We all know that we are supposed to drink water, but what is the difference between sparkling water, purified water or mineral water?  Many of us are the health conscious individuals that strive to get our recommended amount of water a day.  However, there are also many of us that strive to drink any amount of water a day.  Often times we cover the plain taste of water with various flavors, anything from coffees and teas to powdered fruity flavors.

You may ask “How can there be so many types of water”, and “Which ones are they?”.  Does this ring true for you?  Well let’s take a moment to examine the various types of water that are available to us.

1. Mineral Water contains naturally occurring dissolved solids, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium from and underground source.  These are generally bottled on-site, at their source.  An example of this would be: Calistoga Sparkling Mineral Water.
2. Fitness Water contains added electrolytes, antioxidants, vitamins, and flavoring or sugar.  Some contain caffeine or herbal stimulants such as guarana or taurine.  An example of this would be Hansen’s E20 Energy Water.
3. Artesian Water comes from a well that’s fed by an underground aquifer (a naturally occurring geological water tank which lies below ground often times in stone or sand).  An example of this would be: Fiji Natural Artesian Water.
4. Enhanced Water is fortified with vitamins, minerals and herbal ingredients and added flavor.  An example of this would be Glaceau Vitamin Water.
5. Sparkling Water or ‘carbonated water’ has natural or artificial effervescence. An example (named after the original developer of sparkling water) would be Schweppes Club Soda.
6. Spring Water is from an underground source that flows to the earth’s surface naturally.  An example of this would be Evian Natural Spring Water.
7. Purified Water is usually good old tap water that has been treated to remove any contaminants.  A popular example of this would be Sam’s Choice Purified Drinking Water.

With all these different types of water you have no excuse to not get your daily recommendation of half your body weight of water every day!  If I could suggest which ones are better than others, I would suggest that the purest water without any added stimulants, flavoring or sugar would be the best (because that is what nature had intended, right?).  Drink up!

Lisa Harris Gore is a regular contributor to PSCLife.com ( http://psclife.probioticsmart.com ) – a leading retailer of the enzyme supplement “Tyme Zyme”.  Tyme Zyme quickens the body’s repair-response and has been found to be of benefit to people with active lifestyles such as athletes, as well as “Mid-Lifers” and Seniors.

An estimated 60% to 80% of the population suffer from backache at least once in his life. In most cases, the pain is localized to the lower back, corresponding to the lumbar vertebrae. These disorders are particularly common in rheumatology consultation, but also the firm of generalist. Their socio-economic cost is significant because these low back pain account for approximately 20% of work stoppages and 7% of accidents, with suites often difficult.

The emotional suffering that connects the spine to the individual is linked to two major concerns: the paralysis or cancer that doctors fail to diagnose. These fears are rarely expressed and often underpinned by the knowledge of an exemplary case in the entourage.

The management of back pain takes time to listen to the grievances of the patient, experience and careful consideration. The origin of spinal pain is even more difficult to establish that there is no parallelism between the intensity of pain and radiologic appearance.

The intervertebral disc is a cartilage which has a particular role with some damper device more rigid, the annulus, and a central part hydrated, the nucleus. Constraints and duplication of effort will cause cracks with migration of the nucleus: the herniated disc.

At age 40, it is associated with lesions of osteoarthritis more or less extensive and characterized by destruction of cartilage with bone formation, osteophytes.

The herniated disc is not visible on plain radiographs that are especially useful for not missing a tumor lesion, cancerous, or ankylosing spondylitis disco-vertebral infection. Modern imaging, CT or MRI can demonstrate the existence of anatomical herniated disc, but allows no conclusion on its clinical consequences automatic.

Neural structures

Back pain can radiate, depending on the location of the hernia, behind the thigh and leg is sciatica, or the front of the thigh is the femoral nerve neuralgia. You should know that over 80% of cases the pain resolves spontaneously within a period which can reach six months.

Rare are the cases where surgery is needed immediately. It can be a pain to extreme violence, resistant to major analgesics, especially with functional impairment or progressive neurological complications. They involve varying degrees of sphincter dysfunction and lower limb paralysis that depend on the headquarters of the herniated disc. Urinary problems are immediately consider intervention. The paralysis may be initially supported medically unless there is a gradual worsening.

