Pancreatic cancer affects men twice as frequently as women and is more likely to develop after the age of 40. Pancreatic cancer risks increase with chronic pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, genetic factors. When early diagnosis and early treatment are possible, however, survival chances increase often goes undetected until it is too late to treat effectively.
The most common cause of acute pancreatitis is blockage of the pancreatic duct by a gallstone.
Chronic pancreatitis, associated most often with gall bladder disease and alcoholism, can cause painful attacks over a number of years and lead to other problems, such as pancreatic insufficiency , bacterial infections, and type 2 diabetes.
When eating food that has been cooked or processed, you need to chew your food properly and take digestive enzyme supplements with every meal. This is vital for diabetics as your our pancreas is already unable to keep up with demands placed upon it. When enzyme-free, undigested food enters the small intestine, everything falls upon the poor overworked pancreas. The pancreas is forced to draw reserves from the entire body in order to provide enough enzymes for digestion.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Monday, September 18, 2006
pancreas diseases
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that may occur as an acute, painful attack, or may be a chronic condition developing gradually over time. It is caused when pancreatic enzyme secretions build up and begin to digest the organ itself. Another term for this condition is auto digestion, which occurs when, for some unknown reason, the pancreas' powerful enzymes are activated in the pancreas itself rather than in the duodenum. It is believed that trypsin sets off a domino effect, activating other enzymes to speed the auto digestive process. There are a variety of tests that physicians use to determine if pancreatic disorders are present, what kinds and how advanced they are, and what may be causing the problem.
Abdominal Ultrasound The technologist who performs the exam, called a sonographer, spreads a gel on the skin's surface and then passes a hand-held instrument called a transducer around the surface of the abdomen. The gel enables smooth manipulation of the transducer and helps to transmit the sound waves by excluding air. MRI is another non-invasive diagnostic procedure commonly prescribed at the Pancreas Center. MRI combines the use of a large magnet and radio waves to create body images. The hydrogen atoms in a patient's body react to the magnetic field, a computer reads the resulting data and organizes the results into images that can be read by the radiologist.
Abdominal Ultrasound The technologist who performs the exam, called a sonographer, spreads a gel on the skin's surface and then passes a hand-held instrument called a transducer around the surface of the abdomen. The gel enables smooth manipulation of the transducer and helps to transmit the sound waves by excluding air. MRI is another non-invasive diagnostic procedure commonly prescribed at the Pancreas Center. MRI combines the use of a large magnet and radio waves to create body images. The hydrogen atoms in a patient's body react to the magnetic field, a computer reads the resulting data and organizes the results into images that can be read by the radiologist.
Monday, September 11, 2006
pancreas diseases : Development of a blood test for pancreatic cancer pt2
Final Report
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal of human diseases. It is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death among men and women in the United States. The average five-year survival rate is less than 5%. In 1999, the expected death rate includes 2,700 California residents and 28,600 individuals in the United States of America.
Numerous scientific studies designed to reveal the causes of pancreatic cancer have consistently identified cigarette smoking as a significant risk factor. In fact, cigarette smoking remains the only well-established risk factor for pancreatic cancer. The risk of pancreatic cancer appears to correlate with the amount of cigarette smoking. These findings have been supported by experiments in the laboratory. When laboratory rats are fed chemicals derived from tobacco, cancers of the lung and pancreas result. Thus cigarette smoking can cause pancreatic cancers.
At this time, the only therapy for pancreatic cancer is surgical removal early in the course of the disease. Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is usually discovered when symptoms appear and the disease is far advanced. The diagnosis of pancreatic cancer currently requires sophisticated medical technology. A simple blood test that is able to indicate whether pancreatic cancer is present would represent a major step toward the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer followed by surgery is currently the only hope for patient survival.
Studies supported by the TRDRP enabled our laboratory to develop a blood test for a protein, GP2, which is made only in the pancreas and is released into the bloodstream with pancreatic disease. Our previous success with laboratory animal models of pancreatic diseases led to the efforts toward developing a similar blood test for humans with pancreatic cancer. The development of the antibodies for this project required the cloning of the human GP2 gene, which was used to produce the protein in cultured cell lines. The protein was then used to immunize mice, from which the subsequent antibodies were derived. With the availability of the necessary reagents, we were successful in developing a sensitive test for GP2. Normal GP2 blood levels were established using human subjects without a history of pancreatic disease.
Our initial result with 20 patients with pancreatic disease showed that the average GP2 level was significantly elevated in patients with pancreatic cancer and other pancreatic diseases. The sensitivity of the test in our small sample of patients was 60%, which was approximately equivalent to CA19-9, the most commonly used marker for pancreatic disease at this time. The sensitivity is less than the desired 80% level needed to be used as a screening tool. The assay was correct 70% of the time when used to detect any type of pancreatic disease. Whether the GP2 assay will be useful in pancreatic cancer or other pancreatic diseases will be determined as more patients are enrolled in the future.
by Anson Lowe , M.D. -
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal of human diseases. It is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death among men and women in the United States. The average five-year survival rate is less than 5%. In 1999, the expected death rate includes 2,700 California residents and 28,600 individuals in the United States of America.
Numerous scientific studies designed to reveal the causes of pancreatic cancer have consistently identified cigarette smoking as a significant risk factor. In fact, cigarette smoking remains the only well-established risk factor for pancreatic cancer. The risk of pancreatic cancer appears to correlate with the amount of cigarette smoking. These findings have been supported by experiments in the laboratory. When laboratory rats are fed chemicals derived from tobacco, cancers of the lung and pancreas result. Thus cigarette smoking can cause pancreatic cancers.
At this time, the only therapy for pancreatic cancer is surgical removal early in the course of the disease. Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is usually discovered when symptoms appear and the disease is far advanced. The diagnosis of pancreatic cancer currently requires sophisticated medical technology. A simple blood test that is able to indicate whether pancreatic cancer is present would represent a major step toward the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer followed by surgery is currently the only hope for patient survival.
Studies supported by the TRDRP enabled our laboratory to develop a blood test for a protein, GP2, which is made only in the pancreas and is released into the bloodstream with pancreatic disease. Our previous success with laboratory animal models of pancreatic diseases led to the efforts toward developing a similar blood test for humans with pancreatic cancer. The development of the antibodies for this project required the cloning of the human GP2 gene, which was used to produce the protein in cultured cell lines. The protein was then used to immunize mice, from which the subsequent antibodies were derived. With the availability of the necessary reagents, we were successful in developing a sensitive test for GP2. Normal GP2 blood levels were established using human subjects without a history of pancreatic disease.
Our initial result with 20 patients with pancreatic disease showed that the average GP2 level was significantly elevated in patients with pancreatic cancer and other pancreatic diseases. The sensitivity of the test in our small sample of patients was 60%, which was approximately equivalent to CA19-9, the most commonly used marker for pancreatic disease at this time. The sensitivity is less than the desired 80% level needed to be used as a screening tool. The assay was correct 70% of the time when used to detect any type of pancreatic disease. Whether the GP2 assay will be useful in pancreatic cancer or other pancreatic diseases will be determined as more patients are enrolled in the future.
by Anson Lowe , M.D. -
pancreas diseases : Development of a blood test for pancreatic cancer pt1
Initial Award Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal of human diseases. It is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death among men and women in the United States. Death normally occurs within a few months after the cancer is discovered.
Numerous scientific studies designed to reveal the causes of pancreatic cancer have consistently identified cigarette smoking as a significant risk factor. In fact, cigarette smoking remains the only well-established risk factor for pancreatic cancer. The risk of pancreatic cancer appears to correlate with the amount of cigarette smoking. These findings have been supported by experiments using laboratory animals, thus showing that cigarette smoking can cause pancreatic cancers.
At this time, the only therapy for pancreatic cancer is surgical removal of the tumor early in the course of the disease. Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is usually discovered after the disease is far advanced. The diagnosis of pancreatic cancer currently requires sophisticated medical technology. A simple blood test that is able to indicate whether pancreatic cancer is present would represent a major step toward the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer followed by surgery is currently the only hope for patient survival.
A blood test for pancreatic cancer may also help physicians follow the course of the disease. As new therapies are developed to treat pancreatic cancer, a blood test that can monitor cancer growth or regression would be very useful to monitor the progress of the patient. A similar test that measures the blood levels of a protein named prostate specific antigen has already been developed for prostate cancer. This test has proven to be invaluable for the detection and monitoring of prostate cancer.
Initial studies in our laboratory focused on the development a blood test for a protein, GP2, which is made only in the pancreas and is released into the bloodstream with pancreatic disease. In view of our previous successes, our efforts will now be devoted toward developing a similar blood test for humans with pancreatic diseases. If successful, the test will result in the early detection of pancreatic cancer and improve the chances of a cure for these patients. The test will also provide a means to measure the progress of the cancer as new therapies are developed in the future.
Anson Lowe , M.D
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal of human diseases. It is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death among men and women in the United States. Death normally occurs within a few months after the cancer is discovered.
Numerous scientific studies designed to reveal the causes of pancreatic cancer have consistently identified cigarette smoking as a significant risk factor. In fact, cigarette smoking remains the only well-established risk factor for pancreatic cancer. The risk of pancreatic cancer appears to correlate with the amount of cigarette smoking. These findings have been supported by experiments using laboratory animals, thus showing that cigarette smoking can cause pancreatic cancers.
At this time, the only therapy for pancreatic cancer is surgical removal of the tumor early in the course of the disease. Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is usually discovered after the disease is far advanced. The diagnosis of pancreatic cancer currently requires sophisticated medical technology. A simple blood test that is able to indicate whether pancreatic cancer is present would represent a major step toward the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer followed by surgery is currently the only hope for patient survival.
A blood test for pancreatic cancer may also help physicians follow the course of the disease. As new therapies are developed to treat pancreatic cancer, a blood test that can monitor cancer growth or regression would be very useful to monitor the progress of the patient. A similar test that measures the blood levels of a protein named prostate specific antigen has already been developed for prostate cancer. This test has proven to be invaluable for the detection and monitoring of prostate cancer.
Initial studies in our laboratory focused on the development a blood test for a protein, GP2, which is made only in the pancreas and is released into the bloodstream with pancreatic disease. In view of our previous successes, our efforts will now be devoted toward developing a similar blood test for humans with pancreatic diseases. If successful, the test will result in the early detection of pancreatic cancer and improve the chances of a cure for these patients. The test will also provide a means to measure the progress of the cancer as new therapies are developed in the future.
