Dr. Andrew Lange2013-06-19T04:59:41-04:00Dr. Andrew Langehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/index.php?author=dr-andrew-langeCopyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc.HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Dr. Andrew LangeGood old fashioned elbow grease.If Songbirds Are Dying From Mercury Poisoning, Are We Next?tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.12591152012-02-21T14:01:41-05:002012-04-22T05:12:01-04:00Dr. Andrew Langehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-andrew-lange/
Guess again, says a new report done by the Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) in conjunction with The Nature Conservancy. The report, "Hidden Risk," details the wide spread and deep impacts of mercury pollution in terrestrial nature -- particularly on animals such as songbirds and bats. Researchers are discovering how mercury is causing big declines in reproductive success among these species as well as physiological oddities -- like developmental asymmetries and an inability of some birds to hit high notes.
And the same rain that brings mercury pollution down from the sky falls on us, too. So are these species a kind of canary in the coal mine for mercury's effects on other vertebrates, including people? And will strict new federal standards limiting U.S. power plant pollution be enough in a world where mercury pollution is on the rise from China and other nations?
According to Chris Shade, Ph.D., at Quicksilver Scientific, the leading mercury testing and treatment lab in the country, methylmercury (MeHg), is the most highly researched form of mercury present in nature. It is an organic mercury species commonly found in fish and other animal tissues. Although methylmercury is mobile and easily absorbed, it is difficult for organisms to eliminate. Instead, the methylmercury accumulates in biological tissues. For example, while digesting its prey, the predator absorbs the methylmercury contained in its victim. As a result, animals higher on the food chain tend to have more methylmercury in their tissues than those lower on the food chain. This process of methylmercury exposure is known as bioaccumulation. Bioaccumulation can result in fish having more than 1 million times higher methylmercury concentrations than the water in which they swim.
Inorganic Mercury
Inorganic mercury is the term used to refer to mercuric ion (HgII). Inorganic mercury is highly toxic but not very mobile. Inorganic mercury in sediments, soils and food sources does not pass easily into biological tissues. However, once inside of the tissue, inorganic mercury is very difficult to remove. Inorganic mercury accumulates in tissues when a more mobile form of mercury such as elemental mercury vapor, methylmercury or ethylmercury enters the tissue and breaks down into inorganic mercury. In biological tissues, most organic forms of mercury will eventually break down into inorganic mercury.
New Scientific Report Shows High Levels of Mercury in Many Wildlife Species
Mercury accumulation, previously considered a risk for aquatic ecosystems, is also found in many wildlife species living on the land. This new scientific data is presented in a new report published by BRI in partnership with The Nature Conservancy. "Hidden Risk: Mercury in Terrestrial Systems of the Northeast" highlights BRI's scientific findings on high levels of mercury contamination in songbirds and bats throughout 11 northeastern states.
The human health effects of mercury contamination are well documented: adverse effects include impacts on cardiovascular health, IQ, workplace productivity and motor control. Similarly, mercury negatively affects wildlife populations by hindering behavior and reproduction. Past investigations have emphasized adverse impacts to fish-eating wildlife, such as common loons, bald eagles and river otters.
Major Findings
Current environmental mercury loads have the ability to significantly reduce reproductive success in several songbird species of conservation concern in the northeastern U.S. including the saltmarsh sparrow and rusty blackbird.
Bats also build up significant body burdens of mercury; individuals from multiple species from all 10 areas sampled in the northeastern U.S. exceeded the threshold level of adverse impacts.
At-risk habitats and associated indicator species are identified based on the species' level of conservation concern, relative abundance, and ability to build up mercury in their bodies.
Despite rising global mercury emissions, there are actions that both managers and policy makers can take to limit future ecosystem degradation, ranging from cleaning up legacy mercury dump sites to controlling emissions from coal-fired power plants.
Through greater understanding of both the extent of wildlife exposure and harmful impacts to ecosystem health, it is now clear that increased conservation efforts are necessary to reduce this neurotoxin in our environment for the benefit of wildlife and people.
]]>Health News Week In Reviewtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.8965032011-07-12T17:56:03-04:002011-09-11T05:12:02-04:00Dr. Andrew Langehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-andrew-lange/Week of June 10, 2011
This week we look at bacteria resistant to antibiotics and how you can protect yourself, AIDS at 30 years, changing brain cells into heart cells and why athletes may need more Vitamin D.
WHO has identified antimicrobial resistance to antibiotics as one of the three greatest threats to human health.
The bacteria in your intestines are your immune system's first line of defense. Antibiotics affect not only the bacteria we wish to eliminate, but destroy the beneficial flora, which maintain the internal balance of bacterial growth. A bacterium such as Staphylococcus is normally maintained in balance, but can overgrow and become pathological under antibiotic treatment. When we take antibiotics much of the ecosystem of the bacteria is disrupted, so there can be overgrowth of bacteria which can lead to disease. A healthy intestinal bacterial flora prevents foreign bacteria from entering your bloodstream through the gut.
While the development of specific antibiotics for pathological agents profoundly improved success in treating infectious disease, a hidden cost has emerged. The overuse of antibiotics to treat common ailments has led to a disruption of the internal microbiological ecosystems in our bodies.
The problems with the overuse of antibiotics are much the same as problems with pesticides and fungicides. When we destroy the natural balance of bacteria in the soil, the natural defenses against pests are compromised. When we eliminate all other plants (or weeds) to grow just one species, that species is more susceptible to disease.
Think of a field or a meadow. In its natural state many plants coexist in the natural development of an ecosystem. When man decides to remove certain unsightly plants that are seen as weeds, suddenly greater and greater energy is required to maintain this new unintegrated system. Look at our lawns, how much pesticides, weed killers, water and fertilizer are required. Biological systems thrive on diversity.
The weaker the system becomes the more resistant bacteria can overgrow and require more use of antibiotics. This is called antimicrobial resistance.
