Gay Men & Hepatitis C co-infection

February 28th, 2010 by admin

One thing that’s really surprised me over the last two years or so is the number of guys we see who are co-infected with Hepatitis C.  When I started working in HIV it was mainly ex or current IV drug injectors who had Hep C.  Now it’s more common to see gay men being diagnosed.  The problem is, once you have HIV, you really want to avoid Hep C as it affects your liver and can be hard to get rid of.

Hepatitis basically means inflammation of the liver, there are lots of different versions of Hepatitis from A-G, all of them transmitted differently, some treatable, some harder to get rid of. You need your liver working well to process any drugs you’re taking. If you’re on anti-retrovirals, your liver has to work hard to process them, so you don’t want the additional burden  it of Hep C on it.

Hep C is blood borne, hence the link to injecting drug use.  As the numbers of gay men being diagnosed with it started to climb, there was some confusion.  Was it now being passed through sex as well as blood?  In fact what’s happening is that we’re mainly seeing it in guys who like rougher sex, such as fisting.  Hep C, unlike the HIV virus, can live in a tiny speck of dried blood for weeks.  If  you have sex with someone there only has to be a miniscule amount of bleeding to pass the virus on.

Some guys I know go to sex parties where all the men are HIV+.  The assumption is that it’s OK to bareback as everyone is aware of each other’s HIV status.  As it’s so easy to pass on, it’s spreading through the HIV+ gay community in London rapidly from what I’ve seen.  You don’t need to have sex to pass it to someone, the smallest trace of blood can be passed on really easily by touching and even through a shared lube pot.

Once you have the Hepatitis C  virus, it’s possible your body will clear it on its own.  If not, there is a treatment, Interferon, which works for some people but not for others.  It can be a very unpleasant treatment and generally lasts six months to a year.  You have a weekly injection and many people feel very unwell and fluey in the days afterwards.  It can also cause depression.  But lots of guys report they’re not too badly affected by it and are able to carry on as normal.

It’s best to have the treatment as soon after infection or diagnosis as possible.  Hep C, like HIV has a Viral Load and having the treatment as soon as possible can get the Viral Load down quicker and you’ll stand a better chance of clearing it.

If you’re HIV+ and your clinic hasn’t offered you one already, please make sure to ask for a Hepatitis C screen.  It might be a scary thought, but it’s much better to know if you’ve got it and the earlier you’re diagnosed, the higher your chance of clearing it.

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Beans

February 28th, 2010 by admin

Beans are known to have beneficial antioxidant effects. Beans contain flavonoids an antioxidant component found in plants.  Beans are a wonderful food to include in your diet because they are a great source of protein, fiber, B vitamins, potassium, low in fat and contain antioxidants! Consuming beans is associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer and may reduce total cholesterol, which decreases your chances of heart disease. Red, black, pinto and kidney beans are all high in antioxidants. If Beans bother your digestive system try Beano a supplement that breaks down gas-producing substances. You don’t have to just eat beans baked, try eating beans in a chili or salad to boost your antioxidant intake!

Check out WebMD’s website to learn more..http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/antioxidant-superstars-vegetables-and-beans?page=2

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Shifting Perspectives

February 28th, 2010 by admin

There have been numerous points in my life where there has been a substantial change, something stamped permanently in my make-up.

I’ve just spent an exquisitely wonderful day doing things that even I had begun to suspect I was not going to do again. Apart from a couple of fiddly little projects I’ve been toying with, it’s a long time since all my machinery got to have a play.

Simple things – an improvement in economic outlook, a reminder of how much I love the night skies, a clear assertion of who I am and what I believe.

Being a parent to a late-teen who’s having all the experiences of that age is a reminder to me that pain is pain, and it’s unbelievable how many shades of pain there are. All distinct, arrived at by different formulae. My boy is getting to learn from things that I’ve never had to deal with. I can’t imagine how the Universe looks from his perspective, but I recognise his pain as each of the rites of passage takes place in its own time and in its own way.

