Heart attacks are deadly diseases and can claim life within seconds to minutes. This is why we have to identify its risk factors so that it can be prevented. A blood test has been found out to predict the risk for heart attack in those with chest pain.

Heart Attack

Myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack is a common cause of deaths around the world. Death and debilitation can be due to the damage to the heart muscle it brings. This damage to the heart muscle is often caused by the blockage of a coronary (heart) artery by a blood clot. Coronary arteries are blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients. If there is blockage to blood flow, there may be injury to the heart muscle, further causing injury. This brings about signs and symptoms of such as chest pain and chest pressure. If there is no restoration of blood flow to the heart muscle within 20 to 40 minutes, there will be irreversible death of the heart muscle. The heart muscle will continue to die within six to eight hours, thus completing the heart attack. Dead heart muscle may be replaced by scar tissues.

Millions of people are affected by heart attacks every year around the world. There are many causes of heart attacks one of the most common of which is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the process wherein there is plaque formation of cholesterol which is deposited in the walls of arteries. These cholesterol plaques cause hardening of the blood vessels and narrowing of the inner lumen of the artery. Narrowed arteries by atherosclerosis cannot deliver enough blood into the parts of the body they supply. The resultant reduced blood flow leading to organ damage.

For many years, atherosclerosis may remain silent for years or decades. It may begin during teenage years and may not cause symptoms until late adulthood when the narrowing of the arteries becomes more severe. Factors that may cause the fast development of atherosclerosis include cigarettes smoking, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels and diabetes mellitus. A person with a family history of atherosclerosis may also have a higher chance of acquiring this disorder.

Atherosclerosis can affect the blood vessels of the heart and is termed as coronary atherosclerosis. This can cause hardening and narrowing of the blood vessels of the heart, resulting to coronary heart diseases such as heart attacks, sudden cardiac death, chest pain, abnormal heart rhythms and heart failure.

Chest pain in heart attacks occurs when there is inadequate blood and oxygen supply to the heart muscle. When there is narrowing of the coronary arteries by about 50 to 70 percent, the arteries may not increase the blood supply to the heart muscle during exercise or other stressful situations. This shortage of oxygen may cause chest pain or angina which may be evident especially in times of exertion. In patients such as those with diabetes, there may be little or no chest pain felt during the heart attack.

Angina or chest pain is one of the symptoms of a heart attack. This may also be felt as pressure, heaviness, squeezing or aching on the chest. Pain may be transmitted to the jaw, the neck, the arms, the back and the teeth and may be accompanied by nausea, shortness of breath or cold sweat. This discomfort may be relieved by nitroglycerin tablets placed under the tongue. This medicine can decrease the heart muscle's demand for oxygen thus relieving angina.

New Blood Marker in Heart Attacks

A new study has shown that an undetectable level of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T along with a normal ECG is a sign that a person may have a minimal risk of heart attack within a month. The results of this study are presented in the recent American College of Cardiology’s 63rd Annual Scientific Session. The study gathered data from 14,636 patients who reported to a Swedish emergency department for chest pain during the years 2010 to 2012. The results showed that about 9,000 patients with an undetectable level of the biomarker, or less than 5ng/L, on initial testing, and whose ECGs showed no heart damage from decreased blood flow had low risk for the disorder.

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Do you have intolerance to foods containing gluten such as wheat, barley, rye and any foods which are made from these grains? If so, then you may have celiac disease. Celiac disease is said to be an autoimmune disease with no exact treatment. However, new research is currently ongoing to identify new targets for treatment of Celiac disease.

Celiac disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the intestines. People affected with this disorder often develop inflammation when they are exposed to gluten in the diet. The transmission of this disease is thought to have a familial and genetic component. The digestive system may be affected, causing nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort and loose bowel movement. There are also other systems which may occur. Inflammation of the intestines can make it difficult to absorb nutrients from food, thus paving way for other diseases.

