Watery Diarrhea|Vomiting And Diarrhea|Toddler Diarrhea

If you're wondering how much Lutein is good for the eyes, you're not alone. Researchers are desperately trying to find the answer to that question.

Suggested dosages range from 6-50mg per day. Even the same sources provide information indicating that 6, 10 or 20mg per day is beneficial. The average consumer may end up too confused to even bother with this supplement.

Hopefully, the information in this article will help.

Although some nutrients are toxic in large amounts, the only side effect that has ever been noticed with chronically high intakes of Lutein is a bronzing or orange tone to the skin. The same changes in the skin are seen when a person eats too many carrots or takes too much beta-carotene. It may look funny, but it is not hazardous to your health.

Generally speaking, nutrients found in vegetables and other plant foods are not toxic, even in very large amounts. Some of them may cause stomach upset or diarrhea, but that's about it.

So, when you are trying to figure out how much Lutein is good for the eyes, you don't have to worry about over-doing it. More is probably better, up to a maximum of 50mg per day, particularly if you also take a beta-carotene supplement. The two nutrients are said to "compete" with each other in the digestive system, but there is some question about that.

One study showed that 10mg improved visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and glare recovery in men with age-related macular degeneration.

In the study, one group received only the singe ingredient, while another took a supplement containing it, beta-carotene and other antioxidants. Improvement was seen in both groups. The group that received the multi-nutritional supplement actually improved a little more than the other.

When it comes to how much Lutein is good for the eyes, 6mg is most often recommended, but 10mg combined with 2mg of zeaxanthin is the supplement that has been used in large-scale studies conducted by the National Institute of Health and other research groups.

There are many quite expensive supplements on the market that do not contain zeaxanthin (Zee-a-ZAN-thin), but it is the most concentrated pigment in the macula. It doesn't make sense to take one, without the other.

People that want to know how much lutein is good for the eyes are usually interested in their long-term health. If you are interested in reducing your risk of various age-related diseases, the best solution is a multi-nutritional supplement.

Some of the ingredients to look for include reduced L-glutathione, a very potent antioxidant that is rarely found in dietary supplements because of the added expense.

Other good antioxidants are found in bilberry, grape seed and green tea extract. Everyone focuses on the common vitamins A, C and E.

While those are important, they are simply not the best antioxidants that we have.

According to a respected scientist and doctor of naturopathic medicine, 50mg per day is how much lutein is good for the eyes. I think that's sound advice.

You know what it's like if you are a dog owner, it's a bit like having a baby and many of you will have experienced a baby vomiting all over you just when you have got yourself all dressed up and ready to go out. That's half the fun isn't it? If you own a dog you will have probably experienced something similar, except the dog will vomit all over your beautiful new rug. They never seem to quite manage to get it on the tiled floor, do they? That would have been far too convenient wouldn't it? Assuming your dog isn't throwing up because he has just swallowed the cakes you put aside to eat yourself later, or hasn't been running around like a mad thing straight after eating his own meal, then obviously you need to know what is causing it. Any dogs vomiting for these reasons is to be expected but it's important to discover that it isn't anything serious.

So, what are the things to look out for?

The dog may have diarrhea or showing signs of lethargy, he may have lost weight, or showing signs of dehydration and constant wretching. If your dog vomits repeatedly and especially if the vomit is projectile or you see signs of blood in. He may also show signs of fever so it's important not to attempt to give the dogs treatment at home and instead you need to get your dog to a vet as soon as possible. Your pet may also be in pain because we all know what it feels like when we need to vomit, it's really unpleasant and the vet can treat him, at the same time for any pain or discomfort. When my dogs vomit it is usually when they have refused to eat their food for some time, probably because they are fed up and bored with it and they then sometimes throw up what looks like, a whitish yellow frothy foam that is probably caused by excess gastric acid. It seems to occur most when I resist giving into them with food they really love, which is usually mine! So, it ends up as a battle of wills!

The best way to avoid this happening is to try and persuade your dogs to eat twice a day, morning and evening. I know that a lot of dogs gulp their food down very quickly but some, mine included, have been very spoilt and make it quite clear that the food I am offering is unacceptable. I am aware that I have made a rod for my own back but I confess to treating my dogs like kids. So, when they are not feeling too good I try to feed them on cooked chicken with some rice and potatoes because it's easier to digest. I try to feed them this type of menue frequently because and if I change what they eat too often I then get problems spouting from the other end, namely diarrhea. Plus, I find that this method of cooking for the dogs cheaper than buying canned food and although dried dog food can be cheaper, my dogs were not brought up on it and will not touch it. Have you ever smelled that dried stuff? It smells like manure, so I don't blame them.

