COPD - Gaining A Better Picture Of Lung Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a respiratory disease commonly known as chronic bronchitis or emphysema, is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. 600 million people live with COPD and while researchers have yet to find any real treatment or cure, Grace Parraga of Robarts Research Institute at The University of Western Ontario in London, Canada, is using various imaging techniques to gain new insight into the disease.

Parraga is a scientist in the Imaging Research Laboratories at Robarts and recently recruited to the Departments of Medical Biophysics, Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, Medical Imaging and Oncology at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. Currently, Parraga and her collaborators at Western including Drs. David McCormack, Rob McFadden, Roya Etemad-Rezai and Giles Santyr hold two large grants valued at $ 2.5 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) in collaboration with the world-renowned Vancouver James Hogg Centre at St. Paul’s Hospital to characterize COPD using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and to compare three different types of lung imaging in COPD patients over time.

“The idea is that if we can understand the structural and functional imaging changes that happen over time, we can start to understand the patients in a different way, with the potential to change the way they are treated,” says Parraga.

Parraga and her collaborators believe that two major COPD groups exist: those with dysfunctional airways, and those with lung tissue damage. She says current methods of evaluating COPD don’t consider the differences imaging methods can detect and therefore these often are not predictive of how patients feel and how their disease progresses. The London-Vancouver collaboration directly addresses this shortcoming to lead the way in helping to categorize COPD patients using computed tomography (CT), MRI, and optical coherence tomography, to help improve patient treatment.

Parraga’s research uses a nation-wide interdisciplinary collaboration, a unique lung imaging core facility and a unique capability to image lungs to make an impact on the millions suffering from the disease. Their collaborative work was also recently recognized by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) that awarded one her graduate students in Medical Biophysics (Hassaan Ahmed) the prestigious RSNA Trainee Prize.

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Coeliac Disease and a Vegetarian Diet - Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance

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Cat Diabetes And What You Can Do About It

Cat diabetes is an ailment that manifests itself slowly and generally remains unnoticed during the initial few weeks. The glucose level in the blood is taken care of by an insulin hormone that is produced by the pancreas and when it fails to produce the desired amount needed by the body, it leads to diabetes. Diabetes in cats is sometimes also referred to as feline diabetes, sugar diabetes or feline diabetes mellitus.

Cat diabetes becomes difficult to diagnose owing to its different manifestations. In certain situations, your cat may suffer from excessive urination and over consumption of water. Sometimes, she may even become preoccupied with places where water is available. Some cats suffering from diabetes may start to lose weight due to excessive fat breakdown or frequent vomiting. You may even notice your kitty becoming phlegmatic at times if she is unfortunate enough to be suffering from the disease. In these cases, immediate action has to be taken.

Your vet might also prescribe oral medicine to help your feline friend in combating this disease. These oral medications might have a gradual to a prolonged effect. However, there is always a risk of side effects of these drugs, which at times may cause harm to the liver or the pancreas. In order for these medication to be effective, it is also important that the beta cells in your cat's body are still active and in a situation to produce insulin. If the cells are in poor condition, it is likely that these oral medicines will fail to produce any notable effects on your cats. This is the reason why diagnosing the disease in its early stages could mean a quicker recovery. In some lucky cases, it might even lead to a remission.

Carbohydrates are not something required in abundance in a cat's diet and thus cutting down on its consumption would definitely help in improving its health. Since obesity in cats is often associated with insulin sensitivity, you will have to start helping your feline friend lose weight gradually in case your pet is overweight. This will go a long way in combating the risk of cat diabetes.

We hope this article is useful to your understanding of cat diabetes. While this cat health problem cannot be completely cured, the timely diagnosis of this condition followed by proper medication as well as appropriate diet will help your pet enjoy an early recovery.

Visit our website today if you are facing cat health problems such as cat diabetes and ticks on cats. Do not forget to sign up for your 7-part mini-course absolutely free for a limited time only!

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Are You Worried About Your Cats Throwing Up? Find Out The Causes And Remedies

Feline lovers, do not worry about your cats throwing up as this is one of the most common cat health problems today. There are several causes of this ailment that can range from dietary changes to general habits and even the quality of grooming that you are giving your cats. Fortunately, most of the time, cat vomiting is not the sign of a grave illness and can be treated easily.

Once you know the general causes that can lead to cats throwing up, you can make an effort to avoid them and prevent this health disorder in your cat. Have a look at some of the common causes for cat vomiting:

Causes

If not groomed properly, cats tend to swallow lots of hair every time they lick themselves. This can cause a hairball problem in them which can lead to vomiting. Though proper grooming can take care of this problem, medical attention will be required in severe cases.

If you have made sudden changes in the diet of your cat, you will have to be aware that it can lead to vomiting as your pet's stomach is very sensitive. The best practice to avoid this condition would be to mix up the two types of food, with more quantity of the old food and a small amount of the new food until your kitty gets adjusted to the new one.

Another common cause that can lead to cats throwing up is the habit of eating fast, especially if your household has multiple cats. Cats have the tendency to gobble up their food as fast as possible so that the other cats around it cannot help themselves to it. Giving small meals frequently to your pets can help you get rid of this problem.

Remedies

In severe cases, you will have to call your vet to give your kitty the necessary medical attention. Otherwise, withholding water and food for at least half a day or a full day will relieve the upset stomach of your cat and will generally help in checking tendency to throw up.

Giving a small amount of chamomile tea to the cat can also help in reducing its vomiting. This is a mild herbal cure that will work if the condition is not very serious.

However, in case you are not sure if your kitty's condition is normal or if it has contracted a more serious cat health problem, it is always better to consult a vet.

Are you worried about your cats throwing up? Visit our website today and have all your cat questions answered! Do not forget to sign up for your 7-part Healing Your Pets At Home mini-course, absolutely free for a limited time only!

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Cancer in Cats

Cancer is one of the major health problems faced by cats. In fact, statistics show that the feline species is more prone to this deadly disease than any other pets such as dogs or rabbits. In this regard, it is important to provide your pet with the proper feline vaccination in order to protect it against cancer. As a general rule, it is known that 10 to 15 year old cats are most affected by this disease. However, there are some cancers that can attack younger cats as well. Many of these cancers can become deadly if left untreated for long.

Unfortunately, no one has been able to detect the causes of cancer properly and many things can contribute to the development of cancer. Cancer refers to an abnormal growth that can be seen in the cells. Sometimes, the skin may develop lumps that can be cancerous. In fact, tumors can also indicate cancers depending on the level of infection.

Though skin tumors are not that frequent in cats, when they do occur, they can easily turn malignant. Lymphoma is one such tumor. It can happen as an after effect of some feline vaccination, and develops at the place where the injection is administered. At the malignant stage, this tumor can obstruct the digestive system of your cat.

Like many other diseases, cancer can also be caused by viruses, and leukemia in cats is a common example. This is the reason why various associations and many vets suggest feline vaccination such as FeLV in order to protect felines from this disease. The worst thing about this disease is that it can be carried to the next generation as well. In the case of a pregnant cat getting infected by this virus, its litter would have been at risk.

Some other kinds of cancers that can affect your cat include mouth and breast tumors, bone cancer, cancer in the reproductive system, and cancer in the digestive system. Cats that are exposed to various chemicals, nuclear radiation, cigarette smoke, ultraviolet rays, and parasites can also develop cancers. While about 5 percent of the cats develop breast cancer, only three to four percent are prone to mouth cancers. Bone cancer affects a lesser number of cats.

It is obviously a good idea to keep yourself well informed as knowing the causes of cancer will assist you in keeping your furry friend safe and healthy. Do not forget to seek medical attention at the first sign of any problem.