The World Health Organization has identified antimicrobial resistance to antibiotics as one of the three greatest threats to human health. Antimicrobial resistance is the outgrowth of overuse and misuse of antibiotics in human health and in animals, among other practices.
According to the Infectious Diseases Society of America, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, which is the result of a staph infection that becomes resistant to antibiotics, kills more Americans every year than emphysema, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's disease and homicides combined. Tuberculosis, which kills 2 million people worldwide every year, more than any other infectious disease, is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics.
The issue is of such growing concern that the World Health Organization dedicated World Health Day, April 7, to the topic, calling for increased attention to antibiotic-resistant bacteria worldwide.
The financial costs are great as well, according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Two common hospital-acquired infections, pneumonia and sepsis, which are generally the result of antibacterial-resistant pathogens, killed 50,000 Americans and cost the U.S. health care system $8 billion in 2006. The total cost to the health care system of antibiotic-resistant infections is thought to be $21 billion to $34 billion each year.
How do we counteract these negative effects of antibiotics? One method is to increase our consumption of healthy bacteria or probiotics. The World Health Organization defines probiotics as "live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host." The most common types of these beneficial bacteria are Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. These are found in fermented foods such as yogurt and sauerkraut. Probiotics are also sold as dietary supplements in therapeutic doses. Previous studies indicate that probiotics may have a role in treating gastrointestinal illnesses, boosting immunity, and preventing or slowing the development of certain types of cancer.
References:
Tucker, C. New Measures, Legislation Aimed at Antibiotic Resistance. Nations Health. 2011;41(5):1-2. American Public Health Association.
Lange, Andrew. Getting at the Root Treating the Deepest Source of Disease. North Atlantic Books.
Iyer C, Kosters A, Sethi G, et al. Probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri promotes TNF-induced apoptosis in human myeloid leukemia-derived cells by modulation of NF-kB and MAPK signaling. Cellular Microbiology. 2008;10(7):1442-1452.
Zhang W, Azevedo MSP, Wen K, et al. Probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus enhances the immunogenicity of an oral rotavirus vaccine in gnotobiotic pigs. Vaccine. 2008;26(29-30):3655-3661.
On June 5, 1981, Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report published a report of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in five previously healthy young men in Los Angeles, California; two had died.[1] This report later was acknowledged as the first published scientific account of what would become known as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Thirty years after that first report, the most recent estimate is that 33.3 million persons were living with HIV infection worldwide at the end of 2009.[2]
In the United States, the CDC estimates that 1,178,350 persons were living with HIV at the end of 2008,[3] with 594,496 having died from AIDS since 1981.[4] At this 30-year mark, efforts are being accelerated under the National HIV/AIDS Strategy of the United States, with goals of reducing the number of persons who become infected with HIV, increasing access to care and optimizing health outcomes for persons living with HIV, and reducing HIV-related health disparities.[5]
References:
1. CDC. Pneumocystis pneumonia--Los Angeles. MMWR 1981;30:250-2.
2. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. Global report: UNAIDS report on the global AIDS epidemic 2010. Geneva, Switzerland: UNAIDS; 2010. Available at http://www.unaids.org/globalreport/global_report.htm. Accessed May 26, 2011.
3. CDC. HIV surveillance--United States, 1981-2008. MMWR 2011;60:689-93.
4. CDC. Diagnoses of HIV infection and AIDS in the United States and dependent areas, 2009. HIV surveillance report, vol. 21. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2010. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/surveillance/resources/reports/2009report/index.htm. Accessed May 26, 2011.
5. Office of National AIDS Policy. National HIV/AIDS strategy. Washington, DC: Office of National AIDS Policy; 2010. Available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/onap/nhas. Accessed May 26, 2011.
http://www.saveonlabs.com/categories/STD-Testing/
Researchers Reprogram Brain Cells to Become Heart Cells
The Chinese character for the mind is also the same character for the heart. The association with the heart as the center for feelings has remained in our language for human emotion.
For the past decade, researchers have tried to reprogram the identity of all kinds of cell types. Heart cells are one of the most sought-after cells in regenerative medicine because researchers anticipate that they may help to repair injured hearts by replacing lost tissue. Now, researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania are the first to demonstrate the direct conversion of a non-heart cell type into a heart cell by RNA transfer.
Working on the idea that the signature of a cell is defined by molecules called messenger RNAs (mRNAs), which contain the chemical blueprint for how to make a protein, the investigators changed two different cell types, an astrocyte (a star-shaped brain cell) and a fibroblast (a skin cell), into a heart cell -- using mRNAs.
James Eberwine, Ph.D., the Elmer Holmes Bobst Professor of Pharmacology, Tae Kyung Kim, Ph.D., post-doctoral fellow, and colleagues report their findings online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. This approach offers the possibility for cell-based therapy for cardiovascular diseases.
References:
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (2011, July 9). A Change of Heart: Researchers reprogram brain cells to become heart cells. ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 11, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110708160346.htm
T. K. Kim, J.-Y. Sul, N. B. Peternko, J. H. Lee, M. Lee, V. V. Patel, J. Kim, J. H. Eberwine. Transcriptome transfer provides a model for understanding the phenotype of cardiomyocytes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2011; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1101223108
Vitamin D Lower in NFL Football Players Who Suffered Muscled Injuries.
ScienceDaily (July 10, 2011) -- Vitamin D deficiency has been known to cause an assortment of health problems. Now, a recent study -- being presented at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's (AOSSM) Annual Meeting in San Diego -- suggests that lack of the vitamin might also increase the chance of muscle injuries in athletes, specifically NFL football players.
"Eighty percent of the football team we studied had vitamin D insufficiency. African American players and players who suffered muscle injuries had significantly lower levels," said Michael Shindle, MD, lead researcher and member of Summit Medical Group.
