Vitamin D Most important Vitamin

New research is emerging that vitamin D maybe the most important thing for your health well being. So spending more time in the sun will actually be good for you. But isn't exposing ourselves to the sun leads to skin cancer and wrinkles that for years, health experts and doctors has been constantly warning us about? But new research actually proves that sunlight provides more benefit to us than previously given credit to. Vitamin D helps prevent various types of cancer as well as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and even gum disease.

Vitamin d is also linked to our bone growth and development since it is needed for calcium absorption to our body. Even if we, God forbid, acquire cancer. Vitamin D can still help fight the disease as a recent study shows that mortality rates among lung cancer patients are 40 percent higher among cancer patients who has less exposure to the sun. But the sun is not the only source for vitamin D. Sea foods like cod liver, salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines and all types of milk are a very good source of this vitamin.

Some multi vitamins also provide us with some doses of vitamin d, but the best and readily available source is still exposing ourselves to the sun. But not the sun at noon type or you will get sunburn and repeated exposure may lead to skin cancer. the best time exposing ourselves to the sun is sunrise up to around 8 a.m in the morning. So jogging exercises in parks or in your villages and subdivision will double the benefits since you are getting a work out as well as a healthy dose of vitamin D.

Special Dental Needs Of Seniors

Senior citizens are the fastest growing portion of many populations are keeping their teeth longer than prior generations and have special dental needs. As the population ages, dental needs of individuals over 65 becomes increasingly specialized. Each individual has different medical problems and takes different prescriptions which can adversely interact with drugs dentists may have to use to care for dental health including dental anesthetics. Dental patients, especially the elderly need to keep their dentist informed of any changes or updates in their medical history to help prevent potentially harmful drug interactions or teeth conditions.

Many medications can cause a decrease in the saliva flow which suppresses the normal buffering action of the saliva. The resulting dry mouth condition can lead to decay and tooth loss. Special mouth rinses can be prescribed to increase saliva flow and reduce plaque build up. Adult tooth loss is often a result of oral disease and not the aging process and most oral diseases can be prevented and largely reversed through careful oral hygiene and regular dental visits.

Regular dental visits are essential for senior citizens, even for the 44 percent of elderly adults who no longer have their teeth. To avoid diseases and maintain their natural teeth, seniors who do not have a regular dentist should select a dentist and schedule a consultation visit. Seniors planning to enter a nursing home should inquire about the dental consultant and their personal care giver. Family members should play an active role in encouraging the oral health of homebound seniors or in nursing homes by helping them schedule regular dental visits.

Passing Blood In Your Stool

Bright red blood from the anus mixed with stools is a symptom of many gastro-intestinal diseases, such as infections (amoebiasis, typhoid ileitis, diverticulitis), inflammation (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), vascular problems (bleeding peptic ulcers and hemorrhoids), trauma and neoplasms (bleeding polyps or cancer).

Of these causes, colorectal cancer is perhaps the most dreaded. Usually, bleeding from colorectal cancer is accompanied by other symptoms such as changers in bowel habits. Patients experience constipation or diarrhea, abdominal pain and sudden weight loss. The risk of developing colorectal cancer becomes higher with a low fiber, high fat diet and a family history of colorectal cancer.

To diagnose colorectal cancer, a doctor first performs a rectal exam to check for palpable masses. He may then request a gastroenterologist to perform a colonoscopy using an instrument designed to see the entire colon. If there are suspicious masses, then a biopsy will be done via the colonoscope. Sedation is often necessary for this.

Colonoscopy is usually recommended as a screening tool for those who are at risk for developing colorectal cancer, such as those who have had benign polyps or cancer before, or who have relatives with colon cancer or inflammatory bowel diseases. This is usually done at age 50, but those who are at high risk can have this done much earlier.

Back Owners Guide

There is no simple answer to back pain. Your doctor can guide you on the road to recovery. But a healthy, pain free back is almost always up to you. Only you ca improve your posture and learn ways to prevent back strain in your daily life. And only you can follow a daily exercise program to build strong supporting abdominal, leg and back muscles. You'll need to keep the muscles surrounding your spine strong and flexible. This will help your back three natural curves stay in alignment.

The most common back problems occur when disk in the spine tear, bulge, rupture, or wear out. Each of these makes it harder for disk to cushion the vertebrae and absorb shock. As a result, the area can become inflamed and spinal nerves can become irritated. The resulting pain often makes back muscles tighten to protect the spine. This adds to the pain you feel.

The annulus is the disk's tough outer ring. A sudden movement may cause a tiny tear in an annulus. Nearby ligaments my also stretch. Because the annulus and ligaments contain nerve endings. A torn annulus can cause back pain. As disk wears out, its spongy center can put pressure on the annulus. This can cause back pain and may force the disk to bulge or herniate. A ruptured disk or a slipped disk is one whose nucleus has pushed out through the annulus. The nucleus can then press on or pinch spinal nerves. If the resulting pain radiates down the back of the buttock, thigh and leg.

In rare cases, a young person may have osteoarthritis due to an injury. But in most cases, osteoarthritis is just part of the aging process. As disk wears out over time, growths of bone form on the vertebrae. These spurs may irritate spinal nerves and inflame the area. This often cause back pain. Good posture, exercise, and proper use of your back may slow the development of osteoarthritis.

Dealing With Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) In Children

Most people do not realize just how important iron is for a child's growth. What's more, many fail to realize that as children continue to grow, they need more of this mineral. Babies, unless they are born premature, are born with all of the iron they need for the first 5 to six months of life. After the 6th month, iron stores are depleted and approximately 30% of the necessary iron should come from food. As the infant shows accelerated growth and depends on food as a source of iron, he tends to shows a negative iron balance.

Unless they get the amount of iron needed, most children are likely to develop Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA). Children need iron to make hemoglobin. If there is not enough iron available, hemoglobin production is limited and the production of red blood cells is significantly affected. And because red blood cells are needed to carry oxygen throughout the body. IDA results in less oxygen reaching the cells and tissues.

Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) also significantly impairs mental and psychomotor development in infants and children, leading to developmental delays and behavioral disturbances. The most common symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) among children are fatigue and weakness, pale skin and mucous membranes, rapid heartbeat, irritability, decreased appetite and dizziness.

While doctors can determine the specific treatment for IDA, parents on their own can help their children fight sickness. Ensuring Iron rich diet, especially during the crucial period of growth, can help prevent and treat IDA. Good sources of iron include: meat, poultry, fish, green leafy vegetables and whole wheat bread. Parents may also increase their iron intake by giving then an iron supplement. While giving their children iron supplement, parents should enrich their children's daily diet with vitamin C, Lysine and Vitamin B complex.