We all know that smoking kills. And we also know that the chemicals that exist in cigarettes such as tar and especially nicotine are the main reason for our smoking addiction. Like most drugs, nicotine stays in the body, even when you’re not smoking.
Beside the normal attributes of nicotine addiction such as high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer there are more disturbing evidence that nicotine contributes to erectile dysfunction. The fact that less blood flows through your body due to blocked arteries, mean less testosterone is produced and the likelihood of erectile dysfunction increases
You should read this short article with care, the matter and the answers have a variety of differences. Nicotine dependency will be directly related to what kind of smoker you’re the longer you smoke and the more you smoke the greater your dependency on nicotine. Those who smoke socially will have nicotine trace in their blood for few days while other heavy smoker can expect the nicotine trace to last for up to thirty day
To accelerate the process of getting rid of nicotine in your blood stream try these few simple steps
Drink plenty of water- water is been known to remove toxin out of your body and it’ll assist in removing nicotine from your blood stream. Take antioxidant and vitamins to try rebuilt and cleanse your body. Exercise, be active your brain will use some of its resources while you’re active leaving fewer resources to peruse the addiction
The good news is that our body is capable of repairing the damage caused by smoking. Once you stop smoking your body will start the healing process, the nicotine will be removed from your blood stream and the addiction will gradually disappear!
If you would like some more information,a place where you can ask a question and get some tips and advice on different methods of giving up smoking please drop by at quit smoking advice.
Looking for some new reading material? I started writing this blog loaded with quality health, fitness, and happiness information only when i had a similar experience regarding my health. I've been smoking almost half of my life and have been experiencing nearly every aspect of quitting smoking.
Here’s How – Quit Smoking
Trying to quit smoking is definitely not one of the easiest things to do in life, some people would rather eat sand than having to go through the withdrawal period. Cigarettes is one of the most socially accepted drugs in most countries, it’s definitely not illegal, it may just be illegal to smoke in certain places, but it’s not a banned drug.
As with everything in life, trying to kick the dirty habit’s all about choice, however, easier said than done as most smokers would say.
Here’s how:
The first thing is to make a conscious decision to quit, not a conscious decision to try to quit. Our brain sometimes does funny things to us and because we sincerely know it would be the right thing to do, we practice a little mercy on ourselves and put the words “will try to quit” in our sub-conscious mind, meanwhile, telling family and friends we’ve decided to quit and then going through the painful, agonising withdrawal period only to relapse. It’s called denial! Take a moment, sit down and have a heart-to-heart with yourself. List the pros and cons of it if you need to see it in black and white. This is also effective in actually helping you to see that there really is no pro’s to it. How can there be when with each puff, you’re hurting yourself and your organs and with secondary smoke, hurting the ones you love most. It starts with a sincere intention which comes from understanding why you need to, not want to, but need to quit smoking, then making the conscious choice to quit, and then comes the hard work by following through on your decision. This is by no means easy so get professional help if you need to. Avoid people, places and things that would normally cause you to light one up. Avoid those three things at the beginning of the process, but manage them at a later stage because you can’t be avoiding the rest of the world nor reality, you’ll encounter smokers at some time or the other during your time of quitting.
Most smokers who finish a packet a day will admit that most of it’s due to habit and not actual craving.
You can only manage what you can control. Monitor yourself when you have a craving. How long does it last? What happens to you during that time? Ask yourself if you’ll be able to manage it when it happens again?
Also, to entertain the thought of a craving is to validate it, so don’t pay too much attention to it, otherwise you’ll find yourself anticipating when the next craving will happen.
It certainly is a process to quit smoking, so be conscious of that, but don’t use it as an excuse to relapse. Relapsing is a choice too.
This is often a very important section of this specific subject. So it really helps to think of the benefits to your organs, especially your lungs, think of all the money you’ll be saving, you’ll be able to taste better, you’ll be increasing your chances of a longer healthier life and of those loved ones around you. The pros of quitting definitely outweighs any craving.
As with everything in life, trying to kick the dirty habit’s all about choice, however, easier said than done as most smokers would say.
