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INFLAMMATION OF ARTERIES – TAKAYASU’S DISEASE

admin — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 18:03:43 +0000

In some diseases, arteries become inflamed. The inflammation can result in narrowing of the opening (bore or lumen) of the vessels. The medical term for inflammation of the artery is arteritis. If the inflammation persists, the vessel may become permanently scarred and narrow. There are many different types of arteritis. Although each type has different symptoms and can affect different arteries, the primary goal of treatment is to reduce the inflammation and prevent scarring of the arteries.Typically, arteritis is part of a generalized illness with disease in other organs.Examples of arteritis are the following:Takayasu’s diseaseTemporal arteritisBuerger’s diseasePolyarteritis nodosaTakayasu’s Disease. This is also called “pulseless disease,” because some pulses usually present are absent. Takayasu’s disease is rare and occurs mostly in women younger than 40 years. It occurs in women nine times more often than in men. It is an inflammatory process that most commonly produces marked thickening of the aorta and its main branches, eventually blocking the major branches of the arteries. The blockage reduces the pulse downstream, for example, at the wrist if the artery to the arm is involved.*200\252\8*

DISEASES OF THE ARTERIES: LIVING WITH CLAUDICATION— WHAT CAN HELP?

admin — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:55:58 +0000

Although intermittent claudication does not affect your life expectancy, it may affect your life-style. Treatment options include a walking program, medication, and correction of the arterial obstruction by surgery or angioplasty.If it hurts to walk, why might your doctor recommend a regular walking program? The answer is that regular walking for periods of 30 minutes (stopping to rest as necessary) 5 days a week may increase your ability to walk, climb stairs, or complete other physical tasks of everyday living. Regular walking promotes the development of collateral vessels and promotes blood flow to the affected muscles. This may result in an actual improvement in blood flow and may slow progression of the disease.Medications that decrease blood viscosity, in a sense making it easier for the blood to flow through narrowed vessels, may improve your comfort while walking.Surgery or angioplasty (dilating the narrowed site of an artery with a balloon catheter) is often elective (optional); it depends on your needier desire to walk farther. If you have a nonhealing skin ulcer or pain at rest due to severe obstruction of arterial blood flow, then improving blood flow by angioplasty or surgery is recommended to relieve symptoms and lessen the risk of amputation.*194\252\8*

DIET, ANTIOXIDANTS AND OTHER NUTRIENTS: AMINO ACIDS

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:19:57 +0000

These are the latest to arrive on the supplement chain and much is still being learned about them. Suffice it to say, they are the building blocks of the body, derived from proteins, but an ample supply of proteins in the diet does not necessarily protect one from shortages as their construction in the body relies on complex metabolic steps which may or may not be completed in a state of illness.

Thus a general amino acid supplement is not a bad thing to take on a daily basis. Linda Lazarides advises taking L-Lysine for angina but points out that as much as 6,000mg a day may have to be taken. Once again we are confronted with the possibility of imbalance if one is taken in great excess to another, so an overall supplement of aminos, plus extra Lysine may be advised. Some aminos need to be taken on an empty stomach to be effective – again advice is needed.

Lazarides also advises taking EFAs, but warns that once again those on blood thinners will have to proceed with caution, taking the lower dose recommended on the packaging until advised.

Here are some points worth noting:

Take no vitamins or minerals with tea, coffee or alcohol – their effect will block absorption

Take zinc separately from other minerals, if possible Take organic forms of minerals, not inorganic, chelated if possible

Order regular fresh supplies of supplements (especially oil-based) rather than stockpiling large sizes which may ‘go off

Never take supplements with iced water or drink – this impairs their absorption

Consider taking a digestive aid, such as Pineapple Bromelaine or (especially if you are acid deficient, which people over forty may be) Betaine Hydrochloride

John Stirling of Biocare UK Ltd, who specializes in enzyme preparations (the supplementation of the future), believes that unless good food and nutrients are digested there is no point in taking them. One of the major problems with degenerative diseases is that absorption is impaired and this deficiency must be helped until the system reaches a better level of homeostasis.

In addition, it is wise to take a good acidophilus supplement to aid and balance digestively helpful gut flora, as with increasing age intestinal flora becomes compromised by antibiotics taken in the past, and which are still being ingested unknowingly in food and water supplies, and by chemicals in packaged and preserved foods and household cleaning agents, etc, and by chemicals in fuels and in the atmosphere.

*85\104\2*

Cardio & Blood/ Cholesterol

LIVING A DYNAMIC, ACTIVE LIFE AFTER HEART ATTACK: SAFE, NOT SORRY, SPORTS

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:19:20 +0000

Whether you like to walk, jog, cycle, do aerobics or use various gym equipment, taking a few simple precautions can keep you out of pain and problems:

Always warm up and cool down.

Wear properly fitted, well-cushioned shoes with good heel and arch support. Don’t go for bargains. Find a store that specialises in sporting shoes and try on a number of brands and types until you find a pair that fits just right. Tell the salesperson what you’re planning to do, so he or she can custom fit the shoes to your needs.

Avoid walking or running along congested highways where you’ll be breathing a lot of smoggy air. On a really smoggy day in major cities, exercising can bring as many toxins into your lungs as smoking cigarettes.

Avoid very hot and very cold days. If you live in an area with temperature extremes, you may well want to invest in an indoor treadmill or exercycle.

Watch for early warning signs of injury. If your ankles or knees start feeling achy, it’s best to stop for the day.

When using unfamiliar equipment, ask for directions. Instructors in any gym, health club or YMCA will be happy to give you some instruction on safe and proper use.

If you’ve been off for a while owing, say, to a cold or the flu, start back slowly. Remember it will take three days for every day off to get back into stride.

*85\85\2*

Cardio & Blood/ Cholesterol