Common High Altitude Illnesses

High altitude places a range of different strains on our body. First of all it means we are dealing with low air pressure which has a vacuum like effect on our body and our fluids, then there is the vertigo caused by heights, then there’s the cold, and then there’s the low oxygen resulting in breathing difficulties and hyperventilation.
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All of these problems lead to a condition known as ‘AMS’ or ‘acute mountain sickness’ which is a spectrum disorder that ranges from mild to life threatening. Here we will look at some of the symptoms of AMS as well as some of the symptoms to help prepare you for mountain trekking and other high altitude adventures.
AMS
AMS affects different people differently, with age and gender seeming to have little impact on the severity. Common symptoms include headaches, nausea, dizziness and feinting. The easiest way to describe the condition is to liken it to a hangover, and it is likely to kick in at around 7,500 feet.
HAPE
HAPE is an acronym for ‘High Altitude Pulmonary Edema’. HAPE is a result of fluid building up in the lungs and this causes fatigue and a shortness of breath along with a dry, chesty cough. The lack of oxygen (hypoxia) can then result in a bluing of the lips and nails. It is highly important that someone suffering with HAPE receive medical attention, or the fluid buildup can continue ultimately suffocating the sufferer.
HACE
HACE is ‘High Altitude Cerebral Edema’, and describes the brain ‘swelling’ due to a disruption of the blood brain barrier. This results in an awkward gait and lack of coordination, along with impaired thinking, sleepiness, stupor and ultimately stupor. HACE often follows HAPE and is likely to occur 12 hours to three days after.
HAFE
HAFE stands for ‘High Altitude Flatus Explosion’ and is characterized by the sudden and powerful expulsion of colonic gas. The reason of course is the expansion of air in which is caused by the decreased atmospheric pressure. This can in some cases be painful, though it is not in itself dangerous.
Other Conditions
A range of conditions may be worsened by high altitude. For instance if you already have breathing conditions from asthma to emphysema then you need to pay particular attention to the symptoms of altitude sickness. Meanwhile heart arrhythmias, artery disease, pregnancy, sickle cell trait and more can all be adversely affected.
Treatment
The best form of treatment is of course to remove yourself from high altitude. However there are also supplementary forms of treatment, and coping strategies that can be used in the interim. Of course carrying oxygen is a wise move, while at the same time medications such as Diamox can be useful (available by prescription only).
When in high altitude it is important to avoid the consumption of alcohol and caffeine to avoid triggering the conditions. Fluid intake should be increased (to around 3 or 4 liters a day) and you should make sure to minimize exertion. If mild headaches occur then you can use paracetamol and ibuprofen (the latter also helps to reduce swelling), but you should not ignore more pronounced symptoms.

Leaky Gut Syndrome: Dietary and Lifestyle Recommendations

Leaky gut syndrome is a suggested condition caused by damage to the bowel lining – ‘suggested’ meaning that it is not a recognized diagnosis and that it is rather discussed in the realm of alternative medicine.
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The theory behind leaky gut syndrome is that gut wall has become increasingly permeable due to being subjected to a high number of toxins, unhealthy foods and medications. This then allows various elements to pass through the gut and to thus affect the body abnormally – perhaps leading to an immune response or perhaps affecting the body directly. The idea is that macroscopic undigested proteins and fats ‘leak’ through the intestines and into the blood stream.
Here we will look at whether such a condition is likely to have any truth behind it, and how to moderate diet and behavior accordingly.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of leaky gut syndrome (also sometimes called ‘increased intestinal permeability’) are supposed to be caused by a gastrointestinal autoimmune responsive. These are thought to include excess gas, fatigue, sensitivity to food, pain, and skin rashes. Like many ‘alternative’ diagnoses however, the condition has been credited with a whole host of conditions and used to explain everything from lupus, to asthma, to diabetes to autism.
Is Leaky Gut Syndrome Real?
The question is though, is there any truth behind these claims? The answer is most likely not, particularly when you look at the lack of logic in the explanation. Proponents of the theory claim that whole pieces of un-digested food passes through ‘holes’ in the gut. However all the foods are broken down into particles very early in the digestive process – normally around the duodenum which is the first part of the small intestines. In other words, even if the intestines were to leak, there would be very little in there that was larger than the molecules intended to pass through. And it’s more complicated than all that too – you see absorption takes place via the villi which are tiny ‘projections’ of the mucous membrane (not ‘holes’). The nutrients pass through the epithelial cells via the inner lining of the villi and enter the capillaries through there. The villi themselves are covered by an outer layer of epithelium which food has to pass through to gain entry and the epithelium itself is composed of many cells. These have ‘selective permeability’ which means they only allow some substances through (which isn’t based on size). The epithelium is also composed of several layers of cells which rejuvenate themselves constantly. So it’s unlikely that there would ever be large ‘holes’ permanently penetrating through them all. Meanwhile the capillary walls themselves are only one-cell thick – so even if there were holes in the gut, the toxins probably wouldn’t make it through into the blood stream.
In short them, the ‘leaky gut’ theory relies on a very simplified explanation of the way that the digestive system works and is not grounded in reality. It is highly unlikely then to hold any real value. Apart from anything else, if large molecules were able to pass into the blood stream, then we’d surely have far more than a few toxins in there.
Solution
If you are experiencing the symptoms of leaky gut syndrome, then it is likely that this has a different and scientifically sound explanation. While the diet changes recommended by alternative practitioners shouldn’t cause you any harm, you should make sure to get checked over by your GP as well and to certainly follow their advice.

