Monday, September 19, 2011

Fatty Liver Diet - Do's and Don'ts to Get Rid of Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

In her e-book, the "Fatty Liver Diet Guide", veteran liver nurse, Dorothy Spencer, tells us:
"Fatty Liver is not life threatening, but it has a high tendency to advance into more dangerous liver diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, cancer of the liver and the worst-case condition which is hepatic necrosis."

She goes on to emphasize the importance of regulating your food intake with a highly nutritious diet focused on weight loss. 

ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a complex health problem that may worsen by a high-fat or high-carbohydrate diet, obesity, type 2 diabetes (diabetes milletus), insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and metabolic disorders.

By far, the most important things to consider for reversing fatty liver are nutritional changes and weight loss. The best diet plan for getting rid of a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) will focus on giving you correct nutritional guidance and helpful advice that is easy to follow.

Here are some "Do's and Don'ts" to think about when planning your fatty liver diet. These tips are aimed at bringing down excess fat in your liver and incorporating these changes into your daily diet and lifestyle:
Do eat vitamin particularly foods that are high in vitamin C, vitamin E, and B-complex vitamins. Do eat mineral rich foods, especially foods that are high folic acid (folic acid), manganese, and selenium. Do avoid compulsive eating by sticking to a balanced diet. Do eat small meals throughout the day, rather than only a couple of big meals. Don't eat meals late in the evening, eat more of your meals earlier in the day. Don't eat high-fat foods, especially saturated fats. Don't consume too much alcoholic beverages or high sugar beverages like energy drinks and soft drink. Do workout on a regular basis to lose weight slowly, inch by inch. Don't try "lose it all at once" weight-loss methods as these can be harsh on your liver. Don't eat red meat, ham, pork or fried foods. Do eat lean white meats, including chicken, turkey and fish. Do eat extra servings of veggies every day, especially fresh vegetables and leafy vegetables. Don't eat simple carbohydrates, which include white refined sugar, candy and sugary desserts. Do eat fresh fruits every day, in particular citrus fruits and lemons. Do eat complex carbohydrates, such as brown rice, beans, and whole grain cereals. Do eat foods that are high in fiber such as oats, bran cereals, and whole wheat breads.

Fatty Liver Diet - Do's and Don'ts to Get Rid of Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS

Effects of Excessive Alcohol Consumption on the Body

An addiction to alcohol is a lasting same ailment that can damage a person's career and their family. It can also be fatal to their health if left untreated.

Substantial alcoholic drinks in-take on a regular basis causes chemical changes to a individual's brain. For example, it alters the composition of the body's gamma-aminobutyric acids, which function to inhibit impulsiveness, and glutamate, which fuels the nervous system. Unnecessary drinking also tends to drain these chemicals, which can depress the nervous system and hurt important areas of the brain.

ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS

Loss of control over the tongue and posture is symptomatic of an liquor-poisened bring, as is weariness, memory loss, weakness of the eye muscles, and paralysis. In critical cases, long-term substantial drinking can even send a person into a coma from which they may never awake.

In addition to the potentially lethal effects of alcohol poisening to the brain, other organs, such as the liver, can also be acutely effected. Unnecessary drinking causes alcoholic substances hepatitis, a disease that is characterized by inflammation of the liver. Its warning signs include appetite loss, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, fever, tenderness, jaundice, and dizziness. If the hefty drinking goes on, the hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis, which is characterized by progressive scarring and obliteration of the liver tissues.

Alcohol-addicted persons can also suffer serious gastrointestinal problems, such as inflammation of the stomach, that leads to a illness called 'gastritis'. A gastritis sufferer is unable to absorb nutrients through their stomach, such as vitamin B, folic acid and thiamin.

When alcoholic substances is consumed in heavy quantities, it also damages the pancreas and interferes with the organ creation of hormones that regulate metabolism of the body by creating enzymes for digestion. It can also led to a assortment of cardiovascular problems, such as high blood pressure, and can even damage the heart muscle - a condition called 'cardiomyopathy'. Cardiomyopathy significantly builds up the possibilities of heart attack.

