Dr. NOMILSOM: 2013

Proof That Cholesterol Drugs Cause Type 2 Diabetes

It has only been the last few years that I took the time to read all of that paperwork my pharmacist stuffs into my prescription envelopes. This act prompted me to add to my knowledge by surfing the Internet. Most of the time I wish I had never started this pursuit.

I have been prescribed a number of different drugs since first being diagnosed with, "Hypertension... Don, you have high blood pressure." This was a stunning revelation back then. I was just 30 years old.

Oftentimes I am shocked when the voiceover on a TV drug commercial rattles off all the "potential" side effects of a prescription drug: pain, stiffness, erectile dysfunction, suicidal thoughts, etc., etc. Makes you wonder why people would even consider some of this stuff. But Big Pharma tells us that while taking the drug has calculated risks, the benefits out-weigh the problems.

Thus is the case with statins, the number one choice for controlling high cholesterol. And yes... I was taking a statin as well has high blood pressure meds too.

In a recently published study, the British Medical Journal (BMJ) revealed a Canadian study of 471,000 patients directed at proving that statin drugs actually cause type 2 diabetes in many patients on statin prescriptions. The researchers stated that data on this particular side effect was often very limited. That's not too surprising since the manufacture and sale of statin drugs is a multi-Billion Dollar Business.

This is one more link in a body of evidence that proves this most serious side effect of statins. Scarier too is the fact that stain prescriptions are on the rise. According to statistics published by Forbes, in 2007 more than 200 million statin prescriptions were filled. Three years later this number leaped to 4 billion.

Common side effects of one of the most popular statins published online include but are not limited to: Indigestion, Incomplete or Infrequent Bowel Movements, Gas, Stomach Cramps, Joint Pain, Throat Irritation, Dizziness, Head Pain and Diarrhea. There is no mention that type 2 diabetes is also a possibility in some patients.

Many parts of the medical community have jumped on the Big Pharma bandwagon. A recent study from Finland and Harvard consider the problem of side effects "an acceptable risk," when considering the benefits. Little attention is shown to studies from these same medical schools that statins do nothing to reduce the risk of heart attacks occurring in patients with high cholesterol.

Oddly enough, virtually everyone concerned in health matters agrees that cholesterol may be reduced by simple diet and lifestyle adjustments-like spending more time in the produce section of your supermarket rather than the pharmacy. What does your health care provider say?

Many of our human conditions like hypertension, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes can be controlled-even eliminated-using natural methods of diet and exercise, but the population needs to be educated to this alternative treatment. You are invited to join me on my blog: The Blind Hog Blogger. This blog is dedicated to providing information and resources to: Our Senior Citizens

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Don_Penven

Hypertension Is Not Just A Problem In Your "Old Age"

High blood pressure is a problem across the globe. It was previously associated with growing older. Generally, seniors were at risk of hypertension and younger adults, even middle-aged adults, never had to be too concerned with high blood pressure problems. However, the incidence of hypertension among younger people has changed drastically in modern times thereby making it the most prevalent cardiovascular condition.

The issue with high blood pressure in younger people is the primary type of hypertension. Here high blood pressure occurs for no clearly discernible reason. Therefore it is referred to as primary hypertension in contrast to secondary hypertension where the elevation in blood pressure can be linked to some underlying disease. While the exact cause of primary hypertension is not known, there are certain risk factors that have been clearly identified.

Remember that risk factors are not the cause of the problem - it is simply factors that increase the chances of a condition arising. The main risk factors are getting older, a family history of hypertension, cigarette smoking and obesity. While you cannot avoid growing older, cigarette smoking and obesity can be avoided and/or treated. For this reasons these risk factors are referred to as modifiable risk factors.

But what about genetics? If you have the genes then surely you cannot undo it? While it is true that genes are non-modifiable, it is now known that physical fitness can actually tip the balance in your favor when it comes to your genetic makeup. People who have a higher level of physical fitness, despite having a strong family history of hypertension, have a lower risk of developing high blood pressure than unfit people with familial hypertension.

This ultimately only leaves advancing age as the main hypertension risk factor that cannot be changed in any way. But even if it could, would it help prevent chronic ailments like hypertension? Possibly not. Primary hypertension is now seen from the 40s and it is not entirely uncommon for it to start as early as your 20s. No longer is primary hypertension an "old person's" problem. These days hypertension is a problem that starts in midlife but becomes more difficult to manage in the senior years.

Aging may be unavoidable but it is not all bad news when it comes to hypertension. Remember that by removing the modifiable risk factors your risk of developing high blood pressure early in life is drastically reduced. If you are a cigarette smoker then quit immediately. If you are overweight or obese then it is time to get serious about your weight management goals. And while genetics cannot be changed, the effect can be minimized by being physically fit. So get serious about hypertension today - irrespective of your age. It is the early intervention and preventative measures that you adopt in your lifestyle that can make all the difference for the rest of your life.

