“A phobia consists of a persistent fear or avoidance of a specific stimulus,” says Kate Wolitzky-Taylor, PhD, an associate faculty member with the Anxiety and Depression Research Center at UCLA. “Usually the stimulus is a thing or a situation—like bees or heights.” But there’s a second component to phobias. “In addition, the fear causes significant distress or somehow impairs the person’s life,” Wolitzky-Taylor says.
If you notice your stool is light colored and floating, that’s a sign of poor nutrient absorption. “The enzymes your pancreas produces help you digest fats in your diet,” Hendifar explains. Along with breaking down fats, your pancreas helps your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins like A, E, and K, he says.
When pancreatic disease messes with your organ’s ability to properly manufacture those enzymes, the result is feces that looks paler and is less dense. You may also notice your poop is oily or greasy. “The toilet water will have a film that looks like oil,” Hendifar says. That’s the dietary fat your body failed to break down, he explains.
If you notice your poop looks funky now and then, that’s no reason to freak out. But if all or most of your poops have these characteristics, let your doctor know.
Your insides ache.
Abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms of both pancreatic cancer and acute pancreatitis, which is a type of deadly inflammation, Hendifar says. But that pain manifests in different ways depending on the underlying condition.
If the pain seems to start in your middle before “radiating” into your mid or lower back—and if it lingers for weeks—that may be a sign of pancreatic cancer, Epperly says. Also, if you’ve already seen your doctor and he or she has prescribed a type of drug called a proton-pump inhibitor—such as omeprazole (Prilosec) or esomeprazole (Nexium)—let your doc know if your symptoms don’t improve. Hendifar says it’s common for doctors to mistake pancreatic cancer–triggered pain for reflux or other GI issues, many of which a proton-pump inhibitor should help resolve.
On the other hand, if the pain comes on suddenly and is intense and focused in the middle of your abdomen, that’s the type associated with acute pancreatitis, Epperly says.
In either case, don’t freak out. A lot of health issues—some serious, but many mild—can cause stomach aches or pain, Hendifar adds. Just get yourself to a doctor.
Diabetes rears its head.
Your pancreas produces hormones that help control your body’s production of insulin, as well as your blood sugar levels. When the pancreas is imperiled, it’s common for sufferers to develop type 2 diabetes, Hendifar says. If your weight is under control and you eat a healthy diet, a new diabetes diagnosis should lead to a closer examination of your pancreas.
The same holds for a diabetes sufferer who suddenly finds her disease hard to manage. “Those sudden changes in diabetes status without an obvious explanation, those are things we see associated with pancreatic cancer,” he says.
You’re nauseated after burgers.
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms to watch out for—particularly if you’ve been eating fatty foods, Hendifar says. Again, because your pancreas produces enzymes that help your digestive system break down fat, diseases that mess with your pancreas tend to mess with your body’s fat-digesting capabilities, which leads to nausea. “Hamburgers are often nausea triggers, and so are avocados and nuts, which are all high in fat,” he says. “Pizza is another one that’s really tough for patients with a compromised pancreas.” Epperly says pancreatitis is more likely than pancreatic cancer to lead to sudden vomiting and nausea.
You’re experiencing weight loss.
It’s tempting to credit your new diet. But if you’re shedding weight—and especially if you’re experiencing the radiating pain described above—that weight loss could be due to the digestive issues associated with pancreatic cancer or disease, Hendifar says. Thyroid issues and some other health conditions can also explain rapid weight loss. In any case, you need to see someone.
The liver is an organ about the size of a football that sits just under your rib cage on the right side of your abdomen. The liver is essential for digesting food and ridding your body of toxic substances.
Liver disease can be inherited (genetic) or caused by a variety of factors that damage the liver, such as viruses and alcohol use. Obesity is also associated with liver damage.
Over time, damage to the liver results in scarring (cirrhosis), which can lead to liver failure, a life-threatening condition.
Symptoms
The liver
Signs and symptoms of liver disease include:
Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice)
Abdominal pain and swelling
Swelling in the legs and ankles
Itchy skin
Dark urine color
Pale stool color, or bloody or tar-colored stool
Chronic fatigue
Nausea or vomiting
Loss of appetite
Tendency to bruise easily
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any persistent signs or symptoms that worry you. Seek immediate medical attention if you have abdominal pain that is so severe that you can’t stay still.
Causes
Liver disease has many causes.