Here’s how:
The first thing is to make a conscious decision to quit, not a conscious decision to try to quit. Our brain sometimes does funny things to us and because we sincerely know it would be the right thing to do, we practice a little mercy on ourselves and put the words “will try to quit” in our sub-conscious mind, meanwhile, telling family and friends we’ve decided to quit and then going through the painful, agonising withdrawal period only to relapse. It’s called denial! Take a moment, sit down and have a heart-to-heart with yourself. List the pros and cons of it if you need to see it in black and white. This is also effective in actually helping you to see that there really is no pro’s to it. How can there be when with each puff, you’re hurting yourself and your organs and with secondary smoke, hurting the ones you love most. It starts with a sincere intention which comes from understanding why you need to, not want to, but need to quit smoking, then making the conscious choice to quit, and then comes the hard work by following through on your decision. This is by no means easy so get professional help if you need to. Avoid people, places and things that would normally cause you to light one up. Avoid those three things at the beginning of the process, but manage them at a later stage because you can’t be avoiding the rest of the world nor reality, you’ll encounter smokers at some time or the other during your time of quitting.
Most smokers who finish a packet a day will admit that most of it’s due to habit and not actual craving.
You can only manage what you can control. Monitor yourself when you have a craving. How long does it last? What happens to you during that time? Ask yourself if you’ll be able to manage it when it happens again?
Also, to entertain the thought of a craving is to validate it, so don’t pay too much attention to it, otherwise you’ll find yourself anticipating when the next craving will happen.
It certainly is a process to quit smoking, so be conscious of that, but don’t use it as an excuse to relapse. Relapsing is a choice too.
This is often a very important section of this specific subject. So it really helps to think of the benefits to your organs, especially your lungs, think of all the money you’ll be saving, you’ll be able to taste better, you’ll be increasing your chances of a longer healthier life and of those loved ones around you. The pros of quitting definitely outweighs any craving.
Considering Different Aquaponics Designs Will Make Things Cheaper & Easier
By considering the different aquaponics designs that might suit your needs, you’ll start off on the right foot when starting your own sustainable organic garden. Many people make the mistake of rushing into building an aquaponics system, without fully considering and understanding what makes a system like this work in the first place.
Rushing into a project like this will likely result in higher maintenance and ongoing expenses that can be avoided if you take the time to set up your system properly from the very start. If you’re interested in building a home aquaponics system in the cheapest and most time-efficient manner, then part of your research should include how to use recycled materials, and how to convert household items into usable supplies.
The Most Common Designs Are All Trying To Achieve The Same Thing
Let us go on with this short post. 3 of the most common aquaponics designs that are used to set up a home aquaponics system are elevated grow beds, an aquaponics raft, and a backyard solar pond. Regardless of the basic design that you choose, you really should understand what we’re trying to accomplish first, and then choosing the right set up for your needs will become much easier.
Successful aquaponics is all about biological balance. All of your efforts will be centered on balancing the amount and number of fish, plants, and bacteria – so that each of these parts is in the right proportion to sustain the other two parts.
Aquaponics GA – YouTube
Creating a system that will sustain itself will require effort for the first few weeks and possibly months, but the payoff will be worth your efforts. Sustainable organic gardens can provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber on an ongoing basis that’s more nutrient dense and far cheaper than what you can get in a health food store.
Most of the time, you can create the proper biological balance in an aquaponics system in a week or two. You’ll first condition the water that the plants and fish will live in, by encouraging the growth of healthy bacteria.
By encouraging bacteria to grow in the water, you’ll be reducing the harmful chlorine in the water and creating the fish waste conversion system at the same time. The bacteria will decompose the fish waste and ammonia into usable nitrates that the plants will absorb through their roots. As the plants take up these vital nutrients, they’ll also clean the water for the fish.
Why The Design of the System is Important
The design of the system will ensure that the dirty water is circulated from the fish to the plants, and that the purified water will move from the vegetables back to the fish again. As an example, if you use elevated grow beds, the system will use gravity to drain the water from the vegetation back to where the fish are. This water movement does 2 things. It reduces the pH levels of the water where the fish are, while simultaneously aerating the water for the fish. Both of these processes happen naturally in freshwater rivers and lakes, and that’s why you see so many fish in these places.
