German scientists found out that people given cholesterol-fighting statin drugs before heart surgery are far less likely to suffer complications afterwards or die. This can be a relief to those who will have to go through this trial as well as to their near and dear ones.

The inspection of more than 31,000 patients gave to the researchers some of the strongest evidence of the benefits of statins before heart surgery. However their work also showed that too few doctors are prescribing cholesterol-fighting statin drugs.

"This is the first big summary of all the existing studies about people undergoing cardiac surgery," said Oliver Liakopoulos, a researcher at the University of Cologne. It was he, who led the study. "What our study underscores is the need to increase statin therapy," he also mentioned.

It’s worth mentioning that statins are the world's top-selling drugs and are believed to be highly effective at cutting the risk of heart attack and stroke. Consequently the medicines have also made fortunes for drug companies like Pfizer, which makes the market leader Lipitor, and AstraZeneca with its Crestor. However cheaper generic versions are now increasingly available.

The fact is that the odds of dying after heart surgery were 43 percent lower for people who had been on statins. It’s also evident that the drugs lowered the post-operative risk of irregular heartbeats by 33 percent and stroke by 26 percent. All this was confirmed by review of 19 studies made in recent time. Nevertheless only a little more than half of the 31,000 people in the studies got statins before surgery. Thus we can only conclude that more patients should receive cholesterol-fighting statin drugs.

But at present the researchers could not say what the right dose should be or how long patients should take statins, because people they studied were on the drugs from a few days to a few months which can make difference. "We can't say how much or how long is optimal but these are things that need to be looked at in further studies," Liakopoulos said.

How common is obesity? How is body fat measured? What about weight-for-height tables? What is the body mass guide (BMI)? Does it matter where protest plump is located? What about herbal fen phen? What about meal substitutes, imitation sweeteners, and OTC products?

The delimitation of obesity varies depending on what one reads, but in general, it is a chronic condition defined by an excess amount body fat. A certain amount of body fat is vital representing storing energy, heat insulation, shock absorption, and other functions. Normally women have 25-30% of body fat expressed as percentage of body fat) and men - 18-23%. All that is more is abnormal and is considered as obesity.

In the United States obesity has reached epidemic proportions. According to statistics one in three Americans is obese. It is also common for other countries all over the world.

Obesity is not just a cosmetic consideration; it is a real dilemma directly harmful to one's health. In the United States, roughly 300,000 deaths per year are directly related to obesity, and more than 80% of these deaths are in patients with a BMI (body mass index) over 30. Moreover obesity increases the risk of developing a number of chronic diseases including: Insulin Resistance.

Insulin resistance (IR) is the condition whereby the effectiveness of insulin in transporting glucose (sugar) into cells is diminished. Fat cells are more insulin resistant than muscle cells; consequently, one important cause of IR is obesity. While the pancreas can produce enough insulin to overcome this resistance, the levels of blood glucose remain normal. This IR state (characterized by normal blood glucose levels and high insulin levels) can last long enough, sometimes for years. When the pancreas can no longer keep up with producing high levels of insulin, blood glucose levels begin to rise. This results in type 2 diabetes, thus IR is a pre-diabetes condition.Actually scientists now believe that the atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) associated with diabetes likely develops during this IR period. The risk of type 2 diabetes increases with the degree and duration of obesity.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is common among obese people. A Norwegian study showed that weight gain tended to increase blood pressure in women more significantly than in men. Moreover the risk of developing coronary artery disease increased 3 to 4 times in women who had a BMI greater than 29. A Finnish recite showed that every one kilogram (2.2 pounds) increase in body weight, means the risk of death from coronary artery disease increased by one percent.

While not conclusively proven, some observational studies have linked obesity to cancer of the colon in men and women, cancer of the rectum and prostate in men, and cancer of the gallbladder and uterus in women. Obesity may also be associated with breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women.

So obesity can actually ruin the health of a person, causing a great number of different diseases. One should take much care about his or her weight and be conscious about what they eat.

Asthma actually is labored breathing caused by obstruction of airflow. This happens as a result of constriction of the air way and increased mucosal discharge due to an altered allergic response. An episode of Asthmatic attack may be mild and past away fast or at times may be severe and brisk longer requiring immediate medical help.