As an autoimmune disease, celiac disease can cause one to develop antibodies against gluten in the diet. Gluten is a type of protein found on foodstuffs such as rye, wheat and barley. If people with celiac disease are exposed to gluten in the diet, gluten changes into a chemical by way of an enzyme called transglutaminase. This resulting chemical can cause an immune response which later on leads to inflammation in the lining of the small intestine. This inflammation can destroy and blunt the villi that make up lining of the intestines, thus preventing the absorption of nutrients from the diet. The malabsorption can cause our health to deteriorate since vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are not properly absorbed into the body. The organs that may suffer the most damage may include the liver, the brain and the bones because they need nutrients to function optimally.

There are people who are more prone to celiac disease. These people are those who have a family history of celiac disease, those who have type 1 diabetes, those who have autoimmune thyroid disease, those who have microscopic colitis and those with Sjögren’s syndrome. After exposure to gluten-containing foods, these people may develop signs and symptoms of celiac disease such as diarrhea and weight loss because of malabsorption; they may also have weakness and fatigue due to chronic malabsorption of vitamins and minerals or anemia. Other symptoms include headache, fatigue, joint pains, numbness and tingling, skin rashes, osteoporosis, abdominal pain and heartburn. Children and infants with celiac disease may present with signs and symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, failure to thrive, weight loss and developmental delays. Other medical problems may include miscarriage and infertility.

It may take several months or even years before celiac disease may even be diagnosed. This is because of the nonspecific symptoms of celiac disease. Recurrent abdominal pain, unexplained joint pains and chronic anemia may prompt the doctor to look for this medical problem. Once the diagnosis is done through history and physical examination, the doctor may order blood tests for immunoglobulin A anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody (IgA TTG) or may do endoscopy and biopsy of the lining of the duodenum.

New Drug Targets for Celiac Disease

Recently, researchers from McMaster University have discovered a key molecule which may lead to new therapies for celiac disease. This molecule, called elafin, is present in the intestines of healthy individuals yet is significantly decreased in patients with celiac disease. Their findings were published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology. Elafin was found to interact with the transglutaminase 2 enzyme to decrease the enzymatic action that increases the toxicity of peptides from gluten. Elafin was found out to protect the intestinal lining of the intestines which is often damaged by gluten. The researchers view the possibility that elafin when given to patients with celiac disease can be a new adjuvant therapy to a gluten-free diet. This therapy may protect patients from celiac disease.

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Exercise is vital in maintaining good health. Cardiovascular disease, specifically, helps ward off diseases such as hypertension, heart disease and stroke. This is because they increase work of the heart and the lungs. Common types of cardiovascular exercises include running, walking and jogging.

Cardiovascular Exercise

Cardiovascular exercise has many benefits. It can reduce the risk for heart disease, improve blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, improve heart function, improve muscle mass, and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Experts even recommend having about 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most days of the week. They recommend to have exercise lasting for about 20 to 60 minutes every three to five days of the week.

Cardiovascular exercise aims to keep your heart healthy while increasing muscle and losing fat. Cardiovascular fitness may be enjoyed with exercise lasting at a minimum of 20 minutes a day for three to four times a week. To know whether you are truly maximizing your exercise, take your pulse halfway during your cardio workout for six seconds then add a zero to that number obtained. This number is termed as your heart rate per minute. The next thing to do is to calculate your zone. This may be calculated by subtracting your age from the number 220, and then calculating 70% of the answer for your target beats per minute. If during exercise your heartbeat is over 70% of your zone, you should slow down, while if it is under 70%, you should go faster. A pulse monitor during your workout is helpful. Or, alternately, you may talk while you are exercising. If you cannot finish talking a sentence during exercise, you may be overdoing it, so you should slow down.

