Health Tip: Wear and Tear on the Knees

(HealthDay News) -- Knee joints can wear as you age, or after years of high-impact exercise.

Here are ways to help minimize damage to knees, courtesy of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

• Avoid activities that tend to damage the knees, such as running, tennis, baseball and basketball.


• Engage in low-impact activities, such as swimming, biking, golf or walking.


• Talk to your doctor about anti-inflammatory medications, or joint supplements to help preserve the knees. Anti-inflammatory medications may also be injected by your doctor.


• Physical therapy and icing the knees can help improve function.


• Protective gear such as a brace, splint or elastic bandage can help support a weakened knee.

Extra Pounds During and Between Pregnancies Can Pose Problems

(HealthDay News) -- Pregnancy has long been considered a kind of gastronomical free-for-all. After all, a pregnant woman has to nourish two bodies with the food she eats, right?

The problem is, the baby's nutritional needs are only around 300 calories a day, and extra weight gain can increase the risk of pregnancy complications for both mother and child.

And, weight concerns don't stop after the baby is born, because extra weight gain after pregnancy increases the risk of complications in subsequent pregnancies, even if a woman never gains enough to be considered overweight.

"Women think they have carte blanche to eat whatever they want during pregnancy, but that's not a good idea," said Dr. Miriam Greene, a clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at New York University Medical Center and the author of the book, Frankly Pregnant: A Candid, Week-by-Week Guide to the Unexpected Joys, Raging Hormones, and Common Experiences of Pregnancy.

"If you eat for two, you'll end up with complications you didn't need to take on. Eat what your appetite tells you to eat, and eat slowly, so you can tell when you're full," advised Dr. Marjorie Greenfield, an obstetrician at MacDonald Women's Hospital at Case Medical Center, University Hospitals in Cleveland, and author of the book, The Working Woman's Pregnancy Book.

During pregnancy, an average-weight woman should gain about 25 to 35 pounds, according to Greene. "You don't want your weight gain to be less than 15 or greater than 40," she said.

But many women aren't heeding that advice. A recent report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found that about one-quarter of American women gain more than 40 pounds during their pregnancy. The IOM is currently reviewing its guidelines on pregnancy weight gain and expects to issue new guidelines during the summer of 2009.

In the meantime, the IOM recommends that women with a body mass index (BMI, a ratio of weight to height) of less than 18.5 should gain 28 to 40 pounds during pregnancy, while women with an average BMI -- 18.5 to 24.9 -- should keep weight gain between 25 and 35 pounds. Overweight women with BMIs of 25 to 29.9 should try to gain between 15 and 25 pounds throughout their pregnancy, and obese women with BMIs over 30 need only gain 15 pounds.

Gaining too much weight during pregnancy puts both baby and mom at risk of complications, such as gestational diabetes and high blood pressure, labor complications, stillbirth and delivery of a large-for-gestational age baby, according to the March of Dimes.

Greene said about two-thirds of her patients manage to stay within the guidelines. And those who don't are very disappointed at how hard the weight is to get off afterward.

She recommends that her pregnant patients eat well-balanced diets and that they don't give in to every food craving. "It's not healthy to gain weight eating pints of ice cream," she said.

Greenfield is also a fan of most exercises during pregnancy. Not only can exercise help you stave off pregnancy weight gain, it improves overall well-being as well, she said.

"Pregnancy is a special time when a lot of women will take better care of themselves to take care of the baby. It's a golden opportunity to take care of yourself, and you may have an impact on your health and your baby's health in the long run," Greenfield noted.

And, it's not just during pregnancy that women have to be concerned about extra pounds. A recent study found that every one or two point increase in a woman's BMI between pregnancies translated to an increased risk of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and delivering a large baby by 20 percent to 40 percent. Women who increased their BMI more than three points between pregnancies had a 63 percent increased risk of delivering a stillborn baby.

The increases in the risks of complications held true even if the BMI changes didn't place a woman into the overweight or obese category, the study found.

More information
To learn more about weight gain during pregnancy, visit the American Pregnancy Association.

Obesity prevention

When it comes to obesity prevention and management, Ayurveda has much to offer, with daily and seasonal regimens that include healthy foods, yoga exercise, panchakarma and medicines. For obese patients, according to the symptoms of ama, digestive (dhatwagni deepan) and carminative (pachan) medications are given. Ayurvedic formulations of a guggulu kalpa decoction are also advised with […]

Health Tip: Reduce Stress at Work

(HealthDay News) - Your job can be a great source of stress, which can significantly impact your physical and emotional health.

The AARP offers these suggestions for handling stress on the job:

• Set up regular evaluations and meetings with your manager to establish expectations, goals and discuss your workload.
• Build your prioritization and time management skills, so that you avoid having to always work overtime, or take work home with you. Allow yourself free time away from work to relax and do things you enjoy.
• Take advantage of any flexible work schedules, long lunch breaks and exercise opportunities that your employer offers.
• Don't check email or answer work-related calls at home, unless it can't be avoided.
• Recognize when it's time to look for another job if your current one is causing significant stress and unhappiness.

Health Tip: Before You Get Pregnant

(HealthDay News) - It's important to take care of yourself while you're pregnant. But you should begin caring for your body long before you confirm that you're expecting a baby.

