The gym is great for everyone young and old and based on. What it is you are trying to accomplish, there are a few things to keep in mind. Before starting your workout regime.
Men often need more protein than women but that’s not to say that women don’t need protein. The general rule of thumb is 0.8g of protein per pound, i.e. a 140lb woman would need 0.8 x 140 = 112g of protein per day, and a 140lb man would also need 112g of protein a day.
Men naturally have more muscle and build muscle faster than women, which is why most males that workout regularly will take some type of protein supplement to help aid their muscle building. Some women choose to take some type of protein supplement as well, but find they do not need as much as their male counterparts as women do not have as much muscle to build.
FACT: In exercise and Diet…men and women are not created equal! Our bodies are designed to react differently to exercise and diet, we may do exactly the same workout and follow exactly the same diet, yet we will not achieve the same results in the same amount of time.
All of this of course is just a general example since there are always exceptions to the rules and also different goals for different people.
I’m going to break down 3 basic groups with 3 different eating and exercise routines to share with everyone so you can take these as a starting point or take bits and pieces from them to add to your own routine to help you make your goal happen faster and safer.
Skinny to Mid-Size
Diet – 3 meals a day, 1 snack. “Eat regular meals”
Breakfast: Whole grain cereal, fruit or a breakfast shake.
Lunch: salad, pasta, rice, meat, chicken, fish or a nutrition bar.
Snack: yogurt, nuts, or fruit
Dinner: generally anything goes for supper for these types of people. Just remember not to eat after 8:00ish at night or 1-2 hours before you go to bed. Take a multi vitamin with one of your meals once a day and remember to drink water, five 8 ounce glasses a day is the nationally recommended amount.
Exercise – Workout at least 2-3 times a week.
Mix it up, half cardio half weights. Don’t focus on one muscle group per day at the beginning, work your way into it if you want to gain weight and muscle. Try doing a general all body exercise every time you go to the gym for the first few months to get your body adjusted to the changes. Cardio should be done after your workout for at least 40 minutes; you can switch it up between 2 or 3 activities if you wish this, will help your amino acids circulate through your body.
Diet – 3-5 meals a day, 1-2 snacks. Depending on whether you want to lose or gain weight you will have to follow different diets. If you want to lose weight follow the examples above. If you want to gain weight or get leaner follow these steps; 5 meals a day, Breakfast, Mid-morning snack, Lunch, Mid-afternoon snack, Dinner. Basically you want to start your day with your higher carb foods and then slowly switch to the lighter carb foods later in the day with your least carb intake being your last meal of the day. Take a multi vitamin with a meal; drink at least 4-6 bottles of water a day. You may want to take a protein supplement, either a shake, or a protein bar for one of your snacks.
Exercise – Workout 3-5 time a week.
You can follow the above routine to start to lose weight or the next steps to get lean and/or gain muscle. Start off with 10-20 minutes of cardio before you workout, it raises your heart rate and warms up your body so your not shocking it when you start to lift heavy weights. For your sets, do at least 5 exercises focusing on either 1 or 2 muscle groups and do 3-4 sets of each making your weight a little more each time. End it off with at least a 40 minute cardio session.
TIP: You muscles remember. If you start off with heavy weight and then go down your muscles remember this and your stamina will go down too, therfore it will make it harder to do your last few sets.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Breast Cancer Treatment
As women, especially American women, much of our femininity is centered on our s. No matter where you look, there are pictures, billboards, commercials, television shows, and movies with women with these beautiful s and ample cleavage. The thought of losing one or both s, to cancer, can be devastating for many of us. Sure, there's reconstruction, but will it ever really look the same again? Even if you have reconstruction, you'll never have sensation there again and, for many of us, that definitely affects our sexuality.
I went through two separate mastectomies, for my cancer, despite the fact that I wanted them both done at the same time. Two different surgeons told me that wasn't necessary. They found out, later, that it was, as I had the same cancer in both s. Through these surgeries, I learned a few things about what to expect, and how to get up and running again, after a mastectomy for cancer.
The first thing to realize is that, apart from the emotional aspect of such an operation, this is a simple surgery. The is composed, mostly, of fatty tissue and, of course, milk ducts and lobes. The removal of this tissue is way easier than operating on an organ, but carries much more emotional impact for most of us. Most surgeons will get as much of the tissue out as they can to help alleviate the chance of a recurrence of your cancer. You will typically wind up with a horizontal scar about four inches long. The scar may be red for quite a while but, ultimately, should fade to where you can hardly see it anymore.
