a very specific way. The method, of screening, doctors do to determine if gestational diabetes exists, is very thorough. Some of the testing process is less than fun for the pregnant women. But having the knowledge of her own condition is completely worthwhile.
The screen process is not only important to define the status of the mother, but how it may affect her unborn child. There are three non-challenge blood glucose tests in the screening. Each has its own individual importance and reading. Testing this way allows doctors to see the difference between a blood glucose reading at different times in a woman’s day. Tests focus on her status when she’s eaten, and when the pregnant woman has not eaten.
One of the non-challenge blood glucose tests is the fasting glucose test. This one is as its name implies. It is done on the pregnant woman when she has not eaten any food. Doctors typically give their patients instructions about how this test will be done. They will also instruct them on what hours, to eat and what hours, they should not.
Another test done to determine gestational diabetes is the 2-hour postprandial test. The postprandial test is done after the pregnant woman has eaten a meal. These results are very specific and have an important meaning. Doctors understand what range a woman’s glucose should be after a meal. If the numbers are too high, at this specific time, the woman is at risk for this disease.
The random glucose test is another test done in the screen process. Just as the other tests this one is time sensitive as well. Blood is drawn and tested for glucose levels. Again, the blood should be within a certain range to receive a normal rating. If the woman’s glucose level is above 126mg after fasting, no further tests are needed. She would be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
Sep/110
Diabetes – A Degenerative Disease
Diabetes Disease:
In normal individuals food is broken down to glucose in the presence of insulin the glucose present in blood is utilized by body cells with the aid of insulin secreted by pancreas for getting energy to maintain optimal health. Diabetes is a condition which is signified by a higher concentration of glucose levels in the blood because person cannot utilize glucose due to deficiency of insulin secretion by the pancreas of the body.
Types of Diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes: The Cells of Pancreas responsible for secretion of Insulin do not function properly or are completely damaged. This type of diabetes is found in children and young persons, hence it is also known as Juvenile Diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes: In this type of Diabetes the pancreas cells do make some insulin but the body prevents the insulin to perform it’s function. This type is usually found in elderly obese patientsonly but now a days it is encountered in children and young persons also.
Diabetes is found in the pregnant women also, if it is not treated properly the mother and child can also develop many health disorders.
Diabetes Symptoms:
Diabetes is characterized by:
1. Feeling of exhaustion all the times.
2. Sensation of great thirst (Polydipsia)
3. frequent urination.
4. Blurring of the eyesight.
5. Felling of hunger all the times.
6. Sudden fall of body weight.
7. Non-healing of wounds.
8. Numbness of hands and feet.
Causes of Diabetes:
Definite causes of Diabetes are not known, possibly body lacks a gene which can provide protection at the time of onset of disease. Diabetic patients are usually obese with a sedentary life style, hiving higher levels of triglycerides in thir blood or suffering from hypertension and also having a diabetic hereditary family history
Diabetes a Warning Signal:
The health of the Diabetic patient is on the thresh hold of rapid worsening of the status of his health if not properly taken care of initially and maintaining of care through out his life.
Diabetes affects both rich and poor alike and for a considerable peiod remains undiagnosed, because for minor symptoms the patients donot take medical advise and the disease progresses to a stage when the symptoms become uncomfortable for the patient to bear. Because of this trend of accessing delayed medical advice, India has become the Diabetes World capital with more than 33 million people suffering from type 2 Diabetes representing about 20 % of World Diabetic Population. With the present progression rate it is estimated that by the year 2030, about 80 million Indian population shall be diabetic. A similar progression trend has been noticed in other Asian Countries also.
Diabetes a life long association:
Diabetes patients are destined to live their rest of their life with Diabetes with lot of care to keep the disease under control by regularly taking the advised medication and adjusting their food and lifestyle habits. Patients have to remain regularly under medical care
Diabetes & Future Onset of Serious Complications:
Diabetic patients carry a high risk of exposure to other serious complications, like hypertension, coronary heart disease, Degenerative vascular system and tissues of lower limbs. When there is continued high blood sugar level, the blood sugar generates certain substances, which are potentially harmful to the body cells, which damage delicate organs like heart, Blood Vessels, Kidneys, Nerves, Teeth and lower limbs. If with the passage of time treatment is not initiated serious complications start setting in.
Diabetic Disease Education to patients:
The Diabetic patients need to be educated about their disease and the necessary care and precautions they have to religiously follow in the true sense particularly about the lower limbs. The Diabetic patients are carrying a higher risk of degenerative vascular system of lower limbs resulting in Nerves and Tissues damage progression of which requires amputation of Toe, Foot depending upon the severity of the affected part. Thus they have to lead a life of dependency.
Diabetes & Heart Disease:
Diabetic Patients are 2 to 4 times more prone to suffer from heart attack as compared to normal persons. In the obstructructions developed in the arteries of heart and in the entire circulatory system there is slowing of blood supply resulting in pain in the Chest,difficulty in breathing, swelling of Heels, thickening of the blood vessels all these quickly lead to a Heart Attack
Protection of Heart & Blood Vessels:
The quick onset of serious complications can be reduced by:
1. Bringing down high blood glucose levels to normal.
2. Reducing intake of foods containing high quantities of Saturated fats, Trans Fats and High
Cholesterol foods.
3. Reduction in intake of Common Salt.
4. Keeping blood Pressure and blood Lipids in control.
5. No smoking and no consumption of tobacco.
6. Moderate Exercise.
Kidney Disease:
The filtration membrane gets thickened. The Protein metabolites excretion is reduced, which damages the kidney. The incidence of Renal failure due to Diabetes is in 45 % of the Renal failure cases. Special kidney function tests are performed to ascertain early involvement of kidney complications because no specific symptoms are witnessed in early stages of kidney complications.
Complications of Eyes:
Diabetes can damage the smaller capillaries of the eye. Diabetes can precipitate Glaucoma because of increase of internal pressure in the eye ball. There can be eyesight complication or even complete blindness due to the damage to retinal blood vessels and detachment of Retina.
Amputations of affected foot:
The complication of the foot can be loss of touch sensation, Pain or swelling of foot, Delayed or non-healing of foot, Change in the colour of skin to redness. As a precaution the foot should be protected from any cut, scratch or from any other injury. Wounds because of faulty blood circulation in the feet the Nerves and Tissues get damaged resulting ultimately gangrene development resulting into amputation of toe or foot in diabetic foot damage progression.
Gateway optimal health is with you on your journey to Disease free Healthy Life Styles