Alzheimer's Disease
Adapted from the book "BrainRecovery.com" by David Perlmutter, MD Board-Certified Neurologist At present, approximately 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease. By the year 2030, it has been estimated that this number will approach 9 million. Prevalence of Alzheimer's disease has been estimated to be 50% in individuals 85 years or older-the most rapidly growing segment of...
Angina Pectoris
Angina Pectoris is defined as Acute pain in the chest resulting from decreased blood supply to the heart muscle (myocardial ischemia). A syndrome due to myocardial oxygen deficit, characterized by prolonged substernal, thoracic pain which is precipitated chiefly by emotion, exercise, or the ingestion of a heavy meal. It is caused by a temporary inability of the...
Asthma
Asthma is a disease in which inflammation of the airways restricts airflow in and out of the lungs. The word asthma comes from the Greek word for "panting." The panting and wheezing sound characteristic of asthma occur because of the restricted flow of air. Normally, when you breathe in an irritant or are subjected to a stressor such as exercise, your airways relax and open, allowing...
Blood Interpretation
Cholesterol Cholesterol values should only be analyzed after a 12 hour fast. Further, the physician must be aware that the patient's posture prior to the blood draw is significant. If the patient has been in a recumbent posture for more than 20 minutes, cholesterol values may be up to 15% lower than normal. Cholesterol is a blood fat which is the prime building block component to make...
Cardiovascular Disease
Definitions of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Total cholesterol Cholesterol is a waxy fat like substance. Total cholesterol refers to the sum of the different sub-fractions of cholesterol that are measured in the blood. Total cholesterol is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The National Cholesterol Education Program says 240 is considered high. A person with this level...
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic, persistent or relapsing debilitating fatigue or easily fatigued, that does not resolve with bed rest and that is severe enough to reduce or impair average daily activity below 50% of premorbid activity level. Associated symptoms: mild fever, sore throat, painful lymph nodes, muscle weakness, myalgia headaches, arthralgia, neuro- psychological complaints, sleep disturbances.
Ear Dysfunction - Meniere's Syndrome / Tinnitus
The disease was first diagnosed in 1861 by Prosper Meniere. Meniere's syndrome is an illness that afflicts more than seven million Americans, according to the Journal of American Medical Association (July 25, 1990). It is generally believed to be caused by a buildup of fluid in the inner ear. The resulting pressure can manifest the following list of symptoms: ringing or buzzing in the ears...
Fertility / Sexual Dysfunction - Male and Female
10-15% of couples experience the inability to conceive, and the percentage is growing. Men account for 40% of failures to conceive. Of the women who are responsible, failure to ovulate accounts for 30% of infertility problems; pelvic factors (such as tubal disease and endometriosis) account for 50%; cervical pathology is responsible 10% of the time; and in 10-20% of the women no reason is...
Parkinson's Disease
A chronic progressive CNS disorder characterized by slowness of purposeful movement, resting tremors, and muscle rigidity. Also called "Parkinsonism" and "Paralysis Agitans" Dorland's Medical Dictionary describes the Parkinsonian complex as "neurologic disorders characterized by hypokinesia, tremors and muscular rigidity. It typically occurs late in life,...
Periodontal Disease
Gingivitis, Periodontitis, and Scorbutic Gums Periodontal disease is a scourge on our society. It accounts for more lost teeth in adulthood than any other dental problem. Gum disease will affect nine out of ten Americans, and one out of every four persons will lose all their teeth to periodontal disease by age 60. Thirty-two million Americans have gum disease right now in such an advanced state...
