Childhood Obesity Diseases

Childhood obesity can lead to some severe diseases in children, which can be detrimental for their health and will also lead to severe issues in their adult life. It has been seen that childhood obesity increases the risks of cardio vascular diseases in the later stages of life. Such people also suffer from early symptoms of diabetes and fluctuations in blood pressure. There are various other dangerous diseases, which may be caused if obesity levels are not controlled and the consumption of unhealthy foods are not restricted.

The number of overweight children has risen dramatically over the past two decades and the diseases, which had once been common diseases found in middle-aged adults, are being seen in children. These include the type ‘2′ diabetes, gallstones and liver failure, which are now prevalent in children and have been fatal in many cases. Children today are seen to be aging before their time and they are also showing symptoms of breathing disorders, sleep problems and bone-and-joint complications and hypertension.

It has been proven through researches that more than 34 percent of children in the U.S., between the ages of 6 – 19, are overweight. This has been revealed by the National Center for Health Statistics, which has also stated that these children are at greater risk of developing heart disease and cancer. It has been seen that obesity in adulthood is likely to be more severe, if the problem of being over weight begins before age 8. Type ‘2′ diabetes, which had formerly known as adult-onset diabetes, is now being seen in children.

Statistics reveal that 45 percent of new diagnoses of diabetes have been seen in children and adolescents. Unlike juvenile diabetes, which is mainly type 1, this type 2 diabetes is linked to weight and can be fatal if not controlled. The Future of Children and National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys show that almost 18% of the children in the U.S are obese. About 8% of the elementary schools have physical education classes while the others don’t. Almost 20% of the children consume more than four sodas a day.

Here the parents should realize they have the responsibility to alter the poor eating habits in their children and urge them to eat healthy. This can be done with just a few changes, and foods like macaroni and cheese or pizza, should be made healthier and can be cooked at home. Avoid refined flour and opt for whole wheat bread and pasta also the portion sizes need to be considered as well. Even the cereal should be checked for sugar and calorie content and only the required portion should be served.

You should also remove the calorie-rich temptations from home and these include ice creams, sodas and chocolates. Restrict these eating temptations to weekends and make sure that they get the same during weekends, or else they might steal and eat these foods or have them without your knowledge. These are some of the factors that parents should consider to ensure that their children eat healthy foods and are able to remain free from childhood obesity diseases.

Read more on <a href="http://www.herbalcureindia.com/weight-loss.html">Herbal Cure Obesity</a> and <a href="http://www.herbalcureindia.com/home-remedies/overweight.html">Herbal Remedies for Obesity</a><br><a href="http://herbalcureindia.com/">Herbal Supplements</a>: Herbalcureindia carries ayurvedic herbs, ayurvedic products and ayurvedic herbal remedies to aid with ayurvedic treatment methods. At herbalcureindia we are focused on providing our customers with the highest quality Ayurvedic herbs possible.

Pancreatic Cancer HSP Trials

Pancreatic Cancer HSP trials began in 1997 for a Phase I study to involve fifteen patients through the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.   HSP or heat-shock proteins are a of group proteins that are present in all cells.  HSP are often identified during stressful situations such as extreme cold and hot conditions, and during deprivation of oxygen or glucose.   Heat-shock proteins are often referred as the stress proteins.

Heat-shock proteins are the protein assistants of the cell.  They have a library of every protein ever coded in the body.  HSP understand the shape and the function of every amino acid sequence.  If one amino acid sequence is not correct and a protein is not folded correctly the HSP is there to make sure that “neat and tidy” for the cell so the proteins are functioning at optimal level.   

Heat-shock proteins are normally found inside the cell to help with protein functioning.  If heat-shock proteins are found on the outside of the cell it means that the cell is not healthy. 

When proteins are no longer useful the heat-shock proteins escort them to be dismantled by the cell into small amino acid pieces called peptides.   The HSP then load the peptides onto another protein called major histocompatability complex (MHC).  The fully loaded MHC takes the amino acid fragments (peptides) to the surface of the cell where the immune system is ready and waiting to react to the unfamiliar proteins. 

When the cell dies it discharges the HSP and the peptide fragments of the extraneous protein.   Circulating immune system dendritic cells or macrophages, referred to as antigen-presenting cells (APC), detect the HSP-peptide fragments.  The HSP assist with loading the peptide fragments onto the CD91 receptor of the APC cell surface.   The APC then swallow-up the HSP-peptide complexes.   Once fully engulfed, the APC travel to the lymph nodes, the foundation of the immune system, where specialized immune cells called T- cells read the amino acid peptides sequences. The T-cells are able to code for a defense against that specific amino acid sequence.   The T-cells are subsequently programmed to go through the body to seek out the specific foreign proteins and destroy the alien amino acid sequences.  The T-cells are specific, being programmed to destroy the exact amino acid sequence that it was coded for and no other protein sequence. 

