HEART ATTACK - My Story!

When I awoke that Tuesday morning, 28 December, I never dreamed that it would be the start of not only a new day, but, quite literally, a new life for me.

I had been out the evening before to play cards at the usual Monday Night Euchre at the legion. During the evening, I was feeling kind of woozy for an hour or so, but attributed it to all the coffee that I had been drinking that day. Little did I know what lay in store for me the next day.

When I got home (I live alone with 2 cats), I turned on the living room light, and the bulb popped. That angered me. I went to bed, but didn't sleep well.

So Tuesday morning, after dressing and getting a couple of mugs of coffee, I jumped up on a chair to change the overhead bulb. I went down to the basement to get another bulb, and found I didn't have one large enough, so knew I would have to go to the store to buy more. That angered me. I put in one that was too small temporarily, and, when I got down off the chair, suddenly I felt very dizzy. It felt like I had put on a tee shirt 3 sizes too small...everything was squeezing me. My hands felt like I had gloves on, and my arms just hung by my sides. It took an effort to try to raise them up, so I just let them dangle. I saw black spots about 3 inches across.

As I am diabetic, I have been told that diabetics seldom feel pain. I know that's true, because I didn't feel any pain at all. But I knew that something was very much out of the ordinary, and I'd better get help before I pass out, so I phoned 911. I unlocked the door, got my health card, put my medications in a bag, and phoned a neighbour to come over to look after my cats, as I didn't know how long I was going to be. I didn't return home for eleven days.

The paramedics were there within 10 minutes or so, hooked up some wires to me, then put me on a gurney and loaded me in the ambulance. The nearest hospital is in the next town, about a half hour away, and we had sirens on and lights flashing all the way.

I don't know how he got there...I guess I must have called him...but my brother and his wife were there. I guess the hospital gave me drugs, because there is a gap of things that I just don't remember. But I do remember being told that the hospital where they usually send heart patients was full, so I was transported by helicopter to Toronto General Hospital. I remember the helicopter ride, and a gurney ride into the hospital, but then things are more or less blank for the next 3 days.

Apparently, I had a 5 hour operation the next morning - a triple-bypass. The arteries around my heart were blocked in 12 places.

I know I drifted in and out. My family members and friends came to visit, but I just remember vague images. I guess I spoke to them, but I have no idea what I said.

When I finally came to my senses, I found that I now have a large scar running down the center of my chest from just below my throat to my breastbone. I was told that they cut me open, used a saw to cut through the bone, and held my chest cavity open with clamps. Then they bypassed my heart with a machine that keeps the blood circulating, removed my heart, repaired it with arteries taken from my leg, and put it back in again. WOW! God bless modern medicine!

They joined the bone and wired it together with 4 pieces of stainless steel wire (I saw the x-rays. Pretty cool. I can't wait to go through airport security.) The skin was held closed with stitches that dissolved on their own in a couple of weeks. Again, being diabetic, I felt no pain.

There is an 8" scar on my lower leg and a 3" scar on my upper leg where the arteries were removed. Again, no pain. Again, dissolving stitches.

Complications set in the day after surgery. My lungs filled with fluid, and I almost drowned. My hands, feet and face puffed out. I remember only waking once that day. I looked at my left hand, and wondered who the fat kid was that had his hand over mine. Of course, I was looking at my own hand, but didn't recognize it, drugged as I was. Yes, I almost died!

I came to my senses the next day with a hose up my nose to drain my lungs, a breathing tube down my throat, and a catheter in my privates to help drain the liquids that my body was retaining. They wouldn't give me any water, even though I was parched. All I could have were ice chips to suck on. They helped.

Getting those 3 hoses out wasn't fun, but not really that bad, either. Just a quick moment of discomfort.

The only pain I had was when I had to sneeze or cough. My chest felt like it exploded. They gave me a small red pillow in the shape of a heart that I hugged to my chest and that helped tremendously. That little pillow was my best friend for the first couple of weeks. Gradually, as I healed, the pain became less and less.

A week or so later I returned home to my new lifestyle.

I have switched to decaf coffee with sweetener and milk, instead of regular coffee with sugar and cream. No more fatty fast-foods. I am working on enjoying vegetables and fruits instead of pizza and do-nuts. I find skim milk tastes okay. No more cakes, ice cream, cookies by the handful etc.