Try these step by step tactics first when your dog starts vomiting:

· Restrict water and food for about 24 hours but much less time than this if its a small dog.

· If you notice any signs of blood in the vomit then get the dog to a vet as soon as possible.

· If after this time there is no more vomiting, then you can gradually introduce some water, a little at a time.

If there is still no vomiting then offer a small meal of chicken, rice and potatoes and follow with their normal food when the vomiting has subsided.

However, your dogs vomiting may be a sign of something much more serious that needs to be investigated and you need to monitor the frequency, as it could be a sign of a disorder stemming from a disease such as cancer or diabetes etc. Or a viral infection disease, so it's important to quickly seek the professional expertise of your vet who will be able to diagnose your dogs problems once all the other tactics have failed.

Hopefully a diagnosis will come back as nothing too serious.

Hyperthermia is an alternative cancer therapy that is designed to kill cancerous tumor cells by exposing them to temperatures higher than what is normal in the human body. Because of the abnormal characteristics of tumors and cancer cells, they tend to be more easily destroyed when exposed to heat, as compared to normal cells. The work of oncologists and researchers such as Dr. James Haim Bicher has led to this promising cancer treatment, which is often used with great success in conjunction with other cancer treatments and protocols.

When is Hyperthermia Used?

Because hyperthermia can make it easier for certain anti-cancer drugs and radiation to kill cancer cells, it is often combined with these therapies. The end result is generally more effective than when these other therapies are used alone. It can be used locally for small tumors, for entire regions in the case of larger tumors, or even in a whole body fashion for cancers that have metastasized. It can be used to treat a variety of cancers, such as those occurring in the cervix, breasts, lungs or liver. Although the exact temperature and method of application varies depending on the cancer being treated, in many cases a temperature not exceeding 108 degrees Fahrenheit proves effective. Although some people tend to turn to hyperthermia only when more conventional cancer therapies have not proven to be effective, it is currently being used as an accompanying therapy even in the beginning stages of cancer treatments. Especially when combined with other therapies, it has proved effective at shrinking or killing cancer cells, helping patients achieve remission. Additionally, because the heat helps to increase blood flow, hyperthermia can help increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy and other medications in the bloodstream.

Risks and Side Effects

As compared to many conventional cancer therapies, hyperthermia treatments include very few serious risks or side effects. In some cases, the patient may experience reddening of the skin, discomfort, blisters or possibly a few minor burns. Even in the case of whole body hyperthermia, as long as the body temperature is kept under 111 degrees Fahrenheit, most body tissues will not experience any significant harm. However, sometimes side effects such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea can result from the increased body temperature. In the case of whole body treatments, serious side effects such as cardiac arrest are not unheard of, but are quite rare.

History of Hyperthermia

The roots of hyperthermia go back thousands of years to when the ancient Egyptians used heat therapy to help treat tumors. Heat therapy was also used in Europe after the Renaissance age to help shrink tumors. Over the years, time and time again scientists have observed the power that heat seems to have on the human body. Scientists and physicians such as Dr. James Haim Bicher have spent years researching and gathering evidence to support the effectiveness of hyperthermia. In 2010, the prestigious Duke University conducted clinical trials as part of its extensive hypothermia program. These clinical trials were focused on combining hyperthermia treatments with other cancer therapies to produce more effective results. The results of these and other tests and trials show great promise for the future of hyperthermia as a cancer treatment.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an extremely common but almost completely misunderstood condition where there are often intense bodily responses to things such as certain foods, stress and distension. It is believed that a large number of people who are currently seeking help from gastroenterology clinics have IBS.

Some of the varied symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain and discomfort and a change in bowel habit that usually ends up being either constipation or diarrhea.

For most sufferers, the pain associated with IBS is experienced during meals or during a bowel movement.

One of the biggest problems with IBS is that the same symptoms are sometimes associated with other bowel disorders, so the correct diagnosis of IBS is extremely difficult. Other symptoms that have nothing to do with the bowels can also be linked to IBS.

One of the most common treatments associated with IBS is following a high-fiber diet, although there is almost no agreement among doctors that this is the way to go.

A recent synopsis of studies focusing on high fiber or bran-supplemented diets showed that only two of the eight patients had reduced symptoms. Some symptoms, such as constipation, have been shown to decrease with the prescription of a high fiber diet, but at the same time, other sufferers that have symptoms such as distension, diarrhea and abdominal pain may end up worse off with the same high fiber diet that helped others.

Dietary fiber is usually classified into two different groups: soluble and insoluble.

Both kinds of fiber are present in all known plant food, with different amounts of each present depending on the plant. The word insoluble refers to a fiber's ability to soak up water and not dissolve.

