Tag Archives: Cushing’s syndrome

Vitamin D as a Seasonal Stress Hormone

May 3, 2015

Vitamin D as A Kind of “Seasonal Stress Hormone,” Chronobiological Stress Hormones.

Vitamin DThe benefits that a person can draw from vitamin D are too much to be listed. We know that one of the reasons that make people bask in the sun is to help in the synthesis of this crucial vitamin. Without this vitamin there are several ailments that a person is bound to suffer from. Basic knowledge of vitamin D is that it helps in strengthening bones of teeth but it has far more benefits that many people have never known of, one of its many benefits is that it is a chronobiological Stress Hormone

Vitamin D as a Chronobiological Stress Hormone

If you haven’t taken to basking in the sun seriously, it is time you need to begin doing so for as Alexander Wunsch has it, vitamin D is a kind of “seasonal stress hormone,” explaining that chronobiological stress hormones such as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and adrenaline-cortisol hormone blends are what enable you to get up in the morning, and help regulate the blood sugar concentration in your body, just to name a couple of their functions. According to Wunsch, Vitamin D has greater importance that if the sun would stop shining then very many creatures will lose life.

the sun should shine but we have summer and winter among other crucial seasons, in these seasons the body ought to balance the thermal energy so as to ensure optimal health, during the summer the main focus of the body is to concentrate on cooling down the system while during the winter the focus of the body is to concentrate on heating the system. Therefore it is prudent for a person to bask in the sun during the summer, laying naked in the sun as that’s the best way to get more of the light, digest enough of the energy that is eventually is transformed into thermal energy.

As it has been taught, learnt and rehearsed, vitamin D has very vital functions for our health. There is need for this crucial hormone to ensure that our systems perform optimally. Our bodies are dependent on this crucial vitamin that is sourced from nature’s shine. The need for this crucial vitamin can’t be erased by the fact that some of us are not fortunate enough to live in areas where there is perpetual sunshine but are rather barred by cold weather from getting adequate sun exposure. it is therefore required of people in this areas to eat foods that are rich in Vitamin D to help in its supplementation but whenever there is a slight chance to bask in the sun, the chance should be utilized as the sun is the best source of vitamin D. in other scenarios when the lack of this vitamin may cause to even bigger health risks, it is advisable for the victim to seek Sun therapy.

Heliotherapy

Heliotherapy is a better idea to help equip the body impoverished of vitamin D. heliotherapy involves exposing oneself to sunlight or UV light from sources which are safe. exposure to sunlight may expose you to risk of skin cancer as have been taught but the intensity that cause cancer is rarely actualized, therefore it is prudent to say that the benefits that you can draw from basking in the sun far outweighs the risks. In the past before the risk of cancer began scaring us, the sun therapy was already being used to treat such diseases as rickets, tuberculosis and other diseases caused by vitamin D deficiency. Risk or no risk we need to accept the reality that we need sun at certain dosages and levels to ensure that our systems are working efficiently without flaws.

Vitamin DThere is something that many people have never known; your capillaries are modified under the sun and that the skin is linked to the autonomic nervous system, vitamin D is also a seasonal stress hormone popularly known as a chronobiological stress hormone. This is a phenomenon that needs no rocket science to be proven; if you are keen you will realize that after basking in the sun your stress levels go down and this is not the only benefit, there is more you will gain when you look far beyond the UVB portion of the spectrum. The UVB helps in synthesis of vitamin D.

According to Wunsch the sun is a life giver; “We all should be aware of the fact that when the sun was to stop shining, nothing would be alive in two or three days on this planet,” Wunsch says.

“When we are eating, we are eating transformed light. We can prove this scientifically, as you know. I think even if we are not able to estimate the influence light has on our biological system as a whole, it starts on the single cell level and it ends in our consciousness, in our mental functions. Light is a symbol in our culture, which will always be our companion.” he concludes

conference

From what we have gathered in research findings and the massive research work by Alexander wunsch we can conclude that vitamin D is a crucial part of our health and is also a therapy for seasonal stress. Basking in the sun helps relieve stress and therefore there is lots of reason in concluding that vitamin D, the sunshine hormone is seasonal stress hormone that everybody should consider supplementing.

Vitamin D as A Kind of “Seasonal Stress Hormone,” Chronobiological Stress Hormones.

 

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Food Allergies Causing Weight Gain?

January 8, 2015

Food Allergies and Weight Gain

The digestive system plays an important role in our bodies. When something goes wrong with the digestive system, the whole body is seizes to function normally. When food is digested well, it gives you the energy to continue with day to day activities.

The digestive system and weight gain go hand in hand. Your digestion might be responsible for that additional weight you are experiencing. This is hard to believe but it is true. Food allergies affect your digestive system and this may be causing you to gain extra pounds.

