TOP 9 HEALTHY FOODS THAT ACCELERATE A HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS

In today's world of highly advertised fad diets, it is very difficult for us to know which foods are actually healthy and which foods are not. This program says not to eat an apple, while this other program tells us it keeps the doctor away. Once and for all, we need to know which foods are nutritious so we can all jump off the weight loss roller coaster. Weight loss without proper nutrition is not the road you want take. No magic pill will ever give you the benefits of eating properly. Stop looking for short cuts and get serious about your health. It is the only way to live a lifestyle that is free of the threats of disease, poor health and obesity.

1. GREEN VEGETABLES: Vegetables such as spinach and cabbage are very significant in maintaining a healthy body. They are rich in vitamins and minerals. How do they halp accelerate weight loss? They are water-rich, which means you are actually filling yourself up with liquids instead of fatty calories.

2. FATTY FISH: Did you read that right? Yes, it says fatty! Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines have omega-3 fats. Despite all the hoopla surrounding the fat-free weight loss craze, your body does in fact need good fat for optimal wieght loss performance. Omega-3 fats also takes care of our heart. It prevents stroke and lowers bad cholesterol in our body.

3. GREEN TEA: Anti-oxidants rid our bodies of free radicals that can cause damage to our cells and slow the process of healthy weight loss. Green tea offers such a powerful supply of anti-oxidants and vitamins that it has been known to accelerate metabolism by drinking only one cup per day. Tomatoes, red grapes and blueberries are also beneficial for the same reasons, but on a smaller scale.

4. CITRUS FRUIT: Oranges, lemons, limes and other citrus fruits are all high in Vitamin C. That helps to prevent colds, asthma and arthritis. What happens when your body is functioning without illness? It performs better! When your body gets the right nutrition, it can perform its own miracles...like giving you more energy and burning off extra weight.

5. CARROTS: Have you ever heard someone say carrots were unhealthy? I guess they would be if you ate tons of them ever day, just like anything else that is abused. The reality is that carrots are a good source of Vitamin A and promotes better eyesight. It only takes a half cup worth to work like magic to accelerate healthy weight loss.

6. BANANAS: This fruit is so nutrition that even monkeys know it is good for them. It can help cure ulcers, diarrhea and stomach cramps because it is high in potassium. If you sweat a lot and need energy, grab a banana. Many athletes consume bananas for energy and alertness. Have you ever seen an overweight monkey or athlete?

7. SOY: The soybean is as close to a magic weight loss pill as you will ever find. No, you cannot pop them into your mouth and watch the pounds melt away, but when you add soy into your daily diet, you will be amazed to see how quickly your health and weight loss improve at the same time.

8. APPLES: An apple a day keeps the doctor away. It has Vitamin C and pectin that flushes out toxins in our body. Toxins are probably the number one reason why people cannot lose weight quickly when they eat healthy foods. Apples only work to your advantage when they are eaten raw, so dipping them into caramel sauce or cooking them into a pie will not keep the doctor away.

9. WATER: It may not be food but it is the most important part of your daily diet. Your body cannot function properly if it is dehydrated, and most people do not drink as much as they should. Water also makes you feel full without any calories. Many times people reach for a snack wehen all they really need is a glass of water.

Along with a daily diet of the foods listed above, you need discipline and a willingness to reach your healthy weight loss goals. Most people get discouraged with losing weight when they fail to grasp the concept of living a healthy lifestyle. Once you develop the mind set, eating healthy will be part of your daily routine...and battling weight gain will be a thing of the past.

source: http://www.rcpattern.net/

HAVING "THE TALK" WITH MOM AND DAD

As the adult child of an aging parent, you may be thinking in the back of your mind about what happens when they are not longer able to take care of themselves. The signs may be there or ther could be a significant event that opens your eyes, like a fall, a hospitalization, a car accident or the recent loss of your other parent. You may need to have a talk with them on a very sensitive subject: It's time to bring in help. Take the time to think about it before sitting down in person to have this discussion. When it is time for your parent or parents to move out of their present living arrangement or have someone come in from a home health care agency to assist, there are three main things to consider: their independence, their well-being and their feelings. When the subject is discussed openly, calmly and is not rushed, there is a better chance that the right decision can be made together, without hurt and anger.

When it's time for "The Talk," starting the conversation is perhaps the hardest part. In difficult situations, we tend to revert back to our long-time roles as family members, which is not always helpful. Try not to put yourself in the position of telling them what to do. Instead, present it as a joint collaboration to solve an issue or need in their lives and yours. Think it through before broaching the subject. Make a list of your concerns and questions to organize your thoughts. Choose a comfortable location where you can sit facing each other. Be relaxed and keep your hands gently folded in your lap so that you do not appear aggressive. Give it your complete attention and unlimited time.