And I dug out the treadmill that I used for about 3 days when I first got it, before it became a storage rack. Now it is a treadmill once again. I am afraid I'm still addicted to the TV, but I try to take James Brown's advice and "Get up offa that thing" whenever I can. I walk whenever possible, and have lost some weight. I'm not obese, but 15 pounds off or so will make me normal.

So, all in all, this wasn't the most enjoyable New Year's holiday that I have ever had.

I just want to thank the 911 operator for her prompt action, the paramedics for their speed and skill, the helicopter pilots and especially the surgeons and staff of Toronto General Hospital for their skill, kindness and concern. My biggest thanks I have offered up in prayer to thank God for not giving up on this very stupid human.

Better, healthier times are ahead.

Diseases Caused by Obesity

What Is The Definition Of Obesity?

The clinical definition of obesity is a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher. A BMI of 40 or higher is the definition of morbid obesity. There are lots of free BMI calculators available online if you wish to check your own BMI. The BMI calculator provided by WebMD is quite easy to use.

BMI Calculations Don't Work For Very Muscular People

It should be noted that BMI calculations are confused by people with a large amount of muscle. For example, the boxer Mike Tyson would be have been considered "obese" by BMI calculations even when he was at his most fit. Obviously this is not something that effects the great majority of people.

How Many People Are Obese?

The latest statistics suggest that 32% of adult Americans are now obese. That's very nearly 1 in 3. Although the United States is the "poster child" for obesity, obesity rates are actually raising all over the world.

Obesity Increases The Risk Of These Diseases

1. Diabetes.

2. Cancer.

3. Heart Disease.

4. Liver Disease.

5. Sleep Apnea.

6. Osteoarthritis.

These are only some of the many health problems (diseases) caused by obesity.

Increased Risk Of Death

A BMI of 32 or above is associated with a doubled risk of death.

Reversing & Preventing Obesity

How to reverse and/or prevent obesity? The simple answer is diet & exercise. Many people simply eat too much of the wrong foods and live a sedentary lifestyle which leads to weight gain and eventually obesity. Of course that simple answer doesn't mean that it's simple for people to lose weight.

The Day Off Diet

Most diets fail because they are too difficult for people to stick with and/or they make the body go into starvation mode. The Day Off Diet solves both of those problems with it's weekly "day off" which allows the dieter to eat anything they want once a week. This lets the dieter satisfy their cravings while also boosting the metabolism. Unlike other less successful diets, The Day Off Diet doesn't require any calorie counting or carb counting.

The Importance Of Strength Training

Increasing muscle is a very under utilized way of fighting obesity. Each pound of muscle burns 50 calories per day even at rest, compared to a pound of fat which burns only 2 calories per day! By adding even 10 pounds of muscle to your body you will be able to burn much more fat. This will make you look far better and will also greatly increase your metabolism for long term weight loss. It will help you to keep the weight off.

The Day Off Diet includes a great strength training program free of charge with the purchase of the online diet plan.

Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions - List

Before we delve into arthritis different types, it's important to note that arthritis means joint inflammation. It is actually a name given to problems that cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. It can affect one or more joints and it could mean anything from slight tightness to severe pain and disability. Put simply, there are more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions. In fact, here's the compete list of arthritis different types and related conditions.

A-B Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions

• Achilles tendinitis


• Achondroplasia


• Acromegalic arthropathy


• Adhesive capsulitis


• Adult onset Still's disease


• Ankylosing spondylitis


• Anserine bursitis


• Avascular necrosis


• Behcet's syndrome


• Bicipital tendonitis


• Blount's disease


• Brucellar spondylitis


• Bursitis

C-D Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions

• Calcaneal bursitis


• Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD)


• Crystal deposition disease


• Caplan's syndrome


• Carpal tunnel syndrome


• Chondrocalcinosis


• Chondromalacia patellae


• Chronic synovitis


• Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis


• Churg-Strauss syndrome


• Cogan's syndrome


• Corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis


• Costosternal syndrome


• CREST syndrome


• Cryoglobulinemia


• Degenerative joint disease


• Dermatomyositis


• Diabetic finger sclerosis


• Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH)


