FitSugar

Get in Gear: Reflective Gear for Daylight Saving Time

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 03:00:00 -0700

If you love to walk, run, or bike ride in the mornings before you head out to work, jumping the clocks an hour ahead is going to make your workouts a bit dark. That's no reason to give up on your exercise routine. A few wardrobe changes will help keep you safe so you can see and be seen. Check these out.

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Get in Gear: Nathan Speed 4 Water Holder

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:00:00 -0800

If you're into long-distance running or training for a marathon it's imperative to stay hydrated. Carrying around a huge water bottle can be annoying though, and most hydration waistpacks only hold 20 ounces of water or less.

Check out this Nathan Speed 4 Nutrition Speedbelt ($34.95). It's a long name for a holder that you wear around your waist that houses four, 10-ounce bottles. That means you get 40 ounces of water total, and because the bottles are spread out, you won't feel uneven pressure or strain on your back or hips. The bottles can also be filled up with special electrolyte drinks or carb gels, since long-distance runners need extra calories in order to keep running. I love that you can easily pull the bottles out with no problem, and they're curved so they fit in one hand comfortably. There's also a little pocket in the front for small essentials. The waistbelt is adjustable so you can get a snug fit without it bopping up and down as you run. Order it from teamestrogen.com.

Get in Gear: Nathan QuickDraw Hydration Carrier

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 14:30:00 -0700

When you're running, it's important to stay hydrated, since you can end up sweating a lot. Waistpacks that hold water bottles are great for biking and hiking when I need to have my hands free, but when I'm running, I love the easy access of a hand held water bottle.

Check out this one made by Nathan. This is the 2008 QuickDraw Plus Hydration Bottle. It's got padded and adjustable straps so you can secure it snugly and comfortably to your hand. The water bottle can hold up to 22 oz. of water and there's a zippered pouch to keep small essentials like keys, tissues or a cell phone.

Another thing that's great about holding a water bottle in your hand is that since it's filled with water, it acts as a weight. I switch back and forth between my left and right hand every minute or so to work both arms equally.

The pink version shown here has a tiny pink ribbon on it so you can show your support for breast cancer awareness. Order this hydration bottle ($16.19) from BikeSomWhere.com.

Want to see what other colors it comes in? Then read more

You can choose Yellow, Black, Green or Lime.

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What Do You Wear While Running in Traffic?

Fit Community — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:47:38 -0700

Here's a great question kerry520 asked on RunningSugar.

Recently, I've gone neon. I felt like I was taken by surprise by a few cars on my autumn runs. Maybe it was a combination of the iPod or the changing trees? (I guess with all the foliage etc. its harder to see runners?) Anyway, I started running in this Nathan hi-visibility running vest, and I have to say . . . I feel much safer. I might look like a dork in neon, but I'd rather be safe. I've also got some high tech shirts that I run in which are day-glo orange, but obviously you can't run in the same shirt all the time, so this fits over my additional clothes as the weather gets colder. I also bought a hi-vis fleece hat from Carhartt which I cannot wait to bust out when the weather gets colder! What do you wear to ensure visibility?

Have more to say about running? Join the conversation at RunningSugar. Have a post you want to see featured on FitSugar? Private message me here to pitch your ideas. I can't wait to hear them.

The Top 20 Fast Food Items Highest In Calories

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 07:30:00 -0800

My friends over at ACalorieCounter.com went through the nutrition facts of every single item from the menus of 25 popular fast food restaurants to put together a list of 272 fast food items highest in calories.

