The skin is an important yet often neglected organ. It gives protection from the body, helps absorb important nutrients from the environment and makes us withdraw from injurious stimuli through sensation. The skin can protect the body in so many ways yet we sometimes forget to take care of it the proper way regularly.

As a result our skin gets exposed to harmful radiation and chemicals. This is why skin cancer results in some people. Skin cancer is said to be the most common type of cancer which can affect light-skinned individuals. It is common among people of the United States and Australia. In some cases, even children are affected by this type of cancer.

Skin Cancer

Cancer occurs because of some defects in the way the cells of the body grow and mature. We know that in the cells there are genetic material by which the processes of growth, division, maturity and death are based. The information leading to these processes lie in the cell's DNA. Thus when the DNA is damaged, the cells would abnormally divide in a rapid fashion and grow without control. These cells pile up to become a mass known as a tumor. A tumor can be benign or malignant. Malignant tumors can spread to other parts of the body.

In skin cancer, the cells of the skin begin to divide and grow without control. There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell cancer and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma usually starts in areas which have been exposed to harmful rays of the sun and grow slowly. These cancers usually do not spread to other parts of the body and are the most common of all skin cancers.

The squamous cell type of cancer usually is found in areas which are exposed to excessive sunlight yet they can also be found on areas which are not exposed to the sun. This type of cancers sometimes spread to other parts of the body.

Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer which can spread to major organs of the body such as the lungs, liver, bones and brain. They begin in the melanocytes or the pigment-producing cells of the skin.

People have certain characteristics which makes them at high risk for skin cancers. These risk factors include having light or fair complexion, having red or light-colored hair, having blue or green or gray eyes, those who are at increased risk having sunburns when being exposed to the sun, those with prolonged sun exposure from childhood, those with a prior history of skin cancer, those with a family history of skin cancer, those who have more moles in the skin, those who had abnormal moles or nevi in the past and those who have undergone photosensitive therapy or immunosuppressive therapy.

Skin Cancer Among Middle Aged Adults

A new study conducted by Mayo Clinic researchers found that the incidence of skin cancer in middle-aged men and women who were 40 to 60 years old rose to about eightfold from the years 1970 to 2009. The highest rates occurred in middle-aged women. The experts are also concerned of the fact that melanoma incidence is slowly rising, considering that melanoma is a dangerous type of skin cancer. The researchers derived the results from the records of the Rochester Epidemiology Project which is a collaboration between health care professionals from Southeastern Minnesota. They also found out that there was a 4.5 fold increase in skin cancers in white, non-Hispanic men in the 40 to 60 age group and a 24-fold increase in white, non-Hispanic women in the 40 to 60 age group. The researchers also noted that there is an increasing incidence of melanoma among women under the age of 50, a finding that may prompt investigation in relationships between premenopausal changes and skin cancer. Melanomas in men were deeper as compared to melanomas occurring in women.

The researchers hope to disseminate this information among health experts worldwide. For more information about skin cancer, you can check out our other articles on this site.

Our body needs a constant source of vitamins and minerals every day, yet we know little of what these vitamins can do to our health. Not many of us are familiar with Vitamin A. Vitamin A is actually a group of nutritional organic compounds composed of the substances retinoic acid, retinol and other carotenoids such as beta-carotene. This vitamin is important in the human body because it can boost growth and development of our organs and tissues, maintain our immune system, and promote good vision. The eye needs a constant supply of Vitamin A to form retinal in the retina, which further combines with the protein opsin to form rhodopsin, a light-absorbing molecule. Rhodopsin is responsible for both low-light vision and color vision. A type of Vitamin A, retinoic acid, functions as a growth factor for epithelial cells and other tissues.

Vitamin A

The food that we eat can give a constant supply of Vitamin A to us. Vitamin A in food is available as retinol and carotenes such as alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and gamma-carotene. Retinol is present in animal-derived foods while carotenes along with the xanthophyll beta-cryptoxanthin are found in certain plants, herbivores and omnivore animals. These vitamins are available in foods such as cod liver oil, beef liver, pork liver, fish, chicken liver, dandelion greens, sweet potatoes, broccoli, carrots, spinach, kale, butter, pumpkin, collard greens, cheddar cheese, melons, eggs, apricots, mango, papaya, milk, peas, tomatoes and seaweed.

