Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
You were so exhausted. You felt drained, and not ready at all to start a new day. You may be just too tired. But have you ever heard about the illness called Chronic Fatigue (CFS). Would you believe there is such an illness?
Even the world famous U.S. women’s soccer player, Michelle who was known as a worrier, was diagnosed with CFS. She has to retire from the team in 1999.
What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
It was first recognized as a physical illness in the 1980s as the one that’s not fully understood. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that half a million people in the States have a CFS.
The symptoms of CFS are overwhelming fatigue and weakness that make it extremely difficult to perform routine and daily tasks, like getting out of bed, dressing, and eating. The fatigue does not get better with bed rest. The illness severely impact school ,work and pleasurable activities, causing physical and emotional symptoms that can last for months or even years.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is more common in females than usually in ages between 20 and 40, but the disorder also occurs in adolescents.
What Cause Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
The cause is not yet known. However, a viral cause for CFS is still suspected because the symptoms of CFS often mimic a viral infection Other theories suggest iron-poor blood, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), environmental allergies, a body-wide yeast infection, or psychiatric or neurological problems.
Symptoms
The CDC developed a definition in 1993 to help doctors diagnose the condition. A patient must have both of the following in order to be diagnose with CFS. One: a person must have severe, chronic fatigue for at least 6 months, without any medical conditions, of which continuous fatigue has to be the major symptom of illness. Two: having at least four of the following symptoms for at least six months
· Forgetfulness or difficulty concentrating
· Sore throat
· Tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpit
· Muscle pain or multi-joint pain with swelling or redness
· Headaches of a new type, pattern, or severity
· Unrefreshing sleep and vague feelings of illness or depression lasting more than 24 hours after exerting oneself
However, Other symptoms of CFS can include mild fever, blurry vision, chills, night sweats, diarrhea, and fluctuation in appetite and weight.
Difficulty Diagnosing CFS –CFS is a diagnosis of exclusion, which means that doctor has to make sure that the symptoms are not caused by another illness, a sleep disorder, or hormone problems such as hypothyroidism.
Treatment
Although there is no hard and fast treatment for CFS, experts say that some changes in lifestyle can help. People who remain as active as possible will have some control over the course their illness.
Recommended actions are:
· Regular, carefully planned exercise –which helps by providing healing movement increased energy, and feelings of well-being.
· Stress management and reduction techniques.
· A health diet – avoid heavy meal, alcohol, caffeine, and large quantities of junk food.
· Acupuncture, message, stretching, yoga and tai chi have been helpful for many people with CFS.
· Antidepressant medications can help ease the symptoms. Pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs are also beneficial to some individuals.
· Seek support from family and friends, because emotional health is important when coping with a chronic health problem.
For most people, the symptoms of CFS are most severe in the beginning, and afterwards they may come and go. Almost 50% of CFS patients experience partial- or full recovery within 5 years after the CFS symptoms began.
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Food that's good for a healthy heart
by: Alicia Caldelas
Here's a conundrum: While experts agree that high cholesterol and blood pressure are crucial heart disease risk factors, many people who suffer chest pain or even heart attacks have levels that are perfectly normal. This puzzle has prompted researchers to scour the body for other cardiovascular villains. Several have emerged in recent years, but the one that stands out the most is inflammation. The latest studies suggest that chronic inflammation of the lining of arteries is an important factor in the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. What causes this inflammation is not clear, but the good news is that (1) the advice that is given for lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and triglycerides also works fine for fighting inflammation; and (2) you can tackle all 4 culprits with the help of dietary weapons. In fact, you can plan your war against heart disease in your kitchen. Here is how:
1. Think like an artist when you choose fruits and vegetables: Eat those with the brightest colors. They have the most heart protective antioxidant pigments. A diet high in fruits and veggies also provides another important heart benefit, salicylic acid, which is the same anti-inflammatory compound created when aspirin is broken down in the body.
2. Increase food sources of omega-3 fatty acids which target high triglycerides in the blood. Good sources of omega-3s include fish such as sardines, mackerel; nuts and seeds; green leafy vegetables; grains like wheat, bajra; legumes like rajma, cowpea, and black gram.
3. Reduce the amount of meats you eat, especially red meats, and always select lean cuts. Use meat as a seasoning for vegetable dishes rather than the focal point of a meal.
4. Cut down on salt and instead use herbs and spices like ginger, garlic, turmeric and fenugreek liberally in your cooking; the first three are naturally anti-inflammatory and the last has soluble fibre which helps sweep away cholesterol from the arteries.
5. Shift to groundnut, mustard, rice bran and olive oils which contain monosaturated fatty acids that help lower (bad) LDL and maintain levels of (good) HDL cholesterol. Drastically limit margarine, vegetable shortening, butter and all products made with partially hydrogenated oils.
6. Fruits and vegetables, whole grains (wheat, brown rice, oats), beans and pulses, are also great sources of soluble and insoluble fibre, which trap LDLs and usher them out of the body. For more information on healthy heart diet, visit this: http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/cardiac-diet.htm About the author:Alicia Caldelas for http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/Your guide to buy vitamins - http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/buy-vitamins.htmIf you wish to reproduce the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this resource box and LIVE link to our website. Circulated by Bandoni Media