You want to be sure to take loose-fitting, button-down shirts (raiding your hubby's closet is helpful) with you, to the hospital, as you won't be able to raise your arms over your head for a while. You will also need a sports bra and I would highly recommend one that fastens in the front. They will put that on you after your surgery. Typically, you should be able to stay in the hospital for one night. If you're going to have lymph nodes removed, a small pillow, to slip under that arm, will help make you more comfortable. Check with your local American Cancer Society as they may have small pillows for you. An extra pillow to hold to your chest, if you need to cough, sneeze, or laugh, can help keep your incision from hurting.
When you wake up, you will have a couple of drain tubes for each side you have done. These tubes are important as they allow the excess fluid, which your body will produce, to drain out. If you didn't have them, the fluid would have to be aspirated with a needle. The drains, even though they're no fun, are better than that. These drains will have to be emptied a couple of times a day and you will have to write down how much fluid you drain so the doctor will know when you've slowed down enough to remove them. You may not know where to put these drains under your clothing. I pinned mine up to the sports bra and that way, they didn't pull when I moved.
When you get home, plan on having someone there to help you for the first few days. You won't be allowed to reach into your cabinets and definitely won't be able to clean house or pick up your children, if you have little ones. You'll be sent home with pain meds and definitely take them if you need them. Studies show that you will heal faster if you keep yourself out of pain, so don't be afraid to take them as prescribed.
If you have a recliner, you might consider moving it into the bedroom as you won't be able to lie flat for a while. You'll need to sleep in a partial sitting position. If you don't have one, or don't have space for it in your bedroom, lots of pillows will work, too. That's what I used. Just be sure you have enough pillows to keep yourself comfortable propped up.
If you would like someone who's been there before you to visit with, be sure to call your local American Cancer Society and ask for a Reach 2 Recovery volunteer. This is an American Cancer Society program where they try to match you with one of their volunteers who have as similar experience as you're facing. This woman will come visit you and will bring you all sorts of brochures and information on conventional treatment. She will also bring you a list of exercises you can start to do to regain your mobility and range of motion.
This is VERY important. It hurts to stretch your arm up, after surgery, but if you haven't had reconstruction, and you don't start soon, you will lose that range of motion. I would recommend starting to gently, slowly reach your arm up … let your body be your guide … the day after your surgery. This is ONLY if you have not had reconstruction. If you have, let your plastic surgeon tell you when to start stretching. Push to where it hurts just a little, but do not push too far past that. Little by little, you'll find yourself able to stretch a little farther every couple of days.
I went through two separate mastectomies, for my cancer, despite the fact that I wanted them both done at the same time. Two different surgeons told me that wasn't necessary. They found out, later, that it was, as I had the same cancer in both s. Through these surgeries, I learned a few things about what to expect, and how to get up and running again, after a mastectomy for cancer.
The first thing to realize is that, apart from the emotional aspect of such an operation, this is a simple surgery. The is composed, mostly, of fatty tissue and, of course, milk ducts and lobes. The removal of this tissue is way easier than operating on an organ, but carries much more emotional impact for most of us. Most surgeons will get as much of the tissue out as they can to help alleviate the chance of a recurrence of your cancer. You will typically wind up with a horizontal scar about four inches long. The scar may be red for quite a while but, ultimately, should fade to where you can hardly see it anymore.
You want to be sure to take loose-fitting, button-down shirts (raiding your hubby's closet is helpful) with you, to the hospital, as you won't be able to raise your arms over your head for a while. You will also need a sports bra and I would highly recommend one that fastens in the front. They will put that on you after your surgery. Typically, you should be able to stay in the hospital for one night. If you're going to have lymph nodes removed, a small pillow, to slip under that arm, will help make you more comfortable. Check with your local American Cancer Society as they may have small pillows for you. An extra pillow to hold to your chest, if you need to cough, sneeze, or laugh, can help keep your incision from hurting.
When you wake up, you will have a couple of drain tubes for each side you have done. These tubes are important as they allow the excess fluid, which your body will produce, to drain out. If you didn't have them, the fluid would have to be aspirated with a needle. The drains, even though they're no fun, are better than that. These drains will have to be emptied a couple of times a day and you will have to write down how much fluid you drain so the doctor will know when you've slowed down enough to remove them. You may not know where to put these drains under your clothing. I pinned mine up to the sports bra and that way, they didn't pull when I moved.