The other important consideration when you’re researching which aquaponics design to use, is to determine if you may possibly want to scale up your system at a later date. Many people can envision either increasing the size of their harvests of fresh fish and vegetables, while others hope to grow their system into a commercial aquaponics business.
By taking the time to reflect on your own goals and needs, and by learning about the types of systems that can meet those needs, you’ll be in a much better spot to start building your own aquaponics self-sustaining system.
Robert Alekson has been growing organic fruit and vegetables for over twenty years. If you’re interested in learning more about the different aquaponics designs that you should consider.
Rushing into a project like this will likely result in higher maintenance and ongoing expenses that can be avoided if you take the time to set up your system properly from the very start. If you’re interested in building a home aquaponics system in the cheapest and most time-efficient manner, then part of your research should include how to use recycled materials, and how to convert household items into usable supplies.
The Most Common Designs Are All Trying To Achieve The Same Thing
Let us go on with this short post. 3 of the most common aquaponics designs that are used to set up a home aquaponics system are elevated grow beds, an aquaponics raft, and a backyard solar pond. Regardless of the basic design that you choose, you really should understand what we’re trying to accomplish first, and then choosing the right set up for your needs will become much easier.
Successful aquaponics is all about biological balance. All of your efforts will be centered on balancing the amount and number of fish, plants, and bacteria – so that each of these parts is in the right proportion to sustain the other two parts.
Aquaponics GA – YouTube
Creating a system that will sustain itself will require effort for the first few weeks and possibly months, but the payoff will be worth your efforts. Sustainable organic gardens can provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber on an ongoing basis that’s more nutrient dense and far cheaper than what you can get in a health food store.
Most of the time, you can create the proper biological balance in an aquaponics system in a week or two. You’ll first condition the water that the plants and fish will live in, by encouraging the growth of healthy bacteria.
By encouraging bacteria to grow in the water, you’ll be reducing the harmful chlorine in the water and creating the fish waste conversion system at the same time. The bacteria will decompose the fish waste and ammonia into usable nitrates that the plants will absorb through their roots. As the plants take up these vital nutrients, they’ll also clean the water for the fish.
Why The Design of the System is Important
The design of the system will ensure that the dirty water is circulated from the fish to the plants, and that the purified water will move from the vegetables back to the fish again. As an example, if you use elevated grow beds, the system will use gravity to drain the water from the vegetation back to where the fish are. This water movement does 2 things. It reduces the pH levels of the water where the fish are, while simultaneously aerating the water for the fish. Both of these processes happen naturally in freshwater rivers and lakes, and that’s why you see so many fish in these places.
The other important consideration when you’re researching which aquaponics design to use, is to determine if you may possibly want to scale up your system at a later date. Many people can envision either increasing the size of their harvests of fresh fish and vegetables, while others hope to grow their system into a commercial aquaponics business.
By taking the time to reflect on your own goals and needs, and by learning about the types of systems that can meet those needs, you’ll be in a much better spot to start building your own aquaponics self-sustaining system.
Robert Alekson has been growing organic fruit and vegetables for over twenty years. If you’re interested in learning more about the different aquaponics designs that you should consider.
Container Vegetable Gardening
Container vegetable gardening is a great concept that will help people to do gardening even if they’ve a space constraint in their houses. Especially, those who live in apartments and condos will definitely find this concept highly useful. The best thing about this gardening is that you can have this garden anywhere inside your home. The only point you should ensure is to have a good ventilation and sunlight in the place you choose. The place should also be comfortable to work in.
You should buy the containers of the right size so as to fit the space you choose. The containers that are already available with you can also be used. There are no hard and fast rules about the sizes of the containers. They should be of the right size to accommodate the plants you choose to grow in your container vegetable garden. The point that’s being emphasized here is that the roots of the plants should be able to grow. The containers shouldn’t be very heavy because you may like to move them when there is a need. Drainage holes should be there along the sides slightly above the bottom. For improving the drainage, you should put a one inch layer of gravel in the bottom of the containers.
This may very well be very important part of this topic. The greatest advantage in container vegetable gardening is that the usual hassles that are associated with out-door gardening such as unfavorable weather conditions, soil-borne disease, and poor soil conditions are either not there or can easily be avoided in this.