Here are suggestions on how to prepare your body for pregnancy, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables and low in fat.
• Start a regular exercise routine. You should get at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week.
• Stick to a regular sleep schedule, to make sure you get plenty of rest every night.
• Take a daily multivitamin that includes 400 milligramns of folic acid.
• See your doctor for a physical exam, and make sure you're up-to-date on all vaccinations.
• Also talk to your doctor about whether any of your current medications may not be safe during pregnancy.
• Don't use illicit drugs, cigarettes or alcohol.

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Kama Raja

In order for erection to occur, the nerves of the penis must be functioning properly, blood circulation to the penis must be adequate, and there must be stimulus from the brain. If there is something interfering with any or all of these conditions, a full erection is not possible.

Common causes for erectile dysfunction include diseases that affect blood flow and nerves, psychological factors such as stress, depression, and performance anxiety, and injury to the penis.

According to the National Institutes of Health, a majority of men at some point in their life experience occasional failure to achieve erection which can occur for a variety of reasons such as drinking too much alcohol or from being extremely tired.

Failure to achieve erection less than 20% of the time is not unusual and medical treatment is rarely needed. But the causes for this minor problem might lead to a permanent condition where failure to achieve erection occurs more than 50% of the time.

Once this stage of erectile dysfunction is reached, medical treatment is required to reverse the situation. Approximately 5 percent of 40-year-old men and between 15 and 25 percent of 65-year-old men experience erectile dysfunction on a long-term basis.

Western medicine relies on aggressive prescription drugs and surgery to deal with many problems related to sexual dysfunction. Unfortunately, these methods often result in unwanted and even dangerous side effects. Non-medical methods of penis enhancement through exercise using weights, straps, rings, and pumps have proven destructive to muscle tissue.

And natural pills provide fleeting, inconsistent results. Ayurveda, the science of life, prevention and longevity, is the oldest and most holistic and comprehensive medical system available. Its fundamentals can be found in Hindu scriptures called the Vedas - the ancient Indian books of wisdom written over 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda uses the inherent principles of nature to help maintain health in a person by keeping the individual's body, mind, and spirit in perfect equilibrium with nature.

India Herbs has a seasoned group of Ayurvedic doctors specialized in Vajikarana, one of the eight major specialties of Ayurveda. Vajikarana is "a process or a drug, which make a man sexually as strong as a horse and able to copulate for long and frequently with many wives and partners." Vajikarana prescribes the therapeutic use of various aphrodisiacs and tonic preparations for enhancing the reproductive capabilities and vigor of men while strengthening the body and overall well-being.

India Herbs' Vajikarana doctors combine a proprietary herbal formula based on centuries' old wisdom with advice on diet, exercise, mental training, and relaxation to help men reach their peak and overcome sexual concerns through safe, natural means. Results: The precise combination of ingredients in Kama Raja along with a mind-body focus precisely addresses the sexual concerns of men!

more information @ http://www.kamaraja.com/index.htm?aff=dreddyclinic

Health Tip: Caring for a Sprain

(HealthDay News) - Sprains are often caused by twisting, straining or stressing ligaments that connect bones. Areas most prone to sprains include the ankles, knees and wrist.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these suggestions for taking care of a sprain:

• Rest the sprained area.
• Ice the injury.
• Keep the area wrapped with a bandage.
• Keep the injured area elevated.
• As it's starting to heal, lightly exercise the injured area.
• If possible, wear a brace for support until the injury has healed.

Health Tip: Managing Stress

(HealthDay News) - A certain amount of stress is natural and unavoidable, but too much can be debilitating.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions to help you reduce stress:

• Figure out what is causing your stress, and talk to a friend or family member about your concerns.
• Avoid overeating, and stick to a healthy, well-balanced diet.
• Maintain a regular sleep schedule and exercise routine.
• Reduce caffeine and alcohol intake, and avoid smoking and recreational drugs.
• Try relaxing techniques such as meditation or yoga.
• Make time for fun activities that you enjoy, and spend time with people who make you happy.

Water Workouts Work for Arthritis Patients

(HealthDay News) -- Doing stretching and aerobic workouts in warm water may help relieve pain and improve daily function in people with knee or hip osteoarthritis.

That finding was offered by Danish researchers who reviewed six studies involving about 800 patients.

In the studies, participants did aquatic exercise for different lengths of time and numbers of sessions per week. In most of the studies, patient progress was assessed after three months of therapy.

"In people with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee, pain may decrease by one more point on a scale of 0 to 20 with aquatic exercise, and function may improve by three more points on a scale of 0 to 68," the review authors wrote.

"There is gold-level evidence that for osteoarthritis of the hip or knee, aquatic exercise probably reduces pain and slightly improves function over three months," they noted. "Based on this, one may consider using aquatic exercise as the first part of a longer exercise program for osteoarthritis patients."

The review authors weren't able to find evidence that patients experienced any changes in walking ability or stiffness after aquatic exercise sessions. They said more research is needed to determine whether aquatic exercise offers any long-term benefits for osteoarthritis patients, and the types, duration and frequency of aquatic exercise that may be most effective.

The review is published in the current issue of The Cochrane Library journal.

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, affects about 21 million Americans, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Treatment typically involves a combination of weight control, medication, physical therapy and exercise.

More information
The Arthritis Foundation has more about osteoarthritis.

Diet and exercise work (here's how)

The July 20, 2007 issue of Science published the results of research conducted at Children’s Hospital in Boston which provides one explanation for the benefits of improved eating habits and exercise on life span.

Working with mice, Akiko Tachi, PhD, Lynn Wartschow, and Morris White of Harvard demonstrate that reducing insulin receptor substrate-2 (Irs-2) signaling increases life span as well as brain levels of superoxide dismutase, a protective antioxidant enzyme.

