Banana - Relief For Heart And Stomach Diseases

Something about bananas makes people laugh. We talk about "going bananas" and "slipping on banana peels." You would think that these yellow-skinned beauties were made for the comedy club.

But here's something that you'll want to take seriously. Studies have shown that the fruit beneath that slippery skin can do wonders for our health. Bananas may help prevent conditions ranging from heart attack and stroke to high blood pressure and infection. They can even help heal ulcers.

PRESSURE ULCER

Bananas for the heart
• If the needle on the blood pressure cuff has been inching up in recent years, it may be time for a tropical vacation. If the sun and surf don't bring your pressure down, the bananas sure will.

• Bananas are one of nature's best sources of potassium, with each fruit providing about 396 milligrams, 11 percent of the Daily Value (DV) of this essential mineral. Study after study shows that people who eat foods rich in potassium have a significantly lower risk of high blood pressure and related diseases like heart attack and stroke.

• Even if you already have high blood pressure, eating plenty of bananas may significantly reduce or even eliminate your need for blood pressure medication, according to scientists at the University of Naples in Italy. Researchers believe that one of the ways that bananas keep blood pressure down is by helping to prevent plaque from sticking to artery walls. They do this by keeping the "bad" low- density lipoprotein cholesterol from oxidizing, a chemical process that makes it more likely to accumulate. That's why bananas may be a good defense against atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, another contributor to high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.

Stomach Relief

• Though more research needs to be done, bananas may replace antacids in your medicine cabinet as an effective way to quell the inner flames of heartburn and indigestion. Although experts don't know why they work, bananas seem to act as a natural antacid.

• In addition, bananas may be helpful for preventing and treating ulcers. There have been a few studies showing that bananas may have a protective effect in ulcer treatment," says William Ruderman, M.D., a gastroenterologist in private practice in Orlando, Florida.

• Scientists suspect that bananas may guard against stomach damage in two ways. First, a chemical in bananas called protease inhibitor appears to be able to kill 0ff harmful, ulcer-causing bacteria before they do their dirty work. Second, bananas seem to stimulate the production of protective mucus, the layer chat helps prevent harsh acids from coming into contact with the tender stomach lining.

• Bananas are a very good source of electrolytes, like potassium, which you lose when you become dehydrated. Electrolytes are minerals that turn into electrically charged particles in the body, helping w control almost everything that happens inside, from muscle contractions and fluid balance to the beating of the heart.

Banana - Relief For Heart And Stomach Diseases

PRESSURE ULCER

Do Blood Pressure Drugs Cause Cancer?

Recently the media has reported that a class of blood pressure medicine known as angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB) used by tens of millions of patients can cause a significant increase in cancer especially lung cancer. This was the conclusion drawn from a study published online recently by Sipahi et al in the medical journal Lancet Oncology.

A cascade of hormonal reactions mainly referred to as the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAA) hormonal system is central in maintaining blood pressure. The first step in the chain is the production of renin in the kidneys when the kidneys detect lower blood pressure. Renin then stimulates the formation of a protein called Angiotensin I, which is then converted to angiotensin II by the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in the lungs. Angiotensin II is the most powerful constrictor of blood vessels known and this constriction leads to elevated blood pressure. Angiotensin II also causes the secretion of the hormone aldosterone which further causes an additional blood pressure rise. Any drug that prevents the production of Angiotensin II via the RAA system therefore is useful in reducing blood pressure. The two classes of drugs that have the most substantial effects on the RAA system are the angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) drugs and the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) and are widely used for the treatment of hypertension, heart failure and diabetes-related kidney damage. The mechanisms of action of both these drugs are different although producing the same end result: reduction in blood pressure or is antihypertensive. For instance, ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure not only by blocking the production of Angiotensin II, but by increasing the amounts of powerful chemicals, including nitric oxide, that widen the arteries.

PRESSURE ULCER

Ever since the use of reserpine, a drug used for hypertension but no longer used, has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer more than 50 years ago, the question of antihypertensive drugs and cancer has not come to rest. Beta-blockers have been associated with lung cancer, thiazide diuretics with renal cell carcinoma and colon cancer and calcium blockers with cancer in general. In most instances, the risk is small and not supported by biochemical experimental or epidemiological data. The relationship between diuretic therapy and renal cell carcinoma is supported by a variety of clinical biochemical and experimental data and remains of concern, particularly in women.