The plants that can be grown in such containers are eggplant, green onions, beans, etc. You can also grow peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, and squash. Those who have tried this type of gardening have succeeded in growing even cucumbers and pole beans. The only thing these plants need is a little extra care and a little more space because they need vines for their growth.
You should understand that synthetic soil is very good for this type of gardening because this soil is quite light and drains well. This synthetic soil is also capable of holding moisture and nutrients. The composition of this soil is compounds that include wood chips, sawdust, vermiculite, peat moss or perlite.
If you want to get this synthetic soil, you can get it from the local retailer who sells gardening items or you can make this mixture yourself. Superphosphate, horticultural grade vermiculite, limestone, peat moss and garden fertilizer are mixed in the right proportions to make this synthetic soil mixture.
In short, if you do your container vegetable gardening properly, you’ll not only enjoy the experience but you’ll be able to grow useful plants also.
Phil Faustini, Grandson of Stephen Follett, creator of “Watch Us Grow”. In the 1940′s Stephen Follett developed this unique Plant Food. After many years of trials and experiments on all types of plants and crops. 1952 was the year “Watch Us Grow” was made available to the public. Since then the positive testimonials have poured in from all over the world, from professional to novice growers “Watch Us Grow” has made believers out of them all. Go to http://www.allpurposeplantfood.com and try some for yourself to see why the gardening world is so excited about “Watch Us Grow”
You should buy the containers of the right size so as to fit the space you choose. The containers that are already available with you can also be used. There are no hard and fast rules about the sizes of the containers. They should be of the right size to accommodate the plants you choose to grow in your container vegetable garden. The point that’s being emphasized here is that the roots of the plants should be able to grow. The containers shouldn’t be very heavy because you may like to move them when there is a need. Drainage holes should be there along the sides slightly above the bottom. For improving the drainage, you should put a one inch layer of gravel in the bottom of the containers.
This may very well be very important part of this topic. The greatest advantage in container vegetable gardening is that the usual hassles that are associated with out-door gardening such as unfavorable weather conditions, soil-borne disease, and poor soil conditions are either not there or can easily be avoided in this.
The plants that can be grown in such containers are eggplant, green onions, beans, etc. You can also grow peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, and squash. Those who have tried this type of gardening have succeeded in growing even cucumbers and pole beans. The only thing these plants need is a little extra care and a little more space because they need vines for their growth.
You should understand that synthetic soil is very good for this type of gardening because this soil is quite light and drains well. This synthetic soil is also capable of holding moisture and nutrients. The composition of this soil is compounds that include wood chips, sawdust, vermiculite, peat moss or perlite.
If you want to get this synthetic soil, you can get it from the local retailer who sells gardening items or you can make this mixture yourself. Superphosphate, horticultural grade vermiculite, limestone, peat moss and garden fertilizer are mixed in the right proportions to make this synthetic soil mixture.
In short, if you do your container vegetable gardening properly, you’ll not only enjoy the experience but you’ll be able to grow useful plants also.
Phil Faustini, Grandson of Stephen Follett, creator of “Watch Us Grow”. In the 1940′s Stephen Follett developed this unique Plant Food. After many years of trials and experiments on all types of plants and crops. 1952 was the year “Watch Us Grow” was made available to the public. Since then the positive testimonials have poured in from all over the world, from professional to novice growers “Watch Us Grow” has made believers out of them all. Go to http://www.allpurposeplantfood.com and try some for yourself to see why the gardening world is so excited about “Watch Us Grow”
How to Start Your Own Seed Bank for Organic Gardening
If you are a beginner organic gardener, you will need reliable seed sources to begin your seed bank. Even if you do not want to save seeds, many people are worried about their seeds sources, wanting to steer clear of genetically modified seeds. So, how do you know that the seeds you are buying are safe and good for organic production?
Research Farms: The first place to look are research farms, i.e., private research farms devoted to finding and applying ecologically sound techniques.