Here are the top 20 highest calories items from the list:

White Castle Chocolate Shake - Large (Louisville region): 1680
Nathan's Fish N Chips: 1537
Carl's Jr. Double Six Dollar Burger: 1520
Hardee's Monster Thickburger: 1420
Dairy Queen Large Choc. Chip Cookie Dough Blizzard: 1320
Hardee's Double Bacon Cheese Thickburger: 1300
Dairy Queen Large Chocolate Malt: 1300
Nathan's Chicken Tender Platter: 1300
Jack In The Box OREO Cookie Ice Cream Shake (24oz): 1290
Dairy Queen Chicken Strip Basket (6 piece): 1270

To see the rest of the list read more

Hardee's Double Thickburger: 1250
Burger King Triple Whopper Sandwich With Cheese: 1230
Jack In The Box Chocolate Ice Cream Shake (24oz): 1230
White Castle Chocolate Shake - Large (New Jersey region): 1230
Hardee's Big Country Breakfast Platter - Breaded Pork Chop: 1220
Jack In The Box Strawberry Ice Cream Shake (24oz): 1220
Jack In The Box Egg Nog Shake (24oz): 1210
Nathan's French Fries (Super Size): 1188
White Castle Vanilla Shake - Large (New Jersey region): 1180
Del Taco Macho Beef Burrito: 1170

Source

You Asked: Drinking Water While Running

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 05:36:41 -0700

A while back I wrote a post about the Nathan Speed 4 Water Holder. I thought this nifty gadget was great for long-distance runners, since it holds a total of 40 ounces of water. After reading the post, a user had a great comment.

How much/often should you drink while running?
- bicyclebeth

I'm sure many of you are wondering the same thing. To find out what I think, read more.

Staying hydrated is a necessity, so here are some rules I like to follow:

An hour or two before a long workout, drink 16 ounces of water or a sports drink like Gatorade. This will help prevent dehydration and also keep you feeling alert.
During your run, sip eight ounces of fluid every 20 minutes. Plain water is fine if you're running an hour or less. If your run is longer, you'll need to replenish lost electrolytes, so Smartwater or a sports drink are better options. You can also use a combination of Gu or Luna Sport Moons with water.
Hydrate proactively. Don't wait until you feel thirsty to start drinking, since this is an early sign of dehydration.
Avoid drinking too much water, because it can lead to a potentially fatal condition known as hyponatremia, or water intoxication. This is when you have dangerously low amounts of sodium in your body. It usually happens on long or hot workouts, if you lose a lot of sodium through sweating and consume a ton of plain water. This sets off an electrolyte imbalance, so opt for sports drinks instead.
Lastly, after a run that's an hour or longer, rehydrate with 16 to 24 ounces of sports drink for every pound of water weight you lost during your workout.

Source

Viral encephalitis

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:35:11 -0700

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain caused, most often, by a viral infection. The specific viruses that cause encephalitis vary. Exposure to viruses that cause encephalitis occur mostly through insect bites. The virus enters through the blood stream and spreads to the brain, causing inflammation of the nerve cells (encephalitis) or the surrounding membranes (meningitis). Encephalitis is different from meningitis, but these two brain infections often occur together. Although the vast majority of individuals with encephalitis recover after a long period of time, inflammation may cause irreparable damage to the brain, bleeding within the brain, and even death. An estimated 10,000 - 20,000 cases of encephalitis are reported annually in the United States.

Signs and Symptoms

Ninety percent of people with encephalitis have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, cough, and malaise.
If meningitis accompanies encephalitis, an individual may experience headache, stiff neck, intolerance to light, and vomiting.
A change in the level of consciousness, ranging from mild confusion to coma, develops in most people with encephalitis, often including disorientation and delusion with possible hallucinations, agitation, and personality changes.
Seizures occur in up to 50% of individuals with encephalitis.
Other signs and symptoms of encephalitis depend on which area of the brain is most affected. These may include an impaired ability to use or comprehend words or coordinate voluntary muscle movements, muscle weakness or partial paralysis on one side of the body, uncontrollable tremors or involuntary movements, and an inability to regulate body temperature.

