Sex, Health, Diet Info

Leukemia is a disease that is considered to be life-threatening. It requires prompt intervention when discovered, in order to maximize the chances of recovering through specific treatment and therapy. Leukemia is basically a type of cancer of the bone marrow and blood, caused by inappropriate cellular activity. The disease can be of different forms, according to the types of blood cells that cause its development. Also, if leukemia is developing rapidly, it is called acute leukemia, while if the disease is developing slowly, it is referred to as chronic leukemia.

The direct leukemia causes are still unknown. In present, medical science isn’t able to establish the specific leukemia causes. However, a strong connection between certain genetic factors and the development of the disease has been revealed. Leukemia occurs on the background of genetic failure that causes the excessive production of incomplete, partially matured blood cells. Also, leukemia has a hereditary character, allowing the transmission of genetic predispositions to disease from one generation to another. Although many factors are known to contribute to the development of leukemia, they alone can’t be considered leukemia causes.

Despite the fact that statistics indicate a higher incidence of the disease in people that are exposed to some environmental factors of risk, leukemia doesn’t seem to be caused by neither of them in particular. Among the environmental factors that are thought to be leukemia causes, here are some of the most plausible ones:

- Smoking – smoking is thought to increase the chances of being affected by leukemia. Although statistics show that around 20 percent of acute leukemia cases are related to smoking, leukemia also occurs to people that don’t smoke and therefore it can’t be considered a leukemia cause on itself;

- Prolonged exposure to radiation – Radiation is considered to facilitate the development of leukemia. It is believed that exposure to X-rays can be a leukemia cause;

- Prolonged exposure to benzene – statistics reveal that this is a major factor of risk in some forms of leukemia, such as myelogenous leukemia;

- Chemotherapy and cancer treatment – previous cancer treatments and chemotherapy are known to facilitate the occurrence and development of leukemia and can be considered plausible leukemia causes. Within a few years from the completion of chemotherapy and other treatments for certain forms of cancer, most people can develop leukemia.

Among the genetic factors that are considered to be leukemia causes, the following ones are thought to be the most important:

- chromosome abnormalities – some rare genetic syndromes are known to contribute to leukemia causes;

- Immune system genetic problems – a weak immune system is very likely to facilitate the occurrence of leukemia and therefore can be considered a leukemia cause;

- Down syndrome – children born with this syndrome have a very high risk of developing acute leukemia.

The list of possible leukemia causes can continue further, but these are the most common factors that are considered to be interrelated with leukemia. While some of them can be prevented, others reside within the genes and in present can’t be corrected. In future, however, thanks to medical advance, we will probably be able to prevent leukemia and other forms of cancer.

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Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/possible-leukemia-causes-and-risk-factors-1383245.html

It’s just unbelievable yet true! Fish oil supplements are now among the most popular health supplements in the world. This is because fish based oil has been identified as a good source of Omega 3 fatty acids that are known to provide a host of benefits to our body’s overall health. Before buying your own fish oil supplement, however, it is best that you conduct a personal fish oil review.

It is important to conduct a fish oil review because fish based oil products are now proliferating in the market and they are definitely not created equal. While some manufacturers voluntary submit themselves to quality tests and strictly follow pharmaceutical standards, there are also those who manufacture their pills via the cheapest possible means without regard to quality or safety.

Another good reason to conduct a review of fish based oil products prior to making a purchase is the fact that some fish oils contain very high levels of metal toxins like mercury. This means that choosing the wrong source of fish oil could lead you to more harm than good and your health could deteriorate rather than improve as a result. This is why you have to be very vigilant in choosing your fish oil supplement.

The most important factor you should consider in doing a fish oil review is the purity of the oil content of a particular fish based supplement. The best pills are those that contain pure Omega 3 fatty acids, preferably without any additives. And the best way to ensure that your supplement contains pure ingredients is to buy the ones that are considered pharmaceutical grade.

Strictly speaking, of course, there are no such things as pharmaceutical grade fish oil pills because health supplements in general are not required to undergo the same standards of quality as pharmaceutical drugs. Probably the highest standards that the health supplement industry can speak of are the likes of International Fish Oil Standards (IFO). There are, however, a few manufacturers who voluntary set their own standards based on those of pharmaceutical drugs and it is best to purchase supplements from these manufacturers.