Reference:
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (2011, July 10). Vitamin D lower in NFL football players who suffer muscled injuries, study suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 11, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110710132807.htm
]]>What an Addict or Alcoholic Really Needstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2010:/theblog//3.7052342010-09-20T06:00:00-04:002011-11-17T09:02:45-05:00Dr. Andrew Langehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-andrew-lange/National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month. I know this is not one of those subjects that just fit into a simple medical answer. Addictions fill a hole in the person. That hole could be filled by many other addictive behaviors: smoking, eating, gambling, work, almost anything. I've treated addictions for many years and have always seen the problem as larger than just the chemistry of the body. But I have also found that caring for the body helps.
So what does an addict need? I think addicts need what everyone needs, some basic respect and acceptance. Whatever the hole in their lives they are trying to fill is real for them, they just chose the wrong filler. And sometimes it takes some compassion to understand that.
Many of the addictions have their root in chemical imbalances, which may have genetic aspects to it. Think of a simple addiction. Did you ever wonder why we crave sugar? Alcohol, tobacco and marijuana tend to throw off sugar balances. Using substances that balance sugar cravings such as chromium and alpha lipoic acid can be helpful in reducing cravings for other addictive substances. If you are uncomfortable with one form of counseling or treatment, don't stop seeking help. Find someone you can trust to work with you. We're all in this together and no one is uniquely perfect. Take care of yourself.
Most addictions create an additional stress on the body's nutritional needs. Nutrients that
should be going to maintaining the body's strength and recuperation are being used by
the drugs or alcohol that are consumed. Essential vitamins and minerals that are depleted need to be replenished. Amino acids, the substances that form proteins in the body, also form the neurotransmitters that send messages to the brain. So if our bodies are depleted of the basic substances we need for our brain to function, our brains start to degenerate. Different addictive substances have different effects on the brain, but they all do their damage.
Rhodiola rosea, a Chinese herb, which has been studied to help in reducing stress, increases two brain transmitters, serotonin and dopamine levels. It is just one example of how herbal medicine can contribute to the treatment of addictions.
Prayer and meditation are the most natural substitutes for the ecstasy of addictive substances, without the side effects or the costs. Forgiving yourself is also one of the most powerful tools in moving forward in our lives.
If you have problems with addictions you need to monitor your body's health. This includes liver function, vitamin status and general health screens. You can find more information on these tests at www.SaveOnLabs.com.
Even if you do drink, smoke or use drugs, take care of your body. Make it as strong and healthy as you can.
Resources:
Government Resources
The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA)
Organizations
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA)
Al-Anon & Alateen
For more information on nutritional counseling for addictions visit here.
]]>The Biggest Quack School in Natural Medicine Closestag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2010:/theblog//3.6419312010-07-12T15:00:00-04:002011-11-17T09:02:45-05:00Dr. Andrew Langehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-andrew-lange/
The Clayton school for years has been a classic diploma mill operation, offering doctorates and other degrees to students of natural health care, without providing clinical training or educational standards of any kind. They have unceasingly been opponents of accredited schools of Naturopathic medicine and licensing for Naturopathic Physicians who attend four year graduate schools of Naturopathic Medicine.
Well-known graduates of Clayton include television nutrition personality Gillian McKeith, controversial naturopath Hulda Regehr Clark, author Robert Young, and author Kim Barnouin, co-author of the diet book, Skinny Bitch.
The danger has been that Clayton graduates have represented themselves as Naturopathic doctors and have mislead consumers into believing they are seeing a graduate of an accredited medical school. It has been this misrepresentation that has caused their discredit, not any attempt to limit the study or use of natural medicines. The graduates of the Clayton school and other unaccredited programs have been represented and supported by the American Naturopathic Medicine Association.
Accredited programs of Naturopathic medicine are represented by the American Association Of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP). A licensed naturopathic physician (N.D.) attends a four-year graduate-level naturopathic medical school and is educated in all of the same basic sciences as an M.D., but also studies holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. In addition to a standard medical curriculum, the naturopathic physician is required to complete four years of training in clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology, and counseling (to encourage people to make lifestyle changes in support of their personal health). A naturopathic physician takes rigorous professional board exams so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care general practice physician.
Additional information on naturopathic schools can be found through the American Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges at www.aanmc.org or the AANP at www.naturopathic.org.
The professional growth of Naturopathic, Chiropractic, and Oriental medicine has been based on standards of education that reflect the need for competent health care. Medicine is not the exclusive domain of any one profession and health education is the prerogative of any individual. Its misrepresentation however is not. The growth of good health care is dependent on honesty and integrity as well as adequate training.
1. Hough HJ, Dower C, O'Neil EH (September 2001). "Profile of a profession: Naturopathic practice". San Francisco: Center for the Health Professions, University of California, San Francisco. http://www.futurehealth.ucsf.edu/pdf_files/Naturo2.pdf.]]>How to Get a Sexually Transmitted Disease Without Having Sextag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2010:/theblog//3.6077972010-06-28T12:23:00-04:002011-11-17T09:02:45-05:00Dr. Andrew Langehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-andrew-lange/
STDs are more common than you might think. It is largely the stigma and fear around these diseases that prevent their early detection and treatment. Testing usually consists of a simple blood or urine test. It is not complicated now to know what is going on in your body. But if you don't get tested you are putting yourself and your loved one at risk. If STDs are caught in the early stages they are easier to treat. You want to take care of these infections before they begin to undermine your health.
I had a patient in his 50s who came to be seen for a recurring rash on his back. He had it for years and had never been told what it was. I knew in a second it was a herpes infection that had migrated from an earlier contact. Most likely it had been a genital contact with someone who didn't even know they had herpes. He might have been spreading his infection also, not knowing he was doing so. We tested him and it came back positive. Some people don't want to know they have "VD," but he was glad because then he could be treated effectively rather than being treated for a rash and never getting better.
A landmark paper was published the Journal of the American Medical Association which showed for the first time the fact that patients with genital herpes "shed" virus from the genital tract, even when they don't have any obvious symptoms. They found that if the cultures were done daily for 100 days in these women, every single patient demonstrated shedding of the virus at some time.