Anson Lowe , M.D
Monday, September 04, 2006
pancreas diseases : Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction
SOD is a common cause of unexplained pancreatitis in patients seen in referral centres.[9] Endoscopic manometry can demonstrate separate biliary and pancreatic sphincters and there can be a discordance between the basal pressures in the two sphincters, with one normal and the other elevated. Silverman et al[10] reviewed the results of manometry in 111 patients with pancreaticobiliary pain, most of whom had normal liver and pancreatic chemistries. Manometry was possible in both sphincters in 88 (79%) patients; 28 (32%) patients had elevated pressure in both sphincters; and 15 (17%) patients demonstrated a discordance, with elevated pressure in one of the two sphincters. The clinical implication is that dual-sphincter manometry may be required when evaluating for unexplained pancreatitis and pancreatic sphincterotomy rather than biliary sphincterotomy may be required in some patients to relieve the pain.
A classification of pancreatitis-associated SOD has been proposed that is analogous to biliary SOD[11] : type I patients have recurrent attacks of pancreatitis (confirmed clinically and biochemically) with a dilated pancreatic duct and slow drainage. These patients appear to have stenotic lesions, do not require sphincter of Oddi manometry for diagnosis, and have the best results from sphincterotomy. Type II patients have acute relapsing pancreatitis and no evidence for stenosis other than tonic sphincter of Oddi pressures more than 40 mm Hg on manometric testing. Type III patients have pancreatic type of pain and no evidence of pancreatitis but an abnormal sphincter of Oddi manometry. Type III patients are least likely to respond to sphincterotomy. Pancreatic sphincterotomy should not be undertaken lightly because it is associated with a postprocedural pancreatitis in 11% of patients and a 14% restenosis rate.
by R BAIJAL
A classification of pancreatitis-associated SOD has been proposed that is analogous to biliary SOD[11] : type I patients have recurrent attacks of pancreatitis (confirmed clinically and biochemically) with a dilated pancreatic duct and slow drainage. These patients appear to have stenotic lesions, do not require sphincter of Oddi manometry for diagnosis, and have the best results from sphincterotomy. Type II patients have acute relapsing pancreatitis and no evidence for stenosis other than tonic sphincter of Oddi pressures more than 40 mm Hg on manometric testing. Type III patients have pancreatic type of pain and no evidence of pancreatitis but an abnormal sphincter of Oddi manometry. Type III patients are least likely to respond to sphincterotomy. Pancreatic sphincterotomy should not be undertaken lightly because it is associated with a postprocedural pancreatitis in 11% of patients and a 14% restenosis rate.
by R BAIJAL
pancreas diseases : Occult Biliary Stone Disease or Crystals
Biliary microlithiasis is a significant cause of unexplained acute pancreatitis. In two prospective studies,[5,6] microscopic evaluation of bile was performed in patients convalescing from idiopathic pancreatitis who had no evidence of cholelithiasis. Two thirds of patients had microscopic evidence of cholesterol or calcium bilirubinate crystals; patients with bilirubinate crystals demonstrated sludge on transcutaneous sonography. Importantly patients with microlithiasis had significantly fewer recurrent attacks of pancreatitis when treated with cholecystectomy, endoscopic sphincterotomy, or ursodeoxycholic acid.
Idiopathic Pancreatitis
Gallstone disease and alcohol abuse cause 75% to 80% of all cases of pancreatitis. Including metabolic causes, drug-induced disease, trauma, and viral illness, only approximately 10% of cases of acute pancreatitis remain idiopathic or unexplained.[7] ERCP has an important role in the evaluation of patients with idiopathic disease. Because ERCP is an invasive procedure with well-defined complications, the following question arises: In which patients is ERCP indicated? Most authorities agree that ERCP is indicated:
After two or more mild attacks of acute pancreatitis.
After the first attack of severe acute pancreatitis.
After the first attack of pancreatitis if a patient is more than 45 years of age because the risk for neoplasm increases with age.
Acute, unexplained pancreatitis is the initial presentation in an estimated 3% of patients with pancreatic cancer.[8]
A wide variety of abnormalities may be found on ERCP as causes of pancreatitis and include:
Choledochocoele
Chronic pancreatitis
Intraductal papillary mucinous tumour (IPMT)
Occult stone disease
Pancreas divisum (PD)
Pancreatic cancer
Periampullary tumour
Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD)
A complete ERCP study in the setting of idiopathic pancreatitis includes:
1.Careful endoscopic examination of the papilla to rule out an ampullary neoplasm or a choledochocoele
2. Complete cholangiography and pancreatography to rule out occult biliary stone disease, chronic pancreatitis, aberrant biliary pancreatic junction, PD and malignant obstruction of the pancreatic duct.
3. Sphincter of Oddi manometry of the biliary and pancreatic sphincters.
In the largest endoscopic series of patients evaluated for idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis,[9] 44 of the 116 (38%) patients had an abnormality that could explain the pancreatitis:
72 (62%) No abnormality
17 (14.7%) SOD
11 (9.5%) PD
8 (6.9%) Cholelithiasis
4 (3.4%) Choledochocoele
3 (2.6%) Ampullary tumour
1 (0.8%) Pancreatic duct stricture
by R BAIJAL
Idiopathic Pancreatitis
Gallstone disease and alcohol abuse cause 75% to 80% of all cases of pancreatitis. Including metabolic causes, drug-induced disease, trauma, and viral illness, only approximately 10% of cases of acute pancreatitis remain idiopathic or unexplained.[7] ERCP has an important role in the evaluation of patients with idiopathic disease. Because ERCP is an invasive procedure with well-defined complications, the following question arises: In which patients is ERCP indicated? Most authorities agree that ERCP is indicated:
After two or more mild attacks of acute pancreatitis.
After the first attack of severe acute pancreatitis.
After the first attack of pancreatitis if a patient is more than 45 years of age because the risk for neoplasm increases with age.
Acute, unexplained pancreatitis is the initial presentation in an estimated 3% of patients with pancreatic cancer.[8]
A wide variety of abnormalities may be found on ERCP as causes of pancreatitis and include:
Choledochocoele
Chronic pancreatitis
Intraductal papillary mucinous tumour (IPMT)
Occult stone disease
Pancreas divisum (PD)
Pancreatic cancer
Periampullary tumour
Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD)
A complete ERCP study in the setting of idiopathic pancreatitis includes:
1.Careful endoscopic examination of the papilla to rule out an ampullary neoplasm or a choledochocoele
2. Complete cholangiography and pancreatography to rule out occult biliary stone disease, chronic pancreatitis, aberrant biliary pancreatic junction, PD and malignant obstruction of the pancreatic duct.
3. Sphincter of Oddi manometry of the biliary and pancreatic sphincters.
In the largest endoscopic series of patients evaluated for idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis,[9] 44 of the 116 (38%) patients had an abnormality that could explain the pancreatitis:
72 (62%) No abnormality
17 (14.7%) SOD
11 (9.5%) PD
8 (6.9%) Cholelithiasis
4 (3.4%) Choledochocoele
3 (2.6%) Ampullary tumour
1 (0.8%) Pancreatic duct stricture
by R BAIJAL
pancreas diseases : ENDOSCOPIC MANAGEMENT
Endoscopic techniques are used increasingly in the management of acute and chronic pancreatitis. In many instances surgery can be avoided by endoscopic intervention as in endoscopic drainage of pseudocysts. Other conditions that can be managed by endoscopy include biliary calculi in acute biliary pancreatitis, pancreatic duct disruptions, strictures or stones and treatment of potential causes of pancreatitis such as sphincter of Oddi dysfunction and pancreas divisum. Despite widespread use of these endoscopic techniques, there are few controlled studies comparing pancreatic endotherapy with either surgical intervention or medical treatment.
Management of patients with acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis is hampered by our incomplete understanding of the pathogenesis of pancreatic inflammation and mechanism of pancreatic pain. The short term assessment of therapies is made more difficult due to the relapsing and remitting nature of pain in pancreatic disease. Therefore, a detailed understanding of the natural history of pancreatitis is required prior to undertaking endoscopic treatment of pancreatic diseases.
BILIARY PANCREATITIS
Gallstone disease is one of the most common causes of acute pancreatitis. Although most episodes are mild and resolve spontaneously, in some patients, severe pancreatitis with local and systemic complications develop and may lead to death in 10% to 15% patients.
A pathbreaking, randomized, controlled study by Neoptolemos and Carr-Locke[1] showed significantly lower complication (24% vs 61%) and mortality (4% vs 18%) rates and a shorter mean length of hospital stay (LOS; 9.5 vs 17 days) in patients with predicted severe pancreatitis who underwent ERCP with sphincterotomy and stone extraction within 72 hours compared with patients who received supportive medical management. Early ERCP had no beneficial effect on patients with mild pancreatitis. The mechanism by which patients with severe pancreatitis benefit from ERCP is unclear as ERCP cannot reverse the damage already done to the pancreas. It has been suggested that patients with severe pancreatitis have a high prevalence of residual common bile duct (CBD) stones which may lead to superimposed cholangitis or continue to irritate the pancreas. Endoscopic removal of these residual stones should benefit these patients.
Several other studies have shown different results. Fan et al[2] in a similar randomized trial from Hong Kong reported no significant difference in complication or mortality rate with respect to pancreatitis, but early ERCP did protect against cholangitis, which occurs in 9% to 10% of patients. In a German multicentre study[3] patients with biliary pancreatitis, excluding those with biliary obstruction or cholangitis, were randomized to ERCP within 72 hours or to noninvasive therapy. There was no significant difference in mortality or overall complication rate, but the ERCP group had more severe complications, especially respiratory failure. This study has been criticized because it excluded the patients most likely to benefit from endoscopic therapy, and because it was a multicentre study, not all hospitals had a high degree of experience in performing ERCP in acute settings.
Despite conflicting data, there is a strong consensus that patients who have predicted severe pancreatitis with evidence of a CBD stone or biliary obstruction benefit from urgent ERCP when performed by experienced operators. A meta-analysis[4] with pooled data showed a 34.6% relative risk reduction for complications and a 42.9% relative risk reduction for death in patients treated with urgent ERCP, sphincterotomy and stone extraction.
by R BAIJAL
Management of patients with acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis is hampered by our incomplete understanding of the pathogenesis of pancreatic inflammation and mechanism of pancreatic pain. The short term assessment of therapies is made more difficult due to the relapsing and remitting nature of pain in pancreatic disease. Therefore, a detailed understanding of the natural history of pancreatitis is required prior to undertaking endoscopic treatment of pancreatic diseases.
