Thursday, August 16, 2012

Short diet tips

1.Limit juice, soda, and sugar-sweetened beverages. They can add excess sugar and "empty calories."
2.Instead of relying on butter or sugary sauces to flavor your food, try hot sauce, salsa or Cajun seasonings. They add great flavors with fewer calories.
3.Your plate should be half vegetables or fruits at every meal.

Broccoli

15. Broccoli
Nutrients: Beta-carotene (a carotenoid), Vitamins C and E, potassium, folate, calcium, fiber.
Recipe Idea: Chop fresh broccoli into store-bought soup. For a veggie dip, try hummus (chickpeas).

Sunday, May 27, 2012

How to Lose 20 lbs. of Fat in 30 Days… Without Doing Any Exercise

It is possible to lose 20 lbs. of bodyfat in 30 days by optimizing any of three factors: exercise, diet, or drug/supplement regimen. I’ve seen the elite implementation of all three in working with professional athletes. In this post, we’ll explore what I refer to as the “slow-carb diet”.

In the last six weeks, I have cut from about 180 lbs. to 165 lbs., while adding about 10 lbs. of muscle, which means I’ve lost about 25 lbs. of fat. This is the only diet besides the rather extreme Cyclical Ketogenic Diet (CKD) that has produced veins across my abdomen, which is the last place I lose fat (damn you, Scandinavian genetics). Here are the four simple rules I followed…

Rule #1: Avoid “white” carbohydrates

Avoid any carbohydrate that is — or can be — white. The following foods are thus prohibited, except for within 1.5 hours of finishing a resistance-training workout of at least 20 minutes in length: bread, rice, cereal, potatoes, pasta, and fried food with breading. If you avoid eating anything white, you’ll be safe.

Rule #2: Eat the same few meals over and over again

The most successful dieters, regardless of whether their goal is muscle gain or fat loss, eat the same few meals over and over again. Mix and match, constructing each meal with one from each of the three following groups:

Proteins:
Egg whites with one whole egg for flavor
Chicken breast or thigh
Grass-fed organic beef
Pork

Legumes:
Lentils
Black beans
Pinto beans

Vegetables:
Spinach
Asparagus
Peas
Mixed vegetables

Eat as much as you like of the above food items. Just remember: keep it simple. Pick three or four meals and repeat them. Almost all restaurants can give you a salad or vegetables in place of french fries or potatoes. Surprisingly, I have found Mexican food, swapping out rice for vegetables, to be one of the cuisines most conducive to the “slow carb” diet.

Most people who go on “low” carbohydrate diets complain of low energy and quit, not because such diets can’t work, but because they consume insufficient calories. A 1/2 cup of rice is 300 calories, whereas a 1/2 cup of spinach is 15 calories! Vegetables are not calorically dense, so it is critical that you add legumes for caloric load.

Some athletes eat 6-8x per day to break up caloric load and avoid fat gain. I think this is ridiculously inconvenient. I eat 4x per day:

10am – breakfast
1pm – lunch
5pm – smaller second lunch
7:30-9pm – sports training
10pm – dinner
12am – glass of wine and Discovery Channel before bed

Here are some of my meals that recur again and again:


Scrambled Eggology pourable egg whites with one whole egg, black beans, and microwaved mixed vegetables

Grass-fed organic beef, pinto beans, mixed vegetables, and extra guacamole (Mexican restaurant)

Grass-fed organic beef (from Trader Joe’s), lentils, and mixed vegetables

Post-workout pizza with extra chicken, cilantro, pineapple, garlic, sundried tomotoes, bell peppers, and red onions

Rule #3: Don’t drink calories

Drink massive quantities of water and as much unsweetened iced tea, tea, diet sodas, coffee (without white cream), or other no-calorie/low-calorie beverages as you like. Do not drink milk, normal soft drinks, or fruit juice. I’m a wine fanatic and have at least one glass of wine each evening, which I believe actually aids sports recovery and fat-loss. Recent research into resveratrol supports this.

Rule #4: Take one day off per week

I recommend Saturdays as your “Dieters Gone Wild” day. I am allowed to eat whatever I want on Saturdays, and I go out of my way to eat ice cream, Snickers, Take 5, and all of my other vices in excess. I make myself a little sick and don’t want to look at any of it for the rest of the week. Paradoxically, dramatically spiking caloric intake in this way once per week increases fat loss by ensuring that your metabolic rate (thyroid function, etc.) doesn’t downregulate from extended caloric restriction. That’s right: eating pure crap can help you lose fat. Welcome to Utopia.

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Friday, May 25, 2012

Rashes during pregnancy

Rashes during pregnancy are not uncommon in women. Majority of expectant mothers have to suffer from pregnancy rashes which are mainly caused by stretching of the skin, as the body prepares itself for further stages of pregnancy development and hormonal imbalance. Although they cause discomfort and irritation in pregnant women, they are mostly benign for both the would-be mother and her baby. There can be several types of skin rashes during pregnancy.

A pregnant woman gets rash on her stomach because the stomach expands to accommodate the baby. The skin stretches and this causes it to itch. The other reasons for this rash on the stomach are hormonal changes that happen in the body of the woman. While bathing, it is recommended that the woman should use a mild soap and cold water. However, if bathing with cold water is not an option, then she should use tepid water for her bath. Hot water increases the itchiness in the skin and makes the skin redder, and the rash may increase. She should thoroughly dry herself with a soft towel and apply some rash cream to soothe the itching. It is also recommended that she visit her doctor and dermatologist for consultations, if the rash increases and becomes unbearable. The following section describes the various types of rashes that are likely to occur at different stages of a woman's pregnancy.

Types of Rashes During Pregnancy

PUPPP
The full-form of PUPPP is Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy. It is one of the most common rashes to occur at the time of pregnancy. It affects one in 100 expectant mothers, and manifests itself in the form of small elevated papules within the stretch marks on the abdomen. It is characterized by strong itching. PUPPP has a tendency to spread to arms and buttocks but never appears on the face. It occurs after 34 weeks of pregnancy and disappears after childbirth. It may recur with subsequent pregnancies. You can get relief from PUPPP by applying corticosteroids, topically. Other than that, oral corticosteroids, e.g. prednisolone are also available. PUPPP causes a change in mother's skin but is absolutely harmless to both the mother and her baby.

Melasma
These are brown in color and are found on the face, especially on the cheekbones. However, this is not a skin rash, per se. Instead, it's a type of skin pigmentation occurring as a result of hormonal changes during pregnancy and due to certain medications administered during pregnancy. It lasts till the end of pregnancy and is not itchy or harmful. Melasma can be treated by using creams prescribed by the doctors.

Prurigo of Pregnancy
Prurigo of pregnancy is characterized by very itchy reddish spots. It generally occurs on the upper trunks and upper parts of arms and legs. It is rarely seen on the buttocks. Alike PUPPP, prurigo of pregnancy appears on stretch marks. It appears during second trimester of pregnancy and last week of pregnancy. Usually after childbirth, it spreads to the entire body, but within three weeks or so, it disappears. However, if you wish to rid yourself from prurigo of pregnancy, take anti-histamine tablets.

Papular Dermatitis of Pregnancy
The imbalance in the hormonal levels causes papular dermatitis of pregnancy. It mostly occurs due to the elevated levels of gonadotropins and lowered levels of cortisol and estrogen. Prurigo of gestation is again a common dermatosis (skin condition) of pregnancy and affects almost one in every 300 pregnant women. The characteristic features are extremely itchy, raised spots, which are red in color and get covered by crust. The spots are never found in groups. There is no definite time for the occurrence of papular dermatitis of pregnancy as it can appear at any stage of the pregnancy development, and continues to do so till the child is born. It does not cause any harm to either the mother or her baby. The treatment is generally done with high doses of corticosteroids.

Impetigo Herpetiformis
This one is a rare dermatosis of pregnancy. You can easily identify this type of pregnancy rashes as they appear in clusters of pus-filled blisters, arranged in somewhat a spiral shape. The blisters scab and disappear after a few days, but are followed by the formation of new blisters at their edges. The cycle repeats as the illness progresses. Impetigo herpetiformis is accompanied with chills, fever, vomiting, loose stools, hair loss, and pain in the joints. You will find mild itching and burning sensation in the rashes. It usually starts with groins, armpits, and folds of elbows and knees, and looks like a shallow ulcer when it affects the mucus membranes of mouth and reproductive organs. It occurs mostly during the last trimester of pregnancy and disappears after the delivery of the child, and generally, leaves scars behind. Intake of adrenocorticotrophic hormone that raises the production of steroids in your body, and cortisone are effective in the treatment of impetigo herpetiformis.

Heat Rash
This irritating and itchy heat rash is caused due to a combination of the heat in the body due to pregnancy, perspiration and the rubbing of skin against the clothing. This rash is more apparent beneath the breasts and in the creases formed due to the bulge of the lower abdomen. It can also appear in the genital areas and on the thighs, especially the inner thigh. The treatments for this rash include taking cold water baths and using prickly heat creams prescribed by the doctors.

Pruritic Folliculitis of Pregnancy
This type of pregnancy rash is similar to prurigo of pregnancy. It also resembles the steroid induced acne. It mostly affects the trunk of the expectant mother. However, the incidence of this type of pregnancy rash is rare.

Rashes during the various pregnancy stages are, most of the time, completely harmless. Still, it is considered safe to consult your doctor for their early and timely diagnosis, so as to avoid any further complication

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Can breast cancer be detected early ?

