Our Body's Immune System

Our immune system is the one responsible for fighting against diseases. If we are sick all the time, we cannot function well at work, at school or even at home. Our loved ones are constantly depending on us for support; this is why by all means we cannot afford to get sick.

Vaccines, pills and syrups cannot boost your immune system; the function of your immune system only depends on its makeup and on its metabolism. Of course it is also dependent on the foods that we take in. If you are sick now and then, here are some things that you should do to boost your immune system.

Do some meditation

Meditation takes away stress which can be a reason why you are always sick all the time. If you are always working and if you have no time for yourself, you also do not give time for your immune system to grow and repair itself. Meditation is said to reduce the effects of stress which in turn weakens us.

Qigong is an ancient Chinese mind-body exercise that allows you to control your breathing and control your movements while meditating. In one study, it was shown that qigong can help fight against colds and flu.

Take probiotic

Probiotics are foods or supplements with live microorganisms that are good for your health. In our gut there are millions of microorganisms called normal microbial flora. If normal microbial flora of the gut is maintained, we could develop resistance to infections, especially those attacking the gastrointestinal tract or the respiratory system. Some studies say that people who are constantly taking probiotics are not affected by colds as normal people are.

Consume Garlic

Garlic contains a substance called allicin�which can help fight viruses. In one study, volunteers who took allicin�everyday had fewer cold infections as compared to those who did not. Some experts even recommend to take two raw garlics each day to protect against colds.

Be Vaccinated

Vaccination, though it cannot assure that you will be infection-free hundred percent, can protect you somehow against colds and flu. Ask your doctor about the right type of vaccines for you.

Be More Physically Active

It is said that people who exercise do not get sick as often as those who have a sedentary lifestyle. You should be exercising for 60 minutes a day so that blood flow in the body is maximized and your metabolic rate is boosted.

Practice Good Hygiene

Washing hands before eating and frequently, especially after touching things in public places, is also one way of reducing infections. Make sure that you dry your hands thoroughly because germs can still be present in wet hands. Also, make sure that you dry your hands in clean towels.

Get Enough Sleep

During sleep, your immune sleep recharges itself. In some studies, it was found out that people who lack sleep at night are more prone to diseases and to road accidents.

Eat the Right Foods

There are certain foods�that can help fight against diseases. Astragalus is one example; this root can help fight against illnesses by activating T cells in the blood to fight against viruses and bacteria. You can eat this daily or add to soups. Herbs and spices can also help fight against illnesses; examples of these spices and herbs are oregano, mustard, thyme and turmeric. Also, avoid taking in too much sweets; not only do they destroy your teeth, they also give rise to elevated blood sugar levels which can weaken your immune resistance. Also, do not forget to consume enough water because enough water in the body can cleanse your cells against toxins and infectious agents that can harm your health.

These are only some of the ways by which you can boost your immune system. For other tips, feel free to browse our other articles on this site.

Fever and Antipyretics

All of us have experienced fever every now and then. But what causes fever? Fever is a condition wherein the body temperature becomes greater than greater than 101.8 F (38.8 C) when taken rectally, more than 100 F (37.8 C) when taken orally, or more than 99 F (37.2 C) when taken through the armpit. This symptom is a response of the body to infections or inflammations that has affected it; it may also be due to cancers, dehydration, thyroid diseases, injuries and other illnesses. Fever is actually a protective mechanism of the body; however a temperature of more than 106 F can result to dangerous outcomes such as coma, seizures, dehydration and other problems. Thus, we should control fever in any way we can.

Along with the physical measures of controlling body temperature such as sponge baths and cool blankets, the patient with fever should be antipyretics�or fever-reducing medications. Fever-reducing medications are of three types: salicylates which include aspirin, acetaminophen and nonsteroidal�anti inflammatory�drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen, ibuprofen or ketoprofen. Their abilities are similar in reducing fever and pain, as well as their onset of action.