BILIARY PANCREATITIS
Gallstone disease is one of the most common causes of acute pancreatitis. Although most episodes are mild and resolve spontaneously, in some patients, severe pancreatitis with local and systemic complications develop and may lead to death in 10% to 15% patients.
A pathbreaking, randomized, controlled study by Neoptolemos and Carr-Locke[1] showed significantly lower complication (24% vs 61%) and mortality (4% vs 18%) rates and a shorter mean length of hospital stay (LOS; 9.5 vs 17 days) in patients with predicted severe pancreatitis who underwent ERCP with sphincterotomy and stone extraction within 72 hours compared with patients who received supportive medical management. Early ERCP had no beneficial effect on patients with mild pancreatitis. The mechanism by which patients with severe pancreatitis benefit from ERCP is unclear as ERCP cannot reverse the damage already done to the pancreas. It has been suggested that patients with severe pancreatitis have a high prevalence of residual common bile duct (CBD) stones which may lead to superimposed cholangitis or continue to irritate the pancreas. Endoscopic removal of these residual stones should benefit these patients.
Several other studies have shown different results. Fan et al[2] in a similar randomized trial from Hong Kong reported no significant difference in complication or mortality rate with respect to pancreatitis, but early ERCP did protect against cholangitis, which occurs in 9% to 10% of patients. In a German multicentre study[3] patients with biliary pancreatitis, excluding those with biliary obstruction or cholangitis, were randomized to ERCP within 72 hours or to noninvasive therapy. There was no significant difference in mortality or overall complication rate, but the ERCP group had more severe complications, especially respiratory failure. This study has been criticized because it excluded the patients most likely to benefit from endoscopic therapy, and because it was a multicentre study, not all hospitals had a high degree of experience in performing ERCP in acute settings.
Despite conflicting data, there is a strong consensus that patients who have predicted severe pancreatitis with evidence of a CBD stone or biliary obstruction benefit from urgent ERCP when performed by experienced operators. A meta-analysis[4] with pooled data showed a 34.6% relative risk reduction for complications and a 42.9% relative risk reduction for death in patients treated with urgent ERCP, sphincterotomy and stone extraction.
by R BAIJAL
Friday, August 25, 2006
pancreas diseases : Alcohol Detoxification
Alcohol is a drink that is often taken socially, recreationally and at mealtimes. It is consumed for the pleasant feelings that it generates in the body. In fact, alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. It acts as a biochemical inhibitor of activity in the central nervous system, and thus induces sedation and lessening of anxiety.
However, alcohol dependence or alcoholism is a chronic pattern of alcohol abuse resulting in physiological, physical, behavioral and cognitive effects. Consuming alcohol for a long period of time results in alcohol dependence.
If you become alcohol dependent you have a strong craving for alcohol all the time. The body becomes used to plenty of alcohol and starts showing withdrawal symptoms 3 to 4 hours after the last drink. Hence, a person who wants to stop drinking finds it difficult because of the withdrawal symptoms.
The signs and symptoms of withdrawal are the opposite of that of alcohol. In the central nervous system, excitory processes are increased and inhibitory processes are slowed. The withdrawal symptoms are the main barriers in treatment for alcoholism. Normally, withdrawal symptoms appear within hours of the patient’s drink and generally peak 24 to 36 hours after stopping.
Some withdrawal symptoms are anxiety, headache, auditory disturbances, trembling, sweating, and craving for alcohol. Delirium and tremors are a more severe reaction to withdrawal, occurring in five percent of people who have withdrawal symptoms 2 to 3 days after their last drink. Alcohol dependency also causes inflammation of the pancreas, coronary heart disease, neuropathy, brain degeneration, cirrhosis of the liver, high blood pressure and other health problems in the long run.
In the de-addiction programs for alcoholics, the first step is detoxification. Detoxification in alcohol treatment refers to a short course of medication to free the body of withdrawal symptoms while trying to quit drinking. The most commonly used medication in detoxification is chlordiazepoxide, which is a benzodiazepine medicine.
Alcohol detoxification has basically four goals:
1) to provide the patient a safe withdrawal from alcohol dependence
2) to provide a treatment that is humane and protects the patient’s dignity
3) to provide for recovery of affective and cognitive faculties, and
4) to prepare patient for continued treatment in his new life.
Alcohol detoxification is a long, drawn-out and difficult process involving rehabilitatory medicine, in-patient treatment in a de-addiction facility, and support from doctors, nurses, family, and the community. Ultimately, it also depends on the determination of the patient.
By Eddie Tobey
However, alcohol dependence or alcoholism is a chronic pattern of alcohol abuse resulting in physiological, physical, behavioral and cognitive effects. Consuming alcohol for a long period of time results in alcohol dependence.
If you become alcohol dependent you have a strong craving for alcohol all the time. The body becomes used to plenty of alcohol and starts showing withdrawal symptoms 3 to 4 hours after the last drink. Hence, a person who wants to stop drinking finds it difficult because of the withdrawal symptoms.
The signs and symptoms of withdrawal are the opposite of that of alcohol. In the central nervous system, excitory processes are increased and inhibitory processes are slowed. The withdrawal symptoms are the main barriers in treatment for alcoholism. Normally, withdrawal symptoms appear within hours of the patient’s drink and generally peak 24 to 36 hours after stopping.
Some withdrawal symptoms are anxiety, headache, auditory disturbances, trembling, sweating, and craving for alcohol. Delirium and tremors are a more severe reaction to withdrawal, occurring in five percent of people who have withdrawal symptoms 2 to 3 days after their last drink. Alcohol dependency also causes inflammation of the pancreas, coronary heart disease, neuropathy, brain degeneration, cirrhosis of the liver, high blood pressure and other health problems in the long run.
In the de-addiction programs for alcoholics, the first step is detoxification. Detoxification in alcohol treatment refers to a short course of medication to free the body of withdrawal symptoms while trying to quit drinking. The most commonly used medication in detoxification is chlordiazepoxide, which is a benzodiazepine medicine.
Alcohol detoxification has basically four goals:
1) to provide the patient a safe withdrawal from alcohol dependence
2) to provide a treatment that is humane and protects the patient’s dignity
3) to provide for recovery of affective and cognitive faculties, and
4) to prepare patient for continued treatment in his new life.
Alcohol detoxification is a long, drawn-out and difficult process involving rehabilitatory medicine, in-patient treatment in a de-addiction facility, and support from doctors, nurses, family, and the community. Ultimately, it also depends on the determination of the patient.
By Eddie Tobey
pancreas diseases : The "Identity Crisis"
Enzymes
“I am convinced digestion is the great secret to life.” -Sydney Smith
Enzymes are proteins. Your body can do almost nothing without enzymes. The pancreas and other glands produce digestive enzymes. They are also present in raw foods. Even though the body can manufacture digestive enzymes, it is strained to produce enough if we are not getting them from our food sources, supplements, and by chewing our food properly, which allows enzyme-rich saliva to be incorporated into the food. Unfortunately, cooking and processing foods destroys enzymes and most people only chew their food about 25% of the amount that is needed. Stomach acid, in other words hydrochloric acid (HCL), is ineffective at breaking down food that hasn’t been chewed properly. To add to the problem, 50% of people with autoimmunity don’t have enough HCL in their stomachs in the first place.
When enzyme-free, undigested food enters the small intestine, everything falls upon the poor overworked pancreas. The pancreas is forced to draw reserves from the entire body in order to provide enough enzymes for digestion. This problem is so significant that studies show virtually all Americans have an enlarged pancreas by age 40. With this kind of strain on the insulin-producing pancreas, it is amazing we all don’t have diabetes.
If you are eating food that has been cooked or processed in any way, you need to chew your food properly and take digestive enzyme supplements with every meal. This is vital for diabetics. Your pancreas is already unable to keep up with demands placed upon it.
By Heidi Whitaker
“I am convinced digestion is the great secret to life.” -Sydney Smith
Enzymes are proteins. Your body can do almost nothing without enzymes. The pancreas and other glands produce digestive enzymes. They are also present in raw foods. Even though the body can manufacture digestive enzymes, it is strained to produce enough if we are not getting them from our food sources, supplements, and by chewing our food properly, which allows enzyme-rich saliva to be incorporated into the food. Unfortunately, cooking and processing foods destroys enzymes and most people only chew their food about 25% of the amount that is needed. Stomach acid, in other words hydrochloric acid (HCL), is ineffective at breaking down food that hasn’t been chewed properly. To add to the problem, 50% of people with autoimmunity don’t have enough HCL in their stomachs in the first place.
When enzyme-free, undigested food enters the small intestine, everything falls upon the poor overworked pancreas. The pancreas is forced to draw reserves from the entire body in order to provide enough enzymes for digestion. This problem is so significant that studies show virtually all Americans have an enlarged pancreas by age 40. With this kind of strain on the insulin-producing pancreas, it is amazing we all don’t have diabetes.
If you are eating food that has been cooked or processed in any way, you need to chew your food properly and take digestive enzyme supplements with every meal. This is vital for diabetics. Your pancreas is already unable to keep up with demands placed upon it.
By Heidi Whitaker
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
pancreas diseases : PancreasWeb
As of February 2006, Pancreatology is also the official journal of the Belgian Pancreatic Club (BPC), increasing the number of affiliated societies to 14.
The BPC has arisen from a common interest of several Belgian physicians in pancreatology. The aims of the BPC are:
1) To facilitate contact and collaboration between Belgian physicians interested in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic diseases such as inflammatory pancreatic diseases, cystic lesions of the pancreas and pancreatic neoplasms
2) To offer a place for integration of basic and clinical research in pancreatic diseases
3) To initiate multicenter studies focussing on rare diseases such as intraductal papillary mucinous tumors and autoimmune pancreatitis
First of all, the epidemiology of pancreatic diseases in Belgium has been assessed by the initiation of a register of all patients hospitalized for a pancreatic disease in the medicosurgical department of gastroenterology in the Erasme Hospital in Brussels. From October 1999 to November 2005, 2000 patients have been included, of which about 50% suffered from chronic pancreatitis, 20% from acute pancreatitis and 20% from neoplasms.
Multicenter studies will allow the prospective collection of several cases of rare pancreatic diseases in order to investigate their pathogenesis, their natural history and to initiate some therapeutic trials.
Support is offered from the Laboratorium Solvay by providing the information technology to encode the database. Moreover, they also sponsor the triple membership fee for the BPC members, so that they can join the European Pancreatic Club (EPC), the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) and the BPC simultaneously.