An association between the ACE inhibitors and cancer was first indicated when the results of the Candesartan in Heart Failure Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and Morbidity (CHARM) study were published in 2003. The results of the CHARM trial indicated that patients treated with candesartan had a significant increase in the risk for fatal cancers compared with control patients but that the investigators concluded this finding was likely due to chance. Since then, several other studies, including LIVE, ONTARGET and TRANSCEND noted an excess in malignancies in patients assigned the ARBs compared with placebo.

For that reason, Sipahi et al conducted the meta-analysis to determine if ARBs had an effect on new cancer diagnoses. Data were taken from all available scientific and public randomized trials in which patients were treated with an angiotensin-receptor blocker to treat hypertension, heart failure and diabetes-related kidney damage. The five trials with new cancer data were ONTARGET, PROFESS, LIFE, TRANSCEND, and CHARM-Overall. In addition, data were available for cancer deaths in LIFE, TRANSCEND, VALIANT, and Val-HeFT. In 85.7% of the trials examined, Telmisartan which is also marketed as Micardis, among other names was used. Telmisartan has been commercially available to treat hypertension since its approval in 1998. It is also approved for use in the reduction of the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in patients 55 years of age or older who were at high risk of developing major CV events and who are unable to take ACE inhibitors. Hence, it is really the effect of telmisartan on new cancer that is being accessed in this meta-analysis.

The analysis followed about 61,590 patients: researchers found a rise of 11 percent in cancer overall and 25 percent in lung cancer among patients who took ARB drugs. Overall those patients on trial who were randomly assigned an ARB had an increased risk for new cancer diagnosis compared with those patients assigned placebo (7.2% vs. 6%). Among the solid-organ cancers examined, only an increased risk for lung cancer was identified compared with control groups (0.9% vs. 0.7%). That translates into the modest but significant effect of one additional case of cancer for every 105 patients who take the drugs for four years, which does not seem a high risk but is similar to that seen with passive smoking. Nevertheless, this is the first time such an association has been made and even if the risk for the individual patient is not huge, the clinical significance of this potential excess cancer risk is unknown.

Given the millions of patients on these drugs, this is an important number because it gives an idea of potentially how many excess cancers could be caused by these medications. The finding of a 1.2% increase in absolute risk for cancer over an average of 4 years needs to be interpreted in view of the estimated 41% lifetime cancer risk. In the background information for this meta-analysis, the researchers said, to date, there have been no significant safety concerns associated with the use of ARBs. "However, clinical trials of ARBs have mainly assessed their effects on cardiovascular and renal endpoints and have usually not reported incidence of cancers," the researchers wrote. Angiotensin-receptor blockers can be replaced with other blood pressure medications, the researchers said, but they warned patients not to do anything before consulting with a physician as these drugs have beneficial effects for the control of blood pressure and heart failure.

Officials with Boehringer Ingelheim, makers of Telmisartan, disputed the findings in a statement, saying that the company's "comprehensive internal safety data analysis of primary data contradicts the conclusions about an increased risk of potential malignancies." They also concluded that the finding of a modestly increased risk of new cancer diagnosis in the meta-analysis is "mainly based on the combination arm of telmisartan and ramipril [Altace, King Pharmaceuticals], an ACE inhibitor, in ONTARGET and not on the trial arms of each compound separately," it asserts, noting that the product labelling for telmisartan does not recommend combining it with ACE inhibitors.

In most studies and meta-analyses, the risk of cancer with the RAA system blockers was either equal or lower than with their comparator (including placebo). Thus, the present study showing a modestly increased risk of new cancer diagnosis with ARBs is unexpected and certainly warrants scrutiny and further investigation. While the meta-analysis has its strengths-particularly its size, the thoroughness of the literature search, and the application of appropriate filters to exclude potentially unreliable data, "there are also important weaknesses, which the investigators acknowledge-including the post-hoc nature of this investigation where only certain drugs within the ARB class are examined and that the trials examined were not designed to explore cancer endpoints.

