May 2009 Blog Archive
Friday, May 29, 2009
Vitamin D Perks
For years scientists and researchers have been doing studies on the perks
and benefits of Vitamin D. Dermatologists have long been promulgating the
importance of Vitamin D for skin health and getting it from outdoor activity
in the sun. But now new studies have emerging linking Vitamin D to heart
health.
The Alternative Health Journal said, "Yet they do say that keeping an
adequate amount in the bloodstream doesn't seem unhealthy-and might turn out
to be a health ace in the hole. Scientists speculate that low vitamin D
levels might lead to calcium build-up in plaque on artery walls or perhaps
adversely affect blood pressure or heart muscle contractions."
For people with high-risk issues like smoking, obesity and diabetes it is
essential to get regular heart scan check-ups. Now it may be a wise decision
to get scanned if you have low levels of Vitamin D.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Colon Cancer Survival
Colon cancer survival rates in the past have generally been fairly low,
however in recent years, studies show that patients with colon cancer (even
advanced) have had better survival rates. Much of this credited to more
innovative and effective treatments as well as better prevention and early
detection awareness.
Frobes report said, "Over the past 15 years, the average survival rate for
patients battling advanced colorectal cancer has increased dramatically, new
research indicates, due in equal measure to the advent of new, powerful
drugs and more frequent surgical interventions. "We have certainly made
advances in treatment as a result of chemotherapy, compared to where we were
10, 15, 30 years ago, he noted. And we've also learned that there is a group
of patients where we can do something with surgical techniques, and they can
often go on to do very well."
Such prospects are exiting the medical community and patients as well,
considering colon cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the US,
resulting in thousands of deaths annually. Increased survival means not
only medical technology has dramatically improved, but we are becoming more
aware of colon health.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Young at Heart at Risk
Today's youth who are struggling with obesity or diabetes may be at serious
risk later in life. Recent studies show that youngsters who struggle with
such issues may be in store for serious hardening of arteries and heart
disease.
A Forbes health article said, "The walls of these carotid arteries, which
carry blood to the brain, showed a thickening and stiffness known to
increase the risk of future strokes, heart attacks and other cardiovascular
problems, according to a report to be published in the June 9 issue of
*Circulatio. *Dr. Elaine Urbina, director of preventive cardiology at Cincinnati
Children's Hospital Medical Center, associate professor of pediatrics at the
University of Cincinnati and lead author of the report. "This could be the
first generation of Americans that has a shorter life expectancy than its
parents," she said."
The plaque built up in arteries is typically what heart scans look to find
and detect early on, usually physicians recommends high risk patients over
the age of 35 to get yearly scans. But with studies showing the potential
for young children to be adversely affected it may be a beneficial idea to
get high risk kids checked as well.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Healthy Heart Stems to your Gum?
A genetic link between gum disease and heart disease has recently been
investigated by researchers in Germany. Periodontitis has always been known
to have links to heart disease, but the reason why has puzzled researchers
and physicians for years. But now this study claims to know the genetic
link.
A BBC News report, "Researchers have shown similarities between the bacteria
found in the oral cavity and those in coronary plaques and both diseases are
characterised by an imbalanced immune reaction and chronic inflammation. One
theory is that the bacteria involved in gum disease trigger a low grade
inflammatory response throughout the body, prompting changes in the arteries
leading to strokes and heart attacks"
Both coronary artery disease and gum disease seem to have the same risk
factors: smoking, diabetes and obesity according the BBC Report, and now
with this link physicians are hoping they can learn how to aid in prevention
and treatment for both diseases.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Diabetes Heart Ailments may be Reduced
A recent study says that closer control on blood sugar levels in diabetes
patients may reduce the risks of developing heart disease. The research
shows that patients with Type 2 diabetes who suffer from high levels of
glucose, were found to have lowered their heart disease rates by nearly 17%
when glucose levels were decreased. Granted this is not for all diabetes
patients, as many are older more frail patients who lack the health to make
such lifestyle shifts to lower their glucose.
