How Does Pregnancy in young age Reduce Breast Cancer Risk?

How Does Pregnancy in young age Reduce Breast Cancer Risk?

Latest research published in journal: Breast Cancer Research
(28th April 2013)

Being pregnant while young is known to protect a women against breast cancer. But why? Research in BioMed Central's open access journal Breast Cancer Research finds that Wnt/Notch signalling ratio is decreased in the breast tissue of mice which have given birth, compared to virgin mice of the same age.

Early pregnancy is protective against breast cancer in humans and in rodents. In humans having a child before the age of 20 decreases risk of breast cancer by half. Using microarray analysis researchers from Basel discovered that genes involved in the immune system and differentiation were up-regulated after pregnancy while the activity of genes coding for growth factors was reduced.

The activity of one particular gene Wnt4 was also down-regulated after pregnancy. The protein from this gene (Wnt4) is a feminising protein -- absence of this protein propels a fetus towards developing as a boy. Wnt and Notch are opposing components of a system which controls cellular fate within an organism and when the team looked at Notch they found that genes regulated by notch were up-regulated, Notch-stimulating proteins up-regulated and Notch-inhibiting proteins down-regulated.

Reference of Journal : Parity induces differentiation and reduces Wnt/Notch signaling ratio and proliferation potential of basal stem/progenitor cells isolated from mouse mammary epithelium. Breast Cancer Research, 2013.

 

15 SPECTACULAR TRICKS FOR YOUR BODY !!!!

Very interesting Please share first and read completely.......

15 SPECTACULAR TRICKS FOR YOUR BODY !!!!

1.) If you've got an itch in your throat, scratch your ear. When the nerves in the ear get stimulated, they create a reflex in the throat that causes a muscle spasm, which cures the itch.

2.) Having trouble hearing someone at a party or on the phone? Use your right ear it's better at picking up rapid speech. But, the left is better at picking up music tones.

3.) If you need to relieve yourself BADLY, but you're not anywhere near a bathroom, fantasize about RELATIONS. That preoccupies your brain and distracts it.

4.) Next time the doctor's going to give you an injection, COUGH as the needle is going in. The cough raises the level of pressure in your spinal canal, which limits the pain sensation as it tries to travel to your brain.

5.) Clear a stuffed nose or relieve sinus pressure by pushing your tongue against the roof of your mouth then pressing a finger between your eyebrows. Repeat that for 20 seconds it causes the vomer bone to rock, which loosens your congestion and clears you up.

6.) If you ate a big meal and you're feeling full as you go to sleep, lay on your left side. That'll keep you from suffering from acid reflux it keeps your stomach lower than your esophagus, which will helps keep stomach acid from sliding up your throat.

7.) You can stop a toothache by rubbing ice on the back of your hand, on the webbed area between your thumb and index finger. The nerve pathways there stimulate a part of the brain that blocks
pain signals from your mouth.

8.) If you get all messed up on liquor, and the room starts spinning, put your hand on something stable. The reason: Alcohol dilutes the blood in the part of your ear called the cupula, which regulates balance. Putting your hand on something stable gives your brain another reference point, which will help make the world stop spinning.

9.) Stop a nose bleed by putting some cotton on your upper gums right behind the small dent below your nose and press against it hard. Most of the bleeding comes from the cartilage wall that divides the nose, so pressing there helps get it to stop.

10.) Nervous? Slow your heart rate down by blowing on your thumb. The vagus nerve controls your heart rate, and you can calm it down by breathing.

11.) Need to breathe underwater for a while? Instead of taking a huge breath, HYPERVENTILATE before you go under, by taking a bunch of short breaths. That'll trick your brain into thinking it has more oxygen, and buy you about 10 extra seconds.

12.) You can prevent BRAIN FREEZE by pressing your tongue flat against the roof of your mouth, covering as much surface area as possible. Brain freeze happens because the nerves in the roof of your mouth get extremely cold, so your brain thinks your whole body is cold. It compensates by overheating which causes your head to hurt. By warming up the roof of your mouth, you'll chill your brain and feel better.

