Obesity: The Big Fat Truth

Almost a month into the New Year and having settled back into the daily routine, how many of us can truly say that we have been sticking to our resolutions of eating more healthily or exercising daily and staying active?

It is so easy to be consumed by the demands of your job, family and lifestyle, that many of us forget to make time to take care of ourselves.

Obesity is a very common problem which affects one in four adults. Obesity is often caused by the consumption of more calories than a person is burning off through exercise and physical activity. The excess calories are stored by the body as fat. However, this is not the only cause of obesity. An increasingly common contributor is our modern lifestyles. We tend to spend a lot of time sitting behind desks, on our tablets and phones and by the time we have realised it is lunch, we duck out for a quick McDonald's and think nothing of it.

Obesity can lead to various health problems such as type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease and it can also trigger more psychological problems leading to low self-esteem, low confidence and depression.

Type 2 diabetes can arise from being overweight because this places extra stress on your body and can cause it to become resistant to insulin. The prolonged effects of the insulin resistance can cause you to develop type 2 diabetes as the cells in your body do not react to the insulin present. 

Being overweight can also lead to heart disease as it causes high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood glucose levels. This can cause fatty deposits to build up in the walls of the coronary artery. This means that the coronary artery becomes narrower and there is reduced blood flow to the heart which can cause angina or a heart attack. Obesity can also cause heart failure where the heart is not able to supply enough blood to meet the body's demand. 

Recently, obesity has been labelled as the “new smoking” in terms of the impact on a person’s health and also the increasing cost to the NHS. The problem is estimated to cost the NHS £9 billion per year and is said to be a threat to the sustainability of the NHS. Not only is there rising healthcare costs, there is also an increase in economic costs as obesity causes illnesses which results in more people taking sick leave and therefore output and productivity decreases.

The most obvious way of tackling obesity is to change your lifestyle by starting to eat healthily and exercising regularly. This may be by designing a balanced, calorie-controlled diet coupled with regular exercise either with a group, at the gym or simple activities like going for a run.

There is weight loss surgery available for extreme cases however, by having this, it does not mean that you do not need to still embrace a healthy lifestyle in order to maintain and control your weight.

One of the public proposals being discussed is the fact that more money should be spent on lifestyle intervention programmes to encourage you to change your lifestyle by highlighting the problems and consequences of being obese rather than being spent on surgery related to obesity. This is aimed to prevent the development of obesity so that it is easier to be controlled. As well as this, employers may be offered incentives to get them to encourage their staff to become healthier in order to ease the economic cost.

There is no quick solution for obesity. Commitment and time is definitely needed for weight loss in order to see the full benefits. As well as this, you need to ensure that you have the determination to continue to exercise regularly and eat well in order to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.

“Be the change you wish to see in the world” 

An Insight into Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. In the UK alone, there will be an estimated 520,000 people with the disease in 2015. Recently, it has been found that it is the leading cause of death in women and the third most common cause of death for men. The term “dementia” is an umbrella term which refers to the set of symptoms that includes memory loss, mood changes and problems with communication and understanding. These symptoms occur when the brain becomes damaged by diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease affects the physical part of the brain. The disease results in protein plaques developing in the structure of the brain, leading to the death of the brain cells. It is believed that people with Alzheimer’s disease lack the chemicals which are involved with the transmission of messages within the brain, which corresponds with the symptoms of the dementia. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, meaning overtime, the brain will be further damaged and the symptoms will become more prominent and severe.

Alzheimer’s disease is not caused by a single factor. Analysts believe that there is likely to be a combination of factors that causes dementia, consisting of age, genetic inheritance, environmental factors, lifestyle and the general health of the person. Age is the greatest factor for dementia as it affects 1 in 6 people over the age of 80 and 1 in 14 people over the age of 65. However, dementia is not only prominent in elderly people as in the UK; there are more than 40,000 people under the age of 65 who suffer from it too. In many people, the disease develops for many years before symptoms appear. Furthermore, it is sometimes seen as a natural part of ageing and so the disease goes unnoticed. As it has become the most common cause of death, people have now turned their attention towards dementia and investing in research that will provide better prevention and treatment of the condition.

This has been evident in the recent discovery of an injection that could stop Alzheimer’s disease developing. Neurological disorders like dementia have always proven difficult to treat as the network of blood vessels in the brain stops everything except the vital nutrients entering the brain. However, scientists have discovered how to attach antibodies to a special protein which is in the body and helps transport materials through the network of blood vessels. Once inside the brain, the antibodies block the build-up of plaques which cause Alzheimer’s disease. If this proves successful in humans, patients would receive weekly or monthly injections to prevent the disorder from developing.

