THE most common sustained heart irregularity is atrial fibrillation (A-Fib), where the atria (upper chambers of the heart} beat rapidly and quiver, instead of beating normally. This causes the ventricles to beat irregularly. As a result, there is in efficient blood pumping, blood pooling in the atria, leading blood clot formation inside these chambers. Blood clot in the left atrium could dislodge and travel to the brain to cause stroke, a catastrophic event common among 25 percent of individuals with A-Fib. These patients have 5 times higher risk to get a stroke compared to those without A-Fib. Stroke from A-Fib is more severe and has a higher mortality.
On the part of the individual with A-Fib, living a healthy life style could help in the management of A-Fib and its potential complications. From Harvard Medical School, here are data on how to focus on heart health:
“The ability of lifestyle changes to reduce the burden of atrial fibrillation remains an active area of research. In the meantime, you can take action to live a healthy and active lifestyle, in addition to medication and other standard a-fib treatments, with effort such as:
- If you smoke, quit.
- Control high blood pressure.
- Get treatment for sleep apnea, if you have it.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Don’t drink alcohol, or consume only in moderation.
- Keep your cholesterol and triglycerides within a healthy range.
- Get regular exercise.
- Get recommended vaccinations for the flu and pneumonia, especially if you have heart disease.
Make sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist about any new medications you are taking, including over-the-counter remedies and herbal supplements. Sometimes these can interact in a harmful way with warfarin, direct oral (or other) anticoagulants, or rhythm-controlling drugs.
Although your ability to prevent or treat atrial fibrillation with lifestyle choices has limits, most people are able to control bothersome symptoms long-term with medication, procedures, or both. That said, some people run out of safe or effective options, in which case the a-fib will become permanent. But with proper anticoagulation, and living a healthy lifestyle, you can still minimize your risk of stroke, the most dangerous complication of this abnormal heart rhythm.”
Optilume for BPH
Around 80 percent of men have BPH (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy) by age 70, a very common condition that hinders urine flow and causes severe discomfort. Surgery for BPH causes erectile dysfunction in about 3-5 percent of patients. A new device called Optilume BPH system has been developed, and approved by the US-FDA on June 30, 2023. This minimally invasive procedure improves urine flow without causing sexual dysfunction.
“The Optilume BPH devices uses balloons to dilate the anterior commissure of the prostate, which connects the two lobes of the gland, and the roof of the prostatic urethra. A slow-release coating of paclitaxel on one of the balloons shrinks the prostatic tissue and prevents it from closing around the opening to enhance the enhanced flow of urine.”
Foods vs Alzheimer’s
In the United States today, there are about 6.7 million people with Alzheimer’s. One in 9 Americans age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s. Worldwide, there are about 55 million individuals with Alzheimer’s. Healthcare and long-term care cost for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias are projected to reach $384 billion in the United States. For each patient with Alzheimer’s the lifetime cost is about $395,000, and 70 percent of this is borne by the family as “out-of-pocket expense.” The East and Southeastern regions of the United States have higher estimated prevalence of Alzheimer’s. The number of Alzheimer’s is expected to double by 2060.
Countries with the highest number of Alzheimer’s are Kirbati (an island nation in central Pacific Ocean) and Afghanistan, and those with the lowest are Bangladesh, India, and Luxembourg. Here are some wise and practical guides from Medscape Medical News to beneficial diet to protect the brain:
• Eat REAL Food– “Eat whole, real, fresh, organic, local and unprocessed food. If it has more than three ingredients (especially ones you do not immediately recognize), a package, or a barcode, AVOID IT.
• Get Healthy Fats for Your Head—The brain needs omega 3 fat DHA and EPA, which comes from algae, cold-water fatty fish and grass fed meats, along with saturated fats to stay its healthiest.
• Protein Power–Eat high quality, naturally sourced protein for breakfast every day, such as omega 3 eggs, salmon or grass fed meat, plain organic yogurt, or nut butters.
• Boost Your Brain Protectors–Eat piles of fruit and vegetables deeply colored with powerful phytonutrients. The deep red, yellow, orange, green, and blue in foods are a sign of powerful anti-
inflammatory, antioxidant, energy boosting, and brain-powering nutrients.
• Eat the RIGHT Kind of Carbs–Eat foods full of fiber, including raw vegetables, raw fruit, nuts, and seeds. This helps to clean out the gut, remove toxins, and grow healthy gut bacteria. A healthy gut has MUCH to do with the brain, and a healthy gut means a healthy brain!
• Remove the Poisons–Eliminate sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, coffee, alcohol, trans fats, food additives and preservatives, all of which poison your brain and disrupt your biochemistry. If you can just follow these few steps—yes they may be big steps, but you can start instantly eliminating the brain-damaging foods and chemicals from your diet.
There is one other KEY change that is essential–That step is to eliminate the two most common causes of food allergens and hidden reactions in our diet. These come from lectin/gluten and pasteurized processed dairy. The brain reacts to allergens as well as your body—with increased inflammation. And when this occurs, you can get brain fog, anxiety, depression, autism, ADHD, dementia, and more. Gluten has even been proven to cause some cases of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.” Diet is a major factor in health and longevity. We are, indeed, what we eat. The power to live a healthy lifestyle is in our hands. The choice is entirely ours. Good health is priceless.
* * *
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * *
Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Astronaut Gus Grissom, pugilist Muhammad Ali, distinguished educators, scientists, etc. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and[
philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