Physical Activity in Children

For children and young adults, 60 minutes of physical activity per day is enough. They should be encouraged to do activities which are a good fit for their age and for their physical development. Play during recess can be counted as physical activity. These children and young adults should indulge in moderately intense physical activities such as running, walking, skipping rope, playing sports and biking. During at least three days of the week, they should do vigorous intensity activities for at least three days of the week. These vigorous activities include fast swimming, jumping jacks and running. Also, muscle strengthening activities should be included during three days of the week, such as pushups, pull-ups and tug of war.

Bone strengthening activities should also be included during three days of the week, which should include hopping, skipping, jumping jacks, volleyball and working with resistance bands. Children with disabilities should work closely with their doctors regarding the type and amount of physical activities that is considered safe for them. They should follow the recommendations in the guidelines for their condition. Parents and caregivers should limit the number of hours spent in front of the television or the computer as this may contribute to obesity.

Physical Activity in Middle Aged Adults

A recent study shows that young adults who participate in cardio fitness activities may preserve their memory and thinking skills even after they have reached middle age. The results of this study were published in the April 2, 2014, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. This is why the researchers advise young adults to indulge in cardio fitness activities such as running, swimming, biking or cardio fitness classes. This study gathered data from 2,747 healthy people with an average age of 25 who underwent treadmill tests the first year of the study and then again 20 years later. The results showed that 20 years later, the participants decreased their time on the treadmill. The researchers also noted that for every additional minute the participants spent on the treadmill, they were able to perform well on memory tests regardless of other factors such as smoking, diabetes and high cholesterol. This is why cardiorespiratory fitness is recommended for people of all ages.

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Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that affects connective tissues. The problem with this disorder is that it leads to damage and fibrosis of tissues. A recent study has discovered new culprits that may be responsible for this disorder.

What is Scleroderma?

Scleroderma is the dermatologic (skin) component of the manifestations of systemic sclerosis. Systemic sclerosis, on the other hand, is a multisystem autoimmune disease wherein there is increased fibroblastic activity, thus leading to abnormal growth of connective tissue. This disorder can cause vascular damage and fibrosis which may occur in the skin, known as scleroderma.

There are two main types scleroderma: limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc) or limited scleroderma and diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) or diffuse scleroderma. Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis usually consists of 70% of systemic sclerosis cases and usually affects only the face, the forearms and the lower legs. This type may also be known as CREST syndrome which stands for Calcinosis, Raynaud’s disease, Esophageal dysmotility, Sclerodactyly and Telangiectasia. On the other hand, diffuse scleroderma consists of only 30% of systemic sclerosis cases and involves the upper arms, the thighs or the trunk. There are also other types of scleroderma such as systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma, in which there is internal organ involvement without the skin changes.

Scleroderma commonly affects women who are within 30 to 50 years of age, though it may affect men and people of all ages. The etiology of this disease is still unknown. The features of this medical condition are excessive collage production, excessive collagen deposition, inflammation, vascular damage and autoimmunity. There is probably a genetic component in scleroderma. Some experts say that the causes may include infection with viruses such as cytomegalovirus, chemicals such as pesticides or benzene derivatives or silica, drugs such as weight loss pills or penicillamine or cocaine.

Scleroderma may manifest itself as Raynaud’s phenomenon, hardening of the skin in the hands or face, and esophageal symptoms. There may also be non-specific signs and symptoms such as musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and hand swelling. Internal organs may also be involved however the severity of skin involvement is not often [predicative of the severity of internal organ involvement.

Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis is usually milder than the other types and may have a slow onset and slow progression. This may go on until there are internal complications that may occur. On the other hand, diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis may have a more rapid onset and may bring about skin thickening and Raynaud’s phenomenon. The skin changes may appear rapidly and may gradually disappear with softening of skin changes and improvement in mobility. The symptoms may be worse during the first 3 to 5 days and may soon stabilize. There may be internal organ involvement.