Food allergies vary form one person to another. Some people are allergic to proteins like peanuts or meat. Weight gain comes in when the digestive system is dysfunctional. How? You may wonder.

Normally what you eat determines how your body reacts to it. It is common belief that only fats, sugars and carbohydrates contribute to excessive weight gain. So what do people do? They cut out their intake of these foods.

What you don’t know is maybe your gaining weight is not associated with your intake of carbohydrates or fats. If you have food allergies and you are noticing a change in your weight that may be the cause. Weight gain just like food allergies is very frustrating to live with.

Food Allergies

The Food Allergies Question

The connection between food allergies and weight gain is associated with the functioning of different systems in the body. I am talking about an association of the gut, detoxification system, immune system and hormones. All these are connected and work together for normal body functioning. When it comes to allergies they all play a part in enhancing weight gain.

Food allergies are causatives for inflammation. The relationship between inflammation, food allergies and weight gain is indispensable. Inflammation leads to the hormone that controls weight becoming less effective. This is what causes weight gain.

Not all people with food allergies will become fat. Others tend to lose weight because their food allergies mess up their digestive systems. This has impact on nutrition.

On the other hand people whose food allergies impact on their organs and not the digestive system are likely to be candidates of weight gain as a result of inflammation.

Sometimes inflammation manifests itself clearly. In this case you will experience signs such as pain, redness, sudden warmth among others. Like those people who experience soreness when they eat certain foods such as peanuts. Chronic inflammation on the other hand occurs silently and you can’t notice inflammation.

In case you are already obese, you may not realize that you are having silent inflammation. As we continue adding weight, the body does not reciprocate by adding more fat cells. This is because the fat cells in the body have already increased in size due to deposit of fat in them. The fat then leaks out due to too much stretching.

The body then produces macrophages which are immune related cells to clean up the fat that has leaked out. These cells produce inflammatory chemical substances which have an impact on overweight.

The food you eat may be the source of these inflammations leading to allergic reactions. The inflammation leads to weight gain. Some foods may cause bloating which is also a cause of weight gain. This is caused by the thriving of bad bacteria in the gut which could cause the good bacteria not to function properly to cater for nutrition functions and optimum body functioning.

Food Allergies

The Diet Question

The diet you are taking may contains some food which cause allergies. Silent allergies occur without you knowing. This means you might be taking foods which are causing an allergic reaction in your body but you don’t know. On the other hand some allergic reactions may manifest themselves openly. So what do you do to deal with weight loss when having food allergies?

Cut out the suspects: Some foods automatically cause allergic reactions. Some people react in a certain way to some foods. Health experts advise on cutting out your intake of such foods for at least six weeks. Some common food allergens include peanuts, gluten, eggs, yeast, dairy and corn. Try cutting these out from your diet for some time. Studies show that weight loss will occur if you cut out these foods.

Avoid intake of polished foods: some bacteria survive in the gut. Both good and bad bacteria can affect the gut causing bloating. Eating whole meals and a diet rich in fiber will ensure the good bacteria are able to carry out their functions as they should.

Take a daily dose of probiotics: the work of probiotics is to boost the healthy bacteria thriving in the gut. When this happens they are able to boost nutrition.

At AwareMed we believe that healthy is wealth. The expertise of Dr. Dalal Akouri has led to many patients finding home and consolation in her health and awareness tips that she provides them. She has wide experience on this topic and more. To get her advice just visit www.awaremednetwork.com.

Food Allergies and Weight Gain

 

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Skin Irritants: How to Get that Glowing Look

January 6, 2015

Fighting Common Skin Irritants for a Glowing Look – Prevention & Treatment of Irritants

Fighting Common Skin Irritants

Fighting common skin Irritants for a glowing facial look. And once you’re no longer exposed to the irritant or allergen, redness usually vanishes.

The beauty of the skin can easily be affected by a simple skin irritation and the sooner we get to serious business of fighting common skin irritants the better for a glowing and radiant looking skin. It is important to note that individuals with sensitive skin can easily trigger an irritation even by changing the kind of soap they use leading to an outbreak of redness, stinging and itching. Things that cause skin irritations are all around us even in our homes. In fact our homes harbor most of these common skin irritants including triple-antibiotic ointments, bandage adhesives, and jewelry that contains metals such as nickel. When your skin becomes inflamed after coming in contact with one of these substances or many more the condition is called contact dermatitis. People with sensitive skin can get two types of this condition:

Irrespective of the kind of dermatitis you’re suffering from doctor Akoury will be there to help you get well as well as fighting other common skin irritants for a glowing look.

