living long
Even
as I am interested in longevity our patients are also interested
whether they know it or not and as health care providers the onus
is on us to inject this aspect of care so as to enhance the quality
of life of people every where, if not only in our practice.

Even
as when a task is proving difficult its likely that something
is being done wrong so too often disease is in the majority is
linked to life styles that merit restructuring ..the grief , pain
and expenses can be enormously lessened ; though it will cost
something its cheeper than the alternative even as a can of tomato
juice is less than a pack of cigarettes. The arena of preventive
health care has much much more to offer man and society than the
heroics of surgery and the challenges of intensive care or cancer
treatments. Citing each and every disease as from the very pit
of hell its with Christian fervor that violent roll back of these
maladies is the focus of this page in the spiritual as well as
natural .
....Serious
pearls of current understanding are presented here- --not fads or whims as many embark on, but measures
that stand up to light and study.
Firstly
lets present Gods desires as from His word its clear that as surely
as good health and prosperity is His wish, even as our soul prospers
--so is long life and
length of days ( and
not just three scores and ten)!!
Genesis 6 :3 ¶ And the LORD
said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he
also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and
twenty years.
Psalms 91: 15 He shall call upon
me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him, and honour him. 16 With
long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
Proverbs 3-1 ¶ My son, forget
not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 2 For length of days, and long life, and
peace, shall they add to thee. 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake
thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine
heart: 4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the
sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge
him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 ¶ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart
from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy
bones. 9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits
of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty,
and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. 11 My son, despise
not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the
son in whom he delighteth.----------focus
on Gods word is likely to translate in temple care ie. mind
body and soul.
Medicine and Science -suggest major
cause of death in decreasing order include
1. Tobacco
2. diet / activity pattern
3. alcohol .
4. microbial agents
5.toxic agents
6. firearms
7. sexual behavior
8. motor vehicles
9. illicit use of drugs
---- likely not a surprising list
but already suggesting morally conscious persons could alter significantly
these statistics
Actual DISEASE cause of death in
decreasing order has been cited as
1. diseases of the heart (31.4%)
2. malignant neoplasm, including
neoplasms of lymphatic and hematopoietic tissues (23%)
3. cerebrovascular diseases. (6.9%)
4. COPD and allied conditions (4.9%)
5. accidents ( with motor vehicle
related ~50% ) (8%)
6. Pneumonia and influenza (3.7%)
8. Suicide
9. nephritis, nephrotic syndrome
10. Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis
11. alzheimers disease
12. Septicemia .
13. Homicide and legal intervention
14 HIV infection . (0.7%)
15. Atherosclerosis (0.7%)
16. all other causes(~15%)
Confronting the major factors -its been recently determined
that HEALTH can be viewed as determined by 5 factors; genetic
, behavioral choice , medical care , physical environment and
social circumstances . Obviously some of these factors are more
amenable to change than others.
tobacco; aside from promoting
lung cancer cigarette smoking is a culprit in cancers of bladder,
cervix , esophagus, kidneys , larynx, mouth and pancreas. Death
resulting from coronary heart disease (CHD), chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) , and cerbrovascular disease are attributable
to smoking We need to continue to confront
and encourage cessation in our patients with utilization of nicotine
replacements , and support therapy with agents like bupropion..
That significant harm is gendered by passive smoking need to be
relayed to smokers.
Improper diet and Inactivity; Obesity and lack of exercise is quite a scrounge
for this generation . excess weight is a factor in CHD, type 2
diabetes mellitus , cancers of breast , colon , endometrium and
prostate. Other factors as dyslipidemia and hypertension are risk
factors for stroke as is diabetes. advise to people especially
in limiting fat and calorie intake is important .Fruits and vegetables
need be ~ 5 servings per day and wheat and grain type foods 6
servings per day .The benefit of canola or olive oil verses other
oils will lead to other advise in this area. More fresh water
fish and chicken with sparing red meat in diet is again areas
of solid advise. Supplement of folic acid , Calcium , Vit E are
good areas to track .
Exercise even 15 minutes daily will
help control weight and is associated with 45% reduction in the
risk of dying from coronary heart disease.
Drugs & Alcohol
-some lethal consequences associated with illicit drugs include
accidental injuries, overdose ,suicide ,drug related violence.
Cocaine can trigger cardiac arrhythmias and myocardial infarction
as well as cerebrovascular accidents.Intravenous drug uses are
susceptible to bacterial endocardditis , chronic glomerulonephritis
, hepatitis, hiv infection and increased infant mortality .....Similarly
alcohol plays its death role in increased intentional and accidental
injuries, assorted cancers, cirrhosis, and hemorrhagic strokes.