When the body receives immunization with a sterile disease (vaccine) the body will recognize the disease-coded vaccine with the help of HSPs and the T-cells are activated and ready to fight off the disease.  If the body is not immunized then the body has not built up a defensive system that is ready to combat the disorder.

Heat shock protein vaccines focus on individual vaccines specifically developed for each patient.  Everybody has a detailed amino acid sequence in their cells that are explicitly coded for them.  The HSP vaccine thus are “tailor-made” designer-drug style of vaccine to meet the specific requirements for each individual person.

Heat-shock proteins appear to work similar with cancer cells as with other diseases. Cancer can be removed from an individual and clinically weakened.  The weakened cells can be injected back into the same patient.  Heat-shock proteins keep track of every protein that is ever in the cell including abnormal proteins.  If the weakened cells are injected into the body the heat-shock proteins will recognize that they are abnormal, bind against the abnormal proteins and bring to the surface of the cell.   By bringing them to the surface the body’s immune systems recognizes an abnormal cell and builds up the defense.  When a more powerful cancer occurs of that type the body’s immune systems is ready and quickly creates antibodies to counteract the abnormal proteins and removes the ailing cells.     

With pancreatic cancer, the average survival rate is only 6 months by the time it is typically detected with only one in five patients surviving past one year.

During the 1997 pancreatic cancer HSP trials, the pancreatic enzymes began to degrade the HSPs.  Only five of the 15 patients slated for the pancreatic cancer HSP trial could get the pancreatic cancer HSP vaccine.  Due to the pancreatic enzymatic activity and the destruction of the heat-shock proteins, the trial was suspended.  Of those five patients that were treated with the heat-shock protein procedure their survival rate was 8, 17, 30, 33, and 36 months after the procedure.  The patient living for 36 months after the procedure did not have any signs of pancreatic cancer at the time. These five patients in the 1997 pancreatic cancer HSP study show very promising results in the heat-shock protein treatment technique.   Since then, scientists have discovered a method to prevent pancreatic enzyme destruction of the heat-shock proteins.  Study for Phase II pancreatic cancer HSP trials have been filled and are currently underway.

About the Author

Improvement to cancer treatment is a continued challenge. Understanding the complexities of cancer and the treatment models are very critical. At http://www.scientificprinciple.org pancreatic cancer is a major focus.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

Foot Care Advice For Diabetics

Diabetics have special considerations to keep in mind when caring for their feet. What follows is a simple guide to ways in which diabetics can protect their feet and avoid foot problems that can lead to wounds, infections, and possibly amputations.

Wearing Shoes At All Times:

Although most people don’t realize it, the ground is full of dangers to the diabetic foot. Most all diabetics have some form of poor foot sensation (neuropathy). Although normally painful, diabetics may not feel anything when they step on a sharp object, or they may feel a sensation that is too dull to notice. This becomes a problem as diabetics generally heal poorly from puncture wounds to the feet, and are much more likely to develop an infection from the bacteria living on the object puncturing the skin. This object can occasionally penetrate deep into the foot. Unfortunately, most puncture wounds that go deep are not visible on the skin, as the objects causing this tend to be small (for example, a sewing needle). These deep infections are not noticed until they are severe enough to cause redness, swelling, and sometimes drainage if fluid is able to work its way to the surface. Most of the time these deep infections require surgery to drain the infection, and if ignored long enough, sometimes removal of bone or amputation of part of the foot is necessary. These problems can be easily prevented by wearing shoes at all times. Shoes in general will protect the foot from most puncture wounds. It is vitally important that shoes be worn at home as well, since the majority of puncture wounds seen in our offices occurred in the home. A dedicated clean ‘house shoe’ is recommended, but even a slipper with a thick sole will do. Finally, it is important to quickly inspect the inside of one’s shoes or slippers, as occasionally objects fall into them.

Inspecting One’s Feet Daily:

Daily foot inspections are vitally important for diabetics. When a diabetic cannot feel sensation properly in their feet, they will not be aware of injuries or problems in the feet that a non-diabetic will easily feel. Another common problem is the development of wounds in a diabetic. A diabetic with poor sensation (neuropathy) will not necessarily feel a wound on the bottom of their foot, and the wound can fester for weeks before it is noticed. At that point, many of these wounds need powerful antibiotics, possible hospitalization, possible surgery, or even possible amputation. Wounds can develop from something as simple as poorly fitting shoes rubbing on the skin, or even silently under corns and calluses that become thicker and thicker from pressure between the foot, the ground, and one’s own shoe. Corns and calluses are the skin’s way of protecting itself from excessive pressure, but if they become too thick the normal skin underneath will die, forming an ulcer or cavity. The corn or callus will remain on top looking like normal, if not thickened, skin, but a deepening wound continues to worsen underneath. Although this is a painful process, diabetics with poor sensation will not feel it, and eventually the area may become infected. Simply put, a daily inspection will catch any visible foot problems before they have a chance to worsen and cause serious problems. It should be done at night before going to bed, to catch any problems that occurred that day. One needs to look at the bottom and top of the foot, the sides, the heel, and in between the toes. If seeing the bottom of the foot is difficult due to arthritis or an inability to bend the back or legs, one may use a hand mirror on the ground and wave the foot over it to see the sole of the foot. The inspection should look for redness, bruises, blisters, wounds, cuts, scrapes, new swelling, excessive skin warmth, or new derangement of joints or of the toes. If any of these things are seen, one should call a foot specialist first thing in the morning. If the foot has a wound that is draining, red, and hot, or if the foot looks newly deformed or is warm to the touch with redness and without a wound, one should proceed to the nearest emergency room or urgent care center immediately, as a serious infection or injury could be occurring.

