fitness

Although it is not common across the United States, kwashiorkor, a severe form of protein malnutrition can be found in children of very poor families, in the elderly who live in nursing homes or other long term care facilities, and in patients that are in the hospital for surgery (one in every two surgical patients has some form of protein deficiency), or for extended admissions (about half of the general hospital populace are affected). Primary protein deficiency, the lack of enough overall calories or the lack of enough specific protein calories is far less rare than secondary protein malnutrition.

There is a condition that is an accumulation of fat cells in the liver which is known as steatosis, commonly referred to as fatty liver. This condition is present in alcoholics and non-alcoholics, and if not properly treated, can lead to a type of cancer of the liver known as hepatocellular carcinoma, which can be found in approximately 10-24% of the public. In fact, as much as ten percent of patients with fatty liver will develop the disease.

The skin is the largest organ of the body. It is also subjected to all types of abuse throughout its lifetime, including burns of varying degrees. A first degree burn is the most minor and consists of redness and slight- to-moderate pain but no blisters. It usually heals in seven to ten days with no scarring. A minor sunburn is a first degree burn in most cases. A second degree burn may have blisters and may ooze. The surface may look moist or raw and there will be some moderate to severe pain involved. A third degree burn is the most serious of the burns and can actually be less painful than a first or second degree burn. This is caused by damage to the nerves which may make them even more serious. Third degree burns may appear charred and the skin may be white or cream colored in and around the area. All third degree burns can be life threatening and should be treated at the hospital immediately. Second degree burns that are on the face or on the chest should be treated professionally as well.

There is often great debate over whether or not vegetarians and vegans get enough protein. As long as a vegan or vegetarian is eating a variety of different foods, they are getting plenty. The average diet gets about 14-18% of their overall calories from proteins, while the vegan diet contains about 10-12% protein (Source: Mangels). Many of the foods and protein supplements that are eaten by the vegan and the vegetarian have enough nutrients to make them a great part of the healthy diet. Vegetarians may have reduced risk of a number of diseases, but may put themselves at risk for other health conditions because they are not getting all of the micronutrients that they need.

Can you die from a broken heart? Technically, you cannot, but it may feel like it. A rare condition called broken heart syndrome strikes middle-aged to elderly women and can mimic the symptoms of a heart attack, including high blood pressure and an abnormal EKG. The patient will typically be brought to an emergency room and be put through the typical heart tests; however, within hours those same symptoms that brought her to the hospital will be gone and she will leave, completely healthy.

Everyone needs protein, whether they work out every day or they consider the trip to the kitchen to refill their potato chip bowl all the exercise that they really need. It is important that the right amount and the right type of protein be consumed, because too much of it can be a problem under certain conditions. Contrary to popular belief, you can get fat from eating too much protein, since excess protein calories are stored just the same as anything else. To know how much protein you really need, you have to first have a good look at what it does for your body. Secondly, you have to be honest about the amount of exercise that you really get every day.