When you get home, plan on having someone there to help you for the first few days. You won't be allowed to reach into your cabinets and definitely won't be able to clean house or pick up your children, if you have little ones. You'll be sent home with pain meds and definitely take them if you need them. Studies show that you will heal faster if you keep yourself out of pain, so don't be afraid to take them as prescribed.
If you have a recliner, you might consider moving it into the bedroom as you won't be able to lie flat for a while. You'll need to sleep in a partial sitting position. If you don't have one, or don't have space for it in your bedroom, lots of pillows will work, too. That's what I used. Just be sure you have enough pillows to keep yourself comfortable propped up.
If you would like someone who's been there before you to visit with, be sure to call your local American Cancer Society and ask for a Reach 2 Recovery volunteer. This is an American Cancer Society program where they try to match you with one of their volunteers who have as similar experience as you're facing. This woman will come visit you and will bring you all sorts of brochures and information on conventional treatment. She will also bring you a list of exercises you can start to do to regain your mobility and range of motion.
This is VERY important. It hurts to stretch your arm up, after surgery, but if you haven't had reconstruction, and you don't start soon, you will lose that range of motion. I would recommend starting to gently, slowly reach your arm up … let your body be your guide … the day after your surgery. This is ONLY if you have not had reconstruction. If you have, let your plastic surgeon tell you when to start stretching. Push to where it hurts just a little, but do not push too far past that. Little by little, you'll find yourself able to stretch a little farther every couple of days.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor
"Mesothelioma" is the term used to describe a cancerous tumor that involves the mesothelial cells of an organ. Mesothelial cells are cells that form a protective lining over the lungs, heart and abdominal organs. The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. The pleura is a thin membrane found between the lungs and the chest cavity. It provides a lubricated surface so that the lungs do not rub and chafe against the chest walls.What causes it?
Virtually all cases of mesothelioma are related to inhaling of asbestos fibers. There are about 3,000 cases per year (mostly men over the age of 40) and there will be about 300,000 cases before 2030. Mesothelioma usually spreads rapidly through the mesothelial cells to the heart and abdominal organs. The life span is typically 24 months after diagnosis, but it depends on what stage the cancer is detected, the health of the patient and other factors.Although asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma, it has a latency period after exposure that could last 15 to 50 years. This means that someone who worked in a factory with asbestos 40 years ago could be developing mesothelioma now. Anyone who knows they were exposed to loose asbestos fibers should be tested regularly for mesothelioma.
DiagnosisThe onset of mesothelioma is usually very slow. The first symptom is a constant pain in the chest. This pain is later accompanies by difficulty breathing due to an accumulation of fluid in the chest. Other symptoms include coughing, fever and weight loss. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed by your doctor with a chest CT-scan.
Prognosis (the outcome)Mesothelioma advances in 4 stages:Stage I - the tumor is limited to the area of the lining of the lung and usually limited to only one side of the chest.Stage II - the tumor extends to other organs within the chest cavity, such as the heart or lymph nodes in the chest.Stage III - the tumor expands to the other side of the chest or it spreads into the abdominal organs. The lymph nodes outside the chest are affected.Stage IV -the cancer spreads to different parts of the body far outside the chest area (liver, brain, bone, etc...).
Mesothelioma is an extremely deadly disease. The average survival time is about one year from date of diagnosis. About 20% of patients who find their cancer early and treat it aggressively will reach the five-year mark.
Virtually all cases of mesothelioma are related to inhaling of asbestos fibers. There are about 3,000 cases per year (mostly men over the age of 40) and there will be about 300,000 cases before 2030. Mesothelioma usually spreads rapidly through the mesothelial cells to the heart and abdominal organs. The life span is typically 24 months after diagnosis, but it depends on what stage the cancer is detected, the health of the patient and other factors.Although asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma, it has a latency period after exposure that could last 15 to 50 years. This means that someone who worked in a factory with asbestos 40 years ago could be developing mesothelioma now. Anyone who knows they were exposed to loose asbestos fibers should be tested regularly for mesothelioma.
DiagnosisThe onset of mesothelioma is usually very slow. The first symptom is a constant pain in the chest. This pain is later accompanies by difficulty breathing due to an accumulation of fluid in the chest. Other symptoms include coughing, fever and weight loss. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed by your doctor with a chest CT-scan.