Antipyretics�are often used in controlling fever associated with influenza or flu. Flu is caused by a contagious virus known as the influenza virus, which infects the nasopharyngeal tract and the lungs. One of its signs and symptoms is fever, along with a runny nose, cough, sore throat, body malaise, body aches and pains, and nausea. Flu spreads because due to droplets which are spread into the air when an infected person talks, sneezes or coughs. Droplets also settle down the mouths and the noses of unsuspecting people. Alternatively, a person can get infected by touching a surface or an object where flu viruses are present. The infective stage begins one day after symptoms surface out and ends up to 5 to 7 days of illness. In children and in persons with weakened resistance, the illness course may be longer. Also, in immunocompromised patients, there may be complications, which may include pneumonia, sinusitis, dehydration, ear infections, asthma, heart diseases or even diabetes.

Fever and Flu

A recent study showed that antipyretics in influenza�may actually bring more harm than good. This study by researchers from McMaster University has found out that the use of fever-reducing medications can actually help spread flu in various locations. Those who take antipyretics when they have flu were able to reduce their fever but could also increase their chances of infecting others. The drugs implicated are aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

The researchers theorized that fever may actually have a protective effect by lowering the amount of virus in the body and reducing the chances of an infected person to infect others. The findings were published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The experts gathered information from various sources such as clinical trials on human subjects and on animal studies. A mathematical model was then used to solve for the increase in the amount of virus shed off by a person taking antipyretics, the overall number of cases on one year and the overall number of cases when a new strain infected a population. The results suggested that suppression of fever can actually increase the number of infected cases by about 5 % yearly, a number which corresponds to about more than 1,000 additional influenza-related deaths in North America.

This is why experts are suggesting not resorting to fever-reducing medications when having a bout of cold or flu. More studies are actually needed to find out what really are the effects of antipyretic medications on persons who have influenza and on other infectious diseases. To know more about flu, you can read other articles on this site.

Cholesterol and Disease Risk

Cardiovascular diseases and stroke are one of the top killers in the world today. What is common about these two is they have the same risk factors, one of which is high bad cholesterol levels. But what is cholesterol and what can you do about it?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance which is derived from the food that we eat; it can also come as waste materials from our body's physiological processes. In some people, eating a lot of fatty food cannot entirely predispose them to have high cholesterol levels, but in some people who have a certain enzymatic defect that runs in their families, even a small amount of fat that they take in the diet can make their cholesterol levels shoot up. If you are concerned that you may have abnormal cholesterol levels, here are some tips for you

Check Your Levels

Your cholesterol levels are no guessing game. They need to be checked every now and then. This is to ensure that you always have normal cholesterol levels and that you may not increase your risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke. According to guidelines, you should aim for a total cholesterol of 200 mg/dl and below. People who are aged 20 or older should have their cholesterol levels checked once every five years. If you have risks for cardiovascular disease, your doctor would recommend for more frequent testing.

Draft up a Plan

If you have already been diagnosed to have high total cholesterol levels, you should think of a plan for yourself and not just depend on your doctor's orders. You should asses what your risk factors are that can possibly lead to complications that may result from your high cholesterol levels. Know your family history and know whether your age is a high-risk factor for cardiovascular disease. You can improve your diet, quit smoking, or increase your physical activity. You can also combine conventional therapies with alternative therapies, upon approval of your doctor.

Shed Extra Pounds

Excess weight can actually be a huge risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Some people find that losing weight can normalize cholesterol levels. Initially aim to shed off about 5 to 10 pounds then gradually aim for more pounds until you reach a healthy weight. Avoid crash dieting as it may have harmful effects on your health. You can lose weight by decreasing your caloric intake and increasing your physical activity. Find out what type of physical activity suits you. You can walk, jog or engage in moderate intensity physical activities. These activities not only boost your strength and stamina but also elevate good cholesterol and decrease bad cholesterol levels. Aim to get at least 60 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity every week. Other activities you may try include running, jogging, jumping jack, bicycling or swimming.

