Ignoring protein and alcohol, fat is carried in the bloodstream in the form of free fatty acids (FFAs) which have been broken down from triglycerides (TGs) from food and fat stores. The other main source of energy is sugar (glucose). Glucose is used up readily in muscle tissue as energy when it is available in significant amounts, such as after a meal (hence the thick arrow from glucose to the muscle). Otherwise, the muscle uses FFAs as its main source of energy (such as after overnight fasting, in which case there would be a thick arrow from FFAs to the muscle). FFAs are efficiently stored as triglycerides in the fat cell. The obligatory biochemical cost of storage of fat as body fat is about 3 per cent of the energy available in the fat. The cost of converting glucose to fat on the other hand (de novo lipogenesis) is around 25 per cent of the available energy in the carbohydrate, which helps to explain why de novo lipogenesis is now not thought to occur significantly in humans under normal physiological conditions i.e. non-forced feeding of carbohydrate.
*27\186\4*
Tetanus is a disease too terrible to think about. It can affect anybody, and this includes the newborn. In fact, of the million or more cases of tetanus deaths that are reputed to occur world-wide each year, about half are of infants under the age of 12 months. Inadequate hygiene and lack of specific protection are the main reasons.
The disease is produced by an organism called Clostridium tetani. This organism can produce spores which are very resistant and can live for a long period of time. They are a normal inhabitant of the bowel, and for this reason are very common in manure. That’s why persons who enjoy gardening are at special risk. Once it starts to multiply, the germ produces an extremely powerful toxin which may be rapidly fatal. Many cases occur from simple puncture wounds in which germs have been inserted. Often the wound is so small that the person is unaware of it happening. Babies in the Third World are at special risk, for their umbilical cord is a wonderful spot for the germs to dwell and multiply.
The incubation period varies from five days to five weeks. Onset of symptoms may be heralded by crampy pains in the muscles, commonly of the back or abdomen. The patient shows restlessness, irritability and difficulty in swallowing. There may be early convulsions. Gradually, the muscle stiffness and tension increases. The muscles of the jaw often are affected early. They contract, giving the false impression the patient is grinning. As time passes, swallowing becomes more and more difficult, wild tetanic spasms of the muscles occur, with the head and back retracting, and intense pain is felt. Fists and jaws clench.
The course of the disease is terrible and the agony experienced is major and terrifying. Parents should know of these symptoms in detail to understand the urgent need to prevent this awful disease from developing in their own offspring.
Tetanus is a totally preventable disease. In fact, the protection afforded by adequate immunization is remarkable. This is usually started when the baby is two months old. (Refer to the childhood immunization schedule given earlier in this chapter.) The procedure is a very simple one, but the beneficial effects are enormous.
It can totally prevent tetanus, and is probably the most amazing and complete cover against disaster that is currently available in this country. It is wise to continue with regular updating booster shots, ideally throughout life. Therefore following the initial course started at two months, boosters are offered at 18 months, then pre-school and ideally each 5-10 years thenceforth for the rest of a person’s life. If a dirty wound occurs meanwhile, most doctors suggest an immediate booster at that moment also, just to be doubly sure.
There are about twenty cases of tetanus annually in Australia. This is fairly high when it is considered that in Great Britain, a country with a population four times that of Australia, they also have about twenty cases annually.
Treatment
Treatment of tetanus, of course, is basically to prevent it by sensible immunization. After any wound that is potentially dirty—and this may include simple gardening injuries—a check with the doctor is advised to ascertain whether a booster shot is necessary, or other protective given, irrespective of the age of the child.
Tetanus itself requires particularly skilful treatment, ideally in the intensive care ward of a major hospital which has access to full nursing and medical facilities. At the first sign of any of the symptoms after an accident, irrespective of how minor, medical attention by the doctor is strongly advised.
