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

This is not what you want to hear. The marketers who aim to sell you the range of drugs produced by the pharmaceutical industry have been brainwashing you for decades. They want you to believe there’s a pill to cure all your ills. Except that has always been a lie. Although some drugs are very effective for a time, all drugs slowly lose their effectiveness as the body adapts to them. This leaves you with the choice of giving up the drugs or increasing the dosage and risking dependence. In fact, we have millions of people addicted to prescription drugs. The majority could not stop without experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

Long ago, the Europeans decided this was unacceptable so they have been working to change mindsets. People have to understand they cannot rely on drugs to solve their long-term health problems. They must become more self-sufficient. This is what pain management really means. Specialists have to teach people how to live without becoming dependent on drugs. It all starts with a thorough re-evaluation of the medical treatment to date. Fresh pairs of eyes look back through the records of surgical procedures and other therapies. If anything has been missed, they are now done. If anything may have been done wrongly, attempts are made to correct any adverse consequences. The idea is to ensure everything that can be done to treat the underlying cause of the pain has been done.

Now we come to the pain itself. This is recognized as a medical problem in its own right. There are specialist physicians and highly trained therapists grouped together in dedicated units. Their job is to evaluate each patient and devise a personal regime for maximizing the quality of life. It starts with occupational therapists who visit homes and workplaces, suggesting how living spaces can be designed to reduce problems, and looking to see if jobs can be redefined to reduce the causes of pain. Then come the physical therapists to introduce exercises and activity programs to rebuild strength and improve mobility. Finally, the cognitive behavioral therapists teach practical strategies for staying positive when life seems difficult. All the evidence shows this team approach is very effective. Making the patient the center of attention improves morale and fights off the threat of depression. This is not to deny the importance of a drug like Ultram. There can be a flare-up of pain and, as a short-term response, a painkiller can be essential. But, as soon as possible, the Ultram must go back into the cabinet. Life must go on without drugs.

When people go to a physician, they are in many ways putting their lives into the hands of the medical professional. Most people have great faith that the doctor they are seeing will do everything possible to help in each particular case. They believe that their physicians will have had all the proper education needed to practice at the top of their field and that their care will be conflict free. This is sadly, often not the case. Many physicians cause great harm to their patients instead of helping them get better. This is usually due to acts of professional negligence or omission on the part of the doctor. When a severe injury of death occurs because of a medical professional’s negligence, the harmed party can sue on the grounds of medical malpractice to recovery any physical, mental or emotional injuries incurred.

The Steps of a Malpractice Case

In a malpractice suit, a number of people or establishments may be sued including:

o Doctors

o Nurses

o Dentists

o EMS workers

o Therapists

o Hospitals

o Clinics

o Managed care organizations

o Medical corporations

Once the parties thought to be responsible for the injury or death are indicated and a case is brought against them, a number of steps must be taken in order to prove that medical malpractice took place. The elements of a malpractice case include proving that:

o A duty was owed-A legal duty exists as soon as a hospital or health care provider decides to take on the treatment of a patient.

o A duty was breached-it must be proved that the health care provider failed to conform to the relevant standard of care. This may be proved through various expert testimonies or by any obvious errors that speak for themselves.

o The breach cause4 an injury-the breach of duty the happened must be a direct cause of the damages incurred by the patient.

o Damages-there must be proof that the patient suffered physical, mental or emotional damages. Medical records, medical bills or therapy bills must be presented as proof.

If malpractice is proven, the patient may receive compensatory or punitive damages. Compensatory damages include financial losses such as lost wages, medical expense and future care expenses, physical and physiological harm and pain and suffering. Punitive damages are only awarded upon proving wanton and reckless conduct on the part of the defendant.

Next to lung cancer, breast cancer kills more women in the United States than any other cancer. It’s the leading cause of death in women between the ages of 40 and 44 and one is 13 women will have it sooner or later.

“Breast cancer is the third most common cancer in the world today, despite the fact that it is confined almost entirely to the female sex. Breast cancer incidence rates are rising in several developing countries, and it is already the most frequent female cancer in many,” revealed Dr. Corazon A. Ngelangel, professor, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, College of Medicine, and a consultant at the Medical Oncology Section of the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital.

