Understanding ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) disease.

What is ALS, everybody is joining on a online campaigned called "Ice bucket challenge" aiming to get a donation for ALS foundation, what you do is to throw one bucket of ice with water into your head goes down to your body, this is to feel what person who has a ALS disease has feel and after that you have to nominate two other to do the same or you will donate a 100 dollars for ALS Foundation.

Image from: www.promotingexcellence.org

What is ALS?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost.  As motor neurons degenerate, they can no longer send impulses to the muscle fibers that normally result in muscle movement.  With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.
 

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/motor+neuron

Most Affected nerve.


The motor neurons that provide voluntary movements and muscle power. Voluntary movement’s means, when you move your hand to reach for the phone or foot to step off a curb; these actions are controlled by the muscles in the arms and legs.

CAUSES:

The cause of ALS is not completely understood, but the
Researchers are studying several possible causes of ALS, including:

• Gene mutation. Various genetic mutations can lead to inherited ALS, which appears nearly identical to the non-inherited form.
• Chemical imbalance. People with ALS generally have higher than normal levels of glutamate, a chemical messenger in the brain, around the nerve cells in their spinal fluid.
• Too much glutamate is known to be toxic to some nerve cells. Disorganized immune response. Sometimes a person's immune system begins attacking some of his or her body's own normal cells, which may lead to the death of nerve cells.
• Protein mishandling. Mishandled proteins within the nerve cells may lead to a gradual accumulation of abnormal forms of these proteins in the cells, eventually causing the nerve cells to die.

Symptoms of ALS include:

• Muscle weakness and wasting (atrophy) in the: Arms and legs Torso Breathing muscles Throat and tongue
• Muscle twitching, cramps, stiffness, and muscles that tire easily
• Slowed speech that becomes progressively harder to understand
• Difficulty breathing and swallowing; choking
• Weight loss because of: Muscle breakdown Poor nutrition caused by problems swallowing
• Sudden involuntary bursts of laughter or crying
• Changes in the way the person walks. Eventually, loss of ability to walk.

Who is at risk factors for ALS?

• Those at Age after 40 years the risk is higher.
• Men are at risk more than women.
• Heredity
• Military experience - studies have shown those with a military background are at a higher risk
• Professional football - studies show that professional football players are at a higher risk of dying from ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Treatment and Prevention.

There is still no treatment or cure and prevention for ALS. But considering eating healthy food it may decrease the onset of ALS.

The study, published in the journal Annals of Neurology, confirmed that colorful carotenoids prevented the onset of ALS; Carotenoids are what make fruits and vegetables a bright red, orange, or yellow color, and area dietary source of Vitamin A.

Eating bright colored foods, especially those that are yellow, orange, and red, may prevent or slow the onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Other research has shown that people with high antioxidant intake, such as vitamin E have a decreased risk of ALS.

When to go to the doctor?

If you develop unexplained muscle weakness or difficulty controlling your movements and if speaking, breathing or swallowing is affected. See your doctor immediately.

Though no cure (as of now) or treatment for ALS, there are significant devices and therapies that can manage the symptoms of ALS that help and give people a hope to prolong survival.

Sources
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis/basics/causes/con-20024397
http://www.alsa.org/about-als/what-is-als.html
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/255513.php

What is G6PD Deficiency, foods and drugs to avoid?

G6PD Deficiency? why the person who had it cannot eat any food that the person eaten normally like a delicious burger, my favorite.
 

From: http://en.wikipedia.org

What is this they called G6PD Deficiency?

G6PD deficiency or Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (that is most common in males) is an X-linked recessive genetic deficiency characterized by abnormally low levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, a metabolic enzyme involved in the pentose phosphate pathway, especially important in red blood cell metabolism. G6PD deficiency is the most common human enzyme, these enzymes that help the body process carbohydrates and turn them into energy. In this processing another enzyme is produced called reduced glutathione. This enzyme is a very powerful antioxidant. Since those with G6PD Deficiency don’t have enough G6PD, they don’t produce enough reduced glutathione to protect cells from oxidative stress.

G6PD also protects red blood cells from potentially harmful by products that can accumulate when a person takes certain medications or when the body is fighting an infection. Without enough G6PD to protect them, RBCs can be damaged or destroyed.