The best way to check these things is to read the labels and any other source of information in regard to these products. Take special note of their Certificate of Analysis as this will show the exact amounts of trace minerals and mercury contained in the pills. This certificate will also reveal whether the supplement indeed contains the ingredients and nutrients that it claims to have as indicated in the label.

In conducting your own fish oil review, you should also check the manner in which the fish-oil content of the pill was purified. So far, molecular distillation is considered to be the most effective way of removing toxins from fish oils, or at least reducing them to levels that are safe for human consumption. Other methods and processes may not be as effective or as safe.

You should also check if the supplement has a special coating. Many manufacturers coat their pills with enteric and while this type of coating does not seem to have any negative side effects, neither has it shown any significant benefits and is more often used only to mask the rancidity of the fish oil. It may be better to choose supplements with water-based coating, which has been proven to be a lot safer than enteric.

In conclusion, the process of conducting your own fish oil review may be time-consuming and may require a lot of effort on your part. But in the long run, you will see its value when you start to enjoy the benefits from fish based oil and at the same time avoid the common risks that are associated with it. Your health, after all, is well worth the time and effort that it takes to review these products.

Rajagopalan has learned early in life the critical importance of a omega 3 fish oil to minimize health risks and maximize healthy living. Click over to his website at ==> http://www.omega3fishoilsguide.com/ and get the complete www.omega3fishoilsguide.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/want-to-know-the-value-of-conducting-your-own-fish-oil-review-1352465.html

Losing fat is a very difficult task for many peoples who do no want or dont have time for regular exercising. Of course there people who so scared of getting fat and so they go ahead and starve themselves just to keep in shape. There are various aspects that lead one’s body to accumulate fat. These aspects may incude:

Blood Sugar Levels

Low amounts of calories in the body trigger bloodsugar levels. This is often characterised by feeling tired, irritability, restlessness and anxiety. All these cause one to have a craving for something sweet and rich in carbohydrates. This is beccause the body needs glucose which is needed to provide energy for the bodily functions yet the supply is minimal. The brain and the central nervous system are the main beneficiaries of glucose. The brain is known to consume close to 2/3 of the glucose supply when one is active or one is asleep. This urge to eat sweet foods is the mechanism of the body to get one to eat in vast amounts. As one consumes more and more food, the blood sugar raises to very high levels triggering insulin to start deploying glucose to the muscles and liver areas. This is good for the proper functioning of the body. However, some people tend to overeat. Overeating leads to glucose being directed in the fat cells to be stored as a reserve. This reserve is hardly utilised and thus more accumulation will result in one getting fat.

The Serotonin Levels

Serotanin is obtained from tryptophan. It is used as a nuerotransmiter for the brain and the nervous system. A good level of serotanin in the blood ensures that one feels okay and the sleep pattern proceed in the required form. Everyone has in one time or the other been awoken from sleep by hunger pangs; this is a result of low serotanin levels disrupting the sleep to inform you that you need carbohydrates. One may argue that the carbohydrates will make them fatter but this situation indicates low calorie levels that require carbohydrate intervention.

It is therefore that bodybuilders need to take a light carbohydrate say a snack before sleep in order to ensure better sleep patterns through appropriate levels of serotanin.

The Muscle Protein and the Metabolism Issue

When the body is deprived of energy, the muscles are often broken down to create glucose for the body especially the brain. Some people have heard that ketone bodies are at times broken down to provide energy for the brain. This is not entirely true as the brain will continue to only utilise glucose and hence the muscles will still be used for that.

The body however does not advocate for muscle breadown and so it will tend to slow down the matebolic in order to reduce most energy requirements for as long as possible. As the muscles breakdown, the energy requirements are lowered, fewer calories are burnt and hence they are stored as fat.This explains why low calorie diets are discouraged while one is trying to cut excess weight.

The Lipoprotein Lipase Issue

The body has the system of recovery whereby it can gain back the weight it lost in months in just a few days. This is enble through an enzyme called lipoprotein lipase which is developed whenever one undereats for long periods of time.

After that period is over, they work by converting whatever meal you take to fat.

