Mouth cancer is a painful disease. It can affect your lips, tongue, cheeks and even your throat in a short period of time. The sign is a non-healing mouth ulcer or a red o white patch in the mouth.
This disease can affect anyone. It does not matter if you are a young or an old person.The important thing is the way of leading your life,because experts believe that mouth cancer is increasing probably due to drinking alcohol and smoking in huge quantities, and to a poor diet also.
It is believed that these people are up to 30 times more likely to develop this type of cancer thann those who do not smoke nor drink alcohol.
The Brithish Dental Health Foundation estimates mouth cancer kills 1,700 people in the United Kingdom every year, meanwhile 4,300 new cases are diagnosed.
Thereby the importance of warningpeople of all ages to check their mouth regularly, since if mouth cancer is diagnosed early, it can be treated successfully in most cases.
Rememberthat the way to diminish considerably your risk of being affected by mouth cancer is leading a healthy lifestyle, giving up smoking, cutting down on alcohol and eating a healthy diet.
Regular self-examination is very important too, because you shall visit your doctor or dentist if you notice persistent ulcers, lumpsor red or white patches in your mouth.
13 Ocak 2008 Pazar
Omega-3 and Triglycerides: Could It Really Be That Simple?
We are wise to be wary of oversimplification. There is nothing that can cure everything. For example, if everyone on the face of the planet stopped smoking it would not wipe out the existence of lung disease. But I wonder how much lung disease would be wiped out if nobody smoked. My unscientific answer to that query is, “a whole heck of a lot.” Lung disease (as well as many other chronic conditions) would see a dramatic decline if smoking ceased. Yet in spite of all the warnings and scientific evidence people continue to smoke.
But I am not on the anti-smoking bandwagon…today. Today’s focus is on triglycerides. Triglycerides have become increasingly important in heart health matters. Many studies have suggested that elevated triglyceride levels not only indicate problems but are themselves the cause of some of these problems.
Triglycerides essentially have two sources in our bodies. First off our bodies produce them. They are necessary for life and are the most common type of fat in our energy storage system. The second source of triglycerides is the diet. We consume them in the foods we eat and our bodies convert some foods into triglycerides.
In some cases we might experience elevated triglycerides because of aging or certain medical conditions or even the medications we take to treat these medical conditions. But none of these reasons is the primary cause for the general increase in triglycerides. That credit goes to diet. But that is too simple and perhaps too painful. The fact is we eat too much for the amount of exercise we get and we eat the wrong types of foods.
So what are we to do? The simple (though not easy) answer is watch your diet and get some exercise. Of course while you are at it you could stop smoking. This very simple answer is a very good one. Diet is the main contributor to elevated triglycerides.
The particulars of diet I can save for another place and time. But there is one aspect of diet that we need to discuss now. That has to do with omega-3. Omega-3 is a scientific notation for an essential fatty acid that has been shown to provide significant health benefits in many areas. One of these areas concerns elevated triglycerides. In case you are unaware of it this is no secret. Sorry. I love to be the first to reveal a new discovery. But this is old news. In fact a statement made in a 2002 American Heart Association Circulation entitled, “Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Cardiovascular Disease,” put it this way, “The hypotriglyceridemic effects of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils are well established.” That is a fancy way of saying that omega-3 from fish oils lowers triglycerides and there is abundant scientific evidence to prove it.
So if this is not news why bring it up now? Two reasons come to mind. The first is that a well established fact in the research community isn’t the same as a well established fact where you and I live. Many controlled studies may have proven that omega-3 significantly lowers triglycerides but that doesn’t mean it is common knowledge on the street. The other reason is one we all know too well. Just because we know we should do something is not the same as doing it. I may have high triglycerides. I may also know that this condition poses a significant health risk. I may further know that changing my diet and taking fish oil supplements can greatly reduce this health risk. None of this implies that I will actually take action.
The old adage, “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink,” seems to always hold true. But I can give the horse a little salt to increase his thirst. Here is a little salt. In one randomized trial two groups of patients with elevated triglycerides were compared. One group received simvastatin plus 4 grams of Omacor containing 90% omega-3 fatty acids. The second group also received the same amount of simvastatin plus a placebo. The first group (the one ingesting the fish oils) showed a 20 to 30% greater reduction in serum triglycerides than the second group. They also experienced a 30 to 40% greater reduction of VLDL cholesterol. VLDL can be converted in the body to LDL cholesterol. That is the bad stuff. To further support these findings a review of human studies concluded that four grams per day of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) reduced serum triglyceride levels by 25-30%. If this is not enough encouragement consider this. The American Heart Association resisted recommending fish oil supplements for some time though it encouraged eating fish. That has all changed. The AHA now recommends fish oil supplements for people with documented coronary heart disease or those with high triglycerides.
Omega-3 has many sources but can be divided into two categories. The first is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which is derived from vegetative sources such as flax seed oil, soybean oil, and canola oil to mention a very few. The second category is represented by eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Both of these are found predominantly in cold water fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel and tuna. Though all omega-3 fatty acids appear to lower triglycerides the cold water fish varieties have been shown to provide a much stronger effect. That is why fish oil supplements are much more common than alpha-linolenic acid supplements. Many quality supplements, however, provide a combination of the two types.
The nice thing about omega-3 regardless of the source is that it is naturally in our foods. We simply need to eat the right types of food. There seems to be an epidemic in our culture. That epidemic is the attitude among many that says, “I will wait until something is broken and then I will fix it with a pill.” In other words, we live carelessly until we have a health problem. Then we run to the doctor and ask for a prescription. Not only is this expensive it seems a little backwards to me. I would rather consume the types of foods that I should and prevent a few trips to the doctor.
So what is the recommendation? Eat well. For proper triglyceride levels include ample servings of cold water fish like salmon. If your triglycerides are already high consult with your doctor about supplementing your diet with fish oils from a trusted source. The American Heart Association recommends two to four grams per day of DHA plus EPA for people with high triglycerides.
One more thing. We are all aware that some fish contain poisons such as mercury. Therefore it is important to purchase fish oil supplements from a trusted source. Quality supplements are free from these contaminants. They may cost a little more in the short run but they are worth it.
About the author:
Greg has degrees in science divinity and philosophy and is currently an I.T. developer
But I am not on the anti-smoking bandwagon…today. Today’s focus is on triglycerides. Triglycerides have become increasingly important in heart health matters. Many studies have suggested that elevated triglyceride levels not only indicate problems but are themselves the cause of some of these problems.
Triglycerides essentially have two sources in our bodies. First off our bodies produce them. They are necessary for life and are the most common type of fat in our energy storage system. The second source of triglycerides is the diet. We consume them in the foods we eat and our bodies convert some foods into triglycerides.
In some cases we might experience elevated triglycerides because of aging or certain medical conditions or even the medications we take to treat these medical conditions. But none of these reasons is the primary cause for the general increase in triglycerides. That credit goes to diet. But that is too simple and perhaps too painful. The fact is we eat too much for the amount of exercise we get and we eat the wrong types of foods.
So what are we to do? The simple (though not easy) answer is watch your diet and get some exercise. Of course while you are at it you could stop smoking. This very simple answer is a very good one. Diet is the main contributor to elevated triglycerides.
The particulars of diet I can save for another place and time. But there is one aspect of diet that we need to discuss now. That has to do with omega-3. Omega-3 is a scientific notation for an essential fatty acid that has been shown to provide significant health benefits in many areas. One of these areas concerns elevated triglycerides. In case you are unaware of it this is no secret. Sorry. I love to be the first to reveal a new discovery. But this is old news. In fact a statement made in a 2002 American Heart Association Circulation entitled, “Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Cardiovascular Disease,” put it this way, “The hypotriglyceridemic effects of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils are well established.” That is a fancy way of saying that omega-3 from fish oils lowers triglycerides and there is abundant scientific evidence to prove it.
So if this is not news why bring it up now? Two reasons come to mind. The first is that a well established fact in the research community isn’t the same as a well established fact where you and I live. Many controlled studies may have proven that omega-3 significantly lowers triglycerides but that doesn’t mean it is common knowledge on the street. The other reason is one we all know too well. Just because we know we should do something is not the same as doing it. I may have high triglycerides. I may also know that this condition poses a significant health risk. I may further know that changing my diet and taking fish oil supplements can greatly reduce this health risk. None of this implies that I will actually take action.
The old adage, “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink,” seems to always hold true. But I can give the horse a little salt to increase his thirst. Here is a little salt. In one randomized trial two groups of patients with elevated triglycerides were compared. One group received simvastatin plus 4 grams of Omacor containing 90% omega-3 fatty acids. The second group also received the same amount of simvastatin plus a placebo. The first group (the one ingesting the fish oils) showed a 20 to 30% greater reduction in serum triglycerides than the second group. They also experienced a 30 to 40% greater reduction of VLDL cholesterol. VLDL can be converted in the body to LDL cholesterol. That is the bad stuff. To further support these findings a review of human studies concluded that four grams per day of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) reduced serum triglyceride levels by 25-30%. If this is not enough encouragement consider this. The American Heart Association resisted recommending fish oil supplements for some time though it encouraged eating fish. That has all changed. The AHA now recommends fish oil supplements for people with documented coronary heart disease or those with high triglycerides.
Omega-3 has many sources but can be divided into two categories. The first is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which is derived from vegetative sources such as flax seed oil, soybean oil, and canola oil to mention a very few. The second category is represented by eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Both of these are found predominantly in cold water fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel and tuna. Though all omega-3 fatty acids appear to lower triglycerides the cold water fish varieties have been shown to provide a much stronger effect. That is why fish oil supplements are much more common than alpha-linolenic acid supplements. Many quality supplements, however, provide a combination of the two types.
The nice thing about omega-3 regardless of the source is that it is naturally in our foods. We simply need to eat the right types of food. There seems to be an epidemic in our culture. That epidemic is the attitude among many that says, “I will wait until something is broken and then I will fix it with a pill.” In other words, we live carelessly until we have a health problem. Then we run to the doctor and ask for a prescription. Not only is this expensive it seems a little backwards to me. I would rather consume the types of foods that I should and prevent a few trips to the doctor.
So what is the recommendation? Eat well. For proper triglyceride levels include ample servings of cold water fish like salmon. If your triglycerides are already high consult with your doctor about supplementing your diet with fish oils from a trusted source. The American Heart Association recommends two to four grams per day of DHA plus EPA for people with high triglycerides.
One more thing. We are all aware that some fish contain poisons such as mercury. Therefore it is important to purchase fish oil supplements from a trusted source. Quality supplements are free from these contaminants. They may cost a little more in the short run but they are worth it.
About the author:
Greg has degrees in science divinity and philosophy and is currently an I.T. developer
Weight Loss? 2 Basic Skills You Need
If you have been dieting, there is a good chance you have lost weight. Unfortunately, large numbers of successful dieters quickly regain the poundage. If you wish to maintain the weight you have lost without developing substitute excesses such as overspending, overworking, excessive drinking or smoking, you must satisfy the emotional hunger that causes people to overeat. To do this you need to master two basic skills – self-nurturing and setting effective limits. Self-nurturing is the ability to check our feelings and needs throughout the day in order to know and honor ourselves and better meet our needs. Setting effective limits is the skill of having reasonable expectations and following through with them. That enables us to take action and have more power and greater safety in our lives.
People who have mastered these two skills are far more likely to be healthy and happy. Learning them is not a quick fix and takes time. But, from the first moment you use them, you will begin to feel better and more satisfied. After these skills are used over and over again, they become integrated into our brains, and the changes are developmental, that is, we begin to feel as if we have a new life.
These are not new concepts. In fact, the essential elements of self-nurturing and setting limits have been part of the scientific literature since at least 1940. The problem is that the current methods used to help people lose weight, don’t involve these skills. So, people lose weight then regain it and begin to believe that they cannot solve their weight problems. They feel powerless and discouraged. All that is unnecessary.
Our patterns for self-nurturing and limits skills were implanted early in life in the feeling brain. The various healing methods for feeling better and turning off the drive to overeat, which are based on insight, knowledge, or analysis, are processed by the thinking brain. Unfortunately, they target the wrong part of our brain. So, we know what we should eat, but we can’t do it. The drives to overeat are too strong.
The Solution Method enables you to reach your feeling brain and retrain it will the skills of nurturing and limits. It’s just like learning to type. The more you practice it, the sooner the skills become automatic. When they do, your inner life naturally favors a life in which the whole range of excesses (not just overeating, but overspending, overworking, drinking too much and smoking) fades. What follows is nothing less than a personal transformation. But, it requires time – usually 18 months to master the basic skills. Group meetings, such as the support provided by the Buddy system, are key.
Until recently, most people were unaware of this method. That proved to be a blessing. It enabled us to study it in relative obscurity. We have been able to train thousands of people in this method.
While using The Solution, you will become aware that there are two worlds: the world above the line and the world below the line. With training, you pump your self-nurturing and limits skills so that you spend more of your day above the line or in a state in which you are emotionally balanced, spiritually connected and intimate with others. Moreover, the annoying drives that cause your excesses – what we call “external solutions” – fade. Life without the self-nurturing and limit setting skills forces you to spend too much time below the line. Life below the line keeps you out of balance. Your excesses flourish, and your life has few rewards.
There are a few explanations for why you lack these skills to nurture yourself and set limits. Modern life requires more skills. Earlier generations were faced with far fewer choices and a less changing society. Indeed, communities were more nurturing. Further, your parents may not have had the ability to teach you these skills. Because these skills are transmitted early in life and are harder to learn later in life, the legacy of imbalance is often perpetuated from one generation to another.
Self-nurturing and limits skills consist of clusters of questions that we ask ourselves over and over – until they become automatic.
The following are the questions for the nurturing skills:
How do I feel?
What do I need?
Do I need support?
The following are the questions for the limits skills:
Are my expectations reasonable?
Is my thinking positive and powerful?
What is the essential pain? What is the earned reward?
The questions posed by the nurturing cycle enable us to access our deepest
feelings. The limits cycle contains our feelings and helps them mature. The goal of the method is the interweaving of the skills. Initially, you use the skills intentionally. That moves us from an imbalanced state to one that is balanced.