Can breast cancer be found early?
Screening refers to tests and exams used to find a disease, like cancer, in people who do not have any symptoms. The goal of screening exams, such as mammograms, is to find cancers before they start to cause symptoms. Breast cancers that are found because they can be felt tend to be larger and are more likely to have already spread beyond the breast. In contrast, breast cancers found during screening exams are more likely to be small and still confined to the breast. The size of a breast cancer and how far it has spread are important factors in predicting the prognosis (outlook) for a woman with this disease.

Most doctors feel that early detection tests for breast cancer save many thousands of lives each year, and that many more lives could be saved if even more women and their health care providers took advantage of these tests. Following the American Cancer Society's guidelines for the early detection of breast cancer improves the chances that breast cancer can be diagnosed at an early stage and treated successfully.

American Cancer Society recommendations for early breast cancer detection
Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health.

Current evidence supporting mammograms is even stronger than in the past. In particular, recent evidence has confirmed that mammograms offer substantial benefit for women in their 40s. Women can feel confident about the benefits associated with regular mammograms for finding cancer early. However, mammograms also have limitations. A mammogram will miss some cancers, and it sometimes leads to follow up of findings that are not cancer, including biopsies.
Women should be told about the benefits, limitations, and potential harms linked with regular screening. Mammograms can miss some cancers. But despite their limitations, they remain a very effective and valuable tool for decreasing suffering and death from breast cancer.
Mammograms for older women should be based on the individual, her health, and other serious illnesses, such as congestive heart failure, end-stage renal disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and moderate-to-severe dementia. Age alone should not be the reason to stop having regular mammograms. As long as a woman is in good health and would be a candidate for treatment, she should continue to be screened with a mammogram.
Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a periodic (regular) health exam by a health professional, at least every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health professional every year.

CBE is a complement to mammograms and an opportunity for women and their doctor or nurse to discuss changes in their breasts, early detection testing, and factors in the woman's history that might make her more likely to have breast cancer.
There may be some benefit in having the CBE shortly before the mammogram. The exam should include instruction for the purpose of getting more familiar with your own breasts. Women should also be given information about the benefits and limitations of CBE and breast self exam (BSE). Breast cancer risk is very low for women in their 20s and gradually increases with age. Women should be told to promptly report any new breast symptoms to a health professional.
Breast self exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s. Women should be told about the benefits and limitations of BSE. Women should report any breast changes to their health professional right away.

Research has shown that BSE plays a small role in finding breast cancer compared with finding a breast lump by chance or simply being aware of what is normal for each woman. Some women feel very comfortable doing BSE regularly (usually monthly after their period) which involves a systematic step-by-step approach to examining the look and feel of their breasts. Other women are more comfortable simply looking and feeling their breasts in a less systematic approach, such as while showering or getting dressed or doing an occasional thorough exam. Sometimes, women are so concerned about "doing it right" that they become stressed over the technique. Doing BSE regularly is one way for women to know how their breasts normally look and feel and to notice any changes. The goal, with or without BSE, is to report any breast changes to a doctor or nurse right away.
Women who choose to do BSE should have their BSE technique reviewed during their physical exam by a health professional. It is okay for women to choose not to do BSE or not to do it on a regular schedule. However, by doing the exam regularly, you get to know how your breasts normally look and feel and you can more readily detect any signs or symptoms if a change occurs, such as development of a lump or swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or retraction (turning inward), redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin, or a discharge other than breast milk. Should you notice any changes you should see your health care provider as soon as possible for evaluation. Remember that most of the time, however, these breast changes are not cancer.
Women at high risk (greater than 20% lifetime risk) should get an MRI and a mammogram every year. Women at moderately increased risk (15% to 20% lifetime risk) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram. Yearly MRI screening is not recommended for women whose lifetime risk of breast cancer is less than 15%.

Women at high risk include those who:

Have a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation
Have a first-degree relative (parent, brother, sister, or child) with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, but have not had genetic testing themselves
Have a lifetime risk of breast cancer of 20% to 25% or greater, according to risk assessment tools that are based mainly on family history (such as the Claus model - see below)
Had radiation therapy to the chest when they were between the ages of 10 and 30 years
Have Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome, or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, or have first-degree relatives with one of these syndromes
Women at moderately increased risk include those who:

Have a lifetime risk of breast cancer of 15% to 20%, according to risk assessment tools that are based mainly on family history (see below)
Have a personal history of breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), or atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH)
Have extremely dense breasts or unevenly dense breasts when viewed by mammograms
If MRI is used, it should be in addition to, not instead of, a screening mammogram. This is because while an MRI is a more sensitive test (it's more likely to detect cancer than a mammogram), it may still miss some cancers that a mammogram would detect.

For most women at high risk, screening with MRI and mammograms should begin at age 30 years and continue for as long as a woman is in good health. But because the evidence is limited regarding the best age at which to start screening, this decision should be based on shared decision making between patients and their health care providers, taking into account personal circumstances and preferences.

Several risk assessment tools, with names like the Gail model, the Claus model, and the Tyrer-Cuzick model, are available to help health professionals estimate a woman's breast cancer risk. These tools give approximate, rather than precise, estimates of breast cancer risk based on different combinations of risk factors and different data sets.

As a result, they may give different risk estimates for the same woman. For example, the Gail model bases its risk estimates on certain personal risk factors, like age at menarche (first menstrual period) and history of prior breast biopsies, along with any history of breast cancer in first-degree relatives. The Claus model estimates risk based on family history of breast cancer in both first and second-degree relatives. These 2 models could easily give different estimates using the same data. Results obtained from any of the risk assessment tools should be discussed by a woman and her doctor when being used to decide whether to start MRI screening.

It is recommended that women who get screening MRI do so at a facility that can do an MRI-guided breast biopsy at the same time if needed. Otherwise, the woman will have to have a second MRI exam at another facility at the time of biopsy.

There is no evidence right now that MRI will be an effective screening tool for women at average risk. MRI is more sensitive than mammograms, but it also has a higher false-positive rate (it is more likely to find something that turns out not to be cancer). This would lead to unneeded biopsies and other tests in many of these women, which can lead to a lot of worry and anxiety.

The American Cancer Society believes the use of mammograms, MRI (in women at high risk), clinical breast exams, and finding and reporting breast changes early, according to the recommendations outlined above, offers women the best chance to reduce their risk of dying from breast cancer. This combined approach is clearly better than any one exam or test alone.

Without question, breast physical exam without a mammogram would miss the opportunity to detect many breast cancers that are too small for a woman or her doctor to feel but can be seen on mammograms. Although mammograms are a sensitive screening method, a small percentage of breast cancers do not show up on mammograms but can be felt by a woman or her doctors. For women at high risk of breast cancer, like those with BRCA gene mutations or a strong family history, both MRI and mammogram exams of the breast are recommended.

Mammograms

A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. A diagnostic mammogram is used to diagnose breast disease in women who have breast symptoms or an abnormal result on a screening mammogram. Screening mammograms are used to look for breast disease in women who are asymptomatic; that is, they appear to have no breast problems. Screening mammograms usually take 2 views (x-ray pictures taken from different angles) of each breast. For some patients, such as women with breast implants, more pictures may be needed to include as much breast tissue as possible. Women who are breast-feeding can still get mammograms, but these are probably not quite as accurate because the breast tissue tends to be dense.

Breast x-rays have been done for more than 70 years, but the modern mammogram has only existed since 1969. That was the first year x-ray units specifically for breast imaging were available. Modern mammogram equipment designed for breast x-rays uses very low levels of radiation, usually a dose of about 0.1 to 0.2 rads per picture (a rad is a measure of radiation dose).

Strict guidelines ensure that mammogram equipment is safe and uses the lowest dose of radiation possible. Many people are concerned about the exposure to x-rays, but the level of radiation used in modern mammograms does not significantly increase the risk for breast cancer.

To put dose into perspective, if a woman with breast cancer is treated with radiation, she will receive around 5,000 rads. If she had yearly mammograms beginning at age 40 and continuing until she was 90, she will have received 20 to 40 rads.

For a mammogram, the breast is pressed between 2 plates to flatten and spread the tissue. This may be uncomfortable for a moment, but it is necessary to produce a good, readable mammogram. The compression only lasts a few seconds. The entire procedure for a screening mammogram takes about 20 minutes. This procedure produces a black and white image of the breast tissue either on a large sheet of film or as a digital computer image that is read, or interpreted, by a radiologist (a doctor trained to interpret images from x-rays, ultrasound, MRI, and related tests).

Some advances in technology, like digital mammography, may help doctors read mammograms more accurately. They are described in the section, "How is breast cancer diagnosed?"

What the doctor looks for on your mammogram

The doctor reading your mammogram will look for several types of changes:

Calcifications are tiny mineral deposits within the breast tissue, which look like small white spots on the films. They may or may not be caused by cancer. There are 2 types of calcifications:

Macrocalcifications are coarse (larger) calcium deposits that are most likely changes in the breasts caused by aging of the breast arteries, old injuries, or inflammation. These deposits are related to non-cancerous conditions and do not require a biopsy. Macrocalcifications are found in about half the women over 50, and in about 1 of 10 women under 50.
Microcalcifications are tiny specks of calcium in the breast. They may appear alone or in clusters. Microcalcifications seen on a mammogram are of more concern, but still usually do not mean that cancer is present. The shape and layout of microcalcifications help the radiologist judge how likely it is that cancer is present. If the calcifications look suspicious for cancer, a biopsy will be done.
A mass, which may occur with or without calcifications, is another important change seen on a mammogram. Masses can be many things, including cysts (non-cancerous, fluid-filled sacs) and non-cancerous solid tumors (such as fibroadenomas), but they could also be cancer.

