Did you know that gout affects up to 500,000 Canadians? That is 1 in 30. Men over 40 are at least four times more likely to develop gout than women. Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by too much uric acid. Uric acid is a waste product that is found naturally in the body and is normally flushed away by the kidneys. With gout, the body either makes too much uric acid or doesn’t get rid of enough of it. Extra uric acid turns into crystals that can build up in the joints. Most often it affects the joint at the base of the big toe but it can also affect the ankle, knee, foot, hand, wrist and elbow. (more…)

Athletes foot, also known as Tinea Pedis, is a condition that affects the epidermis or skin of the foot. It is most commonly encountered in the webbing between the toes, but can also spread to the bottom and sides of the foot. It is characterized by peeling, redness, itchiness, and flaking. In extreme cases it may also involve swelling, inflammation, cracked skin, and blisters. Tinea Pedis is an extremely common skin condition, second only to acne. It is more common among males than females (more…)

Childhood obesity is on the rise. The latest Canadian Community Health Survey found that the combined rate of children and teens who are overweight or obese has jumped from fifteen to twenty-six percent over the span of just 25 years (1978-2004).

Unfortunately, the problem doesn’t end there. About 70% of obese children become obese adults, increasing the risk of their developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease as well as developing poor body image and self-esteem-related eating disorders. Even more disconcerting is that many obese and overweight children are developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and joint problems, at very early ages.

So what can be done? One strategy that can help is for kids to get their daily servings of fruit and vegetables. Children and teens who eat fruit and vegetables 5 or more times a day are much less likely to be overweight or obese than those who eat them less often. (more…)

I am a regular blood donor and always record what my blood pressure was. The last two have been a bit high (stress as I prepare to move?) but my normal blood pressure is usually quite close to 120/80. Pulse is usually close to 60. In these two respects I seem to be a healthy 50-something.

Unfortunately, as our guest writer, Donald Saunders, says, over 20% of Americans have high blood pressure. Read along with me to see what this means and what you can do about your blood pressure.

——————————————

Figures show that there are some 73 million adults in the United States alone today who are suffering from high blood pressure and that more than 50,000 individuals will die as a direct result of the condition during the next year. Unhappily, many of these deaths are unnecessary and one of the quickest and easiest ways to lower your blood pressure is to alter your eating habits.

We have witnessed dramatic changes in our lives in the past few years and one very significant change for nearly all of us is seen in our diet. (more…)

It is a sad fact that most of us will suffer from one digestive disorder or another at some time in our lives. It is true to say that the highest number of calls received by NHS Direct are from people suffering with digestive problems. Of course our diet and the foods we eat play a major role in keeping our digestive system in good order, but listed here are the three major digestive disorders:- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Heartburn, and Indigestion.

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

IBS is a very common condition in our society. It affects a third of the population at some time or another and about one in ten people suffer symptoms bad enough to go to the doctor. It can be painful and distressing, and diagnosis of IBS should be confirmed by a qualified medical practitioner. Symptoms include abdominal pain or a sharp pain felt low down inside the rectum, spasm/diarrhea, bloated stomach, rumbling noises and wind, constipation, nausea, belching and vomiting. (more…)

Depression has clearly been linked with obese children, yet which precedes the other is like the case of the chicken and the egg. It is unclear which is the cause and which is the effect. Do children become depressed due to being overweight, or does the tendency go in the other direction?

Dr. Sarah Mustillo of Duke University Medical Center has studied the interaction between the human body’s internal and external components. Her observations conclude that obesity frequently leads to a social stigma that may bring about the onset of depression, chipping away at the child’s self-esteem and ability to interact normally with others in the making and maintenance of friendships. On the other hand, she notes other children who experience clinical depression and consequently eat greater quantities of food for emotional “self-medication,” lose enthusiasm for calorie-burning physical activities, and become obese. (more…)

Do you you suffer from nausea, cramps, bloating, gas, or diarrhea after drinking milk or eating dairy products?

You may be lactose intolerant. This is a common reaction. According to some reports, between 30 and 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant.

Lactose is the sugar found in milk and other dairy products. The small intestine produces an enzyme called lactase whose job it is to break lactose down into two simple sugars called glucose and galactose. The glucose is then absorbed into the bloodstream for nourishment. If your body does not produce enough lactase, the unaltered lactose makes its way into the large intestine and begins to ferment, producing acids and gases.

ALLERGY OR INTOLERANCE? (more…)

While as many as 40 percent of all American adults snore, not too many people know exactly what causes snoring and what serious affects it can have on the health of you and those who live with you.

In this article, we will discuss what snoring is, what can cause it, and what can help to remedy the problem. (more…)

Diabetes is a disease which restricts the normal capacities of the human body to use the energy coming from food. Being characterized by a sugar excess in blood, diabetes can result from genetic and environmental factors acting together. With an incredible increase in the number of patients suffering from diabetes, the experts speak today about diabetic epidemics.

In 1998, there were 143 million diabetics in the world. In 2025 it was estimated the number was 300 million. (more…)

What exactly is the mysterious disease that was once described as being the “yuppie flu” and was believed to be only found in the realm of the rich and famous? Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a sickness or illness that is defined by both “profound as well as prolonged exhaustion.” As opposed to occasional feelings of tiredness, those suffering from CFS will not get better simply by getting an adequate amount of sleep and rest. When no other sicknesses or health conditions can be found to bring about extreme tiredness, CFS is often considered to be the culprit. (more…)