Health News. Lots of resources and information

1. If the patient has symptoms such as thirst, polyuria (increase in frequency of urine), unexplained weight loss, and marked glucosuria (increase in urine sugar), the diagnosis of diabetes can be made by fasting hyperglycaemia. If fasting venous plasma glucose concentration alone is in the diagnostic (140mg%) range or random venous plasma glucose concentration is 200 mg% then an oral glucose tolerance test is not required. (According to ADA 1997 Fasting Blood Sugar if > 126 mg% diagnosis of diabetes can be made).2. If a patient is asymptomatic or has only minimal symptoms or fasting venous plasma glucose levels are not unequivocally in the diagnostic range then a glucose tolerance test is required to establish or exclude the diagnosis of diabetes.3. A glucose tolerance test is necessary to establ ish the presence of IGT (Impaired Glucose Tolerance).*21\329\8*

The human female cannot get pregnant when she is already pregnant. This is the underlying operative principle of the oral contraceptive pill. By mimicking the hormonal effects of pregnancy, ovulation and conception are prevented. In the beginning of oral contraception, hormone doses were very high. They succeeded as a means of contraception but the side effects of oestrogen and progesterone prescribed in this way tended to be unbearable. Over the years the dose of hormones necessary to prevent ovulation have been reduced, along side their propensity to produce side effects.
It must be emphasized that it is not possible to go on the oral contraceptive pill, without suffering some of the side effects of pregnancy. If the course of contraception doesn’t mimic the effects of pregnancy, ovulation and fertilization are bound to continue. The pill just will not work. Modern sequential hormone combinations have tried to mimic more closely the hormonal profile of the normal menstrual cycle and they have succeeded fairly well. By the same token, as the doses do approximate the normal menstrual cycle, their efficacy as a form of contraception is also significantly lessened.

*5/131/5*

Several new strategies have recently been presented to help control your weight, and they are gaining credibility in the scientific community. Most prominent among them are the following:
- Eat breakfast. According to new Mayo Clinic research, you’ll be more likely to burn fat if you eat this meal. People who chronically skip breakfast burn an average of 150 fewer calories per day than regular breakfast eaters. The proposed reason? Breakfast eaters awake with a souped-up metabolism; breakfast skippers greet each day cold and tired with the “metabolic furnace” set on low until lunch.
- Eat wet foods. Try a juicy apple or cup of soup instead of a dry granola bar or bag of popcorn. Recent experiments show that water content within foods plays a critical role in weight control. Dehydration stimulates the appetite, and eating foods with high water content will make you feel full even more than drinking water to wash down dry foods with the same calorie count.
- Eat large servings of low-calorie foods rather than small amounts of calorie-dense foods. You’ll feel fuller on fewer calories.
- Don’t eliminate fat. It adds flavor, and if fat levels get too low, biochemical systems trigger intense pig-out cravings. Keep fat calories to 20-30 percent of your total, and boost your fiber intake.
- Eat more monounsaturated fats. New research seems to indicate that eating monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil, works better in delaying hunger cravings than other fats.
- Eat nuts. Studies show that a well-timed handful of nuts satisfies the appetite and prevents overeating.
- Narrow your choices. If it’s not there, you won’t eat it. Don’t stock your kitchen with foods you’d best avoid. If you don’t have all kinds of choices, you won’t be so intrigued by feeding options, and as a result you may eat less.
- Eat a well-rounded diet. Never eat fewer than 1,000 calories per day.
- It’s better to burn calories than to cut them. If you eat fewer calories, your body compensates by slowing its metabolic rate, leaving you sluggish, cold, and craving more. Exercising helps boost metabolism and counteract any fat-guarding legacy you may have inherited.
- Lift weights. A Tufts study of women who took up moderate weight lifting found they averaged 35 percent to 76 percent increases in strength, improved their balance by 14 percent, and boosted bone density by 1 percent. Muscle mass increases basal metabolic rate, and hence, more calorie burning.
- Start fidgeting. A recent study suggests that constantly repeated mini-movements, such as those you make when fidgeting, may play a tremendous role in weight control. Every little motion adds up. Walk around while talking on that cordless phone. Keep walking while brushing your teeth. Every little bit counts.
*22/277/5*

