Health Blog | I Give You Health

Yesterday James came into my office because he just found out that he had just been diagnosed with diabetes. His doctor said that he needed to get a diabetic foot check. First thing I asked James was if he’d ever known anybody who have a diabetic foot amputation. He said that yes he did have a cousin who had lost his lead to diabetes. He also said that his cousin had died shortly after the operation. When asked what happened he didn’t seem to recall any of the specifics surrounding the event. Asked if he knew how diabetes can cause an amputation. He said he had no idea.

Shouldn’t every diabetic know the details so that amputations could be prevented?

There are basically two groups of patients when it comes to understanding of diabetic foot problems. One group are ready fully understands all of the risks to their feet related to diabetes, but this is very rare. The much larger group of people have no clue how all of this happens. With every one of these folks I feel that the one goal is to get them to understand that diabetic foot problems are optional.

Diabetes can be a very difficult disease to learn to live with. Next thing you know, your doctor is telling you that you have to start exercising, he’s telling you what you can and cannot eat, and he is also telling you to have a heart attack. Then you are at home learning about blood sugar monitoring, taking medicine, pricking your finger every day. People will say, “Now I gotta think about my feet too? Seems like such a hassle.”

And it is.

But the good news in all of this is that everything bad that can happen to you because of diabetes is preventable. Everything. All it takes is a little learning, a little lifestyle change, and little daily effort. The goal is to get you to understand the basics of how diabetes can affect your feet…So you can take action and do something about it.

When you have diabetes you have three main problems, all working together and conspiring against you, that can lead to a diabetic foot amputation. It involves your nerves, blood flow and immune system.

When your blood sugar is high, there is a chemical reaction that directly damages the ends of the longest nerves in your body. The longest ones start in your back (where they exit the spine) and head all the way down to the toes in one long piece. Because the ends get damaged first, any nerve damage starts in the toes and gradually creeps up the foot toward the ankles.

It is always damaged at the same level in both feet. For example, if you have nerve damage (neuropathy) at the ball of the foot, the nerve damage is only in the toes. In this case the part of the foot around healed ankle and arch might be just fine.

Diabetic nerve damage makes it very difficult for someone to tell if they’re starting to develop a blister, cut, or even an infection. This can put them in a very high risk for developing serious problems. It is deceptive because you might be able to feel other things like the position of your feet, shoes and socks squeezing, but not a blister, cut or sore.

The second problem is the circulation or blood flow in the feet and legs. The arteries get clogged faster when you have diabetes. If you take two people who are identical, except one is diabetic, the one who is diabetic is four times more likely to have a heart attack. That is because of the increased rate of clogging up those arteries through the process called atherosclerosis. But this process happens everywhere, not just the heart. The blood vessels to the legs get plugged up too. Then, when you get a sore it takes longer to heal. It is also harder for your infection fighting white blood cells to get down there.

The last problem is your immune system. When your blood sugar is high, the white blood cells (called macrophages) have a hard to time fighting off those nasty bacteria. The white macrophages find bacteria through a process called chemotaxis. It is like following a trail of chemicals to its source. This is not very effective when the blood sugar is elevated. In effect, the macrophages are lost in the dark, simply bumping around, hoping stumble into some bacteria to kill. Very inefficient and not very effective.

Even if the white blood cells to find bacteria, they still have a problem. The high blood sugar prevents them from eating the bacteria. The process where the white blood cells engulf the bacteria (called phagocytosis) is essentially disabled. So they bump up against they bacteria, but can’t do anything. Imagine a great white shark with his mouth wired shut trying to eat a smaller fish for dinner. Because of all of this, the immune system is ineffective, the bacteria continue to grow and the infection quickly gets out of hand.

So a diabetic amputation goes something like this. If you start a walking program to help control your diabetes, but you have a little nerve damage, he may not be able to field blister starting to develop. If you keep walking the blister conversed. Just like that, you have an open sore. Your blood flow is a little sluggish and it takes a long time to heal. Then it gets infected while it is trying to heal. If your blood sugar is high, all of those sharks are wandering around in the dark, mouths wired shut, and the infection spreads.

If it spreads enough, one of the foot bones gets infected. And a bone infection is the kiss of death for the diabetic foot. The most consistently effective method of treatment for a diabetic bone infection (called oseomyelits) is to take out the infected bone. And that is where the amputation begins.

The moral of the story is watch your blood sugar, and your nerve damage will never get any worse. If you walk 30 minutes a day, fives days a week, your blood flow will never get any worse. If you develop any diabetic peripheral neuropathy, it is important that you are closely monitored and evaluated by someone who is an expert in the treatment of diabetic foot problems. If you ever get any open sore, blister or ingrown toenail it is an emergency…no joke. Get that foot checked out or it might get chopped off!