Causes

Arboviruses, or viruses carried by insects, are among the most common causes of viral encephalitis. Some of the major arboviruses include:

Eastern equine encephalitis -- transmitted by mosquito, primarily affecting individuals along the eastern seaboard of the United States. One-third of infected individuals die of the condition, and many others suffer permanent brain damage.

European and Far Eastern (Russian) encephalitis -- transmitted by ticks. Although vaccine against this type of encephalitis is available in Europe, there is speculation that it may cause serious side effects.

Japanese encephalitis -- transmitted by mosquito and is widespread in Asia. Between 10 - 30% of infected individuals, primarily children, die of the condition.

La Crosse encephalitis -- transmitted by mosquito, and primarily affecting children under 16 years of age in the upper Midwestern United States. About 1% of infected individuals die of the condition.

St. Louis encephalitis -- transmitted by mosquito. Individuals in rural Midwestern and southern United States are primarily affected, with 7% of infected children and 30% of infected elderly dying of the condition.

Venezuelan equine encephalitis -- transmitted by mosquito and primarily affects individuals in Central and South America. Fatalities rare in humans but common in horses, with epidemics in people occasionally occur after an outbreak in horses.

West Nile encephalitis -- transmitted by mosquito, primarily affecting individuals in Africa and the Middle East, but outbreaks have also been recorded in the United States (New York City area and parts of New England). Infections are most common in children and the elderly, and as many as 10% of infected individuals die of the condition.

Western equine encephalitis -- transmitted by mosquito, primarily affecting individuals in western United States and Canada. It usually causes a mild infection in people, except in children under 1 year of age, who often suffer permanent complications. Almost % of infected individuals die of the condition.

Other viruses that commonly cause viral encephalitis include:

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1)
Measles
Enteroviruses (viruses that typically occur in the gastrointestinal tract)
Mumps

Less common causes include:

Cytomegalovirus
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV)
Rabies virus

Not all cases of encephalitis are caused by viruses. Some nonviral causes of encephalitis include:

Bacterial infection
Fungal infection
Parasitic infection
Noninfectious causes, such as allergic reactions or toxins

Risk Factors

The following factors may increase your risk of becoming infected with viral encephalitis:

Very young or very old age
Exposure to mosquitoes or ticks
Compromised immune system
Not being immunized against measles, mumps, and rubella
Traveling to areas where viral encephalitis is prevalent
Handling potentially infected animals

Diagnosis

Encephalitis is a serious condition, so diagnosis and initial treatment usually take place in a hospital setting. After performing a physical exam, a doctor may take the following steps to diagnose the condition:

Blood test -- detects viruses in the blood
Spinal tap -- detects viruses in the cerebrospinal fluid
MRI and CT scan -- determines whether bleeding is present in the brain
Electroencephalogram (EEG) -- detects abnormal brain waves

Preventive Care

The most effective way to prevent encephalitis is to avoid contracting viruses that lead to encephalitis:

Take protective measures when working or playing outside, such as using insect repellant and wearing long pants and long sleeves. Some insect repellants are very toxic, so check with your health care provider about some alternatives.
Immunize against viruses that lead to encephalitis with vaccines such as the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), and rabies.
Maintain a balanced diet to keep the immune system healthy.
An infectious disease specialist may recommend a particular Japanese encephalitis vaccine for those traveling to Asia during the summer, but serious allergic reactions have been reported with its use.

Treatment Approach

Viral encephalitis is a serious medical condition. Because encephalitis can cause severe complications, treatment usually occurs in the hospital and sometimes requires intensive care. Generally, there are no specific medications to treat the viruses causing encephalitis. HSV1, VZV, and EBV are exceptions to this rule, however, as acyclovir is an excellent treatment. Often, people with symptoms of encephalitis are treated with this medication until the virus causing the condition is identified. Behavioral techniques, such as those used to treat people with traumatic brain injury, have been recently explored in the treatment of those recovering from viral encephalitis. Although complementary and alternative therapies have not been extensively studied for the treatment of encephalitis, some studies indicate that scalp acupuncture, combined with proper medication, may aid the healing process. Careful observation and supportive care, including rest, proper nutrition, and fluids are a mainstay of treatment for encephalitis and allow the body to fight the infection.