G6PD is important in Red blood cell, so, what will happen if this becomes abnormal? The Hemolytic anemia occurs when the bone marrow (the soft, spongy part of the bone that produces new blood cells) cannot compensate for this destruction to increase the production of RBCs, (a red blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body)

Where, this G6PD Deficiency comes from, how it happen?

• This is a hereditary, is passed along in genes from one or both parents to a child. The gene responsible for this deficiency is on the X chromosome  that controls the production of G6PD in cells.
• G6PD deficiency occurs when your body does not produce adequate amounts of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.
• When your RBC’s are exposed to Oxidative Stress, the cell membrane either bursts or is damaged because there is no, or not enough reduced glutathione to protect them. (Oxidative Stress, in three main categories. Infectious diseases cause oxidative stress.  Viruses (flu, colds) and  Germ infections can cause it).

 What are the symptoms of G6PD Deficiency?   

You may not know if you have a g6pd because you may not have symptom, symptoms happens if your red blood cells break down because it exposed to certain drugs or the stress of infection, that’s the time the symptoms may appear, they may include,

• Paleness (in darker-skinned kids, paleness is sometimes best seen in the mouth, especially on the lips or tongue)
• Extreme tiredness
• Rapid heartbeat
• Rapid breathing or phortness of breath
• Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes, particularly in newborns
• An enlarged spleen dark, tea-colored urine and a blood test will tell you if you have G6PD Deficiency.

Treatment.

There is no cure for the condition but in the acute phase of hemolysis, blood transfusions might be necessary or even dialysis in acute renal failure. Blood transfusion is an important symptomatic measure, as the transfused red cells are generally not G6PD deficient and will live a normal lifespan in the recipient's circulation. Those affected should avoid drugs such as aspirin. Some patients may benefit from removal of the spleen (splenectomy), as this is an important site of red cell destruction. Folic acid should be used in any disorder featuring a high red cell turnover. Although vitamin E and selenium have antioxidant properties, their use does not decrease the severity of G6PD deficiency.
 
How to prevent the infection induced attack of hemolysis?

• Avoidance of the drugs and foods that cause hemolysis and reducing stress level,
• Vaccination against some common pathogens (e.g. hepatitis A and hepatitis B) may prevent infection-induced attacks.

Foods to avoid, some foods can cause low level hemolysis for g6pd person.

Low level hemolysis, which means that red blood cells die, but not so serious to rush to the hospital. But if Low level hemolysis takes over time it can cause problems, such as memory dysfunction, overworked spleen, liver, kidney and heart, and iron overload.

Food to avoid

• Avoid all legumes.  Such as lima beans, fava beans, kidney beans or soybeans. Soy-containing products, such as tofu, bean curds, miso or textured soy protein. Look out for less easily recognizable legumes such as alfalfa sprouts, peanuts, licorice or carob. Some legumes, such as fava beans cause severe hemolysis but several other legumes, beans and pulses cause less severe hemolysis but can still damage your health, Sulfites and foods containing them. Sulfites are used in a wide variety of foods, so check it out carefully.
• Do not eat menthol, or menthol-containing foods such as breath mints or candy, tooth paste, mouth wash, but mint from natural mint oils is alright to consume.
• Artificial blue food coloring (Methylene and Toluidine blue) other artificial food color can also cause hemolysis but natural food color such as found in foods like turmeric or grapes is okay.
• Artificial ascorbic acid commonly put in food and vitamins can cause hemolysis in large doses and should be avoided.
• Do not drink tonic water or eat bitter melon; do not eat refined sugar, high-fructose corn syrup or white flour. 
• Avoid already-prepared Chinese foods. These foods can contain herbs that could provoke a hemolytic episode.
• Herbs include Flos Chimonanthi praecosis, Rhizoma coptidis, margarita, Flos ionicerae and Calculus bovis. margarine, jarred salad dressings, canned soups, potato chips, canned fish and meats, hot dogs, sausages, processed meats, lowfat cheeses and sauces such as sweet and sour sauce or Worcestershire sauce.

You may say almost all foods in the world are prohibited, not all, here a food allow to eat by p6pd deficiency person.

You can consume fats from natural fat sources such as coconut oil, olive oil, palm oil or animal fat. Obtain your vitamins and minerals from natural sources such as bone stock soups. Round out your diet with proteins and carbohydrates not found on the G6PD Deficiency food to avoid.