A Cure for Arthritis That Works

Arthritis is something that can severely affect your quality of life, characterised by chronic pain in the joints and with no cure it can affect you 24 hours of the day and prevent you from being able to do the things you enjoy. In the US it is the most common cause of disability (more than 20 million people
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suffer from it to the point of disability). In severe cases arthritis might also lead to the loss of feeling in the fingers or feet, nerve damage and severe deformity of the affected and surrounding joints. Over time he condition gets worse, meaning the prognosis is poor for most sufferers. Of course all this means that arthritis patients make the perfect targets for some of the bottom feeders on the internet promising miracle cures and trying to sell expensive e-books (I’m looking at you ‘I Cured My Arthritis You Can Too’) through a series of lies and false-promises. Many of these claim to work through a new type of diet, but as arthritis is the result of either physical trauma to the joint or an infection the majority of the time there is no way this would affect your pain. The minute a ‘cure’ claims that ‘doctors do not want you to know about it’ then you can be sure it will not work.

The truth is unfortunately that there is no ‘cure’ for arthritis as such, though there are some important things to realise about the condition and in some cases the pain can be prevented or stopped depending on the precise situation.
Perhaps surprisingly, there are actually over 100 forms of arthritis. The most common of these is osteoarthritis which occurs as a result of trauma to the joint, wear and tear through age, or infection of the joint (septic arthritis is also cased by infection). Other forms are rheumatoid, psoriatic, autoimmune disease and more. All of which are a result of the body’s immune system attacking itself.
Most often this will manifest itself in the hand or wrist, or in the legs, back or spine. The main symptom then other than pain in these areas is the inability to use the hand or to walk. It might also be accompanied by malaise, weight loss, poor sleep, muscle ache and general tenderness. The area is also likely to swell up and become inflamed, which then exacerbates the problem further as the bones rub against each other more. Over time continued use of the affected muscle will cause it to wear away and so deteriorate. This can also lead to other complications such as nerve damage, trapped nerves, carpal tunnel syndrome and muscle loss.
As such the normal treatments are nothing more than painkillers and often anti-inflammatory drugs to bring down the swelling. The drugs prescribed will be likely to get stronger as the condition becomes more painful. In the case of other specific forms of arthritis such as autoimmune disease then immunosuppresesants can be used to limit the damage caused by the immune system, while disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and antibiotics can be used to fight infection.
One treatment however that is used can be considered a cure is arthroplasty, which is surgery to completely replace the joint. In cases of osteoarthritis this painful procedure can completely eliminate the problem by replacing the damaged joint with a new smoother one that will not grind itself away or become swollen. This is the only ‘cure’ that could work in such cases but is highly invasive. An orthopaedic brace can also be used to help with posture, position, weight bearing and/or to limit movement.
Other than surgery and medication you will be recommended to partake in some form of physiotherapy and/or exercise. This will help to gently smooth the joint and to strengthen the muscle around it which can take some of the pressure off and improve movement. Often exercise will be performed under water, particularly in warm water, which is creates no impact and also soothes the joint enabling it to move more easily. Exercise in general is recommended as is weight loss where this could be a contributory factor.
Unfortunately these are the closest things you are likely to find to a ‘cure’ at the moment and there is no silver bullet for what is a serious and long lasting condition. The only alternative advice is to learn to live with the pain which many doctors will tell you. This sounds harsh and unsympathetic, but at the end of the day you do not have much other choice unless you want to focus on the suffering. Remember that pain is only there to indicate to you a problem – acknowledge this and realise that as there’s nothing you can do for the problem you would be better to just continue with your daily behaviour and commitments. The only cure that really works? Mental hardiness.