• Discitis


• Discoid lupus erythematosus


• Drug-induced lupus


• Duchenne's muscular dystrophy


• Dupuytren's contracture

E-F Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions

• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome


• Enteropathic arthritis


• Epicondylitis


• Erosive inflammatory osteoarthritis


• Exercise-induced compartment syndrome


• Fabry's disease


• Familial Mediterranean fever


• Farber's lipogranulomatosis


• Felty's syndrome


• Fibromyalgia


• Fifth's disease


• Flat feet


• Foreign body synovitis


• Freiberg's disease


• Fungal arthritis

G-H Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions

• Gaucher's disease


• Giant cell arteritis


• Gonococcal arthritis


• Goodpasture's syndrome


• Gout


• Granulomatous arteritis


• Hemarthrosis


• Hemochromatosis


• Henoch-Schonlein purpura


• Hepatitis B surface antigen disease


• Hip dysplasia


• Hurler syndrome


• Hypermobility syndrome


• Hypersensitivity vasculitis


• Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy

I-K Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions

• Immune complex disease


• Impingement syndrome


• Jaccoud's arthropathy


• Juvenile ankylosing spondylitis


• Juvenile dermatomyositis


• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis


• Kawasaki disease


• Kienbock's disease

L-N Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions

• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease


• Lesch-Nyhan syndrome


• Linear scleroderma


• Lipoid dermatoarthritis


• Lofgren's syndrome


• Lyme disease


• Malignant synovioma


• Marfan's syndrome


• Medial plica syndrome


• Metastatic carcinomatous arthritis


• Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD)


• Mixed cryoglobulinemia


• Mucopolysaccharidosis


• Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis


• Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia


• Mycoplasmal arthritis


• Myofascial pain syndrome


• Neonatal lupus


• Neuropathic arthropathy


• Nodular panniculitis

O-P Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions

• Ochronosis


• Olecranon bursitis


• Osgood-Schlatter's disease


• Osteoarthritis


• Osteochondromatosis


• Osteogenesis imperfecta


• Osteomalacia


• Osteomyelitis


• Osteonecrosis


• Osteoporosis


• Overlap syndrome


• Pachydermoperiostosis Paget's disease of bone


• Palindromic rheumatism


• Patellofemoral pain syndrome


• Pellegrini-Stieda syndrome


• Pigmented villonodular synovitis


• Piriformis syndrome


• Plantar fasciitis


• Polyarteritis nodosa


• Polymyalgia rheumatica


• Polymyositis


• Popliteal cysts


• Posterior tibial tendonitis


• Pott's disease


• Prepatellar bursitis


• Prosthetic joint infection


• Pseudoxanthoma elasticum


• Psoriatic arthritis

R-S Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions

• Raynaud's phenomenon


• Reactive arthritis/Reiter's syndrome


• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome


• Relapsing polychondritis


• Retrocalcaneal bursitis


• Rheumatic fever


• Rheumatoid arthritis


• Rheumatoid vasculitis


• Rotator cuff tendonitis


• Sacroiliitis


• Salmonella osteomyelitis


• Sarcoidosis


• Saturnine gout


• Scheuermann's osteochondritis


• Scleroderma


• Septic arthritis


• Seronegative arthritis


• Shigella arthritis


• Shoulder-hand syndrome


• Sickle cell arthropathy


• Sjogren's syndrome


• Slipped capital femoral epiphysis


• Spinal stenosis


• Spondylolysis


• Staphylococcus arthritis


• Stickler syndrome


• Subacute cutaneous lupus


• Sweet's syndrome


• Sydenham's chorea


• Syphilitic arthritis


• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

T-Z Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions

• Takayasu's arteritis


• Tarsal tunnel syndrome


• Tennis elbow


• Tietse's syndrome


• Transient osteoporosis


• Traumatic arthritis


• Trochanteric bursitis


• Tuberculosis arthritis


• Arthritis of Ulcerative colitis


• Undifferentiated connective tissue syndrome (UCTS)


• Urticarial vasculitis


• Viral arthritis


• Wegener's granulomatosis


• Whipple's disease


• Wilson's disease


• Yersinial arthritis

Arthritis Different Types-- Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. As such, we will discuss these two types in more detail.

Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease involves the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

• Mild aching to severe pain and loss of mobility, especially in the evening, due to joint stiffness.


• Usually affects the weight-bearing joints - the knees, hips, and facet joints (in the spine), as well as the finger joints.

Osteoarthritis is primarily associated with aging and injury. In fact, it was once called "wear-and-tear" arthritis and it affects nearly everyone past age sixty. Although it can develop before age forty, it is said to be rare. In truth, the exact cause of osteoarthritis is unknown. However, about 20 million Americans are affected by osteoarthritis.