Feed on the Good Fats

Get to know the sources of good fats such as avocados, peanut butter, nuts, olive oils and canola oils. These foods are rich in monounsaturated fat that can lower LDL and triglycerides in the body while raising HDL. Avoid eating too much saturated fat, the one found in meats, butter, full cream milk and cheese. Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats that are found in fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel.

Fiber Up

Eat a lot of fiber. Fiber helps lower cholesterol levels and can reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Fiber binds to cholesterol in bile acids and helps excrete it from the body. Soluble fibers such as pectin found in fruits and vegetables can also decrease appetite by making you feel full most of the time so that you cannot snack on food with empty calories.

Take Multivitamins

Multivitamins such as folic acid and Vitamin B complex can help protect against heart disease, according to many studies.

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To know more tips about staying healthy, browse our other articles on this site.

Aging and Longevity

Almost all of us desire a long and fruitful life. Perhaps by now some of us have not totally achieved our goals. Or perhaps we want to see our children and grandchildren in the future. This is why most of us want to live longer and disease free. Thus the quest for a long-life elixir is on. Yet no matter how we try, we cannot totally escape the signs of aging.

As we age, our skin becomes wrinkled and starts to lose its elasticity. Graying of the hair also starts. But aging is not only limited to external features. As we age, our heart rate becomes slower and our heart becomes bigger gradually. We may also develop stiffer blood vessels so that the heart has to work harder to overcome the pressure within them. Our bones begin to shrink in size and become less dense, making them more susceptible to fractures. Also, muscles lose their flexibility and strength, making our movement less coordinated and bringing problems of balance and coordination.

The gut also feels the changes associated with aging. The bowels become slower in movement, and constipation becomes common. There is also loss of bladder control, which may be accompanied by enlargement of the prostate in men. As we age, we also encounter some neurodegenerative changes, making it hard for us to remember or retain new information.

Thus the quest for supplements that can defy aging is on. Fortunately this article will guide you on the different supplements you can take to combat the signs of aging.

Acetyl-L-carnitine

Acetyl-L-carnitine is usually taken to increase energy production. This supplement has the ability of increasing energy production of mitochondria inside the cells of the body. You should aim to take about 1,000 mg of acetyl-L-carnitine per day.

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Alpha-lipoic acid

Alpha-lipoic�acid is a supplement that can also increase energy production in the mitochondria of cells. The usual dosage is 200 to 400 mg of alpha-lipoic acid per day

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Rhodiola

Rhodiola�is a herb�that can offer protection to the body against stress. It also helps increase energy. The usual dosage is 100 to 400 mg of Rhodiola standardized extract per day.

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Glucosamine�and Chondroitin

Glucosamine�and Chondroitin�are substances that can be found in joints and cartilages. These substances enhance mobility inside joints while taking away stiffness, protecting against joint damage and easing pain and inflammation within the joints. The usual dosage is 1,500 mg of glucosamine�per day and 900 to 1,200 mg of chondroitin per day.

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S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe)

S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) is a substance which can help strengthen joints by providing sulphur to cartilage, making it strong and healthy. The usual dosage is 200 to 400 to be taken twice per day.

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Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that can prevent the formation of neurodegenerative plaques which are present in Alzheimer's disease. People who use turmeric are often protected from neurocognitive�decline, such as what is found in Alzheimer's disease. The usual dose is 500 mg of standardized turmeric extract to be taken two times or three times a day.

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Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 Fatty Acids, such as that found in fatty fish and healthy oils encourage fat metabolism while helping prevent atherosclerosis, heart disease and dementia. The usual dose is 2 to 3 grams of fish oil per day.

Coenzyme Q10�(CoQ10)

Coenzyme Q10�(CoQ10) is a supplement for good cardiovascular function. This antioxidant substance can encourage good functioning of the heart and the blood vessels, lower bad cholesterol levels and prevent many life-threatening diseases. The usual dosage is 120 mg per day, to be taken with meals.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral which can decrease you risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases. It helps regulate blood pressure. The usual dose is 250 to 400 mg per day.