++++ THIS LECTURE IS AVAILABLE IN FULL@ shop1.mailordercentral.com There is NO relationship more fundamental to your health than your relationship with the soil that supports your every bodily function through its interface with us, FOOD. Paul speaks to a sold out audience at the Society of Weight-training Injury Specialists(SWIS) in Toronto Canada about quite possibly the most important topic of our day and age. Please RATE this video and tell us what you think, good or bad, by posting a video response or text comment. www.paulchek.com http www.ppssuccess.com Please visit tp for more on the work of SWIS. Diet ciliac crohns ibs bowel irritable nutrient supplements holistic health sears atkins southbeach rehab conditioning exercise weightloss disease degenerative muscles joints potbrownies cancer diabetes autoimmune arthritis big business government scandal olympic lifting kettle bell power lifting bench squat deadlift toronto proathlete hockey soil science farming organic biodynamic steiner acres usa grains beef pork chicken vegitables fertility independence revolution green nutrition protien

Having aches and stiff joints are sometimes a part of life. But if one notices that this goes beyond usual wear and tear or if it begins to interfere with the ability to live a normal, happy life, a type of arthritis may be the cause. Being able to identify what type of arthritis is the culprit will aide in the treatment and prevention of damage to joints.

23.1 million Americans have been diagnosed by doctors with arthritis. There are 2 main types of arthritis, osteo and rheumatoid arthritis, both are painful and can be debilitating but there are major differences.

Osteo-arthritis is also known as a degenerative arthritis, a syndrome which causes low-grade inflammation and pain in the joints. This type of arthritis is caused by the abnormal wearing of the cartilage that acts like a cushion inside joints. The synovial fluid which acts as a lubricant is also destroyed or decreased. The bone becomes less and less protected by the cartilage and lubricant causing pain during movement such as walking, it can even cause pain upon bearing weight like standing.

usually it takes people one ore two years in the regular health care before they start looking for other remedies. A rheumatoid arthritis diet is one of these alternative remedies we want to inform you about.

Of course the symptoms vary, rheumatoid arthritis is a disease where people react totally different to the disease itself but also to the medicine. Some people have severe pains every day and others have mild pain but do have very inflamed joints. Also the way they react to medication can be completely different. Some really have very good results with the prescription drug their doctor gave them while others have severe side effects. All of this is because rheumatoid arthritis is an illness of the immune system and people have a tendency to react different to it.

In general, arthritis attacks the joints, the muscles as well as the connective tissues of the body. It is very important to pay attention to this problem before it steal away your beautiful nights. If you have made a clear decision to actively manage your arthritis, then you are at the right place to keep your arthritis under control.

Arthritis diet – Salmon – It is among the richest sources of healthy fats, making it an ideal source of omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, it contains calcium, vitamin D, and folate. Besides helping in arthritis, salmon may protect the cardiovascular system by preventing blood clots, repairing artery damage, raising levels of good cholesterol, and lowering blood pressure.

Arthritis diet – Green tea – It contains hundreds of powerful antioxidant chemicals called polyphenols and may help prevent or ease symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. It has also been cited for helping prevent problems ranging from cancer to heart disease.

Arthritis diet – Banana – It is perhaps a rich source of potassium, but has also good sources of arthritis-fighting vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin C. Arthritis diet – Cheese – It is an excellent source of calcium for bones, and protein for muscles and other joint-supporting tissues.

Preventing arthritis altogether may not be entirely possible, but by using the tips above, you may be able to greatly lessen its painful effects and prevent it from changing your lifestyle.

www.encognitive.com This accessible study about the collusion between medical science and the drug industry emphasizes how drug companies market their products by either redefining problems as diseases (like female sexual dysfunction) or redefining a condition to encompass a greater percentage of the population. Moynihan, a health journalist for the New England Journal of Medicine and the Lancet, and Cassels, a Canadian science writer, note, for instance, that eight of the nine specialists who wrote the 2004 federal guideline on high cholesterol, which substantially increased the number of people in that category, have multiple financial ties to drug manufacturers. Physicians now routinely prescribe cholesterol-lowering pills (statins) that may have perilous side effects, when many people could lower their risk of heart attack with less costly and dangerous steps, such as exercise and improved diet. Through aggressive merchandising, funding of medical conferences and expensive perks, drug companies win doctors over to diagnosing these “diseases” and prescribing drugs for them. Science and medicine writers Moynihan and Cassels conjecture that most Americans believe, based on information gleaned from a deluge of pharmaceutical-company advertisements, that conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol, menopause, and chronic constipation are bona fide diseases. They quote reputable medical experts, however, who refute such understandings. What’s more, they suggest that …

The colon is one important part of the body that plays a vital role in your health. The colon is responsible for eliminating the bodys’ wastes and it is important to keep it in good condition to ensure its proper function. Among the most important ways to ensure the proper maintenance of the colon is by cleansing it to eliminate toxins and other harmful substances. People are learning the importance of detoxifying the colon and this explains the increasing popularity of colon cleansing products in the market.