It's said that insoluble fiber has "passive water-attracting properties" that help to add mass to a bowel movement, softening the movement and giving some speed to the movement through the intestinal tract.

Soluble fiber, on the other hand, means that the fiber in the plant dissolves in water easily. These simple definitions, however, can be limiting since soluble fiber can ferment in the intestinal tract and that can benefit the body in the long run.

One of the easiest ways to imagine the difference between what is soluble and what is insoluble, imagine a plum. The thick, tough outer skin would be considered insoluble fiber, while the inner flesh, while still fibrous, would be considered soluble.

Other popular sources of insoluble fiber include whole wheat, corn bran, flax seeds and veggies such as carrots, celery, green beans and potato skins.

One of the best combinations of soluble and insoluble fiber is the husk from a psyllium grain. It's been proven to help lower blood cholesterol when consumed on a regular basis. The husk is 34% insoluble fiber and 66% soluble, which is considered to be an optimal balance that makes the grain a highly thought of food supplement.

The impact of these fibers on the digestions of IBS sufferers is not conclusive.

Some sufferers say that eating particular types of food cause their symptoms to reduce. But at the same time, getting rid of "problem" foods and eating more foods from another group can do more harm than good in the long run. Remember don't try any sort of special diet when you suffer from IBS without consulting a doctor first. If you remove one kind of fiber, your body may need to find a replacement source.

Chinese diet tea or green tea fat burners have become the latest trends in diet land, invented to lose weight fast and easy.

If you've also become interested in dieting with the help of tea, you first need to know there are two types of diet tea:

• One made from the tea plant Camellia sinensis (The Good!) (green tea, oolong or black tea).


• One made from various (laxative) herbs (The Bad..).

Chinese diet tea: the good...

The first type of so-called Chinese diet tea (made from the tea plant Camellia sinensis) speeds up your metabolism through thermogenesis. This is the process where calories are converted into heat energy which in turn helps your body to burn fat and ultimately to lose weight (even when at rest). Polyphenols (or antioxidants) stimulate thermogenesis by interacting with each other...

...and since green tea and oolong tea contain the highest levels of polyphenols (including EGCG) when compared to other types of tea...

the effects of GREEN TEA and OOLONG TEA consumption on BODY WEIGHT is highest!

What's more, the antioxidants also help to regulate your digestive system; making you feel full faster (a so-called natural appetite suppressant) and they help digesting your food better.

IT WORKS BOTH WAYS: Not only will you eat less, the stuff you DO eat, will be digested better.

Other advantages of drinking tea in relation to dieting are that tea only carries 4 calories per serving and the caffeine in green tea helps to burn even more calories. Two studies examined the effects of tea consumption, as a beverage, on body weight or EE (energy expenditure or thermogenesis).

Study 1

Rumpler and friends tested whether full-strength oolong tea increased EE or changed the oxidation rates more than did three control beverages1.

They found the following:

• Full-strength oolong tea stimulates EEby an extra 2.9% (burning off an extra 67 kcal) compared to water. Caffeinated water, however, rose by 3.4% (79 kcal) compared to water.


• Fat oxidation increased by 12%for full-strength oolong tea versus an 8% increase for caffeinated water.

In their view, you can only achieve weight balance if

• You drink enough full-strength (oolong) tea to influence EE and fat oxidation, and


• You follow the proper diet, one that is not offsetting the slight energy imbalance.

Study 2

Komatsu and his friends examined the effects of oolong tea and green tea consumption on fasting EE 2. After a 2-hour measuring period, they found resting EE was similar in the two groups before consumption of the different beverages and remained low after water (+3 kcal) and green tea (+12 kcal) consumption but increased significantly after oolong tea consumption (+27 kcal).

Because oolong tea had less caffeine and EGCG than did green tea, the rise in EE must be due to the presence in oolong tea of more polymerized polyphenols than are found in green tea. However, since measuring only took place during two hours, we cannot say this finding is always valid.

Study 3

A third study confirms the first one3. They examined the effects of green tea, in capsules, on EE and found green tea extract stimulates EE and fat oxidation (respectively 2.8% and 3.5% more than caffeine and placebo) and can therefore influence body weight and body composition.

Study 4

Dulloo and others confirmed the conclusions of the third study since they found4:

• Green tea extract significantly increases thermogenesis, more than caffeine alone;


• Green tea extract reduces body weight by 4.6%;


• Green tea extract reduces waist circumference by 4.5%.

As these were all very short studies, we cannot say that either oolong tea or green tea is a real Chinese diet tea, leading to weight loss over a longer period of time. They do seem to be of help though in weight-loss programs or in weight maintenance; not only thanks to the caffeine content but merely due to EGCG and other polyphenols.