Symptoms of scleroderma include fatigue, weight loss, swelling of the fingers and toes, sausage-like appearance of the digits, hardening and thickening of the skin, reduced hand movements, pitted fingertips, calcinosis, telangiectasia, joint pain and swelling, gastrointestinal symptoms and pulmonary symptoms.

Newly Discovered Causes of Scleroderma

A recent study by researchers from Northwestern Medicine has identified potential drug treatment targets for scleroderma. This study found out that a damage-associated protein called fibronectin (FnEDA) present in scleroderma may be the culprit in immune response that convert tissue repair into chronic fibrosis. FnEDA is undetectable in normal adults but it is markedly increased in the skin biopsies of patients with scleroderma. The results were published in the April 16 issue of Science Translational Medicine.

The scientists were able to investigate the connection of immunity and fibrosis with scleroderma by looking at skin biopsies of scleroderma patients. They also sought to identify the factors responsible for scarring in scleroderma as well as to test the theory that FnEDA was needed for the scarring to occur.

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Have you ever wondered why muscle mass is important? Increased muscle mass is actually one reason why some people are in pretty good shape. Increased muscle mass can make you stay slim and get in shape.

Muscle Mass and Longevity

There are many benefits of building up muscle mass. It helps strengthen connective tissues and increases bone density so that risk for injuries and osteoporosis is reduced. Increased muscle mass in the body increases metabolic rate so that the body burns calories even though you don't exercise.

The body builds muscles mass through exercise. Exercise can also improve balance and coordination of muscles, improve blood sugar control, improve mood and improve sleep. Exercise has other benefits as well in terms of health and longevity.

A recent study by UCLA researchers shows that older Americans need to have more muscle mass so that they can avoid the risk of having premature death. This study adds data to the fact that overall body composition and not body mass index or BMI can predict mortality from all causes. The results of this study were published in the American Journal of Medicine. This research was the culmination of UCLA research done previously which have found out that building muscle mass can decrease the risk for metabolic problems.

The study was done in the understanding that the measurement of body composition is a better predictor of health risks than body mass index. There is no standard currently for body composition measurements. Previously studies have focused on the impact of mortality of body mass index. The researchers suggest in their study that experts should find ways on how to measure body composition to determine risk for premature deaths.

In this study, the researchers obtained and studied data from around 3,659 individuals that included men who were 55 or older and women who were 65 or older at the time of the survey. This data were collected by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III and was conducted between the years 1988 and 1994. In this study the volunteers underwent measurement of body composition using bio-electrical  impedance, a process by which electrical current is made to run through the body. This process measures body composition based on the fact that the electrical current can easily pass through muscles than through fat. This is because the muscles contain more water than fat. The researchers determined the muscle mass index of each subject through this process. The muscle mass index is equal to the amount of muscle in relation to height and is also similar to a body mass index. The researchers associated muscle mass index with the risk of death. They soon found out that all-cause mortality was lower in those with greater muscle mass.

The researchers hypothesized that the more muscle mass you have, the lower is your risk for death. Thus the researchers recommend that people, especially those of older age, should maximize and maintain muscle mass. There are some limitations of this study however. For one, the results of this study cannot establish a relationship a cause-and-effect relationship between survival and muscle mass using the given data. Also, there may be other methods of measuring muscle mass aside from bio-electrical impedance since it is not the most advanced method and not the gold-standard for measurement of muscle mass. However, despite these limitations, this study has presented the independent survival prediction ability of muscle mass through bio-electrical  impedance.

Increasing Muscle Mass

So how do we increase muscle mass? First you should constantly apply tension to your muscle. Repetitive tension or stress to the muscle by lifting weights or stretching enlarges the muscle fibers which further leads to an increase in muscle mass. Another way is to eat fish containing high amounts of fat such as salmon. You should also eat foods which are high in protein and carbohydrates so that you will gain the energy that you need and the right amount of protein needed to build and repair body tissues.