I’m a pretty hide-away kind of guy. I spend most of my time way down the back of the yard in my caravan, where I can make strange AVS sounds night and day without anyone complaining. But times like this I really make sure the boy knows I’m right here any time he wants me. I don’t want to fuss and crowd, or overwhelm with sage advise. I don’t think he wants that either. He knows I know and he knows I know he knows.

Something a little strange about today’s project. I didn’t have to rush out and buy a heap of stuff before I started. It was actually a very good day of recycling. The project is a mount for a bino-telescope that’s on it’s way. After picking through all the carcases of projects past, I identified the base of a pier with three flat legs with levellers, and a lazy susan bearing type Dobsonian mount that I had briefly used for the 14″ f7 Newt. As it happened, the slots for the alt bearings of the scope just happen to be at the exact right height for the centre of altitude rotation of the human head. The logical conclusion is a sit-in mount, where you paddle your way around with this pair of perfectly counterbalanced 100mm semi-apo binoculars between you and the stars.

Thus far the pier and the mount have been cleaned up and prepared to be assembled. The pivot arm on which the scope and counterweights will mount has been cut and welded. The 90mm diameter aluminium pivot bearings have been cut and machined.

I was pleased to find that my aptitude hasn’t changed through the period of disuse. I still suck at welding and I still have no idea why my bandsaw won’t cut an accurate angle (umm, something about tools and blaming thereof?) Nonetheless, I have a very high hit rate on ending up with something that does what I intended it to. Quite often I look at it once I have it and realise that I’m never going to do the thing that this thing is meant to do. Actually I’ve done most things that I’ve done at least twice – once to do it and the second time to prove I wasn’t scared. On this occasion I have a very reasonable expectation of getting the pleasure I anticipate. There’s just been a very strange confluence of events that make it clear that this is just one of those thing’s that’s meant to be. A master of self-justification? Yes. Always on first impulse, but I’ve got a pretty good eye for it now, and this project scans clean. Astronomy and engineering have resurfaced often enough over the years for it to appear that they’re a stable part of my cycle. They’re things I can only enjoy doing when I’m pretty relaxed, feeling good and have a little kick of excitement going on.

A few more brand-name commercial entrainment sessions have come my way for consideration. I think I’m going to stand by my earlier statement that this kind of content doesn’t invite critique beyond technical competence. The particular sessions I’ve listen to claim a 3-point entrainment system which they describe in substantial detail in their product manual. The three entrainment techniques disclosed are used very cleverly in the sessions. I consider them to be well constructed examples of the meditation program sub-genre.  I love hearing other designer’s work. I consider it a real look into the present nature of the artist.

Oh, yeah! The whole household is enjoying one major upper – Lori got the required “Negative” in her last blood tests – she no longer has Hep C – the Pegasys Interferon treatment has worked! Another sixteen weeks of treatment to finish off the job and the bad days will have been all worth it. I don’t know how Lori fared compared to anyone else, there were some pretty rough patches, and I think my Lori is one tough chick, but we both agree that it’s obviously not always as bad as the many tales of woe and suffering that are posted around the net. Once piece of advise we were given, and that we’re now very glad she took, was to start on antidepressants a few weeks before starting the Interferon. There’s no doubt that the treatment makes a pretty hard hit on mood and outlook. Prophylactic antidepressants made a big difference. I think she’s got an awesome family too – I just marvel at the love all her kids have for her. I’m so proud of them all. I’m proud of all my kids, even the ones who I have seen so little of. All meeting the challenges of life with flare, and oh, what a spectacular range of experiences they’re finding for themselves.

Cheers,
Craig

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What can you do with your large cholesterol

February 28th, 2010 by admin

Bioflavonoids are utilized extensively inside the treatment of athletic injuries because they relieve soreness, bumps, and bruises. In addition they lessen pain located inside the legs or across the back again, and decrease signs or symptoms linked with prolonged bleeding and low serum calcium. Bioflavonoids act synergistically with vitamin C to safeguard and preserve the structure of capillaries. Furthermore, bioflavonoids have an antibacterial effect and market circulation, stimulate bile creation, decrease cholestrerol levels levels, and treat and keep cataracts. When used with vitamin C, bioflavonoids also lessen the signs or symptoms of oral herpes.