Chinese diet tea: the bad.....

The second type of Chinese diet tea is made of laxative herbs, such as senna, rhubarb, aloe, senna, rhubarb root, buckthorn, castor oil, and cascara. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified it as generally safe since these herbs are known to be good against constipation and promoting bowel movements.

They can, however, be counterproductive when you're trying to lose weight.

WHY??? That's the UGLY part....

Chinese diet tea: the ugly...truth

Normally these herbs are used only occasionally.

When taken in excess (longer and in higher doses than recommended) these herbs, then often labeled as Chinese diet tea, may lead to (chronic) diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach bleeding/cramps, fainting, dehydration and (chronic) constipation.

Not only you then may have to deal with one of these side effects of taking the laxative variant of Chinese diet tea,

IT ALSO DOESN'T HELP ACHIEVING YOUR MAIN GOAL.....

...TO LOSE WEIGHT!

Here's why:

• No weight loss at all: Laxatives work on the lower end of the bowel (the colon) instead of on the small intestine where calories are burned.


• Weight loss from dehydration: Laxatives may cause diarrhea or vomiting which sometimes leads to dehydration.


• Weight loss from muscles: Diarrhea block the body's ability to absorb nutrients because food move too quick through the body. The body still needs nutrients so in order to get it, it starts to burn muscles, a high source of protein.


• Again, no weight loss: Less muscles lead to a lower metabolic rate and that means the body burns less calories (higher rates lead to burning calories even at rest).

Do what's best for YOU!

Avoid the herbal Chinese diet tea and diet with green tea or oolong tea.

It may be slower...

but it's definitely much healthier and gives better results.

TIPS when using the healthy Chinese diet tea with your diet:

• Select a good brand


• (consult a dietician or doctor).


• Perform proper research before buying


• (loose tea is less processed but a pill / capsule may still


• contain larger amounts of antioxidants).


• Eat lots of fresh fruit and veggies.


• Drink plenty of water.


• Make sure you get plenty of exercise


• (shouldn't be too hard because the caffeine in tea BOOSTS


• your energy, making it even easier)!

Chinese diet tea may help in losing weight but always combine it with a healthy lifestyle! Always consult your doctor before drinking tea for weight loss! Always read all Chinese diet tea instructions carefully before use!

Imagine you are out in the middle of the wilderness, hiking across tundra or through fields of grass, thousands of tiny flowers surrounding you of every color and hue imaginable. The sun is beating down raising droplets of perspiration on your brow and in the distance is a glistening, snow-capped mountain range. Between the snow in your sights and the sweat on the skin, you are developing a raging thirst. You come upon a creek with icy-cold water rushing across rocks and pebbles, crystal clear as the best bottled water you could find in the store. Before dipping your water bottle in the creek and raising it to your parched lips for that needed draught of cold water, stop! That water is probably not very healthy. Even though it may be glacial runoff from those mountains in the distance, along the line animals have walked through it, urinated it, things may even have died in it. Yes, disgusting thought, I know. But important to remember because all of that contributes to Giardia, cryptosporidium, E. coli, cholera, just to name a few. These can cause bloody diarrhea, cramps, kidney failure, dehydration, typhoid fever, etc. If you are out in the wilderness with no possibility of emergency help, these could end in death. Not a pleasant way to end a trip, wouldn't you agree?

There are three different possibilities for ensuring you have safe, drinkable water. The first and easiest is to just boil your water. Bring the water to a rolling boil and then continue for three more minutes. If your water was cloudy, filter the sediment before boiling using a coffee filter or paper towels. I have been told that if you are over 1000 feet above sea level, you should boil the water an additional minute for each 1000 feet. The drawback to the boiling method is that it takes both time and fuel. The time does not bother me, but using precious fuel for drinking water does.

The second possibility is the use of iodine tablets. There are many different brands and not all brands kill everything dangerous in the water, you may need to do some research. They are inexpensive, easy to pack and lightweight. Pop a pill in your water and wait approximately an hour, give or take depending on the manufacturer. That is quite a bit of time, but can be done before you go to sleep at night and water will be ready in the morning. Unfortunately, some of them do leave an aftertaste of chlorine. Another thing to be aware of is that once the packet of tablets is opened, there is a limited shelf life. Incidentally, if allergic to iodine, consider instead boiling your water or purchasing a filtration system which I will discuss next.