*46\87\2*
Baby rapidly grows from the day of birth. Most babies weigh about 3333 g at birth (approximately 7 lb 5 oz). This doubles by the age of six months, and trebles at 12 months. In the second year, the baby will gain about 3.5 kg (about 7% lb), and another 2.5 kg (about 5% lb) in the third year. From this point on, the child will gain about 2.5 kg each year until reaching the period known as puberty. At this time, enormous internal hormonal changes suddenly occur, and there is a wondrous growth spurt as the child sails into adolescence and later into early adulthood.
Baby’s height also increases. This is very rapid in the first six months, after which the rate tends to slow down. Many factors play a part in the individual’s ultimate height. Inherited genetic factors, general health and many environmental considerations all come into play.
But how does the average Australian baby develop month-by-month in the early days? Here is a general guide as to what you may expect during the first six months. Every baby, being an individual, will differ. But the general development usually occurs along these lines. Do not be alarmed if your child does not measure up to this pattern exactly, for differences are often considerable. Conversely, the child may seem to be developing at a much faster rate. But in the long term, it all averages out. The great majority finally fit into the norm which makes up the average Australian child, and finally the average Australian adult.
You might wish to keep a record in the margins of this book of the age the baby achieves each milestone. Also, add any other activities you notice. Later on, especially if other babies follow in your family, you will have a record of the child’s development that can be compared with others to lessen parental worries.
*1\87\2*
A bladder sign is typically found in the fourth minor zone—the muscle zone, in the right iris at 22′, and in the left iris at 37′.
Bladder signs in the right iris are of organic origin and usually hereditary. Those in the left iris arise from infection. With bladder signs in the right iris one should give attention to signs in the ear areas, following the rule: Forefathers with bladder troubles—children with ear troubles. Children having dark bladder signs in the right iris are usually found to have signs in the ear area. Such children tend towards aural disturbances.
In the case of bladder signs in the left iris, look for an aortic sign. If both areas—bladder and aorta—are indicated, then consider the possibility of luetic infection. In such a case a heart sign is usually found as well.
1. Cystitis: inflammation of the bladder: shows white wisps, clouds or lines in the bladder area, or also a dark sign with a surrounding white border. If cramp occurs with bladder troubles (vesical spasm), then the appropriate area will show interrupted cramp-rings
(contraction rings = nerve rings).
2. Atony of the bladder: is a muscular weakness and shows as dark oval lacunae or dark wisp signs in the fourth minor zone (muscle zone) of the bladder area.
3. Cystic paralysis—danger of: is indicated by an extension of this weakness-sign (lacuna) out over the fifth minor zone.
*25\78\2*
Our body reacts to anxiety with a number of physiological responses. Our heart rate is increased, our blood pressure rises, blood is diverted from the organs to the muscles, and the pupils of our eyes are dilated. The body prepares us to meet some emergency. It is really a preparation for action—for fight or flight. This response is a biologically ancient form of reaction, which we have inherited from times past when dangers were usually in the form of some threat of physical attack. The body’s physiological response is well adapted to meet such a threat.
But the warning of anxiety refers to a threat from within—all is not well in our mind. And the body’s traditional response to threats is of little help in this relatively new biological situation. In fact, the beating of our heart and the tensing of our muscles for physical action only tends to increase our anxiety, because there is no outward foe on whom we can vent the physical strength which has been mobilized. In other words our body responds to anxiety according to a biologically outmoded pattern of reaction which can neither rectify the cause nor help us tolerate the discomfort of our anxiety.
The general response of the body to anxiety is modified by a physiological self-regulation device. There are many such self-regulating mechanisms in the body—for instance those which control our body temperature, water balance, and the chemical constituents of the blood. The alerting response which prepares us for action by increasing our heart rate and raising our blood pressure is mediated through the sympathetic nervous system. When this system becomes too active, a self-regulating mechanism calls the parasympathetic system into activity to balance the effect of the overactive sympathetic system. But one of the main functions of the parasympathetic is to increase the mobility of the bowels and the contraction of the bladder. So anxiety in this indirect way may come to cause diarrhoea or frequent urination. This, of course, has quite the opposite effect of the primary response to anxiety, which was to mobilize our bodily resources in preparation for action.
