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According to a study, running has similar mental health benefits to antidepressants.

According to a study, running has similar mental health benefits to antidepressants.

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Running therapy and antidepressant medication are both successful treatments for patients with depression and anxiety disorders. They could have diverse effects on physical health, though, and they might operate through various pathophysiological processes. This study compared the effects of running therapy to antidepressants on both physical and mental health.

141 individuals with depression and/or anxiety disorders were randomly assigned to receive their preferred 16-week treatment, which was either antidepressant medication (escitalopram or sertraline) or group-based running therapy twice per week, according to a partially randomised patient preference design. Mental (diagnosis status and symptom severity) and physical (metabolic and immunological indicators, weight, lung function, hand grip strength, fitness) health indicators were assessed at baseline (T0) and post-treatment at week 16 (T16). Of the 141 individuals, 45 were given antidepressants, while 96 had running treatment (mean age 38.2 years; 58.2% female). Remission rates at T16 were comparable according to intention-to-treat analyses (antidepressants: 44.8%; running: 43.3%; p =.881). However, there were significant differences between the groups for a number of physical health measures, including weight (d = 0.57; p =.001), waist circumference (d = 0.44; p =.011), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (d = 0.53; p =.002), heart rate (d = 0.36; p =.033), and heart rate variability (d = 0.48; p =.006).

Only a small portion of the individuals agreed to be randomized; as a result, running therapy was more popular and had a bigger sample size. While the therapies had similar impacts on mental health, running therapy beat antidepressants in terms of physical health because both the running therapy group experienced greater improvements and the antidepressant group experienced greater declines.

REFERENCES:

https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/running-may-offer-mental-health-benefit-similar-to-antidepressants/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36828150/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/running-therapy-may-be-as-beneficial-for-depression-as-antidepressants

For anxiety disorders medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?cPath=30&lCsid=8r84od5jid7tf93ssdckeakkh2



Walking Difficulties May Be an Early Sign of Alzheimer’s

Walking Difficulties May Be an Early Sign of Alzheimer’s

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The study, which was written up in the journal Current Biology, employed a computational model to delve deeper into the complexities of navigational errors that have already been linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Participants were divided into three groups by researchers, under the direction of Professor Neil Burgess and colleagues in the Space and Memory group* at the UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience: healthy younger participants (a total of 31), healthy elderly participants (a total of 36), and patients with mild cognitive impairment (a total of 43). They then gave them a task to accomplish while using virtual reality goggles that enabled genuine motions. Participants in the trial followed a route that included two straight legs connected by a turn and was marked out by numbered cones. They then had to go alone back to where they had started.

The task was carried out under three different environmental conditions designed to test the participant’s navigational abilities: a virtual setting that remained intact, one in which all ground details were temporarily replaced with a plain texture, and one in which all landmarks were temporarily removed. The study’s findings revealed that patients with early Alzheimer’s regularly underestimated the number of turns along the route and shown greater directional unpredictability. The older participants who were in good health or those who had modest cognitive impairment, however, and who did not exhibit early indicators of Alzheimer’s disease, did not exhibit these particular abnormalities.

This may aid with diagnosis since it suggests that these navigational errors are unique to Alzheimer’s disease rather than an effect of normal aging or general cognitive loss. Dr. Andrea Castegnaro, co-first author and from the UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, stated that by focusing on particular navigational errors, their findings “offer a new avenue for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.” We are aware that additional research is necessary to support these preliminary findings.

We work to create practical tests that are simple to incorporate into clinical settings while taking into account standard limitations like time and space. It can be difficult to achieve the standards of traditional navigation exams in a therapeutic setting. Our research focuses on particular navigational features that are better suited to these limitations.We are hoping to collect enough information for a trustworthy diagnosis in a time-effective manner by developing these tests to be both quick and comprehensive, boosting the chance of their general acceptance.

In the UK, there are reportedly 944,000 dementia sufferers, and Alzheimer’s disease is assumed to be the cause of more than 60% of cases. Similar predictions suggest that, barring medical advances, the number of Americans 65 and older who have Alzheimer’s disease could double, reaching 13.8 million by 2060. These patterns show the growing toll Alzheimer’s disease is taking on healthcare systems and society at large.

For improved disease management and therapy, early diagnosis is essential. Recent developments in blood testing can now identify amounts of tau and amyloid proteins that may indicate a possible Alzheimer’s disease, however these tests might not be enough on their own. According to Dr. Castegnaro, “Cognitive exams are still required to determine when the first cognitive impairments manifest, and existing spatial memory tests used in clinics frequently depend on verbal proficiency. Our tests are designed to provide a more useful tool that is independent of language or cultural context.

REFERENCES:

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/difficulty-walking-could-be-an-early-sign-of-alzheimers-disease
https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/75/2/196
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2023/oct/certain-navigational-mistakes-could-be-early-signs-alzheimers-disease

For Alzheimer Disease medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?cPath=77_239

Getting rid of belly fat could aid in reversing prediabetes.

Getting rid of belly fat could aid in reversing prediabetes.

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Prior to developing into type 2 diabetes, prediabetes raises the risk of heart attack, kidney, eye, and other cancers. There isn’t a recognized pharmacological therapy for prediabetes at the moment. Researchers at the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) have now demonstrated the mechanisms by which prediabetes can be put into remission, or a condition in which blood glucose levels return to normal. The DZD multicenter trial further demonstrates that long-term improvement in renal and vascular function is linked to long-term protection against type 2 diabetes and prediabetes remission. The researchers write in The Lancet diabetic & Endocrinology that it’s interesting because the underlying mechanisms are distinct from those in type 2 diabetic remission.