The third method is to carry a water filter with you. There are many different systems ranging in size, weight, and cost. They typically operate by use of a hand pump. One end of the tube goes in the water, and the other side into your water bottle or cook pan. Pump until you have the amount of water you need. These systems work by filtering out large particles first. As the water goes through the system, there is a second filter which screens out the bacteria. The final result is a bottle of very safe, drinkable water. Water filtration systems are much more expensive than iodine tablets and may take as long to pump the water as it does to boil it. However, filtration systems don't have a shelf life and the only energy they require to work is your own.

Always remember, if you plan to be someplace where the water may not be the best, be prepared. Humans can go without food longer than we can go without water.

Every mother has felt that sense of dread after taking her baby's temperature and realizing "uh oh, there's a fever". Let's talk about fevers in infants and children and what you should do.

First, make sure you have a thermometer in the house. This can be a plain digital thermometer or a fancier temporal thermometer. A digital thermometer can be used rectal or axillary (under the arm). They are accurate and easy to use. Do not use a tympanic (in the ear) thermometer on a baby under 1-yr old. They have proven to be inaccurate and accuracy counts in a small baby. Temporal (scanning the forehead) thermometers have been found to be fairly accurate, easy to use, but are more expensive. Learn what your baby's normal temperature is by checking it several times when they are well. You need to feel comfortable with taking a temperature and know what your baby's normal range is. Normal range for an infant is 97.5 - 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you think your baby feels warm, check his temperature and if it is over 100 degrees, undress the baby, or just remove some layers and take it again in 10 minutes. Newborns have very immature temperature regulators and can have an increased temperature just from over dressing. The rule of thumb is one more layer on the baby than you are comfortable in. If your baby is 3 months or under and still has a temperature over 100 degrees (or 100.4 rectally), it is time to call the doctor.

Do not give a baby under 3 months old Tylenol. A fever at this age can signify a serious infection and the baby should be evaluated by a doctor. Newborns do not have the immune system established to fight a serious infection. You do not want to mask the fever with Tylenol. If it is after office hours, go to your nearest emergency room.

If your baby is over 3 months old, a fever still warrants a call to the doctor. But there is a better chance she may recommend some Tylenol and then an appointment with the doctor. Remember Tylenol dosages are based on weight, so best to ask your health professional for a correct dosage on your baby.

Always take a baby of any age with a fever of 102 or more (that you cannot reduce) to the doctor or hospital. They are at risk for febrile seizures and the fever needs to be gotten under control. If the child is over a year, you can also use Ibuprofen for fever reducing. A good technique often used by health care providers is to alternate doses between Ibuprofen and Tylenol, but again confirm this with your doctor over the phone before you do. You can also use lukewarm baths (this is not cold, it is just below body temperature) or sponging with warm water. The evaporation of the water helps to reduce the fever.

Fevers are a normal course of any infection. But, what kind of infection it is can sometimes be tricky. It cannot be stressed enough to consult your doctor. Ask them what their policies for fevers are. But, when ever in doubt, contact them. An ordinary looking cold can cause a fever and if it remains under 102 (for a child over 6 months) and there are no other alarming symptoms (breathing problems, vomiting, diarrhea), it can usually be managed at home with just supportive care. If any of these other symptoms are present, a trip to the doctor or nearest Emergency Room is in order.

First and foremost, DON'T PANIC. Fevers are the body's normal reaction to any infection, even mild ones. It is the body's defenses gearing up and fighting the infection. Fevers can be our friend. Just remember these basic guidelines for babies and you will be good to go.

As everyone does, you like your face. You have taken all necessary measures to prevent it from being affected by the slightest problem. Then, one day you notice some comedones (whiteheads and blackheads), papules, and even nodules appear on your face. As the disease progresses, you see pustules, skin lesions containing pus. You do not want to use chemicals, or you have been using them, they damage your skin instead of improving it. You are looking for a natural treatment to help you get your smile back. Your search may be over today. Along with our remedies, if you practice patiently the advice in this article, you will be able to get rid of acne naturally without spending a fortune.

Before going further, you should know that there is no effective treatment against acne without an appropriate diet. Our remedies are highly recommended with this following acne diet:

Zinc - take zinc supplement for at least two months. Zinc plays a major role in wound healing and fortification of the immune system. It may seem unbelievable; some people get rid of acne by increasing their zinc supplement. However, overdose is toxic to your body; it can lead to gastrointestinal problems, anemia, dizziness, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea and fever. Therefore, take the recommended dose.

Selenium - Selenium strengthens the immune system and fight against skin aging and other skin problems including acne. Increase your selenium intake along with any acne treatment. You can find selenium supplements at low price in any store that sells vitamins and supplements. Overdose can lead to hair loss, tooth decay, brittle nails, white spots, loss of appetite, sour or metallic taste in the mouth, Garlic smelling breath, change in skin pigmentation, tingling feeling in my hands and feet. Just take the recommended dose; overdose will expedite the healing process.