Cysts can be simple fluid-filled sacs (known as simple cysts) or can be partially solid (known as complex cysts). Simple cysts are benign and don’t need to be biopsied. Any other type of mass (such as a complex cyst or a solid tumor) might need to be biopsied to be sure it isn’t cancer.

A cyst and a tumor can feel alike on a physical exam. They can also look the same on a mammogram. To confirm that a mass is really a cyst, a breast ultrasound is often done. Another option is to remove (aspirate) the fluid from the cyst with a thin, hollow needle.
If a mass is not a simple cyst (that is, if it is at least partly solid), then you may need to have more imaging tests. Some masses can be watched with periodic mammograms, while others may need a biopsy. The size, shape, and margins (edges) of the mass help the radiologist determine if cancer is present.
Having your previous mammograms available for the radiologist is very important. They can show that a mass or calcification has not changed for many years. This would mean that it is probably a benign condition and a biopsy is not needed.

Limitations of mammograms

A mammogram cannot prove that an abnormal area is cancer. To confirm whether cancer is present, a small amount of tissue must be removed and looked at under a microscope. This procedure, called a biopsy, is described in the section, "How is breast cancer diagnosed?"

You should also be aware that mammograms are done to find breast cancer that cannot be felt. If you have a breast lump, you should have it checked by your doctor and consider having it biopsied even if your mammogram result is normal.

For some women, such as those with breast implants, additional pictures may be needed. Breast implants make it harder to see breast tissue on standard mammograms, but additional x-ray pictures with implant displacement and compression views can be used to more completely examine the breast tissue.

Mammograms are not perfect at finding breast cancer. They do not work as well in younger women, usually because their breasts are dense, and can hide a tumor. This may also be true for pregnant women and women who are breast-feeding. Since mammograms are not usually done in pregnant women and most breast cancers occur in older women, this is usually not a major problem.

However, this can be a problem for young women who are at high risk for breast cancer (due to gene mutations, a strong family history of breast cancer, or other factors) because they often develop breast cancer at a younger age. For this reason, the American Cancer Society recommends MRI scans in addition to mammograms for screening in these women. (MRI scans are described below.)

For more information on these tests, also see the section, "How is breast cancer diagnosed?" and our document, Mammograms and Other Breast Imaging Procedures.

What to expect when you have a mammogram

To have a mammogram you must undress above the waist. The facility will give you a wrap to wear.
A technologist will be there to position your breasts for the mammogram. Most technologists are women. You and the technologist are the only ones in the room during the mammogram.
To get a high-quality mammogram picture with excellent image quality, it is necessary to flatten the breast slightly. The technologist places the breast on the mammogram machine's lower plate, which is made of metal and has a drawer to hold the x-ray film or the camera to produce a digital image. The upper plate, made of plastic, is lowered to compress the breast for a few seconds while the technician takes a picture.
The whole procedure takes about 20 minutes. The actual breast compression only lasts a few seconds.
You will feel some discomfort when your breasts are compressed, and for some women compression can be painful. Try not to schedule a mammogram when your breasts are likely to be tender, as they may be just before or during your period.
All mammogram facilities are now required to send your results to you within 30 days. Generally, you will be contacted within 5 working days if there is a problem with the mammogram.
Being called back for more testing does not mean that you have cancer. In fact, less than 10% of women who are called back for more tests are found to have breast cancer. Being called back occurs fairly often, and it usually just means an additional image or an ultrasound needs to be done to look at an area more clearly. This is more common for first mammograms (or when there is no previous mammogram to look at) and in mammograms done in women before menopause. It may be slightly less common for digital mammograms.
Only 2 to 4 mammograms of every 1,000 lead to a diagnosis of cancer.
If you are a woman aged 40 or over, you should get a mammogram every year. You can schedule the next one while you're at the facility and/or request a reminder.

Tips for having a mammogram

The following are useful suggestions for making sure that you will receive a quality mammogram:

If it is not posted visibly near the receptionist's desk, ask to see the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certificate that is issued to all facilities that offer mammography. The FDA requires that all facilities meet high professional standards of safety and quality in order to be a provider of mammography services. A facility may not provide mammography without certification.
Use a facility that either specializes in mammography or does many mammograms a day.
If you are satisfied that the facility is of high quality, continue to go there on a regular basis so that your mammograms can be compared from year to year.
If you are going to a facility for the first time, bring a list of the places, dates of mammograms, biopsies, or other breast treatments you have had before.
If you have had mammograms at another facility, you should make every attempt to get those mammograms to bring with you to the new facility (or have them sent there) so that they can be compared to the new ones.
On the day of the exam don't wear deodorant or antiperspirant. Some of these contain substances that can interfere with the reading of the mammogram by appearing on the x-ray film as white spots.
You may find it easier to wear a skirt or pants, so that you'll only need to remove your blouse for the exam.
Schedule your mammogram when your breasts are not tender or swollen to help reduce discomfort and to ensure a good picture. Try to avoid the week just before your period.
Always describe any breast symptoms or problems that you are having to the technologist who is doing the mammogram. Be prepared to describe any medical history that could affect your breast cancer risk — such as surgery, hormone use, or family or personal history of breast cancer. Discuss any new findings or problems in your breasts with your doctor or nurse before having a mammogram.
If you do not hear from your doctor within 10 days, do not assume that your mammogram was normal — call your doctor or the facility.
Help with mammogram costs

Medicare, Medicaid, and most private health insurance plans cover mammogram costs or a percentage of them. Low-cost mammograms are available in most communities. Call us at 1-800-227-2345 for information about facilities in your area.

Breast cancer screening is now more available to medically underserved women through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). This program provides breast and cervical cancer early detection testing to women without health insurance for free or at very low cost. Although the program is administered within each state, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide matching funds and support to each state program. Each state's Department of Health has information on how to contact the nearest program.

The program is only designed to provide screening. But if a cancer is discovered, it will cover further diagnostic testing and a surgical consultation.

The Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act gives states Medicaid funds to pay for treating breast and cervical cancers that are detected through the NBCCEDP. This helps women focus their energies on fighting their disease, instead of worrying about how to pay for treatment. All states participate in this program.

To learn more about these programs, please contact the CDC at 1-800-CDC INFO (1-800-232-4636) or online at www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp.

Clinical breast exam

A clinical breast exam (CBE) is an exam of your breasts by a health care professional, such as a doctor, nurse practitioner, nurse, or doctor's assistant. For this exam, you undress from the waist up. The health care professional will first look at your breasts for abnormalities in size or shape, or changes in the skin of the breasts or nipple. Then, using the pads of the fingers, the examiner will gently feel (palpate) your breasts.

Special attention will be given to the shape and texture of the breasts, location of any lumps, and whether such lumps are attached to the skin or to deeper tissues. The area under both arms will also be examined.

The CBE is a good time for women who don't know how to examine their breasts to learn the proper technique from their health care professionals. Ask your doctor or nurse to teach you and watch your technique.

Breast awareness and self exam

Beginning in their 20s, women should be told about the benefits and limitations of breast self-exam (BSE). Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any new breast changes to a health professional as soon as they are found. Finding a breast change does not necessarily mean there is a cancer.

A woman can notice changes by being aware of how her breasts normally look and feel and by feeling her breasts for changes (breast awareness), or by choosing to use a step-by-step approach (see below) and using a specific schedule to examine her breasts.

If you choose to do BSE, the information below is a step-by-step approach for the exam. The best time for a woman to examine her breasts is when the breasts are not tender or swollen. Women who examine their breasts should have their technique reviewed during their periodic health exams by their health care professional.

Women with breast implants can do BSE, too. It may be helpful to have the surgeon help identify the edges of the implant so that you know what you are feeling. There is some thought that the implants push out the breast tissue and may actually make it easier to examine. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding can also choose to examine their breasts regularly.

It is acceptable for women to choose not to do BSE or to do BSE once in a while. Women who choose not to do BSE should still be aware of the normal look and feel of their breasts and report any changes to their doctor right away.

How to examine your breasts

Lie down and place your right arm behind your head. The exam is done while lying down, not standing up. This is because when lying down the breast tissue spreads evenly over the chest wall and is as thin as possible, making it much easier to feel all the breast tissue.
Use the finger pads of the 3 middle fingers on your left hand to feel for lumps in the right breast. Use overlapping dime-sized circular motions of the finger pads to feel the breast tissue.


Use 3 different levels of pressure to feel all the breast tissue. Light pressure is needed to feel the tissue closest to the skin; medium pressure to feel a little deeper; and firm pressure to feel the tissue closest to the chest and ribs. It is normal to feel a firm ridge in the lower curve of each breast, but you should tell your doctor if you feel anything else out of the ordinary. If you're not sure how hard to press, talk with your doctor or nurse. Use each pressure level to feel the breast tissue before moving on to the next spot.
Move around the breast in an up and down pattern starting at an imaginary line drawn straight down your side from the underarm and moving across the breast to the middle of the chest bone (sternum or breastbone). Be sure to check the entire breast area going down until you feel only ribs and up to the neck or collar bone (clavicle).