13.) If your hand falls asleep, rock your head from side to side. That'll wake your hand or arm up in less than a minute. Your hand falls asleep because of the nerves in your neck compressing so loosening your neck is the cure. If your foot falls asleep, that's governed by nerves lower in the body, so you need to stand up and walk around.

14.) Finally, this one's totally USELESS, but a nice trick. Have someone stick their arm out to the side, straight, palm down. Press down on his wrist with two fingers. He'll resist, and his arm will stay horizontal. Then, have him put his foot on a surface that's half an inch off the ground, like a stack of magazines, and do the trick again. Because his spine position is thrown off, his arm will fall right to his side, no matter how much he tries to resist.

15.) Got the hiccups? Press thumb and second finger over your eyebrows until the hiccups are over - usually, in a short while.

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BANANA -Very interesting FACTS

BANANA -Very interesting FACTS

Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!!­...
This is interesting. After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

DEPRESSION:
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS:
Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

ANEMIA:
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL:
Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has FOUR TIMES the protein, TWICE the carbohydrate, THREE TIMES the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A BANANA a day keeps the doctor away!'

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time!

HOMEMADE MOSQUITO TRAP

Modern technology has brought us many benefits, including mosquito traps that cost hundreds of dollars, but sometimes we overlook simple solutions to difficult challenges such as mosquito control. When it comes to controlling pests, research tends to focus on chemicals or concepts that can be patented. Unless someone can make a profit from an idea, the public may never become aware of it.

HOMEMADE MOSQUITO TRAP:

Items needed:

200 ml water
50 grams of brown sugar
1 gram of yeast
2-liter plastic bottle

Or US conversion:
1 cup of water
1/4 cup of brown sugar

HOW:
1. Cut the plastic bottle in half.
2. Mix brown sugar with hot water. Let cool. When cold, pour in the bottom half of the bottle.
3. Add the yeast. No need to mix. It creates carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes.
4. Place the funnel part, upside down, into the other half of the bottle, taping them together if desired.
5. Wrap the bottle with something black, leaving the top uncovered, and place it outside in an area away from your normal gathering area. (Mosquitoes are also drawn to the color black.)

Change the solution every 2 weeks for continuous control.






 

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Fast Resting Pulse may Increase the Risk of Death

The risk of death is higher among people having fast resting pulse rate even if they are physically fit, according to the new study published in the journal of Heart. Researchers concluded that men with “high end of normal” resting heart rate of 90 beats per minute had greater risk of death in comparison to those who have a slower pulse rate.


This study was conducted on 3,000 men from Denmark for a duration of 16 years. There is a need of much more research in order to confirm and understand this link between pulse rate and death risk, said by some experts.

Researchers during this study have only evaluated the medical records of participants but did not determine the level of their fitness. So there is some sort of possible effect of fitness on this study.
It was suggested by study authors that it is a risk factor for a person if he  has fast resting pulse rate when he is inactive for a period of five minutes, regardless of his physical fitness and if the rate of heart during rest is higher it will ultimately increase the risk of death.

It has already been confirmed by doctors that if a patient has resting heart rate 100 bpm or more, can be risky and up the probability of heart diseases.

Doireann Maddock of the British Heart Foundation said: “Despite this research, we don’t yet know for sure if an elevated resting heart rate is an independent risk factor for mortality.

“The research had its limitations because it only looked at healthy, middle-aged and elderly Caucasian men and so the findings may not necessarily apply to the general population in the UK.

“Rather than worrying about these findings, you’d be better off focusing on stopping smoking, maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, keeping active and watching your weight.

“Anyone aged 40 or over should also contact their GP surgery for an NHS Health Check, which fully assesses your risk of heart disease and then helps you stay heart healthy.”

Read full article here.