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Vitamin D and calcium

Vitamin D and calcium need to go hand in hand for the proper functioning, growth and repair of your bones and teeth. These nutrients can both be derived from food and from supplements. The usual dosage of Vitamin D3�or cholecalciferol�is 2,000 IU per day while the usual dosage of calcium is 500 to 700 mg per day.

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To know more how other supplements that can keep you healthy, feel free to browse other articles on this site.

What is Rotator Cuff Pain?

If you find it hard to move you arm above your head due to a shooting and sharp pain in the shoulder area, chances are, you may be having rotator cuff tendinitis. Rotator cuff tendinitis�is a medical condition wherein the rotator cuff or the muscles and joints surrounding the shoulder become inflamed and torn from either injury or overuse. This condition can be due to a lot of factors including keeping your arm in the same position for a long period of time, sleeping on the same side, playing sports that require your arm to be stretched above your head, keeping your arm overhead for long periods of time and poor coordination and tone of your shoulders and its muscles. Rotator cuff tendinitis can also be due to poor posture and aging.

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Rotator cuff pain�may also be due to rotator cuff tears. These tears may result due to weight lifting and overuse and may be sudden or chronic. Sudden tears may be due to lifting heavy objects while chronic tears may be due to chronic tendinitis and nerve impingement. Tears may also be partial, meaning the attachments of the bone are not fully torn, or it may be complete, as in complete detachment of the muscle from the bone. The pain that results from this condition usually comes from the front of the shoulder and may radiate to one side if the arm until the elbow. Upon lowering the shoulder from being raised, pain also starts. Initially the pain may appear during certain movements; however as time goes by, pain may also occur during rest or even during sleep. This may bother the person from time to time.

If you think that you may have rotator cuff pain, don't despair. Here are some things that you can do to ease your pain.

Conventional Treatments

Your doctor may recommend cortisone shots that may reduce inflammation. However there may be side effects such as weakening of tendons or cartilage in the shoulder joints.

Your doctor may also recommend surgery to remove bony spurs and bursitis. Surgery may also repair rotator cuff tears. Surgery may last for 2 hours and can bring about recovery within 2 to 6 weeks

TENS

You can try transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or TENS, a method which uses electrodes to give out an electrical current. This delivers a pulsated pins and needles sensation to the shoulder due to the stimulation of nerve endings that will end your pain. This method also triggers the release of endorphins that can help relieve pain. To order tens click here : Electronic Pulse Massager

Ultrasound and Heat

Ultrasound and heat can help relieve inflammation and can speed up the healing process in rotator cuff injuries. Heat can also relieve muscle spasms and restore joint range of motion. You can apply a heating pad to your shoulder for 15 to 20 minutes before you stretch your shoulder joint to minimize pain and to facilitate mobility.

Ice Pack

An ice pack can also come in handy for rotator cuff pains. It can decrease swelling, reduce inflammation and relieve pain. You can apply ice for 15 minutes then repeat every hour until the pain subsides.

Stretching

Stretching can mobilize the stiffness�of shoulders and can improve the range of motion. Stretching exercises focusing on the shoulder should be performed daily. One such exercise is the pendulum, in which you bend down and dangle your affected arm as you make circles with it. You can also perform the wall slide as follows: face a wall and run your affected hand on the wall up and down so as to wash the wall.

Acupuncture and Yoga

If the above methods failed to provide pain relief, you can try acupuncture. In some studies, acupuncture given for 4 weeks has reduced pain from rotator cuff in some subjects. Alternative medicine practitioners explain that rotator cuff pain may be due to blood blockages that may be healed by acupuncture. If acupuncture fails, you can try yoga.

If you want to know more how to get rid of pain, you can check out our other articles on this site.

Normal Gut Flora

The gut is home to millions of microorganisms that live there normally. They are collectively known as gut flora. Gut flora commonly live in the digestive system of humans and animals. Gut flora help create energy by fermenting carbohydrates in the intestines while absorbing short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate, which passes through the colon to the liver and to the target muscles. These microorganisms also help synthesize vitamins such as vitamins K and B and helps metabolize sterols, xenobiotics and bile acids. Most of these microbes are anaerobic bacteria, however, aerobic bacteria can also be found on the cecum.