Infection
Parasites and viruses can infect the liver, causing inflammation that reduces liver function. The viruses that cause liver damage can be spread through blood or semen, contaminated food or water, or close contact with a person who is infected. The most common types of liver infection are hepatitis viruses, including:
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Immune system abnormality
Diseases in which your immune system attacks certain parts of your body (autoimmune) can affect your liver. Examples of autoimmune liver diseases include:
Autoimmune hepatitis
Primary biliary cirrhosis
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
Genetics
An abnormal gene inherited from one or both of your parents can cause various substances to build up in your liver, resulting in liver damage. Genetic liver diseases include:
Hemochromatosis
Hyperoxaluria and oxalosis
Wilson’s disease
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Cancer and other growths
Examples include:
Liver cancer
Bile duct cancer
Liver adenoma
Other
Additional, common causes of liver disease include:
Chronic alcohol abuse
Fat accumulating in the liver (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease)
Risk factors
Factors that may increase your risk of liver disease include:
Heavy alcohol use
Injecting drugs using shared needles
Tattoos or body piercings
Blood transfusion before 1992
Exposure to other people’s blood and body fluids
Unprotected sex
Exposure to certain chemicals or toxins
Diabetes
Obesity
Complications
Complications of liver disease vary, depending on the cause of your liver problems. Untreated liver disease may progress to liver failure, a life-threatening condition.
Prevention
To prevent liver disease:
Drink alcohol in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men. Heavy or high-risk drinking is defined as more than eight drinks a week for women and more than 15 drinks a week for men.
Avoid risky behavior. Get help if you use illicit intravenous drugs, and don’t share needles used to inject drugs. Use a condom during sex. If you choose to have tattoos or body piercings, be picky about cleanliness and safety when selecting a shop.
Get vaccinated. If you’re at increased risk of contracting hepatitis or if you’ve already been infected with any form of the hepatitis virus, talk to your doctor about getting the hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines.
Use medications wisely. Take prescription and nonprescription drugs only when needed and only in recommended doses. Don’t mix medications and alcohol. Talk to your doctor before mixing herbal supplements or prescription or nonprescription drugs.
Avoid contact with other people’s blood and body fluids. Hepatitis viruses can be spread by accidental needle sticks or improper cleanup of blood or body fluids.
Take care with aerosol sprays. Make sure the room is ventilated, and wear a mask when spraying insecticides, fungicides, paint and other toxic chemicals. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Protect your skin. When using insecticides and other toxic chemicals, wear gloves, long sleeves, a hat and a mask.
Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity can cause nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
The tiny chia seed can help with weight loss, diabetes, and hypercholesteremia. Each serving gives you a healthy dose of fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. Unfortunately, it may bring on constipation, flatulence, diarrhea, and an allergic reaction. Chia seeds can also cause thinning of your blood. They could even be a choking hazard if you don’t prep the seeds correctly.
Chia seeds, a superfood dating back to Aztec times, are now enjoying a rebirth of sorts. They feature in every nutritional A-list as a rich source of fiber, omega-3 fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Granted, chia seeds are a great source of nutrition as part of a balanced diet and they are also constantly marketed as a weight-loss aid and wolfed down in large quantities by weight watchers, but you can have too much of a good thing, and this superfood is no exception. Here are some side effects of chia seeds you need to watch out for.
6 Side Effects Of Chia Seeds
1. Can Cause Constipation Or Diarrhea
Chia seeds are very high in fiber content – at nearly 11 gm per ounce serving, it takes care of a sizable chunk of the American Dietetic Association’s recommended fiber intake of 38 g for men and 25 g for women for the day.
Soak 1 tbsp chia seeds in 1 cup water overnight. Or grind them and use in smoothies.
But a high-fiber diet doesn’t work for every body type. Too much fiber in one go can lead to flatulence, constipation, and diarrhea.
It’s a good idea to eat chia seeds with a lot of water or soak them first. Soaking makes it easier to digest them. It also offers the added benefit of releasing all the nutrients stored inside.
Soak 1 tbsp chia seeds in 1 cup water overnight. Or grind them and use in smoothies.ADVERTISEMENT
2. Can Make You Choke
Chia seeds have gained notoriety as a choking hazard. As one Time magazine report highlighted, incorrect consumption can lead to complications. When you don’t presoak your chia seeds or eat them without roasting, you run the risk of gagging or choking on them. You may even end up in the ER as a result.
If you eat chia seeds raw, they can absorb water (about 27 times their dry weight) in your food pipe, grow large, and clog up the food pipe, choking you.
Why? Because the seed when dry and unroasted absorbs as much as 27 times its dry weight in water. It turns gelatinous and expands hugely, plump with water. This sticky mass can get stuck in your esophagus, making you choke. Always soak the seeds or roast them.
3. Can Prevent Blood Clotting
As they are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, chia seeds can act as natural blood thinners, preventing your blood from clotting. If you are already taking blood-thinning medication like warfarin, steer clear of chia. For the same reason, avoid chia seeds right after a surgery to avoid excessive bleeding.
