A critical analysis of nine randomized trials, including almost 70,000 hypertensive patients, illustrates that reduction in heart rate due to beta-blockers, increases the risks of all-cause death, cardiovascular death, MI, stroke, and heart failure (p < 0.0001 for all).

Dr. Franz H. Messerli, from Columbia University, said that “pharmacologically induced bradycardia may lead to dyssynchrony between outgoing and reflected pulse wave, thereby increasing central aortic pressure and the hemodynamic burden to the target organs.”

A total of 22 randomized controlled trials were recognized, of which 9 included heart rate data. All told, 34,096 patients received beta-blockers, 30,139 received other antihypertensive drugs, and 3987 received placebo.

Patients treated beta-blocker, attained lower heart rates than did other patients, this heart rate lowering was linked to adverse cardiovascular events. Moreover, the slower the heart rate, the greater the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

In an accompanying editorial, Dr. Norman M. Kaplan, from the University of Texas, comments that the present research “adds another post-mortem explanation for the fall of beta-blockers, showing higher mortality associated with the slower heart rate they induce.”

He adds that “with this addition to the evidence, beta-blockers will surely remain as indicated for heart failure, for after MI, and for tachyarrhythmias, but no longer for hypertension in the absence of these compelling indications.”

This article is the property of http://www.HealthHeap.com
Copying and publishing any article from our site is strictly NOT allowed

Most of these health benefits of fish oil can be endorsed to the presence of Omega 3 essential fatty acids such as Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Other useful essential fatty acids include Alpha-linolenic acid or ALA and Gamma-linolenic acid or GLA.

The various kinds of fish which can be a rich source of fish oil are mackerel, rainbow trout, lake trout, halibut, herring, sardines, oysters, albacore tuna, tuna, turbot, pilchards, anchovies and salmon. The most famous names among these for obtaining fish oil are albacore tuna, herring, mackerel, sardines, lake trout and salmon.

The American Heart Association and some other groups recommend Omega-3s, the main fat found in fish and fish oil capsules, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Fish oil not only reduces heart diseases but it also has number of beneficial effects on different organs of the human body which are as follows.

Heart Disease

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), clinical trials have proved that omega 3 is helpful in reducing the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Fish oil, which contain abundant omega 3, therefore, reduces the risk of heart diseases and maintain heart’s rhythm. It lowers the levels of lowdensitylipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is bad cholesterol, and increases the highdensitylipoprotein (HDL) levels, which is the good one. Fish oil not only prevents accumulation of triglycerides (TG) but also reduces the level of surplus TG. Preliminary research has shown that fish oil can also be used for the prevention of atherosclerosis in the patients of coronary heart diseases (CHD). Thus fish oil is effective for the treatment of strokes and regular usage of fish oil can be helpful to avoid several sudden cardiac arrests.

Weight Loss

Fish oil also aids in the process of weight loss. Research has shown that fish oil improves the efficacy of physical exertion in reducing weight. Participants who were given fish oil diet manifest grater loss of weight as compared to those who did not consume fish oil diet. Exercise in combination with fish oil had a synergistic effect on the body shape and composition of the patients.

Blood Circulation

It has been proven, that fish oil is capable of improving blood circulation along with reduction in TG and serum cholesterol levels.

Immunity

It is believed that, with regular use of fish oil immunity can be increased thereby enabling you to oppose against common diseases such as cold, cough and flu. Omega three fatty acids present in fish oil benefit the immune system by effecting cytokines and eicosanoids present in our body. Researchers have also studied the effect of fish meal and fish oil on the immune system of pigs and found that, fish oil aided in the growth of the animals. Fish oil is also helpful to patients of lupus, a disease characterized by the attacks of immune system of the body on various organs and tissues. Fish oil reduced the pain and inflammation that may occur in joints, eyes, kidney, heart, blood vessels, lungs, nerves, etc. It also protects against associated fever, skin rashes and fatigue.

Inflammation

Fish oil has an anti-inflammatory property, that’s why it is successful in reducing inflammation in blood and tissues. Patients of chronic inflammatory diseases can take the advantage of fish oil. It is effective in treating gastrointestinal disorders, sprue, short bowel syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) including Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis, which are typical associated with intestine disorder. Patients suffering from Crohn’s disease have difficulty in absorption of vitamins, fats and essential supplements. In ulcerative colitis, fish oil inhibits the accretion of leukotriene on the colon. It should be noted that the anti inflammatory characteristic of fish oil is limited to reducing inflammation. Fish oil provides mild to moderate effect in preventing inflammation.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Research conducted at the Louisiana State University has proven that fatty acids are efficient in treating Alzheimer’s disease. Since fish oil is one of the best sources of essential fatty acids including EPA and DHA, it helps in Alzheimer disease. Researcher said that, fish provide higher content of omega three fatty acids to patients as it acts as a protective diet during Alzheimer disease and dementia.