Vitamin E - decades ago, scientists recognized only the anti-free radical property of vitamin E. today, studies have shown vitamin E maintains skin's moisture and protects against its premature aging. Eat abundantly foods rich in vitamins E (whole grains, wheat germ, leafy green vegetables, sardines, egg yolks, nuts and seeds). Vitamin E overdose could lead to fatigue, headaches, nausea, blurred vision, flatulence, and diarrhea; do not overdose.

Vitamin C - in addition to the major role of vitamin C on immune system cells, it participates in the development of collagen (a protein that help you have a younger and healthier skin and look), the rejuvenation of the skin and complexion. Vitamin C also helps your body maintaining healthy tissues and a strong immune system. Drink plenty of fresh lemon juice. Although rare, overdose can lead to gastrointestinal irritation, diarrhea, and Kidney stones (especially in people at risk of kidney stones)

Vitamin A -It protects the skin and enhances skin resistance to the assault of ultra-violet. It protects against eyes problems, and accelerates the healing of acne. In addition, Vitamin A seems to play a major role in the immune function. Overdose can lead to birth defects, nausea, jaundice, irritability, anorexia, vomiting, blurry vision, headaches, muscle and abdominal pain and weakness, drowsiness, and altered mental status. The best way to get your vitamin A id to drink two glasses of carrot juice a day, preferably in an empty.

Cucumber juice - Along with all these supplements, you can drink fresh cucumber juice; it will help you lose weight and rejuvenate skin cells. In addition, you can apply it directly on the acne-affected area to calm inflammation and irritation.

During the treatment, and even after, avoid diet rich in sugar, fried and processed foods; they encourage acne breakouts. In addition, avoid stress that could lead the body to produce certain hormones, which could contribute to the development or worsening of acne.

Now that you know your acne diet, you need a natural acne formula to use along with the supplements. Whether you are a teen or an adult, our herbal acne remedies can work for you. Our remedies help to control oil glands, and maintain bacterial growth in your skin cells at a normal level. To have your own testimonial to tell, visit vitalfoodstore.com, or click on the link in the Resource/About Author box below.

Dogs eating chocolate has never been a big concern for the average dog owner, including myself. But that is only because people like me are not aware of the danger of dogs eating chocolate, and how chocloate toxicity in dogs can be fatal.

One day when I was away from home, my ten month old poodle Daisy jumped up on one chair, to another stool that was near my cupboard, and helped herself to a bowl of chocolate kisses. When I returned home six hours later, my poodle had eaten 6 to 8 kisses, that I know of. But I wasn't too concerned because I hadn't been educated on dogs and chocolate. I was more amazed at her determination, and the well planned route my poodle made to get to the kisses.

Luckily, my dog Daisy was fine, other than a litle diarrhea that evening. But the question is raised "can dogs eat chocolate?", or a better questions would be "should a dog eat chocolate?". And the answer to both questions is NO. Veterinarians are seeing more and more cases of chocolate toxicity in dogs and cats every day.

How Much Chocolate Is Too Much

The toxic components in chocolate are theobromine and caffeine, although the theobromine is the biggest toxin to be worried about. The toxic and potentially fatal dose of chocolate is 60mg/kg. So a 10 lb dog would only need to consume 300mg of chocolate, or as little as 100mg to start having signs of problems.

To put this in perspective, a 5 oz milk chocolate bar has 250mg of theobromine, the same as 30 semisweet chocolate chips. But a dark chocolate bar (with 70% cocoa), has 600 mg of throbromine. And one ounce of dry cocoa powder has 700 mg of theobromine.

So a dog only has to eat only one third as much dark chocolate to become seriously ill. And this is becoming a great concern, with more and more people switching to dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate because it is healthier for humans to consume. But it becomes a greater risk for your dogs.

Signs Of Chocolate Toxicity

Some of the clinical signs that may occur 6 to 12 hours after dogs eating chocolate are Vomiting, Diarrhea, Bloating, Restlessness, Increased Drinking, and /or Increased Urinating. These are mild cases that will probably mean your dog will be alright.

Progressive signs of dogs eating chocolate might be Hyperactivity, Tremors, Seizures, Elevated Heart Rate/arrythmia, Cyanosis ( bluish gums), Elevated blood pressure, Increased resiprations, Hyperthermia or Coma. You would need to take your dog to a veterinarian for immediate treatment.

Cures For Chocolate Toxicity

It is always a good idea to induce vomiting the moment you see your dog consuming 20 mg/kg or more. This can be done by giving your dog hydrogen peroxide at 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight. Repeat once more in 10 minutes, if your pet doesn't vomit, but never more than that. You can also try salt by diluting 1 teaspoon of salt in a tablespoon of water per every 10lbs of body weight.