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City Gym Boy by Lerotic

National focus has been on teaching the importance of reducing levels of HDL cholesterol. Now the focus is on the increase in LDL levels as well. When it comes to heart health in the last ten years, doctors have warned of the negative effects of high cholesterol is in the heart. However, recently, physicians began warning of the risks of neglecting the fact of maintaining a healthy LDL level.The is, we must maintain balance when it comes to our health. Maintenance requires conscious effort. Every day, we must ensure that we are eating healthy, staying active and resting when necessary. If necessary, keep a journal. In the paper, the outline of each food you eat and how much and how long each activity took place and then sleep at least six hours nightly.The with body care is a well-run vehicle. We must take precautions to assure we keep this vehicle running properly. We sometimes tend to take more care of our car we make of our body. Modern living has meant that our bodies suffer from neglect. It is imperative that we keep our bodies like we do with other important areas. There are foods and activities that we enjoy every day that will help prevent high cholesterol, however, to maintain healthy levels of LDL cholesterol. Implement some of the foods and practices to maintain their health following: cashews, pecans, almonds or macadamia nuts NutsEating is essential to maintaining a good level of LDL cholesterol and decreasing HDL levels. Nuts provide good fats that the body needs to maintain a healthy heart. Take a handful of nuts and sprinkle on a salad green. Add cashews to rice dishes. Mix a few strawberries, blueberries and dried fruit in your yogurt for breakfast impressive. After a few days, you will begin to experiment with different ways to add nuts to other dishes. There's nothing like taking a handful of gum. Enjoy the crisis. It's amazing how easy it is to add some nuts to your daily diet without hampering the taste, but actually improve the taste and texture of your dishes.Jumping Ropet minutes of jumping rope is worth a half-hour walk. Not just jumping rope increase in heart rate increases and decreases levels of LDL cholesterol HDL. Do you remember as a kid jumping rope to the tune of a potato, two potato, three potato, four? Amazing how easy it is to remember the old days when playing the games of our childhood. Our children and grandchildren will have a lack of capacity we have to do the things they find so easy.Drink WineItalians drinking Red wine with every meal. The reason: the wine contains natural antioxidants. Drinking no more than a glass of red wine a day, your body maintains a level of good cholesterol HDL, besides helping the heart. Remember though, wine is healthy when consumed in moderation. Eating onion OnionsThe amazing! Not only is the brain food onion, onions are recommended in the maintenance of LDL and lower HDL cholesterol levels in your body. Only half of this fascinating plant and is on pace for an incredible increase in good health. Add the onion to scrambled eggs, saute onion and eat on the liver. Check out the myriad ways of preparing and eating onions in Processed Foods www.allrecipes.com.Limit how much money you can save IntakeIt incredible addition to improving their health in preparing dishes at home and use the remains of sandwiches and fried foods. We've become a society of fast food. Fast food has made our bodies to go into traumatic shock. The body is not made to process the foods processed. Take a pinch of our parents. Ate course on earth. No running to the store to buy goods can and processed foods. What began as a little comfort has become a monster. It's OK to eat some processed foods in moderation. However, eating too much has caused health problems we are experiencing a lot today.Eat of FishSalmon, tuna, anchovies, are even higher in omega. Omega fats are good fats necessary for proper maintenance of our bodies. Try to add salmon to your salad green. On the night of pizza, add a few anchovies on the pizza. Tilapia is a fascinating fish, grown raised. A few minor changes can result in a healthier IntakeThrow far body.Decrease Carbohydrates macaroni, potatoes, rice, French potatoes, sugar, egg yolks and organ foods. However, the actions of your fridge and pantry with vegetables. Fresh frozen or canned. All are fine. Try baking, broiling, grilling instead of frying. Reducing the carbohydrates in the diet can increase LDL cholesterol levels and dramatically reduce your HDL level. JuiceOrange Drink orange juice is known to increase LDL levels in individuals with documented as high as 21%. The time to eat at least one glass a day, the flavonoids in orange juice have resulted in surprisingly SmokingNow results.Stop tax snuff has increased, the desire to quit smoking has become more attractive than ever. Furthermore, as an alternative, which will help increase HDL levels in percent.Practicing seven habits of good nutrition and increased activity level may result in your body changing for the better.