We need to eat Vitamin A rich foods to enjoy its various benefits. Vitamin A is involved in the process of vision, gene transcription, immune function, embryonic reproduction and development, hematopoiesis, bone metabolism, skin health, cellular health and antioxidant activity. Vitamin A is said to help in the differentiation and maturation of skin cells. Retinoic acid or isotretinoin is said to reduce the secretions and size of the sebaceous gland to prevent pimples and breakouts from forming. If Vitamin A is deficient in the body, as in the case of children and adults who do not consume foods rich in vitamin A and in babies who were weaned early from breast milk, certain symptoms and illnesses may develop such as impaired vision, night blindness, xeropthalmia or blindness, impaired immunity, increased incidence of urinary tract infections and ear infections, meningococcemia, hyperkeratosis or white patches on hair follicles, and skin problems. Vitamin A is especially needed by pregnant women for normal fetal development of their babies. A deficiency of Vitamin A can lead to birth defects. Other states which can lead to deficiency of Vitamin A in the body include fat malabsorption, liver and gallbladder problems, cigarette smoking, and chronic alcoholism. Vitamin A may also be deficient in zinc deficiency, since zinc is essential for vitamin A absorption on the digestive tract.

Vitamin A in Autoimmune Disease and Transplant Recipients

Recent news has it that the form of vitamin A used by teenagers to prevent pimple formation can also be used to modify immune function in people with autoimmune disorders and those who have received organ transplants. The researchers from Penn State University Hershey College of Medicine in Hershey, Pennsylvania used cells isolated from mice to compare the effects of all-trans retinoid acid (ATRA) on CD4+ and CD8+ Treg cell development. The results showed that while all-trans retinoic acid promoted CD4+Foxp3+Treg development and function, it did not boost function and differentiation of human CD8+Foxp3+Treg. The researchers concluded that CD4+Treg treated with all-trans retinoid acid (ATRA) can be used for treatment of organ transplantation and autoimmune diseases. It is said that in their studies, Vitamin A has no known side effects, especially when used according to its recommended dosages. Vitamin A is well-tolerated by people unlike some immunomodulating drugs which may have toxic side effects on the body. More studies are needed to find out whether Vitamin A can really modulate immune response in autoimmune diseases and transplant recipients.

To know more about the other health benefits of Vitamin A, feel free to read our other articles on this site.

More and more people are getting diabetes; this is why diabetes is becoming a common medical condition nowadays. This disease is a condition wherein the body does not regulate blood glucose levels properly due to a lack (or lower levels) of insulin or due to the resistance of body tissues to the action of insulin. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to excessively high glucose levels in the blood which can further damage blood vessels and other organs in the body. Diabetes can have many complications such as heart disease, blindness, nerve damage, eye damage, stroke, kidney disease and impotence. It can also raise the risk for infections especially those located in the skin and in the lower limbs. Extensive damage can occur in the limbs which can lead to amputation. Diabetes can decrease immune resistance and can earlier lead to death. This is why diabetes needs to be prevented as soon as possible.

Diabetes Types

There are three types of diabetes, Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is also known as insulin dependent diabetes because people who have it suffer from a lack of insulin or lower insulin levels. In these patients, insulin is needed to lower blood sugar levels. On the other hand, Type 2 diabetes is the most common type and is insulin independent. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the tissues fail to respond to the actions of insulin or when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin. People with Type 2 diabetes are often obese or overweight. Gestational diabetes occurs when a pregnant woman has elevated blood sugar levels only during pregnancy and who has never had diabetes before. The woman may or may not develop Type 2 diabetes later in life.