Know that this will be a slow process. It cannot be resolved with one conversation, but should not drag out indefinitely. Offer some ideas and alternatives. Talk about their fears and concerns. Be prepared to negotiate. Let them take the time to think about it and agree to talk about it again soon.

EXERCISE HELPS MAINTAIN STRONG MUSCLES WELL INTO OLD AGE

As if you didn't need any more reasons to hop on a treadmill, a new study suggests that exercising can help prevent skeletal muscle deterioration, which is when muscles begin to break down due to atrophy. The study suggests that regular exercise combined with protein consumption will help preserve muscle integrity into advanced years, which is fantastic news if you want to walk without a cane in your senior years. There are plenty of other benefits to exercise aside from just providing a lifetime of good health. By working out your body, you can also improve the overall quality of life. Some of the benefits of exercise include:

1. HAPPIER OUTLOOK ON LIFE: That pump you get from the gym will stay with you long after your workout ends. In fact, exercise can help you battle depression. The study revealed that those people who exercised show a significant reduction in depressive symptoms, especially in people over the age of 60.

2. INCREASED BRAIN FUNCTION: Who says you can't be a jock and a bookworm at the same time? In fact the opposite is true, as working out alctually helps your mind function. A study showed that people who exercise experience a moderate increase in their heart rates and the activity in their brains. Furthermore, the people who participated in the study reported reduced anxiety and solved basic math problems with increased speed and accuracy after the workout.

3. A BETTER NIGHT'S SLEEP: Did you know that 50 percent of older Americans complain of suffering from sleep problems? While "early to bed, early to rise" is usually associated with the motto of the elderly, exercise may help too. The study suggests that regular physical activity may increase the quality of sleep for older adults with insomnia. In fact, senior who worked out just a few times a week averaged more than an hour of extra sleep per night.

Exercise doesn't need to be strenuous, you'll likely stick with it if it's actually fun. Walks in the park, bike rides on sunny days, a dip in the pool and yoga can be fun and healthy experiences.

source: http://www.fyiliving.com/

A BANANA A DAY KEEPS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AWAY





Time to grab a banana, if not the whole bunch. Chances are, you're not getting enough potassium in your diet. You are not alone either: a study of 21 nations found that on average, no one was getting the recommended amount. Just because nobody follows the guidelines doesn't make it okay - the benefits of potassium are plentiful. In particular, potassium counterbalances a diet with lots of salt, thus helping to lower blood pressure. Potassium also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately, even though most adults exceed an acceptable amount of sodium throughout the day, they don't eat the recommended 4,700 mg of potassium.


With one out of three Americans having high blood pressure, avoid becoming a statistic by eating more of these foods that are rich in potassium:

• BANANAS




• SPINACH




• DRIED APRICOTS




• BAKED POTATOES




• AVOCADOS




• TOMATOES




• ORANGES

source: http://www.fyiliving.com/

HOW TO CHOOSE/USE A WALKER

Using a walker can be an emotional decision. However, the right walker may make your life easier, less painful, and prevent injury. Here are tips on how to choose and use a walker.

• Decide where you will use your walker most - indoors, outdoors, or both equally. Walkers with lightweight frames tend to be easier to lift as you walk so may be easier to use outdoors. However, front wheel walkers have wheels that make it easier to move around the house and tend to be a bit sturdier than the lightweight framed walkers. There are also heavier walkers for added safety if you are prone for falling.




• Height: Realize that most walkers are adjustable. Check the walker to make sure that the height of the walker can adjust to your height. Ideally you want to be able to have the top of the walker slightly above your waist for comfortable use.




• To get up from a chair you first put the walker in front of your chair and slide forward in the chair. Next with your hands on the arms of the chair you slowly stand up. Next you firmly grasp the handles of the walker and move forward into the walker. Now you stand with your walker until you feel balanced and ready to walk.




• To walk you move the walker forward approximately one foot in front of you. Make sure that it is stable and firm on the ground and then step forward. Now you firmly grasp the handles and take another step forward. Repeat this.