Malnutrition of the Borderline type

This type of malnutrition occurs in candidates who are overzelous to diet down their weight. It has several characteristics such:

Water retention which is dangerous since it may be interpreted as weight and thus further efffort will be put in order to fight weight gain.

Iron deficiency resulting to borderline anemia is also a common phenomenon. Lack of various nutrients causes the body to trigger hunger in an effort to suppplement these nutrients from food.

Poststarvation-Hyperphagia

Another factor is Poststarvation hyperphagia. This is a heightened hunger feeling that is particularly hard to ignore. This makes one eat alot leading to further fat deposition.

Dane Fletcher is the world’s most prolific bodybuilding and fitness expert and is currently the executive editor for BodybuildingToday.com. If you are looking for more bodybuilding tips or information on weight training, or supplementation, please visit www.BodybuildingToday.com, the bodybuilding and fitness authority site with hundreds of articles available FREE to help you meet your goals.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/training-tips-for-losing-fat-1339303.html

Prevention is better than cure. So we would always to prevent the disease rather than looking for its cure. But if we already have a disease, then we should look for the cure as soon as possible. the reason behind the panic attacks is found to be a genetic mutation and troubles 400 million people in the US alone. Although in a nebulous stage, still a breakthrough can be achieved for cure for panic disorders.

Earlier when there were completely no scope of curing a panic disorder, it was estimated that one in ten people is an anxiety disorder patient. This discovery was made by a team from the Center of Medical and Molecular Biology in Barcelona and was reported in the New Scientist Magazine.

The research saw the scientists studying the families with a history of panic disorders, agoraphobia and social phobia. The results indicated that 90% of the affected family members carried a genetic abnormality whereas the same mutation named the DUP25 was found to be present in most of the unrelated cases that have been tested. This gene mutation however was rare or was not found in those who had no anxiety problems whatsoever.

In Barcelona, the mutation occurs contains more than 60 genes, or which only 23 have so far been identified. Scientists however do know that some of these genes manufacture proteins that play a crucial role in controlling the way the cells of the nervous system communicate with each other. One theory highlighted by this group of scientists is that the gene mutation causes an imbalance in the production of these proteins resulting in the brain reacting over-sensitively to stressful situations.

An interesting fact that the scientists have come up with shows that not all people with DUP25 mutation suffer from anxiety disorders. The DUP25 mutation tends to change from generation to generation. According to Dr Monica Gratacos, a researcher said: “The environment is also very important. In the affected families, for instance, 20% of people with DUP25 had no anxiety illness at all.” the tram is presently working upon the genes on DUP25 that exactly causes anxiety disorders and what anxiety attack medication can cure them.

The basic cure for panic attacks can be traced to suppress either the genes or the protein products. Genetic mutation for DUP25 is different for every individual, as not all the cells mutate. Dr Raymond Crow, a psychiatrist at the University of Iowa is involved with the studies concerning genetic panic disorder told New Scientist magazine that the discovery in anxiety attacks was a “very important finding” adding that “It looks like they have found an entirely new mechanism of disease.”

Environmental and hereditary factors together contribute to the panic disorders. An expert in panic disorders and a clinical psychologist based at Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust, Professor Roger Baker told BBC News Online that it was likely that panic attacks were caused by a mixture of genetic and environmental factors. Those who experienced a relative with panic disorders were more prone to develop the similar disorder than the population at large he said. People with a family history, or with some of the relatives suffering from panic disorders, are likely to be affected from this disease. It is estimated that between half and three-fourth of the people who wanted to be treated for panic attacks, did not have any parental history of the same. Also, 8% of the panic attacks are caused by the misuse of drugs and stressful lifestyle.

According to Professor Baker, this is not a simple matter and that it is probably a balance of different factors that cause anxiety attacks. “It may well be that some people have a general susceptibility to panic attacks, but they would probably need some sort of stressful event to set it off.” A combination of anxiety disorder help and anti depressants, relaxation techniques and self help methods have proved to be beneficial in the treatment of panic attack disorders.

Beth Kaminski is the leading expert in the field of treatment for anxiety attacks and cure for anxiety disorders. For more information on tips to stop these attacks as well as how to prevent panic attacks, visit her site today.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/panic-attack-gene-researchmarching-ahead-1321514.html

Question by Mari: What in an egg could bespeak a lack of vitamin “A” in the hen’s diet?
It is something in the actual egg.