As the problem of hypertension continues to grow in younger people, it is no longer just a problem in developed nations where the modern lifestyle increases the risk. High Blood Pressure South Africa is a website dedicated to raising the awareness about hypertension particularly in young and middle-aged adults.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregory_Crayne

Cordyceps: One of the Best Chinese Medicines

Cordyceps and its benefits were discovered about 1500 years ago in Tibetan mountains of China, where natives observed that their cattle became more energetic by eating this small mushroom like grass. It was not long that natives started using this herb as a natural supplement for treating several diseases and boosting the body's resistance. Today Cordyceps is regarded as one of the three best tonics in traditional Chinese medicine.

The herb has several benefits and is prescribed especially to patients who are recovering from an illness, surgery or after childbirth. It is also given as a treatment for asthma, weak lungs, coughs, wheezing, and shortness of breath. It has special enzymes which invigorates lung meridian and is useful for treatment of respiratory problems. Practitioners usually use this herb to improve energy levels in the body and help body in endurance against several diseases and fight fatigue, tiredness and stress. It is a great tonic for rebuilding and strengthening immune system in the body and also has an ability to naturally overcome disorders arising not only in lungs but in kidneys and immune system as well.

For more than 1200 years, this tiny herb has been called 'the miracle herb' in Chinese medicine. In modern practice it is referred to as 'cold fire' because of its effectiveness and naturally gentle curative effects. Recent research has shown that the plant has natural antioxidants and nutrients which can stimulate and build hormones in the human body. Another major benefit of the herb is that it can help in reducing high blood pressure and strengthens cardiovascular system. Some major functions of the herb are:

• It can relieve fatigue and act as an effective antioxidant.

• It increases energy levels in body like several other Chinese medicines.

• It helps blood to flow smoothly in the blood vessels and helps in reducing high blood pressure.

• It is a very good anti stressing agent because of high antioxidant presence.

• Cordyceps is a very good help in fight against tumors and cancers.

• Recent research has also shown that the herb has properties in curing impotence and infertility.

• Some properties of it are also effective in the fight against HIV and AIDS because it helps strengthen the immune system by rebuilding.

There are many traditional Chinese medicines used to reducing high blood pressure and curing other diseases. But Cordyceps has been labeled as the best among all because it contains natural compounds that fight on several fronts in the body.

There are several benefits of Cordyceps. If you are looking for more information on the herb or looking to buy from a reliable source www.tiensshop.co.uk is the place to look where you can find several other natural products by TIENS, which is regarded as the #1 manufacturer of herbal products.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_R_Ellis

Sulfonamides or Sulfa Drugs

The term sulfonamides or sulfa drugs are commonly used for a group of antimicrobial drugs that are derived from sulphanilamide. Sulfonamides are synthetic structural analogs of para-aminobenzoic acid. Sulfonamides have considerable historical value as they remained the only antibiotic drugs until the discovery of penicillins. Chemical modification of several sulfonamides has given rise to several important groups of drugs such as diuretics (thiazides and acetazolamide), antileprotic drugs (isoniazides and depsone) and oral hypoglycemic agents (sulfonyl ureas). Presently sulfonamides do not occupy a large space in therapeutics because of the availability of more effective and less toxic drugs. But they are still widely used in the treatment of urinary tract infections, acne and infections that are resistant to other antibiotics.

Unlike mammalian cells, bacterial cells synthesize their own folic acid. Folic acid is essential for the synthesis of precursors of DNA and RNA. Sulfonamides compete with PABA (para aminobenzoic acid) for the enzyme dihydropteroate synthetase and inhibit the synthesis of folic acid, thus the synthesis of bacterial DNA and RNA is also inhibited. Thus the organisms that synthesize their own folic acid are sensitive to sulfonamides. When given alone sulfonamides are bacteriostatic in action. But in combination with other folate antagonists the effect is synergistic and often bactericidal (sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprin = septran and sulfadiazine + pyrimethamine = fansidar). The antimicrobial spectrum of sulfonamides includes pneumocystitis, Chlamydia, Nocardia and selected Enterobacteria. Fansidar is the only effective therapy for toxoplasmosis. Resistance to sulfonamides may develop by increased production of PABA, by decreased affinity of sulfonamides for enzyme dihydropteroate synthetase, or by bacterial metabolism of sulfonamides. Resistance to sulfonamides is irreversible and does not involve cross resistance to other antimicrobials.

Sulfonamides are classified as oral absorption (sulfisoxazole, sulfamethizole, sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfadoxine etc.), oral non-absorbable (sulfasalazine etc.) and topical (mafenide, sulfacetamide). With the exception of oral non-absorbable sulfonamides, all other drugs of this group are well absorbed orally. They are widely distributed to all tissues of the body. Sulfonamides penetrate well into the CSF and also readily cross the placental barrier. They are metabolized in the liver and excreted via glomerular filtration in urine.

Now a days, sulfonamides are more commonly used in veterinary for gastrointestinal, respiratory, urinary tract, systemic and soft tissue infections. Being very soluble and rapidly excreted in urine, sulfonamides are particularly used to treat infections of the urinary tract. In humans, they are still effective in the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis (sulfacetamide 30% solution) and burns (silver sulfadiazine and mafenide).