There is also some Drug to avoid by G6PD person.
 
There are always an update to the drugs so, consult with your physician before using any of these substances to be safe, this are some classes of drugs, medicines and other substances that should be avoided if at all possible by G6PD Deficiency

• NSAIDS (Aspirin, Ibuprophen) 
• Tylenol 
• Quinolones 
• Drugs metabolized through the liver or known to cause blood or liver related problems or hemolysis 
• Sulfa drugs 
• Petro chemically derived substances, 
• Moth Balls and anything containing naphthalene. 
• Antimalarial drugs 

How to treat people with g6pd?

I have know some people who have this problem it’s a long time burden, medication, money and effort, especially when it detected at early age, like a kids, The best way to care for a child or treat person with G6PD deficiency is to limit exposure to the triggers of its symptoms. Help the person to do proper precautions, keeping their immune systems healthy and doing other things to help prevent being exposed to the diseases is vital. G6PD deficiency should not keep them from living a healthy, active life.

Advice.

This is very rare case, there are so many articles about G6PD Deficiency but the best action is consulting to your doctor first, about G6PD Deficiency before taking any action and how you can stay healthy and live a normal life with this condition.

Sources;

• Introduction to G6PD Deficiency
  http://g6pddeficiency.org/wp/#.U-2RqonvCrc
• About G6PD Deficiency
  http://m.kidshealth.org/parent/general/aches/g6pd.html
• G6PD Deficiency Drugs to Avoid
  http://g6pddeficiency.org/wp/living-with-g6pd-deficiency/drugs-to-avoid-list/
• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000528.htm
• G6PD Deficiency Foods to Avoid List
  http://g6pddeficiency.org/wp/living-with-g6pd-deficiency/g6pd-deficiency-foods-to-avoid-list/#.U-2ToInvCrc
• G6PD DEFICIENCY DIET
  http://www.livestrong.com/article/530197-g6pd-deficiency-diet/#page=1

What is the effect of alcohol in our life?

from: harmonygroup.co.za

Alcoholic beverages have been used in many societies for many purposes. This is a major economic commodity associated with substantial governmental tax and considerable consumer expenditure.  Almost everybody drink wine or alcohol, that’s why almost everybody has a disease or ailment due to intoxicating liquor or wine. Although the Government increased the taxes of this product it’s still a highest selling product. Alcohol drinker are rampant even the young boy know already how to drink wine, a problem of many parents today.

What is alcohol?

Alcohol is a sedative drug which changes the way we feel, the pure alcohol is a colorless, odorless, a volatile flammable liquid that is the intoxicating constituent of wine, beer, spirits and it is also used as an industrial solvent and as fuel. Alcohol as a drug didn’t contain any nutrients for the body.

There are kinds of alcohol one is the Ethyl alcohol (ethanol), the only alcohol used in beverages, it is produced by fermenting carbohydrates, such as sugars or starches. Fermentation is an anerobic process used by yeast to convert sugars into energy. Ethanol and carbon dioxide are waste products of the reaction. The reaction for the fermentation of glucose to produce ethanol and carbon. The fermented product or distillation may be used to concentrate and purify the alcohol like vodka, tequila.

There are short term and long term effect of alcohol.

Short term effect of alcohol.

• The First affected is the frontal lobe with immediate effects of increased enjoyment, euphoria, happiness, and the general expression of positive moods. These feelings are experienced more strongly in groups than when drinking alone and very much influenced by expectations.
• When you drink alcohol a.k.a wine beyond your limit of normality your vital functions slows down resulting in slurred speech, unsteady movement, disturbed perceptions and an inability to react quickly. It also affects in your mind, it will reduces your ability to think rationally and distorts your judgment. It’s like a drug classified as a depressant, the amount of alcohol consumed determines the type of effect.
• Most people drink for the stimulant effect, such as a “loosen up.” But if you drink, like I say before, more than your body can handle, you will experience alcohol’s depressant effect. They start to lose coordination and control, sometime become stupid looking for trouble. The most worse is when you overdose with alcohol or wine the effect is inability to feel pain, toxicity where the body vomits the poison, and finally unconsciousness or, coma or death from severe toxic overdose.
• The more you drink the more parts of your brain become numbed from the sedative drug-alcohol. As the alcohol moves quickly to the brain it acts like an anaesthetic to the various parts.