Best answer:

Answer by ND DVM
pale yolk

Add your own answer in the comments!

The following is an excerpt from Hot and Cold Health by R. G. Heft (Acupuncture Physician FL 1992- 2002) based on traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines and the questioning and counseling of 10,000+ Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is based on the theory, observation that everything is an ongoing balance of opposites, many of which we control through diet, exercise, sex, thought, etc.

Know the whole before attempting to diagnose and or treat the part, as you cannot cure the part ithout curing the whole. The whole is equal to and greater than the sum of its parts.  If you cannot afford or do not want to risk your money ($20 or less), then I will send, email you the E Book (Adobe file, 1,005 KB) for free.  Your health is  more important than my bank account. Email me (rgheft@netzero.com) your request or questions.  Peace.

The skin is the body’s largest organ. It has several functions.

(1) Acts as a protective cover, shield, barrier between the body and the external environment (heat, cold, dryness, dampness, wind)

(2) Has pores, openings allowing the body to release excessive heat, energy (in the form of perspiration) and or retain heat, energy.

(3) Sebaceous glands located throughout the body in the dermis (layer of skin below epidermis, outer layer of skin) secrete sebum an oily liquid that moistens the skin and hair. It also helps the body retain heat. Acne (raised, red lesions, pustules, blackheads, etc.) is an inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands affecting primarily the face and shoulders

The skin is made from food, nutrients. There are only two kinds of foods, nutrients: building and cleansing. Building nutrients, foods (protein, fat, meat, eggs, cheese, beans, etc.) build and fuel. Cleansing nutrients, foods (water, minerals, fruit, vegetables, grains, etc.) reduce, cleanse, cool and moisten.

Long-term low protein, low fat (milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, beans, etc.) and high carbohydrate (bread, pasta, salads, tropical fruits, juices, smoothies, etc.) diets tend to cool, weaken and dilute digestion, reducing nutrient absorption, decreasing and thinning the blood (blood deficiency). Blood deficiency, in the extreme, tends to weaken, sag, thin, dry, crack and or bleed the skin producing partial facial flushing, red spots, splotches, acne, cracked skin, bleeding, pustules, eczema, exposed capillaries, blue veins and or translucent skin.

Too many building foods, protein and fat, especially animal (red meat, pork, chicken, eggs, cheese, fried foods, oil, etc.), in addition to alcohol, sugar tends to cause raised, red, hard painful, oily pimples, pus, boils and or dry flaky skin; warts, moles, psoriasis, tumors, etc. All excess sugar is turned into fat. Protein and fat build, thicken, fuel and heat. Too much tends to thicken, overbuild and overheat the blood, which in turn, overbuilds, overheats the skin.

The middle diet, meal plan adjusted accordingly is recommended. Try to eat simply and do not overeat. For deficiency, increase protein, fat (eggs, turkey, chicken, etc.), spices, cooked foods, (soups, vegetables), and a small amount of fruit (avoid tropical), for balance. For the overbuilt, eat less animal (red meat, pork, veal, chicken, etc.) and more beans, nuts, seeds, rice, vegetables, fruit (apples, pineapple, etc.). Space and or skip meals, especially dinner. Experience hunger and quench with water.

The beauty, health of the skin, starts in the inside via simple diet. From the outside, you can use good quality soaps, shampoos, cosmetics, etc. I highly recommend Aubrey Organics and Zia Cosmetics. Calendula oil is great for burns helps prevent scarring.

Eczema (cold, damp)

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory condition of the skin that produces blister like formations that weep, release fluid before forming a crust, scale and or flake. Itching may also occur. Poor diet is a major cause.

The body digests, transforms food, nutrients into blood, into structure (skin) into function, into health or disease. There are only two kinds of nutrients, foods: building and cleansing. Building nutrients (protein and fat) build and fuel. Cleansing nutrients (water, sugar, minerals, etc.) reduce, cleanse, cool and moisten. The correct amount of building and cleansing builds and maintains healthy skin (thick, firm, strong, etc. The incorrect amounts, build too much or too little skin. Too little protein and fat tends to under build, thin and weaken the skin causing it to crack, bleed and or infect.