The commonly observed untoward reactions of sulfonamides include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, crystal urea, hematuria, acute hemolytic anemia, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, hypersensitivity reactions (skin rashes, dermatitis, photosensitivity and Steven-Johnsons syndrome) and kerniterus in newborns.

The dose of sulfonamides must be adjusted when given with anticoagulants, sulfonylurea and hydentoin anticonvulsants because sulfonamides can potentiate the effect of these groups of drugs.

I am a pharmacist by profession. I have launched a website dedicated to Pharmacy pharmacology and Medical students and also for general information. The purpose of sending this article to share some knowledge via your website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Asad_Munir

Facts About Gluten

It is absolutely astonishing to think how much gluten exists in our foods and in the common diet. I mean, somehow, it has found its way into most everything you can imagine. In fact, I often find when talking with patients, that there is gluten in every single meal.

"Where is the gluten?," you might be asking.

Think of it this way, what do most people eat everyday?

Breakfast: cereal and/or toast

Lunch: sandwich and/or soup

Dinner: pasta, pizza and/or bread

Dessert: cookies, cake and/or pie

Each of the foods just mentioned (unless they are the gluten-free version) contain gluten.

Let's step back a bit and ask: what is a grain? I find that grains are not often something people talk about.
Grains are foods made from wheat, corn, barley, oat, rice, millet, quinoa, and amaranth. Examples are bread, pasta, tortillas, cereal, and cookies.

So then, what is gluten? Gluten is a protein in certain grains: wheat, rye, barley and oats. Gluten is what makes bread soft and chewy.

Even more specifically, there are two main proteins in gluten, gliadins and glutenins. One particular gliadin, found in wheat, is what leads to celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.

Barley and rye contain a gliadin that looks very similar to the one in wheat, and therefore, when the body reacts to wheat gluten, it usually reacts to barley and rye gluten too. Oat gluten is slightly different, but also often causes the same reaction.

What is the bottom line? To avoid gluten, you need to stop eating anything made from wheat flour. Not just "whole wheat." Anything that says "wheat" in the list of ingredients. Then you also need to avoid rye, barley and oats.

Wheat flour and gluten are also often found in foods that you might not think of as containing wheat. For example, soy sauce and many other sauces, as well as gravy and soups, contain gluten. In the case of sauces and soups, gluten makes them thick and creamy.

Gluten is a nice thing in cooking and baking; It makes foods look and taste good. However, in the human body, especially in people who have an allergic response to gluten, too much (or even a little) is not a good thing.

After repeated exposure (every meal, or most every meal, for years and years), and stress in general (which we all have), many people (many more then are actually diagnosed) start reacting to gluten.

For some people the reaction begins at an early age (less then 1 in some cases). For others, it may be later in life (I see patients of all ages who have discovered that they have a gluten sensitivity).

It is almost impossible to imagine that the foods we love, like bread and pizza, might actually be causing our health problems. It is as if we think we will have nothing to eat if not for gluten. And for good reason. It is in most everything that is commonly served and sold in stores and restaurants.

In reality, it is BECAUSE most all of our foods contain gluten that so many of us (myself included) have become sensitive to it.

The wonderful news is that there ARE many foods available that do NOT contain gluten. It takes a bit of a shift in thinking about what to eat, but there is no doubt in my mind that we can live without gluten.

Actually, at this point, we can't live with it.

DONIELLE WILSON, ND is a natural health expert and Naturopathic Doctor with a private practice in New York City, Port Jefferson, NY, and Connecticut. She specializes in showing women, men and children how to achieve their wellness goals by finally getting the answers they've been looking for to their most perplexing health challenges. To learn more about Dr. Doni and her unique approach to achieving health naturally, please visit Dr. Doni today at: http://www.DoctorDoni.com.

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Building a Breakfast

Breakfast is key to starting your day feeling healthy and energetic. Whether you are focused on balancing your blood sugar, lowering cholesterol, losing weight, avoiding gluten and dairy, fighting off yeast or improving your mood and focus... the breakfast recommendations are basically the same!

1. Make sure to include protein.
2. Minimize carbohydrates.
3. Include healthy fat and fiber if possible.

OK, with those three points in mind, let's build a breakfast for you. I would like to encourage you to think outside the breakfast box! Forget about cereals, pancakes, waffles and the like. They are simply too high in carbohydrates, have a high glycemic index and, furthermore, tend to contain gluten (an all too common grain that many people can't eat).

Set aside American breakfast concepts, and those advertised on TV and start thinking of breakfast in a whole new way. How about wild salmon for breakfast? (that is one of my favorites) Or left over chicken and roasted vegetables.

Here are my favorite breakfast choices:

1. Protein shake (Metagenics Sustain or Thorne Mediclear Plus) with flax seed oil, ground flax seeds and ProBerry
2. Turkey Bacon (hormone and antibiotic free)
3. Frozen turkey sausage (hormone and antibiotic free)
4. Wild Salmon, sauteed with onions
5. Turkey Bologna (hormone and antibiotic free)
6. Whole, Organic egg (if you are not intolerant to eggs) poached or sauteed with arugula and goat cheese
How much you ask?