BBC News said, "The current guidance in the UK for the 2.5m with the disease
is to keep blood sugar levels at about the 7% mark. But the study found
extra benefits for those who kept the levels closer to the 4% to 5% mark
that is common for healthy people. As well as the reduction in heart
attacks, there was a 15% fall in heart disease when blood sugar levels were
kept to 6.6% on average"
Researchers say the findings are still inconclusive, however they feel the
evidence does show positive progress towards understanding the dangers and
treatments for high glucose levels.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Heart Disease and Depression
An international study is saying that there may be a genetic link between
heart disease and depression, and why patients with heart disease are likely
to develop depression symptoms. Alongside the genetic issues found, heart
disease also has the ability to adversely impact quality of life and
lifestyle, which can induce depressive qualities.
The Times of India said of the study, "In the study involving 977 heart
patients, the researchers looked at 59 different candidate genes because of
their relevance to a biological pathway of interest or their prior
association with depression in medical literature. They discovered that
genetic variations involving endothelial dysfunction - a hallmark for
vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis - and platelet aggregation appear
to contribute to depressive symptoms."
In the past studies have shown 15 to 20 percent of heart disease patients
suffer from depression, also most of them had just recently experienced a
negative and serious cardiac issue.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
The Obesity Issue
Obesity is a leading cause for heart disease and cardiovascular problems; it
has been a clear link to many serious health issues. But now researchers are
studying how obese people deal with heart disease. Doctors say that obese
people are more inclined to get better faster, by losing weight and visiting
physicians and getting tests done more frequently to prevent and treat heart
problems.
Forbes said, "Obesity is a major problem that contributes significantly to
increased risk of heart disease and mortality," Lavie said. "But once you
get high blood pressure, blocked heart arteries and peripheral arterial
disease, the obese patients do better than the lean patients. The obesity
paradox has been written about for years, but still many doctors are not
aware of it."The patients with heart disease who do the best are the obese
who lose weight."
Also doctors say that people with more weight have more reserves to fight
off diseases. Many of these people wouldn't have developed heart disease in
the first place if it wasn't for their excess weight and obesity, but since
they do have it, there are positive sides to treating their disease.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Heart Health
Meat lovers beware. Recent studies show negative affects of regular meat
consumption and heart disease. There has long been debate about the long
term affects of meat consumption, but for many people not eating meat is
quite the difficult feat regardless of it's side effects. Physicians
recommend that people only eat 1 hamburger a week or rather a few pieces of
meat/steak every couple of days.
According to the New York Times, "The study found that, other things being
equal, the men and women who consumed the most red and processed meat were
likely to die sooner, especially from one of our two leading killers, heart
disease and cancer, than people who consumed much smaller amounts of these
foods. But the number of excess deaths that could be attributed to high meat
consumption is quite large given the size of the American population."
It seems as though we can now add meat-lovers to the high risk candidates
that are recommended to have yearly heart scans to check up on their heart
and artery health.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Colon Cancer Test
A new gene test is said to predict whether certain forms of colon cancer are
likely to return in former patients. A large number of colon cancer
patients have the cancer removed via chemotherapy, but often times there may
a chance of round two in the future. This would shed great light onto the
prevention and early detection of cancer coupled with virtual colonoscopy
scans.
According to Reuters, "Molecular diagnostics company Genomic Health Inc said
last month that a pivotal trial of its OncoType DX colon cancer assay showed
that it could predict cancer recurrence risk but did not meet a secondary
goal of predicting a patient's response to standard chemotherapy after
surgery."
The test may be available and FDA approved by 2010 researchers say, and the
findings will be made available at a conference soon.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Another "No" Means Another Blow
On Tuesday, Medicare and Medicaid went to revisit their former decision about
not paying for non-invasive virtual colonoscopy scans. But the verdict has
come in and it seems to stand still as a "No". The healthcare organizations
claim that there is not insufficient evidence about the benefits of virtual
scans preventing colon cancer as opposed to traditional invasive
methods. There have been mixed feelings amongst the medical industry, some physicians are
in favor of the decision while others are staunch advocates of the traditional technique.
Forbes said this of the recent stir, "Supporters of the procedure weren't pleased
by the move. Dr. J. Leonard Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer for
the American Cancer Society, believes that a less-invasive method such as
virtual colonoscopy might encourage more Americans to get screened for colon
cancer the country's second-leading cancer killers."
Many elements were taken into consideration when the decision was made: from
price of procedures, radiation effects, time, and post-care treatment. Industry observers however say this may not adversely affect the colonography industry, as many people nationwide are still advocates of virtual scans and early detection.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Get your Dose of Vitamin D
A recent study has shown that vitamin D may be linked to increased heart
disease among the elderly. Lack of sunlight has often been linked to
causing male fertility issues, and many researchers and doctors urge men and
women to utilize the outdoors and sun in a healthy fashion: using sunscreen
whilst also doing things like sport and working out in the sun.