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Parkinson's disease is a medical condition which causes debilitation and reduced quality of life. There are many medications used to treat Parkinson's disease yet these medications have their own side effects. Thus discoveries are still ongoing in the field of medicine as to new drug targets to treat or prevent this condition.

Facts About Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder mostly affecting the elderly. It is also known as a common movement disorder characterized by progressive loss of muscle control, trembling of the limbs and head during rest, slow movement, stiffness, and impaired balance and coordination. The symptoms may progress as time goes by until the patient may find it difficult to walk, talk or complete simple tasks. This progression of symptoms in Parkinson's disease and the degree of impairment varies from person to person. While many people with this medical condition often live long productive lives, others may suffer disability and may be debilitated and disabled. Deaths may arise from complications such as infections, pneumonia or trauma from injuries (falling).

Most people who acquire Parkinson's disease are aged 60 years or older, making us imply that this is a neurodegenerative disease of seniors. It is stipulated that the number of people who will have Parkinson's disease in the future will rise. Though this is a disease of older people, this medical condition may also affect people who are between 21-40 years. There is also another form of Parkinson's disease called juvenile-onset Parkinson’s disease which starts before age 21.

The symptoms of Parkinson's disease stem from a lack of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine acts as a chemical messenger in two brain areas, the substantia nigra and the corpus striatum. This chemical produces smooth controlled movements of the muscles of the body. Movement related symptoms of Parkinson's disease are caused by a lack of dopamine caused by the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra area of the brain. Lack of dopamine or low levels of dopamine can cause ineffective communications between the substantia nigra and corpus striatum. This further causes impairment in the movement of patients with Parkinson's disease. The greater loss of dopamine, the worse the movement symptoms are. There are other areas of the brain which may degenerate and add to movement problems in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

It is not still clear as to why dopamine producing brain cells deteriorate in Parkinson’s disease. Cell damage especially in neurons can be caused by defective cellular processes stress and inflammation. In Parkinson's disease, abnormal clumps of cells called Lewy bodies may be present in brain cells of those with Parkinson’s disease. Lewy bodies contain the protein alpha-synuclein, however their function is still not completely understood. Many experts say that dopamine loss may be attributed to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

The exact causes of Parkinson’s disease are not yet known. However, some of these affected people have family members with Parkinson’s disease, suggesting a genetic factor. There are currently five genes discovered which are associated with Parkinson’s disease:    SNCA or synuclein, PARK2 or Parkinson’s disease autosomal recessive juvenile 2, PARK7 or Parkinson’s disease autosomal recessive early onset 7, PINK1  or PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 and LRRK2  or leucine-rich repeat kinase 2. Other chromosome regions and genes such as GBA (glucosidase beta acid), SNCAIP (synuclein alpha interacting protein), and UCHL1 (ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal esterase L1) are also linked to Parkinson's disease.

New Targets for Parkinson's Disease

A recent study by researchers of the University of Dundee have discovered new chemical messenger that is critical in protecting the brain against Parkinson’s disease. This chemical messenger is known as phospho-ubiquitin, a protective messenger which cannot be made in patients with Parkinson's disease because of their genetic mutations in PINK1. This makes these patients vulnerable to stress and cell death.

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Erectile dysfunction is not just an embarrassing disorder; it can also cause infertility in men. Yet medication is not the only cure to this problem; a recent study shows that erectile dysfunction can be treated by lifestyle modification.

Facts about Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is a common problem affecting males. It is the inability to achieve or maintain erection of the penis which is necessary for a successful sexual performance. This problem may be due to abnormalities in the physiology responsible for filling the penis with blood to make it become firm and erect and for making it flaccid after ejaculation or when sexual stimulation is stopped.

The problem with erectile dysfunction is that it can cause stress and relationship issues among couples. This is why a man with erectile dysfunction should have a dialogue with his doctor to take some necessary steps of treating or preventing this disorder. The prerequisites for a normal erection are adequate delivery of blood to the penis through the arteries, optimal hormone levels and an appropriate psychological state. Failure in any of these processes or factors may cause failure of erection.

