What Are the 10 Most Common Symptoms of a Gluten Intolerance?
Gluten intolerance is a fairly common condition in our country. In fact, some studies show that it affects approximately 15% of the US population. It is characterized by an inability to handle foods containing gluten.
So what exactly is gluten? Gluten is a composite of the two proteins gliadin and glutenin. The word gluten is derived from the Latin word for “glue.” Gluten is a mash up of starch, gliadin and glutenin and is found in grass related grains such as wheat, rye, barley and sometimes oats. Most breads, pasta, crackers and cookies contain gluten since they are typically made with wheat flour.
Gluten intolerance is categorized as an autoimmune disorder, meaning the immune system attacks it’s own body’s tissues. When a person with a gluten sensitivity eats, say, a plate of spaghetti, cells present in the small intestine misread the molecules in the grain as a foreign invader. There is then an interaction resulting in programmed cell death and an immune response, which results in the typical symptoms of gluten intolerance. It is important to identify a gluten intolerance and act accordingly because over time when someone with a gluten intolerance continues to ingest gluten, damage to the small intestine occurs. In its most severe form, gluten sensitivity can manifest in the form of celiac disease, which can be not only uncomfortable to a person, but indeed dangerous as well.
A dietary sensitivity to gluten can carry with it a variety of symptoms which unfortunately are often misdiagnosed since the symptoms are common to other diseases and disorders as well. Gluten sensitivity or intolerance is usually not the first suspect and people often go years and years without a proper diagnosis. As expected, the initial symptoms of gluten intolerance are mostly gastrointestinal symptoms, although other outside symptoms, do present themselves as well. The good news is that this is easily treatable by simply eliminating gluten from one’s diet.
Gluten Sensitivity or Gluten Intolerance Symptoms:
1. Digestive Symptoms- Digestive symptoms are the most common. This includes abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, constipation or diarrhea, constipation and diarrhea (alternating), weight loss or weight gain.
2. Inflammation- Inflammation is an immune response to the gluten.
3. Lactose Intolerance, Dairy Sensitivity or Other Food Sensitivity- This is a secondary condition which results from damage to the small intestine (leaky gut) from the primary problem of gluten sensitivity.
4. Malnutrition and/or Anemia- Since the small intestine may be damaged in cases of gluten intolerance, and since food may be excreted rapidly as waste, the body often has a hard time absorbing nutrients, leading to this symptom developing. Specifically, a low iron level is common.
5. Chronic Fatigue, Exhaustion and Dizziness.
6. Body and Joint Aches.
7. Frequent Infections- The small intestine makes up 70% of the immune system and since gluten sensitivity causes damage to the small intestine, infection is a common symptom of gluten sensitivity.
8. Steatorrhea- This is the presence of excess fat in feces. This can lead to further embarrassing and painful complications, such as anal leakage or incontinence. Fat is present in the stools due to poor digestion.
9. Head aches.
10. Depression, Irritability and Mood Swings.
As stated above, treatment for gluten intolerance is easy. Simply eliminate gluten containing foods. This means that gluten-containing grains such as those found in bread, cereals, and pasta must be completely eliminated, as well as drinks such as beer, since these involve fermenting grains containing gluten.
If you experience any or all of the above symptoms, you may want to get tested for a gluten intolerance. The answer could be life changing.
Different Areas of Human Resource Management
Every company has its own human resource management department. However, this department is typically divided into four different sections so that focus can be given to each aspect equally. These four different areas of the department include the employment, the training and the development, the compensation and the benefits as well as the relations of the employee. All these four different areas hold importance in some ways or the other and one cannot run without the other. In fact, the success of the company depends on the proper organization and management of these areas effectively.
These four different areas of the human resource management have specific functions to perform. As the name indicates, the employment department is in charge of hiring people for the company as and when required. This area looks into the fact that the right candidate is selected at the right time. On the other hand, the next area- training and development starts functioning after the recruitment of the candidates have been done. There are qualified professionals who are in charge of imparting training and educations to the fresher and thereby help in essential development of the skill required for the company.