Acting on the basis of previous research in roundworms and fruit files which found an increase in life span associated with a reduction in insulin signaling, the trio engineered mice to reduce the amount of Irs-2, a protein that carries the insulin signal inside the cell, by half. Because reducing insulin signaling can cause diabetes, the researchers tested their hypothesis that reducing insulin signaling just in the brain, but not the rest of the body, would result in an increase in life span.

They engineered two groups of animals to experience a reduction in Irs-2 in their brains alone, while one group of animals was engineered to have lower Irs-2 in all cells, and another group served as controls.

“To our surprise, all of the engineered mice lived longer,” Dr Taguchi remarked. Despite being overweight and having higher insulin levels, animals with diminished brain insulin signaling experienced an 18 percent increase in lifespan compared to the normal controls. The mice were also more active and retained greater levels of superoxide dismutase in old age.

“The idea that insulin reduces lifespan is difficult to reconcile with decades of clinical practice and scientific investigation to treat diabetes,” Dr White noted. “The engineered mice live longer because the diseases that kill them – cancer, cardiovascular disease and others – are being postponed by reducing insulin-like signaling in the brain regardless of how much insulin there is in the rest of the body. The easiest way to keep insulin levels low in the brain is old-fashioned diet and exercise.”

“Our findings put a mechanism behind what your mother told when you were growing up—eat a good diet and exercise, and it will keep you healthy,” White observed. “Diet, exercise and lower weight keep your peripheral tissues sensitive to insulin. That reduces the amount and duration of insulin secretion needed to keep your glucose under control when you eat. Therefore, the brain is exposed to less insulin. Since insulin turns on Irs2 in the brain, that means lower Irs2 activity, which we’ve linked to longer lifespan in the mouse.”

“We are beginning to appreciate that obesity, insulin resistance, and high blood insulin levels are connected to Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and dementias in general,” he added. “It might be that, in people who are genetically predisposed to these diseases, too much insulin overactivates Irs2 in the brain and accelerates disease progression. Thus, insulin resistance and higher insulin levels might be the environmental influences that promote these diseases.”

CREATING JOYFUL RELATIONSHIPS

CREATING JOYFUL RELATIONSHIPS "I can't talk now -- I have a terrible headache." "Leave me alone -- I've had a miserable day and I need my space." "What happened to us? Don't you love me any more?"

In some form or another, we have all experienced these statements and what they can do to a relationship. Those who are lucky have encountered them only in books and movies. Others, perhaps the majority, have faced them in their own lives at some point or the other.

Observe these statements again. The first one tells of physical stress, the second, mental fatigue, and the third, emotional breakdown. All three of these -- either individually or collectively -- are potential relationship-wreckers.Ayurveda has always recognized and respected the intimate connection between the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of our being. More than 5,000 years ago, ancient texts like the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashthanga Hridayam recorded some amazing insights into the body-mind-soul connection.

Ayurveda, therefore, looks at relationships as a function of several complex factors. The prime factor, say ayurvedic vaidyas, in causing not only relationship problems but also physical ills is the inability of a person to feel centered within himself or herself. This can happen due to a variety of causes, ranging from genetics to hormonal or environmental imbalances.

These imbalances affect an individual's ability to combat day-to-day stress. As a consequence, they diminish the person's ability to work, love, heal, pray, and live in the true sense of the word.

Ayurvedic SolutionsBecause the problem/disorder is complex in nature, its solutions must also be more than material. That is why ayurveda combines several therapies as the solution: sadhana (meditation), aromas, music, massage, herbal treatment, proper diet, exercise and detoxification. Together, these healing therapies provide the balm that heals consciousness and makes a person feel whole again.

The Council of Maharishi Ayurveda Physicians says ayurveda always approaches a problem at the root level. "And at the root of all relationships is the human heart," he says.

"To the ayurvedic physician, the heart is not simply a pump. It is also the seat of emotions. It is endowed with immense potential to love, feel and give. It contains the essence of the cosmos within itself; just like a seed contains the whole tree. No wonder, then, that when you subject this sensitive, emotional heart to the stress-laden travails of daily living, it sometimes quails and shrinks within itself. This is an effect of pragya aparadh or "mistake of the intellect;" when the intellect, drawn toward and influenced by material consciousness, loses connection with the wholeness of consciousness. This is when we stop being centered within ourselves."

The way to make this mistake right, says The Council, is to allow the heart to expand. To listen to its quiet voice, and to follow what it is telling us. When we start doing this, slowly, the pragya aparadh will be corrected. The seeds of doubt, despair and disappointment will shrivel up and die. We will be whole again; in ourselves and in our relationships with others.

The Council shares five tips for keeping the emotional heart healthy and strong. Recognize that:
True love is and should be unconditional. It gives without reservations.

Your relationships will flourish if you follow your truest feelings and honor your commitments.
It is important to experience all your thoughts and actions. Don't speak or act in haste.
A positive attitude is a great relationship-strengthener.

Giving is the key to receiving.

The other principal player in matters of the Self and its relationships with others is the mind. Ayurveda sees the mind as messenger between the Self and the senses. For the mind to be working in peak order, therefore, its hinges should be well-oiled, so to say... Ayurveda believes the mind has three "hinges":

Dhi: The power to learn -- acquire knowledge
Dhriti: the power to retain what has been learned
Smriti: the power to recall what has been learned and retained

When these three components work in perfect coordination, says The Council, the mind is balanced. And a balanced mind is the key to harmony both within the Self and outside it.

