Body & Mind

Heart disease is the most common cause of death in the US - yet in many cases, it could be prevented. Our guide shows how you can take better care of this most vital organ. How does your heart work? The heart is a hard-wearing muscular pump that drives blood through the body. With reasonable care, it can keep pumping for 70, 80 or even 90 or more years. It lies in the middle of the chest between the lungs and is protected by a bony cage consisting of the breast-bone, ribs and spine. It is about the size of…

The National Heart Foundation has produced some interesting statistics in recent years on the cardiovascular health of Americans, showing that average blood pressure increases with age and that cardiovascular diseases are among the main killers in the United States. When you think of cardiovascular diseases (which simply means diseases of the heart and blood vessels), think of prevention and rehabilitation rather than being fatalistic and saying, "well you've got to go somehow." High blood pressure There are lots of different types of diseases of the blood vessels of the heart and the body, but today I'll address the problem of…

Health is one of the most important things which affects the quality of life, so it makes sense to find out how best to take care of it. Scientific advances now protect us from most of the infectious diseases which plagued our grandparents' generation. But modern medicine can do little to protect us from the chronic ill health we largely inflict on ourselves by our ignorance and failure to act on the knowledge we already have. Staying healthy is something we can all try to do and something which is enjoyable to do. Our health is not handed out in…

Fear is a psychological poison that can cause as much distress as a physical toxin, but there is an antidote, say authors Dr. Robert Sharpe and David Lewis. No matter what you are trying to do, excessive anxiety ensures that you do it worse. You want to think clearly, but your mind is confused by fears. However much you want to defend yourself in an argument, rebut criticism, make a good impression, put across your viewpoint, or demonstrate your skills, anxiety gets in the way. Your stomach churns uncomfortably, your mouth goes dry, your breathing becomes rapid and uneven. You…

Hypertension does not mean you are suffering from nerves, stress, or tension, as the name seems to imply, although many are tense, uptight individuals. This is the doctor's medical term which simply means elevated blood pressure. Blood pressure We all have a certain level of blood pressure. If we didn't the blood would not be able to circulate around the system. It is a simple, measurable quantity. In recent years, we have discovered that readings that are above normal carry certain risks. In some individuals, these may be serious. It is now much appreciated by doctors that sensible, regular treatment…

I used to get asthma as a child but have had no trouble for years until last weekend at a barbecue when I got so bad I had to go to the hospital. I had quite a few pickled onions that I don't usually eat, and someone reckoned these could have brought on the attack, so I want to know if this is true? Yes, this is quite true. From your story of being free of asthma, it sounds as though the pickled onions were responsible for triggering the adverse reaction. The chemical additive, metabisulphite, used in the pickling process…

The depression is severe enough to require professional attention, even hospital care. For the rest of us, less severe attacks of the "blues" will cause real anguish at times in our lives. What is depression, when to help yourself, and how to tell if you need professional help? What causes depression? If we didn't feel blue at times, we would not be human. Each of us inevitably will encounter sadness - when a friend dies, investments go sour, in the wake of a family argument, a long and futile spell of work, or sudden stress like a car accident. Researchers…

The reasons for recommending tonsillectomy are not many, and parents should have an idea as to what they are: Respiratory obstruction: This is the major reason why tonsils must be removed. Even large ones (which can become dangerously enlarged if suddenly infected) in some cases can close over the back of the throat and make breathing difficult. There is no doubt about the necessity of having these removed. Recurring tonsillitis requiring antibiotics: If the child has three attacks of acute tonsillitis a year for two years, the tonsils should be surgically removed. "This is the most common indication for the…

Migraine is a very common condition and, while no one is immune, women seem more prone to attack than men. Many causes have been suggested, but nothing has been pinpointed as the main one. Each migraine sufferer seems to have a separate trigger that brings on an attack. Some women find they react to chocolate, others to oranges. Fatigue, the contraceptive pill, menstruation have all been blamed. The list of causes would fill a book. There is a constant search for new and better treatments. A drug called Clonidine is now being used, under medical supervision, which offers new hope…

While the fluoride water war warms up among medical and dental experts who decide what our drinking water should be spiked with, there is news on what you can do for your teeth at home. The organization most concerned is Sydney University's Department of Preventive Dentistry. While always encouraging regular visits to the dentist, more recently they have prompted concerned dental laboratories to come up with better products that can be used for home care. You deserve congratulations if you've got your full quota of 32 sparkling chompers, but only conscientious care will keep them with you forever. Quite simply,…

The facts we've come up with may help many people suffering from hypertension. For the healthy, they highlight the risk factors that too many of us ignore. What exactly is blood pressure? Blood pressure is the force of the blood pumped from the heart against the walls of the arteries. Doesn't everybody have blood pressure? Yes. Everybody must have a certain level of blood pressure to maintain circulation. But if for any reason, the pumping action of the heart gets faster or the resistance of the blood vessels increases, blood pressure tends to rise. How does the circulation system work?…