The Irish Health said, "According to researchers from the University of
Warwick in the UK, vitamin D deficiency may have a link with metabolic
syndrome - a group of conditions including obesity, high blood pressure.
abnormal cholesterol levels and resistance to insulin, which combine to
increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. In a study of more
than 3,200 people aged 50-70 years, 94% had a vitamin D deficiency and 42%
also had metabolic syndrome. The researchers say that more research is
needed to establish why this is."
Similarly vitamin D has long been known to help bone health as well. Many
elderly people fail to go outside for extended periods of time which is why
this link has been made.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Virtual Colonoscopies In the Headlines
As the government and Medicare have begun to scale back budgetary costs,
they have virtually removed all allocated health-care benefits of virtual
colonoscopies. The notion of Medicare covering the costs of procedures is
still being wildly debated. Likewise, the scanner owners and developers
like General Electric (GE) are finding it hard to sell equipment as well,
which has also negatively impacted the industry.
The Wall Street Journal said, "The key question is whether providing these
so-called virtual colonoscopies will get more Americans checked for
colorectal cancer or its precursors, thereby helping them dodge a major
killer. Advocates, including the American Cancer Society, feel it will,
although the agency that runs Medicare issued a proposed decision in
February saying it wouldn't cover the tests. The Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services, or CMS, said there wasn't enough evidence to show these
tests were an appropriate screening tool. A final decision on the matter is
expected Tuesday"
Regardless of your tactics for screening, the idea of getting checked for
colorectal cancer is pertitent to your health. Thousands fall victim to
colon cancer annually, while doctors still claim it is one of the most
treatable cancers if caught early enough.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Sleep Apnea may be Linked to Heart Disease
Sleep apnea may be causing blood vessels to thicken which can cause heart
disease. In general people with sleep apnea the viciously obstructive
sleeping disorder has bothered many people alongside the possibility of
inducing vascular and coronary ailments. One in every 50 women and one in
every 25 men is said to have sleep apnea, and this research done by Emory
University has been published *American Journal of Respiratory Cell and
Molecular Biology.*
According to Science Daily, "Cyclically depriving mice of oxygen –
researchers call this "chronic intermittent hypoxia" -- in a way that
simulates obstructive sleep apnea gives them pulmonary hypertension.
Pulmonary hypertension, which can be life threatening, is a condition in
which the right side of the heart has trouble pumping blood because of
resistance in the lung's blood vessels."
Physicians have urged high-risk heart disease patients to get yearly scans
of their heart for early detection and prevention, and now patients with
sleep apnea may find it a wise decision to also get heart scans.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Aspirin, Apples and Heart Disease
We've all heard an apple a day can keep the doctor away, but what about an
aspirin a day? For years now cardiologists and researchers have promulgated
the use of aspirin to prevent heart disease, but is the touted pill really a
wonder for prevention? Aspirin is an anti-platelet drug that aids in blood
circulation and allows blood to move smoothly without clotting through
narrow veins.
The United States Preventive Services Task Force said in a panel discussion
according to the National Post, "Men in the 45-to-79 age range should take
Aspirin daily if their 10-year risk of suffering a heart attack exceeds
four, nine or 12%, depending on whether they are 45 to 59, 60 to 69 or 70 to
79 years old, respectively. Women age 55 to 79 should take Aspirin on a
regular basis for stroke prevention if that 10-year risk exceeds the risk of
bleeding from the digestive tract, or is greater than three, eight or 11%,
depending on whether they are 55 to 59, 60 to 69 or 70 to 79 years old,
respectively."
Alongside the use of Aspirin many have urged high risk patients to have
regular heart scans to prevent cardiovascular disease and heart attack. Both
initiatives should be taken on by your physician however.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Colon Cancer and Body Fat
Clearly we are all aware of the adverse and detrimental health affects of
being over-weight, yet so many of us still fall victim to over-indulgence
and massive weight gain. Researchers in Michigan State University may have
found yet another side-effect of body fat. The studies done show a link
between fat and colon cancer. Fat has always been considered a huge risk
factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and many other ailments, so it's
almost no surprise researchers have found yet another dangerous link.