According to the ACOG [American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists] Committee on Adolescent Health Care and Committee on Gynecologic Practice, "Couples may engage in noncoital (that is, sex without intercourse) sexual activity instead of penile-vagina intercourse hoping to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancy. Although these behaviors carry little or no risk of pregnancy, women (and men) engaging in noncoital behaviors may be at risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases." These include mutual masturbation, oral sex and anal sex. The risk of passing on STDs is increased by the fact that the public is not familiar with many of the common symptoms of STDs or that they resemble other illnesses like the flu or more common skin eruptions.
Getting Tested: Get the Proof You Need
It is extremely common for an infected person not to know they have an STD and unknowingly pass it on. Your best protection is for you and your partner to be tested. STD testing can be done confidentially. You don't even need a doctor's visit for most tests. For more information on getting low cost and confidential STD testing check out: www.saveonlabs.com/categories/STD-Testing. You need to know the facts to have safe sex.
The following review of STDs was compiled from information at the Center for Disease Control. They have an excellent website where you can go for more information.
Herpes simplex (HSV)
Symptoms of herpes-recurrent painful ulcers-can be treated, but the infection cannot be cured. Most people with herpes have no symptoms and are unaware of their infection. In a national household survey, less than 10 percent of people who tested positive with herpes knew they were infected. More than one in five Americans -- 45 million people -- are infected with genital herpes. With or without visible symptoms, the disease can be transmitted between sex partners, from mothers to newborns, and can increase a person's risk of becoming infected with HIV.
Signs and Symptoms of Herpes
HSV can appear and be transmitted through more than genital contact or kissing. Early viral shedding and eruptions on the mouth, genital, anal areas or even on the back can be mistaken for other skin eruptions. One patient complained of an eruption on his lower back he'd had for years off and on. I immediately knew it was herpes and that he might have unknowingly spread the disease to others. We got him tested and it came out positive for herpes.
Testing for Herpes
The first test you need if you have an outbreak is the IgM Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Types 1 and 2 test. IgM is an immunoglobulin from an immune response that increases during a current infection. HSV IgG antibody can be used to determine a previous history or if levels are compared to see if they have risen significantly, indicating a recurrent infection. Although it is not as sensitive, HSV antibody testing can be used to help diagnose an acute HSV infection.
HIV and AIDS
The CDC estimates that more than one million people in America may be infected with HIV and that as many as 250,000 of these may not know that they are infected and can pass on the virus to others.
Signs and Symptoms of HIV infection
HIV initially causes an acute illness with nonspecific or flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, headache, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes. Some people will not experience any noticeable symptoms. During this time period, the virus is present in large numbers and is carried throughout the body. HIV infects immune cells called CD4 T-cells (also called helper T cells) and slowly begins to decrease their numbers.
HIV Testing
The average time for the antibody to be detected is two weeks after exposure to the virus. One month to three months after you think you may have been exposed to the virus, additional testing will be required.
Specific tests may include:
HIV antibody testing -- ordered to diagnose HIV infection.
p24 protein testing -- may be used to detect early HIV infection and to screen blood products for HIV.
HIV viral load testing -- measures the quantity of HIV virus in the blood. Ordered to help decide when to start therapy and ordered at intervals to monitor the effectiveness of therapy.
CD4 count -- measures the number of CD4 T-cells in the blood. Ordered at intervals to determine when to start HIV therapy. Also ordered to monitor therapy, HIV progression, and the status of the immune system.
HIV genotypic resistance testing ordered when treatment is initiated, changed, and when there is evidence of treatment failure.
According to the Center for Disease Control, AIDS is diagnosed when your CD4 T-cell count drops below 200 or when you have HIV and an AIDS-related illness such as tuberculosis or pneumonia.
HPV
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is one of the most common STD's, yet most people do are not familiar with it. Most persons who are sexually active with a history of being with more than one person are at risk for becoming carriers of HPV. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 million people in this country are infected with HPV and over 6 million become newly infected each year. At least 50% of sexually active women and men contract HPV at some point in their lives. It is the leading cause of cervical cancer in women and a suspected cause in oral and throat cancers in both sexes. These diseases are not rare. Oral and throat cancers are the third most common cancer today. HPV is usually tested in women at the time of their PAP smears.
Hepatitis
The word "hepatitis" means inflammation of the liver. Toxins, certain drugs, some diseases, heavy alcohol use, and bacterial and viral infections can all cause hepatitis. Hepatitis is also the name of a family of viral infections that affect the liver. The most common types are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
Overview of Hepatitis Viruses
Hepatitis A is a liver disease. HAV infection produces a self-limited disease that does not result in chronic infection or chronic liver disease. HAV infection is primarily transmitted by either person-to-person contact or through consumption of contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection. HBV infection can cause acute illness and lead to chronic or lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death. HBV is transmitted through cuts, infected needles or contact with mucous membranes (i.e. nose or mouth) or their discharges.
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that most often becomes a silent, chronic infection that can lead to cirrhosis (scarring), liver failure, liver cancer, and death. HCV is spread by contact with the blood of an infected person.
Hepatitis Signs
Acute hepatitis is often suspected and testing done because of the appearance of symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, and nausea, often accompanied by dark urine, pale stools, and yellow discoloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice or icterus).
Chronic hepatitis is more commonly detected as a result of abnormal routine test results. In a patient who is having no, few, or vague symptoms, hepatitis may be first discovered during routine testing such as a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP).
Hepatitis Testing
Hepatitis A
A blood test showing the presence of IgM anti-HAV in serum confirms the diagnosis of acute hepatitis A infection. Symptoms of this virus strain include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Hepatitis B
Anti-HBs+ : Indicates past or present infection and lasts indefinitely. Also may be detected in someone who has received immune globulin or an infant who has received antibodies from its mother. It also indicates the individual has been vaccinated, has received immune globulin, is immune, or is an infant who has received antibodies from its mother.
IgM anti-HBc+ : Indicates recent infection with HBV, usually within 4-6 months.