Source: Journal of Heart

New Type of Bowl Cancer Identified by Researchers

New Type of Bowl Cancer Identified by Researchers

Researchers have discovered a new sub-type of bowl cancer which is more worse in comparison to other types of colon cancer, according to a new study published in the Journal of Nature Medicine.

During this study researchers from Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute at the University of Cambridge

and the Netherlands took analysis of 90 patients who were suffering from stage II colon cancer and concluded that the samples can be placed in a group consisting of three distinct sub-types.
Later-on researchers developed a panel, comprises of 146 genes that could easily differentiate above three sub-types. They further study on 1100 patients in order to confirm their findings.
Two sub-types were already been reported in the literature but third one was recently been discovered in some patients during this study. Those patients who were suffering from this new sub-type of cancer were worse in comparison to other types of bowl cancers. Such patients were also resistant to cetuximab, a drug commonly used for the treatment of this disease.

Researchers then determined some developmental phases of this new sub-type and found a clear difference between the developmental phases of other sub-types that was considered as a reason of more aggressive nature of this new sub-type of bowl cancer.

Dr. Louis Vermeulen, lead researcher on the study, said: “We identified a new sub-type of bowel cancer by studying how the genes in tumours behaved. This allowed us to develop a quick and easy test to identify this sub-type, which has a poor prognosis and responds poorly to anti-EGFR therapy – a recognised treatment for many bowel cancers. “When we further examined what properties described the three sub-types we found that this third sub-type was already primed to spread from an early stage, something that was previously only thought to occur much later in tumour development. We speculate these differences between the different sub-types may arise from the cell of origin for the tumour rather than any specific mutation.”

Kate Law, Cancer Research UK’s director of clinical research, said: “As April is bowel cancer awareness month, this kind of research reminds us of the importance of looking not just at specific mutations, but also how certain genes behave. “Bowel cancer survival rates have doubled over the last 40 years – research and a better understanding of the disease has been core to this. Studies like this one are essential for uncovering the basic building blocks of cancer, allowing us to adopt a more personalised approach to curing cancer and develop better treatments sooner.”

The abstract of this article is given below.

Colon cancer is a clinically diverse disease. This heterogeneity makes it difficult to determine which patients will benefit most from adjuvant therapy and impedes the development of new targeted agents¹. More insight into the biological diversity of colon cancers, especially in relation to clinical features, is therefore needed. We demonstrate, using an unsupervised classification strategy involving over 1,100 individuals with colon cancer, that three main molecularly distinct subtypes can be recognized. Two subtypes have been previously identified and are well characterized (chromosomal-instable and microsatellite-instable cancers)². The third subtype is largely microsatellite stable and contains relatively more CpG island methylator phenotype–positive carcinomas but cannot be identified on the basis of characteristic mutations. We provide evidence that this subtype relates to sessile-serrated adenomas, which show highly similar gene expression profiles, including upregulation of genes involved in matrix remodeling and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The identification of this subtype is crucial, as it has a very unfavorable prognosis and, moreover, is refractory to epidermal growth factor receptor–targeted therapy.

Read full article here.

Reference: Melo, F. et al. Poor-prognosis colon cancer is defined by a molecularly distinct subtype and develops from serrated precursor lesions (2013) Nature Medicine. DOI: 10.1038/nm.3174

HIV-positive infant completely cured for first time

This might not be strictly green news, but it's enough of a big deal to be worth mentioning. After all, our broader goal is to make the world a better place for future generations, and finding a cure for HIV/AIDS would certainly qualify. That's why it's so exciting to read that for the first time, a child born with HIV was cured:

The fact that the newborn tested positive for HIV within 30 hours of birth is a sign she was probably infected in utero, HIV specialists say.

[University of Mississippi pediatric infectious disease specialist, Hannah Gay] decided to begin treating the child immediately, with the first dose of antivirals given within 31 hours of birth. That's faster than most infants born with HIV get treated, and specialists think it's one important factor in the child's cure.

