Facts About Alzheimer’s
by Melanie LePan

Over 4 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease (AD). There is a good chance you probably know someone that is affected by this disease. Many people have questions about what causes AD. Is this disease genetic? What are the early symptoms of AD? What are the causes of AD? How is this disease treated? This article is intended to give you a general understanding of AD. If you think you or someone you love may have AD please see your family physician for diagnosis. The earlier AD is diagnosed, the earlier treatment can be obtained.

What is Alzheimer’s?
AD is a form of dementia that usually affects the elder population. AD involves the deterioration of the part of the brain that controls thought patterns, memory and language. Early in the 20th century a Doctor by the name of Alois Alzheimer discovered (while doing an autopsy) that a woman believed to be suffering from mental illness had plaque present on the brain. This plaque (now referred to as amyloid plaques) was accompanied by tangled bundles of fiber not found in normal brains. Through the next part of the century, doctors discovered that AD patient’s nerve cells were found to be dead in the area of the brain responsible for storing memories. Upon future investigation, doctors also reported these same patients had an interruption between certain nerve cells and the chemical that delivers messages to the brain.

Who Gets Alzheimer’s?
One in ten people over age 65 and one in five people over age 85 will get AD. It is rare for people under age 65 to get AD. Most individuals between ages 30-65 that get AD (early on-set AD) do so because they are genetically predisposed. This type of AD is considered rare and you will not necessarily get AD because a relative had it. Most often AD occurs in the elderly and is not due to genetics.

What Are the Causes of Alzheimer’s?
Doctors and scientists will tell you they don’t know what causes AD. They will tell you that age is a significant factor. Once an individual is over 65, the chances of developing AD doubles about every 5 years. There is a gene called Apoe that is linked to late-on set AD (over age 65). This gene makes a protein which carries cholesterol through the blood. It is believed to be responsible for a small amount of cases. In these cases, individuals have a form of Apoe that is linked by scientists to AD. Diet and environmental factors are both areas of study in patients with AD.

What are the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s?
AD can often be confused with the aging process. Simple forgetfulness such as forgetting names, addresses, phone numbers and certain events, can be contributed to the aging process. We all know that any of us can be forgetful at times. With AD forgetfulness usually interferes with daily activities.
Here are some signs of AD.

 Forgetfulness or memory loss
 Asking the same question repeatedly
 Forgetting the right words to use
 Forgetting how to balance a check book or pay bills
 Diminished judgment
 Can’t remember how to do simple tasks such as; using the phone, brushing teeth
 Getting lost
 Generally confused
 Constantly forgetting where they put something
 Poor hygiene
 Inability to make decisions on their own
 Changes in mood or temperament
 Changes in behavior
 Changes in personality
 Misplacing things
 Problems with abstract concepts
 A loss of interest in activities

How Can I get Tested for Alzheimer’s?
The best way to get tested is to see your family physician. He or she will ask some questions involving your family and medical history. In most cases your physician will refer you to a specialist. There are a couple of ways AD is diagnosed. The only way to be 100% sure a patient has AD is through an autopsy upon death. The following is the most conclusive way to diagnosis AD at present:

• Questions about patients medical history
• Tests that measure memory, attention span, counting and problem solving
• Testing such as; blood, urine, spinal fluid
• Brain scanning

What is the lifespan of a Patient with Alzheimer’s?
AD is a slow progressing disease. There are people who have survived as long as 20 years, but the average would be about 9 or 10. Each individual case will vary.

How is Alzheimer’s Treated?
Through the use of drugs such as; donepezil, rivastigmine and tacrine, symptoms such as; anxiety, depression, mood swings and sleep problems can be slowed down or subsided. Although there is no current cure for AD, symptoms can be controlled to make life easier for the patient and their loved ones.