Always tell your health care provider about the herbs and supplements you are using or considering using, as some supplements may interfere with conventional treatments.

Medications

Medications used to treat viral encephalitis include:

Acyclovir -- treats encephalitis caused by HSV, VZV, and EBV
Ganciclovir or foscarnet -- treats encephalitis caused by cytomegalovirus and HSV1
Anticonvulsant medications -- prevent and treat seizures associated with encephalitis

Nutrition and Dietary Supplements

Following these nutritional tips may help improve general health and well-being:

Try to eliminate potential food allergens, including dairy, wheat (gluten), corn, preservatives, and food additives. Your health care provider may want to test for food sensitivities.
Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits (such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes), and vegetables (such as squash and bell peppers).
Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and especially sugar.
Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy), or beans for protein.
Use healthy oils in foods, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
Reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids, found in commercially baked goods such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
Avoid coffee and other stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco.
Drink 6 - 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
Exercise at least 30 minutes daily, 5 days a week.

You may address deficiencies with the following supplements:

A multivitamin daily, containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the B-complex vitamins, and trace minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, zinc and selenium.
Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, one to two capsules or one to three tablespoonfuls oil, one to three times daily, to help decrease inflammation and help with immunity. Cold-water fish, such as salmon or halibut, are good sources but not substitutes for supplementation.
Vitamin C, 500 - 1000 mg one to three times daily, as an antioxidant and for immune support.
Coenzyme Q10, 100 - 200 mg at bedtime, for antioxidant, immune, and muscular support.
Acetyl-L-carnitine, 500 mg daily, for antioxidant and antiviral activity.
Probiotic supplement (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus), 5 - 10 billion CFUs (colony forming units) a day, for maintenance of gastrointestinal and immune health. You should refrigerate your probiotic supplements for best results.
L-glutamine, 500 - 1000 mg three times daily, for support of gastrointestinal health and immunity.
Resveratrol (from red wine), 50 - 200 mg daily, for antioxidant and antiviral effects.
L-theanine, 200 mg one to three times daily, for nervous system support.
Melatonin, 2 - 5 mg 1 hour before bedtime, for sleep and immune protection. Ask your health care provider about potential drug interactions with the use of melatonin.

Herbs

Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body's systems. As with any therapy, you should work with your health care provider to get your problem diagnosed before starting any treatment. You may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, you should make teas with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 - 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 - 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 - 4 cups per day.

Green tea ( Camellia sinensis) standardized extract, 250 - 500 mg daily, for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune effects. Use caffeine-free products. You may also prepare teas from the leaf of this herb.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seed standardized extract, 80 - 160 mg two to three times daily, for detoxification support and antiviral effects.
Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) standardized extract, 20 mg three times a day, for inflammation and antiviral activity.
Garlic (Allium sativum), standardized extract, 400 mg two to three times daily, for antibacterial or antifungal and immune activity.
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) standardized extract, 250 – 500 mg four times daily for immune support and antiviral activity.
Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) standardized extract (D-fraction), 600 mg twice daily, for immune and antiviral effects. You may also take a tincture of this mushroom extract, 30 - 60 drops two to three times a day.
Phyllanthus (Phyllanthus amarus) standardized extract, 200 mg two to four times daily for antiviral effects.
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra), one to two teaspoonfuls of standardized liquid extract two to four times daily, for immune support and antiviral activity.

Acupuncture

A study of a small number of people with complications from encephalitis suggests that acupuncture delivered to the scalp may lessen the severity of the complications and reduce the symptoms of the condition. Some researchers believe that scalp acupuncture is effective for people with encephalitis because all meridians converge at the head, and the method can stimulate and regulate qi (energy) throughout the entire body. More research is necessary.