All these types of diabetes bypass the normal ways by which the body regulates blood glucose levels. After intake of food, it gets broken up into smaller pieces and acted upon by enzymes to be reduced into glucose, the raw material for energy. Usually the pancreas releases insulin to stimulate cells to absorb glucose from the blood and to make the liver absorb and store excess glucose. Insulin is released after consuming a meal and acts in opposite with another hormone, glucagon.

Type 2 diabetes can be treated with medications and diet. However, scientists are constantly on the lookout for more natural ways on how to deal with diabetes. A recent study published in the journal Diabetologia has found out that eating yogurt can reduce the risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes. This study done by researchers from University of Cambridge has emphasized the fact that consuming low-fat fermented products such as yogurt and low-fat cheeses can reduce diabetes risk by 24 percent overall. The researchers presumed that this effect may be attributed to the fact that this may be due to the fact that yogurt and low-fat dairy products can provide the necessary amounts of protein and nutrients without giving the consumer an excess amount of fat.

Yogurt and Type 2 Diabetes

It is widely known that while milk and dairy products are a good source of protein and essential vitamins and minerals, they can also be a source of saturated fat, which is implicated in dangerous medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. There have been studies in the past about dairy consumption and diabetes, however they have been inconclusive. This was what prompted the research team to investigate whether low fat dairy products can indeed reduce the risk for diabetes. This study utilized data from over 25 thousand men and women from Norfolk, UK. These people completed a daily intake record for a week. About 753 participants developed new onset type 2 diabetes, so that the food diaries of these people were examined. It was found out that while total dairy and low-fat dairy products intake was not associated with type 2 diabetes, those who consumed more low-fat fermented dairy products such as yogurt and low fat cheese were 24% less likely to have type 2 diabetes later on in life for over 11 years. It was also found out that those whose daily intake included yogurt, making up 85% of the low fat dairy products, there was a 28% of risk reduction in type 2 diabetes.

The findings of this study are important because it makes us aware of what type of foods should a person eat to lower his or her risk for type 2 diabetes. In the future, there may be more research to be done on what food groups are advisable to be consumed by diabetics to control their blood glucose levels.

To know more about diabetes, feel free to browse our other articles on this site.

The oropharynx is an important yet an often-neglected part of the body. This is found in the middle portion of the pharynx or throat, which serves as a conduit that starts with the nose and ends in the esophagus and into the stomach. This portion of the body includes the following parts: the base of the tongue, the soft palate or the back of the mouth, the pharyngeal walls and the tonsils.

The Basics of Oropharyngeal Cancer

The oropharynx can be affected by cancer. Oropharyngeal cancer exists when cancer cells originate from any portion of the oropharynx. Majority of oropharyngeal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas and are commonly from the surface of the throat.

There are many risk factors for oropharyngeal cancer, one of which is the consumption of alcohol. Smoking is also said to be a predisposing factor for oropharyngeal cancer. Being infected with human papilloma virus (HPV), especially HPV-type-16/18 (HPV-16/18) is also another.

Oropharyngeal cancer can first be diagnosed by observing its initial signs and symptoms. Signs that you may have oropharyngeal cancer include a persistent sore throat, painful or difficulty of swallowing, weight loss which is unexplained, changes in the voice, ear pain, a lump in the neck or a lump in the back of the mouth or throat. Upon examination at the clinic, the doctor may examine the throat and check for masses. Biopsy is often needed to find out whether the mass is malignant or not. The cancer is in Stage I if it is 2 centimeters or less and has not spread outside the oropharynx. It may be graded as Stage II if it is sized at 2 to 4 centimeters and has not spread outside the oropharynx; Stage III if the lesion is larger than 4 centimeters yet has not spread outside the oropharynx. The lesion is staged at Stage IVA if the cancer has spread outside the oropharynx including the roof of the mouth, the jaw, the voice box, muscles of the tongue or the central jaw muscles. It is classified as Stage IVB of the cancer appears as a lymph node larger than 6 centimeters and has spread to the surrounding areas of the oropharynx and Stage IVC if the cancer has spread to the other parts of the body.

