Effects of Inflammation on cancer patients

April 10, 2015

Effects of Inflammation on cancer patients: The Importance of diet and good nutrition

Effects of Inflammation on cancer patients are very evident in most societies today

The meaning of inflammation can be understood in two different ways depending on how it affects the body. Like for instance inflammation could be defined as a localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection. It could also be defined as the body’s attempt at self-protection; the aim being to remove harmful stimuli, including damaged cells, irritants, or pathogens – and begin the healing process. What this means is that when anything harmful or irritating affects any part of our bodies, there will be always a biological response to try to remove it. The understanding of that is that the signs and symptoms of inflammation, specifically acute inflammation, show that the body is trying to heal itself. Therefore inflammation does not necessarily mean infection, even when an infection causes inflammation. Infection itself is caused by a bacterium, virus or fungus, while inflammation is the body’s response to it. With that elaborate understanding of what inflammation is, the a million dollar question would be what does it have to do with cancer? In other words what are some of the effects of inflammation on cancer patients? Keep reading and in a little while doctor Dalal Akoury MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center will be giving us the finer details.

The truth of the matter is that irrespective of the definition, prolonged inflammation can cause real damage to your body’s healthy cells and tissue thereby weakening your immune system. It is this state of weakness in the immunity that increases ones risk of contracting the cancer diseases. But like we had indicated, not all inflammation is bad. And the experts say that individuals’ inflammatory response is very essential for the healing to effectively take place. It is this response that signals your body’s immune system to send some white blood cells and chemicals to help in fighting off the infection or repair any injury caused.

Other causes of chronic inflammation may include obesity, smoking, stress, lack of exercise, exposure to secondhand smoke and diet choices. And to make the matter more worse is that chronic inflammation in many cases does not shows no signs. Even though there will be no signs, there is the side which is good. And the good news is you can reduce chronic inflammation and lower your cancer risks. It starts with your diet. An anti-inflammatory diet also can help you avoid diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer’s. Doctor Dalal Akoury is sharing with us some of the anti-inflammatory diet tips as follows.

Effects of Inflammation on cancer patients: Eat more of plant foods

There is more than you can ever imagine in fresh food products from plants. Did you know that plant foods are the only foods containing anti-inflammatory phytonutrients? Besides that, they are very rich in the antioxidants and fiber your body needs to stay cancer-free. Remember that fiber can also lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP is a protein in the blood that signals inflammation. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, they recommend that when eating, people should consider filling at least two-thirds of their plate with plant foods. Therefore take this guideline seriously and make one half of your plate non-starchy vegetables and/or fruits of all colors. And never forget to make one-quarter of your plate whole grains or starchy vegetables, like potatoes, corn and peas.

Effects of Inflammation on cancer patients: Limit processed foods

Choosing whole, fresh foods and doing your own prep maximizes nutrients and phytonutrients. These nutrients keep us healthy in many ways, while reducing inflammation. Processed foods are lower in nutrients and higher in refined sugars, flours and fats. They’re also usually loaded with artificial ingredients that can increase CRP levels. It is therefore important that you skip highly processed foods, like fast food, packaged and instant foods and steer clear of processed meats, like deli-meats, bacon, sausage, hotdogs and pepperoni. Final avoid taking sodas and sports drinks.

Effects of Inflammation on cancer patients: Balance fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids can help protect your body from chronic inflammation. On the other hand, omega-6 fatty acids increase inflammation.

Many people across the globe are trying to include more omega-3 fatty acids in their diet. But, they’re still eating too much omega-6 fatty acids. The key therefore is balance, so you’ll take in more omega-3 and less omega-6. Also eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, halibut, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, pecans and avocado. Use oils high in omega-3, such as olive and canola and limit oils high in omega-6, such as corn, sunflower, peanut and soybean. Ensure that when buying your stock get the information of the ingredients on packaged foods. Limit foods made with refined vegetable oils high in omega-6. You’ll find these oils in most snack foods, cookies, crackers and sweets.

Effects of Inflammation on cancer patients: Limit red meat

Eating too much red meat, like pork, beef, lamb, deer and buffalo, can increase your cancer risks. Try to limit red meat to 18 oz. or less each week to keep your cancer risks low. Doctor Akoury suggests replacing red meat with these high protein foods to help reduce chronic inflammation. You can also choose animal proteins, such as skinless chicken, turkey and fish while replacing animal proteins with plant proteins, such as beans and lentils, at some meals. And better still; choose meat, milk, cheese and eggs from pasture-raised and hormone-free animals.

Effects of Inflammation on cancer patients: Eat more fermented foods

Fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut and miso contain probiotics that help reduce inflammation. To get the most health perks, eat at least one small serving of a fermented food each day. Finally at the home of solutions (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) there is much more you can get from the most experienced professionals there. For any cancer about cancer and effects of inflammation, you can schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today for further deliberations.

Effects of Inflammation on cancer patients: The Importance of diet and good nutrition

What are the functions of COX Enzyme inhibitors

March 4, 2015

What are the functions of COX Enzyme inhibitors: Inflammation Complications?