As far as the compensation and the benefit area of the human resource management is concerned, the main task is to look into the fact that all the employees are getting the right emoluments and benefits as promised to them by their company. Last but not the least, the employee relations area looks into the fact that a good and healthy relation is maintained between the employer and the employee as well as between the co-employees. This helps in effective management and the functioning of the company. This in turn leads to the success and profit of the organization in general.
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human resource managementOrder Your Own Blood Tests Without Needing a Doctor’s Visit or Prescription – It’s Legal and Private
Millions of people visit physicians and hospitals each year for wellness check-ups as well as for help with various health concerns. Most doctors will order blood work to help them determine any possible imbalances, or pertinent disease markers and risk analysis. The blood work-up fees are often extremely high due to the involvement of insurance companies and their rates. Sadly, physician office and hospital overhead plays a role in the cost of these laboratory tests. Doctors certainly have to pay their assistants and support staff, the rent, and utilities and huge malpractice insurance rates, to name a few operational costs. Because of these high overheads they most often pass along a margin of profit that includes all of their daily expenses by percentages. Some doctors charge more or less than the suggested retail cost of blood panel workups.
Due to rising insurance rates and co-pay programs, many patients are paying higher fees out of pocket. These higher fees often keep patients from visiting their doctor’s offices as often as they might like. Because of the fact that less people are regularly seeing their family doctors, more people inadvertently are developing conditions that go undiagnosed. Several very wise blood analysis laboratories have realized that too often blood tests are showing that if a person had come in months earlier a disease state may have been prevented. In order to respond to the needs of the patients directly, there are now some alternative ways for the average person with or without insurance to find out their personal level of health.
Direct Access Testing is now a real thing in America. Professional laboratories that work with the thousands of medical doctors and hospitals in the United States and Abroad are now offering direct blood tests to patients. It is all legal and a fabulous advancement in the ability of the patient to take control of their own wellness plan. If you do not know what your body is suffering, you will not know how to care for it.
Since finding this gem of information and wanting to share it with as many people as possible, I have become a health care provider that will help facilitate the process. If your doctor’s waiting room is overcrowded and you have to wait too long for a simple check-up, why not take some measures to help determine your level of health between office visits. I am not trying to stop your physician from making money, what I am attempting to do is to open your eyes about your rights and opportunities.
Working at the hospitals and clinics with dozens of Medical Doctors through the years, I have seen some doctors who make patients wait two hours for a ten minute visit, only to say, we will draw some blood and see what the lab has to say. This is really a sad thing, because most often the support staff will receive dozens of blood work-up assays daily or weekly and may not be able to properly respond in a timely fashion, or with enough information to help the patient understand the results.
Believe me, it is NOT because these medical professionals and care givers are trying to avoid you, or want you to be in the dark, they are just overcrowded and often very over worked. The laboratories who provide the blood analysis services have gotten wise due to the overabundance of phone calls relating to blood test results and interpretations. Doctors normally do not have the luxury of time to explain a simple blood analysis thoroughly, although patients will dearly cling to anything their physician may offer in the way of an explanation. Most often there is not enough time for the doctor to spend with each patient due to the number of cases they have to deal with each day.
Recently one of my friends who happens to be a Medical Doctor had to agree to see several hundred more patients because his partner died of a massive heart attack without warning. Many many doctors are suffering themselves and they do not have the luxury of time to spend on their own well-being. Hopefully, that will change, but in America we are a highly-stressed nation overall and we do not schedule relaxation into our daily lives frequently enough.