The exact cause of breast cancer is unknown. But the risk of developing the disease increases after the age of 35, especially in those with a family history of the disease. Breast cancer is also more common in obese women and in those who have never had children or who had a child for the first time after the age of 30.

Those who begin menstruation early and women who had late menopause are also at risk for developing the disease. The same is true for women who previously had breast cancer. The odds are high that these women will have the disease in the other breast too.

Unknown to many, breast cancer can affect men but not as frequently as women. Less than one percent of cases occur in males, usually at middle age or older.

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in male breast cancer. Other high-risk groups include those who are exposed to dust, gasoline, grease, carbon monoxide, and radiation. Men with gynecomastia, the enlargement of the breast that follows exposure to estrogen and alcoholic cirrhosis (in which the liver has been destroyed by years of heavy drinking) are likewise susceptible to the disease.

“Although breast cancer can occur in young boys (the youngest reported was five years old), the incidence generally rises with age. The majority of patients are more than 60 years old. Earlier cancer denotes a strong family history, manifested by the presence of many female relatives with breast cancer,” said Dr. David Y. Dy, a general surgeon and surgical oncologist at St. Luke’s Medical Center in the Philippines.

Surprisingly, male breast cancer appears to be less common in married men and in those with many children. Like women, most cases have been observed in the left breast although it is not clear why.

“About half of all breast cancers develop in the upper outer portion of the breast, the part of the breast closest to the underarm. The second most common site is the area surrounding the nipple, where about 18 percent of breast cancers are found,” said Marrion Morra, assistant director of the Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center at Yale University School of Medicine in Connecticut, and Eve Potts in “Choices: Realistic Alternatives in Cancer Treatment.”

Still, majority of breast cancer cases occur in women. Ngelangel believes the presence of the female hormone estrogen may have something to do with the disease.

“The most important risk factor for developing breast cancer is sex. Being female puts you at great risk. The reason for this is estrogen. Women have more of this hormone than men which probably explains why breast cancer is common among females,” Ngelangel said. (Next: Breast cancer myths.)

What is the future of nursing careers? Predictions are that in 10 or 20 years, it will look nothing like it does today! With new technologies and drugs, changes in insurance and health care policies, and the shortage in nurses, the profession will have to reinvest itself. Many nursing functions will be automated. For example, documentation and updating patient records, smart beds to monitor vital signs, bar codes, and automatic medicine carts could reduce the time and errors in dispensing medications, and voice-activated technology would eliminate the need to constantly write things down. Other nursing task such as serving meals will be taken over by aides. This would give nurses more time to provide a human touch to their patients.

As a result of nursing shortages, healthcare facilities will be forced to use their nurses judiciously. Nurses will spend more time at the bedside as educators and care coordinators to refocus on the patient. With the lengths of patient stays shortening, nurses will have to make the best use of a shrinking amount of time hospital stays. Nurses will also spend more time in administration and supervision positions. They will need to know how to access knowledge and transfer it to the patient and their loved ones.

The changes in technology will possibly attract more men and minorities into the profession. Greater emphasis must be placed on supporting teaching careers and recruiting educators from diverse cultural backgrounds to relieve the serious shortage of nursing school faculty. Therefore, more loans and scholarships for master’s and PhDs would also have to be in place, and the colleges would have to pay the instructors more money.

If the nursing shortage continues, hospitals may have to be reserved only for the very sickest. That means that the number of outpatient care will increase, as will the need for home health care nurses. They will also serve more prominent roles in clinics, consulting firms, insurance companies, and software and technology companies. Nurses in the future would probably do much more population-based or community health care. They will identify risks and establish priorities for specific populations and groups. They will provide community education and work with employers and insurance payers to develop programs that save money as well as promote health.

Nurse practitioners have a bright future especially in geriatrics and gerontology. With the baby boomer generation reaching retirement, those nurses who are themselves baby boomers but are not yet ready to retire may find themselves in the role of consultants. They would be the geriatric providers of choice because they would have a better understanding of aging.

As technology and research progresses, in linking chronic illnesses to behaviors, nurses would focus more on preventing the illnesses rather than treatment. Also, drugs designed for healthcare that targets diseases before they start, and identifying risks for those diseases will enhance preventive care. This means that people are going to have to learn to take care of themselves more. The nursing shortage and rising health care costs will also put pressure on the health care system to change from an illness model to a wellness and prevention model.