Diabetes is another common disease amongst alcohol-addicted persons. High liquor intake prevents the liver from releasing glucose, which intensifies the risk of hypoglycemia (characterized by low blood sugar). This ailment is particularly dangerous for someone who is already suffering from diabetes and is taking insulin to reduce their blood-sugar level. Further, prolonged alcohol abuse tends to damage the reproductive system, leading to erectile dysfunction in men and menstrual problems in women.

Alcoholic drinks abuse during pregnancy is particularly grave, as it can give rise to fetal alcoholic drinks syndrome, where the child is born with defects, such as a small head, short eyelids, heart defects, and other abnormalities. And finally, research also displays that continued alcoholic drinks abuse places one at higher risk of cancer and diseases of larynx, esophagus, colon, and liver.

In short, the human body was evidently not designed to handle large amounts of alcohol for any length of time. Heavy drinking may seem like a lot of fun at a distance, and it always seems to interest young people as a means of indicating how grown up they are. Ironically though, irresponsible drinking is the very behavior that has the potential to stop young individuals reaching adulthood altogether.

Effects of Excessive Alcohol Consumption on the Body

ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Alcoholic Drinks

In the West, alcoholic beverages are never far away from the scene at festive times, but do we always know how to get the most from these costly luxuries? Too many people these days just think its a question of 'getting as much down as possible in as little time as possible'. This is the wrong attitude.

alcoholic ginger beer

After all, most people realize that a good meal does not consist of eating as many chips as possible in fifteen minutes, so why should that theory not apply to having a drink too? You will get far more enjoyment from a bottle of wine, if you spend an extra dollar on it and drink it slowly with a friend and some appropriate food than if you swill down a cheap bottle of plonk on your own. It makes obvious sense, but not everyone sees it.

ALCOHOLIC

So, with that idea in mind, I have put together a few tips on how to get more enjoyment from your alcoholic drinks, if you are old enough and of that turn of mind.

Gin and Vodka - if these white spirits are your favourite tipple, always keep the bottle in the fridge, not the drinks cabinet. Keep the mixers in the fridge too. That way the ice will last longer and you will not be tempted to have to swig it down before the ice melts. If you are having friends around, go one step further and put the bottle in the freezer. It will not go solid. You can even cut the top off a plastic cola bottle, put the bottle of gin or vodka in that, fill it with water and then freeze it. Take off the plastic bottle and you have an attractive "collar of ice" around your bottle.

The Last Tot - five minutes or so after finishing a bottle of spirits, tip it out one more time and the bottle that you thought was empty will provide one more tot of contents. It is not a lot, but it is a pleasant free surprise. The same works for many alcohol based products including underarm roll-on and scent.

White Wine - white wines taste best when they have been gently chilled over a protracted period, but if you get taken by surprise visitors, put the bottle of wine in a jug of ice and cold water. Try not to have to put it in the deep freeze, it is too severe, but if you have to, then ten minutes is all that it takes.

Port - it is always better to decant port and older, heavier red wines, because of the sediment that may be in the bottom of the bottle, which tastes awful and because it aids the aeration of the wine. However, it is not always easy to see when the lees are coming. The manuals say to use a candle, but they were written a hundred years ago. The strong beam from a torch is far better. Try using a Durabeam because its rotatable head allows it to be directed more precisely.

Decanters - sometimes the stopper becomes stuck fast. Tap it with another glass item and it should come loose. If not, run the neck of the decanter under hot water for a few seconds and it will come out.

Labels - if you keep your wine in a damp place where the labels are likely to rot or fall off, spray them with hair lacquer beforehand.

Alcoholic Drinks

ALCOHOLIC

The Bad Effects Of Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is the most common serious liver infection in the world. It is thought to be the leading cause of liver cancer. The world health organization estimates that hepatitis B infections leads to more than one million deaths every year.

hepatitis

The disease is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that attacks the liver. The virus is transmitted through blood and bodily fluids that contain blood. This can occur through direct blood-to-blood contact, unprotected sex and illicit drug use.

HEPATITIS

It can also be passed from an infected woman to her new born during the delivery process.

The virus can cause a range of problems including fever, fatigue, muscle or joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Chronic carriers have an increased risk of developing liver disease such as cirrhosis or liver cancer because the hepatitis B virus steadily attacks the liver. Chronic carriers will usually have on going inflammation of the liver and may eventually develop cirrhosis and liver cancer. About 1% of people who are infected develop an extreme form of disease called acute fulminant hepatitis. This condition can be fatal if not treated quickly. Sufferers may collapse with fatigue, have yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) and develop swelling in their abdomen.