It is even said that there are more gut microbial flora than the number of cells in the human body. This is why some experts consider them as an organ also. The gut flora also contains more genes than the human genome. They are mostly found in the colon and are passed out of the body as feces. These microbes are not harmful to us but are even helpful to us. For example, after digestion of food, there may be remnants of substrates in the gut. These microbes clear up the gut by fermenting the leftover substrates so that there is smooth functioning of the colon. They also help shield against the growth of disease-causing bacteria that may invade our gut in times of sickness, and can also boost the immune system. They can also create vitamins for the use of the other body systems such as Vitamin K and biotin; they also create hormones that encourage the redistribution of fats.

Gut flora synthesize undigested carbohydrates in the gut. This is because these microorganisms have the necessary enzymes that can digest polysaccharides that the human body lacks. These polysaccharides include fiber, sugars and starches. Lactose cannot be digested by people who lack the enzyme responsible for digesting it; the condition is termed as lactose intolerance. This is when microorganisms enter the picture; they are able to ferment lactose because they have the necessary enzymes in doing so. They can also ferment carbohydrates into short chain fatty acids that can be used by many cells in the body for energy and nutrients.

Aside from these effects, gut flora encourages water absorption by the gut, gets rid of harmful bacteria, facilitates growth and repair of gut cells and facilitate growth of other favourable microorganisms. Gut microflora also stimulates lymphoid tissue located within the gut mucosa to create antibodies that can fight off disease-causing microorganisms.

Gut microorganisms belong to the Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, Clostridium, Peptostreptococcus, Escherichia, Peptococcus, Ruminococcus, Lactobacillus, and Eubacterium species. Other fungi may be present in the gut such as Saccharomyces, Penicillium, Aspergillus and Candida. As soon as a baby is born, these microorganisms start to proliferate in the gut to boost immune function even in newborn infants. Initially, facultative anaerobes predominate during infancy until obligate anaerobic microorganisms take over during adulthood. These microorganisms facilitate the expression of toll-like receptors in the intestines that can repair damage to the intestinal mucosa. They can also prevent allergies especially towards food and can prevent inflammatory bowel disease.

Gut Flora and Fiber

Recently, some experts from the University of British Columbia have identified the genes that enables gut flora to metabolize fiber in the gut. Through these findings, they are able to identify how specialized the roles of microbial flora are in the gut in the maintenance of good intestinal health especially after illness or antibiotic use. Researchers discovered the sequence of genes that has enabled Bacteroides�ovatus�to digest xyloglucan, a major fiber found in vegetables. These genes may be responsible for the digestion of fiber in the gut and for playing other roles which are beneficial for our health.

The researchers commented that more studies are needed, especially those studies which focus on other bacteria and their ability to digest fiber. For more medical news, feel free to browse other articles on this site.

Necrotizing�Enterocolitis

In infants, the most common gastrointestinal medical emergency is necrotizing�enterocolitis or NEC. NEC is a life-threatening disorder which is caused by inflammation and damage to the intestines. The mucosa of the intestines can undergo necrosis or damage and can even become perforated, causing the spillage of intestinal contents into the abdominal cavity, leading to peritonitis. This disease, in most cases, affects the proximal ascending colon and the terminal ileum.

Necrotizing�enterocolitis�is caused by many factors, such as ischemia, inflammatory mediators and infections. In some infants, gram negative bacteria, gram positive bacteria, viruses and fungi have been isolated however cultures may also be negative. Another factor is abnormal intestinal flora or the growth of infectious organisms in the gut such as E. coli and Klebsiella�pneumoniae. Infants can be exposed to such infections by exposure to broad spectrum antibiotics, which alter normal bacterial flora in the gut. Other experts believe that NEC can also be brought about by problems in maternal blood flow such as maternal hypertension, preeclampsia and illegal drug exposure. It is also said that human milk may be protective against NEC.

