Please advise to all of the women in your lives Mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, friends, etc.
In November, a rare kind of breast cancer was found. A lady developed a rash on her breast, similar to that of young mothers who are nursing.
Because her mammogram had been clear, the doctor treated her with antibiotics for infections. After 2 rounds, it continued to get worse, so her doctor sent her for another mammogram. This time it showed a mass.
A biopsy found a fast growing malignancy. Chemo was started in order to shrink the growth; then a mastectomy was performed; then a full round of Chemo; then radiation. After about 9 months of intense treatment, she was given a clean bill of health.
She had one year of living each day to its fullest. Then the cancer returned to the liver area. She took 4 treatments and decided that she wanted quality of life, not the after effects of Chemo. She had 5 great months and she planned each detail of the final days. After a few days of needing morphine, she died. She left this message to be delivered to women everywhere:
Women, PLEASE be alert to anything that is not normal, and be persistent in getting help as soon as possible.
Paget's Disease: This is a rare form of breast cancer, and is on the outside of the breast, on the nipple and aureole. It appeared as a rash, which later became a lesion with a crusty outer edge. I would not have ever suspected it to be breast cancer but it was. My nipple never seemed any different to me, but the rash bothered me, so I went to the doctor for that. Sometimes, it itched and was sore, but other than that it didn't bother me. It was just ugly and a nuisance, and could not be cleared up with all the creams prescribed by my doctor and dermatologist for the dermatitis on my eyes just prior to this outbreak. They seemed a little concerned but did not warn me it could be cancerous.
Now, I suspect not many women out there know a lesion or rash on the nipple or aureole can be breast cancer. (Mine started out as a single red pimple on the aureole. One of the biggest problems with Paget's disease of the nipple is that the symptoms appear to be harmless. It is frequently thought to be a skin inflammation or infection, leading to unfortunate delays in detection and care.)
What are the symptoms?
1. A persistent redness, oozing, and crusting of your nipple causing it to itch and burn (As I stated, mine did not itch or burn much, and had no oozing I was aware of, but it did have a crust along the outer edge on one side.)
2. A sore on your nipple that will not heal. (Mine was on the aureole area with a whitish thick looking area in center of nipple).
3. Usually only one nipple is effected. How is it diagnosed? Your doctor will do a physical exam and should suggest having a mammogram of both breasts, done immediately. Even though the redness, oozing and crusting closely resemble dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), your doctor should suspect cancer if the sore is only on one breast. Your doctor should order a biopsy of your sore to confirm what is going on.
This message should be taken seriously and passed on to as many of your relatives and friends as possible; it could save someone's life.
My breast cancer has spread and metastasized to my bones after receiving mega doses of chemotherapy, 28 treatments of radiation and taking Tamaxofin. If this had been diagnosed as breast cancer in the beginning, perhaps it would not have spread...
TO ALL READERS:
This is sad as women are not aware of Paget's disease. If, by passing this around, we can make others aware of it and its potential danger, we are helping women everywhere.
This information was sent to me by my friend Shirley
Monday, 9 November 2009
New Sign of a Stroke
STROKE:Remember the 1st Three Letters....S.T.R.
If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some lives.
Seriously...
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics)she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.
They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening
Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die, they end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.
It only takes a minute to read this...
A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.
RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S *Ask the individual to SMILE.
T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today.)
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher..
New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue
NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue.. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.
www.agatetherapies.co.uk tel: 01604 879246
If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some lives.
Seriously...
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics)she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.
They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening
Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die, they end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.
It only takes a minute to read this...
A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.
RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S *Ask the individual to SMILE.
T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today.)
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher..
New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue
NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue.. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.
www.agatetherapies.co.uk tel: 01604 879246
WARNING PULMONARY EMBOLISM
Please be aware that especially at this time of year. If you have flu like symptoms ie tight chest; hot and cold sweats; cough; upset stomache; general malaise for more than two weeks then PLEASE see your doctor.
Over Christmas last year I thought I had a dreadful cold/flu that I could not shake off. I did all the right things.. stayed in the warm, drank plenty of liquids, home made soups; took night nurse and a cough mixture, avoided contact with people... all very usual and normal you would think.
On Valentines Day 14th Feburary 2009 I was fighting for my life! I had what appeared the symptoms of a heart attack and was very fortunate when the Paramedics from Northampton General Hospital saved my life. Just a few years earlier my daughters mother in law was not so fortunate and died.
