Diabetes Overview

Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism—the way the body uses digested food for growth and energy. Most of the food people eat is broken down into glucose, the form of sugar in the blood. Glucose is the main source of fuel for the body.

After digestion, glucose passes into the bloodstream, where it is used by cells for growth and energy. For glucose to get into cells, insulin must be present. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach.

When people eat, the pancreas automatically produces the right amount of insulin to move glucose from blood into the cells. In people with diabetes, however, the pancreas either produces little or no insulin, or the cells do not respond appropriately to the insulin that is produced. Glucose builds up in the blood, overflows into the urine, and passes out of the body in the urine. Thus, the body loses its main source of fuel even though the blood contains large amounts of glucose.

Of the 16 million people with diabetes, about one-third of them don't even know they have it. Every year, 800,000 additional cases are diagnosed. It affects over six percent of the population now, and it is projected that nearly nine percent of all Americans will have diabetes by the year 2025. Health care costs for diabetes are estimated to be nearly $100 billion per year in the US.

People with diabetes are unable to use the glucose in their food for energy. The glucose accumulates in the bloodstream, where it can damage the heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves. Left untreated, diabetes can develop devastating complications. It is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States.

However, the good news is that with proper care, people with diabetes can lead normal, satisfying lives. Much of this care is "self-managed," meaning that if you have this condition, you must take day-to-day responsibility for your own care.

Most important to managing the disease is to know as much about it as you can. The first thing to know is what kind of diabetes you have. There are three types:


Type 1 Diabetes ( Insulin-Dependent )

This type of diabetes used to be called 'juvenile diabetes' or 'insulin-dependent diabetes.' Type 1 diabetes accounts for about 5 to 10 percent of all diagnosed diabetes, so it's less common than type 2. It's an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system (the body's system for fighting infection) has gone haywire and is destroying the cells in your pancreas that produce insulin.

Without insulin, your body can't use sugar and fat broken down from the food you eat. When sugar can't get into your cells, your blood sugar rises and it's this high blood sugar level that damages your body. A person with type 1 diabetes can't make insulin. If you have this disease, you have to take insulin in order to live. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in children or young adults but can occur at any age. It can come on suddenly, often after an illness. There is no cure for type 1 diabetes, but because of new knowledge about the disease and new medical advances, good self-care is now possible. A person with diabetes can live a healthy life and avoid or experience few complications from the disease.

Diabetes of any kind is a disorder that prevents the body from using food properly. Normally, the body gets its major source of energy from glucose, a simple sugar that comes from foods high in simple carbohydrates (e.g., table sugar or other sweeteners such as honey, molasses, jams, and jellies, soft drinks, and cookies), or from the breakdown of complex carbohydrates such as starches (e.g., bread, potatoes, and pasta). After sugars and starches are digested in the stomach, they enter the blood stream in the form of glucose. The glucose in the blood stream becomes a potential source of energy for the entire body, similar to the way in which gasoline in a service station pump is a potential source of energy for your car. But, just as someone must pump the gas into the car, the body requires some assistance to get glucose from the blood stream to the muscles and other tissues of the body. In the body, that assistance comes from a hormone called insulin. Insulin is manufactured by the pancreas, a gland that lies behind the stomach. Without insulin, glucose cannot get into the cells of the body where it is used as fuel. Instead, glucose accumulates in the blood to high levels and is excreted or spilled into the urine through the kidneys.


Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease results when the body’s system for fighting infection—the immune system—turns against a part of the body. In diabetes, the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. A person who has type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily to live.


Characteristics of type 1 diabetes

• Most common in children
• Quick onset with thirst, frequent urination, weight loss developing and worsening over days to weeks
• Usually no known family history
• No major risk factors; risk is increased if there is a strong family history
• Insulin shots required to control diabetes
• Blood glucose levels are sensitive to small changes in diet, exercise, and insulin dose

Type 2 diabetes ( Non-Insulin-Dependent )

Type 2 diabetes used to be called 'non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus' or adult-onset diabetes. It differs from type 1 diabetes in that the body makes some insulin, but not enough; also, the body can't use the insulin efficiently.

The most common form of diabetes is type 2 diabetes. About 90 to 95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2. This form of diabetes is most often associated with older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, previous history of gestational diabetes, physical inactivity, and certain ethnicities. About 80 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight..

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease that can cause significant, severe complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, blindness and loss of limbs through amputation. Treatment differs at various stages of the condition. In its early stages, many people with type 2 diabetes can control their blood glucose levels by losing weight, eating properly and exercising. Many may subsequently need oral medication, and some people with type 2 diabetes may eventually need insulin shots to control their diabetes and avoid the disease's serious complications.

Even though there is no cure for diabetes, proper treatment and glucose control enable people with type 2 diabetes to live normal, productive lives.

A major advance for people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes - such as family members of those with the condition - occurred recently when it was shown that diet and exercise can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. People at high risk, who already had early signs of impaired glucose tolerance, significantly reduced their risk by losing only 5-7 percent of their body weight and performing moderate physical activity for 30 minutes/day. Taking the diabetes medication metformin also reduced the risk.  



Characteristics of Type 2 Diabetes

• Most common in adults, although more younger people are developing this type
• Usually slow onset with thirst, frequent urination, weight loss developing over weeks to months
• Usually runs in families
• Most people who get this type are overweight or obese
• Treatment usually begins with diet and exercise, progressing to use of oral medications and later to insulin as the disease advances
• Blood glucose levels may improve with weight loss, change in diet and increased exercise
• May be prevented or delayed in high-risk individuals by moderate weight loss and exercise

Diabetes Basics - Gestational Diabetes

 
Some women, about 3 to 5 percent of all pregnant women, get this form of diabetes during pregnancy. It usually ends when the baby is born, but some women who have gestational diabetes go on to develop diabetes when they get older. Some studies have reported that almost 40 percent of women who have gestational diabetes will go on to develop type 2 diabetes. So, if you have had gestational diabetes, you need to see your doctor every year and ask to be screened for type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes usually doesn't cause birth defects, but one of the problems is the possibility of having a baby that is considerably larger than normal. There is also the risk that the baby might have low blood sugar right after it's born.

Gestational diabetes happens when the body doesn't make enough insulin and resists the action of insulin because of hormones. The condition develops about midway through the pregnancy. Although most women with this condition are treated with diet, some women may need insulin. The problem can't be treated with pills because the medication can harm the baby.