Massage and Physical Therapy

Behavioral and Physical Training

Behavioral and physical training techniques recently have been explored in the treatment of individuals recovering from encephalitis. In one case, a woman experiencing poor short-term memory and decreased muscle coordination as a result of viral encephalitis began to improve significantly after participating in a behavioral rehabilitation training program. As a result of the program, she gained a high level of independence and was able to return home from the hospital with only minimal assistance from a caregiver. More studies are needed.

Other Considerations

Pregnancy

The most common cause of encephalitis in newborns is vaginal delivery by a mother who is infected with herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2). This infection in newborns is often severe and fatal. For this reason, cesarean section may be advised for pregnant women with a history of HSV2, even if there is no sign of an active infection.

Prognosis and Complications

Full recovery from encephalitis can take weeks or months, during which time many individuals experience complications ranging from fatigue and difficulty concentrating to tremors and personality changes. The most severe problems associated with encephalitis result from the destruction of nerve cells in the brain that do not regenerate. The severity of complications depends on the condition of the immune system (whether it is healthy or weak) and the infection causing the encephalitis. For example, 80% of those infected with Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, and Japanese encephalitis have permanent neurologic impairments (such as memory, speech, vision, hearing, muscle control, and sensation) and a very low survival rate. Those infected with EBV or Venezuelan equine encephalitis rarely experience any serious complications. The long-term outlook for those with HSV encephalitis depends primarily on how quickly the condition is treated.

Between 80 - 95% of people infected with viral encephalitis will survive the condition, but 20% will experience debilitating side effects or complications, such as memory loss or severe personality changes. The survival rate for those with HSV encephalitis increases dramatically from 30 - 70% when the condition is detected early and treated with antiviral medications.

Supporting Research

Abe T, Kojima K, Shoji H, et al. Japanese encephalitis. J Magn Reson Imaging. 1998;8(4):755-761.

Adams RD, Victor M, Ropper AH. Principles of Neurology. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1997:749-755.

Arribas JR, Storch GA, Clifford DB, Tselis AC. Cytomegalovirus encephalitis. Ann Intern Med. 1996;125(7):577-587.

Bale JF Jr. Viral encephalitis. Med Clin North Am. 1993;77(1):25-42.

Barak V, Halperin T, Kalickman I. The effect of Sambucol, a black elderberry-based, natural product, on the production of human cytokines: I. Inflammatory cytokines. Eur Cytokine Netw. 2001;12(2):290-6.

Bhat KPL, Kosmeder JW 2nd, Pezzuto JM. Biological effects of resveratrol. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2001;3(6):1041-64.

Ben-Nathan D, Maestroni GJ, Lustig S, Conti A. Protective effects of melatonin in mice infected with encephalitis viruses. Arch Virol. 1995;140(2):223-230.

Bonilla E, Valero-Fuenmayor N, Pons H, Chacin-Bonilla L. Melatonin protects mice infected with Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus. Cell Mol Life Sci. 1997;53(5):430-434.

Cabrera C, Artacho R, Gimenez R. Beneficial effects of green tea--a review. J Am Coll Nutr. 2006;25(2):79-99.

Clancy RL, Gleeson M, Cox A, et al. Reversal in fatigued athletes of a defect in interferon gamma secretion after administration of Lactobacillus acidophilus. Br J Sports Med. 2006;40(4):351-4.

Clifton ER. Herpes simplex encephalitis: an overview. J Miss State Med Assoc. 1991;32(12):437-440.

Eo SK, Kim YS, Lee CK, Han SS. Antiviral activities of various water and methanol soluble substances isolated from Ganoderma lucidum. J Ethnopharmacol. 1999;68(1-3):129-36.

Evansa RW: Diagnostic Testing in Neurology. Philadelphia, Pa: W.B. Saunders Company; 1999:187-188.