Treatment depends on the stage of the disease. If the cancer is in Stage I or Stage II, the doctor may treat it with surgery or radiation therapy. If the lesion is in Stage III, the doctor will first remove the tumor with surgery and later on do radiation therapy; or the doctor may opt to do radiation treatment alone, or chemotherapy with surgery and radiation therapy or chemotherapy with radiation therapy. If the lesion is in Stage IV, the doctor may opt to do either of the following: surgery with radiation therapy, radiation therapy alone, or radiation therapy and chemotherapy. After treatment, the progress of the patient's health will depend on the stage of the tumor and the HPV status. Those which are HPV-positive can be easily cured while those who are HPV-negative may be harder to cure.

Oropharyngeal Cancers and HPV

A recent study has shown that there is an alarming increase in oropharyngeal cancers among young adults which may be related to infections of the human papillomavirus (HPV). This study done by researchers from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit have found out that there was a 60% increase from 1973 and 2009 in cancers of the base of tongue, tonsils, soft palate and pharynx in people younger than age 45. The results are published in the journal Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

The researchers have attributed this increase to the increased transmission of high-risk HPV among young adults because of the increase in number of those engaged in premarital sex. These findings are enough to suggest health officials that they should do something about this increasing incidence.

To know more about oropharyngeal cancer, you may read our other articles on this site.

One of the crucial times in pediatric surgery is after surgery because it is within this stage that a doctor may start managing child pain and distress. Kids display a variety of emotions when they are subjected to pain or stress and they can get over these feelings only after a long time has passed. They may even develop trauma after the procedure. Thus, the search to for better pain and anxiety management after pediatric surgery is on. Strong painkillers and other medications cannot be used on children since this will place kids at risk for many complications and side effects.

Clonidine and Post-Operative Recovery

A recent Cochrane review has found out that clonidine when administered to kids before surgery can relieve post-operative pain and reduce anxiety in them. This review was done by researchers from the Women’s and Children’s Hospital at the University of Adelaide in Australia. The results showed that when clonidine was given at 4 micrograms/kg after surgery, there was a reduced risk of side effects compared to when it was not administered. However, the potential side effects associated with clonidine administration were a lower heart rate and a lower blood pressure. The researchers reviewed eleven studies conducted in the US, China, Japan, Jordan, Turkey, Canada, Greece and Sweden. These eleven studies involved more than 700 children under the age of 18 and tried to find out whether clonidine was effective in relieving pain and discomfort after surgery. Clonidine was compared with the effects of other medications such as midazolam and fentanyl in some of these studies. The findings of this review suggested that physicians and other health care personnel should consider using clonidine as pre-medication when the patient is likely to experience post-operative pain. The researchers claimed that clonidine may be the answer to problems of post operative pain and potential complications after pediatric surgery. However they admitted that more studies are needed to justify this medication's use.

More About Catapres

Clonidine is being marketed under the Catapres brand and is being used for hypertension. It is a centrally acting medication which can lower blood pressure due to its alpha-receptor binding effect. It is available in three dosage strengths: 0.1 mg, 0.2 mg and 0.3 mg. The medication literature states that it may have adverse effects which are usually mild and usually tend to go away with continued treatment. The most frequent adverse events are dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness and constipation. Rarely, the user may experience side effects such as fatigue, fever, weakness, pallor, alcohol sensitivity, and withdrawal syndrome. Very few patients may also experience bradycardia, heart problems, electrocardiographic abnormalities, orthostatic symptoms, Raynaud’s phenomenon, and palpitations; the user may also experience agitation, anxiety, delirium, hallucinations, behavioral changes, paresthesia, sleep disorder, vivid dreams or nightmares, depression, alopecia, rash, hives, abdominal pain, body malaise, abnormal liver function tests, decreased sexual activity, difficult urination, thrombocytopenia, leg cramps, blurring of vision, and other problems. However these side effects are rare and do not develop normally in users.

