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

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:

Depression
lower energy levels
weight gain
muscle loss
mood swings
decreased libido
memory loss

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

Cortisol and Adrenal Fatigue

January 29, 2015

Cortisol and Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal fatigue is a common health problem that affects many Americans today. It often occurs when you undergo some stressful situation that you can’t bounce out of. If you feel tired all the time or don’t feel like your body is functioning as it would, you are probably a victim of adrenal fatigue. When it occurs, it affects the quality of your life to a great extent. All of a sudden you face difficulties when trying to exercise and an attempt to just sit down and relax proves quite hard. There is more. If you suffer from adrenal fatigue you tend to fall ill more often than you are used to and the healing process is a long one.

The condition is not a new one. It has affected people for year. Physician awareness of the disease is on the increase although many doctors are not conversant with it as a syndrome. Patients thereby end up suffering because the symptoms are not well diagnosed and therefore the treatment they are given is wrong.

What is adrenal fatigue?

First of all adrenal glands refer to glands that are located in the kidneys perform the function of secreting a number of hormones. Such hormones include; cortisol, DHEA, progesterone, testosterone and estrogen among others. Adrenal fatigue thereby occurs as a result of the adrenal glands not operating normally. This dysfunction is often brought about by pressure, stress or an illness the person may be going through. In the case of adrenal fatigue, the adrenal glands function at a lower level when the patient is under stress, rest or illness.

Adrenal-Fatigue-Patterns

Role of Cortisol in the Body

It is one of the hormones produced by the adrenaline glands. Cortisol is a stress hormone that is produced when we are under stress of tension in order to cool us down. Some situations are often stressful and no matter how much we try to avoid them, we find that at one point in our lives stress must be a part of us. It may be stress due to loss of property or relative, financial pressures, drugs or any other major event in our lives that takes a toll on us.

This is where the adrenal glands come in. They play a major role in the body and none of us can do without them. The hormones produced by the adrenaline glands are useful to us in one way or another. Adrenaline keeps you relaxed and in control of the situation.

So when do things start going bad? It is common knowledge that too much or too little of something can wreak havoc in our bodies. In as much as adrenal glands are important especially during stress, too much pressure on then may lead to them wearing out. Cortisol as a stress hormone is produced by the adrenal glands. When you are constantly under pressure stress for a long time, the adrenal glands are under pressure to produce more cortisol. When this happens, hey become worn and therefore not able to function efficiently. What happens after that is that the production of the stress hormone reduces. This means that the body is not in the position of handling subsequent stress, pressure or illnesses as they occur. This is the point when you begin to feel tired even after doing so little. Furthermore, you find it difficult to recover after exercises. Al of a sudden, you frequently fall ill and take long to recover.

Signs and Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue

People with adrenal fatigue will often experience the following symptoms:

Feeling tired for no particular reason.
Constantly feeling overwhelmed
You find it hard to recover from illnesses or stress
Difficulties waking up in the morning.
You feel more energetic after 6PM
Abnormal sugar and salt craving

Treatment for Adrenal Fatigue

Lifestyle Adjustment: the best way to treat the condition is by adjusting your routine for example encourage happy thoughts to avoid stress. You can also ensure maximum time to rest and relax as well as regular exercise.

Diet: avoid polished carbohydrates instead combine whole grain carbs with a good quantity of proteins and vitamins, fiber and essential oils. Also if you are suffering from adrenal fatigue ensure you eat regularly say at 10 AM and lunch time.

Supplements: supplements like vitamin C, E, B, B-6, niacin, pantothenic acid, magnesium citrate and minerals like zinc are essential in treatment of adrenal fatigue.

Dr. Dalal Akoury will provide treatment for adrenal fatigue. She has many years of experience in this and other medical conditions. To learn more about this topic visit www.awaremednetwork.com today.