In an editorial accompanying this meta-analysis, Steven E. Nissen, said although the researchers are "appropriately cautious" about drawing conclusions from the analysis as it remains unknown whether other ARBs-irbesartan (Avapro, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi-Aventis), valsartan (Diovan, Novartis), olmesartan (Benicar, Daiichi Sankyo), and eprosartan (Teveten, Abbott)-are linked to a higher risk of new cancer incidence, it was still "disturbing and proactive". Further investigation is needed to conclusively define any cancer risk associated with these drugs. Also, the mechanism for the possible increase in new cancer occurrences associated with ARBs is uncertain, according the authors. There is little, if any, biological plausibility that a drug exposure of a few years only would increase the risk of new cancer diagnosis. Cigarette smoking, which is one of the most powerful risk factors for lung cancer, will require 10 years or longer of exposure to significantly increased risk of lung cancer. Thus, it's exceedingly unlikely that the short-term drug exposure as happens in clinical trials ARBs would have a clinically meaningful effect. Nevertheless, regulators must review the possible association between ARB use and cancer, and promptly report their findings. In the meanwhile, ARBs which are often over prescribed anyway, should be reserved for patients with intolerance to ACE inhibitors.

Do Blood Pressure Drugs Cause Cancer?

PRESSURE ULCER

3 Treatments For Rosacea That Will Clear Up Acne in Days

Rosacea is often described as the "acne that isn't really acne," because it less a skin condition than a neurological condition. The skin overreacts to changes in temperature and to various chemicals to cause itching, redness, and troubling changes in texture. Here are three treatments for rosacea that will often clear up the condition in just days.

Treatment #1. Try deglycyrrhizinated licorice, also known as DGL.

PRESSURE ULCER

There is a relationship between rosacea and the bacterium Helicobacter pylorans that dermatologists are only slowly beginning to understand. This bacterium is found in about 85 per cent of stomachs that are inflamed by peptic ulcers. Killing the bacterium stops the ulcers. When antibiotic therapy became standard for stomach ulcers, doctors started noticing that the antibiotics also cleared up rosacea.

Exactly why treating the bacteria that cause ulcers should also clear up rosacea is not something that medical has worked out. If you have rosacea, however, you can try an herbal remedy that is specific to Helicobacter pylorans, deglycyrrhizinated licorice, abbreviated DGL. This is a form of licorice that has been treated to remove a chemical that causes high blood pressure in some sensitive people. It kills Helicobacter bacteria. Even though there is no proof that this bacterium causes rosacea, getting rid of the bacteria also clears up rosacea about 70 per cent of the time. Results are sometimes obvious in as little as two days.

Treatment #2. Avoid acne triggers.

Another peculiarity of rosacea is that blemishes break out in minutes, not over a period of days or weeks the way they do with common acne. That is because rosacea-affected skin is super-sensitive to changes in temperature, sunlight, and certain chemicals. Capsaicin in chili peppers is a major trigger for most people who have rosacea; the chemical activates a nerve that runs from the tear glands down to the heart, and the moment a rosacea pops a pepper into the mouth the skin on the nose and cheeks may break out. In fact, even cooking with chili peppers can cause some people to break out.

The more times you break out, the more permanent the changes to your skin. Avoid sudden changes in temperature to your face, hot drinks, cold drinks, and chili peppers. Stopping new outbreaks gives your skin a chance to heal.

Treatment #3. Avoid antacids.

It is not unusual for people who have rosacea also to have low stomach acid, even if they also have bacterial infections that cause ulcers! Low stomach acid leads to a variety of food sensitivities and nutritional deficiencies that cause broken capillaries around the nose and cracking or peeling nails. If you have these symptoms, avoid antacids for a few days and see if you skin does not clear up. In fact, taking a single tablet of betaine hydrochloride 30 minutes before a meal may provide your stomach with additional acid to break down complex proteins in food that, for reasons medical science does not completely understand, aggravate rosacea. Don't take betaine if you have active peptic ulcer disease, acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease, or heartburn. The product should cause a warm sensation, not pain. If you experience any kind of pain after using betaine hydrochloride, discontinue the product.

3 Treatments For Rosacea That Will Clear Up Acne in Days

PRESSURE ULCER

Diet For Type 2 Diabetics (And Control Cholesterol and Blood Pressure in the Bargain)

In 1998 I underwent triple bypass surgery to save my life, and an unforeseen emergency nearly took it again. I don't want anyone to have to go through this if you can avoid it, and, likely you can. It takes being serious about how you eat, and sensible exercise.

