Health education on The Blog

Diabetes type 1

The autoimmune reaction of the body to the pancreatic beta cells in the islets of Langerhans and the resulting destruction of these beta cells, cause an immediate insuline deficiency, resulting in type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus type 1 is a degenerative disease, which is traditionally treated using insuline injections. These injections replace the missing hormone, but the complications can be far-reaching. Hyperglycemia is a common contributor to a number of complications like

* Heart and vascular diseases
* Eye and kidney complaints
* Poor vascularisation
* Damage to nerve cells (neuropathy)
* Diabetic feet
* High susceptibility for infections
* Erectile penile dysfunction


Diabetes type 2

Type 2 diabetes used to be known as maturity onset, or non-insulin dependent diabetes. Although type 2 diabetes typically affects individuals over the age of 40, today it occurs at an increasingly younger age, especially in people who have a family history of diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus type 2 is by far the most common form, affecting 85 - 90% of all people with diabetes. Experts estimate that nearly one-third of people who have type 2 diabetes don't even know it. If the condition is left uncontrolled, the consequences (like with diabetes type 1) can be life threatening.
The Xcell-Center Diabetes Mellitus treatment

Our innovative adult stem cell therapy with autologous stem cells (originating from your own body and being reimplanted) is unique in Europe and fights type 1 and type 2 diabetes at its roots, reducing hyperglycemia and consequently the abovementioned complications.

The stem cells are first collected from a patient’s bone marrow, extracted from the hipbone (iliac crest) then implanted back into the body days later. Prior to re-implantation of the cells, the bone marrow is processed in one of our labs, where the quantity and quality of the stem cells is also checked.

These re-injected stem cells have the potential to transform into multiple types of cells and are capable of regenerating damaged cells such as pancreatic beta cells. Our innovative stem cell treatments use the self-healing potential of each patient’s own body to stimulate regeneration or repair. And since the implanted cells are autologous, there is practically no chance an immune reaction will follow.
Results

In the bar graph below you can see the results of a survey of 23 of our diabetes (type 1 and type 2) patients, results up to January 2008. The survey was conducted one to six months after the treatment.



* Three out of 23 patients reported no change in use of medication or feeling of well-being after the treatment.
* Ten out of 23 patients reported a reduction of 25% - 50% of use of insulin and/or oral anti-diabetics and a perceived improvement of well-being. Their HbA1c level was the same or had improved (lowered).
* Ten out of 23 patients reported a strong improvement, with a more than 50% reduced use of insulin and/or oral anti-diabetics. No severe hypoglycemia was reported. Some patients reported a closed leg ulcer. Their HbA1c level was the same or had improved (lowered). They reported a big perceived improvement of well-being and an almost complete absence of pain.
* No patients reported a measurable or perceived deterioration of the quality of their life (regarding usage of medication, pain or feeling of well-being).

Of these 23 patients, nine suffered from (poly)neuropathy. The following bar graph shows that one patient felt a reduction of neuropathy, while eight patients felt a marked reduction of their neuropathy, being almost or entirely pain-free.



Cost

The cost of the treatment depends on the method of cell application. An XCell-Center doctor will evaluate the medical records and blood work of a prospective patient to determine which application method would be most appropriate.
The price of the angiography treatment is 8,925 Euros.
The price of the direct injection treatment is 7,545 Euros.

Source : http://www.xcell-center.com/treatments/diseases-treated/diabetes.aspx?gclid=CN7m3Y6PjpwCFcItpAodmTCsXw

The stopping smoking session or sessions will include hypnotherapy techniques, positive affirmations and suggestions. At the end you will often be given a stop smoking tape or CD to take away so that you can continue to reinforce the suggestions in your own time.

The cost of a hypnotherapy session for stopping smoking will be minimal compared to the financial and health costs incurred during a lifetime of smoking.

Quitting smoking should not be difficult or unpleasant. Granted nicotine is a difficult substance to go without when giving up smoking, but after a few days it is out of your system and most smokers agree that quitting smoking for a few days is difficult but very achievable.

So that’s it! A tricky few days and then a lifetime of freedom. So why hasn’t it been that easy previously? Simple - you didn’t deal with the psychological addiction of smoking. In fact, you probably put cigarettes up on some kind of a pedestal.

If you think that stopping smoking is depriving you of something, then it is just a matter of time until you start again. Hypnotherapy is ideal for this. Using hypnosis, you can deal with all of the emotional and psychological aspects of giving up smoking.

Hypnotherapy has enjoyed a high success rate with smoking cessation and stopping smoking is one of the most common reasons why people consult hypnotherapists. When quitting smoking, it best not to dwell on negative aspects such as ill health, but instead to aim for positive outcomes such as good health, fitness, freedom and energy.

Of all the world's mysteries, human sexuality is themost baffling. It can be primitive and disturbingly anthropoid - yet distinctly human.