• To sit down you stand with your back to a chair. Gradually slide your feet back so that the back of your legs touch the chair. Now you set your walker firmly in front of you. You now slide the weaker of your two legs slightly in front of you. You hold the walker handles with a firm grip and shift all of your weight to your stronger leg. Now you keep one hand on the walker as you reach for the arm of the chair with the other hand. Now you tighten your grasp on the chair arm. Now you slowly move the other hand from the walker to the other chair arm. Now you tighten that. Now you slowly sit down and slide into the chair.

source: http://www.ehow.com/

TOP 10 HEARTBURN FOODS


You know it all too well. Heartburn. That fiery sensation that grabs hold of your lower chest after you eat something you know you shouldn't have. What often follows is that sour or bitter taste of acid reflux in your throat and mouth that can last minutes(if you are lucky) or hours(if you are not). Millions of us are familiar with the discomfort of heartburn, a condition in which stomach acids back up into the esophagus. The good news is that heartburn is largely avoidable if you steer clear of the top 10 heartburn foods.


1.TANGY CITRUS FRUITS - Oranges, grapefruits and orange juice are classic heartburn foods. These are very acidic, and likely to cause heartburn, especially when consumed on an otherwise empty stomach.


2. TOMATOES - While they might be chockfull of healthy nutrients, tomatoes are also highly acidic and likely to cause heartburn in those who are prone to it.


3. GARLIC AND ONION - Some people with heartburn do not do well with either garlic or onion, but it is all very individual.


4. SPICY FOODS - Pepper, Mexican food, chili and any other food that is loaded with pepper or other spices can trigger heartburn.


5. PEPPERMINT - While many people think peppermint is soothing for the tummy, it is actually a heartburn trigger food. Peppermint may increase your chances of heartburn because it relaxes the sphincter muscle that lay between the stomach and esophagus. This allows stomach acids to flow back into the esophagus.


6. CHEESE, NUTS, AVOCADOS, AND A JUICY RIB EYE - What do these foods have in common? They are all high in fat. They can be major triggers. Here's why: Fat slows down the emptying of the stomach, so there is more opportunity for a big distended stomach - which increases pressure on the esophageal sphincter - to make heartburn more likely.


7. ALCOHOL - Wine, beer, or your favorite cocktail can all trigger heartburn, especially when they are imbibed with a large meal. Like peppermint, alcohol opens the sphincter, allowing the acid free range.


8. CAFFEINE - Coffee, soda, tea, iced tea, and any other food or beverages that contain caffeine are big offenders. If you have heartburn, you can likely consume a 3-4 oz cup of coffee each morning with no problem. But if you guzzle coffee all day long, then, yes, heartburn is a consequence.


9. CHOCOLATE - Sure, it can be loaded with caffeine, but chocolate can also be a heartburn food in and of itself. Chocolate relaxes the sphincter, allowing stomach acids to flow back in to the esophagus.


10. CARBONATED BEVERAGES - Carbonated beverages cause gastric distension, and if your stomach is distended, this increases pressure on the esophageal sphincter, promoting reflux.


Use the above list as a guide to help you figure out your heartburn foods and heartburn trigger situations. Remember, even if your favorites are not on this list, you don't necessarily have a free pass. Too much of any food can trigger heartburn, it's not just what you eat; it's how much you eat and when you eat it.


source: http://www.webmd.com/

FIVE UNUSUAL WAYS TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE





You've heard it all before. Eat right. Exercise. Stop smoking. But now it's time to take that advice and finally figure out how to fit it all into your life. Think outside the box and take some risks while tackling your own risk factors.


1. GET A DOG: One study found that people who got a dog as a pet lowered their blood pressure, reported more happiness, and lost an average of five pounds over a six week period. Daily walks not only get you out of the house, but can provide for some well needed family time.


2. UPGRADE YOUR CELL PHONE: As cell phone cameras become commonplace,you are now armed with an easy way to lose weight: photograph your food. Keeping a food diary is the single most effective weight loss intervention, and a picture says a thousand words. People who keep track of meals and snacks lose double the weight of those who don't, and taking a quick snapshot of your meal is associated with adopting healthier behaviors in just one week.


3. START A BLOG: Among the clamor of status updates, online check-in's, and constant tweets, it is sometimes hard to hear yourself think. Blogging is an easy and free way to detail their health challenges, frustrations, and triumphs. It's the perfect place to plan yor triathlon training, be held accountable to your scale, or share your strategies with your readers.


4. GO SIBERIAN: When food was scarce, generations of people in Russia's coldest frontier chewed on pine nuts to help curb their appetites. Pine nuts naturally contain two different appetite suppressants, and have the pleasant side effect of lowering your risk of heart disease.