If you are a dog owner I recommend you keep a bottle of hydrogen peroxide on hand in case of an emergency. And if you are a chocolate lover like myself, you will also want to keep a closer watch on dogs eating chocolate. Keeping it in the cupboard or a closed container will keep the temptation away from your dog. And it may also help your temptation, as well.

A few years ago I was asked if I knew what the most deadly gynecologic cancer was and I answered "Well, breast cancer of course." Oh, how I was wrong. The American Cancer Society estimates that the average five year survival rate of breast cancer at any stage to actually be 89 percent. While no cancer is good that's a pretty good rate. The correct answer to the question is ovarian cancer, and its five year survival rate (estimated by the American cancer society) is only 46 percent. We need to find out why this cancer is so deadly.

Cancer is a dangerous and mysterious thing to people that don't know much about it. Well, everyone is made up of cells, cells are what make up tissue and tissue is what makes up our organs. Normally when a cell gets old and tired it dies just like we do and a new cell takes its place. Our body produces these new cells by growing and dividing healthy cells. Sometimes our body overproduces cells and this is when tumors (mass of tissue) are formed. These tumors aren't always cancer; when they are not they are called benign tumors. When they are cancer they are call malignant; these are the ones that can be life-threatening. Both types of tumors can be removed but the cancerous ones are more likely to grow back and only they also can spread to different parts of your body. When this happens the cancer cells are breaking away from the original tumor and entering the blood stream to use it like a highway to travel around your body. When the cancer cells spread like this it's called metastasis and the cancer can start to go new tumors. If these cells reach any of your organs and start to go new tumors and this is when damage can be done.

They call it ovarian cancer because the tumor first starts at the ovaries and is made up of over productive ovarian cells. The ovaries are part of the women's reproductive system and are attached to the uterus by the fallopian tubes. When a malignant tumor starts to grow these areas can also be affected because of their close proximity to the ovaries. When this tumor starts to shed cancer cells the cells typically go to the abdomen first because it's closest to where the reproductive system is located. Then as I said before the cancerous cells can start to affect your lymph nodes and enter your blood stream to travel to different organs.

Ovarian cancer is so deadly because it's very hard to detect. Every year more than 14,600 women die from ovarian cancer in the United States. This may not seem like a lot when you think of all the billion people that live here but when about 20,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year that number seems like a lot. So this means that on average 7 out of 10 women will die from this disease and this is all because it is so hard to detect. In order to detect it you have to know what the symptoms are. The most common symptoms are pain in the abdomen, pelvis, back or legs because of where the cancer is located in your body. You can also have a swollen or bloated abdomen because it can fill up with fluids. You will also feel very tired all the time and would have some nausea, indigestion, gas, constipation, or even diarrhea. Some less common symptoms would be shortness of breath, the urge to urinate often, and unusual vaginal bleeding. Now these are pretty general symptoms and many other disease or illnesses can cause them and that's why it's so hard to detect because ovarian cancer is not typical the very first thing we think of when we have one or more of these symptoms.

Most women would think if there was a problem that it would show up on their Pap test which is a once yearly screening that women get from their doctor. However, a Pap test is only screening for cervical cancer and it cannot be used to diagnose ovarian cancer. When women do go in to your doctor for the Pap test he or she should be doing a pelvic exam as well, during this they will feel your ovaries and organs in close proximity for any lumps or changes in shape and/or size. More often than not the doctors will not be able to feel a tumor until they are a substantial size. This is why we look to other testing as well as the pelvic exam to diagnose this cancer. If women who have abdominal bloating or pain and would go to the doctor, they may check your abdomen for fluid buildup. If they some find some a sample can be taken to test for ovarian cancer cells as part of the diagnoses. There is also blood testing where your doctor would check your CA-125 level to see if it is high. The CA-125 is a substance that is found on the surface of the ovarian cancer cells but also on some normal tissue, this is why a high level might indicate cancer. Unfortunately this test cannot be used as the only test for diagnosing ovarian cancer. It is mainly used for monitoring a woman that has already been diagnosed and is going through treatment or as an early detection for the return of cancer after treatment has been completed. The next way to get diagnosed is by having an ultrasound done. There are two different types of ultrasounds that can be done; the first is the less invasive of the two. This is where they take the ultrasound device and press it up against your abdomen and the sound waves that it produces bounce off the organs to produce a picture for us to see. By using this they would be able to get a picture of the ovaries to see if there was a tumor or any abnormalities. The second type of ultrasound they can do is a transvaginal ultrasound and it does the same things as the regular one however this device is inserted into the vagina for a much better view of the ovaries. The last test to help diagnose this cancer is a biopsy. They will only do a biopsy if blood test and one of the ultrasounds have indicated that there may be a tumor. A biopsy is when they take a sample of tissue or fluid to look for cancer cells. Once they biopsy has been done a pathologist will look as the sample under a microscope for any cancer cells. If there are some found then they will be described as either grade 1, 2, or 3 and this is based off of how abnormal the cells look.