It’s extraordinarily powerful to be at the grocery store, stuck in traffic or home alone with the refrigerator packed with food and know that all you have to do is reach for these skills, and, in a matter of moments, you can move yourself above the line. Your drive to overeat will fade. You’ll stop wanting the food. You’ll still enjoy it. But, food becomes just food, not a fix.
What’s more, the groups are fun. We use a buddy system and a warm and wonderful Internet community for support.
People who have mastered these two skills are far more likely to be healthy and happy. Learning them is not a quick fix and takes time. But, from the first moment you use them, you will begin to feel better and more satisfied. After these skills are used over and over again, they become integrated into our brains, and the changes are developmental, that is, we begin to feel as if we have a new life.
These are not new concepts. In fact, the essential elements of self-nurturing and setting limits have been part of the scientific literature since at least 1940. The problem is that the current methods used to help people lose weight, don’t involve these skills. So, people lose weight then regain it and begin to believe that they cannot solve their weight problems. They feel powerless and discouraged. All that is unnecessary.
Our patterns for self-nurturing and limits skills were implanted early in life in the feeling brain. The various healing methods for feeling better and turning off the drive to overeat, which are based on insight, knowledge, or analysis, are processed by the thinking brain. Unfortunately, they target the wrong part of our brain. So, we know what we should eat, but we can’t do it. The drives to overeat are too strong.
The Solution Method enables you to reach your feeling brain and retrain it will the skills of nurturing and limits. It’s just like learning to type. The more you practice it, the sooner the skills become automatic. When they do, your inner life naturally favors a life in which the whole range of excesses (not just overeating, but overspending, overworking, drinking too much and smoking) fades. What follows is nothing less than a personal transformation. But, it requires time – usually 18 months to master the basic skills. Group meetings, such as the support provided by the Buddy system, are key.
Until recently, most people were unaware of this method. That proved to be a blessing. It enabled us to study it in relative obscurity. We have been able to train thousands of people in this method.
While using The Solution, you will become aware that there are two worlds: the world above the line and the world below the line. With training, you pump your self-nurturing and limits skills so that you spend more of your day above the line or in a state in which you are emotionally balanced, spiritually connected and intimate with others. Moreover, the annoying drives that cause your excesses – what we call “external solutions” – fade. Life without the self-nurturing and limit setting skills forces you to spend too much time below the line. Life below the line keeps you out of balance. Your excesses flourish, and your life has few rewards.
There are a few explanations for why you lack these skills to nurture yourself and set limits. Modern life requires more skills. Earlier generations were faced with far fewer choices and a less changing society. Indeed, communities were more nurturing. Further, your parents may not have had the ability to teach you these skills. Because these skills are transmitted early in life and are harder to learn later in life, the legacy of imbalance is often perpetuated from one generation to another.
Self-nurturing and limits skills consist of clusters of questions that we ask ourselves over and over – until they become automatic.
The following are the questions for the nurturing skills:
How do I feel?
What do I need?
Do I need support?
The following are the questions for the limits skills:
Are my expectations reasonable?
Is my thinking positive and powerful?
What is the essential pain? What is the earned reward?
The questions posed by the nurturing cycle enable us to access our deepest
feelings. The limits cycle contains our feelings and helps them mature. The goal of the method is the interweaving of the skills. Initially, you use the skills intentionally. That moves us from an imbalanced state to one that is balanced.
It’s extraordinarily powerful to be at the grocery store, stuck in traffic or home alone with the refrigerator packed with food and know that all you have to do is reach for these skills, and, in a matter of moments, you can move yourself above the line. Your drive to overeat will fade. You’ll stop wanting the food. You’ll still enjoy it. But, food becomes just food, not a fix.
What’s more, the groups are fun. We use a buddy system and a warm and wonderful Internet community for support.
YOUR HEALTH RESOLUTIONS FOR A HEALTHY CHINESE NEW YEAR
The Year of the Green Wooden Rooster is upon us. At the stroke of midnight on the 9th of February 2005, the Chinese New Year will be celebrated. Since the year of the Rooster is about to commence, wouldn’t it be nice to have some health resolutions for a healthy Chinese New Year?
When you have a never-ending to-do list in today’s fast-paced world, you are becoming busier than ever. Therefore, many other things are dropped down on your priority list. Usually, one of the first ones to drop in the list is health. This should never be the case.
There are a lot of creative ways to help keep you in peak condition. Below are some suggested health resolutions to help you get started:
1. Exercise. Exercise offers so many important benefits that it should always be a part of one’s weekly routine. The benefits of regular exercise include a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, bowel cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis, and obesity. In addition to feeling better, regular exercise can help ease stress, anxiety and mild depression.
2. Have a healthy diet. Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. A healthy diet helps prevent or reduce the severity of diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and can also help reduce the risk of some cancers.
3. Put together a good health care team. This includes a dentist, a nutritionist & a medical doctor to help you keep in shape from head to toe.
4. Get enough sleep. At least six up to eight hours a night will do.
5. Quit smoking and drink alcoholic beverages moderately.
6. Drink at least eight glasses of water everyday. Ever feel sluggish? Based on researches, lack of water is the number one trigger of daytime fatigue.
7. Take time everyday to do something you enjoy. Read, paint/draw, dance, cook, talk to a friend, etc.
8. Feed your soul. People may be healthy physically but the spiritual health should never be forgotten.
As the saying goes, “prevention is better than cure and health is wealth.” Whether it is Chinese New Year or not, taking good care of your health is an all-year round obligation that should not be taken for granted. Kung Hei Fat Choi!
When you have a never-ending to-do list in today’s fast-paced world, you are becoming busier than ever. Therefore, many other things are dropped down on your priority list. Usually, one of the first ones to drop in the list is health. This should never be the case.
There are a lot of creative ways to help keep you in peak condition. Below are some suggested health resolutions to help you get started:
1. Exercise. Exercise offers so many important benefits that it should always be a part of one’s weekly routine. The benefits of regular exercise include a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, bowel cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis, and obesity. In addition to feeling better, regular exercise can help ease stress, anxiety and mild depression.
2. Have a healthy diet. Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. A healthy diet helps prevent or reduce the severity of diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and can also help reduce the risk of some cancers.
3. Put together a good health care team. This includes a dentist, a nutritionist & a medical doctor to help you keep in shape from head to toe.
4. Get enough sleep. At least six up to eight hours a night will do.
5. Quit smoking and drink alcoholic beverages moderately.
6. Drink at least eight glasses of water everyday. Ever feel sluggish? Based on researches, lack of water is the number one trigger of daytime fatigue.
7. Take time everyday to do something you enjoy. Read, paint/draw, dance, cook, talk to a friend, etc.
8. Feed your soul. People may be healthy physically but the spiritual health should never be forgotten.
As the saying goes, “prevention is better than cure and health is wealth.” Whether it is Chinese New Year or not, taking good care of your health is an all-year round obligation that should not be taken for granted. Kung Hei Fat Choi!
Popular Varieties of Cigar Boxes -
A cigar box can come in many shapes and sizes, and hold anywhere from five or six items to a complete collection containing hundreds of cigars. Great for gifts, cigar boxes serve both to protect and preserve their contents, and to display them in an attractive, elegant setting.
Modern cigar boxes are often similar to humidors in that they feature climate-controlling features that optimize the temperature and humidity in order to preserve the cigar’s flavor and appearance. Some are custom made out of wood and hand-crafted to suit the exact décor of the buyer’s home.
There is also a large market for antique cigar boxes. Serious collectors fetch hefty prices for containers that date back to the turn of the century or even earlier.
Whether a buyer is seeking a cigar box for aesthetics or for preservation, cigar boxes make perfect gifts for any aficionado. Online merchants such as Cigar King offer some of the finest cigar boxes, available in many price ranges. A simple Cigar Caddy made out of Otter Box can be purchased for under $20, while a classic Ashton humidor of beautiful walnut can run upwards of $1500.
Other discount cigar stores offer boxes at reduced rates, and they can often be shipped to the customer overnight. For those looking for other cigar accessories to compliment a cigar box, there are many brands and styles of lighters, cutters and ashtrays that could make for a perfect gift set for any cigar aficionado.
If you are having trouble locating a suitable cigar store or distributor in your area, consult Cigarworld online for a directory of all local and national cigar outlets. There you will find literally hundreds of locations, both online and off, which offer cigars and cigar accessories to suit any occasion.
Modern cigar boxes are often similar to humidors in that they feature climate-controlling features that optimize the temperature and humidity in order to preserve the cigar’s flavor and appearance. Some are custom made out of wood and hand-crafted to suit the exact décor of the buyer’s home.
There is also a large market for antique cigar boxes. Serious collectors fetch hefty prices for containers that date back to the turn of the century or even earlier.
Whether a buyer is seeking a cigar box for aesthetics or for preservation, cigar boxes make perfect gifts for any aficionado. Online merchants such as Cigar King offer some of the finest cigar boxes, available in many price ranges. A simple Cigar Caddy made out of Otter Box can be purchased for under $20, while a classic Ashton humidor of beautiful walnut can run upwards of $1500.
Other discount cigar stores offer boxes at reduced rates, and they can often be shipped to the customer overnight. For those looking for other cigar accessories to compliment a cigar box, there are many brands and styles of lighters, cutters and ashtrays that could make for a perfect gift set for any cigar aficionado.
If you are having trouble locating a suitable cigar store or distributor in your area, consult Cigarworld online for a directory of all local and national cigar outlets. There you will find literally hundreds of locations, both online and off, which offer cigars and cigar accessories to suit any occasion.
How Can A Person Becomes A Smoker?
To the non-smoker, smoking behavior seems incomprehensible. Almost all smokers know the health risks of smoking, but they keep puffing. Many continue for decades, their health declining with each passing year.
What motivates people to take that first cigarette?
The First Cigarette
Most people start smoking when they are teenagers. The desire to fit in and be "one of the crowd" is particularly strong during adolescence. Many teenagers begin smoking to be cool. If their friends smoke, they feel pressured to follow suit.
Young people may also feel that smoking makes them appear grown up. They are right -- it will make them look older, something they will soon regret.
For some, it's a form of rebellion against their parents and teachers. They are aware of the dangers of smoking, so lecturing them about the health risks is probably futile.
Do Smokers Have More Fun?
Advertising is also a big motivator in the desire to take up smoking. Tobacco ads depict young, healthy, active people taking part in fun group activities. The message is clear -- smoke and you too can have this much fun.
Adults also feel the desire to fit in, and so are also susceptible to popular images surrounding smoking. They usually are aware enough to know that smoking will not ensure social acceptance, but there is the universal appeal of the smoker as rebel -- cool and independent. The Marlboro Man. This can be enticing for many young adults, especially those who see themselves as being on the fringe.
Lack Of Optimism
Perhaps certain individuals are more drawn to smoking than others. There is evidence that people with a long-term outlook on life, those with plans for the future, are less likely to start smoking because they know it will cause future health problems and shorten their life span.
On the other hand, those with shorter outlooks and less optimism about the future are more likely to smoke.
The Good, Bad, And Ugly
Other people turn to smoking as a way to relieve stress. Even though tobacco is ineffective for handling stress in the long run, it does provide short-term relief. Those who have stressful jobs or who are in difficult life situations may take up smoking as a coping mechanism.
There are a number of unpleasant aspects to smoking that must be overlooked in order to become addicted. Smoking stains the teeth and the fingers. It causes bad breath. It fouls the air and creates an unpleasant environment for non-smokers.
It is a testament to how pleasurable smoking can be that so many people will put up with its negative aspects. Most smokers say they enjoy cigarettes, and those who have managed to quit often feel they have lost an old friend.
Can They Quit?
Almost all smokers will eventually come to a point where they want to quit. The reality of smoking-related health problems sinks in, and they decide that it's time to give up the habit. Unfortunately, the habit will not give them up so easily. The addictive nature of nicotine makes quitting a very difficult task.
Considering the spurious nature of the "benefits," the enormous costs in health and in money literally burned up, and the huge difficulty of quitting, one question demands an answer. Why start?
What motivates people to take that first cigarette?
The First Cigarette
Most people start smoking when they are teenagers. The desire to fit in and be "one of the crowd" is particularly strong during adolescence. Many teenagers begin smoking to be cool. If their friends smoke, they feel pressured to follow suit.
Young people may also feel that smoking makes them appear grown up. They are right -- it will make them look older, something they will soon regret.
For some, it's a form of rebellion against their parents and teachers. They are aware of the dangers of smoking, so lecturing them about the health risks is probably futile.
Do Smokers Have More Fun?
Advertising is also a big motivator in the desire to take up smoking. Tobacco ads depict young, healthy, active people taking part in fun group activities. The message is clear -- smoke and you too can have this much fun.
Adults also feel the desire to fit in, and so are also susceptible to popular images surrounding smoking. They usually are aware enough to know that smoking will not ensure social acceptance, but there is the universal appeal of the smoker as rebel -- cool and independent. The Marlboro Man. This can be enticing for many young adults, especially those who see themselves as being on the fringe.
Lack Of Optimism
Perhaps certain individuals are more drawn to smoking than others. There is evidence that people with a long-term outlook on life, those with plans for the future, are less likely to start smoking because they know it will cause future health problems and shorten their life span.
On the other hand, those with shorter outlooks and less optimism about the future are more likely to smoke.
The Good, Bad, And Ugly
Other people turn to smoking as a way to relieve stress. Even though tobacco is ineffective for handling stress in the long run, it does provide short-term relief. Those who have stressful jobs or who are in difficult life situations may take up smoking as a coping mechanism.
There are a number of unpleasant aspects to smoking that must be overlooked in order to become addicted. Smoking stains the teeth and the fingers. It causes bad breath. It fouls the air and creates an unpleasant environment for non-smokers.
It is a testament to how pleasurable smoking can be that so many people will put up with its negative aspects. Most smokers say they enjoy cigarettes, and those who have managed to quit often feel they have lost an old friend.
Can They Quit?
Almost all smokers will eventually come to a point where they want to quit. The reality of smoking-related health problems sinks in, and they decide that it's time to give up the habit. Unfortunately, the habit will not give them up so easily. The addictive nature of nicotine makes quitting a very difficult task.
Considering the spurious nature of the "benefits," the enormous costs in health and in money literally burned up, and the huge difficulty of quitting, one question demands an answer. Why start?