In addition, Gay gave higher-than-usual, "therapeutic" doses of three powerful HIV drugs rather than the "prophylactic" doses usually given in these circumstances.

Over the months, the baby thrived, and standard tests could detect no virus in her blood, which is the normal result from antiviral treatment. (source)

US National Institute of Health/Public Domain

This makes this infant the first child, and the second person in the world to have been cured from HIV in the past 30+ years, since we've known of the virus.

There's an estimated 330,000 children that are born with HIV each year, most of them in sub-Saharan Africa.

Hopefully this can be repeated with other HIV-positive infants, and eventually we can completely cure infected adults too.

Counseling Parameters for Warfarin

Warfarin is an anticoagulant (blood thinner). It reduces the formation of blood clots by blocking the formation of certain clotting factors. Counseling of drugs is one of the important responsibility of pharmacist. This article covers some useful parameters that must be communicated to the patients before dispensing the drugs to them.


Therapeutic Class:
Anticoagulant

Counseling for Indications:
Pharmacist should discuss with patient that why he has been prescribed and what possible benefits he will get after taking warfarin. Some recommended clinical uses of warfarin are mentioned below.

• Prophylaxis and treatment of venous thrombosis and its extension;
• Prophylaxis and treatment of atrial fibrillation with embolization;
• Prophylaxis and treatment of pulmonary embolism;
• Adjunct in prophylaxis of systemic embolism after MI.

Unlabeled use(s):

• Prevention of recurrent transient ischemic attacks and reduction of risk of recurrent MI
• adjunctive treatment of small cell carcinoma of lung.

Counseling for Dose:
Right drug at right dose is necessary in order to get optimized pharmacotherapy. If dose is less or more it will not be able to produce desired therapeutic effects because the lesser dose will cause therapeutic failure and higher dose will cause toxic effects. It is the duty of the pharmacist to verify the dose against indications.

• Initial: 2 to 5 mg orally or intravenously once a day for 1 to 2 days, then adjust dose according to results of the International Normalized Ratio (INR) or prothrombin time (PT).
• Maintenance: the usual maintenance dose ranges from 2 to 10 mg orally or intravenously once a day.
• Counsel the patient that If you have missed the dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember,  Do not take two doses at the same time to make up a missed dose.
• Overdose can cause excessive bleeding.

Counseling for Administration:
Warfarin is available is tablet and parental dosage forms. Following points should be counseled by

pharmacist to the patients while dispensing warfarin.

For Oral Route:
Warfarin is usually taken once in a day. Instruct the patients that;

• Take medication at the same time each day with or without food
• Adhere strictly to the prescribed dosage and schedule of warafrin

For IV Route:

• Counsel the patient that intravenous (IV) route for the administration of warfarin is recommended when oral route is unable to get desired benefits. Remember it is not prescribed for intramuscular administration.
• Monitor the value of INR and PT in order to determine effectiveness of warfarin

Counseling for Side Effects:
The major side effect of wargarin is hemorrhage. So use of this drug should be done with great caution in patients who are already at higher risk of bleeding. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to warfarin: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Other common side effects of warfarin include alopecia, diarrhoea, unexplained drop in haematocrit, ‘purple toes’, skin necrosis, jaundice, hepatic dysfunction; also nausea, vomiting, and pancreatitis
Stop using warfarin and call your doctor at once if you have any of the serious side effect mentioned above.

Counseling for Pregnancy:
Warfarin has been assigned to pregnancy category X by the FDA. Problems associated with perinatal administration of warfarin have included central nervous system defects, spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, prematurity, hemorrhage, and ocular defects when given anytime during pregnancy, and a fetal warfarin syndrome when given during the first trimester. It use is very dangerous during the first and third trimester. So counsel the patient that  avoid intake of warfarin as it is contraindicated during pregnancy.