If you wish to have a common CBC panel, or some other type of tests to help determine if you are suffering from diabetes, anemia,allergies, a hormone imbalance, ulcers, infection, stress, prostate concerns, mononuclesis, cardiac panel, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid disease, how your liver, gallbladder, digestion are, or if you are a candidate for cancer, HIV, Hepatitis, or other diseases, you can visit a convenient lab to schedule a simple blood draw. If you just want a fabulous Wellness Analysis you can have that too. Some tests are available as Home Tests and can be done in the comfort of your own home quickly and easily. You have the choice to involve your family medical doctor or to ask questions of the medical doctors who work at the laboratories. They will gladly explain the findings and encourage you to seek medical assistance if necessary.
Since this forum is not meant to be used to advertise any particular business, I cannot give you the names and phone numbers of the participating laboratories. However, if you wish further information you may contact my office directly, or write to me through the website below. 847/836-8345
Stay informed…stay well!
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direct access testing in the statesAlternative Medicine For High Blood Pressure
You are now dead serious – you will do whatever it takes to fight your hypertension. You looked up information for alternative medicines for high blood pressure. There are way too many options for you not to keep your heart rate and blood sugar level normal. There are alternatives for regulating blood pressure which can save your life and there’s no stopping you now. It is time to take action.
To lose weight and to eat healthy is one thing – one major health issue that causes hypertension is obesity. It would take a lot of dedication, patience and discipline to do this but there’s just no way you’re going to let this pass now – the chance to save yourself. Alternative remedies for extremes of blood pressure should be a top priority and you know it.
Stress can cause a lot of bad things to the body – by allowing it to relax, by simply learning some relaxing body techniques you know like meditation, yoga, massage or simply by listening to a soothing music, you are in a way giving alternative medicine for high blood pressure.
By wearing a bracelet made of copper and iron, you can help reduce your pressure levels. Chiropractor treatment and acupuncture won’t hurt at all – literally and figuratively so do them and release a large amount of stress and strain from your heart and body. Herbal medicines and vitamins are also effective alternative medicines for high blood pressure in a way that it can help improve the quality of your life, though not necessarily curing the obvious.
Alternative medicines for stabilizing your blood flow rates are yours to consider and can do wonders to your body, mind and soul. So when you are on your way to the office, why not take the time to take the stairs for a little exercise while pondering on what other treatment you can give your heart?
Lightening Gel For Sensitive Areas – How to Whiten Breasts, Anus, Vagina, Face & Sensitive Areas
Lightening gel for sensitive areas should be mild and effective. Areas such as anal, vagina, breasts should be bleached with soft and nature based ingredients. Usually due to aging, body pressure and other factors, our sensitive areas experiences darkening. In order to promote health and hygiene of our intimate parts we should bleach regularly.
Hydroquinone is the most effective bleaching agent. Most whitening products contain them but it is always advisable to avoid this ingredient for preventing deadly diseases such as leukemia, thyroid disorders and liver damage. FDA bans its usage. There are other harmful constituents such as mercury and steroids which should also be avoided. Generally liquid based products are used for anal and vaginal bleaching because they are light and they get easily absorbed by our skin.
Natural methods to whiten breast, anus, face and other sensitive areas
* A good lifestyle is extremely important for whitening our private areas. Drinking water is must for keeping our skin hydrated which consequently maintains our bowel movement and prevents constipation. A good bowel movement is extremely important for shedding skin complications such as hyper pigmentation, acne, scars, freckles, dark spots etc. You should drink 10-12 glasses of water daily.
* Your skin reflects your habits; you should quit smoking and drinking for attaining a flawless appearance. You should include lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet. They contain anti-oxidants, which can easily flush out toxins from our body.
* Anal, breast and vaginal bleaching needs extreme care. It is advisable to consult a physician before undergoing skin whitening.
* Some of the most effective nature based ingredients for whitening your private areas are Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Kojic Acid, Emblica powder, Lemon juice extract, Licorice extract, Bearberry extract, Mulberry Extract and Vitamin B3.
* Cleansing and moisturizing is extremely important for inhibiting the production of Melanin. You should exfoliate your skin regularly for attaining a flawless complexion.
