Category Archives: Dr. Dalal Akoury

Understanding Alzheimer’s disease and The Healthy Brain

February 5, 2015

Understanding Alzheimer’s disease and The Healthy Brain

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia that affects the older generation. Dementia is simply the loss or decline of thinking ability. People with dementia have problems thinking, internalizing information and remembering. The behavior of a person changes with dementia in such away the quality of their life is affected. A person may suffer from either mild or severe dementia. In mild dementia, the disease is in its starting stage and only affects a few aspects of their life. In severe dementia, the person’s functioning is completely affected to an extent that they rely on other people to complete even the basic tasks. Studies have it that Alzheimer’s disease affects over 70% of people who suffer from dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by a significant decline of brain cells also known as neurons and deposits of beta-amyloid in the blood vessels located in the brain. In the case of Alzheimer’s disease, plaques and neurofibrillary tangles develop in the brain area. These changes take place in three areas of the brain from the hippocampus, cerebral cortex as well as the mid and temporal lobes. These are accompanied by declined acetylcholine concentration which is a neurotransmitter in the brain. Studies reveal that antioxidant deficiency promotes to the acceleration of the Alzheimer’s disease. Change of diet and taking plenty of supplements reduces a person’s risk to Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease

The Healthy Brain

Naturally the brain receives oxygen from veins, arteries and capillaries that network their way through it. The vascular system is controlled and it separates the brain form the rest of the circulatory system. This barrier keeps the brain from infections that may come along. If the brain however happens to be infected treatment is difficult since the antibiotics administered are too big to penetrate through this barrier. This is similar in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease since the medication must be able to pass through the barrier.

One area that Alzheimer’s disease affects is the middle and temporal lobes. These lobes are located behind the ears and the temples. This region is responsible for speech and memory as well as emotions like empathy and molarity. The hippocampus is also an area that is affected by the disease. This area of the brain is responsible for creation of new memories.

The cerebellum is located in the brain and is responsible for the storage of memories of the muscles which makes it easier for us to do things without thinking. The mid brain together with the brain stem is the most sensitive part. This is because body functions such as digestion and the heart rate are controlled by these parts. They also act as a border between the spinal cord and the other parts of the brain.

The brain contains over 100 million cells which are interconnected to form one complex system. Each day a healthy brain makes new connections which keep the brain in function. These connections change every day and this makes it possible for storage of memories, shaping personalities, changing f habits and reinforcements of different brain activity patterns as others are lost. The cells receiving the neurotransmitters send them to other cells to complete communication and an impulse is achieved.

Communication in the brain is made possible through synapses. Signals are sent from one synapse to another. The signals are inform chemicals known as neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are received by receptors located in the synapses

Alzheimer ’s disease And the Brain

One characteristic of the Alzheimer’s disease is the death of brain cells. Patients with Alzheimer’s disease usually have plaque and neurofibrillary tangles are deposited in the brain. The plaque deposits cause the impairment of synapses so that signals do not effectively pass through the brain cells. On the other hand the neurofibrillary tangles kill the cells in the brain making it difficult for energy and food to be normally transported through the cells in the brain.

The area that is initially affected by Alzheimer’s disease is the outer brain part. This is the part that is responsible for storage of short term memory. Therefore, the first symptom in a patient suffering from the disease is the loss of short term memory. As the disease continues to eat its way through the brain, eventually even the long term memory is lost. Behavioral aspects of a person also change because other parts of the brain get affected and their functioning impaired. This also affects the neurotransmitter concentration.

Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease treatment

Lifestyle: a change in lifestyle will do you good by reducing the risk of getting the disease. Changing diet and taking regular exercises ensures that your brain and body remain healthy and strong.

Supplements: there are supplements available in the market known to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease or cure it for example ginkgo biloba . Visit your physician for advice about such supplements.

Medication: currently there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, drugs like cholinergic provide temporary improvements in cognitive abilities of the brain. This improves memory and ability to retain things.