Whatever the technique used, surgery aims to decompress the neural structures in the spinal canal. In a young patient, some have proposed that the disc curettage by the establishment of an intervertebral disc prosthesis. The advantage of this technique is still under discussion.

Surgery for herniated disc is not a panacea. It can be complicated by nosocomial discitis. The paralysis does not resolve more quickly after surgery with rehabilitation alone. The pain may persist unchanged or even increased. Mention was used as an explanation of the phenomena of scarring. It is now believed that these lesions of nerve roots, often lifelong, by vascular thrombosis. For surgeons, the excessive attention and the contemplative attitude of some rheumatologists favor these root lesions.

The hernia repair is a surgical procedure in the world’s most commonly performed. In fact, there are more than 600,000 surgeries to repair hernias performed annually in the United States alone. A hernia is a weakness or defect in the abdominal muscles which can result in the protrusion of tissue through an opening in the outer layers of the abdominal wall. The hernia can develop at any part of the abdominal wall, but generally occur in areas that have a natural tendency to be weak. These areas include the groin (inguinal hernia), the umbilicus (umbilical hernias), hiatus (hiatal hernias) and incisions from previous surgeries (incisional or ventral hernia). While hernias generally do not pose problems in the long-term serious health, they can cause severe pain and discomfort for those suffering from this condition.

Hernias may be present from birth, or may be caused by stress on the abdominal muscles. In either case, hernias do not go away by themselves and the degree of swelling or pain, usually require a surgical procedure to be repaired. Hernia repairs are usually done on an elective basis, which means that the patient and the doctor decide if or when the process should be executed. Emergency procedures are only done for strangulated hernias, which are hernias that have become pinched to the point where the blood supply is cut. These hernias require immediate medical attention because they can become infected and lead to a condition representing a danger to life very quickly.

Hernias are typically repaired by a surgical procedure called herniorrhaphy, in which the surgeon repairs the hole in the abdominal wall by sewing together the surrounding muscle or by placing a patch called “mesh” over the defect. Most surgeons make an incision at the site of the hernia to access the default, although some surgeons prefer to do these procedures laparoscopically.

During a laparoscopic hernia repair, the surgeon makes very small incisions to pass through specialized instruments and an endoscope, a device that allows the surgeon to see the abdominal area without opening the patient up. The Laparoscopic hernia repair has generally results in less postoperative pain and long recovery than open surgery. There remains much controversy over the long term benefits of laparoscopic hernia repair, however, and is not an option for each patient.

The use of surgical mesh to repair hernias is gaining in popularity with surgeons. Most meshes currently on the market are made from synthetic materials such as polypropylene, polyester, silicone or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), commonly known by the brand name of DuPont Teflon ®. While these meshes have good strength characteristics, they remain in the body as implants constant and can sometimes cause adverse reactions when the surrounding tissue identifies these materials as foreign bodies.

To avoid adverse reactions to synthetic materials, some surgeons prefer to use meshes made of biomaterials which are gradually resorbed by the body over time and are then eliminated through biological processes. Since these meshes are not permanent implants, they usually offer only temporary repair of abdominal wall defects and additional surgical procedures are sometimes required to replace the mesh absorbed.

An alternative to synthetic mesh and is absorbable tissue. There are a handful of companies that are now processed human dermis and lyophilized sales for soft tissue repair and growth. This material is implanted using the same technique with other meshes and provides revascularization, cellular ingrowth and the “transform” into the tissue of patients. While this option generally provides a permanent repair fewer adverse reactions, treatment and distribution of human tissue is not resolved by the Administration of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as most other products that are implanted in the human body. In fact, there were a number of recent cases of infections and even deaths resulting from serious implantation of human cadaveric tissue during surgical procedures.

New technologies have recently been developed to solve problems related to the use of synthetic substances, absorbable materials and human tissue in hernia repair procedures. Scientists in Europe have led the research and development of alternatives to these products over the past two decades and have made inroads in major surplus area in the past several years. New ways of gathering and processing natural materials have led to a series of products that offer the strength of synthetic compounds, the biocompatibility of biomaterials and regenerative properties of human tissue.