The Fuel Of Stress, Anxiety and Depression
In the 21st Century, it is predicted that stress and stress related illnesses such as depression and anxiety will become the biggest killers. Despite significant advances in housing, standards of living, quality of food, and medical science, the pressures all of us have to face in today’s world are as demanding as any pressures experienced by our predecessors.
Why are these illnesses on the rise? And why do some people become so ill through these illnesses, they can find it hard to function?
Well they sure don’t happen overnight! You don’t suddenly wake up one morning and feel stressed or depressed. It’s not like flicking on a light switch! And by the same rule, if you’re suffering, you can’t just wake up one morning, flick off the switch and say “Great, I’m better now.”
Many people who don’t suffer from these illnesses often say to sufferers:
“Come on, snap out of it.”
If only it was so easy! Should anyone say this to you, please forgive them as it’s just a lack of understanding. It’s very hard for people to understand how you’re feeling if they haven’t been there.
The fact that these illnesses don’t suddenly happen means we can draw some parallels with illnesses such as heart diseases, some cancers and strokes.
Because these illnesses don’t just suddenly happen either.
If we look at heart disease, it’s often the result of damaging behaviors practised over many years. Behaviors such as smoking, lack of exercise and a diet high in saturated fat. Strokes are a result of similar behaviors and cancers too, particularly heavy smoking and drinking as you know.
So how do stressful illnesses such as stress, depression and anxiety compare?
Stress is also the product of harmful mental habits and behaviors. These habits and behaviors are developed and practised over years – since childhood in most cases. These are the mental processes that enable us to make sense of our lives and the circumstances we’re faced with. When we reach adulthood, we perform them automatically because we’ve learned these behaviors by repetition.
Think of it like learning to drive a car. Initially, the skills required to control the vehicle needed conscious thought. It seemed really difficult didn’t it? But once we’ve performed them for sufficient periods, we drive on auto-pilot. We’ve mastered the required skills by repetition.
Here’s the key: if we eat healthy food, take regular exercise, cut out harmful behaviors such as smoking and drinking, we improve our health and drastically reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and strokes. We are repeating good habits, habits that will give our physical well being a huge boost.
It’s exactly the same for stress. What’s important to understand is that not everyone becomes stressed or depressed – even when tragic and traumatic circumstances happen to them. Just like people who lead a healthy lifestyle and avoid harmful habits and behaviors, people don’t become stressed or depressed because they have learned effective habits and behaviors that prevent stress from arising.
This is very good news if you suffer from these illnesses. Because just as we can learn habits and behaviors which cause us to become highly-stressed, depressed or anxious, we can learn the habits and behaviors which stop these terrible illnesses in their tracks. And the more often we make use of them, we’ll soon begin to perform them automatically and our mental health will benefit enormously.
No more feeling stressed out. No more feeling unable to cope. No more anxiety and no more depression. EVER.
I’m living proof of this. For 5 years, a series of traumatic events sent me spiralling into an anxiety-induced depression nightmare. I came out of it by learning the natural skills that starve these illnesses. The more I used them, the less anxious I became. They’re now as natural to me as driving a car, and I’ve completely eradicated anxiety and depression from my life.
You can do it too.
Why are these illnesses on the rise? And why do some people become so ill through these illnesses, they can find it hard to function?
Well they sure don’t happen overnight! You don’t suddenly wake up one morning and feel stressed or depressed. It’s not like flicking on a light switch! And by the same rule, if you’re suffering, you can’t just wake up one morning, flick off the switch and say “Great, I’m better now.”
Many people who don’t suffer from these illnesses often say to sufferers:
“Come on, snap out of it.”
If only it was so easy! Should anyone say this to you, please forgive them as it’s just a lack of understanding. It’s very hard for people to understand how you’re feeling if they haven’t been there.
The fact that these illnesses don’t suddenly happen means we can draw some parallels with illnesses such as heart diseases, some cancers and strokes.
Because these illnesses don’t just suddenly happen either.
If we look at heart disease, it’s often the result of damaging behaviors practised over many years. Behaviors such as smoking, lack of exercise and a diet high in saturated fat. Strokes are a result of similar behaviors and cancers too, particularly heavy smoking and drinking as you know.
So how do stressful illnesses such as stress, depression and anxiety compare?
Stress is also the product of harmful mental habits and behaviors. These habits and behaviors are developed and practised over years – since childhood in most cases. These are the mental processes that enable us to make sense of our lives and the circumstances we’re faced with. When we reach adulthood, we perform them automatically because we’ve learned these behaviors by repetition.
Think of it like learning to drive a car. Initially, the skills required to control the vehicle needed conscious thought. It seemed really difficult didn’t it? But once we’ve performed them for sufficient periods, we drive on auto-pilot. We’ve mastered the required skills by repetition.
Here’s the key: if we eat healthy food, take regular exercise, cut out harmful behaviors such as smoking and drinking, we improve our health and drastically reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and strokes. We are repeating good habits, habits that will give our physical well being a huge boost.
It’s exactly the same for stress. What’s important to understand is that not everyone becomes stressed or depressed – even when tragic and traumatic circumstances happen to them. Just like people who lead a healthy lifestyle and avoid harmful habits and behaviors, people don’t become stressed or depressed because they have learned effective habits and behaviors that prevent stress from arising.
This is very good news if you suffer from these illnesses. Because just as we can learn habits and behaviors which cause us to become highly-stressed, depressed or anxious, we can learn the habits and behaviors which stop these terrible illnesses in their tracks. And the more often we make use of them, we’ll soon begin to perform them automatically and our mental health will benefit enormously.
No more feeling stressed out. No more feeling unable to cope. No more anxiety and no more depression. EVER.
I’m living proof of this. For 5 years, a series of traumatic events sent me spiralling into an anxiety-induced depression nightmare. I came out of it by learning the natural skills that starve these illnesses. The more I used them, the less anxious I became. They’re now as natural to me as driving a car, and I’ve completely eradicated anxiety and depression from my life.
You can do it too.
Healthy Living - 5 Steps to Get There
Life has many opportunities for enjoyment. The problem is for many unhealthy people life is too short to take advantage of these simple pleasures. Healthy living is the key to achieve this.
Healthy living consists of everything we do that fosters a better wellbeing for us and our loved ones. Adapting to healthy living can often be difficult, but the benefits are indeed very hopeful and should serve as our inspiration.
Here is five easy steps help you reap the benefits of healthy living.
1. START EXERCISING. Our bodies are not meant to be inactive. Our systems require a steady flow of oxygen, and oxygen is most effectively absorbed through a healthy respiratory system. Cardiovascular exercise assures that our respiratory system is always in top shape, and as a result, so will the rest of our body.
2. BALANCED DIET & NUTRITION. You are what you eat. Monitor what you consume, and keep away from a detrimental abundance of those which are unhealthy for your body. Certain carbohydrates (sugars and refined flours) can lead to a heart disease and diabetes. Try to increase the intake of nutrients that are good for your everyday life such as fibers and protein-rich low fat foods.
3. KILL CERTIAN HABITS. Smoking can be a killer, along with a dependence on alcohol and drugs. These addictions endanger our health, and should be stopped right away. Bad habits can give us a false sense of satisfaction, but such is merely momentary. Over time these dangerous habits will take their toll on our bodies.
4. ACCEPT YOURSELF. Healthy living is as much a psychological issue as it is a physical undertaking. Reinforcing yourself with happy and positive thoughts gives you the confidence you need to conquer anything that life throws your way, giving you the confidence that makes you feel good about yourself. To feel good about ourselves is to live an unstressed existence and to take pleasure in all the splendors that life has!
5. REWARD YOURSELF. Many attempts for healthy living fail because the rewarding one self for achieving goals is forgotten. A campaign to attain healthy living can be fun, especially if we reward ourselves for a job well done. At the end of the day, when what we want to accomplish has been accomplished, we should always take time to reward ourselves for the commitment and resolve we have shown.
Healthy living consists of everything we do that fosters a better wellbeing for us and our loved ones. Adapting to healthy living can often be difficult, but the benefits are indeed very hopeful and should serve as our inspiration.
Here is five easy steps help you reap the benefits of healthy living.
1. START EXERCISING. Our bodies are not meant to be inactive. Our systems require a steady flow of oxygen, and oxygen is most effectively absorbed through a healthy respiratory system. Cardiovascular exercise assures that our respiratory system is always in top shape, and as a result, so will the rest of our body.
2. BALANCED DIET & NUTRITION. You are what you eat. Monitor what you consume, and keep away from a detrimental abundance of those which are unhealthy for your body. Certain carbohydrates (sugars and refined flours) can lead to a heart disease and diabetes. Try to increase the intake of nutrients that are good for your everyday life such as fibers and protein-rich low fat foods.
3. KILL CERTIAN HABITS. Smoking can be a killer, along with a dependence on alcohol and drugs. These addictions endanger our health, and should be stopped right away. Bad habits can give us a false sense of satisfaction, but such is merely momentary. Over time these dangerous habits will take their toll on our bodies.
4. ACCEPT YOURSELF. Healthy living is as much a psychological issue as it is a physical undertaking. Reinforcing yourself with happy and positive thoughts gives you the confidence you need to conquer anything that life throws your way, giving you the confidence that makes you feel good about yourself. To feel good about ourselves is to live an unstressed existence and to take pleasure in all the splendors that life has!
5. REWARD YOURSELF. Many attempts for healthy living fail because the rewarding one self for achieving goals is forgotten. A campaign to attain healthy living can be fun, especially if we reward ourselves for a job well done. At the end of the day, when what we want to accomplish has been accomplished, we should always take time to reward ourselves for the commitment and resolve we have shown.
Canine MD: Six Ways Your Dog Can Save Your Heart
Science has finally caught up with what dog lovers have known for years--that having a dog is great for your health. Here are six ways science has proven that living with a dog promotes better heart health.
Decreased cholesterol and triglycerides. Lower cholesterol and triglycerides reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Results
of a three-year study of over 5,700 people showed that those who lived with pets, including dogs, had lower blood pressure and
triglyceride and cholesterol levels than did non-pet-owners, even after accounting for additional exercise, smoking, diet, weight, and socioeconomic profile.
Lowered blood pressure. Women undergoing stress tests have lower blood pressure in the presence of dog than they have in the
presence of a friend. The simple act of petting your dog causes your blood pressure to drop. What's more, the lowered blood pressure stays in effect even when the dog is no longer present.
Improved chance of surviving a heart attack. A study conducted by the US Department of Health concluded that 28% of heart patients with pets, including dogs, survived serious heart attacks, compared with only 6% of patients who did not have a pet, even after accounting for factors such as the severity of heart disease.
Longer life-expectancy after a heart attack. A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that men who had a dog were six times more likely to be alive one year after a heart attack than men without a dog. The presence of a pet affected survival rate even more than having a spouse or friends.
Reduced stress. A study by State University of New York at Buffalo of stockbrokers who had dogs or cats in their offices had smaller increases in blood pressure when they had to carry out stressful tasks than those who did not have a pet present.
Increased exercise. One study showed that when people get a dog, they increase their walking time fivefold--from an average of one hour to five hours. Five hours of walking per week has a benefit equal to giving up smoking.
So, the secret to a healthy heart may be trading in that hotdog for a hot-looking Dachshund--or Great Dane or Boxer.
Decreased cholesterol and triglycerides. Lower cholesterol and triglycerides reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Results
of a three-year study of over 5,700 people showed that those who lived with pets, including dogs, had lower blood pressure and
triglyceride and cholesterol levels than did non-pet-owners, even after accounting for additional exercise, smoking, diet, weight, and socioeconomic profile.
Lowered blood pressure. Women undergoing stress tests have lower blood pressure in the presence of dog than they have in the
presence of a friend. The simple act of petting your dog causes your blood pressure to drop. What's more, the lowered blood pressure stays in effect even when the dog is no longer present.
Improved chance of surviving a heart attack. A study conducted by the US Department of Health concluded that 28% of heart patients with pets, including dogs, survived serious heart attacks, compared with only 6% of patients who did not have a pet, even after accounting for factors such as the severity of heart disease.
Longer life-expectancy after a heart attack. A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that men who had a dog were six times more likely to be alive one year after a heart attack than men without a dog. The presence of a pet affected survival rate even more than having a spouse or friends.
Reduced stress. A study by State University of New York at Buffalo of stockbrokers who had dogs or cats in their offices had smaller increases in blood pressure when they had to carry out stressful tasks than those who did not have a pet present.
Increased exercise. One study showed that when people get a dog, they increase their walking time fivefold--from an average of one hour to five hours. Five hours of walking per week has a benefit equal to giving up smoking.
So, the secret to a healthy heart may be trading in that hotdog for a hot-looking Dachshund--or Great Dane or Boxer.
400,000 Reasons to Stop Smoking
400,000 Reasons to Stop Smoking
Most of us know that smoking is indeed a habit that can have many serious implications on our health, but there's a tendency to view the problem lightly. It's important though, that every smoker be aware of the facts concerning smoking. So here are some eye openers for you...
The World Health Organization has been studying smoking trends and statistical patterns across the globe and has come up with the following statistics:
A good deal of variation exists from one part of the world to another. Many more women smoke in Eastern Europe than in East Asia and the Pacific Region. Eastern Europe itself has a particularly high rate of smoking, with up to 59 percent of adult males smoking.
As with other substances of abuse, such as alcohol and cocaine, the global frequency of tobacco use varies by social class, historical era, and culture. Historically, smoking had been a pastime of the rich. This trend has changed dramatically in recent decades. It appears that economically advantaged men in wealthier countries have been smoking less. The more years of education you've had, the less likely you are to be a smoker.
Most smokers begin early in life, before they are 25 years old. According to World Health Organization studies, the majority of smokers in affluent countries begin in their teens. A decline in the age of starting smoking has been observed worldwide.
As a wannabe quitter, you're in excellent company. People all over the world are trying to quit and stay away from cigarettes. There appears to be a correlation between a country's standard of living, level of education, and income and the number of people who have quit smoking. The more and better-informed people are, the more likely they are to quit smoking.
Current estimates are that over 1 billion people in the world smoke. (In other words, approximately one in three adults on the planet smokes.) The majority of these smokers reside in countries on the low end to the middle of the socioeconomic spectrum. Of this majority, about 80% live in low and middle income countries. The total number of smokers worldwide is expected to keep increasing.