A study at Erasmus University in Rotterdam on linoleic acid makes it likely that evening primrose oil will also slow down the development of damage to the eyes and to the heart in diabetics.
The Dutch researchers conducted an important five-year study. Diabetics were divided into two groups, one taking a diet with four times as much linoleic acid as the other. At the end of the five years, diabetic eye disease was half as common in the high linoleic acid group as in the group taking normal amounts of linoleic acid.
New heart disease was three times as common in the group taking normal amounts of linoleic acid as in the high linoleic acid group. This meant that large amounts of linoleic acid could sharply reduce the risk of long-term eye and heart damage in diabetics.
The Dutch researchers also found that the diabetic patients on the diet high in linoleic acid needed less insulin. In another study, in which patients received a high linoleic acid intake over seven years, diabetic retinopathy was substantially reduced.

*3/60/5*

An electroencephalogram (EEG) records the electrical activity of the brain; your ‘brain waves’. Abnormalities of electrical activity show up on the EEG recording in about 75 per cent of people who have epilepsy. But an abnormal EEG does not necessarily mean that you have epilepsy, and neither does a normal EEG prove that you do not have epilepsy.
An EEG recording takes about one hour. Small silver discs (electrodes) will be attached to your scalp with a special glue. This does not involve any shaving of the hair, although your hair may have little tacky bits in it afterwards and need to be washed. During the recording you will be asked to do various things which are likely to provoke epileptic activity, including opening and closing your eyes, overbreathing and sitting in front of a flickering disco-like lamp (a strobe).
Sleep enhances epileptic activity in some people who have perfectly normal EEGs while they are awake. If your sleep EEG is to be recorded, you will probably be asked to take a sleeping tablet (seconal) to help you sleep during the day in the unfamiliar laboratory surroundings.
The specialist’s report on your EEG may mention the following terms:
Paroxysmal activity
Spike and wave
These first two observations are both suggestive of generalized epilepsy.
Focal spikes These indicate that there is abnormal activity in one part of the brain, suggesting partial epilepsy.
Generalized slow activity This often indicates that there is some underlying brain dysfunction, though it is not necessarily epilepsy.
*18\193\2*

Dietary considerations
The Airola Diet with emphasis on raw foods. Several small meals, instead of a few large ones. Use plenty of raw seeds and nuts, also sprouted seeds. Cold-pressed vegetable oils, particularly safflower oil, flax seed oil and olive oil, should be used regularly. Make sure they are not rancid.
Avoid all hydrogenated fats and excess of saturated fats. Avoid meat, salt, and all refined and processed foods. Particularly avoid all white sugar and white flour and all products made with them. It has been clearly demonstrated that excessive consumption of white sugar and refined foods is one of the prime causes of hardening of the arteries and heart disease.
Avoid overeating and consequent obesity – a proven major cause of arteriosclerosis.

Biological treatments
1.   Repeated short juice fasts, one week to ten days.
2.  Plenty of outdoor exercise. Sedentary life is one of the major contributing causes of arteriosclerosis.
3.   Eliminate all mental stresses and worries – also well-known contributing causes of arteriosclerosis.
4.   Eliminate all environmental sources of metal poisoning, such as aluminum or copper cooking utensils, copper or lead plumbing, lead-glazed ceramics, contaminated water, etc. Toxic metals entering the body are known to be deposited on the walls of the aorta and the arteries.
5.   Stop smoking. Smoking constricts the arteries and aggravates the condition.

Vitamins and supplements (daily)
С – in large doses up to 3,000 mg. Even more in severe cases.
Combined bioflavonoids (rutin, citrin, hesperidins) – 300-600 mg.
E-600 to 1,200 IU.
Lecithin – 2 tbsp. of granules
Flax seed oil – 2 tsp.
B-complex, high potency, natural
Chromium (occurs in raw sugar, cane juice and in naturally hard water)
Niacin – 100-500 mg., preferably under doctor’s supervision
B6 – 50 mg.
Inositol – 500 mg.
Choline – 500 mg.
Brewer’s yeast – 2-3 tbsp. a day
Magnesium – 400 mg.
Calcium – 500 mg.
Kelp – 1 tsp. granules or 5 tablets

Juices
All available fresh, raw vegetable and fruit juices, in season Grapefruit juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and green juice are especially beneficial.

Herbs
Comfrey, garlic, cayenne, golden seal, mistletoe leaves, hawthorn berries, rose hips.

Specifics
Vitamins С, Е, B6 lecithin niacin, chromium, magnesium, flax seed oil, garlic, systematic under-eating, plenty of exercise.