The woman most likely to develop gestational diabetes has had:

• Gestational diabetes before
• a baby that weighed 10 pounds or more
• a history of diabetes in her family
• high blood sugar while using birth control pills
• a stillborn baby
• is very overweight

Sexual Activity After a Heart Attack

The effect of sexual intercourse on the cardiovascular system is very similar to the effect of moderate exercise. (It is roughly equivalent to walking 2 - 4 miles per hour on a level surface.) So it should not be surprising that, like exercise, sexual activity can transiently increase the risk in a person with coronary artery disease (CAD).

But also like exercise, with appropriate precautions sexual activity after a heart attack is something that is usually quite safe, and (because it contributes to well-being, solidifies the bond between you and your partner, and helps to prevent depression), ought to be encouraged.

In general, doctors ask their patients to avoid sexual intercourse for 4 - 6 weeks after a heart attack, while the heart is healing. Ideally, you will be participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program during that period of time, so that when you are ready to resume sexual activity, your cardiovascular system will be quite used to that amount of exertion - and you will be practicing "safe sex."

Certain individuals after a heart attack - those who have developed heart failure, who have blood pressure problems, who are having continued angina, or who have other complications - may need to avoid sexual activity for longer periods of time, while their medical problems are being fully stabilized.

It is common for men to suffer some degree of erectile dysfunction after a heart attack, and for both men and women to experience a decrease in the desire for sex. Some of these problems may be due to medications you may be taking, but more often they are due to anxiety, depression, or fears about having another heart attack during sex. Such psychological issues most commonly resolve on their own after a month or two, as you regain confidence in your abilities to function normally in all the other aspects of your life - but if they persist, it will be useful to discuss them with your doctor, as they can almost always be treated effectively.

In men, medications for erectile dysfunction - such as Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil) - are very effective. These medications can be used safely in most men with CAD, with one important exception: If you are taking nitrates for angina, then taking any of these medications for erectile dysfunction can produce a dangerous drop in blood pressure, and they simply cannot be used. Similarly, if you are taking Viagra, Cialis or Levitra and you should experience an episode of chest pain - do not take nitrates for the pain. Rather, stop all activity, rest, and wait 10 minutes - if the chest pain is not gone after 10 minutes, call 911.

The bottom line is that in general, normal sexual activity can be resumed within a few weeks of a heart attack. But to repeat, because there are important individual considerations to be made, you should discuss your specific case with your own doctor.

Safe Exercise for Heart Disease Patients

 If you have a loved one who's recently been diagnosed with heart disease or had heart surgery, the doctor probably told you that exercise is an important part of keeping the condition under control. But is it safe for him to keep exercising like he has been, or does your loved one need to make some changes? And what exercises are best?

Here are some things to discuss with the doctor:

    Medication changes. New medications can greatly affect your response to exercise; your loved one's doctor can tell you if his normal exercise routine is still safe.

    Heavy lifting. Make sure that lifting or pushing heavy objects and chores such as raking, shoveling, mowing, or scrubbing aren't off limits. Chores around the house can be tiring for some people; make sure your loved one only does what he's able to do without getting tired.

    Safe exercises. Get the doctor's approval before you let the patient lift weights, use a weight machine, jog, or swim.

General workout tips for heart disease patients:

    Be sure any exercise is paced and balanced with rest.

    Avoid encouraging isometric exercises such as push-ups and sit-ups. Isometric exercises involve straining muscles against other muscles or an immovable object.

    Don't let the patient exercise outdoors when it is too cold, hot, or humid. High humidity may cause you to tire more quickly; extreme temperatures can interfere with circulation, make breathing difficult, and cause chest pain. Better choices are indoor activities such as mall walking.

    Make sure your loved one stays hydrated. It is important to drink water even before you feel thirsty, especially on hot days.

    Extremely hot and cold showers or sauna baths should be avoided after exercise. These extreme temperatures increase the workload on your heart.

    Have your loved one steer clear of exercise in hilly areas. If he must walk in steep areas, ask him to slow down when going uphill to avoid working too hard. Have him monitor his heart rate closely.

    If the patient's exercise program has been interrupted for a few days (for example, due to illness, vacation, or bad weather), ease him back into his routine. He should start with a reduced level of activity and gradually increase it until he's back where he started.

Cardiac Rehabilitation for getting your health back after a heart attack

After you have a heart attack (also called a myocardial infarction, or MI), participation in a cardiac rehabilitation program can reduce your risk of having any more MIs, and even of dying.

"Cardiac rehabilitation" is a structured program aimed at helping you develop a heart-friendly lifestyle. Ideally, it will consist of three components: exercise, risk factor modification, and dealing with stress and depression.

Exercise Rehabilitation

Exercise may be the most important component of a cardiac rehabilitation program, because regular exercise not only directly improves your cardiovascular system, but it also helps you with weight control, improves your response to stress, and (many claim) helps you stick to your heart-healthy diet. The benefits of regular exercise after an MI are well documented. Studies show that those who participate in exercise rehabilitation achieve a significantly lower risk of mortality, and of having recurrent MIs.

While almost everyone can safely engage in exercise after an MI, deciding what's "safe" needs to be individualized. Developing a safe exercise program requires taking several factors into account - including your general physical condition, the extent of the heart attack you've had, whether you are still having angina, your weight, and the condition of your limbs and joints. Having you perform a stress test, usually on a treadmill, helps the exercise rehabilitation clinician assess all of these factors, and is normally an important part of creating an appropriate "exercise prescription" for you.

Once the initial assessment is made, your rehab clinician will work with you (and your doctor) to prescribe a safe exercise program. This prescription will include the appropriate type (walking, jogging, swimming, etc.), duration, frequency and intensity of exercise that will safely improve your heart health. Obviously, that prescription will take into account your personal preferences, and your personal constraints.

Most often after a heart attack, the first several exercise sessions will be conducted under medical supervision, possibly with cardiac monitoring. But after a few weeks, as your heart heals and your exercise capacity increases, you will begin following a home-based exercise program that, ideally, will last forever.

Lifestyle "Rehabilitation"

Most cardiac rehabilitation programs today include extensive educational sessions on modifying your cardiac risk factors, such as weight control, smoking cessation, and diet. It is important for you to attend these sessions and absorb as much information as you can. Now that you have survived your heart attack, your health depends on your taking control of those aspects of your life that can be controlled, and that will go a long way toward determining your long-term outcome. 

Psychosocial "Rehabilitation"

It is quite common to go through a period of depression or anxiety after an MI. Unfortunately, these problems can not only keep you from engaging in the exercise rehabilitation and lifestyle modifications you need to become healthy, but can also directly worsen your cardiac health.

Many cardiac rehabilitation programs employ individuals who are trained to recognize and help you work through the psychosocial issues that may inhibit your recovery. If you need more intensive therapy, they can help make the appropriate referrals for you.

While a heart attack is never a good thing, with a little luck and the right attitude, you can turn it into something far less bad than you might think. A cardiac rehabilitation program is very important in achieving this end. By helping you make the changes in your life that you need to make, a good rehabilitation program can help you achieve a level of health that may even be better than it was before your heart attack.

Medications and Heart Attack Treatment

Heart disease or heart attack is a type of cardiovascular disease. In addition to heart disease, the term cardiovascular disease encompasses a variety of heart conditions, such as high blood pressure and stroke. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is caused by a narrowing of the coronary arteries, which results in a decreased supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. CHD includes myocardial infarction, commonly referred to as a heart attack, and angina pectoris, or chest pain. A heart attack is caused by the sudden blockage of a coronary artery, usually by a blood clot. And chest pain occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough blood. Another type of heart disease is a heart rhythm disorder, which includes rapid heart, heart murmurs, and other unspecified disorders. Congestive heart failure (CHF), which is often the end-stage of heart disease, is another disease of the heart.

 
What treatment is required

Much can be done to improve how well the heart pumps and to treat the symptoms, but heart failure cannot be completely cured. An important part of treatment is taking care of any underlying problems, such as lowering high blood pressure or fixing a heart valve. Treatment also includes lifestyle changes and medicine. Here are some important things you should talk about with your doctor:

• Diet: Your doctor will likely tell you to reduce the amount of salt you eat. He or she may also tell you to eat a diet low in fat and cholesterol.

• Alcohol: You will be advised to limit alcohol.

• Exercise: Most people with heart failure can still exercise, but your doctor will help you decide how much and what kind of exercise you can do.

• Weight: Your doctor will tell you if you need to lose weight.

• Family support: Your family can be an important source of support, so involve them when possible. Ask friends for help too.

Other sources of support: Your doctor can give you information about support groups. It sometimes helps to talk with other people who have similar problems.

Whether the medicines needed.

Many different medicines are used to treat heart failure. You may need one or more medicines, depending on your symptoms. Your doctor will talk about these medicines with you. It may take some time to find the best type of medicine and the best dosage (amount) of medicine for you.

Several kinds of medicines are commonly used to treat heart failure:

• ACE inhibitors: ACE inhibitors help open (dilate) your arteries and lower your blood pressure, improving blood flow.

• Diuretics: Diuretics are often called "water pills" because they cause you to urinate more often and help keep fluid from building up in your body. They can also decrease fluid that collects in your lungs. This will help you breathe easier.

• Beta-blockers: Beta blockers can lower blood pressure and slow a rapid heartbeat. They may also help prevent some heart rhythm problems.

• Digoxin: Digoxin (also called digitalis) helps the heart pump better by strengthening the muscle contractions of the heart.

You might need to take other medicines if you have other problems or if you experience side effects with any of these medicines.

When you're taking medicine for heart failure, you'll also need to have blood tests to check your potassium level and kidney function. How often you need blood tests depends on the type and strength of medicine you are taking. Many patients take heart failure medicines without any problems. However, if you have concerns about the medicine or think you may be having side effects, you should talk to your doctor. It's very important that you take your medicine exactly as your doctor tells you.

Heart Attack

A heart attack is when blood vessels that supply blood to the heart are blocked, preventing enough oxygen from getting to the heart. The heart muscle dies or becomes permanently damaged. Your doctor calls this a myocardial infarction.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Most heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to the heart. If the blood flow is blocked, the heart starves for oxygen and heart cells die.

In atherosclerosis, plaque builds up in the walls of your coronary arteries. This plaque is made up of cholesterol and other cells. A heart attack can occur as a result of the following:

•     The slow buildup of plaque may almost block one of your coronary arteries. A heart attack may occur if not enough oxygen-containing blood can flow through this blockage. This is more likely to happen when you are exercising.

•     The plaque itself develops cracks (fissures) or tears. Blood platelets stick to these tears and form a blood clot (thrombus). A heart attack can occur if this blood clot completely blocks the passage of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. This is the most common cause.

Occasionally, sudden, significant emotional or physical stress, including an illness, can trigger a heart attack.

Risk factors for heart attack and coronary artery disease include:

•     Increasing age (over age 65)
•     Male gender
•     Diabetes
•     Family history of coronary artery disease (genetic or hereditary factors)
•     High blood pressure
•     Smoking
•     Too much fat in your diet
•     Unhealthy cholesterol levels, especially high LDL ("bad") cholesterol and low HDL ("good") cholesterol
•     Chronic kidney disease

Symptoms

Chest pain is a major symptom of heart attack. You may feel the pain in only one part of your body, or it may move from your chest to your arms, shoulder, neck, teeth, jaw, belly area, or back.

The pain can be severe or mild. It can feel like:

•     A tight band around the chest
•     Bad indigestion
•     Something heavy sitting on your chest
•     Squeezing or heavy pressure

The pain usually lasts longer than 20 minutes. Rest and a medicine called nitroglycerin may not completely relieve the pain of a heart attack. Symptoms may also go away and come back.

Other symptoms of a heart attack include:

•     Anxiety
•     Cough
•     Fainting
•     Light-headedness, dizziness
•     Nausea or vomiting
•     Palpitations (feeling like your heart is beating too fast or irregularly)
•     Shortness of breath
•     Sweating, which may be extreme

Some people (the elderly, people with diabetes, and women) may have little or no chest pain. Or, they may experience unusual symptoms (shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness). A "silent heart attack" is a heart attack with no symptoms.

Signs and tests

A heart attack is a medical emergency. If you have symptoms of a heart attack, seek immediate medical help. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. DO NOT try to drive yourself to the hospital. DO NOT DELAY, because you are at greatest risk of sudden cardiac death in the early hours of a heart attack.

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and listen to your chest using a stethoscope. The doctor may hear abnormal sounds in your lungs (called crackles), a heart murmur, or other abnormal sounds.

You may have a rapid pulse. Your blood pressure may be normal, high, or low.

Tests to look at your heart include:

•     Coronary angiography
•     CT scan
•     Echocardiography
•     Electrocardiogram (ECG) -- once or repeated over several hours
•     MRI
•     Nuclear ventriculography

Blood tests can help show if you have heart tissue damage or a high risk for heart attack. These tests include:

• Troponin I and troponin T
• CPK and CPK-MB
• Serum myoglobin
• Treatment

If you had a heart attack, you will need to stay in the hospital, possibly in the intensive care unit (ICU). You will be hooked up to an ECG machine, so the health care team can look at how your heart is beating.

Life-threatening irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) are the leading cause of death in the first few hours of a heart attack. These arrythmias may be treated with medications or electrical cardioverson/defibrillation.

The health care team will give you oxygen, even if your blood oxygen levels are normal. This is done so that your body tissues have easy access to oxygen and your heart doesn't have to work as hard.

An intravenous line (IV) will be placed into one of your veins. Medicines and fluids pass through this IV. You may need a tube inserted into your bladder (urinary catheter) so that doctors can see how much fluid your body removes.

ANGIOPLASTY AND STENT PLACEMENT

Angioplasty, also called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), is the preferred emergency procedure for opening the arteries for some types of heart attacks. It should preferably be performed within 90 minutes of arriving at the hospital and no later than 12 hours after a heart attack.

Angioplasty is a procedure to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels that supply blood to the heart.

A coronary artery stent is a small, metal mesh tube that opens up (expands) inside a coronary artery. A stent is often placed after angioplasty. It helps prevent the artery from closing up again. A drug eluting stent has medicine in it that helps prevent the artery from closing.

THROMBOLYTIC THERAPY (CLOT-BUSTING DRUGS)

Depending on the results of the ECG, certain patients may be given drugs to break up the clot. It is best if these drugs are given within 3 hours of when the patient first felt the chest pain. This is called thrombolytic therapy. The medicine is first given through an IV. Blood thinners taken by mouth may be prescribed later to prevent clots from forming.

Thrombolytic therapy is not appropriate for people who have:

•     Bleeding inside their head (intracranial hemorrhage)
•     Brain abnormalities such as tumors or blood vessel malformations
•     Stroke within the past 3 months (or possibly longer)
•     Head injury within the past 3 months

Thrombolytic therapy is extremely dangerous in women who are pregnant or in people who have:

•     A history of using blood thinners such as coumadin
•     Had major surgery or a major injury within the past 3 weeks
•     Had internal bleeding within the past 2-4 weeks
•     Peptic ulcer disease
•     Severe high blood pressure

OTHER MEDICINES FOR HEART ATTACKS

Many different medicines are used to treat and prevent heart attacks. Nitroglycerin helps reduce chest pain. You may also receive strong medicines to relieve pain.

Antiplatelet medicines help prevent clots from forming. Aspirin is an antiplatelet drug. Another one is clopidogrel (Plavix). Ask your doctor which of these drugs you should be taking. Always talk to your health care provider before stopping either of these drugs.

•     For the first year after a heart attack, you will likely take both aspirin and clopidogrel every day. After that, your health care provider may only prescribe aspirin.

•     If you had angioplasty and a coronary stent placed after your heart attack, you may need to take clopidogrel with your aspirin for longer than one year.

Other medications you may receive during or after a heart attack include:

•     Beta-blockers (such as metoprolol, atenolol, and propranolol) help reduce the strain on the heart and lower blood pressure.

•     ACE inhibitors (such as ramipril, lisinopril, enalapril, or captopril) are used to prevent heart failure and lower blood pressure.

•     Lipid-lowering medications, especially statins (such as lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin, and rosuvastatin) reduce blood cholesterol levels to prevent plaque from increasing. They may reduce the risk of another heart attack or death.

Always talk to your health care provider before stopping any medications, especially these drugs. Stopping or changing the amount of these medicines can be life threatening.

CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS SURGERY

Coronary angiography may reveal severe coronary artery disease in many vessels, or a narrowing of the left main coronary artery (the vessel supplying most of the blood to the heart). In these circumstances, the cardiologist may recommend emergency coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). This procedure is also called "open heart surgery." The surgeon takes either a vein or artery from another location in your body and uses it to bypass the blocked coronary artery.


Expectations (prognosis)

How well you do after a heart attack depends on the amount and location of damaged tissue. Your outcome is worse if the heart attack caused damage to the signaling system that tells the heart to contract.

About a third of heart attacks are deadly. If you live 2 hours after an attack, you are likely to survive, but you may have complications. Those who do not have complications may fully recover.

Usually a person who has had a heart attack can slowly go back to normal activities, including sexual activity.

Complications

•     Cardiogenic shock
•     Congestive heart failure
•     Damage extending past heart tissue (infarct extension), possibly leading to rupture of the heart
•     Damage to heart valves or the wall between the two sides of the heart
•     Inflammation around the lining of the heart (pericarditis)
•     Irregular heartbeats, including ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation
•     Blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
•     Blood clot to the brain (stroke)
•     Side effects of drug treatment

Calling your health care provider

Immediately call your local emergency number (such as 911) if you have symptoms of a heart attack.
Prevention

To prevent a heart attack:

•     Keep your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol under control.

•     Don't smoke.

•     Consider drinking 1 to 2 glasses of alcohol or wine each day. Moderate amounts of alcohol may reduce your risk of cardiovascular problems. However, drinking larger amounts does more harm than good.

•     Eat a low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in animal fat.

•     Eat fish twice a week. Baked or grilled fish is better than fried fish. Frying can destroy some of the health benefits.

•     Exercise daily or several times a week. Walking is a good form of exercise. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise routine.

•     Lose weight if you are overweight.

If you have one or more risk factors for heart disease, talk to your doctor about possibly taking aspirin to help prevent a heart attack. Aspirin therapy (75 mg to 325 mg a day) or another drug such as prasugrel or clopidogrel may be prescribed.

New guidelines no longer recommend hormone replacement therapy, vitamins E or C, antioxidants, or folic acid to prevent heart disease.

After a heart attack, you will need regular follow-up care to reduce the risk of having a second heart attack. Often, a cardiac rehabilitation program is recommended to help you gradually return to a normal lifestyle. Always follow the exercise, diet, and medication plan prescribed by your doctor.

Heart Healthy Diet

The first step in a heart-healthier lifestyle is a heart-healthy diet.  Here are some guidelines to help you plan and personalize your diet:

1.  Calories count.

Being overweight is one of the primary  risk factors for heart disease, so be sure your calorie intake is appropriate to achieve and/or maintain a healthy weight. 

2. Eat plenty of fiber.

A high fiber diet will help you control your weight (by controlling your appetite) and also can help you maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Twenty-five grams of fiber per day is the recommended minimum. Ideally, aim for 35-40 grams of fiber per day.

3. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables contain fiber  but also are rich in antioxidant nutrients that help protect your heart.  Eat at least five servings of colorful vegetables (such as carrots, berries, peppers, and broccoli) to get a minimum of 100% of the daily recommended amounts  of vitamin A, C, K.

4. Emphasize healthy fats.

A heart-healthy diet doesn't necessarily need to be a low-fat diet. A diet rich in monounsaturated fats can help lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and other risk factors. Monounsaturated fats are  olive oil, avocadoes, and nuts such as almonds.  Use these as your primary sources of fat.

5. Watch your sodium

A diet high in sodium can lead to high blood pressure. The USDA recommends limiting your sodium intake to 2300mg per day--but most Americans eat about twice that much. Those with high blood pressure are advised to reduce sodium to 1500mg a day. See also: Tips for reducing sodium.

6. Limit your intake of sweets and refined carbohydrates

Foods that are high in sugar and refined carbohydrates (which includes many low-fat foods!) can create sharp spikes in blood sugar and ultimately increase your risk of both heart disease and diabetes. Choose whole grain foods whenever possible and consume sweets occasionally or not at all.  For a naturally sweet treat, enjoy fresh fruit.

Weight Loss Food

Eat up to slim down. Not only are the Your SELF Challenge meals tasty and satisfying, they include a slew of foods that research has shown may help you shed pounds. Stock your kitchen with these eats for easy diet success.

Almonds

These filling, snackable bites can help keep your blood sugar steady. A study from the University of Toronto found that people who ate almonds with white bread didn't experience the same blood sugar surges as those who ate just the slice. And the higher blood sugar levels rise, the lower they fall; that dip leads to hunger, causing people to overeat. Plus, blood sugar changes cause the body to make insulin, which can increase abdominal fat. Eat almonds on their own, or in almond-butter form.

Apples

An apple a day can keep weight gain at bay, finds a study from Penn State University at University Park. People who chomped an apple before a pasta meal ate fewer calories overall than those who had a different snack. Credit their high-fiber status—4 to 5 g each—which fills you up. Plus, the antioxidants in apples may help prevent metabolic syndrome, a condition marked by excess belly fat or an "apple shape."

Black beans

According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, bean eaters weigh less and have slimmer middles. Beans are super fat fighters because they contain the ideal combination of fat-busting nutrients—soluble and insoluble fiber, protein, and a type of fat-burning carb called resistant starch.

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is also a vitamin C standout: Just 1/2 cup nets you 36 percent of your daily needs. Plus, this cruciferous veggie is a proven cancer fighter—it's been linked to a lower risk of colorectal, lung and stomach cancers. And like almost all veggies, cauliflower is low in calories while still offering filling fiber. This veggie is also super versatile and can make a great replacement for heavier foods. Try cauliflower roasted until crispy as a side dish to burgers or sandwiches, mashed up with a little trans-fat-free margarine to mimic mashed potatoes, or pureed and added to soups instead of cream.

Cinnamon

Everything is nice about this spice. Just 1/2 teaspoon each day can help control your blood sugar and prevent the postmeal insulin spike that can trigger your body to store fat rather than burn it. You can also use cinnamon to bring out the natural sweetness in foods, rather than adding calories from sugar. All spices help you trim down when used to add flavor to foods instead of oil, butter and calorie-laden condiments.

Coffee

Raise your mug to higher metabolism! The caffeine in coffee can raise your resting metabolic rate by about 15 percent, and the effect can last up to four hours—that adds up to 30 to 50 calories burned per day. Plus, people who sip 3 to 4 cups of regular or decaf coffee per day are 30 percent less prone to type 2 diabetes. Chlorogenic acid, found in coffee, may help prevent insulin resistance, which can lead to obesity and diabetes.

Benefits of coconut water

Can Coconut Water Help You Lose Weight?

For years, coconut has been shunned by nutritionists and dieters alike for its high fat content. And for good reason: One cup packs 22 grams of saturated fat! But these days it’s popping up in water form everywhere, and fans say that not only can the drink help you lose weight, it’s also a natural healer, age eraser and more. Even Madonna has invested in a leading brand, and sales of coconut water are projected to double this year. So what is coconut water, and is it really worth shelling out $30 for a 12-pack? SELF brings you the facts.

It speeds your metabolism.

Helps Prevent Obesity by speeding up metabolism, providing an immediate source of energy with fewer calories than other fats. “This is an urban legend,” says Liz Applegate, Ph.D., director of sports nutrition at the University of California in Davis. “There is no valid research proving it.” Another, albeit contradictory, myth: Coconut water makes you fat. This bad rap came from coconut milk, which is made from pressed coconut meat and packs 445 calories per cup, most from saturated fat. The water (the fluid in young coconuts) has only 46 calories per cup. Of course, for a truly trimming sip, opt for zero-calorie water, coffee or tea.  People who consistently use coconut products, report a stronger ability to go without eating for several hours with no affects of hypoglycemia.

It makes you look younger.

Coconut water contains cytokinins, plant hormones shown to slow the aging process in plants and fruit flies, according to a study in Molecules. Alas, the benefits aren’t yet proven in humans. The search for the fountain of youth continues.

It’s nature’s sport drink.

It’s a fine postworkout chug for the average active Joe or Jane, but it falls short for hard-core athletes. The gist: When you exercise, you sweat out a lot of sodium and some potassium. You should replace both after intense workout sessions (more than an hour a day), so your muscles contract properly. Coconut water is a potassium powerhouse, delivering roughly 600 milligrams per cup, about 175 mg more than a banana does and 13 times what most sport drinks offer. “The problem is that it has only about 30 mg of sodium per cup; we lose much more than that during a long workout,” Applegate says. Thus, serious athletes may need a sports beverage with a higher sodium-to-potassium ratio, such as Gatorade or Powerade Ion4; lighter exercisers can rehydrate with whatever they like best, including coconut water or plain H2O.

It protects your ticker.

Diets high in potassium can help lower blood pressure and promote heart health, says Andrea Giancoli, R.D., spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. Coconut water is a good source of the mineral, but it’s better to get it from whole foods like veggies (spinach, sweet potatoes) and lowfat milk, which supply additional heart-healthy nutrients such as fiber and vitamin D.

Improves Heart Health.

The coconut can improves heart health by providing healthy short chain and medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) that are essential to good hcoconut budealth.  Close to 98% of all fatty acids consumed are composed of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA), which are very different from MCFA that have no negative effect on cholesterol ratios and help to lower the risk of atherosclerosis and protect against heart disease.  Studies have shown that populations in Polynesia and Sri Lanka, where coconuts are a dietary staple, do not suffer from high serum cholesterol or heart disease.  Unlike other fats, the unique properties of coconut also contain a large amount of lauric acid, which is the predominant fatty acid found in mother's milk.

It’s a hangover helper.

There’s a reason the morning after is so painful: Alcohol dehydrates you, leading to nausea and headaches. Like any drink, coconut water refills your H2O stores, but plain water does the job just as well, notes Samir Zakhari, Ph.D., director of the Division of Metabolism and Health Effects at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. As for electrolytes, our kidneys preserve them when we drink alcohol, so there’s no need to replace them with coconut water. If the coconut taste lifts your postspirits spirits, go for it; but you can save cash (and calories) by turning on the tap.



Coconut water is also believed to be good for pregnant women.

1. Natural Electrolytes

Young coconut water enriched with electrolytes, chloride, calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, and riboflavin. As a natural isotonic mineral rich and have the same electrolyte with an electrolyte body, young coconut water is beneficial for rehydration and to restore stamina.

Pregnant mothers need more water than others. Dehydration during pregnancy can lead to various complications, including headaches, cramps, edema and even contractions that can lead to premature delivery.

2. Natural Diuretic

As a natural diuretic that sterile, young coconut water helped launch the clean urine and urinary tract. It is nutritious produce toxic substances from the body and prevent urinary tract infections, which are also quite common in pregnant women.

3. Anti Disease

Young coconut water contains lauric acid, acid that helps fight disease. Lauric acid contained in coconut water equal to that found in breast milk and has a characteristic antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral to maintain the health of mothers and babies from the virus such as herpes and HIV, giardia lamblia protozoa and bacteria chlamydia and heliokobater.

4. Assist Digestion

Coconut water is also believed to improve gastrointestinal function. During pregnancy, the placenta produces the hormone progesterone, which slows muscle contraction in the stomach until the digestion was slowed. Coconut water will help increase the speed of digestion.

5. Increase HDL

Young coconut water does not contain fat and cholesterol, but according to research to increase good cholesterol (HDL) in the body.


Is this correct?

Disease diagnosis by your fingernails

Unadorned nails come in a variety of shapes, textures, and color. These imperfections and variances can be hereditary in nature but they can also be a window into your body's state of health. Below are some nail appearances and the medical conditions that could be associated with it.

1. Brittle nails that have distinct ridges and are concave in appearance can be an indicator of iron deficiency.

2. Nail beds that are red could be an indicator of heart disease.

3. Half and half coloring, half pink and half white can be caused by kidney disease.

4. Melanoma can make dark lines appear beneath the nail.

5. Are the nail beds white or pale? This could be a sign of anemia.

6. Thick, yellowish nails that are slow growing, or a painless increase of tissue around the fingers ends, or nail inversion could be an indicator of lung disease.

7. Psoriasis can cause a rippling or pitting of the nail surface.

8. If your nails have a slight blush at the base and are yellowish, this could be an indicator of diabetes.

Tip: Your cuticles are what seals out external organisms from entering your body at the nails. Frequent manicures that push back and cut away this seal invite infection.

The appearance indicators cited are in no way intended to diagnose any given health condition. If you have questions or concerns regarding the appearance of your nails, or you suspect you may have a disease associated with said appearance, see your doctor.

Reveal About Your Health through Hands

Our bodies are pretty good at sending out red flags when something’s wrong with our health—such as a fever due to infection or itchy hives from an allergic reaction. But sometimes the signs are misleading or easy to miss, even when they’re on one of the body parts you look at most: your hands! For instance, did you know that the length of your fingers, the state of your nails and even the shade of your palms can help predict you how healthy you’ll be in the future? Check out these little hand signals, and if anything sounds familiar, see your doc today—a bright and healthy future is up for grabs!

Swollen Fingers

We all know that salty snacks and PMS can cause bloat. But if you shun the shaker and your rings still don’t fit, and if your period isn’t due soon, this kind of swelling could suggest hypothyroidism, which means the thyroid gland is underproducing the hormones you need to regulate your metabolism and keep your body functioning properly. Thyroid problems can lead to a sluggish metabolism, weight gain and water accumulation, explains Jenny Kim, M.D., a dermatology professor at the University of California in Los Angeles. Untreated hypothyroidism can cause fatigue, low libido and even (at extreme levels) heart failure. A simple blood test will show if your thyroid is underperforming, and doctor-monitored synthetic hormone pills can help your hormones—and your fingers—return to normal.

Red Palms

Itchy, burning red palms may point to eczema, a chronic skin disorder that can worsen when you’re stressed; to limit irritation, avoid potential chemical triggers by opting for soapless cleansers and wearing gloves when cleaning or gardening. If those don’t help, redness could indicate an allergy to nickel in jewelry, chemicals in products, or antibiotics (and symptoms might show up on other parts of your body beyond the palms of your hands). Such allergies are usually more annoying than ominous, but your physician can tell for sure by doing a patch test and pinpointing what to avoid, Dr. Kim says. One exception: If you’re pregnant, don’t sweat red palms. During pregnancy, blood flow increases throughout the body, causing temporary redness in more than half of expecting women.

Pale Fingernails

“Nails should turn white when you press on them, then return to pinkish when you release,” says Anthony Martinez, M.D., assistant clinical professor of medicine at the University of California in San Diego. “If your nail stays white for more than a minute or two, you may have anemia or low iron.” Iron deficiency can lead to fatigue or, in serious cases, heart problems, so you’ll want to alert your doctor. To dodge a deficiency, fill up on iron-rich foods (such as lean meats, spinach and other dark green veggies, legumes, and nuts and seeds like almonds and pumpkin seeds) and foods with vitamin C, which aids iron absorption.

Numb, Blue Fingertips

Blue-hued fingers may signal a condition called Raynaud’s disease, a temporary blood vessel spasm that constricts blood flow to the fingers (hence the numbness) and occurs in five to ten percent of all people. “It’s more common in women and typically triggered by cool temperatures or stress,” Dr. Martinez says. Raynaud’s is chronic, but it’s not a huge health worry unless numbness lasts more than an hour, in which case your fingers are actually imperiled—head to the ER! Stave off a crisis by keeping circulation healthy: Cut out cigarettes and go easy on caffeine, as both constrict blood vessels, and hit the gym regularly to keep your blood pumping.

Discolored Nails

Off-color nails can result from fungus but may also warn of diabetes. “Diabetics’ immune and vascular systems can be impaired, creating an environment that allows bacteria and fungi to flourish,” Dr. Kim says. Look for green discoloration (yikes!) or thick, dark-yellow nails that detach from the bed (double yikes!). Your M.D. can tell you about habits that keep blood sugar in check, such as swapping out processed foods for healthy complex carbs. If there’s fungus, prescription meds can help clear it up; it not, nails might be yellow from dark polish. Applying tooth-whitening products to nails can help.

Short Index Fingers

Women with pointer fingers smaller than their ring fingers may have a heightened risk for osteoarthritis and polycystic ovarian syndrome, a hormonal disorder that can disrupt fertility. The upside? A lower risk for heart disease. “More exposure to testosterone in utero, which relates to skeletal health, fertility and cardiovascular development, may also create longer ring fingers,” says John Manning, Ph.D., author of The Finger Ratio. “But don’t regard your ratio as a definite indicator of risks—or immunity to them.” Controlling your weight protects your joints, fertility and heart, regardless of finger length. Aim for a body-mass index between 18.5 and 25 (calculate yours at Self.com.)

Surprising six-figure jobs

When you think of jobs that pay six figures, you think doctor, lawyer -- and anything with the word "chief," "director," "engineer" or "petroleum" in it.

But there are some jobs that pay six figures that you might not expect. People you may encounter on a daily basis, or some who you may not, but never suspect they make that much!

"Generally, high-paid jobs require one or more of the following: extensive formal education, high level of responsibility or performance, unique skill or talent, and extensive on the job experience," said Al Lee, director of quantitative analysis at PayScale.com. And most involve the employee earning "substantial income and profits for the employer," Lee added.

The average salary in America is about $40,000, according the Social Security Administration, and just about five percent of the American population makes $100,000 or more.

Here are six-figure jobs that you probably didn't expect would pay that much:


Call Center Analyst

You don't think of call center jobs as high-paying jobs; in fact, you tend to think of them as low-paying jobs that are often shipped overseas. But there are a few positions, including call-center analysts, who oversee quality and assurance and train the representatives, and the director of the call center who can make six figures. One listing on Indeed.com for a six-figure job as a QA Call Center Analyst in Chantilly, Va., requires that the person be bilingual -- in English and Spanish. Call Center Directors, meanwhile, have a median salary of $121,000, according to http://www.salary.com.

Afghan Language Specialists

It's all about supply and demand and since the U.S. became involved in Afghanistan after the Sept. 11 attacks, there has been demand for linguists or interpreters of the two main Afghan languages, Dari and Pashto. The average salary for a linguist or interpreter who speaks Dari is $187,000 and it's $193,000 for those who speak Pashto, according to Indeed.com. The jobs range from an interpreter for military personnel to a media desk officer who would translate Afghan news stories and communicate with Afghan media.

Personal Trainer

You might not think of personal trainers, who get paid hourly, as six-figure contenders, but it all depends on where they work -- and who they're coaching. The median salary of a personal trainer is $54,200, according to PayScale, but the top 10 percent can earn $100,000 or more. The top performers tend to be those who are certified personal trainers, who have a college education and many years of experience. The highest-paying cities for personal-trainer jobs are Ann Arbor, Mich., where rates can reach up to $70 an hour, followed by New York, Baltimore, Tampa and Boston.


Flight Training Coordinator

You might expect a pilot to make six figures, but perhaps not a flight training coordinator. But flight training coordinators have an important job -- they research and develop flight training programs for an organization, including classroom lessons and simulator sessions. It could be for a commercial or private carrier or training school or an aerospace company. The median salary for flight training coordinators is $118,000 but can go above $200,000 for the top 10 percent, according to Salary.com.

Nuclear Power Reactor Operator

The earthquake and subsequent nuclear disaster in Japan demonstrated just how dangerous nuclear power reactor operators are -- and how valuable they are. As a result, it's a high-paying job. The median salary is $86,000 but the top 10 percent make an average of $128,000, according to PayScale.com.


Court Reporter

The median salary of court reporters is $57,200 but those who are more experienced and can type 200+ words a minute make an average of $105,000, according to PayScale.com. And, court reporters are expected to be one of the jobs in demand over the next decade -- both inside and outside the courtroom -- with the number of court reporters expected to jump 18 percent, according to the Labor Department.


Elevator Mechanic

Elevators can be dangerous when they malfunction, as evident by the recent elevator crash in New York City at a Bed, Bath & Beyond that left 15 people injured. As a result, elevator mechanics get paid very well. The median salary is $72,900 but the top 10 percent can make $109,000 or more, according to PayScale.com. One listing for a "Vertical Transportation Director" in Arlington, Va., requires 10 years of experience as an elevator mechanic and five to 10 years of management experience in the elevator business.


Pharmacists

You might think of doctors, who have to go to medical school, as making six figures or more, but not pharmacists. In fact, the median salary for pharmacists in the U.S. is $113,000, according to Salary.com. It's not just filling out prescriptions, it's offering advise on dosage and side effects and interacting with doctors. Becoming a pharmacist requires a bachelor's degree and an advanced degree in pharmacy. The job prospects are expected to be good over the next decade -- the number of pharmacist jobs is expected to jump 17 percent, according to the Labor Department.

GARLIC

Source: NDTV.com

Those are famous words from the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, often called the father of Western medicine. He actually used to prescribe garlic to treat a variety of medical conditions.

Garlic Capsule

Garlic:-Nowadays more and more people are curing their illness with the herbal treatments and natural preventatives that have been effectively used for thousands of years. Hakeem Hashmi, a well-respected unani physician while narrating the effective medicinal qualities of herbs and plants, specify garlic as the favorite root of unani medicine. Hakeem Hashmi pointed out that Hippocrates the father of unani medicine, used garlic in infectious diseases and particularly prescribed it for intestinal disorders. Even before, Khnoon Khoufouf, the builder of one of the oldest pyramids, (4500 B.C ) was among the first to recognize the values of garlic, for he ordered that all his workers should take garlic everyday to maintain their health and strength.

Even, garlic extracts and juices have been used successfully against cancer in booth animals and human studies. By quoting the PTI report, times of India 1987, Hakeem Hashmi pointed out that doctors in American research institute in Panama City had successfully carried out lab test in cancer by administering garlic. Garlic is known to the Chines as far back as 3000 B.C, and is believed to have originated in central Asia. It continues to be one of the staple spices of the Chinese and oriental cuisine till today. Indians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans also used garlic both as a staple food and medicine for ailments. Bow garlic is used in all parts of the world and is widely grown in the Mediterranean region, India, Philippines, China, Ethiopia, Kenya, Brazil and Mexico.


GARLIC’S HEALING POWER:-

Traditionally, garlic has been used in herbal medicine for asthma, deafness, leprosy, bronchial,congestion, hardening of arteries, fevers, worms and liver and gall bladder trouble. Garlic is useful in Leucoderma, leprosy, piles, worms, catarrhal disorders and cough. Garlic is good for the heart, a food for the hair, an appetite stimulant, a strength-giving tonic. Several ancient beliefs about the healing virtues of garlic have been confirmed by clinical experiments in recent times. These tests
and experiments have in fact proven much greater power of garlic than known previously. Garlic unpleasant odor is due to its sulpher content. This mineral is contained to a greater degree in its volatile oil, which has remarkable medicinal virtues.

Juice of garlic has a most beneficial effect on the entire system the ether in garlic juice are so potent and penetrating, that they help dissolve accumulation of mucus in the sinus cavities, bronchial tubes and the lunges. They help in the expulsion of poisons from body through pores of the skin.

ASTHMA :-

1. Garlic juice taken with hot water twice a day
2. Three cloves of garlic boiled with milk taken every day at night
3. 10 drops of garlic juice with 2 teaspoon of honey cures asthma. It can be administered at the time of attack also.

HEART PROBLEMS:-

1. As diluting agent for blood regular eating of garlic and also having milk with garlic boiled in it controls assimilation of cholesterol.
2. Chewing 4 or 5 cloves of garlic given at the time of heart attack prevents heart failure, till medical aid is procured.

WHOPPING COUGH :-

1. 8 to 10 of garlic juice mixed with 4 gm of honey four times a day cures whopping cough.
2. Making the children wear a garland of garlic glove, helps in curing whooping cough
3. Regular in take of 3-5 gloves of garlic cures all kinds of cold & cough.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE:

. Taking 6 drops of garlic juice with fresh water regularly reduces high blood pressure (hypertension).
BRONCHITIS: –

Paste of garlic with onion applied on the chest as poultice cures bronchitis.
TUBERCULOSIS: –

Pulmonary infection including T.B is controlled by garlic in take. Because its rich contends of sulphuric acid destroys T.B germs. Chewing 10 cloves of garlic in 250 gms milk and then having that
milk helps in curing T .B.
PARALYSIS: –

1. 25 gm ground garlic boiled in milk till it becomes thick to be taken when cooled in the morning for at least a month.
2. Eating 7 to 8 cloves of garlic with one teaspoon of fresh butter also helps in curing paralysis

BLOOD DISORDERS:-

The herbs are regarded as a rejuvenatory. It has been found to help remove toxins, revitalize the blood, stimulate circulation and promote intestinal flora, or colony of bacteria that prevent infection by harmful bacteria. Garlic is used in many medicines that cures impotency night-discharge, arthritis, malaria, jaundice, gastric ulcer, Diarrhea, polio, diarrhea and baldness. Even the bites of venomous reptiles, dogs & other noxious strung, can be cured by applying the paste of garlic. Because it counter acts their poison garlic has a pronounced aphrodisiac effect. It is a tonic for the loss of sexual power from any cause. It also treats sexual debility and impotency caused by over
indulgence in sex and nervous exhaustion from dissipating habit. It is said to be especially useful to old men with nervous tension and failing libido.

Garlic is the most widely used of the cultivated alluviums after onions. It is used both as a food and seasoning, in the preparations of soups, sauces and pickles. In Spain and Italy, and some parts of china and India it is used with almost every food. Garlic is such a herb, it’s virtues are endless and it can not be captured only in a number of pages.

For the benefit of mankind, Hakeem Hashmi has prepared effective garlic capsules all the above virtues can be obtained in the form of small capsules. And regular intake according to the prescription, is an effective cure for many ailments.

ABOUT GARLIC

(Helps clear arteries blood circulation and heal skin infections)

Garlic is a gastric, stimulant & help in digestion, acts as an anti flatulent, carminative and diaphoretic. It is stimulant of kidneys and skin and is diuretic in nature. It is a tonic, giving strength & vitality, an expectorant having a special effect on the bronchial and pulmonary secretions, beneficial for eyes & brain and helps in healing fractured bones and is a great antiseptic. It has “allicin” which has the property to destroy even those germs, which are not killed by penicillin. It is thus a very powerful germicidal. It rehabilitates sexual malfunctions. It improves functional activity of heavy smokers.

Just half a raw garlic clove a day can increase body activity in dissolving blood clots and help prevent heart attacks and strokes. A couple of raw garlic cloves daily can deep blood cholesterol down in heart patients.

GARLIC CAPSULE

with no added oil & odour free are the first of their kind to be made from whole, fresh garlic, according to strict unani tests with the help of modern scientific tools.

The strong odour attached to garlic prevents many people from using it regularly or in sufficient quantities. As a part of normal daily diet GARLIC CAPSULES” an benefit you by giving you all the goodness of the garlic without its characteristic odour, thus helping you to maintain a naturally healthy life style. Most recently researchers in oxford and the USA published theories of all the good data on garlic found that garlic supplements have an important part to play in the treatment of high cholesterol. Experts say that in its dried state, garlic reaches in the small intestine where the active principle is released and absorbed