Weekly Medical Tips

There has been a recent DNA test done on the fish that the consumer thinks they are buying or eating and receiving a different specie.

This news is astounding, due to some of the risk associated with certain species of fish. Women who are at child bearing ages, pregnant, and children should not intake mercury. Certain fish have high levels of mercury and they are: shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish. Mercury can affect the development of an unborn baby or a young child's nervous system. 

What is Mercury or Methylmercury?  

Mercury occurs naturally and is released into the air by industrial pollution and falls into streams and oceans. Then it is turned into methylmercury and fish absorb it while they feed and it builds up in the fish. The build up amount depends on the specie of the fish and what they eat. Larger fish contain higher levels, due to being around longer. Humans also can accumulate methylmercury  in their blood stream some is removed naturally, but it can take years to see a significant drop. This is the reason that warnings about certain fish puts a women in child bearing years at risk.

To find out more about what fish to eat and stay away from here is a link from FDA and the EPA.

http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/Product-SpecificInformation/Seafood/FoodbornePathogensContaminants/Methylmercury/ucm115644.htm

http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/fishshellfish/fishadvisories/index.cfm

EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency). (October 6, 2011). What You Need to Know about Mercury in Fish and Shellfish. Retrieved October 29, 2011, from http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/fishshellfish/outreach/advice_index.cfm#what

Weekly Medical Tips

A new test to detect Down Syndrome without amniocentesis

Many pregnant women fear when they are told that they have to get an amniocentesis, due to the risks associated with the test. Amniocentesis requires a needle to be inserted into the sac of the baby and fluid is drawn, and then tested with a 100% accuracy for Down Syndrome. This test can cause miscarriages, infections and trauma to the baby. A new blood test is being developed, which can detect down syndrome. The blood test recognizes an extra chromosome 21 within the DNA of the blood that is associated with Down Syndrome. The blood test is given at the 11th week of pregnancy with a 100% accuracy. The blood test will be available within a year.

Here is a link for more information http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43360386/ns/health-pregnancy/t/blood-test-down-syndrome-creates-ethical-debate/#.TqLdMDBDHfI

Modern Pregnancy Tips. (March 2011). New Blood Test for Down Syndrome May Replace Amniocentesis. Retrieved October 22, 2011, from  http://www.modernpregnancytips.com/prenatal-testing/new-blood-test-for-down-syndrome-may-replace-amniocentesis/

Weekly Medical Tips

Can your fingernails tell you if you have a disease?

A healthy nail should be smooth and have a half moon (circle) where the nail grows. The area is called "lunula." Many illnesses can be detected by the appearance of the fingernail. Beau's line crosses the nail and not with the growth of the nail. It starts  at the lunula and grows out with the nail. This may be a signs of syphilis, diabetes, heart disease, vascular disease, zinc deficiency, high fevers and chemotherapy.  Spoon shaped nails can be associated with iron deficiency, and the ends of  the fingers can grow into clubs with lung, heart, cirrhosis and thyroid diseases. Yellow nails can be a sign of lung disease and AIDS. Nails that are white or light pink and narrow with pink band at the end of the fingernail called " Terry's nails" can be a sign of diabetes, cirrhosis and heart failure.

Perry, A,. M.D. (2011). Fingernails Predict Health. The DR. Oz Show. Retrieved October 14, 2011, from  http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/arthur-perry-md-facs/fingernails-predict-your-health

Weekly Medical Tips

Pancreatic Cancer the 4th most deadly disease.

Chat me more researched this dreadful disease, after Steve Jobs passed away from Pancreatic cancer.  Steve Jobs lived with this disease for 7 years. The form of his disease was treatable and slow growing, but it also killed Patrick Swayze two years  ago. Jobs thought he was cured after surgery in 2004. Unfortunately, the disease returned 5 years later and he had lost weight and had a liver transplant. The reason for his passing is that his disease probably spread. A liver transplant sometimes can cure the form of cancer that Jobs had. Originally he was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumor and had surgery, which lead him to believe that he was cured.

The pancreas is a vital organ as our heart is.The pancreas is fish shaped and makes digestive enzymes, insulin and hormones that make energy for the body from food. In the United States 44,030 will be diagnosed with it and 37,660 will die this year in the U.S. according to the American Cancer Society. Pancreatic cancer has declined in numbers within the last 15 to 25  years due to less smokers, but those numbers changed in 2002 to 2007 by a 1 percent increase. 

Symptoms:

1.  fatigue
2. back pain
3. abdominal pain
4. weight loss
5. loss of appetite
6. jaundice
7. nausea

The cancer is usually not found until it's in advanced stages or has

spread. The survival rate is grim, 20% the first year and only 4 % after five years.

Men are at more risk than women and smokers have 2 to 3x the risk of developing the disease.  Obese people and non-exercisers are at risk of developing disease. Alcohol does play a factor heavy drinking can lead to diabetes, liver and pancreatic problems. A vaccine is in the making and hopefully will be in the future for this lethal disease.

Marchione, M. ( October 7, 2011). Pancreatic cancer 4th most deadly, treatment few. SFGate. Retrieved October 7, 2011, from  http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/10/07/national/a145842D53.DTL