People with asthma may one day receive an unconventional prescription for their condition: eat less.

Known as caloric restriction, eating fewer calories than you need has been touted for many years as a way to increase lifespan. While this effect has been demonstrated in lab animals, whether caloric restriction makes people live longer is not clear.

Nevertheless, scientists are exploring caloric restriction as a way to treat a host of conditions — including asthma, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and spinal cord injury — and so far, findings suggest a benefit. In addition, caloric restriction may have a role in preventing Alzheimer’s disease and cancer, said Mark Mattson, a neuroscientist at the National Institute on Aging in Baltimore.

Mattson, who himself practices caloric restriction, said he would currently recommend the practice only to people who are overweight or obese. More research is needed to determine whether benefits are seen in lean people.

Mattson discussed his work here at the American Association of the Advancement of Science annual meeting.

Caloric restriction as therapy

In a study published last year in the International Journal of Obesity, Mattson and colleagues found caloric restriction reduced cancer risk factors among overweight women who had a family history of breast cancer. Women who ate 25 percent fewer calories than needed to sustain their weight for six months had reduced levels of hormones and inflammation associated with breast cancer risk.

In a 2007 study, Mattson and colleagues placed 10 overweight participants with asthma on a calorie-restricted diet of 500 to 600 calories every other day. on the days they weren’t dieting, particpants ate as they pleased. after eight weeks, participants said they were able breathe more easily, and had better control of their asthma symptoms compared with the beginning of the study, Mattson said.

Research on animals also suggests caloric restriction reduces neurological damage after a stroke, but only on young or middle-aged animals. Older animals do not appear to benefit, indicating that caloric restriction may offer stroke benefits only at certain points in life, Mattson said.

A 2008 study showed that rats that fasted every other day recovered better from a spinal cord injury.

Preventing disease 

Caloric restriction may also help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Just as exercising benefits your muscles, “exercising your nerve cells does the same thing,” Mattson said. Reducing daily calories puts stress on the brain cells that, in a sense, exercises them, Mattson said.

In mice designed to develop Alzheimer’s disease, those fed a calorie-restricted diet performed better on memory tests, and had reduced levels of amyloid beta protein in their brain compared with mice not fed a restricted diet. Amyloid beta aggregates in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, and is thought contribute to disease onset.

Caloric restriction has been showed to increase levels of a protein in the brain called BDNF. This protein is thought to be involved in the generation of new brain cells, Mattson said.

Not all diseases show a benefit from caloric restriction. Studies suggest that for those with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, it may make the condition worse, Mattson said.

Pass it on: Caloric restriction may be used as a therapy for a host of diseases, including asthma and stroke, research suggests. it may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

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In a study, DHEA appeared to ease the severity of menopause symptoms, including one of the most frustrating: decreased sexual appetite.

For some women going through menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can mean the difference between unbearable and manageable symptoms. but HRT has been getting a lot of negative press recently, as studies have shown increased risk for cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

Some women, wary of these risks, may be looking for another option. now there could be one. the adrenal hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) appears to ease the severity of menopause symptoms, including a particularly frustrating one for many women: decreased sexual function. in women and in men, DHEA serves as a precursor hormone from which other reproductive hormones, like estrogen and testosterone, are synthesized.

The new study followed 48 women who had been suffering from menopause symptoms for a year. the women were divided into four groups. one group took low-dose DHEA; one took standard estrogen-progesterone HRT; one group took a synthetic hormone called tibolone, which has previously been suggested to improve menopause symptoms; and the last took a vitamin D supplement.

At the end of a year-long period, the women in the first three groups — that is, those taking hormones of any sort — had significantly improved menopause symptoms compared to the women who had been taking vitamin D supplements.

Singling out sexual function, the researchers observed that women taking DHEA and HRT reported significantly more interest in sex and more sexual activity than before beginning the hormones. the women taking tibolone also reported better sexual function, but the difference was not as great as for women taking DHEA or HRT. There was no change in the women taking vitamin D.

Because it is a precursor hormone, DHEA may work by increasing levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, all of which could play a role in sexual function. the results of the study sound promising, and they could well be, but the study was very small, with only about 12 women in each experimental group.

“This is an interesting result,” said Climacteric journal editor Anna Fenton in a news release, “although we must bear in mind that this is a pilot study with a small sample. nevertheless, it does indicate that DHEA has potential as a therapy to help women deal with the physical discomfort of the menopause, as well as helping them sexually.”