Fauci AS, Braunwald E, Isselbacher KJ, et al, eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 14th ed. Vol 1. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1998:1136-1139, 2442-2445.

Feign RD, Cherry JD. Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 3rd ed. Vol 1. Philadelphia, Pa: W.B. Saunders Company; 1992:445-452.

Gaby AR. The role of coenzyme Q10 in clinical medicine: Part 1. Alt Med Rev. 1996; 1(1):11-17.

Gorbach SL, Bartlett JG, Blacklow NR: Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: W.B. Saunders Company; 1998:1408-1414.

Gresikova M, Kaluzova M. Biology of tick-borne encephalitis virus. Acta Virol. 1997;41(2):115-124.

Irani MT, Singh AR, Udwadia AD, Merchant RH. Neonatal herpes simplex virus-2 encephalitis. Indian Pediatr. 1995;32(4):476-480.

Johnson RT. Acute encephalitis. Clin Infect Dis. 1996;23(2):219-224.

Kajimura K, Takagi Y, Ueba N, et al. Protective effects of Astragali radix by intraperitoneal injection against Japanese encephalitis virus infection in mice. Biol Pharm Bull. 1996;19(6):855-859.

Katzmann S, Mix C. Improving functional independence in a patient with encephalitis through behavior modification shaping techniques. Am J Occup Ther. 1994;48(3):259-262.

Kimura K, Ozeki M, Juneja LR, Ohira H. l-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses. Biol Psychol. 2006 Aug 21.

LaValle JB, Krinsky DL, Hawkins EB, et al. Natural Therapeutics Pocket Guide. Hudson, OH:LexiComp; 2000: 452-454.

Levitz RE. Herpes simplex encephalitis: a review. Heart Lung. 1998;27(3):209-212.

Liang D. Treatment of the sequelae of viral encephalitis by needling Sishencong (Extra). J Chinese Med. 1996;50:26.

Liu J, Lin H, McIntosh H. Genus Phyllanthus for chronic hepatitis B virus infection: a systematic review. J Viral Hepat. 2001;8(5):358-66.

Luft BJ, Remington JS. Toxoplasmic encephalitis in AIDS. Clin Infect Dis. 1992;15(2):211-222.

Mayer KE, Myers RP, Lee SS. Silymarin treatment of viral hepatitis: a systematic review. J Viral Hepat. 2005;12(6):559-67.

Mrak RE, Young L. Rabies encephalitis in humans: pathology, pathogenesis, and pathophysiology. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 1994;53(1):1-10.

O'Meara M, Ouvrier R. Viral encephalitis in children. Curr Opin Pediatr. 1996;8(1):11-15.

Patrick L. Nutrients and HIV: part three - N-acetylcysteine, alpha-lipoic acid, L-glutamine, and L-carnitine. Altern Med Rev. 2000;5(4):290-305.

Pointer JE, Mulligan-Smith DA. Genital infections. In: Rosen P, Barkin R, eds. Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Management. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby-Year Book; 1998.

Roos KL.Encephalitis. Neurol Clin. 1999;17(4):813-833.

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Rotsein OD. Oxidants and antioxidant therapy. Crit Care Clin. 2001;17(1):239-47.

Rubeiz H, Roos RP. Viral meningitis and encephalitis. Semin Neurol. 1992;12(3):165-177.

Rust RS, Thompson WH, Matthews CG, Beaty BJ, Chun RW. La Crosse and other forms of California encephalitis. J Child Neurol. 1999;14(1):1-14.

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Simopoulos AP. Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. J Am Coll Nutr. 2002;21(6):495-505.

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Toltzis P. Viral encephalitis. Adv Pediatr Infect Dis. 1991;6:111-136.

Wang HK. The therapeutic potential of flavonoids. Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2000;9(9):2103-19.

Whitley RJ, Kimberlin DW. Viral encephalitis. Pediatr Rev. 1999;20(6):192-198.