The BPC has presently 25 registered members distributed among 6 university hospitals: Erasme University Hospital, Brussels; Saint-Luc University Hospital, Brussels; University Hospital of Brussels, VUB; University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven; University Hospital of Antwerp; University Hospital of Li鑗e.
For the second consecutive year, a BPC meeting has been included in the program of the Belgian Week of Gastroenterology which was held this year in Oostende from 9th to 11th of February. Two invited lectures, 5 free communications and 3 clinical case discussions made up the program of this session. The abstracts of the free communications have been published in Pancreatology (2006;6:175-179) and are available online http://www.pancreasweb.com/abstracts/abstracts.asp
The success of this year's BPC meeting encourages us to think that the number of members will increase during the following months and that the BPC could have a significant impact on a national and even international level.
http://www.pancreasweb.com/pancreas.asp?ak=Detail&zaehler=2795
The BPC has arisen from a common interest of several Belgian physicians in pancreatology. The aims of the BPC are:
1) To facilitate contact and collaboration between Belgian physicians interested in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic diseases such as inflammatory pancreatic diseases, cystic lesions of the pancreas and pancreatic neoplasms
2) To offer a place for integration of basic and clinical research in pancreatic diseases
3) To initiate multicenter studies focussing on rare diseases such as intraductal papillary mucinous tumors and autoimmune pancreatitis
First of all, the epidemiology of pancreatic diseases in Belgium has been assessed by the initiation of a register of all patients hospitalized for a pancreatic disease in the medicosurgical department of gastroenterology in the Erasme Hospital in Brussels. From October 1999 to November 2005, 2000 patients have been included, of which about 50% suffered from chronic pancreatitis, 20% from acute pancreatitis and 20% from neoplasms.
Multicenter studies will allow the prospective collection of several cases of rare pancreatic diseases in order to investigate their pathogenesis, their natural history and to initiate some therapeutic trials.
Support is offered from the Laboratorium Solvay by providing the information technology to encode the database. Moreover, they also sponsor the triple membership fee for the BPC members, so that they can join the European Pancreatic Club (EPC), the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) and the BPC simultaneously.
The BPC has presently 25 registered members distributed among 6 university hospitals: Erasme University Hospital, Brussels; Saint-Luc University Hospital, Brussels; University Hospital of Brussels, VUB; University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven; University Hospital of Antwerp; University Hospital of Li鑗e.
For the second consecutive year, a BPC meeting has been included in the program of the Belgian Week of Gastroenterology which was held this year in Oostende from 9th to 11th of February. Two invited lectures, 5 free communications and 3 clinical case discussions made up the program of this session. The abstracts of the free communications have been published in Pancreatology (2006;6:175-179) and are available online http://www.pancreasweb.com/abstracts/abstracts.asp
The success of this year's BPC meeting encourages us to think that the number of members will increase during the following months and that the BPC could have a significant impact on a national and even international level.
http://www.pancreasweb.com/pancreas.asp?ak=Detail&zaehler=2795
pancreas diseases : PancreasWeb
As of February 2006, Pancreatology is also the official journal of the Belgian Pancreatic Club (BPC), increasing the number of affiliated societies to 14.
The BPC has arisen from a common interest of several Belgian physicians in pancreatology. The aims of the BPC are:
1) To facilitate contact and collaboration between Belgian physicians interested in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic diseases such as inflammatory pancreatic diseases, cystic lesions of the pancreas and pancreatic neoplasms
2) To offer a place for integration of basic and clinical research in pancreatic diseases
3) To initiate multicenter studies focussing on rare diseases such as intraductal papillary mucinous tumors and autoimmune pancreatitis
First of all, the epidemiology of pancreatic diseases in Belgium has been assessed by the initiation of a register of all patients hospitalized for a pancreatic disease in the medicosurgical department of gastroenterology in the Erasme Hospital in Brussels. From October 1999 to November 2005, 2000 patients have been included, of which about 50% suffered from chronic pancreatitis, 20% from acute pancreatitis and 20% from neoplasms.
Multicenter studies will allow the prospective collection of several cases of rare pancreatic diseases in order to investigate their pathogenesis, their natural history and to initiate some therapeutic trials.
Support is offered from the Laboratorium Solvay by providing the information technology to encode the database. Moreover, they also sponsor the triple membership fee for the BPC members, so that they can join the European Pancreatic Club (EPC), the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) and the BPC simultaneously.
The BPC has presently 25 registered members distributed among 6 university hospitals: Erasme University Hospital, Brussels; Saint-Luc University Hospital, Brussels; University Hospital of Brussels, VUB; University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven; University Hospital of Antwerp; University Hospital of Li鑗e.
For the second consecutive year, a BPC meeting has been included in the program of the Belgian Week of Gastroenterology which was held this year in Oostende from 9th to 11th of February. Two invited lectures, 5 free communications and 3 clinical case discussions made up the program of this session. The abstracts of the free communications have been published in Pancreatology (2006;6:175-179) and are available online http://www.pancreasweb.com/abstracts/abstracts.asp
The success of this year's BPC meeting encourages us to think that the number of members will increase during the following months and that the BPC could have a significant impact on a national and even international level.
http://www.pancreasweb.com/pancreas.asp?ak=Detail&zaehler=2795
The BPC has arisen from a common interest of several Belgian physicians in pancreatology. The aims of the BPC are:
1) To facilitate contact and collaboration between Belgian physicians interested in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic diseases such as inflammatory pancreatic diseases, cystic lesions of the pancreas and pancreatic neoplasms
2) To offer a place for integration of basic and clinical research in pancreatic diseases
3) To initiate multicenter studies focussing on rare diseases such as intraductal papillary mucinous tumors and autoimmune pancreatitis
First of all, the epidemiology of pancreatic diseases in Belgium has been assessed by the initiation of a register of all patients hospitalized for a pancreatic disease in the medicosurgical department of gastroenterology in the Erasme Hospital in Brussels. From October 1999 to November 2005, 2000 patients have been included, of which about 50% suffered from chronic pancreatitis, 20% from acute pancreatitis and 20% from neoplasms.
Multicenter studies will allow the prospective collection of several cases of rare pancreatic diseases in order to investigate their pathogenesis, their natural history and to initiate some therapeutic trials.
Support is offered from the Laboratorium Solvay by providing the information technology to encode the database. Moreover, they also sponsor the triple membership fee for the BPC members, so that they can join the European Pancreatic Club (EPC), the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) and the BPC simultaneously.
The BPC has presently 25 registered members distributed among 6 university hospitals: Erasme University Hospital, Brussels; Saint-Luc University Hospital, Brussels; University Hospital of Brussels, VUB; University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven; University Hospital of Antwerp; University Hospital of Li鑗e.
For the second consecutive year, a BPC meeting has been included in the program of the Belgian Week of Gastroenterology which was held this year in Oostende from 9th to 11th of February. Two invited lectures, 5 free communications and 3 clinical case discussions made up the program of this session. The abstracts of the free communications have been published in Pancreatology (2006;6:175-179) and are available online http://www.pancreasweb.com/abstracts/abstracts.asp
The success of this year's BPC meeting encourages us to think that the number of members will increase during the following months and that the BPC could have a significant impact on a national and even international level.
http://www.pancreasweb.com/pancreas.asp?ak=Detail&zaehler=2795
pancreas diseases : Endoscopic management
Endoscopic management has recently been used for a variety of chronic pancreatic diseases. We used this approach in five patients with pancreatic diseases (calcific pancreatitis 2, pancreatic pseudocyst 3). Nasocystic drain was placed in a patient with pancreatic pseudocyst at the tail end of the pancreas; a 5 Fr stent was placed over 0.021"/0.035" guide wire in the main pancreatic duct in the others. All patients had relief of pain. Nasocystic drain led to resolution of pseudocyst, perisplenic collection and pleural effusion. Endoscopic treatment is safe and effective in various pancreatic disorders.
© 2004 Indian Journal of Gastroenterology
© 2004 Indian Journal of Gastroenterology
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
pancreas diseases : Diseases of the pancreas
The pancreas is a small gland with its head lying in the curve of the duodenum. Its main duct joins the common bile duct (of the liver and gallbladder) to form what is known as the ampulla of the bile duct. The ampulla enters the duodenum at its midpoint. Apart from secreting the hormones insulin and glucagon, the pancreas produces pancreatic juice containing enzymes that digest carbohydrates, proteins and fats. When acid stomach contents enter the duodenum, they are mixed with pancreatic juice and bile. This creates the proper acid/alkali balance (pH value) at which the pancreatic enzymes are most effective (both bile and pancreatic juice are alkaline).
Gallstones in the liver or gallbladder cut down bile secretion from the normal amount of about one quart per day, to as little as one cup per day. This severely disrupts the digestive process, particularly if fats or fat-containing foods are consumed. Subsequently, the pH remains too low, which inhibits the action of pancreatic enzymes, as well as those secreted by the small intestine. The end result is that food is only partially digested. Improperly digested food that is saturated with the stomach's hydrochloric acid can have a very irritating, toxic effect on the entire intestinal tract.
If a gallstone has moved from the gallbladder into the ampulla, where the common bile duct and the pancreatic ducts meet,the release of pancreatic juice becomes obstructed and bile moves into the pancreas. This causes protein-splitting pancreatic enzymes that are normally activated only in the duodenum to be activated while in the pancreas. These enzymes begin to digest parts of the pancreatic tissue, which can lead to infection, suppuration and local thrombosis. This condition is known as pancreatitis.
Gallstones obstructing the ampulla release bacteria, viruses and toxins into the pancreas, which can cause further damage to pancreatic cells, and eventually lead to malignant tumors. The tumors occur mostly in the head of the pancreas, where they inhibit the flow of bile and pancreatic juice. This condition is often accompanied by jaundice.
Gallstones in the liver, gallbladder and ampulla may also be responsible for both types of diabetes - insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent. All patients of mine with diagnosed diabetes, including children, have had large quantities of stones in their liver. Each liver cleanse further improved their condition, provided they followed a healthy regimen and diet void of animal products
http://www.ener-chi.com/d_pan.htm
Gallstones in the liver or gallbladder cut down bile secretion from the normal amount of about one quart per day, to as little as one cup per day. This severely disrupts the digestive process, particularly if fats or fat-containing foods are consumed. Subsequently, the pH remains too low, which inhibits the action of pancreatic enzymes, as well as those secreted by the small intestine. The end result is that food is only partially digested. Improperly digested food that is saturated with the stomach's hydrochloric acid can have a very irritating, toxic effect on the entire intestinal tract.