*2\57\2*
Botulism is a specific type of food poisoning. Botulism is caused by the toxin (poison) produced by Clostridium botulinum, a germ which is related to the tetanus germ and prevalent everywhere. The botulism germ grows in anaerobic (no oxygen) environments (such as in tightly closed jars that were not properly sterilized). Its toxin can be destroyed if it is heated for ten minutes at 82° Ñ Botulism poisoning is primarily caused by improperly prepared canned or preserved foods that have not been adequately heated before they’ve been eaten. The foods most likely to cause poisoning are seafood, mushrooms, meat, and vegetables. The toxin and germs are undetectable. Foods contaminated with botulism look, smell, and taste normal.
With improvements in commercial food preparation and the decline in home canning in the first half of the 20th century, botulism had become a rare illness. With the increased interest in home canning and “natural” foods (those without preservatives), botulism is threatening a comeback.
Adults and children past infancy can be poisoned by botulism only if they eat food in which the botulism germ has already formed the toxin. Recent cases of fatal botulism among infants, however, suggest that the botulism germ can grow in an infant’s immature intestines to form the dangerous toxin within the infant’s body. The only natural food so far identified as a source of botulism germs for infants is honey. Therefore, you should not give honey to an infant. However, other raw or improperly cooked foods may eventually be identified as potential sources of the germ.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of botulism are nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; abdominal pain followed in 12 to 48 hours by double vision; dilated pupils; and difficulty speaking, swallowing, and breathing. There is no fever and no loss of awareness or alertness. Death may result.
Suspect botulism if your infant develops symptoms within a week of eating raw or home-prepared foods. Suspect the disease if more than one member of your family develops similar symptoms after eating the same prepared food. If symptoms of stomach or intestinal upset are followed by paralysis that starts at the eyes and moves downward, botulism may be the cause. Home diagnosis, however, is totally unreliable. Consult your doctor immediately if possible symptoms of botulism occur.
Home care
None. Call your doctor immediately if you suspect botulism.
Precautions
• Do not give babies unwashed, unpeeled raw foods or improperly cooked foods.
• Do not give honey to infants.
• Do not use foods in damaged or dented store-bought cans. Damaged cans may have developed leaks through which the botulism germ can enter the food.
• When canning or preserving foods at home, follow preparation and sterilization directions carefully.
Medical treatment
Diagnosis is made by cultures of the food eaten, stomach contents, and stools and by identifying the toxin in the patient’s blood. Treatment includes injection of the antitoxin (a substance that counteracts the effects of the poison). Stomach washing, laxatives and enemas, possibly antibiotics, and hospitalization may be necessary. Immunization to prevent botulism is available, but only for persons at high risk.
*25/84/5*
Many manufacturers now provide nutritional information on food packages. These may be useful in planning the diet for the person with diabetes.
Here are two examples of package labels:
1. An individual serving may be described.
Nutriment composition per serving one serve as described on packet
Protein 3 g
Fat 2g
Carbohydrate 15 g
Kcals 90
Kjoules 378
From this label one serve would be equal to one carbohydrate exchange.
1. The description may refer to a certain amount of the food. Nutrient composition per 100 g of prepared food.
Protein 4g
Fat 6g
Carbohydrate 22 g
Kcals 158
Kjoules 664
From this label l00 g of food would provide approximately 1 1/2 carbohydrate exchanges. If an average serve weighs approximately 30 g, then it will provide 1/2 carbohydrate exchange.
This information helps you work out the number of carbohydrate exchanges per serve. Not all foods labeled in this way are suitable for regular use as they may have high sugar content. It is also important to read the ingredients labeling. Ingredients by law are listed in decreasing order. Inclusion of ingredients such as sugar, glucose, dextrose, and honey in large amounts may mean that the product should not be used under normal circumstances.
*110/54/5*
Scientists recently have found a bad bit of DNA floating around in the genetic coding of mankind. If you inherit it from one of your parents, this dangerous DNA can increase your risk for having a heart attack by 50 percent. Inherit it from both your mother and your father, and your risk doubles.