For us to understand the normal functioning of the penis, let us recall that there are two spongy areas of the penis called the corpus cavernosum. These two structures are engorged in blood; when there is proper sexual stimulation, the body secretes hormones that stimulate the release of nitrous oxide to nerve endings in the body so that blood vessels will be dilated and arterial blood is pumped into spongy tissues to make the penis stand erect. During continuous sexual stimulation, there is contraction of the muscles at the base of the penis further preventing blood from entering or escaping the penis to increase its firmness. After ejaculation, there is relaxation of the muscles and blood leaves the penis.

Erectile dysfunction is caused by the dysfunction in the organs that are involved with starting or maintaining an erection. These organs include the brain, the male reproductive system, hormones, muscles, nerves, arteries, veins and emotional response. The hypothalamus and the pituitary gland are involved in making the testes produce the hormone testosterone. Testosterone is the male hormone responsible for libido or sexual desire. Brain function can be affected by injury, tumor, stroke, trauma, surgery or hypogonadism and can result in the failure of the testes to produce testosterone.

The nerves supplying the penis should also function very well because nerve damage due to trauma or surgery (of the prostate) can result to failure of erection. Diabetes can lead to peripheral neuropathy and failure of the nerves can lead to failure of erection. A disease affecting the nerves known as multiple sclerosis can also cause erectile dysfunction.

Blood supply to the penis should be adequate. Blood supply to the penis may be affected by trauma or surgery. Peripheral vascular disease or hardening of the arteries can also cause restriction of blood supply, the mechanism of which is the same in heart attack and stroke. Erectile dysfunction can also predispose one to have coronary artery disease and stroke as these illnesses have one common pathogenesis. People who are at high risk for erectile dysfunction are those who have peripheral artery disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and poorly controlled diabetes. Smokers are also at risk for this condition, as well as repeated local trauma such as bicycling. Drug and alcohol abusers are also known to be predisposed to this condition.

Erectile Dysfunction and Lifestyle

A recent study has found out that erectile dysfunction can be treated by focusing on lifestyle factors and not just by medications. The results of this study done by researchers from University of Adelaide were published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. The researchers highlighted the incidence of erectile dysfunction and the lack of sexual desire among Australian men aged 35-80 years. Among 810 men, 31% developed erectile dysfunction in five years. The study also found out that majority of these men has overcome erectile dysfunction using natural methods.

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Atrial fibrillation is a disease of the heart which may bring about abnormal heart rate and rhythm. This may be due to many causes. Before we go to its underlying causes, let us first recall the basic function of the heart. The heart is made up of two upper and two lower chambers. The upper chambers of the heart are called atrias and the lower chambers of the heart are called ventricles. Atrial fibrillation results when the atria contract at an excessively high rate and in an irregular way. Atrial fibrillation is said to be the most common type of arrhythmia which may bring about problems in speed or rhythm of the heartbeat. This disturbance is often caused by a disturbance in the electrical system of the heart.

Atrial Fibrillation

Arrhythmia occurs when there are problems in the heart muscles and the electrical impulses that trigger the beating of the heart. The atria and the ventricles of the heart are made up of muscles. When the heart muscle tightens, the chambers shut off and pushes blood out of the heart. The control of the heart beat begins with the sinoatrial node which is a small clump of cells that are located in the right atrium. The sinoatrial node is the heart's pacemeaker and determines the contraction of the ventricles, thus creating the pulse rate. When the atrioventricular node receives a lot of impulses, atrial fibrillation occurs and there is irregular contraction of the ventricles, causing irregular and high heartbeats.