Williams JE. Review of antiviral and immunomodulating properties of plants of the Peruvian rainforest with a particular emphasis on Una de Gato and Sangre de Grado. Altern Med Rev. 2001;6(6):567-79.

Yoon JH, Baek SJ. Molecular targets of dietary polyphenols with anti-inflammatory properties. Yonsei Med J. 2005;46(5):585-96.

Zupanc ML, Handler EG, Levine RL, et al. Rasmussen encephalitis: epilepsia partialis continua secondary to chronic encephalitis. Pediatr Neurol. 1990;6(6):397-401.

Review Date:
10/27/2006
Reviewed By:
Ernest B. Hawkins, MS, BSPharm, RPh, Health Education Resources; and Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D., private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) collection

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:10:11 -0700

Overview

Definition
Alternative Names
How the test is performed
How to prepare for the test
How the test will feel
Why the test is performed
Normal Values
What abnormal results mean
What the risks are
Special considerations
References

Illustrations

CSF chemistry

Lumbar vertebrae

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) collection is a test to look at the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Cerebral spinal fluid acts like a cushion, protecting the brain and spine from injury. The fluid is normally clear. The test is also used to measure pressure in the spinal fluid.

Alternative Names

Spinal tap; Ventricular puncture; Lumbar puncture; Cisternal puncture; Cerebral spinal fluid culture

How the test is performed

There are different ways to get a sample of spinal fluid. Lumbar puncture, commonly called a spinal tap, is the most common method. The test is usually performed in the following manner:

The patient must lay on his or her side, with the knees pulled up toward the chest, and the chin tucked downward. Sometimes the test is done with the person sitting up, but bent over.
After the back is cleaned, the health care provider will inject a local numbing medicine (anesthetic) into the lower spine.
A spinal needle is inserted, usually into the lower back area.
Once the needle is properly positioned, spinal fluid pressure is measured, and fluid is collected.
The needle is removed, the area is cleaned, and a bandage is placed over the needle site. The patient is often asked to lie down for a short time after the test.

Occasionally, special x-rays are used to help guide the needle into the proper position. This is called fluoroscopy.

Lumbar puncture with fluid collection may also be part of other procedures, particularly a myelogram (x-ray or CT scan after dye has been inserted into the CSF).

Alternative methods of CSF collection are rarely used, but may be necessary in the event of a back deformity or infection.

Cisternal puncture uses a needle placed below the occipital bone (back of the skull). It can be dangerous because it is so close to the brain stem.

Ventricular puncture is even more rare, but may be recommended in persons with possible brain herniation. This test is usually done in the operating room. A hole is drilled in the skull, and a needle is inserted directly into one of brain's ventricles.

How to prepare for the test

The patient (or guardian) must give the health care team permission to do the test.

How the test will feel

The position may be uncomfortable, but it is extremely important that the patient stays in the bended position to avoid moving the needle and possibly injuring the spinal cord.

The anesthetic will sting or burn when first injected. There will be a hard pressure sensation when the needle is inserted, and there is usually some brief pain when the needle goes through the tissue surrounding the spinal cord. This pain should stop in a few seconds.

Overall, discomfort is minimal to moderate. The entire procedure usually takes about 30 minutes, but it may take longer. The actual pressure measurements and fluid collection only take a few minutes.

Why the test is performed

This test is done to measure pressures within the cerebrospinal fluid and to collect a sample of the fluid for further testing. CSF can be used to diagnose certain neurologic disorders, particularly infections (such as meningitis) and brain or spinal cord damage.

Normal Values

Normal values vary from lab to lab but typically range as follows:

Pressure: 50 - 180 mm H20
Appearance: clear, colorless
CSF total protein: 15 - 45 mg/100 mL
Gamma globulin: 3 - 12% of the total protein
CSF glucose: 50 - 80 mg/100 mL (or approximately 2/3 of blood sugar level)
CSF cell count: 0 - 5 white blood cells, no red blood cells
Chloride: 110 - 125 mEq per liter

Note: mg/mL = milligrams per milliliter; mEq/L = milliequivalent per liter

What abnormal results mean

If the CSF looks cloudy, it could mean there is an infection or a build up of white blood cells or protein.

