People with the lung disease COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) who overdo it on bacon, salami, and other cured meats may be at greater risk for experiencing a flare-up that lands them back in the hospital.

COPD is the umbrella term for chronic lung diseases including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. People with COPD often experience a worsening of their breathlessness and other symptoms (exacerbations) throughout the course of their disease. these flare-ups can result in hospital stays.

New research in the European Respiratory Journal suggests that people with COPD who ate more than one slice of ham or the equivalent of another type of cured meat each day were more likely to have a flare-up that sends them back to the hospital, when compared with their counterparts who did not eat as much cured meat.

Nitrates and nitrites are added to cured meats to enhance their flavor and color, and to extend their shelf life. Nitrates can be converted in the body to nitrites, which have been linked to increased cancer risk in animals. some studies have also linked nitrites to an increased risk of stomach cancer in humans, but the evidence has not been conclusive.

Previous studies have suggested that eating cured meat may make a person more likely to develop COPD in the first place. The new study, however, shows it may also worsen disease in people who already have it.

Exactly how it may do so is unclear. The study authors suggest nitrites can damage lung tissue. “Our findings provide the first evidence that an excessive intake of cured meat can worsen progression of COPD,” says researcher Judith Garcia-Aymerich, MD, of the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology in Barcelona, Spain. “We believe that adherence to current dietary guidelines, which recommend a moderate or occasional intake of cured meats, will be sufficient in order to avoid this excess of risk.”

What Is It about Cured Meats?

In the study of 274 people with COPD, participants ate about 23 grams of cured meat per day — which is about one slice of ham — on average. during more than two years of follow-up, 35% had at least one hospital readmission. Those who ate more than the equivalent of one slice of ham per day were more likely to be rehospitalized, and to be hospitalized sooner in the course of the study, than those who ate fewer cured meats.

Barry make, MD, says it could be the salt, not the nitrites, that is driving this. he is a pulmonologist at National Jewish Health in Denver. these meats are loaded with salt. “COPD patients can have heart problems and may need to be cautious about their salt intake, which could lead to readmission,” he says.

These meats may be attractive to people with COPD. “They don’t have to be prepared so if you have trouble cooking, like many people with COPD do, they are easy and accessible.”

Len Horovitz, MD, is not a surprised by the findings. he is a pulmonary specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in new York. “Nitrites are pro-oxidants that damage tissues, and we are now seeing this in the lung,” he says. “We are what we eat and it matters to organs beside our gastrointestinal tract.”

Along with quitting smoking and other lifestyle changes, not overdoing it on cured meat is good advice for people with COPD, Horovitz says.

Neil Schachter, MD, says more study is needed before any firm conclusions can be drawn about how cured meats affect COPD risk or its progression. he is a professor of pulmonary medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in new York City. “We are a long way from proving that cured meats have a role in COPD, and that modifications to the diet will change that risk factor,” he says.

SOURCES:De Batlle, J. European Respiratory Journal, published online March 9, 2012.Barry make, MD, pulmonologist, National Jewish Health, Denver.Neil Schachter, MD, professor, pulmonary medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, new York City.Len Horovitz, MD, pulmonary specialist, Lenox Hill Hospital, new York City.

UP to 4,000 Derbyshire people will be given free dental checks following concerns among NHS chiefs that too many are failing to see a dentist regularly.

The Government is desperate to get more people into the habit of regular check-ups so it has given the local NHS ?180,000 to tackle the problem.

Now the cash is being used to promote and pay for a scheme open to people who have not seen a dentist for two years or more.

They are entitled to ?17 vouchers to cover the standard cost of a check-up.

Only 57% of people in the county visit an NHS dentist regularly, although health chiefs do not know how many of the remainder get private treatment. Dentist Mak Sidhu, of Park Dental in Chaddesden, said people were particularly in need of financial help during the difficult economic times.

He said: “I’ve had several patients, particularly in the last two years, who need fillings but have told me they are not in pain so would rather putting off having treatment than pay.