The symptoms of eczema indicate deficiency via breakdown (falling apart). Low protein and low fat diets, in the extreme, tend to thin and weaken all structure and function, including the skin. Too many carbohydrates (pasta, bread, salads, tropical fruits, juices, etc.) tend to dilute and weaken digestion (acid, enzymes) reducing nutrient absorption (especially protein and fat), blood, which in turn, dilutes, weakens and thins everything else skin, hair, bones, memory, vision, etc.

Case history: In 1989, I developed a bad, hideous case of eczema. It first started as a pimple, blister on my index finger (left hand). Over the course of two months, it (blisters, cracked skin, bleeding, pus, etc.) spread to every finger up the back of hand to the arm. My other hand was affected eventually although not as bad. This happened while I was going to acupuncture school. It was gross. I tried every Chinese herbal remedy. Nothing worked. My skin kept getting worse and worse. I eventually turned to Ayurvedic Medicine (Ayurvedic Healing, and Yoga of Herbs by Dr. David Frawley, O.M.D.), which recommended the use of spices. My diet at the time was bland, low protein, low fat, sweet and cooling. I was living in Hollywood. Fl. I reduced juices, fruits, increased protein and fat and started cooking with spices (fennel, cumin, coriander, ginger, etc.). I always used at least five spices. Within three weeks, my eczema cleared up. My digestion also improved less bloating, gas, burping, farting, etc. I did have eczema as a teenager, although not as serious.  

Diet related eczema is simple but time consuming to cure as the skin takes time to rebuild via proper diet. The middle diet, daily meal plan, adjusted accordingly is recommended. Reduce salads, raw vegetables, tropical and citrus fruits, cold drinks, milk and yogurt

Other causes of eczema: low levels of hydrochloric acid, Candidiasis and or food allergies, all of which can all be caused by poor diet (low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate, in the extreme).

        Psoriasis (hot)

Psoriasis is a painful chronic skin disorder characterized by dry, red, scaly skin covering the scalp, genitalia, skin, etc. that alternates between exacerbation and remission. It is a disease of excess, caused in general by too much protein and fat, especially red meat, pork, hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, lasagna, oily, greasy foods (fries, chips, etc.) in addition to alcohol and sweets. Psoriasis generally occurs in conjunction with liver congestion, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, etc. The colder middle diet, meal plan is recommended.

Hot and Cold Health

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION I PHILOSOPHY AND DIET

Chapter 1 The Way of Thinking Chapter 2 The Way of Food Chapter 3 Digestion, Spices and Chinese Herbs Chapter 4 Cooking Class

SECTION II BIOLOGY, EAST AND WEST

Chapter 5 Three Treasures Chapter 6 Blood and Body Fluids Chapter 7 Spleen Chapter 8 Stomach Small Intestine Chapter 9 Large Intestine and Urinary Bladder Chapter 10 Heart Chapter 11 Liver & Gall Bladder Chapter 12 Lungs Chapter 13 Kidneys Chapter 14 Disease and Diagnosis

SECTION III DISEASES A- Z

Chap 15 A Diseases AIDS 141 Alzheimer s 143 Anal fissure 143 Anemia 144 Anger 145 Aging 146 Anxiety 147 Arthritis 148 Asthma 152 ADD 154 Auto-immune 154 Chap 16 B Diseases Blood 157 Blood Pressure 158 Body Odor 159 Bones 161 Breast lumps 162 Bronchitis 164 Chap 17  C Diseases Candidiasis 167 Canker Sores 169 Cellulite 171 Cholesterol 173 Chronic Fatigue 175 Circulation 176 Cirrhosis 178 Cold hands, feet 178 Cold (lungs) Constipation 180 Coughing 182 Crohn s 182 Chap 18 D Diseases Depression 185 Detoxification 188 Diabetes 191 Diarrhea 193 Diuretics 195 Dizziness 195 Dysmenorrhea 196 Chap 19 E-F Diseases Ear Infections 197 Eczema 197 Edema 200 Endometriosis 202 Eyes 202 Fear 204 Fever 204 Fibrocystic Breasts 204 Fibroids 205 Fibromyalgia 205 Forgetfulness 207 Frigidity 208 Chap 20 G-H Diseases Gall Stones 209 GERD, GIRD 210 Gout 212 Hair Loss 213 Hearing Loss 215 Hepatitis 218 Herpes 220 Hot Flashes 220 Hysteria 221 Chap 21 I-J Diseases Infertility 223 Inflammation 223 Insomnia 224 Irritable Bowel 226 Itching 227 Jaundice 227 Chap 22 K-O Diseases Kidney Stones 229 Miscarriage 230 Mucous 231 M. Sclerosis 231 Nails 233 Nausea 235 Numbness 236 Obesity 237 Osteoporosis 238 Chap 23 P-R Diseases Pediatric 241 Perspiration 244 Plantar F. 244 Pregnancy 248 PMS 250 Prostate 251 Psoriasis 252 Rashes 252 Restless Leg 252 Chap 24 S-Z Diseases Sex 255 Shaking, tremors 257 Sinusitis 258 Skin Diseases 259 Sleep Apnea 261 Snoring 262 Sweaty hands 263 Teeth 264 Tumors 266 Urinary T. I. 267 Varicose Veins 269 Weight loss 270 Yeast infection 274 Chap 25 Case Histories 275