But are things in the USA any better? Not really, as you can see for yourself in the figures of National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics
In the United States, an estimated 25.6 million men (25.2%) and 22.6 million women (20.7%) are smokers. These people are at higher risk of heart attack and stroke. The latest estimates for persons age 18 and older show:
- Among whites, 25.1 percent of men and 21.7 percent of women smoke
- Among black or African Americans, 27.6 percent of men and 18.0 percent of women smoke
- Among Hispanics/Latinos, 23.2 percent of men and 12.5 percent of women smoke
- Among Asians (only), 21.3 percent of men and 6.9 percent of women smoke
- Among American Indians/Alaska Natives (only), 32.0 percent of men and 36.9 percent of women smoke
Studies show that smoking prevalence is higher among those with 9-11 years of education (35.4 percent) compared with those with more than 16 years of education (11.6 percent). It's highest among persons living below the poverty level (33.3 percent).
And These Figures Spell Death...
· One out of every five deaths is caused by tobacco
· An average of 400,000 Americans die each year from tobacco
· Tobacco is blamed for many serious pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases
· Tobacco and nicotine are some of the most potent carcinogens and are to blame for a majority of all cancers of the lung, trachea, bronchus, larynx, and esophagus
· Tobacco use also produces cancers in the pancreas, kidney, bladder, and cervix
· Impotency is sometimes to blame from addiction to nicotine because of its ability to reduce blood flow
· Smoking is an important risk factor for respiratory illnesses, causing 85,000 deaths per year from pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia
· Children and adolescents who are active smokers will have increasingly severe respiratory illness, as they grow older
· Smoking during pregnancy causes about 5-6% of prenatal deaths, 17-26% of low-birth-weight births, and 7-10% of pre-term deliveries, and it increases the risk of miscarriage and fetal growth retardation
· Cigarettes are responsible for about 25% of deaths from residential fires, causing nearly 1,000 fire-related deaths and 3,300 injuries each year
So, are you ready to try and quit smoking now?
Visit http://www.health-and-fitness-information.
Most of us know that smoking is indeed a habit that can have many serious implications on our health, but there's a tendency to view the problem lightly. It's important though, that every smoker be aware of the facts concerning smoking. So here are some eye openers for you...
The World Health Organization has been studying smoking trends and statistical patterns across the globe and has come up with the following statistics:
A good deal of variation exists from one part of the world to another. Many more women smoke in Eastern Europe than in East Asia and the Pacific Region. Eastern Europe itself has a particularly high rate of smoking, with up to 59 percent of adult males smoking.
As with other substances of abuse, such as alcohol and cocaine, the global frequency of tobacco use varies by social class, historical era, and culture. Historically, smoking had been a pastime of the rich. This trend has changed dramatically in recent decades. It appears that economically advantaged men in wealthier countries have been smoking less. The more years of education you've had, the less likely you are to be a smoker.
Most smokers begin early in life, before they are 25 years old. According to World Health Organization studies, the majority of smokers in affluent countries begin in their teens. A decline in the age of starting smoking has been observed worldwide.
As a wannabe quitter, you're in excellent company. People all over the world are trying to quit and stay away from cigarettes. There appears to be a correlation between a country's standard of living, level of education, and income and the number of people who have quit smoking. The more and better-informed people are, the more likely they are to quit smoking.
Current estimates are that over 1 billion people in the world smoke. (In other words, approximately one in three adults on the planet smokes.) The majority of these smokers reside in countries on the low end to the middle of the socioeconomic spectrum. Of this majority, about 80% live in low and middle income countries. The total number of smokers worldwide is expected to keep increasing.
But are things in the USA any better? Not really, as you can see for yourself in the figures of National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics
In the United States, an estimated 25.6 million men (25.2%) and 22.6 million women (20.7%) are smokers. These people are at higher risk of heart attack and stroke. The latest estimates for persons age 18 and older show:
- Among whites, 25.1 percent of men and 21.7 percent of women smoke
- Among black or African Americans, 27.6 percent of men and 18.0 percent of women smoke
- Among Hispanics/Latinos, 23.2 percent of men and 12.5 percent of women smoke
- Among Asians (only), 21.3 percent of men and 6.9 percent of women smoke
- Among American Indians/Alaska Natives (only), 32.0 percent of men and 36.9 percent of women smoke
Studies show that smoking prevalence is higher among those with 9-11 years of education (35.4 percent) compared with those with more than 16 years of education (11.6 percent). It's highest among persons living below the poverty level (33.3 percent).
And These Figures Spell Death...
· One out of every five deaths is caused by tobacco
· An average of 400,000 Americans die each year from tobacco
· Tobacco is blamed for many serious pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases
· Tobacco and nicotine are some of the most potent carcinogens and are to blame for a majority of all cancers of the lung, trachea, bronchus, larynx, and esophagus
· Tobacco use also produces cancers in the pancreas, kidney, bladder, and cervix
· Impotency is sometimes to blame from addiction to nicotine because of its ability to reduce blood flow
· Smoking is an important risk factor for respiratory illnesses, causing 85,000 deaths per year from pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia
· Children and adolescents who are active smokers will have increasingly severe respiratory illness, as they grow older
· Smoking during pregnancy causes about 5-6% of prenatal deaths, 17-26% of low-birth-weight births, and 7-10% of pre-term deliveries, and it increases the risk of miscarriage and fetal growth retardation
· Cigarettes are responsible for about 25% of deaths from residential fires, causing nearly 1,000 fire-related deaths and 3,300 injuries each year
So, are you ready to try and quit smoking now?
Visit http://www.health-and-fitness-information.
Quit Smoking: 21 Shocking Smoking Facts, The Tobacco Companies Don't Want You To Know
Smoking is a global problem. It is estimated that one in three adults smoke, with over 1 billion people smoking worldwide. The majority of these smokers reside in countries on the low end to the middle of the socioeconomic spectrum. Of this majority, about 80% live in low and middle-income countries. The total number of smokers worldwide is expected to keep on increasing each year.
The worldwide popularity of tobacco use varies by social class, historical era, and culture. Historically, smoking had been a pastime of the rich. However, this trend has changed dramatically in recent decades. It appears that financially advantaged men in wealthier countries have been smoking less in recent times.
The World Health Organization has been studying smoking trends and statistical patterns across the globe and has uncovered the following statistics:
1) Eastern Europe has a particularly high rate of smoking, with up to 59% of adult males smoking. Also, significantly more women smoke in Eastern Europe than in East Asia and the Pacific Region.
2) Most people who smoke, begin smoking before they are 25 years old. Worldwide observations suggest that people are stating to smoke at a much younger age. World Health Organization studies reveal that the majority of smokers in affluent countries; begin in their teens.
Smoking In The US
How do Americans compare to the rest of the world when it comes to smoking? It may come as no surprise to hear that Americans are no better than anyone else. According to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics:
3) In the US, it is estimated that 25.6 million men (25.2%) and 22.6 million women (20.7%) are smokers. These smokers face a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Here are the latest estimates for smokers’ aged 18 and above:
4) Studies reveal that smoking popularity is significantly higher among people with 9-11 years of education (35.4%) compared with those with more than 16 years of education (11.6%).
5) There appears to be a correlation between a country's standard of living, level of education, and income and the number of people who have quit smoking. The more and better-informed people are, the more likely they are to quit smoking.
6) People living below the poverty level (33.3%) are much more likely to start smoking.
7) Among whites, 25.1% of men and 21.7% of women smoke.
8) Among black or African Americans, 27.6% of men and 18% of women smoke.
9) Among Asians, 21.3% of men and 6.9% of women smoke.
10) Among Hispanics/Latinos, 23.2% of men and 12.5% of women smoke.
11) Among American Indians/Alaska Natives, 32% of men and 36.9% of women smoke.
12) A shocking…1 out of every 5 five deaths is caused by tobacco
13) It is estimated that Tobacco is responsible for 400,000 deaths in the US every single year.
14) Cigarettes are responsible for about 25% of deaths from residential fires, causing nearly 1,000 fire-related deaths and 3,300 injuries each year.
15) Tobacco is blamed for many serious cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases
16) Nicotine and tobacco are some of the most potent carcinogens and are responsible for the majority of all cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, esophagus and bronchus.
17) Smoking tobacco is known to produce cancer in the pancreas, kidney, bladder, and the cervix
18) Because tobacco reduces blood flow, nicotine addiction has been proven to cause impotency.
19) If you smoke, the risk of respiratory illnesses is high. This could lead to pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia, which are responsible for some 85,000 every year.
20) Children and adolescents who are active smokers will have increasingly severe respiratory illness, as they grow older
21) Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage and fetal growth retardation. It also causes about 5-6% of prenatal deaths, 17-26% of low-birth-weight births, and 7-10% of pre-term deliveries.
If you don't want to quit smoking after reading these shocking figures, you really need to get your head examined. You know in your heart, what's the right thing to do. Make a firm decision to quit today, and stick to it!
The worldwide popularity of tobacco use varies by social class, historical era, and culture. Historically, smoking had been a pastime of the rich. However, this trend has changed dramatically in recent decades. It appears that financially advantaged men in wealthier countries have been smoking less in recent times.
The World Health Organization has been studying smoking trends and statistical patterns across the globe and has uncovered the following statistics:
1) Eastern Europe has a particularly high rate of smoking, with up to 59% of adult males smoking. Also, significantly more women smoke in Eastern Europe than in East Asia and the Pacific Region.
2) Most people who smoke, begin smoking before they are 25 years old. Worldwide observations suggest that people are stating to smoke at a much younger age. World Health Organization studies reveal that the majority of smokers in affluent countries; begin in their teens.
Smoking In The US
How do Americans compare to the rest of the world when it comes to smoking? It may come as no surprise to hear that Americans are no better than anyone else. According to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics:
3) In the US, it is estimated that 25.6 million men (25.2%) and 22.6 million women (20.7%) are smokers. These smokers face a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Here are the latest estimates for smokers’ aged 18 and above:
4) Studies reveal that smoking popularity is significantly higher among people with 9-11 years of education (35.4%) compared with those with more than 16 years of education (11.6%).
5) There appears to be a correlation between a country's standard of living, level of education, and income and the number of people who have quit smoking. The more and better-informed people are, the more likely they are to quit smoking.
6) People living below the poverty level (33.3%) are much more likely to start smoking.
7) Among whites, 25.1% of men and 21.7% of women smoke.
8) Among black or African Americans, 27.6% of men and 18% of women smoke.
9) Among Asians, 21.3% of men and 6.9% of women smoke.
10) Among Hispanics/Latinos, 23.2% of men and 12.5% of women smoke.
11) Among American Indians/Alaska Natives, 32% of men and 36.9% of women smoke.
12) A shocking…1 out of every 5 five deaths is caused by tobacco
13) It is estimated that Tobacco is responsible for 400,000 deaths in the US every single year.
14) Cigarettes are responsible for about 25% of deaths from residential fires, causing nearly 1,000 fire-related deaths and 3,300 injuries each year.
15) Tobacco is blamed for many serious cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases
16) Nicotine and tobacco are some of the most potent carcinogens and are responsible for the majority of all cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, esophagus and bronchus.
17) Smoking tobacco is known to produce cancer in the pancreas, kidney, bladder, and the cervix
18) Because tobacco reduces blood flow, nicotine addiction has been proven to cause impotency.
19) If you smoke, the risk of respiratory illnesses is high. This could lead to pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia, which are responsible for some 85,000 every year.
20) Children and adolescents who are active smokers will have increasingly severe respiratory illness, as they grow older
21) Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage and fetal growth retardation. It also causes about 5-6% of prenatal deaths, 17-26% of low-birth-weight births, and 7-10% of pre-term deliveries.
If you don't want to quit smoking after reading these shocking figures, you really need to get your head examined. You know in your heart, what's the right thing to do. Make a firm decision to quit today, and stick to it!
Erectile Dysfunction Being Punched by Viagra Blues
Nothing in the world excites you better than sex…it’s an irrepressible desire…you can not run away from sex by any means. Sex is an ultimate enhancer as well as a drastic depressor; sexual dissatisfaction leaves you in vulnerable position.
A good sex is a sensational experience; it rejuvenates your mind and body and increases your self-belief. But there are times when little Johnny does not supports you, you desperately want it but you can’t have it, and this is the time when manhood is at stake.
In medical terms the problem is christened as Erectile Dysfunction, it is defined as the inability to keep up erection essential for sexual gratification, to be a bit more precise, it can be categorized as temporary or short term erectile dysfunction or permanent erectile dysfunction. About 150 million men around the world are under its grasp, its thoroughly different form other sexual problems related to orgasm or reluctance towards sex.
Some vital factors contributing to erectile dysfunction are-
• Diabetes, high cholesterol, and early stages of heart disease can cause erectile dysfunction.
• Emotional disorder, problem in relationship.
• Socioeconomic issues.
• Smoking and alcoholism.
• Lack of frequent erection.
Taking impotence on your self esteem can hamper your professional as well as personal lives, it may not have a permanent cure but it is easily treatable. Online prescription pill such as Viagra is remarkably successful in the treatment of ED.
The miraculous blue pills (Viagra) hit the market hit the market in 1998 and since then it has dominated the global male impotence market. Viagra has been successful in treating 65%to 70% cases of impotence; this fact has further enhanced its popularity.
Viagra belongs to a group of drugs that contain PDE-5 inhibitors, which work by relaxing the blood vessels and allowing blood to flow into the penis. The result is a natural erection.
Viagra is available in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg tablets, to be taken as per recommended by the doctor. Take Viagra 30 minutes before sex and enjoy its effect for the next five hours. A heavy meal and alcohol consumption can increase the time taken for Viagra to effect.
Viagra can lead to serious side effects such as headache, mild facial flushes and upset stomach. Other effects noted are a bluish tinge to vision, blurred vision and light sensitivity, although these are far less common.
Viagra is strictly restricted for women and children. Adolescents who are not suffering from erectile dysfunction should not go for Viagra as it can lead to dangerous adverse effects. Kill erectile dysfunction before it kills yours and your partners flourishing relationship, take the magical blue pills and enjoy the sexciting consequences.
A good sex is a sensational experience; it rejuvenates your mind and body and increases your self-belief. But there are times when little Johnny does not supports you, you desperately want it but you can’t have it, and this is the time when manhood is at stake.
