Senator Ted Kennedy hospitalized due to stroke symptoms

CNN reports today 17 May 2008:

“Sen. Edward Kennedy was rushed to Cape Cod Hospital in Massachusetts Saturday morning, a well-informed, prominent Democratic source in that state told CNN. The source said the 76-year-old senator had “symptoms of a stroke.”

The latest update:

“Kennedy was transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston for evaluation after initial treatment at Cape Cod Hospital…”

CNN reports that he already had his carotid artery cleared last October to reduce the risk of stroke.

Latest update, 18 May 2007:

Sen Kennedy did not suffer from stroke, according to doctors. He is not in immediately danger and is expected to make a full recovery.

CNN reports:

“Over the next couple of days, Sen. Kennedy will undergo further evaluation to determine the cause of the seizure, and a course of treatment will be determined at that time,” said Dr. Ronan, who is Kennedy’s primary care physician.

 

 

               

High Blood Pressure & The Damage It Can Cause

By Thomas Parker

High blood pressure is a very serious disease. It can cause damage to your vital organs and in the worst cases can be fatal. Sufferers of high blood pressure often do not show any symptoms and when the symptoms do show, the damage has often already occurred. Therefore, the best way to determine whether you have high blood pressure or not is to go and see a trained doctor and get it checked out.

Blood pressure is said to be normal if it is 140 over 85. However, it can differ between different races and geographic locations. Generally speaking blood pressure above 140 over 85 is said to be high. A few degrees above normal may not cause any significant problems but a significant increase can be dangerous.

As I mentioned above high blood pressure does not always display symptoms. However, there are a number of signs you can look out for. Severe headaches can indicate high blood pressure, especially if they occur more regularly than usual. If you find yourself breathless after a little exertion this is another sign that you may have high blood pressure, particularly if this didn’t seem to happen previously. A third sign is increased nose bleeds or increased bleeding from any other area of the body. Other signs of high blood pressure may include hyperventilation or tension. If you notice any of these signs, particularly an increased occurrence of any particular sign e.g. increased nosebleeds, you should seek further advice from your doctor immediately.

If left untreated high blood pressure can cause unwanted damage to a number of areas across your body. Your eyes receive blood through the optic arteries and if these are damaged by high blood pressure then your vision may be impaired. High blood pressure can also cause damage to the brain. The brain requires oxygen and nutrition which is supplied in the blood stream. If this supply is impaired by high blood pressure it can lead to a mini-stroke, a full stroke and even dementia in old age. High blood pressure can also cause serious damage to the heart including heart attacks and heart failure.

As you can see high blood pressure can easily go unnoticed and potentially cause a lot of damage to your body. However, if it is identified early enough then you are likely to never experience any of the consequences mentioned in this article. It’s a good idea to go and see your doctor right away and get tested for high blood pressure. As long as it is diagnosed early enough it can be managed using a combination of medication, diet and exercise.

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You can find more great information on High Blood Pressure and how to treat it by heading over to blog.freefitnesstips.co.uk/

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Cholesterol Numbers - Are Yours Too Low?

By Gene D. Millen

People who take statin drugs to achieve lower cholesterol numbers stand the risk of having their cholesterol go too low. New studies show that people with the lowest cholesterol have a higher risk of cancer, according to a meta-analysis of over 41,000 patient records from 23 statin drug trials.

Researchers found one extra case of cancer per 1,000 patients with the lowest levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, the so-called bad cholesterol, compared to patients with higher LDL levels.

Past studies have found an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease among people with extra-low cholesterol. Meanwhile, statin drugs may cause damage to the liver and muscles.

Although you would never guess it from watching the Lipitor, Crestor and Vytorin TV advertisements, cholesterol is good for us…in the right amounts…and the cholesterol HDL ratio is more important than just LDL cholesterol.