There are three types of atrial fibrillation: paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, persistent atrial fibrillation and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is a type of atrial fibrillation wherein there is sudden onset of abnormal electrical signals and fast heart rate which may suddenly stop on their own and resume again. These changes in heart rate can bring about various signs and symptoms. These symptoms can last for a few seconds, minutes or even hours and days. On the other hand, persistent atrial fibrillation is a type of atrial fibrillation that stops when the patient receives treatment. The other type of atrial fibrillation is longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation, also known as permanent atrial fibrillation. This type of atrial fibrillation cannot be restored by usual treatments and can be long-term.

Atrial fibrillation that starts suddenly is called acute onset atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation may also occur after surgery. This Medical condition can bring about symptoms such as a fast heartbeat that is over 140 beats per minute, dizziness, light-headedness, confusion, palpitations, breathlessness, weakness, chest pains, heart failure, hypotension or low blood pressure and disorders of the heart muscle.

There are many causes for atrial fibrillation, some of which are older age, underlying heart conditions, hypertension or high blood pressure, coronary artery disease wherein plaque builds up inside the blood vessels of the heart, congenital heart disease wherein there are problems with the structure of the heart starting at birth, mitral valve disease which may cause abnormal leaking of the blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium, cardiomyopathy which may cause inflammation of the heart, previous heart surgery, hyperthyroidism, sleep apnea, alcohol abuse, smoking, excessive caffeine consumption, and atrial flutter. Several chest infections and other conditions can also give rise to atrial fibrillation such as pneumonia, lung cancer, emphysema, chest infections, pulmonary embolism and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Atrial Fibrillation and High Blood Pressure

A recent study shows that poor blood pressure control in patients with atrial fibrillation is associated with a 50 percent increase in the risk for stroke. This study done by researchers from Duke Medicine suggests that hypertension should be carefully monitored and controlled in patients with atrial fibrillation. Data obtained by the researchers were from a large clinical trial called ARISTOTLE, which in turn utilized data from more than 18,000 patients with atrial fibrillation to understand how high blood pressure affects their health. The study revealed that there is a 50% risk for stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation and high blood pressure.

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The heart is an important part of the body. It pumps blood that carry with it oxygen and nutrients to other parts of the body. The nutrients and gases carried by the blood are essential for the performance and maintenance of bodily processes. This is why we must strive to keep the heart healthy.

Heart Disease

Since the heart is an important part of the body, any disease afflicting it can cause death or debilitation. Heart disease is a term used for any disorder that affects the heart. On the other hand, cardiovascular disease is a type of illness that affects the heart and the blood vessels. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.

There are many types of heart disease. Angina pectoris is a disorder wherein the muscles of the heart do not get enough oxygen every day. This can lead to other symptoms such as chest discomfort, tightness or pain. It is not a disease per se but a symptom of coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease is due to the narrowing of the blood vessels of the heart due to plaque formation or atherosclerosis.

Arrhythmia is another heart disease which causes irregularity of the heart beat. There are many types of arrhythmia. Tachycardia is a medical condition in which the heart beats too fast. Bradycardia is a type of arrhythmia which can slow down the heart beat.    Premature contraction is a condition wherein the heart beats too early. Fibrillation is a condition wherein the heart beats irregularly. Arrhythmias are caused by problems in heart rhythm due to problems in the heart's electrical impulses     that coordinate heartbeats.

Congenital heart disease is a condition which is due to some birth defects that affect the heart. About one in a thousand babies are born with a congenital heart disease. These conditions include septal defects, obstruction defects, and cyanotic heart disease. Septal defects occur when there is a hole between the two chambers of the heart. Obstruction defects occur then there is blockage in the flow of blood through the various chambers of the heart. Cyanotic heart disease occurs when there is not enough oxygen pumped around the body due to a heart defect.

Coronary artery disease is a type of disease in the heart in which there is damage to the heart due to plaques that contain cholesterol that narrow the blood vessels of the heart. This causes ischemia or lack of oxygen to a portion of the heart.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a heart disease in which the heart chambers are dilated due to weakness of the heart muscle. The heart cannot also pump blood effectively and the body may lack oxygen as a result. Ischemia is one cause of this heart disorder which may be due to coronary artery disease.