What materials can offer all the advantages previously mentioned products without corresponding disadvantages? Porcine dermal collagen has an architectural structure very close to human tissue, and thus is readily recognized as friendly by the human body. A leading medical technology company in Europe has developed a patented process by which a sheet of porcine dermis is converted into safe and effective surgical implant for the repair and augmentation of soft tissue. The process, which takes several weeks to complete, remove all materials not collageneous sheet except elastin, and stabilizes the material through a process of cross-linking. The result is a membrane-free cell formation, not reconstituted, non allergenic which has excellent strength characteristics, is completely biocompatible and provides a permanent solution for repairing abdominal wall defects. Because the material itself is a byproduct of the industry, meat packing, it is more readily available than human tissue. In addition, harvesting and processing equipment is strictly regulated by local government, as well as guidelines and international quality standards.

This collagen implant surgery has been used in Europe for these types of procedures for several years and there is strong clinical evidence of safety and efficacy. In fact, the implant was approved for sale in the U.S. by the FDA and there has not been any adverse reaction reported with several thousand locations in Europe. Not only is it safe, since the structure of collagen is so similar to human tissue, once it is implanted the sheet provides the basis for cellular ingrowth and revascularization. This results in an ongoing challenge even the most difficult cases. In addition to positive clinical outcomes, surgeons like the fact they do not need to change their surgical technique for using this product. They can use the same exact same steps they would use for synthetic or absorbable surgical mesh in both open and laparoscopic procedures.

Only physicians can properly diagnose and appropriately treat hernias. However, patients have the right to participate actively in decisions that affect their health or quality of life. Information about the various treatment options are tin game currently available through major part in the discussions between patients and their physicians regarding the best surgical treatment option for them.

The hiatal hernia is a common abnormality of the esophagogastric junction, which can promote the recovery of gastric contents into the esophagus (gastroesophageal reflux).

The gastroesophageal reflux disease results in typical symptoms (regurgitation and ascending burns behind the breastbone) or atypical (eg irritation of the ENT, chronic cough or chest pain). Most often, these symptoms are easily treated by simple dietary measures to lose a few pounds if overweight, or with drugs that reduce stomach acid secretion inhibitor (proton pump in particular).

Antireflux surgery is to restore an effective antireflux barrier. The information must be restricted to a number of well-defined situations:

1. The symptoms are completely relieved by inhibitors of proton pump, but relapse upon discontinuation of treatment, with a weariness of patients vis-à-vis the medical treatment.

2. The symptoms are not completely ameliorated by inhibitors of proton pump inhibitors (especially regurgitation), and the link between symptoms and reflux has been clearly established by an extended recording of the acidity (pH) in the esophagus (or pH monitoring Esophageal pH-impedance of 24 hours).

3. The exceptional cases of intolerance to inhibitors of proton pump.

4. When it persists, despite treatment with medical management, lesions of the esophageal mucosa (erosive esophagitis), reflecting the persistence of gastroesophageal reflux disease poorly controlled.

5. Finally, in the rare cases where a large hiatal hernia can be responsible for a chronic bleeding in the digestive tract, leading to anemia (lack of red blood cells).

In all cases, it is essential that a full assessment is carried out including a gastroscopy (to see the condition of the esophageal mucosa and the esophagogastric junction), an esophageal manometry (to ensure the proper functioning of the esophageal motility before surgery), and esophageal pH monitoring for 24 hours if necessary to quantify the importance of acid reflux into the esophagus.

Gary Stone Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery

Studies show that a simple blood test could replace the current screening based on fecal occult blood.

Stool examinations to screen for colorectal cancer will they soon be replaced by simple blood tests, better accepted by patients? Worldwide, several teams have been conducting such research.

In many countries, screening for colorectal tumors called Hem occult test, which looks for the presence of occult blood (invisible to the naked eye) in the stool. Its performances are limited: it can remain negative in the presence of cancer, and be falsely positive (diagnosis is then removed by colonoscopy). According to the latest report from the Institute for Public Health, participation in the national screening program, which targets 50-74 years, is still modest 42% in the 23 pilot counties. The next generation of immunoassay’s looks much more reliable, but it is still stool examinations, which repel some people.