Precautions should be taken in using clonidine in patients with hypersensitivity to this drug, in cases of severe coronary insufficiency, cerebrovascular disease, chronic renal failure, recent myocardial infarction, and conduction disturbances of the heart. This drug was not known to promote cancer in several studies and may have no effect on fertility. No well-controlled documented studies have been performed in pregnant women so that it is under Pregnancy Category C. There are also no well-controlled documented studies in children, so that its safety in children is not yet well-known. Clonidine should only be used under the supervision of a physician and must be used according to its indications as approved by the FDA.

If you want to know more on how to prepare your child for surgery, you can check our other articles on this site.

The winter season is the most anticipated season by many because it is also the season for Christmas. However, the winter season can also be the favourite season of colds, flu, sore throat and asthma because these illnesses are worsened and triggered by a cold environment. Aside from these ailments, many people also suffer from muscle injuries, broken bones, sprains and strains due to shovelling or falling on icy streets and sidewalks.

Winter Season Ailments

Here are some of the common ailments during the winter season as well as some tips on how to avoid them

Colds

Cold viruses love to grow and multiply during cold weather. During the winter season, the immune system also weakens a bit due to the lack of vitamin D from sunshine, thus this is a perfect opportunity for infections to abound. You can prevent being ill with cold by avoiding people who are afflicted with it. Practice good hygiene and wash your hands regularly because cold viruses can spread by touching contaminated surfaces and objects.

Sore throat

Sore throats can be due to a lot of things such as colds, influenza, or throat infections. It is said that sore throats are common during the winter season because shifting from a warm temperature to a colder temperature can affect the throat and cause inflammations in it. Sore throats are also due to runny noses and post-nasal drip. In the presence of a sore throat, a good remedy would be to simply gargle with warm salty water. This remedy can soothe throat inflammation. Lozenges and over the counter cold remedies can also do the trick.

Asthma

In asthmatics, common triggers would be the inhalation of cold air. Asthmatic attacks are common during the winter and may give out signs and symptoms such as cough, chest tightness, wheezing and shortness of breath. The tip is to stay indoors especially during windy and cold days. If you cannot avoid going outdoors, you can wear a scarf over your nose and mouth and prepare your maintenance medications for asthma.

Winter Vomiting

Winter vomiting is usually caused by a norovirus, an extremely infectious virus that can bring about vomiting and diarrhea during the winter. It is common also in public places such as schools and hotels. Though it has unpleasant symptoms, it usually goes away after a week. You can avoid being affected by this virus if you drink plenty of water and other fluids to avoid dehydration which can be triggered by too much vomiting and diarrhea.

Arthritis

For those who already have arthritis, they would usually experience more painful joints during the winter. This is because the cold weather renders joints stiffer so that it would bring about pain just to move them. However, the cold weather cannot bring about joint damage. To avoid this, you should exercise during winter indoors every day.

Cold sores

Cold sores can also surface out during the winter time, To avoid getting this, you can try hot water baths, increasing your physical activity or relaxing at home and avoiding too much stress.

Heart Attacks

Some people who have higher risk for heart diseases are prone to heart attacks during the winter. It is best to have yourself checked before winter time by the doctor. Make sure that your blood pressure and your lab results are within normal levels and don't forget to take your maintenance medications.

Dry skin

Most people often experience drying out of skin and eventually develop cracking skin and wounds. You should apply moisturizing creams and lotions after bathing or showering and drink lots of fluids every day.

Winter Injuries

Winter injuries result from walking on icy grounds and shovelling snow during the winter season. You should exercise to improve your balance so that you will not trip over on ice. You should also warm up your muscles by having at least 10 minutes of exercise before shovelling. Carry only small amounts of snow on your shovel so that you won't hurt your back.

To learn more about coping with the winter season, feel free to read our other articles on this site.

Fatigue

Modernization has led to busier lives, poor lifestyle choices and chronic diseases. This has led us to feel fatigued most of the time. However, most of us confuse fatigue with weakness, although these terms are not synonymous to each other. Weakness is a condition wherein there is a lack of physical strength when an extra effort is required to move limbs and other parts of the body. On the other hand, fatigue is associated with feelings of exhaustion or tiredness even if the body is still able to move. With fatigue there is a lack of strength or energy, which may stem from stress, a sedentary lifestyle, lack of sleep, boredom, depression, anxiety, overwork and other medical conditions. Fatigue is a common symptom of colds, flu and infections. Emotions can also cause a feeling of fatigue even if there is no physical work actually done. Even medicines, both prescription and non-prescription, can give rise to feelings of fatigue as a side effect.