Pain in hip After Sitting

Joint inflammation is an excruciating interminable condition that lamentably has no cure and influences a mess of individuals. There are over 100 sorts of joint pain, numerous with distinctive reasons. Rheumatoid joint inflammation for instance is initiated by the figure's own insusceptible framework ambushing the joints, while osteoarthritis is created by harm to joints that brings about them rubbing together and "grinding" down over the long haul. This then causes further harm to the joint which brings about agony when the joint is moved, and also swelling and 

aggravation that makes them pound more, or is created by a tainting in the joint. Gout in the mean time is brought on by a manufacture of uric harsh corrosive which winds up crystallising and structuring stores around the joints that reason torment and solidness.
Joint pain can happen in numerous places, however a standout amongst the most uncomfortable and offensive is in the hip. Shockingly as a rule there will be small you can do to dispense with that hip torment.
Some essential guidelines however are not to sit in the same put for long times of time as this will make the hip get stiffer and to seize up to a degree. Attempt to remain decently dynamic and determine when you are sitting to change your position consistently.
It is additionally vital to keep the muscles around the awful joint as solid as could be allowed as this will help take a portion of the weight off of your terrible hip and will help your development in that joint to be smoother and steadier. Obviously the issue here is that practicing the zone is prone to reason torment subsequently making a sort of endless loop and bringing about muscle misfortune that makes the issue more regrettable. In instances of osteoarthritis then development might hurt the joint more.
Restricted to diminish the ache throughout practice then is to submerge the hip in warm water and to practice there. This can help take away the ache and for the most part enhance development. Swimming is an extraordinary practice that has no effect on the joints.
Provided that you are encountering swelling then you may as well attempt to diminish this impact, either by utilizing mitigating drug (Ibuprofen has some calming lands) or utilizing an ice pack or rise. Provided that you see a specialist they can give you solution for this reason as well as additional compelling painkillers. They may likewise have the capacity to get you a prop that can hold the joint set up, avoiding terrible development or serve to manage a portion of the weight. Your last choice is surgery, and in a few cases by swapping the hip this can stop the dad

Reduce Your Risk of Arthritis and Joint Pain

Arthritis is a common and general term for inflamed joints. There is no cure for many forms of arthritis; however, some forms can be brought under control. Arthritis and some forms of joint pain are hereditary. If a close relative suffers from it, then there is a high chance that you will be more likely to suffer from it at some point in your life. Although thought to affect mostly seniors, joint pain can strike at any time in our life. The good news is that there are things that we can do to lower the risk of our suffering from arthritis or joint pain, now and in the future.

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Avoid high heels – Keeping your heel height to 2 inches or less for every day wear may help to minimize the risk of joint pain in later life, by lessening the strain on your knees. Keep your high heels for special occasions only.
Lose weight if you need to – Shedding some extra pounds can help to reduce the stress on your joints. When you are walking, the load being carried on your knees increases by four times your body weight. This means that if you are just 5 pounds overweight, you are carrying an extra 20 pounds on your knees when you walk.
Eat an apple a day – Make sure that you keep the peel on the apple, as it is the peel that contains antioxidants – five times more than the flesh of the apple. Antioxidants can help to reduce inflammation and joint pain. Eat more of the other food groups that are high in antioxidants to further lessen the risk.
Eat olives – Olives contain hydroxytyrosol. This extract is ten times higher in joint relieving antioxidants that that found in vitamin C.
Take supplements – Taking a daily supplement can help to reduce the risk of joint pain, and minimize the risk of developing it in later life. A combination of omega-3 and glucosamine has been found to be more effective than taking glucosamine alone (always consult your doctor before taking supplements).
Cut down on running – Especially if you usually run along pavements, which can increase the pressure on your knees and other joints. Cycling burns the same amount of calories, and is a lower impact exercise. If you really must run, then try to find a running track to practice on, or alternate daily with a low impact exercise such as walking and swimming.
Exercise – However, exercise in general will help encourage your body to produce natural oils and lubricants to help prevent the joints wearing down. Ensure then that you do swim, walk or cycle.