In medical terms the problem is christened as Erectile Dysfunction, it is defined as the inability to keep up erection essential for sexual gratification, to be a bit more precise, it can be categorized as temporary or short term erectile dysfunction or permanent erectile dysfunction. About 150 million men around the world are under its grasp, its thoroughly different form other sexual problems related to orgasm or reluctance towards sex.
Some vital factors contributing to erectile dysfunction are-
• Diabetes, high cholesterol, and early stages of heart disease can cause erectile dysfunction.
• Emotional disorder, problem in relationship.
• Socioeconomic issues.
• Smoking and alcoholism.
• Lack of frequent erection.
Taking impotence on your self esteem can hamper your professional as well as personal lives, it may not have a permanent cure but it is easily treatable. Online prescription pill such as Viagra is remarkably successful in the treatment of ED.
The miraculous blue pills (Viagra) hit the market hit the market in 1998 and since then it has dominated the global male impotence market. Viagra has been successful in treating 65%to 70% cases of impotence; this fact has further enhanced its popularity.
Viagra belongs to a group of drugs that contain PDE-5 inhibitors, which work by relaxing the blood vessels and allowing blood to flow into the penis. The result is a natural erection.
Viagra is available in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg tablets, to be taken as per recommended by the doctor. Take Viagra 30 minutes before sex and enjoy its effect for the next five hours. A heavy meal and alcohol consumption can increase the time taken for Viagra to effect.
Viagra can lead to serious side effects such as headache, mild facial flushes and upset stomach. Other effects noted are a bluish tinge to vision, blurred vision and light sensitivity, although these are far less common.
Viagra is strictly restricted for women and children. Adolescents who are not suffering from erectile dysfunction should not go for Viagra as it can lead to dangerous adverse effects. Kill erectile dysfunction before it kills yours and your partners flourishing relationship, take the magical blue pills and enjoy the sexciting consequences.
Guide to quit smoking
Do you want to stop smoking easily and quickly? then do take to read this articles slowly. The mind has two parts: the conscious and subconscious. You might want to stop smoking because it's bad for your health (conscious reason), but you're still aware that smoking makes you feel good about yourself (subconscious reason).
However there is a proper way to proceed with once you have decided to quit smoking viz.
1. First sit down and write down why you want to quit (the benefits of quitting): live longer, feel better, for your family, save money, smell better, find a mate more easily, etc. You know what's bad about smoking and you know what you'll get by quitting. Put it on paper and read it daily.
2. Ask your family and friends to support your decision to quit. Ask them to be completely supportive and non-judgmental. Let them know ahead of time that you will probably be irritable and even irrational while you withdraw from your smoking habit.
3. Set a quit date. Decide what day you will extinguish your cigarettes forever.
4. Talk with your doctor about quitting. Support and guidance from a physician is a proven way to better your chances to quit.
5. Begin an exercise program. Exercise is simply incompatible with smoking. Exercise relieves stress and helps your body recover from years of damage from cigarettes.
6. Do some deep breathing each day for 3 to 5 minutes. Breathe in through your nose very slowly, hold the breath for a few seconds, and exhale very slowly through your mouth.
7. Have your teeth cleaned. Enjoy the way your teeth look and feel and plan to keep them that way.
8. Drink lots of water. Water is good for you anyway, and most people don't get enough. It will help flush the nicotine and other chemicals out of your body, plus it can help reduce cravings by fulfilling the "oral desires" that you may have.
9. Learn what triggers your desire for a cigarette, such as stress, the end of a meal, arrival at work, entering a bar, etc. Avoid these triggers or if that's impossible, plan alternative ways to deal with the triggers.
10. Find something to hold in your hand and mouth, to replace cigarettes. You might try an artificial cigarette.
11. Lastly believe in yourself. Believe that you can quit. Think about some of the most difficult things you have done in your life and realize that you have the guts and determination to quit smoking.
However there is a proper way to proceed with once you have decided to quit smoking viz.
1. First sit down and write down why you want to quit (the benefits of quitting): live longer, feel better, for your family, save money, smell better, find a mate more easily, etc. You know what's bad about smoking and you know what you'll get by quitting. Put it on paper and read it daily.
2. Ask your family and friends to support your decision to quit. Ask them to be completely supportive and non-judgmental. Let them know ahead of time that you will probably be irritable and even irrational while you withdraw from your smoking habit.
3. Set a quit date. Decide what day you will extinguish your cigarettes forever.
4. Talk with your doctor about quitting. Support and guidance from a physician is a proven way to better your chances to quit.
5. Begin an exercise program. Exercise is simply incompatible with smoking. Exercise relieves stress and helps your body recover from years of damage from cigarettes.
6. Do some deep breathing each day for 3 to 5 minutes. Breathe in through your nose very slowly, hold the breath for a few seconds, and exhale very slowly through your mouth.
7. Have your teeth cleaned. Enjoy the way your teeth look and feel and plan to keep them that way.
8. Drink lots of water. Water is good for you anyway, and most people don't get enough. It will help flush the nicotine and other chemicals out of your body, plus it can help reduce cravings by fulfilling the "oral desires" that you may have.
9. Learn what triggers your desire for a cigarette, such as stress, the end of a meal, arrival at work, entering a bar, etc. Avoid these triggers or if that's impossible, plan alternative ways to deal with the triggers.
10. Find something to hold in your hand and mouth, to replace cigarettes. You might try an artificial cigarette.
11. Lastly believe in yourself. Believe that you can quit. Think about some of the most difficult things you have done in your life and realize that you have the guts and determination to quit smoking.
Intoxication,Drugs of Abuse Testing & Forensics A
Recreational use of and abuse of illicit and prescription drugs has grown in the last 15 years, and become a point of concern to both forensic and non-forensic physicians. Various regulatory agencies, insurance companies, and medicolegal processes such as workers compensation and personal injury defense have been utilizing the defense of intoxication (drugs of abuse and alcohol or a combination of either) in order to prove or disprove liability for injury.
Biological Samples for use in Drug Testing
Commonly, three types of biological samples have been utilized: 1. Blood. 2. Urine. 3. Hair. This determines if a patient has used drugs (to strictly determine if the use occurred, as opposed to being under the influence), hair will retain drugs for several months, most commonly 3 months after the use. Urine will retain drugs or their metabolites for anywhere from several hours to several days, or in some rare occasion weeks, and blood will retain the drugs or their metabolites for several hours. Therefore, the use of blood is not relevant to determining whether the patient has used drugs in the past (several days to weeks).
To determine whether the person is impaired as a result of a drug abuse, blood is the best biological tissue to be tested and the most accurate, because the levels in the blood or the presence of the drug in the bloodstream is a very important objective determinant in the process of diagnosing or ruling out the ""impairment or under the influence of drugs or the intoxication defense.
Does Positive Blood Testing, Urine Testing or Hair Testing Indicates Impairment?
Positive hair samples for drugs of abuse does not equate with impairment, it only can determine that in the past a patient has been using drugs (with a given limit). The presence of drugs of abuse in the urine can absolutely not be equated with impairment, but rather use in the last day or several days, and in some extreme cases a week. The presence of drugs or their metabolites in the blood testing does not prove impairment, because there is no scientific data to extrapolate the exact level of illegal drugs that will impair a specific user. That type of extrapolation has been made only for alcohol, which has a legal definition in driving statures, Federal and State, as well as medical forensic extrapolation formulas. (For instance, the blood alcohol disappearance curve.) Commonly a forensic toxicologist and forensic physician will be asked to determine whether urine positivity for illegal drugs indicates that that person was Aunder the influence@ or Aintoxicated@ when an accident occurred on the job, or a car accident occurred on the road. The presence of drugs of abuse or even prescription medication in the urine, or their metabolites in the urine, can not be equated with impairment. Unless clinical data from the site of injury or prior to the injury can indicate that the patient was behaving as an impaired person, even then it will be very difficult to establish impairment. The presence of drugs or their metabolites in the blood may support impairment based on the blood levels and the clinical behavior.
Drug Recognition Expert Program
Due to the problem with identifying impaired workers and driver's in relation to drug blood concentration, the Los Angeles Police Department has developed a program which is called the Drug Recognition Expert Program (DRE). This program started initially with training officers to recognize behavior and psychological status associated with psychoactive drugs, and over the time has attracted the attention of other agencies who were experiencing similar problems. Based on the evaluation the DRE forms an opinion as to: 1. Whether the suspect is impaired. 2. If impaired, whether the impairment is related to drugs. 3. If related to drugs, which drug category or combination of categories is causing the impairment. A recent study (Governor's office of Highway Safety) the police department and DRE program, utilized data software developed by Southern California Research Institute under National Institute on Drug Abuse funding, to record and analyze this data. A patient bank for 390 men and 108 women drivers was analyzed. The DREs correctly identified at least one drug category in 91% of 415 specimens which the laboratory confirmed one or more drugs. No drugs were found in specimens from 26 individuals who the DREs judged not impaired by drugs. The DRE decisions were supported for 83.5% of 484 specimens, and not supported for 16.5 specimens (indicating a significant rate of error).
What is interesting in these studies, is that in 14 cases, the DRE entirely missed the drugs found in urine, and in 47 of the specimens for which the laboratory confirmed multiple substances, the DRE decisions were combinations of hits, false positives and false negatives. The DRE missed marijuana more often than other drug categories, but it cannot be determined whether the misses were DRE error or a consequence of the drugs' time course. Since the drugs principal metabolite can be detected in urine for days to weeks, a specimen may test positive even though it was obtained at a time when active marijuana was not present. A marijuana positive in urine which is not supported with evidence of behavioral impairment, cannot and does not speak to the question of drug Aintoxication@. This scientific fact is commonly, and for some reason, forgotten or is unknown to some forensic physicians who have the professional and ethical responsibility to evaluate whether the patient was under the influence of illicit drugs. For instance, on one occasion, I remember a patient who was involved in a truck collision while on the job, and his urine tested positive for marijuana. The forensic examiner opined that the patient was Aunder the influence@, despite the fact that the emergency room notes and the paramedic notes clearly stated the patient was alert x 4. As a matter of fact, in the study of DRE quoted above cocaine misses occurred with the second highest frequency. Behavioral science show that stimulants are often difficult to detect, but it cannot be determined with certainty whether the misses are true errors. Since the half-life of cocaine effects is approximately 90 minutes, and the metabolite (breakdown products of cocaine) benzoylecgonine (BE) is known to have no psychoactive effect and can be detected for 24 or 48 hours (usually), urine positive for BE does not mean that the suspect was Aunder the influence@ during the evaluation.
The Clear Message from these Studies is
The presence of drugs of abuse in the urine cannot be used for the Aintoxication defense.
The presence of drugs of abuse in the blood cannot automatically be extrapolated to the Aintoxication defense. Each case requires careful analysis of the medical records and the clinical reliability of the blood levels.
The presence of drugs of abuse in hair has no meaning whatsoever and cannot support the Aintoxication defense. The only extrapolation to be made is that drugs were used sometime in the past.
Medications and Substances Causing False Positives
There are 161 prescription and over-the-counter medications which have been studied and show that 65 of them produce false positive results in the commonly administered urine test for drugs. Siegel, according to the Los Angeles Times report, (a psychopharmacologist at UCLA), said ""The widespread testing and reliance of tale-tale traces of drugs in the urine is simply a panic reaction invoked, because the normal techniques for controlling drug use have not worked very well. The next epidemic will be testing abuse."" The most commonly used urine testing methodology is AMIV, has been shown that over 250 over-the-counter medications and prescription drug interactions can cause false positive testing using this methodology. The following have been reported as causing false positive tests are shown in the next table.
TABLE 1: Medications/Substances Causing False Positives/Cross-Reactions (Preliminary Testing)
Marijuana
Pain relievers such as Advil, Nuprin, Motrin and menstrual cramp medications like Midol and Trendar. All drugs containing Ibuprofen. Passive marijuana smoking. It has been described that passive marijuana inhalation at a rock concert can test positive in the urine despite the fact that the person has not been using marijuana.
Amphetamines
Dristan Nasal Spray, Neosynephren, Vicks Nasal Spray, Sudafed, and others containing ephedrine or pnenypropanolamine.
Opiates
Vicks Formula 44M containing Dextromethorphan, and Primatene-M containing perylamine, as well as the pain reliever Demerol and prescription anti-depressant Elavil, and even Quinine Water
Methadone
NyQuil Nighttime Cold Medicine
Cocaine
Antibiotics such as Ampicillin and Amoxicillin.
PCP
Diazepam, as well as some ingredients in cough medicines, Dextromethorphan.
Poppy seeds such as on a Burger King roll, bagel rolls (according to the Journal of Chemical Chemistry, Volume 33, #6, 1987), quantities of poppy seeds ingested in this study 25 and 40 grams, may be expected to be contained in 1 or 2 servings of poppy seed cake. Therefore, poppy seeds represent a potentially serious source of falsely positive results in testing opiate abuse. The paper in Clinical Chemistry also concludes: ""Not only is it difficult to distinguish heroine or morphine abuse from codeine, but dietary poppy seeds can give a strong positive results for urinary opiates for several days duration that is confirmed by GC/MS analysis.""
The list of agents which can cause false positivity in the urine has also been described for endogenous excretion of enzymes in the urine. For instance, a study from Emory University by Dr. James Woodford, has shown that a percentage of persons of African origin, orientals and Pacific Islanders may be testing positive for marijuana secondary to a mechanism which involves the pigment melanin which protects the skin from sun, which approximates the molecular structure of the THC metabolite which causes laboratory cross reaction with marijuana.
What this means is that if you have used any of these over-the-counter medications, you may be accused (arrested) based on a false positive urine test. If your expert does not pick this up you may be in serious irreversible trouble.