The causes of Asthma are many fold and most often they are a combination of multiple factors triggering the Asthma attack. Common causes of Asthma are numerous. Main of them are: 1) Genetic/Hereditary and familial tendency ; 2) Allergens like Pollen and molds from grass, flowers and trees; 3) Environmental factors exposure to smoke, dust, pollution, petrol fumes, exposure to chemicals, strong perfumes, paints, varnishes, etc. 4) Mental stress. 5) Infection of the lung, which can be bacterial, viral predisposes to asthma. History of other allergic disorders or Asthma in parents also predisposes a person to Asthma. Childhood history of recurrent averse respiratory infections is found in most asthmatic patients.

Depending on his susceptibility, various factors work as triggers in inducing an asthmatic attack. Some common triggering factors I'm going to list. Emotional stress is a well known trigger factor for an asthmatic attack, as well as over strenuous exercises. Inhalation of cold air is not quite safe also. Climatic changes are actually dangerous for asthmatic patients. They also need to be careful with certain drugs like aspirin, etc.

What should be said is that intensity and duration of the symptoms also vary during each chapter of Asthma. There may be cough, sometimes with phlegm. It is much worse at night or early in the morning thus making it difficult to sleep. Whistling is also coomon. The sound is produced due to air passing through constricted air ways. Mreover, person may feel chest tightness - sensation as if something is squeezing the chest. Shortness of breath is another possible symptom. In this cases mild to modify shortness of breath and shortness and rapid breathing follow with a feeling of anxiety and sweating. The man is unable to lie down on the back. Normally he finds reliefe in sitting bent forwards and near the windows.

It is evident that Asthma can be effectively treated with Homeopathic edicines. Conventionally it is treated with steroids and bronchodilators with temporary relief. Their work happens at the deeper immune level. It is nesessary to take all factors into consideration before prescribing an individualized constitutional medicine. I mean the allergic nature, genetic predisposition, stress, etc. The effective result give relief from the existing symptoms like breathlessness, wheezing, cough, etc. Consequently the intensity, duration, and recurrence of the Asthmatic attacks can be controlled with Homeopathic medicines.

If you are an asthmatic, try to identify the trigger piece that bring on your attack, so that you can avoid them. There are three steps to be taken when dealing with an allergy. Firstly, identify the creator or allergen Secondly, avoid it. Thirdly, if avoidance is impossible, treat the symptoms.

Keep a diary and try to hint a pattern or relation between your allergic reaction and the allergen. E.g. Avoid subsistence & imbibe that are known to cause a problem such as vinegar, lemon juice, grapes, instant tea, corn syrup, fruit toppings, cold food & drink, canned vegetables, ale and wine. Avoid smoke, pollution, dust as far as possible. Good nutrition, balanced diet, adequate rest and repose testament be beneficial. Yoga can help you by respiration exercises. Ask your doctor regarding emergency medication to help you till you reach him.

It is impirtant to avoid allergens as much as you can. During Pollen season it is advisable avoid outdoors activities early in the morning as most Pollens are maximum before 10 am in most cases. You'd better work indoors with proper ventilation and air conditioning. While driving you may also close all the windows to avoid allergens.

Breathing complete nose ensures that the air you breathe comes in relatively warmed while passing along the passage and thus does not become an irritant.

Avoid cigarette smoke and other sources of smoke like fireplace, bonfires, bursting crackers, etc. Don't stay or work in polluted areas, where you will be exposed to smog, dust, industrial dust and fumes, damp, etc. Keep your environment (vents, air conditioners filters, etc) clean and dry to avoid mold growths. Scrub surfaces and thoroughly dry them to prevent moisture and mold growths. It is useful to have a dehumidifier in the home and clean it every day.

Grasp your surroundings dust free next to cleaning with damp stuff and then drying the surfaces. Avoid using carpets, etc which can mass dust, mites, etc. Regularly vacuum such surfaces in absence of persons hypersensitive to them to avoid triggering their illness. Another serious problem are dust mites and bugs. Most often they live in stuffed toys, carpets, mattresses, cloths, pillows, beddings, etc. It is necessary to clean them in hot water where possible and encase them in zipped allergen covers.

Avoid keeping pets. If you hope for to keep a pet it's best to restrict them to specific room and avoid them from entering bedroom, etc. It is also good to wash the pet regularly. Moreover, take precautions and keep the house and environment clean to avert breeding of cockroaches. Cockroach droppings and reason parts can irritate asthma sufferers.

Avoid using the chemicals and sprays representing pest control. Avoid going into rooms that are continuance painted or just painted. Do not use burly perfumes and chemical inhalants.

And finally several words about food. Eat fresh unprocessed food. Evaluation food labels for additives.Vitamin B complex and magnesium addendum may help.

Oh, ye, one more thing: see a doctor regularly, to be monitored and seek help in case if a severe attack.