COPD- Risk factors

Chronic Obstructed Pulmonary Disease ( COPD) is a non-communicable disease,  a chronic disease of the lungs.

The cause of COPD varies according to geographic area and socio-economic status.  In middle to high income countries tobacco smoke is the biggest health risk factor, this includes second-hand smoke and passive smoking.
In low income countries exposure to indoor pollution is the biggest risk factor, this pollution may be from:

• Biomass fuel used for heating and cooking
• Coal used for heating and household use

Even with non-smokers the health risk from biomass fuel is high.

Other risk factors for COPD are:

• Frequent lower respiratory infections in childhood
• Occupational chemicals and fumes

Protecting one's health from COPD involves certain lifestyles. Choosing to live and work in a clean air environment will contribute to the prevention of lung disease.

Smoking cessation  will protect health from COPD as well as  all non-communicable diseases and lung cancer.

Taking control of your health to prevent COPD will also protect you from cancer, diabetes, heart disease, strokes and premature deaths.

Learn how to become your first health insurance and prevent all noncommunicable diseases. CLICK HERE.

Arthritis- Methods of Treatment

The aims in treating arthritis are to control pain, improve quality of life and to restore function of the joint. These are the approved methods:

Medication:
1- To control pain
2-To relieve the inflammation-There is a group of drugs called anti-inflammatory that can be prescribed by a medical doctor.

Structured physical activity-This could involve physical/occupational therapy.

Weight loss planning- Obese people will be encouraged to lose weight.

Self-management- Patient education will prepare the person to manage the arthritis at home on a daily basis. This will require the development of specific skills.

Surgery- This will replace or repair the damage joint.

Medical aids and device-There are many devices and splints that are used to assist with joint function and to improve quality of life.  Many are available online, so people everywhere can have access to them.

The Arthritis Foundation has a number of programs to help people develop skills and increase their physical activity.

Click here to read about the risk factors for arthritis.

Arthritis- Risk Factors

Arthritis is inflammation of a joint; arthritis is a condition that affects the joints, the tissues surrounding the joints and connective tissues.

Certain forms of arthritis can involve the immune system and internal organs.

There are several forms of the condition, the most common are:

    Osteoarthritis
    Rheumatoid arthritis
    Gout
    Fibromyalgia
    Childhood arthritis

Other less common forms are systemic lupus erythematous and ankylosing spondylitis.

Arthritis can be inflammatory as in rheumatoid arthritis, or non-inflammatory as in osteoarthritis.

The symptoms of arthritis are pain and stiffness around a joint; they can develop gradually or suddenly. The condition can worsen with age.

Risk Factors
There is a genetic disposition to developing arthritis, some genes are associated with a higher risk for it.  Osteoarthritis of the knee is associated with occupations that involve repeated bending and squatting.

Other risk factors are:
    Age -The risk increases with age.
    Female gender
    Overweight/Obesity
    Joint injuries
    Infection

Click Here for the Treatment of Arthritis

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Obesity A Greater Risk For Fatty Liver

There is another reason for obese people to be concerned about their health and healthcare. This time they were compared to those who drink alcohol.

A study that found moderate alcohol consumption didn't have much effect on fatty liver, researchers found obesity to be a greater risk.

The study involved 44 people, they were instructed to drink every day for three months either:

1.  No alcohol
2.  One glass of red wine for women
3.  Two glasses of red wine for men

The fatty contents of the participants livers were measured at the start and at the end of three months.

Researchers found the fat in the liver was linked to obesity or insulin resistance, but not to red wine.  None of the wine drinkers developed fatty liver.
Click here to read about the report.

With self-care at home overweight and obese people can lose weight and keep it off.  This FREE health insurance plan has a weight loss plan that prepares individual to do just that.
Click here to read about this plan.

Breast Self-Examination

It is easier to treat breast cancer if it is found early enough and chances of survival are increased.

Regular breast examination from your doctor and mammograms are effective in detecting the disease and can save lives.

Although it is controversial, some experts recommend self-examination once a month to look for changes and lumps.

Self-examination is not a substitute for medical screenings and there are limitations with it; however, it can keep you in tune with your health and can contribute to early detection.

The Examination
The best time to examine the breast is 3-5 days after a period.

Firstly- Lie on your back.
Placing your right hand behind your head, with the middle fingers of your left hand examine the entire right breast.

With fingertips together press down using small circular motions. Feel for any lumps or thickness. Make sure you cover the entire breast.

Next-While sitting or standing examine the arm pit. Check for any discharge by gently squeezing the nipple.

Repeat the above process for the left breast, by placing the left hand behind your head and using the middle fingers of your right hand.

Next- Stand in front of the mirror with your arms by your side. Look directly at the breasts ( In the mirror) for changes in texture.

Check for any abnormal texture, shape or contour such as:

•     Orange peel skin
•     Puckering
•     Indentations
•     Nipple turning inward
•     Dimpling

Repeat this process with arms raised above your head.

Discuss any changes or concerns with your doctor right away.

Further you can participate in reducing health risk factors that cause non-communicable diseases such as cancer.

There is consumer health education program  that prepares people to develop healthy lifestyles that would protect them from diseases. Whether you have regular breast examinations or not, the tutorials will enable you to protect yourselves from breast and other cancers.

Click here to learn about it.

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