There is some evidence to suggest that the up-and-down pattern (sometimes called the vertical pattern) is the most effective pattern for covering the entire breast, without missing any breast tissue.
Repeat the exam on your left breast, putting your left arm behind your head and using the finger pads of your right hand to do the exam.
While standing in front of a mirror with your hands pressing firmly down on your hips, look at your breasts for any changes of size, shape, contour, or dimpling, or redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin. (The pressing down on the hips position contracts the chest wall muscles and enhances any breast changes.)
Examine each underarm while sitting up or standing and with your arm only slightly raised so you can easily feel in this area. Raising your arm straight up tightens the tissue in this area and makes it harder to examine.
This procedure for doing breast self exam is different from previous recommendations. These changes represent an extensive review of the medical literature and input from an expert advisory group. There is evidence that this position (lying down), the area felt, pattern of coverage of the breast, and use of different amounts of pressure increase a woman's ability to find abnormal areas.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

For certain women at high risk for breast cancer, screening MRI is recommended along with a yearly mammogram. It is not generally recommended as a screening tool by itself, because although it is a sensitive test, it may still miss some cancers that mammograms would detect.

MRI scans use magnets and radio waves (instead of x-rays) to produce very detailed, cross-sectional images of the body. The most useful MRI exams for breast imaging use a contrast material (gadolinium) that is injected into a vein in the arm before or during the exam. This improves the ability of the MRI to clearly show breast tissue details. (For more details on how a breast MRI is done, see the section, "How is breast cancer diagnosed?")

MRI is more sensitive in detecting cancers than mammograms, but it is more likely to find something that turns out not to be cancer (called a false positive).These false positive findings have to be checked out to know that cancer isn’t present, which means coming back for further tests and/or biopsies. This is why MRI is not recommended as a screening test for women at average risk of breast cancer, as it would result in unneeded biopsies and other tests in a large portion of these women.

Just as mammography uses x-ray machines that are specially designed to image the breasts, breast MRI also requires special equipment. Breast MRI machines produce higher quality images of the breast than MRI machines designed for head, chest, or abdominal scanning. However, many hospitals and imaging centers do not have dedicated breast MRI equipment available. It is important that screening MRIs be done at facilities that can perform an MRI-guided breast biopsy. Otherwise, the entire scan will need to be repeated at another facility when the biopsy is done.

MRI is more expensive than mammography. Most insurance that pays for mammogram screening will also pay for MRI screening if a woman can be shown to be at high risk, but it's a good idea to check first with your insurance company before having the test. At this time there are concerns about costs of and limited access to high-quality MRI breast screening services for women at high risk of breast cancer.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The truth about thyroid and weight gain

The thyroid has a big job: The hormones it secretes help regulate heart rate, maintain healthy skin, and play a crucial part in metabolism. When the gland is sluggish (hypothyroidism), it can rob you of energy, dry out your skin, make your joints ache, cause weight gain, and kick-start depression. When it becomes overworked—hyperthyroidism—and produces too much hormone, it can cause racing heart, sleep disturbances, and weight loss. That's a lot of grief for a gland the size and shape of a buckeye butterfly.

Given what can go wrong, you may be surprised to hear that about half of the estimated 27 million Americans with thyroid disease remain undiagnosed, according to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. As Oprah discovered, the seemingly unrelated symptoms are partly to blame. People can spend years going from internist to specialist trying to get a diagnosis. They're often prescribed skin creams and antidepressants when what they really require is thyroid medication.

Most people with thyroid disease, about 80 percent, have the hypo version. Should symptoms drive you to make a doctor's appointment, one of the first things your physician will ask is if you have a relative with the disease, since thyroid disease tends to run in families. Your risk also increases as you get older; in addition, being female (the disorder is as much as eight times more common in women), or having another autoimmune disorder such as type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis can worsen your odds.

Depending on your risk profile, your doctor may recommend a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) blood test. TSH is released by the pituitary gland; when the thyroid bogs down, the pituitary releases more TSH. If you have normal levels of TSH, your test score will be from 0.4 to 2.5. A score between 0 and 0.4 is hyperthyroidism. Between 2.5 and 4 means you are at risk for hypothyroidism, and should be retested within a year. Above 4 means you have a mild case. Doctors used to resist treating patients in this category (clinical hypothyroidism starts at 10). But a 2007 British study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism suggests that treating such patients can help prevent cardiovascular disease by reducing bad, LDL cholesterol and the risk of hardened arteries while improving waist-to-hip ratio and increasing energy. So if your symptoms led to a TSH test and you scored higher than 4, you and your doctor should discuss treatment.

While Oprah's thyroid problems seem to have stabilized and she has gone off her medications, most people with hypothyroidism face a lifetime of managing the gland. You'll get a prescription for synthetic thyroxine, which does an excellent job of replacing the missing hormone. Once you and your doctor work out the proper dosage—and that can take some time—you will feel better.

More Health Advice
Are you taking the right supplements?
Foods that should be eaten together for nutritional benefits
3 small tweaks to improve your health


Read more: http://www.oprah.com/health/The-Truth-About-the-Thyroid-and-Weight-Gain#ixzz1vf4s5wn9

Monday, May 21, 2012

Why should lesbian think about having safe sex ?


Generally lesbians are at low risk of HIV infection and unplanned pregnancy. However sex between women is not always safe, and lesbians are just as vulnerable to certain sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) as women who have sex with men. Therefore women need to know the risks and how to protect themselves.

What is ‘safe sex’ for lesbians?
‘Safe sex’ is any activity through which you are at no risk of becoming infected with HIV or an STI. ‘Safer sex’ refers to sex in which the risk of becoming infected with HIV or an STI is minimized. Lesbians can protect themselves from HIV and many STIs by ensuring that infected fluids, such as blood or vaginal fluids, do not enter their body during sex.

Precautions that can be taken include not sharing sex toys, or if doing so, using a new condom for each partner. Certain sexual activities are also considered to be lower risk, for example hugging, touching, massage and masturbation.

However, STIs such as herpes and crabs can be passed on through skin contact alone. The only way for two women to be sure that they are not at risk during sex is if both have been fully tested, and have not had sexual contact with any other women or men since.

Lesbians, sex and HIV
Lesbian or bisexual women are not at high risk of becoming infected with HIV – the virus that causes AIDS – through woman to woman sex.

However, like many women:
• Some lesbians have unsafe sex with men – one British study found that 85 percent of women who have sex with women reported also having sex with men.
• Some lesbians inject drugs and share needles – research into injecting drug users has shown higher HIV prevalence among women who have sex with women, compared to heterosexual injecting drug users.
• Some lesbians wanting to get pregnant face decisions about sperm donors – legitimate sperm banks screen donor’s semen for HIV and other STIs. However, many lesbians chose to use the sperm of someone they know, rather than using a sperm bank.
• Some lesbian sexual practices are risky (see underneath for more details)
It is argued that the widespread assumption that lesbians are a low-risk population increases some lesbians risk of HIV infection as they believe HIV is not something that they need to be concerned about.

What are the HIV risks for lesbians?
HIV is in the blood, breast milk, vaginal fluid or semen of someone with HIV, so you are at risk if you get any of these fluids inside your body. The risks of sexually transmitting HIV between women are low. Very few women are known to have passed HIV on to other women sexually. However, some lesbian sexual practices do carry a risk of HIV transmission and precautions need to be taken to protect against infection.

Oral sex – the risk of HIV being passed on through oral sex is low, but it is increased if a woman has cuts or sores in her mouth, or if the partner receiving oral sex has sores on her genitals or is having her period. Oral sex is safer if you use a ‘dental dam’ (a square of latex or cling film) to stop any vaginal fluid or menstrual blood getting into your mouth. A condom cut open and spread flat can also be used for this.
• Sharing sex toys – sharing sex toys (for example vibrators) can be risky if they have vaginal fluids (juice), blood or faeces on them. Always clean them well and have one each. This is one area of sex where sharing is a bad idea!
• Rough sex – any sexual activity that can lead to bleeding or cuts/breaks in the lining of vagina or anus is risky, including ‘fisting’ or certain S&M (sadomasochism) activities.
• Donor insemination – if a woman is thinking about using a sperm donor to get pregnant, she needs to be aware of the potential donor’s detailed medical history and any possible risk factors – including drug use and sexual history. It is important that the donor has taken an HIV test.

What other STI risks are there for lesbians?
Although we have seen that lesbian and bisexual women are at low risk of getting HIV from sex with another woman, many other STIs – such as herpes or thrush – are just as common for lesbians as for women who have sex with men.
• Thrush is an overgrowth of yeast causing vaginal itching and soreness, often with a white discharge. It can be passed via sex between women, though oral sex is low risk.
• Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an overgrowth of vaginal bacteria causing a smelly discharge, which lesbians often experience. There is a possible link with perfumed soaps and bath oils.
• Genital warts are painless bumps on the vulva, in the vagina, on the cervix or round the anus. They can be passed through contact with the warts, for example by touching, rubbing or sharing sex toys. It is unlikely non-genital warts, such as on hands, can be transferred to the genitals.
• Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) gives a frothy, itchy vaginal discharge and is passed on by contact with the vagina only, for example by touching or sharing sex toys.
• Herpes can cause painful sores on the inside of the vulva/vagina or anus (these are genital herpes) or on the mouth (cold sores). Herpes can be passed on through contact with a sore, for example by touching, fondling or sharing sex toys. Oral sex when a cold sore is present can also transmit the virus. It can be possible to have the herpes virus, be infectious and yet never have had any symptoms. An American study found that the majority of women who have sex with women, who are infected with herpes, are unaware of their infection.
• Crabs/pubic lice cling to pubic and other body hair causing itching and sometimes blood spots from bites. They are spread through naked body/skin contact.
• Chlamydia and gonorrhea are rare in lesbians but if they are present may be passed on through sharing sex toys or rubbing vulvas together. Often there are no symptoms, though there may be a discharge. The first sign of both infections may be pain in the pelvic region (pelvic inflammatory disease or PID). There is a risk of infertility for women who have had untreated chlamydia.
• Syphilis is very infectious and close skin contact during sex can pass it on. Syphilis causes painless ulcers (or chancres) to appear where the bacteria entered the body. A chancre on the vagina can be almost unnoticeable.
• Hepatitis refers to viral infections that cause inflammation of the liver. Certain forms of hepatitis can easily be passed on in sex – for example by touching or sharing sex toys. There are often no symptoms, though it can cause jaundice (yellow skin) or nausea.
Treatment is available for all the STIs mentioned above, often with antibiotics, and most can be cleared up quite rapidly. It is vital you seek help as soon as you notice any symptoms and that you do not have sexual contact that could pass on any infection until it has been dealt with.