Methodology of Drug Screening in Urine
There are several methods to detect drugs in the urine. The most frequent one is an enzyme immunoassay (EIA), or radioimmunoassay (RIA), and florescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA). There are additional more sophisticated methodologies which are performed on extract of urine which are performed using thin layer chromatography (TLC), gas chromatography (GC) high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GS/MS). The only accepted procedures based on the definition of the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the Department of Defense (DOD), are immunoassays followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry confirmation. The confirmation utilizing gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is required since the methodology of immunoassay can give false positive results due to cross reactivity. This is due to the fact that this methodology cannot specifically identify the drug, but rather the antibodies recognize substances which may have the same structure chemically, or immunologically or enzymologically, other than the drug of interest. Immunoassays for amphetamines will show reactivity with drugs structurally related to amphetamines, such over-the-counter sympatomedicoamines, phenylpropanolamine and ephedrine, over-the-counter legal medications used for nasal congestion, cold and appetite suppressant. Confirmation therefore is a must utilizing gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The use of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry provides an extremely high index of reliability when properly preformed and applied.
As far as gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, this is a superb methodology if done correctly. For instance, if the equipment has not been cleaned appropriately, the previous run from the previous testing will contaminate the next sample, and will give erroneous, inaccurate and incorrect results. Therefore, it is mandatory to look into the methodology that the person used for specific results on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry at a given indicated case. (On many occasions a deposition of the lab technician will reveal that the sample was contaminated.)
What this means to you is that if your urine is tested utilizing the immunological method only, without confirmation with GS/MS, there is a high probability that the result may be a false positive and irrelevant to your situation.
Forensic Accuracy of GS/MS
Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is extremely and highly accurate if done correctly. A laboratory which performs the test must be NIDA certified or CAP (College of American Pathologists) certified. All of the labs that perform the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry on site can be NIDA certified. Labs that send samples to another laboratory for gas chromatography/mass spectrometry confirmation are ineligible, I repeat, ineligible, for NIDA certification. Therefore one must be very careful when looking at the test results to see whether the laboratory is NIDA/CAP certified. Furthermore, some labs do not properly and thoroughly clean the GC/MS equipment. Some labs don't even do GC/MS confirmation. Some labs use cheap alternative methods to increase profits and reduce expenses. Therefore you must be in a position to aggressively cross examine the laboratory director and technician.
Drug of Abuse and Hair Testing
Hair testing for drug of abuse testing has become extremely popular among employers. There have been several scientific forensic doubts about the use of this methodology for proof of abuse. For example, the Society of Forensic Toxicologists in 1990 stated: ""The use of hair analysis for employees in pre-employment drug testing is premature, and cannot be supported by the current information on hair analysis for drugs of abuse."" A 1997 study by the National Institute of Drug abuse reached a conclusion and indicated that significant ethnic bias may be the result of test for cocaine positivity. Analytical Toxicology in its issue in March/April 1998 indicated that removal of melanin from hair (a methodology used to remove the ethnic bias) ""does not eliminate the hair color bias when interpreting cocaine concentrations"" Public information available (Congressional records from May 14, 1999), indicated that the Department of the Army secretary raised questions about the Army's use of hair testing in a specific case, and members of Congress were expressing their discomfort with the procedure's reliability. Indeed, Representative, Cynthia McKinney, a Democrat of Georgia, and from Defense Secretary, William Cohen, that she is exploring possible Legislative remedy to prohibit human hair testing for drugs in the military, given that the hair testing has been proven by forensic toxicologists to be racially biased. Indeed, the paper by Kintz, et. al. published in the Journal of Forensic Scientific International, January 1997, Volume 17, pages 84 to 123 and 151 to 156, indicated that false positives are found even at low concentrations. Tissue hair analysis in good hands with good laboratory technology may give an idea about habitual use of some of the drugs; however, it is preferable that these should be combined with urinalysis utilizing either screening, or better confirmation methodology.
Practical Application to a Case Analysis
In order to summarize and make the above data applicable, I will describe two case scenarios.
Case #1:
A 28-year-old worker fell off the roof, 2nd floor, while on the job. He suffered several bone fractures, head contusion and was taken to the emergency room. At the emergency room urine was sent to the lab for drug screening. Upon recovery from the injury the patient requested Workers Compensation benefits, and was denied since the urine drug screening utilizing EMIT methodology (immunological) detected opiates. In his deposition the patient testified that he has never used drugs, did not use drugs on the date of injury either. On careful review of the medical records, it turned out that the physician on behalf of the employer had recommended denial of the Workers Compensation benefits, failed to review the paramedic ambulance notes which was called to the scene of the injury and had transferred the patient to the hospital. The emergency room notes sheet indicated that the patient had received IV morphine from the medic driver to sedate him from his severe pain of bone fractures and skull concussion. The evaluating physician further failed to note that the urine sample was obtained 4 hours after the patient's stay in the emergency room, and did not specify whether that was a fresh urine sample, catheterized urine, and did not specify the volume of the urine. The patient's physician provided a report documenting that there is no history of drug abuse, there was no evidence that the patient was impaired from testimonies from his supervisors and coworkers on the date that the injury occurred, and has further provided evidence that the urinalysis was taken several hours after the patient was administered IV morphine by paramedics at the emergency room, and therefore, the results were essentially erroneous and irrelevant to the patient's cause of injury. This is an example of how drug urine testing can be applied wrongfully, and cause unnecessary pain, anxiety, delay of benefits and major expenses to the insurance carrier and the citizens who end up paying these expenses out of their pocket.
Case #2:
This is a 32-year-old female patient, a driver of a vehicle who was involved in a car collision and suffered internal bleeding (ruptured spleen), and a fracture of a bone of the lower extremity. She had requested medical benefits from her insurance carrier for medical expenses as well as time lost from work, and has filed a lawsuit since these were denied. The physician who examined the patient on behalf of the insurance carrier, and whose report was the basis for the denial, noted in his reports that upon admission to the emergency room on the date of injury, urine screening test for toxicology was done, and was positive for amphetamines. The physician who examined the patient on behalf of the insurance carrier failed to note the time of the testing, the time the urine was obtained from the patient, whether the patient was taking any medications which contain amphetamines, such as ephedrines or pseudoephedrines. The medical records examined carefully by the patient's physician, found notes from the house doctor who attended the patient at midnight on her admission. The house doctor took a good detailed history recorded in his handwriting which clearly stated that the patient is an allergic individual, and has for the last two weeks been using compounds which contain both ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. The physician who reported on behalf of the patient further was able to show in the medical records that all examining physicians clearly stated that the patient was alert x 4 on admission to the hospital, despite her pain and despite medications received from the paramedics and emergency room physicians. There was no clinical evidence of impairment, there was no history of drug abuse, there was no evidence of drug impairment. The problem with this case, is that the urine screening test was a false positive, because of the patient's use of over-the-counter ephedrine and pseudoephedrine containing medications to treat a cold and nasal congestion. Had a follow-up been done on that sample with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry showing a specific type of amphetamine, the story might have been different if indeed the patient was a user (which is not the case here). This case further illustrate: 1. The need for a very in depth evaluation of the chart and notes, as far as to the patient's mental capacity before and after the collision. 2. A detailed analysis of past and present prescription and over-the-counter medications. 3. The need to follow-up on urine screening test if it is positive for drugs of abuse in a case where such suspicion is indicated. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is the ultimate tool to eventually follow-up on such a suspicion.
In summary, while drug abuse and intoxication is a problem, the diagnosis of Aintoxicated@ is a scientific one and cannot be based on Apersonal beliefs@ or Afeelings@ of a defense examiner.
About Dr. Brautbar
Dr. Brautbar is board-certified in internal medicine, forensic medicine, and nephrology, with a specialization in toxicology. Dr. Brautbar has provided expert medical opinion and scientific evidence in product liability, personal injury, medical & nursing home standards, and toxic tort cases throughout the United States. Dr. Brautbar is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at USC School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, and served as Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Department of Medicine at the Queen of Angels/Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center. He has published over 240 journal manuscripts, abstracts, and book chapters in the fields of internal medicine, toxicology, and nephrology. His resume includes past and present membership in 25 National and International Scientific Societies including the Collegium Ramazzini. Dr. Brautbar has been on the faculty of the National Judicial College and lectured to Judges on the issue of Scientific Evidence, and was a peer reviewer for the Federal Judicial Center (Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence, Second Edition, 2000). Dr. Brautbar has also been a peer-reviewer for the ATSDR.
Biological Samples for use in Drug Testing
Commonly, three types of biological samples have been utilized: 1. Blood. 2. Urine. 3. Hair. This determines if a patient has used drugs (to strictly determine if the use occurred, as opposed to being under the influence), hair will retain drugs for several months, most commonly 3 months after the use. Urine will retain drugs or their metabolites for anywhere from several hours to several days, or in some rare occasion weeks, and blood will retain the drugs or their metabolites for several hours. Therefore, the use of blood is not relevant to determining whether the patient has used drugs in the past (several days to weeks).
To determine whether the person is impaired as a result of a drug abuse, blood is the best biological tissue to be tested and the most accurate, because the levels in the blood or the presence of the drug in the bloodstream is a very important objective determinant in the process of diagnosing or ruling out the ""impairment or under the influence of drugs or the intoxication defense.
Does Positive Blood Testing, Urine Testing or Hair Testing Indicates Impairment?
Positive hair samples for drugs of abuse does not equate with impairment, it only can determine that in the past a patient has been using drugs (with a given limit). The presence of drugs of abuse in the urine can absolutely not be equated with impairment, but rather use in the last day or several days, and in some extreme cases a week. The presence of drugs or their metabolites in the blood testing does not prove impairment, because there is no scientific data to extrapolate the exact level of illegal drugs that will impair a specific user. That type of extrapolation has been made only for alcohol, which has a legal definition in driving statures, Federal and State, as well as medical forensic extrapolation formulas. (For instance, the blood alcohol disappearance curve.) Commonly a forensic toxicologist and forensic physician will be asked to determine whether urine positivity for illegal drugs indicates that that person was Aunder the influence@ or Aintoxicated@ when an accident occurred on the job, or a car accident occurred on the road. The presence of drugs of abuse or even prescription medication in the urine, or their metabolites in the urine, can not be equated with impairment. Unless clinical data from the site of injury or prior to the injury can indicate that the patient was behaving as an impaired person, even then it will be very difficult to establish impairment. The presence of drugs or their metabolites in the blood may support impairment based on the blood levels and the clinical behavior.
Drug Recognition Expert Program
Due to the problem with identifying impaired workers and driver's in relation to drug blood concentration, the Los Angeles Police Department has developed a program which is called the Drug Recognition Expert Program (DRE). This program started initially with training officers to recognize behavior and psychological status associated with psychoactive drugs, and over the time has attracted the attention of other agencies who were experiencing similar problems. Based on the evaluation the DRE forms an opinion as to: 1. Whether the suspect is impaired. 2. If impaired, whether the impairment is related to drugs. 3. If related to drugs, which drug category or combination of categories is causing the impairment. A recent study (Governor's office of Highway Safety) the police department and DRE program, utilized data software developed by Southern California Research Institute under National Institute on Drug Abuse funding, to record and analyze this data. A patient bank for 390 men and 108 women drivers was analyzed. The DREs correctly identified at least one drug category in 91% of 415 specimens which the laboratory confirmed one or more drugs. No drugs were found in specimens from 26 individuals who the DREs judged not impaired by drugs. The DRE decisions were supported for 83.5% of 484 specimens, and not supported for 16.5 specimens (indicating a significant rate of error).
What is interesting in these studies, is that in 14 cases, the DRE entirely missed the drugs found in urine, and in 47 of the specimens for which the laboratory confirmed multiple substances, the DRE decisions were combinations of hits, false positives and false negatives. The DRE missed marijuana more often than other drug categories, but it cannot be determined whether the misses were DRE error or a consequence of the drugs' time course. Since the drugs principal metabolite can be detected in urine for days to weeks, a specimen may test positive even though it was obtained at a time when active marijuana was not present. A marijuana positive in urine which is not supported with evidence of behavioral impairment, cannot and does not speak to the question of drug Aintoxication@. This scientific fact is commonly, and for some reason, forgotten or is unknown to some forensic physicians who have the professional and ethical responsibility to evaluate whether the patient was under the influence of illicit drugs. For instance, on one occasion, I remember a patient who was involved in a truck collision while on the job, and his urine tested positive for marijuana. The forensic examiner opined that the patient was Aunder the influence@, despite the fact that the emergency room notes and the paramedic notes clearly stated the patient was alert x 4. As a matter of fact, in the study of DRE quoted above cocaine misses occurred with the second highest frequency. Behavioral science show that stimulants are often difficult to detect, but it cannot be determined with certainty whether the misses are true errors. Since the half-life of cocaine effects is approximately 90 minutes, and the metabolite (breakdown products of cocaine) benzoylecgonine (BE) is known to have no psychoactive effect and can be detected for 24 or 48 hours (usually), urine positive for BE does not mean that the suspect was Aunder the influence@ during the evaluation.
The Clear Message from these Studies is
The presence of drugs of abuse in the urine cannot be used for the Aintoxication defense.
The presence of drugs of abuse in the blood cannot automatically be extrapolated to the Aintoxication defense. Each case requires careful analysis of the medical records and the clinical reliability of the blood levels.
The presence of drugs of abuse in hair has no meaning whatsoever and cannot support the Aintoxication defense. The only extrapolation to be made is that drugs were used sometime in the past.
Medications and Substances Causing False Positives
There are 161 prescription and over-the-counter medications which have been studied and show that 65 of them produce false positive results in the commonly administered urine test for drugs. Siegel, according to the Los Angeles Times report, (a psychopharmacologist at UCLA), said ""The widespread testing and reliance of tale-tale traces of drugs in the urine is simply a panic reaction invoked, because the normal techniques for controlling drug use have not worked very well. The next epidemic will be testing abuse."" The most commonly used urine testing methodology is AMIV, has been shown that over 250 over-the-counter medications and prescription drug interactions can cause false positive testing using this methodology. The following have been reported as causing false positive tests are shown in the next table.
TABLE 1: Medications/Substances Causing False Positives/Cross-Reactions (Preliminary Testing)
Marijuana
Pain relievers such as Advil, Nuprin, Motrin and menstrual cramp medications like Midol and Trendar. All drugs containing Ibuprofen. Passive marijuana smoking. It has been described that passive marijuana inhalation at a rock concert can test positive in the urine despite the fact that the person has not been using marijuana.
Amphetamines
Dristan Nasal Spray, Neosynephren, Vicks Nasal Spray, Sudafed, and others containing ephedrine or pnenypropanolamine.