People with type 2 diabetes are more likely to experience heart attacks, renal problems, strokes, and death. Up until a few years ago, type 2 diabetes was believed to be untreatable. We now understand that significant weight loss can significantly reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in a large number of people. The majority of people often develop type 2 diabetes once more within a few years, therefore this remission rarely lasts. Due to their higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes as well as issues with the heart, kidneys, and eyes, among other things, people with prediabetes may need to know this.

But what triggers the remission of prediabetes? In order to answer this query, researchers from the Department of Diabetology, Endocrinology, and Nephrology at the University Hospital of Tübingen and the Institute of Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases (IDM) at Helmholtz Munich performed a post-hoc analysis on participants with prediabetes from the Prediabetes Lifestyle Intervention Study (PLIS).

In a one-year lifestyle intervention involving a balanced diet and more exercise, 1,105 people with prediabetes participated in this randomized-controlled multicenter trial run by the DZD. The 298 participants who had lost at least 5% of their body weight as a result of the intervention were next evaluated by the researchers. Participants who had responded were those whose fasting, 2-hour, and HbA1c levels had returned to normal after a year, indicating that they had entered remission. Non-responders were people who lost weight but still had prediabetes and did not go into remission.

Contrary to what the researchers had hypothesized, there was no difference in relative weight loss between responders and non-responders, indicating that it was not weight loss that separated those who entered remission from those who did not. Individuals who were able to attain remission, as opposed to non-responders, showed a noticeable improvement in insulin sensitivity. In essence, they were better able to increase their sensitivity to the hormone insulin, which decreases blood glucose levels, than those who did not respond. The amount of insulin secreted did not change in either group, though. This distinction is important since type 2 diabetes remission mostly rely on increased insulin secretion.

The researchers compared the two groups in order to pinpoint the reason behind responders’ elevated insulin sensitivity. Despite reducing the same amount of body weight, the responders had reduced their abdomen fat more than the non-responders. The intestines are encircled by visceral abdominal fat, which is situated inside the abdominal cavity. An inflammatory response in adipose tissue is partly responsible for its effect on insulin sensitivity.

In fact, those subjects who achieved remission also had lower blood levels of inflammatory proteins. “Since the responders showed a reduction in abdominal fat in particular, it will be important in the future to identify the factors that promote the loss of this fat depot,” says Arvid Sandforth, one of the two primary authors. Surprisingly, the reduction of liver fat, which is a significant risk factor for the onset of diabetes, did not differ between the two groups. Even two years after the conclusion of the lifestyle intervention, the chance of acquiring type 2 diabetes was reduced by 73% in those who achieved remission. Additionally, they displayed fewer indicators of renal injury and improved blood vessel health.

To delay the emergence of type 2 diabetes, prediabetes is currently treated with weight loss and lifestyle changes, but without glucose-based objectives to direct the treatment process. The new analysis from the DZD closes this gap: Remission should be the new therapeutic goal for persons with prediabetes, according to the newly available evidence. According to co-first author Prof. Dr. Reiner Jumpertz-von Schwartzenberg, this could alter treatment strategies and reduce the risk of complications for our patients.The study found that remission in prediabetes is defined as a fasting blood glucose level of less than 100 mg/dl (5.6 mmol/l), a 2-hour glucose level of less than 140 mg/dl (7.8 mmol/l), and a HbA1c level of less than 5.7 percent. When body weight is decreased and waist circumference shrinks by at least 4 cm in women and 7 cm in men, the likelihood of remission rises. According to researchers, these characteristics can now be applied as biomarkers.

REFERENCES:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/reducing-abdominal-fat-may-help-reverse-prediabetes
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230927/Loss-of-abdominal-fat-may-be-key-to-reversing-prediabetes.aspx
https://www.verywellhealth.com/weight-loss-reverse-type-2-diabetes-6670449

For diabetes medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?cPath=77_95

Could a Mediterranean diet and regular exercise promote brain health?

Could a Mediterranean diet and regular exercise promote brain health?

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The combined impact of a Mediterranean diet and walking on dementia and cognitive decline is now being researched. The Mediterranean diet and regular walking have each been linked to brain health, but this study aims to evaluate the combined impact of both. By the end of 2023, the study will be finished. The “MedWalk intervention” is being studied to see if it can lower the risk of dementias like Alzheimer’s dementia and cognitive decline in people. The abbreviation “MedWalk” stands both “Mediterranean diet” plus “walking.”

The benefits of a combined MedWalk intervention have been previously related to both a Mediterranean diet and walking, and this current study seeks to validate those associations. The COVID-19 epidemic caused an interruption to the research being done by scientists from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, but it is still underway. But the information regarding their procedures and current analysis has been made public by the authors in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

The Mediterranean diet and cognition

According to Medical News Today, research from 2014 and 2023 revealed that adhering to a Mediterranean diet was connected with reduced instances of dementia. Conner Middelmann, a licensed nutritionist with a focus on the Mediterranean diet who was not part in the present study, made this observation. Numerous studies, including ones conducted in 2015 and 2023, have linked a Mediterranean diet to a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent type of dementia. Middelmann issued a warning, noting that “[w]hile these studies suggest a link between the Mediterranean diet and a reduced risk of dementia, it’s important to bear in mind that many factors can influence dementia risk, including genetics, lifestyle, and overall health.”