Ayurveda recommends some powerful mind-empowering herbs like brahmi, which enhance all three aspects of the mind.

Maharishi Ayurveda's Blissful Joy health-care system uses the synergy of powerful herbs to smoothen the mind-body connection and restore peace and happiness. A sampling of the herbs used in this formula: Arjuna Myrobalans is especially known to strengthen the heart and emotions. Winter Cherry and Holy Basil, have powerful "adaptogenic" properties.

They assist the body's natural resistance to stressful situations. Winter Cherry is also very effective in balancing the mind and improving emotional stability. Ailanthus excelsea and Arjuna Myrobalans help strengthen the body's natural rejuvenative processes, hastening the replacement of dead or weak cells with fresh, vital ones.

Vaidyas also recommend using intellect-friendly herbs and spices in daily cooking. Freshly crushed black pepper, for instance, makes nutrients readily available to the microcirculatory channels of the body -- giving mind power an immediate boost.

Ayurveda also recommends introspection as a powerful relationship-saving tool. "Most relationships go wrong," says The Council of Maharishi Ayurveda Physicians, "when the people involved start trading blame. If they were to stop and look within, they would be sure to find that the blame does not always lie with the other person. It can be hard to do, but once you do this introspection, you experience a sense of humbleness and forgiveness, both of which are tremendous relationship-repairers."

Finally, your diet and lifestyle directly also affect the way you think, feel and behave. We know only too well what happens when we miss breakfast or cannot sleep well. "Eat that stewed apple, therefore," says The Council. "You may not only be keeping the doctor but also the therapist away."

Move Just a Little, Live Longer

(HealthDay News) -- If you don't exercise because you think you don't have the time or energy, here's a news flash: Those excuses no longer work.

That's because "any movement helps," according to Gregory Florez, a spokesman for the American Council on Exercise and CEO of www.fitadvisor.com, a health coaching site.

In fact, exercising at a moderate intensity, even in short bursts of 10 minutes several times a day, or doing daily activities such as running errands, can improve your health and probably lengthen your life, recent research suggests.

"Small bouts of activity, even 10 minutes at a time, will have the same impact as 30 minutes or so of continuous exercise," Florez said, if those small bouts are repeated three times a day.

Two recent studies prove you don't have to be a marathoner in training to reap the health benefits of exercise or even to get a little fitter.

In one study, published last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association, relatively modest amounts of activity by older people, ages 70 to 82, paid off in longevity.

The research team, led by Todd Manini of the U.S. National Institute on Aging, followed 302 older adults for six years. The researchers found that death rates went down as daily energy output -- sometimes doing things as simple as vacuuming or running errands -- went up.

Those people in the highest one-third of daily energy output had a 69 percent lower risk of dying during the follow-up than those in the lowest third, the researchers found. Those in the highest third also burned about 600 more calories a day than those in the lowest third. Even short bursts of physical activity made a difference in the calorie-burning group -- they were more likely to walk up two flights of stairs a day, for instance.

The extra reduction in 600 calories per day translates, the study authors said, to about two hours of activity. But it could be any activity -- traditional exercise, washing dishes, vacuuming, running errands.

In a study published in the May 16, 2007, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers found that as little as 72 minutes of moderate exercise per week can improve aerobic fitness. The investigators looked at 464 sedentary, overweight women, on average 57 years old.

One group worked out on a stationary bike or treadmill at moderate intensity for an average of 72 minutes a week; another group did the workout for 136 minutes a week, on average, and a third group worked out for 192 minutes a week. A fourth group did no exercise and served as the control group.

A fitness test at the end of the six-month study found women who exercised for 72 minutes improved fitness by 4 percent. The 136-minute group improved fitness by 6 percent while the 192-minute group improved by 8 percent.

No one is saying you'll get super-fit working out for 72 minutes a week or running errands nonstop. "But unless you have a lofty goal such as running a marathon, it's OK to break up the exercise into small segments," Florez said. It will pay dividends in longevity, overall health, including cardiovascular health, and bone density, he said.

"Any activity is good activity," agreed Tyson Bain, an exercise physiologist and gerontologist at the Cooper Institute, Dallas.

He urges people to find an activity they enjoy doing. That way they'll be more likely to stick with it.

When he helps people get into an activity program, especially older people, he starts with an assessment of how well they can move and perform, and asks which times of day they prefer to be active and what types of activity interest them. He also asks them to consider what activities or sports they are good at.

Depending on a person's health, Bain recommends people aim for at least 30 minutes of activity most days, even though the recent research suggests less can still yield benefits. "Split it up -- 15, 15," he advises those who balk. "You'll get the same benefits."

Fit your activity around your lifestyle, Florez tells people. "Strength train with resistance bands or dumbbells while you watch Desperate Housewives," he said. "Take a walk with a friend."
You will combine social interaction with activity, and both have been shown to lengthen your life, he said.

More information
To learn more about how to start an activity program, visit the American Council on Exercise.

Most American Seniors Live With Chronic Disease

(HealthDay News) -- Eight of 10 Americans age 65 or older are living with heart disease, diabetes or some other form of chronic illness, according to a new report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The State of Aging and Health in America 2007 was released Thursday and includes up-to-date information on 15 key health indicators for older adults.

"We are really interested in healthy aging and in ways we can promote healthy aging even in the presence of chronic diseases," said Lynda Anderson, chief of the CDC's Health Care and Aging Studies Branch.