At AwareMed we believe that a healthy you is equal to a healthy society. We not only give you information about diseases but we help cure them. Dr. Akoury helps patients dealing with Alzheimer’s disease improve their life as well as lessen the symptoms.

Understanding Alzheimer’s disease and The Healthy Brain

 

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Understanding Depression in Women in totality

February 2, 2015

Understanding Depression in Women in totality – What can be done

Understanding Depression in Women in totality

Understanding Depression in Women in totality is the beginning of getting lasting solutions.

In our previous article we dwelt much on the causes and effects of depression in men and in this session we want to do the same but singling out on women. We are dealing with depression because its effects are so painful to both the individuals, families and the whole society. Therefore understanding the depression in women is very paramount as it will enable women to avoid things that may make them depressed for the benefits of their general good health, skin complexion, premature aging and joyful sex life. To start with when it comes to depression, gender is very important. Remember that not only are women more susceptible to to depression than men, but the grounds of female depression alongside the patterns of symptoms are often different. Understanding the dynamics depression is attributed to various factors that contribute to it. Such factors are ranging from but are also not limited to reproductive hormones to social pressures to the female response to stress.

It is important that you are well informed of these factors as a worthy tool of defeating depression. Doctor Akoury will be helping us to understand the factors, symptoms and even effective treatment so that together women can reduce the risk of depression and keep the beautiful and glowing skin, reduce the premature aging among many other consequences accruing out of being depressed.

Understanding Depression in Women in totality: Effects, Signs and Symptoms of depression in women

Depression like any other health condition is not something to be proud of by any standard. The effects of being depressed is wide and broad in that it affects ones social life, relationships, career, self-esteem among other purposes. Statistics has it that in every eight women at least will develop depression in the course of life. Doctor Akoury suggest that if you’re suffering from some past or present guilty situations, or just feeling sad , tired and generally down in spirit, you may want to consult with your doctor because you could be suffering from a major or developing state of being depressed. This piece of information is not to trigger fear in you but to make you take prompt decisions for a better health. Remember that depression is treatable and the more informed you’re about it the better as this will make you effectively deal with the problem as it is a woman.

To be on the safe side, you need to know the symptoms of depression in women even though they are the same as those for major depression. Depressed women common complaints often include:

  • Depressed mood
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
  • Feelings of guiltiness, hopelessness and worthlessness all the time
  • Recurrent suicidal thoughts or even death
  • Irregular sleep patterns (sleeping more or sleeping less)
  • Appetite and weight changes
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Lack of energy and fatigue

Understanding Depression in Women in totality: Causes of depression in women

The intensity of women suffering from depression is always higher than that of men. Interestingly the variance is almost uniform in all racial, ethnic, and economic divides cutting across most countries globally. In view of this, different theories are attempting to explain the higher incidence of depression in women including elements like biological, psychological, and social factors.

Understanding Depression in Women in totality: Biological and hormonal causes of depression in women