“Therefore, maintaining a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, is just one aspect of a comprehensive approach to brain health and dementia prevention,” she continued.
According to Middelmann, a Mediterranean diet may benefit brain health in a variety of ways because it is high in antioxidants that fight inflammation and oxidative stress, “which are thought to be significant contributors to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.” It includes omega-3 fatty acids, in particular the essential docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which has been associated to better cognitive function and a reduced risk of cognitive decline. The high fiber content of the Mediterranean diet may contribute to the balance of the gut microbiota. The diet discourages the intake of ultra-processed foods, which have been related to dementia, and is low in processed grains and sugars, which lowers the risk of insulin resistance and inflammation.

Finally, Middelmann said that other components of the Mediterranean diet that have been linked to brain health include eating meals with loved ones and friends and engaging in regular exercise.

How exercise can preserve mental health

In a similar vein, regular walking is linked to a slower rate of cognitive decline. A study conducted in 2022 discovered a dose-dependent connection between the quantity of steps walked and lowering the chance of dementia. According to that study, walking 10,000 steps each day cut the risk of dementia by 50%. An Australian and American study conducted in 2023 discovered a connection between walking pace and dementia, and a British Journal of Sports Medicine study from 2017 indicated that cardiovascular exercise, such as walking, can exacerbate cognitive decline.

“Walking may benefit the brain in a number of different ways. Depending on the amount, length, and frequency of walking, Ryan Glatt, a brain health coach at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute who was not involved in this study, stated that walking may enhance brain blood flow. Additionally, according to Glatt, it “benefits levels of brain activity, and may reduce feelings of overall stress while improving feelings of well-being.” According to Glatt, walking may also include social interaction and exposure to nature, both of which may be good for the brain. By the end of 2023, all data will have been collected for the current project.

Many diets have been suggested throughout the years as ways to stay healthy or lower the risk of particular diseases, but few of them have withstood serious scientific examination. The Mediterranean diet appears to be an exception, though. Studies are increasingly demonstrating that adopting this eating strategy has major advantages for one’s health. In addition to lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, research has indicated that it may also improve cognition, lower the risk of diabetes, lower the risk of some malignancies, and lessen the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

What is the Mediterranean diet?

The term “Mediterranean diet” refers to a broad range of diets that are inspired by the traditional eating patterns of those who reside near the Mediterranean Sea. High intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and legumes; low-fat or fat-free dairy products; fish, poultry, non-tropical vegetable oils; and nuts; and limited consumption of sodium, highly processed foods, refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, and fatty or processed meats, according to the American Heart Association, which advises this type of diet for cardiovascular health. In addition to these suggestions, the Harvard School of Public Health emphasizes the value of healthy fats such olive oil, avocados, almonds, and oily fish.

It suggests limiting people’s consumption of red meat to just a few times a week while encouraging them to consume small amounts of chicken, eggs, and dairy products on a daily basis. Although people should mostly drink water, the typical Mediterranean diet allows for one or two small glasses of red wine each day. Researchers do note, however, that daily enjoyment-based physical activity should be combined with a nutritious diet.

REFERENCES:

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/food-for-thought
https://www.eatingwell.com/article/8050356/brain-benefits-mediterranean-diet/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/could-walking-and-following-a-mediterranean-diet-protect-brain-health
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230719/Does-Mediterranean-diet-adherence-impact-mental-health.aspx

For diet related medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com

Globally, non-melanoma skin cancer now has a higher mortality rate than melanoma.

Globally, non-melanoma skin cancer now has a higher mortality rate than melanoma.

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Worldwide, non-melanoma skin malignancies caused more fatalities than melanoma because they are far more prevalent. Skin cancer rates may be rising in part due to the aging population. Skin cancer that is non-melanoma is curable and, in most circumstances, preventative.

According to a study being presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Neurology Congress 2023, non-melanoma skin malignancies now account for more deaths globally than melanoma alone. The prevalence of non-melanoma skin cancers is so great that even though they are less lethal than melanomas, the number of fatalities from them is larger, according to the study’s authors. In contrast to the 324,635 occurrences of melanoma, there were approximately 1.2 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer in 2020. According to the study, non-melanoma skin cancers caused 63,700 deaths globally and 78% of all skin cancer cases in 2020. At the same time, 57,000 people died from melanoma.

What to know about skin cancers other than melanoma

Skin cancers other than melanoma grow slowly in the top layers of the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma are common varieties. These malignancies are easier to cure and have a lower propensity to spread to other parts of the body. In spite of relatively low death rates, the study’s authors noted that fair-skinned and older people in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and Italy experience a high incidence rate of skin cancer. The researchers point out that skin cancer risk exists even in nations with a significant population of people with dark complexion.

“This study offers a fascinating look into the incidence and fatality rates of skin cancer around the world. According to Dr. Michele Green, a cosmetic dermatologist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City who was not involved in the study, “It is interesting that the availability of dermatologists in a given area did not correlate with melanoma incidence or mortality rates, suggesting that other factors besides dermatologist density successfully decrease mortality-to-incidence ratios. “It is also surprising to see how high the mortality rate for non-melanoma skin cancers is, as most would assume melanoma to be the most lethal skin cancer type,” she said in an interview with Medical News Today.