Opiates
Vicks Formula 44M containing Dextromethorphan, and Primatene-M containing perylamine, as well as the pain reliever Demerol and prescription anti-depressant Elavil, and even Quinine Water
Methadone
NyQuil Nighttime Cold Medicine
Cocaine
Antibiotics such as Ampicillin and Amoxicillin.
PCP
Diazepam, as well as some ingredients in cough medicines, Dextromethorphan.
Poppy seeds such as on a Burger King roll, bagel rolls (according to the Journal of Chemical Chemistry, Volume 33, #6, 1987), quantities of poppy seeds ingested in this study 25 and 40 grams, may be expected to be contained in 1 or 2 servings of poppy seed cake. Therefore, poppy seeds represent a potentially serious source of falsely positive results in testing opiate abuse. The paper in Clinical Chemistry also concludes: ""Not only is it difficult to distinguish heroine or morphine abuse from codeine, but dietary poppy seeds can give a strong positive results for urinary opiates for several days duration that is confirmed by GC/MS analysis.""
The list of agents which can cause false positivity in the urine has also been described for endogenous excretion of enzymes in the urine. For instance, a study from Emory University by Dr. James Woodford, has shown that a percentage of persons of African origin, orientals and Pacific Islanders may be testing positive for marijuana secondary to a mechanism which involves the pigment melanin which protects the skin from sun, which approximates the molecular structure of the THC metabolite which causes laboratory cross reaction with marijuana.
What this means is that if you have used any of these over-the-counter medications, you may be accused (arrested) based on a false positive urine test. If your expert does not pick this up you may be in serious irreversible trouble.
Methodology of Drug Screening in Urine
There are several methods to detect drugs in the urine. The most frequent one is an enzyme immunoassay (EIA), or radioimmunoassay (RIA), and florescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA). There are additional more sophisticated methodologies which are performed on extract of urine which are performed using thin layer chromatography (TLC), gas chromatography (GC) high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GS/MS). The only accepted procedures based on the definition of the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the Department of Defense (DOD), are immunoassays followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry confirmation. The confirmation utilizing gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is required since the methodology of immunoassay can give false positive results due to cross reactivity. This is due to the fact that this methodology cannot specifically identify the drug, but rather the antibodies recognize substances which may have the same structure chemically, or immunologically or enzymologically, other than the drug of interest. Immunoassays for amphetamines will show reactivity with drugs structurally related to amphetamines, such over-the-counter sympatomedicoamines, phenylpropanolamine and ephedrine, over-the-counter legal medications used for nasal congestion, cold and appetite suppressant. Confirmation therefore is a must utilizing gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The use of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry provides an extremely high index of reliability when properly preformed and applied.
As far as gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, this is a superb methodology if done correctly. For instance, if the equipment has not been cleaned appropriately, the previous run from the previous testing will contaminate the next sample, and will give erroneous, inaccurate and incorrect results. Therefore, it is mandatory to look into the methodology that the person used for specific results on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry at a given indicated case. (On many occasions a deposition of the lab technician will reveal that the sample was contaminated.)
What this means to you is that if your urine is tested utilizing the immunological method only, without confirmation with GS/MS, there is a high probability that the result may be a false positive and irrelevant to your situation.
Forensic Accuracy of GS/MS
Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is extremely and highly accurate if done correctly. A laboratory which performs the test must be NIDA certified or CAP (College of American Pathologists) certified. All of the labs that perform the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry on site can be NIDA certified. Labs that send samples to another laboratory for gas chromatography/mass spectrometry confirmation are ineligible, I repeat, ineligible, for NIDA certification. Therefore one must be very careful when looking at the test results to see whether the laboratory is NIDA/CAP certified. Furthermore, some labs do not properly and thoroughly clean the GC/MS equipment. Some labs don't even do GC/MS confirmation. Some labs use cheap alternative methods to increase profits and reduce expenses. Therefore you must be in a position to aggressively cross examine the laboratory director and technician.
Drug of Abuse and Hair Testing
Hair testing for drug of abuse testing has become extremely popular among employers. There have been several scientific forensic doubts about the use of this methodology for proof of abuse. For example, the Society of Forensic Toxicologists in 1990 stated: ""The use of hair analysis for employees in pre-employment drug testing is premature, and cannot be supported by the current information on hair analysis for drugs of abuse."" A 1997 study by the National Institute of Drug abuse reached a conclusion and indicated that significant ethnic bias may be the result of test for cocaine positivity. Analytical Toxicology in its issue in March/April 1998 indicated that removal of melanin from hair (a methodology used to remove the ethnic bias) ""does not eliminate the hair color bias when interpreting cocaine concentrations"" Public information available (Congressional records from May 14, 1999), indicated that the Department of the Army secretary raised questions about the Army's use of hair testing in a specific case, and members of Congress were expressing their discomfort with the procedure's reliability. Indeed, Representative, Cynthia McKinney, a Democrat of Georgia, and from Defense Secretary, William Cohen, that she is exploring possible Legislative remedy to prohibit human hair testing for drugs in the military, given that the hair testing has been proven by forensic toxicologists to be racially biased. Indeed, the paper by Kintz, et. al. published in the Journal of Forensic Scientific International, January 1997, Volume 17, pages 84 to 123 and 151 to 156, indicated that false positives are found even at low concentrations. Tissue hair analysis in good hands with good laboratory technology may give an idea about habitual use of some of the drugs; however, it is preferable that these should be combined with urinalysis utilizing either screening, or better confirmation methodology.
Practical Application to a Case Analysis
In order to summarize and make the above data applicable, I will describe two case scenarios.
Case #1:
A 28-year-old worker fell off the roof, 2nd floor, while on the job. He suffered several bone fractures, head contusion and was taken to the emergency room. At the emergency room urine was sent to the lab for drug screening. Upon recovery from the injury the patient requested Workers Compensation benefits, and was denied since the urine drug screening utilizing EMIT methodology (immunological) detected opiates. In his deposition the patient testified that he has never used drugs, did not use drugs on the date of injury either. On careful review of the medical records, it turned out that the physician on behalf of the employer had recommended denial of the Workers Compensation benefits, failed to review the paramedic ambulance notes which was called to the scene of the injury and had transferred the patient to the hospital. The emergency room notes sheet indicated that the patient had received IV morphine from the medic driver to sedate him from his severe pain of bone fractures and skull concussion. The evaluating physician further failed to note that the urine sample was obtained 4 hours after the patient's stay in the emergency room, and did not specify whether that was a fresh urine sample, catheterized urine, and did not specify the volume of the urine. The patient's physician provided a report documenting that there is no history of drug abuse, there was no evidence that the patient was impaired from testimonies from his supervisors and coworkers on the date that the injury occurred, and has further provided evidence that the urinalysis was taken several hours after the patient was administered IV morphine by paramedics at the emergency room, and therefore, the results were essentially erroneous and irrelevant to the patient's cause of injury. This is an example of how drug urine testing can be applied wrongfully, and cause unnecessary pain, anxiety, delay of benefits and major expenses to the insurance carrier and the citizens who end up paying these expenses out of their pocket.
Case #2:
This is a 32-year-old female patient, a driver of a vehicle who was involved in a car collision and suffered internal bleeding (ruptured spleen), and a fracture of a bone of the lower extremity. She had requested medical benefits from her insurance carrier for medical expenses as well as time lost from work, and has filed a lawsuit since these were denied. The physician who examined the patient on behalf of the insurance carrier, and whose report was the basis for the denial, noted in his reports that upon admission to the emergency room on the date of injury, urine screening test for toxicology was done, and was positive for amphetamines. The physician who examined the patient on behalf of the insurance carrier failed to note the time of the testing, the time the urine was obtained from the patient, whether the patient was taking any medications which contain amphetamines, such as ephedrines or pseudoephedrines. The medical records examined carefully by the patient's physician, found notes from the house doctor who attended the patient at midnight on her admission. The house doctor took a good detailed history recorded in his handwriting which clearly stated that the patient is an allergic individual, and has for the last two weeks been using compounds which contain both ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. The physician who reported on behalf of the patient further was able to show in the medical records that all examining physicians clearly stated that the patient was alert x 4 on admission to the hospital, despite her pain and despite medications received from the paramedics and emergency room physicians. There was no clinical evidence of impairment, there was no history of drug abuse, there was no evidence of drug impairment. The problem with this case, is that the urine screening test was a false positive, because of the patient's use of over-the-counter ephedrine and pseudoephedrine containing medications to treat a cold and nasal congestion. Had a follow-up been done on that sample with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry showing a specific type of amphetamine, the story might have been different if indeed the patient was a user (which is not the case here). This case further illustrate: 1. The need for a very in depth evaluation of the chart and notes, as far as to the patient's mental capacity before and after the collision. 2. A detailed analysis of past and present prescription and over-the-counter medications. 3. The need to follow-up on urine screening test if it is positive for drugs of abuse in a case where such suspicion is indicated. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is the ultimate tool to eventually follow-up on such a suspicion.
In summary, while drug abuse and intoxication is a problem, the diagnosis of Aintoxicated@ is a scientific one and cannot be based on Apersonal beliefs@ or Afeelings@ of a defense examiner.
About Dr. Brautbar
Dr. Brautbar is board-certified in internal medicine, forensic medicine, and nephrology, with a specialization in toxicology. Dr. Brautbar has provided expert medical opinion and scientific evidence in product liability, personal injury, medical & nursing home standards, and toxic tort cases throughout the United States. Dr. Brautbar is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at USC School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, and served as Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Department of Medicine at the Queen of Angels/Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center. He has published over 240 journal manuscripts, abstracts, and book chapters in the fields of internal medicine, toxicology, and nephrology. His resume includes past and present membership in 25 National and International Scientific Societies including the Collegium Ramazzini. Dr. Brautbar has been on the faculty of the National Judicial College and lectured to Judges on the issue of Scientific Evidence, and was a peer reviewer for the Federal Judicial Center (Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence, Second Edition, 2000). Dr. Brautbar has also been a peer-reviewer for the ATSDR.
Sperm Health
What are the similarities between tight underwear, alcohol and hot tubs?
Answer: they all have a negative effective on sperm counts and sperm potency. Drinking, Smoking, lack of exercise, taking drugs, stress, poor nutrition, and of course tight under wears have been proved to decline the quality of sperm.
Among the factors that may affect the sperm quality could be summarized in 6 main points. They include sperm mobility, concentration, morphology, speed, count and last but not the least sub fertility. A weakness in any of these areas can affect the chances of conception.
Mobility:Sperm mobility describes the sperm's ability to move in a rather dynamic and active fashion. In a healthy sperm, more than 50% of them can be accounted as active with over 25% of them moving vehemently in one direction. Its importance can be understood by the fact that it enables the sperm to travel through the cervical canal, into the uterus and the fallopian tubes and, finally, to penetrate the egg.
Concentration:Concentration is the measure of the number of sperm cells in a ml. of semen. Normal concentration is around 22 million sperm cells per ml. of semen.
Morphology:A healthy sperm cell resembles a tadpole in its shape. The sperm's oval head contains the genetic material; the center provides energy and the tail thrusts the sperm forward. Furthermore, experts believe that abnormally shaped sperm cannot fertilize an egg.
Speed: According to the WHO in a healthy male, greater than 25% of sperm will exhibit progressive mobility. It is thought that these are the sperm with the best chance of successfully fertilizing an egg.
Count:It refers to the number of sperms in the fluid that is ejaculated. There are a good over 50 million sperms in a normal ejaculate. A total count below 40 million may indicate decreased fertility.
Sub fertility: The term, sub fertility, refers to the couples who are unable to achieve conception even after a year’s period of unprotected intercourse It is different from infertility.
Typical causes of male sub fertility
• Sperm production problems
• Blockages in the sperm's delivery system
• Injuries to the testicles
• Low or high hormone production
• Anatomical problems
• Varicocele (varicose veins around the testicle)
• Past illnesses/ infections/ various diseases
• Certain medications
• Sperm quality
Statistics:
Male factors accumulate for over 40 percent for sub fertility. Female-related factors account for another 40 percent and a combination of male- and female-related factors account for about 20 percent.
1 out of every dozen couples has sub fertility.
Answer: they all have a negative effective on sperm counts and sperm potency. Drinking, Smoking, lack of exercise, taking drugs, stress, poor nutrition, and of course tight under wears have been proved to decline the quality of sperm.
Among the factors that may affect the sperm quality could be summarized in 6 main points. They include sperm mobility, concentration, morphology, speed, count and last but not the least sub fertility. A weakness in any of these areas can affect the chances of conception.
Mobility:Sperm mobility describes the sperm's ability to move in a rather dynamic and active fashion. In a healthy sperm, more than 50% of them can be accounted as active with over 25% of them moving vehemently in one direction. Its importance can be understood by the fact that it enables the sperm to travel through the cervical canal, into the uterus and the fallopian tubes and, finally, to penetrate the egg.
Concentration:Concentration is the measure of the number of sperm cells in a ml. of semen. Normal concentration is around 22 million sperm cells per ml. of semen.
Morphology:A healthy sperm cell resembles a tadpole in its shape. The sperm's oval head contains the genetic material; the center provides energy and the tail thrusts the sperm forward. Furthermore, experts believe that abnormally shaped sperm cannot fertilize an egg.
Speed: According to the WHO in a healthy male, greater than 25% of sperm will exhibit progressive mobility. It is thought that these are the sperm with the best chance of successfully fertilizing an egg.
Count:It refers to the number of sperms in the fluid that is ejaculated. There are a good over 50 million sperms in a normal ejaculate. A total count below 40 million may indicate decreased fertility.
Sub fertility: The term, sub fertility, refers to the couples who are unable to achieve conception even after a year’s period of unprotected intercourse It is different from infertility.
Typical causes of male sub fertility
• Sperm production problems
• Blockages in the sperm's delivery system
• Injuries to the testicles
• Low or high hormone production
• Anatomical problems
• Varicocele (varicose veins around the testicle)
• Past illnesses/ infections/ various diseases
• Certain medications
• Sperm quality
Statistics:
Male factors accumulate for over 40 percent for sub fertility. Female-related factors account for another 40 percent and a combination of male- and female-related factors account for about 20 percent.
1 out of every dozen couples has sub fertility.