The report is also a report card on how the states measure up to the national goals established in Healthy People 2010, Anderson noted.

The number of Americans 65 and older is estimated to reach 71 million by 2030, about 20 percent of the population. By that time, U.S. health care spending is estimated to increase by 25 percent because of an aging population, according to the report.

The report looks at seniors' "health status" -- the number of physically unhealthy days seniors experience, their frequency of mental distress, their oral health and levels of physical disability. There is also an evaluation of health behaviors, such as physical inactivity, nutrition, obesity and smoking.

The study also assesses preventive care and screening. These factors include flu vaccine, pneumonia vaccine, mammography, colorectal cancer screening, preventive screening, and cholesterol levels. In addition, injuries such a hip fracture hospitalizations are also evaluated.

"The good news is that, at the national level, we are actually meeting some of the [government's] Healthy People 2010 targets," Anderson said. For example, national goals are being met in mammograms, colorectal cancer screening, cholesterol testing and the reduction in the number of smokers, she said. "Only 9 percent of older adults are smoking," she added. In addition, 21 states and the District of Columbia have met targets on oral health.

However, no state has met the target for physical activity, eating fruits and vegetables daily, and flu and pneumonia vaccines, and only three states -- Colorado, Hawaii, and New Mexico -- have met the target for lowering obesity.

In addition, more progress is needed in making sure older Americans get flu and pneumonia vaccinations. There also needs to be an effort to reduce hospitalizations for hip fractures, particularly among women, according to the report.

In terms of individual states, Minnesota, Oregon, California, Hawaii and Washington are doing the best in meeting national health care goals, Anderson said. Those at the bottom of the list include Mississippi, Georgia, and other southeastern states, she noted.

Anderson also said that one of the areas that is lagging behind in most places is physical activity. Older adults simply aren't getting enough, Anderson said. "If we can point to a critical area where people can benefit, it is physical activity," she said. "Physical activity can prevent functional decline, falls, and it may even improve cognitive health," she said.

The hidden threat to senior health is the epidemic of obesity, Anderson said. "Obesity can undermine all the other good things that are happening," she said.

Factors like obesity may be taking their toll: 80 percent of older Americans suffer from one chronic disease, and a full half of seniors are burdened by two chronic illnesses, the CDC report found.

One expert is concerned that while some goals are being met, others that are more difficult to achieve are not being addressed.

"It's a great achievement that we have identified areas to focus on and are measuring our progress toward achieving those goals," said Dr. Mike Steinman, an assistant professor of geriatrics at the University of California, San Francisco.

Steinman said the easier goals -- such as mammography and colorectal cancer screening -- have been achieved. "However, a lot of the more complex efforts, for example, preventing obesity, increasing people's fruit and vegetable intake and helping to maintain oral health, are not being met," he said.

Health is not just going down a list and checking off boxes, Steinman said. "There are a lot of more complex series of behaviors and interventions that can be much harder to measure but probably have a lot more impact on people's quality of life," he said.

Steinman believes that physicians are too often focusing on items they can quickly check off during an office visit. They may be too pressed by time and money concerns to deal with other aspects of a patient's life, such as diet and exercise.

"If doctor's pay is being based in part on their performing according to these checklists, and if their quality is being measured by these checklists, there is an incentive for them to do those things on the list, even at the exclusion of other things which may not be on the list but may be more important." Steinman said.

Anderson agrees that doctors alone can't hope to deal with implementing all the health recommendations older people need. "For example, we want to have the physician tell people they need to get physical activity, and then the community needs to help link people with the ways people can do that," she said.

More information
For more information on healthy aging, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Folic Acid Doesn't Help the Heart

(HealthDay News) -- If you're taking folic acid supplements to try to stave off a second heart attack or stroke, you'd probably get more benefit from making lifestyle changes, such as exercising more and eating right, new research suggests.

In an analysis of a dozen randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials, researchers found that folic acid supplements do little to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in people who already have a history of heart disease, stroke or serious kidney disease.

"Consuming a supplement of folic acid is probably not going to mitigate your risk of cardiovascular disease," said the study's lead author, Dr. Lydia Bazzano, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, in New Orleans.

Results of Bazzano's analysis are published in the Dec. 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

According to Dr. Stephen Siegel, a cardiologist at New York University Medical Center in New York City: "The whole concept [of folic acid supplementation] began because we know there's an association between homocysteine levels and atherosclerotic disease, and we know that we can safely lower homocysteine with folic acid. But we don't know if there's a cause-and-effect relationship between homocysteine and cardiovascular disease, or simply an association. Many doctors jumped on the bandwagon, however, because folic acid didn't have the potential to do any harm, but it looked like it might help."

"It was a great thought," Siegel said, but added, "Unfortunately, there's no easy magic bullet. This study cements the evidence presented by other studies that there doesn't seem to be any cardiovascular benefit from folic acid supplements."

For the new study, Bazzano and her colleagues reviewed published literature from 1966 through July 2006 to find studies that had been done comparing folic acid to the use of a placebo in people who had a history of cardiovascular disease.

The researchers found 12 studies that fit their criteria. Together, the studies included data from nearly 17,000 people who took either a placebo or a folic acid supplement for at least six months.

When looking at the studies combined, 18.3 percent of those taking folic acid experienced a cardiovascular event, compared to 19.2 percent of those on a placebo. For heart disease, the rates were 11.4 percent for people taking folic acid supplements, and 10.6 percent for those on a placebo. And 4.7 percent of those on folic acid had a stroke, compared to 5.8 percent of patients on a placebo.

