Metabolic Syndrome Explained

 Metabolic Syndrome - what is it?  If you are diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, you  simultaneously have three or more disorders related to your metabolism.  Three common disorders that occur include obesity, high blood pressure and high levels of blood sugar.  An 'apple' shaped physique is also a common sign that accompanies metabolic syndrome.  Several factors that can increase your possibility of having metabolic syndrome are age,  race (Hispanics and Asians have higher rates of risk than other races), obesity, history of diabetes (familial or gestational), hypertension, cardiovascular disease, PCOS, female hormonal pathologies, and high cholesterol.  If you have been diagnosed with any of the above or are borderline for the same, do something about it today.  Diet, exercise and lifestyle change can mean the difference of living a long and healthy life or a shorter version full of suffering.  The choice is yours to make...choose wisely.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you have been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, call or telephone my office today.  I will design a personalized Wellness Program for you that will gradually incorporate food choices, exercise and lifestyle changes to get you fit and healthy!

Come Clean Inside and Out

It never ceases to baffle me how fear stops so many people from living their lives fully and with happiness.  Inertia not only prevents us from moving forward, but it stops all relationships around us from growing,  In fact, over time, fear becomes a 'cancer'.  It spreads...manifesting itself via emotional and physical maladies.  It shows on the outside as well - skin eruptions, weight gain/loss, fatigue-induced injuries, limp hair; the list goes on and on.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Whatever it is that stops you from doing your life, stop IT!  Change your motis operandum, look at the 'beast' directly in the eyes, and just kill it....before it tries to kill you.  You'll sleep better, your life will be happier - more fulfilled, and the relationships in your life will flourish.

Vascular Dementia - Another Reason Why You MUST Take Good Care of Yourself!

This weekend, I found out that one of my oldest and dearest friends has vascular dementia.  My friend was (and still is..his illness aside) a brilliant man.  He invented the first solar/wind collector and developed hydroponic farming using his system.  These units are still in use over 30 years later; sometimes, I look up at various buildings in Manhattan and there they are; still going strong.  He was a NASA scientist, financier, philanthropist and one of the funniest and best friends anyone could hope for.  Now, he gets lost going around the block.  Currently, he is in a group home, being well-cared for...a victim of many mini-strokes that followed massive strokes experienced during the past several years.
Vascular dementia can be prevented and here are some facts you should know about this condition:

Courtesy the Mayo Clinic, here is the definition of vascular dementia:
Vascular dementia is an umbrella term that describes impairments in cognitive function caused by problems in blood vessels that feed the brain.

In some cases, a blood vessel may be completely blocked, causing a stroke. Not all strokes cause vascular dementia. It depends on the severity of the stroke, where the stroke occurred and the portion of the brain that's affected. Vascular dementia also can occur when blood vessels in the brain narrow, reducing the amount of blood flow to those sections of the brain.

Risk Factors Include:
■Increasing age. This is one of the biggest risk factors for vascular dementia. The disorder is rare before the age of 65. And people in their 80s and 90s are much more likely to have vascular dementia than people in their 60s and 70s.
■History of stroke. The brain damage that occurs with strokes appears to increase the risk of developing dementia.
■Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis occurs when plaque builds up in your arteries and narrows your blood vessels. This can increase your risk of vascular dementia.
■High blood pressure. Hypertension puts extra pressure on blood vessels throughout the body. This increases the risk of vascular problems in the brain.
■Diabetes. High glucose levels damage blood vessels throughout the body, increasing the risk of stroke and other vascular problems in the brain.
■Smoking. Smoking increases the risk of hardening of the arteries and other vascular diseases, including vascular dementia.
■High cholesterol. High levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) are associated with an increased risk of vascular dementia, and possibly with a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  For years, I would get on my friend's case about what he ate, drank, weight and exercise - he'd always laugh at me and tell me to stop worrying about him.  When I tell YOU to stop smoking, watch your weight, sugar and blood pressure, listen to me, please.  I don't want any of you to experience what this great man is living through.  If you have any of the above-mentioned conditions, start becoming pro-active and get yourself into a wellness program.  Every little bit counts and above all, you gotta have hope!

Fish is Great For Your Health But Watch Out For Too Much Mercury!

Omega-3 fats are fabulous for your bones, joints and metabolism in general.  But the great cold water fish such as chilean sea bass & cod are found to contain high levels of mercury.  High levels of mercury can result in elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressures.  Pregnant and nursing women should limit their intake of fish high in mercury.  Salmon contains lower in mercury levels or uncontaminated fish oil supplements (300mga DHA per day) will give you all the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids without the risks of mercury.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you don't have one, invest in a George Forman grill or an apparatus like it.  Grill your fish and beefsteak tomatoes.  It's low fat, tastes delicious, easy to prepare and cook and takes just about 15 minutes of your life to eat well!!

Blood Thinners: Watch for Side Effects

Now here's something you might not think about everyday, but...when you're taking a blood thinner for clots, like in DVT(deep venous thrombosis), one of the side effects is internal bleeding.
Since many factors can affect the way your body reacts to this blood thinning medicine, you should always watch for signs of unusual bleeding. Unusual bleeding may mean that your body is getting more medicine than it needs. Some signs are obvious, but others are not. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following signs of bleeding occur:

• Abdominal or stomach pain or swelling
• Back pain or backaches
• Black, tarry or bloody stools
• Bleeding from your gums when brushing your teeth
• Bleeding in eye
• Blood in your urine
• Blood in vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Blurred vision
• Chest pain
• Confusion
• Constipation
• Coughing up blood
• Diarrhea (sudden and severe)
• Dizziness or fainting
• Headache (continuing or severe)
• Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting (severe)
• Nervousness
• Nosebleeds
• Numbness or tingling of hands, feet, or face
• Paralysis
• Pinpoint red spots on skin
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Unusually heavy bleeding or oozing from cuts or wounds
• Unusually heavy or unexpected menstrual bleeding
• Weakness (sudden)