Teeth Whitening Naturally
One of the latest dental habits to make waves has to do with teeth whitening. Understandably there are several means in which to achieve whiter and brighter teeth. Equally there are varying costs and also some minute risk factors connected with a few of the teeth whitening techniques.
If you are into attaining whiter teeth the natural way there are options you may not have even considered. Most of the natural whitening tips and techniques found to be effective take patience and time for results to appear. If you are patient and diligent there will be results.
When looking for natural teeth whitening products in the retail shops and health food stores you will find many varieties. Toothpaste with teeth whitening properties included in the ingredients or advertisement will be beneficial to your efforts for a whiter brighter smile. Some natural efforts for whiter teeth may take longer to achieve than the chemically based whiteners but the results will still be noticeable.
There are several common natural whiteners present in the natural teeth whiteners. These change over the course of years as newer more effective methods present themselves through research. Bamboo powder, calcium carbonate and silica are some of the ingredients you may find today in the natural teeth whitening products. Silica cleans and whitens teeth. Stains are removed with silica and there is no harsh abrasion involved. Abrasion can damage enamel.
One of the obvious ways to reduce staining of the teeth and promote healthy gums is by drinking lots of water. Drinking a lot of water steers you away from drinking fluids that are darker and tend to stain or discolor teeth. Coffee, tea, and especially dark colored soda's are among the top drinks that leave stains on teeth. An occasional beverage that leads to staining is not a problem. Constant consumption of these types of drink is not conducive to teeth whitening.
Cigarette or cigar smoking is bad for your over all health and clearly causes damage to organs and tissue that you cannot see with the naked eye. Cigar and cigarette smoking is also another deterrent from naturally white teeth.
If you are into attaining whiter teeth the natural way there are options you may not have even considered. Most of the natural whitening tips and techniques found to be effective take patience and time for results to appear. If you are patient and diligent there will be results.
When looking for natural teeth whitening products in the retail shops and health food stores you will find many varieties. Toothpaste with teeth whitening properties included in the ingredients or advertisement will be beneficial to your efforts for a whiter brighter smile. Some natural efforts for whiter teeth may take longer to achieve than the chemically based whiteners but the results will still be noticeable.
There are several common natural whiteners present in the natural teeth whiteners. These change over the course of years as newer more effective methods present themselves through research. Bamboo powder, calcium carbonate and silica are some of the ingredients you may find today in the natural teeth whitening products. Silica cleans and whitens teeth. Stains are removed with silica and there is no harsh abrasion involved. Abrasion can damage enamel.
One of the obvious ways to reduce staining of the teeth and promote healthy gums is by drinking lots of water. Drinking a lot of water steers you away from drinking fluids that are darker and tend to stain or discolor teeth. Coffee, tea, and especially dark colored soda's are among the top drinks that leave stains on teeth. An occasional beverage that leads to staining is not a problem. Constant consumption of these types of drink is not conducive to teeth whitening.
Cigarette or cigar smoking is bad for your over all health and clearly causes damage to organs and tissue that you cannot see with the naked eye. Cigar and cigarette smoking is also another deterrent from naturally white teeth.
Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer in the general population. However, in individuals that were exposed to asbestos, it is not as rare. There are experts that have speculated on other causes. There are incidences of Mesothelioma with no known asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is not a lung cancer. Smoking does not cause it. It is a cancer of the mesothelial cells.
Causes of Mesothelioma
The only known, established cause of Mesothelioma is asbestos. The asbestos fibers are breathed in, travel through the lung and become lodged in the pleura, the thin, saran wrap-type membrane that lines that encases the lung. The pleura, produces a special lubricating fluid that facilitates the ability of the lungs to move inside the chest during breathing. The process of irritation from the infiltration of the asbestos fibers creates changes in the cells, which causes the Mesothelioma. This is known as pleural Mesothelioma. Less common is peritoneal Mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the membrane that encompasses the lining of the abdomen.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
An individual with Mesothelioma experiences chest pain usually caused by a build-up of fluid in the pleural space called an effusion and shortness of breath. Since many doctors may not have expertise in the area of asbestos-related diseases, these symptoms are often believed, at first, to be attributable to other medical problems. A biopsy of the pleural tissue or fluid may reveal the cancer of the mesothelial cells and a proper diagnosis can thus be established. A history of the individual’s occupational exposure shall be taken. Since there is no “safe” level of exposure to asbestos, even brief, low level exposures may be enough to cause Mesothelioma.
Occurrence of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer and its incidence is actually increasing day by day. There is presently no known cure for Mesothelioma. As the disease progresses, the cancerous cells harden the pleura and spread. As time passes, breathing, sleeping and eating become more difficult and eventually it becomes increasingly more challenging for the victim to engage in normal activities and enjoy life.
Treatments of Mesothelioma
A number of treatments have been established to help contain the spread of the disease and reduce the pain associated with it. Chemotherapy, radiation and radical surgery to remove the lung and pleura are among the options that have been explored by the treating physician.
Prevention is better than Cure
Mesothelioma is a preventable disease. Many of the corporations that manufacture and make profit from the sale of asbestos-containing products are aware of the hazards of asbestos. Alternative fibers are available that could be used instead of asbestos. But asbestos is cheap, and available, and is a good filler and binder.
To Sum up
The varied and non-specific symptoms associated with Mesothelioma, can delay detection and diagnosis The cancer has a very long latency period, which means that it could be thirty years or more before the person even realizes that they have contracted the cancer .The onset of symptoms can take up to fifty years or more in some cases, but once the symptoms have manifested the lifespan of the person can be as short as several months. So, if you or a loved one is experiencing any of the above symptoms, consult your doctor right away. Make sure that your physician is aware of any previous asbestos exposure, and occupational risk factors.
Causes of Mesothelioma
The only known, established cause of Mesothelioma is asbestos. The asbestos fibers are breathed in, travel through the lung and become lodged in the pleura, the thin, saran wrap-type membrane that lines that encases the lung. The pleura, produces a special lubricating fluid that facilitates the ability of the lungs to move inside the chest during breathing. The process of irritation from the infiltration of the asbestos fibers creates changes in the cells, which causes the Mesothelioma. This is known as pleural Mesothelioma. Less common is peritoneal Mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the membrane that encompasses the lining of the abdomen.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
An individual with Mesothelioma experiences chest pain usually caused by a build-up of fluid in the pleural space called an effusion and shortness of breath. Since many doctors may not have expertise in the area of asbestos-related diseases, these symptoms are often believed, at first, to be attributable to other medical problems. A biopsy of the pleural tissue or fluid may reveal the cancer of the mesothelial cells and a proper diagnosis can thus be established. A history of the individual’s occupational exposure shall be taken. Since there is no “safe” level of exposure to asbestos, even brief, low level exposures may be enough to cause Mesothelioma.
Occurrence of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer and its incidence is actually increasing day by day. There is presently no known cure for Mesothelioma. As the disease progresses, the cancerous cells harden the pleura and spread. As time passes, breathing, sleeping and eating become more difficult and eventually it becomes increasingly more challenging for the victim to engage in normal activities and enjoy life.
Treatments of Mesothelioma
A number of treatments have been established to help contain the spread of the disease and reduce the pain associated with it. Chemotherapy, radiation and radical surgery to remove the lung and pleura are among the options that have been explored by the treating physician.
Prevention is better than Cure
Mesothelioma is a preventable disease. Many of the corporations that manufacture and make profit from the sale of asbestos-containing products are aware of the hazards of asbestos. Alternative fibers are available that could be used instead of asbestos. But asbestos is cheap, and available, and is a good filler and binder.
To Sum up
The varied and non-specific symptoms associated with Mesothelioma, can delay detection and diagnosis The cancer has a very long latency period, which means that it could be thirty years or more before the person even realizes that they have contracted the cancer .The onset of symptoms can take up to fifty years or more in some cases, but once the symptoms have manifested the lifespan of the person can be as short as several months. So, if you or a loved one is experiencing any of the above symptoms, consult your doctor right away. Make sure that your physician is aware of any previous asbestos exposure, and occupational risk factors.
Factors that Increase and/or Lead to Snoring
There are several health and lifestyle factors that contribute to snoring; and this is true for both men and women, since snoring is a condition that does affect both genders (though surveys suggest that men snorers outnumber women snorers by a ratio of 2:1).
Some of the major health and lifestyle factors that can contribute to snoring include:
Allergies, which can clog the airway and trachea
Allergy medications, which can dry the nasal cavities
Cold and Flu, which can similarly clog the airway (this is why some people experience snoring only when they’re suffering a cold or flu)
Thickened tissues in the nasal passages, which can sometimes result from some surgeries unrelated to snoring
Overuse of nasal sprays which irritate the nasal passageway
Enlarged adenoids and/or tonsils
Goiter (swelling of the an ineffective thyroid gland in the neck)
A disproportionately large tongue that blocks airflow
Ineffective regulation and neural control of mucus membranes
Obesity and excess weight (leading to an enlarged neck and excess soft tissue in the trachea)*
Excess gut/belly (relatively decreasing the size of the lungs)*
Drinking alcohol**, which: sedates the throat muscles and causes them to collapse, and dilates blood vessels which swells up throat tissue
Cigarette smoking, which inflames the upper airway
The normal aging process, which can simply lead to a loss of muscle tone in the neck and thus snoring
* Since relatively more men tend to experience an excess gut, this is one reason why more men tend to experience snoring than women.
** Any medication (prescribed, over the counter, or illicit) that leads to excessive relaxation can lead to snoring.
Some of the major health and lifestyle factors that can contribute to snoring include:
Allergies, which can clog the airway and trachea
Allergy medications, which can dry the nasal cavities
Cold and Flu, which can similarly clog the airway (this is why some people experience snoring only when they’re suffering a cold or flu)
Thickened tissues in the nasal passages, which can sometimes result from some surgeries unrelated to snoring
Overuse of nasal sprays which irritate the nasal passageway
Enlarged adenoids and/or tonsils
Goiter (swelling of the an ineffective thyroid gland in the neck)
A disproportionately large tongue that blocks airflow
Ineffective regulation and neural control of mucus membranes
Obesity and excess weight (leading to an enlarged neck and excess soft tissue in the trachea)*
Excess gut/belly (relatively decreasing the size of the lungs)*
Drinking alcohol**, which: sedates the throat muscles and causes them to collapse, and dilates blood vessels which swells up throat tissue
Cigarette smoking, which inflames the upper airway
The normal aging process, which can simply lead to a loss of muscle tone in the neck and thus snoring
* Since relatively more men tend to experience an excess gut, this is one reason why more men tend to experience snoring than women.
** Any medication (prescribed, over the counter, or illicit) that leads to excessive relaxation can lead to snoring.
How To Quit Smoking
One of the most vicious diseases in today’s times is smoking. It makes a person baffle for air 3 times more than a non-smoker. It has very many repercussions on the life of the smoker and those around him. It leads to lung cancer and various heart diseases like asthma and emphysema. We should thus abhor this deadly disease and quit smoking.
Quitting is not easy
But to actually quit smoking is not easy, because it is an addiction. However there are very many ways and methods that help us to quit smoking for instance we can opt for acupuncture therapy or aromatherapy. We can also opt for non-nicotine cigarettes or go for precise prescription by a doctor.
But first and foremost we need to decide in our heart to stop smoking and should also fix a day for the same. Inform your family about your decision and seek for their help and assistance. Throw away all the cigarette packets, ashtrays and lighters. Stop buying any more cigarettes. Rather think of the more useful and better things that you can buy with the money thus saved. Ask the other family members also, who smoke, to stop smoking. Keep yourself busy. Exercise regularly and meditate occasionally. Eat healthy food.
After doing all this you may still feel severe urges to smoke. You may also actually retort back to it, but that’s no problem, just be persistent and bring back your decision on to the right track after this break, because most of the people are successful only after 2-3 attempts.
Be prepared for withdrawal symptoms
About 80% people retort back to smoking after once leaving it and only 20% successfully accomplish the task. People retort back due to many reasons. Some say they feel agitated. Others say that the aroma when someone lights up is irresistible. But most of them do so due to the fear of symptoms that appears after that last puff viz. weight gain, aggressive thinking, dry throat, fatigue, muscle cramps, constipation, dizziness, hypersensitivity to stimuli, etc. but these are all just temporary symptoms and disappear in a few days. In fact after the initial bout is over the blood pressure, heart rate, pulse arte all get back to normal. You thus need to keep your will power strong and stick to your decision for a few more days.
Some people are not able to continue with the smoke cessation programs because they say that they are costly. But this is a wrong perception because they are not costlier than the price spent for buying cigarettes. And then isn’t it more logical to spend on your health rather on a disease.
Quitting is not easy
But to actually quit smoking is not easy, because it is an addiction. However there are very many ways and methods that help us to quit smoking for instance we can opt for acupuncture therapy or aromatherapy. We can also opt for non-nicotine cigarettes or go for precise prescription by a doctor.
But first and foremost we need to decide in our heart to stop smoking and should also fix a day for the same. Inform your family about your decision and seek for their help and assistance. Throw away all the cigarette packets, ashtrays and lighters. Stop buying any more cigarettes. Rather think of the more useful and better things that you can buy with the money thus saved. Ask the other family members also, who smoke, to stop smoking. Keep yourself busy. Exercise regularly and meditate occasionally. Eat healthy food.
After doing all this you may still feel severe urges to smoke. You may also actually retort back to it, but that’s no problem, just be persistent and bring back your decision on to the right track after this break, because most of the people are successful only after 2-3 attempts.
Be prepared for withdrawal symptoms
About 80% people retort back to smoking after once leaving it and only 20% successfully accomplish the task. People retort back due to many reasons. Some say they feel agitated. Others say that the aroma when someone lights up is irresistible. But most of them do so due to the fear of symptoms that appears after that last puff viz. weight gain, aggressive thinking, dry throat, fatigue, muscle cramps, constipation, dizziness, hypersensitivity to stimuli, etc. but these are all just temporary symptoms and disappear in a few days. In fact after the initial bout is over the blood pressure, heart rate, pulse arte all get back to normal. You thus need to keep your will power strong and stick to your decision for a few more days.
Some people are not able to continue with the smoke cessation programs because they say that they are costly. But this is a wrong perception because they are not costlier than the price spent for buying cigarettes. And then isn’t it more logical to spend on your health rather on a disease.
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