The increase in cases of non-melanoma skin cancer

Dr. Brian Toy, a dermatologist and clinical professor in the School of Medicine at the University of Southern California who was not involved in the study, said that historically, melanoma has a much higher risk of death than non-melanoma skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which are typically not life-threatening. Despite important developments in treating metastatic melanoma with immunotherapy, which has essentially supplanted conventional chemotherapy, Toy stated to Medical News Today that this is still the case. Immunotherapy has significantly improved patients’ chances of surviving, especially those with metastatic melanoma.

“In this study, the absolute number of patient deaths attributed to non-melanoma skin cancer did exceed those with melanoma, but that is only because the sheer number of non-melanoma skin cancers (1,198,073) far exceeded the number of melanomas (324,635),” he continued. “An analogy would be to compare the number of fatalities from motor vehicles to those from motorcycles. Despite the fact that driving a car is statistically safer than riding a motorbike, there are more car accidents every year because so many more people drive than ride bikes. People ought to visit a dermatologist frequently. The doctor checks for non-melanoma skin cancers during routine checkups and advises early treatment to stop them from progressing to a life-threatening stage.

Non-melanoma skin cancer incidence and mortality rates are rising, according to Green, for a number of reasons. One of them is the aging of the world’s population. As we become older, our cumulative exposure to UV radiation raises our risk of getting skin cancer. Another reason is the thinning of our ozone layer. By absorbing UV rays, the ozone layer shields our atmosphere from harm.

Unless it has personally touched them, a friend, or a family member, “patients in the United States are generally unaware of the signs and symptoms of skin cancer,” Toy added. “Countries with a skin cancer epidemic, like Australia and New Zealand, where the incidence is extremely high due to the sheer number of fair-skinned people living in a sunny climate, have much more awareness.” The authors propose that stepping up public education campaigns about risk factors can be beneficial. In order to manage the condition, programs should include dermatologists, general practitioners, and other medical professionals.

The report offers incidence and death statistics for every country, including those where they are significantly higher than in the United States. Dr. Trevan Fischer, a surgical oncologist and assistant professor of surgical oncology for Saint’s John’s Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in California who was not involved in the study, notes that it also lumps several types of non-melanoma skin cancers together. “Kaposi sarcoma and Merkel cell carcinoma are two additional, extremely uncommon, but potentially aggressive forms of skin cancer. The death rates increased as a result of their being included with non-melanoma malignancies. According to Fischer, Medical News Today, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas have substantially lower mortality rates.

He continued, “The other question regarding death rates is, did the patients die from the skin cancer or another health condition, but they had skin cancer?” For instance, if someone has a kidney transplant and later dies from a heart attack, did they pass away from kidney disease or did they pass away from a heart attack while they were suffering from kidney illness? These are two distinct objects.

Treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer

The kind, size, and location of skin cancer all affect how it is treated. Except in cases when the tumor is deep or has migrated to other parts of the body, dermatologists are able to treat the majority of cases of non-melanoma skin cancer. After that, an oncologist is frequently contacted. Excision and Mohs surgery are two surgical alternatives for treating the condition, according to Green. “A biopsy is taken during excision surgery and sent to a lab to make sure there is no trace of cancer still present. During Mohs surgery, the lesion is removed one layer at a time. A pathologist examines each layer as it is removed to check for abnormal cells, and the process is continued until there are no aberrant cells left in the tissue.

Cryosurgery or curettage and electrodesiccation may be suggested by your doctor if surgery is not an option, she continued. “Curettage and electrodesiccation involves scraping the lesion’s surface with a curette before burning the residual lesion with a hyfrecator. In order to treat superficial lesions, cryosurgery uses liquid nitrogen; it can be used alone or after curettage and electrodesiccation. A topical treatment called fluorouracil, which prevents the abnormal cells from dividing, can also be used to treat some basal cell carcinomas, according to Green.

REFERENCES:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/why-non-melanoma-skin-cancer-is-now-more-deadly-than-melanoma-worldwide
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20231010/Non-melanoma-skin-cancer-causing-greater-number-of-global-deaths-than-melanoma-study-finds.aspx
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9339183/

For Skin cancer medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?cPath=77_115

Climbing over 50 steps of stairs a day may help reduce heart disease risk

Climbing over 50 steps of stairs a day may help reduce heart disease risk

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A recent study suggests that climbing 50 stairs each day can cut the risk of cardiovascular conditions like stroke, blood clots, and heart attacks by as much as 20%.The study compared participants who climbed five flights of stairs each day to those who did not to see these advantages. Walking up steps can be a more challenging form of aerobic exercise since it requires more muscular use and energy expenditure as the body fights against gravity to move upward.

According to a recent study, routinely climbing stairs may dramatically lower your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in general. According to the study, persons who climbed 50 stairs during the day had a 20% lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those who did not climb any stairs at all. Although the study’s main focus was atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), which also encompasses stroke, heart attacks, and blood clots, its corresponding author claims that the study’s findings are applicable to CVD in general.

The results are presented in the publication Atherosclerosis.

Climbing stairs helps keep your heart healthy.

The authors of the study examined information from 458,860 adult UKBiobank members. They first gathered baseline data on the subjects’ stair climbing, lifestyle, and sociodemographic characteristics, and then they did it again five years later. They kept track of the subjects for 12.5 years. Then, using coronary artery disease, ischemic stroke, or acute complications as markers of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease for this study, they compared the participant’s stair climbing behaviors with these conditions. The researchers assumed that a typical staircase would have ten steps. The incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was monitored for those who climbed their stairs between one and five, six and ten, eleven and fifteen, sixteen and twenty, and at least 21 times per day.