I had not had a heart attack, I had a Pulmonary Embolism, blood clots in my right lung. Becuase of the blood clots I had lost 60% use of that lung.
The moral of this story is any more than 2 or 3 weeks is not a cold and must be investigated by a doctor. As therapist I work with the medical profession NOT agains it.
Please keep safe this Winter.
www.agatetherapis.co.uk tel: 01604 879246
Over Christmas last year I thought I had a dreadful cold/flu that I could not shake off. I did all the right things.. stayed in the warm, drank plenty of liquids, home made soups; took night nurse and a cough mixture, avoided contact with people... all very usual and normal you would think.
On Valentines Day 14th Feburary 2009 I was fighting for my life! I had what appeared the symptoms of a heart attack and was very fortunate when the Paramedics from Northampton General Hospital saved my life. Just a few years earlier my daughters mother in law was not so fortunate and died.
I had not had a heart attack, I had a Pulmonary Embolism, blood clots in my right lung. Becuase of the blood clots I had lost 60% use of that lung.
The moral of this story is any more than 2 or 3 weeks is not a cold and must be investigated by a doctor. As therapist I work with the medical profession NOT agains it.
Please keep safe this Winter.
www.agatetherapis.co.uk tel: 01604 879246
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Suffering from Eczema?
Attributed to Holland & Barrett Reference Guides
Please note: The information presented below is for information purposes only and should not be recorded as a substitute for medical advice. Always seek advice from your doctor for a health problem before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications
Eczema is an intensely itchy, inflammatory skin condition. It is usually found on the face, wrists and insides of elbows and knees. The skin becomes reddened, dry and thickened and it can weep and become crusted. Eczema is a very common condition, which affects 2.4% to 7% of the population [1]. Even though it can occur at any age, it is most common in infants and young children. Often eczema is the result of an allergic reaction, especially in children. Atopic eczema is a hereditary condition that develops in young infants with a family history of allergies or asthma.
What supplements may help to relieve the condition?
Research has indicated that eczema sufferers are unable to process fatty acids normally, which can lead to low levels or a deficiency of gamma-linoleic acid (GLA)[2]. GLA is found in Evening Primrose Oil, Starflower Oil and Blackcurrant Seed Oil. GLA helps to control the immune system and therefore allergic responses. The majority of research has shown that Evening Primrose Oil may help to overcome the inability to process GLA in eczema suffers [3,4,5].
Fish Oils are also an important source of essential fatty acids. One study in which eczema sufferers were given Fish Oils found that after twelve weeks, those using the Fish Oil showed improvement [6,7].
The B complex nutrients may play a supportive role in the control of eczema. Several of the B vitamins are needed to maintain healthy skin and proper circulation and deficiencies of some B vitamins, particularly Biotin and Inositol, have been linked to skin disorders [8].
Vitamin A and Zinc are two other important skin nutrients. Vitamin A is critical to the proper development and maintenance of the skin and Zinc aids healing and enhances immune function [8].
What herbs may help and relieve the condition?
Several herbal remedies have traditionally been used by people suffering from eczema. Liquorice root contains glycyrrhetinic acid; this has been associated with helping to reduce the symptoms of eczema, either used internally or topically.
There is good research to support the use of Burdock root in eczema because its primary active component (inulin) tends to correct the underlying defects in the inflammatory mechanism and immune system commonly found in eczema sufferers [1].
Sarsaparilla may be beneficial due to its anti-inflammatory actions. Traditionally in herbal folklore, Red Clover is considered to be beneficial for dealing with several different chronic conditions, especially those that affect the skin.
The role of diet and lifestyle
Eczema can often be caused by allergies. All major allergens should be identified and eliminated from the diet that will then help to control the eczema. A nutritionist can help to determine whether allergies are a cause of the eczema. Elimination of the allergen can result in significant improvement [9]. Researchers from one study estimated that eliminating cow’s milk, eggs, tomatoes artificial colours and food preservatives could help up to three-quarters of children suffering from eczema [10]. Eczema can also be made worse by stress and sufferers should try to avoid stressful situations. Herbs such as Kava Kava may be useful especially when stress is a problem.
Chemicals and detergents found in many household products can irritate the skin and worsen the eczema. Sufferers should try to use sensitive skin products when ever possible.