5. SNUGGLE: It's no surprise that physical intimacy can provide a work-out. Aerobic exercise of any kind helps to bring down your blood pressure, improve blood flow, and reduce future risk. Just make sure you don't have a cigarette afterward!


source: www.blogs.webmd.com/heart-disease

WARNING SIGNS: THE ABCDEs OF MELANOMA




ASYMMETRY: If you draw a line through your mole, the two halves will not match.


BORDER: The borders of an early melanoma tend to be uneven.


COLOR: Having a variety of colors is another warning signal. A number of different shades of brown, tan or black could appear. A melanoma may also become red, blue or some other color.


DIAMETER: Melanomas usually are larger in diameter than the size of the eraser on your pencil(1/4 inch or 6mm), but they may sometimes be smaller when first detected.


EVOLVING: Any change - in size, shape, color, elevation, or another trait, or any new symptom such as bleeding, itching or cursting - points to danger.


source: www.skincancer.org/melanoma

YOUR FIVE BIGGEST HEALTH FEARS AND HOW TO SOLVE THEM



HEART ATTACK:

• Eat better. Avoid salt to keep your blood pressure down. Skip saturated fats and trans fats, which raise cholesterol. Eat more fish and nuts, which have healthy oils that lubricate your arteries.



• Floss. One study found that the presence of gingivitis and cavities was as likely an indicator of heart disease as cholesterol.



• Have a drink. Or two. Moderate drinkers are less likely to develop heart disease.



• Cheat. If you have been dealt bad genetic cards, talk to your doctor about cholesterol-lowering drugs like aspirin, statins, and fibrates.



• Quit smoking. Smokers are two to three times more likely to die of coronary heart disease than nonsmokers.

IMPOTENCE:

• See all above. If blood's not flowing to your heart, there's a good chance it's not flowing to your penis, either.



• Sleep. It increases growth hormone, which helps prevent impotence.



• Exercise. One study showed that men who burn at least tow hundred calories a day have a significantly lower risk of erectile dysfunction than their lazier friends.

GETTING FAT:

• Don't eat so much.



• Push yourself to the point of exhaustion a few times a week during workouts.



• Eat better.



• Keep nuts at your desk. Walnuts and almonds help reduce inflammation in the arteries and suppress the chemical ghrelin, which tells your body it's hungry. East shortly before meals.



• Walk fast-ish for thirty minutes a day. You'll burn three hundred calories, forcing your body to start burning fat reserves.



• Don't wait until you are starving to eat. You are more likely to overeat and to choose unhealthy foods.

LOSING YOUR MIND:

• Try something new. Take a new route to work. Learn to play squash. New ways of thinking stimulate new neural connections, which can prevent memory loss.



• Do crossword puzzles.



• Lower your cholesterol. Cholesterol plays a role in the formation of amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.



• Get vaccinated. People who get vaccinations for influenza, tetanus, diphtheria, and polio have a dramatically reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's.



• Have your doctor check your homocysteine. If you have too much homocysteine in your blood, consider taking B vitamins: folic acid, B-6, B-12, which break it down.



• Eat omega-3s. The fatty acids found in fish and nuts help protect against dementia.

PROSTATE CANCER:

• Eat anti-inflammatories and antioxidants. Scientists think imflammation and oxidation-tissue damage by oxygen radicals-allows cancerous cells to grow, but fruits and vegetables, whole grains, spices and wild fish help prevent these processes.



• Exercise.



• Avoid sugar. It acts like a fertilizer to cancer, providing energy to cancerous cells.



• Relax a little. Prostate cancer is common, but 90 percent of cases are caught in time to cure.

source: http://www.health.msn.com/

10 PERSISTENT MYTHS ABOUT SMOKING

Smoking in America is down - but not out. Today, 20% of US adults are smokers, compared to 45% IN 1965, when smoking was at its peak. Even at the current level of tobacco use, an estimated 440,000 Americans per year lose their lives to lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema, or other smoking related illnesses. On average, smokers die 14 years before nonsmokers, and half of all smokers who don't quit are killed by their habit. People start smoking for many reasons. Many continue to puff away because they buy into certain persistent myths about tobacco use. Here are 10 of those myths, and the truth about each.

MYTH: My other habits may make up for my smoking.

Some smokers justify their habit by insisting that proper nutrition and lost of exercise are enough to keep them healthy. Not so. Smoking affects every organ system in the body, and thinking that you're going to find the perfect lifestyle to counteract the effects of smoking is just not realistic.

MYTH: Switching to "light" cigarettes will cut my risk.