Although the largest protective impact of stair climbing was related with individuals not thought to be at special CVD risk due to genetics, stair climbing also reduced the CVD risk of other participants.

How stair climbing is good for your heart

Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, the medical director of the Structural Heart Program at Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California, who was not involved in the study, said: “It’s basically [a]n enhanced form of aerobic exercise because not only do you get the motion the movement that you get from the walk  you actually engage other muscle groups.” Walking up stairs is more difficult than walking on flat ground, as you might assume. That’s because you’re pushing yourself up and out, which is equivalent to pushing against gravity, in addition to moving your body. You are truly developing the muscles in your lower body, but you are also developing the muscles in your lower back and core, according to Dr. Chen.

Dr. Chen hypothesized that ascending the stairs quickly would be important because doing so results in a greater workout.

when climbing stairs is challenging

The only activity one can do to enhance and preserve their health is stair climbing, though. Dr. Chen expressed worry over not deterring people from making the best possible efforts. He emphasized that having joint issues can make it difficult to climb even a few stairs, let alone 50. “Even walking on flat ground is wonderful, so I don’t want to discourage people from doing it. Any exercise is preferable to none, he told MNT.

‘Oh, boy, you know, they want us to run up the stairs, and I’m 75 years old, and my joints hurt,’ a reader could think when they read an article. Simply said, I won’t do it. No exercise is possible for me. Walking is undoubtedly preferable to sitting on the couch, but going upstairs is certainly preferable to doing so, said Dr. Chen.

The dangers of cardiovascular illness

According to a 2022 study, 24.0 million Americans, or around 10% of the population over the age of 21, had ASCVD overall in 2019. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 695,000 of the 1.4 million deaths that occurred in the United States in 2021 were attributable to CVD. Annually, 605,000 Americans have their first heart attack; the remaining 805,000 Americans experience repeat attacks. In the West, coronary heart disease which encompasses angina, myocardial infarction, and coronary artery stenosis is the primary factor in 370,000 fatalities each year.

In the United States, approximately 795,000 people have a stroke annually, which results in 137,000 fatalities. Strokes are the top cause of major long-term disability in America and the sixth largest cause of death. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the cause of ischemic strokes, the most prevalent type of stroke. Men experience atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease more frequently than women do in their youth, but this disparity disappears after menopause, possibly as a result of the aging-related loss of women’s protective sex hormones.

REFERENCES:

https://www.wionews.com/trending/climbing-50-stairs-a-day-helps-keep-doctors-away-study-641151
https://www.sciencealert.com/want-to-cut-heart-disease-risk-heres-how-many-flights-of-stairs-to-climb-daily
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/09/230929131402.htm
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/climbing-over-50-steps-of-stairs-a-day-may-help-reduce-heart-disease-risk

For heart disease medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?cPath=77_99



Insomnia and other sleep issues may be caused by high blood pressure.

Insomnia and other sleep issues may be caused by high blood pressure.

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According to a recent study, women who have difficulties sleeping or get insufficient sleep have a higher chance of developing hypertension. Although the reason of either high blood pressure or poor sleep is unknown, there is a strong correlation between the two. The authors of the study advise paying great attention to one’s blood pressure and treating insomnia and sleeping issues properly.

The study’s authors advise women who don’t get enough sleep to get their blood pressure checked and, if they have difficulties falling asleep, to look into solutions.

Hypertension risk is increased by sleeping troubles.

The Nurses’ Health Study 2 (NHS2) included 66,122 women, and its researchers monitored their health. The participants were between the ages of 25 and 42. All had normal blood pressure at the time of enrolment in 2001. For 16 years, the researchers monitored the individuals’ health and measured their blood pressure every two years. They noticed 25,987 additional instances of hypertension during the follow-up period. The risk of hypertension in women was found to be influenced by both insufficient sleep and difficulty falling asleep after the researchers took into account lifestyle and demographic risk variables. Women who slept for five hours or less each day had a 10% increased risk of hypertension, whereas those who slept for six hours had a 7% increased risk.

Women who slept longer than eight hours, worked night shifts, or had an evening chronotype did not have a higher risk of developing hypertension. Compared to women who rarely had difficulty sleeping, those who said they occasionally or frequently had trouble sleeping were 14% and 28% more likely to develop hypertension, respectively.

What sleep has to do with hypertension

The study did not include Dr. Nicole Weinberg, a cardiologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. She observed that it is challenging to determine whether sleep causes hypertension, whether it is the other way around, or even if they are connected at all. Which is it: the egg or the chicken? Dr. Weinberg enquired, “Like, what is the driving force here. The study’s principal investigator, Dr. Shahab Haghayegh, a Harvard research fellow and biomedical engineer, proposed a potential mechanism through which sleep can encourage hypertension.

“Sleep problems may trigger a series of actions that may raise cardiac output, arterial stiffness, and salt retention, potentially resulting in hypertension. The activity of blood vessels that control vascular tone and the function of the cells can both be affected by disruptions to the sleep/wake cycle. On the other hand, a hypothesis cited in the article proposes a counterfactual situation in which hypertension causes poor sleep. Perhaps it disrupts the 24-hour blood pressure cycle, which typically sees a reduction in blood pressure during sleep and a rise in blood pressure upon waking.