Colon cleansing is usually associated with colonic irrigation and other procedures involving the removal of waste buildups in the large intestine. People avail of colonic cleansing for various reasons and the most common of them is the relief of constipation. When constipation becomes rather serious, manual irrigation of the colon is sometimes necessary and such is when colon cleansing becomes handy. People also get colon cleansing in preparation for other procedures that require the total elimination of bodily wastes such as in certain types of surgeries. Other people get their colon cleansed just to ensure that their digestive tract is clean and healthy.

There are many different types of colon cleansing products available in the market but they can be grouped into two major kinds. The first group of colon cleansers consists of substances that are taken orally whether as a dietary supplement or as medication. The second group of colon cleansing products consists of those that involve the manual cleansing of the bowels using direct methods. People attest the effectiveness of either types of colon cleansing products but health practitioners recommend particular products depending on the needs of the patient wanting to have their colon cleansed.

Colon cleansing products that are taken orally are used to help increase the function of the colon in eliminating the bodies waste products. Some products can just be mild helpers that assist in increasing the likelihood of products to be excreted. Among such products are high-fiber supplements such as psyllium husks that act as colon sweepers, helping digestive wastes to be transported out of the body. Similar types of such colon cleansers are concentrated soluble fiber, usually coming from plant sources. These colon cleansing products are useful for maintenance purposes.

Other oral colon cleansing products perform more aggressively than those previously discussed. These are medications that help induce more-than-normal elimination of waste products by the body. The most common example of these products are laxatives, which aid the body in excreting feces almost immediately. Such products are very useful for people having trouble moving bowels due to constipation among other factors. However, a lot of these products may cause side effects such as abdominal pains and discomfort, which is why care should be taken when using them.

More aggressive colon cleansing products are those that involve the direct irrigation of the colon using fluids such as sterilized water or liquid solutions. These types of colon cleansing products do their job by flushing out colonic wastes directly from the large intestine. Large volumes of liquid solution is inserted to the colon through the rectum so that wastes that have built up inside the colon can be flushed out.

Some of these colonic irrigation products can be brought over the counter such as do-it-yourself enemas which can easily be used in the bathroom at home. Such products often come in packages with colonic cleansing solutions and applicators that are used to irrigate the bowels. Others just come as nozzles or attachments that can be used repeatedly. More advanced products require the help of professional therapists that do the procedures in their clinics or bring their equipment to patient’s homes. In addition to the introduction of fluids to the bowels, some systems involve mild suction of wastes to assist in their elimination.

Direct colon cleansing products should not be used repeatedly, however. They may weaken the colon, making it reduce its natural function of elimination. This could cause dependency on such products.

Cleansing the colon in whatever means recommended is very important in a person’s health. The colon is the body’s sewerage system and common sense would tell what problems improperly kept sewerage systems may cause. To know more about colon cleansing products, consult your doctor or your health practitioner.

Fight prostate cancer – grow a moustache this Movember

www.ItsAboutMyPN.com Denver 303-758-0380. Dr. Erickson, DC talks about the Statin Drugs and Peripheral Neuropathy.

One out of ten American men will develop prostate cancer. Dr. Charles Ryan, a medical oncologist at UCSF, explores what we need to know about this cancer. Series: UCSF Mini Medical School for the Public [8/2008] [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 14835]

Human tendency is always to have doubts and suspicion about one thing or the other. Regarding diabetes people have lots of doubts and suspicion, and these doubts generate different myths. It is necessary to understand what are those myths and why one should not believe in them. This article is all about those myths and how incorrect and irrelevant are they. Read it to believe it.

Diabetes simply can be defined as a diesease in which a body is unable to produce or utilize insulin to convert sugar, starch, etc., into energy.

Diabetes Myth no. 1:

A person suffering from diabetes should never exercise

This is not a sin but a crime to spread such rumors. In fact, it is always advised to a diabetic patient to do mild exercise regularly, this will help them to recover completely and even fast. The complications caused to different Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes is controlled through doing proper exercises. However, patient should also remember that this has to be started slowly. That is to say patient should do brisk walk, simple exercise, etc., and gradually start some other exercises, but that too should not be dangerous or risky. It is also found that patient who complains of kidney problems or any kind of eye infection should restrict from exercise, but starts once again when these problems are over.

Diabetes Myth no. 2:

Diabetes is contagious.

