Everyone knows that cancer and lung diseases pose the biggest threat on smokers’ health. Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths among smoking individuals. Studies have shown though that it is also a risk factor for other types of cancer: cancer of the throat, cancer of the mouth, and cancer of the esophagus to name a few. On the other hand, lung diseases specifically pneumonia, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis have all been proven to be caused by smoking. They are known as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) which can bring chronic illnesses and disability. The hard truth about these diseases is that as one contracts them and does not go for immediate treatment, they eventually worsen and may cause death.

Smokers are also prone to heart diseases, strokes and other blood vessel diseases. By smoking continuously, their chances of acquiring these fatal illnesses is up by 50% more compared to those who do not smoke at all. Smoking also affects the blood vessels that carry blood to the legs and arms which results to peripheral vascular diseases and blood vessels in the brain which is why strokes happen. For men who are chain smokers, they are likely to develop erectile dysfunction later on in their life.

A very important matter of concern for women smokers is that when they are pregnant, miscarriage can easily happen or lower birth-weight babies that can develop physical and mental abnormalities can be born due to their bad habit. If worse comes to worst, these babies could easily die. Women who also take birth control pills and smoke at the same time have higher risks of heart attacks and stroke.

If these facts don’t get you to quit smoking, then maybe results of studies made on years of life lost due to smoking will be reason enough to make you quit. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an adult male smoker loses an average of 13.2 years of life and that of an adult female smoker loses an average of 14.5 life years due to smoking! Just think of how much smoking can steal from you!

Related posts

• Herbal Medicines for Bronchitis Treatment
• How to Finance your Medical Office, Medical Supply or Medical Testing Company
• New Adventures in Healthy Aging
• Vitamin D And Osteoporosis – Do You Get Enough?
• Holistic Medicine – What It Is And Isn’t

Most people assume that having a stroke is more common in older adults however there is also a large percentage of people under 65 who are at risk of a stroke. The risk of having a stroke increases if a parent, grandparent, brother or sister has had a stroke.

There are so many factors that can increase your chances including the following:-

Gender, men are at a higher risk than women when under 55 years of age, after age 55 both sexes are at equal risk.

Smoking also increases the risk of a stroke

High blood pressure and high blood cholesterol also plays a part in adding to the risk of a stroke

If you have already had a stroke you are more at risk of having another.

Obesity and having a lifestyle which is inactive can push your percentage up

Although changing you lifestyle and eating habits can help to reduce the risk you may find it does not illuminate the problem. Therefore knowing the signs of stroke can help you reach medical help faster than if you are unaware of what is happening.

The most common signs of stroke are as follows:

• A feeling of confusion, not being able to speak, or understand people properly.
• Numbness of the face, leg or arms particularly if down one side of your body
• Vision problems in one or both eyes
• Loss of balance, coordination.
• Severe Headache.
• These symptoms most commonly happen out of the blue and all of a sudden however it is possible for the symptoms to progress over few hours or even days.

You will not necessarily suffer from all of the warning signs of a stroke so it is important not to ignore any of them even if they seem to ease off.

If you know that you are at high risk then be prepared, carry emergency telephone numbers for hospitals and rescue services with you at all times. Know where the nearest hospital is when travelling.

If you are with someone who is showing signs of stroke call the emergency services immediately, you may find the person strongly disagrees with you as denial is common. However it is important to ignore the protest and get help as soon as possible.

The effects of a stroke can change someone’s life for ever. Depending where in the brain the stroke occurs will determine the outcome. Because one side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body if the stroke occurs on the left side of the brain the right side of the body will be affected.

Related posts

• Signs And Symptoms of Bronchitis
• How to Finance your Medical Office, Medical Supply or Medical Testing Company
• Acne Medicine – From Mild To Maximum
• Can You Cure Diabetes Naturally Without Medicine?
• Reasons to Quit – Why You Should Quit Smoking Now

New studies, in fact, point to vitamin D to treat osteoporosis and lessen the amount of bone fractures in the elderly. Osteoporosis is a major health issue for an estimated 44 million Americans and in the year 2000, the number of osteoporotic fractures in Europe was estimated at 3.79 million.

While primarily associated as an elderly disease, osteoporosis can show up at any time. Getting enough calcium and sunlight (vitamin D) to help absorb the calcium, has been targeted as a major factor in affecting the disease and reducing fractures.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) reports that “one in two women and one in four men over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in her/his remaining lifetime. Osteoporosis is responsible for more than 1.5 million fractures annually, including over 300,000 hip fractures.”

Research has shown that vitamin D not only aids in the absorption of calcium to strengthen bones, but also positively affects muscles. This positive affect on bones and muscles leads to more body stability and experts say, could be beneficial in reducing the amount of fractures sustained from weak bones and muscles in the elderly.

Specialists are suggesting a daily dosage of 800 units (20 micrograms) for people 65 and older, while research is being done on yearly vitamin D injections.

Although many leading authorities are recommending extra vitamin D, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) — an independent UK organization responsible for providing national guidance on promoting good health and preventing and treating ill health — is not advocating a certain dosage or saying whether supplements or injections would be the best technique for administering the vitamin.

NICE also states that although studies are showing that supplementing vitamin D may decrease the amount of fractures in the elderly, they are not positive it would lessen the amount of yearly fractures.

The Food Standards Agency in the UK, recommends 10 micrograms (or 400 units) of extra vitamin D, but only for those who are housebound, inactive and not eating a healthy diet of meat or oily fish. They stand firm that people who are active and eating a healthy diet, do not need extra vitamin D supplementation.

Related posts

• Reasons to Quit – Why You Should Quit Smoking Now
• Migraine and Homeopathy
• Acne Medicine – From Mild To Maximum
• Herbal Medicines – A Safe Alternative
• Alternative Medicine For Diabetes Symptoms