Generally
temperate drinking has cardiovascular benefits ; temperate meaning
< 15 points alcohol per week where
1 measure of hard alcohol is 1=point
, 1 beer=2 points . bottle wine =6 points
Red wine is a good choice as
low in calories and felt to contain antioxidants that help prevent
CHD.
Infectious disease -HIV
, hepatitis mainly contracted via illicit sex or needle sharing
activities. Hepatitis immunization is available and strongly
encouraged for above groups as well as medical personnel, Its
heartening to see this being implemented in childhood immunizations.
Influenza , and pneumonia also have immunization
options and certainly in aged population , diabetic, or immune
compromised that have relative high potential for succumbing to
these infections , then immunization is strongly encouraged.
Trauma & suicide
-Motor vehicles are a source of calamity for pedestrians and passengers
alike . Obeying traffic rules especially in regards to speeding
and dangerously driving need to be more stringently enforced-not only in 30mph zones where only peoples pride
is hurt and total hatred for law enforcement is often fostered
if not nurtured. ---and not after the fact of tragic and serious
accidents , but
more on the playing field ( road )- as the foul occurs .
Lap and shoulder strap use is estimated
to lower the risks of fatality by 45-65%. Young toddlers are best
strapped in back seat . Bike and bicyclist need protective helmets
and encouraged to avoid vehicular traffic as much as feasible.
Around the home smoke detectors , carbon
monoxide detectors , fences around swimming pool , child proof
locks for cabinets with toxic substances . Fall avoidance measures
for the elderly can include , night lights , bathroom support
rails , less loose rugs, cords or carpets . Pharmoctheraphy need
evaluation constantly for potentials to affect balance and maneuverability
.
Adults should learn cardio-pulmonary
resuscitation and action to deal with choking victims.
Fire arms as a source of death and tragedy
occurs far too often -a gun in the home has more potentials of
self injury than for protection- in any event store gun unloaded
with bullets in separate lock up with only adult access. Many
suicides are via home armory.
Cancer Prevention Strategies-:Early detection to limit morbidity and mortality
is still important , but now you can offer more than screening
. Evidence is accumulating that behavioral choices and the use
of chemopreventive agents can lower cancer risks. Avoidance of
carcinogens in air , water and food are good ideas though not
always practical .
Many cancers go through early stages
that may take years to develop into full blown cancers --dysplasia
or adenomatous polyps in colon cancer , microscopic tumours in
prostate cancer , and possibly ductal cancer in breast .Other
premalignant lesions includes cervical dysplasia, leukoplakia,
and atrophic gastritis. -- detection at this stage with more definitive
treatment management is another God send option .
Diet has been estimated to account for
up to 80% of cancers of the breast , prostate and bowels . Vegetables, Vegetables Vegetables is a good song
to keep humming . Changing the diet
by increasing the servings of fruit and vegetables, decreasing
fat , adding fibre , including foods such as soy , fish, olive
oil and green tea.
---a list of recommendations that may
help your patients prevent cancers and live healthier includes
- Eat 4-5 servings non starchy vegetables
per day .(ie.broccoli , brussel sprouts , cauliflower , cabbage)
- drink vegetable juice ( ie mixture
of carrot , celery and apple juice )
- eat cold water fish ( such as mackerel
, salmon , and tuna) at least twice per week
- eat tofu or take soy powder , 20-40
mg daily
- use olive oil , canola or flaxseed
oil
- drink a large glass of tomato juice
daily ( processed or cooked tomatoes more impactive)
- drink 1-2 cups green tea daily ( not
mixed with milk)
- Reduce dietary fat to 20% of calories
and eat red meat no more than twice per week.
- Use turmeric as a spice ( content of
curry powder)
- exercise at least every other day
- Meditation an relaxation ( man is mind
,body and soul -all facets needs attention)
Safe dietary supplements includes
- calcium 100mg/day
- Coenzyme Q10 100mg/day
- n-acetyl-cystine 600mg/day
- vitamin C 500mg/day
- vitamin E 200iu/day.
other supplement being evaluated include
folate , selenium , saw palmetto
Cancer screening in Breast and cervix
has proved effective in reducing mortality.
Thus in promoting wellness above are
solid directive areas. Many other options are being evaluated
that solid scientific has not yet merited.
May a long prosperous and purposeful
life grace you and yours.!