SECTION IV DAILY PRACTICES

 Chapter 26 The Way of Breathing, Chap 27 Exercise, Chap 28 Meditation 303, Chap 29 Spiritual Practices (belief in God)  307 Appendix 313 Bibliography 315 About the Author 317

One of the advantages of reaching midlife is that we are finally finished with all those issues that make childhood and adolescence such a pain in the neck, such as needing set bedtimes as well as  regular dental and eye checkups; having to worry about using protection during sex and about cigarette smoking; getting all those shots to prevent diseases and wearing helmets to prevent sports injuries; needing to eat all our vegetables and avoid sugar as well as not missing gym class. What a relief to let these issues fade right along with our memories of tetherball on the school playground!

Not so fast. Would it surprise you to know that you still have to be aware of each and every one of the above so-called “child/adolescent” health issues?  

For instance, what about set bedtimes? The obvious reason that we needed enforced, regular  bedtimes each night was so that we would get enough sleep. Being tired and sleepy the next day in school caused everything from lousy concentration to crabby moods. Now that we’re in midlife, many of us believe that sleep is no longer an issue. This is not the case at all. It’s still essential to our health and wellbeing. Recent studies have shown that not only do sleep disturbances often indicate a serious health problem, but that lack of sleep can actually cause health problems, such as weight gain. Polls have shown that nearly two thirds of adults over the age of sixty-five have sleep complaints, but that less than 15 per cent of them have been formally diagnosed with a sleep problem. Why? Because we don’t mention sleep problems to our health care providers. Our mothers were right — we still need to be concerned about our bedtimes.

Once we’ve gotten the glasses we need and all our baby teeth are gone, we no longer need to get regular eye and dental checkups as we did in our younger years, right? Again — no. Although our vision does remain stable from young adulthood until we need bifocals, there are common eye diseases that begin to occur in midlife, and that can lead to blindness if not diagnosed.  And even though we no longer have our baby teeth,  other dental issues take the forefront upon reaching midlife, such as gum inflammation which has been shown to be associated with diabetes and heart disease. So, continued regular dental and eye checks are as important as in our younger years. 

And what about sex at midlife and beyond?  We’ve moved from groping and being groped in the backseat of the car to more sophisticated maneuvers in a comfortable bed, and finally, finally no longer have to worry about pregnancy. So we don’t need protection; or so many of us think. Although it’s true that once menopause arrives one can’t get pregnant (warning: make sure you have completed menopause before assuming this as diagnosing menopause can be tricky),  protection is still needed during sex because of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Yes, we can still get those, and in some cases are even more prone to becoming infected after menopause, even after a hysterectomy. And even though we’re past the childbearing years and our reproductive organs seem to have no further use, we still need regular pelvic exams and Pap smears. It is also important at that exam to discuss with our healthcare providers the need for testing for STIs; if there is a new partner or the worry that the current partner is not monogamous, this testing is a must.

STIs are not the only threat held over from our adolescent years; so is cigarette smoking. Many women in midlife think that there is no reason to stop smoking cigarettes at this age, since they wrongly assume that the damage is already done from all the prior years of smoking. This is not the case. No matter how many years one has smoked, stopping can prevent further damage to the heart, blood vessels, and lungs, and in some cases can reverse some of that damage.  