Eye Disorders

It is well known that fish oil is good for its ability to improve vision as it contains vitamin A and E. It also helps in avoiding age related macular degeneration.

Skin Care

Fish oil improves the condition of poor and dry skin by making it shinny and glowing. It is useful in treating skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, itching, skin lesions, rashes and redness of skin. In case of psoriasis, the EPA in fish oil restricts the growth of pro-inflammatory agents by producing arachidonic acid. Fish oil can also be applied topically to obtain relief from psoriasis. Regular intake of fish oil capsules helps to retain the moisture of skin.

Pregnancy

Fish oil is highly useful for pregnant women as DHA present in it helps in the development of the eyes and brain of the baby. It may avoid premature births, low birth weight and miscarriage. Research conducted in Denmark, concluded that diet with poor amount of fish resulted in higher risk of premature or preterm babies. Moreover, when pregnant women use fish oil, the born offspring show better coordination between eye and hand. Thus it is essential to consume fish oil in any form during pregnancy for the overall development of the child and well being of the mother. However, cod liver oil, should not be used during pregnancy as it is rich in retinol and vitamin A.

Use with caution

Although fish oil can provide the same benefit as far as Omega-3 fats is concerned. If you do not have any heart disease, 2 or 3 portions of fish a week will fulfill the needed omega-3s, 2 grams a week. If you already have had a cardiovascular episode, you can add some capsules of fish oil to your diet but do not exceed 1 gram a day of Omega-3s.

This article is the property of http://www.HealthHeap.com
Copying and publishing any article from our site is strictly NOT allowed

Epilepsy is a common term that refers to a tendency to have continuing seizures. The brain sends and receives messages to make action possible. If there is an error to send or receive messages, a concise break in various or all of the brain’s tasks can happen. If this happens a person may have a seizure.

Epilepsy is typified by motiveless, chronic seizures that interrupt the nervous system and can cause mental and physical dysfunction. In the United States, about 2.5 million people are affected by epilepsy and seizures and about 10% of the American population is experienced at least one seizure during their life.

What causes epilepsy ?

There are many different conditions that affect the brain and become the causes of epilepsy.

• Stroke ( blockage of the blood supply to parts of the brain).
• Complications during childbirth.
• Infections (meningitis, encephalitis, cysticercoids, or brain swelling).
• Head trauma.
• Certain genetic disorders.

Definite causes of epilepsy cannot be still identified, in these cases, the cause may be labeled “idiopathic” or “cryptogenic.” inherited factors may contribute to the development of idiopathic epilepsy.

What is Seizure ?

When brain does not work properly and sometime disrupted neurological system, it is sign of seizure. It is also possible that some people have a single seizure at some time, but this does not mean that they have epilepsy. If a person has epilepsy it means they have more than one type of seizure cause in the brain.

There are various types of seizures. More than 30 different types of seizures have been described. People with diagnosed epilepsy often have only one type of seizure, while some experience more than one type. The term “epilepsy” can be used interchangeably with “seizure disorder.” Epilepsy is not infectious and causes no vulnerability to others.

What causes of Seizure ?

There can be different causes of seizures like

• Stress
• Workload
• Lights that flash at a certain speed
• The light of television screen or TV monitor
• A sudden loud noise
• Repetitive sounds
• Alcohol use
• Smoking
• Headache
• Menstruation
• Lack of rest
• Lack of sleep (Some people with epilepsy have seizures only during their sleep)

Classification of Epilepsies and Seizures

Seizures do not have any separate entity. It is a symptom of epilepsy. Epilepsy types are generally divide into two categories, which are based on the specific biological mechanisms involved in the seizure and the anatomical location of the seizure. The two types are

1. Partial seizures (focal or localized seizures): it occurs in one or more specific locations in the brain. In some cases, partial seizures can extend to wide area of the brain. They are probable to develop from some specific injuries, but in most cases the exact reasons are unidentified.
2. Generalized seizures: These seizures typically arise in both sides of the brain. Many types of these seizures are genetically based. There is usually normal neurological function.

Partial Seizures (Or Focal Seizures)

Partial seizure is the more common type of epilepsy. It generally defined as a disorder of neurons that starts on one side of the brain. The seizures are currently subcategorized as “simple” or “complex partial.”

