If you are overweight, you are not alone. In 2007, 2 out of 3 Americans are overweight or obese. As a society, we are becoming increasingly mindful that decreased activity coupled with increased caloric intake and poor nutrition slowly but inevitably overwhelm our bodies’ ability to maintain a healthy weight.

Being overweight or obese puts you at serious risk for developing many obesity related diseases. That’s the bad news. The good news is that reducing your weight dramatically reduces these same risks. For those patients who suffer from these conditions, weight loss can significantly improve or completely correct these conditions.

Insulin Resistance and Diabetes Mellitus
Obesity leads to insulin resistance, a diminished biological response to the hormone insulin. This resistance is characterized by an elevation of circulating insulin, a diminished ability to store glucose, and a propensity to store fat.

In patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, serum glucose levels improve within days after starting a weight loss program. One study showed that the average fasting blood glucose levels in persons with type 2 diabetes decreased from 290 mg/dL to 110 mg/dL in 3 days in response to a very low calorie diet. Medication (oral agents or insulin) can be greatly reduced or eliminated in such cases. Another study reported that, after a 23-kg weight loss (22% of initial body weight), all patients taking oral agents and 82% of patients taking insulin were able to discontinue medication. Similar results were reported with weight losses of 9.3 kg. In general, patients with a 15% reduction in total body weight may consider stopping oral agents. Smaller decreases in total body weight may even cure “pre-diabetes”, a significant cardiovascular risk.

Hypertension
Hypertension improves with weight loss in overweight persons. In patients following Very Low Calorie Diets (VLCD’s), one study reported a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure in 81% of patients and in diastolic pressure in 62% of patients (6). Patients receiving a diet of 800 to 1200 kcal who averaged a weight loss of 10.5 kg showed decreases in both systolic and diastolic pressures of about 20 mm Hg. In about three quarters of these patients, blood pressure returned to normal. Adding an exercise regimen to weight loss led to even greater improvements in blood pressure.

Sleep Apnea
Obesity can be associated with mild to severe respiratory functional impairment. Increasing obesity is associated with decreasing oxygen saturation. Two primary disorders ensue: obesity-hyperventilation syndrome and sleep apnea.

Patients with hypoxemia (low blood oxygen levels) and sleep apnea improve quickly with weight reduction. For every 1 percent decrease in weight, sleep apnea patients decrease their apnea-hypopnea indices (the amount they stop breathing at night) by 3 percent. In fact, many sleep apnea patients who sleep with CPAP machines are able to stop using their breathing machines at night after weight loss.

A disturbance of ventilation-perfusion (a mismatch in breathing vs. circulation) is common in obese persons. This disturbance can result in heart failure. These conditions also improve with weight loss. With significant weight loss, essentially normal pulmonary function can be achieved and cardiac function can be normalized.

Dyslipidemia
Obesity is often associated with an elevation of serum triglycerides and total cholesterol. The ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol is usually elevated, resulting in an even greater risk of heart attacks and strokes. All of these values generally improve with weight loss. Often, fasting triglyceride levels that may be as high as 1000 to 1500 mg/dL will return to normal levels (<250 mg/dL) with dietary treatment alone. Weight loss has been repeatedly reported to increase HDL (”good”) cholesterol levels. Even rather small weight losses of 5% to 10% of initial weight will have this result.

Metabolic Syndrome
Intra-abdominal fat is metabolically active and associated with serious health risk. Metabolic Syndrome describes a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors which combine to produce a pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic (hypercoagulable) state. This condition leads to vascular diseases that result in heart attacks and strokes and a pro-inflammatory state associated with an increased incidence of a number of cancers. It is estimated that over 50 million Americans are currently at risk, but that less than 5% are diagnosed.

To be classified as having Metabolic Syndrome, one needs 3 out of 5 of the following components: 1. increased intra-abdominal fat defined by a waist circumference greater than 40 inches in men and 35 inches in women  2. high blood pressure 3. elevated triglycerides 4. low HDL cholesterol 5. diabetes or pre-diabetes. Abdominal obesity is present in 84% of patients with Metabolic Syndrome.