If a gallstone has moved from the gallbladder into the ampulla, where the common bile duct and the pancreatic ducts meet,the release of pancreatic juice becomes obstructed and bile moves into the pancreas. This causes protein-splitting pancreatic enzymes that are normally activated only in the duodenum to be activated while in the pancreas. These enzymes begin to digest parts of the pancreatic tissue, which can lead to infection, suppuration and local thrombosis. This condition is known as pancreatitis.
Gallstones obstructing the ampulla release bacteria, viruses and toxins into the pancreas, which can cause further damage to pancreatic cells, and eventually lead to malignant tumors. The tumors occur mostly in the head of the pancreas, where they inhibit the flow of bile and pancreatic juice. This condition is often accompanied by jaundice.
Gallstones in the liver, gallbladder and ampulla may also be responsible for both types of diabetes - insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent. All patients of mine with diagnosed diabetes, including children, have had large quantities of stones in their liver. Each liver cleanse further improved their condition, provided they followed a healthy regimen and diet void of animal products
http://www.ener-chi.com/d_pan.htm
pancreas diseases : Can Help Those Over 80
Age doesn't necessarily have to be the deciding factor for cancer surgery, Jefferson Medical College surgeons have found.
Pancreatic cancer surgeon Charles J. Yeo, M.D., Samuel D. Gross Professor and chair of surgery at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and Jefferson's Kimmel Cancer Center, and his colleagues studied records of pancreatic surgery during the last 35 years at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and found that contrary to what many both in and out of medicine may believe, major pancreatic cancer surgery can successfully be performed on patients in their 80s, 90s and even older.
In the study, reported recently in the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Dr. Yeo and co-workers examined records of nearly 2,700 cases of the standard Whipple operation for pancreatic disease, including cancer. Of these, about 1,000 operations were performed in the last four years. The Whipple procedure entails the surgical removal of the head of the pancreas, the duodenum (part of the small intestine), part of the common bile duct, the gallbladder and sometimes a portion of the stomach.
Of this group, 207 patients were 80 years old or older. Those who were 80 to 89 years of age had a mortality rate of 4.1 percent (8 of 197), and a complication rate of 52.8 percent. Those younger than 80 years old had a mortality rate of 1.7 percent, with a complication rate of 41.6 percent. Of 10 patients 90 or older, the researchers reported no deaths after surgery, though half had complications. Of those 80 to 89 years old, 59.1 percent lived for at least one year, while 60 percent of patients 90 years and older lived that long after surgery.
Such complication rates for individuals at least 80 years old are what would be expected, Dr. Yeo says, and involve conditions that afflict many that age, such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. "The general aging population isn't dying from pancreas disease," he notes. "They are dying from other causes."
"If there is a mass that is resectable in the pancreas, chances are that we can take it out safely and the patient will do well," Dr. Yeo says. "As the population ages, more individuals may be eligible for such surgery."
The five-year survival of those who were operated on for cancer is comparable to the general population, he says. "In the general population, five-year survival in healthy individuals at age 80 is 69 percent. In our study, it was 55 percent, which isn't that much different."
For various reasons, many of those older than 80 have been told they are not candidates for pancreatic cancer surgery. "Whether it was because of other health issues, poor scans or just a mindset that operating on the pancreas after age 80 doesn't make much sense, there have been reasons not to operate on these individuals.
"The take home message is, if an experienced group of surgeons safely perform the right operation, the patient likely will do fine," Dr. Yeo says. "Patients usually can leave the hospital in a week and can be on a survival curve that approaches the normal curve of the general population."
According to Dr. Yeo, new imaging techniques, improved early detection and screening of high-risk groups, and new therapies on the horizon have begun to change the way pancreatic cancer is viewed. "We're actually making great progress when it comes to pancreatic cancer," he says.
Pancreatic cancer, the fifth-leading cause of cancer death in this country, takes some 30,000 lives a year. The disease is difficult to treat, particularly because it is frequently detected after it has spread to other areas on the body. Only 4 percent of all individuals with pancreatic cancer live for five years after diagnosis, and approximately 25 percent of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer who undergo successful surgical removal of their disease live at least that long.
But recent figures give new hope: of those who live for five years after surgical resection, some 55 percent will be alive at least another five years.
Pancreatic cancer surgeon Charles J. Yeo, M.D., Samuel D. Gross Professor and chair of surgery at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and Jefferson's Kimmel Cancer Center, and his colleagues studied records of pancreatic surgery during the last 35 years at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and found that contrary to what many both in and out of medicine may believe, major pancreatic cancer surgery can successfully be performed on patients in their 80s, 90s and even older.
In the study, reported recently in the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Dr. Yeo and co-workers examined records of nearly 2,700 cases of the standard Whipple operation for pancreatic disease, including cancer. Of these, about 1,000 operations were performed in the last four years. The Whipple procedure entails the surgical removal of the head of the pancreas, the duodenum (part of the small intestine), part of the common bile duct, the gallbladder and sometimes a portion of the stomach.
Of this group, 207 patients were 80 years old or older. Those who were 80 to 89 years of age had a mortality rate of 4.1 percent (8 of 197), and a complication rate of 52.8 percent. Those younger than 80 years old had a mortality rate of 1.7 percent, with a complication rate of 41.6 percent. Of 10 patients 90 or older, the researchers reported no deaths after surgery, though half had complications. Of those 80 to 89 years old, 59.1 percent lived for at least one year, while 60 percent of patients 90 years and older lived that long after surgery.
Such complication rates for individuals at least 80 years old are what would be expected, Dr. Yeo says, and involve conditions that afflict many that age, such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. "The general aging population isn't dying from pancreas disease," he notes. "They are dying from other causes."
"If there is a mass that is resectable in the pancreas, chances are that we can take it out safely and the patient will do well," Dr. Yeo says. "As the population ages, more individuals may be eligible for such surgery."
The five-year survival of those who were operated on for cancer is comparable to the general population, he says. "In the general population, five-year survival in healthy individuals at age 80 is 69 percent. In our study, it was 55 percent, which isn't that much different."
For various reasons, many of those older than 80 have been told they are not candidates for pancreatic cancer surgery. "Whether it was because of other health issues, poor scans or just a mindset that operating on the pancreas after age 80 doesn't make much sense, there have been reasons not to operate on these individuals.
"The take home message is, if an experienced group of surgeons safely perform the right operation, the patient likely will do fine," Dr. Yeo says. "Patients usually can leave the hospital in a week and can be on a survival curve that approaches the normal curve of the general population."
According to Dr. Yeo, new imaging techniques, improved early detection and screening of high-risk groups, and new therapies on the horizon have begun to change the way pancreatic cancer is viewed. "We're actually making great progress when it comes to pancreatic cancer," he says.
Pancreatic cancer, the fifth-leading cause of cancer death in this country, takes some 30,000 lives a year. The disease is difficult to treat, particularly because it is frequently detected after it has spread to other areas on the body. Only 4 percent of all individuals with pancreatic cancer live for five years after diagnosis, and approximately 25 percent of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer who undergo successful surgical removal of their disease live at least that long.
But recent figures give new hope: of those who live for five years after surgical resection, some 55 percent will be alive at least another five years.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
pancreas diseases :Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is a serious disease that needs to have medical attention as soon as some symptoms begin to surface. The reason why diabetes is serious is because it will cause the body to shut down and you will go into sugar shock. After sugar, shock the body will go into a coma and a person may never come out of the comatose state. Diabetes, in general, can cause the body to stop circulating the blood flow properly and that’s why many diabetics have to have parts of their body amputated. Diabetics also have a higher change of developing kidney, pancreas diseases, and other organ diseases.
Type two diabetes will usually affect people much older than that of type one. It is the most common type of diabetes and effects thousands of people each day. It is also referred to as adult onset diabetes.
Typically, it is due to being overweight, but there are exceptions to the rule. Type one is where your body lacks insulin and type one is where you body will begin to resist insulin. This type is developed by usually genetics and often is passed down through generations. The insulin levels with type two diabetics are sometimes normal, but the body won’t respond to it. This will create higher blood levels because the body is not using the glucose up. When you have type one you are considered to have symptoms of hyperglycemia, however you will have the opposite reaction with type two and have hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia is where you have low blood sugar. It is from the fact that your body cannot provide enough energy for the activities of the body. It will cause you to be hungry much like type one. It will also make you very nervous or shaky. You will perspire more than the average person and you will become dizzy or light headed. You will become over anxious or weak which will cause you to have difficulty speaking or feeling restless. You will also become confused and possibly hallucinate. Because of your anxiety, you may have nightmares or perspire so much during sleep that your entire bed becomes wet or damp. You will often wake up tired, irritable, and confused.
Type two is the most common type of diabetes and exists in all cultures. It is often the result from obesity and it is doesn’t discriminate ethnically or racially. Obesity has become a problem for today’s world and has been found as a tendency to promote diabetes rather it’s genetically enhanced or not.
The causes of the disease have many factors to blame, but genetics seem to be the strongest factor. Obesity is also found to be genetically enhanced and the two could be related somehow. Treatment is simple, it is taken orally to lower the blood sugar which can cause hypoglycemia and at some point insulin injections may be needed.
by Kenneth Langlet
Type two diabetes will usually affect people much older than that of type one. It is the most common type of diabetes and effects thousands of people each day. It is also referred to as adult onset diabetes.
Typically, it is due to being overweight, but there are exceptions to the rule. Type one is where your body lacks insulin and type one is where you body will begin to resist insulin. This type is developed by usually genetics and often is passed down through generations. The insulin levels with type two diabetics are sometimes normal, but the body won’t respond to it. This will create higher blood levels because the body is not using the glucose up. When you have type one you are considered to have symptoms of hyperglycemia, however you will have the opposite reaction with type two and have hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia is where you have low blood sugar. It is from the fact that your body cannot provide enough energy for the activities of the body. It will cause you to be hungry much like type one. It will also make you very nervous or shaky. You will perspire more than the average person and you will become dizzy or light headed. You will become over anxious or weak which will cause you to have difficulty speaking or feeling restless. You will also become confused and possibly hallucinate. Because of your anxiety, you may have nightmares or perspire so much during sleep that your entire bed becomes wet or damp. You will often wake up tired, irritable, and confused.
Type two is the most common type of diabetes and exists in all cultures. It is often the result from obesity and it is doesn’t discriminate ethnically or racially. Obesity has become a problem for today’s world and has been found as a tendency to promote diabetes rather it’s genetically enhanced or not.