Visit our website today for more information on feline vaccination as well as cat health problems such as cat urinary tract infection. Remember to sign up for your 7-part Healing Your Pets At Home mini-course, absolutely free for a limited time only!

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Gluten Allergies, Celiac Disease and Dairy

Tree Allergies

Gluten is found in the protein of cereal grains. It can be found in a wide variety of foods and some people have allergies to it. Allergies to gluten are found in women more than men and tend to affect those of European descent.

Tree Allergies

Gluten allergies can cause eczema, skin rashes, itching and hives. More severe sufferers may develop asthma. Nearly 43 percent of gluten allergy sufferers who never seek treatment will get arthritis. Fifteen percent who go on a gluten-free diet because of their allergies will get arthritis anyway.

Tree Allergies

Celiac, also known as Coeliac is a disease of the gastrointestinal tract that very often forms directly from an allergic reaction to gluten. Its symptoms are similar to those of a regular gluten allergy, but it can also cause brain dysfunction, arthritis and inflammation of the lungs. You might also notice a clay-colored greasy stool. It is much more serious than the allergies it came from and must be guarded against.

Tree Allergies

Symptoms that gluten allergies have turned to Celiac are diarrhea, weight loss, iron deficiency, bloating, abdominal pain and malnutrition. The latter is caused by a decreased ability to absorb essential nutrients like iron and vitamins K and D. Celiac sufferers are at higher risk for esophagus, pharynx and small intestinal cancer. Fibroid lung disease seems to occur at a higher rate in gluten allergy and Celiac sufferers.

The treatment for both gluten allergies and Celiac is avoidance of gluten. There is no cure for any allergy. One must simply avoid the allergen. When doing so, it's a good idea to take some natural supplements to replace the nutrients you're missing in your gluten-free diet. They'll help build your body back up to its normal, healthy state.

So what is a gluten-free diet? It's one in which you eat no food containing wheat, oats, barley or rye in any form whatsoever. It can be difficult, but once you start finding alternatives to grains, you'll start feeling better quickly. It's important to find other tasty foods in order to keep yourself away from those that will make you sick.

It's important to note that if you have been diagnosed with a gluten allergy, it's very likely you also are sensitive to dairy products. Milk or dairy allergies are sensitivities to proteins found in cows' milk. Most cows eat a lot of grain and perhaps a link can be inferred.

Milk allergy symptoms can occur within minutes or hours after consuming the dairy product. They can be triggered by a very small amount of milk protein in the system. Like gluten allergy symptoms they can be skin reactions, like swollen lips, tongue, mouth, face or throat. They can also be digestive reactions, such as vomiting, stomach cramps or diarrhea. Respiratory reactions can include a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes or shortness of breath.

The needed nutrient in dairy products that must be replaced when embarking on a gluten- and dairy-free diet is primarily calcium. Aside from natural supplements, increase your intake of calcium-rich foods like seafood, spinach, broccoli and salmon.

A gluten allergy is not the end of the world. There are plenty of fresh, colorful and tasty foods that contain no grain or dairy. But you must stay vigilant to keep your allergies from turning into something much worse.

Gluten Allergies, Celiac Disease and Dairy

Tree Allergies

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The skin as an indicator of health and disease

Grass Allergies

The skin of a healthy team is elastic, smooth, clean and slightly warm. The hair is thin, smooth, shiny and clean and give the horse a smooth appearance. Horses grazing until a protective layer of fat, which should not be cleaned because it helps them to endure cold and wet conditions, are eliminated. And 'normal and healthy for the grass kept horse for oily skin and hair and have hair longer than in winter.

Grass Allergies

The skin may be affectedwith local problems, but it is also the best indicator that the owner of the horse's overall health and fitness riding. The coat can be dry and dull. If it is lubricated by sebum normal, which is a known sign of digestive problems and worms. The horse is too narrow, if not skin tight and without the underlying structures. This can lead to dehydration and lack of subcutaneous fat and is also seen in grass sicknessand horses suffering from malnutrition.