Clinical Trials
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is leading the way in clinical trials. Scientists are also finding that inflammation in the brain may play a role in AD. Drugs that reduce inflammation are being used in these clinical trials to see if the progression of brain deterioration can be stopped. As of today nothing is conclusive. Studies involving antioxidants are currently being conducted to see if certain vitamins such as vitamin
E and C can slow down AD. Scientists are also looking at estrogen, folic acid and ginkgo biloba. A promising surgery has been conducted on a handful of patients. Many other clinical trials are on-going in the fight against AD.

The article is intended for informational purposes only and is not meant to replace diagnosis or treatment of AD by a qualified physician.

Most cysts are harmless (benign) and self-contained, filled with air, fluids or semi-solid substances such as sebum.

Cyst Diagnosis
Many times a suspicious cyst is examined through a procedure called needle aspiration. The fluids and other materials drawn from the cyst are tested for infection and any evidence of uncontrolled cell growth.

Cyst Treatments
Many times a physician will prescribe antibiotics and pain relievers instead of recommending surgical intervention. A sebaceous cyst may cause an unsightly lump under the skin, but removal is not medically necessary. More severe cyst formations may require lancing, followed by a regime of sterile bandages and antibiotics. Until a severe cyst has drained completely, secondary infections are always a concern.

Common Types of Cysts

Fibroids
Fibroids are noncancerous growths that occur most often in the walls of the uterus.Read More about Fibroids

Ovarian Cysts
These cysts are made up of clear fluid filled sacs that develop in the ovary as part of the normal development of an egg. These cysts can grow as large as 1.5 inches. Most Ovarian Cysts are non-cancerous and go away on their own . Read more about Ovarian Cysts

Breast Cysts
Fibrocystic changes are the most common cause of breast lumps in women ages 30 to 50. This condition is not cancerous. At least 60% of the women in their reproductive years have “lumpy” breasts as a result of these non-cancerous conditions. The tenderness and lump size generally increases the week before the menstrual period and will subside somewhat the week following. Read more about Breast Lumps.

4 Things Cause Sciatica… What’s Causing Your Pain?
If you’re reading this article, it’s a good bet that you have a radiating pain running down the back of your leg that just won’t go away. If what I’m about to tell you sounds familiar, don’t worry, help is on the way.

I guarantee you that what you are about to read will likely be far different than what you have read or heard anywhere else!

First, let me tell you why today’s traditional treatment methods for sciatic nerve pain just flat out miss the boat. The medical community is so conditioned and focused on treating only the symptoms and trying to get in as many patients a day as possible, that many people are misdiagnosed and/or mistreated.

In order to get rid of your sciatica you must first know what is causing your pain… there are 4 conditions that can cause sciatica.

The pain is simply caused by pressure being placed on the sciatic nerve and there are primarily four things that can create this… you may have one or more of the following:

Condition #1 - Piriformis Syndrome

The most common cause of sciatic pain and is created when pressure is placed on the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle. Muscle imbalances pull the hip joints and pelvis out of place and this changes the positioning of the piriformis muscle, which then places pressure on the sciatic nerve. Whatever the case, muscle imbalances will cause major problems and are the underlying cause of sciatica due to piriformis syndrome.

Condition #2 - Herniated Discs

Pressure caused by a herniated or bulging disc. A herniation is when a disc protrudes out from between the vertebrae and this can either be caused by an event like a car accident, or, by months or years of uneven pressure due to muscle imbalances. This can sometimes cause sciatic pain, but it is also important to note that many people with herniated discs don’t even experience pain or symptoms, and many don’t know they have the condition.

Condition #3 - Spinal Stenosis

Pressure caused by spinal stenosis, which is a decrease in the space between the vertebrae. This is primarily caused by uneven pressure and compression due to muscle imbalances.

Condition #4 - Isthmic Spondylolisthesis

Pressure caused by Isthmic spondylolisthesis which is simply when a vertebrae slips or moves… this can sometimes pinch the sciatic nerve but often times people who have this condition don’t have any sciatic pain, symptoms, or even know they have it!

