INSAF

When a person’s thyroid hormone level gets too low, nearly every system in the body is affected. An under-active thyroid (hypothyroidism) can set off a wide range of symptoms that can include fatigue, depression, weight gain, constipation, and dry skin. While typical of an under-active thyroid, all those symptoms could be easily attributed to other medical problems. And in people over 60, symptoms of hypothyroidism can be more confusing. Any of the following health issues in a person over 60, alone or in combination, could mean an underlying thyroid problem.  Unexplained high cholesterol. High cholesterol is sometimes the only evidence of an under-active thyroid in an older person. Because this may be the only symptom, a high cholesterol level warrants a thyroid evaluation. Heart failure. Some of the effects of low thyroid hormone levels — for example, reduced blood volume, weaker contractions of the heart muscle, and a slower heart rate — may contribute to he...

Stephanie Watson , Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch I’m not much use behind the keyboard until I’ve had my morning cup of coffee. And I’m far from the only American who needs a little java jolt to get their day going. If a study published in this month’s Journal of Nutrition is any indication, the caffeine in coffee might offer not just a momentary mental boost but also longer-term effects on thinking skills. Having an alcoholic drink a day might also benefit our mental performance, but the line between just right and too much is uncertain. An even better strategy for maintaining memory and thinking skills with age may be to eat a healthy diet. In the study, researchers from the National Institute on Aging compared scores on various tests of thinking skills and memory with caffeine, alcohol, and nutrient intake in 727 men and women taking part in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study...

Your body depends on the mineral potassium to help control the electrical balance of your heart as well as metabolize carbohydrates and build muscle. Low potassium levels can cause muscle weakness and heart rhythm disturbances. On the other hand, too much potassium can cause dangerous heartbeat irregularities and even sudden death. If you have heart failure, you need to pay close attention to how much potassium you get each day. What’s more, some heart failure drugs can cause your body to excrete too much potassium, while others can cause your body to retain too much potassium. Your doctor can tell you how the medications you need will affect your potassium levels. You’ll likely need to have your potassium level checked regularly to be sure it is within a good range for you. If you need to raise your potassium level If your potassium level is too low, the solution may be as simple as taking potassium supplements. If you need to get your potassium level d...

The human ear is the envy of even the most sophisticated acoustic engineer. Without a moment's thought or the slightest pause, you can hear the difference between a violin and a clarinet, you can tell if a sound is coming from your left or your right, and if it's distant or near. And you can discriminate between words as similar as hear and near , sound and pound . Nearly everyone experiences trouble hearing from time to time. Common causes include a buildup of earwax or fluid in the ear, ear infections, or the change in air pressure when taking off in an airplane. A mild degree of permanent hearing loss is an inevitable part of the aging process. Unfortunately, major hearing loss that makes communication difficult also becomes more common with increasing age, particularly after age 65. Testing — 1, 2, 3 How do you know if you need a hearing test? If you answer yes to any of the questions below, talk with your doctor about having your hearing tested: A...

Pineapple Juice Is 5 Times More Effective Than Cough Syrup Posted: April 5, 2014 | Author: yazdi   Pineapples contain bromelain, an enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties. It fights infections and kills bacteria.  The juice from fresh pineapples can suppress coughs five times more effectively than cough syrup.  One cup of pineapple juice contains nearly 50% of the daily requirement for vitamin C intake. This helpful nutrient works to implement the use of vital enzymes within the body that regulate metabolism and energy conversion. Pineapple juice also contains high levels of manganese, a mineral that predominately helps form healthy connective tissue and bones. Manganese works to absorb more calcium, metabolize carbohydrates and fats, plus increases regular nerve function. Some bromelain appears to be absorbed by the body intact, so it’s also thought to have effects outside the digestive tract. In fact, bromelain is often marketed as a natural an...

Y ou need magnesium for many tasks. It’s involved in more than 300 chemical reactions in the body. Muscles need this mineral to contract; nerves need it to send and receive messages. It keeps your heart beating steadily and your immune system strong. Most people can get enough magnesium by eating foods such as green leafy vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and fish. Magnesium supplements are sometimes marketed as super pills that can fix a long list of ailments such as muscle tension, low energy, and trouble sleeping. But think twice before you reach for a magnesium supplement. Dr. Bruce Bistrian, chief of clinical nutrition at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, says magnesium deficiency is very rare. “The kidney has an extraordinary ability to reduce magnesium loss in urine, and thus achieve magnesium balance on a wide variety of intakes,” he explains. For people who have trouble absorbing magnesium from food — such ...

Learn the keys to preventing and managing allergies caused by tree and grass pollens, pet dander, mold, dust mites, medications, cosmetics, vaccines,insects, and food If you are an allergy sufferer, you can sometimes feel alone. While others are enjoying spring breezes, you are sniffling and sneezing. While others eat whatever they please, you have to pore over each menu item cautiously. The fact is, you are not alone. More than one in five Americans suffers from allergic diseases. That includes 36 million people with pollen allergies and more than 15 million with food allergies. Allergies can be more than disruptive and discomforting. They can be dangerous, such as when symptoms progress to asthma or escalate to potentially fatal anaphylactic shock. Although allergies can’t yet be cured, they can be controlled with great success. Important advances in diagnosis, treatment, and medications offer welcome relief and peace of mind like never before. The first step in controllin...