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What can you do with your large cholesterol

February 28th, 2010 by admin

Higher cholestrerol levels could be associated to a certain kind of life style. These consist of smoking, consuming alcohol, top an inactive life-style, being beneath a excessive level of stress, poor eating habits, gaining more weight than is healthy to your age or entire body frame, obtaining a household history of excessive fat, eating an excessive amount of vitamin D, as well as getting anabolic steroids or corticosteroids.

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Going Aqua-Jogging by nordicteem

If you're reading this article, cholesterol is probably one of the banes of his existence. Perhaps you are taking medication for it, or trying to follow a diet low in fat and with limited success. But what if I told you in a better way to lower your cholesterol? I'm no doctor, but on the advice of other scientists and physicians published, I lowered my own cholesterol level by more than 70 points. I did not take drugs, they saw doctors (my choice, and not recommended for anyone else), and over the years I saw my cholesterol drop from 236 to 165. In my mid-20s, was a little overweight. After losing 20 pounds, took a run, and then lost another 15 pounds. I made a conscious effort to eat low calorie, low fat foods. I felt pretty good, looked thin, and could run miles around anyone. So imagine my surprise when I told my total cholesterol level was 215! I fight high cholesterol to cut even more fat from the diet, and any food rich in cholesterol. At some point, I remember going almost completely vegetarian. My indulgence was an occasional Oreo (TM) cookie or donut.A a year later, my cholesterol was measured again: 235. In disbelief, I had tried a month later: 236.Something obviously was not working here. My family has a history of cholesterol and heart disease, and I was afraid that now the story had reached me too. Even in going to lower cholesterol medications. Before doing so, however, I first decided to read some books of cholesterol. Two books in particular changed my perspective on cholesterol, and with that, my life: cholesterol myths: Exposing the Fallacy that Saturated Fat and Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease by Uffe Ravnskov, MD, Ph.D ., and Schwarzbein principle: the truth about losing weight, being healthy and feeling younger, by Diana Schwarzbein, MD, and Nancy DeVille.Both of these books are highly recommended for anyone interested in losing weight, lowering the cholesterol, and learning about the conspiracy surrounding the link "between cholesterol and heart disease. Suffice it to say, Dr. Ravnskov exposes and depletes the myth that high cholesterol predicts heart disease, and that the key to not having a heart attack is simply to lower the saturated fat and cholesterol. Schwarzbein Dr. and Mrs. Deville to fat and cholesterol in the perspective to eat every day. Beginning with the argument that we need fat and cholesterol to live and be healthy (especially mentally healthy), the two of them presented a diet plan that includes portions of fat and protein as well as simple carbohydrates and still sugars.What surprised me after reading these two books was the radical idea that, in order to be healthy, one