One piece of good news from the study is that taking folic acid appeared to be safe, and it didn't increase the risk for mortality.

"This study provides very important info, and it shows that cardiovascular disease prevention is not as simple as taking a pill," said Dr. Julius Gardin, chief of cardiology at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit. "I don't know that the final answer on folic acid has been written yet, but this study suggests that folic acid supplementation is not effective for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease," he added.

Bazzano was quick to point out, however, that this study doesn't mean people shouldn't get folic acid -- which in its natural form is known as folate -- from a healthful diet. Leafy green vegetables and citrus fruits are rich in folate and are important components in a healthy diet.

And, eating a healthy diet is a known way to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Other ways of reducing your risk include quitting smoking, lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol, and controlling diabetes, according to Bazzano.

Both Siegel and Gardin said exercise is very important in protecting your cardiovascular health, as well.

"Exercise is probably one of the most critical things that people can do. At a minimum, people should get 30 minutes of activity at least five days a week," said Siegel, who added that most people should also add 40 minutes to an hour of moderately strenuous activity into their routines another two or three times a week.

More information
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers advice on keeping your heart healthy.

Health Tip: Female Infertility

(HealthDay News) -- About 12 percent of women in the United States aged 15-44 have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a baby to term, the U.S. government says.
Here is a list of risk factors for infertility, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

• Age, usually 35 or older.
• Stress.
• An unhealthy diet and/or body weight.
• Excessive exercise or training.
• Alcohol and tobacco use.
• Sexually transmitted disease.
• Any health condition that causes hormone levels to change.

'Chemo Brain' in Cancer Survivors Is Real: Study

(HealthDay News) -- "Chemo brain," characterized by chronic problems with memory and attention, afflicts a sizeable minority of cancer survivors.
Now, researchers say the condition may be linked to brain metabolism and blood flow changes that can endure for more than a decade.
The new study, published in the Oct. 5 online edition of Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, should help refute the view that chemo brain is just a figment of patients' imaginations.
"Many women who have had chemo for breast cancer are suffering from cognitive problems for many years after their chemo is finished, and this is the first direct examination of the brain that identifies long-term, if not permanent, changes in brain metabolism related to those cognitive problems," said study lead author Dr. Daniel H.S. Silverman, of the department of molecular and medical pharmacology at the University of California's David Geffen School of Medicine in Los Angeles.
Although chemo brain has been spotted among survivors of other forms of cancer, such as lymphoma, Silverman's group focused on breast cancer patients because the disease is the second-leading cancer killer of American women after lung cancer.
Each year, more than 211,000 American women are diagnosed with breast cancer, the researchers noted, and anywhere from approximately 25 percent to 80 percent of those who undergo chemotherapy complain of later onset of cognitive difficulties.
Silverman stressed, however, that not every breast cancer patient who undergoes chemo suffers from chemo brain, and that many of those who do experience only mild symptoms.
"The impact tends to be relatively subtle," Silverman said. "These are not basic losses of cognition that are going to be noticed when doing easy things. It's more a question of being unable to maintain attention and concentrate when trying to accomplish demanding and high-functioning tasks."
Nevertheless, for some of those who experience this cognitive disruption, the impact can be debilitating. That's why Silverman and his colleagues looked for underlying mechanisms to better understand the condition.
Using positron emission tomography -- commonly known as PET -- the UCLA team scanned the brains of 21 former breast cancer patients who had had tumors surgically removed between five and 10 years prior to this study.
Sixteen of the women had undergone chemotherapy, while the remaining five had had surgery alone. Scans were also conducted for 13 women of similar age and backgrounds with no history of breast cancer or chemotherapy.
The researchers observed brain blood-flow patterns as participants engaged in short-term memory exercises lasting about 10 minutes. They also measured brain metabolism after the exercise.
Silverman's team found that the post-chemo patients experienced relatively large blood flow "spikes" to certain parts of the brain when performing the mental tasks. This group also executed the tasks 13 percent less well than the non-chemo and non-cancer groups.
As well, former chemotherapy recipients showed relatively low brain metabolism rates in the frontal cortex after the tasks were completed, the researchers noted.
Participants who had undergone both chemotherapy and hormonal treatments also showed about an eight percent drop in their resting metabolism in a region of the brain called the basal ganglia.
The basal ganglia is known to function as a bridge between thought and action, the researchers noted.
Putting all the facts together, Silverman's team said the task-related blood flow jumps in the brains of former chemotherapy recipients indicated increased brain activity. That may mean that the chemo group were starting from a neurological disadvantage -- working harder (and with less success) to complete the tasks than those who had never undergone such treatment.
"Chemo-brain symptoms are the single biggest impediment to the quality of life of long-term breast cancer survivors who are getting chemo at earlier and earlier stages and living longer, or even to full life expectancy," noted Silverman. "So, of course, this is discouraging news if you're trying to do something for the affected patients after the fact."
"But on the other hand," he noted, "these findings could ultimately be very encouraging in terms of trying to prevent this, because you could perhaps identify patterns of brain metabolism that could help steer individual patients toward therapy regimens that would be least harmful for them, or to terminate therapies before they cause permanent brain damage."
Dr. Claudine Isaacs, director of the clinical breast cancer program at Georgetown University, said the study was interesting but inconclusive.
"These are very provocative findings, and I think this is the way we need to go in terms of utilizing imaging studies to better understand the problem," she said. "But to know what all this means is another thing."
"The problem is that this is so multi-factorial," cautioned Isaacs. "There are so many things that go into this -- age-related influences, menopause -- and it's very difficult to tease out the different parts."
"It is also true," she added, "that other studies in this area have shown that a relative minority of patients are affected by this phenomenon, and that in substantial numbers, the problems resolve over time among those who are. So, the situation is not necessarily forever."
More information
To learn more about chemo brain, visit the American Cancer Society.