Once the doctors have determined that there are cancer cells present they have to determine what stage the disease is in before they can start any treatment. In order to find out what stage the cancer is in the doctor must know grade the tumor is which we discussed earlier and they also may need to run a series of more test such as a CT scan or a chest x-ray. The CT scan is where they would give you some contrast material and the machine would then take several pictures to get a clearer picture of your pelvis and abdomen to see any tumors or abdominal fluid. The chest x-ray is used to see if the cancer has spread to your lungs and if there is any fluid buildup there as well.

There are four stages of ovarian cancer; the first stage is called stage 1. Stage 1 is where cancer cells can be found on one or both ovaries or in abdominal fluid. Only 15 percent of the total women diagnosed have stage 1 and they have a 5 year survival rate of 93.8 percent (statistics). Stage 2 is where the cancer has spread to other reproductive organs such as the fallopian tubes and the uterus. It can also be found in abdominal fluid as well as other tissue in the pelvis area. The 5 year survival rate for stage 2 is 72.8 percent and only 17 percent of women diagnosed have this stage. Stage 3 is where the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and can be also found on the outside of the liver. This is the most common stage that women are diagnosed (62 percent) with only a 28.2 percent survival rate or 5 years (statistics). The last stage is stage 4 and this is when the cancer can be found in the lungs or in any other organs. So, at this point it has traveled out of both the pelvic and abdominal areas. This has the lowest survival rate of 27.3 percent and the lowest percent of women diagnosed at 7 percent (statistics).

Once the doctor has determined what stage you are in you can start treatment accordingly. Most women will have surgery to remove cancer cells and also both ovaries and fallopian tubes, your uterus, any nearby lymph nodes, as well as the omentum which is a thin fat pad that covers the intestines. If you only have stage 1 sometimes the doctors will leave the uterus intact and only take one ovary and fallopian tube but this depends on your age and whether or not you would like to become pregnant and have children. If the cancer is one of the other stages (2, 3 or 4) then they might have to go in further and remove as much cancer as they possibly can. They can also do chemotherapy as a form of treatment. This is when "anticancer" drugs are given to kill the cancerous cell. The drugs can be given by either inserting them into the vein (IV), intraperitoneal (IP) which is given directly into the abdomen through a very thin tube, or by mouth via pill form (ovarian cancer 13). The side effects to the chemotherapy can be hair loss, vomiting, and diarrhea. This is because the drugs also harm normal cells, so it can damage your hair cells (hair loss) and the cells that line your digestive tract (vomiting and diarrhea) but it can also damage your blood cells and make your body bruise easier and you would be more susceptible to get infections because your blood cells are what help fight infections off.

As of right now we cannot explain why one women may develop this cancer and another will not but there are some women that are at higher risk. If you have any women in your family that has had ovarian cancer, specifically your mother, daughter, or sister you or a family member are at a higher risk. But, also if you or any other family members have had uterus, colon, rectum, or breast cancer you or a family member will be at a higher risk. Most women that are diagnosed with this disease are over the age of 55 and have never been pregnant. If you or a family member is at an increase risk you want to talk to your family member to make sure they are aware of these risks. Then I would encourage those at risk people to consult your doctor and see if anything can be done to make sure if you would so some signs of cancer, it could be detected early.

They may recommend genetic testing to see if you have a certain mutation of the BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene which has been linked to ovarian cancer and breast cancer. If you go and have this testing done you will have to provide a detailed family history and also give a blood sample. They will test they blood for mutations in your DNA, specifically looking at your BRCA 1 and 2 genes. When you get the results back they will let you know if they found a mutation and if they did you know that you for sure are at an increase risk. If they don't find a mutation they will still put you into an at risk category based on your family history. This testing has been very important in determining the links between certain mutations and ovarian cancer. The more data we can collect the better off we are on finding a connection.

The most important thing to remember is that this is the most deadly gynecologic cancer with very nonspecific symptoms, 15,000 women die from this cancer every year. If you or anyone you know are having any of these symptoms you should talk to them and encourage them to contact their doctor in hopes of early detection. The earlier the detection the better chances you or a family member has of not becoming one of the 15,000.