Supplements that may be helpful for Osteoarthritis

For supplements that may be helpful for Osteoarthritis, please click on the link below.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a type of inflammatory arthritis, is an autoimmune disease, in which the body's immune system improperly identifies the synovial membrane as foreign and, as such, inflammation results, damaging cartilage and tissue around the joints. Often, the bone surfaces are destroyed as well. Joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis include the hands, knees, wrists, and feet.

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) include:

• Swelling, stiffness, tenderness, redness, and pain in the affected joint. Usually more severe in the morning.


• Fatigue.


• Fever.


• Chills.


• Body aches.


• Joint deformity.


• Weight loss.

It affects about 2.1 million Americans and roughly 75% of them are females. In addition, it frequently occurs in people under forty five and when the disorder occurs in children under sixteen years old, it is known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown or should we say it is still not well understood.

Supplements that may be helpful for Rheumatoid Arthritis

For supplements that may be helpful for Rheumatoid Arthritis, please click on the link below.

ADHD Symptoms - Lack of Attention and Concentration

Before known what is the ADHD symptoms one should know what exactly the full form ADHD is. It is called as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. There are many types of ADHD if you check on internet or just refer a doctor. These ADHD symptoms are mostly found in common children's and teenagers. But there are also many chances that even adults can get contracted to these symptoms. One of the symptoms which an adult can experience is the restlessness without doing any heavy work or some thing else. The problems which arise in adult are of the interpersonal relationships. The types of ADHD are basically of three different types including combined ADHD it is the most common type, inattentive ADHD which is also known as ADD which makes the symptom of less attention and contraction and the third type is the hyperactive impulsive ADHD it is marked as the hyperactivity. Just for information one should know that how it is been contracted and what are the ADHD symptoms when one is diagnosed to it.

The symptoms are also divided into three different categories including hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. In the symptom of inattention the child may not cause unless he or she does not enter the crowded and challenging environment of school. The same symptom is applicable to the adults that they apparent in social situations or in work environment. The common symptom to be notice in the ADHD symptoms is that they find very difficult to do the easy work and they also find difficulty in paying attention to certain topics or details and tend to do silly mistakes in work or in school. If diagnosed to it one can get easily distracted to the noises which others try to avoid. To perform a particular task due to less attention. A child or an adult will find it difficult to complete some paperwork or school work which one has to do in concentration. The noticeable ADHD symptoms is the changes in daily habits, forgetting important things like meetings, appointment to doctor or forgot to call some one at particular time and lot more.

Due to lack of attention and concentration the child may not do his or her homework on time or study on exam time which may result to failure and even they won't participate in task where they have to concentrate. for adult the inattention symptom which comes under the ADHD symptoms has to pay because even the adults has a lack of concentration and attention which they need in work place for doing work or meetings and in social environments also. The other symptom which comes under ADHD symptoms is the hyperactivity. This symptom is mostly present before the age of seven at the preschoolers. If you see that one who is diagnosed to it they move nervously while seating or find themselves restless so they get up frequently for a walk or to run and the most restlessness after running or climbing. They find it difficult to play some games or keep themselves engaged while experiencing some activity. Most of them are in hurry or ready position to walk away from particular place and they always talk in limit and give reasons on particular communication.

The Most Common Symptom Of GERD - Heartburn

What is the most common symptom of GERD? Heartburn, without a doubt. In fact many people are experiencing GERD, also known as acid reflux syndrome, on a daily basis. It can even start as early as infancy.

In this article, we will discuss the most common symptom of GERD -- heartburn.

GERD occurs because a backflow of acid from the stomach enters into the esophagus. This will cause a burning sensation to occur, and also pain will be experienced. Usually the pain will be occur in the chest, directly below the breastbone or near the sternum.

Heartburn and acid reflux can also lead to vomiting because there is too much gastric acid that is built up in the esophagus or the stomach.

The pain felt from heartburn may start in the chest and eventually radiate to the neck, throat, or even into the jaw. Many people who experience intense heartburn say that there is a feeling of sourness in the back of the mouth. Another common symptom is chronic coughing and is usually a direct result of heartburn.

You would think that heartburn was related to the heart, but actually it isn't. The only reason why it is called this is because the burning sensation located in your chest is near the heart. The reason for this confusion is that there are similar sensations that you may experience from various heart problems that will feel like heartburn.

Usually, to diagnose a symptom and see how extreme it is, a probe will be placed into the esophagus to record the acidity levels that are contained in the lower esophagus. Naturally, it is normal to find a certain level of acidity, but what doctors are looking for is more extreme levels before they can say for certainty that GERD is what you have.