Getting smear tests
Looking after yourself also means having regular cervical smears, even if you have never had sex with a man, or not for years. The reason for this is because sex between women can transmit HPV, the virus associated with cervical cancer. Smear tests can detect pre-cancerous cells and early treatment can mean cancer never develops. Despite this, clinic-based studies and surveys have shown that women who have sex with women are less likely to receive routine smears than heterosexual women of similar age.
It is just as important for a lesbian to have regular smear tests as it is for a heterosexual woman. You can talk to your doctor about having a cervical smear, or alternatively you can contact a family planning or sexual health clinic such as DISA Health Care (011) 787 1222 www.safersex.co.za

Sunday, May 20, 2012

IMPORTANCE OF DRINKING WATER DURING EXERCISE

As an essential component of your body, water regulates your body's temperature while cushioning your organs and aiding your digestive system. According to the American Council on Exercise, 75 percent of water composes your muscle tissue while 10 percent composes your fatty tissue. Benefits of water include hydration, lubrication for your joints, protection of your spinal cord, and body waste disposal through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements.
Water and the Body
Composing more than half of our body, water plays an essential role in the maintenance of our body and its conduction of normal function. Urinating and sweating causes the loss of body water on a daily basis, but even normal exhalation allows small amounts of water loss. Replacing water loss prevents dehydration from occurring and allows your body to function normally. While women are advised to consume 2.7 liters of water daily, men should drink 3.7 liters.
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Facts of Dehydration
When your body does not receive a sufficient amount of water, its ability to cool down through perspiration and perform other bodily functions decreases. Hence, your body enters a state of dehydration which can lead to heat exhaustion and possible heat stroke. Dehydration also leads to muscle fatigue and a loss of coordination, resulting in cramping and a lack of energy while slowing down physical activity performance. In order to prevent this, you must drink water before, during, and after any exercise.
Staying Hydrated During Exercise
Exercise and athletics challenge the physiological function of your body, requiring you to constantly replenish its fluid supplies. Environmental factors, such as temperature, also influence your body to secrete more fluid during exercise than in a sedentary state. However, a loss of fluid affects your body's ability to function properly and leads to a decrease in performance. Increasing water intake during exercise is important and beneficial to not only your exercise performance, but in reducing risks of medical injuries and internal body problems, such as heat exhaustion.
Recommended Water Intake
A sufficient fluid intake during exercise properly hydrates your body allowing it to maintain body temperature in order to avoid dehydration. The American Council on Exercise recommends drinking 17 to 20 oz. of water 2 to 3 hours before starting a physical activity. Thirty minutes before, drink 8 oz., and then rehydrate with 7 to 8 oz. every 10 to 20 minutes during physical exertion. For activities lasting more than an hour, a sports drink replaces the loss of electrolytes which may hinder optimal performance during an activity.
Tips
Increasing your fluid intake provides nourishment for your body and helps it function properly. Keeping a water bottle with you during exercise allows for easy access and rehydration during exertion. Sometimes, the sensation of hunger misinterprets the sensation of thirst. If you feel hungry, drinking a glass of water will satisfy your thirst relieving the hunger pangs. However, water cannot satisfy actual hunger, hence, allowing your body to signal for nourishment.
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References
American Council on Exercise: Fit Facts: Healthy Hydration
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Nutrition for Everyone: Water: Meeting Your Daily Fluid Needs
"Journal of Nutrition"; Fluids and Hydration in Prolonged Endurance Performance; von Duvillard, S.P., Braun, W.A, Markofski, M., Beneke, R., & Leithauser, R.; 2004
FamilyDoctor.org: Hydration: Why It's So Important
Article reviewed by Veronique Von Tufts Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011


Friday, May 18, 2012

Tips to Protect Your Body from Summer Heat

We can avoid Health Problems in summer by following the tips given by health care experts.

In summer time there are many problems that are affecting common man like skin diseases, heavy dehydration, fainting, skin discoloration, skin burning.etc

The main parts of body which are affected by the summer heat are skin, eyes, kidney. etc.

Jaundice, Cholera and Chickenpox are very common in summer time.

These diseases will spread widely through the use of polluted water and are also wide spread through communication.

Urinary infections also happen to most people during this time.

Chickenpox is the most dangerous disease that happens due to heat.

Pregnant women should take special care to prevent getting affected by diseases.

There for we must use fruits and vegetables more in this time which willl helps to avoid dehydration .

Cucumber, tomato, water lemon etc are very good for health.

For Skin Protection

In summer time there is a chance of fungal infection in skin affects many people.

There for two times bath in cool water is need the skin.

For cooling the water we can use Ramacham (Vettiver), Malli etc.

Avoid journey at the time of noon time. Wear light cotton dresses and use umbrella.

Drinking Water

Drink 20 to 30 glass of water in summer time.

Persons who have urinary infection and kidney stones.etc should drink more water during summer. This will help in preventing Urinary Infections.

But Kidney trouble patients should not do this and they should follow the advice of Doctor. They must use hot water more.

In case of problems like loose motion , Drink ORS solution and Salted Rice water.

For getting coolness

We can use mango juice and Nellikka (Gooseberry) juice at summer .it can give more coolness.

Take 4 Gooseberry and cut them into pieces and make juice with salt or sugar.

Diabetic Patient can use rock salt and turmeric .

Use Ramacham, Malli , Elanji flowers which can be used for coolness.

We can also use cooled off water after boiling which is best for dinking at the time of journey.

Avoid refrigerated cool drinks from shops and try to use tender coconut water which is the best drinks available naturally.

Use tender cucumber which will also help the body to become cool.

We can use food from rice and wheat. Avoid hot foods like fish and meat.

Biriyani and gee rice are not digested easily so it is use only sometimes.

Season fruits like water lemon, mango, grapes and banana are very good for the body. But it should be washed before using.


Oil Bath

Use cool ayurvedic oils like eladhi and dhanwantharam for body massage. It helps in keeping the body cool and softer.

Massaging using oil and bathing helps in preventing the skin from becoming dry.

Avoid sudden bath after coming from outside , because at that time body temperature is high and It will cause fever or cold.

Also avoid drinking cold water or drinks after coming out from hot sun or after sweating.

For Eye care

Wash face and eyes with cool water. Use tender coconut oil for eye care.

Rose water is also good for eyes. At this time eye infection is very easy to spread and so special care should be taken.

Avoid dust allergy at the time of journey. If you have any conjunctivitis please consult the doctor and use antibiotics if needed.

If we prepare eye liner from home it will be more good , as there is lot of chemicals used in make up items that we purchase from shops.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

What are the signs of infertility? Find out if you need to investigate further -

What are the signs of infertility? Have you been trying to conceive for what seems like ‘too long’? Getting worried?

At what point should you make an appointment with your doctor? This scenario can be very upsetting for any couple!

Below we have a list of 'symptoms' which if you are noticing, you need to discuss with your doctor. However firstly, there may be unnoticeable reasons why you may be having trouble conceiving, so we will discuss these briefly.

The correct technical meaning of ‘infertility’ is not conceiving after one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. If a woman is over 35 years old, this time period changes to six months. This does not necessarily mean that you are unable to conceive, in fact there are numerous steps that you can do to help with the process.

The most common diagnosis from doctors is termed as ‘unexplained infertility’ which means that no obvious medical reason has been found. There are numerous reasons why a couple may be having problems conceiving, and the most evident signs of infertility may lie within your lifestyle!

Contributing factors can include - lifestyle issues such as stress, being over or under weight, substance abuse or environmental toxins. Read more in depth about these subjects and more topics under fertility problems.

We also recommend researching our fertility diet section as there are foods that can help re-balance reproductive hormones, and also foods to avoid! Nutrition can play a huge part of our reproductive health and can certainly contribute towards certain signs of infertility!

The section on trying to conceive has top fertility tips for conception such as ovulation timing and sperm friendly lubricants , this is information that every couple should know about when trying for a baby!

Throughout this website we will cover a whole range of topics so that you will have the knowledge to make the necessary changes, thus improving your chances for pregnancy. This is information for both partners.

It is always recommended to make an appointment with your doctor for a preconception care visit regardless of your situation. You should tell your doctor that you are trying to conceive. This is so that they can do routine health checks for conditions that may effect your fertility, as often there may be no obvious signs.

However there are however certain ‘symptoms’ that you should look out for, that your doctor needs to be alerted to. Remember that these ‘signs of infertility’ are clues to help your doctor make the correct diagnosis to help you in your situation. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the more opportunity you have to deal with the issue, so do not delay seeing a qualified medical expert! There are many treatments available with today’s medical knowledge and breakthroughs to help with fertility problems!

There are a few cases where a physical abnormally may truly be the cause of sterility. Some people may have been born with a reproductive system defect. This could be a women with no uterus or no egg follicles, or a man who has no sperm production capabilities at all. If this is the case then there may be other options for the couple to investigate such as sperm donors or surrogacy. Adoption may be another consideration. There are fertility specialists and counselors to help people in this situation.

