Heart Failure: A Matter of The Heart

Medic-ALL (07:11:2014) by Kayode Kuku MB;BS

Each day of our lives almost 2,000 gallons of oxygen-rich blood is supplied to every living cell in our body to ensure their nourishment and continued living. This is made possible by a strategically located "pump of an organ" in the body called the Heart. The heart is truly an amazing organ, beating almost a 100,000 times every 24 hours, to deliver almost 65 million gallons in a lifetime.

The Heart provides the power needed for life. When it fails to pump blood at a rate sufficient to meet the body's requirements, the result is "heart failure". Heart failure does not mean that the heart has stopped working, it simply means that the heart is pumping less effective than normal. Hence, with heart failure, blood flows through the heart and body at a slower rate, there is an increase in pressure in the heart, the heart muscles stretch and/or thicken in order to accommodate more blood and the heart attempts to pump faster and blood vessels become narrow in order to meet up with the body's unmet demands. The heart muscles eventually weaken and are unable to pump as strongly.

Before the 1900s, very few people suffered from and even fewer died from heart failure. In the last decennia however, heart failure has become a huge burden all over the world, particularly in the Western world affecting millions and been the leading cause of hospitalization in persons over 65 years of age.

While the age of technology and importation of certain western "habits" have made life easier for millions all over the world, they have also made us prone to heart disease. Almost a lifetime ago, most people made their living through some sort of manual labor, walking was a major means of transportation and most daily tasks were done by hand. Statues were climbed (no elevators), carpets were swept and beat , laundry was scrubbed and butter was churned. Fresh foods consisting of mainly of fruits and vegetables, and home made delicacies were consumed. With the arrival of automation most manual labors were replaced or assisted by machinery. 

Modern conveniences made physical inactivity unneccessary and lifestyle "inconveniences" brought about changes in diet; Fried foods, like potato chips, hamburgers, and French fries became staples in many diets. The combination of a sedentary lifestyle and a seemingly "rich" diet led to an increase in clogged blood vessels, heart attacks and strokes, the heart failure and other heart diseases became a common occurrence. The rate of heart disease in fact increased sharply between 1940 and 1967, in what the World Health Organization described as the world's most serious epidemic. 

The field of Cardiology has grown tremendously over the years to meet the demands of heart failure. Various techniques and tools have also evolved to meet the increased need. Though, many causes of heart diseases are not always reversible, the signs and symptoms frequently can be treated with well established pharmacologic, dietary and therapeutic modalities.

The use of medications have proven consistently to not only improve the symptoms of heart failure, but also to reduce hospitalization and mortality. In addition, lifestyle and dietary modifications such as monitoring daily weight, reducing salt and fatty food intake, increasing functional activity , reducing alcohol intake, quitting smoking, regular medical check-ups and follow-ups.

Ref: WebMD

World Egg Day: Health Benefits of Egg

Medic-ALL (10:10:2014)

Today, we join the whole world in celebrating the World Egg day being the 2nd Friday in the month of October. A day established by the International Egg Commission (IEC) at the Vienna Conference in 1996. The World Egg day serves as a unique opportunity to help raise awareness on the benefits of egg and is celebrated in countries all around the world. 

Eggs are a common food source and have been eaten by humans across the world for thousands of years. They are produced by the female species of many animals but by far the most common choice for consumption is the eggs of chicken. Eggs are one of nature's highest quality sources of protein and contain many key ingredients of life. Hence, several health benefits ranging from brain and muscle development to disease prevention can be derived from egg consumption. 

Health Benefits of Egg

• Strong muscles: the protein within eggs helps keep muscles working well while slowing the rate at which they are lost.

• A healthy brain: eggs contain vitamins and minerals that are needed for the regular functioning of cells, including the brain, nervous system, memory and the metabolism.

• Good energy production: eggs contain all the daily vitamins and minerals that are needed to produce energy in all the cells of the body.

• A healthy immune system: Egg contains vitamin A, vitamin B12 and selenium which are key to keeping the immune system healthy.

• Reduces risk of heart disease: Egg is an excellent source of choline which plays an important part in breaking down the amino acid called homocysteine, which is associated with the development of heart disease.

• Healthy baby development during pregnancy: nutrients within eggs help to prevent birth defects such as spina bifida.

• Healthy eyesight: lutein and zeaxanthin help to prevent macular degeneration, an eye condition which is the leading cause of age-related blindness. Other vitamins also promote healthy vision.

• Weight loss and maintenance: the high quality of protein within eggs has been found by researchers to keep people energized and feeling fuller for longer. Feeling full prevents unhealthy snacking and reduces overall calorie intake.

• A healthy appearance: some vitamins and minerals within eggs help promote healthy skin and work to prevent the breakdown of body tissues. A strong immune system also contributes to a healthy look overall.

Potential Health Risks

People are advised not to eat raw or undercooked eggs. Bacteria can enter the egg through pores in the shells.

Eggs exit the bird's body via the same passageway that feces are excreted from and so there is a risk that bacteria such as Salmonella could enter the egg at this stage. Bacteria can also enter the egg if they are present in the bird's reproductive tract before the shell has formed around the egg's contents.

Storage and cooking

Eggs should be avoided if their shells are cracked or if they are out-of-date. Most advisory bodies recommend that eggs are stored in the refrigerator. if eggs are left out at room temperature they can sweat, making it easier for bacteria to move into the egg and grow. Eggs with cracked shells should not be eaten except the cracking occured while cooking.

Washing eggs is not recommended as this can not only lead to water getting into the egg through the pores of the shell but also remove the protective coating that is put on the outside of the shell by the bird that lays it. 

When cooking eggs properly, they must be cooked thoroughly until the yolks are firm. Scrambled eggs, for example, should not be runny.

If an egg floats in water, it will have enough air within it to keep it buoyant. Although this indicates that the egg is old, it does not necessarily mean that the egg cannot be used. The best way to check whether the egg is safe to be consumed is to crack open the shell; if the contents smell unpleasant or the coloration is unusual then it may not be safe.

It is also possible to tell whether an egg is raw or hard-cooked by spinning it on a flat surface. If the insides are not cooked then they will cause the egg to wobble, while a hard-cooked egg will spin easily.

Finally, we will do well not to Put All Our Eggs in one basket; it is the total diet or overall eating pattern that is most important in disease prevention and achieving good health. It is better to eat a balanced diet rather than concentrate on individual foods as the key to good health.

So as we celebrate the World Egg day share this health benefits and tips with your friends and loved ones and make eggs a important part of that nutritious and balabced daily diet.

Ref: 1.International Egg Commission website

2. McIntosh, James. "What are the health benefits of eggs?."Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 10 Oct. 2014. .