Wearing Properly Fitting Shoes:

A diabetic cannot afford to wear an improperly fitting shoe. Improperly fitting shoes will cause pressure and rubbing on the skin, which will eventually lead to blisters and wounds. This obviously applies to tight shoes, but it also applies to shoes sized too big. When a shoe is too big, the foot will slide backwards and forwards like a piston within the shoe itself, causing friction blisters to form and jamming of the toes at the end of the shoe, which can also lead to wounds. It is important that diabetics get properly measured at the shoe store every time shoes are bought to ensure the best fit. Diabetics should purchase shoes from a store which is staffed with employees trained to help with shoe fitting, and preferably who are knowledgeable about the brands they carry. Fitting is best done in the late afternoon, when foot/leg swelling (edema) is at its greatest. Additionally, if one has a foot that is bigger than the other, the bigger shoe size determines which size to get, as one does not want to wear a smaller size shoe on the bigger foot. Most people with different sized feet have only a half size difference. If the size is more than that, such as 1-2 sizes different or more, then one must consider buying different sized shoes for each feet.

Checking Hot Water Temperature:

Part of diabetic neuropathy could include poor sensation of temperature. Diabetics can easily misjudge the true temperature of water and scald their feet in a bathtub. The foot is more likely to lose this temperature sensation than the hands, which can still lose temperature sensation in advanced neuropathy cases. The arms, however, will generally maintain temperature sensation. Simply put, it is much safer to check bath or hot tub water temperature with the forearms than it is with the feet or hands, avoiding the risk of scalding the feet.

Moisturizing Feet Daily:

Dry feet are often a problem for diabetics, as the high blood sugar will cause a decrease in the body’s natural sweating mechanism. This will result in dry skin, which is worsened in the winter months. Dry skin that is simply flaky is not so much of a problem as dry skin that forms cracks and fissures. Cracks and fissures, especially in weight-bearing areas like the heel and ball of the foot, can often lead to wounds and even infections. Any skin crack in a diabetic that is open or bleeding needs to be evaluated by a foot care specialist for immediate attention and treatment before it can become a more significant problem. Unfortunately, even skin that is simply dry and flaky can eventually progress to cracks and fissures. This is why it is important for diabetics to regularly moisturize their feet and legs. Typically most diabetics need to moisturize their feet each day for proper hydration. During the winter months this may be necessary 2-3 times per day. Some diabetics may even need prescription strength moisturizers if the dryness is not improving. It is very important not to apply moisturizers in between the toes, as this can sometimes lead to skin breakdown in between the toes and can lead to infection. Contrary to popular belief, soaking the feet will often lead to increased dryness as the water and soap or epsom salt solution will leach the skin’s moisture, causing even more of a problem after the skin dries. Unless necessary for a therapy or post-surgical treatment course, it is a good idea for diabetics not to soak their feet regularly.

Never Performing “ Bathroom Surgery”:

Simply stated, diabetics should never try to cut any part of their foot skin for any reason. Not only is working on oneself difficult due to poor positioning and reach, but poor sensation in diabetes can allow for disastrous injuries inflicted to one’s own foot. All skin lesions or hard spots should be treated by a professional, and preferably a podiatrist. Although a corn may not seem like a big deal, the fact of the matter is that improper treatment of painful skin lesions at home often lead to wounds that take a long time to heal, infections that persist, and sometimes even amputations. A simpler solution to dealing with hard skin lesions at home is to gently file them a little bit every several days after bathing using a fine emery board or pumice stone/block. After bathing the skin is softer, and will file easier. However, one must still be cautious, as aggressive filing can cause superficial wounds to the skin as well.

About the Author

Dr. Kilberg provides compassionate and complete foot and ankle care to adults and children in the Indianapolis area. He is board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, and is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association. He enjoys providing comprehensive foot health information to the online community to help the public better understand their feet. Visit his practice website at http://www.inpodiatrygroup.com

Article Source: Content for Reprint