There are several drug treatments available to treat hepatitis B. Patients may be put on a four months course of injection of the drug interferon. An alternative treatment is a drug called lamivudine which is taken orally once a day. In all, early detection of the problem goes a long way in minimizing the havoc it can cause if left to develop to the chronic state.

The Bad Effects Of Hepatitis B

HEPATITIS

Hepatitis B Vaccine

The hepatitis B virus, also known as HBV, is a very serious disease. This article is going to tell you a little bit about the disease and vaccine. If you know little about hepatitis, this article should give you some insight on the hepatitis B virus and the vaccine.

hepatitis

How is hepatitis B spread or how does a person get it? Hepatitis B is spread through contact with bodily fluids and the blood of an infected individual. You can hepatitis B through sexual contact and sharing needles when a person injects themselves with illegal drugs. If you work in the medical field, you can get hepatitis B if you are accidentally stuck with a needle on the job. Pregnant mothers can also pass the virus to their unborn child while in the womb.

HEPATITIS

What are the long term affects of hepatitis B? Hepatitis B can cause chronic illnesses that usually turn into liver damage or cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer and/or death.

An estimated 1.25 million Americans in the United States get infected chronically with hepatitis B. The highest percentage of people who have hepatitis B are from the ages of 20 to 49 years of age. New infections of hepatitis B have declined since the 1980's due to the hepatitis B vaccine. New infections each year used to top 260,000 individuals, and has dropped to approximately 80,000 over the past 20 years. An estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people die from hepatitis each year.

Everyone under 18 years old should get the hepatitis vaccine, and those older than 18 years old should get the vaccine if they are at risk of getting the virus. If you have not had the hepatitis B vaccine, and you are at risk for getting hepatitis B, you should really consider getting the vaccine. You are at risk for getting hepatitis B if you have more than one sexual partner in a 6 month period. You are at risk for getting hepatitis B if you are a man that has sex with other men, or if you have sex with a man that had had sex with another man. You are at risk if you inject illegal drugs or have sexual encounters with infected people. You are also at risk if you work in a health care facility, if you work in public safety, or if are a hemodialysis patient.

The hepatitis B vaccine is usually given in 3 doses, however there are a few exceptions. Infants under six months of age should not be given the 3rd dose because it can reduce the long-term protection of the vaccine. Youth from the ages to 11 and 15 years of age may also only need two doses about 4-6 months apart.

There are some people who should not get the vaccine. You should not get the vaccine if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to baker's yeast, or if you have taken the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine and had a bad reaction to it. If you are even moderately ill, you should wait until you recover before you get the vaccine.

Are there any risks, and if so, what are they? Like any vaccine there is a risk of allergic reaction, but the risk of it causing serious harm or being fatal is almost unheard of. If you think about it, getting the hepatitis B vaccine is much safer than getting the hepatitis B virus. The majority of people who get the vaccine never have a problem with it. One out of eleven children and one out of 4 adults have soreness where the shot was actually given, which which only lasts a day or two. One out of fourteen children and one out of one hundred adults get a mild fever. Severe allergic reactions are extremely rare.

If you think you are having a reaction to the hepatitis vaccine, you should look for high fever and/or unusual behavior. If you were to have a serious reaction to the vaccine, it should happen within a few minutes to a few hours after getting the hepatitis B vaccine. Some other signs to look for are difficulty breathing, wheezing, hives, pale skin color, fast heart beat, dizziness and/or weakness. If you show any of these symptoms and think you are having a reaction to the vaccine, you should call your doctor and tell him that you have had the vaccine and think you are having a reaction to it.

Did you know there is a National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program? If you or your child are have a serious reaction to a vaccine, there is a federal program that will help you pay for medical care resulting from a vaccine. To contact the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, you can call 1-800-338-2382 or you can go to their website at http://www.hrsa.gov/osp/vicp .