This method has been welcomed by scientists and charities, and further research will indicate if this method is safe and effective for people.

The Ebola Outbreak

As you all know, the recent outbreak of Ebola virus has caused terror amongst infected communities. With the recent outbreak in March 2014, which is undoubtedly the worst outbreak by far, over 1000 people in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria were killed by mid-August 2014. For the few who are infected and recover, they then become immune to the strain of the virus.

Ebola is a viral illness, which affects humans who have been in contact with infected animals including fruit bats and chimpanzees.  It then spreads quickly amongst humans through contact with bodily fluids, secretions and blood of an infected person. The initial symptoms include fever and headaches, intense weakness, muscle pain and sore throats. To follow is diarrhoea, vomiting, rashes, stomach pain and kidney and liver failure. The patient will then bleed internally and externally, usually from the ears, eyes, nose and mouth. Ebola virus is fatal in 50%-90% of cases as there is no specific vaccine against the disease or treatment aimed to cure the disease. Furthermore, the treatment that is available to those infected by this fatal virus is very limited and mainly consists of supportive therapy. Dehydration is a very common side effect so fluids much be given intravenously (directly into the vein). As well as that, blood oxygen levels and blood pressure need to be maintained, with body organs needing to be supported whilst the body concentrates on fighting the disease and other complicating infections. As Ebola is very infectious, patients must be treated in isolation by doctors and staff wearing protective clothing, goggles and gloves.

With no treatment or vaccines available, major research is being carried out in order to evaluate potential vaccines and treatments for clinical use. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is providing expertise and documentation to support the virus investigation and control. In June, scientists in Canada announced a treatment that worked on monkeys but as the origin of the virus remains unknown, the primary prevention and treatment remains undiscovered. The encouraging results from Canada is definitely a big step forward, however there are still many challenges to overcome before the treatment can be applied to an outbreak in humans. 

"Laughter is the best medicine"

According to various studies and reports, laughter really is the best medicine.

 

Laughing is good for the human body as it triggers the release of endorphins and natural painkillers which can temporarily minimise the pain that a person feels. Laughter also contributes to the overall boosting of the immune system as it has been proven to decrease stress hormones whilst also increasing the rate at which antibodies and the immune cells respond to infection, thus improving the resistance of a person’s body to disease. All of us have probably had a good hearty laugh and noticed that the physical tension that you have is relieved and you feel more relaxed. This is because laughing affects your muscles and blood vessels allowing them to function more efficiently which helps protect the body against heart attacks and other cardio-related problems.

Laughter not only positively impacts the physical body, but there are also benefits that come from laughing which are linked to your mental health and social wellbeing.

Laughing gets rid of weighty emotions such as anxiety, sadness and loss and replaces them with happiness, elation and joy. Laughing is a way of telling your mind that you are not allowed to feel down and therefore may change your perspective over certain situations and even enhance your outlook on life. After a long day at work, laughter is an easy way of allowing you and your body to relax and recharge so that you become more focused on everyday activities which effectively allows you to accomplish more during the day.

Laughter has many social benefits which can affect you and the people around you. Shared laughter is a way of keeping relationships fresh and fun, whether it is a personal relationship or a work relationship. It can help set up new bonds with people as well as strengthen existing bonds so that they last longer. Laughter also helps diffuse conflict and can be a form of union between people during hard times.

So yes, laughter is the best medicine out there and can cure any dilemma, situation or problem that arises. The roaring sound of laughter is contagious and once it is shared with people around you, not only will your mood, health and emotional state improve but theirs will too. This powerful tool is priceless which makes it all the more fun, effective and easy to use so there is no excuse for not taking your dose of this medicine every day.

Do Athletes get Athlete’s Foot?

Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis) is a fungal skin infection. It is usually an itchy rash that develops on your foot, especially in between the toes. The surrounding skin can also be affected and become dry and flaky. Usually Athlete’s Foot is a foot infection however it can spread to your hands if you do not wash your hands after treating.

Athlete’s Foot is caused by a fungi group called dermatophytes. Dermatophytes live and feed off dead skin, and feet are the perfect habitat. Feet provide a warm, dark, moist environment which is where this fungus thrives and multiplies.

Athlete’s Foot is highly contagious and can be spread very easily. It is usually prominent in teenagers and men as regular exercise causes the infection to develop but anyone who comes into contact with even the smallest contaminated flake is at risk of developing the infection.