The test aims to detect low levels of methylation of two genes in the blood. These two genes are strongly linked to colorectal cancer and are rarely present in individuals free of these tumors, justify the Belgian researchers. DNA methylation is a mechanism for normal control of gene expression. But excessive methylation of some of them – such as tumor suppressor genes – is associated with cancer development. In total, the study included approximately 700 witnesses and 200 individuals with a colo-rectal cancer. The sensitivity of the blood test (number of patients correctly identified by examination) was assessed at 77%, and specificity (proportion of negative tests among non-patients) to 91%. In comparison, Hem occult sensitivity is about 50 to 60%. The evaluation of the Belgian test is far from over. For researchers, the next step is to confirm their results in a population of 7000 persons participating in a screening program in Germany. In fact, as confirmed by French specialists, data presented at the Congress of Berlin are only preliminary.

Prognosis of tumors

The researcher also points out that the search for blood in stool, although imperfect, has the advantage of also detecting precancerous lesions (polyps) that can be processed. The results of a screening test are interpreted as if it has been practiced … in a screening population reached. This is not the case in the Belgian study, which studied a group of people already suffering from cancer. “Worldwide, several teams work on non-faecal testing, which would be welcome in terms of acceptability,” continues Gary Stone. Its own test also detects methylation of genes, blood, feces and / or urine. Its sensitivity was assessed at 80% and a specificity of 96%. “A study in 2010 in four counties to see if these performances are confirmed in terms of screening”. In general, the search for bio markers is increasingly active in oncology, to trace, but also to predict the prognosis of tumors and their response to treatment. A blood test for lung cancer by monoclonal antibodies, developed by the French firm Bio systems International, and is currently in clinical trials.

My heart goes out to my fellow NZ community on our terrible loss.

Colonoscopy 101
You have probably seen one advertisement campaign to raise awareness of colon cancer “Let me see your butt.”

For those who missed this campaign aims to raise awareness in a fun way the importance of screening tests, showing a close-up, a pair of buttocks. And since I’m dedicated body and soul to you for this chronic educational, I showed my butt … to a specialist.

Lesson 1 (A little theory): Colorectal cancer, cancer of the colon or rectum is the second leading cause of cancer death in the country. And, even if it is highly preventable and curable when diagnosed early. According to projections, one in 14 men and 16 women will develop this disease during their lifetime. In short, a very common type of cancer, but easy to diagnose with a colonoscopy.

Lesson 2 (Preparation): In addition to a ban on eating for 24 hours before your colonoscopy, you must completely empty your bowels by drinking 4 liters in 4 hours with a powerful laxative. Good news: it’s the hardest part. For those who thought that the most painful was the introduction of the camera, do not worry! It is far from a camera like the brother at the wedding last summer, the miniaturization of cameras is not restricted only to the James Bond films.

Lesson 3 (The camera): It has been said, it is small, the size of a finger. But most impressive is its versatility. In addition to providing a view of your internal HD to the doctor, she can also do biopsies, aspiration and rinse. A little more, and the new ceramic would your bathroom.

Lesson 4 (Preliminaries): Before the start of the procedure, the doctor injects a cocktail of sedatives intravenously to help make your colonoscopy as painlessly as possible. This is the fun part of the process. What a euphoric feeling! I immediately understood the devilish attraction of heroin. I moved from a state of high anxiety to a state “Ooûûûû wow! What’s your name again … I will add in my will. ” Nirvanic in this state, I even told the team: “Hey gang! if there are cancellations tomorrow, I’m available! “.

A case of nothing

Lesson 5 (The Procedure): Two weeks of fear and anticipation for anything negative. That’ll teach me to listen to the brother with tales of horror. I should have guessed, it’s like fishing stories, ultimately, it’s still not as big as what he said! In fact, it’s about nothing. In less time than it took for the doctor to say “take a big inhaled Mr. Hall, then have you listened to the game yesterday?” Was over … finished … over and out. I who was about to say, “It’s been two weeks since I have a cat in the throat, that you not attempt to climb higher to see?”.

Lesson 6 (Evaluation): I give a 10/10 in our health system, often criticized. Obviously, it’s no surprise that the staff was competent, warm and friendly (a special thank you to Lucy and Valerie, my nurses), but the equipment was at the forefront, and the whole process took only month!