Healthy Aging: The 40s -- Middle-Aged, Mega-Stressed

(HealthDay News) -- Juggling the demands of children, full-time work and aging or sick parents, the 40s can be prime time for pressure.
While it's tempting to pretend it's not there, stress has a way of making itself known. "Some people can even feel physical pain -- problems with indigestion, heartburn or headaches," said Dr. Cecil Wilson, an internist in Winter Park, Fla., and board member of the American Medical Association.
There are more subtle signs, too. "You're more easily irritated; you feel like you're always behind," he said. "Some people may find that it's difficult to sleep -- or they sleep more than they normally would."
As stress mounts, the risk for depression rises. "Depression has many forms," Wilson said. "You might get up in the morning and just as soon not face the day. You feel overwhelmed with it all and are continually feeling low."
Recognizing that stress is getting out of hand is the first step to change, Wilson said. But even more important is identifying the sources of anxiety, and taking action.
"First, say to yourself 'Is it my environment?' You might look around and say, 'Things aren't going well at home with my kids,' or 'I've got an elderly parent I'm concerned about,'" Wilson advised.
The workplace can also be a huge source of pressure and anxiety, and often the easiest to change. "If you simply have too much work to handle, ask the boss for help," Wilson said. If that's no solution, switching jobs may be the only way to ease the stress load, he said.
The body has its own ready-made stress-buster, Wilson pointed out -- a good workout. "We all know that regular exercise is great for a variety of reasons, to ease tension and relax.
"Then there's even something as obvious as going on vacation, a weekend away from stressors," he added.
Many Americans swear by meditation, prayer, T'ai Chi -- even a midday nap.
Then there are diversions that seem like they relieve stress, but really compound it. "People under stress often drink more than they otherwise would," Wilson said. But that extra drink or two can lead to many more, until drinking becomes a habit that's hard to break. "It's the same thing for smoking -- people may smoke more, thinking it curbs stress, but it doesn't," he said.
Amid the hurly-burly of middle-age, it may also be important to step back and realize that a certain level of tension will always surround us.
"We hear a lot about high anxiety today, but I'm not sure we live in a more stressful world," Wilson said. "Life has always been stressful."
More information
For more on coping with the stress of everyday life, visit the National Mental Health Association.

Ayurveda for good health and illness prevention

By Guardian Health
Ayurveda, or ayurvedic medicine, is a health system that people in India have used for more than 5,000 years. Ayurveda emphasizes good health and prevention of illness through lifestyle practices (such as massage, meditation, yoga, and dietary changes) and the use of herbal remedies. Ayurvedic medicine is holistic, which means viewing the body and mind as a whole.

Ayurveda not only treats a person’s physical complaints, but it also changes lifestyle practices to help maintain or improve health. According to ayurveda, the five elements of nature (space, air, fire, water, earth) show themselves in the body as three forces (doshas) known as Vatta, Pitta, and Kapha.

These doshas relate closely to the basic elements of nature and to specific functions of the body. A balance of these doshas is thought to be required for optimal health. Air and space represent Vatta. Vatta controls muscle and joint movement, breathing, and heartbeat.

Also, Vatta controls anxiety, fear, pain, and other functions of the nervous system. Fire and water represent Pitta, which is thought to control such bodily functions as digestion, metabolism, intelligence, and skin color. Pitta governs the emotions of anger, hate, and jealousy. Earth and water represent Kapha.

The physical structure of the body and the immune system are governed by Kapha. Emotional responses thought to be controlled by Kapha include calmness, forgiveness, love, and greed. The doshas, which are determined at the time of conception, also relate to an individual’s physical makeup and personality.

A person with a Vatta makeup tends to have a small, thin build. The Pitta body style is more of a medium, muscular build. The Kapha appearance is usually bigger and well-developed. Most people are considered to have a combination of doshas, with one type usually being predominant.

In ayurvedic medicine, it is thought that if an imbalance occurs in any of the three doshas, illness results. Ayurvedic medicine treats illness through a variety of means, including dietary changes, herbal remedies, and exercise. You can also use yoga, meditation, or counseling to treat disease under this philosophy.

People use ayurvedic practices to maintain health, reduce stress, and improve flexibility, strength, and stamina. Researchers currently are studying yoga and meditation as interventions for diseases such as asthma, high blood pressure, and arthritis. Ayurveda stresses proper diet for maintaining good health and treating disease.

Herbal medicines are prescribed based on the person’s dosha type. Researchers are looking into the effects of ayurvedic herbal medicines on various long-term (chronic) illnesses. Ayurvedic practices such as yoga and meditation can be safe ways to promote health. If you have a long-term illness, you may be able to combine ayurveda with conventional medical treatment.

Always tell your doctor if you are using an alternative therapy or if you are thinking about combining an alternative therapy with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional medical treatment and rely only on an alternative therapy.

Ayurvedic herbal medications, like conventional medications, may cause side effects, trigger allergic reactions, or interact with other medications or herbs you are taking. Some ayurvedic medications may contain high levels of heavy metals.