Notes:
1.    Some biologically oriented doctors use chelation therapy in treatment of arteriosclerosis,     with reported success.
2.    Vitamin С helps in conversion of cholesterol into bile acids, as has been demonstrated in animal studies. This leads to the conclusion that vitamin С deficiency may cause elevated blood cholesterol and be involved in causation of arteriosclerosis.

*1/103/5*

The cancer itself interferes with appetite and food intake. Radiation and chemotherapy contribute to lack of appetite, changes in the sense of taste, sore mouth, nausea, and vomiting so that food intake is reduced. Vomiting and diarrhea interfere with the absorption of nutrients and lead to fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Chemotherapeutic agents can also cause hemorrhagic colitis or cystitis.
Even though the therapy prescribed may reduce or stop tumor growth, severe malnutrition can interfere with recovery. Foods from the regular diet should be used whenever they are tolerated because this helps to maintain morale as well as enhancing nutrition. When foods become tasteless, or unpleasant to the taste, the attractive appearance and aroma of food are more important than ever. Milk, eggnogs, and milk shakes or commercial food supplements should be given between meals as additional sources of calories and protein. It is a good idea to start these feedings before therapy begins so that the patient has accepted them as a pattern throughout his treatment.
With chemotherapy or radiation of head and neck areas the mouth becomes very sore so that chewing or swallowing can be extremely painful. The consistency of the diet must be modified according to individual need: soft-fiber restricted diet, soft diet with all foods ground or pureed; or full-fluid diet sipped through a straw. Foods that are spicy, or sour such as citrus fruits or with vinegar, coarse in texture, or very hot or very cold should be avoided. When oral food intake is inadequate, nasogastric or gastrostomy tube feedings may be used. Hyperalimentation is sometimes used to maintain nutritional status.

Radiation of head and neck areas
Radiation brings about an altered sense of taste, extremely dry mouth, and lack of appetite. Exposure of the salivary glands to radiation leads to a reduced flow of thick, viscous saliva so that swallowing becomes difficult. Selecting moist foods or mixing dry foods with sauces and gravies will aid in swallowing. Tilting the head back while eating also makes swallowing easier. The reduction in the saliva leads to great increase in tooth decay. Therefore foods high in sugar content must be avoided – candy, cake, cookies, jellies, soft drinks containing sugar, and coffee or tea with sugar.

Radiation of abdomen, pelvis
The adverse effects of radiation include small bowel enteritis, diarrhea, and malabsorption. Usually a soft fiber-restricted diet or very low-residue diet is prescribed. Lactase deficiency is sometimes present, in which case milk should be omitted.
An elemental diet may be prescribed if diarrhea persists. This is a diet developed commercially that leaves a minimum of residue and that requires a minimum of digestion.* Elemental diets are unpalatable, but are taken better if they are mixed with some rum or fruit juices. They should be served very cold. These diets are also hyperosmolar which means that they will draw additional fluid into the intestines so that cramping occurs. To avoid this effect the diet should be given at half strength for the first two days, three fourths strength for the next two days, and full strength by the fifth day. They should always be sipped slowly to avoid the gas pains.

Dietary counseling
Individual or group counseling are used. One advantage of group counseling is that patients can encourage and help each other to improve their food intakes. Patients need to know how the food groups contribute to the various nutrients; tips on increasing the caloric and protein content of the diet; the importance of chewing food well and relaxing to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort; the advantages of frequent small meals; and how to prepare food at home.
*4/234/5*

Rheumatoid arthritis affects the body in many ways. This disorder involves much more than simply arthritis.

Is RA a disease of “old people”?
No, rheumatoid arthritis is quite common in young men and women. The mean age of development of rheumatoid arthritis is somewhere around the age of 50.

Is this a lifelong disease?
Since the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, a cure is not yet possible. For this reason, it is a lifelong disease. RA is, however, a very treatable illness. In fact, an increasing number of new therapies are currently being developed for the treatment of this illness. It pays, therefore, to do everything in your power early on to stop the progression of the illness.

Might the joints in my neck he affected?
RA of the thoracic spine (chest) and the lumbar spine (the lower back) is very rare and is usually associated with another illness. However, the spine in the neck area can be greatly affected. Early on, the neck can get very stiff and even lose some range of motion.