The causes of the disease have many factors to blame, but genetics seem to be the strongest factor. Obesity is also found to be genetically enhanced and the two could be related somehow. Treatment is simple, it is taken orally to lower the blood sugar which can cause hypoglycemia and at some point insulin injections may be needed.
by Kenneth Langlet
pancreas diseases : If You Have An Autoimmune Disease
If you have an Autoimmune Disease (Like Fibromyalgia, MS, or Chrohn’s, etc.), then I know a secret about you. You most likely have an enzyme shortage. You may be thinking to yourself that an enzyme can’t be as bad as being short on cash or short on time. The fact is that an enzyme shortage does make you short on time!
Every single chemical action that takes place in the body REQUIRES enzymes. According to experts, a person's life span is directly related to your enzymes. In other words, your enzyme deficiency is shortening your time on Earth.
You need enzymes to be healthy. The pancreas produces enzymes. If you suffer from autoimmunity, then your poor pancreas is overworked and underpaid. The pancreas of a person with autoimmunity is not able to keep up with the job.
Besides the pancreas, where else are we supposed to get these enzymes? From fresh, raw food. When was the last time you ate fresh, raw food? If you are cooking or processing any of your food, you should take enzymes with that food. (Enzymes are available in supplement form.) Some enzymes include: Papain, Amylase, Cellulase, Lactase, Lipase, Protease, and Bromelain.
by Heidi Whitaker
Every single chemical action that takes place in the body REQUIRES enzymes. According to experts, a person's life span is directly related to your enzymes. In other words, your enzyme deficiency is shortening your time on Earth.
You need enzymes to be healthy. The pancreas produces enzymes. If you suffer from autoimmunity, then your poor pancreas is overworked and underpaid. The pancreas of a person with autoimmunity is not able to keep up with the job.
Besides the pancreas, where else are we supposed to get these enzymes? From fresh, raw food. When was the last time you ate fresh, raw food? If you are cooking or processing any of your food, you should take enzymes with that food. (Enzymes are available in supplement form.) Some enzymes include: Papain, Amylase, Cellulase, Lactase, Lipase, Protease, and Bromelain.
by Heidi Whitaker
Monday, July 31, 2006
pancreas diseases : What on Earth is an Enzyme?
Enzymes are the workers in our body that make everything function, by enabling chemical reactions. All living cells contain enzymes. They are hard to visualize, since they are not something tangible, but they are essential to our bodies and our lives depend on them.
There are many kinds of enzymes, and they do everything from helping us breath to helping begin life at conception. Eighty percent of our DNA code relates to enzymes. But the kind of enzymes discussed here relate to our digestion and the food we eat.
In the process of digestion, the digestive enzymes in our bodies break down food into tiny microscopic parts that the body can use for fuel, growth and repair. One food may take hundreds of different types of enzymes for the body to digest.
Food is naturally filled with enzymes, called ?food enzymes?, that help us to digest that food. The problem is that when we cook or process it, we kill those enzymes. Temperatures over 118 degrees will destroy the enzymes. A good example of this is pineapple, which has some very powerful digestive enzymes in it. These enzymes work so well that when added to gelatin (like Jello), the enzymes won't allow the gelatin to thicken. So they only kind of pineapple you can add to gelatin is canned pineapple, which has been cooked and processed so that all the enzymes have been destroyed. It is now safe to add to gelatin, but not as good for your body.
Our body can manufacture enzymes, called digestive enzymes, in the pancreas. But when we eat a diet that is filled with mostly cooked and processed foods, depleted of enzymes, the pancreas is forced to work much harder than it was meant to, manufacturing the enzymes the body needs to digest these foods.
So the pancreas ends up overworking, and the body spends much needed energy and resources on digestion instead of important things like boosting the immune system, growth, repairs in the body and fighting disease. Even worse, if the pancreas becomes so overworked that it shuts down, then bits of undigested food start floating around the body in the bloodstream, causing all kinds of trouble.
The pancreas can be healed in time, with a diet of raw foods filled with enzymes. This same kind of diet, filled with raw fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts, will keep the pancreas from getting that bad to begin with, and will enable the body to spend it?s energy on more important processes like boosting the immune system and fighting pancreas disease.
This is why it is so vital that we eat a diet containing lots of fresh enzyme filled raw foods. Especially in the world we live in today, where we are surrounded by poisons and things that cause cancer. We need these wholesome foods now more than humans ever have in the past, to help our bodies stay disease free and functioning properly.
About The Author
By Dianne Ronnow, © 2006 Mohave Publishing. All rights reserved. This article can be found at the Enzyme Health web site at http://Enzyme-Health.com. Dianne Ronnow’s best selling book reveals how thousands of people are losing weight and getting healthier adding coconut oil to their diets. To find out what the secrets of coconut oil are, check out her site at http://Coconut-Oil-Diet.com and start losing weight today!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dianne_Ronnow
There are many kinds of enzymes, and they do everything from helping us breath to helping begin life at conception. Eighty percent of our DNA code relates to enzymes. But the kind of enzymes discussed here relate to our digestion and the food we eat.
In the process of digestion, the digestive enzymes in our bodies break down food into tiny microscopic parts that the body can use for fuel, growth and repair. One food may take hundreds of different types of enzymes for the body to digest.
Food is naturally filled with enzymes, called ?food enzymes?, that help us to digest that food. The problem is that when we cook or process it, we kill those enzymes. Temperatures over 118 degrees will destroy the enzymes. A good example of this is pineapple, which has some very powerful digestive enzymes in it. These enzymes work so well that when added to gelatin (like Jello), the enzymes won't allow the gelatin to thicken. So they only kind of pineapple you can add to gelatin is canned pineapple, which has been cooked and processed so that all the enzymes have been destroyed. It is now safe to add to gelatin, but not as good for your body.
Our body can manufacture enzymes, called digestive enzymes, in the pancreas. But when we eat a diet that is filled with mostly cooked and processed foods, depleted of enzymes, the pancreas is forced to work much harder than it was meant to, manufacturing the enzymes the body needs to digest these foods.
So the pancreas ends up overworking, and the body spends much needed energy and resources on digestion instead of important things like boosting the immune system, growth, repairs in the body and fighting disease. Even worse, if the pancreas becomes so overworked that it shuts down, then bits of undigested food start floating around the body in the bloodstream, causing all kinds of trouble.
The pancreas can be healed in time, with a diet of raw foods filled with enzymes. This same kind of diet, filled with raw fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts, will keep the pancreas from getting that bad to begin with, and will enable the body to spend it?s energy on more important processes like boosting the immune system and fighting pancreas disease.
This is why it is so vital that we eat a diet containing lots of fresh enzyme filled raw foods. Especially in the world we live in today, where we are surrounded by poisons and things that cause cancer. We need these wholesome foods now more than humans ever have in the past, to help our bodies stay disease free and functioning properly.
About The Author
By Dianne Ronnow, © 2006 Mohave Publishing. All rights reserved. This article can be found at the Enzyme Health web site at http://Enzyme-Health.com. Dianne Ronnow’s best selling book reveals how thousands of people are losing weight and getting healthier adding coconut oil to their diets. To find out what the secrets of coconut oil are, check out her site at http://Coconut-Oil-Diet.com and start losing weight today!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dianne_Ronnow
pancreas diseases : Ferret Diseases and Illness
Ferrets are fun and lively pets, but there are many ferret diseases that can strike quickly so you need to be sure to monitor your pets health carefully.
Ferrets can get sick just like any other pet and can even catch a cold or flu from you. Just like other pets, it might be difficult to tell when your ferret is sick. Since ferrets are often bundles of energy, you might notice that your ferret is a bit less energetic or simply just laying around, much like you do when you don’t feel well. This could indicate a simple cold or may mean something more serious.
A ferret that has caught a cold might have a runny nose, coughing and might even start sneezing. He may have other symptoms such as a fever, diarrhea, and he may not want to eat much either. To determine for sure if your ferret has a common cold or one of the more serious ferret diseases, you should take him to your vet at the first sign of illness.
If it is determined that your ferret has a simple common cold, you can help him get over his illness by giving him lots of fluids. You will want to prevent him from becoming dehydrated and may want to try giving him some rehydrating drinks made for children.
If your ferret has symptoms that last longer then a few days or stops eating or drinking, this can indicate serious illness or disease and you should get him to the vet right away. Ferrets have a very high metabolism and if the animal dehydrates himself, he can slip away rather quickly if he does not get the help that he needs.
One of the common ferret diseases is adrenal disease which is a cancer of the adrenal glands. Symptoms of this disease include hair loss and possibly the animal becoming more aggressive than usual. This condition can be fatal if it is not taken care of right away.
Insulinoma is another common ferret type of disease. This cancer affects the pancreas and causes the production of insulin to increase causing the ferrets blood sugar to drop to a dangerously low level. Symptoms of this condition include lethargy, seizures, and foaming at the mouth.
There are also a number of viral diseases that can also cause illness in your ferret. He could have any number of conditions including loss of appetite, diarrhea, and weight loss. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is necessary for you to contact your vet as many of the conditions can be a signal of something that is threatening to the life of your pet.
In order to keep your pet healthy and happy, you should be sure he sees the vet yearly and watch his behavior closely for signs of change. With proper care, your ferret can live a healthy life of 8 years or even more.
Lee Dobbins writes for ferrets.pet-breeds.com where you can find out more about how to care for your pet ferret.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins
Ferrets can get sick just like any other pet and can even catch a cold or flu from you. Just like other pets, it might be difficult to tell when your ferret is sick. Since ferrets are often bundles of energy, you might notice that your ferret is a bit less energetic or simply just laying around, much like you do when you don’t feel well. This could indicate a simple cold or may mean something more serious.
A ferret that has caught a cold might have a runny nose, coughing and might even start sneezing. He may have other symptoms such as a fever, diarrhea, and he may not want to eat much either. To determine for sure if your ferret has a common cold or one of the more serious ferret diseases, you should take him to your vet at the first sign of illness.
If it is determined that your ferret has a simple common cold, you can help him get over his illness by giving him lots of fluids. You will want to prevent him from becoming dehydrated and may want to try giving him some rehydrating drinks made for children.
If your ferret has symptoms that last longer then a few days or stops eating or drinking, this can indicate serious illness or disease and you should get him to the vet right away. Ferrets have a very high metabolism and if the animal dehydrates himself, he can slip away rather quickly if he does not get the help that he needs.
One of the common ferret diseases is adrenal disease which is a cancer of the adrenal glands. Symptoms of this disease include hair loss and possibly the animal becoming more aggressive than usual. This condition can be fatal if it is not taken care of right away.
Insulinoma is another common ferret type of disease. This cancer affects the pancreas and causes the production of insulin to increase causing the ferrets blood sugar to drop to a dangerously low level. Symptoms of this condition include lethargy, seizures, and foaming at the mouth.
There are also a number of viral diseases that can also cause illness in your ferret. He could have any number of conditions including loss of appetite, diarrhea, and weight loss. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is necessary for you to contact your vet as many of the conditions can be a signal of something that is threatening to the life of your pet.
In order to keep your pet healthy and happy, you should be sure he sees the vet yearly and watch his behavior closely for signs of change. With proper care, your ferret can live a healthy life of 8 years or even more.
Lee Dobbins writes for ferrets.pet-breeds.com where you can find out more about how to care for your pet ferret.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins
Thursday, July 27, 2006
pancreas diseases : Gastric Bypass Patients Should Include Tomatoes in Their Diet
After weight loss surgery it is important to include as many healthy foods in our diet as possible while still respecting the the restrictive nature gastric bypass system. One of the foods that many patients report having a high tolerance for is tomatoes. It's well known that a high intake of tomato products is associated with lowered risk of colon and prostate cancers, a beneficial effect thought to be due to tomatoes high content of the carotenoids, lycopene and beta-carotene.
Lycopene is a member of the carotenoid family of phytochemicals and is the natural pigment responsible for the deep red color of several fruits, most notably tomatoes. Recently scientists have found evidence that supports the role of lycopene in human health, specifically in the prevention of cancers of the prostate, pancreas, stomach, breast, cervix and lung, as well as in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration.
Lycopene is also believed to play a role in the prevention of heart disease by inhibiting free radical damage to LDL cholesterol. Before cholesterol can be deposited in the plaques that harden and narrow arteries, it must be oxidized by free radicals. With its powerful antioxidant activity, lycopene can prevent LDL cholesterol from being oxidized.
Lycopene is a fat-soluble substance, and as such requires the presence of dietary fat for proper absorption through the digestive tract. To facilitate proper absorption tomatoes can be prepared with minimal healthy fat such as olive oil, canola oil or even dairy fat found in cheese. These "healthy fats" are generally well tolerated by gastric bypass patients.
Shopping for Tomatoes:
Choose tomatoes that have a deep rich color. Not only is this one of the signs of a delicious tasting tomato, but the deep color indicates that it has a greater supply of the health-promoting phytochemical red pigment, lycopene. Tomatoes should be well shaped and smooth skinned with no wrinkles, cracks, bruises or soft spots. They should not have a puffy appearance since this indicates that they will be of inferior flavor and will cause excess waste during preparation. Ripe tomatoes will yield to slight pressure and will have a noticeably sweet fragrance.
Tips for Preparing Tomatoes:
Before serving, wash tomatoes under cool running water and pat dry. If your recipe requires seeded tomatoes, cut the fruit in half horizontally and gently squeeze out the seeds and the juice.
Kaye Bailey © 2005 - All Rights Reserved
An award winning journalist and former newspaper editor Kaye Bailey brings expertise in writing and personal experience with gastric bypass surgery to EzineArticles.com. Having spent most of her life overweight Ms. Bailey is strongly empathetic toward the obese, particularly overweight children. This compassion compelled her to found the website http://www.livingafterwls.com, a fast-growing resource of information, understanding and support for the weight loss surgery community.
The LivingAfterWLS.com site is complimented with daily blog. The blog, http://livingafterwls.blogspot.com offers readers the chance to comment or leave feedback about fresh content added daily. This site contains success stories and recipes, general information and WLS inspired topics. Complementing the site is a monthly newsletter titled “You Have Arrived” available exclusively to people who subscribe through the website or the blog.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kaye_Bailey
Lycopene is a member of the carotenoid family of phytochemicals and is the natural pigment responsible for the deep red color of several fruits, most notably tomatoes. Recently scientists have found evidence that supports the role of lycopene in human health, specifically in the prevention of cancers of the prostate, pancreas, stomach, breast, cervix and lung, as well as in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration.
Lycopene is also believed to play a role in the prevention of heart disease by inhibiting free radical damage to LDL cholesterol. Before cholesterol can be deposited in the plaques that harden and narrow arteries, it must be oxidized by free radicals. With its powerful antioxidant activity, lycopene can prevent LDL cholesterol from being oxidized.
Lycopene is a fat-soluble substance, and as such requires the presence of dietary fat for proper absorption through the digestive tract. To facilitate proper absorption tomatoes can be prepared with minimal healthy fat such as olive oil, canola oil or even dairy fat found in cheese. These "healthy fats" are generally well tolerated by gastric bypass patients.
Shopping for Tomatoes:
Choose tomatoes that have a deep rich color. Not only is this one of the signs of a delicious tasting tomato, but the deep color indicates that it has a greater supply of the health-promoting phytochemical red pigment, lycopene. Tomatoes should be well shaped and smooth skinned with no wrinkles, cracks, bruises or soft spots. They should not have a puffy appearance since this indicates that they will be of inferior flavor and will cause excess waste during preparation. Ripe tomatoes will yield to slight pressure and will have a noticeably sweet fragrance.
Tips for Preparing Tomatoes:
Before serving, wash tomatoes under cool running water and pat dry. If your recipe requires seeded tomatoes, cut the fruit in half horizontally and gently squeeze out the seeds and the juice.
Kaye Bailey © 2005 - All Rights Reserved
An award winning journalist and former newspaper editor Kaye Bailey brings expertise in writing and personal experience with gastric bypass surgery to EzineArticles.com. Having spent most of her life overweight Ms. Bailey is strongly empathetic toward the obese, particularly overweight children. This compassion compelled her to found the website http://www.livingafterwls.com, a fast-growing resource of information, understanding and support for the weight loss surgery community.
The LivingAfterWLS.com site is complimented with daily blog. The blog, http://livingafterwls.blogspot.com offers readers the chance to comment or leave feedback about fresh content added daily. This site contains success stories and recipes, general information and WLS inspired topics. Complementing the site is a monthly newsletter titled “You Have Arrived” available exclusively to people who subscribe through the website or the blog.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kaye_Bailey
pancreas diseases : Taking Control of Your Health & Well-being
Taking Control of Your Health & Well-being
by Georgianna Donadio D.C., M.Sc., Ph.D.
Do you ever wonder why, in spite of all your good intentions, you just cannot seem to take control over your health and wellness the way you really want to? The answer to that question can be found in the words of Albert Einstein, who reminded us "you cannot correct a problem with the same thinking that created it”. In other words, you cannot change old behaviors without new information.
The Institute of Medicine recently published a study that indicates ninety million Americans are "health illiterate", which means we do not know how to interpret or use health information to control or improve our health, or prevent chronic disease. Data compiled previously identified, "lack of information as the number one root cause of death". Understanding that there exists a cause and effect relationship between what we know and how we behave, we need a model of integrating this important information to change the behaviors that lead to chronic disease. According to a 7-year, 1996, Harvard Medical School study, approximately 70% of all cancers are preventable through lifestyle changes. Furthermore, our diseases and conditions are primarily a result of stress, food, environment, attitude, emotions or beliefs that keep us in behaviors that lead to illness. Which invites the question, are we consciously choosing to be unhealthy, or do we just not understand sufficiently the relationship between what we think, how we behave, what we put into our bodies and how we keep ourselves well or make ourselves sick?
In a world exploding with health information, especially on the internet, we are caught in the dilemma of having abundant amounts of information, without a context through which we can understand and utilize this information in a way that is appropriate for our own unique personal health needs. There is, however, good news - making its way into the mainstream of health care is an integrated model of health information and education that provides a "whole picture of health" perspective, allowing each of us to discern and create our own unique approach to taking charge of our health and well-being. Whole Health Education, developed over the past 28 years, in cooperation with Boston physicians, nurses and educators, is an approach to understanding the cause and effect our behaviors and choices have on our state of health. Demystifying the five major factors that influence how sick or well we become, Whole Health Education provides a perspective on human anatomy and physiology, bio-chemistry, psycho-social, environmental and spiritual aspects which allows for an authentic understanding of what we need know to resolve chronic health problems or to stay healthy. Integrating evidence-based information with the wisdom of various spiritual teachings and a whole-person overview of behavioral options, Whole Health Education offers each of us a tool for personal health management by providing personalized health information that explains the physical, emotional, nutritional, environmental and spiritual aspects of a health concern.
For example, Mature Onset Diabetes affects approximately 18.2 million Americans and is the leading health concern in our culture today. As all chronic conditions are, Mature Onset Diabetes is a multi-dimensional disease state and the unique Whole Health perspective, can facilitate the restoration of health for those with chronic diseases such as diabetes.
Physical/Structural
What happens on a physical and structural level with Mature Onset Diabetes? The specialized beta cells of the pancreas, which produce insulin, become incapable of producing adequate amounts of the critically necessary secretion. This happens over a period of years and can begin in our bodies, over time, by eating large amounts of insulin-provoking foods. These insulin provocateurs, which are sugars and starches in the form of complex carbohydrates, require the pancreas to produce more insulin so that the sugars can be carried over the cell membranes to all parts of the body. Serious disturbances occur when we do not have enough insulin to carry the sugar over the cell membranes. Insulin hooks onto the sugar molecule and acts like a lock and key mechanism to bring that sugar into the cell which is then used in the energy cycle of cell metabolism. The nervous system, brain and the lungs cannot function without the proper metabolism of sugars.
Emotional/Social
Just as diabetes is a lack of nourishment on a chemical/nutritional level, so is it a lack of emotional nourishment on an emotional/mental level. It relates to the “feel good” nourishment component of your body. What do we know about carbohydrates and serotonin? Carbohydrates provoke the production of serotonin. Serotonin is a neuro-transmitter that produces a feeling of well-being. There is a direct relationship between what our body is doing chemically and how we feel emotionally. When we crave or build our diet around carbohydrates, this can be a way of “self-medicating” our emotional needs by eating carbohydrates to provoke insulin production.
Sugar problems can affect us emotionally. Let's say you have a pancreas that is not working properly. What can happen somatic/psychically from the pancreas to the brain? If we are feeling the ups and downs of hypoglycemia, and its biochemical/neurological symptoms, it may undermine our sense of security, self esteem, and produce anxiety and fear.
What is the emotional component of diabetes and the pancreas? Often, it can be a poor sense of self-esteem and a fear of not being “good enough” or not belonging. These feelings, medicated by the serotonin foods, can lead us to not look deeply enough into what is causing our health concerns and allow the feeling/feeding cycle to continue.
Chemical/Nutritional
On the nutritional side, the treatment for people with Mature Onset Diabetes is to decrease the stress on the pancreas by making changes in their diet -- decrease starches and sugars and decrease calories. Eat less, eat right. What kind of a diet would be best for preventing Mature Onset Diabetes? Vegetables, vegetables, and vegetables combined with lean proteins such as fish, chicken, water, a little fruit and a little fat. In a hypoglycemic situation, it is wise not to eat grain or sugar, but sprouted grain bread, and other substitutes can be healthy and satisfying.
Because hormones are chemicals, diabetes and hypoglycemia are both hormonal-based problems. What we know about the hormone system is that it works as a balanced interdependent system. Diabetes is an endocrine-related, systemic problem. With a systemic problem like diabetes, you have a body system problem--you do not just have a condition by itself. It is known that the pancreas is related, through hormone interaction, to the adrenals, and the adrenals are in turn related to the reproductive system. It is known that these glands are related through hormone interactions to the pituitary and the pituitary is related to the thyroid gland, the thyroid is related to the thymus, and the thymus is related to the immune system.
Environmental/Internal & External
The environment that we work in, live in, walk through, live near -- how does that environment have an impact on the way that we feel and the way we feel about ourselves?
How do we learn to trust in the order of the universe? By behaviors that come from trusting the order inside ourselves. We do this by setting boundaries -- codes of conduct of how we are going to behave, eat, work exercise and live. If we don't violate our own boundaries, we are less likely to let anybody else violate our boundaries. We have to start with ourselves. Our experience of victimization can begin with our own self-victimizing behavior.
Spiritual/World View
A Hindu Vendata truth is that “the whole world is one family”. It is said that there is only one disease, the disease of separateness, separating oneself from the awareness that we are one living organism. Competition creates isolation. The spiritual challenge presented by hypoglycemia and diabetes appears to be involved with over- or under-valuing the self: judgment of self and then others. Where are we in the process of getting to the truth that we are all equally important? The drama created by a one-up or one-down dynamic that we may allow to be part of our experience can lead to psychophysiology and the behavioral issues which can contribute to and create Mature Onset Diabetes.
Whole Health Education can transform our experience of taking care of ourselves. It can provide an understanding of our health concerns and conditions from this multi-dimensional perspective that makes sense in a way we can utilize the information directly and in a meaningful way. In addition, having the information provided in a mindful, respectful way that invites each of us to discern what we know about our health and condition, how to choose to resolve the problem and what kind of care we choose to have, allows each of us to experience whole-person health care through whole health information. Then, WE become the center of our health and healing process, rather than the doctors or practitioners we go to for guidance.
Georgianna Donadio D.C., M.Sc., Ph.D., has conducted a private practice in Whole Person Care since 1976. She is the Founder and Director of The New England School of Whole Health Education, the pioneer of Whole Health Education and a provider of patient and healthcare professional education since 1977. For more information, visit www.wholehealtheducation.org or call 1-888-354-HEAL (4325).
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Georgianna_Donadio,_D.C.,_M.Sc.,_Ph.D.
by Georgianna Donadio D.C., M.Sc., Ph.D.
Do you ever wonder why, in spite of all your good intentions, you just cannot seem to take control over your health and wellness the way you really want to? The answer to that question can be found in the words of Albert Einstein, who reminded us "you cannot correct a problem with the same thinking that created it”. In other words, you cannot change old behaviors without new information.
The Institute of Medicine recently published a study that indicates ninety million Americans are "health illiterate", which means we do not know how to interpret or use health information to control or improve our health, or prevent chronic disease. Data compiled previously identified, "lack of information as the number one root cause of death". Understanding that there exists a cause and effect relationship between what we know and how we behave, we need a model of integrating this important information to change the behaviors that lead to chronic disease. According to a 7-year, 1996, Harvard Medical School study, approximately 70% of all cancers are preventable through lifestyle changes. Furthermore, our diseases and conditions are primarily a result of stress, food, environment, attitude, emotions or beliefs that keep us in behaviors that lead to illness. Which invites the question, are we consciously choosing to be unhealthy, or do we just not understand sufficiently the relationship between what we think, how we behave, what we put into our bodies and how we keep ourselves well or make ourselves sick?
In a world exploding with health information, especially on the internet, we are caught in the dilemma of having abundant amounts of information, without a context through which we can understand and utilize this information in a way that is appropriate for our own unique personal health needs. There is, however, good news - making its way into the mainstream of health care is an integrated model of health information and education that provides a "whole picture of health" perspective, allowing each of us to discern and create our own unique approach to taking charge of our health and well-being. Whole Health Education, developed over the past 28 years, in cooperation with Boston physicians, nurses and educators, is an approach to understanding the cause and effect our behaviors and choices have on our state of health. Demystifying the five major factors that influence how sick or well we become, Whole Health Education provides a perspective on human anatomy and physiology, bio-chemistry, psycho-social, environmental and spiritual aspects which allows for an authentic understanding of what we need know to resolve chronic health problems or to stay healthy. Integrating evidence-based information with the wisdom of various spiritual teachings and a whole-person overview of behavioral options, Whole Health Education offers each of us a tool for personal health management by providing personalized health information that explains the physical, emotional, nutritional, environmental and spiritual aspects of a health concern.
For example, Mature Onset Diabetes affects approximately 18.2 million Americans and is the leading health concern in our culture today. As all chronic conditions are, Mature Onset Diabetes is a multi-dimensional disease state and the unique Whole Health perspective, can facilitate the restoration of health for those with chronic diseases such as diabetes.
Physical/Structural
What happens on a physical and structural level with Mature Onset Diabetes? The specialized beta cells of the pancreas, which produce insulin, become incapable of producing adequate amounts of the critically necessary secretion. This happens over a period of years and can begin in our bodies, over time, by eating large amounts of insulin-provoking foods. These insulin provocateurs, which are sugars and starches in the form of complex carbohydrates, require the pancreas to produce more insulin so that the sugars can be carried over the cell membranes to all parts of the body. Serious disturbances occur when we do not have enough insulin to carry the sugar over the cell membranes. Insulin hooks onto the sugar molecule and acts like a lock and key mechanism to bring that sugar into the cell which is then used in the energy cycle of cell metabolism. The nervous system, brain and the lungs cannot function without the proper metabolism of sugars.
Emotional/Social
Just as diabetes is a lack of nourishment on a chemical/nutritional level, so is it a lack of emotional nourishment on an emotional/mental level. It relates to the “feel good” nourishment component of your body. What do we know about carbohydrates and serotonin? Carbohydrates provoke the production of serotonin. Serotonin is a neuro-transmitter that produces a feeling of well-being. There is a direct relationship between what our body is doing chemically and how we feel emotionally. When we crave or build our diet around carbohydrates, this can be a way of “self-medicating” our emotional needs by eating carbohydrates to provoke insulin production.
Sugar problems can affect us emotionally. Let's say you have a pancreas that is not working properly. What can happen somatic/psychically from the pancreas to the brain? If we are feeling the ups and downs of hypoglycemia, and its biochemical/neurological symptoms, it may undermine our sense of security, self esteem, and produce anxiety and fear.
What is the emotional component of diabetes and the pancreas? Often, it can be a poor sense of self-esteem and a fear of not being “good enough” or not belonging. These feelings, medicated by the serotonin foods, can lead us to not look deeply enough into what is causing our health concerns and allow the feeling/feeding cycle to continue.
Chemical/Nutritional
On the nutritional side, the treatment for people with Mature Onset Diabetes is to decrease the stress on the pancreas by making changes in their diet -- decrease starches and sugars and decrease calories. Eat less, eat right. What kind of a diet would be best for preventing Mature Onset Diabetes? Vegetables, vegetables, and vegetables combined with lean proteins such as fish, chicken, water, a little fruit and a little fat. In a hypoglycemic situation, it is wise not to eat grain or sugar, but sprouted grain bread, and other substitutes can be healthy and satisfying.
Because hormones are chemicals, diabetes and hypoglycemia are both hormonal-based problems. What we know about the hormone system is that it works as a balanced interdependent system. Diabetes is an endocrine-related, systemic problem. With a systemic problem like diabetes, you have a body system problem--you do not just have a condition by itself. It is known that the pancreas is related, through hormone interaction, to the adrenals, and the adrenals are in turn related to the reproductive system. It is known that these glands are related through hormone interactions to the pituitary and the pituitary is related to the thyroid gland, the thyroid is related to the thymus, and the thymus is related to the immune system.
Environmental/Internal & External
The environment that we work in, live in, walk through, live near -- how does that environment have an impact on the way that we feel and the way we feel about ourselves?
How do we learn to trust in the order of the universe? By behaviors that come from trusting the order inside ourselves. We do this by setting boundaries -- codes of conduct of how we are going to behave, eat, work exercise and live. If we don't violate our own boundaries, we are less likely to let anybody else violate our boundaries. We have to start with ourselves. Our experience of victimization can begin with our own self-victimizing behavior.
Spiritual/World View
A Hindu Vendata truth is that “the whole world is one family”. It is said that there is only one disease, the disease of separateness, separating oneself from the awareness that we are one living organism. Competition creates isolation. The spiritual challenge presented by hypoglycemia and diabetes appears to be involved with over- or under-valuing the self: judgment of self and then others. Where are we in the process of getting to the truth that we are all equally important? The drama created by a one-up or one-down dynamic that we may allow to be part of our experience can lead to psychophysiology and the behavioral issues which can contribute to and create Mature Onset Diabetes.
Whole Health Education can transform our experience of taking care of ourselves. It can provide an understanding of our health concerns and conditions from this multi-dimensional perspective that makes sense in a way we can utilize the information directly and in a meaningful way. In addition, having the information provided in a mindful, respectful way that invites each of us to discern what we know about our health and condition, how to choose to resolve the problem and what kind of care we choose to have, allows each of us to experience whole-person health care through whole health information. Then, WE become the center of our health and healing process, rather than the doctors or practitioners we go to for guidance.
Georgianna Donadio D.C., M.Sc., Ph.D., has conducted a private practice in Whole Person Care since 1976. She is the Founder and Director of The New England School of Whole Health Education, the pioneer of Whole Health Education and a provider of patient and healthcare professional education since 1977. For more information, visit www.wholehealtheducation.org or call 1-888-354-HEAL (4325).
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Georgianna_Donadio,_D.C.,_M.Sc.,_Ph.D.
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