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Circulation and Heart
Bed Sores
In 1995, a horse riding accident transformed Christopher Reeve from an actor indelibly identified with Superman into a quadriplegic and an outspoken advocate for the disabled. Ten years later, Reeve's death from complications of a pressure sore called attention to one of the most serious problems facing people with disabilities.
What is it?
Bedsores, more accurately called pressure sores or pressure ulcers, are areas of damaged skin and tissue that develop when sustained pressure — usually from a bed or wheelchair — cuts off circulation to vulnerable parts of your body, especially the skin on your buttocks, hips and heels. Without adequate blood flow, the affected tissue dies.
Bruising
You fall off your bike, bang your shin on the coffee table (that you swore you would move months ago) or run into a wall and wake up with a wallop of a bruise. What is a bruise and what can you do about it?
What is it?
Bruising is the body's normal response to local trauma or damage. A bruise forms when a blow breaks small blood vessels near your skin's surface, allowing a small amount of blood to leak out into the tissues under your skin. A bruise appears as a black-and-blue mark. Sometimes, there also are tiny red dots or red splotches.
Chilblains
Chilblains, also called Perniosis or blain, is a medical condition similar to frostbite or trench foot. Chilblains are caused by exposure of skin to damp cold. Small blood vessels below the skin are damaged, but there is no freezing of tissue, thus distinguishing it from frostbite.
What is it?
Chilblains are one of the mildest but most common forms of cold injury and can occur when there is exposure to cold and dampness. There is no tissue freezing with chilblains and they most frequently occur on the fingers, toes, ears and face but may also affect other areas of the body.
Cholesterol
High cholesterol, low cholesterol... it's all very confusing. However, did you know that you don’t need to eat foods that contain cholesterol? Your body can produce all the cholesterol it needs.
What is it?
Cholesterol is a type of fat that is part of all animal cells. It is essential for many of the body’s metabolic processes, including hormone and bile production, and to help the body use vitamin D. However, there’s no need to eat foods high in cholesterol. The body is very good at making its own cholesterol; you don’t need to help it along. In fact, too much cholesterol in your diet can lead to heart disease.
Haemorrhoids
A very high proportion of the population will develop haemorrhoids during their lives. Yet many people aren't aware they have them, because haemorrhoids often have few symptoms. When they flare up, natural rememdies may have more to offer than conventional treatments.
What is it?
Haemorrhoids (also known as piles) are essentially enlarged (varicose) veins in the anus or rectum. Veins are vessels that return deoxygenated blood to the heart, but sometimes the law of gravity slows down this process in the lower half of the body. Blood can pool in the veins, stretching and weakening them. The veins in the rectum and anus are particularly susceptible. Not only are they in the lower body, but - unlike other veins - they do not have valves to prevent the backward flow of blood. (Weak or faulty valves contribute to varicose veins in the legs.)
What If You Could Predict a Heart Attack and Slash the Risk of Stroke?
What if we could predict heart disease or prevent a stroke?
Elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood may be associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, blood clot formation, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and other health conditions.
Smart supplementation can help Homocysteine levels to be lowered. Folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 are all involved in breaking down homocysteine in the blood.
Emed explains how you can predict your risk of a cardiovascular event.
Impotence
For one man in four over the age of 50 - and some much younger men, too - a durable erection is an elusive thing. In most cases, the cause of what doctors call 'erectile dysfuntion' is physical and correctable, often by making some surprisingly simple changes.
What is it?
An erection occurs when blood vessels in the penis fill with blood, stiffening the organ. The process is sparked by sexual stimulation, which causes nerves in the brain and spine to signal arteries in the penis to expand. The inbility to get or maintain an erection is called impotence.
Restless Legs
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is an unusual condition of the nervous system, characterised by the compelling need to move the legs and usually experienced when trying to sleep. The strange sensation in the calves has been described as a type of cramp, soreness or a creeping, crawling feeling.
What is it?
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a condition in which your legs feel extremely uncomfortable while you're sitting or lying down. It usually makes you feel like getting up and moving around. When you do so, the unpleasant feeling of restless legs syndrome goes away.
Tinnitus
It may be all in your head, but it's nonetheless very real - a persistent buzzing, humming, whistling or plain old ringing in the ears that afflicts many older people. And though there's no outright cure, treatment is at hand in the form of vitamins, minerals and herbs.
What is it?
The medical name for persistent ringing in the ears is tinnitus - which is a Latin word meaning 'ringing'. Probably 20% of Australians experience some form of tinnitus at some time in their lives, and many seek medical help for it. In certain people (usually those over the age of 60), the ringing may become so intrusive that it interferes with sleep or leads to depression and anxiety. About 80% of sufferers have some degree of hearing loss.
Varicose Veins
The bulging, bluish blood vessels that can pop up on the legs are often unsightly and painful. You may be able to avoid invasive surgery by eating the right foods, making a few lifestyle changes, taking an adequate supply of vitamins and using some helpful herbs.