My recommendation is to eat half. Eat half as much as you think you need or half as much as you usually have. What is the worst possibility? You might feel hungry in an hour or two? Great, then eat a second breakfast.

It is better to spread out the calories and eat every 3 to 4 hours throughout the day, so for those of you like me, who love breakfast, I don't think it will take much convincing to switch to breakfast twice! That is right, eat half, and eat the other half (or something else) in a couple hours.

To drink? Stay away from juices. They are basically sugar, adding to your carbohydrate load and making a tasty breakfast for yeast, encouraging them to stay instead of go away. A much healthier option is green tea. It helps regulate blood sugar and metabolism, and prevents cancer at the same time.

Otherwise water, filtered of course, is a great place to start your day, especially if you consume caffeine, which is a diuretic. Minimize the caffeine, but at the same time I think you will find that the longer you stick to these breakfast items, you won't be needing that caffeine to boost your energy so much anymore.

By following these recommendations, you will likely notice a difference in how you feel even the very first day you try it. From then on, I bet you won't look back!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Doni_Wilson

What Does Stress Have to Do With It?

Our brains respond to stress of any severity and form, from skipping a meal to a death in the family. A healthy stress response involves a message from the brain to the adrenal glands (located above your kidneys), followed by a release of cortisol and adrenaline throughout the body.

In a healthy body, cortisol turns off the stress response and things go back to a relaxed mode. However, in our highly over-stimulated and stress-packed way of living, the stress response is triggered repeatedly and/or never turns off.

If only there was a reset button, I often joke! Sometimes a lengthy vacation is enough to flip the switch, but, alas, returning to home, work and life quickly puts us back into overdrive.

Cortisol is a high risk substance. While yes, it is normal and even healthy to have some cortisol produced in the body; that is what gets us up in the morning. The problem is that in high amounts and at the wrong time of day, cortisol negatively effects every system in the body. It turns off digestion (reflux, indigestion, bloating, constipation). It trips up the immune system (frequent infections, autoimmunity, cancer) and it brings hormones to a halt (low thyroid function, blood sugar issues and irregular menstrual cycles). Furthermore, Cortisol disrupts the messengers in the nervous system, the neurotransmitters, making anxiety, depression, sleep issues and eating disorders all the more likely.

In other words, stress causes adrenal exhaustion, also known as General Adaptation Syndrome (first described by Dr. Hans Selye in the 1930s). At first the adrenals may respond to stress in an overly zealous manner (referred to as Phase 1 Adrenal Exhaustion). However, depending on genetics and a number of variables, over time the adrenals gradually run out of steam (Phase 2 and 3 Adrenal Exhaustion).

Cortisol in high amounts is common with both Phase 1 and Phase 2 Adrenal Exhaustion. Then, in Phase 3, the cortisol runs out, which in some ways may be a relief! But now, with very little cortisol to go around, a person is likely to feel quite fatigued all day, and low cortisol is one of the most common causes of a low mood.

Adrenal Exhaustion is not a "conventional medical" diagnosis, but it is widely documented in the literature and I find it to be one of the major underlying causes of fatigue, anxiety/depression, weight gain/loss, sleep issues, eating disorders, menstrual issues, low thyroid function, frequent infections, cancer, autoimmunity and diabetes.

There is no reason to overlook it (or to spend a lifetime suppressing the symptoms with medications). And there is a way to test for it! I look at cortisol in the saliva, and measure it throughout the day, so I can see the unique pattern of adrenal stress in your body. And I look at urinary levels of adrenaline and neurotransmitters to find out exactly how stress has impacted your body, and what we need to do to help you recover.

Yes! Recovery is possible. All of these factors I have mentioned can be adjusted with nutrients and herbs (very well documented in research). All I need to know is what your levels are currently, and then I can tell you exactly what to do, in a step-wise fashion, to bring your adrenals back to life (so to speak) or push your reset button.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Doni_Wilson

Full Arch Dental Implant Replacement

Full arch dental implants are those created to hold an entire set of dentures for the upper or lower jaw in position. Full arch dental implants are basically just like the ones done for bridges and partial teeth replacement except the number of actual implants may vary according to your bone condition and the shape of your mouth.

Careful diagnosis of the need for these implants and an intensive study to plan and coordinate the procedure will be required before you can have full arch dental implants installed. Your dentist will do x-rays and possible CT scans to determine the amount of bone you have available for the implants to anchor to.

In the case where there is not enough bone density to anchor the implants properly the dentist may tell you that you will have to undergo bone grafting surgery before you can have the implants placed in your mouth. If you need bone grafting surgery it could take three to six months for your mouth to heal well enough that the implants could be inserted.

Once the implants are inserted you are looking at another three to six months before the teeth can be loaded onto the implants. It takes time for the grafts to heal and time for the implants to become one with your jawbone.