Hepatitis B Vaccine

HEPATITIS

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Can Saliva Transmit Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C (HCV) is the most prevalent liver disease in the world. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 20-30% of people with chronic Hepatitis C will eventually face life-threatening symptoms. Astoundingly, unidentified sources of infection account for a large percentage of Hepatitis C cases. Most of these unidentified sources are believed to be the result of contact with contaminated blood, the virus's primary mode of transmission. However, of those that are not attributed to blood to blood contact, some unknown cases may possibly be the consequence of salivary transmission. While other body fluids may rightfully raise some concern, such as urine, semen, and vaginal fluids, studies show that these substances must contain traces of infected blood for contamination to take place.

hepatitis

Although the virus's physical measurements are tiny, its concentration is enormous. In fact, compared to HIV, the concentration of the Hepatitis C virus in one drop of infected blood is much higher. Unlike HIV and other viruses, direct or indirect contact with contaminated blood (such as a toothbrush) yields the Hepatitis C virus transmissible. As a precaution, individuals with HCV are asked not to share personal items where traces of their contaminated blood may reside.

HEPATITIS

Despite continued uncertainty, some researches have found evidence in support of HCV being transmitted via saliva. That is, if it's under the right circumstances. For instance, recent research shows that Hepatitis C is only found in the saliva of individuals with high viral loads. It may be possible for individuals with high viral loads to transmit the Hepatitis C virus through kissing, but the exact risk involved has yet to be determined. Research shows that both people would need to have gum disease in order for transmission to occur.

Click here to learn more about the potential to transmit Hepatitis C through salivary contact.

Can Saliva Transmit Hepatitis C?

HEPATITIS

Health Risks In Alcohol Abuse

Drinking alcoholic beverages during social functions is a common practice among adults. Occasional drinking poses no treat to health but sometimes the occasional social drinking can progress over time into alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse has varied effects on our bodies and chronic drinking can pose major health risks.

Alcohol affects the brain and the nervous system by slowing down the drinker's reactions and making him feel tranquilized and relaxed. Alcohol dulls the brain. When someone takes alcohol, his inhibitions are lowered making him more aggressive and hostile. When taken in higher dosage, alcohol can cause mental block out, impairing the person's concentration and ability to judge situations properly. This will also create distorted coordination and emotional reactions.

ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS

The liver is one of the primary targets of chronic alcohol abuse. Alcoholic hepatitis results when the liver cells are damaged due to recent heavy drinking. On the other hand, liver cirrhosis is a result of a long-term excessive alcohol use wherein large areas of the liver are destroyed or scarred. Damage to the liver may become extremely serious and life threatening.

The blood vessels found in the skin surface usually widen as a result of alcohol intake because of the alcohol's vasodilator properties. This is the reason why the skin of heavy drinkers appears flushed. Chronic alcohol abuse results in the inability of the blood vessels to shrink back to normal giving the person a permanent reddish look.

Cardiomyopathy is a major health risk alcohol abusers are likely to suffer. Long-term alcohol use creates damage and weakens the heart's muscular tissue resulting in heart failure. Anemia and bleeding disorders can also result from chronic alcohol abuse.

Peptic ulcer disease is likely to develop in heavy drinkers. Alcohol can irritate the stomach lining and prolonged use can cause chronic stomach problems including peptic ulcers.

Alcohol has taken and affected so many lives. This is one of the major causes of traffic fatalities in the U.S. When a person's coordination and judgment are impaired by alcohol, his capacity to drive a motor vehicle is lessened as well. Often, a person under the influence of alcohol believes that he still has the capacity to drive and this sometimes results in vehicular accidents that are fatal. Other types of accidents resulting from the participants being alcohol intoxicated may be fires resulting in injuries and loss of lives, boating accidents, water sports and snowmobiling.

A man's ability to procreate is usually affected by alcohol abuse. The nerves that control erection and ejaculation are dulled by alcohol resulting in impotence. In women on the other hand, chronic alcohol use results in a loss of sexual appetite. Furthermore, alcohol intake during pregnancy can prove harmful and may result in fetal alcohol syndrome - the leading cause of mental retardation. Other ill effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy are low birth weight, slow development and learning problems.

Therefore, alcohol abuse is not only a social deterrent but its accompanying health risks are reasons enough for an alcohol abuser to seek immediate rehabilitation and treatment before everything is lost.

Health Risks In Alcohol Abuse

ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS