HD is an inherited neurodegenerative disease that over time results in uncontrolled movements, emotional changes and mental deterioration. In the United States, about 25,000 people have HD. Each child of a parent with the disease has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the gene and ultimately developing the disease. This means at least 150,000 others are at risk of developing the disease, along with thousands of their relatives.

The most common, and perhaps most devastating symptom of HD is chorea. Chorea is characterized by jerky, involuntary movements throughout the body, often appearing as writhing, twisting and turning in a constant, uncontrollable dance-like motion. As chorea progresses, the jerk-like movements worsen and make it difficult for patients to carry out many activities associated with daily living.

“Patients can lose the ability to button a shirt, drink a glass of water, or even sit in a chair without falling off,” says Dr. Amy Colcher, a neurologist at Pennsylvania Hospital. “As the disease progresses, the danger for falls and other injuries increases greatly.”

Currently, there is no cure for HD and the disease is ultimately fatal. However, in 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Xenazine (tetrabenazine) to treat chorea associated with Huntington’s disease, making this the first product ever approved for a symptom of HD. “Xenazine is not a cure for HD, but as a physician, I am grateful for this medical milestone and that we now have an option to potentially help patients better manage the uncontrolled movements they experience as a result of the disease,” says Colcher.

Serious side effects reported with the use of Xenazine include depression and suicidal thoughts and actions. Xenazine should not be used in patients who are actively suicidal or in patients with untreated depression. Concerns about the risk of suicide are heightened in all patients with HD.

For Matt and Karen Douglas from Delaware, Xenazine offers new hope in managing his chorea associated with HD.

“Before Xenazine, chorea used to limit Matt’s life in so many ways,” says Karen. “Since Matt started on Xenazine as part of a clinical trial almost four years ago, we have been able to help control his movements. He will continue experiencing chorea, but every bit of his independence helps extend our quality of life as a family.”

“The availability of Xenazine in the United States represents a significant development for the patients, families and caregivers affected by HD,” says Louise Vetter, chief executive officer of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. “HDSA and the scientific community continue to work towards a cure for HD, and while we do, we are working to educate as many people as possible about the disease, which is why we have an extensive network of local chapters across the country that are working tirelessly to raise awareness for this devastating disease and the exciting advancements that are being made to help manage it.”

May is National HD Awareness Month — if you are interested in learning more about HD, its symptoms, and local awareness events in your community, visit www.hdsa.org. For more than 40 years, HDSA has been supporting patients with HD and their family members by providing vital support, information and educational services to improve the lives of those affected by HD. For full Prescribing Information including Boxed Warning for Xenazine, visit www.xenazineusa.com.

Indications and Usage:
Xenazine is a medicine that is used to treat the involuntary movements (chorea) of Huntington’s disease. Xenazine does not cure the cause of the involuntary movements, and it does not treat other symptoms of Huntington’s disease, such as problems with thinking or emotions. It is not known whether Xenazine is safe and effective in children.

Important Safety Information:

* Xenazine can increase the chance of depression, suicidal thoughts or suicidal actions in some patients.

* You should not start taking Xenazine if you are depressed (have untreated depression or depression that is not well controlled by medicine) or have suicidal thoughts.

* Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts or feelings. This is especially important when Xenazine is started and when the dose is changed.

Do not take Xenazine if you have liver problems or are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors or reserpine. At least 20 days should pass after stopping reserpine before starting Xenazine. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breast-feeding or have breast cancer.

The need for therapy should be evaluated on an ongoing basis with your doctor. The dose of Xenazine should be adjusted slowly over several weeks for a dose that is appropriate for you. If your doctor thinks you need to take more than 50 mg of Xenazine each day, you will need to have a blood test to see if Xenazine is safe for you.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), restlessness, agitation, parkinsonism (slight shaking, body stiffness, trouble moving or keeping your balance), trouble swallowing, dizziness, and irregular heartbeat have also been reported with use of Xenazine. Do not use Xenazine with drugs known to cause irregular heart beat. Side effects associated with Xenazine, such as irregular heartbeat, NMS, and parkinsonism, may be increased if used together with drugs called dopamine antagonists. Uncontrolled movements called tardive dyskinesia (TD) may develop in patients treated with Xenazine.  It is possible that the TD will not go away.

Xenazine may cause sleepiness or drowsiness, and may affect the ability to drive or use dangerous machinery. Some side effects, such as depression, tiredness, trouble sleeping, sleepiness/drowsiness, parkinsonism, and restlessness, may be dose-dependent. If the side effects don’t stop or lessen, your doctor should consider lowering the dose or stopping your Xenazine. The most commonly reported side effects in studies with Xenazine were sleepiness/drowsiness, tiredness, trouble sleeping, depression, restlessness, anxiety and nausea.

For more information, please see the Xenazine Medication Guide, full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning or go to www.xenazineusa.com.

Xenazine is a registered trademark of Cambridge Laboratories (Ireland) Limited.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Cold sores cannot be cured, but there are still some remedies and medications that can prove to be fruitful in the management and treatment of cold sores. Cold sore medication is primarily analgesic in nature. The main purpose of these medications is to ease the signs of cold sore like itching, burning, and pain. There are many other products, which are helpful in inhibiting the persistent development of cold sore gash or help in promoting the healing process.

Numbing Agent For Cold Sore:
When applied, this numbing agent can help in alleviating the burning, pain and itching of a cold sore. Few active ingredients are found in products like benzocaine, lidocaine, phenol, benzyl alcohol, tetracaine, and camphor.

Products That Have Docosanol:
Docosanol is a sort of a compound, which is capable enough to have inhibitory effects on herpes virus. This is why it is said that docosanol is helpful in limiting both the severity and the duration of cold sores. It reduces the median time to healing period by one day for cold sore. At the tingle stage, it is often advised that ointments or creams that contain docosanol, should be used to the cold sore affected area repeatedly throughout the days soon as the sufferer senses that the lesion has started forming. This is best done during the itching stage.

There are some compounds that help in the healing of cold sore. Examples include compounds like phenol, lysine, tannic acid, and zinc. These compounds have some antiviral properties. These have inhibitory effects on herpes virus particle’s ability to outline cold sores lesions, thus checking the disease.

A: In today’s culture you are ten times more likely to have kidney stones then at the turn of the 19th century, men and woman in today’s culture need to take preventative measures. Kidney stones are considered a urologic disorder that is very painful. Most kidney stone cases are preventable. Kidney stones are crystallized build ups of minerals like calcium and oxalic acid; these are your most common stones. Kidney stones can also be made up of uric acid and other minerals and amino acids. Since you passed a stone recently your doctor could tell you what the stone was comprised of by giving you a breakdown of the stones contents so you can form a prevention plan. There are general changes in your diet which can be beneficial no matter what the kidney stone was made of. Reduce your consumption of dairy products and animal proteins. Diets high in both of these products lead to an increased risk of kidney stones. To increase the absorption of calcium and reduce the risk of calcium stones one should consume a magnesium supplement which helps the body absorb calcium, magnesium can also have a relaxing effect on the body. Finding sources of calcium that are from green vegetables will help prevent calcium stones as well. Also, reduce the amount of refined foods you eat and replace them with whole grains and raw foods like un-cooked fruits and vegetables.

Most importantly, kidney stones form because the bladder isn’t emptied completely so it’s very important to drink plenty of liquid through out the day to help prevent stones. By drinking at least two quarts of liquid each day of purified water, juice or tea, your body will be able to flush your bladder more effectively eliminating those dreaded kidney stones. Recently, vitamin A deficiency has been linked to kidney stones as well, by eating lots of carrots, yams, peaches, and cantaloupe or supplementing with vitamin A in the form of Retinyl Palmitate or beta carotene can help reduce the risk or kidney stones. Several manufactures of Natural vitamin supplements offer kidney stone formulas you might look into as well to help ease existing pain or prevent future stones.

Kidney stones risk can also be reduced by consuming juniper berries or adding lemon juice to your water. Lemon juice helps prevent crystallization in the kidneys. Teas such as thyme tea and knotgrass tea are good for dissolving mineral build-up in the kidneys as well.

If you suspect that you’re at risk for kidney stones, a life style change in diet works the best as a preventative measure. The simplest life style change you can make is drinking more liquids, pure water is best. Drink at least two quarts of water every twenty four hours. If you have a family history of kidney stones, your family doctor can perform blood tests to see if you are at risk and help you determine what factors to change in your diet to reduce your risk. Stop into your local health food store or shop online for supplements like magnesium and kidney cleanses.

One way to help improve a problematic digestive system to function more effectively is to slowly increase your intake of nutrients. An organically rich diet is the preferred way to improve your digestion process, but you may need supplements as well. Presently, one of the big benefits of supplements is that you don’t need prescription, let’s hope this doesn’t change. They are very attainable either online or a nearby nutrition store.

Taking supplements with meals is recommended, and even spread them out through your day. At meal time, your body can absorb the nutrients better due to the food stimulating the digestive process. Time released supplements should definitely be taken with food to ensure that the proper amount of nutrients and vitamins are released to reap the benefits.

Water soluble vitamins are the easiest, as they will pass through the body easily and quickly, and should be taken three times a day. On the other hand, vitamins that are fat soluble are best absorbed if they are taken with food that contains fat. You should always take vitamins with meals, as the minerals and nutrients found in food will work with the vitamin supplements and less will be lost through urination.

Some supplements can interfere with others when you absorb them, so it’s important to make sure what you are taking is compatible with other forms of vitamin supplements.

1. Vitamins A, D, and E – Take with meals that contain fat or oil. 2. Vitamin B – Take as soon as you wake up, to get the maximum benefit. Can also be taken with whole grain meal. 3. Vitamin C – Take with with meals and don’t take take too much. 4. Iron – Always take with food, this is essential for absorption. 5. Multi-vitamins – It is best to take with small meal.

Even though you may eat healthy, incorporating supplements helps secure the nutrition your body needs as well. Remember, the digestive process causes your body to work hard, so no matter the level of healthy diet, use some common sense and don’t overdue the quantities. For instance, bananas are good for you, but if you eat a huge number of them at one time, your not going to feel to good. Life can have its surprises which takes our time, which is where supplements can benefit.

There are many different supplements available that you can take, so it’s important to determine what you want to accomplish before purchasing. Do some research, and make sure a particular supplement fits your needs before you decide to purchase it.

There are a lot of people who suffer from a deficiency of one or more vitamins, and being able to purchase vitamin supplements to help overcome many deficiencies is helpful and convenient. The preferable way in obtaining the daily requirement is still the old fashion way, through a healthy diet. Natural vitamin sources should be our mindset, supplemented by supplements. The intake needs of natural vitamin sources may fluctuate during certain periods in our life and may need to be increased and a supplement is our best option. It is important to be aware of the best natural vitamin sources so that a person can incorporate as many of these as possible into their regular diet. * Natural vitamin B1 sources are brewers yeast, whole grains, blackstrap molasses, brown rice, organ meats, egg yolk

* Natural vitamin B2 sources are brewers yeast, whole grains, legumes, nuts, organ meats, blackstrap molasses

* Natural vitamin B3 sources are lean meats, poultry & fish, brewers yeast, peanuts, milk, rice bran, potatoes

* Natural vitamin B4 sources are egg yolks, organ meats, brewers yeast, wheat germ, soybeans, fish, legumes

* Natural vitamin B5 sources are organ meats, egg yolks, legumes, whole grains, wheat germ, salmon, brewers yeast

* Natural vitamin B6 sources are meats, whole grains, organ meats brewers yeast, blackstrap molasses, wheat germ

* Natural vitamin B7 sources are egg yolks, liver, unpolished rice, brewers yeast, sardines, legumes, whole grains

* Natural vitamin B8 sources are who1e grains, citrus fruits, molasses, meat, milk, nuts, vegetables, brewers yeast

* Natural vitamin B9 sources are dark-green leafy vegetables, organ meats, root vegetables, oysters, salmon, milk

* Natural vitamin B12 sources are organ meats, fish, pork, eggs, cheese, milk, lamb, bananas, kelp, peanuts

* Natural vitamin B13 sources are root vegetables, liquid whey

* Natural vitamin B15 sources are brewers yeast, rare steaks, brown rice, sunflower, pumpkin & sesame seeds

* Natural vitamin B17 sources are whole kernels of apricots, apples, cherries, peaches, plums

* Natural vitamin C sources are citrus, cabbage family, chili peppers, berries, melons, asparagus, rose hips

About the Author

Joni Bell has many years of extensive study in the area of natural cancer prevention and treatment. He has numerous success stories of people being diagnosed living cancer free with use of alternative methods. Ask Joni Bell!

If you are diagnosed with testicular cancer, keep in mind that it is highly curable with the right treatment. Surgery is often required to remove the cancerous testicle. The patient with testicular cancer may need chemotherapy in addition to surgery. The doctor will make a determination for chemotherapy based on the severity of testicular cancer.

If testicular cancer goes untreated it can spread to the major organs of the body and death can result. Testicular cancer that spreads is called metastasis. But with treatment, metastasis rarely occurs.

It is very important that every male knows how to do a self exam for testicular cancer. The best time to perform this exam is right after a bath or shower. The skin around your scrotum will be more relaxed from the warm water and will be it will be easier to do an exam.

To do a self exam for testicular cancer, you need to check your testicles one at a time using both hands. First, cup your scrotum with one hand to determine if there is any changes in the way that it normally feels. Does it feel heavier than normal? Check to make sure that there doesn’t seem to be a fluid build up in the scrotum.

The next step in a self testicular exam is to put your index and middle fingers underneath one testicle and rest your thumb on top of the testicle. Now, roll the testicle gently between your thumb and fingers. You are looking for any small bumps in the testicle or any lumps along the side of the testicle. Repeat the testicular exam with the other testicle.

The last part of the testicular exam involves feeling along the epididymis. This is the tube that rests behind the testicle. It is responsible for collecting and carrying sperm.

Check the epididymis for any type of swelling.

While you are doing yourself exam for testicular cancer, keep in mind that it is normal for one testicle to be slightly bigger than the other. After you do several testicular exams, you will be able to tell what is normal and what is not. If you find any abnormalities, see your doctor right away.

A testicular self exam should be performed once a month. The key to surviving testicular cancer is early detection and immediate treatment. Regular self exams for testicular cancer is the first step in treating testicular cancer.

One of the most important things that every women should know how to do, is how to conduct self check evaluations on themselves. This is an easy process that can be done in the privacy of your own home. If you do not feel as if you know exactly how to check yourself, you can consult your doctor and either he or she would be able to guide you through the process. This examination should be done regularly. Every woman knows what her breast feels like and as you are examining yourself, you should know if there is any abnormalities that you might feel.

When a woman is going through her monthly cycle, more lumps or bumps can occur. Do not be alarmed if you fee a few extra lumps when you are going through your menstrual cycle. It is normal for more lumps to form, because your body is going through a hormonal change. This is also true when a woman reaches her late teens to early twenties. Your body is constantly going through changes and more hormones are being produced, so you will feel more lumps, bumps and even some pain at certain times of the months. If you do feel a lump, it does not mean that you have breast cancer. You should see your doctor if you are uncomfortable with the way it feels.

Besides doing a self examination, women should also begin to have mammograms starting in their forties and even as early as her thirties, depending on their genetic history. Breast cancer is genetic, so the more history of women having breast cancer in your family the higher percentage you have to developing it yourself. Your genetic makeup cannot be changed, but you can do a few things to help reduce your risk of getting breast cancer.

A few easy things to remember are, stay physically active, consume less alcohol, eat right and limit your fat intake. All of these factors have been studied and have shown some improvement to the decrease in developing breast cancer. Even though we cannot change who and where we have come from, we can control what we put into our bodies and how healthy we can keep our lifestyles.

Just remember to always do a self evaluation, but not when you are about to have your cycle. Make it a routine to check yourself a couple weeks before or after your monthly cycle. Every preventive measure, self examination, and mammogram that you take, will help you overcome the fight against breast cancer. Always be aware of what your body feels like, because you know yourself better than anyone.

There are some steps that you can take in your daily life to control and prevent acid reflux. There are some lifestyle practices that may increase the symptoms and should be modified. Below are 7 tips to help reduce the painful side effects:

1. Avoid foods that trigger acid reflux. High fat foods digest slowly and leave acid in the stomach longer. Alcohol increases the production of acid reflux. Caffeinated drinks and soda can trigger heartburn. Foods that are higher in fat are more acidic and cause heartburn. There are some foods that aggravate symptoms and it is best to avoid these foods.
2. Weight control. People who are overweight tend to develop acid reflux than those who are not. A larger stomach pushes acid to come back up in to the esophagus. It has been proven that those who have acid reflux and lose weight also reduce their symptoms of acid reflux. When you eat more, the stomach needs to secrete more acid and this cause acid buildup in the stomach.
3. Stress management. Studies show a correlation between severe stress and heartburn symptoms. Those who stress tend to behave in ways that trigger or worsen heartburn. When stressed, many people tend to eat foods and consume alcohol, both which will cause symptoms of acid reflux. The best thing to do is manage your stress levels.
4. Eat small frequent meals. Eating large meals causes the stomach to expand and increase pressure. Eating less and more frequently will lower the risk of acid reflux.
5. Elevate your head when sleeping. Try to keep your head elevated a few inches while you are sleeping. Gravity will help to reduce pressure in the stomach. Try to use an extra pillow or wedge when sleeping. Studies show that three-quarters of those with acid reflux symptoms will experience them at night. Those who suffer at night, experience more severe pain than those who suffer at other times of the day.
6. Keep your body upright after eating. Try to keep your body upright after eating to allow good digestion. Give your body 2-3 hours after eating before you lay down.
7. Exertion / exercise. Avoid any physical exertion right after eating or wait at least one hour before exercising.

Acid reflux can many times be treated and prevented through changes and modification in lifestyle. The main goal is to restore the balance within the body physically, mentally and emotionally to gain overall health.

Salt, or Sodium Chloride (NaCl), has, for centuries, been an everyday part of the average American diet. Once a much sought after commodity and prized as gold, this element of the human diet has been greatly taken advantage of in today’s society. Both the health benefits, as well as the negative effects, are often overlooked. The recommended daily allowance of salt is 2300 mg a day. The average American however, is known to consume as much as 3 times this amount, or in some cases even more, on a daily basis. This excess of sodium in the diet is extremely dangerous and can lead to heart disease, among a variety of other health conditions.

Salt serves as a necessary ingredient in the human diet, providing the body with certain components it needs in order to survive. However, an over consumption of salt can lead to serious, and sometimes even fatal, health problems. An overabundance of salt in the diet has been linked to such health concerns as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, muscle cramps, kidney stones, and many other health problems. It can even be linked to a loss of calcium in the body, leading to bone loss.

An excessive amount of salt in the diet causes an increase in the volume of blood in the body, while at the same time, also plays a role in constriction of the arteries. As a result, when one consumes a high content of sodium, the heart is being asked to pump more blood at a faster rate and under the strain of these constricted arteries. In short, the heart must work harder, possibly leading to the onset of many health concerns.

By reducing the amount of salt in one’s diet, a person can reduce the risk of developing these health problems. A low sodium diet can benefit the heart, as well as some other conditions. Some of the health problems that have been found to benefit from a low salt diet, aside from the ones already mentioned, are Meniere’s disease, asthma, some ulcers, gastritis, and migraine headaches. A low sodium diet may even help prevent certain cancers, such as stomach or head and neck cancers. It can also assist in the preservation of bone density, which can be of extreme importance in woman.