Counseling for Drug Interaction:
Self medication is very common in Pakistan and patients take NSAIDs like aspirin and various other drugs without consulting with physician. It is the responsibility of pharmacist to tell patients that do not take aspirin while being treated with warfarin unless advised by your doctor because aspirin interferes with platelet aggregation and increases the risk of bleeding. Thus is not recommended to patients receiving oral anticoagulants (eg warfarin) unless low-dose aspirin is intentionally prescribed. Other oral NSAIDs should also be avoided in patients receiving oral anticoagulants unless otherwise directed by the prescriber. Drugs  which decrease the effect of warfarin are:
Aminoglutethimide, azathioprine, barbiturates, carbamazepine, cholestyramine, ethchlorvynol, glutethimide, griseofulvin, mercaptopurine, rifabutin, rifampin, trazodone, and vitamin K.

• Drugs which increase the effect of warfarin are:

Androgens, amiodarone, cefamandole, cefazolin, cefoperazone, cefotetan, cefoxitin, ceftriaxone, chloramphenicol, cimetidine, clofibrate, dextrothyroxine, disulfiram, erythromycin, fluconazole, glucagon, methimazole, metronidazole, miconazole, moxalactam, nalidixic acid, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, phenylbutazone, propylthiouracil, quinidine, quinine, salicylates, sulfinpyrazone, sulfonamides, thyroid hormones, tricyclic antidepressants, and vitamin E.

Counseling for Food-drug Interactions:
Warfarin is a blood thinning medication and its therapeutic effectiveness is dependent upon the presence of vitamin K in your body.  Normally the standard permitted amount of vitamin K in adult men and women is 20 micrograms (mcg) and 90 mcg respectively. If you are taking a food rich in vitamin K then effectiveness of warfarin will be altered. So counsel the patient that does not take food rich in vitamin K. Here is a list of foods that contain higher amount of vitamin K.

• Kale
• Spinach
• Brussels sprouts
• Parsley
• Collard greens
• Mustard greens
• Chard
• Green tea

Counsel the patient about the use of some drink and juices like alcohol, cranberry juice that could increase the risk of bleeding. So use of such drinks/juices should be as limited as possible.

Counseling for Contraindications:
Counsel the patient that do not use warfarin if you are suffering from peptic ulcer, severe hypertension; renal impairment (avoid if creatinine clearance less than 10 ml/minute) or pregnancy because warfarin is contraindicated in above mentioned conditions.

Counseling for Storage:
Advise the patient that store the medicine in a closed container, at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

• Keep from freezing.
• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine  no longer needed.

Brand Name:

• Warfarin
• FERICARD
• COAGURIN
• ANTICOAG
• FERICARD

References:

1. deAssis MC, et al. Improved oral anticoagulation after a dietary vitamin K-guided strategy: A randomized controlled trial. Circulation. 2009;120:1115.
2. Nutescu EA, et al. Warfarin and its interactions with foods, herbs and other dietary supplements. Expert Opinions on Drug Safety. 2006;5:433.
3. Ford SK, et al. Vitamin K supplementation to decrease variability of international normalized ratio in patients on vitamin K antagonists: A literature review. Current Opinion in Hematology. 2008;15:504.
4. Valentine KA, et al. Outpatient management of oral anticoagulation. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed June 14, 2012.
5. Ansell J, et al. Pharmacology and management of the vitamin K antagonists: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th edition). Chest. 2008;130:160S.
6. Coumadin and vitamin K. National Institutes of Health. http://www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/patient_education/drug_nutrient/coumadin1.pdf. Accessed June 14, 2012.
7. Warfarin natural product and drug interactions. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed June 14, 2012.
8. Tatro DS, Borgsdorf LR. A to z drug facts. Facts & Comparisons, 2003.
9. Committee JF, Britain RPSoG. British National Formulary (BNF) 64. Pharmaceutical Press, 2012.
10. Knoben JE, Anderson PO, Watanabe AS. Handbook of clinical drug data. Drug Intelligence Publications Hamilton, IL, 1988.