4. Can Worsen Your Diverticulitis
People with diverticulitis develop bulging sacs or pockets called diverticula along the lining of the large intestine. These get inflamed and try to push out through the colon wall, causing pain (usually on the left side of the abdomen), bloating, or diarrhea.
While one cure for diverticular diseases is a high-fiber diet, and chia seeds are high in fiber, you should avoid them when an attack is under way. These tiny seeds often get stuck in the diverticula and inflame them.ADVERTISEMENT
5. Can Set Off An Allergic Reaction
If you have a seed or nut allergy, you may be allergic to chia seeds too.
Chia seeds have a lot of protein in them and that’s bad news if you are allergic to the protein in chia. A 100 gm serving has about 16.54 gm of protein. For those with a nut or seed allergy, chia seeds may be off the table.
Reactions can range from skin rashes and hives to watery eyes, vomiting, and diarrhea. Also watch out for repetitive coughing, wheezing, difficulty swallowing, and a hoarse throat. You may also feel dizzy. As inflammation flares up in the larynx, tongue, and mouth, you could find it difficult to talk and even breathe.
If your allergy is more severe, you may go into shock, your pulse may weaken, and your skin may turn pale or blue. Get tested to check anyway.
6. Can Trigger Prostate Tumors
The case for and against chia when it comes to prostate cancer isn’t closed just yet. While some research indicates it could decrease the risk of prostate tumor growth, other research contradicts this.
A 2010 study claimed that the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid did not increase prostate cancer risk and that it even marginally decreased the risk.
But a recent 2013 study indicates that eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids – like chia seeds which contain alpha-linolenic acid – could trigger the formation of prostate tumors. This could imply an increased risk of prostate cancer.
The jury is still out on this one, but you may want to hold off on binging on chia.
Have No More Than 1.5 Tbsps, Twice A Day
Have no more than 1–1.5 tablespoons up to twice a day. Always soak them the night before.
On the whole, the chia seed is a powerhouse of goodness. No wonder every nutritionist loves it. Ayurveda also recommends adding chia to your regular diet, conscious of its high-fiber effects.
But since the superfood is still not fully understood, more studies will be needed before it can be declared safe for those with conditions like high triglycerides and low blood pressure, and even pregnant women.
Just make sure that you don’t rely on just chia seeds for your daily fiber intake. If you are aiming to lose weight, having more of it won’t help you lose much. After all, you will have added on extra calories from the seeds as well.
Typically, 1–1.5 tablespoons taken up to twice a day should be fine for most people. That’s the equivalent of a 20 gm serving that has 139 Cal.
This was revealed in 2012, when Hitler’s medical documents were being auctioned to the public by Alexander Historical Auctions. According to the files, flatulence had become so pervasive of an issue that he had to regularly ingest 28 different drugs to keep his reputation “squeaky” clean.
A stunted libido, uncontrollable flatulence and an addiction to cocaine are a few of Adolf Hitler’s apparent health problems, as revealed by medical documents now up for auction at Alexander Historical Auctions in Stamford, Conn., according to the New York Daily News.
The embarrassing health problems — particularly Hitler’s “uncontrollable flatulence” — are a humorous reminder that history’s most despised and feared dictators are still human.
According to the medical records, which were commissioned by the U.S. military, Hitler regularly took up to 28 different drugs to attempt to restrain his farting. This included pills containing strychnine, a poison, “which probably explains his stomach pains,” said Bill Panagopoulos, president of Alexander Autographs.
The reports also show that der Führer required occasional “cleansing enemas,” which were activated using chamomile plants. Chamomile is a daisy-like plant that is also known for its ability to aid sleep and reduce stress. No doubt the high-strung dictator found some benefit in the plant’s psychological treatments too.
Speaking of being high-strung, the reports also indicate that Hitler was a full-blown cocaine addict — which may be less surprising to anyone who has listened to any of his agitated speeches. He apparently originally snorted the powered stuff as a treatment for blocked sinuses and to soothe a sore throat, but the reports indicate that his dosage had to be lowered after the dictator began to crave it.
Perhaps the most bizarre revelation to come out of the medical reports, however, is what Hitler took to revive his stunted libido: injections of bull semen. That’s right, der Führer was, on at least one occasion, loaded up with “extracts” from the seminal vesicles, testis and prostate of virile young bulls.
Disgusting? Yes. But did it work? If the fact that Hitler slept in a separate bed from his lifelong companion, Eva Braun, is any indication, probably not. At the very least, it’s another strange chapter in the life of one of history’s most hated madmen.
In all, the medical records are contained in 225 detailed pages and were written by seven of Hitler’s chief physicians. The full catalogues from the Alexander Historical Auctions can be found here and here. They also include X-ray copies of Hitler’s skull and sketches of the inside of his nose. Bidding for the documents will be completed this week, and the documents are expected to sell for as much as $2,000.
Mws R Writings 
