Tag Archives: health and wellness

How Cardiovascular Disease Connects To Inflammation

 I bet we all have someone near and dear to our heart, who has been touched by cardiovascular disease. 

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Public health and agencies such as Heart and Stroke Society have done an excellent job highlighting some of the key factors that are risk factors to cardiovascular disease.  These risk factors can include hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, alcohol, smoking, and stress. 

An overarching factor that exists within all of these risk factors is; inflammation. 

Inflammation can be defined as “the body’s attempt at self-protection; the aim being to remove harmful stimuli, including damaged cells, irritants, or pathogens – and begin the healing process.” The symptoms of inflammation are represented as heat, redness, swelling and pain.

There have been links made between chronic inflammation and some cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, periodontitis and hay fever. 

One of the key modifiable factors affecting inflammation that has been researched is diet.  Meals that are contain excess calories and inflammatory fats have been linked to causing spikes in c-reactive protein, a measureable maker of inflammation.  The Standard American Diet has been linked to higher inflammation rates due to the higher intake of omega 6 fatty acids compared to omega 3.  In contrast the Mediterranean Diet has been linked to lower inflammation levels due to higher content of omega 3 fatty acids, low glycemic foods, higher amounts of carotenoids and flavonoids found abundantly in fruits and vegetables. 

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Excess body fat is also a component of inflammation as it a factory for inflammatory cytokines within the body, resulting in higher levels of inflammation. A study of postmenopausal women who where overweight or obese who lost 5% or more of their body weight had measurable decreases to their inflammation levels. 

Type 2 diabetes, the result of insulin resistance also has its roots deep in inflammation.   Again research has shown that more fat cells in the body result in a cascade of cellular signalling within the immune cells that results in inflammation. 

In the case of acute inflammation such a healing cut finger, physical symptoms would be typical; heat, swelling, redness and pain. Chronic inflammation does not display these same symptoms, instead havoc on the cardiovascular system can go undetected.  The process of atherosclerosis, the origin of cardiovascular disease is a result of the activation of the immune system during inflammation leading deposition and accumulation of cholesterol and tissue along the cardiovascular system.

From a preventative health standpoint it is important to combine the current treatment of cardiovascular health treatment with strategies to reduce inflammation.

Naturopathic Medicine as a preventative form of treatment has many options available to decrease overall inflammation within the body and can be used alongside conventional medical treatments.  For the Silo, Ashley Beeton.

Getting A Nose Job In 2021

Once upon a time, getting a nose job was a rite of passage.

These days, however, most prospective patients are concerned about the safety of this procedure. Even if you could afford it, should you still consider a nose job for purely cosmetic reasons?

The Simple Answer is That it Depends.

The safety of nose jobs, which are medically called rhinoplasty surgeries, relies on several different factors, such as your age and health. Read below to learn about whether you could safety undergo a cosmetic nose job procedure:

You Should Be Health Physically and Emotionally

Doctors no longer perform nose jobs on people who may want to procedure because of mental health issues. You can only undergo a nose job surgery only if you are in good health overall. That means the doctor will quiz you to find out whether you are emotionally ready for it. You will also have to undergo a regular health check-up that indicates whether your body can handle an invasive procedure.

Success of the Procedure Depends On the Skill of the Surgeons

Yes, nose jobs can go wrong. Sometimes, this procedure can actually cause deformities in an otherwise perfectly functional nose. That’s why how well your nose job turns out depends largely on the skill of the doctors performing the procedure. If you consider it, do research the highly skilled cosmetic surgeons in Edmonton and Calgary before going under the knife. Go to a responsible doctor who will do a proper health check-up and soberly inform you of the risks. Avoid the doctors who push for the procedure and don’t adequately answer your questions about the risk.

Nose Jobs Are Not For Smokers

If you smoke or vape, then it is not safe for you to undergo this procedure. Doctors warn that habits like smoking can damage the tissue lining your respiratory tract. So following the procedure, healing can take a long time. In smokers, nose jobs carry a higher risk of tissue damage, so responsible doctors don’t perform the procedure. Keep in mind that smoking here isn’t restricted to smoking tobacco cigarettes. If you smoke marijuana or vape, the risk might remain similarly high for you as well.

There’s a Non-Invasive Procedure Available Too

The traditional nose job is an invasive surgery much like any other, which is why your existing health condition is so important for the recovery phrase. If for some reason you are ineligible for an invasive nose job, there’s a non-invasive version of the procedure you can consider. Called a “liquid nose job” colloquially, this procedure involves injecting hyaluronic acid filler into your nasal cartilage. The results can be as dramatic as the real thing. However, doctors warn than even liquid nose jobs have their risks. Therefore, you should always choose a highly qualified medical professional to do the job.

A nose job can be an option if you want to make your natural nose look a certain way. However, there are if things to check before you opt in for one of these procedures. First, make sure you are healthy enough to undergo invasive surgery. Discuss risks of the procedure and alternatives with a qualified doctor first. Last but not least, make sure you are emotionally ready for the procedure and aren’t doing it because of mental health issues.

Why The Future Of Healthcare Is Virtual Reality

Presently and in the not too distant future, virtual reality in healthcare will become the norm. In this piece, we’ll show you how VR can help detect, treat and cure patients in all sorts of different sectors, such as Surgery and Dentistry, as well as teaching the Nurses of the future.

VR will also be used to help the development of people suffering from mental disabilities such as Autism and help cure phobias and tend to soldiers dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Via the Luminous Group, for the Silo, Georgia Davies. 
virtual reality healthcare infographic