Diabetes Interferes in Lung Functions of Asthma and COPD Patients

Research has shown that Diabetes affects the lung function of patients suffering from airway diseases like Asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). The research published in the recent issue of Applied Cariopulmonary Pathophysiology, an international peer-reviewed journal has shown how the pulmonary functions of these patients are affected.

Research has shown that Diabetes affects the lung function of patients suffering from airway diseases like

Asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). The research published in the recent issue of Applied Cariopulmonary Pathophysiology . an international peer-reviewed journal has shown how the pulmonary functions of these patients are affected. Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra, Assistant Professor in Pulmonary Medicine from Government Medical College Nagpur is the lead author of the study.
It may be mentioned here that in August 2010 , an article titled “Pulmonary function in diabetes: a metaanalysis.” was published in international journal CHEST. The authors then had concluded that “..it would next be interesting to investigate the potential clinical implications in those patients with diabetes who carry a pulmonary diagnosis, such as COPD or asthma.”

Recently for the first time such a study has been published by researchers from India in medical literature. For the first time a single study has incorporated the advanced pulmonary function testing (Spirometry, DLCO, Plethysmography lung measurements) of diabetics with COPD or Asthma. The findings have shown that Diabetes interferes in the lung functions of asthmatics or COPD patients. Hence only a few of these patients show expected pure obstructive pattern on lung function testing. It is the combined obstruction-restriction pattern more common in these patients. In the asthmatic subgroup, in fact the decline in lung function correlated with the duration of diabetes. Since PFT (pulmonary function test) is the investigation based on which the diagnosis of COPD or Asthma is confirmed as per the existing guidelines, the treating physician should be aware of these variable PFT results in COPD or Asthmatic patients if they are suffering from diabetes or else the patient may be subjected to further evaluation and investigations if this factor is not accounted for.

You can read full article here.

The abstract of this article is given as below.

Introduction:

The diagnosis of obstructive airway disease in diabetic patients may pose difficulties due the superimposition of restriction associated with diabetes on the pure obstructive pattern pre-dominantly found in these patients.

Aims:

To evaluate the status of pulmonary function in diabet-ics (NIDDM – Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus) with COPD (Chronic Obstructive pulmonary Disease) or asthma.

Methods:

45 Subjects (15 Diabetics with COPD, 15 Diabetics withAsthma & 15 healthy non diabetic, non smoking subjects with no chest complaints taken as the control group) underwent clinical evaluation, biochemical assessment of glycemic control, pulmonary function tests (Spirometry, DLCO and plethysmography lung volume measurements).

Results:

Spirometry showed pure obstruction in 20% patients whereas 66.67% patients had restriction which was confirmed in 20% on plethysmography. COPD patients had decreased DLCO/VA% (%Diffusion Lung Capacity of Carbon Monoxide corrected for Alveolar Volume) (P<0.0001), in-creased TLC % (Total Lung Capacity) (P<0.05), RV/TLC % (Residual Volume/ Total Lung capacity %) (P<0.0001) along with increased severity of airflow limitation (measured by FEV1% (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1st second)) which correlated with DLCO/VA % (P<0.05). Asthmatics hadnear normal DLCO/VA%, TLC%, increased RV/TLC% (P<0.05) & also demonstrated correlation of FEV1% with duration of diabetes (P<0.05) and RV/TLC% (p<0.05) & also of FVC % (Forced Vi-tal Capacity %) with duration of diabetes (P<0.05).

Conclusion:

Diabetics with COPD or asthma showed variable pulmonary function findings rather than the expected pure obstructive pattern and FEV1% and FVC% decline associated with diabetes might be responsible for these variable spiro-metric findings in addition to the severity of the airway disease.

Reference: G. P. Mishra, T.M. Dhamgaye , B.O. Tayade , B. Fuladi Amol ,S. Agrawal Amit, D. Mulani Jasmin. Study of Pulmonary Function Tests in Diabetics withCOPD or Asthma. Applied Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology 16: 299-308, 2012

About the Author: Dr. Gyan Mishra, Assitant Professor in Pulmonary Medicine from India.