Seed Companies: Second look for seed companies that are devoted to selling open pollinated seeds. Open pollination happens when plants are left to reproduce on their own via wind, birds and bees. Hybrid seeds aren’t evil. Hybrids are crossbreeds of 2 or more vegetables bred for their strengths. For instance a farmer takes a tomato that usually lasts longer against certain diseases in his area, then he breeds it with a variety that’s known to produce early–if it produces early, it will never have a chance to develop disease. Both these properties combine to make a strong, early-to-market variety. Many other farmers might like the variety and would want to buy some of the seed. Well, they will have to buy seed from the original breeder unless they know the exact varieties he used to make the variety.
Organic seeds are produced
Selection: Third select 3 or 4 companies that fit the bill. Order something from each of them. It does not have to be a big order. Just order something small, gauge their customer service, and gauge their seeds. Plant and see what happens. If you’re satisfied, you could have several sources for seeds. The 3 seed companies I use are Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Bountiful Gardens and Southern Seed Exchange. I’ve no affiliation with these companies; however, they provide great customer service, ship quickly, and deliver on their promises.
Market Farmers: Another great seed sources are market farmers devoted to organic and open pollinated seeds. These guys and gals are growing specifically for market. If you buy their seed bearing produce, you will have seeds for you garden next season.
Avid Gardeners: These are your serious types, people who garden even in the cold of winter! If they are devoted to open pollinated seeds, they can be a great source of information as well as a great source for helping you start your own seed bank. They often have more seed than they can possibly grow in one season.
Open pollinated seeds are a great way to get started in preserving and expanding the diversity of our vegetable species. You are doing more than just growing beets and beans. You are learning a skill that will feed you and your family.
Research Farms: The first place to look are research farms, i.e., private research farms devoted to finding and applying ecologically sound techniques.
Seed Companies: Second look for seed companies that are devoted to selling open pollinated seeds. Open pollination happens when plants are left to reproduce on their own via wind, birds and bees. Hybrid seeds aren’t evil. Hybrids are crossbreeds of 2 or more vegetables bred for their strengths. For instance a farmer takes a tomato that usually lasts longer against certain diseases in his area, then he breeds it with a variety that’s known to produce early–if it produces early, it will never have a chance to develop disease. Both these properties combine to make a strong, early-to-market variety. Many other farmers might like the variety and would want to buy some of the seed. Well, they will have to buy seed from the original breeder unless they know the exact varieties he used to make the variety.
Organic seeds are produced
Selection: Third select 3 or 4 companies that fit the bill. Order something from each of them. It does not have to be a big order. Just order something small, gauge their customer service, and gauge their seeds. Plant and see what happens. If you’re satisfied, you could have several sources for seeds. The 3 seed companies I use are Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Bountiful Gardens and Southern Seed Exchange. I’ve no affiliation with these companies; however, they provide great customer service, ship quickly, and deliver on their promises.
Market Farmers: Another great seed sources are market farmers devoted to organic and open pollinated seeds. These guys and gals are growing specifically for market. If you buy their seed bearing produce, you will have seeds for you garden next season.
Avid Gardeners: These are your serious types, people who garden even in the cold of winter! If they are devoted to open pollinated seeds, they can be a great source of information as well as a great source for helping you start your own seed bank. They often have more seed than they can possibly grow in one season.
Open pollinated seeds are a great way to get started in preserving and expanding the diversity of our vegetable species. You are doing more than just growing beets and beans. You are learning a skill that will feed you and your family.
Winning the War Against Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA is a condition that forces half of patients to become disabled from the work force within 5 to 10 years… And reduces life expectancy by as much as eightteen years. RA affects about one per cent of the world’s adult population, most commonly women between the ages of thirty and 50.
The good news is that a tremendous amount of progress has been made within the last 10 years in identifying patients earlier and treating the disease more aggressively. Patients with RA, if treated appropriately, can lead a relatively normal life. This is in stark contrast to the wheel-chair bound existence common as recently as twenty years ago!
Experts in the field consider early rheumatoid arthritis to be a medical emergency with mortality and morbidity equal to that for diabetes, asthma, heart disease, and other life-threatening conditions.
Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the joints in a symmetric fashion (both sides of the body affected equally) with the most common areas being the hands, wrists, ankles, knees, and feet. In addition to the swelling and pain, patients with RA often have profound fatigue and stiffness.
All of this is really important part of this specific subject matter. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks not only joints, but internal organs such as the blood vessels, lungs, heart, and eyes. Patients with RA are at increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and lymphoma.