Myocardial infarction is another type of heart disease which is also known as a heart attack or heart thrombosis. This can result to interrupted blood flow or lack of oxygen in the heart which in turn damages or destroys the heart muscle. Myocardial infarction is usually caused by a blood clot that develops in the coronary arteries or by narrowing of the coronary arteries due to spasm.

Heart failure, which is also known as congestive heart failure, can result to poor heart functioning and can affect overall bodily functioning. Other heart diseases include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, mitral valve regurgitation, mitral valve prolapse and pulmonary stenosis.

What You Can Do

So how do you keep your heart free from disease? First of all, you should stop smoking. If you have not been smoking, keep it that way. Exercising for 30 minutes on most days of the week is also one way of preventing heart disease. You should also eat foods which can protect the heart such as fruits, vegetables and fatty fish.

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Head Lice

Problems with head lice? Experts say that the problem on head lice is that they are now developing resistance to standard medications. But before we proceed further in our discussion, let us first recall basic information about head lice.

Head Lice

Head lice are obligate ectoparasites with the scientific name Pediculus humanus capitis that can infect humans. They are wingless insects that often spread their entire lives on the human scalp and often feeding on human blood. They are different from fleas and they cannot fly nor jump nor walk on flat surfaces. There are two types of head louse: the disease carrying and the non-disease carrying. The disease carrying Pediculus humanus  often attaches its eggs to clothing, while the non-disease carrying type Pediculus humanus capitis attaches eggs to scalp hair.

Head lice are the subject of various eradication campaigns around the world. They are not carries of known human disease unlike body and can only cause rare secondary infections derived from bite scratching. They are rather a cosmetic problem than a real medical problem. Head lice infections may actually benefit those who want to have stability of the natural immune response against body lice which are capable of transmission of dangerous diseases.

Head lice may bring about various symptoms such as itchiness of the scalp particularly behind the area behind the ears and the nape of the neck. If the person resorts to too much scratching the person may be at risk for having secondary bacterial infection of the skin.

Head lice are transferable from person to person through direct contact and through indirect contact. Indirect contact means that head lice can be transferred through coats, hats and scarves which hang or are stored beside one another in cloak rooms or in coat racks or coat hooks. Head lice may also spread through infested hair brushes and combs which are shared by two or more persons. It can also spread when there is sharing of infested bedding, towels or shower caps. Head lice can easily spread through institutions, homes, schools or camps.

Head lice have been the center of many misconceptions among the public. The truth is that head lice do not transmit communicable diseases. These insects do not jump and fly but they can only crawl. They are completely dependent on the human host for food by feeding on their blood. Long haired people have an equal chance of acquiring head lice with short-haired people. They cannot live on the eye brows and eye lashes. Head lice can infect people of any age, socioeconomic status, sex, race or personal hygiene habits. Human lice cannot be acquired from animals.

Head lice may only up to 30 days; the female can deposit about 90 eggs in the scalp. After about 7 to 10 days, the nits can hatch and can later on turn into adults for another 10 days. Head lice can live outside the host for about two to four days at a temperature of 74 degrees Fahrenheit (F) and one to two days at 86 degrees. Nits can only live up to 10 days and cannot hatch at or below room temperature.

Head lice are traditionally treated with both prescription and over-the-counter remedies. Infested clothing should be removed and head lice medication applied according to its instructions. During treatment, the eyes should be protected with a towel. The treatment is usually repeated after 7 to 10 days.

Resistance to Head Lice Treatment

A recent study has shown that head lice now carry a gene mutation that makes them resistant to standard over-the-counter treatments. Experts say that exposure to a single treatment for many years can give rise to survival of head lice with “knockdown resistance,” in the form of the TI genetic mutation. These treatments include “pyrethroid” compounds such as permethrin. The findings of this study are published in the March issue of the Journal of Medical Entomology.

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