In fact, more than 2,000 years ago, the author of the Book of Proverbs poetically proclaimed the very same phenomenon:

There be three things which ore too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:

The way of on eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock;
the way of a ship in the midst of the sea and the way of a man with a maid.
Proverbs 30: 18-19 KJV

While our atavistic, animalistic nature demands sexual gratification, our spiritual conditioning inhibits and restrains us from satisfying these demands at will. As a result, we're continuously at war with ourselves. Conflict between our animal origins and spiritual aspirations frequently leads to a kind of neuroticism and torment, manifested by overt sexual disorder or covert sexual dysfunction and somatic symptoms.

Hypnotherapy - which is often recommended as a last resort - is especially well suited to the treatment of sexual disorders, particularly impotence, premature ejaculation, frigidity, anor¬gasmia and dyspareunia. By treating sexual disorders from the perspective of a therapeutic alliance, hypnosis encourages an empathetic relationship. As such, profound alterations of sexual attitudes and behaviour may be achieved with hypnotherapy in a limited time, rather than the prolonged treatment offered by more traditional methods.

Hypnotherapy treatment plans take your particular needs and your distinctive symptoms into consideration and are always ori¬ented toward realistic, reasonably mature, adjustments to sexual feelings, attitudes and behaviour. Assistance is offered to help you understand and manage your sexual power, without repressing or distorting it. You'll be encouraged to express your sexuality creatively and constructively, reevaluate old concepts and develop a new learning and appreciation of the promotion of healthy intra¬psychic and interpersonal relationships.

Are you worried about your fat and cholesterol intake?
We need some fat for good health, but most of us get too much of the wrong kind. The American Heart Association says we should eat less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol per day and 30% or less of our calories from fat.

Fat is listed on the nutrition label in grams. To find out how many grams of fat to eat per day, divide the body weight you want to reach by three. If you eat this amount of fat per day, you will get about 30% of your calories from fat.

When you read nutrition labels, look at portion sizes. If you eat more or less than the portion listed, adjust your fat grams accordingly up or down.

Saturated fat and trans fatty acids can increase blood cholesterol levels. Eat less of these. Saturated fats are in whole milk products, meat and poultry skin. Trans fatty acids are in fried foods and foods made with hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Foods containing hydrogenated oils are shortening, stick margarine, cookies, cakes, crackers and other snack foods

Unsaturated fats can lower blood cholesterol. They include both monounsaturated and
polyunsaturated fats. These fats are in liquid vegetable oils. Good choices are olive, canola, peanut, soybean or corn oils. Omega 3 fatty acids are also good. They help prevent blood clots and hardening of the arteries. Omega 3 fatty acids are found mainly in fish, especially fattier fish like salmon and tuna. But unsatu-
rated fats, like all fats, still have 45 calories or 5 grams of fat per teaspoon, so don't use much!

more article on http://www.fcs.uga.edu/pubs/PDF/FDNS-E-62a.pdf

Alternative Names

Second-hand smoke; Cigarette smoking; Cigar smoking; Pipe smoking; Smokeless snuff; Tobacco use; Chewing tobacco
Information

Tobacco is a plant grown for its leaves, which are smoked, chewed, or sniffed for a variety of effects. It is considered an addictive substance because it contains the chemical nicotine.

In addition to nicotine, tobacco contains over 19 known cancer-causing chemicals (most are collectively known as "tar") and more than 4,000 other chemicals. These include acetone, ammonia, carbon monoxide, cyanide, methane, propane, and butane.

Over 38 million people in the United States have successfully quit smoking. Yet there are still around 50 million Americans who smoke. The majority say they would like to quit.

And, while the number of cigarette smokers in the United States has dropped over recent years, the number of smokeless tobacco users has steadily risen. This trend is likely related to the false belief that smokeless tobacco is safe. It is NOT. Smokeless tobacco carries many of the same health risks as cigarettes. Some people who want to stop smoking, but who still crave the nicotine, turn to smokeless tobacco wrongly thinking that they are doing something good for themselves.

THE EFFECTS OF NICOTINE

* Nicotine acts as both a stimulant and depressant on your body. It increases your bowel activity, saliva, and bronchial secretions. It stimulates the nervous system and may cause tremors in the inexperienced user, or even convulsions with high doses.
* After stimulation, there's a phase that depresses the muscles in your airways. As a euphoric agent, nicotine causes relaxation from stressful situations.
* On average, tobacco increases your heart rate 10 to 20 beats per minute, and it increases your blood pressure reading by 5 to 10 mmHg (because it constricts the blood vessels).
* Nicotine may also cause sweating, nausea, and diarrhea. Nicotine elevates the blood level of glucose (blood sugar) and increases insulin production. Nicotine also tends to enhance platelet aggregation, which may lead to blood clots.
* Nicotine temporarily stimulates memory and alertness. People who use tobacco frequently depend on it to help them accomplish certain tasks at specific levels of performance. Nicotine also tends to be an appetite suppressant. (For this reason, fear of weight gain also influences the willingness of some people to stop smoking.)