“Some people need the money to spend on food, their kids and paying the rent.

“But my message is that, if you postpone going to the dentist, you will end up in more pain and suffering and will ultimately need more advanced – and therefore more expensive – treatment.” he also stressed that a whole range of health problems led to symptoms in the mouth and so could be diagnosed by dentists.

These include HIV, diabetes, oral cancer and the digestive disorder known as Crohn’s disease.

Mr Sidhu said: “I’ve seen figures showing that about 5,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year.” A total of 32 dental practices across the county have signed up to the scheme, which will run throughout March. A voucher for a free checkup has been printed alongside this article and can also be downloaded from derbycitypct.nhs.uk There are three charges for NHS care: ?17 for a standard treatment, ?47 for additional treatment such as fillings, root canal surgery and extractions and ?204 for crowns, dentures and bridges.

Free care is available to certain patients including under-18s, pregnant women and those claiming benefits.

Keith Mann, head of primary care for NHS Derby-shire, said that work had been carried out to encourage people to have regular checkups. he said: “The opening of six new dental surgeries in Derby has now made it easier than ever before for patients to see an NHS dentist in the city. “We’ve also invested more than ?3 million on new services in the county and set up dedicated dental helplines to give advice and support to patients in both Derbyshire and the city.

“Teeth are key factors in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, so there’s every reason to look after them – and losing or damaging them can have an enormous influence on your health as well as your confidence.” Patients are being encouraged to try to book early, as limited appointments are available. Registration at the practice is not required.

kgulzar@derbytelegraph.co.uk COMMON DENTAL PROBLEMS IN ADULTS FIVE common problems in adults according to the British Dental Association: 1. Gum disease, caused by plaque, can result in teeth having to be removed. It can be avoided by brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and visiting the dentist regularly. 2. Mouth ulcers, can be caused by a tooth rubbing, a lack of vitamin B12, anaemia or stress. Mouthwash can help clear them. 3. Mouth cancer can be reduced by regular visits to the dentist, a healthy diet, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake. 4. Dental abscesses occur when tooth decay is left untreated. A dentist is likely to drain the abscess before putting in a root filling.

5. Erosion is usually caused by acidic food and drink. Dentists recommend drinking acidic drinks through a straw to avoid contact with teeth.

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, inc. (NASDAQ:SPPI), Advaxis, inc. (OTC:ADXS), and Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG) are all in the business of fighting cancer in its various forms and 2012 looks like a good year for advancements in treatments and for bio-techs to raise capital.

All three of these companies have had significant run-ups recently and profit taking is to be expected and any subsequent dips could be just what “Value Hunters” are looking for. If you look at shares of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, they were trading in the $9.24 range on Oct 26 and hit $15.87 on Jan 11; that’s a gain of 71.75% in less than three months. Normal profit taking off of the Jan 11 has set and shares a dipped a little to their current $14.13 range. The ten-week run-up at SIPPI was a very steady ascent with small gives and takes along the way.

On Dec 9 the Company said that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) had granted FUSILEV Orphan Drug exclusivity for use in combination chemotherapy aimed at patients with advanced metastatic colorectal cancer. SPPI also noted FUSILEV therapeutic compositions are protected under a US Patent which expires at the end of December 2019.

At another cancer fighting biotech, Advaxis, shareholders have also seen gains in valuation. The stock was trading at $0.14 on Dec 14 and is currently trading in the $0.17 range; a gain of 21.4% in six weeks on some very choppy, but uptrend trading.

ADXS reported yesterday that it’s safety and efficacy Phase II trials for ADXS-HPV targeted for women with recurrent and/or refractory cervical cancer who have failed other therapies are returning very promising results with only 34% of trial participants experiencing non-cumulative flu-like symptoms. 

At Celgene, shares have also climbed with the stock trading at $60.24 on Nov 25 and hitting a $74.02 top of the run-up on Tuesday of this week; a gain of 22.8% in two months. There’s been a little profit taking from the top of the run and shares are currently trading in the $73.26 range.