Cortisol and Adrenal Fatigue

Alcohol Abuse Linked to Esophageal Cancer

January 21, 2015

Alcohol Abuse and Esophageal Cancer

Alcohol abuse has become prison walls to many people, needless to mention economies are crippled because of this societal vice that has made many people incapable of even fending for themselves. Apart from the whole known fight with alcohol addiction and its related consequences, alcohol abuse has also been identified by researchers as a cause of different cancers. Unfortunately alcoholism is not very easy to quit especially without professional help. Many people who try to stop alcoholism have to give in to the cravings for alcohol. Some may also be pulled back into alcoholism due to the withdrawal symptoms that may be hard to deal with. However hard dealing with alcohol addiction can be, there are numerous ways that medics can use to help an addict break the chain of addiction and help him reduce his chances of falling victim to certain cancers. One of the most important factors that will determine whether the addict will succeed in the fight against addiction is the willingness and commitment of the addict to put up with every advice of the doctors. If you are abusing alcohol and you haven’t seen the need to quit it, I guess you should since it has been linked to many different cancers. One of the cancers that alcohol abuse has been linked to is the esophageal cancer. You may not know much about it but it’s good to note that just like any other type of cancer, esophageal cancer is not lenient at all and so you should carve your path and walk away from this disease.

In this article we will look at how alcohol causes these two main types of esophageal cancers; esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA). In the past it has been known that tobacco smoking is a leading cause of different types of cancers including esophageal cancer but recently research study reports have also indicated that excessive alcohol consumption increase the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Today, esophageal cancer (EC) is the 8th most common incident cancer in the world and, because of its high fatality rate, ranks 6th among all cancers in mortality. It is not surprising, therefore, that the etiology of EC has been investigated for over a century. Based on clinical observations, Craver in his Clinical study of etiology of gastric and esophageal carcinoma in 1932 and Watson in 1939 list excessive use of alcohol and tobacco, low socioeconomic status, poor oral health, and consumption of hot drinks as risk factors for EC. These two scientists even cited past research papers on EC etiology published to back up their findings. In particular Craver cites a 1920 article from Argentina that suggests maté drinking as a risk factor for EC.

Alcohol consumption has long been known to be a major cause of esophageal cancer in most areas of the world just like tobacco smoking which is known by many people as a huge cancer risk. Classic ecologic and case-control studies by Tuyns and others in the 1970s and 1980s in his study Cancer of the esophagus: further evidence of the relation to drinking habits in France, established alcohol as a strong cause of esophageal cancer in many countries, and showed that alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking interact to increase esophageal cancer risk in a multiplicative manner. IARC has classified alcohol drinking as a known cause of esophageal cancer.

Generally, it has been found that excessive alcohol consumption is a cause of esophageal cancer however alcohol abuse increases the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma than it does with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA), but these are just different sides of the same coin-esophageal cancer. When used in excessive amounts (3 or more drinks per day), alcohol has almost universally been associated with an elevated risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; it typically increases risk by 3–5 fold. In contrast, there is little evidence for an association between alcohol drinking and esophageal adenocarcinoma. However, the majority of the case-control and cohort studies that have investigated this association have found no overall relationship between alcohol consumption and esophageal adenocarcinoma, or have found relatively weak associations between alcohol and esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Nevertheless there has been some sort of controversy on this issue as some researchers have opined that some studies have suggested that only certain types of alcohol may be have effects on esophageal adenocarcinoma. for instance in this study; Obesity, alcohol, and tobacco as risk factors for cancers of the esophagus and gastric cardia: adenocarcinoma versus squamous cell carcinoma, done by Vaughan TL, Davis S, Kristal A, Thomas DB in 1995, the reports suggests that drinking wine may reduce risk. However no other study has come up to support these findings.

Esophageal Cancer In the past the link between alcohol and cancer was not easy to establish since alcohol itself does not bind DNA, is not mutagenic, and does not cause cancer in animals but there are mechanisms that have been known that has since helped to establish the link between alcohol abuse and increased risk of certain cancers. One of these mechanisms is that it is converted to acetaldehyde which is harmful as it causes DNA alteration leading to gene mutation which escalates risks to cancer. Alcohol is also a solvent to other mutagens and also causes nutritional deficiency.

Drug addiction is a vice that should be fought by all means that is why we at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are committed to availing help to addicts and offering them a place to call home. We offer NER Treatment and Amino acid therapy that are the most effective approaches to addiction treatment and recovery. You call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) today and begin your journey to victory against addiction.

Alcohol Abuse and Esophageal Cancer

Gut Inflammation and Cytokines

January 9, 2015

Gut Inflammation

The digestive system plays a major role in food digestion as well as absorption of nutrients into the blood stream. It is important for the overall functioning of the body. When the digestive system is not working properly it can lead to development of gastrointestinal diseases and illnesses.