This disease is more common in premature infants although it can also be seen in term infants. It is also observed to be more common in the second or the third week of life of premature infants who have been fed with milk formulas. Signs and symptoms observed in patients include the passage of bloody stools, abdominal enlargement, and a sign called pneumatosis�intestinalis. Sepsis may also be a complication and can cause fever, weakness and other non-specific signs and symptoms. Initially, the infant may show intolerance to feeding and delayed gastric emptying which may later on lead to abdominal distension and tenderness. Upon auscultation, there may be decreased bowel sounds, leading one to think that ileus�may have set in. There may also be redness of the abdominal wall and bloody stools. Later on, there may be pauses in breathing or apnea, weakness, shock, bleeding and coagulopathy�and cardiovascular collapse. Laboratory findings would include low sodium levels, low platelet count, metabolic acidosis, low white blood cell counts or elevated white blood cell counts with shift to the left, decreased neutrophil count and prolonged prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time. All these laboratory findings may be non-specific and cannot accurately predict prognosis for NEC.

Markers for NEC

Recently, researchers from Loyola University Health System have found a marker that helps identify infants who are at high risk for necrotizing�enterocolitis. This can be a big help to doctors since they are now able to impose strategies to prevent the disease once they have identified this marker. The findings of this study were published at the Journal of Pediatric Surgery.

The study began to utilize 177 premature infants who were born at less than 32 weeks’ gestation and who were born weighing less than 3 pounds, 3 ounces. Blood samples from these infants were obtained after 72 hours of birth and were also obtained every week for one month. The samples were examined for reticulated platelets (RP) and intestinal alkaline phosphatase (iAP). About 8.5 percent of these infants developed NEC and out of those who developed NEC, 93 percent have had low RP levels while 60 percent have elevated levels of iAP. The researchers inferred that those with low RP levels are more likely to develop NEC than those with high iAP.

More studies are needed to properly identify the relationship between the risk of NEC and RP or iAP levels. For more information on other pediatric diseases, you can browse our other articles on this site.

Smoking E-Cigarettes

Smoking is certainly dangerous to our health. This is because this bad habit can cause lung disease and cancers. Recently, a lot of devices have been developed to curb smoking, one of which is the electronic cigarette or e-cigarette.

An e-cigarette is a battery-operated device that simulates cigarette and cigar smoking. This device consists of a heater that generates smoke�, which is in fact, is the vapour of a liquid solution inside the device. The liquid inside an e-cigarette contains a mixture of nicotine, flavourings and other substances that can mimic the natural flavour and aroma of smokes tobacco. The user smokes the e-cigarette as he would a usual tobacco-lade cigarette.

A lot of people have debated on whether e-cigarettes have negative effects on our health. This is because they claimed that since e-cigarettes contained nicotine, the user is not free from nicotine addiction. However, the truth is, e-cigarettes can be quite effective in smoking cessation, especially among long-term smokers. Why is this so? Here are some reasons.

First of all, using e-cigarettes can still permit a person to enjoy smoking�without that particular unpleasant odor associated with cigarette smoking. If you have noticed, people who smoke cigarettes have that distinctive smell; perhaps you have noticed that smell on you too if you used to smoke cigarettes. That distinctive smell can last from hours to days and cannot easily be removed, making you isolated in social gatherings. E-cigarettes lack that characteristic smell because the vapour it releases does not contain tar and other chemicals that result from burning tobacco. Tar and these chemicals can cling to walls, clothes, skin, furniture and the like, permeating the air with that particular smell. With e-cigarettes, you enjoy smoking without smelling bad.

Another reason to switch from tobacco smoking to e-cigarette smoking is that e-cigarettes are much cheaper than cigarettes and cigars. Due to taxes, cigarettes are becoming more costly nowadays. As for e-cigarettes, although the starter kit may cost a bit higher, the cost per month of smoking it is about 50% lower than when you smoke traditional cigarettes. They are cheaper because these devices are not subjected to tax.