Implementing a low sodium intake is not as simple as limiting table salt. While reducing the amount of salt used in cooking and shaken on foods can be helpful, many do not realize that this only accounts for roughly 15% of daily salt intake. The dangers actually lie in processed foods and food prepared in restaurants. Fast foods particularly contain high salt content and should be avoided if at all possible. When eating out, one should ask for nutrition information. Some foods to consider when shopping are pastas, rice, oats, and FRESH fruits, vegetables and meats. When buying processed foods, only packages that read “low sodium” or “salt free” should be purchased. As a substitute for salt in cooking, one might try using herbs, spices, or marinades such as garlic, basil, or natural lemon juice.

Remember that walking stairs is also a great way to stay fit, so if you use the elevator a lot, stop and use the stairs. Park further away from the door when you go to work or shopping so that you can walk a bit in the milder temperatures. Kids offer a great way to get in shape because they always want to play ball or run around. Join them for some fun every single day and watch those pounds wash away. Kids also like to do anything that is active so join them in their fun. If you have little ones pushing a stroller around the neighborhood can take off many unwanted pounds. Get out there for an hour a day and you will be in great shape after the first month if you do it regularly.

Basketball in the springtime is another great way to get in shape. If you have an outdoor hoop, try to shoot some baskets every day that you can. Don’t forget about volleyball, too another great fitness sport and it will get rid of those unsightly pounds that you picked up over the winter. Have some friends over and have a real good game. This will get the cardiovascular system working well, too. In no time you will be in great shape and ready for the summer months. Make sure that you follow any necessary precautions, like moving cars out of the way and covering windows so they don’t get broken. You don’t want the basketball to cause an accident when you are playing. Have fun that is the most important thing. The more fun that you have the more you laugh and that helps you to stay in shape, too.

Anytime you plan to exercise remember to wear comfortable clothing and shoes, too. You will feel better and more energized with the proper clothing. Pay attention to drinking plenty of water, especially if you sweat a lot. You want to keep yourself hydrated when you are exercising. Make it even more fun to stay in shape in the spring by having music along. Wear a walkman or other device so you can hear the beat as you lose unwanted weight in the spring. Spring is the time when you feel alive again, so make sure that you get out there and do as much as you can. Enjoy it all and feel great.

As a diabetic, I have learned to take things like foot care seriously. Education is the best resource and you should learn as much as you can to stay healthy. Guides and books can assist you in learning what you need to do to stay well and maintain your health.
There are many things you can do to help with keeping your feet healthy. Some tips to keep your feet in good health:

1) Protect Yourself by wearing socks and shoes or slippers. This is to prevent calluses, blisters, sores and injuries to your feet.

2) Look at and examine your feet daily to prevent unnoticed sores or changes to your feet. Take care of foot problems promptly and see your doctor for care with cuts or bruises that don’t heal properly.

3) The right way to cut your toenails is straight across. If you have trouble doing it yourself have someone else do it for you like your doctor.

4) Avoid smoking or quit if you are smoking. It is bad for your circulation and can cause wounds to heal more slowly.

5) Avoid wearing tight fitting socks or shoes. Wearing these can cause circulatory problems in the feet and ankles.

6) Wash your feet gently in warm or tepid water, never hot. Dry with a towel and use powder to control moisture. If you use lotion, avoid getting it between the toes to avoid infection.

7) Work and exercise your feet and toes to increase circulation.

Go get an annual check up for your feet from a podiatrist. You can do this when you get an A1c as a reminder. Your podiatrist may recommend special shoes or orthotics for you.

9) Avoid using chemical products like antiseptics, adhesives or corn and callus products on your feet.

Do what’s right and assist in mens health diabetes foot care daily. Keeping a daily regimen with your foot care can stop diabetic complications and issues. Get annual checks with a professional and treat your feet with tender loving care. Your feet can carry you far, treat them well and keep them healthy.