Top 8 Womens Health Risks

No. 1 — Heart disease
Heart disease is responsible for more deaths in women than all forms of cancer combined. Heart disease is the most significant health concern for women in the United States today, causing nearly 350,000 deaths each year.
No. 2 — Cancer
It's easy to believe cancer is a major threat to women's health, but the kinds of cancer women are dying of might surprise you. According to the American Cancer Society, the most common cause of cancer death in U.S. women is lung cancer. It's estimated that more than 70,000 women in the United States die of lung cancer each year, with the majority of these deaths linked to cigarette smoking. Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in U.S. women, responsible for about 40,000 deaths each year
No. 3 — Stroke
Nearly 160,000 people in the United States die of stroke each year, and almost two-thirds of them are women. Stroke not only is women's No. 3 killer, but also is one of the leading causes of disability in America.
No. 4 — Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
COPD is an overall term for a group of chronic lung conditions, including bronchitis and emphysema. The main cause of COPD is smoking, and it's strongly associated with lung cancer, the No. 1 cause of cancer death in women
No. 5 — Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disease that goes beyond simple forgetfulness. What may start as slight memory loss and confusion eventually leads to irreversible mental impairment.
No. 6 — Diabetes
Diabetes, a group of diseases that affect the way your body uses blood sugar (glucose), is a serious health condition that affects about 18 million Americans, 5 million of whom are unaware that they have the disease. Many people learn they have diabetes only when they develop one of its life-threatening complications. Advanced diabetes can cause blindness, kidney failure and severe nerve damage. People with diabetes are also two to four times more likely to die of heart disease and experience stroke.
No. 7 — Accidents
Each year, more than 38,000 women die from accidents (unintentional injuries). Although the statistics on accidental death are unclear, these trends may surprise you:
No. 8 — Pneumonia and influenza
Pneumonia and influenza combined are the eighth-leading cause of death for women in the United States today. Together they take the lives of more than 36,000 women each year.

The previous is a shortened list of the top eight health risks to women today.
For the whole article and ways to minimize your risk go to http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/womens-health/WO00014

Supergenes May Help Elderly

Good news for many elderly people suffering from Alziemer's to heart disease. This report comes from vitabeat.com.

"Supergene" Can Help Ward Off Dementia In Older Ager People

U.S. scientists have discovered a gene variant called CETP VV, which if present in people helps them live past 90 years or more of age. The study also suggests that people blessed with this "supergene" may have better memory and brainpower, thus helping ward off Alziemer's disease.

According to the scientists at the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, the newly discovered gene variant can help people live longer without developing dementia, the confused thinking and memory loss that is characteristics of old people.

Nir Barzilai, director of the Institute and his colleagues had found people who inherit this gene variant seemed to age slowly and were also protected against life-shortening ailments such as heart disease.

According to BBC reports, the team studied 158 people of Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish descent who were 95 or older and found that older people who had inherited the gene variant were twice as likely to have good brain function, able to think clearly and remember new information as compared to older people sans the gene.

By studying various groups of people for eight years, the scientists also found that the gene variant helps ward off against Alzheimer's dementia. The findings suggested that the participants who never developed dementia were five times more likely to have the favorable gene than those who did have dementia.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration together with declining activities of daily living and neuropsychiatric symptoms or behavioral changes. It is the most common type of dementia.

However, the researchers were not very clear as to how this "supergene" protects people but according to previous studies, the gene is responsible for the size of the lipoproteins in the blood that deposit or clear away cholesterol.

The study also says people with the gene variant tend to be at less risk of clogged arteries.

The researchers believe that the new findings could lead to ways of protecting cognitive function in old age by developing drugs that work in the same way as the protective function of the CETP VV variant does.

Natural Herb or Supplement of the Week

Many natural remedies have not been approved by the FDA yet have had success with many people. We at Healthy Living are just going to give you the treatment and claims of some of these Natural cures. In the end you have to decide whether it is right for you.

Today's herb s Ginkgo as was found at A Nurses Guide to Herbal Remedies found here.

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba, Maidenhair tree)
General Description: Deciduous tree that produces a flower and a fruit that can live up to 1,000 years.

Part Used: Leaf

Uses:
improve memory, concentration, AD/HD individuals, improve circulation especially in diabetics, SSRI-induced impotency, Alzheimer's’s disease, asthma, antioxidant, hearing problems

Action: Contains a variety of flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic acids. These produce platelet activating antgonist, bronchoconstriction, antioxidants, vasodilator, and increases cerebral blood flow.

Dosage:
120-160 mg daily. (May take 1-2 months to be effective)
240 mg daily for Alzheimer's
60mg twice/day to 240mg twice daily for sexual function.
0.5 ml of 1:5 tincture of leaf 3 times daily

Precautions/Adverse Effects:

Well tolerated with rare, GI symptoms, headaches, and vertigo. Ginkgo fruit and seeds are toxic if ingested. Skin contact can produce dermatits.

Use cautiously with anticoagulants. (warfarin, aspirin, NSAIDs)

One study reported bleeding into the eye and another reported a spontaneous subdural hematoma.

Contraindications:

Ginkgo allergy. Avoid using in pregnancy, lactation and children, due to insufficient information.

Nursing Considerations:
Warn patients that concomitant use with some herbs that have coumarin constituents can affect platelet aggregation and increase the risk of bleeding: angelica, chamomile, feverfew, garlic, ginger, horse chestnut and others.
Especially in the elderly who may be on anticoagulants and seek the benefits of gingko.

Warn patients who are on MAOIs that ginkgo can potentate their activity.

Limit ingestion of tyramine foods (cheeses, red wine) or sympathomimetic agents.

Warn patients that ginkgo is not a bronchodilator and is not a quick relief medication. Will not work in an acute attack.

The precise mechanism of action is unclear, but current research studies are encouraging.

There are several studies involving animals ongoing with respect to cognitive and neuroprotective effects

General Safety Advisory

~The information in this document does not replace medical advice.~Before taking an herb or a botanical, consult a doctor or other health care provider

-especially if you have a disease or medical condition,take any medications, are pregnant or nursing, or are planning to have an operation.

~Before treating a child with an herb or a botanical, consult with a doctor or other health care provider.

~Like drugs, herbal or botanical preparations have chemical and biological activity. They may have side effects. They may interact with certain medications. These interactions can cause problems and can even be dangerous.

~If you have any unexpected reactions to an herbal or a botanical preparation, inform your doctor or other health care provider.