As you can see, there is a trend here…

In Nearly Every Case Of Sciatica, Muscle Imbalances Are The Primary Cause Of The Pressure Being Placed On The Sciatic Nerve…

If you are not sure which one of the four is causing your sciatica, I recommend you start with the basics. Most cases of sciatic pain are caused by muscle imbalances so if you begin to work on correcting any muscle imbalances you have, you should start to see improvement right away…. and likely eliminate your sciatic pain in a few weeks or less!

There are several self assessments you can perform to help identify which specific muscle imbalances you have and these are covered in our Lose the Back Pain System, along with step-by-step instructions on what to do to eliminate your imbalances and sciatic nerve pain…

Sciatica comes about either due to a traumatic event, muscle imbalances, or a combination of both…

The event scenario is most likely the catalyst for sudden onset of sciatic pain. So what happens… when there is undue stress on the Piriformis muscle that stress causes it to go into spasm and then you have pain due to the Piriformis muscle putting pressure on the sciatic nerve.

In most cases, people go to physical therapy or minimize their physical activity to break the pain – spasm cycle and in most cases your symptoms subside. However…the event will also set you up for a lifetime of sciatic pain if the Piriformis muscle does not recover 100% in both strength and flexibility.

When you have an injury to a muscle, both strength and flexibility are compromised, and if your recovery ends before strength and flexibility return, you will never be 100% and will likely struggle with the problem forever.

The other way sciatic pain creeps into your life is due to your lifestyle and habits, and that is what we like to call the process. The process can be described as a prolonged onset of symptoms based on your everyday activities…

However, from a technical stand point the process really describes the development of the muscle imbalance in your hip. The Piriformis muscle is responsible for external rotation (moving your leg so your feet point outward). So over time that muscle gets tight from the positions you put yourself in and weakens from lack of use.

Let me give you some examples of what I mean:

1. If you sit on the edge of your chair with you legs separated and your feet pointing outward you are keeping your Piriformis muscle in a shortened position and that’s how it gets tight and with extended sitting in that position, it gets weak form lack of use. Hence the imbalance.

2. Another example is runners and bikers who actually work very hard tend to get sciatica because they fail to keep a strength vs. stretch balance in their workouts. Hence the imbalance creates a greater pull toward external rotation and the result is a tight Piriformis and an irritated sciatic nerve creating pain.

These are just two examples of how muscle imbalances can affect the Piriformis muscle and cause sciatic pain. You may not be a runner or cyclist but I’ll bet you have muscle imbalances that are causing your sciatic pain!

So how do you get rid of your sciatic pain?

Will learning one new stretch be enough? It very well may be. However depending on the severity of your condition you may need to change your activities of daily living to include new stretches, new exercises that include the use of the hip rotators like roller-blading, basketball, tennis, etc, and even better, specific corrective exercise specific to your situation… like those covered in our Lose the Back Pain System.

As always, learn as much as you can about your condition, so that you can ask the tough questions to your healthcare providers and get the best care possible.

Symptoms Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome vary quite widely from patient to patient, but there are some common symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome that can indicate an IBS diagnosis.

IBS Symptoms Include:

• diarrhea
• constipation
• alternating diarrhea and constipation
• stomach pain
• bloating
• excess gas or wind
• nausea.

You do not need to have all of these symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome to be diagnosed with the disease, but patients will usually have some diarrhea or constipation plus stomach pain. These symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome keep coming back over a period of time, as IBS is a fairly long-term condition, and should not be confused with normal stomach upsets or occasional bouts of constipation.

Generally, patients with symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome find that they fit into one of three groups - diarrhea-predominant IBS, constipation-predominant IBS, or alternating diarrhea and constipation.

One of the common symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in IBS sufferers is that their stomach pain is relieved when they have a bowel movement. They may find that the consistency or shape of their stool changes, and they may also pass some mucus in the stool.