During the time when you are healing from the bone grafts and implantation surgery your dentist will likely affix a bridge that allows you to smile, eat, and act normally. Most people will not notice that you are having cosmetic surgery done unless you tell them. If the dentist cannot leave enough teeth in your mouth to support a bridge you may have to wear a standard removable denture device until your implants graft to the bone.
Your dentist will likely advice you to refrain from wearing anything like a denture plate for at least fourteen days after the implant surgery is performed. This amount of time is to allow your gums time to heal before you place the denture over them. Dentures can rub the gums and create problems with healing, and they also hold bacteria which can inhibit the healing process.

Your dentist may suggest that you are a candidate for an immediate loading. This means that as soon as the titanium pillars are implanted the dentist will load them with the teeth. There are special precautionary measures that must be taken when this type of procedure is done. In order to know if you are eligible for this procedure you need to speak to your surgeon at length.

There is a possibility that the dentist can fabricate an upper denture device that does not have a palate that covers the roof of your mouth. This will have to be discussed with your cosmetic dentist consultant before you can determine if you are a candidate for this special type of denture device.

No matter what type of denture devices you require a complete set of x-rays and CT scans will be performed to determine the condition of your jawbones.

Full arch dental implant replacement covers placing false teeth on implant pillars so that they cover the entire upper mouth. Full arch dental implant replacement can be performed in more than one style and is something you must plan out with your dentist. You can get more information at full arch dental implant replacement and dental implants in San Diego.

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Don't Live With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The key to curing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is to first identify the cause. The most common causes of IBS are gut dysbiosis or imbalanced gut flora (bacteria that protects our gut), and food sensitivities. This occurs by taking antibiotics, certain medications, other disease processes, parasites, yeast, misalignment of the spine, undue stress and anxiety over long periods of time. Think of the stressors you are exposed to, the life changes you experience. Even happy changes like getting married, buying a new house, having a baby, starting a new job, will affect your immune system and digestive system. The day to day stressors will add up too. If you are overwhelmed at home and work, eating the wrong foods, not exercising, not sleeping well, all of these will chip away at your digestive system.

Our digestive system is very complex and affects our nervous system and immune system. More than 70% of your immune system is tied in with your intestines. If the intestines have been compromised, you will develop "leaky gut". This simply means that things are getting through your intestines and into your bloodstream that shouldn't be there. This will get your immune system involved and create inflammation. This will also aggravate the nerves that innervate the Gastrointestinal tract. The end result is your body will try to tell you that something is not right. You may experience symptoms such as gas, bloating, burping, pain in abdomen, the feeling that food is not moving or feeling too full, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, joint aches, thyroid problems, and many more.

Once you have IBS, it can put you at risk for developing other chronic diseases like Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis, autoimmune conditions, gastritis, stomach or intestinal ulcers, depression, anxiety, behavioural issues (ADHD, OCD), and potentially colon cancer. This condition should not be ignored. It will not go away on its own.

What to do next? First thing is to see a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor (not a Traditional Naturopath) that can take a full history and order the appropriate tests to determine the extent of help the digestive system needs. These tests may include a complete stool analysis and a comprehensive digestive analysis. From those results, your digestive issues can be resolved with certain vitamins, minerals, botanicals, nutritional and lifestyle changes. It's one thing to fix the digestive tract, but it is also very important to prevent this from recurring.

You will typically feel better within a week, but the treatments may take 3-6 months to completely heal the gut.

If you want to learn more about how my practice can transform your digestive health, visit http://www.naturalcareclinic.org

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The Intended Effects of Hormones for Trans People

I've covered this a little bit before, but in this article I am going in depth on what HRT is supposed to do. I also plan to pair this article with an article about the unintended, side effects of hormones, and one about what hormones aren't going to do. Having said that, let's move on to what hormones are supposed to do.

On to the physical changes, which I'm sure you're more interested in. A big one is in the muscles. For transgirls, your muscles will atrophy, or in other words slowly go away. If that displeases you, you might want to consider exercise. For transguys, expect the opposite to happen, and with proper diet and exercise, you can acquire manly muscles.

Another big physical change for trans girls is breast growth! Hooray! Yes, this is one that most trans girls look forward to when taking hormones. This one is very age dependent. The earlier you start, the more of an effect there will be. Those who start especially young may even end up with fully developed breasts, but those who start later in life (read: 30+) may receive little to nothing. Another big factor is genetics. You're liable to have one cup size less than your family, on average. This isn't always the case, but as a general rule it holds.

Fat redistribution is another big one that affects both genders. This is that one that makes people look subtly male or female. It's the body shape, and a little bit of the facial shape. It can take a while to fully take effect, but it can also mean all the difference in the world. This, however, is also up to the whim of genetics. Maybe you'll get the figure you're hoping for, but maybe not.

The last of the big physical changes is in body hair. Transguys will get body hair, and transgirls will experience a thinning of body hair and a stopping of male pattern baldness. Personally, the hair on my head has always been thick, so the second part doesn't mean much to me, but my body hair makes me rather dysphoric, so, yay!

I've saved one of the biggest effects for last. The change in the way we think is often overlooked, and many transgender folk are very surprised upon beginning hormones how much their thought process changes. I personally knew it would happen, and yet was still surprised. Just the other day I was watching a TV show and I legitimately started bawling. Granted it was a sad scene but nonetheless, I generally did not do this before.