This is just the latest in a slew of findings from geneticists who are reporting that a man’s susceptibility to common killers such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and prostate and colon cancer can be passed down to him at birth, putting him in a high-risk category from the moment the cord is cut. This news-coming as it does after a decade of doctors telling us that a healthy lifestyle was all we needed to bypass most life-threatening conditions-has left many wondering how much control we actually have over our own health.
The answer: a lot. Scientists are investigating these genetic connections not to dole out death sentences but, rather, to show people what may lie down the road so that they can take the proper measures to head it off at the pass. Lifestyle changes can have an enormous impact on decreasing your risk for diseases, says Dr. Walter M. Bortz II of Stanford University School of Medicine.
Researchers at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research and the University of Texas Health Science Center, both in San Antonio, found that among 1,236 Mexican-Americans who were part of 42 extended families studied, genes accounted for only 15 to 30 percent of various risk factors for heart disease. So in most cases, Dr. Bortz says, our risk for the diseases that commonly kill men is determined by how we live.
*20/36/5*
There is no way to eliminate stress from our lives entirely, and small amounts are actually good for providing motivation and stimulating creativity. To make sure stress doesn’t take control of your life and health, try to follow these tips:
• Make the time to do simple things you enjoy. This could be listening to your favourite music, reading a good book, phoning a friend or meeting them for lunch.
• Spend time with people who make you laugh, and watch comedies.
• Make sure you get enough sleep. If you are chronically tired, every difficulty will be harder to cope with.
• Exercise. It is impossible to be thinking about your problems if you are flat out exercising.
• If something is bothering you, talk about it to a friend or family member you trust.
• Take a holiday each year. You don’t have to go far; just a change in scenery and routine can do wonders for restoring motivation.
• Find something in life you are passionate about and be involved in it regularly. Life has so many things to offer, there is never a reason to feel bored.
• Remember to be grateful for all the wonderful people and things in your life.
• Having a regular massage is a great way to release tension from your body.
• Learn meditation, yoga or Tai Chi. Stress management techniques like this can reduce your risk of heart disease by 50 percent.
• Breath slowly and deeply. Often when we are stressed we take shallow breaths or hold our breath for short periods of time.
*23/53/5*
You’ve appointed your wife durable power of attorney. You’ve ordered a polished oak casket that shines like your first baseball bat. And you’ve footed the bill for the whole shebang, saving your loved ones enough headache and expense to qualify you (if posthumously) as Husband and Dad of the Year. You’re done and never have to think about it again, right? Almost.
Here are just a few more things to add to your “Dying with Dignity Checklist,” according to our experts.
Make a will. Many families have a story of an irreparable rift caused by bickering over an estate. “Sadly, this happens even when there’s not a great deal to fight over,” Litz says.
That’s why everyone over age 18, rich or poor, should have a will, he says.
“Without one, it’s a race to the courthouse to determine who ends up as administrator of your estate,” Litz says. “Then the registrar of wills ends up choosing, which can be a legal nightmare. It is essential to have a will if you have children under 18 years of age. In a will, a guardian is named to take care of your children and a trustee to take care of your estate for the benefit of your children.” You should also name someone you trust as the executor of the will to file with the court and see that your wishes are carried out. “A will is a simple way to be sure that your money and possessions go exactly where you want them to go,” concludes Litz.
Keep good records. You should write down and gather up everything you think the executor of your estate will need, suggests Brubaker. Include your biographical information, which is essentially the information needed to fill out a death certificate and to write an obituary; your financial information, including your Social Security number, your most recent income tax returns and W-2′s, last Social Security check (if applicable), marriage certificate, spouse’s Social Security number, and any military records; the location of your will; your insurance policies; children’s names, addresses, and telephone numbers; bank accounts and securities; safe-deposit boxes; benefit entitlements; and other important documents.
Know your benefits. “Too many people have no idea what benefits they’re entitled to,” says Brubaker, who is often the first person to tell them. He recommends that people find out what benefits they’re entitled to through the places they’ve worked, Social Security, and the armed forces, and make a list of them. Most of these benefits are not automatically paid when you die. Your family needs to apply for them.
*30/36/5*