CELG announced today it would acquire privately held Avila Therapeutics to expand Celgene’s leading role in the future treatment of hematologic cancers with Avila’s AVL-292, a highly-selective inhibitor, currently in Phase I clinical trials. 

I haven’t, don’t, and do not intend on holding any of the companies mentioned in this article.

Symptoms include exhaustion, stress, inability to focus on work, worrying about work (doing a PhD and feeling overwhelmed), feeling overemotional, headaches. thank you.

I've been taking St. John's Wort and it's helping.
Valerian might help you sleep better, but ONLY take it at night.
Here are some good ideas:
1. Do something that gets your heart rate up a bit like, walking, running, biking, and swimming.
2. Eat Whole, Organic foods like: Broccoli, Cabbage, Organic Brown Rice, Beans, Spinach, Sweet Potato, Apples, and other fruits and vegetables in their Natural State.
3. Avoid eating corn, sugar, white bread, white rice, white potatoes, candy, sodas, chips, and anything else that you already know you shouldn’t be eating.
4. Drink clean water as your beverage of choice. Avoid Fruit drinks and fruit juices (unless YOU juice them yourself)
5. Stop smoking, drinking beer & wine, and drinking coffee.
6. Get 8 hours of sleep each night.
7. Hang out with people who want to be healthy.
8. Avoid anything with High Fructose Corn Syrup.
9. look into taking a multi-vitamin.
10. Check out this website for excellent health advice: naturalnews.com

Tone up the muscles:

1. Join a gym and get a trainer.
2. If you’re short on cash, start a light stretching & yoga regimen.
3. Do push-ups, and light dumbbell curls for the upper body.
4. as I said above, walk, run, swim, and or bike
5. Take an aerobics class, a yoga class, or some other fitness class.
6. Join the local YMCA.
7. buy or borrow this book by Bill Pearl called GETTING STRONGER.
In the book, he describes everything you need for a great fitness plan.
8. Crunches & Curl ups for the abs.

Mental Health:

1. Get a friend to talk to each day about your feelings.
2. If you have some money or insurance, get a counselor to talk to.
3. Learn how to meditate.
4. Join a support group for the issue you’re dealing with.
5. Ask your Higher Self (or God) for guidance.
6. start keeping a diary or journal about your feelings & thoughts.
7. Write a ‘gratitude’ list every night.
8. Do something that makes you happy each day like: listen to your favorite music, draw, paint, write, or anything creative.
9. Do something for someone else who needs help.
10. If the above suggestions don't improve your mental health, talk with your therapist about the possibility of taking some medication or check out some natural herbal remedies like St. John's Wort.
11. Check out the book FEELING GOOD by David Burns.

Take care of yourself

Yam King

You really should see a doctor these could be symptoms of a medical problem

I have crohn's disease but I have unnormal symptoms of it. Instead of having diarhea and pains, I am nauseas and weak all the time. what are your symptoms? are they like mine?

hi jolene, I am a female crohn's pt. for 29 yrs dxed at the age of 12. For me, I had blood in the toilet, was constipated and had the big "D" as well as severe abdominal pain and low grade fevers. I also had ulcerations in my throat which made it hard to swallow. Medications took care of it. now I am on the newer treatments to stay in remission and I avoid smoking and drinking. Symptoms will vary in each person as well as reacting to medical treatments. Some folks go into remission asap, others it make take time, or they just don't respond at all.

First, are you pregnant at all? that would be the first thing the MD would ask b/c those symptoms are usually common in pregnant women. if you aren't pregnant, then yes, they could be symptoms as well as a low grade fever, the big "D" or big "C", abdominal pain, flare ups right before that time of the month, joint pain, and sometimes nausea and or vomiting.

For more accurate information, check out the crohn's and colitis website. they have a live chat & a hotline that is run by healthcare experts during the week plus an open forum where pts. can post questions to others w/IBD like themselves.

I wish you the best of health. I can truly understand where you are coming from.