Fighting Common Skin Irritants for a Glowing Look: Irritant Contact Dermatitis

This form of skin irritants is the most common one affecting about 80% of all reported cases. Like for instance when your skin get into contact with an irritating substance, you’ll often get a reaction that resembles a burn with red, chapped, and dry skin. This skin reaction tends to be more painful than itchy. Skin irritants contact dermatitis is naturally triggered by common substances we are exposed to in our day today life like:

  • Strong soaps
  • Acetone in nail polish removers
  • Drain cleaners
  • Acids
  • Detergents
  • Plants

How this affects vary depending on the sensitivity of individual patients skin. Individuals with high skin sensitivity can develop irritation from even mild soaps and detergents they use regularly. Besides that doing house activities where your skin can be exposed to cleaning products like detergents and waxes, this can wear down the protective barriers of your skin making your skin to be vulnerable for an attack by all these irritants. Typical irritant contact dermatitis symptoms include:

  • Dry, cracked skin
  • Mild skin swelling
  • Blisters or painful ulcers on the skin
  • Stiff, tight-feeling skin

Fighting Common Skin Irritants for a Glowing Look: Allergic Contact Dermatitis

This less common form is a true allergic reaction. In allergic contact dermatitis, the immune system responds to a substance that touches the skin. You can become allergic to the substance after one exposure or many. In fact, people can be exposed to a substance for long periods, even years, before developing an allergy. Common sources of allergic contact dermatitis include:

  • Fragrances
  • Preservatives
  • Cosmetics
  • Poison ivy
  • Topical antibiotics
  • Rubber or latex
  • Metals in jewelry, such as nickel

Some people are also allergic to over-the-counter topical triple-antibiotic ointments. All told, thousands of substances can cause allergic dermatitis. When a person who has become sensitized to an allergen becomes exposed by touching the substance, symptoms, such as itching and skin inflammation, are often delayed. They can show up anywhere from a few hours to as many as four days after contact. Symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis include:

  • Reddened skin
  • Darkened, leathery, cracked skin
  • Dry, scaly patches of skin
  • Burning or intense itching
  • Blisters that ooze
  • Hives
  • Sun sensitivity
  • Swelling in the eyes, face or genital area

In addition, some people get a form called photo allergic contact dermatitis. This type happens only after the skin touches certain substances and then comes in contact with sunlight. These substances may include:

Fighting Common Skin Irritants for a Glowing Look: Finding the Source of Skin Irritnts

If you suspect that a certain product or substance is causing your dermatitis, avoid it and watch whether your rash improves.

But it’s not always easy to pinpoint a specific cause. For example, your eyelids may be chronically dry, red and flaky, but what’s to blame: your eye shadow, eyeliner, makeup remover, or overnight eye cream?

Sometimes, people have no clue at all — they get a rash, but they can’t recall the substances that have touched their skin. Or their facial skin becomes inflamed, leading them to suspect a face product. In fact, they might have unwittingly transferred a substance from their hands to their face. The substance doesn’t affect the hands, but the more sensitive facial skin will react.

If you can’t figure out the source of irritation, see a dermatologist. He or she will quiz you about your job, household chores, hobbies, drug and cosmetics use, and other factors in order to gain clues about the root of the problem.

Your doctor may also do testing. No test can be performed for irritant contact dermatitis. But your doctor may do patch testing to see if you’re sensitive to various types of allergens that are known to cause dermatitis. Small patches of these substances are placed on your skin for one to two days so that your doctor can check if a rash develops.

Fighting Common Skin Irritants for a Glowing Look: Prevention & Treating Contact Dermatitis

To relieve itching, contact dermatitis is commonly treated with:

  • Oral or topical steroids
  • Oral antihistamines
  • Skin emollients
  • Oatmeal baths

Once you’re no longer exposed to the irritant or allergen, redness usually vanishes after a week. But itching, scaling, and temporary skin thickening may go on for days or weeks. You can also take steps to protect your sensitive skin from developing contact dermatitis. For example:

  • Once you’ve identified an offending substance, avoid it. Wear gloves or protective clothing to prevent exposing your skin to cleansers, weeds, and other substances during housework or yard work. If your skin makes contact, wash the substance off right away with soap and water.
  • Learn to recognize poison ivy and poison oak.
  • Use mild, unscented laundry detergent.
  • If you have sensitive facial skin, consider using gentle, soap-free, liquid cleansers. Or use a moisturizing soap that’s free of fragrance and dyes.
  • Don’t scrub your face vigorously with a rough washcloth or buff puff. Instead, cleanse gently and pat dry.
  • Avoid deodorant or antibacterial soaps.
  • Choose moisturizers, sunscreens, and cosmetics that are fragrance-free and don’t contain acids or botanical ingredients. Physical sun blocks that contain zinc oxide or titanium oxide are less likely to cause skin problems than chemical sunscreens.
  • Test cosmetics and personal care products before using. Apply a small amount of the new product twice a day to a small patch of skin near the inside of your elbow. If no irritation occurs in that spot after a week, you can try using the product.