In some cases, the patient will be x-rayed to determine the extent of their acid reflux. A barium solution is consumed by the patient and if there is a reflux of a solution into the esophagus, there is a high probability that Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease has occurred.

There is no denying that the most common symptom of GERD is heartburn. There are variety of ways of treating it, from simply staying away from foods high in acid to using medications and altering your lifestyle. The key is trying different techniques and finding what works best for your particular situation.

Gallbladder Disease Symptoms

Gallbladder Disease Symptoms are often confused with heartburn symptoms but knowing more about gallbladder pain and symptoms will help you find out if you are experiencing gallbladder problems and how you can find treatment.

A major difference between gallbladder symptoms and heartburn is that heartburn should only occur now and then, if you are experiencing "heartburn" symptoms or similar pains frequently or almost every day than it may be a sign of a gall bladder problem.

Your gall bladder is placed right below your liver and its function is to store bile that is used to digest fat. That is why lumps of cholesterol can easily form in this area, also known as gallstones.

In many cases, gallbladder disease symptoms can be very painful. Here are some common symptoms associated with gallbladder disease.

- Chest Pain

- Symptoms Similar to Heartburn

- Vomiting

- Pain increases after eating

- Stomach Pain

- Back Pain

- Nausea

In worse cases, if this disease goes untreated, you can experience fever, chills and increasing chest pains.

Vomiting and nausea are common symptoms because the bile stored in your gallbladder is clogged up due to gallbladder stones. This will cause the above symptoms.

It is important to know what the symptoms of gall bladder disease are, if you think you are experiencing this kind of pain check with your doctor and start treating it quickly so you can avoid surgery.

One of the most recommended and used treatment to get rid of gallbladder disease and gallstones is with natural remedies that will allow you to naturally cleanse your gallbladder.

Hemochromatosis - The Silent Death Machine

Hemochromatosis can kill you dead if undetected.

What exactly is this malady I speak of?

It is a condition in which the body absorbs more iron from food than it needs. The extra iron is stored in and may damage the liver, heart, and pancreas. It may cause organ failure, cancer, heart problems, and liver disease. ...

Symptoms include:

Abdominal pain

Decreased sex drive or impotence.

Have you been feeling weak or tired all the time?

Do your joints hurt? Skin turning a bronze color?

Arthritis of the knuckles of the first and second fingers?

Cardiac problems (including abnormal heart rhythms

If so, you better alert your doctor. A complete physical must be performed. I know it's a bummer but better than kicking the bucket.

Your examination must include:

Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) and Serum Iron (SI).

Divide the SI by TIBC for percentage of Transferrin Saturation TS.

Normal range is: 12-45%.

The same blood may be used to measure Serum Ferritin.

Normal range: 5 to 150.

Mostly men contract the disease for some unclear reason. Probably due to normal iron loss during menstruation in women.

Usually around age 40. Individuals of European ancestry are much more likely to be carriers of what was until recently the only known gene to cause genetic hemochromatosis, than are people of other ethnic ancestries.

However, iron overload is common in people of African or Mexican descent as it is among Caucasians.

Your goal is to prevent liver cancer, heart attack or stroke. Do that by unloading stored iron as quickly as possible. Objective: ferritin below 10.

Any blood relatives must be tested and monitored yearly.

Iron will cross the blood brain barrier. Excess iron stored in the brain has been found to elevate severity in Alzheimer's, Lou Gehrig's, Parkinson's, MS, and other diseases. Iron in the brain also leads to psychological problems.

If you have any of the above symptoms, make an appointment with your primary care physician immediately. The longer you put off testing, the more damage to your liver will result if you have hemochromatosis.

Iron overload is most often present and silently causing problems long before you

notice any symptoms.

Serious consquences of untreated hemochromatosis can result in: arthritis, diabetes, depression, impotence, hypogonadism, gallbladder disease, cirrhosis and scarring of the liver, heart attack, cancer, and other life threatening ailments.

Limit red meat in your diet. Iron loaded vegetables are okay because the body doesn't absorb iron from plant sources so well.

Drink black, green, or oolong tea with meals. The tannin from tea helps curb iron absorption (herbal tea doesn't contain tannin). Cut all foods and snacks that have added iron.

Vitamin C supplements should be limited to less than 100 milligrams per day, because vitamin C promotes iron absorption. Use multivitamins that do not contain iron. Avoid raw oysters and shellfish like the plague, which may be tainted with bacteria that might be harmful, even deadly to someone with an iron overload.