Caution - this following information is not intended to be used for a self diagnosis, only a qualified medical expert can give a diagnosis.

Signs of infertility - Men's symptoms

Statistics show that men are equally as likely to have fertility problems as women.
Impotency/erection or ejaculation difficulties - may be symptoms of other underlying health conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

Normal visual appearance of semen -

Should semen be 'thick' or 'runny'? Why does it appear 'watery' sometimes? Is this one of the signs of infertility? Many men are concerned about what the normal consistency (appearance) of their semen should be, and if this has any relation to their sperm count?

Consistency of semen can vary greatly from one man to another. It is common for this to occasionally vary (either 'thick' in texture or sometimes becoming more 'watery' looking) depending on factors such as diet, dehydration, frequency of ejaculation etc. So for that reason there is no defined 'normal appearance'. It is normal for semen to liquidfy shortly after ejaculation. Semen is usually a semi translucent off white/gray coloring, and can sometimes have a slight yellow tinge.

You can not tell how fertile you are by just the 'look' of your ejaculate alone. Only a sperm analysis can accurately determine your sperm concentration. However, if you notice any 'substantial' or 'persistent' changes to your regular semen appearance/color, or are just worried, we advise seeking advise from a doctor for clarification or for further investigation.

Low sperm count -

There are all sorts of factors that can contribute to this sign of infertility including -

Alcohol/smoking or drug abuse
Poor diet
Environmental toxins
Tight underwear (bad circulation/heat)
Constantly sitting with legs crossed
Bike riding (cutting off circulation and overheating)
Hot baths
Having had a high fever within the last three months
X-rays and radiation
It is recommended to make any lifestyle changes needed that may be contributing to this sign of infertility, but it is also advised to discuss your results with your doctor. They can investigate any other underlying reasons that may contribute to poor sperm count.

Hormones -

Guys may not realize that they can suffer from hormone imbalances, and this can be a sign of infertility. Symptoms are varied, but it is still important to let your doctor know if you notice any of the following signs as they may be clues -

Unexplained weight gain or loss
Loss of muscle toneHeadaches
Anxiety/depression/mood swings
Fatigue
Low sex drive
Acne/skin problems
Breast enlargement
Hair loss
Puffiness/bloating
Prostate enlargement symptoms (urinary problems)
Gallbladder problems - indigestion, pain under ribs on right hand side, light colored stools
Infections -

Men can contract infections of the reproductive tract, these can be passed on through sexual contact, poor immunity, surgery complications and other medical factors. It is advised to be checked for any sexually transmitted infections (STIs) regardless, as these often show no physical signs straight away. Bacterial or viral infections can also effect the sperm count for some time afterwards. Look out for these signs of infertility -

Swelling
Pain, discomfort or itching in the genital area
A painful burning sensation when urinating or discolored urine
Discharge from the penis
Unusual smell
Blood in semen (may show as a brown/pink tinge) may also be a sign of a burst blood vessel but still should get checked for infection
Any other irregular changes in semen color
High temperature
Nausea and/or vomiting
Blisters, sores or bumps in genitals
Any condition which may have caused inflammation of the testicles (orchitis) in the past including -

Infections
Injury to the genital region
Mumps
Post surgery complications
Any abnormal condition of the testicles such as undecended testicles may be signs of infertility. Having suffered a torsion in the past - a condition where the blood supply to the testicles is cut off (surgery is usually required). Do not jump to conclusions here - ask your doctor for an evaluation, starting with a sperm analysis.

Varicocele - varicose veins inside the scrotum may be a sign of infertility (a very common condition for men). These may cause discomfort or you may notice these physically. Treatment is available for this condition.

Certain signs of infertility may be due to some medications. Discuss any prescription medicines that you may be taking with your doctor as some may interfere with your reproductive system as a side effect. Your doctor may be able to change your medication or adjust your dosage. Monitoring will be required to achieve the desired results.

Caution - Do not stop taking any medications without consulting your physician first!

Signs of infertility - Women's symptoms

Age -
It is not unusual for a woman to delay having a child in modern society. Reasons range from building a career and financial security, to marrying later in life. Some woman simply do not realize early on that their fertility declines with age, and this may start in your late 20’s. Since increasing age may be one of the signs of infertility, it does not necessarily mean that a woman can not get pregnant. However, a woman's chances of conceiving lessen with each year.

As a woman gets older she may also have been exposed to several factors that can influence her reproductive system such as poor diet, infections or stress. Assisted reproductive techniques are becoming highly sought out by older women.

Abnormal menstrual cycle -

This is a common sign of infertility to look out for. There are a number of reasons why a women may be having abnormal periods and this does not always mean infertility, but the sooner a problem is addressed the better. Symptoms may include -

Irregular or absent periods
Heavy and/or painful periods
Any pelvic pain or discomfort in between menstrual cycles
Hormonal imbalances -

These are also common signs of infertility. There are numerous symptoms that you may not relate to fertility. These may include -

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Weight gain
Anxiety and depression/mood swings
Headaches
Facial hair growth
Hair loss
Fatigue
Low sex drive
Breast tenderness/lumpy tissue
Nipple discharge
Hot flushes
Night sweats/insomnia
Vaginal dryness
Acne ,oily skin or redness
Puffiness and bloating
Gallbladder problems - indigestion, pain under ribs on right hand side, light colored stools
Infections -

These may be signs of infertility problems and need to be diagnosed as soon as possible. There are many reasons for infections ranging from being sexually transmitted, a low immune system or complications post surgery. If you notice any of the following, make an appointment with your doctor straight away!

Pelvic pain in between periods
Pain during intercourse
Urinary tract or yeast infections (although very common, could be an indication of another more serious medical condition)
Unusual vaginal discharge or smell
Burning, itching or any irritation of the genital area
High temperature
Nausea and/or vomiting
Blisters, sores or bumps in the genital region
Post surgery complications
It is wise to undergo tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as some do not show any obvious symptoms early on and could cause damage if left untreated for a long time.

Basal body temperature -

Basil body temperature is the lowest temperature attained by the body during rest. It is usually measured immediately after you wake up, before any physical activity. Ovulation causes an increase of one half to one degree Fahrenheit or one quarter to one half of a degree Celsius. This is one of the methods used by women who are estimating their day of ovulation. This could be a sign of infertility because if there is no change in temperature, this could indicate that ovulation is not taking place.

Like with men, please discuss any prescription medicines you may be taking with your doctor, as some may cause signs of infertility as a side effect.

Caution - Do not stop taking any medications without consulting your physician first!

Information regarding some of the most diagnosed reproductive conditions

Included within this ‘signs of infertility’ section, we will discuss some of the most common reproductive problems that men and women are diagnosed with. Some of these include -
Men -

Erectile dysfunction
Sperm and seminal fluid abnormalities
Varicocele - enlarged veins in the scrotum
Obstructive azoospermia - tube/duct blockages
Women -

Endometriosis
Blocked fallopian tubes
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Polycystic ovarian disease (PCOS)
We will go over some of the tests that your doctor or specialist may perform. These conditions or 'signs of infertility' have some very good treatments available, which we will discuss. Although there are no guarantees, with today's medical knowledge and breakthroughs - hope is out there!

Fertility definition

A simple question but the answer is not always so clear. Find out our fertility definition.

Considering having a sperm analysis?

Read all about how a sperm analysis can provide extremely important information in regards to your fertility!
Wondering what you can do to help increase your sperm count?

How to increase sperm count? There are many different things that you can do to naturally help your 'swimmers'! If you have been diagnosed with a low sperm count, don't fret! This is one of the signs of infertility that you can be pro-active towards! We have the best information for you!
Need help fixing erectile dysfunction? (Commonly called impotence)

This health issue is more common than you probably realize! There are excellent success rates with treatments for fixing erectile dysfunction! We also discuss the leading causes of impotence.
What is secondary infertility?

Secondary infertility is the inability to conceive a child, after the birth of one or more children. This often takes couples by surprise! We will discuss the causes of secondary infertility, and the steps you need to take.
Immune system dysfunction can affect fertility

There are numerous immune system disorders that can hinder your chances of conceiving or cause pregnancy complications. Find out about general health, autoimmune disorders, antisperm antibodies, immunodefiency, and how immune cells can malfunction causing reproductive problems. There is good help available for these immune signs of infertility


Wednesday, May 16, 2012

World hypertension day- hypertension and diet


Quick Facts...
Calories and body weight go hand in hand. Excess body fat leads to an increased risk of health problems.
Potassium has an important role in blood pressure treatment.
Low calcium intake may increase risk of hypertension.
Excessive sodium intake is linked with high blood pressure or hypertension in some people.
Dietary recommendations suggest avoiding too much sodium. The suggested range is 1,100 to 3,300 mg per day.
Table salt is 40 percent sodium. One teaspoon has about 2,000 mg sodium.
Hypertension (high blood pressure) affects one in four adults in the United States. Another 25 percent of adults have blood pressure readings considered to be on the high end of normal.

Your blood pressure is the force exerted on your artery walls by the blood flowing through your body. A blood pressure reading provides two measures, systolic pressure and diastolic pressure, which are expressed as millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), or how high the pressure of blood would raise a column of mercury. Systolic pressure is measured as the heart pumps. Diastolic pressure is measured between beats, as blood flows back into the heart.

High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because it has no symtoms and can go undetected for years. It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Table 1 below shows how to classify blood pressure readings.