This again is a crime, as this not only creates problem to the patient but also to the people around him. In fact this rumor makes many diabetic patients unwilling to socialize with normal people, as they feel inferior. Hence, one should know it very clearly that diabetes is not at all contagious and does not spread from one person to another by sleeping, eating, sitting together, etc. Diabetes is a hereditary disaese as there are some genetic causes for it. Daibetes is also very commom among fat people and people who ignores exercise like anything. But whatever may be the cause of diabetes, it is still not communicable or contagious.

Diabetes Myth no. 3:

Daibetes causes cough and cold

This is completely incorrect. Diabetes neither is communicable nor spread cough and cold.

Diabetes Myth no 4:

Diabetes may cause brain hemorrhage

Now this is also a very wrong thought, as it creates nothing but much more stress and confusion among the patients. When a diabetic patient keeps fasts, he may complain of a severe headache and extreme weakness. All these symptoms let people to assume that it is due and diabetes which gradually will result in brain hemorrhage. However, it is not at all correct and should not be believed. It is also found that children suffering from diabetes may suffer severe headache when they fast, and thus may effect their brain slightly, still it will never cause a brain hemorrhage.

Diabetes Myth no 5:

Say no to fruits

It is not correct. People suffering from disease, in fact should take various fruits, which are healthy. However, all fruits may not sound healthy, so patient should consult the doctor and dietician to know what all is suitable for a diabetic patient.

Diabetes Myth no 6:

Diabetic patient should never touch sweet and sugar content-food

It is a very common and wrong notion that a diabetic patient should strictly avoid sweets and other sugar containing foods. It is true that they should not take excess sweets, sugar, etc. However, a balanced diet including a sweet dessert or sweets is always acceptable. It is also said that if a diabetic patient do exercise, take balanced diet food, they can take one sugar candy every night. Here one should also remember that it is not his excess eating of sugar candies that caused diabetes, but because of his unhealthy practices, also lack of exercises and genetic reasons that cause diabetes.

The pharmaceutical companies who manufacture weight loss pills are enjoying a boom time at the moment feeding off the desperation of a populus that is increasing in weight year after year.

Sales of prescribed weight loss pills and over the counter variants are going through the roof since the health scares surrounding types of this product caused it to be removed from circulation during the late 1990s. Links to heart valve disease were something of a death nail to the weight loss pill market.

Nowadays, the weight loss pill is experiencing a renaissance. According to the pharmaceutical companies these weight loss pills are made completely of natural ingredients and are no longer of risk but yet they are still dogged by health issues.

Weight loss pills can be either prescribed or bought over the counter and the difference between the two are briefly highlighted here:

Prescription Weight Loss Pills:

Weight loss pills that are prescribed are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration agency. These pills have been monitored and scrutinized by the administration prior to use by the general public and as such are deemed the safer option.

The most popular of these is Xenical which works by reducing the amount of fat consumed by the body by 30 %. Unfortunately, Xenical is still dogged by side effects that include passing gas, abdominal cramping, increased number of bowel movements, leakage of oily stool and a loss of total control over bowel movements.

Over-the-Counter Weight Loss Pills:

The temptation to use over-the-counter weight-loss pills is often irresistible and the fact that many are not regulated warrants the question, are these products safe?

There are many pharmaceutical companies cashing in on the revived weight loss pill market and this is mirrored by the myriad of products available. Here is a shortlist of products, their claims and what you need to know:

1 Hoodia:

Possibly one of the better known products, claims to decrease appetite substantially.

Verdict: No conclusive evidence to support any of their claims.

2. Alli:

Reduces fat absorption by the intestines. A lesser strength variant of Xenical.

Verdict: As one of the few FDA approved over the counter weight loss pills it has the benefit of backing to substantiate its weight loss claims.

3. Guar gum:

Stops absorption of fat and suppresses appetite.

Verdict: Unlikely to cause weight loss, can cause gastrointestinal problems.

4.Green tea extract: Much revered in certain circles as it is claimed to increase metabolism

Verdict: Limited supportive evidence.

There are literally hundreds more all with relatively the same verdict. There is one resounding factor that all of these weight loss pills have in common. They all state that they are more effective when used in conjunction with a diet and a exercise routine.

If you decide to use a weight loss pill and follow its instruction to use a diet and an exercise program isn’t that hiding whether or not the tablet is effective or not?

Personally, I would forget the weight loss pill and look for an effective weight loss plan that will:

1. NOT tell me to go on a low calorie diet yet still provide me with fast but sustained weight loss

2. NOT put my health at risk

3. NOT cost a fortune

4. NOT be difficult to keep up

Never take diet drugs if pregnancy is suspected or if you are allergic to sulfites and tartrazine. Individuals under 18 or over 60 should consult their doctor prior to taking weight loss pills