Long term effect of alcohol

• High levels of alcohol consumption are associated with an increased risk of alcoholism, malnutrition, chronic pancreatitis, alcoholic liver disease, and cancer. In addition, damage to the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system can occur from chronic alcohol abuse.
• The long-term use of alcohol is capable of damaging nearly every organ and system in the body. The developing adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of alcohol. In addition, the developing fetal brain is also vulnerable, and fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) may result if pregnant mothers consume alcohol.
• Withdrawal on alcohol has also an effects and dependence are also almost identical. Alcohol at moderate levels has some positive and negative effects on health. The negative effects include increased risk of liver diseases, oropharyngeal cancer, esophageal cancer and pancreatitis, Conversely moderate intake of alcohol may have some beneficial effects on gastritis and cholelithiasis.  
• Chronic alcohol misuse and abuse has serious effects on physical and mental health.
• Chronic excess alcohol intake, or alcohol dependence, can lead to a wide range of neuropsychiatric or neurological impairment, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and malignant neoplasms.
• The psychiatric disorders which are associated with alcoholism include major depression, dysthymia, mania, hypomania, panic disorder, phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, personality disorders, schizophrenia, suicide, neurologic deficits and brain damage.
• Alcohol dependence is associated with hypertension, coronary heart disease, and ischemic stroke, cancer of the respiratory system, and also cancers of the digestive system, liver, breast and ovaries.
• Heavy drinking is associated with liver disease, such as cirrhosis.
• Excessive alcohol consumption can have a negative impact on aging.

There are many reason why people drink liquor but they didn’t mind the effect of this in our body, happiness is just for awhile but the effect is for a long time.

What the bible says about alcohol or wine?

Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. (Prov 23:31-34)

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. (Proverbs 20:1) 

That's why I don't drink wine, as a Christian we must not filled with the spirit of wine but with the Spirit of God.

Be wise, think of your health!


Reference:

• http://chemistry.about.com/b/2013/05/04/where-does-alcohol-come-from.htm
• http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-term_effects_of_alcohol
• http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/alcohol.html
• http://www.drugs.ie/alcohol_info/about_alcohol/what_is_alcohol/

A Blessed Celebration.

ABOUT 1AM OF JULY 27, 2014, SEATING IN THE STAIR WAY OF PHILIPPINE ARENA

 Remembering our experience in our Centennial Anniversary at Philippine Arena.

Until now I still feel the spirit of Centennial Celebration, I'm happy I've become a part of the History of Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) 100 years Anniversary Celebration at Philippine Arena. When the Philippine Arena's started its construction, everyday we are happy to think that we will celebrate our Centennial in this place, so, if I have a time we visit this site to look for update, we know its gonna be a great blessing, that is why we didn't let our self not to attend in this celebration at Phil. Arena.

Everybody's leaving at about 11 am of July 26, 2014 going to Philippine Arena as instruction from our Pastor, but we, in my group, because we can’t leave our work, we decided to leave at night after our work. We are so excited, we leave our place at about 9PM our driver is a fast driver, we reached the North Luzon Expressway at about 11PM, but it's already traffic because of buses and vans use by brethren who also going to Phil. Arena.

Our driver take a shoulder way of the highway we really in a hurry because we want to reach the arena before the firework start, we want to watch the fireworks in front of the arena for a better view, but we are not moving anymore, at about 1159 the fireworks begun, we stop over at the gasoline station to watch the firework but it’s so far, so, we move on hoping to see the firework nearly before it finish but we stocked in the traffic, until the fireworks has end. Traffic is really bad.

WALKING TOGETHER WITH OTHER BRETHREN GOING TO CIUDAD DE VICTORIA.

We decide to walk together with other brethren, I think that’s is a kilometer long walking going to the Ciudad De Victoria, in the way, we saw the glorious light of Phil. arena its changing light in different colors.

 Just a little regret because we didn’t saw the fireworks from it, closely.

FIREWORKS AT PHILIPPINE ARENA (From: www.newsinfo.inquirer.net)

We reached the Ciudad De Victoria, its already filled with brethren who comes from different places, from different part of the Philippine and from other countries, they are everywhere. We moved around and look for a place that we can stay.

Many brethren arrived early, early as 1pm of July 26, a day before the centennial, because some of them have a tent.

