health news

A colonoscopy -- used to detect colon cancer and other potential problems -- involves use of a long, flexible tube with a camera that takes images of the colon.

Before having a colonoscopy, you should follow certain do's and don'ts to ensure an accurate procedure. This list is provided by the U.S. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse:

- Avoid all solid foods and any beverages with food coloring for one to three days before a colonoscopy.
- You may eat fat-free bouillon or broth soups, or gelatin.
- You may drink water, strained fruit juice, plain coffee, plain tea or diet soda (no food coloring).
- As certain medications may affect your results, tell your doctor if you are taking aspirin, arthritis medications, blood thinners, medications for diabetes, or any vitamins containing iron.

| Tags: Cancer, Digestive |

Labels: Arthritis, Cancer, Colon Cancer, Diabetes, Digestive

Planning ahead before pregnancy helps new moms give their babies the best possible start in life, experts say.

And to help in that planning, here's an eight-step pre-pregnancy checklist from Barbara Coulter-Smith, a Texas obstetrician/gynecologist at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine:

Take folic acid supplements. Folic acid is a B vitamin that reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Few women get enough folic acid in their diet, so it's important to take supplements. Talk with your doctor.
Make sure all your vaccinations are up to date, including immunization against chickenpox and rubella. You should also be up to date on your tetanus shot (every 10 years).
Don't smoke while trying to get pregnant or during pregnancy. Smoking can increase the risk of miscarriage and of low-birth-weight babies. Do not drink alcohol when you're pregnant.
Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can increase the risk of gestational diabetes and other pregnancy-related complications.
Exercise helps you maintain or lose weight and helps you manage stress. If you do get pregnant, talk to your doctor about the kinds of exercise that are safe to do during pregnancy.
If you have a chronic medical condition, talk to your doctor about the health risks of pregnancy and about which prescription medications you can still take during pregnancy. It's also important to tell your doctor about any family history of hereditary disorders before you start planning a pregnancy.
After stopping the use of contraception, wait for one spontaneous menstrual cycle before trying to conceive. A normal menstrual cycle signals that the lining of the uterus is healthy enough to support a new life.
Men also need to do some pre-pregnancy planning. Avoid hot tubs, saunas, smoking and alcohol, all of which can affect sperm count.

More information
The U.S. National Women's Health Information Center offers more pre-pregnancy advice.

| Tags: Addiction, Pregnancy, Sexual Health, Women's Health |

Labels: Addiction, Diabetes, Pregnancy, Sexual Health, Stress, Women's Health

Preeclampsia is a condition in pregnancy, characterized by a sudden, significant rise in blood pressure and swelling of the hands and feet.

It can be dangerous for both the fetus and the mother.

Here is a list of common risk factors, courtesy of the Preeclampsia Foundation:

- A first pregnancy.
- Family or personal history of preeclampsia, chronic high blood pressure, diabetes or kidney disease.
- Obesity.
- Multiple birth pregnancies.
- Age younger than 18 or greater than 40.
- Other conditions including polycystic ovarian syndrome, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis or multiple sclerosis.

| Tags: Heart Health, Pregnancy, Women's Health |

Labels: Arthritis, Diabetes, Heart Health, Pregnancy, Women's Health

Would-be moms often want to know how to trim their bellies after having children. But how actively do they seek tips for getting their bodies in great shape before getting pregnant?

Until recently, that part of the baby-making equation had been largely absent from the discussion. Increasingly, though, maternal health and prenatal-care experts are urging women to improve their health before conceiving.

The hope is that measures taken to bolster a woman's health prior to conception -- whether it's reaching an optimal weight, controlling a chronic disease or boosting overall nutritional health -- will improve the odds of having an uncomplicated pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Dr. Lorey H. Pollack, director of obstetrics and gynecology at Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre, N.Y., has some patients who are very informed and motivated to take better care of themselves before contemplating pregnancy. Others, though, come in pregnant and say, "By the way, I have diabetes; by the way, I have Lupus; by the way, I have high blood pressure, and they're kind of shocked to find out that's an issue when they're pregnant," he said.

Pollack blames the medical profession and the media for failing to get the word out.

But recommendations compiled by experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as more than 35 government, public and private partners may help to draw attention to the importance of preconception care.