Managing Stress without the Use of Drugs
by: James Brann, MD
In today's fast paced environment, many people are under a lot of stress. Women are even more susceptible to the strains of everyday life. Some are single mothers that work full time jobs and then come home and care for their baby. They are over worked, underpaid and under extreme stress. Many women go to their family doctors complaining about headaches, lack of sleep and mood swings. The doctor will calmly explain to them that they have stress problems, and to take a few days off, and then prescribe them a drug to alleviate the symptoms. While the drugs may work in the short term, it doesn't treat the root problems. When you stop taking the drug, the stress will still be present. And who has the time to put their feet up and relax, especially if you have a toddler causing mayhem at home? So what are the alternatives? Well there are many and we will explore a few of them in this article, but the first thing you have to do is figure out the cause of your stress. Stress can be caused by many things. What is stressful to one person can be joyful for the next. For instance, speaking in public can cause some people a lot of anxiety, but to some it is a joy. Once you have located the reasons for your stress try to think of ways to alleviate it. Here are some more helpful tricks and tips for managing stress levels without the use of drugs. Take a Deep Breath: The reason why stress causes headaches in a lot of cases is because when a person is under significant stress they will tend to breath shallowly, or hold their breath without even realizing it. Your muscles then get a lack of oxygen and you cramp up in such places like your neck and abdomen and you get a headache. Sometimes it just makes you feel uptight. If you feel a headache coming on, or you feel uptight, stop and check your breathing. Take a few minutes to rest and take deep breaths through your nose and out through your mouth. Talk to People: Being lonely is a terrible thing, and this can cause stress all by itself. Try joining a club or something you enjoy that will connect you to other people. Sometimes just talking and having fun can do wonders for your stress problems. Regular Exercise: It has been scientifically proven that exercise helps relieve stress. Try joining a gym, or just going for a walk each night. You will boost your energy level making it easier to cope with the stress of daily life. Managing Time: Nothing causes stress like being late for an appointment. Avoid this unnecessary stress by planning your day. Insure that you have enough time to get to all of your appointments. Maybe invest in a day planner. Body Break: Your mind and body are one. Make sure that you eat proper nutritious meals, and sleep well at night. Avoid excess sugar and caffeine. These foods will give you a temporary high, but will cause you to crash later. A body that is properly maintained will be better able to cope with stress. Avoid The Use of Illegal Drugs: Many people turn to alcohol and drugs to relieve their stress. While it may seem that these things are helping with your stress they are really harming you. Not only are they wrecking your body, but they are only a temporary fix. When you wake up in the morning, the problem that you were trying to escape will still be there. Change Your Surroundings: Make sure that you are as comfortable as possible. If your chair at work is causing your back to hurt, change it. If your bed is causing backache and lack of sleep, change it. Why put your mind and body under stress that can be easily avoided. Go to Your Happy Place: Try daydreaming for a minute if you feel stressed out. Imagine a sunny beach, or a quiet cottage. Imagine the tastes and sounds. A few minutes of imagined vacation can do wonders for your mental outlook, and relieve stress. These are just a few techniques that will help you cope with your stress levels. Try concentrating on the positive aspects of your life, and not the negative. Without some stress life would be boring, but too much of anything can kill you.

About the author:Dr. James Brann is a board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He is also Editor of Women's Healthcare Topics. http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com

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Early Breast Cancer Detection
by: Brenda Witt
Most women are familiar with mammography as our "gold standard" for breast cancer screening. However, there are additional tools available that women can add to their arsenal.
One of the most effective tools in breast cancer screening is breast self-exam (BSE). However, BSE works best when women are appropriately trained in the procedure, and then followed-up with annual clinical breast exams (CBE) from their physicians. In a 2000 University of Toronto study, approximately 20,000 women were screened for breast cancer with BSE and annual CBE, and 20,000 were screened with BSE and mammograms. After more than 10 years, the BSE and annual CBE reported 610 cases of invasive breast cancer, and 105 deaths. In the BSE and mammogram group, there were 622 cases of invasive breast cancer and 107 deaths. Without question, the first line of defense against breast cancer begins with diligent BSE.

Other tools that are available to women include the AMAS (anti-malignan antibody screen) test and the NMP Nuclear matrix protein) test. Both these are blood tests that measure a certain protein in the blood that may indicate cancer. The AMAS test has been around for several years while the NMP test has not been available until only recently. Clinical trials continue in this area.
One additional tool that may detect an issue early is digital infrared thermal imaging or DITI. In 1982, the FDA approved thermography as an adjunctive tool for breast cancer screening. DITI measures heat emitted from the body and is accurate to 1/100th of a degree. DITI examines physiology, NOT structure. It is in this capacity that DITI can monitor breast HEALTH over time and alert a patient or physician to a developing problem; possibly before a lump can be seen on X-ray or palpated clinically. There are no test limitations such as breast density. DITI is a non-invasive test that does not emit radiation.