Larger clinical trials will of course be needed before any solid conclusions can be drawn about the effectiveness, safety, and dosing of DHEA. Longer-term studies will also have to determine whether DHEA given over a period of years has any adverse effects. it is important to point out that products advertising that they contain natural DHEA, like yam or soy products, are misleading, since the body cannot actually synthesize DHEA from these chemicals. it will be interesting to follow the clinical research as it develops, and determines whether DHEA might be an effective alternative to HRT.

The research was carried out by a team at the University of Pisa, and published in the December 2011 issue of Climacteric.

Image: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.

This article originally appeared on TheDoctorWillSeeYouNow.com, an Atlantic partner site.

by jajacks62

Article by Ramy Mekky

There are other aspects that you need to consider when you are creating your symptoms check; these aspects include ‘Family inherited diseases’, ‘Things having direct impact on your daily life’, ‘Alcohol and Drugs effect’ and ‘Smoking effect’.

Family Inherited diseases: Children are subject to inherit some conditions (known as genetic or inherited disorders) from their parents. so you need to take into account whether any of your family members is suffering from similar conditions, when you are doing your symptoms check. The risk of inheriting such disease increases for direct family members affected by such condition. Some of the conditions that commonly run in families and that are easily developed by descendants are:

Autoimmune conditions (such as underactive thyroid gland). certain cancers. Cardiovascular disease (causing heart attack and stroke). Diabetes. Mental disorders (such as depression).

Things having direct impact on your daily life: Some symptoms can have a direct effect on the quality of your life and it is very important to get help soon for it. these symptoms include:

Driving and other activities: Problems in vision for example can stop you from driving until you have proper treatment. Exercise: Not being able to exercise for because of a health problem can make you depressed or get more weight, which would affect you more in the future. Family issues: when you have to take care of your children and your health problem prevents you from doing this. Home Life: when your daily activities like cooking, washing, shopping and more is affected by your health problem. Work: health problems preventing you from getting to work or doing your job correctly and the consequences of this.

Alcohol and Drugs effect: Alcohol and drugs are often responsible for symptoms that you might never suspect can be connected. there is no such thing as a safe limit for alcohol exists, when you drink alcohol you may put your health at risk. so when you drink, you increase the risk of having any of the following:

Accidents: many driving accidents are direct result of alcohol. Chest pain and stroke symptoms: Drinking alcohol increase the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. so any chest pain you have is more probable related to heart problems in this case. Liver problems: if you drink too much alcohol for too long, you may have health problems like liver failure or liver cancer. so if you suffer from abdominal pain, tiredness or yellow skin, your symptoms may be related to liver problem. Poisoning: Drinking a lot may lead you to suffer a fatal alcohol poisoning.

Smoking effect: Smoking is a very important factor that you need to mention in your symptoms check due to wide range of problems it can cause. Smoking can lead both to minor problems and potentially serious health problems with time.

Bad breath. Coughs, colds and flu-like illness. Gum problems and mouth ulcers. Chest symptoms. Fertility problems. Leg problems. Vision problems.

This should conclude our series of articles about creating your own health symptoms check.

Ramy has been writing articles for nearly 2 years. come visit his latest website that preview baby shower parties items like Baby Shower Invitations and Baby Shower Themes that helps people find the information they are looking for when they are expecting a new baby.

Find More Stroke Symptoms Articles

Blood clots, heart attack, and stroke are often symptoms of conditions or diseases such as cancer, but could also be side effects associated with certain medications and medical devices. Below is a list of diseases and conditions associated with symptoms like blood clots, heart attack, and stroke, as well as a list of medications and medical devices related to similar side effects.

Please contact your doctor if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms or side effects, or similar health issues.

Blood Clots, Heart Attack, and Stroke could be associated With:

Obesity increases your risk of developing many life-threatening conditions and health problems that lower quality of life. Complications of obesity can include heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and sleep apnea. People who are obese are more likely to develop blood clots, possibly connected to leptin, a hormone produced by fat cells.

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body creates antibodies that attack certain components of blood or cell membranes. The damage from these attacks causes clots to form. APS can cause blood clots in the arteries and veins, and clots that move into the lungs. it can cause also cause stroke, miscarriage, heart attack, and heart valve problems. nearly half of all lupus patients also have APS.