[1] Murray M and Pizzormo J. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Prima Publishing 1991
[2] Manku MS, Horrobin DF, Morse NL, et al. Essential fatty acids in the plasma phospholipids of patients with atopic eczema. Br J Dermatol 1984
[3] Schalin-Kamila M, Mattila L, Jansen CT et al. Evening Primrose oil in the treatment of atopic eczema: effect on clinical status, plasma phospholiphid fatty acids and circulating blood prostaglandins. Br J Dermatol 1987
[4] Lovell CR, Burton JL, Horrobin DF. Treatment of atopic eczema with evening primrose oil. Lancet 1981
[5] Wright S, Burton JL. Oral evening primrose oil improves atopic eczema. Lancet 1982
[6] Bjorneboe A, Soyland E, Bjorneboe GE et al. Effect of dietary supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Br J Dermatol 1987
[7] Bjorneboe A, Soyland E, Bjorneboe GE et al. Effect of n-3 fatty acid supplement to patients with atopic dermatitis. J Intern Med Suppl 1989
[8] Balch JF and Balch PA. Prescription for Nutritional Healing (2nd edition) Avery Publishing Group 1997
[9] Atherton DJ. Diet and atopic eczema. Clin Allerg 1988
[10] Murray MT. The Healing Power of Herbs (2nd edition). Prima Publishing 1995
Please note: The information presented below is for information purposes only and should not be recorded as a substitute for medical advice. Always seek advice from your doctor for a health problem before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications
Eczema is an intensely itchy, inflammatory skin condition. It is usually found on the face, wrists and insides of elbows and knees. The skin becomes reddened, dry and thickened and it can weep and become crusted. Eczema is a very common condition, which affects 2.4% to 7% of the population [1]. Even though it can occur at any age, it is most common in infants and young children. Often eczema is the result of an allergic reaction, especially in children. Atopic eczema is a hereditary condition that develops in young infants with a family history of allergies or asthma.
What supplements may help to relieve the condition?
Research has indicated that eczema sufferers are unable to process fatty acids normally, which can lead to low levels or a deficiency of gamma-linoleic acid (GLA)[2]. GLA is found in Evening Primrose Oil, Starflower Oil and Blackcurrant Seed Oil. GLA helps to control the immune system and therefore allergic responses. The majority of research has shown that Evening Primrose Oil may help to overcome the inability to process GLA in eczema suffers [3,4,5].
Fish Oils are also an important source of essential fatty acids. One study in which eczema sufferers were given Fish Oils found that after twelve weeks, those using the Fish Oil showed improvement [6,7].
The B complex nutrients may play a supportive role in the control of eczema. Several of the B vitamins are needed to maintain healthy skin and proper circulation and deficiencies of some B vitamins, particularly Biotin and Inositol, have been linked to skin disorders [8].
Vitamin A and Zinc are two other important skin nutrients. Vitamin A is critical to the proper development and maintenance of the skin and Zinc aids healing and enhances immune function [8].
What herbs may help and relieve the condition?
Several herbal remedies have traditionally been used by people suffering from eczema. Liquorice root contains glycyrrhetinic acid; this has been associated with helping to reduce the symptoms of eczema, either used internally or topically.
There is good research to support the use of Burdock root in eczema because its primary active component (inulin) tends to correct the underlying defects in the inflammatory mechanism and immune system commonly found in eczema sufferers [1].
Sarsaparilla may be beneficial due to its anti-inflammatory actions. Traditionally in herbal folklore, Red Clover is considered to be beneficial for dealing with several different chronic conditions, especially those that affect the skin.
The role of diet and lifestyle
Eczema can often be caused by allergies. All major allergens should be identified and eliminated from the diet that will then help to control the eczema. A nutritionist can help to determine whether allergies are a cause of the eczema. Elimination of the allergen can result in significant improvement [9]. Researchers from one study estimated that eliminating cow’s milk, eggs, tomatoes artificial colours and food preservatives could help up to three-quarters of children suffering from eczema [10]. Eczema can also be made worse by stress and sufferers should try to avoid stressful situations. Herbs such as Kava Kava may be useful especially when stress is a problem.
Chemicals and detergents found in many household products can irritate the skin and worsen the eczema. Sufferers should try to use sensitive skin products when ever possible.