I tell you, I know that my lack of diet control and no exercise nearly got me dead. I was about 58 when all this happened. My life of double cheeseburgers, fries, hot buttered honey buns and watching TV in all my spare time got me there. You know, I live in the South, the home of deep fried foods. Everything is deep fried; chicken, ham, green beans prepared with ham hocks in the pot and biscuits and gravy. That's the South. Heck, in my home town the favorite restaurant there carries the slogan, "Home of the FatBack Bar"! It is the number restaurant in town and typical of the South.... well, really, typical of America. We are "America the Obese." Everything in that restaurant is cooked in pork fat. There's even a bowl of fried, crisped fatback strips at the end of the buffet. Help yourself.... to a heart attack. But, I loved and consumed any foods that tasted good, and were usually not good for me. Sound a little like you, maybe?

PRESSURE ULCER

I had high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol and, type 2 diabetes. I felt like an invalid, and well I should with all that going on. I had no energy and no self esteem.

But there is good news. When I finally made up my mind to do something about it, I mean REALLY made up my mind, it worked! If there is a secret to controlling your type 2 diabetes, its this. You have to really decide that you don't have to be "sick" and that you are going to do something about it. You are the only one who can do it. Nobody can do it for you. It's like quitting smoking. You'll never do it until you are ready to. (Been there, done that- two packs a day. But that's another story)

So, think about this. Is running the risk of losing a foot, or a leg, or your eyesight worth not having the self control it takes to prevent it? Are a couple of cheeseburgers every day worth that? What is your favorite hobby? Can you do it missing a hand; a foot; your eyesight? To control your type 2 diabetes, you have to control body fat. There is no getting around that!

If I, at age 68, can completely control blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and my type 2 diabetes with a sensible diet control plan and simple exercise, there is no doubt you can too. On my last two checkups at the Doctor, he told me that my blood pressure is normal, my A1CL is normal, my pulse is normal, and I am as though I am non-diabetic. If I can, you can. It is not as hard as you think.

Please, for your own sake and that of the ones who love and care about you, do something about your type 2 diabetes starting now. Improve your health and live life as you are meant to.

Diet For Type 2 Diabetics (And Control Cholesterol and Blood Pressure in the Bargain)

PRESSURE ULCER

Want Lower Blood Pressure? Easy Exercise Program For Lowering Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common problem. One reason is that medication can only reduce the problem, not cure it. In most cases, the best way to lower your blood pressure is to change your life style.

pressure cooker canner

For most people, more physical activity is necessary. Lack of exercise is one of the main suspected causes of hypertension. Note that exercise will cause your blood pressure to rise for a short time. However, once you stop the activity, it soon returns back to normal levels. The quicker it does this, the fitter you are.

PRESSURE

Most people suffering from hypertension should be able to increase their physical activity level safely. However, if your blood pressure is really high, it may have to be lowered with medication before you start exercising. Always consult your doctor before starting a new exercise program.

You should focus on aerobic exercises, which are good for your heart and blood vessels. Walking, jogging and swimming are suitable activities. At least in the beginning, you should avoid isometric exercises, such as heavy weight lifting. These activities will put an extra strain on heart and blood vessels.

Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes three to five times a week. It is much better to exercise often than trying to make one or two big sessions every week. The key to success is persistence, you need to incorporate the exercises into your daily life. In order to increase your chances of success, you should focus on activities you enjoy. If it feels like a punishment, you will most likely give up quickly.

The best but also the toughest way is to exercise first thing in the morning. Make sure that you get up early so that you can go for a walk before breakfast. Even better is jogging, as long as you are fit enough to handle it. A more comfortable solution is to use an exercise bike at home. Treadmills and cross trainer machines are better but also more expensive.

If you have the opportunity, go for a walk during lunch time. Even better would be to go to a gym for some light to medium exercises. Make sure that you also get your mind off work at the same time.

In the evening, you should try to squeeze in activities you enjoy. It can be tennis twice a week together with swimming twice a week plus a long walk during the weekend.

