Smoking

Oct 08, 2008 - In This Report

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Nicotine Addiction
• Health Risks
• Secondhand Smoke
• Smoking Bans
• Quitting Smoking
• Symptoms of Withdrawal
• Failure to Quit
• Lifestyle Changes
• Resources
• References

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M Highlights Smoking and Your Health

• Smoking may worsen knee osteoarthritis in men. A study published in the Annals of Rheumatic Disease found that male smokers have more pain and cartilage loss than men who do not smoke. Previous studies have not found such a link.
• Smoking greatly increases the risk of age-related macular degeneration. - 0 Comments
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Vitamins

Oct 08, 2008 - In This Report

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Carotenoids
• Phytochemicals
• Healthy Foods
• Dietary Health Benefits
• Resources
• References

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M Highlights Cancer Growing evidence suggests that vitamins and micronutrients, especially from foods, may play important roles in the prevention or treatment of certain cancers:

• One study found that the risk of prostate cancer risk dropped as consumption of vegetables high in vitamin C, such as broccoli and bell peppers, rose.
• A diet high in cruciferous vegetables has been found to reduce the risk of kidney cancer; low consumption of cruciferous vegetables increases the risk.

On the other hand, high amounts of folic acid (a B vitamin) may be associated with colorectal cancer, and beta-carotene supplements are associated with increased lung cancer risk in smokers and people exposed to asbestos. Macular Degeneration In 2007, the National Eye Institute recommended that people with intermediate or advanced macular degeneration in one eye take a vitamin formula shown to reduce the risk of macular degeneration in the other eye by 25%. The formula contains vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and zinc. - 0 Comments

Psoriasis

Oct 08, 2008 - In This Report

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Types of Psoriasis
• Causes
• Risk Factors
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Topical Medications
• Systemic Medications
• Phototherapy
• Managing Psoriasis
• Outlook
• Resources
• References

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M Highlights Treatment Psoriasis that develops on the hands or feet is often very difficult to treat. However, an advanced clinical trial showed that a medication called efalizumab (Raptiva) effectively cleared or nearly cleared moderate-to-severe symptoms in adults after 12 weeks. Several studies have shown that most people with severe psoriasis who are treated with infliximab (Remicade) have significant improvement in symptoms by week 10. - 0 Comments

Diabetes - type 2

Oct 08, 2008 - In This Report

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Causes
• Risk Factors
• Symptoms
• Screening Tests
• Treatment
• Lifestyle Changes
• Medications
• Long-Term Complications
• Emergency Complications
• Resources
• References

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M Highlights Drug Approvals

• Sitagliptin (Januvia), the first in a new class of diabetes drugs called DPP-4 inhibitors, was approved in 2006.
• Janumet, a 2-in-1 pill that contains both sitagliptin and metformin, was approved in 2007.
• These drugs are taken by mouth and may be more convenient for patients than exenatide (Byetta), a similar drug. DPP-4 inhibitors do not cause weight gain and may pose a lower risk for hypoglycemia than some other diabetes drugs.

Drug Safety Alert Rosiglitazone (Avandia) may significantly increase the risk for heart attack, indicates a review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. In 2007, a panel of experts from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agreed the drug increases the risk of heart attacks -- but concluded it should remain on the market. - 4 Comments

Preparing for pregnancy

Oct 08, 2008 - HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M Preparing for Pregnancy What can you do to prepare yourself and your body for pregnancy ahead of time? The key is to live a healthy lifestyle. Evaluate your daily habits and take some time to make the necessary changes for you and your future baby. - 0 Comments

Hypothyroidism

Oct 08, 2008 - In This Report

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Causes
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Risk Factors
• Complications
• Treatment
• Resources
• References

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M Highlights Congenital Hypothyroidism and Maternal Hyperthyroidism Thyroid-lowering medications used for treating Graves’ disease, the most common cause of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), can cause babies to be born with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Research presented at the 2006 annual meeting of the American Thyroid Association suggests that hyperthyroidism can be effectively managed during pregnancy without causing newborn hypothyroidism. The researchers suggest that:

• Pregnant women with Graves’ disease should take the lowest possible dose of their thyroid medication
• It is safe for women with Graves’ disease to maintain thyroid levels in the upper-normal range while pregnant

Low-Normal Thyroid and Metabolic Syndrome

• Thyroid levels in the low-normal range may increase the risk of unhealthy cholesterol levels, high blood sugar, and abdominal obesity -- indicators of metabolic syndrome -- according to a 2006 study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
• Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions, (including abdominal obesity, high blood sugar, and unhealthy cholesterol levels), which increases the risk for heart disease. - 0 Comments
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Depression

Oct 08, 2008 - In This Report

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Causes
• Risk Factors
• Complications of Depression...
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Antidepressants and Drug Tr...
• Psychotherapy
• Other Treatments
• Lifestyle Changes
• Resources
• References

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M Highlights Drug Approval In 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the atypical antipsychotic drug aripiprazole (Abilify) for treatment of major depression in adults. Aripiprazole is used for treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. For depression, it is used in combination with antidepressant drug therapy. - 5 Comments