Smokers who switch to brands labeled "light" or "mild" inevitably compensate for the lower levels of tar and nicotine by inhaling smoke more deeply or by smoking more of each cigarette.

MYTH: I've smoked for so long, the damage is already done.

The damage caused by smoking is cumulative, and the longer a person smokes, the greater his/her risk for life-threatening ailments. But quitting smoking at any age brings health benefits.

MYTH: Trying to quit smoking will stress me out - and that's unhealthy.

True, tobacco withdrawl is stressful. But there's no evidence that the stress has negative long-term effects.

MYTH: The weight gain that comes with quitting is just as unhealthy as smoking.

Smokers who quit gain an average of 14 pounds. The risk of carrying the extra pounds is miniscule compared to the risk of continuing to smoke.

MYTH: Quitting "cold turkey" is the only way to go.

Some smokers think that quitting abruptly is the best approach and that willpower is the only effective tool for curbing tobacco cravings. They're partly right: commitment is essential. Smokers are more likely to succeed at quitting if they take advantage of counseling and smoking cessation medications, including nicotine(gum, patches, lozenges, inhaler, or nasal spray) and the prescription drugs Zyban and Chantix.

MYTH: Nicotine products are just as unhealthy as smoking.

Nicotine is safe when used as directed. Even using nicotine every day for years would be safer than smoking. Nicotine products deliver only nicotine. Cigarettes deliver nicotine along with 4,000 other compounds, including more than 60 known carcinogens.

MYTH: Cutting back on smoking is good enough.

Cutting down on the number of cigarettes is not an effective strategy. Smokers who cut back draw more deeply and smoke more of each cigarette.

MYTH: I'm the only one who is hurt by my smoking.

Tobacco smoke also harms the people around you. In the US, secondhand smoke causes about 50,000 deaths a year, the American Lung Association estimates. It's been estimated that a waiter or waitress who works a single eight hour shift in a smoky bar inhales as much toxic smoke as a pack-a-day smoker.

MYTH: I tried quitting once and failed, so it's no use trying again.

Most smokers try several times before quitting for good. So if you've failed previously, don't let that deter you from trying again.

source: www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation

6 WAYS TO FEEL HAPPIER, BE HEALTHIER

A good mood not only influences how you feel today, it can have a powerful impact on your health for years to come. Scientists urge us to be as attentive to our moods and attitudes as we are to physical health. Two recent studies underscore the importance of that advice. A paper in Current Directions in Psychological Science notes that a positive attitude can protect against poor health later in life and may be a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and illness. Another study, published in the journal Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, found that happy people tend to live longer and experience better health than their unhappy peers. Eating well, exercising, not smoking and getting enough sleep help keep you healthy, but how do you develop a positive attitude? Here are six mood boosters to make the world look a rosier. Add them to your life, and odds are you'll feel both happier and healthier. If you rarely walk on the sunny side of the street, now's the time to cross over.

1. ADOPT AN ANIMAL COMPANION

Pets provide more than companion ship and a warm welcome home. They lend a willing and helpful ear. Many pet owners confide in a pet because pets don't judge, condemn or talk back. Studies have found that dog owners are often as emotinally close to their pets as to their closest family members. If you'd like to have a pet in your life but don't want the responsibility of owning a dog or cat, you can volunteer at an animal shelter or zoo, offer to walk a neighbor's dog on a regular basis, set up an aquarium, consider a parakeet or put out bird feeders.

2. TURN UP THE MUSIC

Even before we are born, we can hear music, and it holds us in its power throughout life. Soothing, melodic music blunts stress and provides comfort. Bright, upbeat tunes set toes tapping and boost flagging energy. Relaxing music serves as an easy and safe way to improve sleep. Music helps keep both mind and body healthy and resilient, and it activates specific brain regions involved in emotion and memory.

3. HAVE A GOOD LAUGH

Laughter prompts physical changes that help the immune and endocrine systems function better. Scientists know that stress has a negative effect on the heart and causes blood vessels to narrow. Take yourself a little less seriously, find something that tickles your funny bone, and share this wonderful, free gift of laughter with others.

4.GET BACK TO NATURE

Head for the great outdoors to boost your mood and yor self-esteem. People who participate in outdoor activities are significantly less angry, depressed and tense. Physical exercise and increased stamina associated with being outdoors yield important benefits as people become more sedentary with age. Walking, gardening, fishing, boating and cycling all count.