Fatigue is usually not a cause of worry unless it is accompanied by other constitutional signs and symptoms such as difficulty of breathing, bleeding, weight loss, weight gain and other signs of serious illness. If you feel fatigue for more than two weeks, you should visit a doctor to find out its underlying causes. Fatigue may indicate more serious medical problems such as anemia or problems in oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, heart diseases such as heart failure and coronary artery disease because they limit the amount of oxygen in the blood that can be used up by the body, metabolic disorders such as diabetes or thyroid problems, kidney disease and chronic fatigue syndrome. Chronic fatigue syndrome is a medical condition wherein fatigue becomes persistent for a long period of time with unknown exact cause. Other medical problems that may bring about fatigue are depression and other mental problems.

Fatigue can be managed at home with rest at home, especially when you are ill with colds or flu. These medical ailments can usually be treated by rest and sleep. Be careful in taking certain cold and allergy medications as well as sedatiBe careful in taking certain cold and allergy medications as well as sedatives because they can cause fatigue. After illness, you can resume your daily activities gradually to let fatigue not set in. If fatigue is not caused by medical problems, you should listen to the needs of your body and alternate physical activity which rest. Do not attempt to increase intensity of physical activity within a short period of time, as this may give rise to fatigue.

You should avoid too much alcohol and substances such as caffeine and nicotine because they can give rise to fatigue. Watching too much television and being sedentary may also cause fatigue to set in, so that to eliminate fatigue and boredom you can try new activities that encourage physical activity.

Sleep problems may also give rise to fatigue. You should aim to get a good night's sleep for 6 to 8 hours at night. Avoid eating just before bedtime and make sure that your bedroom is conducive for sleeping and is free from extra noise and light. Avoid watching TV and other work during bedtime. Also, get plenty of exercise during the day but not before bedtime. Avoid stress, eat a balanced diet and deal with emotional problems appropriately in a mature manner.

Blue Light and Fatigue

A recent study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) has shown that exposure to short wavelength or blue light during the day can improve alertness and performance and can eliminate feelings of fatigue. The researchers compared the effects of blue light with exposure to an equal amount of green light on alertness and performance in 16 study participants for 6.5 hours over a day. The participants were then rated as to their reactions. The ones exposed to blue light were rated as less sleepy, have quicker reaction times and have increased attention span during performance tests. Brain activity also indicated a more alert state.

If you want to learn more about eliminating fatigue, you can browse other articles on this site.

Vitamin is also called the sunshine vitamin, and is the main reason why we want to bathe in morning sunshine every now and then. You see, vitamin D strengthens bones and joints and protects us from illnesses by boosting immune resistance.

Facts about Vitamin D

Vitamin D is not only exclusive to sunshine; we can also get this vitamin from foods such as fatty fish like mackerel, salmon, sardines and tuna. It has also been added to food such as milk, juices, cereals, dairy products and other food products fortified with Vitamin D. This is because health agencies have realized the importance of vitamin D supplementation in our diet. A lack of vitamin D can lead to rickets, a condition in which there are weak bones or osteoporosis, bone pain or osteomalacia and bone loss. Vitamin is especially important in preventing bone loss in patients with hyperparathyroidism and a genetic disease known as osteogenesis imperfecta. In people who have osteoporosis, it is able to prevent the risk of fractures and falls. In people who have kidney failure, it can prevent bone loss and elevate low calcium levels.