Dr. Haghayegh stressed that this is only an assumption and said, “So the difficulty in falling asleep and maintaining sleep usually occurs during the period at night when a drop in blood pressure would be expected, preventing the sleep-time dipping in blood pressure pattern.” This would result in a rise in blood pressure when you wake up at the other end of sleep. The researchers could not discover any connection between early rising and hypertension, though. Dr. Haghayegh stressed that this was just a theory and called for more research in subsequent studies.

High BMI and nutrition linked to sleep issues

The study also discovered that women who struggled to get a decent night’s sleep had higher body mass indices (BMI), took part in less physical activity, did not consume a diet rich in nutrients, and were more likely to smoke, consume alcohol, and be postmenopausal. The mystery becomes much more complicated because several of these issues include high blood pressure as a contributing factor. Dr. Haghayegh stated, “High blood pressure may be a result of poor sleep quality or duration, or both hypertension and poor sleep may be results of other underlying illnesses.

What happens when we sleep?

What happens while we sleep has long been a mystery, which is what Dr. Weinberg found to be most intriguing about the sleep problem. Dr. Weinberg gave the example of having to urinate during the middle of the night. They say, “Oddly, I didn’t have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night,” after you put a CPAP on them. She said, “It’s not like the sensation went away. Is the sensation caused by a blood pressure problem, or are there renal flow alterations that are activating these people in a way that we simply wouldn’t have recognized in the past because we simply lacked the means to obtain that information?

As a result, Dr. Weinberg is excited about the growing amount of sleep-related data that is being made available to professionals, praising the success of the Apple Watch’s sleep tracking feature in particular. They are able to understand what is happening when we are sleeping in a way that we have never, ever, ever been able to. And as a result, it’s assisting us in understanding the progression of disease. I find it incredibly fascinating,” she declared.

Identifying the root reasons of poor sleep

What he believed people should take away from the study was described by Dr. Haghayegh. “Maintain vigilance in monitoring blood pressure,” he said, “as our findings clearly demonstrate a substantial association between poor sleep and hypertension.” “Everyone is being encouraged to sort of speak up for themselves. You may genuinely think to yourself, “Maybe I have a sleep disorder,” if your sleep is not as restorative as you had hoped or is restless. Dr. Weinberg continued, “Your practitioner can then take it from there. Maybe I should be looking into that further.

REFERENCES:

https://www.healthline.com/health/high-blood-pressure/can-high-blood-pressure-cause-insomnia
https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/trouble-falling-asleep-linked-to-high-blood-pressure
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/sleep-deprivation/faq-20057959
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/high-blood-pressure-may-be-linked-to-insomnia-sleep-troubles

For sleep issues medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?cPath=77_314

Managing chronic inflammation with psoriasis

Managing chronic inflammation with psoriasis

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Psoriasis is regarded by medical professionals as an immune-mediated inflammatory illness even though the actual origin is uncertain. This indicates that the underlying cause of the disease is inflammation.

In the United States, psoriasis affects up to 3% of adults. It can affect other bodily components, such as the joints and eyes, and manifest signs on the skin, such as elevated plaques and discolouration. According to experts, inflammation may be the common culprit affecting these various locations.

What results in psoriasis inflammation?

Immune system malfunction in psoriasis patients leads to an accumulation of inflammatory cells in the dermis, the middle layer of skin. Additionally, the disease accelerates the proliferation of skin cells in the epidermis, the top layer of the skin.

Skin cells typically develop and slough off over the course of a month. In those with psoriasis, this process accelerates to only a few days. Skin cells accumulate on the skin’s surface instead of being shed, causing painful symptoms such elevated plaques, scales, edema, and redness or discolouration.

Despite the fact that psoriasis is a skin disorder, the inflammation it causes affects the entire body. It can raise the risk of cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriatic arthritis, heart disease, and others.

Is inflammation curable in any way?

Although immune system dysregulation is the cause of the inflammation in psoriasis, research suggest that patients can lessen this inflammation by making dietary and lifestyle modifications. This may aid in symptom reduction and quality-of-life enhancement. Many psoriasis sufferers can sustain remission a prolonged period without having psoriasis symptoms using these techniques. In addition, certain psoriasis treatments work by lowering inflammation. Topical corticosteroids, biologics for injection, and oral drugs are some of these. Psoriasis affects people differently. Some patients will need longer-term care than others.

Managing inflammation

Although there is currently no cure for psoriasis, the following behaviors may lessen inflammation caused by psoriasis and raise a person’s chances of going into remission. consuming a wholesome diet Diet and systemic inflammation are closely related. According to studies, some inflammatory food habits might worsen psoriasis symptoms and increase the likelihood of developing the condition. Everybody’s definition of a healthy diet is unique.

You can follow below steps to avoid Psoriasis.

Avoiding inflammatory foods: Some foods and drinks include anti-inflammatory compounds that exacerbate inflammation and bring on the symptoms of psoriasis. Soda and highly processed foods like salty snacks, sweets, and animal items are two examples.

Take into account an anti-inflammatory diet: Psoriasis symptoms are regularly reduced by diets high in fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods. For instance, a 2018 study of 35,735 individuals, 3,557 of whom had psoriasis, found that those who consumed a diet similar to the Mediterranean diet had fewer severe cases of psoriasis than those who did not.