Dr. Mary Enig, a world renowned biochemist and pioneer in researching healthy fats and oils relates some of the little known benefits of cholesterol:

Your body needs cholesterol to make sex hormones. Could this be why many of those on statin drugs have a reduced sex drive?

Cholesterol is needed for proper function of serotonin receptors in the brain. Serotonin is involved in the biochemistry of depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety, control of appetite, sleep, memory and mood.

Cholesterol acts as an antioxidant to protect us from free radicals. Free radicals attack the artery walls and contribute to plaque that ends up clogging our arteries.

It’s amazing and somewhat frustrating to me that the mainstream medical community largely ignores the most important controllable risks of having a heart attack or stroke.

If your cholesterol dips too low, you will increase your risk of depression, stroke, violent behavior, and suicide.

There is no evidence to support that extremely low cholesterol levels are beneficial, and increasing numbers of studies like the one above are pointing to the risks.

Meanwhile, even if you DID want to lower your cholesterol, taking statin drugs is the last option you should consider.

Cholesterol-lowering drugs have been linked to everything from nerve damage to memory loss.

Former astronaut, Dr. Graveline (M.D. retired) is uniquely qualified to discuss the magnitude of statin drug risks. He suffered transient global amnesia as a result of being on Lipitor. Dr. Graveline, who is known as the “Space Doc” comments,

“The legacy of statin drug use at today’s high doses is a trail of chronic aches, muscle pain, numbness, weakness, confusion, fatigue, shortness of breath and even heart failure in hordes of unsuspecting victims.” Statin drugs also deplete the body of beneficial Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), may actually INCREASE the risk of heart disease.

There’s no need to risk dangerous statin side effects to keep your cholesterol numbers where they should be. Here is a proven formula that works:

Exercise regularly. All it takes is 10 to 15 minutes per day of the right kind of exercise.
Follow a low glycemic diet.
Take two Cholest-Check all natural cholesterol lowering supplements each day.
Check out the Heart Health For Life website for more information.

Heart bypass survivor explains little known heart attack risks that are more dangerous than high cholesterol in a Free Report “How To Stop a Heart Attack Before It Stops You” Go to the Heart Health website at www.heart-health-for-life.com

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Dealing With Alcoholism in Yourself or Someone You Love

By Ian Henman

It might be you, a loved one, or a friend dealing with the problem. No matter who it is alcoholism could very well be one of the most difficult issues you’ll face over the course of your life. Similar to taking drugs or smoking alcoholism becomes a very big burden to carry around with you. Knowing it can lead to great disaster and even death of the person it directly effects. When ever you find yourself dealing with alcoholism you should prepare yourself for the worst, but hope the best will come of it all.

The initial step taken when dealing with alcoholism is the alcoholic, or yourself must admit that a problem exists. Like any addiction, until the person addicted realizes there is a problem to them there isn’t one. How can you decide if a person has a problem with alcohol? Is their drinking out of hand, is it having a negative impact on their life, work, and relationships with others. If this sounds like someone you know then there is a good chance they do have a problem. How ever you recognizing it doesn’t mean there is a solution close by, dealing with alcoholism is a two way street. Remember you can’t help someone with a problem, if they themselves haven’t realized it yet.

Now of course all this is not to make you feel as though that person is lost or doomed. There are places an alcoholic can go for help dealing with alcoholism. Likely the most used and heard of alternative is AA or alcoholics anonymous. The people of AA have developed a universal tried and tested plan to help recovering and drinking alcoholics overcome their addictions. There are many people who even after they quite drinking continue to rely on the ways of AA to help guide their lives. To go along with AA there are similar support groups and programs that family members of alcoholics can attend dealing with alcoholism. These programs help them deal with the person, and how to help them cope with their new found sobriety.

Never forget that alcoholism is indeed a disease. While you may have trouble showing pity to those who suffer from it remember it could cause the death of a friend, or loved one. If you are dealing with alcoholism, and feel you have no where to turn there are places you can turn for help quick. The Internet for one can link you to online support forums, and also the closet AA meetings in your area. Don’t let yourself live under the guidance of alcoholism, find help and beat it.