The thing I'd like to stress when talking about that is that because of this, many trans girls think that 30 or even 25 is "too late" to start hormones. Ridiculous. There are a wide variety of effects that have nothing to do with breast development. If it's breasts you're concerned with, there's surgery to help with that, but don't let thinking that you're not going to get any be a deterrent from taking hormones.

One last thing before I end the post, and I'm putting it here because for some it's a reason to go on HRT, is that transgirls usually lose the ability to ejaculate. This happens to varying degrees, but there it is.

So, that's it! The wonderful world of the changes brought on by hormones. Hopefully this resource has been useful to you, and if there are any effects that I've missed and you think I should include, feel free to email me or leave a message in the comments and I'll edit the article.

Check out more articles at http://www.transhormones.com/, where the author of this article, Sarah McAtee, writes about hormones and hormone replacement therapy for transgender and trans* people.

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Treating Scars With Silicone or Glycerin Based Gel Sheets

Silicone or glycerin based gel sheets have been used by medical professionals for nearly 30 years to prevent the formation of hypertrophic or keloid scars following injury or surgery, and to reduce the size of existing scars. This product is usually self-adhesive on the silicone or glycerin side, and the outer layer is made of a fabric or a non-adhesive transparent film. The specific mechanism that results in these gel sheets helping to prevent and reduce the size of hypertrophic and keloid scars has not been identified, however studies continue. While silicone or glycerin gel sheets may be effective on any wound or scar, they have been shown to be most effective on hypertrophic and keloid scars.

Hypertrophic Scars
Hypertrophic scars occur when the body produces excess collagen at the site of an injury or wound. Excess collagen causes the scar to rise above the surrounding skin, but hypertrophic scars are confined within the edges of the existing wound, so they usually look like a raised pink or red lump. Hypertrophic scars generally form within 4 to 8 weeks after an injury or wound has closed.

Keloid Scars
Keloid scars are essentially 'aggressive' hypertrophic scars that grow outside the edges of the existing wound. Keloid scars are all hypertrophic, meaning they are the result of excessive collagen formation, but not every hypertrophic scar will grow beyond the borders of the wound and become a keloid scar. Keloid scars can be experienced by anyone, but they most commonly occur with individuals that have darker skin.

Both hypertrophic and keloid scars can be caused by surgical incisions, injuries, acne, and even body piercings. Because hypertrophic or keloid scars are caused by excess collagen, they are virtually harmless. They are not cancer, but they can result in feelings of self-consciousness, especially if they are on the face or other areas that are not covered by clothing. In addition, they can be painful, itch, and remain sensitive to touch.

While the specific reasons silicone or glycerin gel sheeting is effective for preventing or reducing scars is still not clear, various theories about their use exist. These theories focus on temperature, pressure, oxygen, hydration, and the silicone or glycerin itself. Some of the data has been inconsistent. For example, studies have shown an increase in both temperature and pressure around a wound or scar under a gel sheet, others show no appreciable increase in either temperature or pressure, and others show an increase in temperature, but no increase in pressure, or vice versa. Silicone and glycerin sheets are gas permeable so oxygen can reach the skin and improve wound healing, but many other scar treatments allow oxygen to pass to the skin. The gel sheet may hold moisture in the skin longer, and prolonged hydration is thought to be the potential reason scars are prevented or reduced.

Finally, perhaps the silicone or glycerin itself stimulates increased cellular activity, or is used at the molecular level to speed healing. Whatever the specific reason(s) for the effectiveness of silicone or gel sheets on scars, it has been demonstrated that gel sheets are more effective than silicone or glycerin gel or oil alone, which leads many to believe the results of gel sheets are some combination of some or all of the factors outlined above.

Despite not having a clear understanding of the specifics, the effectiveness of silicone or glycerin sheets at preventing and reducing hypertrophic and keloid scars is supported by a number of clinical studies, and more controlled clinical studies have been performed on the treatment of scars using silicone or glycerin gel sheets than almost any other treatment.

Rob Blair is the Vice President of Operations for ProHealthcareProducts.com, an online retailer of medical products ranging from patient wear to medical diagnostics equipment. Rob consults medical professionals with their purchasing needs.

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Eat Half, Twice As Often!

I figured out that all you have to do to lose weight and then maintain your new weight is eat half as much as you normally would, but twice as often.

While you may have heard of a similar concept (small, frequent meals) before, what may be new to most people is to adjust the proportions each time you eat.

Notice that I say "each time you eat" instead of "meal." I believe the word "meal" is overly associated with a whole lot of food! So from now on, the food on your plate will be referred to as "time to eat."

Instead of 3 meals a day, make it 6 times to eat per day. Instead of breakfast, lunch and dinner, I say "first breakfast, second breakfast, first lunch, second lunch, etc."

Back to proportions! Okay, so we all learned from the standard American health classes and diet pyramid that "meals" should be basically 1/3 starch, 1/3 vegetables/fruit and 1/3 protein. The problem, as I see it, is that BOTH starch (bread, pasta, potatoes, rice) and vegetables/fruit contain carbohydrates (and very little protein/fat).