must eat the fat, and lots of it. With nothing to lose, I started to do just that: my skim milk was substituted for whole milk, my EggBeaters (TM) with real eggs, and my regular margarine and butter. Following the logic of the books, also got rid of all my polyunsaturated fats (like vegetable oils and rapeseed), used for cooking, and replaced with either monounsaturated fats (like olive oil) or (believe it or not ) pure lard. And it took me to eat meat, bacon and other fat-laden foods like avocado and coconut. Sometimes, for fun, I snack on pure butter (I love butter). My diet changed in another way: I started to chase out and get rid of everything that contained the partially hydrogenated fats called false ____ (fill in the vegetable) oil. I refused to buy anything that was not done well with lard, coconut oil (vegetable fat) or olive oil. The only time he allows a vegetable or corn oil to enter my body was when uncooked, in their natural form, for my goods were immediately suspicious salad.Baked partially hydrogenated fat. I made sure to read labels bakery I could find, or I bake my own. And, I quit my Oreo (TM) cookies for good (do not worry, there are organic and Oreo cookies there). Even if you never got my cholesterol, I saw changes in my body that I liked. Since I was eating more fat in general, the wrinkles on my face began to smooth. I won a glow to the skin, which had been absent for years. My memory improved, so did my mood. And my weight loss did not disappear soon, in any case, eating more fats and proteins, allowed me to tone up and lose a few pounds to boot. No one bothered to check my cholesterol, until recently, when my company sponsored a health screen. I had my blood and gave him my number for the total of "good" and "bad" cholesterol. At first I was skeptical of my numbers so I ordered a recount! I was told that my cholesterol was very high HDL, LDL cholesterol, very low, and my total cholesterol level of 167. If right.the next year, I had another screen. This time, my number was even better, my total cholesterol level for a couple of points to 165. The nurse practitioner course I was eating a truly "healthy" diet of low-fat foods and exercising every day. I never the passion of his admission to me to add the whipped cream in my coffee instead of half and half! In conclusion, this lifestyle change can not be for everyone. I also tout the standard line that you should see your doctor before taking any diet or lifestyle. Despite appearances, not subsist in Atkins-like diet, at least half of my calories from fruits, vegetables and whole grains. I make sure to get plenty of fiber, and stay away from empty calories, salt and sugar (especially corn syrup high fructose). And finally, enjoy the occasional (organic) donut, cruel, croissants, and cannoli. If you are interested in reading the two books that changed my outlook on health and nutrition, reading: Ravnskov, Uffe. The cholesterol myths: exposing the fallacy that cholesterol and saturated fats cause heart disease / Uffe Ravnskov, MD, Ph.D., Foreword by Michael Gurr, Ph.D. ISBN 0-9670897-0-0. Copyright 2000.Schwarzbein, Diana. The Schwarzbein principle: the truth about losing weight, being healthy and feeling younger / Diana Schwarzbein and Nancy Deville. ISBN 1-55874-680-3. Copyright 1999.