Athlete’s Foot is not a very serious infection but it is much better to fight the infection in order to prevent spreading across the bottom and sides of the foot and also to the nails causing, fungal nail infections, which are more difficult to treat.

There is a simple treatment for Athlete’s Foot which is to use anti-fungal creams from the pharmacy. A home remedy which has worked is soaking your feet daily in a bath of warm, salted water and then drying and applying the anti-fungal cream to the infected area.

Furthermore, ways to prevent Athlete’s Foot reoccurring are to:

·         Wash your feet daily and dry them thoroughly – especially in between the toes as soggy skin is the perfect breeding ground for dermatophytes

·         Wash your towels regularly

·         Change your socks daily as dry flakes may sit in socks

·         Try wearing cotton socks/tights as these do not stimulate sweat as much as nylon socks/tights

·         Wearing flip flops in swimming pool changing rooms to avoid picking up an infection off flakes on the ground

·         Try to let your feet breathe as much as possible as this will allow the air to surround your feet rather than keeping your feet in the stale air in your socks.

As Athlete’s Foot is generally a mild infection and can be treated very easily, you need only to consult your GP if the infection does not clear up and continues to spread.

Protein Shakes – What they really do…

Protein shakes are a vital source of protein for athletes and sports personnel, enabling them to keep fit. However often in a gym or recreational environment you may hear that they ‘help you get wedge’, this is partly true as they do aid muscle development, but there are also good and bad side effects that I intend to explore.

The most common source of protein infused into these drinks come in egg, whey or soy form. A bottle can amount to approximately 200-300 grams of protein, and roughly 800-1200 calories.

The bones store 99% of the calcium in the body. Due to high levels of protein in the body the content in the blood becomes more acidic, and in order to stabilise the pH of the blood the body compensates by taking calcium away from the bones. This often occurs from a prolonged use of protein shakes, resulting in a condition called Osteoporosis.

On the labels of the protein shake tubs it should be recommending drinking plenty of water, this is due to the protein having a direct impact on the hydration process of the body. From research carried out by the Department of Nutritional Sciences in America where body-building is a very large industry, they have been able to observe that the shakes boost nitrogen levels in the body, affecting the kidneys, kidney stones can occur from the accumulation of calcium in the body. The problem can be avoided by drinking 8-10 glasses of water daily.

People who are lactose intolerant (inability to digest the sugar lactose) should be aware that the protein shake could cause side affects due to their allergy. These side effects can be severe bloating and stomach cramps. As whey is a by-product of milk, these shakes should be avoided if you are lactose intolerant.

Liver damage can be caused when the liver cannot assimilate protein in the body. Diarrhoea can be a side effect of consumption as the protein can lead to elevated enzyme levels in the digestive tract. Although there is no scientific evidence people who have consumed protein shakes have often been found to suffer from acne. However the contents of the shake can cause hormonal changes and allergic reactions in the skin.

When exercising or strength training the muscles rely on the bodies protein, fats and carbohydrate stores to fuel the workout. After an intense workout taking a protein shake helps to restore the protein stores in the body and enables the body to promote lean muscle gain. The processes of catabolism and anabolism, tearing down and restoring muscle tissue are the two single processes that lead to the body building muscle.

Relying on an all protein diet reduces the bodies’ ability to properly digest fats and carbohydrates. Protein is found naturally in many everyday foods, such as fish, meat and nuts. It is essential to keep a balanced diet with or without protein shakes in order to keep the body healthy and functioning properly. For men it is recommended that they consume 55 grams of protein daily, and for women it is recommended that they consume 45 grams daily.

So to conclude, taking protein will not cause all of the above side effects and conditions, it is the over-use and reliance upon the products that will cause the body problems. I hope everyone using or going to use protein shakes uses them in a healthy manner, incorporating the shakes into their current diets, which should help you get fitter in the long run.

Will We Ever Find A Cure For The Flu?

Currently a seasonal flu vaccination can be given that targets a specific type of influenza. The problems associated with this are that every year the virus has the ability to alter its shape, effectively making a new strain and the old vaccination ineffective. Through thorough research from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in the US a new ‘Universal’ flue vaccine is being developed. The aim of this is so that once a patient is vaccinated and followed up with a few booster jabs, it will provide life-long immune protection. They have done this by targeting the part of the virus that doesn’t change its shape, the stem, and the head shape changed shape as the virus develops.