In summary, fat location matters. Intra-abdominal fat is metabolically active and dangerous and can lead to heart attacks, strokes, cancers, and more. Fortunately, 1st-line treatment for Metabolic Syndrome is weight reduction and increased physical activity. Waist circumference and intra-abdominal fat decrease markedly with the type of weight loss typically experienced by patients at Jumpstart Medicine.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects 5 - 10% of reproductive age women. It occurs in association with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and anovulatory infertility. As noted above, weight loss improves diabetes. Weight loss in PCOS patients can also significantly improve their reproductive potential (fertility).

Degenerative Joint Disease
Low back pain and osteoarthritis of the knee are both more common in obese persons.  Obese women are 4 times more likely and obese men 5 times more likely to develop osteoarthritis of the knees. Fortunately, the associated knee pain and disability improve or resolve with weight loss. According to the Framingham Study, an 11 pound weight loss in women decreased their risk for knee osteoarthritis by 50%. The degree of improvement varies with the amount of structural damage but relief can oftentimes be complete with moderate weight loss.

Social Stigmatization and Prejudice
In addition to suffering from health risks, obese individuals also suffer discrimination and decreased competitiveness in our society. Compared to a normal weight counterpart with otherwise equal credentials, an obese person is less likely to be hired for a job and more likely to be paid less if he or she receives the job. Obese individuals are less likely to be admitted to competitive colleges than their otherwise equal normal weight candidates.

Other Benefits
Because the risks attending general surgical procedures are greater in obese patients, it is often beneficial to reduce a patient’s weight before attempting a major elective procedure such as an orthopedic operation, cholecystectomy, or gastric bypass. A 5% to 10% reduction in body weight or a 5-unit change in body mass index (BMI) can reduce the duration of hospitalization and the incidence of postoperative complications.

In late April, when the swine flu virus from Mexico dominated the headlines of the media, the US Government jumped in and spent $ 200 million to buy the Roche antiviral drug Tamiflu and an additional $ 51 million in April, for the similar drug Relenza from GlaxoSmithKline to stockpile defense for the swine flu virus treatment. Although these drugs do not prevent the onset of the disease and are of no immune system protection value, the public is made to believe that these drugs are the only effective remedy for the patient.

However,drugs don’t effectively prevent disease and they create health, all they do is reduce or eliminate the symptoms - and that at the price of unpleasant side effects. In contrast, Nature provided mankind with a variety of herbs, fruits and vegetables that have been proven effective for thousands of years, such as the potent Okinawa Goyah (Bitter Melon), or the Japanese Shiso (Perilla Leaf or Seed) . Both are widely used in Asian cuisine and their anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties are well known. The Shiso leaves are staple at every Sushi Bar, Americans’ think they are for decoration, while they are purposely used for keeping raw fish safe from e-coli and salmonella. Also sea vegetables, namely brown seaweed (kelp) is a rich source of Fucoidan, a substance which is effective in halting cancer cells from proliferation. There are even home grown familiar produce with anti-viral properties, including plums, red grapes, apples, cranberries, ginger, garlic, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, dandelion, onion and many more. The needles of the Pacific Yew pine tree (Alaska to Northern California) are highly effective in treating tumors and respiratory disease, seems like natures answer to swine flu virus fears.

Interestingly but not surprising is the fact that the active ingredient in Tamiflu is derived from shikimic acid, a compound naturally occurring in the Chinese herb star anise and ginkgo, but Tamiflu is synthetic and laced with cancer causing excipients such as saccharin and sodium benzoate, and the drugs side effects include bizarre behavior.

It follows that the best protection for any viral infection is healthy eating, that is a diet including clean, fresh, live produce, instead of ingesting dead food calories and then rely on the governments Tamiflu or Relenza stockpiles.