The bowel wall can be destroyed by conditions such as Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel diseases and ulcerative colitis. The conditions lead to poor absorption of nutrients, weight loss, abdominal pains, rectal bleeding among others. To correct the situation a patient is required to undergo surgery in most cases.

Cytokines

They are chemical messenger that act as signals for the immune system and neuromodulators. Cytokines can be either anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory. An imbalance in cytokines cause autoimmune disorders.

Cytokines are in form of proteins as well as glycoproteins that regulate immune functions and inflammation. They enhance the growth of cells as well as their differentiation and death.

Homeostasis in the intestines highly depends on the ability of the immune system of the intestines to withstand micro flora while at the same time providing protection against bacterial invasion. Normally, the dendritic cells of the gut induce T-cells differentiation.

Gut Inflammation

T-cells produce secretions that enhance suppression of cytokines that in turn prevent abnormal immune responses. Pathogens enhance a response that triggers activation of immune cells and this ends up causing inflammation.

Inflammatory cytokines like IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-6, IL-15, IL-21 and TNFa stimulate T-cells that are cytotoxic. These are the ones that attack the gut mucosa. The mucosa is the lining of the small intestines. When cytokines attack the mucosa it can lead to conditions such as inflammatory bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease. It can also lead to leaky gut syndrome.

The small intestines are useful not only in food digestion but absorption of nutrients from the digested food into the blood stream. When the small intestines re affected the digestive and nutrition functions are affected too.

Some immune system aspects aid in the suppression of inflammation aspects and thereby inhibiting destruction of tissues that is caused by active T-cells. This is made possible by T regulatory cells that work to counterbalance the active T-cells that attack the mucosa. T regulatory cells reduce the risks of getting immune diseases that end up attacking the tissues of the body like Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

Natural Compounds That Target Pro-inflammatory Cytokines

Besides the T-regulatory cells, there are several natural compounds that can also work to suppress the cytokines that cause gut inflammation.

Curcumin: studies have shown that curcumin acts as an agent of anti-inflammation. Curcumin works by targeting a number of cytokines that are responsible for gut inflammation. These cytokines include among others IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-21 and TNFα. Curcumin combines with cyclosporine to bring about this effect.

Fish Oil: it contains properties of anti-inflammation. These properties have been shown to have the ability of suppressing cytokine that cause inflammation like IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-15 and TNFα. The Omega-3 property in fish oil is responsible for this.

Studies have shown that Omega-3 suppresses these inflammatory cytokines that lead to gut inflammation. In addition to this, fish oil stimulates the body to produce anti-inflammatory cytokines that enhances a decrease of cytotoxic T-cells.

Resveratrol: just like the other natural compounds, resveratrol works by suppressing inflammation causing cytokines. Such cytokine include; IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6 and TNFa. It works by reducing the ability of the T-cells to reach the gut mucosa. This thereby inhibits gut inflammation.

Trans-Resveratrol: it is used to reduce the activation of T-cells in the body. This is by suppressing cytokines involved in activating inflammation agents.

Tea Polyphenols: both black and green tea contains compounds that have been shown to act as strong agents of anti-inflammation. The compound in the tea inhibits the activations of cytokines such as IL-1β, Il-2, IL-6 and TNFα which cause inflammation of the gut.

inflammation

Quercetin: this natural compound is found in things like onions, citrus fruits, apples and grapes. The compound inhibits the activation of inflammatory cytokines like IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-15 and TNFα.

Vitamin D3: Vitamin D3 works as an anti-inflammatory compound when it comes to gut inflammation. It has been shown to control inflammatory toxics like IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα which affect the mucosa causing inflammation.

High Proanthocyanidin Grape Seed Extract: grape seed contain a certain compound that is used to reduce the level of Th17 in the body. It also controls immune responses that tend to be aggressive in nature. It controls the differentiation of active T-cells serving as an autoimmune disease and inflammatory agent.

N-Acetyl Cysteine: this compound when combined with vitamin B lowers the levels of homocysteine thus improving the functioning of endothelial. It also works by suppressing the active inflammatory cytokines like TNFα in patients who receive lung transplants. TNFa makes a patient’s body reject transplants but in combination with vitamin B this is no longer a problem.

Contact Dr. Dalal Akoury today, for more information about gut inflammation. For more wellness and awareness tips just visit www.awaremednetwork.com today. AwareMed is the place to be to find any information about health.

Gut Inflammation and Cytokines

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