Posted on December 21, 2011
According to latest statistics, nearly 16 percent of children and teenagers between the ages of 6 and 19 are overweight. Childhood obesity is fast becoming an epidemic and if we do nothing to stop it, children will have many weight-related health problems that are usually present in adults.
Childhood obesity can develop due to different factors. These include genetics where children with obese parents have the tendency to be obese; diet where junk food and greasy food is regularly consumed by children; and finally lack of physical activity is more and more evident among children who prefer sitting and playing video and computer games rather than playing outside. In fact, lack of physical activity is one of the major causes of childhood obesity.
Children who are obese suffer from many psychological problems like low self-esteem and inability to make friends. But the health effects of childhood obesity are far greater than the psychological problems.
Here are some common health-related problems that childhood obesity causes:
o Children who are overweight and have a family history of diabetes have a higher risk of developing Type II diabetes.
o Obesity raises the risk of cardiovascular diseases including high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol levels.
o Although it is being debated, many researchers believe that asthma in children is linked to childhood obesity.
o Obese children tend to suffer more frequently from gall bladder diseases including gallstones accompanied with fever, pain in the stomach and jaundice.
o Overweight boys between the ages of 10 and 16 can suffer from slipped capital femoral epiphysis. This causes severe hip pain.
o Obese children can get pancreatitis with severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever.
o It has been seen that obese children snore loudly, have labored breathing and sleep poorly. This is known as sleep apnea.
o Childhood obesity can lead to fatty degeneration of the liver, a condition that is medically known as hepatic steatosis.
o Above all, obese children grown up to be obese adults and then have high risk of developing all the diseases caused by being overweight.
Posted on December 16, 2011
Cancer is known medically as a malignant neoplasm. It is a large group of different diseases that involves unregulated cell growth.
How does cancer grow?
Normally the cause is that cells divide and grow uncontrollably, which forms a malignant tumor and invades the nearby body part. Cancer grows even faster because of our bloodstream, but not all tumors are cancerous.
Cancer will invade our body organs as quickly as they can if we keep doing our bad habits. Breast cancer, Lung cancer and Colon cancer are the most commonly encountered types of cancer.
Listed below are the most prevalent types of cancer and the ways to prevent it or best, to not get it at all.
Breast Cancer
We'll start off at breast cancer, it's the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Studies show that 1 out of 8 women are identified as having breast cancer, not counting the fact that it can be inherited. If that's the situation, it is our lifestyle we must control. You have to be open for changes to enable you to prevent breast cancer.
How to Lessen the Risk of Cancer
• STOP your midnight happy times - research has shown that women who drink alcoholic beverages sooner or later develop cancer.
• Not all QUITTERS never win - with regards to smoking, not all quitters never win. You can win your healthy life should you start or choose to quit smoking. I know it's going to be quite difficult especially if it is a part of your daily habits. But if you think of the good side, you'll be motivated.
• GET physical - as soon as we started studying, our teachers taught us to exercise. Each morning before classes start, everyone will be gathered and perform some stretching. Apply what you have learned in school. At least Thirty minutes of jogging or walking or biking can be quite a great help to burn excessive fats on our body. It will help you develop good breathing pattern. Read more...
Posted on November 25, 2011
Fungal infection (yeast infection) - this is a common type of vaginal infections. They are very common in pregnant women. The causative agent of these infections, also called vaginal candidiasis, is a microscopic fungus genus Candida, usually Candida albicans.
A number of fungi (yeast) naturally present in the vagina and the gastrointestinal tract. Fungi become a problem when they begin to multiply so quickly that their number to inhibit other microorganisms.
Because of the increased level of estrogen during pregnancy in the vagina to produce more glycogen, which promotes the proliferation of fungi. According to some experts, estrogen may exert a direct effect on the fungus, so that they grow quickly and easily, stick to the walls of the vagina.
Risk of yeast infection is increased by using antibiotics, especially if you take them frequently or for long periods. This is due to the fact that antibiotics not only kill the harmful bacteria but also the good bug as well.
What are the symptoms of fungal disease?
If you have symptoms of a fungal (yeast) infection, they will bother you (and worse) until you are cured. However, sometimes the symptoms go away.
The main symptoms include:
-itching, irritation, pain, burning, redness (sometimes swelling) and vaginal labia,
-white or cream cheesy vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor,
-discomfort or pain during sex
-burning sensation during urinating (when the urine reaches the inflamed areas of the genitals).
What To Do If You Suspect A Fungal Infection?
If you suspect an infection contact your doctor. Keep in mind that, despite the availability of antifungal drugs, do not self-medicate without consulting your doctor. The cause of the symptoms may not only be a yeast (fungal) infection, but it may be sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They can develop on their own or simultaneously with fungal infection. Read more...