Therefore, no matter what the future holds, nurses will have be prepared to keep learning, growing, and expanding and changing alongside he transformative role of the healthcare profession. That obviously comes easier when one is passionate about the career.

Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Body pain can be experienced by all types of people, whether they are hard working individuals or couch potatoes who stay home all day and watch television. Luckily, Physical Therapist (PT) are present to help manage these problems. There are a wide variety of Physical Therapists that specialize in different fields like cardiopulmonary, geriatrics, orthopedic, and other classes of care. As a patient looking for care, it would be easy to find which type of physical therapist to seek help from because of these specializations. However, a common question usually asked by those who are in search of therapy is: what would be the best time to see a physical therapist?

This question is similar to that of when the best time to get a check-up is, and the answer is as early as possible. An important theory of medicine is that preventive care is better than curative care, meaning preventing a disease is better than curing one. This same theory can be used with physical therapy as well. It is important to see a physical therapist once acute body pain begins to try to prevent it from becoming a chronic problem. Once a problem becomes normally chronic, it would obviously be harder to get rid of it. It can also save a lot of money to seek early treatment, since treating a minor problem would call for less therapy time and therefore fewer expenses.

For some problems, physical therapy can prevent the need for corrective surgery. This is a huge advantage in seeking physical therapy as early as possible. The main advantage is the amount of money being saved when choosing to take therapeutic exercise. If physical therapy is used, extra expenses would not have to be spent on medication or possible surgery. Another advantage is avoiding the risk involved with going under the knife. Although the surgery may be a minor one, there is always a chance of something going wrong during the procedure and having a bigger problem afterwards can indeed be inevitable.

Lastly, and probably the most fulfilling benefit, is the satisfaction of recovering from an injury or problem on one’s own accord. By learning exercises to cure the current problem, one can also use those same exercises to prevent future recurrences. It is also interesting to note that physical therapy has been proven to not only heal, but also strengthen muscles and bones. This is one reason that athletes commonly resort to physical therapy after surgery to revitalize their strength.

The phrase “The early bird gets the worm” perfectly describes seeking physical therapy. Simply put, the best time to see a physical therapist is as early as possible. Numerous problems can be avoided by looking for preventive care rather than having to search for curative care in the future. Not only would problems be prevented, but plenty of money can be saved by treating them before they turn serious. It is also safe to say future problems can be avoided by continuing the therapeutic exercises learned from treatment.

Over the last few years, the healthcare industry has boomed at the phenomenal pace. Many new professions in relation to healthcare industry have risen. Healthcare costs has climbed upward at an alarmingly rate and the cost of premiums for medical insurance has also increased. Today many kinds of surgeries and other medical procedures are no longer covered by the insurance companies, which in turn have forced many people to seek out different options for their medical treatments.

The picture of healthcare industry has in fact changed drastically in almost every part of the world. Today there are many hospitals in the world that pulling the attentions of many people. In fact, many people are traveling to foreign countries at best hospitals for treatment; where the cost of treatment is comparatively low in comparison to their own country. Here is the list of some of the world’s best and top hospitals that are worth to know-

USC Medical Center – USC Medical Center is one of the world’s largest hospitals that serve and offer a full range of inpatient, emergency and outpatient services in California. This is one of its own kinds of hospital that is globally known for providing gynecological, obstetrical, pediatric and specialized neonatal intensive care services to women and children.

Cedars Sinai – It is another large hospital in California that features 1,004 beds, employs 2000 plus physicians and 9000 employees. It is one of the few hospitals in world that has been awarded as the best in categories of endocrinology, geriatrics, digestive disorders and many others by U.S. News & World Report Ranking.

Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine – Situated in the capital city of China, this hospital is admired all across the world for its cost-competitive yet effective healthcare and world class services. Adding to this, it is also famous for its traditional Chinese remedies and subordinates Beijing Research Institute of TCM, Zhaobingnan Medical treatment center of Dermatosis. This hospital employs almost 1300 staff along with 150 high -rank medical specialists, 21 national and 2 municipal famous TCM doctors.