HBeAg +: Indicates active viral replication and high infectivity. Persistence for 6 months after acute infection indicates progression to chronic HBV.
Hepatitis C Tests
Infection by the hepatitis C virus can be determined by a blood test that detects HCV antibodies in the blood. This test is not a part of a routine physical, and people must ask for a hepatitis C test. If the initial test is positive, a second test should be done to confirm the diagnosis and liver enzymes (a blood test) should be measured.
Gonnorhea
Gonorrhea is a very common infectious disease. CDC estimates that more than 700,000 persons in the US get new gonorrheal infections each year.
Gonorrhea is spread through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. Ejaculation does not have to occur for gonorrhea to be transmitted or acquired. Gonorrhea can also be spread from mother to baby during delivery. People who have had gonorrhea and received treatment may get infected again if they have sexual contact with a person infected with gonorrhea.
Some men with gonorrhea may have no symptoms at all. However, some men have signs or symptoms that appear two to five days after infection; symptoms can take as long as 30 days to appear. Symptoms and signs include a burning sensation when urinating, or a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. Sometimes men with gonorrhea get painful or swollen testicles.
In women, the symptoms of gonorrhea are often mild, but most women who are infected have no symptoms. Even when a woman has symptoms, they can be so non-specific as to be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. The initial symptoms and signs in women include a painful or burning sensation when urinating, increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal bleeding between periods. Women with gonorrhea are at risk of developing serious complications from the infection, regardless of the presence or severity of symptoms.
Symptoms of rectal infection in both men and women may include discharge, anal itching, soreness, bleeding, or painful bowel movements. Rectal infection also may cause no symptoms. Infections in the throat may cause a sore throat but usually causes no symptoms.
Testing for Gonnorhea
Several laboratory tests are available to diagnose gonorrhea. A doctor or nurse can obtain a sample for testing from the parts of the body likely to be infected (cervix, urethra, rectum, or throat) and send the sample to a laboratory for analysis. Gonorrhea that is present in the cervix or urethra can be diagnosed in a laboratory by testing a urine sample.
Chlymidia
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, which can damage a woman's reproductive organs. Even though symptoms of chlamydia are usually mild or absent, serious complications that cause irreversible damage, including infertility, can occur "silently" before a woman ever recognizes a problem. Chlamydia also can cause discharge from the penis of an infected man.
Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the United States. Under-reporting is substantial because most people with chlamydia are not aware of their infections and do not seek testing. Also, testing is not often done if patients are treated for their symptoms. An estimated 2,291,000 non-institutionalized U.S. civilians ages 14-39 are infected with C. trachomatis based on the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Women are frequently re-infected if their sex partners are not treated.
Chlamydia can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Chlamydia can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal childbirth.
Any sexually active person can be infected with chlamydia. The greater the number of sex partners, the greater the risk of infection. Because the cervix (opening to the uterus) of teenage girls and young women is not fully matured and is probably more susceptible to infection, they are at particularly high risk for infection if sexually active. Since chlamydia can be transmitted by oral or anal sex, men who have sex with men are also at risk for chlamydial infection.
What are the symptoms of chlamydia?
Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease because the majority of infected people have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure.
In women, the bacteria initially infect the cervix and the urethra (urine canal). Women who have symptoms might have an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating. If the infection spreads from the cervix to the fallopian tubes (tubes that carry fertilized eggs from the ovaries to the uterus), some women still have no signs or symptoms; others have lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse, or bleeding between menstrual periods. Chlamydial infection of the cervix can spread to the rectum.
Men with signs or symptoms might have a discharge from their penis or a burning sensation when urinating. Men might also have burning and itching around the opening of the penis. Pain and swelling in the testicles are uncommon.
Men or women who have receptive anal intercourse may acquire chlamydial infection in the rectum, which can cause rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding. Chlamydia can also be found in the throats of women and men having oral sex with an infected partner.
What complications can result from untreated chlamydia?
If untreated, chlamydial infections can progress to serious reproductive and other health problems with both short-term and long-term consequences. Like the disease itself, the damage that chlamydia causes is often "silent."
In women, untreated infection can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This happens in about 10 to 15 percent of women with untreated chlamydia. Chlamydia can also cause fallopian tube infection without any symptoms. PID and "silent" infection in the upper genital tract can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues. The damage can lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus). Chlamydia may also increase the chances of becoming infected with HIV, if exposed.
To help prevent the serious consequences of chlamydia, screening at least annually for chlamydia is recommended for all sexually active women age 25 years and younger. An annual screening test also is recommended for older women with risk factors for chlamydia (a new sex partner or multiple sex partners). All pregnant women should have a screening test for chlamydia.
Complications among men are rare. Infection sometimes spreads to the epididymis (the tube that carries sperm from the testis), causing pain, fever, and, rarely, sterility.
Rarely, genital chlamydial infection can cause arthritis that can be accompanied by skin lesions and inflammation of the eye and urethra (Reiter's syndrome).
How does chlamydia affect a pregnant woman and her baby?
In pregnant women, there is some evidence that untreated chlamydial infections can lead to premature delivery. Babies who are born to infected mothers can get chlamydial infections in their eyes and respiratory tracts. Chlamydia is a leading cause of early infant pneumonia and conjunctivitis (pink eye) in newborns.
Testing for Chlamydia
There are laboratory tests to diagnose chlamydia. Some can be performed on urine, other tests require that a specimen be collected from a site such as the penis or cervix.
Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It has often been called "the great imitator" because so many of the signs and symptoms are indistinguishable from those of other diseases.
What are the signs and symptoms in adults?
Many people infected with syphilis do not have any symptoms for years, yet remain at risk for late complications if they are not treated. Although transmission occurs from persons with sores who are in the primary or secondary stage, many of these sores are unrecognized. Thus, transmission may occur from persons who are unaware of their infection.