Dr. Hani K. Atrash, associate director for program development at the CDC's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities and co-author of the government report, said, "If a woman or couple has decided to conceive, then at least one pre-pregnancy visit is recommended, and the five most important things to do are":
- Take 400 micrograms of folic acid a day for at least three months before pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects.
- Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Consult with a health-care provider to manage any and all medical conditions, including, but not limited to, asthma, diabetes, oral health, obesity, or epilepsy, and maintain up-to-date vaccinations.
- Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about any over-the-counter and prescription medicines you are taking, including vitamins and dietary or herbal supplements.
- Avoid exposure to toxic substances or potentially infectious materials at work or at home, such as chemicals, or cat and rodent feces.
- Atrash was also co-editor of a special supplement of the Maternal and Child Health Journal, published last September, devoted entirely to the topic of preconception care.

"It's always easier to try to prevent a problem than to catch up with it later on," he reasoned.

More information
For more on preconception health, visit the American Pregnancy Association.

Sourse - HealthDay News

| Tags: Pregnancy, Relationships, Women's Health |

Labels: Asthma, Children's Health, Diabetes, Nutrition, Oral Care, Pregnancy, Public Health, Relationships, Women's Health

A substance present in the body as a result of inflammation may also help cause male infertility, new research suggests.

A team at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset, N.Y., identified unusual levels of a substance called "macrophage migration inhibitory factor" (MIF) in semen samples obtained from infertile men.

Reporting in the current issue of Molecular Medicine, the researchers theorize that identification of this factor could lead to tests for infertility as well as the development of a male contraceptive.

Inflammation occurs when the body endures infections such as sepsis (blood infection), autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. The factor is present in high levels during those conditions and is linked in some cases to tissue damage.

The researchers analyzed semen from 27 fertile men and 68 infertile men after several days of sexual abstinence. They found that men with fertility problems had MIF levels that were either too low or too high.

Healthy levels of MIF help sperm mature so they can unite with an egg, the team said. When they added the factor to Petri dishes containing healthy sperm, the number and mobility of the sperm decreased.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 2.1 million infertile couples in the United States. Almost 40 percent of infertility problems are due to the male.

Sourse - HealthDay News

| Tags: Diabetes, Heart Health, Men's Health, Sexual Health |

Labels: Arthritis, Diabetes, Heart Health, Men's Health, Sexual Health

Older Chinese women who eat a Western-style diet loaded with meats and sweets appear to have a greater risk for breast cancer than women who eat mainly soy and vegetables, a new study has concluded.

Previous research has found connections between a meat- and fat-heavy Western diet and several kinds of cancer, as well as heart disease and diabetes. And other research has identified links between obesity and cancer.

Researchers said this study signals a link between breast cancer and overall eating patterns not a single food or nutrient in Asian women, who have long had lower rates of the disease than Western women. But their numbers have started to rise as their diets have become more Westernized.

The study, which is not definitive, looked at general eating habits of about 3,000 women in Shanghai, ranging in age from 25 to 64. About half of that group had been diagnosed with breast cancer and are participants in an ongoing breast cancer study in Shanghai.

| Tags: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Diabetes, Digestive, Heart Health, Nutrition, Women's Health |

Labels: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Diabetes, Digestive, Heart Health, Nutrition, Women's Health

Inventors have created a soap infused with caffeine which helps users wake up in the morning.

The soap, called Shower Shock, supplies the caffeine equivalent of two cups of coffee per wash, with the stimulant absorbed naturally through the skin, manufacturers say.

Now you can sleep more in morning because you not having to wait for your morning(coffee) at the brew.
ask the makers, thinkgeek.com.

| Tags: Diabetes, Skin and Beauty |

Labels: Diabetes, Skin and Beauty

While there's no cure for diabetes yet, doctors say maintaining a proper diet is one key to controlling the condition. Taking advantage of natural compounds in foods is an alternative to prescription drugs, says Richard A. Anderson, lead scientist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Beltsville, M.D. "We shouldn't be relying on drugs if we can alleviate or prevent diabetes simply by changing our eating habits."

Food Fixes
Tea: Chemicals known as polyphenols found in black, green, and oolong teas boost insulin activity.
Cinnamon: Less than half a teaspoon daily increases sugar metabolism in fat cells.
Buckwheat: Traditionally used to make soba noodles, buckwheat contains chemical compounds that reduce blood sugar levels.
Cherries: Contain chemicals called anthocyanins that increase insulin production.
Guava: Extracts from apple guavas lower blood-sugar levels.
Cocoa: Decreases insulin resistance.

| Tags: Digestive, Nutrition |

Labels: Diabetes, Digestive, Nutrition