Since many other types of arthritis such as gout, lupus, and osteoarthritis can look like RA a careful diagnostic approach is needed.
Laboratory testing has its pitfalls. The rheumatoid factor, a blood test found to be positive in about eigthy per cent of individuals with RA, may also be positive in other disease conditions. Couple that with the fact that twenty per cent of patients with RA will be rheumatoid factor negative, then it becomes clear a diagnosis shouldn’t hinge on the results of blood tests alone.
Imaging procedures can also be misleading. Conventional x-rays often miss the erosions found with early disease. Newer imaging technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound are much more sensitive.
After the diagnosis is made, there is even more hope for a patient today. In the past, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) used to be considered a cornerstone of therapy. That’s no longer true.
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) are being used earlier. Among the DMARDS currently being used are methotrexate, leflunomide (Arava), azathioprine (Imuran), sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), cyclosporine, and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil). These drugs attack the immune cells responsible for chronic inflammation. While DMARDS alone in combination are effective, they’re relatively non-specific. Most times, combinations of DMARDS are required.
Biologic Response Modifiers (BRMS) can target the disease more specifically than DMARDS. RA is a disease that’s dependent on the signaling that occurs between immune cells. The signaling takes place through the use of special chemical messengers called cytokines. BRMS act at both the cytokine (chemical messenger) as well as the cellular level allowing the disease to be better controlled and in some instances put into remission.
Biologic response modifiers, which include drugs that suppress tumor necrosis factor (TNF), appear to be particularly effective.
Tumor necrosis factor is a protein that’s produced by the immune cells. TNF is the major culprit responsible for inflammation-inducing damage. By block the effects of TNF, better control of RA can be achieved.
3 anti-TNF drugs are currently available: etanercept (Enbrel), adalimumab (Humira), and infliximab (Remicade). Another biologic drug, anakinra (Kineret) blocks interleukin, a different cytokine.
These drugs allow patients to have their disease controlled to such an extent that most are able to enjoy a normal work and leisure existence.
Second line biologic agents such as Rituxan and Orencia allow rheumatologists to treat patients who have failed anti-TNF drugs.
On the horizon are other biologic drugs that work at different points in the immune system- on different cytokines and on different pathways- to allow even greater as well as more specific control of disease. Since rheumatoid arthritis is a disease with many different cytokine and cellular mechanisms responsible for damage, attacking the disease at different points makes sense. In the future it may be possible to identify patients through specific tissue signals (called “biomarkers”). These biomarkers will allow physicians to type patients and give patients the specific therapy that will work best for them. Once that’s achieved, the possibility of a cure becomes a reality.
Everything, though, starts with early accurate diagnosis. If damage is allowed to occur the chances for remission drop dramatically!
Dr. Wei (pronounced “way”) is a board-certified rheumatologist and Clinical Director of the nationally respected Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. He’s a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and has served as a consultant to the Arthritis Branch of the National Institutes of Health. He’s a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians. For more information on arthritis and related conditions, go to: Arthritis Treatment
The good news is that a tremendous amount of progress has been made within the last 10 years in identifying patients earlier and treating the disease more aggressively. Patients with RA, if treated appropriately, can lead a relatively normal life. This is in stark contrast to the wheel-chair bound existence common as recently as twenty years ago!
Experts in the field consider early rheumatoid arthritis to be a medical emergency with mortality and morbidity equal to that for diabetes, asthma, heart disease, and other life-threatening conditions.
Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the joints in a symmetric fashion (both sides of the body affected equally) with the most common areas being the hands, wrists, ankles, knees, and feet. In addition to the swelling and pain, patients with RA often have profound fatigue and stiffness.
All of this is really important part of this specific subject matter. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks not only joints, but internal organs such as the blood vessels, lungs, heart, and eyes. Patients with RA are at increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and lymphoma.
Since many other types of arthritis such as gout, lupus, and osteoarthritis can look like RA a careful diagnostic approach is needed.