For more information about dealing with addictions, and treatment articles please visit our website at Overcoming Addictions

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Blood Pressure Reading - What Does It Foretell

By Stan Kitchen

If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you are more than likely to have to check your daily blood pressure, which you can do through various methods. Which one suits your lifestyle and preferences is something that you should discuss with your doctor.

Before you even get that far, however, you should know what blood pressure is, how it works in your body, and how to find out what your blood pressure is. Let us start with the basics. Your blood pressure is simply a measurement of the pressure it takes for your heart to force blood out of your heart and into arteries. Arteries carry oxygenated blood throughout your circulatory system, to every cell, tissue, and organ within your body.

Lub-dub, Lub-dub, Lub-dub…

Blood pressure is separated into two terms: systolic and diastolic. The moment that your heart pumps blood through your heart, heart valves in the chambers of your heart make sounds, a sort of ‘lub-dub’. You can hear the first sound, the ‘lub’, when the heart muscle contracts, creating a systolic blood pressure. This pressure is also the first set of numbers that show up when someone is taking your blood pressure. A normal systolic blood pressure reading can range anywhere between 120 and 130. However, when the heart muscle rests, or relaxes, you hear the ‘dub’ sound, called the diastolic blood pressure. This reading normally ranges from 80 to 90 beats a minute.

While everyone is different and a blood pressure between an older person and a child can differ, general guidelines exist that decide whether your blood pressure is higher than normal. Athletic individuals normally have lower blood pressure than others, because their heart muscle is stronger and pumps more efficiently.

Taking Care of Your Heart

Keeping a normal blood pressure through a proper diet and enough exercise is not always easy. But not doing so can eventually cause the heart muscle and the linings of blood vessels to weaken or become clogged with cholesterol or plaque. Such a condition forces the heart to work harder to pump blood and provide enough oxygenated and nutrient rich blood to reach all cells and tissues.

Taking care of your heart is important, not only to your daily activities, but also for your long-term health. You should check your blood pressure regularly. If your doctor tells you that you have high blood pressure, do everything you can to get it back under control. Medications, a change of diet and exercise work wonders on high blood pressure. But if possible, try to prevent such measures by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Stay away from high fat foods, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and make sure that you exercise every day, even if it’s a walk around the block after a long day at work.

Recording your blood pressure reading, whether you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, can alert you to changes in your body that you might not be aware of. Take charge of your heart. After all, it is the only one you have.

Get the latest in blood pressure reading know how from the only true source at www.bloodpressurefile.com

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Am I Addicted?

By Jhalak Jerajani

A question that pops up in your mind when you do a certain task very regularly with you understanding so as to why you are doing so in the first place. I have noticed in many situations that people never realize that they are addicted until they are told so. So how do people react when they are termed as addicted? A very obvious emotion seen is fright, or worry. Addiction is considered to be a disease that can’t be cured. However, just like a coin addiction can be viewed with two different perspectives. A positive addiction is similar to a good habit that voluntarily or involuntarily done by a person. At the same time a negative addiction is just like habit that causes damage to self or others in a physical or psychological way.

Ok so I am addicted, can you help me? The answer to this question is NO. There are no drugs or special herbs that would come in handy in this situation. So how do I cure myself? The answer is in that question itself, i.e. I, yes only you can cure yourself. Learn to use the word NO; it’s a small word with big impact. You have to be strong in your mind, don’t let your sub-conscious mind control you but you control your sub-conscious mind. Whenever you are tempted to do one of those addicted tasks, be strong, understand the fact that it is wrong, and finally refrain from doing it. You may have mixed emotions in you mind that instance but don’t you ever overlook the fact that you are now so proud of yourself, for saying NO, to all those addictive tasks.