NIGHT OF JULY 26, 2014 BRETHREN CAMP OUT AT PHIL AREA FOR JULY  27, 2014 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.

Some are just a mat, some brethren slept in the place where they can feel they can sleep.

SLEEPING TIME ABOUT 1AM OF JULY 27, 2014, FOR THIS FAITHFUL BRETHREN, WAITING FOR SPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICE THAT START AT 6 AM  OFFICIATED BY BRO. EDUARDO V. MANALO

Like us, we take a nap in the stair of Philippine arena, we are tired of long walking, we stay there because that is very close to the gate of the arena, and there is no other place much comfortable to stay, the stadium, the tents and arena are full and also this is a better place if the rain falls, we stayed there until the worship service begun.

At 5am the worship service begun, we and all the brethren come close in front of the arena,

BRETHREN STANDS FOR THE START OF SPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICE IN FRONT OF THE GATE OF PHIL ARENA, SINGING AND PRAISING GOD WITH THE CHOIR.

I thought we are going to enter because they open all gates but it’s not, we remain standing under the big LCD screen where we clearly saw and heard what happening inside.

The worship service was officiated by our Executive Minister Bro Eduardo V. Manalo, when the worship service start, I didn’t see anymore the number of brethren standing around the Ciudad De Victoria, I want to take a crowd picture down stair around the Ciudad De Victoria but I can’t do it because I’m in the middle of the crowd upstairs were my movement is limited, but according to the news it reached to almost 1.5 million people.

BRETHREN CROWDED THE CIUDAD DE VICTORIA FOR THE CELEBRATION OF INC CENTENNIAL ON JULY 27, 2014

Even we are tired from walking and sleepless it was a full blessing, some brethren seated on the floor maybe because their feet can't bear to stand anymore.

EVEN WE ARE IN THE OUTSIDE OF PHIL. ARENA, WE ARE CAREFULLY LISTENING TO BRO.  EDUARDO V. MANALO WHO OFFICIATED THE SPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICES INSIDE OF PHIL. ARENA

But everybody attentively and carefully listening to the preaching of Bro. Eduardo, it lasted for two hours, we are really bless, his last message was made the brethren cried including me, he said “ask God whatever you want, ask him,” that’s made me cried, I so bless all the pain and sleepless has gone, we sang “I am a member of the Church of Christ” that make me proud as a member.

AFTER WORSHIP SERVICE, BRETHREN AROUND THE CIUDAD DE VICTORIA WAVED THE INC FLAG.

INSIDE OF PHIL ARENA WAVING FLAG .

 After the service the brethren waved their Inc flag cheering Mabuhay si Ka Eduardo V. Manalo, (long live Bro Eduardo V. Manalo) Mabuhay ang Iglesia Ni Cristo. (Long lives the Church of Christ) after the Special Worship Service everybody prepares to go home, other take a chance to enter in the arena, we go home early with the blessing of special worship service.

 

AFTER SPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICE BRETHREN IN AND OUT OF PHIL ARENA PREPARE  TO GO HOME.

On that day also July 27, 2014 at the Philippine Arena, the representative of Guinness Book of Records announced the Two Guinness book of record hit by inc on the same day, it was the 55 thousand seat Phil. Arena that declared by Guinness Book of Records.

As a “Largest mixed-use indoor theater” and a number of choir who sang inside of Phil. Arena as a “Largest Gospel choir”

  

Considered 4,745 representing those who sang inside of the arena against 1,171 people singing gospel music organized by McDonald s gospel super choir in New Jersey on Jan 31. originally its 10,000 choir member inside of Phil. Arena and those and those 25,000 inside of Phil stadium beside Phil arena, it was in addition to the 6 Guinness book of record got by inc, a total of 8 Guinness Book of Records.

GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS

God really work in Iglesia Ni Cristo, there is no other like him, God said, "Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come— yes, let him foretell what will come. Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”  "From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do." (Isaiah 44:7-8, 46:11)

No one can stop the work of God in His people, other Church has fallen but the Iglesia Ni Cristo continues to soar like eagle preparing for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I have been a member of several churches and become persecutors of the Church of Christ but God had petty on me, He called me in the Church of Christ, in this Church I learned and feel the True and One God without hesitation.

It’s really a blessing to be a member of the Church of Christ.