• Simple Partial Seizures (Jacksonian epilepsy): In a simple partial seizure, patient does not lose his consciousness, but may experience confusion, jerking movements, stinging, or odd mental and emotional actions such as mild illusion, or extreme reaction to smell and taste. These patients usually have temporary weakness in certain muscles after the attack.
• Complex Partial Seizures: To some extent over 50% seizures in adults are complex partial type. About 80% of these seizures originate in the temporal lobe, the part of the brain located close to the ear. Patient can experience loss of decision power or judgment, unconscious or uncontrolled behavior, or even loss of realization. About 20% of these patients have seizures that start in the brain’s frontal lobes. Emotions can be exaggerated; some victims even appear to be intoxicated and after a few seconds, a patient may begin to perform recurring movements, such as chewing or smacking of lips. This situation usually last no more than 2 minutes. They may occur infrequently, or as repeatedly as daily. A throbbing headache may follow a complex partial seizure.

Generalized Seizures

Generalized seizures are caused by nerve cell disturbances that occur in more diffuse areas of the brain than do partial seizures. Therefore, they have a more serious effect on the patient. The subcategorized are tonic-clonic (grand mal) or absence (petit mal) seizures.

• Tonic-Clonic (Grand Mal) Seizure: In Tonic phase the muscles suddenly contract, causing the patient to fall and lose consciousness for about 10 – 30 seconds. In the next phase, called the clonic phase the muscles of patient begin to alternate between relaxation and stiffness. After this phase, the patient may lose urinary control. The seizure usually lasts 2 – 3 minutes, after which the patient remains unconscious for a short time and then awakens to confusion and extreme exhaustion.
• Absence (Petit Mal) Seizure: Absence seizures are brief losses of consciousness that occur for 3 – 30 seconds. Physical movement and loss of attention may stop for only a moment. Such seizures may pass unnoticed by others. The patient may experience attacks 50 to 100 times a day. About 25% of patients with petit mal develop grand mal seizures. An electroencephalogram (EEG) test that shows a specific brain wave pattern can usually identify these patients.

Epilepsy can be dangerous, if a condition called status epilepticus occurs. Physicians describe status epilepticus as a seizure that lasts for more than 30 minutes this condition can cause permanent brain damage. A patient can die as a result of illness, injury or trauma related to his/her condition or suddenly, for no apparent reason. The latter incidence is often referred to as SUDEP (Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy).

Treatment

Antiepileptic drugs are the most common forms of treatment. Surgery may be valid with certain types of epilepsy, when medication does not work effectively. Another option is vogus nerve stimulation, a recently approved therapy in which an electrical device is implanted in the affected person’s shoulder to periodically stimulate a cranial nerve. For persons with certain types of seizures, a special high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet may reduce seizures if other treatments do not work.

This article is the property of http://www.HealthHeap.com
Copying and publishing any article from our site is strictly NOT allowed

Though, the risk is still there, if the person develops migraines with aura, this migraine-protective gene in fact boosts their stroke risk.

“There is a reduced connection of migraine with aura with this gene, but if you have migraine with aura, the risk of stroke is multiplied,” said author, Dr. Tobias Kurth, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

While, using data from over 25,000 white women who took part in the Women’s Health Study, Tobias and his team came to know that around 18 % of the women have history of migraine.

Among the group, almost 40 % said they had migraines initiated with an aura. An aura is a visual disturbance, for instance, seeing flashing lights.
During the follow-up of 12 years, 625 women had cardiovascular diseases, such as a stroke, according to the study.

The researchers found that, women who carried a particular form of the gene MTHFR 677C; a gene that had been recommended by previous research as a possible bond between migraine (with aura) and stroke. They found that 11 % of them carried this gene variant.

However, the MTHFR 677C variant alone does not appear to increase the risk of cardiovascular disorders in women with the gene and a history of migraine with aura.

Kurth said “at the moment, we’re not suggesting genotyping for women with migraines with aura. The consequences (of having this gene) are completely unclear at present.”
Kurth also noted that researchers can’t explain the effect of this gene for men from this study.

In another expert’s opinion “the problem here is they’re trying to find the exact gene, and they’re getting estimations, but to isolate the exact gene is very difficult. This might be an association rather than a direct cause, so until more research is performed, screening isn’t justified,” said Dr. Keith Siller, medical director of the Comprehensive Stroke Care Center at New York.

This article is the property of http://www.HealthHeap.com
Copying and publishing any article from our site is strictly NOT allowed