Prognosis (the outcome)Mesothelioma advances in 4 stages:Stage I - the tumor is limited to the area of the lining of the lung and usually limited to only one side of the chest.Stage II - the tumor extends to other organs within the chest cavity, such as the heart or lymph nodes in the chest.Stage III - the tumor expands to the other side of the chest or it spreads into the abdominal organs. The lymph nodes outside the chest are affected.Stage IV -the cancer spreads to different parts of the body far outside the chest area (liver, brain, bone, etc...).
Mesothelioma is an extremely deadly disease. The average survival time is about one year from date of diagnosis. About 20% of patients who find their cancer early and treat it aggressively will reach the five-year mark.
Acne treatment
Blackheads are mild and noninflammatory in nature and therefore it is you who could take care of these small zits by a few very simple precautionary steps. Grow a habit of cleansing your face twice a day with warm water and mild soap. This would help removing the extra oil from your skin surface along with the accumulated dead skin cells. Never pick or pop the zits, no matter how impulsive you feel to do so. If you really need to do it then perfectly disinfect your hands before touching the affected area or visit some skin expert. They often do the same job by using sterilized instruments specially designed to serve this purpose solely. Blackhead removal is rather less risky than other moderate and severe type of acne. Still it is highly recommended not to go for self-extraction unless you have enough confidence in performing this job.
Blackheads, the apparently mild type of acne, are often found to bear this attribute of showing up here and there, almost all over the face. They are also known as open comedones and appear usually on oily skin. They look like small black spots or dents on the skin surface, often hard to touch and noninflammatory in nature. These days natural or home remedies for pimples and zits have won the hearts of many acne victims due to their simplicity and harmless yet effective outcome. For instance, using an almond or oatmeal face mask for better cleansing has proven to be very effective. Mix any of them with rose water to make a soft paste and rub all over the face, leave for 15 minutes and then rinse with cold water. Honey is another beneficial acne remedy. Apply sufficient amount with your fingertip on the affected areas and leave for 15 minutes, then wash with water or you can use pure lemon juice 2 to 3 times a day. A regular use for a few weeks would definitely show a visible change. Proper exfoliation of the skin is a very essential matter in preventing blackheads. Use some natural skin exfoliator for this purpose.
Why blackheads form? In order to find the answer we need to get clear about how acne is formed. The basic reason behind acne formation is excessive secretion of sebum or body oil by the sebaceous glands embedded deep within the skin surface. These oil glands are attached with the hair follicles through which the discharged body oil travels up to the skin surface. The amount of oil secretion is governed to a large extent by androgens or the male hormones present within human body irrespective of gender. When the sebaceous glands get stirred up by the oversecretion of androgen, they start releasing a greater amount of oil. The dead skin cells around the hair follicle lining stick up with this surplus oil and form a cluster clogging the hair follicles, giving rise to comedonal formation. Typically in case of blackheads, these comedones are partially open and the accumulated plug inside the pore remains under air contact due to which they grow darker or almost black in color.
Blackheads, the apparently mild type of acne, are often found to bear this attribute of showing up here and there, almost all over the face. They are also known as open comedones and appear usually on oily skin. They look like small black spots or dents on the skin surface, often hard to touch and noninflammatory in nature. These days natural or home remedies for pimples and zits have won the hearts of many acne victims due to their simplicity and harmless yet effective outcome. For instance, using an almond or oatmeal face mask for better cleansing has proven to be very effective. Mix any of them with rose water to make a soft paste and rub all over the face, leave for 15 minutes and then rinse with cold water. Honey is another beneficial acne remedy. Apply sufficient amount with your fingertip on the affected areas and leave for 15 minutes, then wash with water or you can use pure lemon juice 2 to 3 times a day. A regular use for a few weeks would definitely show a visible change. Proper exfoliation of the skin is a very essential matter in preventing blackheads. Use some natural skin exfoliator for this purpose.
Why blackheads form? In order to find the answer we need to get clear about how acne is formed. The basic reason behind acne formation is excessive secretion of sebum or body oil by the sebaceous glands embedded deep within the skin surface. These oil glands are attached with the hair follicles through which the discharged body oil travels up to the skin surface. The amount of oil secretion is governed to a large extent by androgens or the male hormones present within human body irrespective of gender. When the sebaceous glands get stirred up by the oversecretion of androgen, they start releasing a greater amount of oil. The dead skin cells around the hair follicle lining stick up with this surplus oil and form a cluster clogging the hair follicles, giving rise to comedonal formation. Typically in case of blackheads, these comedones are partially open and the accumulated plug inside the pore remains under air contact due to which they grow darker or almost black in color.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Works overtime the change to impair the lady health
•Working long hours has a greater negative impact on women than men because it makes them more likely to smoke, drink coffee and eat unhealthy food.
Both sexes consume less alcohol if they spend more time working, researchers said, but toiling extra hours makes women crave unhealthy snacks.
"Women who work long hours eat more high-fat and high-sugar snacks, exercise less, drink more caffeine and, if smokers, smoke more than their male colleagues," said Dr. Daryl O'Connor, a researcher at Britain's Leeds University.
"For men, working longer hours has no negative impact on exercise, caffeine intake or smoking," O'Connor said in a statement released by the Economic and Social Research Council, which funded his study.
O'Connor's team of scientists were studying the impact of stress on eating habits. They looked at what causes stress at home and at work and how people react to it.
•The results show that stressful events such as making a presentation, a meeting with the boss or missing a deadline were linked to eating more between-meal snacks and fewer or smaller portions of fruits and vegetables.
"Stress disrupts people's normal eating habits," he said.
The people who were most vulnerable were so-called emotional eaters. "These individuals have higher levels of vulnerability and tend to turn to food as an escape from self-awareness,"
O'Connor said. "When they feel anxious or emotionally aroused or negative about themselves, they try to avoid these negative feelings by turning their attention to food."
Both sexes consume less alcohol if they spend more time working, researchers said, but toiling extra hours makes women crave unhealthy snacks.
"Women who work long hours eat more high-fat and high-sugar snacks, exercise less, drink more caffeine and, if smokers, smoke more than their male colleagues," said Dr. Daryl O'Connor, a researcher at Britain's Leeds University.
"For men, working longer hours has no negative impact on exercise, caffeine intake or smoking," O'Connor said in a statement released by the Economic and Social Research Council, which funded his study.
O'Connor's team of scientists were studying the impact of stress on eating habits. They looked at what causes stress at home and at work and how people react to it.
•The results show that stressful events such as making a presentation, a meeting with the boss or missing a deadline were linked to eating more between-meal snacks and fewer or smaller portions of fruits and vegetables.
"Stress disrupts people's normal eating habits," he said.
The people who were most vulnerable were so-called emotional eaters. "These individuals have higher levels of vulnerability and tend to turn to food as an escape from self-awareness,"
O'Connor said. "When they feel anxious or emotionally aroused or negative about themselves, they try to avoid these negative feelings by turning their attention to food."
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Breast cancer symptom
1. Indolence tumour: Breast's indolence tumour often urges the cardinal symptoms which the patient receives a medical examination.
2. Nipple overflows the fluid: Overflows the fluid to be possible to be the achromatic color, the cream color, faint yellow, the brown, courage and uprightness and so on; May assume the water sample, the blood sample, the size or the purulent; The overflowing liquid volume may many be possible to be few, the time interval is inconsistent.
3. Nipple and the areola are unusual: The nipple is flat, retraction, hollow, until shrinks into under completely the areola, cannot see the nipple. Sometimes the entire breast raises, both sides nipple not in identical horizontal plane. The nipple erosion is also breast cancer's typical symptom. When inflammatory breast cancer the partial skin assumes the inflammation type performance; The color from pale red arrives dark red, starts when quite limits, soon namely expands to the majority of mammary gland skin, simultaneously is accompanied by the skin dropsy. The skin accumulation, rough, the surface temperature elevates.
4. Proliferation and development: The mammary gland cancer cell's doubling time is 90 days equally, before clinical can discover the tumour, the tumor concealment stage is equally 12 years (in 6~20). Once the tumor occurs, its development may adopt the following way: The partial expansion, the lymph road spreads, the blood line to spread.