[1] Murray M and Pizzormo J. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Prima Publishing 1991
[2] Manku MS, Horrobin DF, Morse NL, et al. Essential fatty acids in the plasma phospholipids of patients with atopic eczema. Br J Dermatol 1984
[3] Schalin-Kamila M, Mattila L, Jansen CT et al. Evening Primrose oil in the treatment of atopic eczema: effect on clinical status, plasma phospholiphid fatty acids and circulating blood prostaglandins. Br J Dermatol 1987
[4] Lovell CR, Burton JL, Horrobin DF. Treatment of atopic eczema with evening primrose oil. Lancet 1981
[5] Wright S, Burton JL. Oral evening primrose oil improves atopic eczema. Lancet 1982
[6] Bjorneboe A, Soyland E, Bjorneboe GE et al. Effect of dietary supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Br J Dermatol 1987
[7] Bjorneboe A, Soyland E, Bjorneboe GE et al. Effect of n-3 fatty acid supplement to patients with atopic dermatitis. J Intern Med Suppl 1989
[8] Balch JF and Balch PA. Prescription for Nutritional Healing (2nd edition) Avery Publishing Group 1997
[9] Atherton DJ. Diet and atopic eczema. Clin Allerg 1988
[10] Murray MT. The Healing Power of Herbs (2nd edition). Prima Publishing 1995
Monday, 29 September 2008
A date for your Diary! Colds, their Prevention and Treatment
I’ve had Anna from the Chronicle and Echo newspaper on the telephone to ask me about an article she is doing about colds, their prevention and treatment which is going to be in their Thursday, 2nd October issue.
Be sure to get your copy so that you can get my advice on having a healthier winter this year!
Be sure to get your copy so that you can get my advice on having a healthier winter this year!
It's my birthday!
Hello! It’s Loretta!!
It’s my birthday on Wednesday, 1st October. I thought I would like to do a little something for you...a little treat so you will feel as if you have had a birthday too!
Let me entice you to an hour of bliss - just £20.00! Booked, taken and paid for in October 2008.
Why not put some time in your diary for you?
Let me give you some "me time" with soft glowing candles ... gentle music ... soft comfy pillows ... and such amazing relaxation you will just enjoy a peaceful sleep ... and wake up refreshed..
All this whilst I gently massage and manipulate your feet without you even having to do anything ... Sounds good? Then let me know a time ... just as soon as you can make it.
I know you are tired ... but you will feel so much better afterwards ... I promise.
It will be so great to see you!
Remember Christmas is coming and I also have great Gift vouchers available. What nicer gift could anyone give or receive!!
It’s my birthday on Wednesday, 1st October. I thought I would like to do a little something for you...a little treat so you will feel as if you have had a birthday too!
Let me entice you to an hour of bliss - just £20.00! Booked, taken and paid for in October 2008.
Why not put some time in your diary for you?
Let me give you some "me time" with soft glowing candles ... gentle music ... soft comfy pillows ... and such amazing relaxation you will just enjoy a peaceful sleep ... and wake up refreshed..
All this whilst I gently massage and manipulate your feet without you even having to do anything ... Sounds good? Then let me know a time ... just as soon as you can make it.
I know you are tired ... but you will feel so much better afterwards ... I promise.
It will be so great to see you!
Remember Christmas is coming and I also have great Gift vouchers available. What nicer gift could anyone give or receive!!
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
Cardiovascular Disease and Travel
I’ve been sent this interesting article:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is by far the leading cause of death among international travellers and accounts for 50 percent of the deaths among travellers from the United States who are 60 years of age and older.
Many of these deaths may have occurred if travellers had stayed home, but it is also true that travel is stressful, and exposes people to cardiac risk factors that they would not necessarily experience at home e.g. prolonged sitting, hypoxia aboard aircraft and at higher altitudes, hot and cold environments, and sudden spurts of physical activity (carrying heavy luggage for prolonged distances, for example), to name a few.
Preparing To Go
So if you are at all at risk of CVD, it makes sense to invest in a little pre-trip planning. Begin a moderate exercise program several weeks before travel, gradually increasing the intensity as the day of departure approaches, and continue exercising while travelling. Walking, of course, is a great exercise that can be done almost anywhere.
Carry pertinent health data - details about pacemakers, for example - and be familiar with the drugs you are taking (the trade and generic names of the drug, and why you are taking it). This information should be packed in your carry-on luggage. Be sure to know how and where to check your pacemaker, where and when to check your blood for coagulation time, and be able to take your blood pressure, count your pulse rate, and recognize pulse irregularities.
Pace yourself at a level commensurate with your cardiac status. Take rest periods after long flights, being on the go from early morning until late at night is tiring. There are numerous tour companies that cater to individuals who want assistance with luggage, and who want to stay in one hotel for several days at a time.