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Fitness articles by somebody who use to own huge cholesterol

February 28th, 2010 by admin

Large trans fat may be associated to a specific type of life style. These include smoking, eating alcohol, top an inactive life-style, getting beneath a excessive degree of stress, poor eating habits, gaining extra weight than is healthy for your age or body frame, getting a family members background of high fat, eating an excessive quantity of vitamin D, and also taking anabolic steroids or corticosteroids.

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DSC01465 - burning man 2007 - Acro Yoga in center camp by loupiote (Old Skool)

1. I absolutely can not exercise because: "I have an IQ of 175, and it would just have a brain and muscles, I do not want to look like Lara Flynn Boyle I do not want to perpetuate a Hollywood stereotype that girls are equal to-I look a "real man" 2. Not have to exercise because: "I'm thin, I exercise and if there will be nothing of me I have the metabolism more than just chewing a can of snuff per day, I have a lot of energy 3. My idea of "warming up" before a workout is, "Go lie under an electric blanket for 15 minutes," Go sit in front of a fireplace with a good book for 15 minutes, go to the local bar and an "order of Boilermaker "and nurse for 15 minutes," Go into the kitchen and make a cup of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows and 15 different types of cookies 4. Weight-favorite TV reality show is the loss of "The Biggest Loser, Celebrity Fit Club-Survivor-The Simple Life starring Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie 5. I exercise every day: Walking 12 feet to my mailbox to retrieve e-Skipping 3 blocks to the local Dunkin Donuts-jump up to 2 times to go to the bathroom during commercial breaks at six o'clock news Twirling round and around in my swivel chair for 30 seconds 6. Organic foods "are made from the bodies of humans and animals, make someone poop every 3 hours, are only eaten by people who have squirrels as pets-like soft and digestible 7. The best fashion / exercise time in history is "Richard Simmons sweatin 'to the Oldies in Daisy Duke shorts-Jennifer Beals dancing like you've never danced on a torn shirt in the movie Flashdance-Anna Nicole Smith in spandex prancing three sizes small in her reality TV show, The Anna Nicole Show-Olivia Newton-John wandering around in the video "Physics" using a tape, mesh and heaters 8. Not be allowed to exercise because "Air Jordan tennis shoes need a $ 150-I have to pay my child's college education in 18 years, so I have to start saving up now-I am a member of one – family income-Let 's face, Band-Aids is not cheap TRUE OR FALSE QUESTIONS: 9. All of the above are not only ridiculous, but it is the world's worst excuses for not exercising and eating right? A. B. True False 10. Excuses will help you lose weight and keep their family, mentally and financially, when he drops dead of heart disease? A. B. True False P.S. Tell me the worst excuse invented to get out of exercise?

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Simple: A Big Bowl of Pasta on a Cold Winter Night

February 28th, 2010 by admin

Sometimes there’s nothing better than the simplest of things.  I was so busy today and the weather has been so cold that nothing sounded better to me than a big bowl of pasta.

With a little Joni Mitchell playing and two pots on the stove, I sipped beer and cooked.

In one pot I boiled water for whole wheat penne pasta.  In the other, I sauteed garlic with basil, oregano, thyme and a tiny bit of fennel and red pepper flakes.  With the pasta cooking, I threw a quart of grape tomatoes in with the garlic and herbs and listened to them sizzle and pop until they were cooked soft enough to press them with the back of my big wooden spoon.  Topped with some kosher salt and fresh pepper, they were ready toss together with my pasta and a few handfuls of fresh baby spinach.  I had some bread left from the day before that helped to soak up all the saucy, juicy goodness.

Totally simple.  Totally good.  Reminds me of how lucky I am.  Makes me appreciate simple things.

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High Blood Pressure

February 28th, 2010 by admin

Blood pressure

Blood pressure (strictly speaking: vascular pressure) refers to the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, and constitutes one of the principal vital signs. The pressure of the circulating blood decreases as blood moves through arteries, arterioles, capillaries, and veins; the term blood pressure generally refers to arterial pressure, i.e., the pressure in the larger arteries, arteries being the blood vessels which take blood away from the heart. Arterial pressure is most commonly measured via a sphygmomanometer, which uses the height of a column of mercury to reflect the circulating pressure (see Non-invasive measurement). Although many modern vascular pressure devices no longer use mercury, vascular pressure values are still universally reported in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).The systolic arterial pressure is defined as the peak pressure in the arteries, which occurs near the beginning of the cardiac cycle; the diastolic arterial pressure is the lowest pressure (at the resting phase of the cardiac cycle). The average pressure throughout the cardiac cycle is reported as mean arterial pressure; the pulse pressure reflects the difference between the maximum and minimum pressures measured.Typical values for a resting, healthy adult human are approximately 120 mmHg (16 kPa) systolic and 80 mmHg (11 kPa) diastolic (written as 120/80 mmHg, and spoken as “one twenty over eighty”) with large individual variations. These measures of arterial pressure are not static, but undergo natural variations from one heartbeat to another and throughout the day (in a circadian rhythm); they also change in response to stress, nutritional factors, drugs, or disease. Hypertension refers to arterial pressure being abnormally high, as opposed to hypotension, when it is abnormally low. Along with body temperature, blood pressure measurements are the most commonly measured physiological parameters.For more information visit: http://www.hypercet.com/?aid=207200

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Check your cholestoral number

February 27th, 2010 by admin

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The Vitals

February 27th, 2010 by admin

My employer has been offering free health and wellness screenings for employees this month so I jump

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