Isn’t that like so simple, so what is the catch? I spoke to few addicts, after they understood this procedure they agreed to follow it for a month to start with and then they would give me feedback on it. The day of the feedback I realized that many could successfully follow the procedure only for a week or even less, many very easily lied and later confessed, and there were some who just preferred continuing being an addict without even trying to see the other side of the world. Yes, it isn’t as simple as it sounds. Controlling your sub-conscious mind isn’t very simple.

So the question arises, how do I control my sub-conscious mind? Do I take relaxants or any other drugs? No don’t need to start taking relaxants; you cannot stop one addiction by starting another. The idea out here is to always be in your conscious mind and not let your sub-conscious mind control you. You should be in peace with yourself; yes this is one very important thing. I would recommend yoga in the morning; a small session would do the trick. When you meditate I want you to remember all the good things that happened to you, all the bad things that happened to you, how would that change you, how would respond to things, this way I want you to reflect on your past, and cure the wounds, so that your past positively influences your present. When you do this exercise regularly, it also presets you in an active mode when you start your day, rather than a passive mode.

As they say, winning someone’s trust is hard, but keeping that trust maintained is even harder. This phrase also applies in our situation too, as coming out of an addiction is hard but maintaining that life long is even harder. So let us see some sarcastic do’s and dont’s. If you are tempted towards an addictive task, don’t feel bad that’s just human, but you saying NO is just divine. For every addictive action, there is an equal and opposite guideline. If you feel defeated, complaining would just not help, just work harder. If they call you a geek because you quit an addiction, times are changing, geeks are cooler now-a-days. Every person in an addictive state tends to remain in that state unless an external force is applied to it.

I would like to conclude saying, be strong and stay strong. It is hard and it even gets harder, but its totally worth it.

Jhalak Jerajani has invested numerous years of her life understanding psychological issues, their cause, their solution, and how they tend to affect humans. You can also read more of her articles at Bharathi Shriyan’s Astrology.

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Drug Detection - How Long Do Drugs Stay In The Body?

By Steve Sandlin

Drug Test Detection Times refer to the “window” of detection for drugs of abuse. If a person is tested too soon or too long after use, drugs may not show up in human urine. Often someone will ask us, How long to drugs stay in the body? This short guide will help to answer that question. For the purposes of clarity, this guide is a reference for the detection of drugs of abuse found in human urine.

How long do drugs stay in your system? The length of time that the presence of drugs of abuse in the body can be detected is an important factor in drug screening. The chart below outlines approximate duration times. When interpreting the duration for the presence of drugs of abuse in the body, you must take into consideration variables including the body’s metabolism, the subjects physical condition, overall body fluid balance, state of hydration and frequency of usage.

Drug Detection Times in urine are expressed below in terms of lower and upper boundaries. The amount of time that a drug/metabolite remains detectable in urine can vary, depending on the following factors:
• Amount and Frequency of Use: Single, isolated, small doses are generally detectable at the lower boundary. Chronic and long-term use typically result in detection periods near or at the upper boundary.
• Metabolic Rate: Individuals with slower body metabolism are prone to longer drug detection periods.
• Body Mass: In general, human metabolism slows with increased body mass, resulting in longer drug detection periods. In addition, THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) and PCP are known to accumulate in fatty lipid tissue. Chronic users, physically inactive users, and individuals with a high percentage of body fat in relation to total body mass are prone to longer drug detection periods for THC and PCP.
• Age: In general, human metabolism slows with age, resulting in longer drug detection periods.
• Overall Health: In general, human metabolism slows during periods of deteriorating health, resulting in longer drug detection periods.
• Drug Tolerance: Users typically metabolize a drug faster once a tolerance to the drug is established.
• Urine pH: Urine pH can impact drug detection periods. Typically, highly acidic urine results in shorter drug detection periods.
• Note: In a small percentage of cases, users may test positive longer than times shown - most notably in cases of long-term chronic abuse, in individuals with significant body mass and/or body fat, and in individuals with health related issues resulting in abnormally slow body metabolism.