What works best for managing the symptoms of Psoriasis?
– Itching
– Flaking
– Redness
– Scale buildup
– etc.

What prescriptions have you tried that work well?

What over-the-counter products have you used that work well?

What herbal or home remedies have you tried that work well?

The main cause of psoriasis is overreaction of the immune system. I try to eat healthy food and avoid stress as much as I can in order to prevent flare-ups.
After using number of prescription drugs I've turned to the natural treatments.
Now I use herbal remedies from serenaskin.com, which aim at the root of the disease – the immune system, and are steroid-free.
After about 2 weeks of using ointment and spray my skin has been cleared up and now I just continue with anti-psoriasis extract, which controls the immune system. My skin has been clear for months now.
It is the only treatment I have found that provides me complete relief when I use it as directed.

Hi, you can try one of the natural treatments available on the Internet (just google "natural treatment of psoriasis") and take your pick. Some of them do actually work. for my psor. I use herbal cream by Champori quite successfully. It takes just a couple of weeks to clear the spots and they then stay clear for months on end.
Try it: Champori comes with money back guarantee so if it doesn't work for you – it's free.
Cheers,
Stella

He gets perscriptions for the doctor for it, but does really help much. He had some light treatment at the hopital and that seemed to do the job. the light treatment is by far the most effective way, its hereditory as well so i'm going to have it before too long.

Go to Rite Aid or CVS and pick up a box of Cortizone Creme. I have this problem as well. this is what my doctor wants me to use. It's NOT by perscription and it only costs about $5. Good luck!

I use to get it what worked for me was the sun, it will take it away, in the winter months try tan bed. i no longer get it!

I've JUST started Yoga (Vinyasa). and was curious if it helps with any symptoms of Crohn's. anybody know? and if you do, how and why does it help?
thanks.

Acupuncture, hypnotherapy, and relaxation techniques such as yoga, massage, floatation therapy, and deep breathing are other treatment options that are therapeutic and have a positive effect on Crohn's disease.

As there is no permanent cure for this disease, treatment is usually directed at easing the patient’s symptoms and misery and battling any future complications. this is normally done by the doctors by performing periodical tests to find out the developments of the disease. this helps in anticipating, recognizing, subsequent treating and essentially preventing further complications. Antidiarrheal preparations help in reducing inflammatory flare ups in the intestine although anti-inflammatory medications are also given.

Some herbal and homeopathic preparations have been found to be highly successful in alleviating Crohn’s disease symptoms. Herbal and homeopathic remedies address the underlying cause of the illness and are aimed at restoring the body’s self-healing mechanism and reducing the inflammatory response. They can help to provide a supportive platform and restore harmony and equilibrium in the affected body systems. these remedies are specifically tailored to the patient’s needs, not the symptoms.

Some examples of herbal remedies used in the treatment of Crohn’s disease include Matricaria recutita, Filipendula ulmaria, Ulmus fulva and Sutherlandia frutescens. these or other herbs may be recommended alone or in combination – depending on individual needs– and can help to strengthen digestive health and address the problems associated with Crohn’s disease, without many of the side effects associated with the prescription drugs.

You may get additional details over here healthherbsandnutrition.com/r…

One of the most frustrating parts of having psoriasis is on trying to handle the unsightly symptoms associated with the disorder. The most common symptom or sign of psoriasis is the unsightly skin growth that may suddenly appear anywhere on the body. being white, scaly and sometime itchy, this can sometimes be a cause of embarrassment for some people afflicted with the condition.

One way to effectively handle psoriasis is by trying to minimize the symptoms associated with it. It becomes less of a problem if people know how to personally deal with the condition and the symptoms. here are some ways in which people may be able to keep their psoriasis symptoms in check.

Live Healthy One of the more effective ways in which people with psoriasis can handle their condition is by simply trying to follow a healthier lifestyle. Basic good health can sometimes help keep not only the psoriasis symptoms in check but also help prevent the frequency of their flare ups. Eating a balanced diet, drinking lots of water and getting a sufficient amount of sleep regularly may be enough to help minimize the problems cause by psoriasis.