Table 1: Know Your Numbers.
SYSTOLIC (MM HG) DIASTOLIC (MM HG)
Normal <120 and <80
Prehypertension 120 – 139 or 80 – 89
HYPERTENSION
Stage 1 140 – 159 or 90 – 99
Stage 2 ≥160 or ≤100
Based on two readings taken 5 minutes apart with a confirmation reading in the contralateral arm.
Hypertension cannot be cured, but it can be controlled through lifestyle changes and prescriptive medication. While medications to treat hypertension are available, research has shown that modest lifestyle and dietary changes can help treat and often delay or prevent high blood pressure.

People trying to control hypertension often are advised to decrease sodium, increase potassium, watch their calories, and maintain a reasonable weight.

For sodium-sensitive people, reducing sodium is a prudent approach to reducing the risk of hypertension. The recommendation for daily sodium intake is 1,500 to 2,300 mg a day.

The amount of potassium in the diet is also important. Potassium works with sodium to regulate the body’s water balance. Research has shown that the more potassium and less sodium a person has in his/her diet, the greater the likelihood that the person will maintain normal blood pressure. However, the evidence does not suggest that people with high blood pressure should take potassium supplements. Instead, potassium rich foods should be eaten everyday.

A newer area of interest is the relationship between calcium and high blood pressure. People with a low calcium intake seem to be at increased risk for hypertension. Everyone should meet the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for calcium every day. For adults, this is 1,000 mg per day. For adults over 50, 1,200 mg is recommended.

Maintaining a reasonable weight is important to minimize the risk of several major diseases, including hypertension. For people who are overweight, even a small weight loss can dramatically reduce or even prevent high blood pressure.

Use Table 2 to assess sodium, calorie, calcium and potassium content of foods. Learn to read labels to identify differences between brands of food. Be a wise shopper.

Untreated hypertension causes damage to the blood vessels over time. This can lead to other health complications such as strokes, kidney failure, impaired vision, heart attack, and heart failure.

The DASH Diet
A landmark study called DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) looked at the effects of an overall eating plan in adults with normal to high blood pressure. Researchers found that in just eight weeks, people following the DASH diet saw their blood pressure decrease. A subsequent study called DASH 2 looked at the effect of following the DASH diet and restricting salt intake to 1500 mg per day. Under the DASH 2 diet, people with Stage 1 hypertension had their blood pressure decrease as much or more than any anti-hypertensive medication had been able to lower it.(See fact sheet, 9.374, DASHing to Lower Blood Pressure.)

Recommended by the American Heart Association and the National Cancer Institute, the DASH diet is an overall eating plan that focuses on what people should eat, rather than what not to eat. Rich in fruits, vegetables, complex carbohydrates and low-fat dairy products, the DASH diet is lower in fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, and higher in potassium, magnesium, and calcium than the typical American diet. The high levels of potassium, magnesium, and calcium in the DASH diet are thought to be at least partially responsible for its results. Table 3 below outlines the DASH eating plan.

Table 3: The DASH Diet.
Food Group Daily Servings Significance to the DASH Diet
Grains and grain products 7 – 8 Carbohydrates and fiber
Vegetables 4 – 5 Potassium, magnesium and fiber
Fruits 4 – 5 Potassium, magnesium and fiber
Low-fat or fat free milk or milk products 2 – 3 Calcium, protein, potassium and magnesium
Meats, poultry and fish 2 or less Protein and magnesium
Nuts, seeds and beans 4 –5 a week Magnesium, potassium, protein and fiber
Source: “A Clinical Trial of the Effects of Dietary Patterns on Blood Pressure.” New England Journal of
Medicine. 1997.336:1117-1124.


Table 2: Sodium, calorie, calcium and potassium content of foods.
Food Amount Food energy
Kcalories Sodium (Na)
mg Potassium (K)
mg Calcium (Ca)
mg
BEVERAGES
Fruit drinks, dehydrated, reconstituted:
Lemonade 1 cup 102 13 33 71
Orange 1 cup 115 12 49 61
Fruit juices, unsweetened:
Apple cider or juice 1 cup 117 5 250 15
Grapefruit juice 1 cup 75 4 360 32
Orange juice 1 cup 120 5 498 25
Grape juice, bottled 1 cup 159 8 279 27
Prune juice 1 cup 192 5 588 35
Cocoa mix, water added (Carnation) 1 cup 110 232 176 107
Coffee, freeze-dried (using 2 tsp.) 1 cup 6 2 166 6
DAIRY PRODUCTS
Natural cheese:
Cheddar 1 ounce 112 176 23 211
Colby 1 ounce 110 171 35 192
Cottage, 4 1/2% milk fat 1/2 cup 120 457 260 108
Cream 1 ounce 99 84 34 23
Monterey Jack 1 ounce 105 152 23 209
Mozzarella, part skim milk 1 ounce 72 132 24 183
Cream, sour 1 tablespoon 26 6 17 14
Milk:
Skim 1 cup 89 126 406 296
Whole 1 cup 149 120 370 290
Ice Cream:
Vanilla 1 cup 290 112 193 208
Yogurt:
Regular plain 1 cup 152 105 323 272
Fruit flavored with nonfat milk solids 1 cup 231 133 442 345
EGGS, FISH, MEAT, POULTRY AND RELATED PRODUCTS
Eggs, whole (boiled) 1 78 59 62 26
Fish:
Salmon, broiled 3 ounces 156 99 378 127
Sardines, canned 3 ounces 174 552 501 372
Trout, brook, raw 3 ounces 86 67 319 12
Tuna, canned in water 3 ounces 108 288 237 14
Shellfish:
Clams, raw, hard 3 ounces 68 174 264 58
Crab, canned 3 ounces 86 425 94 38
Lobster, boiled (northern) 3 ounces 80 212 153 55
Scallops, steamed 3 ounces 95 225 405 98
Shrimp, canned 3 ounces 324 1,955 122 9
Meat:
Beef, lean hamburger, cooked 1 patty 140 55 480 14
Pork:
Bacon, cooked 2 strips 96 274 34 2
Ham 3 ounces 298 1,114 284 4
Poultry:
Chicken, roasted, breast without skin 1/2 breast 142 63 220 13
Turkey, roasted, breast with skin 3 1/2 ounces 189 67 289 21
FRUITS
Apples, medium (2 1/2 inches in diameter) 1 apple 87 2 165 10
Apricots 3 apricots 51 1 281 17
Avocado, raw, peeled 1 167 22 604 10
Banana, raw, medium 1 127 2 550 12
Strawberries, raw 1 cup 55 2 244 31
Cherries, raw, sweet 1 cup 82 150 223 26
Grapefruit, pink, raw, medium 1/2 40 1 135 16
Oranges, raw 1 71 1 311 65
Grapes 10 31 1 72 7
Cantaloupe 1/2 melon 60 24 502 28
Peaches, raw 1 38 1 202 9
Pears, raw 1 122 1 260 16
Pineapple, raw 1 cup 69 1 195 23
Plums, raw 1 33 1 150 9
Raisins 1 cup 462 17 1,221 99
Watermelon 1/16 melon 152 10 560 38
GRAIN PRODUCTS
Bread:
White 1 slice 62 114 24 20
Whole Wheat 1 slice 56 132 63 23
Cereals:
Cream of Wheat, regular 3/4 cup 100 3 17 10
Oatmeal 3/4 cup 111 1 98 16
Crackers:
Graham 1 27 48 27 3
Saltine 2 28 70 7 1
Whole wheat 1 16 30 120 1
Macaroni, cooked, no salt 1 cup 151 2 85 11
Muffin, English (Wonder) 1 medium 131 293 N.L. 80
Noodles, egg, cooked, no salt 1 cup 200 2 70 16
Rice, brown, cooked, no salt 1 cup 178 10 105 18
Snacks:
Corn chips, Fritos 1 ounce 154 231 23 35
Popcorn with oil and salt 1 cup 41 175 256 1
Potato chips 10 114 200 226 8
Pretzel sticks, Frito Lay 3 324 17 99 21
DESSERTS AND SWEETS
Cookies:
Brownies, iced, frozen 1 126 69 54 12
Chocolate chip (commercial) 2 cookies 104 69 30 8
Oatmeal and raisins 2 126 55 104 6
Sandwich type (round) 2 99 96 8 5
Sugar 1 89 108 15 16
Doughnut, cake (plain) 1 125 160 29 13
Cakes, from mix:
Angel 1/12 121 134 40 4
White 1/12 187 238 38 31
Pies, frozen:
Apple 1/8 of pie 160 208 76 13
Cherry 1/8 of pie 100 169 82 12
LEGUMES AND NUTS
Almonds, roasted and salted 1 cup 984 311 1,214 369
Beans, baked, no pork 1 cup 236 606 832 100
Beans and peas, dry, cooked:
Northern 1 cup 118 5 416 50
Blackeye, cooked 1 cup 178 12 625 40
Pinto, calico, raw 1/2 cup 349 4 984 135
Split, cooked 1 cup 208 5 536 20
Kidney, canned 1 cup 225 844 660 72
Cashews, roasted 1 cup 561 1,200 464 38
Peanuts:
Dry, roasted, salted 1 cup 838 986 1,009 104
Unsalted 1 cup 838 8 1,009 104
Peanut butter 1 tablespoon 86 81 123 11
Pecans 1 cup 696 1 420 74
Pistachios 1 cup 594 6 972 131
Walnuts, English 1 cup 781 3 540 119
VEGETABLES
Asparagus, canned 4 spears 14 298 127 14
Snap beans, canned 1 cup 43 326 227 81
Beets, cooked, fresh 1 cup 54 73 344 24
Broccoli, raw 1 stalk 32 23 382 103
Cabbage, green, raw 1 cup 24 8 233 49
Carrots, raw, grated 1 cup 46 34 375 41
Cauliflower, raw, flower pieces 1 cup 27 17 295 25
Celery, raw 1 stalk (outer) 8 25 170 20
Corn:
Cooked, fresh 1 ear 70 1 151 2
Frozen 1 cup 130 7 304 5
Cream style, regular, canned 1 cup 210 671 248 8
Cucumber 7 slices 4 2 45 7
Lettuce, iceberg, chopped 1 cup 7 4 96 11
Mushrooms, raw 1 cup 20 7 290 4
Onions 1 medium 38 10 157 27
Peas:
Cooked 1 cup 106 2 294 34
Frozen, regular 3 ounces 58 80 116 16
Potatoes:
Baked or boiled without skin 1 medium 139 5 755 14
French fried 10 strips 137 15 427 8
Mashed with milk and salt 1 cup 137 632 548 50
Pumpkin, canned 1 cup 76 12 552 58
Spinach:
Raw, chopped 1 cup 14 49 259 51
Frozen, chopped, cooked 1/2 cup 23 65 333 113
Squash, summer, cooked 1 cup 28 5 282 50
Squash, winter, baked, mashed 1 cup 126 2 922 56
Sweet potatoes:
Baked or boiled 1 sm. potato 141 20 300 40
Canned, solid packed 1 sm. potato 108 48 200 25
Tomato, raw 1 med. tomato 33 14 366 20
Tomato paste 1 cup 215 77 2,237 71
Tomato sauce 1 cup 97 1,498 1,060 32
CONDIMENTS, FATS AND OILS
Catsup 1 tablespoon 16 156 55 3
Mustard, prepared, yellow 1 teaspoon 4 65 7 4
Olives, green, large 4 olives 18 323 8 10
Pickles, dill 1 lg. pickle 11 928 200 26
Sauces:
A-1 1 tablespoon 12 275 51 3
Barbecue 1 tablespoon 15 130 28 3
Worcestershire 1 tablespoon 12 206 120 15
Butter, regular 1 tablespoon 108 116 4 4
Margarine 1 tablespoon 108 140 3 3
Salad dressing:
Blue cheese 1 tablespoon 71 153 5 11
French, bottled 1 tablespoon 57 214 11 2
Italian, bottled 1 tablespoon 77 116 2 2
Mayonnaise 1 tablespoon 61 78 1 2
Thousand Island 1 tablespoon 70 109 16 2
1 J. Anderson, Colorado State University Extension food and nutrition specialist and professor; L. Young, M.S., former graduate student; and E. Long, graduate student, food science and human nutrition. 11/98.