The shape of the Hemagglutinin (HA) head changes as the virus develops. HA is a protein that covers the surface of influenza, and it made up of two regions. The head region sticks out and is the part that antibodies recognise. The stem is hidden away and buried amount the other molecules.

In normal flu vaccines the following processes occurs:

1)      A vaccine containing a small part of the seasonal flu virus is injected.

2)      In response to the vaccination, the body produces antibodies. These molecules recognise and remember the shape of head of the viruses spike as shown in the above image.

3)      ‘Memory cells’ are formed that remember the shape of the HA head. If the vaccinated patient re-encounters the virus, these cells will recognise it and wipe it out.

4)      As each year the virus alters its DNA, it forms a new HA head shape. Therefore the memory cells are no longer effective in wiping out the virus.

In the new ‘Universal’ vaccine the following processes occur:

1)      A vaccine containing DNA that codes for the influenza HA protein is injected to prepare the immune system.

2)      The HA protein is presented to antibodies in the absence of the full virus, allowing them to get a full look at the virus, and in particular the stem which is usually hidden away. As the stem tends to stay the same across influenza strains the antibodies remember the shape of them alongside the shape of the head..

3)      ‘Memory cells’ are formed that recognise the head and stem of HA. Even if a different influenza strain infects the patient, these cells can be recognised through the stem region, allowing sufficient protection to be provided.

4)      A dose of a seasonal influenza vaccine is injected at a later date to act as a ‘booster’ jab. This stimulates further antibody production, giving the body a greater immune protection.

Eventually through excellent research into immunisations, maybe one day a cure to the flu will be developed, and in due course cures for any new developing viruses that could harm us. Unfortunately for now we will just have to continue getting injections seasonally…

Marfan Syndrome.

Marfan Syndrome is a genetic condition that affects the body's connective tissues, it is inherited from parent genes meaning that the condition is hereditary. Connective tissue provides the structure and support for organs in the body, it acts as a framework for growth and development by providing sufficient support and strength to cartilage, tendons, heart valves and blood vessels. The symptoms and severity are different for every sufferer.

What causes it then? It is caused by a defect in a genetic code that forms the structure of fibrillin, contributing to the structure of elastic fibres and ultimately connective tissue. As the condition is hereditary sufferers have a 50% chance of passing the disorder on to children. Many of you reading this will probably not have heard of Marfan Syndrome, that is because it is a relatively rare disorder and only affects about 5 people in every 100,000.

The condition affects mainly 5 parts of the body, such as the skeletal system, eyes, cardiovascular system, lungs and central nervous system (CNS).

Visibily the effect on the skeletal system can be seen from a relatively early age, the patient’s arms, legs, fingers and toes may seem out of proportion to the rest of their body, this is knows as Arachnodactyly. In addition their spine may become curved, known as Scoliosis, and the abnormal indentation or protrusion of the sternum may occur, known as Pectus Carinatum. Some people with Marfan Syndrome may have speech disorders resulting from high palates and small jaws, this can relate to the early stages of Osteoarthritis.

The disorder can also seriously affects the eyes and vision. The most common problem for patients is having a lens dislocation, this is where the lens (the transparent structure at the front of your eye) falls into an abnormal position. Sometimes eye problems take time to appear, only after the weakening of the connective tissue that has caused the detachment of the retina. Glaucoma, which is a condition where increased pressure in the eyeball can cause permanent loss of vision if untreated can also stem from Marfans, although this extent of vision loss is extremely rare. Early diagnosis can be detected by an Ophthalmologist or Optometrist using a Slit-lamp Biomicroscope.

The most common visible sign associated with Marfan Syndrome involves the failure of the bodies cardiovascular system. This can lead to unexpected fatigue, shortness of breath and angina all because of inadequate circulation.

The heart’s valves are affected, especially the Mitral valve which becomes weak and flaccid, can not close tighty and affectively, thus allowing blood to leak backward across the valve resulting in a Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP). Having an MVP increases the workload on the heart and may lead to symptoms such as feeling over-tired, and palpitations of the chest. Over an extended period of time and exposure to MVP the heart muscle may weaken and enlarge, which is known as Cardiomyopathy, which unfortunately leads to heart failure. A similar prolapse can occur to the Aortic Root as it can dilate and become stretched (Aortic Aneurysm) causing a leak, this often presents the patient with pain radiating down the back in an almost tearing sensation. This is a surgical emergency and must be attended to immediately to prevent further damage.