Also relevant to the lungs is the fact that asthma can begin in midlife, where once it was thought to only begin in childhood.  The two major causes seem to be occupational exposure to substances that damage the lungs, and the recreational exposure to air pollution by adults who run predominantly outside. So, a new onset of shortness of breath at this age — even if it occurs only with exercise — does not necessarily mean heart disease; remember that we can develop asthma now.

Did you think you were finished with all those horrible shots you had to have in childhood and adolescence? Sorry, you’re not. There is a recommended immunization schedule for adults in midlife and beyond, just as there are for children. At certain ages over 50 and at certain intervals, you’ll need shots against the flu, certain types of pneumonia, tetanus, and in some instances, shingles and hepatitis.  Ask your primary care provider about these.

And did you pack away your helmet when you gave away your bike with training wheels? Probably ok to have done this since now you will need a bigger size helmet. But you do need a helmet. A recent report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission stated that sports-related injuries in the Baby Boomer population was on the rise, with over 1 million injuries in this age group in 1998 alone, most of the injuries being due to bicycling and basketball.  The same report said that the many head injuries associated with bicycling were probably due to the fact that Baby Boomers use helmets less than younger people do.

The fact that exercise and proper nutrition are as important in midlife and beyond as in childhood may not come as a surprise. Regular exercise at this age has been shown to increase longevity and wellbeing, postpone and possibly prevent dementia, strokes, heart disease, and diabetes, and aid in the treatment of depression. Important to know as well is that several different types of regular exercise are recommended at this age, including aerobic (cardio) exercise, weight-bearing exercise or strength training, and exercises to improve balance and flexibility.

What we eat as we get older is every bit as important as it was in our younger years. One particular healthy way of eating, the Mediterranean diet, has been shown to stave off dementia, prevent heart disease and diabetes, maintain a healthy cholesterol level, and improve longevity. One study showed that this diet even improved sexual function in certain women! This diet is exactly as expected given its name: lots of natural whole foods, like vegetables, fruits, and nuts, lots of fish and olive oil, moderate amounts of wine, and limited amounts of foods containing refined sugar. Controlling the portions of the foods we eat is even more important at this age. Our metabolic rate decreases with age, making it easier to gain weight while eating the same amounts of food as in our younger years.  

So, as you are rummaging through your mother’s attic looking at your old dolls, baseball bat and Ouija Board, and breathing a sigh of relief that you no longer have to worry about being picked for a baseball team or that your best friend copied your paper doll’s dress, don’t get lulled into complacency about your health. Although you once may have thought that taking care of yourself  health-wise would get easier as you get older, you know now that that’s not true. Make your appointments for regular checkups, get more than 5 hours of sleep a night, use protection when having sex, particularly with a new partner, stop smoking no matter how old you are, get the recommended immunizations, be careful and wear your helmet and seatbelts, and exercise regularly and eat well. Your mother’s recommendations from your childhood continue to apply!

©2008 Janet Horn, M.D.

Author Bio
Dr. Janet Horn is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, with training in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She spent many years on the fulltime faculty of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she published articles in medical journals on her research interests, including sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS, and women’s health. She was also the primary author of several chapters in medical textbooks.  She started her solo private practice in 1990 while continuing to teach as an Associate Professor of Medicine on the part time faculty at Hopkins. She has been selected by Baltimore Magazine as one of the “Top Doctors in Baltimore” and by the Maryland Daily Record as one of the “Top 100 Women in Maryland.”   She is included in the books Consumer’s Guide to Top Doctors (in the US) and Best Doctors in America, Southeast Region.  She is the co-author of The Smart Woman’s Guide to Midlife and Beyond, which will be available this September from New Harbinger Publications.

A normal menstrual period should consist of 80 milliliters of blood, so using one tampon an hour would indicate heavy bleeding. Discover the importance of contacting a doctor if heavy bleeding is suspected with help from an OB/GYN in this free video on women’s health. Expert: Raeph Laughingwell Contact: www.womancareobgynma.com/ Bio: Dr. Raeph Laughingwell earned his medical degree at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and the New Jersey Medical School. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso