A to Z Medical DiseasesPractical Information on Medical Diseases

Smoking causes the preventable deaths of over 443,000 people in the Unites States each year. Second-hand smoke kills over 50,000 people each year.

The statistics for heart disease in women are astounding. Women comprise 60% of all heart attack related deaths in the US every year, and are more likely to die from heart disease than men. Women tend to ignore the early warning signs of an impending heart attack because the symptoms are often vague and can resemble other conditions. Consequently, women are apt to delay getting treatment for their symptoms because they do not recognize the signs and do not understand their risks.

Ventricular fibrillation takes place when the ventricles beat at a severely abnormal rhythm. It is a life-threatening arrhythmia and can lead to sudden death. There is rapid contraction and relaxation of the heart muscle producing low cardiac output, leading to no circulation of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the rest of the body.

The heart is the primary muscle the cardiovascular system. Its job is to pump blood throughout the entire body. This blood supply is carried by the coronary arteries, delivering oxygen and nutrients the body needs to function properly. Red blood cells or RBC’s carry oxygen while White blood cells or WBC’s fight off infections.

What exactly is Diabetes?

The temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain as a result of a thrombus is referred to as a TIA or Mini Stroke. In this instance, the body will react by quickly releasing tPA to dissolve the clot on its own. This body function results in symptoms, however does not result in any damage to brain tissue. This TIA is a warning sign from your body that an impending stroke will occur and medical help should be sought immediately. These mini warning signs happen in ischemic episodes and although ischemic and hemorrhagic are completely opposite situations, they both carry the same symptoms and inclinations.

A narrowing of the arteries that creates a blockage impeding blood flow to the heart is referred to in medical terms as Ischemic Heart Disease. This disease is the result of cholesterol deposits sticking to the artery wall which result in hardening of the arteries. When this occurs, blood flow to the heart is either blocked or slowed in flow. When arteries become hardened it is referred to as atherosclerosis. This terminology is interchangeable with another medical term, arteriosclerosis. Both of these terms refer to the decrease or blockage of blood flow to the heart.

A recent study of over 500 women who experienced a heart attack or MI, (Myocardial Infarction) suggests that the typical signs and symptoms commonly found in men are not the same as women. Women experienced unusual symptoms such as exhaustion, inability to sleep through the night, gastric disturbances, shortness in breath, and nervousness.

During the course of many decades, scientists have labored over researching why the pancreas ceases to produce insulin or why the insulin it does produce is ineffective to the body. There is however one discovery. A mutant gene passed through the ages from our ancestors may be the cause of this phenomenon. Other possible causes include:

The diabetic diet is so healthy that anyone can and should partake of its goodness. Not only does the diabetic diet help to control glucose levels, it aids in weight loss as well. Obesity is one of the risk factors for diabetes in addition to a sedentary lifestyle. Following a healthy diabetic diet can decrease your risks for developing the disease.