It is vital that you are properly diagnosed with IBS by a medical professional, as bowel symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be the result of many other health conditions such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel diseases. It is not possible to accurately self-diagnosis IBS and you may put your health at risk if you do so. In particular, the following symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome are not typical of IBS and must be investigated further:

• pain that often awakens/interferes with sleep
• diarrhea that often awakens/interferes with sleep
• blood in your stool
• weight loss
• fever
• abnormal physical examination.

Most individuals are surprised to learn they are not alone with symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. In fact, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects approximately 10-20% of the general population. It is the most common disease diagnosed by gastroenterologists (doctors who specialize in medical treatment of disorders of the stomach and intestines) and one of the most common disorders seen by primary care physicians.

Sometimes irritable bowel syndrome is referred to as spastic colon, mucous colitis, spastic colitis, nervous stomach, or irritable colon.
Irritable bowel syndrome is understood as a multi-faceted disorder. Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome result from what appears to be a disturbance in the interaction between the gut or intestines, the brain, and the autonomic nervous system that alters regulation of bowel motility (motor function) or sensory function.

In symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome abdominal pain or discomfort is associated with a change in bowel pattern, such as loose or more frequent bowel movements, diarrhea, and/or constipation.

Treatment options are available to manage IBS - whether the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome are mild, moderate, or severe.

Wendy Butler is committed to helping people promote and protect their health. Read more about IBS here: http://www.web-find-it.com/health/irritable-bowel-syndrome/index.html

Insomnia: Break the Cycle and Get Some Sleep!
by: Kristina Haisten

Insomnia is a common sleep sickness that affects many people around the world. For some, it is a chronic situation that may require medical attention; for others, an occasional nuisance. Whichever applies to you, a few tested methods can help.

You know the frustration of looking repeatedly at your clock while tossing and in your bed. It’s mental and emotional stress to say the least. Just when you think you might drift off due to pure exhaustion, your alarm rings and you dread trying to get through the day with no energy.

Well, it’s time to break that cycle. Here are some tips to help you fall asleep faster and sleep better through the night.

1) Go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time, EVERYDAY, even on the weekends. Some insomniacs try to catch up on lost sleep by napping on Saturday or Sunday or “sleeping in”. This is the biggest mistake you can make. You will disturb your body clock and make your insomnia worse. If you can’t sleep one night, get up the usual time the next morning. If you stick with a schedule, you’ll set your body clock and start sleeping like a baby. You might even find you can do without an alarm altogether.

2) Don’t eat within 4 hours of your bedtime. If you’re really hungry have a very light snack or a glass of milk. But don’t indulge in an “eat-all-you-can” feast right before bedtime. Your body has to work hard to digest that food and this could result in discomfort while you’re trying to sleep.

3) Don’t drink caffeine or alcohol. Both can increase your heart rate and keep you from relaxing enough to fall asleep. Alcohol can make you feel drowsy, but once that drowsiness wears off, the restlessness will begin.

4) Manage your stress and develop outlets to work out problems during the day. Find ways to relax and stay fit. Exercise daily to release tension. Other ways to find harmony are meditating, practicing yoga, use the power of prayer or use breathing exercises to relax. Try not to take your worries to bed with you; remember that you can not do everything at once. A good night’s rest will better prepare you to face your problems.

5) Never force yourself to sleep. Do not concentrate on falling asleep, just try to empty your mind. Sleep comes best if you are in a relaxed and comfortable state. Just lie down, relax, and let the sleeping fairy cast its spell upon you.

6) Fueling your body with nutritional foods and making sure you are getting all the vitamins and minerals you need to have a strong body during the day will also help you sleep at night. Choose a healthy eating plan that provides the appropriate mix of protein, carbohydrates and fats.

Kris Haisten provides health and nutrition advice and promotes good health thru Fruta Vida International. For a complete nutritional supplement with a great taste visit http://www.Frutavidarightnow.com