Drug Detection Times in Urine
Drug / Drug Group Time Range
• Alcohol 24 hours or less
• Amphetamines 1 to 4 days
• Barbiturates Short-acting: 1 to 3 days

Long-acting (Barbital, Phenobarbital): 1 to 3 weeks
• Benzodiazepines Short-term Therapeutic Use: 1 to 3 days

Long-term / Chronic Use: 1 to 3 weeks
• Cocaine 1 to 5 days
• LSD 1 to 2 days
• Marijuana (THC) Casual Use: 1 to 7 days

Long-Term / Chronic Use: 1 to 4 weeks Note: THC, the primary active ingredient in marijuana, is stored by the body in fatty lipid tissue. From there, it is slowly released into the bloodstream for up to several weeks - depending on the amount and frequency of use and the user’s level of physical activity. In chronic and physically inactive users, THC may accumulate in fatty tissues faster than it can be eliminated. This accumulation leads to longer detection periods for these individuals. Also, users with a high percentage of body fat in relation to total body mass are prone to longer drug detection periods for marijuana.
• MDMA (Ecstasy) 1 to 4 days
• Methadone 1 to 4 days
• Methamphetamines 1 to 4 days
• Opiates 1 to 5 days
• PCP (Phencyclidine) Casual Use: 1 to 7 days

Long-Term / Chronic Use: 1 to 4 weeks Note: PCP is stored by the body in fatty lipid tissue. From there, it is slowly released into the bloodstream for up to several weeks - depending on the amount and frequency of use and the user’s level of physical activity. In chronic and physically inactive users, PCP may accumulate in fatty tissues faster than it can be eliminated. This accumulation leads to longer detection periods for these individuals. Also, users with a high percentage of body fat in relation to total body mass are prone to longer drug detection periods for PCP.

For complete information on Drug Testing, visit www.DrugTestingResource.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Sandlin

               

Signs of Drug Abuse

By Stephanie Loebs

For a parent, child, employer or friend, the knowledge that a loved one may be abusing drugs is most assuredly difficult to accept. One can ponder the whys and hows of a close friend or family member becoming dependent on drugs and/or alcohol for a long time, and oftentimes people blame themselves for enabling others into what may seem an irreversible situation.

However, instead of placing blame or worrying about what to do, a loved one should take immediate action when drug abuse is suspected. Consulting a physician or healthcare professional with experience in drug rehabilitation is a necessary step.

Of course, one must be certain if drug abuse is actually happening. While some addicts may work to hide their behaviors, there are signs to watch for if you suspect a child, parent, co-worker or friend is abusing narcotics or alcohol. Some of the more obvious signals include but are not limited to:

Sudden mood changes, depression and listlessness, paranoia and withdrawal from friends and activities
Problems with concentration, short-term memory loss, twitching and jittery behavior
Change in appearance for the worse, disheveled clothes and hair, the distinct odor of marijuana is also an obvious sign
Redness or constant watering of the eyes, prolonged dilation of the pupils, constant sniffling
Possible sexual performance problems
Loss of appetite, rapid and unexplained weight loss, increased thirst and craving for sugary drinks
Unexplained financial problems, things missing around the house, having to always borrow money, unable to find work

While such symptoms are indicative of other illnesses unrelated to drug abuse, these remain fair warnings and should not be so easily dismissed. Watch your loved one’s behavior carefully, ask questions and offer support. Most importantly, don’t wait to take action if you are certain something is wrong. The longer you wait could increase the risk of health problems.

Stephanie Loebs is the executive director of Williamsburg Place, one of the top drug rehab clinics in the nation. Williamsburg Place aids those who suffer from drug and/or alcohol addiction, and specializes in caring for health care professionals. For over twenty years Williamsburg Place and its joint rehabilitation center, the William J. Farley Center, have helped thousands of people from all walks of life take back their lives and overcome substance abuse.

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