Physical activity will help to lower your blood pressure but it's unlikely to be enough on its own. If hypertension is a problem for you, combine exercises with other changes to get better results. Healthier diet and stress reduction are two of most important changes you should consider.

Want Lower Blood Pressure? Easy Exercise Program For Lowering Blood Pressure

PRESSURE

Correct Blood Pressure Reading - What Are Good Blood Pressure Numbers?

If you take the blood pressure of 50 different people, you will get 50 different readings. If you take the blood pressure readings of some people 50 times, you will get 50 different blood pressure readings. Still, it is possible, that in spite of all these different numbers being read, none of these people will actually have hypertension. In this article, we will discuss why this is and just what a correct blood pressure reading is.

pressure tank

A blood pressure reading consists of two parts. One part is the systolic reading and the other part is the diastolic reading. The systolic part is the higher of the two numbers and of course, the diastolic is the lower.

PRESSURE

On a traditional BP reading machine, which is called a sphygmomanometer, the air pressure on the cup around your arm is inflated to a pressure that would be higher than your systolic reading. The air is let out of the cup until the person reading your pressure can hear your heartbeat through a stethoscope.

The point at which he or she hears your heartbeat is your systolic reading. The person reading your BP then continues to let more air out of the cup until he or she no longer hears your heartbeat. The point at which the sound of your heartbeat disappears is your diastolic reading.

A very good systolic reading is 120 and a very good diastolic reading is 80. However, the systolic reading is only mildly high when it is slightly over 140 and the diastolic reading is only slightly high when it is around 90. Add the fact you could go several points lower than 120 and 80 on these readings before hypotension, or low blood pressure was an issue, and you can see there is quite a wide range of good BP readings.

This is good because a normal person's pressure will vary throughout the day. Changes in stress level, exercise and food digestion are all issues which can affect one's BP. In other words, your BP could be a little higher after you eat a heavy meal, but it could also be a little higher if you were very hungry. Of course, if you were to meet a lion face to face, your blood pressure would be very, very high.

For this reason, it is wise to take time to relax throughout the day and to learn how not to become too worked up over little things. Still, unless you are a very unusual person, your blood pressure may be high or at least on the high side once in a while. Because of this, one is not diagnosed with hypertension until he or she is getting high blood pressure readings consistently.

Correct Blood Pressure Reading - What Are Good Blood Pressure Numbers?

PRESSURE

Low Blood Pressure Readings

If you have a low blood pressure reading, you should know that you may be prone to developing health risks. This condition, also called hypotension, appears when there is less pressure against the wall of the arteries; less blood and oxygen is then pumped to the vital organs such as the heart and the brain.

pressure washer

On any blood pressure reading, you will notice there are two numbers side by side or one on top of the other. The first/top number is the value of your systolic pressure, while the second/lower number refers to the diastolic blood pressure. The first one refers to the amount of pressure registered when the heart is pumping out blood, while the second number is the value of pressure between each heart beat.

PRESSURE

Hypotension is usually registered when the low pressure reading is of 90/60 or less; however, it is important to note that what is considered low pressure will vary from individual to individual, taking into account factors such as age, fitness level and height. For example people age 50 or more will have higher systolic blood pressure (which may need to be controlled) and lower diastolic blood pressure.

Hypotension, you see, can appear as we get into certain stages in life, like for example pregnancy. Pregnant women will develop this drop of pressure during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, this is considered normal as the body changes and blood starts circulating in new vessels. Other causes of low blood pressure readings include severe infection, dehydration (very common by the way), severe allergic reactions, blood loss, endocrine problems, lack of appropriate nutrients in the diet and endocrine problems.

A reading of this kind can also be the result of the use of certain medications. Although we sometimes use medications to be cured, the truth is that a majority of them bring side effect that affect us in other areas of our lives. Medications that can induce an hypotension problem include diuretics, alpha and beta blockers, antidepressants, hypertension medications and certain drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease.

A sudden drop of blood pressure may prove to be extremely dangerous for your health, and you don't even need a reading for this. If you feel dizziness or fainting, classic symptoms of hypotension issues, you should seek medical attention quickly. In some cases sudden drops of this kind can lead to negative effects in the nervous system and even to fatal consequences.

Low Blood Pressure Readings

PRESSURE