What about my shoulders?
Loss of motion of the shoulders is a common finding in RA patients. In fact, the shoulders can become frozen in place. The pain is worse at night when you are sleeping because the movements during sleep stretch the tightened joint capsule. This capsule gets really tight when there is extra fluid in the shoulder joint, which is not always obvious to the doctor.

How are the elbows affected?
Inflammation in the elbows is easily detected. Because a number of nerves pass through the elbow, a variety of confusing symptoms develops, including weakness of the pinky finger and numbness of the fourth and fifth fingers. Moreover, as the disease worsens, the elbow can become immobile and stay in a flexed or bent position until properly treated.
*11/141/5*

Stage 4. At this point, inflamed synovium can grow (proliferate), spreading over the top of joint cartilage. When synovium grows in this way, it is called pannus. The pannus produces enzymes called collagenases, which can destroy collagen, the cartilage proteins. Neutrophils in the joint fluid can also release harmful enzymes. Although there are many beneficial enzymes in the body, these particular enzymes can break down, or degrade, the cartilage that protects the bone and joints.
Collagenases can also cause bone to break down in the area in which the synovitis meets bone. This results in the formation of tiny holes or erosions in the bone and cartilage. Erosions often occur first at the point at which protective cartilage ends at the margins of joints.
Stage 5. If the arthritis is left untreated, the pannus can further invade and erode through cartilage and bone by producing more enzymes. Any loss of cartilage reduces the amount of cushioning between the bones of the joint.
When cartilage is roughened by this erosion, the ability to have smooth joint motion is lost. People with RA can feel a grating sensation in the joint during movement, and their physicians can feel the grating of the joint during physical examination. This grating is called crepitus. If the breakdown of cartilage is persistent, the cartilage can be totally eroded by
In stage 5 RA uncontrolled swelling can cause ligaments and tendons to stretch, adding to the instability of the joint. Muscles become smaller (atrophy) and weaker because of disuse. Stretched ligaments and tendons and atrophied muscles interfere with the joint’s ability to function properly, often resulting in a joint that does not move as it was intended to. Inflammation and pannus can spread along the tendons in tenosynovitis, making the tendons weak and putting them at risk for rupture. When the cartilage is eroded and the supporting structures are loosened, other changes often occur which alter the shape and function of the joint. These mechanical changes are a result more of abnormal forces occurring across the joint than of ongoing inflammation in the joint itself.
Late in this stage, after the cartilage is totally eroded, the amount of inflammation and swelling often decreases. This is sometimes referred to as a burned-out joint. At this stage the stretched supporting structures can actually become even looser as the swelling pushing against them decreases. The looseness of these supporting structures can seriously affect the stability of the joint.
*9/209/5*

I identify with the woman described in the following poem from Ruth Graham’s book Sitting by My Laughing Fire:
She waited for the call
That never came; searched every mail
For a letter, or a note,
Or card,
That bore his name;
And on her knees
At night
And on her feet
All day, she stormed Heaven’s Gate
In his behalf-she plead for him
In Heaven’s high court.
“Be still and wait,” the word
He gave; and so she knew
He would do in, and for, and with him,
That which she never could.
Doubts ignored, she went about her chores with joy;
Knowing, though spurned,
His word was true.
The prodigal had not returned
But God was God,
And there was work to do.
For me, that describes hope. Hope is the essential ingredient to make it through life. It is the anchor of the soul. The Lord is good to those who hope in Him. If your hope is gone, it can be rekindled. You can regain hope—you can refocus your view and wait on the Lord to renew your strength.
The title of this chapter may be puzzling you. How can you feel better if you’ve given up hope? What it means is, once you give up hope in all your own efforts and quit depending on your own strength, that’s when you can start to have REAL HOPE in what God can do!
Think of your life, with all the mistakes, sins, and woes of the past, like the tangles in a ball of yarn. It’s such a mess that you could never begin to straighten it out. It is such a comfort to drop the tangles of life into God’s hands, and then LEAVE THEM THERE. If there is one message I want to share with you, it is to place your child, your spouse, your friend, whomever it might be, in God’s hands and release the load to Him. God alone can untangle the threads of our lives. WHAT A JOY AND COMFORT IT CAN BE TO DROP ALL THE TANGLES OF LIFE INTO GOD’S HANDS AND THEN SIMPLY LEAVE THEM THERE! That’s what hope is all about.
*15\316\2*