23 Essential Health Tips

My patients are among my best teachers. They've taught me how to communicate clearly—and how to live a better life. On The Dr. Oz Show, I've seen that once people are emotionally involved, change happens quickly, especially if they feel that their behavior is letting loved ones down. Large-scale change seems daunting. We want simple routines that we can automatically follow. Adopt some of the steps here, which anyone can do, and you will like your life more in just a couple of weeks. And you'll live longer. Try them—they work for me.
ROTF, LMAO
Laughing not only eases stress, promotes social bonding, and lowers blood pressure, it may also boost your immune system. So bring some humor into your life, whether it's through friends or even a new TV show (preferably mine).
Women's Health Tip
Besides laughing, certain foods have been proven to soothe stress and can counteract the damage that chronic pressure does to your bod. Stock up on these eats and beat down stress for good.
Don't Skip Breakfast
Fiber in the morning means less hunger late in the afternoon, when you're most likely to feel tired and gorge yourself on sugar. My morning dose comes from steel-cut oatmeal, usually mixed with raisins, walnuts, and flaxseed oil. An early start on eating also keeps your metabolism more active throughout the day; breakfast eaters are thinner than people who just rush out the door.
Women's Health Tip
Need a new recipe? Try one of these eight healthy oatmeal mix ins for an instant breakfast upgrade.
Hit the Sack
Conan and Dave are funny, but they're not worth the strain on your system. Seven hours of sleep a night not only helps you live longer, but also lowers your stress, sharpens your memory, and reduces cravings for pants-splitting foods. Set a bedtime and stick to it. My target is 10:30 p.m. I record the late shows and then watch them the next day as I pedal a stationary bike.
Women's Health Tip
Are you sabotaging your sleep? Test your bedtime knowledge with our quiz to see if you're actually getting the z's you need.
Admire Your Work
Don't be so trigger-happy with the flusher. Turn around and take a look at your poop, which speaks volumes about your gut and overall health. Poop should be smooth and S-shaped, like your colon. If it comes out too lumpy, or drops into the bowl like marbles, you're constipated. Increase your fiber and water intake. This happens to me when I travel, so I fiber-load before a trip to avoid getting irritable.
Women's Health Tip
You don't need Metamucil—here are 30 great-tasting ways to add fiber to your diet.
Don't Pamper Your Bad Back
Even if you're hunched over in agony, taking to your bed will only make a bad back worse. The latest research shows that bed rest weakens back muscles and prolongs the suffering. Married men may suffer more than single men because of all the pampering. I used to love milking the care from Lisa, but the best solution is to get up, take a pain reliever, and be a soldier.
Women's Health Tip
Try these safe and simple yoga moves to prevent and relieve back pain.
Taste the Colors
Foods with bright, rich colors are more than just nice to look at. They're also packed with flavonoids and carotenoids, powerful compounds that bind the damaging free radicals in your body, lowering inflammation. (Sadly, skittles do not count.) Eat nine fistfuls of colorful fruits and vegetables each day and you'll reap the benefits without having to give up other foods. Whenever I shop the produce aisle, I'm reminded that these foods are often more powerful than the drugs sold in pharmacies. My favorites are arugula and blueberries.
Women's Health Tip
Want to experiment with more exotic veggies? If you're tired of the same-old produce picks, switch 'em out for these delish and super-healthy alternatives.

Monday, May 14, 2012

10 tips to avoid tooth cavaties

Even though dental restoration systems has made fantastic progress, any kind of filling or machine is very likely to require added work in the long run than is the undamaged tooth. Great oral and dental care might help maintain your teeth undamaged by stopping cavities and dental cairies. In this article you can find valuable inforamtion about how to prevent cavities or tooth decay.

Avoid Cavities or Tooth Decay Tip #1 - Brush Right After Eating or Drinking
Brush the teeth at least two times per day and if possible after each meal, by using fluoride-containing tooth paste. In order to clean in between your teeth, floss or utilize an interdental cleaner. If you cannot brush right after eating food, at least attempt to rinse the mouth area through water.

Avoid Cavities or Tooth Decay Tip #2 - Rinse with Fluoride
When your dentist thinks there is a high-risk of establishing cavities, she or he might suggest that you make use of a mouth rinse that has fluoride.

Avoid Cavities or Tooth Decay Tip #3 - See Your Dentist Often
Have professional tooth cleanings as well as regular mouth checkups, that can help stop problems or identify them earlier. Your dentist can suggest a schedule that is ideal for your needs.

Avoid Cavities or Tooth Decay Tip #4 - Use Dental Sealants
A sealer is a protective plastic covering that is placed on the chewing surface of the molars sealing over grooves and crannies which often gather food inside the teeth probably to obtain cavities. The sealant shields tooth enamel right from acid and plaque . Sealants could help people of all ages. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention firmly suggests sealants for those school age kids. Sealants continue working around ten years before they should be replaced, even though they must be checked often to guarantee they are always intact.

Avoid Cavities or Tooth Decay Tip #5 - Drink Tap Water
Putting fluoride to public water resources helps reduce cavities a lot. When you drink only water in bottles which does not have fluoride, you will lose out on their benefits. Make sure to drink certain tap water, as well.

Avoid Cavities or Tooth Decay Tip #6 - Avoid Continous Sipping and Snacking
Once you drink or eat some thing apart from water, you help the mouth bacteria generate acids that could ruin the tooth enamel. When you snack or maybe drink the whole day, the teeth are within continuous attack.

Avoid Cavities or Tooth Decay Tip #7 - Choosing the Right Nutritient
Many foods and drinks are considerably better for the teeth than the others. Steer clear of foods which get caught in grooves and pits of the teeth for very long periods, for example chips, candy or maybe cookies. Rather, consume food which defends the teeth, like cheese, which some study shows might help stop cavities, and also fruits and veggies, which in turn enhance saliva flow, and unsweetened tea, coffee, and sugar-free gum, that help eliminate food substances.

Avoid Cavities or Tooth Decay Tip #8 - Keep Fluoride Treatments in Mind
Your own dentist might suggest a fluoride treatment, particularly if you are not receiving a sufficient amount of fluoride via fluoridated drinking water as well as other sources. In the fluoride treatment, your own dentist applies strong fluoride towards your teeth for a few minutes. You may also use fluoridated tooth paste or mouth wash.

Avoid Cavities or Tooth Decay Tip #9 - Anti-Bacterial Treatments
If you are particularly susceptible to tooth corrosion for instance, due to a medical problem , your dental professional might suggest special anti-bacterial mouth rinses or any other treatments that can help reduce unwanted bacteria inside your mouth.

Avoid Cavities or Tooth Decay Tip #10 - Floss
Flossing regularly and properly could highly lower the risks of getting cavities. Use floss with subtle movements around the base of each tooth, including that you floss beneath the gumline. Avoid snapping or forcing, as that might cut or bruise your gum tissue. The two types of floss you should consider are Nylon (or multifilament) and PTFE (monofilament) floss.