  • Premenstrual problems – Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can cause the familiar symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as bloating, irritability, fatigue, and emotional reactivity. For many women, PMS is mild. But for some women, symptoms are severe enough to disrupt their lives and a diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is made.
  • Pregnancy and infertility – The many hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can contribute to depression, particularly in women already at high risk. Other issues relating to pregnancy such as miscarriage, unwanted pregnancy, and infertility can also play a role in depression.
  • Postpartum depression – Many new mothers experience the baby blues. This is a normal reaction that tends to subside within a few weeks. However, some women experience severe, lasting depression. This condition is known as postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is believed to be influenced, at least in part, by hormonal fluctuations.
  • Perimenopause and menopause – Women may be at increased risk for depression during perimenopause, the stage leading to menopause when reproductive hormones rapidly fluctuate. Women with past histories of depression are at an increased risk of depression during menopause as well.
  • Health problems – Chronic illness, injury, or disability can lead to depression in women, as can crash dieting or quitting smoking.
Understanding Depression in Women in totality: Psychological causes of depression in women
  • Concentrating on and revisiting negative feelings – Women are more likely to ruminate when they are depressed. For instance, most women would cry to release emotional tension, making effort to understand the cause of your depression by investigating from your friends about your depression. Nonetheless, this practice (rumination) in many cases acts as a facilitator of depression and occasionally even worsens the situation of depression. Yet on the other hand, men tend to distract themselves when they are depressed which is very helpful in reducing depression.
  • Overwhelming stress at work, school, or home – Some studies show that women are more likely than men to develop depression from stress. This is because the female physiological response to stress is different possibly because women often produce more stress hormones than men. The female sex hormone progesterone prevents the stress hormone system from turning itself off as it does in men.
  • Body image issues – It is important to note that in many cases the gender difference in depression originates in adolescence. Like for instance the emergence of sex differences during puberty is likely plays a role. This could be due to body dissatisfaction which increases in girls during the sexual development of puberty according to some research findings.
Understanding Depression in Women in totality: Social causes of depression in women

Just like in men, social factors also play a part in causing depression in women, along with lifestyle choices, relationships, and coping skills. These may include:

  • Matrimonial or correlation problems; balancing the pressures of career and home life
  • Family responsibilities like bringing up children, communication issues among spouse, or aging parents
  • Experiencing discrimination at work or not reaching important goals, losing or changing a job, retirement, or embarking on military service
  • Continuous financial problems
  • Death of a loved one or other stressful life event that leaves you feeling useless, helpless, alone, or profoundly sad

Understanding Depression in Women in totality: Treating depression in women

Like in any other treatment of depression, women suffering from depression will also receive normal type of treatment as everyone which may include psychotherapy and antidepressant therapy. Even though this may be the case there are some special treatment considerations for depression in women as will be discussed by the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care. If you have any concern about the effects of depression and you need help, call doctor Akoury today and schedule for that appointment that will live you healthy and well rejuvenated all the time.

Understanding Depression in Women in totality – What can be done

 

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Natural Approaches to Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

February 1, 2015

Natural Approaches to Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Diabetes

Diabetes is a medical condition that continues to affect a number of people in the world. It claims millions of lives around the globe and costs countries billions in treatments. Studies show that one in every four Americans today aged above 65 suffers from diabetes. It affects the quality of your life as well as that of people around you.

So what exactly is diabetes? The condition also referred to as diabetes mellitus is a health conditions that arises when the body’s blood sugar levels are too high. The food we eat contributes to the glucose we need. Insulin is a hormone that is used in the body to assist the glucose into getting into our cells. Cells require this energy to perform different body functions.

Diabetes arises when something goes wrong with either the production or utilization of insulin in the body. For one, the body may be producing inadequate levels of insulin, which means that glucose absorption is inefficient. This leaves too much glucose in the blood resulting in diabetes.

On the other hand, the cells in the body may not be responding as they should to the insulin produced. This condition is known as insulin resistance. Insulin resistance results in the body not making use of the insulin produced. No matter how much is produced by the pancreas, it is not able to perform its functions because the body is sort of rejecting it. This results in accumulation of glucose as we continue eating resulting in high glucose levels or simply diabetes.

metabolic_syndrome

This leaves us with different forms of diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body is unable to produce insulin which means that glucose is not absorbed into the cells. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes affecting a majority of people today. In this case the pancreas is able to produce insulin but the body does not make use of it. This results in more insulin production and less utilization leading to increases glucose levels. Prediabetes is a health condition where your blood glucose level seems higher than usual but it is not high enough to be termed as diabetes. Normally, prediabetes is a risk factor of type 2 diabetes. The most common symptoms of diabetes are increased thirst and hunger as well as frequent urination.

Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome can be said to be a combination of diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. It is a common condition that continues to affect many people today. It comes by due to insulin resistance by the body. Naturally diabetes is caused by either insulin resistance or the body not being able to utilize the insulin produced. On the other side, studies show that insulin resistance is a risk factor for obesity while blood pressure may arise for high levels of glucose.

Metabolic syndrome puts you at risk of diseases like heart attack, diabetes, several types of cancers and excess fat in the liver. The disease has been connected to low grade inflammation a kind of inflammation that results in loss of bones.

Metabolic syndrome can be caused by either inheritance of a gene responsible for insulin resistance or excess weight gain and failure to exercise. Some of the symptoms that are exhibited by people suffering from metabolic syndrome include hypertension, abnormal obesity, hyperglycemia, reduced lipoprotein, shortness of breath, and chest pains among others.

Obesity

Most people believe that obesity means being overweight. On the contrary obesity is a condition that arises from having excessive fat in the body.  Over weight on the other hand is simply weighing too much.  Obesity is a real menace that knows no age limit. It affects both the young to the old.

The condition may build up over time depending on your calories intake. There should be a balance between the calories you consume and those you lose. When the amount of calories you consume is higher than what you lose, then obesity is likely to arise.

Insulin resistance is major concern for a number of people and one stands a chance of being obese. Naturally the pancreas is supposed to produce insulin which is then used by the body to enhance absorption of sugars in the body. Insulin resistance occurs when the body does not utilize the insulin produced. When this happens it means than glucose is not absorbed into the cell to be used for various functions like energy production.

This leaves an excess of glucose in the blood. Because the glucose is not being used as it should, it is converted into fat which is stored in the tissue. More insulin resistance means more fat deposits which translate into obesity. The same scenario happens when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.

Natural Approaches to Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity

Usually most dieses are caused by the kind of lifestyle we chose to lead. Maintaining a healthy diet is one way of preventing such diseases. Most of the foods we eat contain chemical compounds that may inhibit the production or utilization of insulin leading to obesity and diabetes. Also a reduction of polished grains prevents the three diseases by regulating the blood sugars.

metabolic_syndrome

Exercise is an essential part and parcel of healthy living. Without exercise we are prone to disease like obesity. Taking regular exercise is one of the ways of ensuring your boy remains healthy and strong. Also avoiding smoking can prove to be real helpful. Smoking messes up with your body system making it prone to such things as insulin resistance or blood glucose increase.

Grape seed extract has also been shown to reduce blood pressure in patients suffering from metabolic syndrome. Kudzu is also a herb that is used by patients with metabolic syndrome or obesity to help in weight loss. The herb facilitates shedding off of weight which leads to a healthy you.

To find out more about diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity visit AwareMed. The expert advice of Dr. Dalal Akoury has helped many patients. She will treat insulin resistance and utilization in order to correct obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes.  Join this network of healing at www.awaremednetwork.com today.

Natural Approaches to Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

 

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Offering solutions to men suffering from Depression

January 31, 2015

Offering solutions to men suffering from Depression: What you can do to help

Offering solutions to men suffering from Depression

Offering solutions to men suffering from Depression.Women are equally suffering from depression and needs help.

We have in our previous articles discussed various effects of depression to the individuals and the impact to the society. We realized that depression does not have boundaries on who to affect. However in this article, we want to further the discussion by offering solutions to men suffering from depression. Therefore if you’re worried that somebody you know might be so depressed to the point of committing suicide then this article is going to be very helpful to you. The consequences of depression are not everyone cup of tea and any suspicion of depression should not be ignored by all means. This according to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center would mean that the life of every individual is very important. It is therefore very important that if you have any suspicion that an a loved one is suffering from depression, then the matter must be taken seriously because this can be fatal if it ends up in suicide.