5. HELP YOURSELF BY HELPING OTHERS

Volunteers who devote time to community organizations or who imformally help out friends, relatives and neighbors report greater happiness and better health than those who don't. Adults over age 70 who volunteered 100 hours of their rime a year reported less of a decline in health and lower levels of depression than non-volunteers.

6. TRY TAI CHI

The gentle movements of tai chi reduce anxiety and depression, improve sleep quality, lower blood pressure and relieve chronic pain. These low-impact, slow-motion exercises encourage you to focus on your breathing and your body and allow you to concentrate fully on the present. Tai Chi contributes to a more positive attitude not only as a result of the exercise but through the support of working in a group. Taking a class is the best way to learn tai chi.

source: http://www.aarp.org/

FACTS ABOUT CATARACT

What is a cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. Most cataracts are related to aging. Cataracts are very common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. A cataract can occur in either or both eyes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other.

What is the lens?

The lens is a clear part of the eye that helps to focus light, or an image, on the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. In a normal eye, light passes through the transparent lens to the retina. Once it reaches the retina, light is changed into nerve signals that are sent to the brain. The lens must be clear for the retina to receive a sharp image. If the lens is cloudy from a cataract, the image you see will be blurred.

What causes cataracts?

The lens lies behind the iris and the pupil. It works much like a camera lens. It focuses light onto the retina at the back of the eye, where an image is recorded. The lens also adjusts the eye's focus, letting us see things clearly both up close and far away. The lens is made of mostly water and protein. The protein is arranged in a precise way that keeps the lens clear and lets light pass through it. But as we age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract. Over time, the cataract may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see. Researchers suspect that there are several causes of cataract, such as smoking and diabetes. Or, it may be that the protein in the lens just changes from the wear and tear it takes over the years.

What are the symptoms of a cataract?

1. Cloudy or blurry vision

2. Colors seem faded.

3. Glare. Headlights, lamps, or sunlight may appear too bright. A halo may appear around lights.

4. Poor night vision.

5. Double vision or multiple images in one eye.

6. Frequent prescription changes in your eyeglasses or contact lenses.

7. These symptoms also can be a sign of other eye problems. If you have any of these symptoms,check with your eye care professional.

source: http://www.nei.hih.gov/

AUGUST IS PSORIASIS AWARENESS MONTH

Learning about psoriasis could be the first step toward treating it.

How many people have it? Up to 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis.

Is Psoriasis just a skin condition? It's a chronic immune disease that appears on the skin. Up to 30% of psoriasis patients develop psoriatic arthritis, which impacts your joints. Learn more from the National Psoriasis Foundation about psoriatic arthritis, its symptoms, and treatment options.

Can my symptoms get worse in the winter? Yes. Dry air, decreased sunlight exposure, and colder temperatures can contribute to psoriasis flare-ups during winter.

Is there a cure? There is no cure for psoriasis, but there are a number of treatment options.

How severe can psoriasis become? It can be mild, moderate, or severe. The National Psoriasis Foundation considers mild psoriasis as affecting less than 3% of the body, 3-10% is considered to be moderate, and more than 10% is considered severe.

What can trigger my psoriasis? Psoriasis triggers vary from person to person and can include stress, injury to skin, some types of infection, and certain medicines.

Is psoriasis hereditary? About 1 out of 3 people with psoriasis report having a relative with the disease. Speak with your doctor about your genetic history.

source: http://www.psoriasisspeaks.com/

MACULAR DEGENERATION

What is AMD? Age-related macular degeneration(AMD) is a chronic condition that causes central vision loss. It affects millions of Americans. In fact, it is a leading cause of blindness in people 60 and older. The older you are, the greater your chance of being affected. That's why it is important to learn the symptoms of AMD now, so if you ever notice anything wrong, you can see an ophthalmologist right away. Early detection is key to avoiding vision loss.

AMD symptoms include blurriness, wavy lines, or a blind spot. You may also notice visual distortions such as: Straight lines or faces appearing wavy, doorways seeming crooked, objects appearing smaller or farther away.

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. If you are diagnosed with wet AMD, it is important to see a Retina Specialist for the most appropriate care.

AMD occurs when the macula - the center portion of the retina that is important for reading and color vision - becomes damaged. AMD is a single disease, but it can take on 2 different forms: dry and wet. Wet AMD is the more serious form, with more than 200,000 people in the United States diagnosed every year. Without treatment, patients can lose their central vision over time, leaving only peripheral, or side, vision. The symptoms can occur suddenly or gradually over time. Early detection and treatment can help you avoid severe vision loss.





source: http://www.amdawareness.org/