Lesson 7 (or. .. lesson of life): If you are 50 years or older, go ahead. No excuse is. Remember, we are all equal before the disease: rich or poor, male or female, Black or White. Moreover, a colonoscopy will confirm that inside … we are all pink.

“Back pain for three months. Symptoms: constant pain on the right. MRIs and CAT scans have to find a small herniated disc, herniated disc right paramedian (…) a draft of osteoarthritis. Could someone recommend me to a very good specialist? “. Writes an Internet forum site, one of the largest of its kind. Another, who suffered the same symptoms, says he saw several doctors before I was even prescribe physical therapy sessions for a displaced vertebra. An “ergonomist” advised him to go to a boutique specializing in ergonomics, which he does not hesitate to contact …

Hundreds of health website offer medical information more or less objective and “sourced”. They are signed (or not) by qualified doctors (or not), updated regularly, or ever. Not to mention that the forums are full of advice between users, relevant or delirious!

To fight against these abuses, and “ensure the health information of patients the most complete and most reliable”, French Parliament voted Thursday night to Friday an amendment to the law Bachelot “hospital, patients, planning, health . This “invites” the websites on health, to appear on their homepage links to corporate sites.

The amendment is voted a “good thing… overall, these sites are well made and the information is quite relevant. They correspond to what previously found in families with medical encyclopedias. But however it is much more reserved with regard to the discussion forums.

701 French sites certified

The device completes the implementation under the control of the HAS, a certification system for websites dedicated to health. On a voluntary basis, managers must agree to change the operation of their pages to adhere to a code of ethics or good practice.

The success was immediate: in December 522 sites had been certified, and to date, HAS announced 701 French sites already meet the criteria. These were established by the Health On the Net Foundation (HON), based in Geneva and founded in 1995 by experts in telemedicine. At the dawn of the Internet, these pioneers had quickly understood that this new medium would be rapidly accessible to all. In 1995, the foundation has established a charter to promote quality information.

The first criterion is that of authority: who are the signatories of the site, their qualifications? The criterion of “mission” to limit the medical information site that does not bypass the doctor (in the U.S., sites or online consultation self-diagnostic function without control). The site must also ensure the confidentiality, citing sources, provide objective information and organize a funding transparency. Since 1997, 6,800 sites in 116 countries are already certified HON. And more and more discussion forums also seek that label.

Do you think we need something like this in New Zealand? Tweet me – @stonegary

An ambulance took the surprise of his life last week when he noticed that the address where he went to a call for heart attack was that of one of his best friends.

When the ambulance turned the corner at 10 am on Monday, June 1, Brad Poster, 55, realized that he was indeed at her “old boyfriend for 30 years.

Daniel Rothet, 55, with whom he has always done a lot of sports and two or three fishing trips per year, actually had to dial 911.

“He already had a little discomfort and I thought it might be him, even if a guy is in great shape. But I was hoping that this is not the case, “said the paramedic EMTs.

“Me, I wanted to be him who come to my aid because I knew he was working day,” says Daniel Rothet, deputy chairman of construction firm.

In an indescribable suffering, Rothet stood then the chest with both hands.

“I had broken limbs and athletic injuries in my life, but I can tell you that nothing hurts like that!”

Sigh of relief

Mr. Rothet felt relieved when he saw his old friend in the doorway, with 33 years experience as a paramedic. But he was not leaving either.

Fortunately, the paramedics can now administer their own drugs such as aspirin etc.

By monitoring the evolution of the heart with an electrocardiogram, he was then installed the necessary to administer an electric shock in case the situation goes out during transport.

Sure enough, on arriving at the Hospital, the heart has faltered: acute myocardial infarction. Mr. Rothet has received a shock on the stretcher.

The latter then released a long groan of death, which has however proved a cry back to life.

50 km in 25 minutes

It was then that took 25 minutes of paramedic ambulance to drive her boyfriend at the hospital where the condition of Mr. Rothet was finally stabilized.

A week later, the Journal was able to meet together with the men.

“It’s special to rescue someone we know so well, there’s more pressure. Everything went well except for my work colleague, whom I let do anything, without realizing it! ”

* Reflection of a man who came so close to death: “I decided to stop getting angry for all sorts of things I do not control. In life, you must choose your battles. “