Immobility: Prolonged sitting, such as in a very long car or plane ride, and other types of immobility such as bed rest, can cause blood to pool in the veins in your legs leading to deep vein thrombosis (a clot in the deep vein of your leg). The clot can move into your lungs causing pulmonary embolism. Having developed DVT increases your risk of developing blood clots in your arteries which ca cause heart attack or stroke.

Cancer: Cancer can increase the risk of blood clots and the heart attacks and strokes they can cause due to multiple factors. The disease itself can cause metabolic and circulatory problems that make the blood more likely to clot. Bed rest, chemotherapy, and indwelling venous infusion catheters, sometimes necessary during cancer treatment can also increase the risk.

Blood Clots, Heart Attack, and Stroke are also side Effects associated With:

Yasmin is a birth control pill that contains a combination of synthetic hormones. Yasmin contains drospirenone, a progestin (synthetic progesterone) that is known to be associated with blood clots, stroke, heart attack, gallbladder disease and other health problems. Yasmin can have other serious side effects including personality change and decreased sex drive.

Ortho Evra is a birth control product that is administered in the form of a transdermal patch rather than a pill. Ortho Evra can cause blood clots, heart attack, and stroke in young women who are not in a high risk group for cardiovascular events because it delivers a higher dose of estrogen than most birth control pills.

Plavix is used to prevent blood clots. it works by inhibiting the ability of platelets to clump together. although it is supposed to prevent clotting it sometimes causes a condition called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in which blood clots form throughout the body.

Drug Eluting Stents are metal mesh tubes used to help keep arteries open and prevent heart attack. Drug eluting stents release a medication that is supposed to prevent reintosis, the formation of clots and blockage of the stent. however, they can cause a condition called late stent thrombosis which involves the formation of a clot inside the stent and leads to heart attack

There could be many other health issues, medical devices or pharmaceutical drugs that are associated with symptoms and side effects like heart attack, blood clots and stroke. it is best to consult with a qualified physician and be honest about your other treatments and lifestyle so he or she can help diagnose the source of the problem.

Were you affected? Click Here for a free case evaluation! Comments

I've seen people ask questions about serious burns, stroke, acid in the eyes, bleeding, swelling of the throat to the point of not being able to breath, you name it…

It's cheeper than going to the Dr. =)

Dear Dr. Donohue — Please write something about polycythemia. Mywife was just diagnosed with it. Before she was diagnosed, shecomplained about severe itching and tried many different creams,lotions and ointments without any relief. Finally a doctor made thediagnosis. She has blood taken periodically. the itching hasstopped. how did she get this? — R.T.

Answer — “Polycythemia” (POL-ee-sigh-THEME-ee-uh) literallymeans “too many blood cells” — poly, many; cyt, cells; emia, blood.no one is able to say how people get it. That’s still being workedon.

All varieties of blood cells — white, red and platelets — areproduced in overabundance. Platelets are tiny blood cells whosefunction is to form a clot when a blood vessel breaks.

Blood, packed with too many cells, becomes thick and movessluggishly. That gives rise to symptoms such as headache,dizziness, ear ringing and a rise in systolic blood pressure (thefirst number of a pressure reading). Itching is another sign. Awarm shower or warm bath greatly increases itchiness.

One of the most serious consequences is clotting. A clot in abrain artery is a stroke. Bleeding and easy bruising are othercommon signs. That sounds paradoxical — clotting and bleeding. Andbleeding shouldn’t happen with an excess of platelets. It doesbecause often the platelets are of inferior quality.

Treatment is blood removal. Once the blood count has beenlowered and symptoms have gone, removal can be done lessfrequently, every three months or so.

If blood removal does not achieve control, medicines can beadded to the regimen.

Dear Dr. Donohue — I read what you had to say about gallstonesfor the woman who didn’t want to have her gallbladder removed. Ihave gallstones too, and want them out. my doctor insists I don’tneed an operation. what if I were to have an attack at someinopportune time? I’d rather plan for surgery. is this a rationalapproach? — W.B.

Answer — yes, your approach is a good argument for surgery.However, the odds are that you will never need an operation. Youhave what is called incidental gallstones, gallstones not kickingup any trouble, discovered by chance. the percentage of people withsilent gallstones in the years from 50 to 59 is 12 percent forwomen and 7 percent for men. between the ages of 60 and 69, thepercentages are 16 for women and 17 for men. Only a few of thesepeople will ever have a gallbladder attack. Surgery for silentstones isn’t recommended.

Write Dr. Donohue at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, Fla.32853-6475.