The lungs are also affected in Marfan Syndrome, by the process of Pneumothorax, which is where there is an abnormal collection of air or gas in the chest that separates the lung from the chest wall and may interfere with normal breathing. In the process air escapes from a lung and occupies a the Pleural Cavity (Above the abdominal muscles), causing the lung to become partially collapsed and causes a sharp pain and shortness of breath in the chest of the patient, if not treated it can lead to death.

Biologists know how detrimental the central nervous system (CNS) is to a bodies function and that how if the CNS is affected the body the neurological brain activity can decrease significantly.

Dural Ectasia is the weakening of the connective tissue of the Dural Sac, the membrane that encases the spinal cord. It may cause lower back pain, headaches and neurological signs such as weakness and loss of bowel and bladder function. As Dural Ectasia is not visible on the body if a patient usually has these symptons an X-ray of the lower spine will need to be participated in. If Dural Ectasia is allowed to develop the activity of the CNS can become severely affected.

Regular checkups by a cardiologist are required to monitor the health of the heart valves and the Aortic Root, so that the process of Aortic dilation can be minimised.

Hopefully you can see that the degenerative process of connective tissues causes a large extent of problems within the body with varying severity and different problems for each sufferer. With the continued work of medical researchers and extensive research into the condition hopefully there may be one day a treatment to this condition.

Arthritis.

Many people refer to Arthritis as a generalised single condition. It is in fact a group of conditions that affect the Synovial joints in the body. The pain can range from being relatively painless to being excruciating. There are over 10 million people suffering from some form of Arthritis in the UK, which is every one in five adults. Young people are also affected, with 12,000 children currently suffering with Arthritis and 27,000 people suffering under the age of 25.

So what are the different types of Arthritis? There are three types, which are rheumatoid, psoriatic, and the most common form osteoarthritis. All three types involve similar symptoms such as joint pain, stiffness of the body, muscle fatigue and impaired mobility. Arthritis affects a person’s ability to perform their everyday tasks easily and it gets worse with age.

Rheumatoid Arthritis causes the immune system to attack the joints in the body; it is a chronic, inflammatory disorder. As it is an inflammatory disorder it causes the arthritis to become very painful, due to the destruction of joints leading to loss of mobility. The joints that are principally affected are called Synovial, the Synovial cavity is the small area between bones in a joint, that is filled with synovial fluid.

Examples of Synovial joints are:

• The carpals of the wrist.
• The elbow.
• Finger joints.
• Shoulder joints.
• Hip joints.
• Knee joints.

Psoriatic Arthritis develops most commonly in people who have a chronic skin condition called Psoriasis. Symptoms of this type of arthritis, different to the common symptoms are; sausage-like swelling in the fingers or toes, known as dactylitis, pain in the area of the Sacrum just above the tailbone and seperation from the nail bed on fingers.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, with inflammation that is caused by the wearing of cartilage that covers the inside of a joint causing the pain. The process occurs when the bone surface become less protected by cartilage, therefore the patient feels more pressure and weight bearing upon their bones whilst performing bodily functions. There are two types of Osteoarthritis; primary and secondary.

In Primary Osteoarthritis, as a person ages the water content in their cartilage decreases consequently causing the cartilage to become less resilient to pressure. As the collagen fibers in cartilage have become weaker it can become susceptible to degradation and inflammation of the surrounding joint capsule. This occurs from the breakdown of products released into the Synovial cavity. New bone can form on the margins of joints in an attempt to improve the congruency of the cartilage surface, but these changes to the bone structure is very painful for the patient. Secondary Osteoarthritis is where Primary Osteoarthritis is already being undergone by the patient but is made worse by factors such as Diabetes, Inflammatory diseases, Injuries and Obesity.

Unfortunately there is no cure for Arthritis, but there are several ways in which the symptoms such as pain and the inflammation can be reduced. Painkillers, such as Paracetamol are the most common and safe way to reduce pain in the joints and are often tried first. If the pain is significant and Paracetamol doesn’t have a strong effect then stronger painkillers, containing high doses of Codeine are used, these are however prescription only.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the other common treatment for Arthritis; they reduce inflammation and joint swelling and provide some pain relief for the patient. Negatively however they can cause stomach problems when taken over a long period of time. The ways to minimise these problems is by taking the tablet after meals and not consuming alcohol or smoking. Ibuprofen is the most widely used NSAID but there are several others that your local GP can prescribe for you.

Hopefully by reading about Arthritis and how seriously it can affect your life, I hope you make an active decision to prevent it from happening to you by maintaining a healthy diet and taking part in regular exercise.

Have a Good New Year.