Protect your skin by applying petroleum jelly or a thick, moisturizing cream two or three times a day. The objective of fighting common skin irritants may not be realized if the experts are not adequately involved. Therefore scheduling for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury an expert in skincare with over two decades experience of practice would be the starting point. The beauty of your skin is and must be your number one priority. Call doctor Akoury today for that very important appointment.

Fighting Common Skin Irritants for a Glowing Look – Prevention & Treatment of Irritants

 

 

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Understanding Hot Flashes And It’s Treatment

December 28, 2014

Understanding Hot Flashes And It’s Treatment

hot-flashesHot flushes sometimes called hot flushes refer to a quick sensation of heat and sometimes a red, flushed face and sweating.  This is a common problem, however the exact cause of hot flashes is not known, but may be related to changes in circulation that take place during menopause. Hot flashes happen when the blood vessels near the skin’s surface dilate to cool. A woman may also sweat to cool down her body. And some women have a rapid heart rate or chills. Hot flashes with sweating can also happen at night. These are called night sweats and may make it harder to sleep. Hot flushes may also be accompanied by a red neck. When affected the period that it takes to ease vary among women who are going through menopause. In some women the hot flashes may disappear after a week while in other women it will affect them for life. Hot flashes become less severe as time goes on.

 Symptoms of Hot Flashes in Women

Women may suffer the following symptoms when hit by hot flashes

The frequency of hot flashes varies; sometimes you may have many hot flushes in a day while in other times you will have few hot flashes that may subside after few minutes. Though they can affect you during the day, they are more common in the night. When a person is affected by a hot flush it may take more than a year but most hot flashes will stop on their own within five years. Though hot flashes can subside on their own it is important to seek medical help if the symptoms become too severe.

Causes of Hot Flashes in Women

The exact cause of hot flashes in women has never been known. Not every decline in hormones results in hot flashes. It is also true that some women can go through menopause without suffering from hot flashes. However here are some factors that have been thought to have a great bearing on the cause of hot flashes.

Medications and Foods

When a drug or a type of food is introduced to the body the body will react to it in a way. There are some drugs and foods that are thought to induce hot flashes. These medications may include raloxifene (Evista) and tamoxifen (Tamoxifen and Nolvadex). There are some drugs that may also produce effects that mimic hot flashes. Spices used in preparing foods like peppers can also induce feelings similar to menopause induce hot flashes.

Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are some of the emotional causes of hot flashes. In reaction to external stimuli the body may release the stress hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine, which pump up blood flow and produce a warming sensation throughout the body. External stimuli such as migraine may cause heat that spreads all over your face.

Changes in hormonal balance

A change in hormonal surroundings may cause hot flashes even if it is not related to menopause. It is believed that hypothalamus plays a bigger role in occurrence of hot flashes. This is because it is the part of brain that deals with the body temperatures therefore any conditions that affects the hypothalamus can result in abnormal rise in temperatures such as hot flashes.

hot-flashes-symptoms

Other risks associated with hot flashes include;

  • Women who smoke are more likely to get hot flashes.
  • A high body mass index (BMI) is associated with a higher frequency of hot flashes.
  • Physical inactivity. If you don’t exercise, you may be more likely to have hot flashes during menopause.
  • More African-American women report menopausal hot flashes than do women of European descent. Hot flashes are less common in women of Japanese and Chinese descent than in white European women.
  • Alcohol- Alcohol may induce hot flashes in some people. Generally it is thought that using drugs of reaction may escalate the probability of hot flashes occurring.

Treatments for Hot Flashes in Women

There both orthodox as well as natural treatments for hot flashes. The natural treatment for hot flashes may include;

  • Evening primrose oil is a botanical herb that is often used to treat hot flashes, although there is no scientific evidence to support this. Side effects include nausea and diarrhea. Women taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, should not take evening primrose oil.
  • Although there is no scientific evidence to support using flaxseed, it is thought to decrease the symptoms of menopause, particularly hot flashes. It’s also known as linseed.
  • Soy products. Plant estrogens, found in soy products, are thought to have weak estrogen-like effects that may reduce hot flashes. Soy foods, not supplements, are recommended.
  • Black cohosh. Some studies suggest that black cohosh may be helpful in the very short term (6 months or less) for treating hot flashes and night sweats. Side effects include gastrointestinal upset.

Hot flashes are just some of the known symptoms that may trouble your life during menopause. Just like any other serious disease, it is necessary that you seek medical help. Contact Dr. Dalal Akoury an expert in natural therapies on (843) 213-1480 for help.

Understanding Hot Flashes And It’s Treatment

 

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