Altitude
Generally, individuals with CVD who can walk briskly for about 300 feet or climb a flight of stairs without pain or shortness of breath should have no difficulty flying on commercial airliners (pressurised to about 8,000 feet) or participating in activities requiring minimal exertion at this moderate altitude. Well-controlled angina is not considered a problem at this altitude, even in those patients with well-controlled, concomitant pulmonary disease. Gradual acclimatisation to altitude is important for all travellers, and more so for individuals with CVD. This means avoiding strenuous exercise for the first few days, and participating in activities no more strenuous than at home for the whole stay at altitude. Gradual acclimatisation results in virtual restoration of sea-level cardiac performance after five days.
Although common medical wisdom advises individuals with CVD to avoid altitudes above 8,000 feet, studies and observations by experts in high altitude medicine show virtually no increase in the risk of acute cardiac ischemic events or a worsening of hypertension. A study of coronary heart disease at 10,000 feet showed that individuals with CVD have an earlier onset of angina compared to onset at sea level, but there is no impairment in their ability to acclimatise. While symptoms increased for the first few days, there is no evidence that exercise after acclimatisation was of greater risk to the heart than similar exercise performed at sea level.
If you have CVD and wish to participate in vigorous activities at high altitudes - skiing, trekking or climbing, for example - you should consult with your cardiologist and, perhaps, undergo cardiac screening tests to help detect hidden problems and gauge permissible safe altitudes and levels of exertion.
Heat
Your body acclimatises to heat somewhat more slowly and less completely than to altitude. As with altitude, it is best to minimise exertion for the first few days in a hot environment and to gradually increase the amount of activity. Air conditioning, even for a few hours a day, drinking lots of fluids, and wearing loose-fitting clothing are helpful.
Medications
It's wise not to travel for a week or two after starting a major new medication or after significant changes in dosage. This allows adverse effects to surface. Moreover, the effects of many medications commonly taken by travellers with CVD can be significantly altered by travel-related factors like altitude, heat, cold, and jet lag.
Cold
The human body does not adapt physiologically to cold as it does to altitude and heat. Individuals with CVD are at increased risk for cold-related problems. In temperate climates, individuals are at highest mortality and morbidity risk from CVD during in cold-weather months. Coping with cold requires preparedness - limiting the time of exposure to cold, keeping warm and dry, breathing through a scarf when the air is very cold, and being alert for cardiac - related symptoms.
Cruise Ships
Cruises are appropriate vacations for individuals with stable CVD. Passengers can be as active or inactive as they wish. The air is clean at sea, ships are air-conditioned, special diets are available, and most ships have lifts. Large ships are well equipped to handle cardiovascular emergencies. They have doctors on board, nearly all trained in emergency medicine. Ships carry defibrillators and ECGs; they also store cardiovascular-related medications, including heparin and thrombolytic drugs such as TPA and streptokinase. However, cruise ship medical facilities are infirmaries, not hospitals, and cannot supply the important follow-up care. Once patients are stabilised, they are immediately transferred to an appropriate facility on shore nearby, or back to the traveller’s home. Evacuation from ships is expensive so do think about carrying travel-related health insurance.
Pacemakers
Travellers with pacemakers can participate in virtually all travel and sports-related activities. Pacemakers activate the electromagnetic metal detectors at airports, but security guards are familiar with the devices and will perform a manual inspection on request. (Letters from doctors help.) Walking through a detector may cause a harmless skipped heartbeat, but wearers should not stop inside the detector; theoretically, this can result in many skipped beats. Do not enter a detector if the way is blocked on the other side.
In Case Problems Arise
Most travellers overlook a good resource for medical advice - calling their doctors back home. In many situations, telephone advice, even from abroad, negates the need to seek local medical help. Carrying telephone numbers saves time and hassle.
Excerpts from an article in Travelling Healthy: Health Advice for the Global Traveller. Check out the Web site at www.tripprep.com
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is by far the leading cause of death among international travellers and accounts for 50 percent of the deaths among travellers from the United States who are 60 years of age and older.
Many of these deaths may have occurred if travellers had stayed home, but it is also true that travel is stressful, and exposes people to cardiac risk factors that they would not necessarily experience at home e.g. prolonged sitting, hypoxia aboard aircraft and at higher altitudes, hot and cold environments, and sudden spurts of physical activity (carrying heavy luggage for prolonged distances, for example), to name a few.
Preparing To Go
So if you are at all at risk of CVD, it makes sense to invest in a little pre-trip planning. Begin a moderate exercise program several weeks before travel, gradually increasing the intensity as the day of departure approaches, and continue exercising while travelling. Walking, of course, is a great exercise that can be done almost anywhere.