Cardiovascular System Changes During Pregnancy

Cardiovascular System Changes During Pregnancy

The pregnancy-induced changes in the cardiovascular system develop primarily to meet the increased metabolic demands of the mother and foetus . Despite the increased workload of the heart during gestation and labour, the healthy woman has no impairment of cardiac reserve.

Blood Volume increases progressively from 6-8 weeks gestation (pregnancy) and reaches a maximum at approximately 32-34 weeks with little change thereafter. The increase in plasma volume (40-50%) is relatively greater than that of red cell mass (20-30%) resulting in hemodilution and a decrease in haemoglobin concentration. Intake of supplemental iron and folic acid is necessary to restore hemoglobin levels to normal (12 g/dl).

The increased blood volume serves two purposes.
First, it facilitates maternal and fetal exchanges of respiratory gases, nutrients and metabolites.
Second, it reduces the impact of maternal blood loss at delivery . Typical losses of 300-500 ml for vaginal births and 750-1000 ml for Caesarean sections are thus compensated with the so-called " autotransfusion " of blood from the contracting uterus (cf. cardiac output below).

Blood Constituents . As mentioned above, red cell mass is increased 20-30%. Leukocyte counts are variable during gestation, but usually remain within the upper limits of normal. Marked elevations, however, develop during and after delivery. Fibrinogen, as well as total body and plasma levels of factors VII, X and XII increase markedly. The number of platelets also rises, yet not above the upper limits of normal. Combined with a decrease in fibrinolytic activity, these changes tend to prevent excessive bleeding at delivery . Thus, pregnancy is a relatively hypercoagulable state, but during pregnancy neither clotting or bleeding times are abnormal.

Cardiac Output increases to a similar degree as the blood volume. During the first trimester cardiac output is 30-40% higher than in the non-pregnant state.
During labor , further increases are seen with pain in response to increased catecholamine secretion; this increase can be blunted with the institution of labour analgesia . Also during labour, there is an increase in intravascular volume by 300-500 ml of blood from the contracting uterus to the venous system. Following delivery this autotransfusion compensates for the blood losses and tends to further increase cardiac output by 50% of pre-delivery values.

Cardiac Size/Position . The heart is enlarged by both chamber dilation and hypertrophy. Upward displacement of the diaphragm by the enlarging uterus causes the heart to shift to the left and anteriorly.

Blood Pressure . Systemic arterial pressure is never increased during normal gestation. In fact, by midpregnancy, a slight decrease in diastolic pressure can be recognized. Pulmonary arterial pressure also maintains a constant level. However, vascular tone is more dependent upon sympathetic control than in the nonpregnant state, so that hypotension develops more readily and more markedly consequent to sympathetic blockade following spinal or extradural anaesthesia . Central venous and brachial venous pressures remain unchanged during pregnancy, but femoral venous pressure is progressively increased due to mechanical factors. (See also hypertension in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia )

Aortocaval Compression . From mid-pregnancy, the enlarged uterus compresses both the inferior vena cava and the lower aorta when the patient lies supine (on the back). Obstruction of the inferior vena cava reduces venous return to the heart leading to a fall in cardiac output by as much as 24% towards term.