If the CSF looks bloody or red, it may be a sign of bleeding or spinal cord obstruction. If it is brown, orange, or yellow, it may be a sign of increased CSF protein or previous bleeding (more than 3 days ago).

Increased CSF pressure may be due to increased intracranial pressure (pressure within the skull). Decreased CSF pressure may be due to spinal cord tumor, shock, fainting, or diabetic coma.

Increased protein may be due to blood in the CSF, diabetes, polyneuritis, tumor, injury, or any inflammatory or infectious condition. Decreased protein is a sign of rapid CSF production.

Increased CSF gamma globulin levels may be due to diseases such as multiple sclerosis, neurosyphilis, or Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Increased CSF glucose is a sign of high blood sugar. Decreased CSF glucose may be due to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), bacterial or fungal infection (such as meningitis), tuberculosis, or certain types of meningitis.

Increased white blood cells in the CSF may be a sign of meningitis, acute infection, beginning of a chronic illness, tumor, abscess,stroke, or demyelinating disease (such as multiple sclerosis).

Red blood cells in the CSF sample may be a sign of bleeding into the spinal fluid or the result of a traumatic lumbar puncture.

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

What the risks are

Risks of lumbar puncture include:

Hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction to the anesthetic
Discomfort during the test
Headache after the test
Bleeding into the spinal canal

There is an increased risk of bleeding in persons who take blood thinners.

Brain herniation may occur if this test is done on a person with a mass in the brain (such as a tumor or abscess). This can result in brain damage or death. This test is not done if an exam or test reveals signs of a brain mass.

Damage to the nerves in the spinal cord may occur, particularly if the person moves during the test.

Cisternal puncture or ventricular puncture carry additional risks of brain damage and bleeding within the brain.

Special considerations

This test should not be performed on people who have lesions that cause increased intracranial pressure. Others who should have this test include patients with:

Blood clotting problems
Thrombocytopenia
Risk of infection

References

Nathan, BR. Cerebrospinal Fluid and Intracranial Pressure. In: Goetz, CG, ed. Textbook of Clinical Neurology, 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa:WB Saunders Company; 2003:511-524.

Review Date: 6/20/2008

Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz. Joseph V. Campellone, M.D., Division of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (4/30/2007).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

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Source Doc: 1_003428

Pritikin - Sounds Like a Diet to Me

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 02:30:00 -0800

Nathan Pritikin, founder of the Pritikin Program, says that his program is more like a way of life than a diet.

The Pritikin Program, focuses on daily exercise and an eating plan based on natural, nutrient-rich, low-fat, low-sodium, high-fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seafood, and limited lean meat.

It's recommended that you avoid artificial sweeteners and oils such as canola, olive, and flaxseed. Plus butter is a no-no too. No more whole and low-fat dairy products such as cheese, ice cream, milk, and yogurt. Also say goodbye to egg yolks, deep fried foods (what, no deep fried twinkies?), rich desserts and pastries, salty snack foods, processed meats like hot dogs and bologna, and no more chocolate (gasp!).

Hmmm. You had me up until the part about what to avoid and stay away from. Geez. Sounds like a STRICT diet to me. And a pretty strict one at that. No fat and no fun.

Want to know how it can help you? Then read more

According to research done by the New England Journal of Medicine, this program can help people achieve lifelong weight control, dramatically reduce bad (LDL) cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and breast, colon, and prostate cancer.

I guess if you have high cholesterol, heart disease, or cancer in your genes, this diet could save your life. But as for me, yes, I am having fries with my meal, butter on my bread, and ice cream on my brownie.