E-Cigarettes Are Safer

E-cigarettes are also considered safer than traditional cigarettes. Aside from burning issues and fire hazards associated with its use, traditional cigarette smoke contain tar and other chemicals that can cause cancers and lung problems. If you use e-cigarettes, you do not worry too much about burning or fire hazards or cancers and other diseases. The vapour in e-cigarettes may contain nicotine minus the toxic substances associated with cigarette smoke.

A part of smoking rehabilitation programs involves weaning the person from smoking through the use of nicotine replacements such as chewing gums and tablets. This is done to maintain steady levels of nicotine in the blood so that unpleasant withdrawal side effects such as headaches, irritability and depression are not observed. The nicotine dose is slightly tapered off. With e-cigarettes, there are no withdrawal symptoms, and smoking them could also be tapered.

E-cigarettes don't place hazards to your health. They don't cause diseases associated with traditional cigarettes smoking such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, COPD, cancers, osteoporosis, dementia and many more. Its use may also be effectively incorporated in many smoking rehabilitation programs because these devices contain nicotine that does not give withdrawal symptoms to the long-term tobacco user.

Lastly, e-cigarettes can positively affect your social life more than smoking traditional cigarettes. Smoking e-cigarettes gives another person the view that you are responsible with regards to your health. Women are turned off with men who smoke and many men are turned off by women who smoke. With e-cigarettes, you get the high without the negative effects.

If you can't beat them, join them! If you can't beat smoking, switch to e-cigarettes instead. Believe me, you will surely experience the difference.

The Truth About Fibromyalgia

If you are suffering pain from almost every part of the body, you may have fibromyalgia.�Fibromyalgia is a condition wherein there is widespread pain in the body along with unexplained fatigue. As a result, people affected by this disorder find it difficult to fall asleep, have frequent headaches, have irritable bowel syndrome and feel that their muscles are stiff. These symptoms differ from person to person and may vary due to changes in weather, the stress levels of the person and his or her level of physical activity.

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The characteristic pain of fibromyalgia�feels like an ache or a burning sensation. It may be stabbing at times. The person who has fibromyalgia�is considered sensitive to pain and other stimuli, and his or her pain threshold is low. This condition is termed as hyperalgesia. Even a touch could be painful to the sufferer, a condition known as allodynia. Along with generalized pain, there may be muscle stiffness especially upon waking up in the morning. The stiffness can change to spasm in some instances.

A person who has fibromyalgia can also feel extreme tiredness or fatigue, the feeling of which may be similar to that who is suffering from flu. It can also lead to poor quality of sleep because of the pain and muscle spasms. In other cases there may be cognitive symptoms such as brain fog, wherein the person fails to remember new things, has problems with concentration and cannot speak fluently. Other symptoms include headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, numbness, tingling, ringing in the ears, painful menstrual periods, anxiety and depression.

Considering these signs and symptoms, what may be the possible causes of fibromyalgia? The exact causes are not known, however experts think that fibromyalgia�may be caused by a disturbance in the way pain messages are created and transmitted. It can also be related to low hormone levels and to sleep problems. A person with fibromyalgia�often has a problem with the way pain messages are transmitted within the body. There are disturbances in the way the nerves transmit pain messages to the brain and the spinal cord. This is why people with fibromyalgia�are extremely sensitive to pain and feel a lot of aches all over the body. As to hormonal imbalances, people with fibromyalgia have been found out to have low levels serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Serotonin is the substance responsible for affecting mood and appetite and for regulating sleep. Dopamine is the substance responsible for controlling behaviour and mood while norepinephrine is responsible for fight or flight reactions of the body during stress.

Those who are at high risk for fibromyalgia include those who have undergone trauma or damage to the body tissues, those who have undergone psychological trauma, those who had viral infections such as hepatitis B or C or HIV/ AIDS, those who have depression and those who inherited the condition from their parents. Other predisposing factors include thyroid problems and inflammatory disorders.