With that much carbohydrate in every "meal," three times per day, it is only a matter of time before a person's insulin stops working and the gates open for health issues like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, weight gain, etc...

I recommend shifting the percentages to 50:50. That is 50% protein based food (meat, poultry, fish, beans, nuts, eggs), which also contain healthy fats, and 50% carbohydrate based food (vegetables/fruits and gluten free grains).

Notice that I completely left out dairy products and gluten, which I consider to be the single biggest instigators of health issues all around.

So "eat half" means to eat half protein based food and half carb based food.

It also means "eat half" at each sitting. Instead of eating everything on a large plate, draw a line down the middle and eat half. (Or use a smaller plate!) Save the other half for 3-4 hours later when your body needs another fill of nutrients and calories.

Why 3-4 hours later? When you go more then 3-4 hours without eating, your body goes into stress mode, otherwise known as starvation. While we may wish that our bodies would burn the excess around our middles, or perhaps a little off the backside, that is simply impossible, I am sorry to say. Our bodies ONLY know how to use muscle for fuel.

So save your muscle, for goodness sake, and feed yourself every 3-4 hours. It may seem like a babysitting job at first, but hey, if you don't feed yourself, who will?

I suggest setting an alarm on your cell phone for every 3 hours throughout the day. At first you may find that you have no idea what to eat, but soon you will catch on to the game and make sure you have something around so that you can move on to the next 3 hour interval nourished, energized and feeling clear and level-headed.

That's right! Eating something every 3-4 hours ensures your blood sugar and your mood will be balanced.

Which means you'll be more productive while you nourish yourself and feel great!

Eat half (half protein, half carb.) and eat half as much, twice as often!

Think of it this way, you are not eating any more or less. You are just spreading it out differently through the day, in a way that works for your body.

at: http://www.doctordoni.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Doni_Wilson

What Is Pharmaceutical Granulation?

Pharmaceutical granulation is a process whereby granulated active ingredients (the drugs), are combined with excipient substances (additional inert powders). The binding of these powders creates medicines in tablet form. No tablet can consist of purely an active ingredient therefore extensive tests are carried out to find the perfect excipient to mix in. Just a small variation in the type or quantity of the excipient, can have a significant impact on how the drug works, along with the ability to distribute a tablet that is always exactly the same. Although the significant amount of trials carried out to test the excipient within each pill can be highly costly and time consuming, it is essential that the correct one is found. Once the perfect excipient is found, it will help the active ingredient to bond and evenly distribute itself around the body. It may also be flavoured to make the tablet more pleasant for the consumer. Coatings can also be used to improve the flavour of the tablet; these often contain sugar to create a sweet taste. The coating may also be designed to control where in the digestive system the active ingredient is released, this will ensure the most beneficial release of the drug.

The process of pharmaceutical granulation is not the same for all tablets. There can be different problems depending on the density or particle size within tablets, along with other compatibility issues. Here the active ingredient may not blend with the excipient and segregation can occur. Tablets may cause problems when consumed or simply not work effectively where this has happened. It is therefore necessary to run tests to completely ensure that the particles are correctly bound and distributed with the ability to do so in large scale production. Sometimes segregation can be resolved by granulating the active ingredient alone in the first instance, and then granulating it alongside the excipient afterwards to form the tablet.

Why is pharmaceutical granulation used?

The most widespread form of medication used across the world is tablets; thus making the process of pharmaceutical granulation extremely commonly used and incredibly important. Tablets are used in the treatment of a huge quantity of illnesses and diseases. They are very convenient to carry around and can be consumed easily without any need for extra devices, possibly just a fluid to aid swallowing. This is a strong advantage over other medicines which may require a measuring spoon or syringe at least. Individuals that are required to take a number of pills each day are able to take tablets out of their original packaging and place them into portion boxes for each day, allowing them to be better managed and organised. Pharmaceutical granulation helps to create strong hard tablets which will not disintegrate into a fine powder and therefore can be managed and handled easily. The ability of the pill to avoid crumbling also ensures there is no loss of any active ingredient. This is highly important as it guarantees the consumer is receiving not only the same dosage each time, but also the correct dosage throughout their treatment. Furthermore hard, strong tablets can be snapped without any crumbling to enable individuals who perhaps prefer to swallow smaller parts at a time, to break the tablets in half.

Machinery used for pharmaceutical granulation

Purchasing machinery for pharmaceutical granulation can be extremely expensive, particularly in the testing stage. Both Spheronization and Extrusion equipment will be required to perform the process which can be bulky and difficult to store. Fortunately there are a few options for new or smaller pharmaceutical companies carrying out trials to reduce both the cost and need for storage space. Some manufacturers provide the option of hiring the equipment, allowing pharmaceutical companies to pay a smaller fee and return the product after use. Alternatively small scale versions of the machines can be bought which are easier to store and cheaper to obtain. One of the leading providers of small scale speronization equipment is Caleva, their Spheronizer 380 is specifically designed for small scale trials and production. They also offer machine hire to those who only require the machinery for shorter periods of time or for those who are not ready to commit to full scale production.