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anus vaginaHerbal Supplements To Prevent Anemia
Anemia is an abnormal body condition that occurs when either the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood is reduced. Anemia results in a decrease in the ability of the blood to carry oxygen to the cells in the body.
When the cells have poor and inadequate energy, they are unable to perform their normal functions so many important body processes are slowed down and become less efficient. Anemia is a symptom of other problems and is not however considered a disease itself.
The most common cause for having anemia is iron deficiency, which occurs when iron intake is insufficient or when there has been significant blood loss. Anemia is often the first symptom of a myriad of ailments, which include arthritis, infection and major illnesses, like cancer. Chronic inflammation, drug use, hemorrhoids, liver damage, thyroid disorders and dietary deficiencies are a few of the many ailments that can promote anemia.
Among herbs and vegetables, spinach has been commonly used for years to alleviate anemic problems. Spinach has a high iron content, however its chlorophyll content is, perhaps, even more effective in raising the body’s hemoglobin count by building red blood cells. Spinach is a highly nutritious food that is best used to combat fatigue, boost energy levels, increase brain function and reduce age-related, cognitive problems. Spinach is a also a good source of Coenzyme Q-10, whose effects resemble those of vitamin E.
It may be an even be a more powerful antioxidant than vitamin E, since it plays a vital part in the production of energy in every cell of the body. This aids in proper blood circulation, stimulates the immune system, increases tissue oxygenation and has proven anti-ageing effects. It is also said to be beneficial in relieving the temporary symptoms of allergies, asthma, mental function and other associated ailments.
Asparagus root is also an herb high in folic acid, and is essential in the production of new red blood cells, and is very helpful in preventing anemia. Asparagus is an excellent diuretic, since it also acts to increase cellular activity in the kidneys, increasing the rate of urine production.
It also is effective in clearing sediments from the bladder and also aids in dissolving uric acid deposits in the extremities, thereby a good way to treat gout. It is especially useful in bouts of hypertension, where the amount of sodium in the blood far exceeds the present potassium levels.
Aside from the above-mentioned herbs and veggies, it is also advised to have a diet high in iron-rich foods, including eggs, fish, meat, poultry, green leafy vegetables, blackstrap molasses, whole grains, and iron-enriched breads and cereals. Also eat foods high in vitamin C, like citrus fruits and berries, to enhance iron absorption.
Limit consumption of foods containing oxalic acid, including almonds, cashews, chocolate, rhubarb, spinach and most beans. Avoid beer, candy, dairy products and soft drinks. Excessive iron can also be very damaging to liver, heart pancreas and immune system, so do not take extra iron supplements unless directed by a certified physician. Do not smoke also, and try avoiding second-hand smoke.
Prime Herbal – http://primeherbal.com
Female Pattern Baldness
Female Hair Loss
Female hair loss affects a large proportion of women aged between 25 and 40. Figures vary on the exact number and no one can be precise but is reckoned that between 40 and 60% of women are affected. The majority of these women will experience hair loss after childbirth or on cessation of the Pill. Serious accident or illness involving extensive invasive surgery may also trigger the onset of female pattern balding. In either case, this form of hair loss, known as Telogen Effluvium, is usually temporary and given time, the body will recover and normal hair growth will resume.
What is female pattern baldness?
Androgenetic alopecia or female pattern baldness is a genetic form of female hair loss passed on from parent to child. It is similar to male pattern baldness in that its onset is generally slow and predictable but that doesn’t make it any easier for a woman to handle. Much of a woman’s identity, her sense of self is tied up in her hair. Her long flowing locks, her pony or pig tails, her perm or bob cut; it’s what makes her unique, sets her apart from the crowd and gives her a true sense of identity. Losing that identity, losing that sense of self and perception of her own identity can be very damaging indeed.Female pattern baldness, unlike some other forms of female hair loss, tends to get worse over time, unless it is stopped with an effective hair loss treatment.
Whether you are prone to it will depend upon your gene pool. If both your parents carry the hair loss gene then there is a good chance you will suffer from it. If only one parent carries the gene, then there is every chance that you will not suffer from hair loss other than the temporary hair loss referred to above caused through accident or surgery.
What are the symptoms?
Female pattern baldness manifests itself in a very predictable way. There is a standard pattern to it, hence the name. Firstly, you will experience diffuse balding. This involves the loss of a significant number of hairs from all over the scalp. This will thin the hair, in some cases quite drastically.
Hairs will then fall out following the line of your central parting and over time this parting will expand sideways eventually leaving you completely bald.
Is it treatable?
In many cases female pattern baldness is treatable but it is important to catch it early. So, at the first signs of hair loss, book yourself in to a hair clinic for an appraisal by a fully qualified trichologist. There are many company’s out there, offering all sorts of treatments, best advice is to opt for one that uses entirely natural products that will strengthen the hair follicles and stimulate blood flow in the scalp.
What are the other causes of female hair loss?
There are numerous possible causes of female hair loss, some of which are listed below.
1. Stress- Hair loss in women is on the increase and stress is proving to be a significant factor. Acute stress can affect the production of oestrogen and whilst this will not increase the production of testosterone, it will strengthen the effects of testosterone on the body since there is less oestrogen around to defend against it. The testosterone will then target prone hair follicles, restricting their ability to produce hairs and replace the ones that have fallen out.
2. PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome- A malfunction of the ovaries causes them to produce the male sex hormone testosterone rather than the female sex hormone oestrogen. Not only does this lead to hair loss, it also results in the stopping of periods, weight gain, infertility, oily skin, acne and hirsuitism. This condition is treatable with great success, usually involving hormone therapy.
3. Adrenal Tumour- The adrenal gland is responsible for the production of Adrenaline, the fight or flight hormone. A tumour on this gland can cause a change in the make up of this hormone, converting it to testosterone. This then leads to body to react in much the same way as it would to PCOS, producing hair loss and resulting in the stopping of periods, weight gain, infertility, oily skin, acne and hirsuitism. Again this ailment can be treated quite easily and with great success, usually involving hormone therapy and minor surgery.
4. Pregnancy- With pregnancy the body’s oestrogen levels are increased. This has the effect of slowing down the normal hair growth and fall out cycle. Hairs which would normally have stopped growing and fallen out continue to grow while other new ones appear. Whilst this is happening, far from resulting in hair loss, pregnancy will actually make your hair appear thicker and more lustrous and as long as you stay healthy during your pregnancy, this hair growth pattern will continue.
Hair loss from pregnancy results after the birth of your child. What happens is your hormone levels change again and those hairs that have been growing for longer than they otherwise would, begin to fall out. This can sometimes happen very quickly with hair coming out by the handful. The key is not to panic, this is quite natural and you can rest assured that the faster your old hairs fall out, the quicker new ones will grow in their place.
Most women find that by the time their baby is a year old, all their hair loss worries are over and they have been restored to a full head of healthy hair. It is only about one in a thousand women who experience hair regrowth problems and this is usually down to other health issues like poor circulation, anaemia or stress.
5. Miscarriage or Termination- On a physical level, the body does not distinguish between miscarriage or termination and a pregnancy that has gone to full term. It will react in the same way with the process sped up should a termination or miscarriage take place after 3 months of pregnancy.
6. The Pill- For the length of time that a woman is taking the Pill, the effects on hair loss and hair condition are minimal. Some increased oiliness but that’s about it. It’s the process of starting or stopping the Pill that causes an interference in the hormonal balance and therefore an interference in the hair growth and fall cycle.
During the first three months of taking the Pill, the body is adapting to its new hormone levels. This can result in some women experiencing greater hair loss whilst others experience greater hair retention and growth. For the three months or so after the cessation of the Pill, the body will react in much the same way as it does after pregnancy.
Some adverse reactions to the Pill might be diffuse hair loss together with acne and an increase in body hair. If these symptoms occur, change to a pill based on ethinoestradiol.
7. Anaemia - Diffuse hair loss can result from low blood pressure, poor circulation, lack of iron and low ferritin levels. Hairs might become lighter and finer, more brittle and prone to breakage. This can usually be diagnosed through a blood test and treated within a few months with iron supplements and regular head massage to treat poor circulation.
8. Menopause - Women who have reached the menopause will find that their hair will gradually thin and become finer in texture. This is just a natural part of the aging process. For most women, in good general health though, a good diet and the maintenance of a decent level of personal fitness and good scalp circulation should be enough to slow down their hair loss and keep it under control.
For those who have previously suffered with hair loss, the menopause can be a time when this issue becomes more noticeable and problematic. In this case it may help to undertake HRT. Hormone replacement therapy has been proven to help maintain and improve hair growth in menopausal women but you must seek medical advice since HRT can have some quite severe side effects on some women.
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how is female pattern baldness passed on in women,slowing down female pattern baldnessImportant Factors That Influence Results of Blood Tests
Each blood collection situation is unique. A competent phlebotomist must not only possess the technical skills necessary to collect a quality specimen, but must also understand the numerous patient variables, complications, and procedural errors that can affect the integrity of the specimen or the health and safety of the patient to avoid or reduce any negative impact.
Factors Include:
Age
Some physiologic functions such as kidney function decrease with age in adults. For example, creatinine clearance, a kidney function test, is directly related to the age of the patient, which must be used in calculating test results.
Diet
Some laboratory tests are affected by ingestion of certain foods, which must be eliminated from the diet for several days before the test specimen is collected. For example, some methods that detect occult (hidden) blood in stool specimens also detect similar substances in meat and certain vegetables. Therefore a special diet that eliminates these foods must be followed for several days before the specimen is collected.
Fluid intake can also affect blood composition. Excessive fluid intake may cause decreased Hgb levels and alter electrolyte balance. Consumption of caffeine has been demonstrated to affect cortisol levels. Recent alcohol ingestion may also affect test values, especially glucose values.
Altitude
Decreased oxygen content of the air at higher altitudes causes the body to produce more RBC’s to fulfill the body’s oxygen requirements; the higher the altitude, the I greater the increase. Thus RBC counts and related determinations such as hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit (Hct) will have higher normal ranges at higher elevations.
Daily Variations
Many blood constituents exhibit daily variations or normal fluctuations throughout the day. Factors that play a role in daily variations include activity, eating, daylight and darkness, and being awake or asleep. White blood counts, eosinophil counts, and iron levels are lower in the morning than in the afternoon. Cortisol, insulin, potassium, and testosterone levels are highest in the morning. Daily variations can be large. For example, cortisol levels and iron levels can differ by 50% or more between 8 AM and 4 PM.
Dehydration
Dehydration (a decrease in total body fluid) that occurs with persistent vomiting or diarrhea, for example, causes hemconcentration, a condition in which blood components that cannot easily leave the blood stream become concentrated as a result of the smaller plasma volume. Hemconcentration falsely increases some blood components such as RBCs, enzymes, iron, calcium, and sodium. In addition, it is often difficult to obtain a blood specimen from a dehydrated patient.
Fever
Fever affects the levels of a number of hormones. Hypoglycemia caused by fever increases insulin levels followed by a rise in glucagon levels. Fever also increases cortisol levels and may disrupt its normal diurnal variation.
Drug Therapy
Many drugs alter physiologic functions. In most instances, the effect is desired. In some individuals, however, there are unwanted physiologic effects called side effects or sensitivities. For’ example, thiazide diuretics often cause increased calcium levels and may cause low potassium levels. Chemotherapy drugs often cause a decrease in the cells of the blood, especially WBCs and platelets. Numerous drugs are toxic to the liver, causing an increase in liver enzymes such as serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (aspartate transaminase), alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase- (LDH/LD). Steroids and diuretics can cause pancre’atitis and an increase in serum amylase and lipase values.
Drugs may also interfere with the performance of the test in the laboratory, causing false increases or decreases in test results. Many lab test procedures are based on fluorescent, chromogenic (color-producing), peroxide-generating, or reagent-binding reactions. A drug may compete with the test reagents for the substance being tested causing a false-negative or false low result, or the drug may enhance the reaction, causing a false-positive or false high result. An acronym used for substances that interfere with the testing process is CRUD, which stands for “compounds reacting unfortunately as desired.” The College of American Pathologists (CAP) has developed guidelines for reducing interference from drugs that are known to interfere with testing procedures.
Drugs known to interfere with urine testing should be avoided for 48 to 72 hours before urine sample collection. It is up to the physician to recognize or eliminate drug interferences; however, it is helpful to the technician or technologist performing the test in the laboratory if the phlebotomist notes on the lab slip when he or she observes medication being administered just before blood collection.
Smoking
Nicotine affects a number of blood components. The extent of the effect depends upon the number of cigarettes smoked. Patients who smoke before specimen collection may have increased cortisol levels and white blood counts. Chronic smoking often leads to decreased pulmonary function and increased hemoglobin levels.
Exercise
The effect of exercise on blood composition depends upon the duration and intensity of the activity and the physical condition of the patient. However, even moderate muscular activity will elevate levels of a number of blood components, such as lactic acid, creatinine, protein, and certain enzymes. Levels of these substances return to normal soon after the activity is stopped, with the exception of enzymes such as creatine kinase and LDH, which may remain elevated 24 hours or more.
Gender
A patient’s gender or sex has a determining effect on the concentration of numerous blood components. Most differences are apparent only after sexual maturity. Differences are reflected in separate normal values for male and female patients. For example, RBC, Hgb, and Hct normal values are higher for males than females.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy causes physiologic changes in many body systems. Consequently, results of a number of laboratory tests must be compared to normal ranges established for pregnant populations. For example, body fluid increases, which are normal during pregnancy, have a diluting effect on the red blood cells, leading to lower red blood counts.
Stress
Emotional stress in the form of fear or anxiety has been shown to cause short-lived elevations in WBC counts, decreases in serum iron, and increases in adrenal hormone values. For example, studies on crying infants demonstrated marked increases in WBC counts. Counts returned to normal within 1 hour after crying stopped. For this reason, it is best if complete blood count (CBC) or WBC specimens are obtained after the infant has been sleeping or resting quietly for at least 30 minutes. If a specimen is collected while an infant is crying, it should be noted on the report.
The field of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) deals with the study of interactions between the rain, the endocrine system, and the immune system. PNI studies have demonstrated that receptors on the cell membrane of WBC’s can sense stress in a person and react by stimulating an increase in cell numbers.
Position
A patient’s body position both before and during venipuncture influences blood composition. Going from a supine (lying down on the back) position to standing causes the water or plasma portion of the blood to filter into the tissues, resulting in a decrease in plasma volume and an increase in nonfilterable elements, or substances such as proteins, iron, calcium, and blood cells, that cannot easily pass through the walls of the blood vessels. For example, the RBC count on a patient who has been standing for approximately 15 minutes will be higher than the basal state RBC on the same patient.
Basel State
The ideal time to collect blood from a patient is when the patient is in a basal state.
Basal state is the condition of the body when a patient has refrained from strenuous exercise and has not ingested food or beverage except water for 12 hours (fasting). Collecting a basal state specimen minimizes or eliminates the effects of diet, exercise, and other controllable factors on test results and also provides the ideal specimen for establishing reference ranges or normal values for laboratory tests on inpatients.
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factors that influence blood results,plasma sodium lab testHealthy Foods That Can Help You Control Your Blood Pressure
If you find your blood pressure has risen, do not panic. There are many foods that can be removed or added to your diet that will help get the numbers back in control. Stress plays an important factor in blood pressure, so the most important thing is to not worry yourself into a panic that will definitely make the blood pressure rise.
Blood pressure is linked to heart disease, so it is important to get your blood pressure readings under control. This is especially true if your cholesterol readings are also high.
Foods to restrict:
The first thing to do is cut salt from your diet. Many meats, fruits, and vegetables contain natural sodium, so they already add salt to your diet. Avoid adding additional salt to your diet. Sodium allows vessels to expand. This increases the amount of blood flowing throughout the body, hence the raised blood pressure reading.
If you find the reduced levels of salt alter your enjoyment of food, use herbs for seasonings. Thyme, oregano, dill, marjoram, rosemary, and tarragon can all add loads of flavor to any meal. Mrs. Dash, a no-salt additive, uses lemon and orange peel as well and can be very useful in flavoring food.
Cut back the amounts of saturated fats. These can add weight to your body, which in turn can raise blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels. Stay away from cheese, butter, fatty meats, and processed foods.
Cutting meats from a diet has been proven to drop blood pressure readings by up to 2.8 points. Beef, pork, veal, and liver can all be high in saturated fats. Chicken breast and turkey breast are better options.
Add these foods:
Potassium is an important mineral. It helps regulate the water that is able to flow through the blood vessels. High blood pressure restricts the amount of water so you need to balance it out. Bananas, avocados, grapefruit, potatoes, squash, and tomatoes are all potassium rich. Add these to your diet.
Foods rich in calcium and magnesium also help with high blood pressure. Add sardines, spinach, tofu, all beans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds (also called pepitas), skim milk, soymilk, and fat free yogurts. You can use many items from this list to put together a quick breakfast shake. Mix some frozen fruit with yogurt, skim milk, or soymilk, add a touch of honey or the herb stevia, and blend until creamy. Add some flax seed oil for additional health benefits.
Increase all fruit and vegetable servings. Tomatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, mushrooms, asparagus, broccoli, and cauliflower are only a sampling of the vegetables that can help reduce blood pressure readings. Oranges, strawberries, melons, and blueberries are great additions to your diet because of their high levels of vitamins and minerals.
Seafood, especially salmon, is rich in good cholesterol. You should add seafood to your diet immediately. Poached salmon with fresh vegetables is a quick and easy meal that will go a long way in helping lower blood pressure readings.
A high blood pressure reading is scary, but it does not have to mean your world is coming to an end. Taking a proactive stance and changing your diet is a great way to get your blood pressure under control.
4 Main Areas Chiropractors Work On
Chiropractors can work on pain anywhere in the body, and have. However, there are 4 main areas of the body that chiropractors work on more than any other. Let’s take a look at those areas to understand why.
1. Back. The back supports the body via the spine, and is probably the most versatile part of the body. At the same time it’s also the area of the body under the most stress from all the body’s activity. The problem with back pain is that many times you can’t see where the problems are with an x-ray or any other traditional methods. Chiropractors can not only find where back pain comes from that other methods may not reveal, but they can also align your body by manipulating those areas that can be determined by other methods.
2. Neck. Neck injuries are bothersome because we’re used to just turning our heads for most things, and when we injure our neck suddenly we find we have to turn our entire body to see things around us. The neck is also at the top of the spine and has areas such as the Atlas bone which can fall out of alignment and cause great pain.
3. Legs. We’ve heard the children’s song about the leg bone being connected to the hip bone, but the reality is that a lot of pain can be produced in many areas of the body because of just one leg being misaligned, and often it’s misaligned at the hip. This could require surgery if there’s deterioration, but if it’s still relatively healthy a chiropractor can not only align things but then recommend exercises to help strengthen the muscles around the area.
4. Joints. The joints are easy to diagnose because everyone knows where the pain is and it’s easy to see restricted movement because of the pain. It’s an area where treatments are both easy and hard at the same time because there could be a host of factors affecting mobility of the joints. Some joints will affect the pain in other areas of the body, such as knee and ankle pain, because movements change that alter how you feel elsewhere.