There are a lot associated with reasons why an individual’s epidermis may create a rash, therefore determining the scabies break outs only works when along with the id associated with other possible signs of scabies. any persistent allergy accompanied with intensive itching might reveal a scabies infestation. A break outs due to the particular scabies mite brings about extreme itchiness as well as tenderness which worsens at night producing slumber challenging or even impossible. The actual discomfort from your scabies break outs will even intensify once you have a scorching shower or bath. with all the scabies break outs your skin will have tiny pimple-like bumps using the reputation associated with greater red-colored protrusions with little burrows uncovered at first glance on the skin.

The particular burrows are extremely challenging to see or even will be altered through marring. They can be easily subjected through the dark, water-based, felt-tipped gun and also marking the bigger protrusions, then require a gauze pad that has been made wet together with do away with alcohol consumption as well as stroke a lot of it on the same area. any time wiped dried up, the actual tunnels will probably be evident as little, s-shaped traces just under your skin. it can help to use a magnification device . along with a bright gentle since the burrows are very tiny (only 2-3 millimeters). To conclude, the actual signs of scabies would include: intensive itching, burrows, inflammation, soreness, discomfort, inflammation of your skin, pustules, as well as nodules. these types of signs indicate the likely pests and also a proper scabies therapy is going to be required, for example emerges under.

Despite the fact that scabies are quite infectious, the actual rash brought on by the particular scabies mite cannot be transmitted from particular person to a new. The rash brought on by the mite happens when the physique grows allergy symptoms to the scabies mites, the actual mites’ feces, secretions, eggs as well as larvae. The mite may be the simply transmittable aspect in the actual transmitting associated with scabies. if the scabies dust mites are usually transmitted to some person these people quickly recreate, infesting their sponsor that leads to the particular the signs of the particular scabies rash. these types of signs and symptoms happen inside of 3 to 6 weeks with the initial mites’ tranny towards the fresh host. Potential infestations generally increase the risk for allergic attack happening much more quickly, (2-3 times) because the person’s body “remembers” the actual things that trigger allergies as well as reacts for the mite.

Scabies rash is normally the initial sign to be seen and could take 2-4 several weeks to be able to recover following the scabies have been successfully removed from your host. Even though the scabies tend to be properly handled and also eliminated, the actual rash continues for a while! Don’t be surprised when this occurs as the seem of the allergy modifications plus it slowly and gradually goes away combined with the itch. it is because even after the particular termites die, these people remain beneath the epidermis and also always generate allergens that make the scabies allergy. The dust mites leave at the rear of dangerous materials towards the human body. with time, the ruined epidermis is actually slowly swapped out through new, healthy epidermis which is constantly moving for the surface in the reduced (dermis and also pores and skin) levels of epidermis.

Rest from the actual itching can be had, nevertheless, through the use of body creams containing shea butter and you will also employ antihistamines in which arrest the allergy symptoms. When following the treatment with regard to scabies the particular rash returns and also worsens after a couple of days, this implies how the therapy had been unsuccessful, you have recently been re-infested and will need to replicate or even alter the therapy. in order to avoid having to re-treat check out my own web site beneath to get an effective, cost-effective, organic scabies treatment which is secure for anybody such as babies as well as pregnant mothers.

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Depression got you down? always feeling tired and fatigued? maybe its time to retire… No, really! Retirement leaves people much less mentally and physically fatigued and to a smaller degree less depressed, Swedish researchers say. However, Dr. Hugo Westerlund of Stockholm University in Sweden also finds retirement does not change the risk of chronic illnesses such as respiratory disease, diabetes and heart disease.

Westerlund and colleagues say the study of 11,246 men and 2,858 women in France who were surveyed annually from 1989 to 2007 — seven years prior to retirement and seven years after retirement. Seventy-two percent retired between the ages of 53 and 57, but all retired by the age of 64.

In the year before retirement, 25 percent suffered from depressive symptoms and 7 percent were diagnosed with one or more of respiratory disease, diabetes, heart disease or stroke.

“If work is tiring for many older workers, the decrease in fatigue could simply reflect removal of the source of the problem … furthermore, retirement may allow people more time to engage in stimulating and restorative activities, such as physical exercise,” Westerlund and colleagues say in a statement.

The research results “indicate that fatigue may be an underlying reason for early exit from the labor market and decreased productivity, and redesign of work, healthcare interventions or both may enable a larger proportion of older people to work in full health.”

The findings are published in the British Medical Journal.