5. Breast cancer like does not pass through the treatment, or is invalid for the medicine, below will encroach upon some regions gradually: The lymph gland, the bone, the lung, the liver, the brain, the pleural cavity, the pericardium infiltrate the fluid, Gao Xuegai, the spinal cord bearing.
what is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is one of feminine most common malignant tumors, according to the material statistics, the disease incidence rate occupies whole body each kind of malignant tumor 7-10%, is only inferior in the woman to the carcinoma of uterus. Its morbidity often with heredity related, as well as between 40-60 years old, around the menopause woman disease incidence rate is high. The approximately 1-2% mammary gland patients are only the male. Usually occurs in the breast gland Epithelial tissue's malignant tumor. Is one which of most common malignant tumors one kind of serious influence woman physical and moral integrity even endangers life. Breast cancer male is rare. the breast cancer is the breast gland epithelial cell under many kinds of carcinogenic factor function, had the gene mutation, the cause cell proliferation has lost control. Because cancer cell's biological behavior has had the change, presents the disorder, the unlimited malignant proliferation. Its histology manifestation is the massive weak cancer cell infinite multiplication and the disorderly shape crowded agglomerate, periphery extrudes and corrodes destroys the Normal tissue, destroys breast's Normal tissue structure. after the mammary gland cell has the sudden change, then lost normal cell's characteristic, the organizational structure disorder, the cell junction has been loose, the cancer cell was very easy to fall off the dissociation, and so on spread the whole body along with the blood or the lymph, formed early the far-end shift, increased the very major difficulty for breast cancer's clinical cure. The whole body important internal organs' shift like lung shifts, the brain to shift, the bone shift and so on immediate danger person's life, therefore breast cancer is endangers the human body life seriously the malignant disease. the breast cancer's prevention principle is the same with all cancers, must strive for the early time to discover, early treatment. In the daily life, insisted that the science the breast health care, the mammary gland self-examination and accept the medical specialists' inspection are regularly very essential.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Amy Emphysema
The shocking revelation by her father that 24-year-old British singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse may have a mild form of emphysema leaves experts with more questions than answers.
It’s possible that Winehouse, in addition to her well-publicized use of drugs and cigarettes, has a congenital condition that contributed to her current crisis, one lung doctor said.
“If you see emphysema in a young person, you have to think of that,” said Dr. Len Horovitz, a pulmonary specialist with Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
Dr. Norman Edelman, chief medical officer of the American Lung Association, added, “Generally, we don’t really see emphysema until a person is in their 40s, but in a small number of people it could occur much earlier, especially in someone who smoked a long time.”
“There’s also the possibility—not a probability—that she’s got a genetic variation. Five percent of people with emphysema have a genetic predisposition,” Edelman said.
According to the Associated Press, Winehouse apparently collapsed at her north London home last Monday and was admitted into a London hospital, where she has been all week.
Winehouse’s father, Mitch Winehouse, told the London Sunday Mirror that his daughter was told she would have to wear an oxygen mask unless she stops smoking drugs and cigarettes.
However, he has since modified that statement. According to MTV News, Mitch Winehouse told BBC 1 Radio on Monday that his daughter fainted at her home on June 16 and has been diagnosed with what he called “a small amount of emphysema.” The soul singer’s lungs do show a small amount of scarring, but her illness has not progressed “too far,” her father said.
“It’s not irreparable. Really, she can’t even smoke anymore, let alone that other thing. With patience, her lungs will recover completely. She’s responding very well to treatment, she’s flourishing,” he said.
The singer’s U.S. publicist, Tracey Miller, agreed, saying on Monday that Winehouse is “showing early signs of what could lead to emphysema but is reacting well to treatment.”
What is well-known is that Winehouse has a long history of drug abuse, including crack cocaine.
According to Horovitz, smoking crack can also result in a condition known as “acute crack lung,” which shows up from one hour to 48 hours after smoking large quantities of crack. “It’s temporary, but it can cause a certain amount of destruction of the lung tissue. But if you have enough [episodes], it adds up to a lot of lung disease,” Horovitz explained.
Emphysema involves damage to the air sacs or alveoli in the lungs, reducing the amount of oxygen the body can take in. Symptoms typically include shortness of breath and a chronic cough, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. The most common cause is smoking. The disease, once entrenched, cannot be reversed. The condition can be stabilized, however, if a person stops smoking.
Still, “lung units or alveoli do not come back,” Horovitz said.
Symptoms can be treated with bronchodilators, steroids, inhalers and, in a worst-case scenario, oxygen, Horovitz added.
According to AP, Winehouse’s lung capacity is at 70 percent. Physicians generally conduct pulmonary function tests by taking into account height, weight, ethnic group and smoking history. They then calculate a predicted lung function.