A recent study found that about one in five ayurvedic medicine products available in grocery stores in the Boston area contained potentially harmful levels of lead and other heavy metals. Be sure to tell your doctor about all herbs and natural supplements that you are taking. If you have taken ayurvedic medicine products, ask your doctor about screening for heavy metals.
SOURCE: Guardian

TREATMENT OF AIDS ACCORDING TO AYURVEDIC SYSTEM:

TREATMENT OF AIDS ACCORDING TO AYURVEDIC SYSTEM:
Prof Madiraju V Subramanyam

All seems not lost for the HIV infected persons as the Ayurvedic supplements are proven to be harmless without any side effects and there can only be improvement and not deterioration.

TREATMENT PLAN
Initially, the patient is given tonics and rejuvenators (Rasayanas) to boost immunity levels and to strengthen the system and stimulate appetite. After gaining some strength, shodhana (elimination) techniques are used to expel toxins from the body through enemas, purgation and emesis. The medications administered at this stage are not hard or drastic, but soft, ghee-based so that the patient withstands them with ease. Secondly the blood is purified with appropriate medications. Liver corrective measures also play an important role. A strengthening diet along with medicated ghee preparations and soups is recommended. But spicy, oily and acidic foods are to be avoided. A little alcohol is recommended as anupana (carrier) to aid the digestive process, and also remove blockages in the flow of Rasadi dhatus, i.e. srothorodha.

Patient is advised to do regular exercise. If the patient is incapable of exercising or running due to weakness, then steaming (swedanam) is also recommended. reason behind this is `Heated blood is said to weaken, and even destroy, the virus in some cases`. Experience has shown that certain herbo-mineral compounds prepared as per the formulae prescribed by sages like Agasthya, Charaka, Sarangadhara and others for the treatment of Kshaya have brought about significant results in improving the condition of AIDS patients. The Rasayana and Vajikara effects of the these medicines are good for the patients. Some of the propritery ayurvedic medicines achieving good improvement in the quality of life of patients include `Chyavanprash`, `Raktavardhak` for Immunity building and `Sookshma triphla tabs` to keep awaythe the infection.

CHYAVANPRASH:
An example of an Ayurvedic remedy which may be of use in the treatment of persons diagnosed with AIDS is `Chyavanprash`. `Chyavanprash` is most useful and most popular rejuvenator tonic (Rasayana) of Ayurveda . This is an Ayurvedic Herbal formula which increases ojas, and restores the digestive, eliminative, respiratory and sexual systems. It is frequently employed in wasting conditions where it has been clinically shown to improve health and assist with weight gain. The main ingredient in Chyavanprash is `Amalaki`- the Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis), which has the highest yield of natural source vitamin C, with 3000 mg per fruit.

It is also a rich source of naturally occurring anti-oxidants including bioflavonoids, vitamin B-complex and carotenes (vitamin A). Studies suggest that this berry possesses antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. It assists digestion, lowers high blood pressure and lowers blood cholesterol. Clinical research has shown that it accelerates repair of muscle and skin and enhances natural anti-inflammatory substances. Chayvanprash also contains about 35 others herbs which amplify and augment the effects of its main ingredient; such a powerful formulation may indeed be helpful in the treatment of persons who have been diagnosed with AIDS.

Suffering from Stress Incontinence?

Suffering from Stress Incontinence?
Provided by: DrWeil.com

Q: Is there an effective natural remedy for stress incontinence? -- Alison A: Stress incontinence is urinary leakage that occurs as a result of sudden pressure on the lower abdominal muscles, often caused by coughing, laughing, lifting, or exercise. Many women experience stress incontinence, particularly after menopause, but it can also occur when pelvic muscles have been weakened by childbirth or abdominal surgery.
Due to embarrassment, women often don't seek medical advice for this common problem, but there are a number of effective treatments:
Kegel exercises: These exercises can strengthen the muscles that control urine flow. They involve squeezing the pelvic muscles, holding the tension for a count of 10, and relaxing for a count of 10. Repeat 20 times, three to four times a day. A study published in the November 2004 issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology showed that Kegel exercises work best for women who don't need to wear a protective garment, don't leak at first cough, and aren't incontinent daily. They were least effective for women who reported two or more leakages daily, had used psychiatric drugs long-term, and leaked at first cough.
Biofeedback: This training teaches you to use signals from your body to help control symptoms. To find a therapist qualified to treat stress incontinence with biofeedback, contact the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America (BCIAC) or visit: www.bcia.org.
Electrical stimulation: Here, electrodes are temporarily placed in the vagina to stimulate and stabilize the urethral muscles that control urine flow.
In addition, a number of minor surgical procedures can help. A study published in the December 2004 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology described a new method that involves implanting a polypropylene tape around the mid-urethra through a small vaginal incision. This can be done on an outpatient basis. Researchers in Finland reported that of 64 women treated, the overall cure rate was 81 percent and the tape remained effective seven years after being implanted.
Another procedure reported at a November 2004 meeting of the Radiological Society of North America involved transplanting women's stem cells into the urethra to restore muscle mass and contractility. Researchers from Austria reported on a small study involving only 20 women. The outpatient procedure takes 15 to 20 minutes, and women notice results within 24 hours. The stem cells are collected from blood, cultured in the lab for six weeks, and then injected.
If embarrassment is preventing you from discussing stress incontinence with your physician, please know that millions of women suffer from this problem and that help is available.
Andrew Weil, MD
Last Reviewed: May 2005