Grass Allergies

The color of the mucous membranes, eyes and palate, the tongue is also used as a guide to health, the membranes must have a salmon pink color may be pale, anemic, or red if the horse when the horse had a fever.

Grass Allergies

Other signs of the disease are wounds, heat, pain, swelling, bruising, blisters, ulcers, sores and scabs. These signs can include a bacterial cause (mud fever), fungi (ringworm), viral (warts), parasites(New Trolls), allergies (hives), accidents (tack bad) or sunlight (photosensitivity).

Unexplained sweating or dried sweat test may indicate that the horse was in pain (colic), fever, or perhaps thrown in his stable.

It 'obvious that the daily inspection of the horse's skin and coat in a routine stable management. It should not for visual inspection and the owner of the horse should be forced to listen for changes. It 'better to do for the daily careSession.

The skin as an indicator of health and disease

Grass Allergies

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Allergic rhinitis - a disease that changes your life

Grass Allergies

Allergic rhinitis, also known as "hay fever" is probably the most common disease encountered by people with allergies. About 20% of world population are suffering from allergic rhinitis and approximately $ 5.3 billion each year on treating this disease. Allergic rhinitis is not fatal, but it greatly reduces the quality of life for sufferers.

Grass Allergies

Allergic rhinitis can be seasonal or year-round. It also suggestsmay be hereditary, so an assessment of family history of allergies are made ​​with a physical examination in the diagnosis.

Grass Allergies

Allergic rhinitis is in fact the swelling and inflammation of the nasal passages. Here is where the feeling of "block" in an allergic reaction. With the release of histamine in the nose, caused as a reaction to allergens. Some symptoms of allergic rhinitis are sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes and clear,Itchy nose, throat and eyes, nose, ear pressure, nosebleeds and fatigue. Other symptoms may occur, depending on the severity of allergies.

Grass Allergies

Allergic rhinitis affects a large percentage of people around the world. The occurrence of allergic rhinitis is commonly known in childhood or adolescence, but can still be experienced in life. In children, allergic rhinitis more frequent in males than in females, but is more common in both sexesAdulthood. Allergic rhinitis is not fatal but can have a dramatic impact on quality of life. Other diseases such as asthma and ear infections (otitis). Sleep disorders such as apnea, and general fatigue often accompany the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, life can be much less convenient for people with allergies.

There are many factors that trigger the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. As already mentioned, allergic rhinitis can beperennial or seasonal. Mites, animal dander can cause mold and cockroaches, these symptoms are year-round. Ragweed and pollen are the most common causes of seasonal allergies. Some plants need insects for pollination. These plants are not seasonal. Only plants that rely solely on the reactions of the air of pollen trigger allergies.

Allergic rhinitis can be relatively easily diagnosed by a doctor. The doctor may ask the patient about the past of the familyThe history before starting a physical examination. A history of allergies may indicate that the patient is at increased risk of developing allergies. Then the doctor will perform a physical exam. Often when a person suffers from allergic rhinitis, the lining of the nose is swollen and pale. The eye may be red and swollen eyelids and be irritated. Allergic eye, or dark circles under the eyes areIndicators for allergies. A wrinkle in the middle of the nose may be present, the "hello allergic" to the name. This is accomplished by rubbing or nose due to make his way with the palm. Skin tests can be performed to determine a positive diagnosis.

There are many products on the market to treat the symptoms of allergic rhinitis can be treated. There is no cure for this disease, but if properly treated, symptoms can be controlled. Antihistamines,Nasal sprays and nasal sprays are the most common treatment for the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Other options include injections for allergies, which works by exposing the immune system to low doses of allergens. This strengthens the immune system and reduces the symptoms of this allergy. In general, this form of treatment is used only if nothing else has proven affective.

Allergic rhinitis - a disease that changes your life

Grass Allergies

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