Laboratory testing has its pitfalls. The rheumatoid factor, a blood test found to be positive in about eigthy per cent of individuals with RA, may also be positive in other disease conditions. Couple that with the fact that twenty per cent of patients with RA will be rheumatoid factor negative, then it becomes clear a diagnosis shouldn’t hinge on the results of blood tests alone.
Imaging procedures can also be misleading. Conventional x-rays often miss the erosions found with early disease. Newer imaging technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound are much more sensitive.
After the diagnosis is made, there is even more hope for a patient today. In the past, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) used to be considered a cornerstone of therapy. That’s no longer true.
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) are being used earlier. Among the DMARDS currently being used are methotrexate, leflunomide (Arava), azathioprine (Imuran), sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), cyclosporine, and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil). These drugs attack the immune cells responsible for chronic inflammation. While DMARDS alone in combination are effective, they’re relatively non-specific. Most times, combinations of DMARDS are required.
Biologic Response Modifiers (BRMS) can target the disease more specifically than DMARDS. RA is a disease that’s dependent on the signaling that occurs between immune cells. The signaling takes place through the use of special chemical messengers called cytokines. BRMS act at both the cytokine (chemical messenger) as well as the cellular level allowing the disease to be better controlled and in some instances put into remission.
Biologic response modifiers, which include drugs that suppress tumor necrosis factor (TNF), appear to be particularly effective.
Tumor necrosis factor is a protein that’s produced by the immune cells. TNF is the major culprit responsible for inflammation-inducing damage. By block the effects of TNF, better control of RA can be achieved.
3 anti-TNF drugs are currently available: etanercept (Enbrel), adalimumab (Humira), and infliximab (Remicade). Another biologic drug, anakinra (Kineret) blocks interleukin, a different cytokine.
These drugs allow patients to have their disease controlled to such an extent that most are able to enjoy a normal work and leisure existence.
Second line biologic agents such as Rituxan and Orencia allow rheumatologists to treat patients who have failed anti-TNF drugs.
On the horizon are other biologic drugs that work at different points in the immune system- on different cytokines and on different pathways- to allow even greater as well as more specific control of disease. Since rheumatoid arthritis is a disease with many different cytokine and cellular mechanisms responsible for damage, attacking the disease at different points makes sense. In the future it may be possible to identify patients through specific tissue signals (called “biomarkers”). These biomarkers will allow physicians to type patients and give patients the specific therapy that will work best for them. Once that’s achieved, the possibility of a cure becomes a reality.
Everything, though, starts with early accurate diagnosis. If damage is allowed to occur the chances for remission drop dramatically!
Dr. Wei (pronounced “way”) is a board-certified rheumatologist and Clinical Director of the nationally respected Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. He’s a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and has served as a consultant to the Arthritis Branch of the National Institutes of Health. He’s a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians. For more information on arthritis and related conditions, go to: Arthritis Treatment
How to Make a Year Round Vegetable Garden?
Have you ever wished for a year round vegetable garden that produces cherry tomato during winter or lettuce or broccoli during summer?
Vegetable Garden Planner: The Garden Planner makes it simple to create the perfect plans for your vegetable garden. It includes detailed growing information on all commonly grown vege…
If you’re staying in those parts of the world that have short seasons, you’ll find it difficult to grow a vegetable garden. This is because the next season will fall upon you before the plant bears fruit and thus stunts the plant growth. If you’re living in areas with short summer season, the winter will come when warm weather vegetables like tomatoes, egg plants etc starts bearing fruit and the adverse climate will stop the produce. So how can you grow a year round vegetable garden?
The solution to the short season is to extend the season that’s favorable for the growth of your plants. As it’s not possible to lengthen a season naturally, the best you can do is to simulate an environment similar to that season by artificial means. This could be done using green houses; or growing the vegetable garden indoors.
Be sure to evaluate this diligently, the matter and the alternatives have number of variations. Green houses are of three types – cold, cool and warm. This classification is based on the temperature that’s maintained in the greenhouse during night. Cold green house is warmed during the day time by the sunlight. A temperature of about twenty-eight degrees Fahrenheit’s normally maintained here. Frost sensitive plants couldn’t be grown here. Cool greenhouse has a temperature of fourty-eight degree Fahrenheit and during cold season the temperature is maintained by artificial means. Warm greenhouse should have a temperature of fifty-five degrees minimum and to maintain this temperature at night, the house has to be heated by artificial means. The temperature is usually maintained by using hydroponic lights. In cool greenhouses, vegetables that are frost sensitive could be grown and in warm ones all type of vegetables could be grown.
