Monday, November 25, 2013

Peptic Ulcer Disease

A peptic ulcer is an open wound on the lining of the esophagus, stomach and the upper portion of small intestine (duodenal ulcer).There is usually much inflammation around the area.Stomach ulcer are caused when the lining that protects the stomach wall from stomach acid gets worn away or the membranes in stomach wall fail to secrete sufficient protective mucus. Duodenal ulcers occur when acid from the stomach gets into the small intestine. This may due to a fault in the valve that controls what passes from the stomach to the small intestine.

Symptoms
  • Burning pain from navel to the breastbone
  • Changes in appetite
  • Nausea
  • Bloody or dark stools
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Vomiting
  • Chest pain

Causes
  • Excess of stomach acid or insufficient production of the protective lining of the digestive tract can lead to ulcer formation.
  • The presence of Helicobacter pylori bacterium in stomach.
  • Regular use of certain pain relievers
  • Smoking
  • Excessive alcohol use
  • Skipping meals
  • High meat diet
  • Stress

Action plans
  • Maintain a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains which will promote the healing of ulcers.
  • Drink plenty of water which can quickly dilute the stomach acid that may cause pain and irritation. Drink water at 30 minutes before meals and an hour after.
  • Switch pain reliever
  • Control stress that may worsen the signs and symptoms of peptic ulcer.
  • Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee, salt, chocolate, spices, sugar, fatty foods, fizzy drinks, processed foods, dairy products, and red meat.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Osteoporosis


Osteoporosis will causing the bones to become weak and brittle. It occurs when the inner mesh of the bone,
which resembles a sort of honeycomb, develops larger and larger holes, making the bone fragile and prone to fracture. The bone is living tissue that constantly being absorbed and replaced. Osteoporosis occurs when the creation of new bone doesn't keep up with the removal of old bone. This condition affects men and women of all races. But white and Asian women especially those who are past menopause  are at highest risk. 


Symptoms
  • Back pain
  • Loss of height over time
  • A stooped posture
  • A bone fracture that occurs easily than expected

Causes
  • Lack of vitamin D, calcium,and magnesium
  • Poor diet
  • Salty food
  • Too much coffee,fizzy drinks and alcohol
  • Malabsorption
  • Too much meat
  • Smoking
  • Sufferer of coeliac disease
  • Medications
  • Genetic disposition
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Crohn's disease
  • Lack of exercise

Action plans
  • Increase the intake of fruits and vegetables that rich in vitamin C which aid in mineralization of the bones. 
  • Take plenty of green vegetables for magnesium that act as calcium mobilizer.
  • Do take nuts and seeds which are also excellent source of calcium and other bone nutrients.
  • Take phyto-oestrogen rich foods which helps to strengthen bones that includes soya,chick peas,lentils and linseeds.
  • Avoid the drinking of fizzy drinks such as canned and bottled drinks which contains phosphoric acid that cause leaching of important bone-building minerals from bones.
  • Lower the consumption of meat which digestion of it leaves acid residues in the body that need to be neutralized with the alkalizing minerals that taken from the bones.
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol that interfere with the absorption and utilization of nutrients, including calcium and magnesium in the body.
  • The salt and sugar will also increase the excretion of minerals and decrease the absorption of calcium.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Nasopharyngeal Cancer

Nasopharyngeal cancer is the cancer that starts in the nasopharynx, the upper part of the throat behind the nose and near the base of skull. It is differs significantly from other cancers of the head and neck in its occurrence. Nasopharyngeal cancer is difficult to detect early. That's probably because the nasopharnyx isn't easy to examine and symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer mimic those of other more common conditions. Moreover, it is most common with male and people that staying in the regions of East Asia and Africa than elsewhere. 


Symptoms
  • A lump in  neck that caused by swollen lymph node
  • Blood in saliva
  • Bloody discharge from nose
  • Nasal congestion
  • Hearing loss
  • Frequent ear infections
  • Headaches

Causes
  • Poor diet that lack of nutrient and high consumption of salt-cured foods
  • Viruses such as Epstein Barr virus (EBV)
  • Inheritance
  • Chemical exposure such as chlorophenol
  • Ear, nose and throat disease
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol

Action plans
  • Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
  • Avoid salt-cured fish and meats
  • Do not smoke
  • Do not drink a lot of alcohol

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Migraine

A migraine is severe headache that are often preceded or accompanied by flashing lights, blur vision, nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light.Some people also suffer from strange tastes and smells.The migraine can last from an hour to several days and can be severely debilitating. It is thought to be linked to a constriction of blood vessels in the brain.


Symptoms
  • Constipation
  • Depression
  • Food craving
  • Hyperactivity
  • Irritability
  • Neck stiffness
  • Uncontrollable yawning

Causes
  • Stress
  • Liver imbalance
  • Lack of sleep
  • Food intolerances
  • Poor posture or previous neck injury
  • Blood sugar imbalances
  • Constipation
  • Female hormonal fluctuations
  • Exhaustion
  • Toxicity
  • Teeth grinding
  • Dental problems
  • Medications
  • Dehydration
  • Bright or flashing lights
  • Smoking

Action plans
  • Drink plenty of water with at least 2-2.5 litres which migraine maybe caused by simple dehydration.
  • Keep a food and symptom diary to identify any offending foods.
  • Maintain a stable blood sugar levels. Eat small meals and snack regularly and avoid refined carbohydrates, caffeine and alcohol.
  • Get an adequate amount of sleep each night but don't oversleep.
  • Try muscle relaxation exercises which may help to ease the pain of migraine headache.
  • Observe the body posture especially while working at a computer all day. Try to keep the spine long and the shoulders down as this allows for good circulation to the head.
  • If get migraine, put the feet in a basin of hot water and place a cold towel on the head.