Some health care providers can diagnose syphilis by examining material from a chancre (infectious sore) using a special microscope called a dark-field microscope. If syphilis bacteria are present in the sore, they will show up when observed through the microscope.
Testing for Syphilis
A blood test is another way to determine whether someone has syphilis. Shortly after infection occurs, the body produces syphilis antibodies that can be detected by an accurate, safe, and inexpensive blood test. A low level of antibodies will likely stay in the blood for months or years even after the disease has been successfully treated. Because untreated syphilis in a pregnant woman can infect and possibly kill her developing baby, every pregnant woman should have a blood test for syphilis.
Everyone who is sexually active should know the status of their health. This is not just a matter of morals, this is a matter of respect for your body and concern for your intimate friend. STD's when untreated can lead to a multitude of physical problems. It is a simple process to get tested. ]]>What to Do About Arthritis, Part 2: Some Things You May Not Know About Treatmenttag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2010:/theblog//3.5662752010-06-03T08:00:00-04:002011-11-17T09:02:45-05:00Dr. Andrew Langehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-andrew-lange/
The most common treatments for arthritis are those that affect an inflammatory chemical known as Cyclooxygenase or COX. Pharmacological inhibition of COX can provide relief from the symptoms of inflammation and pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, exert their effects through inhibition of COX.
Unfortunately NSAIDs drugs used for these treatments were also found to have side effects. NSAIDs can make the overall disease process of arthritis worse, by depleting the very nutrients necessary for joint repair, including iron, folic acid and zinc. COX-2 inhibitors have been found to have serious cardiovascular effects, increasing the risk of atherothrombosis even with short-term use. A 2006 analysis of 138 randomized trials and almost 150 000 participants showed that selective COX-2 inhibitors are associated with a moderately increased risk of vascular events, mainly due to a twofold increased risk of myocardial infarction, that is heart attacks, and also that high-dose regimens of some traditional NSAIDs such as diclofenac and ibuprofen are associated with a similar increase in risk of vascular events.
What are the simplest ways to reduce inflammation in the body?
1. Keep moving: even though pain and stiffness can make you feel like skipping your exercise routine, research shows that staying active can help keep arthritis symptoms under control.
2. Diet. The Mediterranean diet consists primarily of fish, fruit, vegetables, cereals, and beans and contains less red meat and dairy products than do Western diets. In a recent study of Rheumatoid arthritis patients, those consuming the Mediterranean diet had a statistically significant 56 percent decrease in disease activity.
3. Omega-3 Oils. The research is solid. We have a preponderance of Omega-6 oils, which we do need, from polyunsaturated oils, such as olive and canola. Saturated fats from meat contribute to inflammation. You can reduce inflammation by reducing or eliminating saturated fats in the diet. By increasing Omega-3 oils from fish or algae sources we can alter the balance of our body's chemistry to reduce inflammation.
4. Repair your Gut. Having healthy intestines makes sure that the primary part of your immune system is working properly. Allergies, antibiotics and a lack of healthy bacteria called probiotics can alter the integrity of the gut lining. A poor gut integrity allows substances, such as allergens and other inflammatory substances to pass through the gut into the blood, which can affect our health systemically. Eating fermented foods, such as sauerkraut and yogurt helps to establish a healthy intestinal environment.
Remember that a lot of underlying conditions can cause arthritis. Help in the differential diagnosis and prognosis of arthritic disorders clarifies what steps you need to take in treatment. To find out more about testing and how you can save on health care go here. It will give you a start in your path to good health.
References:
Rheumatology International (2002;23:27-36).]]>What to Do if You Have Arthritis, Part Onetag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2010:/theblog//3.5383282010-04-27T08:50:03-04:002011-11-17T09:02:45-05:00Dr. Andrew Langehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-andrew-lange/
Each form of arthritis may have common causes or unique needs to be addressed. Causes include injury (leading to osteoarthritis), metabolic abnormalities in which the body does not process normal constituents properly (such as gout and pseudo gout), hereditary factors and infections. Arthritis can be caused by tick bites, such as in Lyme's disease. It can be caused by a diet high in animal fats or other foods which increase inflammation systemically.
Testing your body will give you the clues you need in solving the mystery of arthritis.The first step in understanding arthritis is finding out what specific type of arthritis you have. This can be done through several diagnostic tests which differentiate the causes and will help to develop a course of treatment. The common diagnostic tests for arthritis include:
• Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA): This profile helps look for diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome, lupus, polymyostitis, and scleroderma which can be sources of arthritic pain.
• Uric Acid: This acid is elevated in gout and has been associated with Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
• Sedimentation Rate (sed. rate or ESR): The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is an indication of the degree of inflammation in the body. In healthy persons, the sed. rate is low and it climbs with inflammation. It is a general indication of the amount of inflammation in the body. In lupus and polymyalgia rheumatica, the ESR often correlates with disease activity.
• C-reactive protein (CRP): CRP indicates the amount of inflammation present. It is thought to be a better test than the sed. rate for certain diseases. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, if the CRP is high, it suggests that there is significant inflammation or injury in the body. It is also used to determine inflammation that can contribute to heart disease.
Both CRP and ESR levels are used to monitor disease activity and to monitor how well someone is responding to treatment.
• Antistreptolysin O (ASO) Antibodies: ASO Antibodies are used to determine exposure to streptococcal streptolysin O bacteria. An elevated titer indicates that a Streptococcus infection or poststreptococcal sequelae from a previous infection are present.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Factor: Rheumatoid factors are a variety of antibodies that are present in 70 percent to 90 percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Rheumatoid factor can be found in people without RA or with other autoimmune disorders, however. In general, when no rheumatoid factor is present in someone with RA, the course of the disease is less severe.
Diagnostic testing is critical in the differential diagnosis and prognosis of arthritic disorders and helps to clarify what steps you need to take in treatment. To find out more about arthritis testing and how you can save on health care go to www.saveonlabs.com/categories/Arthritis/.