Carry pertinent health data - details about pacemakers, for example - and be familiar with the drugs you are taking (the trade and generic names of the drug, and why you are taking it). This information should be packed in your carry-on luggage. Be sure to know how and where to check your pacemaker, where and when to check your blood for coagulation time, and be able to take your blood pressure, count your pulse rate, and recognize pulse irregularities.
Pace yourself at a level commensurate with your cardiac status. Take rest periods after long flights, being on the go from early morning until late at night is tiring. There are numerous tour companies that cater to individuals who want assistance with luggage, and who want to stay in one hotel for several days at a time.
Altitude
Generally, individuals with CVD who can walk briskly for about 300 feet or climb a flight of stairs without pain or shortness of breath should have no difficulty flying on commercial airliners (pressurised to about 8,000 feet) or participating in activities requiring minimal exertion at this moderate altitude. Well-controlled angina is not considered a problem at this altitude, even in those patients with well-controlled, concomitant pulmonary disease. Gradual acclimatisation to altitude is important for all travellers, and more so for individuals with CVD. This means avoiding strenuous exercise for the first few days, and participating in activities no more strenuous than at home for the whole stay at altitude. Gradual acclimatisation results in virtual restoration of sea-level cardiac performance after five days.
Although common medical wisdom advises individuals with CVD to avoid altitudes above 8,000 feet, studies and observations by experts in high altitude medicine show virtually no increase in the risk of acute cardiac ischemic events or a worsening of hypertension. A study of coronary heart disease at 10,000 feet showed that individuals with CVD have an earlier onset of angina compared to onset at sea level, but there is no impairment in their ability to acclimatise. While symptoms increased for the first few days, there is no evidence that exercise after acclimatisation was of greater risk to the heart than similar exercise performed at sea level.
If you have CVD and wish to participate in vigorous activities at high altitudes - skiing, trekking or climbing, for example - you should consult with your cardiologist and, perhaps, undergo cardiac screening tests to help detect hidden problems and gauge permissible safe altitudes and levels of exertion.
Heat
Your body acclimatises to heat somewhat more slowly and less completely than to altitude. As with altitude, it is best to minimise exertion for the first few days in a hot environment and to gradually increase the amount of activity. Air conditioning, even for a few hours a day, drinking lots of fluids, and wearing loose-fitting clothing are helpful.
Medications
It's wise not to travel for a week or two after starting a major new medication or after significant changes in dosage. This allows adverse effects to surface. Moreover, the effects of many medications commonly taken by travellers with CVD can be significantly altered by travel-related factors like altitude, heat, cold, and jet lag.
Cold
The human body does not adapt physiologically to cold as it does to altitude and heat. Individuals with CVD are at increased risk for cold-related problems. In temperate climates, individuals are at highest mortality and morbidity risk from CVD during in cold-weather months. Coping with cold requires preparedness - limiting the time of exposure to cold, keeping warm and dry, breathing through a scarf when the air is very cold, and being alert for cardiac - related symptoms.
Cruise Ships
Cruises are appropriate vacations for individuals with stable CVD. Passengers can be as active or inactive as they wish. The air is clean at sea, ships are air-conditioned, special diets are available, and most ships have lifts. Large ships are well equipped to handle cardiovascular emergencies. They have doctors on board, nearly all trained in emergency medicine. Ships carry defibrillators and ECGs; they also store cardiovascular-related medications, including heparin and thrombolytic drugs such as TPA and streptokinase. However, cruise ship medical facilities are infirmaries, not hospitals, and cannot supply the important follow-up care. Once patients are stabilised, they are immediately transferred to an appropriate facility on shore nearby, or back to the traveller’s home. Evacuation from ships is expensive so do think about carrying travel-related health insurance.
Pacemakers
Travellers with pacemakers can participate in virtually all travel and sports-related activities. Pacemakers activate the electromagnetic metal detectors at airports, but security guards are familiar with the devices and will perform a manual inspection on request. (Letters from doctors help.) Walking through a detector may cause a harmless skipped heartbeat, but wearers should not stop inside the detector; theoretically, this can result in many skipped beats. Do not enter a detector if the way is blocked on the other side.
In Case Problems Arise
Most travellers overlook a good resource for medical advice - calling their doctors back home. In many situations, telephone advice, even from abroad, negates the need to seek local medical help. Carrying telephone numbers saves time and hassle.
Excerpts from an article in Travelling Healthy: Health Advice for the Global Traveller. Check out the Web site at www.tripprep.com
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