The unique characteristics of cancer allow DITI to detect breast cancer at an earlier stage of growth. As cancer is developing, it builds its own blood supply which is then reflected as increased heat in that particular region of the breast. DITI has a specificity of 83%; which reflects a problem in its early stages of development not late-stage cancer as in mammography. An abnormal thermogram carries a 10-times greater risk for cancer and a persistently abnormal thermogram carries a 22-times greater risk for cancer.
Clinical research studies continue to support thermography's role as an adjunctive tool in breast cancer screening and the ONLY tool that measures breast health over time. There are now more than 800 publications on over 300,000 women in clinical trials. A recent finding published in the American Journal of Radiology in 2003 showed that thermography has 99% sensitivity in identifying breast cancer with single examinations and limited views. Scientists concluded that a negative thermogram is powerful evidence that cancer is not present.
Thermographic screening is not covered by most insurance companies but is surprisingly affordable for most people. For more information or to find a certified clinic in your area, go to http://www.proactivehealthonline.com/.
About The Author
Brenda Witt is co-owner of Proactive Health Solutions in Southern California. She has worked in the medical field for 9 years and is now an American College of Clinical Thermology (ACCT) certified thermographer in the Orange County area.

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Are You Fit?
by: Andrew Mills
Fitness refers to ability of the body to function with vigor and alertness. Nutrition refers to the nurturing of our body, in our ability to keep it healthy and functioning as it is supposed to do. Our ability to provide the body with all the necessary food, vitamins, and minerals so that we continue to thrive in our daily life processes. But do we know if we are really fit? How do we tell? First, you might want to look at your exercise habits, if there are any. If there aren’t any exercise routines to examine, no fitness. Everyone, no matter what their age, benefits from exercise. It keeps our bodies conditioned, our mental sharpness working at top speed, and thanks to the physical aspect, we get a boost to our cardio health, extra calorie burn, and more oxygen to those cells! Do you take in more calories than your body needs? Are you supplementing your vitamins and minerals to make sure you are getting your recommended daily allowances? If you’re not making the most basic of efforts to take care of your nutritional needs, you aren’t a fit individual. You may not look sick, you may not have any noticeable symptoms of ill-health, but you’re not the fit and toned individual you could be. What about the stress levels in your life? Do work in an environment with high levels of stress? Is your personal life a source of comfort or does it add to your stress levels? Do you engage in some form of stress-relieving activity? Stress is the number on contributor to heart attacks and strokes, since they manage to speed up the affect of the real culprits. Stress is basically an out of control situation for most adults today. We manage to schedule every moment of our free time, and leave ourselves with no time for quiet reflection, or time to deal with life’s unexpected emergencies. Fitness requires us to examine more than just our exercise routine. The mere definition of fitness refers to the body’s ability to meet physical stresses. That includes coping with our day to day life, getting from the beginning of the day to the end, without being worn completely out. In order to be truly fit, we find ways to rid ourselves of built up stress, the kind that begins to affect our muscles, muscle tone, and composition. Massages are the best cure for ridding our bodies of the stress buildup that can occur, even with exercise regimens and detract from our overall fitness. Exercises that demand total body involvement are the best for maintaining and improving your level of fitness most effectively. Running, swimming, jogging, dancing, cycling, and very brisk walking are some of the more popular total body involvement exercises. There are so many occasions to stop and question our efforts at maintaining optimal health, that we usually don’t even take the time to begin the examination. But it is beneficial to our overall health, the quality and quantity of our life, to make every effort to be fit, healthy, individuals. Read more health and fitness articles at http://www.dietpost.info http://www.fitnesspost.info http://www.takingsteroids.com http://anabolic.ca About the author:webmaster of http://www.anabolic.ca and
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Soy Foods for better health
by: Dr. Donald A. Miller
Soyfoods aid longevity. Although a few authors dispute this, most literature found on the reputable internet sources show that traditional soyfoods, especially those with live cultures, correlate with reduced risks of various diseases without negative side effects. But the maximum benefit comes from using soy foods to replace a large fraction of the diet normally occupied by high sources of saturated fats. In other words, don't just add soymilk and soy shakes, soy based artificial cream toppings to your diet. Instead, replace 30 to 60 percent of your red meats with tofu, miso, tempeh, edamame, and so forth. Also use baked, broiled, or grilled chicken, fish, and other foods that are not fried. Soy Beans are unique in the plant world, in that they provide all of the "essential" amino acids (proteins) and fatty acids that the human body can not make, plus numerous "plant hormones" that protect against various ailments, such as cancers, diabetes, heart disease, memory loss, menopause, osteoporosis, PMS, stroke. ** Diet with FACTS, not MYTHS. ** About the author:Dr. Miller is author of ""Easy Health Diet"" http://easyhealthdiet.com/diet.htm""Exercise for Juniors to Seniors"" http://easyhealthdiet.com/JrSr.htmand numerous free articles on health http://articles.easyhealthdiet.com/Seven of ten deaths are caused by preventable diseases. Circulated by Bandoni Media