What are the functions of COX Enzyme inhibitors

Before we get down to business, I want to bring to your attention that this article may be loaded with some strong medical terms. For this reason we are going to be relying on the expertise of doctor Dalal Akoury the MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center for clarification when it becomes necessary. I want therefore to take this earliest opportunity to advice that you can schedule for an appointment with the experts and you will be home and dry with the facts about what are the function of COX enzyme inhibitors. Therefore to start us off let us try understanding what COX-2 selective inhibitor is. This is a form of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that directly targets COX-2 which is an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain. The benefits of this selective targeting for COX-2 is that it helps in reduce the risk of peptic ulceration. Nevertheless it must be noted that besides these functions, the following are the main features of celecoxib, rofecoxib and other members of this drug class.

Just to make further emphasis on this medication, COX-2 inhibitors are a subclass of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs primarily work by reducing the production of prostaglandins, chemicals which promote inflammation, pain, and fever. Besides that the prostaglandins are also good at protecting the lining of the stomach and intestines from the damaging effects of excreted acid, promote blood clotting by activating platelets during injuries and also affect kidney function.

In our quest towards understanding what are the functions of COX enzyme inhibitors it would be very important that we get to know that the enzymes that produce prostaglandins are called cyclooxygenase (COX) and that has been the center of our discussion. There are two types of COX enzymes and they may include:

Cyclooxygenase – 1 (COX-1) and
Cyclooxygenase – 2 (COX-2)

Like we have said in the introduction both of these enzymes produce prostaglandins that promote inflammation, pain, and fever; however, it is only COX-1that produces prostaglandins which activate the blood platelets and protect the stomach and intestinal lining.

Doctor Dalal Akoury explains that NSAIDs blocks or obstructs the COX enzymes thereby reducing the normal production of prostaglandins. Therefore, the result of this action is that the inflammation, pain, and fever are reduced by all COX inhibitors. Since the prostaglandins that protect the stomach and promote blood clotting also are reduced, NSAIDs can cause ulcers in the stomach and intestines, and increase the risk of bleeding. Unlike older NSAIDs that block both COX-1 and COX-2, the newer COX-2 inhibitors only block the COX-2 enzyme. Since COX-2 inhibitors do not block COX-1 (which primarily produces prostaglandins that protect the stomach and promote blood clotting) they do not cause ulcers or increase the risk of bleeding as much as the older NSAIDs. Nevertheless, COX-2 inhibitors are as effective as the older NSAIDs for treating inflammation, pain and fever.

What are the functions of COX inhibitors: What are the side effects of COX-2 inhibitors?

Before we conclude this discussion, it will not be fear if we don’t highlight some of the possible demerits or the side effects of COX-E inhibitors. Such may include the following:

Abdominal pain,
Headache,
Nausea,
Diarrhea,
Flatulence, and
Insomnia

The above mentions are some of the most common side effects however, there are other side effects thought not very common and they include:

Fainting,
Kidney failure,
Aggravation of hypertension,
Ringing in the ears,
Bleeding,
Blurred vision,
Anxiety,
Light sensitivity,
Weight gain,
Water retention,
Drowsiness, and
Weakness.

For those who are allergic to various reactions, this is very important because with this kind of medication allergic reactions also can occur. Therefore if this describes your situation and you are one who can develops allergic reactions like rash, itching, difficulty breathing etc. from sulfonamides for example, trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole Bactrim, aspirin or other NSAIDs may experience an allergic reaction to celecoxib and should not take celecoxib.

COX-2 inhibitors and other NSAIDs may increase the risk of heart attacks, stroke, and related conditions, which can be fatal. This risk may increase with duration of use and in patients who have underlying risk factors for disease of the heart and blood vessels. NSAIDs should not be used for the treatment of pain resulting from coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Other NSAIDs and, to a lesser extent, COX-2 inhibitors may increase the risk of serious and sometimes even fatal stomach and intestinal adverse reactions such as bleeding, ulcers, and perforation of the stomach or intestines. These events can occur at any time during treatment and without warning symptoms. Point to note is that the senior citizens or the elderly patients are at greater risk for these types of reactions.

What are the functions of COX inhibitors: The basic difference between traditional NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors?

COX-1 is an enzyme which is normally present in a variety of tissues in the body, including sites of inflammation and the stomach.
Some of the prostaglandins made by COX-1 protect the inner lining of the stomach.
Common NSAIDs such as aspirin block both COX-1 and COX-2.
When the COX-1 enzyme is blocked, inflammation is reduced, but the protection of the lining of the stomach also is lost.
This can cause stomach upset as well as ulceration and bleeding from the stomach and even the intestines.

On the other hand cyclooxygenase, COX-2, also produces prostaglandins, but the COX-2 enzyme is located specifically in areas of the body that commonly are involved in inflammation but not in the stomach.

When the COX-2 enzyme is blocked, inflammation is reduced; however, since the COX-2 enzyme does not play a role in protecting the stomach or intestine, COX-2 specific NSAIDs do not have the same risk of injuring the stomach or intestines.

Finally I mentioned in the introduction of the possible use of very strong medical terms which may not be very easy to understand. Now having read the article, it is our wish that you are able to make correct translation of the information we are passing to you. Therefore if you have any concern, something you need further clarity on, the doors of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are open for you at your convenience. You can schedule for that very important appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury for more professional guidance today.

What are the functions of COX inhibitors: Inflammation Complications?

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