Read more: http://www.vitalityconcepts.com

"In Foodture We Trust", Heinz R. Gisel; Xulon Press, March 2009. ISBN 978-1-60791-265-1

Doctors many use the antibiotics when the guttate psoriasis is related to the streptococcal infection. They might choose the antibiotic which will have affect on the wide range of the bacteria. You should always tell the doctor that which drug you are using because there is the possibility of the drug reaction.

I would like to list some of the drugs which the doctors prescribe for this disease. They are as follows:

1.Erythromycin:
This medicine reduces inflammation and is used to treat bacterial infections. The usual dosing is one tablet per day by mouth for about 7-14 days. People with allergies to erythromycin or who have liver problems are not really recommended to take this disease.  You should also discontinue the use if you suffer from nausea, vomiting, fatigue, intestinal cramping, or fever occurs.

2.Penicillin VK:
it is used to treat bacterial infection. The usual dosing is about one tablet per day and this dose continues for at least ten to fourteen days. If you have the allergy with penicillin then you should not really take this medicine. Those who have reduced kidney functions are quiet vulnerable to this medicine. I really feel that you will definitely love this medicine because this is the best known medicine for this disease.

3.Refampin:
This is recommended for resistant cases of streptococcal infection. If the doctor thinks it is possible that the infection will last a long time and you may become a chronic carrier of the bacteria, he or she may prescribe this drug. Rifampin is usually given in addition to either erythromycin or penicillin. The drug is taken by mouth over the course of 5 days.

You should keep it in your mind and should be aware of the possible allergic reactions to any antibiotic used, especially penicillin. Stop taking the drug if an allergic reaction is suspected. Patients who are sensitive to penicillin generally do well on erythromycin. Cephalosporin is an antibiotic that can also be used for streptococcal infections, but some cross-sensitivity with penicillin has been documented.

You should know that this disease is incurable. I do feel that you will definitely find it very hard to fight with this disease. It really requires proper regular medication to take control of this disease. Yes, it is quiet sure that you will not be able to cure this disease fully but I do feel that you can definitely put a break on this disease for some time. And it might be that with proper regular medication you not allow this disease to re enter your body.

However it has rightly being said that prevention is better than cure. But you will have to be extremely cautious to stop this disease from affecting your body.

The Eczema of the form atopic dermatitis which is commonly known as the infantile dermatitis is very common among the children especially who lives in the western countries. Those children who have dry skins are more prone to this kind of disease. Unfortunately the Eczema does not show off the symptoms until it is too late. So it is really very difficult to predict whether the baby is suffering from the Eczema or not. And when you come to know then it is quiet late.

I would like to give you some tips which will help you in curing the disease quickly and also permanently:

1.One of the major problems with the babies is that they keep on scratching the wounded part of the body always. They really do not give any attention to the sound advice which you give them. However you have to keep in mind that they are too small to understand what you are saying. One of the major ideas of curing the eczema is to use the moisturizer. You can apply the moisturizer on the affected part of the baby just after bath. In this way you will definitely be able to cure the disease quickly.

2.If you are buying the synthetic clothes then I really feel that you should stop buying them as quickly as possible. You should know that the synthetic clothes are really very bad for your skin. It is better to buy the cotton clothes as the help the skin to breathe better. If you will use the cotton clothes for your child then you will find that the skin seldom gets irritated.

3.The temperature of the water which you are using for the baby bath should not be hot. You can only use the lukewarm water. This is because the hot water irritates the skin a lot. Hence you should really avoid it. If your baby is still irritated then you can add salt to the water. You can add half cup of salt to one bucket full of water. In this way you will find that your baby will not be irritated. And yes, you should not forget to apply the moisturizer to the skin just after the bath.

4.There are some of the moisturizers which you should avoid. You should avoid the moisturizers which have sweet fragrance. You should also not use the chemical moisturizers. These are really bad for the skin.

5.You can also cover the entire body of the baby with the cotton clothes soaked with lukewarm water. This will keep the skin of your child damp all the time and prevent them from drying.

These are some of the methods with which you can cure the baby eczema at home. But if you find any negative effect then you should immediately contact the doctor.