Piyavate Hospital -Located in Bangkok, Thailand, the Piyavate Hospital is yet another world’s largest and best hospitals. Its medical staff generally comprises of Thai Board Certified and American Board Physicians. The key features that makes this hospital as the most renowned and one of the largest in the world is its capacity to provide medical services to patient by using modern technology and contemporary equipment. It offers almost every type of physical exam including diabetes test, DNA test, stress test and any other type of physical examination.

Hospital Clinica Biblica- Established in the year 1929 and located in Costa Rica, Clinica Biblica is another largest private hospital. The hospital actually features a 50 million dollar infrastructure and globally known for providing one of the world’s best service offered by its orthopedic and bariatric surgeries. It employs almost 200 skilled physicians and English speaking staff.

Hospital Almater- Located in Mexico, hospital Almater incepted its operation in the year 1987. It is the next world’s top and largest hospital that makes the best use of modern technology. Adding to this, it is one of few hospitals in this region that offer services such as Hematology Center- the sole Blood Bank operating in a private hospital along with a Cardiac Catheterism Lab that is a X-ray department and features the most advanced digital technology equipment.

These are some of the topmost and world’s largest hospitals that are targeted by patients from all across the world for seeking medical treatment outside their homeland. In the last few years, almost all these hospitals have amazing success records in various fields of medical science. Patients availing medical service from any one of these hospitals can be sure to get best healthcare at reasonable price.

Permanent causes of hair loss

• Pattern baldness is the most common form of hair loss, and can occur in both men and women. This form of hair loss is genetically related, as heredity affects what age you begin permanently losing hair and how quickly the loss progresses. Propecia is commonly used to effectively treat male pattern baldness.
• Another type of permanent hair loss occurs when damage or inflammation affects the hair follicle itself, preventing new growth. This can be related to certain skin conditions, or some autoimmune disorders.

Temporary causes of hair loss

• Certain autoimmune disorders, viruses, and even severe emotional or physical shock can also cause hair loss. In most cases, the hair usually grows back once the underlying issues are resolved. Propecia is designed to foster regrowth.
• Certain lifestyle elements, such as having poor nutrition, or excessive damage due to restrictive or damaging hairstyling, can also accelerate hair loss and slow regrowth.
• Some medications can cause hair loss, as well as medical treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy.
• Physical conditions such as hormone fluctuations or systemic diseases like diabetes or lupus can also cause hair loss. There is also a psychological condition which manifests as obsessive plucking of hairs which results in bald patches on the scalp or elsewhere on the body.

Seeking Help For those suffering from hair loss as a result of one of the temporary indications listed above, there is comfort in knowing that very often, the hair will come back in on its own once the underlying issues are resolved. In cases of both temporary and permanent hair loss, Propecia can be used to slow down the damage even after it’s already begun, and promote new hair regrowth.

One of the conditions that is commonly linked to excessive stress is hair loss. There are a lot of people with different types of hair loss problems and it can be quite common both in older men and in younger persons. Of course, knowing how stressful modern lifestyle is there’s no wonder why millions of men struggle with hair loss problems in the US alone. Yet, assuming that stress actually leads to hair loss problems is practically the same as stating that cancer results from breathing. Sure, these things are connected through a long chain of cause and effect but it would be wrong to make such a direct link between the two.

Still, if you go through a period of excessive stress it may still be very beneficial to take some measures for eliminating it, especially if you’re worried about hair loss. This doesn’t mean that you have to revert to medications or try to relax with recreational drugs. A little massage, yoga or relaxing bath is often just enough to relieve the stress of the day and make you fresh after a long day’s work. You can ask your significant other for a scalp massage that is both relaxing and stimulating blood circulation, which promotes better hair growth.

Yet, if you have serious hair loss problems and your balding progresses at a very fast rate don’t blame stress and get frustrated about it. In the majority of cases male pattern hair loss stems from hormonal changes rather than various external factors like hygiene or stress. Sure, they can also contribute to hair thinning but not to an extent so that the scalp gets completely bald. Usually it’s a matter of specific androgen being accumulated in the body that affects hair growth rates.

So if you have hair loss problems and think that stress is the cause consider talking to your doctor first. Maybe your assumption is wrong and you would benefit from taking Propecia rather than trying different stress management techniques. Sure, no one is limiting you and you can still try to overcome stress with hopes of stopping hair loss. But taking prescription drugs like Propecia will certainly bring more results.