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GREEN TEA BENEFITS

GREEN TEA BENEFITS

Green tea was discovered by the Chinese over 4000 years ago. It is used for its medicinal and herbal powers. Its leaves are not oxidized but they are steamed to preserve its nutrition, therefore there are know many green tea benefits to human health.
Here are the most important benefits of green tea:
1. It is believed to have polyphenols in it, which helps it burn the calories and maintaining the heat of the body.
2. Its leaves contain EGCG which helps the body to fight the cancer cells and does not allow them to enter the body.
3. It also minimizes the risk of strokes in the body.
4. Green tea has satisfying effects on hypertension and cholesterol.
5. One of its ingredient Catechine helps destroy bacteria which causes food poisoning in the stomach.
6. It also helps in suppressing appetite.
7. It is also believed that t is very beneficial for oral hygiene.
8. It is accepted that green tea is quite healthy for the heart.
9. It is believed to work well in improving the functioning of the immune system.
10. Green tea is fabulous for diet conscious people.
11. Ingredients of green tea help increasing the rate of burning of fat and calories.
12. Some of substances that are found in green tea modify the utility of norepinephrine a kind of hormone.
13. It is understood that green tea helps preventing rheumatoid arthritis.
14. Another of green tea benefits is that it helps you in knowing when your stomach is full so there is no need to overeat.
15. Green tea increases you stamina and increases the energy. Thus helps you to do more work.
16. It is used for generations for solving problems of indigestion or depression.
17. Green tea benefits your health by removing free radicals.
18. It is working miracles for diabetes and blood pressure problems.
19. It is also reported that that it cures many skin related problems.
20. It can also give solution to major diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
21. It also opposes HIV.

Green tea is now the 2nd most popular drink consumed worldwide after water. It has many beneficial roles which have made it very common among individuals. Following are the direct benefits of green tea:

1. CANCER: It reduces the risk of cancer in a person. The antioxidants which are present in this tea are very effective and much more powerful than any antioxidant.
2. HEART DISEASE: It lowers the risk of any heart disease and strokes. It also reduces the levels of cholesterol in the body.
3. ANTI AGING: This tea contains polyphenols, a kind of antioxidant, which helps the body fight against free radicals. This in a way helps in longevity of your life.
4. WEIGHT LOSS: It is the main reason why it is the most consumed drink. It naturally helps the body lose the extra weight. It helps burning fat and reducing calories.
5. SKIN: The antioxidants present in this tea help the body to protect from the ill effects of free radicals
6. ARTHRITIS: Green tea can be very helpful in lowering the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. It saves the cartilage by killing the enzymes that attack the cartilage.
7. BONES: Green tea leaves are rich in fluoride content. This helps this tea to keep your bones very strong. Consumption of green tea everyday can help improve and maintain your bones density.
8. CHOLESTEROL: Drinking green tea helps lower your levels of cholesterol. It also maintains the perfect ratio of the good and the bad cholesterol.
9. OBESITY: It inhibits the movement and flow of glucose in cells and this helps it prevent your body from obesity.
10. DIABETES: It enhances the metabolism of glucose and lipid in the body. Thus it impedes the increase in sugar level.
11. LIVER DISEASE: This tea helps patients with transplant surgeries by lowering the chances of any failure in transplant. In fatty liver cells it removes the free radicals.
12. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: It controls the angiotensin which controls blood pressure. Hence it lowers the risk of high blood pressure and the problems that occur with higher blood pressure.
13. FOOD POISONING: The presence of Catechine in this tea helps it to destroy the bacteria that cause food poisoning.
14. IMMUNITY: The presence of flavanoid and antioxidant polyphenols help in amplifying your immune system.

There are many types of the green tea made by varied processes and hence tastes differently. Some are mild and some are strong, but they all have great weight loss and other green tea benefits. The green tea weight loss benefits are probably the main reason why more and more women drink green tea.

Different kinds of Cough

Productive cough

A productive cough, also known as chesty cough, is usually due to a viral or bacterial infection. This type of cough expels the phlegm which has formed in our respiratory passages, so that abnormal mucus and germs are eliminated from the respiratory tract and breathing becomes easier.


Non-productive cough
(Dry cough)

A non-productive cough is dry, tickling and irritating. This cough can for example be caused by phlegm that is so viscous that it is not
loosened and expectorated.

Recommended Product for Cough are Koflet is small medicated candy that is useful in treating productive as well as dry cough. It has the property of the anti-allergic and antimicrobial. It helps in building the immune-resistance relieving the cough caused due to various causes. Koflet is total cough remedy that is used as anti-tussive and decongestant.