Know The Triggers One way to help minimize psoriasis symptoms from getting worse is by knowing about what may trigger them. There are various known triggers that may worsen or initiate a psoriasis flare up. Infections, certain medications and skin injury are some of the known triggers of psoriasis. Cold weather, too much alcohol, smoking and stress may also trigger psoriasis symptoms to worsen. Although it may not be possible to totally avoid all these triggers, knowing about them can help people find ways to minimize the psoriasis symptoms.

Keeping Track One way to have a better understanding of the condition is by trying to keep track of it. since psoriasis and its symptoms seem to come in and out in a seemingly unpredictable manner, keeping track of each flare up may help one put some sense into the condition. with each flare up, people should try to list down the time it first occurred along with the other things that was happening during that time and what may have triggered the condition to suddenly come up. Keeping track of the condition may help provide people with a better insight of how psoriasis affects them. this information may also help doctors find better ways in treating the disease more effectively.

Skin Care since psoriasis mainly affects the skin, those who suffer from it should know how to follow better skin care practices. using moisturizers and emollients can make the skin soft hydrated. this can help prevent dry skin as well as avoid worsening psoriasis plaques and prevent further scaling and inflammation. People with psoriasis should avid trying to pick on their lesions. this can further aggravate the problem.

Scratching on them should also be avoided. It can further make the lesions worsen and produce skin breakage that may allow bacteria to come in and infect it. It is better to treat the itchiness through medication and other means rather than trying to scratch it.

Knowing how to minimize the psoriatic symptoms will make people more able to handle their condition. this will help avoid the many frustrations and complications that may be brought about by improper care and handling of psoriasis.

It's widely believed that Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis can't be cured 100% and that the symptoms arise after a period once the therapy is completed.

chronic means uncurable

any chronic infection does not respond well to treatment or it would not have become chronic. Flare ups can be expected.

Women who are experiencing irregular periods, night sweats & all the other lovely signs and symptoms that go along with menopause might feel they’re doing a crazy dance called the menopause hormone bounce. their moods may bounce up & down like a rubber ball due to the menopause hormone changes.

While some fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone hormone ranges does occur during menopause & makes a woman feel as though they’re bouncing, menopause hormone levels are really reducing. In the early or perimenopause stage as it’s often called, the changes might be slight, then level off. this is most likely to be followed by another drop in hormone ranges. It’s this dropping and leveling off, then dropping & leveling off that causes a woman to really feel as if she’s undergoing menopause hormone bouncing.

when seen this way, the ups & downs of menopause hormone ranges is much more understandable & explains why women frequently really feel as though they are at the mercy of their hormones. They’re. the constant reducing and adjusting involved in menopause hormones is not something that can be controlled without the use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). HRT smoothes out the menopause hormone ranges & keeps many of the much more unpleasant menopause signs and symptoms & conditions from wrecking havoc with a woman’s life.

HRT isn’t for everyone, though. only women who are experiencing extreme menopause hormone issues should go for HRT treatment. even then, HRT isn’t suggested for long-term use. HRT is, however, necessary for ladies who’ve an induced menopause hormone condition due to surgery. Although HRT might be somewhat controversial, it is still one of the most reliable & effective treatments for menopause hormone problems & should be considered by any woman who’s going through a dramatic menopause.

Women who have milder menopause hormone conditions might be helped by herbal remedies for menopause. Many herbs such as black cohosh, St. John’s Wort and valerian have been found to provide relief for several menopause hormone problems. Before taking anything, a woman ought to see her doctor & have a good physical examination and make sure that any medicines or herbs are safe for her particular menopause hormone symptoms. Never take a label’s word for it that it is safe. Get your doctor’s advice first because the last thing you want to do is add to your menopause woes!

if you want more information on Menopause, don’t read just rehashed articles online to avoid getting ripped off.

Go here: Menopause Supplement