Aside from these, vitamin D is said to be favourable to the heart and blood vessels and can even help treat high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It can be especially useful in the treatment of diseases such as muscle weakness, diabetes, arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, tooth problems, gum disease and obesity. Vitamin D can also be helpful in treating skin diseases such as scleroderma, psoriasis, actinic keratosis, vitiligo and lupus vulgaris. It can help boost immune response and prevent autoimmune disease and cancers. In conditions caused by low phosphorus levels such as familial hypophosphatemia and Fanconi syndrome, it can regulate the levels of calcium and phosphorus.

Vitamin D and Preeclampsia

In a new study, researchers found out that Vitamin D deficiency which occurred during the first 26 weeks of pregnancy was able to raise a mother's risk for preeclampsia. In the said study, researchers tested more than 3,000 pregnant women and analyzed their blood samples for Vitamin D. About 700 of these women developed pre-eclampsia and about 3,000 did not develop this complication. IT was found out that sufficient vitamin D levels were able to lower the risk for severe preeclampsia by 40 percent. This has led scientists to think that sufficient vitamin D levels can also maintain a healthy pregnancy. Its functions go beyond that of maintenance of bones and joints and of boosting immune resistance to illnesses. The results of this study were published in the journal Epidemiology.

It is said that preeclampsia has several causes and has several dangerous effects to the mother and the child. Preeclampsia may be caused by high blood pressure levels during pregnancy, a history of preeclampsia, having a positive family history, a history of obesity, twin or multiple pregnancies and a history of diabetes lupus, kidney disease and arthritis. Preeclampsia can cause signs and symptoms such as swelling, high blood pressure, protein in the urine, abdominal pain, severe headaches, decreased or no urine output, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.  Preeclampsia can pose dangers to the mother such as seizures, stroke, organ failure, and bleeding problems. The baby can have birth defects, lower birth weight and breathing difficulties; or it can be premature and can be dead.

The importance of this study is that it has identified one factor that may lead to the complications of preeclampsia”vitamin D deficiency. More studies are needed to really establish whether lower vitamin D levels are related to the complications brought about by preeclampsia. To know more about Vitamin D, you can check out our other articles on this site.

Our modern lifestyles can make certain demands to us so that we have to render long working hours and cut back on our sleeping time. We do overtime work to pay bills, to have extra cash for shopping; we also party at night to make up for lost time with friends and family. In turn, our sleeping time suffers. However, many of us do not know that sleep is important in maintaining health and well-being.

The Importance of Sleep

Sleep is not only a process that we can switch to or switch from. As we sleep, our body is actually at work whole repairing damaged cells and tissues, getting rid of toxic waste in our bodies and maintaining our body processes. Sleep prepares the body for stresses that lie on the day ahead. This is why when we lose sleep, we cannot function effectively during the daytime and we lack energy and feel weak. If we continuously lose sleep every now and then, we are in for a major physical and mental breakdown.

It's wrong to say that cannot be affected by losing only one hour of sleep. Even if you lose just one hour of precious sleep, you can soon feel its consequences such as failing to think properly and respond quickly during the daytime. Perhaps you have heard of several road accidents wherein the driver fell asleep or the pedestrian was to sleepy to mind himself while he was crossing the street. Yes, lack of sleep can lead to accidents, dangerous medical conditions and death. As you continually lose sleep, your body loses its energy balance, your health becomes compromised, and your immune system fails to protect you from illnesses.

It's also wrong to say that your body can easily adapt to changes in sleeping schedule. In the body, sleep is governed by a biological clock we call circadian rhythm. This circadian rhythm is timed on the presence of light during daytime and the lack of light during night-time. Lack of light triggers the release of melatonin, a hormone that makes us feel sleepy. Thus we do not have the power to reset our biological clock because the body itself has expertly timed when we should wake up and when we should go to sleep. This means that during night shift, even if we are awake, our body is programming itself to rest; while when we want to sleep during the daytime, we cannot, because our body is programmed to have good sleep during night-time.

Sleeping more on the weekends to make up for lost sleep is not effective either. It affects your sleep wake cycle so that you will find it hard to sleep during night time because you have slept much in the daytime. Your body is actually programmed to sleep for at least seven hours each night. Children and teenagers even need more than 8 hours of sleep at night than adults. Older people also need at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep at night. You must remember that sleeping optimally can boost your daytime functioning.