Healthy lung function for a person with Winehouse’s demographic would probably hover around 80 percent or more, Horovitz said.
“This is not moderate or severe emphysema. It’s mild emphysema,” Horovitz stressed. “But with the natural aging process, when you’re 54, you’re going to have moderate to severe emphysema.”
The singer’s career and young life have been marked by both highs and lows. Her 2006 album, Back to Black won five Grammy awards, including Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Song of the Year. But her alcohol and drug dependencies have been widely reported.
According to MTV News, Mitch Winehouse told the BBC that she is currently “smothered” in nicotine patches to help her kick the smoking habit.
Winehouse understands that “the only thing that can go into her lungs right now is fresh air,” her father said. “She doesn’t have emphysema, she has traces of it. Obviously, if she doesn’t quit smoking, it’s going to get worse.”
It’s possible that Winehouse, in addition to her well-publicized use of drugs and cigarettes, has a congenital condition that contributed to her current crisis, one lung doctor said.
“If you see emphysema in a young person, you have to think of that,” said Dr. Len Horovitz, a pulmonary specialist with Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
Dr. Norman Edelman, chief medical officer of the American Lung Association, added, “Generally, we don’t really see emphysema until a person is in their 40s, but in a small number of people it could occur much earlier, especially in someone who smoked a long time.”
“There’s also the possibility—not a probability—that she’s got a genetic variation. Five percent of people with emphysema have a genetic predisposition,” Edelman said.
According to the Associated Press, Winehouse apparently collapsed at her north London home last Monday and was admitted into a London hospital, where she has been all week.
Winehouse’s father, Mitch Winehouse, told the London Sunday Mirror that his daughter was told she would have to wear an oxygen mask unless she stops smoking drugs and cigarettes.
However, he has since modified that statement. According to MTV News, Mitch Winehouse told BBC 1 Radio on Monday that his daughter fainted at her home on June 16 and has been diagnosed with what he called “a small amount of emphysema.” The soul singer’s lungs do show a small amount of scarring, but her illness has not progressed “too far,” her father said.
“It’s not irreparable. Really, she can’t even smoke anymore, let alone that other thing. With patience, her lungs will recover completely. She’s responding very well to treatment, she’s flourishing,” he said.
The singer’s U.S. publicist, Tracey Miller, agreed, saying on Monday that Winehouse is “showing early signs of what could lead to emphysema but is reacting well to treatment.”
What is well-known is that Winehouse has a long history of drug abuse, including crack cocaine.
According to Horovitz, smoking crack can also result in a condition known as “acute crack lung,” which shows up from one hour to 48 hours after smoking large quantities of crack. “It’s temporary, but it can cause a certain amount of destruction of the lung tissue. But if you have enough [episodes], it adds up to a lot of lung disease,” Horovitz explained.
Emphysema involves damage to the air sacs or alveoli in the lungs, reducing the amount of oxygen the body can take in. Symptoms typically include shortness of breath and a chronic cough, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. The most common cause is smoking. The disease, once entrenched, cannot be reversed. The condition can be stabilized, however, if a person stops smoking.
Still, “lung units or alveoli do not come back,” Horovitz said.
Symptoms can be treated with bronchodilators, steroids, inhalers and, in a worst-case scenario, oxygen, Horovitz added.
According to AP, Winehouse’s lung capacity is at 70 percent. Physicians generally conduct pulmonary function tests by taking into account height, weight, ethnic group and smoking history. They then calculate a predicted lung function.
Healthy lung function for a person with Winehouse’s demographic would probably hover around 80 percent or more, Horovitz said.
“This is not moderate or severe emphysema. It’s mild emphysema,” Horovitz stressed. “But with the natural aging process, when you’re 54, you’re going to have moderate to severe emphysema.”
The singer’s career and young life have been marked by both highs and lows. Her 2006 album, Back to Black won five Grammy awards, including Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Song of the Year. But her alcohol and drug dependencies have been widely reported.
According to MTV News, Mitch Winehouse told the BBC that she is currently “smothered” in nicotine patches to help her kick the smoking habit.
Winehouse understands that “the only thing that can go into her lungs right now is fresh air,” her father said. “She doesn’t have emphysema, she has traces of it. Obviously, if she doesn’t quit smoking, it’s going to get worse.”
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