Archive for the ‘Aging Conditions’ Category

Tinnitus – Fraud of the Rings

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

Do you hear ringing, when there is nothing ringing….it’s all in your head!!  This condition would drive me to drink. I am super sensitive to noise of any type, so can only imagine the frustration and irritation one must experience with Tinnitus. Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the ear, when there is no external source – most sufferers describe it as a ‘ringing in the ears’.

Although not a disease, Tinnitus is a symptom of a number of different underlying causes, including ear infections, wax in the ear, allergies that prevent fluid draining from the sinuses or a side effect of some medication. It is also a natural hearing impairment that may be a result of genetic hearing loss or hearing loss associated with age.

I have yet to hear of any truly effective medical interventions for Tinnitus, other than for conditions where treating wax or fluid build up relieve the symptoms. However, there are a few simple things you might like to try at home.

  • Eliminate or at least reduce the intake of caffeine and quinine [found in Tonic Water]
  • Avoid large doses of aspirin and alcohol
  • Take Vitamin B12 – a deficiency in B12 is a known cause of Tinnitus
  • Mask out the irritation with Biofeedback and/or White noise.

If you have experienced Tinnitus and have found a solution, we would love to hear from you.

Nicola

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To Menopause or Not to Menopause, That is the Question

Saturday, December 26th, 2009

One of my favorite health and wellness newsletters is from Dr Mercola. In a link I followed from the latest newsletter I came across this delightful play on words – “men-o-pause”. Now I am sure that most men agree, that the mood swings that women go through do indeed lead to pause of action – best to stay away until the ‘moment’ subsides. And from a womans perspective, and from a medical perspective, menopause heralds the beginning of the end of childbearnig capability.

I am not inclined to write further on this subject other than to suggest that one take care in formulating ones own treatment for the symptoms of menopause. It is a subject that is deeply divided between using artificially developed chemicals from natural sources and those homeopathhic solutions that claim to negate the need for anything termed as a ‘drug’. I have managed to get a very experienced homeopath to admit that the doses of herbs et al required to have the same impact as a prescription drug is very high – and no doubt very expensive. It confirms a belief I hold that one is best adopting ones own view of such treatments – personally, I prefer to take advantage of both. I can find many more worthy homeopathic investments than that for managing menopause [not that I am at that stage yet] – but then I most likely won’t be, as I have opted to stay on a low dose of oestrogen and progesterone [both prescriptions or developed solutions] to avoid the menace – I mean, why opt to go through all that drama, to interupt ones life for up to 24 months when there is a perfectly safe alternative – for me anyway.

Some women have pre-existing medical conditions that make taking such drugs high risk. But I don’t – and my cancer inducing factors are very low. So take your own counsel on this very personal subject, and remember, if the scaremongers suggest you will ruin your liver or get breast cancer by taking menopause symptom drugs, there are many ways you can offset this danger – you guessed it, using herbal remdies!!

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Posted in Aging Conditions | 1 Comment »

Exercise Impact on Diabetes Not Getting Through

Saturday, November 7th, 2009

Recent data on diabetes cases indicates diabetes is rising rapidly in the U.S. According to a new Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index survey, the disease is now affecting 11.3% of American adults, up from 10.4% in Q3, 2009. This equates to about 26 million Americans now, and if the trend continues, 37 million w by the end of 2015.

Interestingly, the survey also showed the U.S. obesity rate is up about 1 percent on Q:Q comparisons with 2008. Individuals who are obese are almost three times as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes. Currently, more than one-fifth of obese adults have diabetes [21.2%, compared to 7.4% of non-obese of similar age]

Further correlations indicated a higher incidence of diabetes among those who didn’t exercise at least a half hour on any given day in the previous week. Indications of exercise undertaken in the week prior to the survey:

  • Exercised at least 30 minutes a day, every day – 9.5%
  • Exercised at least 30 minutes a day, four to six times – 8%
  • Did not exercise at least 30 minutes any time -15%

Maybe the government does need to introduce a FAT TAX – not on the food, but on the people. It will solve the health budget and economy all in one hit.

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Posted in Aging Conditions, Disease Prevention, Fat Loss | 6 Comments »

Improved Sleep for Osteoarthritis Sufferers

Friday, August 21st, 2009

A recent study has show Cognitive behavioral therapy to be effective in the treatment for insomnia in older people who suffer pain from osteoarthritis. 60 percent of people with the disease report pain during the night. As a sufferer of chronic pain syndrome, brought about by sleep deprivation during a time of chronic pain, I have sympathy with such persons so found the study interesting. I am also aware of Sleep Anxiety – where one becomes so desperate to get to sleep, that it makes falling asleep even more difficult

Pain perception may decrease when people sleep better. In turn, improved sleep leads to improvement in coexisting medical or psychiatric illnesses. Once an individual learns how to improve their sleep, the improvement persists for a year or more according to the researchers.

The study included 23 older patients with osteoarthritis who were assigned a stress management and wellness program. Those receiving the cognitive behavioral therapy reported improvements in sleep quality and pain relief measures before and after treatment, and a year later. Those that didn’t receive cognitive therapy showed no significant improvements in sleep quality or pain.

One aspect the study didn’t uncover was whether sleep disturbance preceded or follows pain onset, but researchers believe reciprocal effects are likely.

The study is published in the Aug. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.

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Posted in Aging Conditions, Mind Power, Stress Management | 3 Comments »

A New Look at Breast Cancer

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

There is such a lot of confusion in the market as to what does and does not contribute to or cause breast cancer. No sooner does one theory emerge than it gets debunked two years later.

The common protection mechanism for women against breast cancer is frequent self examination and mammograms. Personally, I find mammograms a complete waste of time as I know at least 6 women who were diagnosed with breast cancer within 2 months of having mammograms. For that reason I insist on having an ultrasound to follow. This is particularly since I have already had two fibroadenomas removed from my breasts in my 20′s and 30′s, and the scar tissue alone can cause misdiagnosis on the mammograms.

Whilst I am a great supporter on embracing any modern medicine, my first line of defence is always my own health program – diet, fitness, emotional wellness.

In the following Video, Dr Mecola takes a new look at breast cancer and provides some valuable advice as to new tests for breast cancer, and simple everyday things women can do to help prevent breast cancer.

 

Takeaways

  • Include tests for Vitamin D and Fasting Insulin in your regular check ups
  • Optimize natural melatonin production by ensuring you sleep in a complete blackout environment – this is focused on the eyes. So use blackout drapes and an eye mask during the night. If you have to go to the bathroom during the night, use a red light penlight. Balance this night blackout with exposure to bright sunlight during the day. Both of these elements are required to maintain optimal levels of melatonin.

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Posted in Aging Conditions, Antiaging Treatments, Cancer, Disease Prevention, Medical Advances, Wellness | No Comments »

Great Videos Explaining Stem Cell Therapy To Stop Aging

Sunday, May 24th, 2009

Following on from a recent post on new gene therapy to treat Parkinsons disease I caught up with the latest in stem cell therapy. There is a lot of controversy around stem cell replacement therapy – largely due to misinformation as to the source of embryonic stem cells.

Putting that aside, stem cell therapy not only is one of the greatest pathways to future treatment of age related conditions, but also poses a real pathway for the prevention of aging of all human tissue – including the skin.

Are we looking at the new fountain of youth. This short series of videos  put together a couple of years ago, provides a great introduction to how stem cells work in various parts of the body. Check them out in our new section on Stem Cell Treatment For Aging

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Posted in Aging Conditions, Antiaging Treatments, Disease Prevention, Medical Advances | 2 Comments »