Lack of sleep can lead to various bad effects in health such as fatigue, moodiness, weakness, lethargy, irritability, impaired cognition, memory loss, decreased concentration, weight gain, increased accidents, and increased risk for heart disease, diabetes and other medical problems.

Sleep Duration and Depression

A recent study using genetic adult twins and a community-based study of adolescents have revealed that there are links between sleep duration and depression. The results of these studies were published in the journal Sleep. In one study, 1,788 adult twins were studied to demonstrate a gene by environment interaction between self-reported habitual sleep duration and depressive symptoms. The results showed that abnormal sleep durations increase the risk for depression. Twins who have normal sleep duration had a lower risk for depressive symptoms while twins who have a short sleep duration of five hours per night or who have excessively long sleep durations of 10 hours per night or more have high risk  for depression.

To know more on how to sleep soundly, you can check out our other articles on this site.

The twenties are the ages of great changes in terms of physical, mental and emotional development. Young adults already have a sense of themselves and are starting their own careers. Some of them are also looking to lifetime partners with which they can start a family. If you are in your 20s you wouldn't probably think of getting sick. Yes you can, and sickness in your 20s suck. If you want to stay fit and healthy in your 20s, read on.

Do Some Strength Training

If your think that strength training is only for athletes and body builders, think again. Strength training is for everyone, even for seniors. You can do some weight lifting or circuit training. Strength training increases lean muscle mass, improves your resistance to illnesses, boosts ebergy levels, burns calories, helps with back pain, makes you sleep easier and lower elevated blood sugar levels.

Hydrate

Water is the drink of life, however not too many people drink enough of it. The tip is to constantly gulp water every now and then every day whether your exercising or just watching TV or working on the computer. Water refreshes us and helps with the elimination of toxins and waste materials from our body. You can also drink some juice or electrolyte drinks. One cause of fatigue is dehydration so water is also an energy booster.

Do Various Forms of Exercise

Variety is the spice of life and it also holds true for exercise. Twenty-somethings get easily bored with one exercise activity so why not try others? You can run, jog, lift weights, hike, do some yoga or other means of aerobic exercise. Exercise need not be some boring routine you should get over within a short period of time. Make exercise be a fun activity for you.

When you exercise, you must do it by heart and never cheat. You should also wear proper apparel when exercising and warm up before exercising, or else you will be prone to injuries. You can invest in a personal trainer so that you can ask him or her to coach you on what to do. You can also enrol in gym classes if you like.

Stretch for about five minutes before you exercise. This can tighten and tone up your muscles and get your heart and lungs ready for some vigorous physical activity. Warm up lessens injuries such as muscle sprains and strains.

Also avoid running with the same pair of running shoes every day, as you will be prone to more injuries when your shoes get worn out. In one study, runners who rotated between many pairs of running shoes experienced fewer injuries when they ran. You should also pick up running shoes that are fit for you.

Wear proper exercise apparel. Also, be mindful of the weather outside. If it's too hot, you should dress comfortably for the warm weather. Do not wear tight fitting clothes. In times of cold weather, try wearing one shirt over another which you can easily remove when you already feel hot. Be comfortable when you exercise.

Take Some Rest

In the midst of your fun-filled activities, you also need some rest. You do not need to be constantly running or working out seven days a week. You should rest for one day just to make your body recover from the stress. Give your body time to heal and build and repair its body tissues.

Eat the Right Type Of Foods

You should eat sufficient amounts of carbs and proteins especially before working out. Carbohydrates may give you the right amount of energy while proteins can help your body build and repair worn our tissues. Low fat chocolate milk is a lifesaver; it contains proteins and carbs that can replenish the nutrients that you lost after an energetic day. Don't skin on your fruits and vegetables because they contain loads of nutrients that can keep you healthy and protect you from illnesses. Stay away from too much alcohol, smoking and illegal substances, because they can bring you ill health in the long run.

If you want to learn more about staying healthy, feel free to read our other articles on this site.