Even though depression affects every body indiscriminately as I had earlier indicated, men often suffer greater damage. The fatality of depression can be very disturbing and frustrating particularly when it ends up in suicide. Therefore how do we give a helping hand to a depressed person? For instance if a man who feels suicidal shares this and he is not taken seriously, he can be demoralized and develop a feeling that his condition is not given the attention it deserve. Doctor Akoury says that “there is nothing more demoralizing than to feel that others do not take your depression problem seriously”. Remember that before this man shares his situation, it must have taken him great courage to open up and so all that is expected is nothing less of support. Therefore as a society, we have a duty to perform in offering solutions to men suffering from depression. On our part as AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center we are offering the best and real time professional treatment to all depressed people from all walks of life. You can schedule an appointment with doctor Akoury today for commencement of treatment. In the meantime let us get into the business of helping you relieve yourself of this depression problem.

Offering solutions to men suffering from Depression: Helping Depressed men

  • Many men find it difficult to ask for help when they are depressed. It can help to see depression as a result of chemical changes in the brain or as the result of living in a demanding and stressful world.  It is nothing to do with being weak or having failed.
  • Men can get help more easily if people recognize their particular needs. For instance, a man who is depressed is more likely to talk about his physical symptoms than his feelings.  Probably this could explain the reason why doctors sometimes don’t recognize depression in men.
  • Ii is important that those depressed men who are in steady relationships have their partners involved in there depression treatment process, this way they will be able to understand and appreciate what is happening even as they give their support in finding lasting solutions.

Offering solutions to men suffering from Depression: How to help your-self when depressed

  • Share the problem with someone – if something is upsetting your life, don’t keep it to yourself, bottling things all by yourself may not be a good idea. Instead share with someone how you feel about it or just write it down your feelings about the whole thing.
  • Exercise – get out of doors and take some exercise, even if it’s only a walk during your lunch-break at work. This will help to keep you physically fit and sleep better. It can also help you not to dwell on painful thoughts and feelings.
  • Food nutrition – this is very important because occasionally you may not feel very hungry nonetheless try to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. Remember that it’s easy to lose weight and run low on vitamins when you are depressed or to eat too much junk food and put on weight you don’t want.
  • Avoid alcohol and drugs – it is true that alcohol can make you feel better for a while, but when sobriety sets in, it will make you more depressed even more. This is also true with street drugs, particularly amphetamines, cocaine and ecstasy.
  • Don’t get upset if you can’t sleep – do something restful that you enjoy, like listening to the radio or watching television. If you feel tense all the time, try exercise, yoga, massage, aromatherapy etc.
  • Do something you enjoy – take some regular time to do something you really enjoy – exercise, reading, a hobby.
  • Check out your lifestyle – you may be a perfectionist who drives yourself too hard. Try to set yourself more realistic targets and reduce your workload. You may need to be compassionate to yourself.
  • Take a break – it can be really helpful to get away and out of your normal routine for a few days. Even if it is going to be for just a few hours it will still be helpful.
  • Get more information about depression – we have very many resources these days about depression. Look for books about this topic and search for information on websites about depression. Such information will help you to cope and also help friends and relatives to understand what you are going through.
  • Join a support group – helping yourself may be difficult on your own therefore you can get help by joining a support group. Remember that talking with other men in a similar situation can help.

Finally in everything you do it is very important that you keep hopes alive. Giving up and regrets are not options in this journey as explained by doctor Akoury in the following helpful points:

  • It may be hard to believe, but you will feel better in the end with great determination.
  • Some people come out of depression stronger than they were before.  You may find that you find situations and relationships more clearly than before.
  • Some people continue to have periods of depression but all the same learn to live with them;
  • Remember that depression is common, it can be helped and you are entitled to the help you need.

Offering solutions to men suffering from Depression: What you can do to help

 

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Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) for Men

January 30, 2015

Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) for Men

Are you a man and you are feeling depressed, tired or overweight? You may be a victim of this condition called male hormone imbalance or hormone deficiency.  Hormones are an essential part of us that we cannot do without. They play critical roles in the normal functioning of our bodies.