Natural News reported on the research, "A fat cell-derived hormone that
helps regulate body energy, leptin is higher in obese individuals. Dr.
Fenton's study, just published in the journal *Carcinogenesis* is the first
to demonstrate that leptin, when at high levels, induces precancerous colon
cells to produce more of a growth factor. This growth factor, in turn, can
increase blood supply to early malignant cells -- and that promotes the
growth and spread of cancerous tumors."
Each year hundreds of thousands of people in the US are diagnosed with colon
cancer. Doctors hope that such research can aid in prevention, early
detection and force many high risk patients to get year virtual
colonoscopies.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Kidney Stones and Heart Disease
A study has found evidence that older women with kidney stones may have
increased chances of developing cardiovascular disease. The physicians
found that cardiovascular disease was far more prevalent in women with
kidney stones.
Medpage Today reported on this research, "Myocardial infarction, angina, and
congestive heart failure all occurred significantly more often in women with
a history of nephrolithiasis, Brian Eisner, M.D., of the University of
California San Francisco, reported at the American Urological Association
meeting. "Historically, it has been assumed that kidney stones form in the
urine," said Dr. Eisner. "We now realize there are a lot of different
disease processes that may have a common pathway with kidney stone disease."
Patients at high risk, those of which in this case have kidney stones and
are older women, should be ones getting regular annual heart scan checks to
assure they are tackling early detection and prevention methods.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Women and Lung Cancer
Recent research has been conducted on lung cancer patients, a link between
women and lung cancer was detected in the evidence. The study said there is
a chance that women develop lung cancer at an earlier age than men; that
women are more susceptible and vulnerable to the debilitating disease.
The UKs Daily Mail reported on the study, "Research into patients with the
disease found women tended to be diagnosed at a younger age than men - even
though they had smoked fewer cigarettes. It found that female smokers were
statistically most likely to develop adenocarcinoma - a common form of lung
cancer - and were more likely to be diagnosed with the disease at an earlier
age. Study leader Dr Martin Frueh, from St Gallen Canton Hospital in
Switzerland, said: 'Our findings suggest that women may have an increased
susceptibility to tobacco carcinogens.'"
The research was presented just yesterday in Europe at an Oncology
conference. Women are often times more aware of the dangers associated with
breast cancer, and tend to think lung cancer is a man's disease. Which now
we can see is not a wise choice; high risk patients of any gender should be
having regular lung scans as forms of prevention and early detection.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Silent Killer making Noise
Heart disease is the #1 killer of women contrary to popular belief that
breast cancer is the leader. According to a survey by the Heart Foundation
4 out of 5 women were unaware of this fact (in Australia). Just like women
undergo cervical cancer and mammogram tests yearly, they too should be
checking their heart health. Prevention and early detection are keys to
survival and treatment of heart disease.
News.com.au reported saying, "Today the foundation launches a six-week
campaign, Go Red for Women, aimed at changing women's attitudes to the
chronic but treatable and reversible medical condition. The campaign was
first run in 2003 in the US, where heart disease is also the leading cause
of death and disability, and is now held in 33 countries. Dr Mitchell said
the message about ways to control risk factors - such as healthy eating,
stress reduction, exercise and avoiding smoking - was relevant to women of
all ages because damage to blood vessels accumulated from adolescence."
After menopause is considered the peak of developing cardiovascular disease,
however this program hopes to promulgate lifestyle changes in women in their
20s, 30s and 40s. Often times when the disease strikes it's only symptom
may be a fatal heart attack, so with hopes of bringing awareness into the
forefront women and physicians all around the world want to make some noise
about the silent killer.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Obesity and Colon Cancer
Recent research, though it is quite preliminary is showing a link between
obesity and colon cancer. Abdominal fat was found in the research to have
shown the highest risk and chance of developing cancer. The goal of the
research is to learn about the risks, links and chances of developing colon
cancer since it strikes hundreds of thousands of patients each year. Also
the research was focused on colon cancer because it adversely affects both
genders, unlike prostate cancer and breast cancer.
Science Daily reported on the research saying, "Leptin – a fat cell-derived
hormone regulating body energy – is higher in obese individuals. Fenton's
study is the first to demonstrate that, at higher levels, leptin induces
precancerous colon cells to produce more of a growth factor that can
increase blood supply to early cancer cells – promoting tumor growth and
cancer progression."