Being healthy in terms of weight

A risk factor for the onset of psoriasis is obesity. Overweight or obese psoriasis sufferers may also have more severe symptoms than those who are of a moderate weight. In individuals with excess body weight, weight loss may lower inflammatory indicators and assist in reducing psoriasis symptoms. In a 2020 study, it was discovered that individuals with psoriasis and obesity or overweight who underwent a 10-week program to lose 12% of their body weight saw a 50–75% reduction in the severity of their psoriasis. An average of 23 pounds were lost by participants.

Implementing other healthy habits

There are a number of behaviors that might lessen inflammation and enhance psoriasis symptoms, including:

• Avoiding or quitting smoking: Smoking has a negative impact on one’s health and aggravates inflammatory conditions like psoriasis.

 • Limiting alcohol consumption: Drinking too much alcohol might increase psoriasis symptoms and contribute to inflammation.

 • Remaining active can help with psoriasis symptoms by preventing prolonged periods of inactivity. According to one assessment of the literature, those with psoriasis who lead sedentary lifestyles experience more severe symptoms than those who engage in regular exercise.

• Getting enough sleep: A lack of sleep can cause the body to become inflammatory. According to studies, getting little or no sleep might raise blood levels of inflammatory indicators. Adults should sleep for 7-9 hours every night, according to experts, to maintain good health.

• Controlling stress levels: Prolonged stress causes the immune system to become overactive and promotes inflammation. Up to 88% of psoriasis sufferers cite stress as a symptom cause. Stress-relieving exercises like yoga and meditation may be beneficial.

When should I get medical help?

Anyone who is going through a psoriasis flare and is curious about how to lessen the symptoms and inflammation of the condition might want to think about consulting their healthcare team, which includes their dermatologist. They can offer suggestions for diet and lifestyle modifications that may help lower inflammation and lessen psoriasis symptoms, as well as treatment options dependent on the severity of the symptoms. Additionally, they could advise taking vitamins or supplements.

REFERENCES:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/psoriasis-and-chronic-inflammation
https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/taming-the-chronic-inflammation-of-psoriasis
https://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis/facts-about-inflammation

For psoriasis medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/search.php?keywords=psoriasis

Daily tea consumption lower the incidence of type 2 diabetes

Daily tea consumption lower the incidence of type 2 diabetes

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Type 2 diabetes develops when the body is unable to control blood sugar levels, typically because insulin, the hormone that regulates blood glucose, is no longer being properly reacted to by the body. Type 2 diabetes can cause high blood pressure, cardiovascular illness, nerve damage, eyesight loss, and kidney damage if it is not well managed.

The greatest strategy to prevent type 2 diabetes and, in conjunction with medicine, to manage its symptoms is through lifestyle changes. Doctors advise regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body mass index, and following a heart-healthy diet that includes lots of fresh vegetables, whole grains, protein, and heart-healthy fats.

Type 2 diabetes, whose incidence is rising globally, is a serious health concern.

Type 2 diabetes is closely linked to aging, being overweight, and obesity. It is largely brought on by bad diets and lifestyles.

Changes in lifestyle, such as more exercise and a healthy diet, can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

A recent study also suggests that frequent tea consumption may help to control blood sugar levels and lower the risk of diabetes.

An observational study from China now reveals that those who frequently consume tea, especially dark tea, may lower their insulin resistance and improve their blood glucose levels, which lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Regular tea drinkers have better blood glucose control

The study included 562 men and 1,361 women, aged 20 to 80, from eight Chinese provinces. A total of 1,135 of them had normal blood sugar levels, 436 of them had diabetes, 352 had prediabetes.

1,000 of the 1,923 participants regularly drank tea. They drank a variety of teas: 300 said they drank green tea, 125 said they drank black tea, 521 said they drank dark tea, and 54 said they drank other kinds. Everyone drank their tea devoid of milk and sugar.

The morning spot urine glucose-to-creatine ratio (UGCR), a measure of the excretion of glucose in the urine, was used by the researchers to investigate for any correlation between the frequency and type of tea drinking and excretion of glucose in the urine. In addition, they assessed insulin resistance and noted any glycemic abnormalities (such as past or present type 2 diabetes, usage of anti-diabetic drugs, or an abnormal 75g oral glucose tolerance test).

They discovered that daily tea drinkers had less insulin resistance and excreted more glucose in their urine. In comparison to people who never drank tea, they also had a 28% lower risk of type 2 diabetes and a 28% lower risk of prediabetes.

Greater advantages of dark tea

People who consumed dark tea, a particular variety of tea that contains a fermentation process involving microbes, were more susceptible to the effects.

Dark teas include Ripen Pu-erh tea, Qingzhuan brick tea, Kangzhuan brick tea, and Liubao tea.

Black tea versus fermented tea for diabetes

The authors concur that because this research was observational, it cannot conclusively show that tea consumption enhances blood sugar regulation. But Dr. Wu did offer an explanation for why it might have this effect:

“These findings suggest that the actions of bioactive compounds in dark tea may directly or indirectly modulate glucose excretion in the kidneys, an effect, to some extent, mimicking that of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2), a new anti-diabetic drug class that is not only effective at preventing and treating type 2 diabetes but also has a substantial protective effects on the heart and kidneys.”

Dr. Wu informed MNT that the research team is preparing additional investigations:

Our team is conducting a double-blind, randomized experiment to examine the therapeutic benefits of routine drinking of microbial fermented tea vs. black tea on glycemic management in individuals with type 2 diabetes, with results expected in 2024.