There are no medications which can totally cure fibromyalgia. This is why many researchers are currently doing work to find out if there are remedies that can help in this condition.

Vitamin D and Fibromyalgia

Recently, researchers from the Orthopaedic Hospital, Speising�in Vienna, Austria have claimed that vitamin D supplements can reduce pain and fatigue in fibromyalgia. In their study consisting of 30 women with fibromyalgia�and who have low serum calcifediol�levels, it was found out that after 24 weeks, pain was lower and fatigue was lesser. The treated women also claimed to improve on physical functioning. More studies are needed to truly establish whether vitamin D supplementation can really decrease the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

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Additional info on Fibromyalgia can also be found on other articles on Doctor Tispter site

Vitamin D: An Essential Vitamin

Vitamin D is an important vitamin, yet not many people know about its many uses. It is a vitamin which is fat-soluble and which is stored in body tissues that contain fat after its consumption. Vitamin D is helpful in absorbing minerals such as calcium. Calcium is needed by the bones and teeth for growth and repair. Once there is not enough calcium or vitamin D, there is decreased production of bone tissues, a condition known as rickets in children or as osteoporosis in adults. Aside from this function, Vitamin D can boost immune function so that the body can fight against diseases. It can also help maintain other organ systems and can help protect against heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, arthritis and cancers. Lately, there are reports that Vitamin D can also protect against neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

Vitamin D�can be absorbed through exposure to morning sunlight; it is in this way that most people can achieve their daily recommended dietary allowances of vitamin D. However, there are a few foods that actually contain Vitamin D such as fatty fish, eggs, cheese, liver, dairy products and mushrooms. Some foods available in supermarkets nowadays are also fortified with Vitamin D; examples include Vitamin D fortified cereals, soy milk, fruits juice and margarine. Vitamin D can also be available as supplements in the form of Vitamin D2�or ergocalciferol�and Vitamin D3�or cholecalciferol.

To get the recommended allowance for vitamin D you should be exposed for 10 to 15 minutes of sunshine for about three times a week. Areas of your body should be exposed to sunlight such as your arms, legs, back and face. Another way of absorbing vitamin D is through food. The recommended daily allowance for children and adults below 70 years old is 600 IU�or 15 mcg�per day. Adults who are over 70 years of age need about 800 IU�or 20 mcg/day of Vitamin D. Excess intake of vitamin D can lead to vitamin D toxicity which can cause calcium deposits in parts of the body, kidney damage, kidney stones, vomiting, nausea, constipation, weakness and weight loss.

Vitamin D and Parkinson's Disease

Recently there is a new study which says that adequate levels of Vitamin D can prevent cognitive decline and can alleviate depression, especially in patients with Parkinson's disease. The results of this study are published in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease. In this study, about 286 patients with Parkinson's disease were studied. The researchers found out that symptoms were less severe, cognition is improved and depression is lesser.

Parkinson's disease is a medical condition wherein there is involuntary shaking or tremors of limbs and other parts of the body, stiffness of the muscles or cogwheel rigidity and slow movements which are termed as bradykinesia. This is a result of damage on the part of the brain called substantia nigra which continuous progressively all throughout the years. Damage of the substantia nigra reduces the production of dopamine in the brain leading to the movement disorders associated with Parkinson's disease. Dementia and cognitive impairment can also result from this disease.

There is no cure for Parkinson's disease although its symptoms can be minimized by medications, one of which is levodopa. Physiotherapy and speech therapy can also benefit other patients.

In the above-mentioned study, motor function fluency and immediate and delayed recall were improved in patients who have higher vitamin D3�levels. For those patients who had no dementia, depression was lower among those with higher Vitamin D3 levels.

More studies are needed to confirm whether Vitamin D levels truly have effects on cognition and depression on patients with Parkinson's disease. Meanwhile,� check�out team�recommended�e-book on coping with Parkinson’s� – Parkinson”s�Disease Natural Guide 32 pgs

or take a look at�Doctor Tipster articles for interesting facts on other neurological diseases