Finally, tobacco is highly addictive. It is considered mood and behavior altering. Tobacco is believed to have an addictive potential comparable to alcohol, cocaine, and morphine.

HEALTH RISKS

There are many reasons to quit using tobacco. Knowing the serious health risks may help motivate you to quit. When used over a long period, tobacco and related chemicals such as tar and nicotine can increase your risk of:

* Blood clots, which may lead to aneurysms and strokes
* Cancer (especially in the lung, mouth, larynx, esophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, and cervix)
* Coronary artery disease, including angina and heart attacks
* Decreased ability to taste and smell
* Delayed wound healing
* High blood pressure
* Lung problems such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis
* Pregnancy-related problems, including miscarriage, premature labor, low birth weight, and risk for sudden infant death syndrome ( SIDS)
* Tooth and gum diseases

You have the same risks if you use smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco, snuff, etc.) for a long time. In addition, smokeless tobacco users have a 50 times greater risk for mouth cancer than those who do not use such products.

SECONDHAND SMOKE

Those who are regularly around the smoke of others (secondhand smoke) have a higher risk of:

* Coronary artery disease
* Lung cancer
* Sudden and severe reactions, including those involving the eye, nose, throat, and lower respiratory tract

Infants and children that are exposed regularly to secondhand smoke are at risk of:

* Asthma
* Infections, including virus-caused upper respiratory infections, ear infections, and pneumonia
* Lungs that do not work as well (poor lung function)
* Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

TIME TO QUIT

There are a lot of ways to quit smoking and many resources to help you. Family members, friends, and coworkers may be supportive or encouraging, but the desire and commitment to quit must be your own.

Most people who have been able to successfully quit smoking made at least one unsuccessful attempt in the past. Try not to view past attempts to quit as failures, but rather as learning experiences.

Feel ready to quit? Here are some tips:

* List the reasons you want to quit. Include both short- and long-term benefits.
* Ask your health care provider for help. Find out whether prescription medications might help. Also ask about nicotine patches, gum, and sprays.
* Ask your family, friends, and coworkers for support.
* Set a quit date, and get rid of all of your cigarettes by that date.
* Quit completely -- cold turkey.
* Get more exercise. It relieves the urge to smoke.
* Learn self-hypnosis from a qualified practitioner. This helps some people.
* Make a plan about what you will do, instead of smoking, when stressed or other times you have the urge for tobacco. Be as specific as possible.
* Avoid smoke-filled settings and situations in which you are more likely to smoke.

Like any addiction, quitting tobacco is difficult, particularly if you are acting alone. If you join smoking cessation programs, you have a much better chance of success. Such programs are offered by hospitals, health departments, community centers, and work sites.

The best quit-smoking programs combine multiple strategies, including peer support and ways to overcome potential relapse situations. Counseling by telephone can be a very helpful reinforcement, even as effective as face-to-face counseling.

Short-term use of the antidepressant medication bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), along with a quit-smoking program, may increase your success. Bupropion requires a prescription from your health provider and should not be used if you have a history of seizures or kidney failure.

If you aren't successful the first time, simply look at what occurred or what didn't work, develop new strategies, and try again. Many attempts are often necessary to finally "beat the habit."

THE BENEFITS OF QUITTING

* Within 20 minutes of quitting - your blood pressure and pulse rate drop to normal and the temperature of your hands and feet increases to normal.
* Within 8 hours of quitting - your carbon monoxide levels drop and your oxygen levels increase, both to normal levels.
* Within 24 hours of quitting - your risk of a sudden heart attack decreases.
* Within 48 hours of quitting - nerve endings begin to regenerate and your senses of smell and taste begin to return to normal.
* Within 2 weeks to 3 months of quitting - your circulation improves and walking becomes easier; even your lung function increases up to 30%.
* Within 1 to 9 months of quitting - your overall energy typically increases and symptoms like coughing, nasal congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath diminish; also, the small hairlike projections lining your lower airways begin to function normally. This increases your lungs' ability to handle mucus, clean the airways, and reduce infections.
* Within 1 year of quitting - your risk of coronary heart disease is half that of someone still using tobacco.
* Within 5 years of quitting - the lung cancer death rate decreases by nearly 50% compared to one pack/day smokers; the risk of cancer of the mouth is half that of a tobacco user.
* Within 10 years of quitting - your lung cancer death rate becomes similar to that of someone who never smoked; precancerous cells are replaced with normal cells; your risk of stroke is lowered, possibly to that of a nonuser; your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas all go down.

WHEN TO CONTACT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL

Call your doctor if you are a smoker and:

* You want an individual health risk profile
* You want to learn about methods to stop tobacco use
* You are pregnant, planning a pregnancy in the future, or using birth control pills
* You have symptoms of specific diseases associated with tobacco use (even if you are a nonsmoker exposed to secondhand smoke)

Other resources include local chapters of the American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society. Both organizations have a wide range of resource materials and comprehensive smoking cessation programs.