As Dr. Inogong stated to MNT, “It would be interesting to see if these results could be reproduced in larger populations around the world, and if the association still holds, to then study any potential mechanisms by which dark tea impacts glucose regulation.” This could be a helpful step to try and confirm their findings. “[Dark tea] would be a wonderful natural supplement to consider in a treatment plan for those at risk for or who have established type 2 diabetes, if a mechanism is discovered.” Dr. Sue Inonog.

More proof of the health advantages of tea

Tea has long been believed to be healthy, and now scientific study is beginning to support those beliefs. Black and green tea contain polyphenols, which have been demonstrated to have anti-aging effects, cardiovascular advantages, and may even help prevent some cancers. According to the most recent study, reducing the risk of diabetes could be added to that list. Unless you consume excessive amounts, there is little evidence that drinking tea is harmful to your health. According to the current study, consuming a cup of tea each day may help keep blood glucose levels within a healthy range.

REFERENCES:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/could-drinking-tea-every-day-reduce-type-2-diabetes-risk
https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/drinking-tea-tied-to-lower-risk-of-type-2-diabetes/
https://www.thenationalnews.com/health/2023/10/02/drinking-dark-tea-every-day-may-reduce-risk-of-type-2-diabetes/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2669862/

For Type 2 diabetes medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?cPath=77_95

Is Alzheimer’s a Genetic (Hereditary) condition?

Is Alzheimer’s a Genetic (Hereditary) condition?

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According to some study, having an affected relative may raise a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease affects memory, thinking, and movement. It is a chronic, progressive condition.

Uncertainty surrounds the condition’s causes. According to recent study, genetics may be one of many variables that contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s.Reliable Source.

The potential connections between genetics and Alzheimer’s disease are evaluated in this article.

Risk genes and deterministic genes are the two components that scientists use to characterise genetic risks for Alzheimer’s disease.

A person has a higher likelihood of developing an illness if they carry risk genes. A disease may emerge as a direct result of deterministic genes.

Numerous deterministic and risk genes for Alzheimer’s have been discovered by scientists.

Risk genes

Alzheimer’s disease is caused by several genes. The apolipoprotein E-E4 gene (APOE-e4) has the strongest connection to the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease (Trusted Source).

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 15 to 25 percent of persons who carry this gene may develop Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, compared to someone who receives the APOE-e4 gene from only one parent, someone who receives the gene from both parents has a higher risk of acquiring Alzheimer’s disease.

A person with the gene may potentially have symptoms earlier in life and be diagnosed sooner.

Although everyone gets an APOE gene in some form, there is no connection between Alzheimer’s disease and the APOE-e3 or APOE-e2 genes. Even against the sickness, APOE-e2 may provide benefits for the brain.

The risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease can also be considerably increased by the trisomy 21 gene.

Deterministic genes

Three distinct deterministic genes that may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease have been found by researchers:

  • amyloid precursor protein (APP)
  • presenilin-1 (PS-1)
  • presenilin-2 (PS-2)

The excessive production of amyloid-beta peptides is caused by these genes. A hazardous protein that collects in the brain is this one. The damage and death of nerve cells brought on by this accumulation are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. These are “dominant genes,” which indicates that if either parent has the ailment, they can convey the gene to their offspring, who will then develop the disorder.

These gene variants are responsible for 5-10% of all early onset dementia cases and 60-70% of familial early onset Alzheimer’s illness cases. Alzheimer’s brought on by deterministic genes often strikes people younger than 65. It occasionally manifests in persons in their 40s and 50s.

But not everyone who has early-onset Alzheimer’s has these genes.

Genes’ role in various forms of dementia

Other genetic abnormalities have been linked to some types of dementia.

For instance, chromosome 4 is altered in Huntington’s disease, which may result in dementia that worsens over time. A dominant genetic disorder, Huntington’s disease.

There may be a hereditary component to Parkinson’s dementia or dementia with Lewy bodies. For instance, SNCA, PARK7, and PRKN are only a few of the genes known to be linked to Parkinson’s disease. However, the underlying causes of these diseases are frequently multifaceted, much like all types of dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease risk factors

Several risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease have been identified by researchers.

These consist of:

Age is the main risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, according to reliable sources.
Family history: The likelihood of having Alzheimer’s disease is increased if a close relative already has the condition.
People who have experienced serious head trauma in the past may be more susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease.
Cardiovascular health: Alzheimer’s disease risk may be increased by heart or blood vessel conditions. Examples include diabetes, stroke, and high blood pressure.

Alzheimer’s disease signs and prognosis

Memory and brain function are typically gradually lost as a result of Alzheimer’s disease.

Periods of forgetfulness or memory loss may be early indications. A person may gradually become confused or disoriented in familiar environments, including at home. As a result, they might require extra help with daily tasks like tooth brushing, dressing, and food preparation.

Agitation, restlessness, personality withdrawals, and speech difficulties are some possible symptoms.

After the onset of symptoms, an individual with Alzheimer’s disease typically has an 8–10 year survival rate.

Find out more about the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and its prognosis.

Summary

Multiple genes are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The APOE-e4 gene, for example, raises the risk of getting the illness but does not always result in an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Some, like the APP gene, are directly responsible for the disease’s onset. However, familial Alzheimer’s is an uncommon form of the illness that affects 5–10% of those with early-onset Alzheimer’s.

REFERENCES:

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/risk-factors-and-prevention/is-dementia-hereditary
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-disease-genetics-fact-sheet
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/alzheimers-disease/

For Alzheimer’s medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=20