All of this is really important section of this specific issue. Depending on the type of green house and the types of vegetables that you plan to grow, seeding dates may vary. While selecting seeds for your greenhouse garden, choose the ones that are specifically made for greenhouse production. The crops that could be grown are tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, egg plants, squash, beans etc and lettuce, carrots etc. The seeds are sown on seedling mix with light consistency. This is for the roots to develop. Once the first 2 leaves come out, the sapling is transplanted to its pots. Regular garden soil is not normally used as it’s heavy and has poor drainage. Instead potting soil is used. It has to be watered daily and fertilizers have to be added regularly.
Though you could have your year round vegetable garden using green houses, there are some draw backs. The heating cost for warm greenhouse is very high especially if the winter season is too long. In summer seasons the temperature in the green houses has to be brought down for the proper growth of plants. Another draw back is that in the absence of bees for natural pollination, you yourself have to help in pollination.
With the help of greenhouses your year round vegetable garden can be grown.
Why don’t we go on with this post. Zack Wilson is an avid organic gardener, for more comprehensive information on how to alternative gardens visit my website where you’ll also find many articles on organic gardening, problems with gardening, easy steps to organic gardening, making money with your garden and much much more
Vegetable Garden Planner: The Garden Planner makes it simple to create the perfect plans for your vegetable garden. It includes detailed growing information on all commonly grown vege…
If you’re staying in those parts of the world that have short seasons, you’ll find it difficult to grow a vegetable garden. This is because the next season will fall upon you before the plant bears fruit and thus stunts the plant growth. If you’re living in areas with short summer season, the winter will come when warm weather vegetables like tomatoes, egg plants etc starts bearing fruit and the adverse climate will stop the produce. So how can you grow a year round vegetable garden?
The solution to the short season is to extend the season that’s favorable for the growth of your plants. As it’s not possible to lengthen a season naturally, the best you can do is to simulate an environment similar to that season by artificial means. This could be done using green houses; or growing the vegetable garden indoors.
Be sure to evaluate this diligently, the matter and the alternatives have number of variations. Green houses are of three types – cold, cool and warm. This classification is based on the temperature that’s maintained in the greenhouse during night. Cold green house is warmed during the day time by the sunlight. A temperature of about twenty-eight degrees Fahrenheit’s normally maintained here. Frost sensitive plants couldn’t be grown here. Cool greenhouse has a temperature of fourty-eight degree Fahrenheit and during cold season the temperature is maintained by artificial means. Warm greenhouse should have a temperature of fifty-five degrees minimum and to maintain this temperature at night, the house has to be heated by artificial means. The temperature is usually maintained by using hydroponic lights. In cool greenhouses, vegetables that are frost sensitive could be grown and in warm ones all type of vegetables could be grown.
All of this is really important section of this specific issue. Depending on the type of green house and the types of vegetables that you plan to grow, seeding dates may vary. While selecting seeds for your greenhouse garden, choose the ones that are specifically made for greenhouse production. The crops that could be grown are tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, egg plants, squash, beans etc and lettuce, carrots etc. The seeds are sown on seedling mix with light consistency. This is for the roots to develop. Once the first 2 leaves come out, the sapling is transplanted to its pots. Regular garden soil is not normally used as it’s heavy and has poor drainage. Instead potting soil is used. It has to be watered daily and fertilizers have to be added regularly.
Though you could have your year round vegetable garden using green houses, there are some draw backs. The heating cost for warm greenhouse is very high especially if the winter season is too long. In summer seasons the temperature in the green houses has to be brought down for the proper growth of plants. Another draw back is that in the absence of bees for natural pollination, you yourself have to help in pollination.
With the help of greenhouses your year round vegetable garden can be grown.
Why don’t we go on with this post. Zack Wilson is an avid organic gardener, for more comprehensive information on how to alternative gardens visit my website where you’ll also find many articles on organic gardening, problems with gardening, easy steps to organic gardening, making money with your garden and much much more
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