Part Two of the Arthritis series will address treatment options.]]>How Thyroid Medications Can Destroy Your Thyroidtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2009:/theblog//3.3585642009-12-08T15:00:55-05:002011-11-17T09:02:45-05:00Dr. Andrew Langehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-andrew-lange/
The problem with only giving hormone replacement, is it does nothing to stop the progression of the true disease; it only masks some of the symptoms. So initially your thyroid tests come back normal. Meanwhile your immune system is still attacking your thyroid. Eventually your symptoms may get worse and more thyroid hormone may be prescribed. So while you are increasing your levels of thyroid hormones, making your levels of thyroid look normal on the lab results, you are still getting worse.
This may come as a shock. It did to me. I was taught both the conventional and alternative methods for treating thyroid disease, neither of which was wholly satisfying. It made so much sense to understand its autoimmune aspect, and it helped me to find solutions in situations in which I had previously failed. Autoimmune thyroid problems can present as hyperthyroid or hypothyroid. It may be marked by an inability to regulate our response to thyroid medications.
Symptoms common to hypothyroidism are:
• Enlarged thyroid (or goiter)
• Trouble swallowing
• Intolerance to cold
• Mild weight gain
• Fatigue
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Hair loss
• Heavy and irregular menses
• Infertility
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking
(Source: The Hormone Foundation)
So how should it be treated? Autoimmune diseases are multi-factorial in their causes. That means that further tests must be done to properly evaluate the real underlying source of the disease. Some of the most common factors are:
• Wheat (gluten) sensitivities or celiac disease,
• Sudden changes in the hormone estrogen that may occur after pregnancy, abortions or menopause.
• Heavy metal toxicity.
• Vitamin D deficiency.
The important FACT is that without a more complete assessment of a complex situation, proper treatment is more than unlikely. And despite most usually reliable sites such as the mayoclinic.com, there is mention that the problem is autoimmune, but it's treatment as such is not addressed.
How can you find out if this is a problem for you? First you can discuss this with your doctor or endocrinologist. This is not a hidden secret, ask them about testing for autoantibodies. Most endocrinologists perform these tests regularly. The two major ones tested are Thyroid Antithyroglobulin Ab and Thyroid Peroxidase Ab. People with Hashimoto's disease have these antibodies in increased amounts, but people whose hypothyroidism is caused by other conditions do not. You can also find a source for testing thyroid autoantibodies by visiting: http://saveonlabs.com/wordpress/?page_id=151
Autoimmune diseases are not simple to treat and they require a sophisticated understanding of biochemistry and nutrition. But with proper diagnosis, the path to healing becomes more clearly defined.]]>Art For Peace In Afghanistantag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2009:/theblog//3.3818552009-12-07T13:18:10-05:002011-11-17T09:02:45-05:00Dr. Andrew Langehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-andrew-lange/
It's a hornet's nest of thieves. By supporting the two corrupt sides of war, the corporate war machine and the hungry politicians, we are continually operating at a deficit from Baksheesh. We thought supporting endless corrupt governments, dictators, contras, paramilitary groups, goon squads, spies and drug lords would bring democracy to the world in the past. In Central America, we supported evil. In Chile, we supported evil. In Iraq, we supported Saddam Hussein. Evil. And by training and arming armies throughout the world we have created the terror groups and militias who plague us now. And by the way, who are these warlords we are wooing with our money today? Allies for the time being.
When the war is over, whom will all the weapons we leave behind be sold to? What insurgency of the future will be supplied by the black market trade of arms. And how many more of our "allies" will sell nuclear technology to the highest bidder.
None of this has given us peace or democracy.
There is a peaceful plan. The GDP of Afghanistan is $11.7 billion per year. About $3 billion is gained yearly through the opium trade. President Obama has $30 billion budgeted for the war effort next year in Afghanistan. There are 28 million Afghanis. The average Afghani makes $800 per year. You figure it out.
If we took 10 percent of our military budget, $3 billion, and funded artisans I believe the war would end. $3 billion spent on Baksheesh. Tribal Rugs. My policy is to support the people directly and buy a rug for every American citizen. Rugs for Peace: A cultural exchange program funded by the US government.
Could you imagine? Let's give art a chance!
We are always trying to end conflict by funding the wrong people. The people at the top. The World Bank is our weapon of mass destruction. They have created more conflict than good with their interference. They even put Paul Wolfowitz in charge after he was the mastermind of the war in Iraq. Talk about corruption!
Let's start from the bottom for once. Could you imagine if we had funded small businesses in Central America instead of contras and drug dealers? Microeconomics could become our military strategy. I don't think the Taliban could beat us at that game. Al Qaeda doesn't have a chance.
Tell me what you think. Rugs for peace! Is a rug in every home as good a solution as a chicken in every pot?
Visit me at www.andrewlange.com
]]>Recovery For Introvertstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2009:/theblog//3.3499072009-11-09T14:12:33-05:002011-11-17T09:02:45-05:00Dr. Andrew Langehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-andrew-lange/
In 1910 Jung published a paper entitled, "Psychic Conflicts in a Child," in which he introduced the term "introversion" for the first time. We think of introversion mostly in the negative sense. The child who sits in the corner lost in his own thoughts. Kurt Cobain, whose tremendous sensitivity led to his own demise. Or Adam Sandler, the withdrawn, quiet or nervous actor. In many ways these are viewed as weaknesses in a world that values extraversion and explicit demonstrations of power or materialism.
However, introversion produces the results similar to finely cooked meal. A meal that has been carefully planned. Perhaps where days have been spent marinating the food or collecting the spices and ingredients. When the meal is finally served there is no comparison to the fast food, immediate gratification of the extravert. An introvert may be the child who does not speak until they are two, then produce full sentences with observations long forgotten by others. The introvert in fairy tales is the boy who sits in the corner doing nothing, while his brothers attempt to be arrogant heroes and fail miserably. It is finally the unspoken hero, the quiet youngest son who finds the solution to the problem.