If you'd like more information about Pharmaceutical Granulation, please visit http://www.caleva.com/formulation_development.htm

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The Rise of Geriatric Medicine

Geriatric medicine is the branch of medicine that specializes in the treatment and well-being of elderly citizens. Geriatric medicine is becoming more and more prominent these days.

The reason is simple: People in developed countries like the US and Canada are living longer and having fewer children. This combination results in an "aging" population. For example, according to the US Census Bureau, the USA will have 47 million people over the age of 65 in 2015, 56 million in 2020, and 73 million in 2030. These represent increases of 38% and 55% with respect to 2015.

The higher demand for geriatric medicine will push prices up where the demand exceeds supply. Unfortunately, the income of elderly citizens will not increase in the same proportion. An elderly man's average income in the US is approximately $25,700 while an elderly woman's is $15,000. Sadly, many of these people are uninsured or their insurance doesn't fully cover their needs.

The Benefits of Geriatric Medicine

Geriatric medicine aims at preventing, eliminating or alleviating the main four areas of impairment that frequently arrive with old age and that affect the mental and physical well-being of an individual. These are:

Immobility: The inability to move independently or at a normal speed.
Instability: The inability to coordinate or move your body or parts of it.
Incontinence: The inability to contain your feces or urine.
Impaired intellect: The loss of mental abilities and memory.

Why Get Treatment in Mexico

Most people think that the main reason elderly people might get medical treatment in Mexico is because it's more affordable. It's true that affordability is often a factor, however there are other aspects of healthcare in Mexico that make it an attractive option.

Excellent quality and good service are other major factors. Regardless of how much money you might save, nobody in their right mind will put their health in the hands of an unproven provider. Mexico's hospitals and clinics have a reputation for high-quality care-as good, if not better than the quality of care you'd get at home.

Distance is also important. Some conditions require a patient to have treatment for long periods of time, even for the rest of one's life. Unlike other healthcare destinations, like India or Singapore, Mexico is right next to the US, making it easy for patients to return for revisions in treatment and follow-up care. Unsurprisingly, many medical centers are located in border towns like Mexicali, just 2 or 3 hours away from San Diego or Los Angeles.

Being able to communicate in your own language is always reassuring. Border areas between countries that speak two different languages are always the first places where people become bilingual. For example, Mexicali doctors are all bilingual. The doctors not only speak English, but they're experts in the English medical terminology in their respective specialties.

Geriatric Medicine is a perfect fit for Mexico, like many cultures that value family life above all else, Mexicans treat elderly people with respect, human warmth and genuine caring. This is a pleasant surprise for many foreign visitors who have only experienced impersonal treatment from medical professionals in the past, and it has a positive impact on the recovery and healing of patients.

The Goodness Company is a worldwide leader in healthcare marketing services. With clients in over 44 countries The Goodness Company is ready to serve your healthcare marketing needs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Monica_Rix_Paxson

Effective Tips To Help You Fight Cancer

Everyone knows that cancer is dangerous, but not everyone understands the numerous ways in which it can effect your health. As with anything in life, knowing the symptoms and course of cancer will help you fight it more effectively. You will find a variety of practical tips about living with cancer in this article.

Avoid eating sugary foods to prevent the growth of cancer cell growth.Cancer cells grow faster when they have a supply of glucose, and eliminating it from the diet can sometimes starve the cancer cells. This alone will not eliminate cancer, but it is a good complement to other types of cancer fighting therapy.

Not only will you feel your best each day by keeping a healthy diet along with lots of regular exercise, it also reduces your risk of cancer. Eating enough vegetables and fruit, drinking lots of water, and exercising for 30 minutes every day can help to keep cancer at bay and help you to live a healthy and happy life.

Exercise helps your circulation by getting your blood throughout the body. Getting your blood flowing is always sound strategy because it means your cancer treatments can traverse your body easier.

Be prepared for physical changes that could occur from the cancer therapy. Your doctor can give you the side effects that your drugs and treatment. If you appearance makes you uncomfortable, you might want to buy a wig or if your complexion gets pale, then consider wigs and makeup.

These people include oncologists, chemo specialists, chemo specialists and anyone who can assist you, empathize and help with what you are going through. You can't do this alone; be ready to allow people into your life so you are not alone.

Be conscious of and grateful for the support others are giving you.

Do not remove yourself out of the situation. This will not help yourself get well.

Whether you have had cancer for a day or a year, a support group can be a huge help. Family members should also attend as well.

Open lines of communication can provide a strong bond that are healthy and your loved ones.

Prior to undergoing treatment, be sure to ask all questions that you have so you understand what kinds of changes your body will undergo. This information allows you to make an informed decision about your treatments. If you are receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment, you may want to consider buying a wig or wearing head scarves to cover your treatment-related hair loss.

As previously stated, knowing the effects of cancer involves being well-informed. If you work on improving your health, you may decrease your risk of getting cancer. By using the tips contained in this article, you can begin your battle with cancer.

Cell isolation kit

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_R_Kolb