When the hormones are balanced and in the right levels, they are said to be in harmony. This harmony is very critical in maintaining a healthy body, body shape as well as the general well-being.

Aging is a normal physiological process that we cannot evade. As a man continues aging, the effectiveness of the body to produce critical hormones reduces. The hormone levels fall critically creating a situation of hormonal imbalance. In women this drop in hormones is referred to as menopause while in men the same condition is called andropause.

The common hormone deficiency that occurs in men is the decline testosterone hormone, a condition referred to as low T.  However, this is not the only hormone that declines as a man ages, other hormones include thyroid hormone, human growth hormone, progesterone, cortisol, estradiol and DHEA. This reduced the effectiveness of the hormones to remain balanced.

Bioidentical-Hormones

Symptoms of hormone deficiency in adult males

Hormone deficiency occurs to almost every man as they start aging. They say that aging is a natural biological process that everybody must go through. Hormone deficiency and hormone imbalances lead to a number of conditions in men as they age. The following symptoms are evident in men experiencing hormone deficiency:

  • inability to focus
  • low stamina
  • lack of skin elasticity
  • poor memory
  • loss of bone density
  • low levels of immunity
  • joint pain

In the past these conditions were considered inevitable since they were seen as part of a normal aging process. Contrary to this belief studies now show that some of these conditions can be treated as they are a result of unbalanced levels of the male hormones. When the male hormones begin to decline, it creates a situation of imbalance.

Medical practitioners have spent years trying to understand the condition of hormonal imbalances. This has led to the development of a therapy that can be used to restore male hormone balance. Referred to as Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy, the treatment has seen a lot of men recover from some of the conditions that arise from unbalanced levels of hormones.

Restoring Male Hormone Harmony with BHRT

Contrary to what people believed that the conditions men experience as they age are normal and inevitable, some of these conditions only arise as a result of imbalance in the levels of hormones in the body.  Harmony that exists in the body is very crucial in the normal body functioning. When this harmony is offset conditions such as muscle ache, memory loss, depression, weight gain, impaired memory and reduced concentration arise. This affects not only men but also women.

Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy in men is used to replace hormones that have in the process of aging reduced in levels creating an imbalance. The therapy uses hormones that are similar in molecular properties with the ones that are found naturally in the body. The goal of this procedure is to try restoring the vital balance in hormones that is needed for the body to function well. Hormones such as testosterone, progesterone, cortisol, DHEA among there are supplemented with artificial hormones.

This hormone restoration has been shown to ease some of the conditions that arise with hormonal imbalances such as joint aches, depression among others. The procedure takes about 15 minutes and requires you to do exercises at least three times in a week in order to enhance the process of hormone replacement in the body.

Benefits of BHRT for Men

With Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy some of the conditions associated with aging and hormone imbalances are restored. Men who undergo this therapy benefit from things like, improvements in their moods, improved sex drive, restoration of muscle tone and mass, improvement in memory, reduced depression, high levels of energy, and great stamina among others. This restoration enables a man to go back to their normal life.

Bioidentical-Hormones

Medical treatment

Always Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy must be performed by an experienced doctor. He or she will evaluate your condition and then run tests to determine the levels of hormones in your body. The hormonal levels as are also checked during and also after the treatment so as to ensure that your health is normal and side effects of the therapy are minimal.

Holistic Approach

The hormone replacement therapy should go hand in hand with modifications of your lifestyle. Change your diet and increase your rates of exercises so as not only to improve your life quality but it will help you look better as well as fell young. A medical approach that is comprehensive is always necessary for optimum health and renewed levels of energy. If you want to slow the aging process down, live longer and remain healthy, combine hormone replacement therapy with a holistic approach.

At AwareMed we believe that your healthy is your greatest treasure. Visit www.awaremednetwork.com  to learn more about hormone replacement therapy and other wellness and awareness tips. Dr. Akoury has experience in health matters and will provide the necessary assistance to various health issues.

Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) for Men

 

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