Jung said, "The inner world is a delight for the introvert. He feels at home, where the only changes are made by himself. His best work is done with his own resources, on his own initiative, and in his own way. If ever he succeeds, after long and often wearisome struggle, in assimilating something alien to himself, he is capable of turning it to excellent account."
The problem with the introverted person is they become possessed by their own inner world. They become resentful because others have not understood the thoughts they have never communicated. They make assumptions that only could be grasped by a psychic. And they withdraw further because they assume no one can appreciate the complexity of their efforts.
As a recovering introvert myself, I always wanted to create a two step program to help others overcome their inhibitions in a healthy way. Two of the major ways to balance an introverted nature is as follows: Speak your mind. Don't be selfish, give of your self. Practicing giving without the concern for its interpretation. Take a risk, so that others may come to know you. And finally, no two step program could be complete without dancing. Dancing is a great way to express yourself and communicate with someone else that transcends words. So get out, make a fool of yourself and have a little too much fun.
Perhaps the greatest guide for a recovering introvert is the book, Letters to a Young Poet, by the German Poet Rainier Maria Rilke. He says, "for what I could say about your tendency to doubt or about your inability to bring your outer and inner lives into harmony or about all the other thing that oppress you is ... just the wish that you may find in yourself enough patience to endure and enough simplicity to have faith; that you may gain more and more confidence in what is difficult and in your solitude among other people. And as for the rest, let life happen to you. Believe me: life is in the right, always."
]]>Bob Dylan's Secrets of Anti-Agingtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2009:/theblog//3.3411862009-11-02T10:23:34-05:002011-11-17T09:02:45-05:00Dr. Andrew Langehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-andrew-lange/
When Dylan sang, " I was so much older then I'm younger than that now," I had no idea what that meant. I took my life so seriously when I was young that some friends remember me as being an old man in my twenties. Now I'm much happier, those values I held to be so important became larger and more inclusive, rather than narrow and sure. Growing old in ancient time was seen as ruled by the planet Saturn. Saturn appears at New Year as old man time with his sickle that cuts off life. He represents how as we age, we became more authoritarian and conservative. Our view becomes restricted just like the narrowing of arteries that choke the blood flow to the heart.
The reality is whatever the span of your life is, its only inherent value is in whether it is lived at all. And regarding memory and the fear of its loss, just read Dylan's Chronicles. Pay attention to how he describes the light in a room, the weather shifting or the sun reflecting, " like comets from a dark sky" from the glasses of a store's proprietor. He either took good notes or pays attention much better than most of us. It is these invisible qualities, the ignored moments and gestures, which give life its beauty. Through his endless tour, writing, painting, and appearing on Victoria's Secret commercials he is continuing to create. He may look old to you, but he's probably too busy being born to care.
]]>Is Breathing Deeply Really Good For Your Health?tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2009:/theblog//3.3322852009-10-23T17:16:18-04:002011-11-17T09:02:45-05:00Dr. Andrew Langehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-andrew-lange/
One of the major misconceptions of breathing is that we need to get fresh air. Many methods of relaxation teach us to breath deeply, exhaling "stale" air. The Lamaze method of breathing for women while undergoing labor has taught us to breathe deep breaths. Kundalini yoga teaches rapid deep breaths. In most situations it is the last way you want to go about it.
When we have anxiety we often think we can't get enough air, we're trapped.
The truth is we always have a reserve of air in our lungs. There is always enough oxygen available to us at any time. The real secret of breathing is the availability of carbon dioxide in our blood.
We learned in basic science classes that humans breathe in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide. Plants take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. That's why you don't want the rain forest to be cut down, because it cuts back on the planet's supply of oxygen.
Now another difference between humans and plants, is that humans run on red blood cells that have iron as its mineral base. The red blood cells carry the oxygen to where it is needed in the body. That's why if you are anemic, that is have fewer functioning red blood cells, you feel run down. You aren't getting enough oxygen.
But remember, the real secret is carbon dioxide or CO2. CO2 releases oxygen from its bond to the red blood cells. So not enough CO2 means your brain and body don't get enough oxygen. This is not a big secret, during every surgery the anesthesiologist is constantly checking a monitor that tells them how much carbon dioxide is in the breath.
It has to be just the right amount to maintain the body's functions.
OK, so back to your breathing. If you breathe deeply or quickly you give off more CO2. In hyperventilation situations you breathe off even more, so the body utilizes less oxygen. Think of when you have run too hard. You're out of breath, maybe you feel dizzy or weak. Your muscles start to cramp. That means you don't have enough CO2 to release the oxygen you need.
Remember how when someone is anxious and they were told to breath into a paper bag? What does that do? It collects the CO2 we are breathing out and increases the amount we breathe in.
So back to breathing. The body knows what to do under most circumstances. It is trying to maintain the correct balance of gases in our system at every moment. If we breathe naturally, it comes from the motion of our diaphragm, not the chest. The diaphragm is a huge set of muscles that form a hood below our lungs, covering the lower back and upper abdomen. As it moves it works our lungs like a bellows. It appears as if we are breathing from our bellies.
If you watch someone breathing you can tell if they breathe superficially from the movement of their chest, or deeply from the movement of their bellies. Any baby or cat give perfect examples of correct breathing. Most people think that expanding their chests means they are taking a deep breath.
But by breathing from a relaxed diaphragm, there is no effort. We allow the correct mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide to occur. This belly breathing is the secret to enriching our cells with oxygen. It enhances our mental function and relaxes our anxieties. If we pay attention to the deepest part of our breath at the bottom of our expiration we can feel the natural return to inspiration. There is no effort. This is the basis for the most common forms of meditation.
We don't have to close our eyes. In fact, the best time to pay attention to our breath is when we are in a stressful situation. Instead of becoming anxious waiting for the light to turn, breathe from your belly. In fact, don't try to manipulate your breathing, just feel how deep it sinks. This is the secret from athletes to people who have panic attacks. It is in your control.
A basic understanding of how our bodies operate opens up doors to understanding its relationship to the mind.